The Minnesota Vikings haven't been as busy as most teams in free agency, but they did sign Kyler Murray, potentially providing them the kind of quarterback play that can get the team back to the playoffs.

Murray hasn't been as effective in recent years, but he's a former No. 1 overall pick with a dynamic skill set. Paired with Kevin O'Connell and other offensive weapons, Murray could be in for a career resurgence in 2026.

Jared Dublin of CBS Sports says that Murray is one of the most "intriguing" offensive free agent acquisitions of the offseason.

However it happens, O'Connell and Murray are likely going to meet somewhere in the middle rather than having one of them make an extreme shift to the other's end of the spectrum. And the balance they strike, and how they strike it together, will determine the strength of a Minnesota offense that has an incredibly high ceiling due to the plethora of skill-position talent on hand combined with Murray's own skill set.

The Vikings are only paying Murray $1.3 million in 2026, adding another level of intrigue to the signing. With Arizona on the hook for $36.8 million of his contract this year, Murray provides Minnesota with a valuable asset at the sport's most important position.

If he can play closer to the level he did as a Pro Bowler in 2020 and 2021, Murray could not only lead the Vikings back to the postseason but also set himself up for a massive payday next offseason.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Offseason: Vikings signing of Kyler Murray labeled as 'intriguing'

The Baltimore Ravens are once again turning draft night into a full fan experience.

The team will host its annual Draft Party at M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday, April 23, during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. on the Caesars Sportsbook Club Level, giving fans a chance to take in the night from inside the stadium. This isn't just a watch party. Fans can expect a live draft broadcast, a Lounge Podcast taping, appearances from Ravens legends, cheerleaders, and mascots, plus interactive experiences throughout the venue. Food, drinks, and exclusive giveaways are also included.

Ravens senior vice president Brad Downs highlighted the event's continued growth and its role in bringing the fanbase together. It's become a key offseason staple—keeping the Ravens Flock connected while celebrating the team's future.

For tickets and more information, visit BaltimoreRavens.com/DraftParty.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens to host 2026 Draft Party at M&T Bank Stadium

Patriots Insider Predicts Team Will Land 21-Sack Michigan Product In Second Round originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots are in the market for some pass rush help, and they could land some in the second round of the upcoming NFL Draft.

Last season, the Patriots had just 35 sacks in the regular season. They lost K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency, but replaced him with Dre'Mont Jones. Their pass rush still needs some help, and Patriots insider Evan Lazar predicted they would draft Derrick Moore from the University of Michigan in the second round.

"The Patriots addressed the edge position by signing Jones in free agency and are returning starter Harold Landry III, but getting an influx of talent with pass-rush upside is still on the to-do list," wrote Lazar. "New England also seemed to open the door for a top-100 draft pick to join the defense by releasing veteran Anfernee Jennings and opting not to re-sign K'Lavon Chaisson, their leading pressure-producer during their run to Super Bowl LX – all signs point to an EDGE early."

The Patriots made it to the Super Bowl despite a weak pass rush. Adding Moore could change that instantly. He had 21 sacks in four seasons with the Wolverines. He had 10 sacks last season and also had 10.5 tackles for a loss.

"Moore is a power-oriented player but racked up pressures at Michigan by bull-rushing tackles with good first-step explosiveness, rolled hips, and long arms into contact," wrote Lazar. "With tackles bracing for his power, he catches them over-setting with inside counters, and he's a playmaking run defender with great instincts. Moore projects as a full-time starter, with Gabe Jacas (Illinois) and Keyron Crawford (Auburn) as other day-two possibilities."

Moore checked in at 6-foot-4, 255 pounds at the NFL Combine. He has the physical traits to be a successful pass rusher in the NFL, and could fall to the Patriots in a deep class of pass rushers.

The NFL has become a very fluid league where players can sign massive contracts one year and be cut or traded the next. More often than not, the situations that lead to those types of drastic decisions are more money-related than player or off-the-field issues that one might think would rationalize such a knee-jerk reaction.

Now, as such a flexible league, players are, of course, assets to teams. PFF reviewed each team's roster and identified its best trade asset. In the case of the Vikings, their writer John Kosko identified wide receiver Jordan Addison.

He made the argument for Addison, writing, "The Vikings don’t have many top-tier trade assets, but Addison stands out as a potential candidate. A former first-round pick, he has flashed early in his career but has yet to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season and struggled with drops in 2025. The talent is evident, and a contending team in need of a WR2 or WR3 could benefit from his skill set. With Minnesota needing to add depth on defense, moving Addison could bring back valuable assets to help address those areas."

Addison could be traded, but it seems far more likely they extend him as talks have picked up in that area. Regardless, Addison is always going to be an interesting piece on the roster while Justin Jefferson remains ahead of him on the depth chart.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Offseason: What is the Vikings most valuable trade asset in 2026?

The Green Bay Packers have had their eyes on linebacker Zaire Franklin for some time now, according to general manager Brian Gutekunst. Gutekunst spoke to the press at the NFL league meetings this week, which included this quote about Franklin (h/t The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman):

We’ve liked Zaire for a while. Quite frankly, back when he was not starting in Indy, his first few years, he was a really good special teams player; we kind of tried to acquire him then. He’s been a really good player for a long time. Obviously, a really good leader as well, captain there. So, as we kind of went down and realized it was going to be really tough to get Quay [Walker] back, I wanted to make sure we had an answer at middle linebacker.

The team has made comments like this in the past, notably that the Packers tried to trade for pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith before he ended up signing with Green Bay in free agency back in 2019.

If you’re doing the math on when a Franklin addition would have made sense for the Packers, Franklin became a part-time starter for the Indianapolis Colts in 2021, the same year that Green Bay signed De’Vondre Campbell to be the team’s starting middle linebacker in June. In a different world, maybe Franklin would have been the Packers’ starting Mike for the last five seasons, instead of the team going to Campbell and Walker before settling in on Franklin.

Franklin, who has 82 career NFL starts under his belt, was traded from Indianapolis last season in exchange for defensive lineman Colby Wooden.

Germany left it late to defeat Ghana 2-1 this evening – Deniz Undav found the back of the net on 88 minutes in what was dramatic game at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart.

Here are our German player ratings from the game:

German starting XI player ratings:

GK: Alexander Nübel – 5/10

A quiet night for the VfB Stuttgart shot-stopper who had little to do in the first half and that pattern continued after the break. Little he could do for Ghana's well-worked goal. 

RB: Joshua Kimmich – 7/10

Fulfilled a playmaking role by drifting inside in possession and orchestrating play. Made a vital clearance to prevent Antoine Semenyo's cross finding someone in the box. Played in defensive midfield late on but skied a fine chance to win the game.

CB: Jonathan Tah – 7/10

Threatening from set-pieces and constantly emerged with the ball from his respective duels. Replaced by Antonio Rüdiger at the break but didn't put a foot wrong all night.

CB: Nico Schlotterbeck – 6/10

A marked improvement from his difficult night in Basel last Friday. The Dortmund defender didn't contribute much in possession but won back the ball on several occasions. A clutch second-half block denied Adu of a goal. Picked up a yellow card for a foul on Yirenkyi.

LB: Nathaniel Brown – 7/10

Extremely composed on his starting debut and didn't look out of place in defence. Crucial piece of one-one-one defending to keep Prince Adu out in the first-half, and was replaced by David Raum on 60 minutes.

DM: Angelo Stiller – 6/10

The midfield anchor played a crucial role in dictating the play. His shot on the left-hand side of the box yielded a penalty from which Havertz converted. Made way for Vagnoman with 30 minutes remaining.

DM: Pascal Groß – 5/10

Did the basics and often offered himself to teammates for passes when under pressure. Probably lacks the necessary athleticism for midfield battles to come against trickier opposition. Goretzka took over past the hour.

LM: Florian Wirtz – 6.5/10

Wonderful early pass to find Havertz and drifted into half spaces to probe passes in behind the Ghanaian defence. Unlucky to have a well-taken goal ruled out for offside against Woltemade. Made way for Führich on 60 minutes.

AM: Nick Woltemade – 4/10

Wasteful an early chance and strayed offside by mere inches before playing the key pass for Wirtz's chalked off goal. A luckless night continued as he hit the post after the break, but did well to block a goal-bound Ghanaian set-piece routine. Hooked for Sane on 78 minutes.

RM: Serge Gnabry – 5/10

Barring a stray pass here and there alongside the odd loose touch, the Bayern winger offered a lot on both flanks with tireless energy. Hooked for Lennart Karl at the interval.

ST: Kai Havertz – 7/10

Great vision to pick out Woltemade for an early chance and constantly posed a threat. Unlucky to see his free-kick hit the post, but remained ice-cool to convert his penalty before the break and that was his last act. 

Substitutions:

Lennart Karl – 6/10 (45 mins)

Came on at half-time for his club teammate Serge Gnabry. Picked out Woltemade with a great cross and dribbled with promise on the right. Spurned a gilt-edged chance late on.

Deniz Undav – 6.5/10 (45 mins)

The darling of the night, roared on by the Stuttgart fans present, eventually got his chance at half-time. Initially struggled but did so well to prod home an 88th-minute winner. 

Antonio Rüdiger – 5.5/10 (45 mins)

Replaced Jonathan Tah at the break and instantly looked to get on the end of a set-piece. Didn't put a foot wrong in 45 minutes.

Leon Goretzka – 6.5/10 (60 mins)

Replaced Pascal Groß just past the hour mark and brought a noted physical boost. Set up Karl late on, but the latter should have scored. A key pass in setting up the second goal.

Chris Führich – 5.5/10 (60 mins)

Won a couple of frees with a menacing runs down the left but otherwise failed to live up to Wirtz who he was introduced for on the hour. 

David Raum – 6/10 (60 mins)

Took over from Nathaniel Brown on 60 minutes and instantly made a big clearance. Also went close from a long-range free kick while delivering a some decent set-pieces.

Josha Vagnoman – 3/10 (60 mins)

Failed to deal with Derrick Köhn on the break who skipped past him to sat up the goal for Abdul Fatawu. Didn't impose himself on the game.

Leroy Sané – 6/10 (78 mins)

Replaced Woltemade with 12 minutes remaining and linked up well with Goretzka to create a chance for Karl who inexcusably fired wide. Provided the match-winning assist for Undav late on. 

A Brazilian idol and one of the greatest players in history, two-time world champion in 1994 and 2002 Ronaldo is confident in the Brazilian National Team’s success at this year’s World Cup. In an interview with CBF TV this Monday (30), on the eve of the friendly against Croatia, the former player stressed that the Seleção has “incredible talents” and an “impressively good coach.”

“It’s very good to see the whole national team group again, and I wouldn’t say the game (against Croatia) is decisive. I think the preparation is underway, the team has incredible talents and an impressively good coach. I’m sure he will sort out the small details that are still missing for the World Cup,” celebrated Ronaldo, who worked with coach Carlo Ancelotti at Milan in Italy.

Casemiro and Ronaldo in the locker room at Camping World Stadium, in OrlandoCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Accompanied by fellow five-time world champion Rivaldo, Fenômeno watched Brazil’s final training session before the match against the Croatians — the clash is scheduled for 9 p.m. Brasília time at Camping World Stadium in Orlando — where he was able to notice the light and healthy atmosphere within the squad.

“It’s very good to see the atmosphere and harmony at a moment of pre-World Cup tension. It’s great to have come here to feel that and also to pass on a message of optimism to them. I think the Brazilian National Team will always be a favorite, we always have the best players in the world, they know that and it’s important for them to act accordingly, because the Brazilian people’s hope in our players is very great,” he emphasized.

Carlo Ancelotti, Ronaldo and Samir Xaud in the locker room at Camping World Stadium, in OrlandoCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Ronaldo was the fourth world champion to attend the national team’s training sessions during this FIFA window, joining Rivaldo, Bebeto and Edmílson. He explained that contact with the current generation makes it possible to feel the “players’ commitment” and bring “calm.”

“It’s good to be with the players and feel their commitment. It’s nice to share experiences and pass on a certain calmness. The national team certainly has things to improve and without a doubt it will improve. We have to go for it because this is Brazil, and we have to do our best to bring the trophy back to Brazil", he said.

Samir Xaud, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Rodrigo Caetano and Cícero Souza watch the Brazilian National Team training session at Camping World Stadium, in OrlandoCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

“We will always be here helping and supporting the national team, to bring calm so that they can represent us very well during the World Cup,” he added.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, in the Bento Ribeiro neighborhood, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima played 105 matches for the Seleção and scored 67 goals. In addition to the 1994 and 2002 World Cups, he won the Copa América in 1997 and 1999, the Confederations Cup in 1997, and was called up for the 1998 and 2006 World Cups. Across his four World Cups, he scored 15 goals and, when he retired, he was the competition’s all-time top scorer.

Ronaldo and Samir Xaud on the pitch at Camping World Stadium, in Orlando, after the Brazilian National Team’s training session on the eve of the friendly against CroatiaCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

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

Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven has highlighted three traits that will make his teammate, Leny Yoro, one of the best in the world.

The sky is the limit

Over the past few weeks, Yoro has seen a dramatic increase in playing time due to Lisandro Martinez’s calf injury.

Yoro has started United’s last five games, with Michael Carrick slotting him next to Harry Maguire. The pair have formed a formidable partnership that has solidified United’s bid to finish within the guaranteed Champions League places.

Against Aston Villa in particular, Yoro was outstanding, playing a crucial role in silencing the impact of Ollie Watkins.

Like Yoro, Heaven is a young, up-and-coming central defender still finding his feet, both at the elite level and within Old Trafford. The England youth international spoke to club media and was asked about the progress his good friend has made.

Heaven’s remarks

Heaven answered about Yoro’s run in the team, “He deserves it. He has showed what he can do ever since he came here, so I am happy for him.”

“He is quick, good on the ball, good in the air. He has got everything you need as a centre-back, so he will become top.”

Yoro and Heaven regularly work with Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate – two former defenders who form part of Michael Carrick’s coaching staff.

Heaven said about this, “Me and Leny always do extras with Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans, and we are always learning and helping each other a lot. We still have a lot to learn, because we are still very young. The guys help us, and we are always trying to improve.”

“Jonny helped me a lot last season when he was a player. It is always good to have those senior players, and now that he is a coach it is great to have that past relationship with him. Me and Jonny have a good connection.”

Asked which teammates have had the biggest influence on his career so far, Heaven named Harry Maguire and Arsenal’s William Saliba.

He explained regarding the pair, “Just having that reassurance [of them] next to you. You’re not that afraid when you have got that experience beside you.”

Heaven and United return to action on 13 April when they face Leeds at Old Trafford.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey revealed that Chelsea are in the running to land Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix. It has been mentioned that the Blues will have to rival Liverpool, Aston Villa and Bayern Munich in the race to sign the French centre-back this summer.

Lacroix’s Impressive Form In English Football

Lacroix has enjoyed a good run of form at the London club this season and deserves credit for putting in a run of solid displays for them on the defensive end of the field. The 25-year-old has found the back of the net three times and earned a couple of assists in 43 matches for Crystal Palace in this campaign across all competitions.

The French talent is currently among the best centre-backs in the Premier League. Thus, Chelsea would do well to acquire his services this off-season.

His current contract at Selhurst Park will run out in the summer of 2029, which could make it tough for Chelsea to sign him on the cheap later this year.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Leeds United at Selhurst Park on March 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Is Lacroix A Good Signing For Chelsea Boss Liam Rosenior?

Lacroix is a good tackler of the ball and can read the danger well to earn possession back for his team inside his half. He doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball when needed and is a decent passer of the ball.

Standing at 1.90m, the French centre-half is a strong presence in the air and doesn’t mind putting his body on the line to make a few last-ditch blocks for his team. He is already quite familiar with the Premier League and won’t take much time to adjust to life at Chelsea.

We can expect Lacroix to bring more bite and steel to Liam Rosenior’s frontline. He has what it takes to fight for a regular first-team spot at the West London club in the coming years.

At 25, Lacroix has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a decent signing for the Blues to pursue at the end of this campaign. He might even help the Blues challenge across all fronts in the coming years. Therefore, Rosenior would be wise to engineer a move to bring Lacroix to Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window.

The next Adam Wharton is at Liverpool and he will be coming to join the club's first-team soon.

Who doesn’t appreciate a midfielder like him?

He feels like a player from another time - low socks, Adidas Predators, and a level of footballing intelligence that sets him apart from everyone else on the pitch. He embodies the essence of what draws people to the game in the first place.

In many respects, his style brings back memories of a prime Thiago Alcântara. His ability to read the game is outstanding, his first touch is flawless, and his line-breaking passes consistently give his team the upper hand.

When it comes to replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold, it’s hard to argue against him being the perfect fit.

Right now, there’s arguably no one else in the Premier League who blends the same qualities that Alexander-Arnold offers quite like he does. It explains why he’s already broken into the England setup and why so many Liverpool fans are eager to see him at Anfield.

But here’s the exciting part - Liverpool supporters may not have to look elsewhere for long. The next version of him might already be at the club, and his first-team breakthrough could be just around the corner.

Meet U18 midfielder Haydn Murray-Holme, who might just be the standout talent currently flying under the radar in Liverpool’s academy.

Much like Wharton, Murray-Holme carries a hint of the old-school game, but blends it seamlessly with modern qualities. He’s a graceful midfielder, technically gifted, with the awareness and composure to pick out passes from virtually anywhere on the pitch.

His vision and scanning ability mirror Wharton’s closely - as does the range and precision of his distribution.

So far this season, he has registered one goal and five assists in 23 appearances across the club’s U18 and U19 sides. Solid numbers for a midfielder — but it’s his underlying data that truly stands out.

Murray-Holme is an intelligent reader of the game, someone who contributes just as effectively off the ball as he does on it.

He’s averaging 4.91 recoveries per 90 minutes in the opposition’s half - an excellent return. On top of that, he’s winning 63.4% of his 6.63 defensive duels per 90, while also averaging 3.27 interceptions per 90 minutes, highlighting his defensive sharpness and anticipation.

But it's in possession where the midfielder really thrives.

On the ball, he is one of a kind and probably the most technical player the academy has produced since Alexander-Arnold.

Murray-Holme's first-touch is exceptional and he can wrap his foot around the ball to execute a number of different passes, from audacious through balls with the outside of his foot to long and extremely precise long balls over the top of opposition defenders.

Again his range of distribution is very Wharton esque.

He's an extremely effective player at breaking lines. And he becomes a cheat-code who can unlock any defence, putting teams on the backfoot.

He has averaged the most progressive passes (12.5 per 90 minutes) among midfielders in the U18 Premier League. He's averaged the third most passes into the opposition's final third (13.56 per 90 minutes).

He's already been promoted to play for the U21 team in a friendly last year, and given the qualities he has and what Liverpool need, it won't be long until Murray-Holme joins Liverpool's first-team.

In the process, the Reds will have their very own version of Wharton. Remember the name. Because he is coming to the Reds' senior set-up very soon.

The “Heisman Trophy” of college wrestling is back in Happy Valley was Penn State’s 165er Mitchell Mesenbrink was announced as the winner of the 2026 Hodge Trophy.

Mesenbrink just finished up a dominant junior season, going 27-0 on the year and winning his second individual NCAA title at 165 pounds. What’s crazy is he’ll be back for one final season next year, and he’ll have a chance to establish himself as one of the most decorated wrestlers in NCAA history. His lone loss in his college career came during his freshman season when he lost the 165-pound final to David Carr of Iowa State 9-8, losing on riding time.

This is the 8th time a Penn State wrestler has won the Hodge Trophy, with Kerry McCoy (1997), David Taylor (2012 and 2014), Zain Retherford (2017 and 2018), Bo Nickal (2019), and Aaron Brooks (2024) having previously won the award.

Yet another match in which Germany dominates for 90 minutes yet is still frantically attacking in the dying minutes to rescue a win. In what was hoped to be a comfortable win for Die Mannschaft, individual performances once again held back an elite crop of players from a result matching the expectations of the German national team. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann has some serious questions to answer after this international break.

Joshua Kimmich is no longer an elite player

The Bayern Munich veteran has really spoiled a strong fan support prior to this season. In the last few months, Kimmich has been an absolute shell of his former self and evidently so today. Whether he is struggling with an injury or simply no longer performing at the top level, Kimmich is no longer the same player. While some have Kimmich as the Man of the Match in today’s game, not all share that same sentiment.

This game told a lot about Germany’s best talent

Once again, there were several polarizing individual performances. Alongside Kimmich and Josha Vagnoman who struggled at right-back, Pascal Groß and Leon Goretzka had particularly poor showings, demonstrating why Anton Stach, Aleksandar Pavlović, and Felix Nmecha should be the faces of this midfield moving forward.

In a game with many offensive chances yet few goals, there continues to be reason to lean on a true and trusted nine such as Denis Undav or Tim Kleindienst. Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade were fine, but still left goals on the table. As for Chris Führich, this is yet another case of playing a particular player for the home crowd, rather than performance. Führich is simply not at the level of the national team.

Germany can’t hold onto a lead

The defensive line had another frustrating performance. While mostly solid, there were glimpses of disaster that led to opposition goals once again. While Nico Schlotterbeck and Kimmich were to blame against Switzerland, this time it was Josha Vagnoman, who was probably only introduced as a fan service to the Stuttgart crowd.

Vagnoman didn’t deserve a callup and he certainly didn’t deserve match time. The right-back position for Germany is in shambles at the moment.

Major adjustments still needed

While Nagelsmann made the right call by excluding Goretzka and Leroy Sané from the starting lineup, there are still plenty of issues to solve ahead of this summer’s tournament. Does Germany have enough talent to make a deep run at the World Cup? Yes. Will Julian Nagelsmann not only nominate the correct players but field a strong XI in each match? That’s a whole other question and quite frankly he hasn’t nailed it yet since the EUROs.

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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Red Sox Share Starting Lineup For First Game Of Astros Series originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Alex Cora may have quickly established his preferred Boston Red Sox lineup to start the season.

Boston stays on the road to play the Houston Astros after dropping two of three to the Cincinnati Reds. Ranger Suarez makes his Red Sox debut on Monday night against Lance McCullers Jr.

The Red Sox released their lineup to start the three-game set. Cora will deploy the same batting order he used against Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder on Saturday.

Roman Anthony is back in left field after spending Saturday as the designated hitter. He'll lead off ahead of shortstop Trevor Story, Jarren Duran (back to DH) and first baseman Willson Contreras for the fourth straight time.

Right fielder Wilyer Abreu stays in the No. 5 spot after delivering two doubles and two home runs during a dominant series at Cincinnati. On the other hand, third baseman Caleb Durbin remains at No. 6 despite going hitless against the Reds.

Marcelo Mayer makes his third consecutive start at second base after sitting against a southpaw on Opening Day. He moves back to No. 7 after batting No. 8 on Sunday.

Finally, two regulars return to the starting lineup after sitting out Sunday's loss. Carlos Narváez will catch for Suarez at No. 8, and Gold Glove winner Ceddanne Rafaela is back in center field in the No. 9 slot. 

Houston's lineup is missing one key contributor. All-Star shortstop Jeremy Pena, who broke his finger during an exhibition contest before the World Baseball Classic, will sit out his third game of the young season.

Monday's game starts at 8:10 p.m. ET on NESN.

More MLB: Why Caleb Durbin Will End Up Being Just Fine After Slow Start

The Kentucky Wildcats have a new assistant basketball coach in Mo Williams.

Williams played for the Alabama Crimson Tide in the early 2000s under Mark Gottfried, earning All-SEC honors in his sophomore season, where he averaged over 16 points per game.

Of course, Williams gained more notoriety during his professional career. He was drafted in the second round of that loaded 2003 NBA Draft. He found his footing in Milwaukee and was eventually traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a few other stops, he landed back in Cleveland and won an NBA championship.

During his 13-year NBA career, Williams averaged 13 points and 5 assists per game.

Williams got into coaching shortly after his playing career, landing as an assistant coach at Cal State Northridge before becoming the head coach at Alabama State, and has spent the last four seasons as head coach at Jackson State.

His son, Mason, a 4-star prospect in the 2026 class, recently became the first commitment of the 2026 class for Kentucky.

Twitter had some thoughts about Williams joining Kentucky’s staff.

The 43-year-old Williams could fit well when it comes to player relations.

Some think bringing Williams in could be a boost for Kentucky’s recruiting.

The hire has drawn a lot of positive reviews.

Could this hire mean next season isn’t exactly make-or-break for Pope?

This clip of Williams talking about NIL is also resurfacing. Pretty interesting.

What do you think about the Mo Williams hire? Let us know below!

NBA Communications: The NBA Board of Governors has approved the sale of the controlling interest in the Portland Trail Blazers to an investor group led by Tom Dundon, who will serve as the Trail Blazers' Governor. The transaction is expected to close this week.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: The NBA Board of Governors has approved the sale of …

About a week ago, it was reported that the San Diego Padres were nearing a deal with a key player from the Texas Rangers’ 2023 World Series run. According to Mike Rodriguez, the Friars were targeting a deal with José Leclerc as a depth piece in their ‘pen.

That deal has now been made official, per MLB.com’s transactions page.

A former closer for the Rangers, Leclerc dominated on the mound when he was healthy. But he wasn’t always that way.

Injury worries before a dominant resurgence

When he was first named the closer by Texas in 2019, Leclerc struggled. He ended the year with a 4.33 ERA across 70 innings for a Rangers squad that finished third in the AL West.

Then, in early 2021, he underwent Tommy John surgery that kept him out for the season, leading many to question if he could ever return to the flashes of dominance he displayed in 2018 (1.56 ERA, 57.2 IP).

He put those worries to rest in 2022.

From 2022-23, Leclerc recorded a 2.75 ERA with Texas, capping it off with a World Series ring to boot. He was a key piece out of the relief corps for the Rangers, and helped bring the club its first ever Fall Classic win after falling short in 2010 (San Francisco Giants) and 2011 (St. Louis Cardinals).

Has Father Time caught up?

That being said, Leclerc struggled mightily in his last two seasons. From 2024-25, between the Rangers and Athletics, he posted a 4.64 ERA across 74 games.

That figure includes a ballooned 2025 ERA (6.00) after he only saw nine innings of action with the A’s, giving up six runs in that time frame. His season in Sacramento ended early due to a right shoulder injury that saw him undergo surgery last July.

He’s certainly had an up-and-down career in terms of results, but the stuff is there. He obviously has a desire to compete after throwing a bullpen session for interested clubs earlier this offseason.

Leclerc is still rehabbing after his season-ending surgery, targeting a return sometime around July. If that’s the case, it will mark an opportunity for San Diego to bolster its relief corps amidst the dog days of summer.

Until then, it is a low-risk, high-reward move for the Padres. If Leclerc can touch his previous heights and offer some serviceable innings, then San Diego will have made a worthwhile pickup.

That’s the beauty of a minor-league pickup. There are no real strings attached. If Leclerc comes back at the Triple-A level and struggles, then he’ll likely not get an opportunity to affect the big-league club.

On the other hand, if he can be dominant again, Leclerc could figure to be a valuable piece of a bullpen already crowded with shutout relievers.

Marlins' staff and Owen Caissie deliver high ceiling in Opening Series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Miami Marlins kicked off their season against the Colorado Rockies, and it could not have gone better. The starting rotation looked good, the bullpen looked good, and the offense delivered. 

The Marlins won all three games, outscoring the Rockies 10-7, and sit in first place in the NL East, while the Philadelphia Phillies sit at the bottom. 

It is still early in the season, but fans have to feel good about how the team looks. It is the first time this team has started 3-0 since the 2009 season. 

MORE: Marlins reportedly call up 40-homer top infield prospect after just one game

Marlins' rotation and Owen Caissie deliver high ceiling in Opening Series

Sandy Alcantara got the start on Opening Day, and he did not disappoint. He went seven strong innings, giving up one run on four hits while striking out five batters. And with an RBI double from Owen Caissie and one later from Javier Sanoja, Pete Fairbanks was able to deliver his first save. 

On Saturday, Caissie would deliver a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth to go along with his three hits. And on Sunday, it would be Caissie again, delivering in the biggest way, hitting a walk-off homer to win the game and sweep the Rockies. 

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter is impressed with how Miami has opened up the season, even if it was against Colorado. 

"Granted it was against the Rockies, but the Marlins had a successful opening weekend with no shortage of positive takeaways. Sandy Alcantara tossed a gem, Pete Fairbanks nailed down his first two save chances, and rookie Owen Caissie went 5-for-10 with two doubles and one home run."

Acquiring Caissie from the Chicago Cubs looks to be quite the payoff for Miami. If he can continue to keep up this impressive pace, the Marlins will be a team that could surprise plenty this year.

More MLB news:

• Royce Lewis and the pitching staff provide hope despite Twins' series loss
• Shea Langeliers' power surge wasted as A's pitching staff struggles
• White Sox need offensive spark beyond Munetaka Murakami's historic start
• Marlins' path to a winning record depends on a healthy and dominant staff
• MLB analyst points to these two A's players as the key to success

The New York Giants have seven selections in the upcoming NFL draft -- the fifth and 37th overall picks and then five selections on Day 3.

Of course, they can (and probably will) make some moves on or before the draft to better their lot, but most mock drafters are operating under the assumption that they will likely stand pat.

The Giants do not have a third- or seventh-round selection in this draft due to trades. Their third-round pick was surrendered in the deal with Houston to move up for quarterback Jaxson Dart last year, and they swapped their seventh-rounder with Dallas' sixth-round pick in another deal.

ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller recently revealed his full seven-round draft. Here is who he sees the Giants ending up with.

Round 1, Pick 5: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

The Giants have a bunch of needs to choose from with this pick -- with receiver and right tackle being prominent ones -- but Downs' fit with new coach John Harbaugh can't be ignored. Having coached Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore, Harbaugh knows the value of a versatile, smart safety prospect. That describes Downs, who started immediately at Alabama as a freshman and for two seasons at Ohio State. Pairing him with Jevon Holland would give New York a dynamic duo at safety while needs elsewhere can be addressed later.

No matter who the Giants pick here, they'll be leaving a player, or players, on the board that many fans wanted. In this case, wide receiver Carnell Tate, cornerback Mansoor Delane, and linebacker Sonny Styles. Miller makes good points, however, regarding Harbaugh's history with premier safeties. Downs is a great prospect from a top program whose father (running back Gary Downs) played for the Giants.

Round 2, Pick 37: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Concepcion would further help second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart while adding a playmaker opposite Malik Nabers. Concepcion is an elite yards-after-catch receiver who excels from the slot. He's a chain mover who would seamlessly replace the departed Wan'Dale Robinson.

There were some medical concerns regarding Concepcion, who had a knee procedure this offseason, but he was seen running full speed in drills recently. If he is healthy, he may not make it out of the first round.

Round 4, Pick 105: Keegan Trost, OT, Missouri

The fans are hoping for an interior bruiser, but Trost could end up being a versatile piece who can slide inside. He is an experienced player who has lined up against top competition in games and in practice. A work in progress, perhaps, but the Giants in general seem to be a work in progress.

Round 5, Pick 145: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke

This is a need position, and the Giants need to get the right type of players in at corner. Rivers is not likely to play out on the boundary at five-feet-ten but has good speed and aggressiveness. He sizes up as a depth/special teams pick.

Round 6, Pick 186: Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State

The Giants' tight end room is overflowing at the moment, so this pick is a bit puzzling. Kacmarek is a big-bodied tight end (6-foot-6, 263 pounds) who scouts feel can develop into a fine run-blocker and short-yardage/red zone target in the passing game.

Round 6, Pick 192: Cameron Ball, DT, Arkansas

The Giants are looking for big bodies, and Ball (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) fits the bill. He plays with quickness and is a solid run-stopper, which aligns with the new coaching staff's goal.

Round 6, Pick 193: Tyreak Sapp, EDGE, Florida

At 6-foot-3 and 274 pounds, Sapp sizes up as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end who will have to prove his worth on special teams to win a roster spot.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants address multiple areas of need in Matt Miller's 7-round mock draft

Justin Devenny says that Northern Ireland have "drawn a line" under their World Cup play-off defeat by Italy.

Sandro Tonali and Mosie Kean scored in Bergamo to end Northern Ireland's dream of reaching a first World Cup in 40 years.

Northern Ireland will have to get straight back on the horse, as the saying goes, in a friendly against Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday.

It will be with low fanfare, compared to what both teams had hoped for, but Crystal Palace's Devenny said it will give the players a chance to "start with a new slate".

Northern Ireland will have friendlies in June before their Nations League campaign begins in September, against Georgia, Hungary and Ukraine.

"For us, it's just about trying to get that momentum, get that positivity within the squad and then just try and build from there," Devenny said.

"You don't get much time together at international level, and the times in between can feel like a really big time.

"So we're hopeful of ending it on a high."

• Quartet to miss Northern Ireland friendly in Wales
• Who could get Northern Ireland chance in Wales?
• Two teams, three games, six days - O'Neill's unique predicament

Northern Ireland will be without Ali McCann and Dan Ballard, who missed the game in Italy through injury.

Meanwhile, defenders Ruairi McConville and Paddy McNair have returned to Norwich City and Hull City with knee and thigh complaints, while goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell has a back issue.

The starting team in Italy only had one player over the age of 24, and Devenny, himself only 22, says the fact a large chunk of the squad are the same age helped them get over the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup.

"Everyone is there for each other," the versatile Crystal Palace player said.

"Even the age aspect plays a part in that, and I just think that having that bond, where everyone's in the same boat when we lose a game, that's when everyone's there for each other.

"We help pick each other up, and that's what defines a good group.

"I think it's important to have that kind of community where everyone is looking out for each other."

Wales will also be wounded after missing out in a dramatic penalty shootout to Bosnia-Herzgovina, and Devenny said that Craig Bellamy's men are "a good side".

"We've done a bit of work on them as a team, but we'll be looking to implement our game plan as well.

"We want to show out quality, and there's a lot of quality in our dressing room.

"They will be a great side, but our focus is on our game plan and how we can play well, and how we can show what we can do."

April is almost here which means the NFL Draft is just a few weeks away. In what is one of the most exciting times for football fans during the offseason, the draft always provides plenty of surprises.

This year, the New Orleans Saints currently hold the 8th overall pick in the first round and there’s already been plenty of discussions over who they should pick, with mock drafts coming out regularly. However, as the draft actually gets closer, there’s also chatter of whether or not the Saints should actually pick at 8, move back to gain some more picks or trade up, if there’s a player who can really make a difference from day 1.

So, in this week’s Reacts poll, we’re asking readers what they would like to see the Saints do in the 1st round of the draft? Vote in the link below and let us know your thoughts!

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Saints fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

The Mets are (probably) one better third-base coach decision away from being 3-0 on the young season, but there’s an issue that has already reared its head in all three games of 2026 thus far: the bullpen. 

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but the Mets are coming off a season where their bullpen was less than spectacular, and so a stated goal of the offseason was to rebuild the relief corps. On the higher end of the free agent pool, the Mets did just that, bringing in both Devin Williams and Luke Williams and retaining both Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter through options. Tobias Myers was part of the Freddy Garcia trade, and Huascar Brazobán is also back, and those six pitchers are making up the core of the bullpen. And, although Minter hasn’t played yet and Brazobán has had an up and down Mets career thus far, those players aren’t the issue. 

But it’s the other three pitchers currently in the Mets’ bullpen that are the issue. Our Chris McShane already spoke about Sean Manaea’s velocity dip and how that is likely unsustainable at the big league level. The other two arms are Luis García and Richard Lovelady, both of whom have appeared in multiple games and surrendered multiple runs. 

There has been discussion about how the Mets are leaving a few spots in the bullpen for the waiver wire/upward mobility pool. To translate that a bit, he means guys who are fungible enough to call up for a few games and then send down and/or designate for assignment when they’ve been used too many days in a row. It’s an approach that makes sense when you consider how many more bullpen innings are needed in the modern game and you don’t want to destroy your main guys’ arms. 

However, this weekend was a prime example of why that methodology may be logical but unsound. On Opening Day, the Mets had a big lead going into the ninth inning, and so when García gave up two runs on three hits without a strikeout, it wasn’t such a big deal. But the Mets had to get Williams up and throwing in what should’ve been a laugher of a game. Again, the schedule helped here with the off day on Friday, but that’s not going to be the norm throughout the season. When you can’t close the door on a big lead against a second division club with a fully rested bullpen, that’s an issue. 

On Saturday, García was back at it in the tenth inning and surrendered the free runner on second while allowing two hits and one walk. One inning later, after the Mets had scored to tie the game, Loveady entered the game and surrendered the Manfred Man again. Thankfully, Luis Robert Jr. sent the Mets home happy and the bullpen ineffectiveness is a footnote rather than a headline. 

But on Sunday, the Mets’ luck would run out. After Manaea somehow tap-danced through seven batters with limited stuff, Weaver sat the Pirates down in the ninth. But Lovelady was back for the tenth, and on the first batter of extras, the game was untied by Ryan O’Hearn. Dicky got a ground ball double play to almost escape the inning but couldn’t put it away. Two straight walks and a single put Pittsburgh up by two. 

Like I said at the top, if Francisco Lindor was held at third base, the Mets might’ve come back to win that game and this would all seem a little less pressing. I’m really not trying to pick on Garcia or Lovelady, two journeymen relievers trying to put food on their families’ tables and keep their careers going. I’m questioning the construction of the roster and the deployment of the relief pitchers. 

The answer seems fairly simple, which is that if you want fungible relievers, you’ve got a number of relievers in your minor league system with minor league options: Austin Warren, Ryan Lambert, Dylan Ross, Jonathan Pintaro, Alex Carrillo, and Joey Gerber. I’m not sure any of them are the answer long term, but I can’t imagine that they would be appreciably worse than García or Lovelady were in their first two appearances each. Using those players also helps you see what you have in terms of potential long-term pieces instead of getting the expected results from a guy who your team has already DFA’d four times. 

The Manaea of it all is the hardest part of this, because if either Lovelady or Garcia were DFA’d ahead of today’s game, no one would blink an eye. But if we’re stashing Manaea in the bullpen, we’re not talking about a third fungible spot. We’re talking about a veteran who was expected to be a big part of this team whose stuff is simply not up to snuff. This won’t be an easy cut in any way, and this seems like the type of player who will linger on the roster long past their possible usefulness. 

This is the least Stearnsian piece of the Mets’ current roster, and one that I fear won’t be addressed for some time. However, this would be less of an issue if there weren’t two other (at best) replacement-level players in the ‘pen. 

Personally, I would advocate for the Mets to take a more proactive approach and add at least one reliever who isn’t intended to be here today and gone later today. It may hurt some of the churn, but it would also likely prevent some of the issues that cropped up over the weekend. If one roster spot was dedicated to the churn guy, and the pool for that spot was minor league relievers who need some big league appearances to evaluate, sign me up. But to have three borderline poor performers on the roster at once is a bad place to be, even just three games into a season.

Going out of their way to provide Roki Sasaki with the opportunity to find himself as a starting pitcher, the Dodgers offer him a spot in the Opening Day rotation. The reigning champs do that even if his spring training showing did little to lower the volume on those concerns. Part of why that’s feasible is that, to no one’s surprise, the Dodgers already start the year with starters on the shelf, as Blake Snell is currently on the injured list. Even so, if going by performance alone, Dave Roberts had better candidates for that fifth rotation spot and chose to hand Sasaki this opportunity.

It’s under this outlook that Sasaki makes his season debut, dealing with the pressure of someone who probably has more to prove than any other player on this roster. The young Japanese starter was supposed to be the next big thing coming out of the NPB, and so far, all of his better moments have come as a reliever. Intent on making it as a starter, Sasaki needs to get off to a hot start in order to gain some confidence and then take things from there.

The Guardians at home aren’t exactly a cakewalk, but he could hardly ask for a much better matchup, squaring off against a team that averaged 3.25 runs per game in their first four appearances. Although that probably had a lot to do with facing an outstanding Seattle Mariners pitching staff, and not just the reflection of a mediocre effort from Cleveland. Don’t let Chase DeLauter beat you. Sure, José Ramírez is the big star, but what the rookie DeLauter did against the M’s was magnificent, hitting four home runs in as many games.

Monday’s game info

• Teams: Dodgers vs. Guardians
• Ballpark: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
• Start time: 7:10 p.m. PT
• TV: SportsNet LA
• Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

The Dallas Cowboys need a lot of help. Thankfully for them an opportunity to acquire some is around the corner.

We have less than a month to go until the 2026 NFL Draft and the Cowboys are expected to improve (or at least try to improve) their defense given the absolute abomination that they fielded last year how things went in 2025. You do not need to be the highest-level analyst in the world to understand this idea.

Many have posited that we could actually see an all-defense draft from the Cowboys. If you still remember what 2025 was like then this doesn’t feel like the most impossible thing.

ESPN’s Matt Miller released a seven-round mock draft on Monday and did not exactly do that.

Premium picks are spent on defense

It is important to note that Miller spent the most premium assets at his disposal on fixing the Cowboys defense. That certainly matters for something. With the team’s initial selection he went in a direction that many continue to point to – Knoxville.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Dallas’ cornerback room is full of question marks behind DaRon Bland due to the release of Trevon Diggs. Bland is solid, but the Cowboys need a corner who scares opposing QBs. McCoy missed last season following a torn ACL suffered in January 2025, but his 2024 tape was elite, with four interceptions and nine passes defensed. The 6-foot-1, 188-pound McCoy profiles as a physical outside cornerback with smooth moving skills in phase. He would have been my top cornerback in the 2025 class if he was draft-eligible.

Jermod McCoy continues to be linked to the Cowboys at number 12 overall. Mansoor Delane seems to be a preference from some fans given that McCoy is coming back from the ACL injury, but his potential is certainly very high. It is just always difficult to spend your most premium asset on someone who you feel like you cannot fully trust.

Delane went way before Dallas in this draft (at number 7 to Washington) so it’s not like they could do anything about it.

On to number 20.

20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB)

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

After going corner at No. 12, the Cowboys could land a long-term safety option, as they need a youthful upgrade to 30-year-old Malik Hooker and free agent signee Jalen Thompson. McNeil-Warren would be elite in a three-safety look due to his 6-foot-4 build, range and ability to play in the box. He’s very good at erasing passing lanes, but McNeil-Warren’s best asset is his downhill tackling ability that has led to nine career forced fumbles. Dallas needs difference-makers on defense, and McNeil-Warren’s turnover creation would be welcome.

Winding up with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a great result to be clear, also feels like missing out on the best-available player at the position (relative to draft position). Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman has the eye of many Cowboys fans. Miller had him going two picks earlier to Minnesota.

In a positional sense this is still working out very well for the Cowboys. They have significantly improved their secondary, given their new defensive coordinator Christian Parker (a master of that craft) two new foundational pieces to build a future around, and have taken a serious step towards a brigher future.

To the third round!

92. Dallas Cowboys (from SF)

Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU

Defensive speed is the theme of the Cowboys’ mock draft so far. Perkins’ versatility and open-field range make him a natural fit opposite DeMarvion Overshown, and Perkins has sub-package pass-rush potential.

We have spent so much time since free agency started talking about the linebacker position for the Cowboys. This is fair and makes sense given that it is the one position that Dallas has yet to really address even if they tried really hard to do so.

Coming away with Harold Perkins Jr. answers the call in a literal sense, but it would still leave the Cowboys pretty shy in terms of players who they could actively depend on. Going at 2026 with Perkins and DeMarvion Overshown feels loose at best which is why the Cowboys would be well-served to add at the position before the draft. Maybe they’d still take Perkins in this hypothetical anyway, but it would be a shame for them to be forced into anything because of not having an answer.

Day 3 is almost entirely offense

While Miller had the Cowboys spend their most premium assets on the defensive side of the ball he really took a turn on Day 3.

You will note that the first pick, the most premium of this specific group, is on defense as well, but after that it is entirely offense. There is even a quarterback in the mix.

• 4th (112 overall): Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
• 5th (152 overall): Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama
• 5th (177 overall): Jam Miller, RB, Alabama
• 5th (180 overall): Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
• 7th (218 overall, from TEN): Chase Roberts, WR, BYU

It is difficult to do an entire seven-round mock draft for the whole NFL. That being said, it is difficult to envision the Cowboys checking off every facet of their offense (once again speaking positionally) on the third day of the draft when their defense was so bad last year.

It’s not impossible for offense to be addressed, but if anything the offensive line seems like the group that would get a touch up. Spending a fifth-round pick on a quarterback would be a huge misuse of a resource (even a minimal one) for this team. They just traded for Joe Milton last year and signed Sam Howell a few weeks back.

What do you think about this mock, though? Is it likely? Impossible?

Let us know in the comments down below.

Here are the lineups. For the Phillies:

For the Nationals:

Let’s talk about it.

The No. 2 seed Michigan women’s basketball team faces No. 1 seed Texas at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN) with the Wolverines’ first ever Final Four berth on the line. Here’s a look at the key components of the game.

Battle of the Defenses

Texas is one of the nation’s top defensive teams, limiting opponents to 56.3 points per game while forcing 22.4 turnovers and generating 26.4 points off those turnovers, on average. The Longhorns also average 11.9 steals and 4.6 blocks per game, led by the tandem of guard Rori Harmon and AP All-American first team forward Madison Booker.

The Wolverines limit opponents to 62.2 points per game while forcing 21.7 turnovers and generating 24.3 points off those. Michigan averages 11.4 steals and 3.6 blocks per game, the steals led in large part due to senior guard Brooke Quarles Daniels. Quarles Daniels’ defense bolsters the Wolverines’ full-court press, which wreaked havoc against each of their opponents thus far in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan swiped 10 steals against No. 15 seed Holy Cross, 14 against No. 7 seed North Carolina State, and nine against No. 3 seed Louisville in the Sweet 16 on Saturday. The Wolverines forced a total of 60 turnovers (20, 22, 18, respectively) and plan to ramp up their defensive efforts full-throttle to contend with the Longhorns’ lethal offense.

Containing Booker and Harmon

Booker averages 19.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game to lead Texas in both categories. She’s a complete player who can score at all levels, and 

“She is just phenomenal,” head coach Kim Barnes Arico said. “Her pull-up game is, like — I mean, you can put it with anyone in the world, and I think, you know, she would win that contest. She just has a knack for the goal. I mean, she shoots it, and the ball goes in. So she is just a really, really special player.”

In the NCAA Tournament so far, Booker has scored 17 points against No. 5 seed Kentucky in the Sweet 16, 40 against No. 8 seed Oregon in the second round, and a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double against No. 16 seed Missouri State in the first round. Her lowest field goal percentage was 50 percent from the floor, and a high of 66.7 percent against the Ducks. Booker takes efficient shots, facilitated by Harmon.

“Rori Harmon, who is arguably one of the best point guards in the country that plays both ways,” Barnes Arico said. “She defends her butt off, 94 feet as well as playing offense at a really, really high level.”

Harmon’s 6.2 assists and 2.8 steals per game — as the Longhorns’ all-time program leader in those categories — are emblematic of her in-game impact. Entering the NCAA Tournament, Texas ranked third nationally in turnover margin, fourth in scoring margin, fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio and fifth in field goal percentage, in no small part thanks to Harmon. She’s a high-efficiency scorer herself, adding 8.5 points per game, while shooting 46.2 percent from three (albeit at a lower clip than most guards). Her defensive tenacity and full-court pressure alter the game, and could have a big impact on Michigan’s offense if not controlled.

Capitalize on threes

Texas shoots three-pointers at the nation’s lowest rate out of 363 teams. If the Wolverines can heat up from three, coming from sophomore guards Syla Swords, Olivia Olson, Mila Holloway and sophomore wing Te’Yala Delfosse, they can compensate for the Longhorns’ efficiency within the arc to hang tight. Michigan shoots 33.6 percent from deep as a team and lit up the scoreboard with 10 triples against the Wolfpack in the NCAA Tournament second round. However, the Wolverines shot just 4-for-13 beyond the arc against the Cardinals in the Sweet 16, and will need a return to form.

On offense, Michigan will also have to limit its turnovers more closely to its opening weekend average (7.5) compared to 17 against Louisville. The Longhorns capitalize on turnovers, running in transition, and make it difficult to get clean looks offensively in the halfcourt. The Wolverines will need to stay true to their identity, playing with a controlled tempo, to generate efficient opportunities and make their first Final Four.

The world of collegiate golf and junior golf in general is a fascinating one.

There are a number for circumstances that the modern athlete is dealing with at the collegiate level in 2026 and golf is certainly no different. Golf is a game where, typically, collegiate athletes are perfecting their crafts in hopes of competing on the professional scene someday, but obviously they have to make it there by having success along the way.

Recently the folks at Junior Golf released the 2026 College Golf Report and in it are several surprising bits of information related to our current times.

Of note:

The 5th Player Benchmark. The 5th Player scoring average is the golden metric for recruits. By understanding this scoring bookend, players can accurately target programs where they can contribute to the traveling roster on day one.

The Roster Economy and Relationship Equity. With nearly 30,000 total golfers competing across all divisions, there is a distinct narrowing of the field as players progress. While over 16,000 freshmen enter the system annually, rosters thin by nearly 40% come senior year, underscoring the need to build relationship equity with coaches to move from a data point to a target recruit.

The Academic Apex. In 2026, a student-athlete’s transcript is just as much a recruiting tool as their TrackMan numbers. A GPA north of 3.8 provides the necessary leverage to secure one of the nine coveted roster spots at elite institutions like Stanford, Harvard and Columbia.

The Collegiate Learning Curve. Longitudinal data offers an encouraging look at player development, showing that while the freshman jump presents an initial challenge, collegiate golfers typically see a consistent improvement of 3.3 strokes by their senior year.

The 8-Tier Hierarchy. By analyzing team scoring and 5th Player metrics, JGH has categorized all 304 men’s and 274 women’s D-I programs into eight competitive tiers. This allows players to look beyond the Division I label to find the specific scoring DNA required for programs ranging from national powerhouses to program starters.

This is fascinating information and is certainly a glimpse into the life of recruitment on the collegiate scale.

Balancing all of these things is certainly difficult from a player perspective, but it is quite the challenge for coaches and recruiters as well. There is a wealth of information at their fingertips so understanding what is most important is certainly of value.

The NBA announced on Monday that it’s approved the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers to a group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon.

Per the league, the sale is expected to close this week. Dundon will serve as the team’s governor.

Dundon reached an agreement to purchase the team from the estate of late owner Paul Allen in August. Per multiple reports, that team is being sold at a $4.25 billion valuation.

This story will be updated.

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Deniz Undav turned up the pressure on Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann to select him for the World Cup after he scored the 2-1 winner against Ghana on Monday to back up strong club form.

Undav hadn't played for Germany since June but seven goals in his last six Bundesliga games helped him earn a recall. Germany was playing the friendly at the home stadium of his club Stuttgart and fans chanted for Undav long before he came off the bench.

The game seemed to be fizzling out to a draw when he flicked the ball over Ghana's goalkeeper in the 88th minute to give Germany a seventh successive win.

Ghana's Abdul Fatuwu earlier scored on the counter to cancel out Kai Havertz's penalty for Germany.

After Florian Wirtz's spectacular attacking display in Germany's 4-3 win against Switzerland, Germany was expected to score high against an opponent coming off a 5-1 loss to Austria. It ended up being a subdued win in constant driving rain.

Nick Woltemade started in one of four German changes but his main impact was heading against the bar in the second half.

Havertz put Germany ahead with his penalty just before halftime after Jonas Adjetey blocked a shot with his arm. Ghana leveled on the counter in the 70th when Germany-born Derrick Köhn surged down the left flank, beat defender Josha Vagnoman and crossed low for Fatawu to score.

Ghana defender Kojo Peprah Oppong of Nice had to be helped off the field after injuring his left leg challenging Woltemade.

Germany has further pre-World Cup friendlies against Finland in May and co-host the United States in June before facing Curacao, the Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E of the tournament.

Ghana has lost four friendlies in a row. It's in Group L with Panama, England and Croatia.

___

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

New Jeresy Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is on the hot seat and he knows it. However, as the day’s go on, the sentiment that he isn’t going anywhere grows. However, that doesn’t mean someone new won’t come in.

The Devils have massively underperformed this season despite their recent record—winning 10 games in their last 14 contests.

It’sm unfortunately, too little, too late, with their playoff probabilities sitting at an unlikely 0.2%.

At this point, fans have called for Fitzgerald to lose his job for months. Despite knowing his seat is on the burner, Fitzgerald explained he’s moving forward looking to add.

A few weeks back, ESPN reporter Emily Kaplan said she could see the Devils GM remaining, but instead of having two titles, he could be stripped of one.

“New Jersey, we’re all kind of curious what that looks like,” Kaplan said via The Flying V podcast. “Do they make a management change? I could see it going either way.

“I could see them maybe trying to just bring in somebody above Fitzgerald, below him, some more support. Maybe they make a change there, but I know that Tom Fitzgerald’s plan is to continue to dangle some of these top defensemen that he has to get an impact forward.

“They’re a team that I’d really look at to make a hockey trade.”

More recently, Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos echoed a similar sentiment:

“In New Jersey, Tom Fitzgerald holds the president of hockey operations and GM titles together, but some are wondering if the Devils’ ownership will look to break up those two jobs. That was their intention when they first offered the president job to John Davidson when he left the Rangers in 2021, but Davidson felt at the time it was too close to his ties to New York and chose to return to Columbus instead.  

“It will be interesting to see if the Devils do look to hire someone solely for the president of hockey operations title this summer, and whether that would allow Fitzgerald to stick around for at least one more season as GM and assess him from there. The feeling in New Jersey is that Fitzgerald is preparing for the worst, knowing he’s on the hot seat.”

It’s a precarious situation. You can clearly see the Devils are a team that, with the proper health, can be a top team in the NHL.

When Jack Hughes is healthy, the results follow.

Despite the desire from fans to see Fitzgerald walk out of the Prudential Center with his personal belongings in a box, there’s a reality where he and head coach Sheldon Keefe get one more crack in 2026-27.

With nine games remaining on the regular season schedule, we could get answers sooner than later.

Related Headlines

• Devils Celebrate Captain Nico Hischier for New Milestone
• Why Bruce Cassidy Isn’t the Right Fit for the Devils – & Why Keefe Might Stay
• Devils Offense Stays Hot in Come-From-Behind Win Over Blackhawks

With the 2026 NFL Draft just under a month away, the Seattle Seahawks are set to host Missouri edge rusher Zion Young for a Top 30 visit this week. Arye Pulli was on it first.

Source: Missouri pass-rusher Zion Young has more than 10 pre-draft visits:

🏈 Bears
🏈 Buccaneers
🏈 Chargers
🏈 Dolphins
🏈 Falcons
🏈 Jets
🏈 Patriots
🏈 Ravens
🏈 Seahawks
🏈 Titans

Young is garnering significant interest, with more to be scheduled. pic.twitter.com/bmAlKsTaLY

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) March 26, 2026

Young is an intriguing Mike Macdonald style prospect. This breakdown from November, (which I previously mentioned when discussing Akheem Mesidor in January) details Young as one of the best play-style fits at the edge position in a deep class. Back then, his stock had him firmly as a Day 2 prospect, but after an excellent season where he showed prowess as a pass rusher and run defender, most chatter has him as a top 50 guy.

What he lacks in speed, he makes up for with power and versatility on tape. He was a First-team All-SEC selection in 2025, and showed out among draft prospects the Senior Bowl, too, being named the American Team’s Player of the Game.

Young’s pro day testing confirmed the viability of his winning athletic traits as an NFL prospect.

Seahawks hosting Missouri EDGE Zion Young this week for top-30 visit, here's his Relative Athletic Score. Not flashy, but prioritizing power fits the Mike Macdonald style guide. Good against both the run and pass on tape. @MathBombpic.twitter.com/9CtFCy9E87

— Dominick Skene (@DomSkene) March 30, 2026

With Boye Mafe having left to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals for a hefty $20 million per year in free agency, there’s a clear opening in Seattle’s outside pass rush rotation. If they don’t elect to trade for a superstar like Myles Garrett, which there has been buzz about this week with his contract restructuring, they’ll need to address the position during the draft. Young is one of the top candidates for this team if they go that route and like his style. Whether he ends up being available at No. 32, or even sits around into the second round will be a fascinating question. However, the play style warranted a meeting with the Seahawks this week, and possibly more.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks to host Zion Young for Top 30 visit before 2026 NFL Draft

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Often, we tend to look through the eyes of veteran Wolverines to assess how the incoming players, whether they be transfers or freshmen, to gauge just how good they might be. But given how much more prolific the Utah offense was under Jason Beck last year, couldn't the same be done using the incoming transfers to evaluate the extant Michigan players?

With Monday's media availability, featuring three former Utes who are now Wolverines, we did exactly that.

Even as a true freshman last year, wide receiver JJ Buchanan was third on the team in receiving yards, with 26 catches for 427 yards and five touchdowns. Had he been wearing maize and blue, he still would have been third in receptions and receiving yards, but he also would have led in touchdowns caught through the air.

Buchanan was in the same class as both WR Andrew Marsh and quarterback Bryce Underwood, but they're new to him as teammates. He shared his impressions of both on Monday and what they bring to the table.

"Andrew Marsh, man, he's a heck of a player. He's going to be a dude, for sure," Buchanan said. "In a couple of years, he'll be in the league, 100%. I love playing beside him. I feel like we complement each other really well. 

"And Bryce, obviously, I've heard a lot about him. We're in the same recruiting cycle. Best quarterback and best recruit in the country. Everything you need in a quarterback. Charisma, build, arm. He has everything you need. And I think that with this new system, with this new belief that we've instilled in him, I think that he will take a huge leap this year. And yeah, I think he'll take a huge leap this year."

Smith Snowden came to Ann Arbor as a veteran nickelback who thrived under Kyle Whittingham at Utah, and while he may be on the defensive side of the ball, he has some impressions of what he's facing in practice now at the quarterback position.

Last season with the Utes, Devon Dampier passed for 2,490 yards and ran for 835 more. Underwood threw for nearly that much, but ran far less than Dampier -- with the former Utah quarterback having a bit more of a composed and complete season.

Snowden shared his early thoughts on what Underwood brings to the table and how he compares to Dampier. And given what he's seen thus far, he's excited about the Michigan quarterback's potential.

"Devin's a straight baller, and I think when he was on the field, I trusted that he was going to go out there and make a play. And I feel the same way about Bryce," Snowden said. "I think he's 6-3, 220, 225, and he's fast and has a cannon of an arm. I've seen him throw some balls. I've been like, dang, like that right on a rope. So he's just continued to improve every single day. He's continuing to get comfortable in the offense. He's learning a new offense. Everyone's learning new things, but we're putting the pieces together, and it's going good."

Fans will get an opportunity to see all of the above on April 18 when Michigan football hosts the annual spring game at The Big House.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan transfers on Bryce Underwood and Andrew Marsh's potential

Former Duke star Jayson Tatum was in action for the Boston Celtics Sunday night against the Charlotte Hornets, as he continues to ramp up his production before a playoff run.

Sunday marked Tatum's 11th game of the season, and it ended as by far his most efficient.

The ninth-year NBA player scored a season-high 32 points in 31 minutes to go along with eight assists, five rebounds, one block and no turnovers.

Tatum also showed improved efficiency with his jump shot, shooting 50% from three-point range and over 50% from the field.

Tatum also achieved a milestone in Boston's 15-point road victory, passing the 14,000 career points mark.

When asked after the game if this is the best he's felt, Tatum said, "Yeah, you know, obviously I'm still working through it. But I just want to feel better than I did last game. Feel stronger, feel more confident, get my conditioning up."

Following Sunday's win, Tatum and the Celtics will travel to Atlanta, facing the Hawks Monday on the second night of a back-to-back.

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Jayson Tatum admits he's feeling his best after 32-point performance

Spencer Rattler is in for another competitive New Orleans Saints training camp, but this time he'll be fighting for the QB2 spot. With Tyler Shough in the driver's seat and no other quarterbacks under contract, the Saints brought in former second overall draft pick Zach Wilson to help round out the depth chart. Rattler has an edge in experience within Kellen Moore's offense, but the second-year head coach is eager to see them go head-to-head.

"We were really excited to have an opportunity to sign Zack," Moore said during Monday's media availability at NFL owners meetings. "Hey, we had two quarterbacks. We're going to need to sign some more and our job is always to make those environments as competitive as possible. You know, we feel good about watching Zach over the time of his journey. Have followed him, evaluated him a number of times now. And so, I feel like the opportunity is right."

In-season snaps have been tough to come by since he flamed out with the New York Jets, but Moore pointed to Wilson's preseason game tape as an example of the things he does really well -- specifically his 2024 preseason with the Denver Broncos, when Wilson completed 28 of 44 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. Maybe New Orleans is the right spot for Wilson to meet his potential.

"I mean, Zach's 26 years old. It's really the same age as the rest of our quarterback room. And so, his journey's taken him some different spots. You know, again, you do some homework on it. You evaluate everything. I think this will be a great opportunity for him to have, to be in, I think hopefully, a healthy environment from the quarterback perspective and, you know, just continue to grow and develop because he's still got plenty of that available to us," Moore added.

Rattler was ready to start over Shough last September, but Moore and the Saints aren't going to assume he'll be their best bet to back up Shough this time around. He'll have to fend off competition from Wilson (and maybe another quarterback; they rostered four last summer) and earn that spot on the roster. Maybe Wilson does improve and tap into the talent that made him a second overall draft pick. Maybe Rattler keeps him in third place. Their different records as starters -- 1-13 for Rattler, 12-21 for Wilson -- suggests we can't assume anything going into it.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Kellen Moore on Zach Wilson, Spencer Rattler, Saints QB competition

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders will be going back to his roots next season. The Browns announced Sanders will wear No. 2 for the 2026 season. Sanders wore No. 2 dating back to his days at the University of Colorado, Jackson State and Trinity Christian High School in Texas.

Sanders wore No. 15 during his rookie season, with former Browns wide receiver DeAndre Carter previously wearing No. 2. With Carter no longer on the team, Sanders was able to make the switch to the number, which was worn by wide receiver Amari Cooper and former quarterbacks Johnny Manziel, Tim Couch and Bailey Zappe.

Sanders made the announcement official with an Instagram post wearing No. 2 in a Browns jersey, captioned, “Thank you GOD” and “legendary.” Sanders’ father and University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders also posted an Instagram picture of his son wearing his new jersey, with Shedeur’s song “Perfect Timing” and the caption, “Yes Lawd! #2 is who he is, now let the church shout Amen!”

Sanders’ number change could be an attempt to give him a fresh start after an up-and-down rookie season with the Browns. He was able to rise up the Browns’ quarterback depth chart after being drafted in the fifth round and took over as the starter in Week 12 after the team traded Joe Flacco early in the season and a Dillon Gabriel concussion opened the door for Sanders.

After winning his starting debut against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sanders went on to lose his next three games before helping the team upset its AFC North division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Despite throwing for 1,400 yards, 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and going 3-4 as the Browns’ starter, his season was enough to earn a Pro Bowl selection in his first year. This offseason, Sanders is expected to compete with Deshaun Watson and Gabriel to become the Browns’ starting quarterback. 

New Browns head coach Todd Monken has been vocal about not naming Sanders the starter but has expressed his admiration for the young quarterback, saying he wanted to draft him when he was coaching in Baltimore.

The Buffalo Bills reportedly allocated one of their top-30 pre-draft collect visits with Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion.

This is the second official meeting between Buffalo's brass and Concepcion. The Bills met with the Texas A&M product during the Scouting Combine.

Concepcion had a standout college career, playing his first two seasons at North Carolina State before transferring to Texas A&M as a junior. Concepcion recorded 61 receptions for 919 yards and tied for an SEC-best nine touchdowns in 2025.

In three collegiate seasons, Concepcion caught 185 passes for 2,218 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns.

Even after Buffalo added veteran wideout DJ Moore via trade from Chicago this offseason, the Bills are still looking to upgrade their wide receiver group. Moore and slot receiver Khalil Shakir are the top options for the Bills on the depth chart at this moment. Behind this duo, the unit has been largely underwhelming. Joshua Palmer struggled in his first season in Western New York, while 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman has gradually fallen down the pecking order.

Simply put: the Bills need a dynamic option to support Josh Allen in this offense.

Concepcion could address several issues that are lacking for the position group. Concepcion has tremendous speed off the line of scrimmage, putting immediate pressure on opposing cornerbacks. In addition, Concepcion had little problem with creating separation against opposing secondaries.

Concepcion has become one of the favorite names popping up in mock drafts for Buffalo. With the No. 26 overall pick, Concepcion may be a player too good to pass on if he's still on the board in the late first round for Buffalo.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Bills host WR KC Concepcion in top-30 visit

FILE – Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)

Chicago Bulls star Jaden Ivey has left the basketball community concerned over a string of troubling rants posted on social media.

Ivey, 24, recently scrubbed his social media accounts. At the time of writing, the only posts that remained on his Instagram page were posts of his children and a handful of length videos. Each totaling more than half an hour, the videos showed Ivey ranting about a variety of topics. For the most part, the topics largely centered on religion.

Throughout the rants, Ivey repeatedly used the term “righteousness” while talking about his faith. In an effort to drive home his point that all other aspects of his life were ultimately irrelevant, Ivey declared that the Detroit Pistons — his former team — are “not gonna matter on Judgment Day.”

In another video, Ivey took issue with teams in the NBA celebrating the LGBTQ community with Pride Night. He called the idea “unrighteousness.”

“They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA,” Ivey said. “They proclaim it. They show it to the world. They say, ‘Come join us for Pride Month,’ to celebrate unrighteousness. They proclaim it. They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it in the streets — unrighteousness. So how is it that one can’t speak righteousness? [Who] are they to say that, ‘Man, this man is crazy’?”

Fans attempted to offer well wishes to Ivey in the comment section of his videos. Ivey, however, wasn’t interested.

—

The post Chicago Bulls Star Sparks Backlash and Concern with Unhinged Rants on NBA Pride Night, Religion first appeared on Mediaite.

It is never too early to evaluate defensive back depth for the 2026 NFL Draft. General manager Jason Licht has consistently prioritized versatility on the back end, and Todd Bowles’ defensive structure depends on defensive backs who can wear multiple hats. Whether it is rotating into the slot, dropping into deep zones, or stepping into the box to support the run, Tampa Bay values defensive backs who bring flexibility and physicality. While the Buccaneers may not be searching for an immediate starter, adding depth with special teams value and developmental upside remains a priority.

We are working through each position group this cycle. With that in mind, here is our report on SMU defensive back Ahmaad Moses.

Information

• School: SMU
• Conference: ACC
• Position: Defensive Back
• Height Weight: 5-9, 199 pounds
• Class: Senior
• Age: 22
• Hometown: Mansfield, Texas

Background

Moses wrapped up a highly productive collegiate career at SMU, steadily growing into one of the most active defensive playmakers in the ACC. A former three-star recruit, he developed from a rotational contributor into a full-time starter and team captain by his senior season.

In 2025, Moses started 12 games and totaled 104 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, and multiple impact plays in key moments. His performance against top competition, including a two-interception outing against Miami, showcased his ability to rise to the occasion. He earned All-ACC First Team honors and multiple national defensive player of the week awards during his senior campaign.

His 2024 season also showed strong production, finishing with 73 tackles, three interceptions, six pass breakups, and a forced fumble. Across multiple seasons, Moses consistently demonstrated a nose for the football and the ability to contribute in a variety of roles.

Moses accepted an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl, further solidifying his status as a draftable defensive back with versatility and production.

Notable Stats from 2025

• 932 total snaps
• 556 coverage snaps
• 70.4 overall defensive grade
• Five interceptions
• Five pass breakups
• 14.3 percent missed tackle rate
• 29 defensive stops

In 2024, Moses posted an 86.3 defensive grade across 552 snaps, highlighting his efficiency in a more limited role before stepping into a full-time workload in 2025.

Skills

• Versatile alignment across the slot and box
• High-volume tackler with downhill aggression
• Instinctive playmaker with strong ball production
• Quick trigger in run support
• Physical mindset, despite a smaller frame
• Experience in multiple defensive roles
• Active around the football in high-traffic areas
• Flashes playmaking ability in zone coverage

Moses plays like a tone-setter on the back end. At 5-9 and 199 pounds, he is built compact and physical, showing no hesitation stepping downhill to meet ball carriers. His 100-plus tackle season reflects both his role and his willingness to engage in contact.

In coverage, Moses shows solid awareness in zone concepts. He keeps his eyes on the quarterback, reacts quickly to developing routes, and has proven he can capitalize on mistakes, as seen with his five interceptions in 2025. His ball production across multiple seasons points to natural instincts rather than fluky plays.

He was deployed across multiple alignments at SMU, including slot, box, and deeper safety looks. That versatility will appeal to NFL defenses that prioritize interchangeable defensive backs, especially in sub-packages.

As a run defender, Moses is aggressive and decisive. He fills lanes quickly and can rack up stops near the line of scrimmage. However, that same aggressiveness can lead to missed tackles at times, as reflected in his 14.3 percent missed-tackle rate.

Player Summary

Ahmaad Moses profiles as a versatile defensive back with strong production, positional flexibility, and a clear path to contributing early on special teams. While his size and missed tackle rate may limit his ceiling as a full-time starter, his ability to play multiple roles gives him value as a depth piece in today’s NFL.

In Tampa Bay, Moses would project as a rotational defensive back who can contribute in sub-packages while developing into a reliable option in the slot or box. His tackling production and instincts fit well within Todd Bowles’ aggressive defensive philosophy, especially in roles that require quick decision-making and physical play near the line of scrimmage.

Moses may enter the league as a late Day 3 selection, but his experience, leadership, and consistent playmaking production give him a realistic chance to outperform his draft slot and carve out a long-term role on an NFL roster.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report on SMU DB Ahmaad Moses

Mohamed Salah Exit Signals Financial Reset at Liverpool

When a player of Mohamed Salah’s stature edges towards the exit, sentiment often leads the conversation. Yet, as highlighted in the original reporting by The Athletic, the real story unfolding at Anfield is rooted in cold arithmetic rather than nostalgia.

Liverpool are preparing to lose more than just a talisman. They are, quite plainly, removing a financial heavyweight from their books.

Wage Bill Relief Comes Into Focus

“The club will no longer have to foot the bill for the most highly-remunerated player in their history.” That line cuts straight to the point. Salah’s reported £400,000 weekly wage places him among football’s elite earners, and when bonuses are factored in, the annual cost becomes eye-watering.

Multiply that across two remaining years of his contract and the scale of Liverpool’s commitment becomes clear. His early departure effectively slices that obligation in half. It is not just a saving, it is a recalibration.

There is also a footballing subtext. As noted, “Salah’s on-field output has markedly declined this season.” Clubs rarely admit it publicly, but performance curves and payroll rarely move independently.

Photo: IMAGO

Transfer Spending Adds Pressure

Liverpool’s recent recruitment drive complicates matters further. Under Arne Slot, the club sanctioned a spending spree exceeding £400 million. Add in lucrative renewals for Virgil van Dijk and others, and the wage structure has ballooned.

“The Athletic estimated Liverpool’s overall transfer and wage commitments on new faces topped half a billion pounds.” That is not short-term ambition, that is long-term financial exposure.

Modern contracts, often stretching five or six years, lock clubs into commitments that extend well beyond the initial transfer buzz. The cost is not just the fee, it is the sustained financial weight that follows.

Champions League Revenue Looms Large

Liverpool’s financial model now leans heavily on Champions League participation. This is where the stakes sharpen.

“In 2023-24… earnings from UEFA prize money dropped £50million and the club booked a record £57.1m pre-tax loss.” That single line underlines the risk. European absence is not an inconvenience, it is a structural problem.

By contrast, their current campaign has already generated close to £95 million, with the potential to rise significantly. Missing out next season would create a sizeable gap, one that even a club of Liverpool’s stature cannot ignore.

In that context, Salah’s exit begins to look less emotional and more strategic. Removing a major salary ahead of potential revenue decline is not coincidence.

Strategic Timing Behind Departure

There is a sense that this was always part of the plan. Allowing senior figures to wind down their contracts has been a familiar tactic. However, accelerating that timeline suggests a degree of urgency.

“With financial rules having shifted toward directly targeting player spending,” flexibility has become essential. Liverpool are not alone in navigating this landscape, but their recent spending means the margin for error has narrowed.

Salah’s departure, then, is not simply the end of an era. It is a financial lever being pulled at precisely the right moment.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a supporter’s perspective, this feels unsettling. Yes, the numbers add up, and yes, the club appears to be acting responsibly, but football rarely lives on balance sheets alone.

Losing Mohamed Salah is not like moving on a squad player. This is the face of a generation, a player who delivered in the biggest moments and carried Liverpool through transitions. Even if “Salah’s on-field output has markedly declined this season,” the fear is what comes next.

There is also anxiety around timing. Sitting fifth in the league with Champions League qualification uncertain only amplifies concerns. If revenue drops and Salah is gone, where does that leave the attacking threat?

Supporters will understand the logic, especially given the heavy spending and rising wage bill. Still, there is a lingering doubt. Have Liverpool acted proactively, or are they bracing for a financial squeeze that could limit future ambition?

Under Arne Slot, the project is still taking shape. Removing a proven match-winner at this stage introduces risk. Fans will hope the savings are reinvested wisely, rather than simply balancing the books.

Because ultimately, while finances dictate strategy, success at Anfield has always been measured in trophies, not spreadsheets.

Louisville forward Sananda Fru plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, per On3’s Joe Tipton. He averaged 9.0 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Cardinals this past season.

Fru is a native of Berlin, Germany and played one season for Louisville. It was his first season playing under the NCAA banner after playing for Loewen Braunschweig in the German BBL for four seasons.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves

Texas A&M baseball picked up its first SEC series win of the season over the weekend, sweeping Missouri on the road and taking another meaningful step toward its goal of returning to the postseason. After entering last year ranked No. 1 only to miss the NCAA Tournament entirely, this year’s group has embraced the freedom that comes with lowered expectations. The pressure is gone, the growth is real, and the Aggies’ young core is beginning to shine.

One of the biggest risers is freshman outfielder Jorian Wilson, whose presence is impossible to miss. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, he looks more like an SEC defensive end than a first‑year college hitter, and his physicality finally translated into production this week. Wilson’s power and elite arm strength were on full display throughout the series, offering a glimpse of his long‑term ceiling as a future star in College Station.

On Monday, the conference named Wilson the SEC Freshman of the Week after a dominant performance in Columbia. He recorded six hits, two home runs, and four RBI during the week as the Aggies secured their first SEC sweep of the season during a 4-0 week.

With veterans setting the tone and freshmen like Wilson beginning to break through, Texas A&M looks increasingly like a team rediscovering its identity and building toward something bigger

Below is the excerpt from the league’s official release:

"Texas A&M’s Jorian Wilson went 6-for-12 at the plate with two homers, a double, three runs, four RBI, one walk and one stolen base to help the Aggies to a 4-0 week. The freshman made the start in right field in Tuesday's midweek with HCU, blasting a solo homer and drawing a walk. Wilson started two of three games in the series at Missouri, going 5-for-9 at the plate in the two games. On Friday night, Wilson was 2-for-5 with three RBI, one stolen base and a run scored. Both of his hits came in the fourth inning and went for extra bases. He led off the frame with a solo homer, and drove in two runs on a double down the right field line in his second at-bat of the frame. In Sunday's contest, Wilson logged a career-high three hits and scored a run."

The rookie’s first @SEC weekly honor 👏👍@JorianWilson12 | #GigEmpic.twitter.com/BeqS4mtHPL

— TexAgs (@TexAgs) March 30, 2026

Texas A&M will host Sam Houston in a midweek game on Tuesday, March 31 at Blue Bell Park in Bryan–College Station.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: SEC names A&M baseball's Jorian Wilson Freshman Player of the Week

WASHINGTON (AP) — A couple of days ago, Braylon Mullins was a UConn freshman whose name carried weight mostly among the true diehards — college basketball junkies and Indiana high school hoops enthusiasts.

Now he's a part of NCAA Tournament lore. That's what can happen at this time of year.

“One of the most brilliant shooters you’ll ever see shoot a basketball made an incredible, legendary March shot,” Huskies coach Dan Hurley said.

Mullins' 35-footer with 0.4 seconds remaining lifted UConn over Duke 73-72 in the Elite Eight on Sunday, and now that the dust has settled, it's time to evaluate just how legendary — as Hurley put it — this shot was.

The bar for last-second game winners is actually higher in the women's tournament, where North Carolina's Charlotte Smith once made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to win the national title game by one in 1994. And who can forget Notre Dame's Arike Ogunbowale winning both the semifinaland final in 2018 with tiebreaking jumpers?

On the men's side, it's a little more complicated. There are several factors to consider when determining the best of the best.

Time and score

Last-second shot means last-second shot. Michael Jordan's game winner for North Carolina in the 1982 title game was memorable because of who shot it, but it also left plenty of time for a very ill-fated Georgetown possession at the other end.

Still, Mullins' 3 doesn't lose any luster because there were 0.4 seconds left when it went in. It wasn't literally at the buzzer, but that's close enough.

Sports Reference helpfully compiled a database of game-winning buzzer-beaters from NCAA Tournament history. The site requires a shot to be in the last 2.0 seconds to make the list — with some leeway for the era before the clock stopped after made baskets at the end. Only game winners are included. Tying the score and forcing overtime, with apologies to Kentucky's Otega Oweh, isn't quite in the same category.

Mullins also gets bonus points because if his shot misses, UConn loses. As incredible as Kris Jenkins' 3-pointer at the buzzer was when it won Villanova a championship in 2016, the game was tied at the time, so the worst-case scenario for his team was overtime.

Significance of the game

Buzzer-beaters are a big part of what makes March Madness special, but as much as the first couple of rounds create the tournament's charm, it's the second weekend and beyond when the national championship starts to feel within reach. So last-second shots take on added importance.

According to the Sports Reference list, prior to Mullins there were just 16 instances in the men's tournament — in the Sweet 16 or later — in which a team was trailing before winning with a last-second shot:

— Jack Shelton's shot for Oklahoma State to beat Wyoming in the 1949 quarterfinals.

— Pembrook Burrows' tip-in for Jacksonville against Iowa in the 1970 round of 16.

— Richard Washington's shot for UCLA to beat Louisville in the 1975 national semifinal.

— Danny Ainge going coast-to-coast for BYU against Notre Dame in the 1981 round of 16.

— Mike Jones' shot from the perimeter to lift Wichita State over Kansas in the 1981 round of 16.

— Kevin Gamble's jumper for Iowa to beat Oklahoma in the 1987 round of 16.

— Keith Smart's baseline jumper for Indiana to beat Syracuse in the 1987 title game. This shot went through the hoop with around 4 seconds left, but a timeout didn't stop the clock until there was 1 second remaining.

— Anderson Hunt's 3-pointer that gave UNLV a one-point win over Arizona in the 1989 round of 16.

— Tate George's turnaround at the buzzer for UConn against Clemson in the 1990 round of 16. (Bookmark this one for now.)

— Christian Laettner's shot at the buzzer for Duke that beat UConn in the 1990 regional final.

— Laettner again, at the buzzer to beat Kentucky in the 1992 regional final.

— Cameron Dollar's shot for UCLA against Iowa State in the 1997 round of 16.

— Richard Hamilton's fadeaway at the buzzer — after multiple offensive rebounds — that gave UConn a win over Washington in the 1998 round of 16.

— Chris Chiozza's running 3-pointer at the buzzer for Florida that beat Wisconsin in the 2017 round of 16.

— Kyle Guy making three consecutive free throws for Virginia with 0.6 seconds left to beat Auburn in the 2019 national semifinal.

— Lamont Butler's jumper at the buzzer for San Diego State to beat Florida Atlantic in the 2023 national semifinal.

You can see there aren't many 3-pointers on that list — but there are two other UConn players in George and Hamilton. Now Mullins joins them, and his shot came a round later.

Degree of difficulty

Mullins' shot wasn't quite as far as the midcourt heaves by U.S. Reed of Arkansas (1981 second round vs. Louisville) and Paul Jesperson of Northern Iowa (2016 first round against Texas). The more apt comparison, in terms of distance, is with Jalen Suggs' buzzer-beating bank shot for Gonzaga against UCLA in the 2021 semifinal, although that game was tied before the winning play.

It's also worth considering the difficulty of the entire sequence. George's shot in 1990 required UConn to go the length of the court in 1 second, an impressive throw-catch-shoot sequence in which almost everything had to go perfectly. Baseball draft pick Scott Burrell made the long pass for the Huskies. Duke had 2.1 seconds to set up Laettner in '92, with Grant Hill throwing the ball down the court to him.

The legacy

The reason Laettner's shot in 1992 stood the test of time is because it was the defining moment of a second straight NCAA title run for Duke. And obviously, the game winners by Jenkins and Smart decided national championships on the spot. If UConn doesn't win it all this year, maybe Mullins' 3 falls back to a slightly lower tier, but if the Huskies do prevail in Indianapolis, it'll be their third national title in four years. That's something not even Duke has done before.

And it's only possible because of Mullins' Miracle.

___

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

Being a dynasty with three championships in four years certainly comes with its perks.

On Monday, it was announced that the Las Vegas Aces have officially sold out of season ticket memberships for the 2026 season.

In doing so, the Aces became the first franchise in WNBA history to accomplish the feat in three consecutive years.

The Aces have cultivated one of the WNBA’s most loyal fanbases over the years, and the championship-level success has played a major role in keeping fan interest both in Las Vegas and across the league.

Aces fans who were season ticket holders for the 2025 season renewed at a 92% rate for this upcoming season, while the remaining allotments were filled out from the team’s season ticket wait list.

Fans can visit the Aces’ official website for information in order to get on the wait list for season tickets in 2027, and single-game tickets are still available for purchase.

Along with receiving early access to season tickets upon availability, being on the waitlist gives Aces fans priority access to playoff presale tickets and regular season single-game tickets. Other benefits include exclusive discounts on the Aces’ online store and invitations to select team events.

Miles McBride didn’t rush back from injury too soon. But he may have returned for the wrong game. And now, the Knicks could once again be without one of the most important pieces in their playoff push.

McBride, making a hustle play midway through the third quarter of Tuesday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, grabbed at the same area that required surgery just two months ago before exiting the game for good.

It was a routine basketball play—but maybe not the kind for someone so recently removed from surgery. And maybe not the kind of environment he should have been reintroduced into.

Because Sunday night in Oklahoma City felt like a potential NBA Finals preview, the Knicks as championship hopefuls against the defending champion Thunder. And McBride made a winning play. The kind that defines his game.

It may also end up costing both him and the Knicks dearly.

“I haven’t talked to medical yet, so I don’t know how it is, but it’s tough,” head coach Mike Brown said after the game. “[Deuce has] worked his tail off to be back.”

With 5:21 remaining in the third quarter, McBride and Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort chased down a loose ball. Dort dove to secure it. McBride followed, diving onto Dort in an effort to secure possession.

Then he reached for his midsection.

McBride underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia after suffering the injury on Jan. 27 against the Sacramento Kings. The procedure typically addresses damage to the tendons in the lower core—the same area McBride immediately grabbed.

It was a gutting moment for a Knicks team that had just welcomed its sixth man back following a 28-game, two-month absence. McBride played just under 11 minutes in his return. He did not score, but the energy he brought on both ends was noticeable.

And just like that, it was gone.

McBride remained on the floor for several moments before trainers helped him to his feet. He walked slowly to the bench, sat briefly, then headed to the locker room. He did not return. Brown didn’t have answers after the game, either.

“He didn’t make a shot the first half, but he gave us a lift,” Brown said. “You felt his presence, and he made us deeper. And because of the foul trouble that we had, we were a little shorthanded in that second half. That’s part of the reason they pulled away too.

“I haven’t spoken to medical. I don’t know. I haven’t talked to anybody on [Deuce], yet.”

It’s fair to assume McBride could miss time following the scare. How much remains unclear, but the optics were concerning for a player whose game is built on physicality, effort and toughness.

Before the injury, McBride was in the midst of a breakout season in Brown’s system, averaging career highs of 12.9 points and 42% shooting from three-point range. Now there’s a possibility he could be back in rehab—and, quite frankly, for as long as it takes to ensure a full recovery.

Because if McBride isn’t right, stepping back onto the floor isn’t worth the risk. He signed a three-year, $13 million extension and has one year remaining before hitting unrestricted free agency. McBride has developed into a starting-caliber guard capable of commanding a significantly larger deal, but only if he stays healthy.

Right now, that health is a big concern.

The good news is New York went 20-8 while their backup guard rehabbed from surgery. The bad news: His return was expected to stabilize a rotation that has been pieced together in his absence. He now joins Landry Shamet on the injury report. Shamet has been sidelined with a knee injury since March 20 and did not participate in practice on Saturday.

The Knicks acquired Jose Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans shortly after McBride’s injury in late January, but his offensive production has fluctuated. After an efficient start —including an 8-of-13 performance from three on Feb. 11— Alvarado hit a prolonged slump, missing 29 of his next 34 attempts from deep. He has since begun to recover, hitting eight of his last 17 attempts and going 2-of-4 from three against Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Brown has also returned to Jordan Clarkson minutes to stabilize the second unit in McBride’s absence, but the options, particularly combined with Shamet’s absence, feel like a bandage.

And now, the Knicks are once again left waiting, hoping the cost of one winning play isn’t far greater than it seemed in the moment.

No matter what your views are about this year’s incoming rookie class, the 2026 NFL Draft will be one of the more entertaining drafts we’ve ever witnessed due to the absolute unpredictability that will occur after the first overall pick. 

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the top selection by the Raiders, but there is very little consensus about how things will go beyond that. 

The likelihood that we see several trades in Round 1 is extremely high, with teams valuing prospects very differently and five clubs holding multiple first-rounders.

So, before Roger Goodell gets to the podium in a few weeks, let’s look at some of the most interesting fantasy football questions you should be considering as draft season heats up. 

How many WRs will be drafted in Round 1? 

While this draft might not be as robust as some recent classes, the 2026 crop of receivers is filled with talented prospects, including six wideouts deserving of Round 1 draft capital. 

Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, KC Concepcion, Omar Cooper Jr. and Denzel Boston will all likely hear their names called in the opening round, especially with so many teams in the market for help at the position. 

The Titans (fourth), Browns (sixth), Dolphins (11th and 30th) and Patriots (31st) are all in need of a No. 1 receiver. The Saints (eighth) and Chiefs (ninth and 29th) are in the perfect spot to scoop up Lemon or Tate in the top 10. 

The Ravens (14th) could be in the Round 1 WR mix now that they have their first-round pick back after the Maxx Crosby trade fell through. 

The Giants (fifth), Jets (second and 16th), Panthers (19th) and Bills (26th) could use another quality starter. 

Meanwhile, the Cowboys (12th and 20th), Rams (13th) and Eagles (23rd — more on them shortly) could be luxury shopping for a cost-effective, high-end talent at a position that’s earning some very expensive contracts once they reach their prime.

We might also see some of those receiver-needy teams select a pass-catching tight end instead, with Kenyon Sadiq and Eli Stowers looking like future difference-makers worthy of going in the first round.

You can make a strong case for almost half the teams in Round 1 drafting a receiver, so don’t be surprised when at least six go off the board. 

Will the Eagles draft a WR early to prepare for an eventual A.J. Brown trade?

There has been a lot of speculation about Brown being traded this offseason, with the Patriots being the most mentioned destination for the star receiver who turns 30 this summer.  

If the Eagles do intend to move Brown, which might involve waiting until after June 1, when it makes more sense for them contract-wise, there will be a significant hole in their offense. 

DeVonta Smith is more than capable of becoming the top target for Jalen Hurts and Dallas Goedert has been underutilized playing behind the two outstanding wideouts, but it would be a mistake to go into next season with the recently signed Hollywood Brown as the Eagles’ second-best receiver. 

Even if Brown doesn’t get traded, the writing is on the wall that his time in Philadelphia is coming to an end sooner rather than later, and finding a replacement should be a priority. 

The good news is that, in addition to having one of the best rosters in the league, general manager Howie Roseman also has four picks in the first three rounds (23rd, 54th, 68th, 98th) to work with this year. 

Though Brown might still be on the roster during the draft, you should expect one of those picks on Day 1 or Day 2 to be used on a wideout. 

Which backfield will Jeremiyah Love shake up? 

Normally when it comes to fantasy, we’re most excited about the new group of running backs entering the league since it’s arguably the easiest position to make an immediate impact as a rookie.  

Unfortunately, this year’s class of ball carriers has just one borderline elite talent in Love and then a massive drop-off before we get to the rest of the RB prospects. While I’m intrigued by some of the other backs like Jonah Coleman, Nick Singleton and Mike Washington Jr., they will have to prove themselves at the next level if they’re going to carve out a meaningful role in Year 1. 

However, Love is more than ready to take over a backfield and is expected to get ideal draft capital going inside the top 10. 

The Titans (fourth), Giants (fifth) and Commanders (eighth) are the favorites to secure his services. But don’t rule out the Cardinals (third) as a landing spot or possible trade scenario where another team could move up to get him. 

I recently wrote about 10 players whose fantasy value is at risk heading into the draft, with Tony Pollard, Cam Skattebo and the combination of Rachaad White/Jacory Croskey-Merritt all making the list. 

Regardless of Adam Schefter's comments on the matter, Tennessee has the best odds to be Love’s next home, which makes a lot of sense. Pollard will be 29 this season and playing in the final year of his contract. Not only would Love give the Titans a long-term three-down star in the backfield whom they could build the offense around, but he would also make life easier on last year’s top pick Cam Ward. 

Wherever Love ends up, it will create a notable ripple effect — with one of the aforementioned starters seeing their fantasy value sink instantly, while the other two starters become immediate values.

I’m currently operating as if Love will be a Titan. 

How many starting NFL QBs are in this draft class? 

There’s been a lot of discourse lately about the quarterbacks in this year’s draft and I think we should make one thing clear — this is not a great year for QB prospects. 

Mendoza is the best of the bunch, but he’s not a dominant passer who’s going to singlehandedly turn around an organization. He’s a good leader with a decent arm (especially on touch passes), who displays excellent awareness and the toughness to overcome adversity. 

Though Mendoza can be a long-term NFL starter, any excitement about his fantasy potential is directly associated with his connection to new Raiders coach, Klint Kubiak. Mendoza will need quality coaching and a solid supporting cast if he’s going to emerge as a star in the pros. Most years, a player with his profile would not be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. 

After Mendoza, we have a lot of household names who were difference-makers in college, but will have an uphill battle earning starting jobs at the next level. 

Ty Simpson, Garrett Nussmeier, Carson Beck and Drew Allar will all need serious development before they get a chance to start an NFL game. While it’s possible Simpson could sneak into the first round, I expect to hear his and Nussmeier’s names called on Day 2 of the draft, with Beck and Allar falling to Day 3. 

Bottom line, this isn’t the year to be a QB-needy team, which is likely why we’re still hearing trade rumors around current backups who have flashed, like Tyson Bagent and Tanner McKee.

Max Verstappen's long-term future in Formula 1 is looking questionable after candid comments made during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, with the four-time world champion admitting he doesn't enjoy the current direction of the sport.

Speaking to BBC Sport at Suzuka, Verstappen made clear his frustration with the state of racing under the new-for-2026 regulations, saying he is "not enjoying the whole formula." When pressed by the publication on whether that dissatisfaction could lead to an early retirement-potentially as soon as the end of the 2026 season-he didn't dismiss the idea.

While it's been a difficult start to the season, Verstappen insists his dissatisfaction isn't tied to car performance, but rather to how it now feels behind the wheel to drive a Formula 1 car.

"I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am," Verstappen said. "Because I also know that you can't be dominating or be first or second or whatever, fighting for a podium every time. I'm very realistic in that and I've been there before. I've not only been winning in F1.

"But at the same time when you are in P7 or P8 and you are not enjoying the whole formula behind it, it doesn't feel natural to a racing driver.

"Of course, I try to adapt to it, but it's not nice the way you have to race. It's really anti-driving."

Verstappen's criticism is squarely with the new power unit introduced for 2026-the regulations place a heavy emphasis on energy recovery and deployment with a 50/50 split between battery power and internal combustion oomph-forcing drivers to carefully manage battery charge throughout each lap.

That has led to a style of racing where overtakes can be short-lived, with drivers often losing positions again on the following straight due to differing energy levels.

"You can pass around here, but then you have no battery for the next straight. So I tried once just to have a look, but then of course Pierre immediately got by me again on the main straight and I think that was basically the story of today. You can pass, but then you get re-passed. That was basically it."

Verstappen stopped short of confirming any immediate plans to leave the sport-he has a contract until 2028-but he is certainly weighing his options. The demanding schedule-that now basically stretches from February to December and includes more than 20 races per season-has also contributed to his thinking.

"Privately I'm very happy. You also wait for 24 races. This time it's 22. But normally 24. And then you just think about, is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you're not enjoying your sport?"

Max also has a very full racing life outside of Formula 1, including GT racing and building his own team. Verstappen will compete in events like the Nürburgring 24 Hours, with an eye towards winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans eventually.

"I have a lot of other projects anyway that I have a lot of passion about," he said. "The GT3 racing. Not only racing it myself but also the team. It's really nice and fun to build that. And I really want to build that out further in the coming years.

"It's not like if I would stop here that I'm not going to do anything. I'm always going to have fun. And also I will have fun in a lot of other things in my life.

"But it's a bit sad to be honest that we're even talking about this. It is what it is. You don't need to feel sorry for me. I'll be fine."

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Max Verstappen is one of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history, but the 2026 season has not been going well. After Formula 1 changed the regulations, Verstappen and Red Bull have struggled, and the driver of the No. 3 car is not happy. In fact, the four-time Formula 1 champion could call it quits soon.

Verstappen is "seriously" considering retirement from Formula 1 after the 2026 season, as said by the driver through BBC Sports. It has been a disappointing 2026 season for Verstappen, who continues to express his displeasure with Formula 1's new regulations.

It would be a shocking development for Formula 1, which has received criticism since its pre-season testing with the new cars. Verstappen is the sport's best driver and retiring at 28 years old would be a bad look for the sport. The Red Bull driver could be hanging it up soon, but it might depend on what Formula 1 decides to do moving forward.

More: Kimi Antonelli wins Formula 1 race in Japan in 2026, full results

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Max Verstappen seriously considering retirement from Formula 1 in 2026

The door is open for Darwin Nunez to return to Liverpool.

The Uruguayan's time at Anfield has been anything but ordinary.

Nunez was a chaotic mess. He was unprecitable but it’s that unpredictability that made him such a fan favourite. From the moment he arrived, supporters were drawn to his relentless energy, chaotic style, and unwavering enthusiasm on the pitch.

He never did things the easy way. His finishing could be frustratingly inconsistent, with missed chances often coming just moments after moments of brilliance.

But what kept fans firmly on his side was his attitude. He never hid, never stopped making runs, and constantly put defenders under pressure with his pace and directness. Even on difficult days, his effort was unquestionable.

There was a rawness to his game that embodied the emotional side of football. Whether chasing lost causes, pressing defenders into mistakes, or celebrating with unfiltered passion, Nunez played with a spirit that supporters deeply connected with.

In many ways, he brought unpredictability to Liverpool’s attack - a player capable of turning a game on its head in an instant. For the right or wrong reasons.

Despite the inconsistency in front of goal, Nunez still played an important role during his time at the club.

His movement created space for teammates, his runs stretched defensive lines, and his presence alone often disrupted opposition structures. He may not always have been clinical, but his overall contribution went far beyond goals.

Ultimately, Nunez will be remembered not just for the chances he scored or missed, but for the energy, chaos, and excitement he brought every time he stepped onto the pitch.

Having departed the club, there's no denying that Liverpool miss his energy and intensity.

Arne Slot's team this season have struggled to press effectively from the front and a part of that has been the departure of Nunez who hassled and harassed defenders and who worked his socks off.

There's also the fact that Nunez's replacement, Alexander Isak has been injured for most of the campaign, so Liverpool could have easily kept the Uruguayan around to alleviate the pressure on Hugo Ekitike, who has essentially been tasked with leading the line all on his own in almost every game due to the Reds not having rotation for him.

With Isak back soon, you'd think Liverpool will not be looking for strikers anymore.

However, that might not be the case.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the Reds are planning two play Ekitike and Isak together, which means they are in the market for a third striker.

And this opens the door for Nunez to return.

Mattia Zaccagni showed significant progress in his injury and Lazio hope the captain will be available for the Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta.

The 30-year-old contributed four goals and one assist in 25 competitive games so far this season, but picked up a serious thigh strain a couple of weeks ago.

It forced him to withdraw from international duty ahead of the 2026 World Cup play-offs, and he was expected to be out for at least a month.

Zaccagni eager to rush Lazio return

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Mattia Zaccagni of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Jean Butez of Como 1907 during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Como 1907 at Stadio Olimpico on January 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso confirmed that Zaccagni was meant to travel with the group to Bosnia and Herzegovina as moral support, along with fellow injury cases Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Guglielmo Vicario.

However, he had to remain in Rome for a scheduled medical test with Lazio staff, and it provided some positive news.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, the tests showed the muscle in the right thigh is healing quicker than expected.

He is now hoping to recover in time to feature in the Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta on April 22.

The first leg ended 2-2 at the Stadio Olimpico, so it is all up for grabs.

Lev Akabas: The Atlanta Hawks have spent a total of 614 days in the play-in range of the NBA standings since 2020-21 That's ~25% more days than the #2 team, the Golden State Warriors, which just surpassed the Chicago Bulls

Twitter

The Atlanta Hawks have spent a total of 614 days in the play-in range of the NBA standings since 2020-21

That's ~25% more days than the #2 team, the Golden State Warriors, which just surpassed the Chicago Bulls pic.twitter.com/dIc5KCIFIy

— Lev Akabas (@LevAkabas) March 30, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: The Atlanta Hawks have spent a total of 614 days in …

Alexa Philippou: Breaking: ESPN senior writer Kevin Pelton has been hired for a front office role with the Houston Comets, where he is serving as assistant GM & vice president of analytics He'll also work with the Sun FO this season, including as the team prepares for offseason activity

bsky.app

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: ESPN senior writer Kevin Pelton has been hired for a …

Maycee Barber spoke out after a brutal defeat to Alexa Grasso at UFC Seattle on Saturday night.

The fight quickly went viral after Barber was left unconscious in a worrying scene following the stoppage.

Grasso landed a heavy punch before securing a rear naked choke, sealing a dominant finish.

The result ended Barber’s seven-fight winning streak in a dramatic and unexpected fashion.

Maycee Barber reacts after stunning loss in Alexa Grasso rematch

Barber addressed the defeat in an Instagram video on Sunday, offering an honest reflection on the outcome.

“Well, this is not the post or video that I wanted to be making today, but I wanted to come on here and say thank you to the UFC and thank you to Alexa for the opportunity. You know, I wanted to go out there and get my opportunity, to get my rematch and dominate, and get the win back. And unfortunately, it was not my night,” she began by saying.

“I got caught and Alexa did an amazing thing. She is a phenomenal fighter and I don’t really remember a whole lot. All I know is that every time I go on social media, I look like I’m dead. And that’s not a very fun thing to see. So I’ve been trying to stay off of social media, but I also wanted to come on here and at least tell you guys that I am okay and I will be back.”

The loss marked a second defeat to Grasso, with Barber unable to avenge their previous meeting.

It also came despite her strong momentum, while Grasso entered the fight following two losses and a draw.

Alexa Grasso earns $100k bonus as Maycee Barber faces tough aftermath

Grasso’s performance earned her a $100k bonus, underlining the impact of her finish on the night. It is definitely a fantastic way to bounce back.

For Barber, the aftermath has been far more difficult, with the fighter admitting she has avoided social media.

The viral nature of the knockout has added to the challenge, amplifying the moment beyond the cage.

The contrast between the two fighters highlights how quickly fortunes can shift in the UFC.

Read more:

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton gave a much-anticipated update on quarterback Bo Nix at the NFL's annual league meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, on Monday.

After seeing glimpses of Nix's healing journey after a season-ending fractured ankle suffered in January and the subsequent surgery to repair the fracture, Nix is back to running and jumping.

"(Nix is) ahead of schedule," Paton said in an interview with KUSA-TV's Mike Klis. “He’s running, he’s jumping. Really proud of how he’s attacked rehab. He’s done a great job. He’ll be ready for OTAs.’’

Nix's projection for healing was 4-6 weeks, causing him to miss the AFC Championship game after he broke his ankle in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

Broncos owner/CEO Greg Penner echoed Payton's positive report on Nix's recovery:

Broncos owner Greg Penner on Bo Nix ahead of schedule in recovery from surgery and that he will be ready for OTAs. pic.twitter.com/HyrBFJGpq4

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 30, 2026

At the NFL combine, Broncos head coach Sean Payton announced an adjustment to the offseason program, which will allow the team to ease into football activities, rather than jumping straight in. This may work to Nix's benefit, giving him extra time to heal his ankle.

NFL's annual league meetings are scheduled to be held from March 29 to April 1.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL news: Broncos provide positive updates on Bo Nix’s ankle recovery

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Providence basketball player Duncan Powell pleaded not guilty Monday to domestic assault and disorderly conduct charges stemming from a weekend altercation that started in Providence and continued in the suburb of Cranston.

Powell, who just finished his fifth college season and was a backup forward in his only year with the Friars, was arraigned in Providence County District Court after a woman alleged her knee was injured when Powell threw a water bottle at her during an argument at his apartment in Providence on Saturday.

He is scheduled to appear in court in Cranston on Thursday on charges of domestic violence and disorderly conduct for allegedly tracking down the woman to a residence there early Sunday and threatening to kill everyone in the house and then himself.

A judge in Providence released Powell on a personal recognizance bond and ordered him to have no contact with the woman.

The attorneys for Powell listed in court records, Elizabeth Payette and William J. Lynch, did not immediately respond to phone messages seeking comment.

The 24-year-old woman reported the Saturday morning assault after Powell's arrest in Cranston. According to Providence police, she told Powell she was ending their relationship. Powell became upset and threw the water bottle, causing bruising and swelling to her right knee.

The woman later went to visit friends in Cranston. Powell made multiple calls to the woman while she was at a Cranston residence and told her he knew where she was and that he was coming to the house to cause harm.

Frightened, she left, and people who stayed at the house turned out the lights and hid when Powell arrived and began knocking on the door. Police had been called by then, and they located Powell a short time later and took him into custody at gunpoint.

Duncan was suspended three games after his hard foul on St. John's Bryce Hopkins sparked a fight that resulted in seven players getting ejected from a game Feb. 14.

Hopkins was attempting a fast-break layup when he was raked across the head and face by Powell’s arm, taking him to the ground. Powell was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul and issued a technical foul for fighting.

___

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With NFL free agency slowing down, the pre-draft cycle has gone into full tilt over the course of the last few days. Many pro days are on the schedule for the next week or two, which gives NFL coaches the opportunity to scout out the best prospects in their opinion and even get an opportunity to work with them in a drill setting. For the New Orleans Saints, the focus likely turns to the defense, after they put a ton of money into offense already.

A name that has graced the draft radar recently is Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings, a Senior Bowl standout who is rapidly rising among NFL circles.

Demmings ended up making an NFL Scouting Combine appearance due to his impressive play in college, and he absolutely torched every event he was in, proving he is worthy of looks from scouts. At 6-foot-1, 193 pounds, he ran a blazing 4.41-second 40-yard dash, 1.55-second 10-yard split, posted a 42-inch vertical jump, and an 11-foot broad jump.

Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings is getting the 30 visit treatment by the Dallas Cowboys over the next two days, per source.

A Mesquite Horn HS product, he technically counts as a local prospect and not toward the 30 allocated outside visits.

He was worked out by Saints…

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) March 26, 2026

Beyond just the athleticism, he was an absolute ballhawk as well in his senior year, posting 4 interceptions and 5 pass breakups along with 18 total tackles. In four years at Stephen F. Austin, he had 9 total picks and 35 pass deflections, along with 2 tackles for loss and 63 total tackles. He is absolutely a name to keep an eye out for in late Day 2 of the draft, as he continues to rise further each day, and with Grady Brown having a direct opportunity to work out with him, the Saints could be in the fold as a potential landing spot.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 22026 NFL Draft: Saints work out Stephen F. Austin's Charles Demmings

MMA is a constantly evolving sport with a revolving door of athletes entering and exiting. As time goes on, the fighters from the era who helped make the sport so popular continue to trickle away from competition and hang up their gloves in order to move on to the next chapter in life.

If there’s one thing that’s well known about combat sports retirements, though, it’s that they often don’t last long. The urge to compete, and perhaps more importantly get a payday, will continue to drive fighters back even well beyond their expiration dates.

2026 already has seen a number of notable fighters announcing they are done with the sport, and we have a list of those who have opted to walk away this year

*This list will update as new retirements are announced*

Jillian DeCoursey

• MMA debut date: Sept. 27, 2014
• Retirement date: Jan. 22, 2026
• Age: 41
• Record: 6-4
• Source: Social media announcement

Josh Parisian

• MMA debut date: Nov. 22, 2014
• Retirement date: Jan. 31, 2026
• Age: 36
• Record: 16-9
• Source:In-cage announcement at OKTAGON 83

Ramazan Kuramagomedov

• MMA debut date: Aug. 30, 2014
• Retirement date: Feb. 7, 2016
• Age: 29
• Record: 14-0
• Notable wins: Shamil Musaev and Jason Jackson
• Source: In-cage announcement at PFL Dubai

Gavin Tucker

• MMA debut date: Feb. 19, 2011
• Retirement date: Feb. 26, 2026
• Age: 39
• Record: 13-3
• Notable wins: Billy Quarantillo and Sam Sicilia
• Source: Confirmation from Tucker's team

Eryk Anders

• MMA debut date: Aug. 22, 2015
• Retirement date: March 14, 2026
• Age: 38
• Record: 18-9 with one no contest
• Notable wins: Brad Tavares, Chris Weidman and Brendan Allen
• Source: In-cage announcement at UFC Fight Night 269

Michael Chiesa

• MMA debut date: Oct. 30, 2010
• Retirement date: March 28, 2026
• Age: 38
• Record: 20-7
• Notable wins: Tony Ferguson, Neil Magny, Rafael dos Anjos, Diego Sanchez, Carlos Condit, Beneil Dariush, Jim Miller and Al Iaquinta
• Source: In-cage announcement at UFC Fight Night 271

Niko Price

• MMA debut date: Feb. 17, 2012
• Retirement date: March 28, 2026
• Age: 36
• Record: 16-11
• Notable wins: Alex Morono, James Vick, Randy Brown and Alan Jouban
• Source: In-cage announcement at UFC Fight Night 271

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: 2026 MMA retirement tracker: A list of those who hung up the gloves

Our 2026 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft rolls on. With the first pick, we didn’t see any surprises. The Las Vegas Raiders made the pick we all expected: Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

The 2026 NFL Draft really starts with the New York Jets. After a tough first season, Aaron Glenn nearly cleaned house with his coaching staff and even sent some foundational players away. With two first-round picks in this year’s draft, Glenn and company have a chance to turn things around in a hurry.

To help Glenn out in our POD Community Mock Draft, commenter JustWinginit has been selected to be the team’s general manager.

And with the second pick in the Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, the New York Jets have selected Arvell Reese, edge defender out of Ohio State.

Here’s JustWinginit explaining the pick:

With the second pick in the 2026 NFL draft, I selected Arvell Reese. My strategy this draft is to predict each Jets pick based on what I believe they are likely to do, more so than what I would do if I was them. Reese is a monster, resembling Micah Parsons in a lot of ways through both athleticism and versatility. I believe Aaron Glenn is looking for a guy to build their defense around and Reese jumps off the page. His off-ball skills combined with his pass rushing instincts make him one of the more gifted front 7 players to come out of college the last few years.

While I don’t expect him to be a game-breaker from Week 1, I am predicting him to have a Trayvon Walker-esque ascension as he learns to play edge the way coach Glenn will need him.

Let’s hear what you think of the pick! Vote in the poll below, and share your broader thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of this page.

We continue our 2026 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.

Colton Hood

CB
Tennessee Volunteers
Junior 
3-star recruit 
6’0”
195 lbs

History

In his first year of college in 2023 at Auburn, Hood was a developmental corner who preserved eligibility while getting his feet wet. He appeared in four games but ended up taking a redshirt while he adjusted to SEC speed and technique demands.  

For his second year, Hood transferred to Colorado and this was the breakout year in terms of real defensive snaps and ball production. He featured in 13 games making 24 tackles, and two interceptions, and he also contributed on kick returns. He had two standout moments that season with a pick return against Kansas State, and a big performance in his first career start against Arizona where he snagged an interception and kept Tetairoa McMillan relatively quiet statistically.  

In his third year he transferred to Tennessee and this is when he became a true SEC-level name and award winner. He played 12 games with 50 tackles, five tackles for loss, one interception for 23 yards and a touchdown. His signature moment came immediately in the opener versus Syracuse where he was credited with three pass breakups plus a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Midseason, he was among the SEC leaders in pass breakups, with a season line that included tackles for loss, an interception, and two defensive scores.  

2025 Statistics

774 Defensive Snaps
50 Total Tackles
5 Tackles for Loss
8 Pass Breakups
1 Interceptions
1 INT TD
1 Forced Fumble
1 Fumble Recovery
1 Fumble TD
4 Missed Tackles
53% Reception Percentage Allowed
1 TD Allowed
70.8 Passer Rating Allowed
4 Penalties

Snap by Postion

Box- 4%
Slot- 2%
Wide- 93%

NFL Combine/Pro Day

Awards

2025: All-SEC Second Team

Scorecard

Overall– 83.9
Speed- 78
Acceleration- 79
Agility- 90
Strength- 80
Tackling- 81
Run Defense- 74
Man Coverage- 85
Zone Coverage- 85
Press- 89
Discipline- 88

THE GOOD

• Lengthy, boundary-corner build that helps him crowd the catch point and play through receivers on vertical throws
• Impressive ball production and playmaking record
• Has a knack for turning tips and loose balls into points
• Competitive, physical coverage demeanor
• Willing to challenge releases and fight at the top of routes
• Plays with good vision and reads the quarterback exceptionally well
• Very good closing burst to the football
• Run-support willingness and edge toughness
• Versatility from a multi-stop résumé and has played in different coverage structures and adapted quickly at each

THE BAD

• Recovery speed and suddenness versus true burners is questionable
• If he loses a step at the break point, he can have trouble re-stacking
• Locating the ball downfield can be inconsistent 
• Hand usage can get grabby in tight coverage
• Tackling mechanics need work
• Willing run supporter, but has inconsistent form stopping the ball carrier 
• High-variance play style where his aggressiveness can also lead to biting on route stems and double moves

THE FIT

Hood fits best as an outside cornerback in a scheme that blends press-bail and match-zone so he can play with vision, use his length and timing to disrupt at the catch point, and drive on throws. He’s maximized as a boundary corner who can bait quarterbacks, contest vertically, and generate turnovers. He profiles as a CB2 who can play like a CB1. 

SUMMARY

Colton Hood is a long, competitive outside corner whose game is built around disruption and ball production. He likes to play tight, challenge the catch point, and turn targets into contested throws. When he can play with vision he’s at his best because his route awareness and timing let him drive on the ball for pass breakups and interceptions rather than just staying in phase on vertical routes. He also plays with more physicality than many corners, showing willingness in run support and as a tackler, which helps him fit as a boundary defender in the NFL. The common concerns are about pure recovery speed and separation from quicker, sudden route runners who can stress his transitions if he’s forced to mirror in space all day, and he’ll need to stay disciplined with hands to avoid penalties against NFL technicians. 

Overall, he projects as a starting-caliber CB2 with turnover upside in a scheme that mixes coverages and lets him play aggressive. 

PRO COMPARISON

Kristian Fulton

BTB OVERALL RANKING

36th

CONSENSUS OVERALL RANKING

36th
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services, including BTB)

The Cubs wrapped up their first series against the Nationals at home over the weekend. It didn’t go as planned with the North iders dropping two of three games after both Matthew Boyd and Shōta Imanaga had some trouble with the long ball. But the big news last week wasn’t the opening series, it came in terms of contract extensions, with Jed Hoyer and company wrapping up one big deal on the eve of Opening Day extending centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong through the 2032 season and completing another with second baseman Nico Hoerner at the end of the week. Today, let’s take a closer look at the numbers behind PCA’s deal. You can see the basic structure of the deal by year per Jon Heyman below:

The deal does not include a team option which ESPN’s Senior MLB Insider, Jeff Passan noted is rare for an extension of a young player under team control:

Obviously the money matters a lot here. Buying out PCA’s arbitration years at $55 million, followed by $30 million a year guaranteed in free agency says that the Cubs believe PCA will be a star. The fact that this is a six year deal rather than a longer deal like the fully guaranteed 12-year contract Julio Rodríguez signed for a guaranteed $209 million or a pre-debut deal like eight year contract Jackson Chourio signed for a guaranteed $82 million tells you a little bit about where the Cubs see PCA relative to two other young, star outfielders. Unlike PCA’s deal, both of those deals have options. Like PCA’s deal, both of those deals have escalators that can push the value of the contract far higher than its guaranteed rate, in PCA’s case adding potentially $18 million to the deal.

Pete Crow-Armstrong gets the benefit of being assured he’ll hit free agency before his age-30 season. That’s an interesting nugget in this deal given that the biggest question mark in terms of PCA’s long-term value is his ability to control (or not) the the strike zone. A skill that he could continue to improve on marking last year’s gains or one that could fall apart entirely as he ages. From FanGraphs’ write-up of the extension:

That’s decent, but I don’t know if I’d call it plus power or anything; Crow-Armstrong’s EV90 in 2025 was 81st out of 145 qualified hitters. That’s where the other two changes come in. As a rookie, PCA had a 79.2% Z-Contact%. Anything below 80% in that mark is survivable, but it’s hard to thrive in that range without truly elite power. In 2025, he raised his in-zone contact rate to 83.8%.

Third: He is getting the absolute maximum out of what contact he makes. The most valuable batted balls, in general, are hit in the air and to the pull side. In 2024, Crow-Armstrong put 19.3% of his batted balls in that direction, which is above average, even good. In 2025, that number was 30.2%, which was the seventh-highest figure out of 251 players on Baseball Savant’s leaderboard.

Crow-Armstrong hit 31 home runs last year because he got the absolute maximum out of his plate discipline and quality-of-contact numbers. Add in the defense and the baserunning, and I think this might literally be the best all-around baseball player you could have with a 4.5% walk rate and a .247 batting average.

But he’s still a player with a .247 batting average and a 4.5% walk rate. Or, to use the more legible figure I mentioned above, a .287 OBP. Last year, Crow-Armstrong made more outs per plate appearance than Nick Castellanos, Lenyn Sosa, and Ke’Bryan Hayes. Is it possible to be a franchise player if that’s true? We’ll find out.

To put this slightly differently, there are question marks about whether PCA will age like Javy Báez or Castellanos — both players who had above average contact skills, right until time caught up to them and then they didn’t.

In that sense, this deal is timed perfectly for both the Cubs and PCA. The Cubs will get a chance to see how that contact tool develops (or doesn’t) over the next six years. If it looks like it will age poorly, they locked down the very best years of PCA in centerfield at Wrigley Field and he should still be a valuable enough player to command additional years of service with another team. If it looks like that tool has improved, they can attempt to negotiate another extension that would make PCA a Cub for life. You can get a sense of the variability in PCA’s hit tool from this 15-game rolling wOBA chart through the 2025 season:

Even with some concerns about a contact tool that may provide some high-highs and low-lows similar to last season, his defense should provide a floor that makes the deal well worth the guaranteed $115 million. PCA is already one of the best defenders in the league. According to Statcast, he saved 22 runs in centerfield during the 2025 season and was tied with Bobby Witt Jr. for the league lead in outs above average with 24. The value of his run-prevention in centerfield alone makes this a smart extension for a Cubs team that tends to sign pitchers who pitch to contact.

And then there’s the chance that PCA finds the level he hit in the first half of 2025 consistently and puts up multiple 30-30 seasons during the lifetime of his extension. If PCA can be a perennial 30-30 guy in addition to the value his glove provides, this deal could wind up being a steal for the Cubs.

Douglas Costa still has fond memories of his time at Juventus, as he invites Robert Lewandowski to join the Bianconeri.

The well-travelled winger was on Juve’s books between 2016 and 2022, albeit his last appearance for the club dates back to 2020.

The Brazilian has recently made a surprising return to Italian football, signing for Serie D club Chievo Verona, as part of his agreement with Al-Ittifaq, who will join in the summer.

Costa reveals that he remains in contact with several of his former Juventus teammates, and he would cherish the opportunity to return to the Allianz Stadium and greet the fans.

“In recent months, I connected with Leonardo Bonucci and then Alex Sandro, who’s my neighbour in Brazil. I also saw Giorgio Chiellini. Talking about Juve is always nice for me,” said the 35-year-old in his interview with Tuttosport.

“I’ll be back at the Allianz Stadium soon; for now, I watch Juve on TV. I know how difficult it is to play for a club like that: there are complicated moments when you have to stay united.

“The pressure is huge. But Juve will always be Juve. I’m convinced they’ll soon be competing to win again.”

Douglas Costa praises ‘unique’ Cristiano Ronaldo

The former Brazil international played alongside some of the biggest footballers in his generation, but Cristiano Ronaldo was the one who left him in awe.

“Who inspired me the most? Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s a unique professional and also a great person, more than people might imagine.

“But I’ve also played with absolute top-level champions with a similar mentality: Neymar, Paulo Dybala and Franck Ribéry, for example. It was an honour to share a dressing room with players like that.”

The interviewer asked Costa if we would have stood a realistic chance at winning the Ballon d’Or if he hadn’t been impeded by injuries.

“It’s hard to say what career I could have had without injuries, I’ve never thought about it. I’m proud of the path I had.

“I just know I suffered a lot, too much. Sometimes talent isn’t enough if it’s not matched by perfect physical condition: I could have played in three World Cups. That’s my regret.

“At Juve. I won trophies and had my moments, but managing injuries, especially in the last months, was tough. I spent more time at J|Medical than on the pitch. It was hard.”

The tricky winger admitted he almost returned to Juventus for a second spell in 2023, and explained the stylistic differences between Max Allegri and Maurizio Sarri.

“Yes, in 2023. I even spoke with Bonucci, I put myself forward, hoping I could still help. But the club didn’t follow it up. I still feel like a Juventus player inside.

“Sarri was excellent. I really appreciated him: obsessed with possession, with an attacking mentality.

“But I liked Allegri too: that Juve’s counter-attacks, when I was fit, were devastating. We’d tear defences apart, we could hurt teams at any moment.”

Costa identified the two best matches of his career, and they both involved Juventus.

“I’ll mention two: when I was at Bayern Munich against Juve in 2016, the 4–2 in Munich, I had a great game.

“And then the comeback we nearly completed at the Bernabéu in 2018: winning 3–0 in Madrid after losing 3–0 in the first leg doesn’t happen to any team in the world. It was happening to us, before that cursed late penalty scored by Ronaldo.

“We were writing history. We could have won the Champions League; we lacked nothing. But in football, luck can change everything.”

Costa on underrated Khedira and Lewandowski to Juventus

The former Shakhtar Donetsk star identified former Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira as the most underrated teammate of his career.

“The most underrated? Sami Khedira. Extremely strong: a unique style, he was everywhere, with natural class.”

Finally, Costa encouraged his former Bayern Munich teammate Robert Lewandowski to join Juventus if he sees out his contract with Barcelona.

“Robert scores in every possible way. He’d be useful for Juve. I’d recommend he wear the black-and-white shirt without hesitation. He scores everywhere and will keep doing so for many years. He’d be perfect.

“But they already have a great striker in Vlahovic. Dušan can still develop, he’s at the right age: for the race for fourth place, his return to top form will be decisive. He has everything to take Juve back into the Champions League.”

Lewandowski has recently emerged as a target for Juventus, while Vlahovic is currently negotiating a new contract with the hierarchy.

The Minnesota Vikings are never scared about re-signing old friends from the past — Adam Thielen, Anthony Barr, Everson Griffen, and others can attest over the years — so when wide receiver K.J. Osborn said last week that the vacant WR3 job intrigued him, folks perked up.

Minnesota still has not fully solved its WR3 question.

The Vikings let the WR3 from the last couple of seasons, Jalen Nailor, depart in free agency, leaving the job up for grabs. Osborn is interested.

Osborn Mentions Himself as Vikings WR Depth

He spent his rookie contract in Minnesota.

The Vikings Intrigue Osborn

Osborn hasn’t found any staying power in the NFL as of late, and he may want a return trip to the Twin Cities.

Speaking on the Caps Off podcast last week, Osborn told the show’s host, “You can’t help but look at Minnesota. With Kyler Murray going back. Jalen Nailor, I’m so happy for him. Speedy, congrats bro, my guy, he just got 3 years for $35 million from the Raiders. So that spot WR3 is back open. Just looking around. But home is where the heart is. So, we’ll see.”

That’s his outward campaign for a Vikings contract. Book it.

No Success Post-Vikings

After the Vikings declined to offer Osborn a new contract following the 2023 season, he joined the New England Patriots, a team in desperate need of wide receiver talent. He failed, however, to make a significant impact, recording only seven receptions for 57 yards.

His subsequent opportunities offered no improvement. A stint with Washington proved fruitless, and he was released during final roster cuts in the summer of 2025. Atlanta then signed him to their practice squad, where he remained for the season.

Osborn saw no regular-season action last year. Now, he’s back, hoping to regain his footing in the league.

Without the Vikings, he’s caught 7 passes in two years for 57 yards altogether.

With the Vikings, However …

Osborn spent his entire rookie contract in Minnesota, though his career began slowly. He saw little offensive action during the 2020 pandemic season, but that changed quickly in 2021. After an impressive training camp, he maintained his momentum and secured a consistent role as the team’s WR3 through March 2024.

This role proved significant. After struggling to find a reliable third receiver with players like Bisi Johnson and Chad Beebe, Minnesota found consistency with Osborn. In 2023, he recorded 48 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns, a stat line typical of his contributions to the offense. All told, Osborn posted 158 receptions, 1,845 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns in Minnesota from 2020 to 2023.

The verdict is pretty simple: in Minnesota, Osborn performed as a mid-to-low-end tier WR3, especially with Kirk Cousins under center. Everywhere else, he can’t keep a roster spot.

Probably Need a Better WR3 Option

While Osborn might be fun for nostalgia in Minnesota, the Vikings need to shoot for the stars at WR3, and Osborn does nothing of the sort.

The Vikings drafted rookie wideout Tai Felton last April. He deserves a fair shake at WR3 before contemplating Osborn for the job. Why draft Felton in Round 3 if the goal was to sign someone like Osborn, who has 7 catches in two years?

Otherwise, these current free-agent WR options are on the table for the Vikings:

• Keenan Allen
• Brandon Aiyuk (eventually)
• Stefon Diggs
• Tyreek Hill
• DeAndre Hopkins
• Jauan Jennings
• Curtis Samuel
• Deebo Samuel

Or — instead of Osborn, if the Vikings don’t want Felton or a free agent at WR3, the draft will offer these options before the end of Round 3:

• Makai Lemon (USC)
• Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)
• Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)
• Denzel Boston (Washington)
• Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M)
• Chris Brazzell (Tennessee)
• Chris Bell (Louisville)
• Germie Bernard (Alabama)
• Antonio Williams (Clemson)
• Malachi Fields (Notre Dame)
• Zachariah Branch (Georgia)
• Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
• Skyler Bell (UConn)
• Ted Hurst (Georgia State)
• Bryce Lance (North Dakota State)
• Deion Burks (Oklahoma)
• Ja’Kobi Lane (USC)

If Osborn couldn’t cut it as a meaningful contributor with the Patriots, Commanders, and Falcons, there’s no reason to believe he’d surge in the Twin Cities with a WR3 reunion. He may be a practice squader from here on out.

Not everyone dislikes the idea, though. The Viking Age‘s Adam Carlson wrote last week, “Since the team brought in Kyler Murray to be the quarterback in 2026, bringing up the floor of the receiver room would be smart, especially since they wouldn’t have to force Tai Felton into a bigger role than he is prepared for.”

“Depending on the contract size, the Minnesota Vikings should consider looking into acquiring K.J. Osborn as a free agent this offseason.”

He’ll turn 29 in June.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Koa Peat has been a winner throughout his basketball career.

He won four state titles in high school in Arizona and became the first player to win four international gold medals at the junior level. So when Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd was trying to entice Peat to play for the Wildcats, he pitched him on helping the school end a 25-year Final Four drought.

“That was my recruiting pitch,” Lloyd said. “Four, four, and four. Let’s do it. The dude, he’s amazing. His ability to perform the way he did in these moments, you know, he’s been in a lot of them.”

Peat fulfilled the wish in his first season with Arizona, leading the Wildcats to their first Final Four since 2001 with a memorable performance in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament. Arizona will take on Michigan in the national semifinals on Saturday in Indianapolis.

Peat scored 21 points in a Sweet 16 victory over Arkansas and added 20 more in the Elite Eight against Purdue to win the Most Outstanding Player of the region and become just the sixth freshman ever to score at least 20 points in wins in those two rounds, according to Sportradar. Peat joined a list with Kon Knueppel, Derrick Rose, Joseph Forte, Jalen Rose and Kenny Anderson.

Now Peat will try to do what those precocious stars couldn't and win Arizona's second national title to go with the one from 1997 when Mike Bibby was the star freshman on coach Lute Olson's squad.

“I saw a lot of the past legends that played for Arizona, and Mike Bibby, he was a big mentor to me,” Peat said. “He went to the Final Four, won the championship. When you put on the Arizona jersey, you know you’re playing for people that played before you. So it’s bigger than yourself; it’s the program.”

Peat arrived at Arizona last fall as a five-star recruit and has delivered on all the high expectations that come with it.

He scored 30 points in the opener in a win against defending-champion Florida, had 16 points and 12 rebounds in a nonconference win over Connecticut and returned after missing three games in February to score 21 points in the Big 12 title win against Houston.

“Just going out there, playing my game, trusting my teammates, them finding me in open spots, and staying the course,” he said. “Just keep playing. That’s really it.”

Peat hadn't followed the March struggles of Arizona's basketball program closely despite growing up in the state. He spent more time watching his four older brothers play football and two older sisters play basketball.

Peat could have followed the family path in football with his father, Todd, having played nine seasons in the NFL and his brother, Andrus, having just finished his 10th season in the NFL.

“I played a lot of sports growing up, baseball, football and basketball. So from a young age I was playing a lot of sports, around a lot of athletes in my family,” Koa said. “But honestly, I just truthfully fell in love with basketball. Especially during quarantine, all I was doing was training and just working out and really working on my body. I slimmed down a little bit, and I just thought basketball was like the best choice for me. Especially now you could play a long time playing basketball. Football’s a different story. I had great support from my family members in my choice in playing basketball, and I think I’ve made the right choice, for sure.”

The Wildcats sure think so, and now they wouldn't still be playing without him.

“They call him Mr. Arizona,” Lloyd said. “Koa is special.”

___

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

Wales away on Tuesday, Birmingham City away on Friday and West Bromwich Albion at home on Monday.

Three very different fixtures in quick succession in a big week for Michael O'Neill in his dual role as Northern Ireland and Blackburn Rovers manager.

While NI's hopes of reaching a first World Cup since 1986 were ended by a 2-0 loss against Italy on Thursday, O'Neill will be tasked with picking his players up for a meaningless friendly against Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday.

As soon as the final whistle is blown on that dead rubber game, O'Neill will have to don his Blackburn cap.

The 56-year-old has seven games left to prevent Blackburn, who sit 19th in the Championship table and four points above the relegation zone, from dropping into League One for the first time since 2018.

That starts with a game against Birmingham at St Andrews on Friday, which comes roughly two days and 17 hours after the final whistle in Cardiff.

After that, attentions will turn quickly turn to a vital six-pointer 72 hours later at home against West Brom on Monday.

That game is arguably the most vital and most intriguing of the three given O'Neill will come up against NI forward Isaac Price, who is also trying to help his side beat the drop alongside a host of other internationals at various Championship clubs.

So, the big question is, how does O'Neill navigate this set of overlapping country and club games for the first and perhaps only time in his unique predicament?

• Quartet to miss Northern Ireland friendly in Wales
• What next for Northern Ireland as World Cup wait continues?

'We're not going to be reckless with the players'

O'Neill has always spoken of wanting his players to play at the highest level, but as mentioned, a significant number of players will be going up against his Rovers to avoid the drop and it's tight at the bottom.

They include Price at West Brom, who are also four points above the relegation zone, Ciaron Brown, Jamie McDonnell, Jamie Donley and Brodie Spencer at Oxford United, who are one point from safety and Terry Devlin at Portsmouth, who are one point above the drop, while he manages Tom Atcheson at Rovers.

Is it a cause for concern for Northern Ireland that the international boss could potentially relegate some of his regulars in the international squad?

O'Neill certainly didn't think so.

When asked in February he said he isn't "having that blood on my hands" and the fate of those clubs lay with their respective managers.

"At the end of the day, my job is to do the best I can for Blackburn Rovers," he said.

"The lads who manage those respective clubs, their job is to do the best for their clubs as well. I don't think that's an issue at all."

Cynics may question whether O'Neill, who will have reduced preparation time with Rovers for two big games by virtue of preparing NI to face Wales, will deliberately disadvantage Championship rivals while in charge of NI in terms of how he manages the aforementioned players' loads against Wales with a busy spell of domestic action to follow.

Coincidentally, three of the four players released from the NI squad in Norwich's Ruairi McConville (knee), Preston's Ali McCann (knock) and Hull City's Paddy McNair (thigh) will face three of O'Neill relegation rivals in Portsmouth, Leicester and Oxford on Friday.

O'Neill would refute any suggestion of meddling no doubt and when asked about the cramped schedule said he was "aware of the situation" but stressed he would still focus on helping Northern Ireland win the game in Cardiff.

"We're not in charge of the schedule of the games for either the international window or the EFL. I think 80% of my squad play in the EFL. We're mindful of the situation for the clubs, of course, but when the clubs signed these players, they knew they were international players and, we're not going to be reckless with the players or anything like that there, but, we have to obviously look after ourselves as a group of players," he explained.

"The most important thing is that the players just go out and play the game. They'll be fine. The lads who play in the EFL, they play a lot of football and they're used to playing regular football. So they've got resilience and I'm sure they'll get through the game fine."

• Who could get Northern Ireland chance in Wales?
• NI have drawn a line under Italy loss - Devenny

O'Neill 'fed up' with talk of future

Since he announced that he would take up this dual role until the end of the season, O'Neill has faced a barrage of questions about where his future lies beyond June.

After the Italy defeat, he said he will "revert back to the status quo" of attempting to help Northern Ireland qualify for Euro 2028, but will that depend on how the season finishes at Rovers?

If he keeps Blackburn up will he move on and manage them permanently in the Championship? If they are relegated, will he stay with NI where he has a contract until 2028, albeit one with room for negotiation?

On Monday, he repeated that no matter the outcome to Blackburn's season, he intends to return to Northern Ireland.

"When Blackburn season's finished, as I've constantly said, repeatedly said, my contract with the IFA will continue on a two-year contract," he said.

"That's repeatedly what I've said. I'm not really sure why you continue to ask me this every time you see me, but that is the status quo, as I said in the press conference.

"We'll deal with the game tomorrow night and I'll go back and manage the last seven games of the season for Blackburn Rovers and I'll manage Northern Ireland in the June games and I'll go on holiday after that.

"You're asking me questions that are of a hypothetical nature, to be honest and yeah, I'm probably a bit fed up with it."

The Aaron Rodgers-waiting game received a positive update, courtesy of new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy.

On Monday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show, McCarthy addressed his talks with Rodgers, all of which appear to be trending in a positive direction.

"I've talked to Aaron [Rodgers] regularly and will continue to do so," McCarthy said. "We're just working through it. When it's time to fully address it, we will. It's a process he's going through, and I'm comfortable with it. But we've had very, very positive conversations on a weekly basis."

Rodgers, who joined Pittsburgh on a one-year deal in 2025, threw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns in his debut season with the Steelers.

McCarthy's comments allow some fans to breathe a collective sigh of relief, as his overall comfort with Rodgers and the "very positive conversations" they have strongly hint towards their reunion in Pittsburgh this upcoming season.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' McCarthy says he's had 'very positive' talks with Rodgers

Kyle Busch has hit an unfortunate milestone in the NASCAR Cup Series. On Sunday, Busch and the No. 8 team for Richard Childress Racing finished in 21st place at Martinsville Speedway, continuing a rough start to the 2026 NASCAR season. In fact, Busch extended his winless streak in the Cup Series to 100 races.

Busch's last Cup Series victory was on June 4, 2023, at World Wide Technology Raceway. It was the driver of the No. 8 car's first season with Richard Childress Racing, and it has only gone downhill since that point. Through seven races in 2026, Busch has no top-10 finishes with a best effort of 12th place at Circuit of the Americas.

This is Busch's final year on his contract with Richard Childress Racing and if this winless streak continues, he may move onto a different NASCAR organization. The two-time Cup Series champion hopes that his winless streak ends soon, but Richard Childress Racing needs to find more speed.

More: Bubba Wallace addresses wreck with Carson Hocevar at Martinsville

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Kyle Busch's winless streak hits 100 races after Martinsville in 2026

ATLANTA — U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino has denied having any conversations with Tottenham or Real Madrid, two clubs he's been linked with in recent months.

Pochettino has a contract with U.S. Soccer through the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine is widely expected to return to club management after the World Cup ends, with plenty of suitors likely to come calling.

According to multiple reports, Tottenham is hoping to bring Pochettino back to north London, where he enjoyed a successful tenure from 2014 to 2019.

Pochettino is also reportedly on the shortlist for Real Madrid, as the La Liga giant eyes a permanent replacement for Álvaro Arbeloa.

But speaking at a press conference Monday, March 30 ahead of Tuesday's game against Portugal, the USMNT coach said he hadn't been in touch with either team.

"We have our full focus here on the World Cup," the Argentine said. "I think everyone knows that I am committed with the national team. I think there's no a point to talk about the future. At the moment no [team] has approached."

Though he is widely expected to depart the USMNT after the summer, Pochettino did leave the door open to potentially return for the 2030 World Cup cycle.

"Who knows what is going to happen? Like I said, we are open," he said. "But why not if we are happy and the federation is happy?

"I think the most important (thing) now is to be focusing on tomorrow (against Portugal) and on the World Cup and trying to improve."

Pochettino has made no secret of his desire to return to the Premier League at some point.

"Yeah, I watch a lot," he said in a December interview with the BBC. "The Premier League is the best in the world. Of course I miss it.

"I am so happy in the USA, but I am always thinking about returning one day. It is the most competitive league, and of course I would love to come back again."

Pochettino backs Tottenham to avoid relegation

If Pochettino were to return to Spurs, it would likely only happen if the club is in the Premier League next season. That is no sure thing at the moment, with Tottenham sitting just one point and one place above the relegation zone.

Tottenham fired head coach Thomas Frank in February and replaced him with Igor Tudor on an interim basis. But Tudor left Spurs on Sunday after losing five of his seven games in charge.

As Tottenham stares down the unthinkable, Pochettino backed his former side to avoid the drop.

"[Coaching Tottenham] was one of the best experiences of my life," Pochettino said.

"I am sure they are going to stay up — with or without a coach," he added. "Because they have unbelievable players, and it's a club with fans that are going to [do] everything to create that energy to win."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino denies Tottenham or Real Madrid talks

Bears suddenly viewed as real suitor for Myles Garrett after contract questions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Bears have already shown they’re willing to be aggressive when it comes to getting better over the last few years, making some very interesting moves. If the Bears want to show the NFL that they're willing to do whatever it takes to win, there are a few other players they could go after, and one of them is Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.

Gary Davenport of BR linked Chicago to a potential move that, while unlikely on the surface, actually makes sense for Garrett.

“Given that the Chicago Bears were reportedly interested in dealing for Maxx Crosby before he was traded (and then un-traded) to the Baltimore Ravens, it makes sense that the team would kick the tires on a Garrett trade as well. After all, there's a reason why the Bears were interested in Crosby—as Richard Louis of Da Windy City wrote, as good as the Bears were a year ago, the pass-rush was a weakness,” he wrote.

The question, as always, will come down to cost. The Browns would likely be looking for at least two first-round picks, and that's probably putting it lightly. Garrett is a bit older now, but his impact is still just as big as anybody in NFL history, so the Bears will have to figure out if they're willing to pay that price. To me, that's something I would do.

More NFL news:

• Jets could impact Steelers future post-Aaron Rodgers by making one simple move
• New York Jets continue to be linked to polarizing quarterback despite Geno Smith trade
• Bears met with Ohio State star who has a ton of confidence amid latest comments
• Vikings reportedly interested in Big Ten star amid questions about $76 million Pro Bowler
• Cowboys’ George Pickens gets intriguing contract update
• Former Seahawks star Richard Sherman gives his honest thoughts on Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s contract

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

You can throw a blanket over the Top 7 in the NASCAR Cup Series odds betting as the season heads into its Easter break.

Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin are in a dead-heat at the top, while Tyler Reddick, with his four wins from seven races, leads a host of very close pursuers. 

Let's look at the latest NASCAR Cup Series odds.

NASCAR Cup Series odds

Driver Name
Kyle Larson	+550
Denny Hamlin	+550
William Byron	+600
Tyler Reddick	+600
Chase Elliott	+650
Ryan Blaney	+750
Christopher Bell	+800
Chase Briscoe	+1200
Joey Logano	+1400
Ross Chastain	+3000

Odds as of 3-30.

NASCAR Cup Series odds movement

• Tyler Reddick continues to be a popular bet. He started the year at +1400 and keeps dropping by the week.
• Chase Elliott dropped from +800 to +650 following his first win of the year at Martinsville

NASCAR Cup Series favorites

Kyle Larson (+550)

Kyle Larson hasn't had a bad 2026, per se, but one Top 5 through seven races does not a Cup Series champion make.

If he wasn't the defending NASCAR champion, he probably wouldn't be getting this kind of love in the market right now.

Denny Hamlin (+550)

Denny Hamlin picked up his first win of 2026 at Las Vegas, and he had the dominant car at Martinsville, but just couldn't hold off Chase Elliott late.

He's not had a truly bad day at the track since Daytona (31st), and that consistency will always have him as a popular bet in this market.

NASCAR Cup Series recent winners

NASCAR Cup Series betting trends

• Team Penske has taken three of the last four championships.
• Hendrick Motorsports has the most overall titles (15).
• The last driver to go back-to-back was Jimmie Johnson in 2010, when he completed an unprecedented five-peat.

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.

Shedeur Sanders is going with a new number in 2026 for the Cleveland Browns, but it's actually an old digit for the second-year QB.

He'll be wearing No. 2 instead of No. 12. And why is that significant? That's because he wore it while quarterbacking for his dad Deion at Colorado and at Jackson State as well.

And what number did his father wear at Florida State? That would be No. 2. See how that all worked out? Very cool. And maybe we got a new nickname out of it with "S2."

Here are the announcements from Sanders and the team on Monday:

#2

— Shedeur Sanders (@ShedeurSanders) March 30, 2026

S2 ⌚

Shedeur Sanders will wear number 2 next season pic.twitter.com/7ahSitctcs

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 30, 2026

Neat!

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Shedeur Sanders jersey number switch 2026: Why did Browns QB do it?

Creating policy based on feelings, fear and bigotry is never wise.

Yet here we are with the International Olympic Committee and its transgender ban.

The IOC is going to ban transgender women from women’s events in the absence of science, using a flawed verification method that also is illegal in some countries, and in a way that sanctions discrimination against all women. And those are only some of the bad and unconsidered outcomes!

Designed to “protect” women, this ban does the opposite.

"The thing I think most people miss is they’re not actually engaging with the people affected by the policy decision," said Madeleine Pape, a researcher at the University of Lausanne who would know better than most.

A 2008 Olympian from Australia, Pape went on to work at the IOC from 2022 to 2025 as an inclusion specialist, educating the various sports federations on how transgender athletes could participate in a way that was fair to all.

“There’s just really a lack of curiosity of, 'Huh, where is this policy actually coming from? What will it actually mean?'" Pape said. "People are just really quick to accept a narrative that feels familiar to them."

OPINION: Transgender witch hunt of San Jose State volleyball player is not protecting women

Minuscule number of transgender athletes compete at highest levels

One of the biggest grifts of the last decade is how people with deep pockets and large platforms have managed to hoodwink the general public into believing that transgender women are a threat to women’s sports and the athletes who participate in them. That if something is not done, no cisgender woman will ever stand on a podium again or earn a scholarship.

It’s not true, of course. Instead of a marauding horde of transgender athletes, there’s been one openly transgender woman ever at the Olympics. Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard posted a DNF in her event, about as far from the podium as you can get. At the NCAA level, president Charlie Baker said there were "less than 10" transgender athletes out of the half-million young men and women competing.

Oh, the IOC will spout all kinds of statistics about the purported advantage transgender women have. But when asked for the source of this information, or to see the science behind the ban, the IOC refuses. Which tells you everything you need to know.

If you’re confident in your facts, you show them. If you’re not, you put up smokescreens.

The larger problem, though, is that these bans try to make black and white what is so many shades of grey.

IOC transgender athlete ban not a simple matter of X and Y

The IOC has decided to use the SRY gene to determine whether someone is male or female because it is located on the Y chromosome. But even the geneticist who discovered it says that’s too simplistic.

People with intersex conditions – variances in chromosomes, hormones, reproductive systems or genitalia – make up as much as 1.7% of the population. That includes women with XY chromosomes who have internal testes but female genitalia, as well as women who have XY chromosomes but female reproductive systems.

Under the IOC’s wisdom, those women will not be allowed to compete.

Many girls and women with these conditions, also called Differences in Sex Development, don’t even know it. The IOC is unbothered by this landmine, lobbing it off with the suggestion that someone else should consider offering mental health resources to women who test positive.

Imagine the psychological devastation of discovering you can’t compete, and then learning it’s because you have a condition that, in the eyes of the IOC, makes you not a “real” woman. Now imagine learning this as an 11- or 12-year-old, which is a very real possibility given there were preteen girls competing at the last two Olympics.

And then, on top of that, imagine learning this in a country where women are already marginalized and mere existence is an excuse for harassment, physical abuse and worse.

I’m sure it will go well, no harm coming to these women because the IOC has decided to play fast and loose with both science and ethics.

“This policy goes well beyond the boundaries of sporting governance,” Saad Kassis-Mohamed, chair of the Human Rights Association, said in a statement condemning the new IOC policy.

“Mandating compulsory genetic testing for every woman competing at Olympic level, and using that test to determine whether she is permitted to compete, is a profound human rights question,” he added. “It demands independent scrutiny, not a unilateral ruling.”

Requiring test only of women is discrimination

And about that compulsory testing …

The IOC loves to pat itself on the back for its gender equity efforts, touting the increased participation of women at the Games and the addition of mixed-gender events. But requiring that women take a genetic test to compete when the same is not demanded of men is the sports equivalent of a poll tax.

The IOC is also forcing athletes from countries where genetic testing is illegal for non-medical purposes to break their nation’s laws. Which seems the opposite of “protecting” women athletes, but what do I know?

“This conviction that you can be above the law, in part, because you have such a strong feeling about transgender athletes and athletes with intersex variations …” Pape said. “A process was retrofitted to this policy outcome. But the policy outcome was decided in advance.

“From a legal point of view, that’s a very risky strategy.”

For the better part of 20 years, transgender athletes were allowed to participate in the Olympics and NCAA sports without issue. Cisgender women are still winning medals and earning scholarships, and the world has not ended.

But because transgender men and women make some people uncomfortable, because most people don’t know someone who is transgender and so don’t realize they’re being fed a bunch of lies, we’ve decided it’s OK to throw out all decency and make rules up on the fly. People are going to be harmed as a result, including the very women the IOC claims to care so much about protecting.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Transgender ban from IOC harms women with mandated genetic testing

Israel Adesanya has dropped four straight fights, but he’s not ready to hang up the gloves just yet.

Adesanya was knocked out by Joe Pyfer in round two of UFC Seattle, marking his fourth straight defeat inside the Octagon.

The former champion hasn’t won a fight since his split-decision victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 271 back in February 2022.

Israel Adesanya says he understands the frustration from his fans, but has no plans to retire

After seeing Adesanya lose back-to-back fights by knockout, plenty of fans were quick to call for the 36-year-old to retire. But Adesanya wasted no time in addressing the speculation, shutting down any talk of retirement before even leaving the cage, and hasn’t wavered since.

In an Instagram post, the former champion acknowledged how hard it must be for his supporters to watch him struggle but pointed out that it’s even tougher for him.

He made it clear he plans to rebuild and come back stronger. “I know it’s hard on my people seeing me fall,” Adesanya wrote. “I promise you it’s harder on me.”

“Regardless, we respawn and go again.”

There are some worried that Adesanya might end up finishing his UFC career in a similar way to fellow middleweight legend Anderson Silva. ‘The Spider’ lost five of his last six fights before being released.

Joe Pyfer was ranked 14th in the division before their fight in Seattle, and following his win, is expected to move up when the rankings update on Tuesday.

The defeat also means Adesanya is likely going to drop further down in the pecking order. However, ahead of his loss this weekend, he admitted returning to title contention is not what motivates him anymore.

Read more:

The Athletics will be starting Jacob Lopez in the series opener in Cobb County against our Atlanta Braves. Lopez is a left-handed starter. As such, Walt Weiss has decided to break out the left-hand counter lineup and as such, Ozzie Albies is batting right-handed and hitting third in this particular lineup once again.

Here’s the entire Braves lineup:

If the lineup looks really familiar, that’s because this is the exact same lineup that the Braves rolled out there on Opening Night. That was a 6-0 win for the Braves so maybe that’ll be a good sign for what’s coming tonight. For now, here’s hoping that Ozzie Albies continues to make the manager look good for placing him that high in the lineup against left-handers.

We’ll update this with the A’s lineup once they reveal their hand. For now, what do y’all think about this lineup from the Braves?

After two rounds of the Brazilian Women’s A3 Championship, some teams still have a 100% record. Among them, Juventude-SE stands out, owning the best attack and the biggest goal difference in the competition so far. The team leads Group 8 with 6 points. On Saturday (28), they beat Atlético-BA 3-1 at home.

The other teams that have won both of their matches so far are: Planalto-GO, Realidade Jovem, Coritiba, Tiradentes-PA, and Liga São João.

Check out the round’s results:

Group 1 – Galvez 2-1 Itapuense, on Saturday; and Rolim de Moura 1-0 Penarol-AM, on Sunday.

Group 2 – Cresspom 1-4 Planalto-GO, on Saturday; and Várzea Grande 2-1 Pantanal, on Sunday.

Group 3 – Realidade Jovem 2-0 Araguari, on Saturday; and São José 0-1 Real Heips, on Sunday.

Group 4 – Coritiba 1-0 Criciúma, on Saturday; and Brasil de Farroupilha 1-0 Mauaense, on Sunday.

Group 5 – São Raimundo-RR 2-2 Portuguesa-AP, on Saturday; and Ypiranga-AP 0-2 Tiradentes-PA, on Sunday.

Group 6 – Remo 0-2 Liga São João; and Paraíso 0-0 Sampaio Corrêa, both on Saturday.

Group 7 – União-RN 1-0 Ipojuca, on Saturday; Mixto-PB and R4 face each other this Monday at 8 p.m. at Almeidão.

Group 8 – Juventude-SE 3-1 Atlético-BA; and Prosperidade 7-0 Guarani de Paripueira.

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

Vote now for The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Week for contests played between March 23-28. Voting will remain open until noon Wednesday.

The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.

Note: If you are not seeing the poll at the bottom of the story, try opening the story in a different browser, such as Chrome or Safari. Votes emailed will not be counted.

Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporter Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or Tyler Wicke (twicke@thenewstribune.com) or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler) with the athlete’s first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday.

Gigi Bell, Bonney Lake softball — Freshman pitcher threw five shutout innings in Wednesday’s 11-0 win over Olympia, allowing three hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Bell added two scoreless innings (1 H, 5 K) in Monday’s win over Spanaway Lake.

Payton Cantrell, Gig Harbor softball — Tides catcher went 5-for-5 with a home run, three doubles, and five RBI in Monday’s win over Lincoln.

Hope Cole, Fife softball — Trojans first baseman homered in Tuesday’s win over Clover Park, going 2-for-2 with five RBI. In Thursday’s win over Foss, Cole went 3-for-3 with a homer and threw four strong innings (1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K).

Sloan Cross, Auburn Riverside softball — Leadoff center fielder homered in Thursday’s win over Stadium, finishing 3-for-6 with a triple and three RBI.

Ashlyn Elder, Enumclaw softball — Hornets left fielder hit four doubles in Wednesday’s win over Kent-Meridian, going 5-for-5 with four runs and five RBI. Elder added two doubles and five RBI (3-for-4) in Friday’s win over Federal Way.

Norah Fenton, Orting softball — Cardinals catcher hit three home runs in Monday’s 18-12 win over Federal Way, going 3-for-3 with two walks and five RBI.

Stevie-Rae Garcia Zamora, Washington softball — Patriots pitcher struck out 17 batters across a complete game and homered at the plate (2-for-4, 2 BB, 4 RBI) in Thursday’s win over Franklin Pierce.

Jayda Guadron, Emerald Ridge softball — Jaguars catcher went 3-for-3 with a walk, two doubles, and four RBI in Friday’s 17-5 win over South Kitsap.

Nevaeh Haagen, Timberline softball — Blazers P/1B hit for the cycle (single, double, triple, home run) and struck all six batters faced (2 IP, 0 H) in Wednesday’s 20-0 win over Capital. In Monday’s win over River Ridge, Haagen struck out 11 batters across five frames and went 3-for-4 with three RBI at the plate.

Natalie Harris, White River softball — Hornets pitcher struck out eight across five innings (2 ER) and homered at the plate in Monday’s win over Thomas Jefferson. Harris added eight strikeouts and earned the save in Wednesday’s win over Federal Way.

Brooklyn Harrison, Gig Harbor softball — Tides third baseman hit two home runs (2-for-2, 5 RBI) in Wednesday’s win over Silas.

Abby Hoyt, Peninsula softball — Seahawks pitcher hit two home runs (6 RBI) and threw two scoreless innings with five strikeouts in Monday’s win over Capital.

Jaycee Kemp, Puyallup softball — Freshman pitcher struck out 16 across seven strong innings (3 R, 1 ER) in Monday’s win over South Kitsap. Kemp added four scoreless innings and earned the win over Lake Washington on Saturday.

Scarlett Mabe, Central Kitsap softball — First baseman homered with three hits and four RBI in Tuesday’s win over Klahowya.

Siene Martin, Tahoma softball — Shortstop went 5-for-5 with two doubles, five RBI, and a walk in Thursday’s win over Auburn.

Sierra Murray, Rogers softball — Sophomore pitcher shut down rival Puyallup with 18 strikeouts for a complete-game shutout (7 IP, 1 H, 0 BB) in Friday’s 3-0 win. Murray struck out 17 across seven frames (1 ER) in Wednesday’s win over Sumner and homered in Monday’s win over Curtis.

Natalie Otero, Enumclaw softball — Hornets left fielder went 5-for-5 with three doubles and five RBI in Monday’s 22-4 win over Decatur.

Brooklyn Pettit, Graham-Kapowsin — Eagles ace no-hit Bethel on Thursday, tossing five scoreless innings with one walk and 14 strikeouts. The gem marked Pettit’s second no-hitter this season (March 17 at Yelm).

Hannah Potter, Auburn Riverside softball — Ravens catcher went 3-for-6 with a double and triple in Thursday’s 15-9 win over Stadium.

Paityn Powell, Yelm softball — Sophomore third baseman homered and went 2-for-3 with four RBI in Tuesday’s 17-2 win over Spanaway Lake.

Alexa Ramirez, Tahoma softball — Bears junior threw five strong innings (1 ER) with no walks and 10 strikeouts in Tuesday’s 13-1 win over Stadium.

Leticea Romo, Yelm softball — Tornados pitcher tossed a five-inning shutout with one walk and 11 strikeouts (2 H) in Monday’s 11-0 win over Bethel.

Lila Schmidt, Enumclaw softball — Hornets first baseman recorded three triples in Monday’s 22-4 win over Decatur, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Kiley Sledge, Franklin Pierce softball — Shortstop belted two home runs and went 3-for-3 with a walk, four runs and three RBI in Thursday’s loss to Washington.

Lehua Siaki, Graham-Kapowsin softball — Junior pitcher struck out 10 across four scoreless innings (1 H, 0 BB) and homered at the plate, going 4-for-5 with four RBI in Friday’s 21-0 win over Spanaway Lake.

Josslyn Sorensen, Sumner softball — Spartans starter struck out 13 across seven strong innings (4 H, 2 ER) in Thursday’s 8-2 win over North Creek, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a home run, two singles, and two RBI.

Maddie Speir, Bonney Lake softball — Panthers first baseman delivered the walk-off double in the eighth inning of Friday’s 5-4 win over Yelm, finishing 2-for-4.

Tessa Trippy, Auburn Mountainview softball — Sophomore shortstop went 6-for-8 in two games last week, tallying a three-run home run, two doubles, four runs, and eight RBI.

Brielle Womach, Tumwater softball — T-Birds catcher went 2-for-2 with a double, triple, two walks, three RBI, and four runs in Monday’s win over Steilacoom.

Milwaukee has acquired Venezuelan outfielder Luis Matos from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, LHP Sammy Peralta has been designated for assignment.

Matos, who was the Giants’ No. 7 prospect heading into the 2023 season, made his major league debut in May of that year and recorded at least 150 at-bats in each of the last three seasons. He’s mashed in the minors (.837 OPS in Triple-A last season, .828 career OPS)

He had his best season at the plate last year, posting a .690 OPS in 57 games with San Francisco.

. He had his best season at the plate last yearearned at least 150 at-bats each of the last three years, but his .690 OPS last year was by far his high

Bengals’ reported interest in former SEC team captain could be alluding to a larger plan beyond him
“He fits the exact archetype that teams covet near the top of the draft. At 6-foot-5, 276 pounds, Faulk’s pass-rush production took a step back in 2025, but he’s only 21 and one of the best run defenders in the class. When speaking to scouts, Greg Rousseau and Mykel Williams are two NFL comparisons for him. The Chiefs at No. 9 and the Bengals at No. 10 overall are two teams to watch here.” — ESPN’s Jordan Reid on Keldric Faulk

Zac Taylor Adapts Into A Senior Coach As NFL Owners Meet
Zachary William Taylor has been around longer than Dan Campbell in Detroit, the guy who taught a green-as-grass-graduate-assistant how to coach tight ends at College Station. Longer than Ben Johnson in Chicago, his disciple in the days Taylor coached the Miami quarterbacks. Just as long as Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, his office neighbor and waste basket ball partner with the Rams across the hall from McVay himself.

Zac Taylor Shares League-Wide Reaction to Joe Burrow’s Flag Football Performance
“He was watching the NCAA tournament at the time, but he said his phone was blowing up,” Hoard said. “You know, [with] every other coach and scout saying ‘What’s Burrow doing?’”

Bengals doing draft work on eyebrow-raising RB name
Take, for instance, the Bengals doing due diligence on Indiana running back Kaelon Black, setting up a 30 visit with him, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.

Jarring draft rumor hints Bengals may double down on their Shemar Stewart problem
What if I told you that, in 2024, by PFF’s count, 22 of Faulk’s 45 QB pressures and three of his seven sacks came in four particular games? One was a 73-3 win over outmatched FCS foe Alabama A&M. Another was against the Fernando Mendoza-led California Golden Bears. Mendoza took the second-most sacks of anyone in the country that year with 40. Those matchups accounted for the three sacks.

Former Georgia Star Could Fix Bengals’ Major Weakness in 2026 NFL Draft
Miller spent four seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs. He won a national title in his redshirt freshman year. He compiled 64 career tackles (11.5 for loss) and four sacks. The former four-star prospect notched a solid NFL Combine, and NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein graded Miller with a 6.34 overall grade, which hands him a “will eventually be plus starter” tag.

Vote now for The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week for contests played between March 23-28. Voting will remain open until noon Wednesday.

The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.

Note: If you are not seeing the poll at the bottom of the story, try opening the story in a different browser, such as Chrome or Safari. Votes emailed will not be counted.

Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporter Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or Tyler Wicke (twicke@thenewstribune.com) or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler) with the athlete’s first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday.

Brooks Barker, Capital baseball — The center fielder’s walk-off single in the eighth inning lifted Capital over North Thurston, 13-12, on Monday. Barker went 2-for-2 with three walks and two RBI.

Quentin Bockhorn, Gig Harbor baseball — Senior right-hander threw five scoreless innings (3 H, 0 BB, 9 K) in Wednesday’s 8-0 win over Bellarmine Prep.

Brayden Cheeka, Olympia baseball — Left fielder hit a grand slam and plated seven runs in Tuesday’s win over Spanaway Lake, finishing 3-for-3 with two runs. On Friday, Cheeka delivered the walk-off single in a 5-4 win over Curtis.

Jake Cuda, Gig Harbor baseball — Senior right-hander threw five strong frames in Thursday’s 3-1 win over Bellarmine Prep, allowing two hits and one run (none earned) with two walks and eight strikeouts. Cuda homered in Monday’s 16-3 win over River Ridge, going 2-for-4 with a run and five RBI.

Tucker Downing, Olympia track and field — The Bears junior’s 191-9 javelin throw set a new personal record by more than 16 feet. Downing’s PR ranks first in the state and 14th nationally.

Mattson Ducharme, Fife baseball — Trojans starter threw six strong innings in Friday’s 6-1 win over Central Kitsap, allowing two hits and one run (none earned) with two walks and five strikeouts. Ducharme singled at the plate, finishing 1-for-2.

Ethan Flavel, Decatur baseball — Gators starter threw four shutout innings (3 H, 1 BB, 6 K) and homered at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday’s 10-0 win over White River. Flavel homered again Friday, finishing 1-for-3 with a walk in Friday’s 7-3 win over Thomas Jefferson.

Greyson Garza, Steilacoom baseball — Freshman right-hander threw a five-inning perfect game with 12 strikeouts in Thursday’s 23-0 win over Washington, adding two hits and two RBI at the plate.

Gregory Johnson, Puyallup baseball — Clean-up hitter drove in four runs (2-for-4, 2B) in Tuesday’s 8-0 win over South Kitsap.

Brayden Landry, Puyallup baseball — Leadoff shortstop went 3-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, and four RBI in Wednesday’s 11-1 win over South Kitsap. Landry added two doubles and two RBI in Friday’s 11-0 win over Bethel.

Eli Lystra, Silas baseball — In a two-game sweep of Lincoln on Tuesday and Wednesday, the sophomore first baseman went a combined 6-for-7 with three triples and five RBI.

Alex Marvel, Fife baseball — In three wins last week, the junior right fielder tallied five hits (.556), four RBI, four runs, and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

Thomas Marzano, Peninsula baseball — Seahawks catcher plated four runs in back-to-back wins over Timberline and Bainbridge, batting a combined 6-for-10 with a double and eight RBI.

Christopher Moore, Kentlake baseball — Senior right-hander blanked Enumclaw (11 K) across five scoreless innings on Friday, allowing one hit and three walks in a 4-0 win. Moore homered at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI.

Luke Overbay, Tumwater baseball — Junior right-hander tossed three shutout innings (2 BB, 3 K) in Friday’s 16-2 win over Woodland, adding three hits and a walk at the plate (3 RBI).

Madden Pike, Puyallup baseball — Sophomore right-hander threw a complete-game shutout in Thursday’s 8-0 win over South Kitsap, allowing two hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts.

Hunter Rudolph, Graham-Kapowsin baseball — Senior right-hander threw six strong innings in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Yelm, allowing two hits and one run (none earned) with four walks and six strikeouts.

Joey Schilling, Silas baseball — Rams starter threw a five-inning shutout (1 H, 3 BB, 8 K) in Tuesday’s 15-0 win over Lincoln.

Offense had stood out all season for Illinois, only for the defense to step up in March Madness.

Arizona and Michigan have been part of college basketball's top tier all year with elite play at both ends of the court, and they've been even sharper at the offensive end in the NCAA Tournament.

Now that trio joins UConn for this week's Final Four in Indianapolis. The Huskies and Illini meet in Saturday’s first semifinal, followed by the Wolverines and Wildcats.

All four teams rank in the overall top 10 of data-driven college basketball rankings for KenPom, Evan Miyakawa and Bart Torvik going into the Final Four. That includes the Wolverines and Wildcats ranking 1-2 for all three currently, as well as posting some of KenPom's best net-efficiency rankings ever recorded.

Illini's defense

Illinois (28-8) entered the NCAA tourney ranked second in KenPom's adjusted offensive efficiency by averaging 131.2 points per 100 possessions while ranking just 28th in defense (99.1). Yet the South Region champion's defense has allowed .976 points per possession in the NCAA Tournament to lead the remaining four teams.

“We’ve been very good throughout the season at times,” coach Brad Underwood said before the regional final win against Iowa. “We just haven’t been that consistent.”

Illinois allowed Penn, VCU, Houston and Iowa to score on just 41.2% of their possessions. The Illini also dominated the glass (plus-16.3 per game) to grab the rebounds that completed those defensive stops.

They've done it all with the nation's tallest roster, with seven players from Saturday's eight-man rotation standing 6-foot-6 or taller. That has included an influx of European talent, including Croatian twins Tomislav (7-1) and Zvonimir Ivisic (7-2), as well as 6-9 forward David Mirkovic from Montenegro. The outlier among that big lineup, 6-2 senior guard Kylan Boswell, is a strong backcourt defender.

UConn (33-5), meanwhile, has scored on 52.2% of its possessions going back to the second-round win against UCLA, with a high of 54% in Sunday's comeback from 19 down to shock top overall tournament seed Duke.

Terrence Oglesby, an analyst with ESPN and Field of 68, pointed to the Illini's ability to play in the gaps to disrupt offenses trying to move the ball and space the floor to create mismatches or lanes.

“Positionally, they're just elite on top of being massive,” said Oglesby, a former Clemson player. “You go to the Balkans to grab all these guys, and they're huge and they've also been well coached coming all the way up. ... The good part about being pretty gap-heavy is the fact that if you're huge, you can still get out to shooters."

Offensive flow

Michigan (35-3) has the most efficient offense of the Final Four teams, averaging 1.361 points per possession in tournament wins over Howard, Saint Louis, Alabama and Tennessee to edge Arizona's similar average (1.341).

The Midwest Region champion became the first team to score 90 points in every game through to the Elite Eight since UConn did it in 1995 before falling 102-96 to eventual champion UCLA. Dusty May's Wolverines are shooting 55.9% through four games, including 44.6% (45 of 101) from 3-point range, and have scored on 60.4% of their tournament possessions.

Before the Sweet 16 win against Alabama, guard Roddy Gayle Jr. said May's system allows the Wolverines to play “super free.”

“He does a lot of free-flow offense,” star Yaxel Lendeborg said. “He has certain sets, but the sets aren’t necessarily for shots. It’s just for movement, just to get the defense out of their shell, and then attack off those mistakes."

Net efficiency

The Wolverines' semifinal against fellow 1-seed Arizona (36-2) will pair teams with all-time great KenPom efficiency metrics.

KenPom bases efficiency on points scored or allowed over a standardized 100-possession pace to eliminate tempo as a factor. Overall rankings are determined by net efficiency in terms of how much a team’s offensive data outpaces its defensive numbers.

Michigan currently leads the country at plus-39.02 after the regionals, followed by Arizona at plus-38.76. By comparison, only two teams have finished a season with higher KenPom numbers going back to the 1996-97 season: Duke in 1998-99 (plus-43.01) and Duke last year (plus-39.29).

“These are these massive teams that also have enough shooting. but they’ve leaned into the everything else," Oglesby said. "They've leaned into the controllable aspects: rebounding, being big, being physical. ... I wouldn’t say that the championship game is Michigan and Arizona, but those two teams have just been a freight train going through.”

Neither of those high-efficiency Duke teams managed to cut down the nets. The first lost to UConn in the title game and the second fell a year ago to Houston in a late collapse in the national semifinals.

What's ahead

The season's final three games will pair strength-on-strength in the halfcourt.

The four teams have played man defense on 97.3% of their combined halfcourt possessions, according to Synergy. Arizona, Michigan and UConn all rated as “excellent” in the 91st percentile or better, while Illinois is rated “very good” in the 81st percentile.

Yet Synergy rates all of those teams as “excellent” in running halfcourt offense against man defense, with Illinois (97th percentile) and Michigan (96th) as the best.

The key for Saturday could be which teams can get out in transition to avoid tussling with set halfcourt defenses. That could favor Illinois (97th percentile) and Arizona (94th) as the top teams in transition offense with “excellent” ratings from Synergy.

___

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

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has suggested that there are maximum four to six spots in his World Cup squad up for grabs as things stand, albeit acknowledging that there will likely be injuries that impact his decisions. La Roja are on the eve of their final friendly before de la Fuente names his 26-man list for the plane to the United States.

After beating Serbia 3-0 on Friday, Spain will face Egypt at the RCDE Stadium on Tuesday night. De la Fuente confirmed to Marca that he would be rotating from that game.

“We’re going to refresh the team, but we’ll field a competitive squad because we want to keep winning. Those who need to play will play. We want to refresh the team so that it’s very competitive.”

La Roja are being cast as favourites for the tournament by many for this summer, alongside the likes of France, England and Argentina.

“I love it when people speak well of us. Denying the obvious… Just like I speak about others. I don’t know if you saw France. Anyone who doubts they’re the favorite… We have to play exceptionally well. We need a near-perfect performance to win the World Cup.”

Goalkeeper debate for Spain

One of the question marks over his squad that has raised the most eyebrows is the goalkeeping position. Unai Simon seems to be installed as number one, but it was a surprise when de la Fuente called up four goalkeepers for this international break, including Barcelona’s Joan Garcia for the first time. The decision on the starter against Egypt has been made.

“We’ve already made the decision, but we don’t know how the match will unfold. You’ll find out who the starting goalkeeper will be tomorrow; I’m not going to say anything more here. We’ll see how the match develops. We’re playing for first place in the world rankings. We need to field a very competitive team that gives us complete confidence. We’ll see what happens in goal: who starts and who finishes.”

After switching from crosstown rivals Espanyol, whose home stadium will host the game, Garcia is persona non grata in Cornella. De la Fuente was asked if some Pericos might be tempted to boo him.

“Let them leave that temptation at home, let them come and cheer. These players are from the Spanish national team. If anyone has that temptation, let them leave it at home.”

Majority of Spain squad decided

De la Fuente also explained that he had the majority of his squad settled in his mind for this summer.

“We have a solid group. A very strong foundation. There will certainly be setbacks and injuries. Some of the guaranteed starters will definitely be unavailable, but it’s true that there are 20 or 22 players we’d like to have.”

“We more or less have it figured out, but I made up the percentage… There’s a solid foundation and I hope many will be okay. I said 22, but I could have said another number.”

Injury absences

One of the players who was in the running to return to international duty was Eric Garcia, but he picked up a late injury that prevented him from being called up.

“He’s been with me in the youth ranks. He’s a player much loved by the Federation and by me. He was in great form and suffered a minor injury that perhaps prevented him from being here. Opportunities will open up for many. Hopefully, we’ll have a tough time making the squad.”

There is also concern in Spain that Nico Williams might not be fit for the tournament, after an injury-ravaged season. Mikel Merino is also racing against time to be back.

“Nico has already rejoined training, which is a good sign. And Mikel Merino has a long-term injury… We’ll see how it all develops. I have a lot of faith in him, and he’s very eager. He’s made of different stuff, and I think he’s going to recover.”

Williams and Merino both played key roles for de la Fuente at Euro 2024. La Roja do not have a like for like replacement for either, but Alex Baena and Victor Munoz were both tested on the left wing against Serbia. Merino’s most natural alternative is Fabian Ruiz, but the Paris Saint-Germain star is also battling injury currently.

Marc Cucurella has become the latest senior Chelsea player to flirt with the idea of a move away from Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea’s players are scattered all over the world for their international break, and Marc Cucurella happens to have gone to his native Catalonia for a game with Spain, who will play at the Espanyol stadium.

Inevitably he’s been asked about a return to his boyhood club Barcelona, and in quotes picked up by Football Espana, he’s admitted it would be tempting.

Cucurella tempted by return to Barcelona in “a few years”

“It would be difficult to refuse. It’s not just about me. I’d have to think about my family. If it happens, it happens, and we’ll see what decision is made,” the full back said.

“You always think about going back. [But] I’m very happy there [in England], and so is my family. I’ll leave it for a few years from now.”

It’s not a flat out denial, but it’s a bit less of a direct flirtation than what Enzo Fernandez has been doing with Real Madrid. At least it sounds we’ll see a few more years of Cucurella at Chelsea before he’s tempted with a return.

In other news…

Geovany Quenda is a top prospect coming to Chelsea this summer, but he has some unfinished business in Portugal first…

Selling Enzo for £80m would mean minimal book loss for Chelsea, but would say a lot more about their ambitions.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

In a recent report, Correio da Manha claimed that Liverpool have stepped up their efforts to land Sporting CP striker Luis Suarez. It is believed that the Reds would have to compete with Newcastle United in the race to land the Colombian talent this summer.

Suarez’s Impressive Form In Portuguese Football

Suarez is having a productive campaign in Portugal as he has put in a series of impressive displays for Sporting in the final third. The 28-year-old has banged in 33 goals and grabbed seven assists in 42 matches for the Portuguese outfit this season on all fronts.

The Colombian talent is currently among the most feared forwards in Liga Portugal. Hence, the Reds would do well to lure him to Anfield this off-season.

His current contract at Sporting will expire in the summer of 2030, which should make it tough for Liverpool to sign him on a cut-price deal later this year.

LISBON, PORTUGAL – MARCH 17: Luis Suarez of Sporting Clube de Portugal reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and FK Bodo/Glimt at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 17, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Will Suarez Be A Good Fit For Liverpool?

Suarez is proficient at finding a yard of space for himself to get some strikes in at goal. He has got the vision to engineer a few decent chances for his teammates in the final third and is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet. Suarez is usually quite clever with his movements in and around the opponent’s penalty area.

The Colombia international can contribute by scoring and creating his fair share of goals on the offensive end of the field. However, there are some concerns over whether he can maintain his good form in the Premier League if the Reds manage to snap him up in the upcoming transfer window.

We can expect Suarez to add more firepower to Liverpool‘s attack. He is good enough to compete for a regular first-team spot at the Merseyside club in the coming years.

At 28, Suarez is about to enter his prime, which makes him a decent fit for the Premier League outfit’s needs in the short-term. He might even help the Reds challenge for some major trophies in the future. With all things considered, Liverpool would be wise to go all out to lure him to England in the summer transfer period

Florida State basketball guard Cam Miles is entering the transfer portal, according to On3's Joe Tipton. He is the first FSU player to announce he will be transferring.

Miles played in 25 games as a freshman for the Seminoles, averaging 5.4 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game. He shot 36.1% from the floor, 21.6% from 3-point range, and 67.6% from the free-throw line. He had 17 steals and 21 turnovers on the season.

He is originally from Chicago but signed with FSU out of IMG Academy. He was ranked as the No. 268 overall player and No. 31 combo guard by 247Sports in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Miles and forward Thomas Bassong made up Luke Louck's transition high school recruiting class.

Miles has not been ranked as a transfer and will have three seasons of eligibility at his next school. He scored 10 or more points four times for FSU, including a career-high 17 points against UT Martin. He shot 7-10 that game and 3-6 from deep to go with three assists and three steals.

The transfer portal is set to open on April 7 and will last until April 21. FSU signed seven transfers last offseason as Loucks worked to build his roster. With FSU signing a top 10 recruiting class with five four-star prospects coming, they are not expected to be as active ahead of his second season in charge.

Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of FSU news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU Basketball: Cam Miles to enter transfer portal

Bubba Wallace's race at Martinsville Speedway came crashing down in the Final Stage. Wallace ran into the back of Carson Hocevar, causing a massive pile-up coming off of Turn 4. It was a shocking moment, as the driver of the No. 23 car had too much damage to continue. It looked as if Wallace was retaliating for an incident with Hocevar earlier in the event.

Following the crash, Wallace addressed the wreck with Hocevar at Martinsville. The 23XI Racing driver claims that it was an accident as he misjudged the corner.

“I misjudged,” Wallace said. “I didn’t appreciate the three-wide into [Turn 1], fine, but I misjudged the center of the corner and didn’t mean to turn [Carson Hocevar]. What a frustrating day. With so much expectation coming here, favorite track, Hardee’s on the car. Just wasn’t the day we wanted. We really have to figure out what it is this place. We can win Saturday in practice, but we just don’t show up on Sunday. So, I hate it for our team. Just frustration. Take a week off and reset and go onto Bristol.”

Hocevar took Wallace three-wide into Turn 1, and it resulted with a big crash after the No. 23 car wiped out the No. 77 car and others. It is unclear if it was truly intentional or an accident, but Wallace said it wasn't on purpose. With NASCAR going into an off-weekend, Wallace hopes to put this behind him before Bristol Motor Speedway.

More: Denny Hamlin discusses heartbreaking loss at Martinsville in 2026

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Bubba Wallace addresses wreck with Carson Hocevar at Martinsville

Why Justin Crawford is not in Phillies lineup today vs. Nationals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a disappointing start to the year, with a 1-2 record in the opening weekend homestand against the Texas Rangers.

They will begin their second series of the year against the Washington Nationals, and begin by facing left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin. While a lefty is on the mound, Justin Crawford, the Phillies' rookie outfielder, should still be in the lineup.

However, in the Phillies' announced lineup, Crawford isn't starting. But why? Destiny Lugardo of Phillies Nation revealed why Crawford isn't in the lineup tonight vs. the Nationals, and it's a reason that fans won't like.

Phillies aren't starting Justin Crawford vs. Nationals for one reason

"From Rob Thomson pregame yesterday: Brandon Marsh might start in CF today," Lugardo shared. "He wants to give Justin Crawford a day off."

The Phillies are entering their fourth game of the season, and Crawford is already getting a day off. For someone meant to be an everyday starter, who has actually looked good thus far, this is a strange decision.

Brandon Marsh is starting in center field in his place against the lefty Nationals pitcher, and it has nothing to do with matchups. Rob Thomson want's to give the rookie center fielder an off-day.

More: Jesus Luzardo’s $135 million extension is a steal for Phillies

It's a strange decision, as the Phillies get a day off on Thursday, and starting Crawford in the first six games of the year would hardly be a surprise. For someone meant to be a full-time starter, getting a rest day this early in the year is odd.

J.T. Realmuto is getting a day off as well, but it makes a lot of sense, as the Phillies don't want him catching five days in a row and want to ensure he will be catching for rookie Andrew Painter for his debut.

Crawford, on the other hand, isn't in the lineup tonight, not due to a matchup issue or an injury, but just as a day off, according to Thomson.

After hitting .333 through the first three games of the year, Crawford will sit for game four against the Nationals in Philadelphia, as the Phillies turn to Marsh, Otto Kemp, and Adolis Garcia in the outfield.

More MLB news:

• Reds’ Hunter Greene to be out until July amid brutal injury news
• Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki will return to rotation, not bullpen according Dave Roberts
• Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL for the Braves
• Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar
• This 19-year MLB record is finally over for the Giants
• Luis Gil sent down to minor leagues in strange Yankees roster move
• Jacob DeGrom is only 149 strikeouts from 2,000 for his career
• Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) — American defender Chris Richards has recovered from a knee injury and says he can play in the United States' friendly against Portugal on Tuesday but midfielder Johnny Cardoso is hurt and will leave camp ahead of the game.

Richards, the top American central defender, missed Saturday's 5-2 loss to Belgium.

Richards sustained a slight injury during Crystal Palace’s Europa Conference League match at Larnaca on March 19.

“I’m fine,” he said Monday. “I had a bad tackle in my last game with Palace and so just a little bit of knee pain, knee soreness, but I’ve been training individually all week and I’m available for tomorrow.”

Cardoso started against Belgium and was replaced by Cristian Roldan for the start of the second half. Cardoso was to return Monday night to Atletico Madrid.

“Johnny arrived from Madrid with some small things, issues,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said. “The plan was to play 45 minutes, but when finished after 45 minutes he feel again this type of uncomfortable things in some part of his leg.

“I think he was good during 45 minutes.” Pochettino said. “I am happy with his performance, commitment and intention to play.”

Christian Pulisic goal drought

Pochettino said he may tinker with the positioning of Christian Pulisic, who usually is on a wing with the national team. Pulisic is scoreless in his last 12 games with AC Milan and his last seven for the U.S. dating to November 2024.

“Maybe we help a little bit to go a little bit more closer to the goal,” Pochettino said. “Maybe we can do some tests also to play with maybe more midfielder and less offensive player.”

Pochettino said he never felt comfortable during Saturday's loss to Belgium. Weston McKennie put the U.S. ahead in the 39th minute and the Americans allowed five straight goals.

On the 5-2 loss to Belgium

“You saw my face when we scored,” Pochettino said, drawing his lips and trying to show no emotion. “My gut feeling, it wasn’t good. You say why? Because when we scored, we should be the third goal, not the first goal.”

Comparing lack of aggression to dieting and then bingeing

Pochettino said maintaining aggressiveness is the same as dietary control following weight loss.

“After you need to have discipline, no? No big intention to eat the nice food and everything like this,” he said. “I won but then it’s nice, no, the chicken, the steak, the lasagna, the pasta?”

Chris, Christian, Cristian on one team can be confusing

Pochettino laughed about having to learn which name or nickname to use referring to each player.

“I have Christian Pulisic, Cristian Roldan, Chris is Richards and sometimes now they make me to change: Cristian Rolan is Roldy, Roldan, and Antonee Robinson is Jedi,” he said. “I am learning how to call after nearly after two years these guys.”

___

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

The North Carolina head coaching search has been the talk of the college basketball world outside of March Madness.

For now, the top choice for the Tar Heels appears to be Tommy Lloyd of Arizona. He has been highly successful, posting a 148-35 record, reaching the Sweet 16 in four of his five seasons and leading the Wildcats to their first Final Four since 2001 after a 95-62 win over Tennessee in the Elite Eight on Saturday.

Another name that has been circulating is Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls. Before he moved to the NBA as head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Donovan was one of college basketball’s top coaches. He led Florida to five Final Fours and three national title games, winning two championships.

On the "Tar Heel 247 Basketball" podcast, former North Carolina standout John Henson welcomed his former UNC teammate Justin Watts to discuss the latest on the coaching search.

Interesting nugget on #UNC's coaching search...

"What I've heard is Tommy Lloyd wanted the UNC job before he went to Arizona."

Mutual interest? Tensions with AD? Is Lloyd to Carolina a possibility regardless of where Arizona finishes in NCAAT? 👇https://t.co/1pitYLb2pV

— Grant Hughes (@GrantHughesNC) March 30, 2026

Watts highlighted two key points about the leading candidates.

Tommy Lloyd wanted the UNC job in 2021

According to Watts, Lloyd, then an assistant at Gonzaga, was interested in the North Carolina job when it came open in 2021. Ultimately, UNC followed Roy Williams’ wishes, and the job went to Hubert Davis instead of going through a national search. Lloyd ended up at Arizona, and the results are clear.

Watts also drew a parallel to when Williams was the head coach at Kansas and had to decide whether to take the offer from his alma mater.

Tommy Lloyd wanted the job before he went to Arizona. If Arizona wins, I think it’s out of the question. If they lose, it’s kind of like how we got Roy. Kansas was in the Final Four, they were interviewing him about it, and it was lingering over his head. Then they lost, and he ended up coming to Carolina.

Roy had a lot more ties than Tommy Lloyd, other than Lloyd wanting the job before he went to Arizona. I would like to have Tommy Lloyd out of all the options we know about. I like how he has developed that Arizona program. They’ve been pretty consistent since he’s been there.

While this is an interesting development, nothing has been confirmed. The comparison between Williams leaving Kansas for UNC and Lloyd’s situation only goes so far. Williams is an Asheville native, a North Carolina alumnus and a longtime former assistant under Dean Smith. It should also be noted that he turned down the UNC job in 2000 before finally accepting it in 2003. Because of his ties to the school, his move back to Chapel Hill was more of a duty than a choice.

For Lloyd, it would be a choice. If it took a lot to bring Williams back to Chapel Hill, it will take even more to convince Lloyd to leave Arizona.

Billy Donovan is the most realistic choice

If Lloyd stays at Arizona, Donovan moves to the forefront. According to Watts, he may be the most realistic option, and even if the Tar Heels “settle” for him, it would still be a major victory.

I think Billy Donovan, on the other hand, is probably the more realistic option between the two. He doesn’t have a buyout, the Bulls aren’t that great, and it’s not like he’s winning championships at the NBA level. He has done that at the NCAA level. He may want to come back in a Bill Belichick-type move.

But I really think the hire will be somebody we’re not even talking about. That’s just my perspective. I don’t think we’re going to get either of them, but I think a ceiling of Tommy Lloyd and a floor of Billy Donovan is a good spot to be in.

If Lloyd stays at Arizona but UNC lands Donovan, it would still be a seismic move. Outside of Dan Hurley at UConn and Bill Self at Kansas, no other active head coach would have multiple national titles. Donovan is also an elite recruiter who has sent numerous players to the NBA, where many enjoyed long careers.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Tommy Lloyd had previous interest in head coach job

Kimi Antonelli's rapid rise in Formula 1 continued at Suzuka, where the Mercedes rookie claimed his second consecutive victory in the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix-and, in the process, took over the lead of the Drivers' Championship.

The 19-year-old Italian didn't have the cleanest start to the race, but a combination of strategy, pace, and a timely Safety Car helped swing the result in his favor on one of the calendar's most popular circuits.

Safety Car Turns the Race

The pivotal moment came on lap 22, when Haas driver Oliver Bearman suffered a heavy crash at the high-speed Spoon Curve. While battling with Alpine's Franco Colapinto, Bearman lost control on the grass after experiencing an extreme difference in speed due to Colapinto's car harvesting energy. Bearman's Haas hit the barriers at high speed, triggering a Safety Car.

Fortunately, the British driver was able to exit the car under his own power, although with a heavy limp; he was later taken to the medical center for precautionary checks after the 50g impact with the barriers.

Up front, the timing of the incident proved crucial. Antonelli had yet to make his pit stop, while rivals Oscar Piastri and George Russell had already pitted. The neutralization allowed the Mercedes driver to stop with minimal time loss and rejoin in the lead-a position he would not relinquish.

Antonelli Capitalizes

Even without the Safety Car, Mercedes believed Antonelli had the pace to challenge for victory. Once in clean air, he had been lapping faster than the early stoppers and building a gap that could have kept him in contention.

After the restart, Antonelli wasted no time asserting control, pulling clear of Piastri and managing the race from the front to secure back-to-back wins.

"It feels pretty good," Antonelli said after the race. "It's too early to think about the championship, but we're on a good path. I had a bad start, but after that the pace was really strong."

The win makes Antonelli the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula 1 championship, opening up a nine-point advantage over teammate Russell.

Piastri Shines as McLaren Recovers

While the result ultimately went Mercedes' way, McLaren showed a marked improvement after a difficult start to the season. Piastri led early and looked capable of controlling the race before the Safety Car shuffled the order.

The Australian held on for second place-his first podium of the year-and suggested that, without the interruption, victory may have been within reach.

"A bit of a shame we didn't get to see how it played out," Piastri said. "But to be disappointed with second is a good place to be."

Leclerc Takes Third After Fierce Battles

Behind the leading duo, Charles Leclerc completed the podium for Ferrari after a hard-fought race that featured multiple battles with both Russell and teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Russell, who had been in the fight for victory early on, faded to fourth after struggling with energy management issues following the restart. He also lost time during a brief system anomaly that allowed Leclerc to slip past.

The Mercedes driver mounted a late challenge but ultimately couldn't reclaim the podium, finishing just behind the Ferrari.

Midfield and Notable Moments

Further back, Lando Norris recovered from McLaren's earlier struggles to finish fifth, passing Hamilton in the closing laps. The Ferrari driver settled for sixth after a late-race duel between the pair.

Pierre Gasly led the midfield in seventh for Alpine, followed by Max Verstappen in eighth after another difficult outing for Red Bull. Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten.

When Is Formula 1's Next Race?

The Japanese Grand Prix now marks the final race before an unexpected pause in the calendar. The next two scheduled rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been canceled due to America and Israel's war in Iran, leaving teams with a five-week break before the season resumes in Miami.

But after Suzuka, one thing is clear: Formula 1's newest star has arrived-and he's leading the championship.

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During the insanity following Braylon Mullins’ last-second three-pointer that gave UConn a one-point lead over Duke with 0.4 seconds left, something went unnoticed: Huskies’ coach Dan Hurley stepping up to a referee and lightly head-butting him.

I can't imagine another coach not getting a technical here. https://t.co/en0FeGqsso

— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) March 30, 2026

Hurley has a reputation as being a wild-card, so this action isn’t exactly out of his wheelhouse, but considering everything going on, the question is this: Did this warrant a technical foul?

Duke broadcasters were already arguing that a technical foul should have been called on UConn player Malachi Smith, who ran to halfcourt to celebrate with Mullins and their teammates following the shot despite the game still being played. We’ve seen a technical foul called for just that, but amid the emotions, it is understandable that a player would do what Smith did.

What Hurley did was a grown adult making contact with an official for no reason whatsoever. The UConn coach is known to push referees to the limit, but this action should have resulted in a technical foul and possibly cost his team the game. Let’s see if there are any repercussions coming forward for Hurley as the Huskies head to the Final Four.

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Dan Hurley deserved a technical following contact with official

A breath of fresh air for Clemsonbasketball fans, Zac Foster is coming back for another year.

After a freshman season that was cut short by an ACL injury in December, the Clemson guard is set to return to the Tigers, giving Brad Brownell a key piece back in the backcourt heading into next season.

Before the injury, Foster had started to write himself out a real role on the team, appearing in 12 games and averaging 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. His ability to create off the dribble flashed early, and now Clemson gets that back with a full offseason to build.

Clemson freshman guard Zac Foster will return to the Tigers, he told @TheFieldof68.

The former top-65 recruit played in 12 games, averaging 6.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 2.5 apg before suffering a season-ending ACL tear vs. South Carolina in December. pic.twitter.com/xi2nmfYNwT

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 30, 2026

Foster is expected to be alongside Ace Buckner next season, giving Clemson a young guard duo with real upside. Two guards who can play on or off the ball with hustle? That makes anyone invested in the future of this program's opinion very validated.

Ace Buckner continues to impress.

His offensive capability is apparent, but what will earn him minutes is his hustle on the defensive side.

Brad Brownell said Buckner is the most competitive on the team, and it shows when he's on the floor.

— Grayson Mann (@gray_mann21) November 12, 2025

Coming out of high school, Foster brought a strong résumé with him, and it’s easy to see why Clemson stayed invested in his development. According to 247Sports, Foster was “a multi-talented combo guard in the midst of a clear ascension,” adding that “with skill, feel, good instincts, and still untapped physical tools, his best basketball is very likely still a way in front of him.”

He was a perfect fit as a contemporary combo guard because of "his smooth and skilled" handle and "quick and clean shooting stroke," which allowed him to play both on and off the ball. His length and instincts were evident even on defense; according to 247, he's "a fluid lateral mover who utilizes his length well" and has already made an impression with a high steal rate in high school.

247 pointed out that “the biggest limitation in Foster’s game right now is physical strength,” noting his frame is still filling out, something that affects his ability to finish through contact. But that’s also where the upside comes from.

Foster, a 180-pound, 6'4" four-star guard, was ranked No. 70 total in the class of 2025 and the No. 11 combo guard, per 247Sports. As a senior, he led his team to a 24-4 record, averaged 17.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, and was named First Team All-State and Region Player of the Year.

Clemson star Avieon Terrell suffers injury setback ahead of NFL draft

📸 David Jensen, Getty Images https://t.co/tX6LdT2V1Dpic.twitter.com/PY1Q06kZUy

— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) March 30, 2026

Now that the season is over, Foster is back not only as a depth player but also as someone who has the potential to make significant progress. And if he does, along with Buckner, Clemson's backcourt could subtly emerge as one of the ACC's more intriguing units next year.

Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Freshman prodigy Zac Foster to stay with Clemson basketball

Denver Nuggets pull away from Warriors with third-quarter turnaround

Denver’s 116–93 win over the Golden State Warriors came off the back of a halftime shift that was easy to spot.

“You have to at least give the effort to the game plan,” head coach David Adelman said postgame.

The team responded. Denver allowed 53 points in the first half but clamped down in the second, giving up just 40 more. That included a decisive third quarter where Golden State went 0-for-13 from three-point range.

How Denver’s defence set the tone

It wasn’t a strong start for the Nuggets. They lost track of cutters, overcommitted on defence, and left shooters open, which kept Golden State in rhythm early. That changed after halftime.

“Second half was much better… intensity, energy,” Nikola Jokic said.

Denver increased their ball pressure, stayed closer to shooters, and forced 15 turnovers overall. They turned those mistakes into 22 points. The improved execution was noticeable right away in the third quarter, and it carried through the rest of the game.

Jokic’s control of the third quarter changed the game

Jokic’s stat line reflected his influence, finishing with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists. But it was his play in the third quarter that helped swing the momentum.

“We just found a way to win,” he said.

Murray finished with 20 points, six boards, and seven assists. All four of his turnovers came before halftime.

Bench support added to the defensive change

The impact went beyond just the starting five.

“We were more physical, stopped turning the ball over, and didn’t give up backdoor cuts,” Bruce Brown said postgame.

Zeke Nnaji and Peyton Watson both helped Denver clean up its perimeter defence, allowing fewer clean looks from deep.

The Warriors managed only 19 points in the fourth quarter, struggling to find any of the flow they had earlier in the game.

Denver found the spark needed in the second half

“Take the challenge… look yourself in the mirror,” Tim Hardaway Jr said.

The numbers backed up that approach. The Nuggets finished at 50 per cent from the field and 47.5 per cent from three, combining defensive control with consistent shot-making.

Denver has reached this level before, but it’s often been in short bursts. This time, it stretched across two halves and gave them a full sample of what they’ve shown in flashes this season.

The test now is whether that play sticks around or fades back into inconsistency.

Read more:

"The Queen" Charlotte Flair is holding court, and she's in favor of The Bella Twins' (Nikki and Brie) return to the ring. However, she will do what it takes to jump the line for her and Alexa Bliss to get their WWE Women's Tag Team Titles back.

"No, I think it's awesome the Bellas are back," the 14-time WWE women's champion complimented in her interview with "Complex Graps." "I think the competitiveness and the tag division just elevates everyone and makes us want it that much more. The fact that the Bellas wanted to come back and fight for them, obviously it's just another team that's in our way that, ultimately, I think, will make Lexi and I try that much harder."

This interview, which was held before her match with the Bellas on "WWE SmackDown" this past Friday, might change her favoredness of their comeback. Luckily for Flair, she was not on the receiving end of the pinfall loss that her partner Bliss had to eat from Brie. But during the match, Nikki was visibly hurt. Based on the newest reports surfacing on Monday, it appears the Hall of Famer is fine, and hopeful that her half of the "Twin Magic" will help her and her sister win the tag team titles that slipped past them years ago.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Complex Graps Wrestling Podcast," with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription. 

Read more: WWE Botches That Left Wrestlers Seriously Injured

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Read the original article on Wrestling Inc.

GUWAHATI, India (AP) — Young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a 15-ball half-century as Rajasthan Royals thrashed Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League on Monday.

On a pitch which was under covers for most of the last two days due to wet weather, Chennai was put in and crumbled to 127 all out in 19.4 overs. All six Rajasthan bowlers shared the wickets.

The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi was dropped on the first ball he faced from Matt Henry but powered the chase with 52 off 17 balls — raising the third fastest fifty in the IPL — as Rajasthan cruised to 128-2 in only 12.1 overs.

Sooryavanshi's miscued pull shot against Henry was dropped by debutant Kartik Sharma, a tough two-handed catch over his shoulders while running backward from midwicket. Sharma failed to chase the ball and dribbled over the boundary, the first of Sooryavanshi's four boundaries plus five sixes.

Sooryavanshi gave Rajasthan a blazing start of 74-0 in the powerplay. He clobbered wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad for successive sixes and raised his half-century off just 15 balls before he holed out to Sarfaraz Khan at sweeper cover in the seventh over.

Fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal had a front row seat to Sooryavanshi's artistry. He was dropped on 26 before finishing 38 not out off 36 balls.

New Rajasthan skipper Riyan Parag’s decision to bowl first in favorable conditions was vindicated when Chennai slumped to 38-4 against the express pace of Jofra Archer (2-19) and Nandre Burger (2-26).

Former Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson (6) had a forgetful first game for his new franchise Chennai when Burger flattened his off stump with a 140 kph delivery.

Samson was hired to fix the top order batting issues for Chennai, which finished in last place last season, but captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also made only 6 when he exposed his stumps against Archer’s pace and was clean bowled.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (2-18), playing for Rajasthan after 17 seasons with Chennai, struck twice in his first over to reduce Chennai further to 57-6.

With Mahendra Singh Dhoni not available for the first two weeks due to a calf injury, Chennai was in danger of opening its campaign with less than 100 runs. But Jamie Overton top-scored with 43 off 36 balls before he was run out in the last over.

___

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

Brazil and Croatia are set to face off in an international match on Tuesday, March 31, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The game will start at 8 p.m.

The game is part of the “Road to 26” series, which features top-ranked teams preparing for the 2026 World Cup. The event is expected to attract large crowds to the Orlando area.

Expect heavy traffic near the stadium throughout the afternoon, with road closures beginning at 3:30 p.m. to accommodate the event.

Stadium officials have announced that parking at the venue will be limited for the match. Fans are urged to park downtown Orlando and take advantage of a free shuttle to get to the stadium.

The upcoming match is a rematch of the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals held in Qatar. On December 9, 2022, Croatia defeated Brazil following a 1-1 draw.

Croatia won the match 4-2 on penalties after Bruno Petković scored a late equalizer in extra time.

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Aurelien Tchouameni’s journey at Real Madrid has not been straightforward. There were periods of doubt and significant external criticism, with fans at the Santiago Bernabeu jeering and whistling at him.

Rather than falter, the French international remained focused, continued working and allowed his performances to speak for themselves. That process has now delivered results.

Untouchable

Indeed, according to MARCA, Tchouameni is now considered ‘untouchable’ at Real Madrid despite continued interest from major European clubs.

It was Zinedine Zidane who identified Tchouameni as a future prospect while the midfielder was still developing at Bordeaux. His progression at AS Monaco confirmed those expectations, before Real Madrid ended up investing in his signing.

Since arriving in Madrid, his progression has been consistent under successive managers. For Carlo Ancelotti, he provided essential balance in midfield. Xabi Alonso built his system around him as a central figure.

Now, under Alvaro Arbeloa, he has expanded his influence, contributing more to attacking play while maintaining defensive discipline

Untouchable at Real Madrid. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

As highlighted by the report, no player in the squad has completed more passes than him, either in La Liga or Champions League. He also maintains a passing accuracy above 90% in both.

In La Liga, he has completed 1,426 passes across 26 matches, achieving a 91.41% success rate. In the Champions League, across 12 matches, he has reached 600 completed passes with an accuracy of 92%.

These figures underline not only his reliability but also his role as the central organiser of Real Madrid’s play.

It goes without saying that Tchouameni has established himself as one of the most reliable figures at Real Madrid, and, has thus become an indispensable part of the club’s long-term project.

With his contract running until 2028, a new deal could be around the corner.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.

Liverpool weigh Dumfries move as release clause emerges

Liverpool are exploring a move for Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries, with L’Interista reporting that the Netherlands international has a €25m release clause embedded in his contract. For a player previously described as “world-class”, the figure has inevitably caught attention at Anfield as the club prepares for a significant summer rebuild.

Photo IMAGO

This interest comes amid a broader reassessment of Liverpool’s squad. Despite heavy investment last summer, the campaign has been inconsistent, leaving the club battling for Champions League qualification. Reinforcement on the right side has become a priority, particularly with Mohamed Salah expected to depart.

Contract clause creates opportunity in market

Dumfries’ situation presents a rare opening. Under contract until 2028, he included a €25m clause when signing his current deal in 2024, providing a clear pathway for interested clubs. Inter are now attempting to renegotiate, offering an extension designed to remove that clause.

The timing is notable. Dumfries has found himself in a reduced role under Christian Chivu this season, a shift from his previous status as a key contributor to Inter’s run to the Champions League final. That change has introduced uncertainty, both for player and club.

Photo IMAGO

Liverpool are understood to be monitoring developments closely. Personal terms are not expected to be an obstacle, with the financial landscape of the Premier League offering a clear advantage.

Tactical fit raises key questions

From a football perspective, the potential move carries both logic and complexity. Liverpool’s current options at right-back, Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, have struggled with injuries, prompting the need for additional depth.

Photo IMAGO

Dumfries brings physicality, direct running and experience at elite level. He is also capable of operating further forward, which offers tactical flexibility. Yet his profile overlaps with Frimpong, raising questions about squad balance.

Photo IMAGO

This is where recruitment decisions become more nuanced. Liverpool must determine whether Dumfries represents a complementary addition or a duplication of existing strengths. The answer will shape how serious their interest becomes.

Summer strategy reflects evolving priorities

The wider context is clear. Liverpool are entering a window that will define their next phase. Identifying value in the market, particularly through release clauses, forms part of that strategy.

Dumfries’ availability aligns with that approach. A proven performer, available at a relatively modest fee, represents an opportunity that is difficult to ignore. Whether Inter succeed in removing that clause may ultimately dictate the outcome.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This move raises as many questions as it answers. Dumfries is undoubtedly an accomplished player, but the fit within the current Liverpool squad is not entirely clear. With Frimpong already offering similar qualities, there is a risk of redundancy rather than reinforcement.

There is also the broader concern around recruitment direction. After significant spending last summer, fans will expect a more targeted approach. Identifying genuine weaknesses, rather than adding depth for its own sake, should be the priority.

The release clause makes the deal attractive financially, yet value is not solely defined by price. How Dumfries integrates into the system, and whether he addresses a specific need, will determine success.

Supporters may prefer investment in areas that feel more urgent. If Liverpool proceed, it must be with a clear plan for utilisation. Otherwise, this risks becoming another move that looks sensible on paper but lacks conviction in execution.

Indianapolis Colts veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward, who seemingly intends to return for the 2026 season, posted a motivational question on his personal social media account (via The Athletic’s James Boyd):

While Ward hasn’t officially announced his return, he hasn’t elected for retirement either, and all signs point toward him lacing them up again for next season’s campaign.

Despite contemplating his football future earlier this offseason after suffering three documented concussions last year—and ultimately being placed on season-ending injured reserve, all indications are that Ward is intending to return for the 2026 season:

“ . . . I don’t want to say still deciding, but all indications are that he’s wanting to move forward and return,” said longtime Colts general manager Chris Ballard on Ward just a few weeks ago at his end-of-season press conference (via Colts.com).

Because of re-occurring concussions, the 29-year-old veteran didn’t have the debut season in Indianapolis both sides were ideally hoping for, recording 25 tackles (17 solo), 7 passes defensed, and a fumble recovery in a limited 7 starts.

That being said, when Ward was healthy and truly going right, he was as good as advertised for the Colts. Per PFF, Ward received a +77.1 overall grade, including a +77.4 coverage grade this past season. That was their 9th best overall grade at his position and just one spot ahead of teammate Sauce Gardner in their corner rankings.

Unfortunately, Colts fans only got to see the former NFL All-Pro starting outside cornerback tandem of Ward and recently acquired shutdown corner Sauce Gardner play together for just one game, during Week 12 on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs because of injuries to both players respectively.

To be fair, Ward was rightfully rusty too, having not played since Week 6, following a freak concussion after accidentally colliding with his teammate Drew Ogletree during pregame warmups—and now facing Chiefs All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes fresh off his return.

If Ward can stay healthy and right, there’s no question he’s one of the league’s best cornerbacks opposite Gardner—as the Colts standout CB2. It’s just a matter of whether those concussions will continue to be re-occurring, and Ward continues to stay on the field.

At a certain point, he may have to make a decision regarding his life after football and continuing to play.

The post What Are Some of the Most Likely Stanley Cup Finals Matchups? appeared first on The Lead.

Formula 1 competed in Japan for its final race until May, and it was a competitive event. Oscar Piastri took the lead after a strong start; however, a massive accident by Haas driver Ollie Bearman caused a safety car. At the end of the day, one of the Mercedes drivers took advantage of the timely incident.

Kimi Antonelli and the No. 12 team for Mercedes won the Japanese Grand Prix, earning their second victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Antonelli dropped to sixth at the start of the race and played the perfect strategy to regain the needed track position to win the event.

YOUNGEST CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER IN F1 HISTORY!

✨ Kimi Antonelli ✨#F1#JapaneseGPpic.twitter.com/6jTtxZMaio

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 29, 2026

Heading into the month-long break, Antonelli holds a nine-point lead in the standings over Mercedes teammates George Russell. It has been an amazing start to the 2026 Formula 1 season for Antonelli, and he hopes to continue this momentum into Miami in May.

Formula 1 results: Japan (March 2026)

1. No. 12 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
2. No. 81 Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
3. No. 16 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
4. No. 63 George Russell (Mercedes)
5. No. 1 Lando Norris (McLaren)
6. No. 44 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
7. No. 10 Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
8. No. 3 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
9. No. 30 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
10. No. 31 Esteban Ocon (Haas)
11. No. 27 Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
12. No. 6 Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
13. No. 5 Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
14. No. 41 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
15. No. 55 Carlos Sainz (Williams)
16. No. 43 Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
17. No. 11 Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
18. No. 14 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
19. No. 77 Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
20. No. 23 Alexander Albon (Williams)
21. No. 18 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
22. No. 87 Oliver Bearman (Haas)

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Kimi Antonelli wins Formula 1 race in Japan in 2026, full results

The 2026 Final Four doesn't have Duke. It doesn't have defending national champion Florida. Yet, it's still an event with sexy national semifinal games and a national championship game, which is likely to be fun and compelling. Let's give you 10 fascinating facts about this gathering in Indianapolis, with UConn, Illinois, Arizona and Michigan all vying for the trophy on Monday Night, April 6.

Streak broken

The last two Final Fours had a national championship game between No. 1 seeds. That streak was snapped this year with Duke losing to UConn. Arizona and Michigan will play in the national semifinals, but the winner will not face a 1 seed in the title game.

New coaches

Two of the coaches at the Final Four are first-timers: Brad Underwood of Illinois and Tommy Lloyd of Arizona. Three of the coaches are making their first Final Four appearance at their current employer. Dusty May reached the Final Four at Florida Atlantic, but this is his first Final Four as Michigan's coach.

UConn at the Final Four

UConn has reached the Final Four seven times before this one. The Huskies have won the Final Four six of those seven times, easily the most efficient track record in college basketball history other than John Wooden's UCLA teams of the 1960s and 1970s. UConn is easily the most ruthless lockdown closer at the Final Four since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

UConn's only Final Four loss in seven appearances: the 2009 national semifinals against Michigan State in Detroit, a virtual road game for the Huskies. Otherwise, they're perfect. They won both games in the 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, and 2024 Final Fours. Their game record at the Final Four, all-time: 12-1.

Long waits

Arizona is in its first Final Four since 2001. Illinois is in its first Final Four since 2005. Irony: Arizona got to the 2001 Final Four by beating Illinois in the Elite Eight. Illinois got to the 2005 Final Four by beating Arizona.

Indianapolis intersection, part one

The last time the Big Ten won the national title was at an Indianapolis Final Four in 2000. Michigan State won. That Final Four had two Big Ten teams, with Wisconsin being the other.

Indianapolis intersection, part two

Arizona's last national title was won in Indianapolis at the 1997 Final Four. That Final Four, like this one, had a Big Ten No. 1 seed: Minnesota.

Trophy case

UConn has six national titles. The other three programs have no more than one championship. Michigan and Arizona have one each; Illinois has none.

Three of four

UConn is aiming for a third national title in four seasons at this Final Four. Has any school other than UCLA under John Wooden achieved that? Yes: Kentucky from 1948 through 1951.

1 on 1

From 2016 through 2024, the Final Four had a total of one national semifinal between No. 1 seeds: Kansas-Villanova 2018 in San Antonio. In 2025 and now 2026 with Michigan-Arizona, the Final Four will have had three national semifinals between No. 1 seeds.

Michigan men

Michigan is going for its third national championship game appearance in the past 13 NCAA Tournaments. The only schools with three in that span: UConn and North Carolina. UConn could gain a fourth title game berth in the past 13 NCAA Tournaments if it beats Illinois. UConn-Michigan, if it happens, would be a matchup of teams with a combined seven title game appearances out of a possible 26 slots in the past 13 NCAA Tournaments (2013-2026, with no tournament being held in 2020 due to the pandemic).

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: March Madness: 10 Final Four facts you need to know

Forward Matheus Cunha did not echo the idea that this Tuesday’s (31) friendly in Orlando (USA) against Croatia can be seen as revenge for what happened in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup. On that occasion, Brazil was leading 1-0 and conceded a goal due to a lapse in concentration right at the end. Then, in the penalty shootout, they lost 4-2.

“There’s no way to see it as revenge. We see it as an opportunity, and we want to go out there and come away with the win, because there is no other mindset when wearing this shirt than to win the match,” said the Manchester United forward during a press conference held this Monday (30) in Orlando.

Matheus Cunha waiting for a new opportunity with the national teamCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

He praised the opponent and also mentioned France, which beat Brazil 2-1 in a friendly played last week, also in the United States.

“Croatia and France are national teams on the highest shelves of world football. Normally, we don’t get many experiences like these matches. We play within South American football. It’s wonderful to be having this opportunity.”

He stressed that the loss to France did not shake the group’s confidence.

“Nothing has changed. You journalists and we players have the same idea of what to do. (We want) to be World Cup champions, like great idols. Regardless of the defeat, which leaves us disappointed, it also shows us a certain calmness, because we have a path. Nothing has changed in our confidence. It’s good to know that we have a lot of room for improvement.”

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

Fresh off the heels of a big Opening Day weekend, the Mariners and KING 5 made a significant announcement this morning. Friend of the blog Joe Veyera had speculated on this two days ago after coming across a peculiar TV scheduling on April 10:

And it all became official this morning:

This is a pretty excellent step by the Mariners in terms of both growing the local fanbase and making games more easily accessible for all fans. With the Torrent, Kraken, and Storm all regularly airing games on free over-the-air channels like KONG and FOX 13+, it’s high time the Mariners got in on that action. Seahawks game have obviously been free to watch locally for decades because football is king and there are only 16 games, not 162. Many things about football make its fandom a lower bar to clear, but MLB teams being squirreled away on regional sports networks has long been an unnecessarily high barrier for local fans. Comcast cable is ludicrously expensive. The new Mariners-only local streaming options for subscribers have been incredible the last few seasons, but not everyone has $100 to drop to access it, of the $20 monthly fee. While it’s only 10 games, being able to go home, press one or two buttons and have the Mariners game pop on? Phenonemal. The way it should be and the way….it used to be before streaming on myriad different platforms took over.

I digress. This is great news in general for Mariners fans. Can anyone tell me what season was the last time the Mariners had regular season home games on free over-the-air cable? I’m trying to figure it out and haven’t gotten a good answer yet. Sound off in the comments!

Injuries will be a thing from start to finish throughout the fantasy baseball season. It is a reality that we must face, but we do not have to be dead in the water. We can identify these injuries and plan better than our competition may. It is all part of the abstract winning equation. These are key injuries ahead of the first full week of the MLB 2026 season.

Zack Wheeler

Wheeler is rehabbing and looking quite good, per reports. As for his return, it may yet be a couple of weeks away. There is no clear next-man-up in fantasy baseball; stash him until he gets the call.

Jacob deGrom

DeGrom is dealing with neck soreness, thus he is listed day-to-day. The team is optimistic that deGrom will pitch his scheduled start on Tuesday. However, be wary of below-peak performance.

Kyle Stowers

We listed Stowers as a breakout candidate, but he has stalled with this hamstring injury. Stowers is not going to be back on the field until late April, at the earliest. In turn, this actually slightly hurts the values of Jacob Marsee and Xavier Edwards in runs to be batted in.

Trey Yesavage

Yesavage is a Rookie of the Year candidate, so make sure to keep him stashed. Yesavage may be weeks away from his shoulder injury, but expectations remain high for his eventual return to play.

Jackson Chourio

A pitch hit Chourio in the World Baseball Classic, thus fracturing his left hand. Chourio is about another 2-4 weeks, but he will be among the better players at his position when he returns. Look to Christian Yelich to be a bit of a boost for the time being.

Carlos Rodon

Rodon is on the 15-day IL to start the season, but his return will be expected sometime in April. Immediately, Rodon will trend highly in fantasy baseball as an above-average starting pitcher on one of MLB's best teams.

JP Crawford

Crawford has endured shoulder inflammation since the beginning of spring training. This lands Crawford on the 10-day IL, and it may remain an issue for much of the short-term future. Leo Rivas is starting, but he has no current fantasy baseball value.

Tommy Edman

The return date for Edman remains much in the air. He is taking batting practice, but until his return is set in stone, he lacks much value that can land him in fantasy baseball free agency. The Dodgers' lineup is so stacked as it is, and Edman may be stuck at the back of the lineup.

More Fantasy Sports On SI News:

• Konnor Griffin And 3 More Top Fantasy Baseball Prospects (Hitters)
• Best Position-by-Position Fantasy Baseball Must-Start Players on Monday, March 30
• Top NFL Landing Spots For Ty Simpson: The Alabama Quarterback Could Be A Fit For 3 Teams
• Fantasy Baseball Owners Hit the Ceiling of Tarik Skubal in this Potential MLB Trade

This article was originally published on www.si.com/onsi/fantasy as Fantasy Baseball Week 1 Key Player Injury Report: Stash or Drop These MLB Stars.

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Welcome to the bracket-busting madness of 2026 — where unpredictability reigns, and opportunity follows. For three weeks, casual logic fades, but for us, the chaos is where long-term value lives.

While others are locked into every first-round spread, we’re focused on the bigger picture. From uncovering Final Four sleepers to grabbing national title futures before the odds shift, this is your betting headquarters.

So grab your Gatorade, check your bankroll, and let’s secure some championship value.

2026 March Madness futures predictions

Bet		Date	Units
❌ National Title:  Duke	+350	Mar. 1	0.5
💸 Make Final Four:  UConn	+350	Mar. 1	0.5
💸To Make NCAA Tournament:  Santa Clara	-150	Mar. 1	1.0
National Title:  Arizona	+475	Mar. 13	0.5
💸 West Region:  Arizona	-135	Mar. 18	1.0
💸 Elite Eight: Iowa State	-115	Mar. 18	1.0

National Title: Duke Blue Devils (+350)

The Michigan Wolverines have the best championship odds, even though the Duke Blue Devils are at the top of every rating system and beat them on a neutral site two weeks ago.

In addition, Michigan lost key reserve LJ Cason to a season-ending injury on Saturday, and I don't trust Elliot Cadeau as the primary ball-handler. I'd much rather back the Blue Devils, who do a much better job taking care of the ball and forcing turnovers. 

Final Four: UConn Huskies (+350)

Michigan (-170), Duke (-160), Arizona (-115), and Florida (+145) have separated themselves atop the Final Four odds board, but nobody wants to face the UConn Huskies and Dan Hurley in March. 

Hurley almost led the Huskies to an upset win against the eventual champion Gators in last year's tournament. He could go much further with a significantly upgraded roster this season.

The Huskies are loaded with experience and shoot significantly better from the perimeter than Arizona and Florida. Their biggest flaw is their sky-high opponent FT rate, but refs tend to swallow their whistles during the tourney.

To Make NCAA Tournament:  Santa Clara Broncos (-150)

The biggest concern about the Santa Clara Broncos is whether the selection committee will choose to give the West Coast Conference three bids. After all, Gonzaga and Saint Mary's are locks, and the WCC hasn't had three bids since 2022.

However, despite losing decisively to Gonzaga and Saint Mary's down the stretch, the Broncos still have model chances in the 70% range and a Top-40 resume.

The Broncos have a 24-7 record and wins against McNeese State, Xavier, and Minnesota earlier in the season have puffed up their mid-major resume. As long as they don't get bounced too early from the WCC tournament, they'll sneak into March Madness.

National Title: Arizona Wildcats (+475)

Michigan (+340) looked vulnerable after falling to Duke, and sixth-man L.J. Cason tore his ACL. Now Duke (+320) lost starting point guard Caleb Foster to a season-ending injury, while starting center Patrick Ngongba II is dealing with a foot injury and might be less than 100%. Without Foster and Ngongba, the Blue Devils barely beat Florida State in the ACC tourney, proving just how volatile tournaments can be.

It's becoming clear that there isn't much separating the Arizona Wildcats from Duke and Michigan, so getting the Wildcats at +475 is tempting. Tommy Lloyd's team is 30-2 and claimed the regular-season title in the Big 12 gauntlet. The Wildcats are elite on both ends of the floor, and their 3-point shooting (their lone weakness) is starting to improve.

West Region:  Arizona Wildcats (-135)

Arizona, Duke, and Michigan have separated themselves atop the futures board, but the Wildcats have the easier path to the Final Four with the Blue Devils and Wolverines placed into tougher regions. Duke also lost starting point guard Caleb Foster to a season-ending injury just before the conference tournament, while Michigan will be missing key reserve LJ Cason.

Meanwhile, Arizona is at full strength, and its freshmen starters seem to be hitting their stride. The Wildcats power through the West Region, where every other top team has major flaws.

Elite Eight:  Iowa State Cyclones (-115)

The Iowa State Cyclones are led by Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson, and Milan Momcilovic, who might be the best trio in college hoops. This is a balanced team that plays extremely well on both ends of the floor and can get buckets from every level.

Unlike past versions of Iowa State, this squad rebounds at a high level and has the grit to win games when the shots aren't falling. The three toughest possible opponents on the road to the Elite Eight are Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, and the Cyclones are rated significantly higher than all of them.

How to Bet March Madness futures: A 4-step guide

Betting on March Madness futures requires a shift in mindset from daily picks. While a daily bet is a sprint, futures are a marathon where you are essentially buying "stock" in a team’s path through the bracket.

1. Diversify

Unlike daily bets, futures tie up your money for weeks. You shouldn't put your entire bankroll on one team to win it all.

Instead of one large bet, consider splitting 2–3 units across four different teams in different regions of the bracket. This ensures you have a "horse in the race" as the field narrows.

2. Identify high-value markets

When betting futures, you aren't just picking winners; you're looking for paths to victory. Here are two to consider:

• To Reach the Final Four: Often better value than the outright winner. You only need a team to win four games, not six. Look for teams with a "soft" region where the No. 1 or No. 2 seeds have poor efficiency metrics. Check out our Final Four odds now to see how teams stack up.
• March Madness MVP (MOP): This award almost always goes to a player on the winning team. We track all the top players throughout the tournament on our March Madness MVP odds page.

3. Learn from history

Historical data shows that national champions almost always fit a specific statistical profile by Selection Sunday.

4. Hedge

Futures betting is about the bracket. A great team with a "Group of Death" (tough No. 8/9 seeds followed by a dominant No. 4 seed) is a bad bet.

Look for "Quadrant 1" Wins. A team with 10+ Quad 1 wins is battle-tested, but a team with a high seed but only 3-4 Quad 1 wins is a potential "fraud" candidate.

If you bet a team at +2000 to win the title and they make the Final Four, you can bet against them in the semifinal to guarantee a profit regardless of the outcome.

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.

TORONTO — The Magic made history in more ways than one during Sunday’s game against the Raptors inside Scotiabank Arena.

First, Orlando allowed Toronto to score 31 consecutive points between the end of the first quarter and the start of the second, marking the largest run in league history since play-by-play tracking began during the 1996-97 season.

Then, by the end of the night, the Raptors captured a 139-87 victory over the Magic — a 52-point difference that represents the largest loss in Orlando franchise history. The Magic’s worst previous loss was by 47 points against the Bulls in April 2017, a 122-75 defeat.

“Gotta find ways to stop runs like that. We didn’t,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said in the locker room. “If you want to be a good team, you can’t give up runs like that.”

Good teams also don’t lose seven of their past eight games against opponents both in front of them (Atlanta and Toronto) and way behind them (Indiana) in the standings over the final month of the regular season.

That’s where Orlando finds itself with less than two weeks remaining in a regular season that’s been nothing but inconsistent for an organization that’s searching to return to the NBA playoffs for the third consecutive year.

Sunday’s game might as well have carried the implications of a playoff game, too, due to the impact it would have on the Eastern Conference standings. Although the Magic were still in eighth entering Monday’s slate of games, the gap between them and the teams in front of them has only grown as of late.

Last Monday, Orlando also sat in eighth, but only a half-game behind Philadelphia. After the Sunday night, the No. 7 Sixers (41-33) had a two-game lead on the Magic (39-35), who lead No. 9 Miami (39-36) and No. 10 Charlotte (39-36) by just a half-game.

“Emotions are kind of high,” Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. told the Orlando Sentinel after the loss. “Guys are frustrated. … We’ll have a real, together conversation about what to do moving forward.

“We didn’t treat this one like a playoff game, which we knew it was going to be coming into it,” he added. “We’ve just gotta find a way to figure this thing out.”

So, what happened?

According to Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, blame the historic loss on him.

“I can tell you exactly what it is,” he said. “I’ve got to make sure I do a better job for this group to get them and put them in the position to know exactly what they’re going to face on a night-to-night basis, especially with the last nine games, now eight games, coming down the stretch.

“And us as a group we’ll go look at it, we’ll talk about it, we’ll make sure we practice it and make sure we get the job done knowing you’re going to see similar games coming down the stretch,” he added.

The players in the locker room felt differently about the situation.

“Well, I wouldn’t blame him,” veteran guard Jevon Carter told the Sentinel. “The players got to take on that responsibility as well. I can’t just say it was his fault that that weren’t prepared. I mean, we know Toronto.

“We know Toronto comes out and plays hard and they try to junk the game up,” he added. “So, it was like, we knew, (but) it just didn’t go well.”

To Carter’s point, Sunday’s game was the third time the teams played this season. After splitting the first pair of contests, Toronto clinched the regular-season series 2-1 over Orlando.

Both sides were missing key players Sunday, too. The Magic were without Franz Wagner, Anthony Black and Jonathan Isaac while the Raptors didn’t have leading-scorer Brandon Ingram, starting guard Immanuel Quickley and reserves Collin Murray-Boyles and Jamison Battle.

Perhaps Banchero summed up who’s at fault for the loss best when he was asked about Mosley’s post-game comments.

“It’s all a collective,” the Magic forward said.

Regardless, all of it has left Orlando without an identity, little confidence and a short amount of time to recapture both before the postseason.

The Magic notched their fewest points of the season (87) and allowed their most (139) when they fell to 0-8 scoring less than 100 points and 1-7 when giving up 130-or-more points this year.

In addition, the Magic turned the ball over 28 times (which led to 37 Toronto points), the most turnovers they’ve committed since April 13, 2011 (28 against the Pacers).

“That’s the big thing,” Desmond Bane said. “You’ve gotta walk into games understanding the challenge, but always expecting to win. There’s like a certain swagger that you have to have about yourself over the course of an 82-game season, have that belief that whether or not you’re up 20, down 20, you wouldn’t be able to tell by the swag and the joy that we play with.

“We’ve had it in stretches but we definitely don’t have it right now,” he added.

Despite that, Mosley believes his messaging still resonates with the group.

He said he thinks his message is still getting through to the team. “You get hit in the mouth by (52) points, you understand exactly what you need to do,” he said. “You’re not as bad as you think you are in your losses, and you’re not as great as you think you are in your wins.

“So, we’re somewhere in between,” he added. “We’ve got to make sure we get on the right mentality coming down to these last eight games.”

Two of the final eight come quickly. Orlando hosts Phoenix on Tuesday night and Atlanta on Wednesday night.

The Magic lost a double-overtime game to the Suns on Feb. 21 and have dropped the first three meetings of the regular season to the Hawks by an average of 10.3 points.

“We’ve got to show up ready to play,” Banchero said.

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com

Up next …

Magic vs. Suns

When: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Kia Center

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida

ATLANTA — U.S. men's national team midfielder Johnny Cardoso will miss Tuesday's friendly against Portugal due to a leg injury, head coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

Cardoso played the first half of Saturday's 5-2 defeat against Belgium. After the game, Pochettino said Cardoso was withdrawn in a planned substitution after experiencing some discomfort in training during the week.

At his pre-game press conference on Monday, Pochettino said that discomfort continued after the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

"He arrived from Madrid with some small issues but we care about him, and he arrived in a perfect condition to play Saturday," Pochettino said on Monday at his pre-game press conference.

"The plan was to play 45 minutes but when he finished after 45 minutes, he felt again this type of uncomfortable things in some part of his leg. Now we decide not to force [it] and send [him] back to Madrid."

Pochettino added that the injury didn't appear to be serious.

"He will be recovering as soon as possible because he's trained in the gym today," Pochettino said.

The 24-year-old will return to Spain, where he'll be suspended for Atlético's league match against Barcelona on Saturday, April 4.

Atlético will face Barcelona again just four days later in the first leg of a Champions League quarterfinal, a game in which Cardoso will aim to make his return.

Cardoso has earned 23 caps for the USMNT, but has only managed to make five international appearances since the start of 2025.

Despite continuing to fare well in La Liga with Real Betis and now Atlético, Cardoso has often failed to replicate that form with the USMNT.

The USMNT will face Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Johnny Cardoso injury news: USMNT midfielder out vs. Portugal

England Under-21s boss Lee Carsley says Myles Lewis-Skelly has shown a "great attitude" with the Young Lions and has put himself in a "strong position" if called upon by Arsenal.

The 19-year-old, who has six caps for the senior team, made his debut for the under-21s in Friday's 1-1 draw in Andorra.

"He's shown such a great attitude and it's really benefited him this week playing minutes and training at a good level," Carsley said.

"I think that's one of the things that we always look for with the [senior] players and I'm thinking of Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Rico Lewis. A lot of players have done that, so Myles is not on his own.

"We look at attitude, we look at the desire to play and he was really enthusiastic about coming to the 21s. He sees that potentially as a route into getting minutes and then potentially going to play for Arsenal and then England.

"He had such a rise so quickly and this is football. This is what happens. There is lots of ups and downs, but he's responded well to it this camp."

On the impact Lewis-Skelly could make back at Arsenal, Carsley added: "I think you can train all you want, but there is nothing like match minutes where you are competing against someone and the intensity of it.

"The fact now that he's potentially going back having played a lot of minutes for England puts him a strong position where, if he is called upon or gets a chance, he is ready to go. He doesn't [now] need one or two games, which you don't get at that level, to bed in."

Bills free agent Brandin Cooks gets contract news on return to Buffalo originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Right now, Brandin Cooks doesn't have a team.

After finishing the season with the Buffalo Bills, Cooks remains a free agent.

There's at least a chance of him returning to Buffalo.

This is what Bills reporter Sal Capaccio posted on X on Monday:

"Brandon Beane said he’s had conversations with Brandin Cooks and his agent. Cooks remains a free agent right now."

MORE: Eagles' new signing flew himself as a pilot to Philadelphia

Cooks is at the point in his career where he can wait things out and seek out what ends up being the best opportunity as the season gets closer.

By the same token, if he and the Bills liked one another enough, there's no reason for the 32-year old to wait too long, if Buffalo is offering a contract that he feels is fair. 

Cooks joined the Bills late in the 2025 season as a last-ditch WR option, and in five regular season games, he had five catches for 114 yards.

In the postseason, Cooks added five catches for 78 yards in two games.

Of course, his most notable moment was the one not called a catch in overtime against the Broncos, a play that was instead ruled an interception for Denver that set up the game-winning field goal.

Maybe it'd be tough vibes for Bills Mafia to have Cooks back -- or maybe it'd be a feeling of trying to get some redemption.

Either way, the Bills at this point aren't in position to turn away potentially helpful wideouts. Cooks could still be useful as a guy lower on the depth chart.

More NFL news:

• Patriots subtly insult Rob Gronkowski
• Michael Pittman Jr. had to fly 28 hours after trade from Colts to Steelers
• Travis Kelce's new Chiefs contract has a simple retirement plan
• It has quickly become depressing for Malik Willis with Dolphins
• How the Vikings actually feel about J.J. McCarthy
• Replacement refs could impact Aaron Rodgers' retirement decision

Ever since his dismissal at Red Bull, rumors have persisted over a potential return to Formula 1 from former team principal Christian Horner.

Now one of his former rivals is pouring cold water on that idea, due to “repercussions” from his time on the grid.

In an interview with the Press Association, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff addressed the idea of a Horner return, stating that he is of “two minds” on the topic.

“I am in two minds about it,” outlined Wolff. “The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport. I said to [Ferrari team principal] Fred Vasseur that it needs the good, the bad, and the ugly. And it is now only the good and the ugly left. The bad is gone.”

You, dear reader, can decide who Wolff believes is the “good” and the “ugly” between him and the Ferrari boss.

“He has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm. When you say things… but that is what he has done all his life, and that is what he knows best,” continued Wolff.

Since his dismissal at Red Bull, Horner has been linked to other teams on the grid. In recent days reports surfaced that Lawrence Stroll approached Horner about a move to Aston Martin, although F1 journalist Andrew Benson at BBC Sportnoted that Aston Martin managing technical partner — and former colleague of Horner — Adrian Newey was opposed to the idea.

Another potential option for Horner comes at Alpine, as that team is rumored to be selling a minority stake in the operation. Horner’s name has been linked to that potential sale, as has Wolff’s current team, Mercedes.

Wolff dismissed the idea that his comments were related to that potential sale.

“Us looking at that stake [in Alpine] is in no connection with Christian,” Wolff said. “And the idea that there is a rivalry between Christian and me around who buys an Alpine stake is made up. It would be quite sad if that was a consideration of doing such an investment or not. We are looking at it from different angles, and we haven’t come to any conclusions. We want to know whether it makes sense.”

Horner also outlined how he might find it difficult to “share objectives” with his former rival.

And while pointing to their competitive rivalry, he also noted that Horner has accomplished a great deal in the sport.

“Would I consider that he could ever be an ally or someone that shares objectives? I don’t think so,” Wolff added. “But even when I had the biggest frustration and anger with him, you need to remind yourself that even your worst enemy has a best friend so there must be some goodness.

“If there wasn’t that competitive rivalry over so many years, and if there was more water down the river, I am sure I could have had hung [out] with him over dinner and a had a laugh. Over those years it was just too intense, too fierce, and things happened which even today I cannot comprehend why he has done them.

“I certainly don’t wish him bad. And we need to give each other credit. There are not many team principals who have done what he has done. I see a situation that whatever happens, whatever outcomes there may be, whether he comes back to Formula 1 or not, I am at ease with it.”

As the Florida State Seminoles look to add to their 2027 recruiting haul, they have taken their efforts to the state of California. The target is three-star edge Godschoice Eboigbodin, and he announced to offer from FSU on social media.

"So blessed to receive an offer from FSU football @FSUFootball . Thanks to the coaches and staff," Eboigbodin wrote.

Eboigbodin is a versatile player. In addition to taking snaps at edge, he's also lined up at linebacker and tight end. He's also a multi-sport athlete, as he also excels in basketball.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder had a very good junior campaign at JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, California. Eboigbodin finished with 31 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one pass breakup, one blocked punt, and one blocked field goal.

The 247Sports composite rankings have Eboigbodin listed as the No. 472 overall recruit and the No. 38 edge. They have also listed him as the No. 41 prospect in the state of California.

Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X @StarConscience

This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU Football: Florida State offers edge Godschoice Eboigbodin

Head coach Steve Clarke has been addressing the media at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool before his Scotland side face Ivory Coast in Tuesday's friendly.

Here are the key lines:

• "A big, difficult challenge" awaits against Ivory Coast, who are "strong, direct, quick, good in attack and defence and were very clinical against South Korea," said Clarke, who reiterated that his players don't like him for picking difficult opponents.
• "No injuries is the ultimate priority," adds Clarke, "then performance, then result," insisting "we [players and staff] all think the same."
• On the subject of building "momentum", Clarke thinks it is a "buzzword" that is growing in football: "I don't know if momentum is good, bad or indifferent... I'll tell you in the summer."
• On perhaps taking "easier" friendlies to boost morale and Scotland's poor friendly record, he said: "I'm more interested in our record in competitive games and tournament record."
• Clarke is "fine" with expectations of his squad growing - in response to the reaction and booing after Saturday's defeat to Japan - adding: "The more you do, the more people expect of you, but I'd rather that than people not be bothered. If that level of expectation rises, that's fine - we can handle it."
• On his squad for the World Cup, Clarke confirmed it is a Fifa requirement to name 55 players for his provisional squad and he will "find them" before whittling them down to 26.
• On returning to the city of Liverpool, he said he had "a great time in a great city where I loved working with Kenny [Dalglish]."

Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto's competition for Cy Young is Phillies lefty, not Paul Skenes originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the top team in all of Major League Baseball and have the best chances of winning the World Series this season.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the ace of the Dodgers' pitching staff, is also a leading candidate for the NL Cy Young award in 2026. It's not a surprise, especially after a solid 2026 season debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

However, as ESPN's David Schoenfield noted, following the initial series of the year across all MLB teams, Yamamoto's biggest competition for the NL Cy Young award isn't Paul Skenes, but instead a Philadelphia Phillies lefty.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's top Cy Young competition is Phillies lefty

"The NL Cy Young race is wide open after the Pirates' collapse," Schoenfield writes. "Meanwhile, fellow National League Cy Young contenders Cristopher Sanchez and Yoshinobu Yamamoto found better success in their Opening Day starts."

While Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates Cy Young winner from a year ago, would easily be the top contender for the Cy Young award this season, his disastrous season debut has opened the door for a new winner.

It might only be one start, but Skenes now has a 67.50 ERA after allowing five runs in just 0.2 innings pitched against the New York Mets on Opening Day.

Yamamoto, on the other hand, went six innings against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on five hits with one home run allowed and six strikeouts. His ERA after one start sits at 3.00.

More: Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki will return to rotation, not bullpen according Dave Roberts

He's bound to get better as the year goes on, and he has a significant leg-up on Skenes to begin the year in the Cy Young race. Now, Yamamoto's biggest competition isn't Skenes, but the Phillies lefty Cristopher Sanchez.

Against the Texas Rangers, Sanchez went six innings, allowing only three hits, no walks, and no runs allowed while striking out 10 for an incredible season debut.

The Dodgers got a good look at Sanchez in the postseason last year, and know well how good a pitcher the Phillies' lefty can be.

If Sanchez can continue to pitch well all year while staying healthy, he will be Yamamoto's biggest competition for the NL Cy Young Award, not Skenes, this season.

More MLB news:

• Reds’ Hunter Greene to be out until July amid brutal injury news
• Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL for the Braves
• Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar
• Jesus Luzardo’s $135 million extension is a steal for Phillies
• This 19-year MLB record is finally over for the Giants
• Luis Gil sent down to minor leagues in strange Yankees roster move
• Jacob DeGrom is only 149 strikeouts from 2,000 for his career
• Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award

There’s been a lot of consternation from Browns fans in the last week about the future of the best defensive player in the NFL, with the team making several curious moved with Myles Garrett’s contract which could hint to there being a trade. Now we can shut the door on that idea with this latest news:

The Browns had put forward a prospective rule change that would have allowed teams to trade picks up to five years in advance, up from three. It was a shortsighted move that could have led to more tanking in the NFL, as well as fans having to suffer the horrible decisions GMs had made to save their jobs with poor trades.

Now that is all dead with the Browns removing their plan, which is tantamount to saying that Garrett isn’t going anywhere, presumably because Cleveland was seeking multiple years of picks in a Garrett trade. It also comically comes on the same day that Rams head coach Sean McVay threw cold water on the idea that Los Angeles would trade for Garrett.

Read between the lines a little here: The Browns put forward a motion to allow more picks to be traded, then structured Garrett’s contract to be trade-ready, now they Rams pull out of any discussion, so they remove their motion to trade multiple picks.

Just too funny.

Gianluigi Donnarumma admits ‘there’s no point saying we don’t feel the tension’ as Italy prepare for the World Cup play-off final with Bosnia. ‘We mustn’t repeat the mistakes against Northern Ireland.’

It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday at 19.45 UK time and a winner will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even a penalty shoot-out.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – SEPTEMBER 08: Sandro Tonali of Italy looks on during a Italy training session at Bozsik Stadion on September 08, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

The Nazionale reached this final thanks to a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland on Thursday, sealed by Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean goals.

Bosnia also played that day, needing extra time and a penalty shoot-out to get the better of Wales in Cardiff following a 1-1 draw.

Donnarumma confession as Italy fired up

BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Manuel Locatelli, Federico Gatti and Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy interact after the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“We are human beings, there’s no point saying we don’t feel the tension, we all want to do well and go to the World Cup, but it’s the right kind of tension,” assured Donnarumma on Sky Sport Italia.

“We’re ready, we need to do what we prepared in training, focus on what we are capable of, and the rest will come as a consequence.”

The pressure is palpable in the Azzurri camp, as they lost the World Cup play-offs for the tournaments in both 2018 and 2022.

They had been the favourites in both those ties, losing to Sweden and North Macedonia.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy warms up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Everything adds up to valuable experience. We are a young squad, it’s only natural there is some anxiety and the adrenaline is racing, but that’s part of the sport,” added Manchester City goalkeeper Donnarumma.

“Tomorrow is a very important match we need to approach in the right way. We mustn’t repeat the mistakes we made in the first half against Northern Ireland.

“The team is ready and fired up to put in a great performance so we can achieve this target.”

Donnarumma is the captain of the Azzurri squad, as he is the player with by far the most senior caps, despite being still relatively young.

“I am truly proud of everything I’ve done so far with the Nazionale. There has been joy and pain, I missed out on two World Cups, and we want to bring Italy back where it deserves to be.

“Only we know how much we suffered at not getting to the World Cup, so we need to learn from that ugly experience and put it all onto the pitch tomorrow. We want to bring joy to all Italians, but also to ourselves, because I feel we deserve it for all that we’ve been doing.”

While Nico Schlotterbeck is expected to sign a new contract with Borussia Dortmund, another defender could be heading for the exit door. 

According to Sky Germany, Waldemar Anton's future at the Westphalian giants is now an interesting topic of discussion.

BVB's recently dismissed sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, is said to have already held initial talks with Anton regarding a contract extension. 

Now, his replacement Ole Book is expected to continue them, with the 29-year-old's salary set to be adjusted based on his performances.

Furthermore, Dortmund are under some pressure to sign Anton, as the German international has attracted interest from other clubs.

According to the pay-TV channel, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid have already inquired about the defender.

Anton's current contract with Dortmund runs until 2028, therefore the club holds most of the cards should it boil down to negotiations. 

After getting knocked around Saturday to the tune of a 10-2 loss, the 2026 Nats showed a level of resilience hardly ever shown by the 2025 club, taking command early thanks to a 3-run shot by Joey Wiemer to defeat the Cubs 6-3 and win their first opening series since 2018. The story of the weekend was the aforementioned Wiemer, who had yet to record an out and is tied for the major league lead in fWAR with 0.6, despite playing just 2 games compared to the other leaders, who have played 4.

The club now heads to Philadelphia, where they’ll take on the currently last-place Philadelphia Phillies (Have to take every opportunity you get to say that). The Phils won on opening day before dropping the final 2 games of their opening series, backed by a strong start by MacKenzie Gore in his Rangers debut yesterday, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing 2 runs. The trio of former Nats at the top of the Phillies lineup were all cold in the first series of the year, with Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber batting .154, and Bryce Harper batting .091.

Game One – Saturday 6:40 PM EST

WSH: LHP Foster Griffin

PHI: RHP Taijuan Walker

Griffin will make his Nationals debut tonight and his first big league appearance since 2022. He showed promise in his 2 Spring Training starts (3 including the exhibition against team Venezuela), posting a 2.53 FIP across 8 innings.

Walker had a solid bounce-back 2025 season for the Phillies after getting roughed up to an ERA over 7 in 2024, posting a 4.08 ERA in 123.2 innings pitched. He’ll make his season debut today against a Nats team he has a 3.56 career ERA against.

Game Two – Monday 6:40 PM EST

WSH: TBD

PHI: RHP Andrew Painter

Monday is Littell’s scheduled day in the rotation, but the Nationals have not announced a starter yet. If he is unable to go, the Nats could roll with a variety of options, from a Brad Lord spot start to a bullpen game, to a starter callup from Triple A with a corresponding roster move.

Painter was on the fast track to the big leagues for the Phillies before Tommy John Surgery knocked him out of the 2023 and 2024 season, but after 22 starts in Triple A in 2025 with middling results, the Phillies trust him to be their 5th starter in 2026, at least to begin the year. He will make his big league debut Monday night against the Nats.

Game Three – Tuesday 1:05 PM EST

WSH: RHP Cade Cavalli

PHI: LHP Cristopher Sanchez

Cavalli only went 3 2/3 innings in his start on Opening Day, being limited by some command issues, but the swing and miss stuff looked on point, striking out 5 Cubs batters. He’ll be tested again in his second career start against a strong Phillies lineup, but one he did throw 7 scoreless against last season for his first big league win.

Sanchez dominated against the Rangers on Opening Day, throwing 6 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts. He’ll now face a lefty-heavy Nats lineup that has had success in their 2 games against lefty starters so far in 2026, scoring 16 runs in both games combined.

A Chance To Make A Statement

Taking the opening series on the road against a playoff team from last season was a strong start for Butera and his ballclub, but if they can go into Philadelphia and take a series from their hated division rivals, a team filled with former Nats, it would send a message to the NL East and baseball this Nationals club isn’t a pumching bag for them anymore.

If you wanted Lloyd Cushenberry III to become the Minnesota Vikings’ new center after Ryan Kelly’s retirement, you’ll have to pivot to a Plan B. The Buffalo Bills grabbed Cushenberry III off the free-agent wire late last week.

Buffalo’s move narrowed the Vikings’ center options by one more name.

It’s down to Ethan Pocic in free agency for starting-caliber centers on the open market.

Minnesota’s Remaining Paths at Center Get Even Thinner

He probably wasn’t on the Vikings’ radar at all.

Cushenberry III to BUF

Buffalo squared away center depth, as ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg wrote Thursday, “The Bills added some veteran depth to the roster with a series of one-year deals announced by the team Thursday. The team signed two interior offensive linemen in guard/center Austin Corbett and center Lloyd Cushenberry III, in addition to bringing back wide receiver Trent Sherfield Sr.“

“Cushenberry had played in 23 games for Tennessee over the past two seasons. He was entering the third year of a four-year, $50 million deal he signed with the team in 2024 after spending the first four years of his career with the Denver Broncos. The deal made him one of the highest-paid centers in the NFL.”

Not long ago, the veteran center was the hottest center commodity on the free-agent market. His stock has fallen after a lousy stop in Tennessee.

The Bills’ Center Depth

Cushenberry III certainly won’t start in Buffalo at center; that’s Connor McGovern’s job. Here’s the Bills’ center depth chart as of late March:

• Connor McGovern
• Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
• Lloyd Cushenberry III

Cushenberry III’s career is a tale of two acts: early struggles in Denver, followed by a breakout performance in his final season of his rookie contract. He parleyed his strong 2023 into a four-year, $50 million contract two offseasons ago. After two seasons, he hit the open market because the Titans had seen enough.

His strengths and weaknesses are clearly established. Cushenberry is a more effective pass protector than run blocker. While his pass-blocking grade of 65.2 last season is adequate for a starting center, his run-blocking grade of 51.2 detracts from his overall performance and limits his fit in run-oriented offenses.

This is Cushenberry III’s Pro Football Focus resume:

• 2025: 55.2
• 2024: 55.4
• 2023: 73.2
• 2022: 56.2
• 2021: 64.3

Who Else for the Vikings at Center?

Over a half dozen starting centers have joined new teams in free agency, leaving the Vikings out in the cold. Minnesota has three paths remaining at center:

1. Promote Blake Brandel or Michael Jurgens to the starting job in 2026. Brandel improved at center each week when he filled in for the aforementioned Kelly last season. For Jurgens, well, he’s a late-rounder from the 2024 NFL Draft. Perhaps the coaching staff values his upside.
2. Draft a center next month; there may be about five or six rookies with starting upside when it’s all said and done.
3. Sign free-agent Ethan Pocic, who has consistently started for the Cleveland Browns.

Pocic, a 30-year-old center with considerable experience, is projected to earn $6-8 million annually. However, the figure could continue to decline if his free-agent market remains quiet. His consistent play is reflected in his 2023 PFF grades: 62.2 in pass protection, 63.2 in run blocking, and an overall grade of 63.8, suggesting he is a dependable player rather than a game-changer.

After being drafted in the 2nd Round in 2017, he finished his first contract with Seattle before moving to Cleveland in 2022, where he earned a starting position.

The main concern surrounding Pocic is his durability, as he typically misses 3–4 games each season. Fortunately, Minnesota appears well-equipped to handle this, with the aforementioned Brandel and Jurgens ready to step in as competent backups.

For veteran centers, Pocic is the last man standing if the Vikings want a starting center from the free-agent wire.

Our Janik Eckardt on Pocic as a free-agent option: “The Vikings lost center Kelly to retirement and the in-house replacements — versatile guard and tackle backup Blake Brandel and 2024 draftee Michael Jurgens — lack experience. Pocic has plenty of reps at center under his belt, having played over 5,000 of those for the Seahawks and Browns.”

“He’s not a great center by any means, but he can provide average play for the season if the Vikings strike out in the draft and aren’t happy with their current option, providing a reliable veteran presence in the middle of their offensive line.”

The Draft Options

If it’s the draft that Minnesota prefers for a Kelly replacement, the board looks like this, with the caveat that the rounds are approximate:

• R3 — Connor Lew (Auburn)
• R3 — Sam Hecht (Kansas State)
• R3 — Jake Slaughter (Florida)
• R3/4 — Logan Jones (Iowa)
• R5 — Parker Brailsford (Alabama)
• R6 — Pat Coogan (Indiana)

There is no single stud center in this draft, but it offers 6-7 possible starting options down the road. Minnesota also has nine draft picks, two more than usual.

The Vikings have just over $4 million in remaining cap space at the time of this article’s publication.

Mohamed Salah has been linked with a reunion with Roma after announcing his departure from Liverpool, while Juventus have been after Sandro Tonali for years. However, neither of the two Premier League stars is likely to return to Serie A for economic reasons.

According to Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto (via SOSFanta), the forward has quickly received mammoth offers from a few foreign leagues, especially from the Saudi one. Inter Miami aren’t in the mix for now. He could head back to Italy only if he took a very steep pay cut. He hasn’t signaled he’s willing to do that at this stage.

Roma and other potential Italian suitors are trailing in the Salah race, while Juventus risk being overtaken by the English powerhouses for Tonali. He could indeed be on the move, but the two Manchester franchises and Arsenal have started eyeing him.

The Magpies value him at about €100M. His suitors are assessing the viability of the deal. The midfielder wouldn’t mind returning to the Peninsula at some point. However, he’s basically unreachable at that valuation.

Our Take on Salah and Tonali

Players who have spent time in Serie A, even foreigners, tend to find their way back eventually, but the financial state of the league doesn’t help. It’s more likely in the first case if the Liverpool star opted for one last hurrah in a top-five championship before riding into the sunset. Roma wouldn’t be the frontrunners despite the past ties. The Azzurri star has always looked like a pipe dream for Juventus, even though they are surely keen. He’d have to pick them directly, and they would need to concoct a multi-player trade, and not with some slouches, to get anywhere near those numbers.

The Wisconsin Badgers have kicked off spring ball, with this week being off due to spring break. Reporters have gotten to see a couple of practices with the new-look team that has 45 new players and a number of projected starters.

With pads coming on soon, it’s still far too early to say how several position battles will play out, but there is a ton of competition at a lot of key positions. Running back, wide receiver, tight end, defensive line, cornerback, and safety all saw overhauls this offseason, with transfers being projected starters at every position.

The defensive line group is especially new, as Wisconsin had to replace all of its top production with players in the transfer portal. They do have some players coming back, such as Charles Perkins and Nolan Vils, who will look to have bigger roles in 2026, but it is a group that will have a lot of competition throughout the offseason.

Who has taken the biggest strides so far this offseason?

“Well, first of all, I got to say this, Perk (Charles Perkins) has, knock on wood, keep rolling, but he’s shown great strides,” Tressel. “That’s really exciting to see. Also say (Nolan) Vils has taken great strides. So before you even get to the new guys, but when you get to the new guys, Junior (Poyser) is like the old man of the group. Like, he’s going to give you everything the exact same every single time, and sort of keeps anybody in the group from having these types of things. And there’s been times where we’ve had some ups and downs in terms of just the mentality and the strain. And he’s one that keeps it. And he’s a big physical dude. So that’s really exciting and great leadership for us.

“DeNigel Cooper, he’s a little bit undersized. We’re putting the weight on right now, but he is a twitchy dude and doesn’t take blank from anybody, which is really fun to see. Jake Anderson, I know, is going to be a dude that’s absolutely Mr. Reliable in there. And every day you can see him get better. He got banged up in the last game of the year, and he’s just feeling more and more and more comfortable. And quite honestly, all of them, like, we’re going against a Big Ten line every day. So there’s a little adjustment, but I think we have depth like we had last year. I think we do. We still have time to work. I can give you a better answer to that after the spring, but I like the direction.”

The Badgers will need to have some pass rush in that group, and they’re hoping for a lot of that crew to take the next step playing up a level. But they should have the depth needed in the Big Ten, and the bigger bodies should help against the run.

Still, it’s a good sign that the returners are catching the eye of the coaching staff, with Nolan Vils being a player who has consistently flashed and risen up the depth chart.

UCF fired women’s basketball coach Sytia Messer following four consecutive losing seasons.

The school announced the move on Monday, less than a month after the Knights finished with an 11-19 record.

“This afternoon, we met with women’s basketball head coach Sytia Messer to inform her that we will be moving in a new direction with the leadership of our program. We are grateful to Sytia for her commitment to UCF and the care she has shown for our student-athletes over the past four years. We wish her the best moving forward,” UCF athletics director Terry Mohajir said in a statement.

“Our goal remains building a program that competes at a high level while providing exceptional educational services that prepare our student-athletes for success beyond graduation. In this next chapter for women’s basketball, we are continuing to align our strategy to ensure we are investing in the ways that most directly impact success in today’s landscape.

“We will conduct a national search for a head coach who embraces this vision and can lead us forward in this new era.”

Messer, 48, was hired on April 4, 2022, replacing Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, who had left UCF to become the women’s basketball head coach at the University of Georgia. Her deal was for five years and featured a base salary of $625,000 with an annual increase of $25,000.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Messer’s departure will have no financial impact on the program.

Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com

Giovanni Di Lorenzo is injured, but he has joined Guglielmo Vicario in flying to Zenica with their Italy teammates for the World Cup play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday at 19.45 UK time and a winner will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even a penalty shoot-out.

Italy players stick together in crucial play-off

Guglielmo Vicario’s Instagram story on March 23, 2026.

Vicario was spotted in the stands and stayed at the training camp with his teammates for the semi-final 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland last week, despite undergoing surgery only a few days ago.

The Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper wanted to be involved in the process of earning a spot at the 2026 World Cup, and he isn’t the only one.

Napoli defender Di Lorenzo was spotted with Vicario during the pitch inspection this evening as the Italy squad arrived at the Stadion Bilino Polje.

They were both wearing bright blue coats, to differentiate them from the players who are part of the official training camp and match squad.