Though Saturday night's games lacked drama, Indianapolis drew great praise for hosting the Final Four. This is the city's ninth Final Four, and fans love the ability to get anywhere involved with the event on foot.
The view of the larger-than-life bracket on the J.W. Marriott, affordable restaurants and decent weather have fans glowing.
Indianapolis is an incredible big event city. Easily Top 5 most walkable cities. My hotel is connected to the media hotel, team hotels, convention center and Lucas Oil Stadium. I know the weather isn't always great but with a skywalk system this great does it really matter?
Indianapolis truly is an incredible event town. Large enough to accommodate everyone, but small enough to get around with ease and make it feel like you're all in it together. https://t.co/lHZTIA7VoT
One thing we can all agree on here in Indiana is Naptown is the premier place to host sporting events. Final Four, Super Bowl, All-Star games you name it. We do it better. In Indiana we’re born with a love of sports. We eat, sleep, and breathe this. And you can feel that energy.
The games, which feature the top high school boys and girls sophomores and freshmen in the state, will be played June 1 at New Palestine High School. The girls will tip off at 6 p.m., followed by the boys at 8 p.m. The Indiana Basketball Coaches Association puts on the games, which are part of Indiana All-Star week.
There are 24 players selected for the event. Scott Radeker of Northridge will coach the North team and will be assisted by Chandler Prible of Westview. Andy Weaver, who recently stepped down as coach at Plainfield, will coach the South team and will be assisted by Hauser’s Trent Moorhead. This is the fourth year of the event.
The rosters
North
Bradly Basila, Chesterton, So.: The 6-8 Basila averaged 13.1 points and 5.9 rebounds for a Chesterton team that finished 22-5 and won a Class 4A sectional title.
Don Bowling III, Anderson, So.: The 6-5 Bowling averaged 20.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists as a sophomore to help Anderson to a 16-8 season. Bowling shot 66% from the field, including 17-for-45 from the 3-point line.
Caleb Coolman, Penn, So.: The 6-5 guard averaged 21.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists on his way to helping Penn to an 18-7 record. Coolman already has 917 career points in two seasons.
Will Davison, New Palestine, So.: The 6-5 Davison was at his best late in the season with a 35-point game in a sectional loss to Roncalli. He averaged 18.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game this season, shooting 36.6% from the 3-point line for a
Quentavious Fly, Bowman Academy, So.: The 6-2 guard averaged 23.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 steals per game in an 8-14 season for the Eagles.
Charles Hardiman, Merrillville, So.: The 6-4 guard averaged 19.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals for the 6-17 Pirates. Hardiman shot 35.3% from the 3-point line.
Bryce LaCross, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian, So.: The 6-3 LaCross averaged 19.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game for a team that went 20-8 and won a Class 3A sectional title. He shot 36.3% from the 3-point line.
Mari Leggett, Blackford, So.: The 6-5 Leggett averaged 26.3 points, 4.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game for the 20-7 Bruins, a Class 2A sectional champion. Leggett shot 35.1% from the 3-point line.
Josh McBride, Norwell, So.: The 6-1 McBride averaged 18.0 points per game for the 12-11 Knights. McBride’s older brother Luke is a standout at Bethel.
D.J. Nash, Kokomo, So.: The 6-5 Nash averaged 15.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a sophomore for Kokomo, helping the Wildkats to an 18-7 season.
Will Tonagel, Oak Hill, Fr.: The 5-10 guard averaged 14.4 points, 3.7 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game as a freshman for an Oak Hill team that went 25-2 and was a Class 2A regional champion. Tonagel shot 39.1% from the 3-point line.
Jaece Vogt, West Lafayette, So.: The 6-5 Vogt averaged 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals and helped West Lafayette to a 22-5 season. Vogt shot 40.8% from the 3-point line.
South
Braxton Bowman, Crawford County, So.: The 6-foot Bowman averaged 22.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2.2 assists per game for the 9-15 Wolfpack.
Cole Breeden, Evansville Mater Dei, So.: The 6-6 Breeden averaged 15.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game as a sophomore. He shot 44.2% from the 3-point line.
Romyiez Calvin, Evansville Harrison, Fr.: The 6-5 Calvin led his team in scoring (14.6 ppg) and rebounding (8.0) as Harrison finished 13-11. Calvin averaged nearly seven free-throw attempts per game and shot 72% from the line.
Varschon Clark, Hamilton Southeastern, So.: The 6-4 Clark came on strong at the end of the season and finished his sophomore season averaging 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
Jaylin Foster, Indianapolis Scecina, So.: The 6-5 Foster helped the Crusaders to a 18-7 season and a City Tournament championship game appearance as he averaged 12.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.1 blocked shots per game.
Chandon Gilbert, Lawrence North, So.: The 6-7 Gilbert averaged 10.2 points and 2.5 rebounds for the 19-6 Wildcats, the Marion County Tournament champion. He shot 35.8% from the 3-point line.
Ishmael Kiteka, Cloverdale, So.: The 6-10 Kiteka averaged 20.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.2 blocked shots per game to lead Cloverdale to a 17-9 season. He shot 71% from the field.
Landon Lampley, Pike, So.: The 6-7 Lampley averaged a team-high 14.6 points to help Pike to a 23-4 record and a sectional championship for the first time in six years.
Micah Mohler, Austin, Fr.: The 6-4 Mohler was a big part of Austin’s Class 2A regional championship as he averaged 21.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game in a 17-9 season. He shot 37.8% from the 3-point line.
Karson Stoudemire, New Albany, Fr.: The 6-2 Stoudemire averaged 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game to help the Bulldogs to a 23-6 season and the championship game of the Class 4A semistate.
Quintyn Voltz, Princeton, So.: The 6-1 Voltz averaged 14.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game to help the Tigers to a 23-4 season and Class 3A regional championship.
Noah Washington, New Albany, So.: The 6-5 Washington averaged 20.1 points and 4.2 rebounds and shot 39% from the 3-point line for the Bulldogs, who finished 23-6 and came one game away from reaching the Class 4A state finals.
05 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Basketball, men: Euroleague, FC Bayern Munich - AS Monaco, main round, 27th matchday at SAP Garden. Herbert Hainer, President of Munich, watches the game from the sidelines. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa (Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich’s phenomenal season to date has impressed many. Operating at an over 2.5 points per game average while sitting pretty with a comfortable lead in the league, fighting their way into the DFB Pokal semifinals while finished second in the UCL group stages before annihilating Atalanta Bergamo 10-2 on aggregate in the Round of 16 are strong indicators that the Bavarians mean business this season. But more than just that, the fact that they are alive and still able to triumph in all three competitions at the start of April for the first time in many years has awakened hope in fans.
Could Bayern win the treble for the third time in the club’s history?
When asked about the possibility of winning all three competitions, Bayern president Herbert Hainer’s response was short and sweet: “We have the chance. And as you know FC Bayern, when we have the chance, we want to make it happen,” the former Adidas CEO declared, as captured by @iMiaSanMia.
Of course, it is important to not celebrate too soon. The Bundesliga is not yet won, Bayern will need to improve on their most recent 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen to advance to the final of the Pokal and perennial UCL winners Real Madrid await Bayern in die Königsklasse. As well as the club have done to get this far, they have not reached the finish line yet. But there will be a big push to do exactly that.
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…
NEW DELHI: Sameer Rizvi has finally arrived on the big stage, two years after being identified by IPL scouts.
On Saturday evening, on a Kotla pitch that sucked the life out of the match, he injected adrenaline with a commanding 51-ball 90 as Delhi Capitals cruised past the 163-run target set by Mumbai Indians with 11 balls and six wickets to spare to go to the top of the standings. The 22-year-old Rizwan has now played the lead role in two consecutive tricky chases following his impressive performance against LSG earlier.
The afternoon started with the Delhi crowd going berserk after seeing Rohit Sharma taking guard. Capitals have been yearning for slower pitches since the last season to aid their spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Vipraj Nigam. Rohit brought used all his experience to keep the scoreboard moving, with frequent boundaries, even as runscoring looked tough on the dry pitch. The crowd roared with each boundary that Rohit hit till he was caught at extra-cover off Axar for 35 off 26 in the 10th over. Scoring became excruciatingly tough after Rohit’s dismissal even as Suryakumar Yadav grafted a 36-ball 51. The Capitals pacers relied on cutters while pegging away at a back of a length.
MI’s 162/6 looked like a challenging score before Capitals opener Pathum Nissanka went hard at the top of the chase to set it up for Rizvi to eventually bat MI out of the game. MI skipper for the match Suryakumar Yadav, standing in for an unwell Hardik Pandya, was lost for answers during the counter-attack.
The crowd remained flat for much of the match before Rizvi took over once Nissanka departed for 44 off 30 balls, with the scoreboard reading 73/3 in the 10th over. Rizvi, raised on the sluggish pitches of western UP, went on a rampage. In the next 6.3 overs, DC smashed 78 runs with David Miller’s only job feeding the strike to Rizvi.
Rizvi, coming out to bat as an Impact Substitute, went about dismantling MI’s bowling with consummate ease. Rizvi brought shots that broke the rules of conventional batting. He knew the MI pacers would hit the hard lengths just like DC had done it. So, he cleared his front foot and went about slapping the ball through the off-side.
Leg-spinner Mayank Markande looked completely out of his depth as Rizvi negated the turn by skipping down the track and smacking him down the ground. Rizvi’s approach of using his feet against the spinners was in sharp contrast to the MI batters, who were largely rooted to the crease. Surya’s only response to the Capitals spinners was the sweep for singles.
Rizvi has now cracked the code in these short tricky chases. Like he did in Lucknow in the previous match, he doesn’t get edgy at the top of his innings. The string of dot balls doesn’t perturb him. He waits to find his rhythm on these pitches. He respects the established international bowlers, like he did against Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner. Just like he pounced on Shahbaz Nadeem’s innocuous left-arm spin against Lucknow Super Giants, he devoured Markande on Saturday evening.
The knock clearly left the MI camp shaken. Surya’s captaincy looked unimpressive. Santner didn’t complete his quota of overs and Bumrah came back in the attack a bit late.
What better day than Easter Sunday to resurrect Celtic’s league hopes
Happy Easter to Celtic supporters everywhere!
Green Brigade Easter Rising display
The Celts are in action later today on the 30th anniversary of the Bhoys’ first ever Easter Sunday fixture. The Bhoys did not play on any Sunday until 1974. Even then, more than two further decades would still pass before the Celts played on Easter.
This was not a memorable fixture; on 7 April 1996, Celtic lost 2-1 to Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final. Pierre van Hooijdonk’s strike was not enough as goals from Laudrup and McCoist gave the Ibrox men a 2-1 win.
Memories View
Today will mark Celtic’s 14th Easter Sunday match. So far, this day has witnessed six wins for the Bhoys alongside four draws and three defeats. There have been 23 goals for Celtic and 11 conceded.
Callum McGregor, St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Easter Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Oh Ghrá Mo Chroí
Celtic’s six Easter victories came in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2024 and 2025. In fact, this year is the Celts’ third successive Easter Sunday match so hopefully the winning run will continue.
The four Easter draws for the Hoops came in 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2019. Hopefully it’s not an omen that Celtic never been able to win an Easter game in years ending in a six…
On Easter morn’ I sigh
Strangely, the only team to beat Celtic on Easter Sunday are a side that wrongly claim to have come back from the dead. The two Rangers overcame Celtic in 1996, 1998 and 2021.
St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Easter Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Appropriately enough, two of Celtic’s Easter games have taken place at Easter Road. In fact, 12 out of the 13 games have been away fixtures for Celtic, or at least at neutral territory.
When history was made
The Celts’ one home fixture came in 2006, and it ended in a 1-1 draw with Hibs. However it was still a day of cheer as post-match the Bhoys were presented with the League trophy by Billy Connolly.
This season has been less than positive for the Bhoys, with many people writing off the club’s hopes of silverware. But what better day than Easter Sunday to resurrect Celtic’s league hopes?
Post your own thoughts in the comments section below…
Quick Tip – Add thecelticstar.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
Marseille predicted XI v Monaco: Ethan Nwaneri set for first start under Habib Beye
Ethan Nwaneri’s loan spell at Olympique de Marseille has not gone to plan. He was thrust straight into the line-up for his debut and netted, however, he has found gametime harder to come by since Roberto De Zerbi departed as manager and was replaced by Habib Beye.
However, Mason Greenwood is not fully fit, and he is also suspended for Marseille’s game against AS Monaco on Sunday night. That offers the Arsenal loanee a chance to start at the Stade Louis II. L’Équipe understands that he will be reinstated in the starting XI tonight.
OM are also without Nayef Aguerd, who is hoping to return before the end of the season, having undergone surgery on an adductor issue, whilst Geoffrey Kondogbia is also out.
Apr 04, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; during San Jose Sharks vs Philadelphia Flyers at SAP Center. Photo: Sport Shots / Dean Tait
The San Jose Sharks will figure it out.
But maybe not this year?
The Sharks lost 6-3 to the Nashville Predators again, repeating the same score from their Mar. 24 defeat at Bridgestone Arena.
San Jose is now two points behind Nashville for the last wild card in the West, two teams to leapfrog. They do have a game in hand on both the Preds and Los Angeles Kings.
These losses to Nashville — tonight was Team Teal’s 15th-straight to the Predators, dating back to Nov. 2019 — might ultimately be the difference between the playoffs or not.
A lot of the Sharks’ youth struggled in the postseason-like atmosphere tonight.
“Mentally, you gotta be ready. Number one,” San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said, alluding to falling behind 3-0 in the first period. “And two, physically, you got to be ready. You got to be physical. You got to get into people. You can’t play at the end of your stick. And we had some guys playing at the end of their stick tonight.”
Will Smith, for example, had difficulty with the puck and pace, just swallowed up at times by an aggressive Predators PK: He’s also just 21 and has a history of clutch performances on the biggest stages. He’ll be fine.
Igor Chernyshov was replaced on the top line by Collin Graf and hasn’t been at his best in back-to-back games: The power winger is also, like his Saginaw Spirit teammate Michael Misa, a rookie, still learning how to be consistent in the best league in the world.
Misa skated just 10:26 at even strength, as Ryan Warsofsky leaned heavily on Macklin Celebrini (18:56) and Alex Wennberg (15:07) in the biggest game of the season (so far): He’s also just 19 and has flashed all the makings of a top two-way center, one day.
Yaroslav Askarov surrendered five goals on 33 shots. Both he and ex-teammate Juuse Saros were left out to dry by leaky defenses, but the veteran Finn came up with more timely stops. That said, this is Askarov’s first season as a starter, and he made his share of clutch saves.
Smith, Chernyshov, Misa, and Askarov are all essentially first or second-year players.
“It’s their first time going through this type of hockey game,” Warsofsky said, speaking up for the younger Sharks. “This is not even close to the playoffs. [But] that was pretty close to the playoffs as far as a regular season game goes. So a lot of teaching moments that we’ll use to move forward.”
The San Jose Sharks will figure it out.
But maybe not this year? And that’s okay, as long as they do.
Ryan Warsofsky
Warsofsky, on O'Reilly GWG: "We don't get a shot through on the point. It comes back. It's a 2-on-2, it's a nothing really play. He actually puts it in to probably get off the ice, and sees that they get the puck back. It's an easy cover for us. We just don't defend the middle of…
Rangers could use 49ers connections to land Leeds striker and Hearts star on Portugal radar...
Rangers are keeping close tabs on Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt, who has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 33 appearances on loan at Hull City. (Alan Nixon / Patreon - subscription required)
Hearts striker Claudio Braga reveals Portugal FA officials have reached out to his representatives to let them know they are monitoring his form with the Tynecastle club. (Scottish Sun)
Barrie McKay says he still doesn't know why he was frozen out at Hearts by Neil Critchley as the Livingston winger prepares to face his old club. (Daily Record)
Wales winger Rabbi Matondo says he "wants to show the haters and the world that there is still a player in me" after moving from Rangers to Norwegian side Brann. (Glasgow Times)
Monaco predicted XI v Marseille: Paul Pogba and Eric Dier available
After months out, AS Monaco duo Eric Dier and Paul Pogba are once again fit for selection as they prepare to host Olympique de Marseille at the Stade Louis II on Sunday night.
Neither is expected to start against OM, however, having featured in a friendly during the international break, Sébastien Pocognoli confirmed that they are avaiable for the game. There are, however, still plenty of absences. The absences Caio Henrique, Kassoum Ouattara, and Vanderson limit Monaco’s options at full-back, whilst Mohammed Salisu and Takumi Minamino are both also out, having suffered ACLs earlier in the season. Of those absences, Henrique is the most likely to feature again this season.
With options particularly limited at left-wing-back, Sunderland loanee Simon Adingra could start in this position.
Monaco likely line-up v Marseille
Lukas Hradecky; Wout Faes, Denis Zakaria, Thilo Kehrer; Simon Adingra, Aladji Bamba, Lamine Camara, Jordan Teze; Aleksandr Golovin, Maghnes Akliouche; Folarin Balogun.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Antonio Conte is tempted by a return as Italy’s national team coach while Napoli would not oppose his summer exit.
Conte is emerging as the leading candidate to replace Gennaro Gattuso as Italy’s national team coach.
The Italian tactician’s contract expires in June 2027, and according to Gazzetta, Conte is more than interested in returning to the Azzurri’s bench for a second stint.
Conte already coached Italy from 2014 to 2016, reaching the Euros quarter-finals, where La Nazionale was eliminated on penalties by Germany.
According to Gazzetta, Conte has great memories of his time as La Nazionale’s coach, and everyone at FIGC feels the 56-year-old would be the right man to revive the Azzurri.
The Pink Paper claims that Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis would allow Conte to join the national team despite a contract expiring in one year.
Antonio Conte Aurelio De Laurentiis Napoli
According to Gazzetta, Aurelio De Laurentiis’ green light ‘would not be an issue’ especially if Giovanni Malagò is picked as the new FIGC President.
A caretaker coach, probably Silvio Baldini, will be appointed for the June friendlies, while the new Italy boss won’t be picked before the end of June/start of July, given that the new FIGC President won’t be elected before June 22.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Antonio Conte, SSC Napoli head coach, gestures during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Massimiliano Allegri and Roberto Mancini have also been linked with the Italy job, but the Milan coach has said that he’s happy at San Siro, while doubts over Mancini mostly concern his 2023 exit, when he suddenly stepped down with a formal email just to be appointed as the new Saudi Arabia national team coach just a few weeks later.
Fernando Alonso has shared a touching present gifted to him and his partner, Melissa Jimenez, by Formula 1 following the birth of their first child.
The two-time champion and Jimenez recently welcomed a baby boy named Leonard. The arrival meant that the Spaniard had to skip his media obligations on the Thursday ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
"I’m a little jet-lagged because I landed this morning, but here we are," Alonso told DAZN Spain after the second practice session at the Suzuka circuit. "We just finished FP2, and in a few hours it’s time to sleep - I skipped the European night session."
"You never really imagine anything specific," he continued. "Things just happen as they happen, and there’s a bit of stress and worry about everything going well.
"Fortunately, it went well, both for the mum and the baby. A super happy, very special moment."
Alonso took to Instagram Stories to share the special delivery from F1 management, which was paddock credentials for the newborn with the message, "Welcome to the F1 family".
The Aston Martin driver responded with the caption, "Big thanks to F1! First of many."
Fans quickly reacted to the post, joking that it would not be long until Alonso's son is in F1. "Can’t wait to root for him in a few years’ time," one commented, while another added: "The championship fight against his own dad will be legendary."
"Maybe in 18 years we will still have Raikkonen vs Alonso vs Verstappen," someone else posted.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
This comes amid a difficult start to the 2026 season for Alonso and the Aston Martin team. The Silverstone outfit's highly anticipated works partnership with Honda has so far failed to deliver the expected jump in performance.
The AMR26 has been plagued by reliability woes, mainly stemming from excessive chassis vibrations.
There is now a five-week break until the Miami Grand Prix, which will give the British team time to work on some of the issues.
Arteta refuses to criticise Arsenal for shock Southampton defeat
Mikel Arteta has refused to criticise Arsenal following the club’s shock FA Cup exit at Southampton.
Arsenal’s treble hopes came to an end after a 2-1 defeat to the Championship side at St Mary’s. Shea Charles’ 85th-minute winner secured an upset for Southampton who will head to Wembley for the semi-finals.
Viktor Gyokeres had cancelled out Ross Stewart’s opener for the Saints as Arsenal levelled the tie, but Charles’ smart finished stunned the Gunners.
The defeat follows Arsenal’s loss in the League Cup final, with the North London side’s pursuit of four trophies rapidly turned to two.
Despite that, Arteta said he will not criticise his team but called on Arsenal to ‘look at ourselves in the mirror’.
“I love my players, what they have done for nine months. I’m not going to criticise them for losing here. What they are putting their bodies through, some didn’t have to be here today. I’ll defend them more than ever.
“If someone has to take responsibility that’s me. We have the most beautiful period ahead of us. Normally you have two or three moments like this in a season, this is the first moment with a level of difficulty. Let’s stand up and make ourselves count.
“No excuses about players that are missing or that are here with issues. Let’s look at ourselves in the mirror, accept the situation, rebel against it and go forward with clarity.”
After withdrawing from international duty with Brazil, Gabriel went down in the second half of Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton with another knee problem.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
As Arsenal’s walking wounded returned to action for the club after the international break, Gabriel was named in the starting lineup while William Saliba could only make the bench. Now, the former is facing a wait on the extent of a knee issue after going down in the second half of Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton, with Mikel Arteta admitting the early signs are not encouraging.
When the Brazilian withdrew from international duty the statement released at the time confirmed it was his right knee. The statement said, “Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães is out of the friendlies against France and Croatia. After the match this Sunday (22) against Manchester City in the English League Cup final, the player complained of pain in his right knee.
“Imaging tests confirmed that Gabriel Magalhães is not fit for the matches in this FIFA international window. No other player will be called up to replace him.”
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
However, when he went down against Southampton, it was his left knee that was giving him the issue.
After being replaced by Saliba in the 72nd minute, he was later seen on the bench with a large bag of ice strapped to the knee, adding to the sense of concern around a player Arsenal can ill afford to lose.
After the game, Arteta was asked about the defender.
“I don’t know, I think he felt something – I don’t know exactly what it is,” Arteta said. “We’re going to have to assess him – but obviously when a player is asking to be substituted, it’s never good news.”
Arsenal’s next game on on Tuesday evening in Portugal and it remains to be seen if he will be able to feature.
‘We don’t want them to leave early’ – Slot sends message to Liverpool fans
It’s a moment that felt unfamiliar for all of us watching Liverpool, with supporters heading for the exits long before full-time, and Arne Slot has now addressed it directly.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Speaking via Liverpoolfc.com after the 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, the Dutchman acknowledged what happened in the stands while making it clear where the responsibility lies.
Slot responds to fans leaving early
Referencing his post-match comments via Liverpoolfc.com, Slot didn’t shy away from the issue, but he also made it clear the players must take accountability.
He said: “We don’t want them to leave early – we have to perform better. That’s the first thing.”
That admission speaks volumes because, as supporters, we rarely see that reaction from our travelling fanbase, even in difficult moments.
The former Feyenoord boss went on to praise those who stayed behind and backed the team, adding: “The good thing is the fans have always been supportive, even today; during large spells of the first half they were very loud, before the game they were very loud.”
It’s an important point, because despite the eventual collapse, the atmosphere early on showed that belief was still there before the performance dropped off.
Pressure builds ahead of PSG clash
Slot also made it clear that the response now has to come quickly, with a huge Champions League tie looming.
He said: “So, it’s up to us not only to react for them but also to ourselves. And that’s what we need to do Wednesday, when we again face a very good team.”
That next test, away to Paris Saint-Germain, now feels even more significant given the current run of form and the manner of this defeat.
The 47-year-old highlighted a key issue that has crept into our performances, explaining: “But in moments of defending, we need to be much more ruthless than we’ve been today.”
That lack of defensive sharpness was brutally exposed by City, especially after we lost control following the opening goal.
The defeat hurt, but the manner of it, with Atleti holding Barcelona until the 87th minute with ten men, a depleted squad, and youngsters like Seidu and Morcillo on the pitch, gave him reason to feel encouraged ahead of what really matters.
The two sides meet again on Wednesday at the Spotify Camp Nou in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
But the dominant topic in his post-match interview was not the late Lewandowski winner. It was the Gerard Martin red card that VAR overturned to a yellow in the second half.
What Simeone said after loss to Barcelona
His first response to the incident was measured, if loaded with implication.
“I’d rather not say anything about that play. Let’s not talk about the play, it’s done, we lost 2-1, nothing we say will change that, let’s not waste time.
“The other day in the Betis-Rayo match they wanted to explain that this kind of play was a sending-off. Let’s not waste time, let’s talk about something that adds up,” he said.
He moved on quickly, but the frustration kept surfacing.
“When a play is that clear, there’s nothing to say.”
His focus then shifted to Wednesday, and what he expects from Barcelona on their own ground.
“We need to look at what’s coming, which is the Champions League, and we hope to put in a good performance. The tie won’t be calm.
“They will play the kind of match they played in the Copa del Rey, taking on that responsibility they carry when they play at home, which they handle brilliantly. They will attack, they will look to score goals to build a lead, and I can’t imagine it being any other kind of match,” he added.
Simeone couldn’t stop talking about Gerard Martin’s red card. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Asked what Atletico need to produce in the first leg, he pointed directly to the first half at the Metropolitano as the template.
“We’ll see how things develop. We need to put in a great match like we did today, especially in the first half. And repeat it — in the Copa match, it was hard for us. We will try to play a match in line with what the tie demands,” he said.
On the Nicolas Gonzalez red card in the first half, Simeone accepted the decision but used the topic to circle back to the Martin decision.
“The moment he went in with that tackle, it was clear it was at least a yellow, his second, and that meant a red for Nico. But then they start telling you it might be offside, and you try to cling to that kind of thing, but the play is clear – he goes in late.
“Though I don’t think it’s a straight red, more a double yellow. It was clearly a sending-off. It’s a kick that you can clearly see — both of them, the one in the first half and the one in the second half, you can see them both,” he said.
He returned to the Martin incident one final time and this time he was direct.
“They haven’t harmed me. They made a mistake, just like I make mistakes. I saw the Betis-Rayo incident a few weeks ago — the CTA said it was a sending-off. Did you see it? Did you? Yes or no? Come on, everyone saw it.
“There’s not much to say – he goes in late, he stands on the foot, the entire ankle. Let’s see if the CTA explains it properly so that next matchday it’s clear what a sending-off is,” he concluded.
Van Dijk stat highlights Liverpool’s defensive decline
Liverpool reached a new low this season after a humbling FA Cup exit at Manchester City this weekend.
Arne Slot’s side were thrashed 4-0 at the Etihad on Saturday, with Erling Haaland hitting a hat-trick for the rampant hosts. It was a 15th defeat of the season in all competitions for the Premier League champions, who have looked a shadow of last season’s team.
Dominik Szoboszlai aside, few in the Liverpool squad have got close to last season’s level. Mohamed Salah’s decline has been well-documented and the Egyptian missed from the penalty spot during the defeat at City, while Virgil van Dijk was culpable for the home side’s opener. The Dutch defender clumsily brought down Nico O’Reilly in the box, allowing Haaland the opportunity to break the deadlock.
Van Dijk has now conceded four penalties this season in 46 appearances for Liverpool. Incredibly, that’s as many as the Liverpool captain conceded in his first eight years with the club, across 319 appearances.
Liverpool’s season, in terms of silverware, now rests on the Champions League. Few will be inspired by recent performances ahead of a huge showdown with holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Find out everything you need to know ahead of City's Premier League encounter with Chelsea.
WHEN AND WHERE
We face Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday 12 April with the game scheduled for kick-off at Stamford Bridge at 16:30 (UK).
The game will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD, Sky GO and NOW TV.)
You can also keep across all of the action via the official Man City app, as well as the key moments on X/Twitter: @ManCity.
Supporters living around the world can find out how they can tune in via our global listings, courtesy of livesoccertv.com.
OPPOSING MANAGER - LIAM ROSENIOR
Rosenior arrived at Chelsea in early January after overseas success with French side RC Strasbourg, who he led the to European qualification for the first time in 19 years in his first season, following earlier roles in England with Hull and Derby.
He made an impressive start to life in the Premier League dugout, being nominated for January’s Premier League Manager of the Month after winning his first three league matches.
Rosenior enjoys possession-based football and likes his team to dictate proceedings on the pitch, so it will be interesting to see how he sets up his side against a City squad used to dominating possession.
DANGER MEN
Chelsea’s talisman this season has been striker Joao Pedro.
The Brazilian joined the Blues from Brighton last summer and has made an instant impact in the Premier League this term, scoring 14 times and providing five assists in 31 top-flight appearances.
Pedro thrives up front with the service from fellow danger man Cole Palmer, who famously graduated from City’s Academy.
The Englishman hasn’t hit the heights as he did in his first season with the London club, but he still has 10 Premier League goal involvements in 20 appearances.
These impressive attacking returns highlights the importance of City stifling the dynamic duo on Sunday.
PEP GUARDIOLA PREVIEW
Pep Guardiola will be facing the media for the pre-match press conference from 13:30 (UK) on Friday 10 April, where the City boss will provide all the latest team news updates and you can follow it live on mancity.com and our official app.
Don’t worry if you are unable to watch Pep’s press conference as it happens as we’ll have a written review and video recap soon after it has concluded.
PREVIOUS MEETING
We’ve not visited Stamford Bridge since August 2024 in what was our first game of the 2024/25 season.
Erling Haaland scored the first goal of the campaign for the third season running as he struck in the 18th minute on his 100th appearance.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser but the three points were finally secured late on with a fierce strike from Mateo Kovacic against his former Club.
As for Chelsea, they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat away to Everton in their last league game, but emphatically beat Port Vale 7-0 to secure their place in the FA Cup last-four.
MATCH OFFICIALS
To be announced.
GLOBAL TV LISTINGS
Supporters around the world can find out how to tune in to watch the match live by clicking here, courtesy of livesoccertv.com.
The once-unbeaten team has fallen. There will be a new champion of women’s college basketball. Just 40 regulation minutes separate heroism from heartbreak, inscription from blank space. No one wants to be on the sad side of a confetti drop.
UCLA arrives in pursuit of its first NCAA title, while South Carolina goes for a fourth banner in the last decade. Lauren Betts is ready to dance. Dawn Staley has more to say. These No. 1 seeds are evenly matched and amply motivated. Here’s what to know before tipoff.
All efficiency stats from BartTorvik.com.
How to watch UCLA vs. South Carolina in 2026 national championship game
Venue: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET, Sunday
TV: ABC, ESPN
Streaming: Fubo (Stream Free Now)
Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.
ABC is free over the air. ABC and ESPN are also available with an ESPN Unlimited subscription.
How UCLA got here
Cori Close’s crew is No. 1 in offensive rating and No. 4 on defense. The entire starting five could go in the first round of this month’s WNBA Draft. Clean looks develop in bursts.
First-team All-American Lauren Betts is a perpetual mismatch, towering in the paint and rolling off of screens. Kiki Rice and Charlisse Leger-Walker initiate with the ball; Gabriela Jaquez and Gianna Kneepkens zip the perimeter without it.
UCLA is 36-1, but its last two wins have been rocky. It trailed Duke at halftime of the Elite Eight, only to rally around Betts down the stretch. The senior center was brilliant — 23 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and five blocks. The teammates orbiting her struggled nonetheless and finished 2-for-14 beyond the arc.
The Bruins’ fleet, artful offense was unrecognizable in the Final Four tussle with Texas. UCLA scored just 20 in the first half, done in by an unsightly six-point second quarter. On the whole, four of its five starters had at least four turnovers. Once again, though, Betts was the steadying force — a team-high 16 points on 70 percent shooting, 11 boards and the game-saving stuff of Madison Booker.
Despite its pro-ready polish, UCLA is winning with lockdown defense as of late. Booker, a fellow first-team All-American, saw her game contorted into 3-of-23 nightmare fuel. Toby Fournier, Duke’s lead option, was held to a modest 10 points. One more disciplined effort would line the program up for its inaugural NCAA net-cutting.
How South Carolina got here
Staley is the face of a new frontier in women’s basketball. Her pull was tested by the dynastic old guard on Friday night — and garnet washed the bluest of blue bloods into the drain. The tough, pressurized Gamecock defense left then-perfect UConn at 31/29 percent shooting splits. All-Americans Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd went a combined 7-for-31.
South Carolina has won all five rounds by at least 14 points. Joyce Edwards is averaging 18.6 points and 9.4 boards per tournament game. She’s a strong finisher with a coast-to-coast motor.
Three seniors keep gears turning around the sophomore forward. Ta’Niya Latson scored 28 points in the Sweet 16 defeat of Oklahoma. Raven Johnson had six dimes and made two 3s in the Elite Eight matchup with TCU. Madina Okot bottled up UConn at the rim Friday.
The Gamecocks sit third in both offensive and defensive ratings. Like their best squads throughout the years, this group is well-balanced and audacious. South Carolina leads with its defense without junking the game.
Staley isn’t afraid of the moment — but the moment just might be afraid of Staley. With a fourth ring, she would tie Kim Mulkey for the third-most all-time.
What to know about the broadcast
Ryan Ruocco is on play-by-play for ABC. His “you bet!” call punctuates big shots. It’s also a lot of fun to shout at home. Ruocco is joined by NCAA champion Rebecca Lobo for color commentary, and Holly Rowe reports from the floor. This is the trio’s sixth Final Four weekend together.
In addition, Christine Williamson anchors the on-site championship game studio alongside Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike.
ESPN has a courtside alt-cast. Commercials and studio coverage go unchanged, but there are new audio and camera angles. Jess Sims is the host. WNBA star Chelsea Gray and rugby player Ilona Maher break down the action, while influencer Katie Feeney contributes with interviews and fan reactions. It’s a more casual, conversational alternative to ABC’s main broadcast.
A postgame show will air on ESPN at 6 p.m. ET. The winner lifts hardware and enters the historical record. The loser hears “what if?” echoing as it takes the last exit.
Streaming and ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process, and do not review stories before publication.
PEORIA — Ron Hoover had a lot of great memories playing for the Peoria Rivermen in the original International Hockey League.
He added another one on Saturday as the retired center was inducted into the Rivermen Hall of Fame.
Hoover was the guest of honor at the Rivermen SPHL regular-season finale, a 2-1 overtime loss to Roanoke before 4,733 at Carver Arena.
Roanoke won the game with 15 seconds left in sudden-death when it opted to pull its goaltender for an extra attacker and got a four-on-three winner from Gustav Muller.
The game meant nothing to the Rivermen, who were long ago locked into the No. 1 seed for the upcoming SPHL playoffs. It was a huge game for Roanoke, though, which moved up a slot to the No. 3 seed with its gambit.
Hoover, meanwhile, took his place in the 44-year Peoria franchise's Hall of Fame.
"It was awesome," Hoover, 59, said after the on-ice induction ceremony. "To be here, and on that ice again … to remember all the great players I was fortunate to play with here, just such a true honor. I was standing there thinking how much I missed those great times."
A tribute video played overhead, with former Rivermen teammates Dominic Lavoie, Ricky Pion, Darren Veitch, Geoff Sarjeant, Mark Bassen, Butch Kaebel and Eric Fenton all sharing congrats and stories.
"I just want to congratulate you on your induction into the Rivermen Hall of Fame," Pion said. "You were a great teammate and linemate, and definitely a fan favorite."
Said ex-NHLer and 1990-91 Rivermen Turner Cup champions defenseman Veitch: "It was an honor to play with you and have you as a teammate, and you're an even better friend."
A glorious career
Hoover was a 6-foot-1, 185-pound center for the Rivermen who delivered high-quality play at both ends from the 1991-92 through 1995-96 seasons.
He was sent to the Rivermen by the parent club St. Louis Blues for the 1991-92 season, the campaign in which Peoria was defending its Turner Cup title in the class-AAA IHL.
The ironman played at least 70 games four times on the way to a Peoria career that included 359 regular-season games, 114 goals and 106 assists. He played another 41 games in the playoffs for the Rivermen, with 7 goals and 10 assists.
Hoover, an Oakville, Ontario native, saw both his children, Nicole and Matt, born in Peoria while he played here. His son went on to play in the ECHL for Utah in 2020-21.
Hoover was a Western Michigan University product who played 28 games in the NHL for Boston and St. Louis. He played another 137 in the class-AAA American Hockey League before coming to the Rivermen.
He played for Harold Snepsts on Peoria's 1991-92 team that went 48-25-9 and finished second to eventual IHL champion Kansas City.
He played for Paul MacLean in his final three seasons, which included a 51-win division and Eastern Conference champion in 1993-94 and a 51-win division champion in 1994-95.
There to the end
Sarjeant anchored the Rivermen net on those latter two teams.
"You scored a lot of big goals for us and you were a great player," the goaltender said. "But you were an even better person."
Those Rivermen teams were powerhouses in the early 1990s, and Hoover was with them until their IHL era ended after the 1995-96 season and Peoria moved down to the ECHL.
Hoover went on to play 667 games in a pro career that lasted nine seasons. He never forgot his Peoria days, and Peoria fans never forgot him.
"For me, it's a great honor to be part of all the great players who have been inducted," Hoover said. "Guys like Doug Evans, Michel Mongeau, Darren Veitch so many great players from that era. Peoria was the longest place we stayed at in my career, we started our family there.
"I think of those years and the importance, the impact of good people, good friendships, successful teams. You need talent, but you also need a group that gets along, all working for a common goal.
"There's so many people to thank for this honor, so many great memories."
River Readings
The Rivermen players headed upstairs into the outer concourse at Carver Arena for pictures, autographs and a thank you meet-and-greet with fans, an annual tradition after the final regular-season game.
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star senior writer and sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
Destroying barriers: Huge landmarks set by Women’s Super League stars in recent years
There has been a variety of records set within the Women’s Super League over the years, from most appearances made to most goals scored. The records are widely spread among different players and clubs.
Jordan Nobbs, Alessia Russo, Millie Bright and Sophie Ingle are just a handful who have enjoyed reaching record-breaking milestones in their careers so far.
From appearance landmarks to significant spikes in market valuation, we’ve taken a look at some of the more recent poignant history-makers and trendsetters who have made their mark on the WSL.
The competition for most Women’s Super League appearances
Nobbs is a stalwart of the English game, as a WSL and Lionesses veteran. The midfielder previously held the title for the most WSL appearances made as she clocked up 210 across her time with Arsenal and Aston Villa. Her impressive tally showcased her reliability and stability as a player, as well as her structure and tactical intelligence. Nobbs was a regular pick in starting lineups and found herself soaring through impressive game time.
Nobbs set a new WSL appearance record in 2024 after overtaking Ingle, who moved to Bristol City last summer after winning 11 trophies with Chelsea, including five WSL titles. Ingle set her record in 2023, when she leapfrogged the previous holder in Kerys Harrop.
Helping to advance positions and grow women’s football from the start up, it’s players like Nobbs and Ingle who have helped women’s football become as big as it is.
Record-breaking transfers and high flying market values
Market value is one of the best ways to gain an insight into player performance. However, some can often fall through the cracks. Two Arsenal stars in Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo have an estimated market value of more than £1 million (via Soccerdonna), making them two most valuable players in the league. This is a huge milestone in women’s football, as seven-figure transfer fees and valuations are starting to become more common.
Another Arsenal star in Olivia Smith also made history recently by becoming the first £1 million transfer in women’s football. The Gunners signed the exciting 21-year-old from Liverpool in the summer of 2025. While transfer fees will continue to grow in the women’s game, Smith’s move to the WSL powerhouses is etched in the history books.
Millie Bright is a special mention for record-breaking performances and achievements, as she currently holds the title for the most WSL game wins. She set the record in 2025 when she marked 128 wins in England’s top flight.
Bright was also the player to set a new appearance record and overtake Nobbs. After surpassing her former England teammate’s tally of 210, the Chelsea icon is now the one to beat for future records.
Bright is a key example of a player who has aided the growth of women’s football over her years on the pitch for both club and country. She has been a role model for young girls who want to get into an industry that has often felt against them. Other influential veterans like Nobbs, Ingle as well as stars with big futures ahead like Smith, have all helped shape the game for women and girls.
These are just a few records and landmark moments that have been set in recent years across the Women’s Super League. Often structuring the game to a growing professional industry and growing the awareness. They also highlight something much bigger than statistics alone. These players, along with many others, are actively shaping the future of women’s sports, and bringing more eyes on them as the years go by.
These WSL icons’ talent, consistency, stability, structure, strength and dedication have helped create one of the most competitive leagues in women’s football across the world. Ultimately, these achievements represent more than statistical success, in an ongoing evolution of global sport reaching countries across the world and increasing diversity within the game.
Related articles from Her Football Hub:
Signal & Noise: New documentary on England women’s blind team shows what it takes to be a Para Lioness
The FA joins forces with Top Baller League to find future stars of the game
FIFA passes new rule to make women’s coaches mandatory across tournaments
Nashville Predators (36-31-9, in the Central Division) vs. Los Angeles Kings (31-26-19, in the Pacific Division)
Los Angeles; Monday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Kings host the Nashville Predators after Adrian Kempe scored two goals in the Kings' 7-6 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Los Angeles has a 12-17-9 record at home and a 31-26-19 record overall. The Kings have a 12-9-10 record in games they have more penalties than their opponent.
Nashville has a 36-31-9 record overall and a 16-16-6 record in road games. The Predators have gone 30-6-3 in games they score three or more goals.
The teams meet Monday for the third time this season. The Predators won the previous matchup 5-4 in a shootout.
TOP PERFORMERS: Artemi Panarin has scored 27 goals with 53 assists for the Kings. Alex Laferriere has three goals and six assists over the last 10 games.
Steven Stamkos has 38 goals and 22 assists for the Predators. Filip Forsberg has nine goals and nine assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 4-2-4, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.2 assists, three penalties and 8.2 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
Predators: 7-3-0, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.5 assists, 4.3 penalties and 11 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.
INJURIES: Kings: Kevin Fiala: out for season (leg), Andrei Kuzmenko: out (meniscus).
Predators: Nicolas Hague: day to day (undisclosed).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Chicago Blackhawks (28-35-14, in the Central Division) vs. San Jose Sharks (36-32-7, in the Pacific Division)
San Jose, California; Monday, 10 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The San Jose Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks meet in Western Conference action.
San Jose is 36-32-7 overall and 20-13-5 in home games. The Sharks have an 18-5-6 record in games decided by a goal.
Chicago has a 15-19-6 record in road games and a 28-35-14 record overall. The Blackhawks have a -51 scoring differential, with 197 total goals scored and 248 allowed.
The teams meet Monday for the second time this season. The Blackhawks won the last meeting 6-3. Ryan Donato scored two goals in the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Will Smith has 22 goals and 32 assists for the Sharks. Macklin Celebrini has six goals and five assists over the last 10 games.
Connor Bedard has 30 goals and 40 assists for the Blackhawks. Nick Lardis has scored four goals and added two assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Sharks: 4-5-1, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.7 assists, 3.7 penalties and 9.4 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game.
Blackhawks: 3-5-2, averaging 2.2 goals, 3.6 assists, 3.5 penalties and 7.5 penalty minutes while giving up 3.4 goals per game.
INJURIES: Sharks: Ryan Reaves: out (hamd).
Blackhawks: Shea Weber: out for season (ankle), Artyom Levshunov: out for season (hand), Andrew Mangiapane: out (upper body), Oliver Moore: out (lower body), Matt Grzelcyk: out for season (upper-body).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Wild visit the Detroit Red Wings after Ryan Hartman scored two goals in the Wild's 4-1 win against the Ottawa Senators.
Detroit has a 40-28-8 record overall and a 20-14-3 record in home games. The Red Wings have a 33-5-6 record in games they score three or more goals.
Minnesota is 22-11-4 in road games and 43-21-12 overall. The Wild are 38-5-6 in games they score at least three goals.
The matchup Sunday is the second time these teams play this season. The Wild won 4-3 in overtime in the last meeting. Mats Zuccarello led the Wild with two goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Alex DeBrincat has scored 39 goals with 41 assists for the Red Wings. Moritz Seider has one goal and eight assists over the last 10 games.
Kirill Kaprizov has 40 goals and 44 assists for the Wild. Hartman has seven goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Red Wings: 4-5-1, averaging 2.8 goals, 4.4 assists, 3.9 penalties and 9.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.
Wild: 5-5-0, averaging 2.9 goals, five assists, 4.2 penalties and 10.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.
INJURIES: Red Wings: Justin Faulk: day to day (lower-body), Mason Appleton: day to day (upper-body).
Wild: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Seattle Kraken (32-32-11, in the Pacific Division) vs. Winnipeg Jets (33-31-12, in the Central Division)
Winnipeg, Manitoba; Monday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The Winnipeg Jets host the Seattle Kraken after Kyle Connor's two-goal game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Jets' 2-1 win.
Winnipeg is 33-31-12 overall and 18-14-6 at home. The Jets have a -15 scoring differential, with 213 total goals scored and 228 conceded.
Seattle has gone 15-16-6 in road games and 32-32-11 overall. The Kraken are 30-7-4 in games they score three or more goals.
The teams meet Monday for the third time this season. The Kraken won the last meeting 5-3. Jordan Eberle scored two goals in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Mark Scheifele has 34 goals and 60 assists for the Jets. Connor has five goals and seven assists over the last 10 games.
Bobby McMann has 27 goals and 17 assists for the Kraken. Kaapo Kakko has scored four goals and added eight assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Jets: 5-3-2, averaging 2.6 goals, 4.5 assists, 2.9 penalties and 7.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game.
Kraken: 2-6-2, averaging 2.5 goals, 4.5 assists, 3.3 penalties and 7.9 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.
INJURIES: Jets: Nino Niederreiter: out (lower body), Vladislav Namestnikov: out (lower body), Colin Miller: out (knee), Elias Salomonsson: out (concussion).
Kraken: Ryan Winterton: out (personal), Shane Wright: day to day (upper-body).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes will try to continue a three-game win streak with a victory over the Ottawa Senators.
Ottawa has a 39-27-10 record overall and a 19-12-6 record on its home ice. The Senators serve 9.9 penalty minutes per game to rank eighth in NHL play.
Carolina has a 21-11-4 record in road games and a 49-21-6 record overall. The Hurricanes have a 21-8-1 record in games they score one or more power-play goals.
The teams meet Sunday for the third time this season. The Hurricanes won the previous meeting 4-3. Seth Jarvis scored two goals in the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Drake Batherson has 31 goals and 33 assists for the Senators. Warren Foegele has three goals and one assist over the last 10 games.
Sebastian Aho has 26 goals and 52 assists for the Hurricanes. Nikolaj Ehlers has scored four goals and added eight assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Senators: 5-4-1, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.4 assists, 3.8 penalties and 9.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.
Hurricanes: 7-3-0, averaging 3.8 goals, 6.2 assists, 3.6 penalties and 7.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
INJURIES: Senators: Dennis Gilbert: out (upper-body), Thomas Chabot: out (forearm), Tyler Kleven: out (upper body), Carter Yakemchuk: out (concussion), Nick Jensen: out (lower-body).
Hurricanes: Pyotr Kochetkov: out (hip).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals continued their impressive start to IPL 2026, registering their second consecutive wins on Saturday. Led by Riyan Parag, RR defeated Gujarat Titans, while Delhi Capitals got the better of five-time champions Mumbai Indians. The two teams now occupy the top two spots on the points table with four points each, separated only by net run rate.
For Gujarat Titans, it was a second straight defeat in the tournament.
How RR won:
Rajasthan Royals held their nerve in a thriller to beat Gujarat Titans by six runs. Despite a fighting knock from Sai Sudharsan and a late push from Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, RR spinner Ravi Bishnoi’s four-wicket haul turned the game in their favour.
Chasing a stiff target, GT needed 11 runs in the final over, but Tushar Deshpande kept his composure, conceding just four runs and dismissing Rashid Khan (24 off 16), who had stitched a crucial 43-run stand with Rabada (23* off 16).
Deshpande delivered a superb final over, consistently hitting the blockhole and bowling wide yorkers with precision, as RR edged past GT in a nail-biting finish. It marked Royals’ second successive win, while the Ashish Nehra-coached Titans slumped to back-to-back losses.
Earlier, half-centuries from Dhruv Jurel (75 off 42) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (55 off 36) powered RR to 210/6.
In reply, Sudharsan’s classy 73 kept GT in the hunt, but they slipped to 161/7 before Rabada and stand-in skipper Rashid nearly pulled off a heist.
How DC won:
For the second match in a row, Sameer Rizvi played a match-defining knock, this time smashing a brilliant 90 off 51 balls to guide Delhi Capitals to a comfortable six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians.
On a slow black-soil surface that eased out later, stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with 51 as MI posted 162/2. The innings never quite gained momentum, despite a steady 53-run stand between Suryakumar and Rohit Sharma. DC pulled things back well in the latter stages, restricting MI to just 38 runs in the final four overs, with Mukesh Kumar returning figures of 2/26.
In response, DC were 73/3 at one stage before Rizvi took charge. The youngster struck seven fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 176.47, shifting the momentum decisively. He added 66 and 78 runs with Pathum Nissanka (44) and David Miller (21*), respectively, as DC chased down the target with 11 balls to spare.
Rizvi’s seven sixes are the joint-most by a DC batter against MI in IPL history and his knock is the third-highest score by a DC player against the five-time champions.
What’s next:
Rajasthan Royals will take on Mumbai Indians on April 7, while Delhi Capitals face Gujarat Titans on April 8.
Future of Real Madrid coach hangs in the balance; UCL to decide everything
Heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures, Real Madrid were firmly in contention for two trophies this season – the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
But following a shock defeat to Mallorca, Real Madrid are one step out of the exit door, as far as the race for the league title is concerned, with Barcelona extending their lead at the top to seven points.
This leaves Real Madrid in a precarious position, and it could reflect on the future of Alvaro Arbeloa, the head coach.
Arbeloa faces uncertain future
According to Sky Sports (h/t RM4Arab), Arbeloa is facing an uncertain future at Santiago Bernabeu, especially after the shock defeat to Mallorca.
Real Madrid are aware that their chances of winning the La Liga are slim, now that Barcelona have secured a seven-point lead, with just eight matches remaining.
Fresh clouds of uncertainty over Arbeloa’s future. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
This leaves Los Blancos with just the Champions League to play for, in what has been truly a disappointing season.
This could have a bearing on Arbeloa’s future. After all, it was under the Spaniard that Real Madrid were knocked out of the Copa Del Rey and now quite possibly the La Liga as well.
If Arbeloa’s men cannot navigate the challenge of Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League this midweek, there could be serious question marks over his continuity.
It is no secret that Real Madrid are already on the lookout for potential coaches who can replace Arbeloa, having been closely linked with a move for Jurgen Klopp.
The coming game against Bayern Munich, therefore, will be a litmus test for Arbeloa as he looks to once again, although repeating the feat achieved against Man City could prove to be much more difficult against Vincent Kompany’s in-form Bayern team.
But first, a quick trip to the 2026 Valero Texas Open which begins Thursday at TPC San Antonio. It'll be the last tournament before Augusta, with $9.8 million up for grabs.
Here's a look at the purse and total prize money for the final PGA Tour event before the Masters, the Valero Texas Open.
Who won the 2025 Texas Open?
Brian Harman won the 2025 Texas Open, taking home the largest share of the $9.5 million purse.
What's the total purse for the 2026 Valero Texas Open?
The total purse for the 2026 Valero Texas Open is $9.8 million.
How much money does the winner make at the 2026 Valero Texas Open
The winner of the Valero Texas Open receives $1.764 million, or 20 percent of the total purse.
But first, a quick trip to the 2026 Valero Texas Open which begins Thursday at TPC San Antonio. It'll be the last tournament before Augusta, with $9.8 million up for grabs.
Here's a look at the purse and total prize money for the final PGA Tour event before the Masters, the Valero Texas Open.
Who won the 2025 Texas Open?
Brian Harman won the 2025 Texas Open, taking home the largest share of the $9.5 million purse.
What's the total purse for the 2026 Valero Texas Open?
The total purse for the 2026 Valero Texas Open is $9.8 million.
How much money does the winner make at the 2026 Valero Texas Open
The winner of the Valero Texas Open receives $1.764 million, or 20 percent of the total purse.
Vardy suddenly involved in relegation battle with Cremonese
Jamie Vardy’s side, Cremonese, have surprisingly been involved in the Serie A survival race despite a stunning start to the season.
When Vady joined Cremonese on deadline day last summer, the newly promoted side had just shocked Serie A giants Milan at San Siro in the opening game of the campaign, securing a 2-1 victory.
Just a few weeks ago, Cremonese thought they were in a safe position, and very few would have expected to see them fighting for survival in the last two months of the campaign.
Yet this is exactly what’s going on as the relegation fight in Serie A is heating up, with sides like Cagliari, Lecce and Cremonese showing real fight and belief, proof that when the stakes are high, teams can rise to the occasion, much like choosing to play Rocketplay casino for real money and going all in on a winning run.
Vardy, a Leicester City legend, has scored five goals and provided two assists in 25 Serie A matches this term. Cremonese still expected a tough campaign, despite a very positive start to the season.
“We’ve always looked for hungry players, eager to keep the standard high,” Cremonese director Simone Giacchetta said in September, right after Vardy’s signature.
“One day, the idea came up to approach Vardy. We’re talking about a player who was a top scorer in the Premier League and has won so much.
“He knows sacrifice and thrives in adversity. I believe we are alike in this. He is an excellent embodiment of the philosophy that if you genuinely believe, dreams do come true.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 01: Davide Nicola, Head Coach of Cremonese, congratulates Jamie Vardy of Cremonese following the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and US Cremonese at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 01, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Cremonese sadly had to sack their coach, Davide Nicola, in mid-March, calling Serie A veteran Marco Giampaolo to replace him.
The Grigiorossi had gone 15 games without winning, collecting just four points in the process, so the decision on Nicola felt inevitable.
Giampaolo’s impact has already brought positive results as the ex-Milan coach won his first game in charge away at Parma, boosting Cremonese’s survival hopes, yet their job is far from finished.
Currently, Cremonese are level on 27 points with Lecce, technically just outside the relegation zone thanks to goals scored, but if the two sides find themselves with the same amount of points at the end of the season, then the team dropping to Serie B will be determined by a dramatic relegation play-off after the regular season.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 01: Jamie Vardy of Cremonese acknowledges the fans as he leaves the pitch after being substituted during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and US Cremonese at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 01, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Pisa and Hellas Verona’s fate seems already sealed as the two sides have earned just 18 points each and are currently nine points below safety.
Lecce and Cremonese, on the other hand, will battle it out with Fiorentina (29 points) and Cagliari (30), while Torino, Genoa and Parma look safer as they are much closer to the 40-point mark that usually means survival.
Former executive confirms that Xabi Alonso will replace Arne Slot this summer
Xabi Alonso next in line to Liverpool throne
Slot is understandably under a lot of pressure at Anfield, and there has been plenty of speculation over who could replace him.
Of the several names linked, Xabi Alonso is the man who has the most people talking and rumours of a Merseyside return are rife.
Everton’s former chief executive Kieth Wyness has offered some insight into Alonso’s situation, telling Football Insider: “From my point of view and my contacts in Spain are saying that, yes, [Xabi Alonso] would be the one in waiting to come back.”
This update won’t come as a shock to the many supporters who already believe that Alonso should be Liverpool’s head coach heading into next season.
The Spaniard has been linked with the job ever since Jurgen Klopp announced his departure in 2024 and Slot’s dismissal would open the door for the former Red to return to Anfield, this time in the dugout.
The complexity of the situation behind the scenes at Liverpool complicates matters too as Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards are both about to enter the final year of their deals.
Slot’s future hasn’t been decided yet and the Dutchman could still turn things around at Anfield, but it feels increasingly likely that Xabi Alonso will be the man to replace him if a change is made.
Tom Atcheson: United take key step in pursuit of Blackburn prodigy
Manchester United are third in the Premier League table after 31 games and are attempting to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League. A return to the premier European club competition could significantly impact the Red Devils’ ability to attract top talent over the summer.
The English giants are preparing to revamp their midfield to offset the departure of Casemiro, whose contract expires at the end of this season. The Brazilian has been an influential figure in the middle of the park for United, and they are likely to target an established face to take his place in the team.
However, INEOS have also revamped the Red Devils’ transfer policy since taking control, and have been on the lookout for emerging talents across the globe in recent times. This strategy has worked wonders of late, with the club now home to several talented youngsters who are helping forge a stellar backbone for the future.
United’s recent youth investments
United signed Leny Yoro from Lille in the summer of 2024, signalling a shift in transfer approach. The highly rated French defender, who was just 18 years old at the time, was also wanted by Real Madrid, but the Red Devils managed to win the race.
The English giants ended the summer by signing another exciting midfield talent, Sekou Kone, from Guidars FC. United then delved into the winter transfer market to pick up Ayden Heaven from Arsenal before investing in Patrick Dorgu.
The Red Devils continued the trend last summer, signing Diogo Leon and Benjamin Sesko to add to their impressive youth brigade. The Premier League giants also boast the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Shea Lacey in their squad, while fans are eager to catch a glimpse of JJ Gabriel, who is earning rave reviews with the youth side.
It now appears that the Premier League giants have identified another raw jewel who can be moulded into a diamond at the Theatre of Dreams.
United want Tom Atcheson
According to TEAMtalk, United have set their sights on Blackburn Rovers defender Tom Atcheson. The 19 year old rose through the ranks at Ewood Park and broke into the first team last December.
Atcheson has been a revelation under manager Michael O’Neill and has also worked under former Blackburn and Red Devils star Phil Jones. The teenager’s impressive performances have prompted the Lancashire club to tie him down to a new deal, although that has not affected the rising interest in his signature.
There have already been comparisons with Jones, and it now appears that the player could follow a similar path and end up at Old Trafford. The report states: “There are already comparisons being drawn between Atcheson and Jones, who famously progressed through Blackburn’s ranks before earning a high-profile move to Manchester United, and we understand a similar pathway could emerge.”
“United are among a number of clubs keeping a close eye on Atcheson’s development, but they are far from alone. We can reveal that Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Sunderland, Everton, Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion have all made checks on the defender in recent weeks.”
The report also mentions interest from foreign clubs, with RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta and Napoli also hot on Atcheson’s heels.
Final Thoughts
United’s previous success was built on the backbone of youth, and the club’s revamped transfer policy signals that they are on the right path. Fans will be eager to see a few more exciting young talents come through the door this summer, and one hopes Atcheson will also be among them.
Chennai Super Kings head into a crucial clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday, looking to bounce back after a disappointing five-wicket loss to Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Despite posting 209 on the board, powered by a fluent 73 off 43 balls from Ayush Mhatre, CSK failed to defend the total as Punjab chased it down with eight balls remaining. Shreyas Iyer led the charge with a composed fifty, while early fireworks from Priyanshu Arya (39 off 11) set the tone for the chase.
Following the defeat, Ravichandran Ashwin called for patience from fans, urging them not to target the younger players.
“My request to CSK fans is, please do not slam any player. Support each and every one of them," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“Being a fan of a team isn’t just about winning. The five titles CSK have won is a legacy, but the youngsters shouldn’t be burdened with the weight of it," he explained.
“The burden shouldn’t fall on Ayush Mhatre or Urvil Patel. They have to go out and play with joy. They willl learn and couple of years down the line, the side will become invincible again," he revealed.
CSK’s innings had begun with Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad opening, but Samson’s struggles continued as he fell cheaply once again. Mhatre then steadied things alongside Gaikwad, racing to a 29-ball fifty and taking CSK past 100 inside 10 overs before Yuzvendra Chahal removed the skipper for 28. Mhatre carried on before being dismissed by Vijaykumar Vyshak, who also climbed to the top of the Purple Cap standings.
However, the bigger concern for CSK remains their bowling unit. Across two matches, they have leaked 338 runs in just 30.5 overs while taking only seven wickets. Even their spinners, Noor Ahmad and Rahul Chahar, were expensive against Punjab, conceding 84 runs in eight overs without the challenge of dew. The pace attack of Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj has also struggled to make an impact.
Things do not get easier for CSK as they now face a confident RCB side that looks far more balanced than in previous seasons. Led by Virat Kohli at the top, RCB’s batting unit appears settled, with Devdutt Padikkal rediscovering form through a blistering 26-ball 61 in their previous outing and skipper Rajat Patidar anchoring the middle order effectively.
RCB’s bowling, once considered their weak link, has shown significant improvement. In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Jacob Duffy impressed with a three-wicket haul, using sharp short-pitched deliveries to trouble opposition batters. The team may also consider bringing in left-arm pacer Mangesh Yadav in place of Abhinandan Singh. Meanwhile, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma have provided control in the middle overs.
For CSK, much will depend on Samson rediscovering form quickly. With scores of 6 and 7 so far, the T20 World Cup winner has not provided the strong starts expected of him. A clash against RCB could be the perfect stage for a turnaround, but unless their bowling unit improves significantly, CSK face an uphill battle against an in-form Bengaluru side.
The NFL draft is right around the corner, and the excitement is building as fans look ahead to their favorite team's player haul. Unfortunately, there are times when the excitement about a certain prospect turns to disappointment when the team bypasses them for a better system fit.
Good organizations do a masterful job of balancing talent and fit, something often overlooked by those who passively follow the draft and play the name-recognition game. The key, though, is for teams to find the best combination of both traits and pull the trigger on the prospect. ESPN’s Matt Bowen took a look at some of the best draft prospects and found one he believes is a great fit for the Tennessee Titans.
LB Sonny Styles to the TitansHeight: 6-5 | Weight: 244College: Ohio State
Where Tennessee could get him: Pick No. 4
This would be a great first pick for new coach Robert Saleh, giving him a rare "stack" linebacker -- inside linebacker or 4-3 outside linebacker -- with high-level testing numbers. Styles' 43½-inch vertical jump at the combine was the highest by an off-ball linebacker since 2003 and the second highest by any linebacker in that span.
Styles will show up in the box and on the edges of the formation as a run defender. He can fire into blockers to hold the point or scrape through to track the ball with his 4.46 speed. Plus, in Saleh's loaded fronts, Styles can be schemed as a blitzer or fall back late in coverage. Despite his large frame, he can play the hook to curl or carry the seams. There's big-time upside here for a linebacker who can develop into the Fred Warner role under Saleh.
Styles is one of the prospects who has flown under the radar and has only sporadically been connected to the Titans during the pre-draft process. While there is no doubt he is one of the better athletes and linebackers in this class and a scheme fit, he hasn’t received the attention one would expect. Making him an unlikely target for the fourth-overall selection.
PEORIA — Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood built a 28-9 team through home runs with international talent and finding a freshman who will be an NBA lottery pick.
It added up to a dream season for the 39-year coach as his team earned a Final Four appearance and nearly got him the chance to play for a national title.
That run ended Saturday night with a Final Four loss to UConn.
So what happens next for Illinois?
Freshman guard Keaton Wagler, who was brilliant in the NCAA Tournament, will be gone in the NBA Draft, where early mocks have him going seventh overall.
Two seniors from the Illini rotation, Ben Humrichous and Kylan Boswell (13.1 points per game) move on.
The rest of the team has eligibility, notably key pieces from the international harvest in David Mirkovic (13.6 points per game), Andrej Stojakovic and Tomislav Ivisic (10.2 points per game).
The incoming recruiting class includes 6-foot-6 small forward Lucas Morillo, rated the No. 59 prospect in the nation. He signed in October.
The Illini also just added 4-star guard Quentin Coleman, who had originally signed with Wake Forest but acquired his release and announced his commitment to Illinois on Friday.
He is Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year. He scored 50 points while leading St. Louis Principia to the Missouri Class 3A state championship.
Will the nine players who could return with Illinois actually do so? The NCAA transfer portal will open on Tuesday, and in this era of college basketball, teams can go from standing pat to being buyers overnight.
Illinois, though, has a high floor to work with in 2026-27. It's biggest need will be reloading the backcourt, finding a lead playmaker with Wagler and Boswell now gone.
It's Final Four time again, and no doubt some Washington Commanders have a keen interest.
The four teams in this year's men's college basketball Final Four are Illinois, Connecticut, Michigan, and Arizona. Number one seeds Florida and Duke did not make it out of their regions, so Illinois and UCONN advanced from those regions. On the other hand, Arizona and Michigan were both favored to advance and often were dominant in their victories, advancing to Indianapolis.
Several Commanders actually played their college football at these schools. Here is the breakdown of Washington players who played for the 2026 Final Four schools.
Nick Allegretti (G) will turn 30 later in April. He finished his college career with Illinois during the 2018 season. He was then drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 7th round (216 overall). After playing five seasons for the Chiefs, Allegretti has played the last two with the Commanders. Allegretti is transitioning from guard to center this season.
Quan Martin (S) played his college years at Illinois, finishing in the 2022 season. The Commanders drafted Martin 47th overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Martin had an interception return for a touchdown against the Lions in the 2024 playoffs. He struggled in 2025, so 2026 is a big year for his career.
Jer'Zhan (Johnny) Newton (DT) enters his third NFL season after being drafted by the Commanders 36th overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. After being injured most of his first offseason, Newton was expected to have a much more impactful second season. But it hasn't really happened yet for Newton. He seems to have been pushed around inside. If Washington moves to a 3-4, Newton may be more effective playing end rather than tackle.
Jake Moody (K) played his college ball at The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, having last played there in 2022. Drafted by the 49ers 99 overall in 2023, Moody has also kicked for the Bears and then the Commanders in 2025.
Mike Sainristil (CB) was an effective starter on the Michigan National Championship team of of 2023. Nick Saban said Sainristil might potentially "be the best football player pound-for-pound" in the 2024 draft. However, Saintistil has really struggled in coverage in the slot in his first two seasons. Hopefully he can turn things around in new DC Daronte Jones' defensive scheme.
Arizona Wildcats
Jacory Croskey-Merritt actually played for three colleges (Alabama St, New Mexico, and Arizona). JCM was drafted by the Commanders in the 7th round (245 overall) in the 2025 draft. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry in his rookie season and had a long of a 72-yard touchdown run against Dallas.
According to ESPN, there are currently no players in the NFL who played their college ball at UConn.
Unfortunately for those Commanders representing Illinois and Arizona, it was a tough night. UConn eliminated Illinois in the first game, while Michigan shockingly blew out Arizona, meaning the Huskies and Wolverines will play for the national championship on Monday night.
Continuing our series that began this month and will run until the 2026 NFL Draft begins April 23, The Detroit News will spotlight one prospect a day who could be a first-round fit for the Detroit Lions, who own the 17th overall pick. Assuming the Lions don't trade out, it'll be their highest selection since running back Jahmyr Gibbs went No. 12 in 2023.
Today's focus will be on Auburn defensive lineman Keldric Faulk.
By the numbers
▶ 12 appearances in 2025
▶ 29 tackles (five for loss), two sacks, 30 pressures, four pass deflections
▶ 556 defensive snaps (316 pass rush, 237 run defense, three coverage)
▶ 43 special teams snaps (40 field goal block, three punt return)
Career overview
Faulk first committed to Florida State in July 2022 but flipped to Auburn five months later, opting to stick close to his hometown of Highland Home, Alabama. Faulk was a top-100 recruit rated by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 10 defensive lineman in the Class of 2023, behind a couple other draft-eligible players in 2026 like Clemson's Peter Woods and T.J. Parker.
As a true freshman, Faulk played 441 snaps on defense, forced into a larger-than-expected role after Auburn's veteran starter at defensive end (Mosiah Nasili-Kite) was lost for the season due to injury. Faulk, a lengthy defender with plus athleticism, held his own, totaling 24 defensive stops. He became a full-time starter in 2024 and took the leap many expected from him, finishing his sophomore campaign with 45 tackles (11 for loss), 33 defensive stops, seven sacks and 45 pressures.
That positive progression wouldn't extend to 2025, though, at least not as a pass rusher. Faulk excelled defending the run as a junior but struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, recording 30 pressures and two sacks over 12 appearances. His win rate as a pass rusher (11.6%) ranked 46th out of 126 defensive linemen (both interior and on the edge) who rushed the passer on at least 295 snaps.
Analysis
The fear with Faulk is obvious: What if he doesn't develop as a pass rusher? Six other defensive ends are getting first-round buzz — Rueben Bain Jr. (23.5%), David Bailey (21.6%), Akheem Mesidor (20.8%), Cashius Howell (19.9%), Zion Young (17.4%) and Parker (15.4%) — and each of them had a pass-rush win rate inside the top 25 among qualified FBS players last season, compared to Faulk (11.6%) at 46th.
Looking through an optimistic lens, Faulk has youth and athleticism on his side. Still only 20 years old (he won't be 21 until September), he already possesses an imposing frame (6-foot-6, 276 pounds, 34⅜-inch arms) and has three seasons of experience in the SEC. There were 88 prospects at the combine who weighed in at or above 270 pounds. Faulk's broad jump (9 feet, 9 inches) and vertical leap (35 inches) were second and tied for third among that group, respectively, and his 40-yard dash at Auburn's Pro Day (4.67 seconds) would've been first (his 40-yard dash also would've been tied for 10th among all defensive ends, regardless of size).
The run defense was seriously impressive from Faulk, who earned Third-Team All-SEC honors from the conference's coaches despite a step back in his numbers as a pass rusher. Faulk lined up everywhere on Auburn's defensive line (from outside the offensive tackle to on the interior as a nose tackle) and finished the 2025 season with a run defense grade from Pro Football Focus (85.5) that was tied for 12th among the 388 linemen who defended the run on at least 200 snaps.
Another positive for Faulk is his character. For some prospects, that's a buzzword. But for Faulk, there's real-world examples. He became the youngest player to ever represent Auburn at SEC Media Days ahead of his sophomore season (those events are typically reserved for upperclassmen who've gained the coaching staff's trust to represent the program on a big-time stage), and he used a portion of his NIL compensation from last season to help a walk-on teammate pay for his tuition.
Some teams could want Faulk to bulk up and play as a three-technique at the next level, but the Lions are already set on the interior, with Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams as their starters. In Faulk, the Lions would get a player who not only appears to fit the culture, both on and off the field, but one who would seemingly advance it. Faulk can help immediately on early downs but would need to progress as a rusher under defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers before seeing the field consistently in obvious passing situations.
D.J. Wonnum, signed from the Carolina Panthers in free agency, is poised to receive much of the early-down opportunities across from Aidan Hutchinson next season, but his presence shouldn't preclude the Lions from taking Faulk, if they believe he's the best player on their board. The upside with Faulk is clear, but there's certainly risk using a first-round pick on him, assuming he's asked to play defensive end.
Another week of stellar high school sports action from Wilmington area athletes brings us a stacked StarNews Athlete of the Week poll.
From multiple grand slams to an 11-goal lacrosse performance, each of the nominees in this poll can be found in our top performers file. There you'll find every big Wilmington-area high school sports performance from the entire week of March 30-April 4.
Now it's time to vote. Below you will find 29 nominees to choose for StarNews Athlete of the Week. Voting ends Thursday, April 9, at 11:59 p.m. Vote now through the poll below as many times as you like.
On Monday, April 6, the Gaston County Easter Tournament returns to historic Sims Legion Park in Gastonia. Reigning champion Stuart Cramer is back, with tournament mainstays Ashbrook, Forestview, Highland Tech, North Gaston and South Point also in the mix. Gaston Christian is also part of this year’s event, as is Huntersville’s Christ the King.
A little more than 30 minutes to the west, Keeter Stadium serves as site of the Shelby Easter Baseball Tournament. Taking place over the course of four days, the event features the host Golden Lions, as well as Cleveland County rivals Burns, Crest and Kings Mountain. CHASE, Piedmont, South Caldwell and Tuscola will also vie for the 2026 tournament crown.
Lincolnton and West Lincoln will also be busy during spring break, the rival programs serving as co-hosts of the 8-Mile Spring Break Baseball Tournament. Grace Academy, Langtree Charter, Pinnacle Classical, SouthLake Christian, Ultimate Baseball Academy (Waxhaw) and West Caldwell are also part of the tournament field.
Gaston County Easter Tournament
Key info
Dates: April 6-8
Venue: Sims Legion Park, Gastonia
Defending champion: Stuart Cramer
Favorite: Gaston Christian; the Eagles enter tournament play with an 11-1 record, winners of five in a row. In addition to stellar play, the bracket offers Gaston Christian a clearer path to the tournament final, missing out on matchups with highly-regarded clubs in South Point and Stuart Cramer until the championship game.
Tournament schedule
Monday, April 6
Game 1: Christ the King vs. North Gaston, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Forestview vs. Stuart Cramer, 2 p.m.
Game 3: Ashbrook vs. Gaston Christian, 4 p.m.
Game 4: South Point vs. Highland Tech, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 7
Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 3 loser, 11 a.m.
Game 6: Game 2 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 1 p.m.
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 1 winner, 4 p.m. p.m.
Game 8: Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8
Seventh-place game, 11 a.m.
Fifth-place game, 1 p.m.
Third-place game, 4 p.m.
Tournament championship, 6:30 p.m.
Shelby Easter Baseball Tournament
Key info
Dates: April 6-9
Venue: Keeter Stadium, Shelby
Defending champion: Crest
Favorite: Crest; the Chargers are on a roll of late, winners of six consecutive games. During the stretch, Crest has outscored opponents 79-4. A potential clash with an impressive South Caldwell team may loom in the tournament final, the Spartans boasting a 12-2 record of their own.
Tournament schedule
Monday, April 6
Game 1: South Caldwell at Shelby, 4 p.m.
Game 2: CHASE at Burns, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 7
Game 3: Tuscola vs. Kings Mountain, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Piedmont vs. Crest, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8
Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 11 a.m.
Game 6: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 1:30 p.m.
Game 7: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 9
Seventh-place game, 11 a.m.
Fifth-place game, 1:30 p.m.
Third-place game, 4 p.m.
Championship, 7 p.m.
8-Mile Spring Baseball Tournament
Key info
Dates: April 6-8
Venue: Lincolnton High School; West Lincoln High School, Vale
Favorite: West Lincoln; the Rebels have had a rough go of late, losers of seven straight as part of a tough Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A schedule. Should it get past Grace Academy — one of a pair of teams in the tournament field with a winning record — the bracket opens up in West Lincoln’s favor.
Tournament schedule
Monday, April 6
At Lincolnton High
Ultimate Baseball Academy vs. SouthLake Christian, 5 p.m.
Pinnacle Classical at Lincolnton, 7:30 p.m.
At West Lincoln High
Langtree Charter vs. West Caldwell, 5 p.m.
Grace Academy at West Lincoln, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 7
At Lincolnton High
Ultimate Baseball Academy/SouthLake Christian loser vs. Pinnacle/Lincolnton loser, 5 p.m.
Ultimate Baseball Academy/SouthLake Christian winner vs. Pinnacle/Lincolnton winner, 7:30 p.m.
At West Lincoln High
Langtree Charter/West Caldwell loser vs. Grace Academy/West Lincoln loser, 5 p.m.
Langtree Charter/West Caldwell winner vs. Grace Academy/West Lincoln winner, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8
Seventh-place game at West Lincoln High, 5 p.m.
Fifth-place game at Lincolnton High, 5 p.m.
Third-place game at West Lincoln High, 7:30 p.m.
Championship at Lincolnton High, 7:30 p.m.; game will be held at West Lincoln High should the Rebels advance to the tournament final and Lincolnton does not.
The Bruins will attempt to avoid a third straight loss when they travel to Philadelphia for a clash with the Flyers.
Boston dropped the first two games of a four-game road trip, losing to Florida on Thursday and Tampa Bay on Saturday. However, the Bruins still hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 94 points.
The Flyers are also in the thick of the wild-card race with 88 points. Philadelphia will play in front of its home crowd after securing a road victory against the Islanders on Friday.
Here is everything you need to know about Bruins vs. Flyers, including TV and streaming options for Sunday's game.
How to watch Bruins vs. Flyers today: TV channel, live stream
Bruins vs. Flyers will air live on TNT and truTV. The game will also be available to stream on DIRECTV.
Catch every game — try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live NHL, MLB, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1 and NFL Network — all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
Bruins vs. Flyers start time
Date: Sunday, April 5
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Bruins vs. Flyers is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 5. The game will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
The final semifinal berth in the 2025/26 FA Cup will be determined on Sunday as Premier League sides West Ham United and Leeds United square off in a spotlight showdown.
The match is the only one of the day, with the other three semifinals being contested the day prior on Saturday.
Both sides are in the mix for relegation from the Premier League, meaning a spot in the final four of the FA Cup would be an enormous confidence boost for the stretch run of league play this season. With just seven matches remaining, Leeds sit 15th, four points above the drop, while West Ham are in 18th — the first relegation place — a point below Tottenham, the final safe club.
West Ham have not reached the semifinals of the FA Cup since 2006, when they finishes as runners-up of the competition, while the Hammers have not lifted the trophy since 1980. Leeds, meanwhile, were last in the FA Cup semifinals in 1987, falling short the last three times they reached this stage, and they have not won the title since 1972.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
West Ham vs. Leeds live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this FA Cup quarterfinal match in English across the United States:
This FA Cup quarterfinal match will be televised in the United States on ESPN2, which can be found streaming on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time does West Ham vs. Leedskick off?
This FA Cup quarterfinal clash takes place at the Olympic Stadium in London, England and kicks off on Saturday, April 4 at 4:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the United States:
Leon Goretzka has made 71 appearances in the Champions League. The 31-year-old always brings his experience to bear for Bayern whenever he’s needed. He will now do the same in the hotly anticipated quarter-final matches against Real Madrid. Goretzka, who won the Champions League with the Munich side in 2020, has taken to the pitch against Los Blancos three times in Europe’s top club competition. In an interview ahead of April’s blockbuster tie, he reveals what he has learnt from those matches, when he received a standing ovation at the Bernabéu, and which away fixture in Madrid was a “nightmare” for him.
Goretzka arrived looking relaxed for his interview with fcbayern.com and seemed at ease. There was just one week to go until the pivotal clash with Real. It will be Goretzka’s final matches with Bayern against the Spanish side, as he will leave Munich in the summer after eight years. “In the winter, I made a conscious decision to stay here until the summer. I feel that anything really is possible this season,” Goretzka said. Bayern are in the semi-finals of the DFB Cup, have a big lead in the Bundesliga, and are now aiming to secure a place in the Champions League semi-finals when they face Madrid.
But what is the secret behind Bayern’s success this season? “The right players are in the right place, with the right coach, at the right club. I‘m absolutely convinced that we can win everything this year – even though I know how difficult that is. But we’ll give it a try,” Goretzka stated. Yes, anything is possible.
There was plenty at stake for the then 20-year-old Goretzka in March 2015 when he made his first appearance at the Bernabéu with Schalke. The Royal Blues won 4-3 against the overwhelming favourites and defending champions in the second leg of the round of 16. “Back then with Schalke, we were just one goal short of going through. Benedikt Höwedes had a huge chance in stoppage time. That was the match in which Leroy Sané really made his mark for the first time. Although it didn’t quite work out, it’s a very fond memory because we received a standing ovation from the Bernabéu at the end,” Goretzka recalled.
In addition to home matches against Real Madrid with Schalke and Bayern, Goretzka has faced Los Blancos in Madrid once more, in what the midfielder called the “nightmare match”. “Unfortunately, under Thomas Tuchel, we had that match when we thought we were already in the final. Sadly, it wasn’t enough in the end.” Goretzka spent 90 minutes on the bench. The Reds had led 1-0 into the closing moments following a great goal from Alphonso Davies. An away win would have been enough to reach the final following the 2-2 draw in the first leg, but substitute Joselu scored twice in the closing minutes to knock Bayern out of the competition. The Munich side now head to the Bernabéu again on Tuesday looking to be the ones celebrating two years on from their last-minute elimination.
Dieser Inhalt kann hier leider nicht dargestellt werden. Zum Anschauen kannst du die Website des FC Bayern München besuchen:Artikel auf fcbayern.com
“We haven’t had much success against Real recently. We’d very much like to turn around the statistics from recent years,” Goretzka added. Bayern have failed to win any of their last eight Champions League matches against the 15-time European champions – even though, apart from the 4-0 defeat in the 2014 semi-final home leg, every single game was extremely close. “To a German, Real Madrid always sounds like the Champions League. They are the champions in this competition and have been the dominant team over the past 10 to 15 years. These are two giants of European football going head to head,” Goretzka enthuses.
The Madrid giants have had their ups and downs this season. As a result, former player Álvaro Arbeloa took over as coach in January, replacing Xabi Alonso, the ex-Madrid and Munich midfield maestro. In La Liga, Real are battling it out with their long-standing rivals Barcelona for the title, but currently sit in second place. In the Champions League’s league stage, Los Blancos dropped out of the top eight on the final matchday and were therefore forced to contest the play-offs against Benfica, progressing 3-1 on aggregate. In a period of uncertainty – with key players such as Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham sidelined – Vinicius Jr. and his teammates demonstrated their class to oust Premier League giants Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the round of 16. Top scorer Mbappé and Bellingham are now fit to face Bayern.
“They’re a world-class side with outstanding individual quality on the pitch. They’ve had some very, very good – but also some bad – moments this season. At the moment, you never really know what you’ll get from them,” Goretzka explained in analysis. “Experience tells us that they usually manage to pull something off in the Champions League. But we’ll be prepared for that.” Bayern will need to deliver a top performance twice against Rea. And the enthusiasm, confidence and focus that Goretzka already exuded a week ahead of the European showdown.
Tonda Eckert admits they tried to hurt Arsenal with long balls
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has reflected on his side’s victory over Arsenal, admitting that the use of long balls formed part of their tactical approach before adjustments were required during the match.
Arsenal entered the fixture as overwhelming favourites, particularly as one of the remaining teams from the Premier League in the competition. They began the game with aspirations of completing a treble by the end of the season, and many expected them to respond strongly after their recent defeat in the Carabao Cup final.
However, Southampton had been in impressive form leading into the match and produced another outstanding performance, with Eckert playing a decisive role in orchestrating the result from the touchline.
Tactical Flexibility
Eckert revealed that his side initially incorporated a direct approach into their game plan, but they were prepared to adapt once Arsenal responded. Speaking as quoted by Sky Sports, he explained:
“You always need to find a balance. It is not about going direct for the sake of being direct. They prepare for the long balls at one points, so we had to find shorter solutions.”
His comments show the importance of flexibility and awareness, with Southampton able to adjust their style when Arsenal began to anticipate their approach. This ability to vary their tactics ensured they remained unpredictable and difficult to contain throughout the match.
Lessons for Arsenal
Arsenal were ultimately undone by a well-executed tactical plan, and Southampton fully deserved their victory after delivering a disciplined and effective performance. Their organisation and adaptability allowed them to control key moments of the game and limit Arsenal’s impact.
From Arsenal’s perspective, the result is a disappointing setback, particularly given their ambitions this season. However, it also presents an opportunity for reflection and improvement. Learning from such defeats will be essential as they aim to respond positively in future fixtures.
Southampton’s success, meanwhile, underlines the value of preparation and in-game management, demonstrating how a clear strategy, combined with the willingness to adapt, can overcome even the strongest opponents.
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
An Easter message from Brentford club chaplain, Reverend Sarah Guinness
Brentford's club chaplain, reverend Sarah Guinness, has shared a special Easter message.
Supporters can read the full message below.
"Across the world of football, players like our very own Josh Dasilva, Igor Thiago and Fábio Carvalho are increasingly open about their faith in Jesus.
"They pray on the pitch or point to the sky after scoring and speak publicly about how their faith keeps them rooted – not in fame or performance, but in their identity as followers of Jesus.
"It would be easy to dismiss this as routine, superstition or a way to manage pressure, but for those players I talk to, faith is far more than that.
"It’s an anchor in a world marked by uncertainty and change, which offers an eternal perspective and a reason to be grateful every day.
"Again and again, I hear stories of fresh purpose, new beginnings and lives transformed, and instead of keeping it private, it’s infectious – after all, who isn’t drawn to a faith that says we’re more than our past mistakes and that God loves and accepts for who we are, not what we do.
"So, as we remember the last week of Jesus’ life – his last meal, his betrayal, death and resurrection, hope has the last word and we celebrate new life – Happy Easter!"
Gujarat Titans unearthed a moment of raw pace brilliance in IPL 2026 as Ashok Sharma sent down the quickest delivery of the season so far during their clash against the Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The young pacer consistently hurried the Royals batters, but it was the final ball of the 16th over that truly stood out. Charging in with intent, Sharma unleashed a searing yorker at 154.2 kmph to Dhruv Jurel, marking the fastest delivery recorded in the ongoing season. The effort not only highlighted his potential but also placed him among the quickest bowlers to feature in the league this year.
The Indian Premier League has long been a stage for extreme pace, with several fast bowlers pushing the limits of speed. Despite Sharma’s effort, the all-time record still belongs to Shaun Tait, whose thunderous 157.71 kmph delivery in 2011 remains unmatched. Representing the Rajasthan Royals, Tait produced that fiery spell against the then Delhi Daredevils in Jaipur. Bowling with hostility, he had already dismissed Virender Sehwag before testing Aaron Finch with sheer pace. The record delivery beat Finch all ends up, narrowly flying over the stumps.
Over the years, a few have come close. Lockie Ferguson clocked 157.3 kmph during the IPL 2022 final while playing for Gujarat Titans, falling just short of Tait’s mark. Meanwhile, Umran Malik set the benchmark for Indian pacers with a 157 kmph rocket for Sunrisers Hyderabad the same season, later earning an India call-up after a 22-wicket campaign. He also went on to record a 155 kmph delivery in international cricket against Sri Lanka in 2023.
More recently, Mayank Yadav made headlines in IPL 2024 by hitting 156.7 kmph for Lucknow Super Giants against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, registering one of the fastest deliveries by an Indian in the tournament.
Fastest deliveries in IPL history
Bowler
Team
Speed (kmph)
Opponent
Season
Shaun Tait
Rajasthan Royals
157.71
Delhi Daredevils
2011
Lockie Ferguson
Gujarat Titans
157.30
Rajasthan Royals
2022
Umran Malik
Sunrisers Hyderabad
157.00
Delhi Capitals
2022
Mayank Yadav
Lucknow Super Giants
156.70
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
2024
Anrich Nortje
Delhi Capitals
156.22
Rajasthan Royals
2020
Even as new names continue to emerge, Tait’s iconic Jaipur thunderbolt remains the benchmark for extreme pace in the IPL, with every new generation of fast bowlers chasing that elusive record.
Salah played for the first time since announcing his departure against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds are faced with an incredibly tough task as they try to replace the Egyptian King, but there are already a few names being floated as Salah’s heir.
Last summer’s acquisitions of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike will go some way towards replacing Salah’s output, but someone new will have to be added to fill Salah’s position in the squad.
Liverpool’s search is well underway and a new report is claiming they’ve already agreed personal terms with a potential Salah successor.
Liverpool agree Yan Diomande deal
One of the most spoken about young players in world football this season has been RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old sensation Yan Diomande, who is widely reported to be on Liverpool’s shortlist for the summer.
Leipzig are keen to keep hold of the electric winger, but a fee of €100 million (~£87m) could be enough for the German side to sanction a sale.
Now, a fresh report from Spanish outlet Fichajes is claiming that not only are the Reds preparing an offer nearing the €100m mark but they have also already agreed personal terms with the player.
The report states that the only obstacle left for Liverpool to overcome is a club-to-club agreement with Leipzig, who are reluctant to budge from their valuation.
Liverpool spent big last summer, with an outlay of over £400m, so some sales may be necessary before Leipzig’s price tag can be paid.
Signing Diomande would be a real show of intent from Liverpool, and if they truly have agreed personal terms with the youngster then a €100m offer could soon follow.
NEW YORK – A rare stolen base by Giancarlo Stanton led to a manufactured run, one of the more notable moments Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
But this bitter, windy Bronx night provided another glimpse at the Yankees’ overall approach.
They are a lot to handle, with a lineup that produces a lot of heavy at-bats. And on a night when their starter finally let them down, and some key relievers were shaky, well…
“Find a way,’’ said closer David Bednar, whose latest thrill-ride appearance saved a 9-7 win against the Miami Marlins.
In improving their season-opening record to 7-1, the Yankees’ path back from a 4-0 deficit was made that much harder as the Marlins (5-3) out-hit them, 15-6.
“It’s a scoring competition, not a hit competition,’’ said manager Aaron Boone, after his club drew 10 walks (they had 11 walks Friday) and used a Cody Bellinger two-run homer off starter Max Meyer to cut the lead in half.
Giancarlo Stanton: "I'll take what they give me''
Stanton used his high IQ more than his legs to help steal a run in the seventh, eventually scoring on a passed ball.
“I’m going to take what they give me, put us in a good opportunity,’’ said Stanton, who hadn’t swiped a base in a regular season game since 2020.
“He was aware, trusted his secondary (lead)’’ noting the position of the first baseman, said Boone. “In those situations, you actually slow it down a little too.
“I thought he executed it perfectly.’’
By surprising the Marlins, Stanton “fired up’’ the Yankees, said Bellinger. “A huge extra run there.’’
In the eighth, it was Stanton’s patient at-bat that produced the go-ahead, two-run single after Camilo Doval had blown a two-run lead.
Stanton fouled off two Michael Petersen fastballs before grounding a changeup toward the middle and just through for a go-ahead, two-run single.
“We’ve got 27 outs,’’ said Stanton. “If there’s outs on the board, we’ve got a chance.’’
Ryan Weathers knocked out in the fourth
In short order, these starts by Ryan Weathers and Luis Gil will become auditions to stay in the rotation.
Gil is due to re-enter the rotation Friday at Tampa Bay, the first time the Yanks will need a fifth starter. Carlos Rodon (elbow rehab, tight hamstring) could still return by May 1, and Gerrit Cole isn’t far behind.
Barring an injury, someone is going to the bullpen or the minors to make room, and Weathers’ first home start saw him run his pitch count to 88 in just 3.2 innings.
“Frustrating…it’s on me,’’ said Weathers, vowing to “pitch to contact’’ more often, rather than trying to put hitters away on strikeouts – a scenario that emerged Saturday.
"Thought he managed contact really well,'' said Boone, acknowledging that three walks and deep counts hurt Weathers. "But overall, I thought he threw the ball OK.''
Camilo Doval's struggles, Jazz Chisholm's careless mistake
Doval’s command issues crept in again, yielding two runs and failing to make it through the eighth, blowing a 6-4 lead.
With a three-run edge in the ninth, Bednar wasn’t helped by second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who played a routine grounder into a leadoff single due to his inattention and Otto Lopez’s hustle.
“Just kind of laid back on it. Credit to Lopez, who was getting down the line in a hurry. Probably figured he had plenty of time,’’ said Boone. “Obviously, we’ve got to make that (play).’’
Asked if he’d discuss it with Chisholm, Boone said: “We’ll see.’’
Three days removed from a 40-pitch, four-out save at Seattle, Bednar yielded a run and loaded the bases before striking out Griffin Conine to end it.
The Buffalo Bills know they're better with tight end Dalton Kincaid on the field. They just don't know how often he'll be on the field this summer.
Kincaid is making progress physically, but managing his workload could still be part of the plan entering the 2026 season, general manager Brandon Beane said at the NFL’s annual meetings on Monday.
The 2023 first-round pick missed five games last year and logged 25 or fewer snaps in eight games, including four with less than 20 snaps.
"I think Dalton did get stronger," Beane said. "I think he whole body held up better. I think just the knee was bothersome. You're fighting that battle of rest and not playing and getting out of rhythm versus keeping him going."
Buffalo has a highly effective weapon it can't fully unleash.
Kincaid played just 302 offensive snaps last season — 38% of the Bills’ total — as injuries continued to limit his availability.
It was a steep drop from his rookie year in 2023 (699 snaps), and from 2024 (471), when he first began dealing with knee issues.
Despite that, Kincaid remained one of Buffalo’s most productive pass-catchers.
He finished second on the team with 39 receptions and 571 receiving yards, and led the Bills with five touchdown catches. He also scored a touchdown in each playoff game.
Kincaid was targeted on 16.2% of his snaps, roughly one out of every six play.
Injuries have shaped Kincaid's role
Kincaid has missed nine games over the past two seasons while dealing with hamstring and knee injuries, including a torn PCL suffered in 2024 that continued to affect him last year.
Even when active, his workload was carefully governed.
“We tried to manage that,” Beane said. “When he was on the field, a lot of times it was probably a passing situation. We’d like for it to be where he’s able to play more.”
That led to increased roles for Dawson Knox and rookie Jackson Hawes, with Knox logging the most snaps at the position.
The focus this offseason is strengthening not just Kincaid’s knee, but everything around it.
“The number one thing is let’s get it stronger, not only the knee itself but around the knee,” Beane said. “You just hope you have no setbacks. Unfortunately that thing just flared up (last season) and it was tough to calm down."
Looking ahead to 2026
Beane said it's too early to determine how Kincaid will be handled in training camp, nothing the intensity of camp often reveals whether a player needs a modified schedule.
"We're hopeful and optimsitic that he he'll be able to (have a full workload), but i thik we'll just see how that goes," Beane said. "Is he kind of having to go two days on and one a little less or one off? I think we'll see how it's doing. We've just got to make sure it's smart."
The Bills' goal is to have Kincaid's body prepared for the rigors of a full 17-game season, something he has yet to complete.
"We've got to get him ready, get him kind of armored up, calloused if you will," Beane said.
Buffalo offensive-coordinator-turned-head-coach Joe Brady loved Kincaid's value when healthy.
"You guys saw him in the playoffs, right?" Brady said on Tuesday. "He's a difference-maker. You get him in matchups with safeties, linebackers. Critical moments with Josh (Allen) looking his way, but you want him out there. He did everything he had to do last offseason, too. When he's out there, we're better."
The challenge is keeping Kincaid out there for 2026.
Caroline Dubois and Terri Harper fight on Sunday night in London [Getty Images]
On Sunday night, either WBC world champion Caroline Dubois or WBO title-holder Terri Harper will strengthen their claim to be the world's best lightweight fighter.
The pair will meet in a unified title fight at London's Olympia Stadium.
London's Dubois is unbeaten in 13 professional bouts, with 12 wins and one draw. The 25-year-old has long been heralded as one of the brightest prospects in women's boxing.
Harper, from Doncaster, is a 29-year-old three-weight world champion who has shared the ring with some of the sport's best. Her record stands at 16 wins, two defeats and two draws.
So who will come out on top on Easter Sunday? Will Dubois maintain her unbeaten record against her rival or will Harper show she is far from finished?
BBC Sport asks figures from across the boxing world for their predictions.
"I'm so excited to see Caroline take on her biggest challenge yet and experience a three-division world champion in Terri. But I look forward to seeing Caroline back up all the confidence and show how great she really is. I got Caroline winning. I can't be too hard on her, I see what she's doing. It's not often I get to watch greatness and I believe Dubois is greatness."
Prediction - Dubois
Francesca Hennessy - British bantamweight:
"This will be a great fight, both girls are great fighters. I am really excited for this one, they have a bit of fire between them. If I had to chose I feel like Dubois will get the win on this one. I feel like skill-wise Dubois will get the win. But Harper is a great fighter herself. I reckon a points win for Dubois."
Prediction - Dubois
Shane McGuigan - Dubois' trainer:
"Anything can happen in a boxing match. It depends how Harper approaches the fight. If she comes out and genuinely tries to win the fight, she will walk on to something. If she goes super negative, it will go a bit later. But I do think Caroline will stop her."
Prediction - Dubois
Mikaela Mayer - American three-weight world champion:
"I think Harper is a good boxer. You know she's going to work hard, will do her best and always puts on fights that everyone wants to see.
"She's challenged herself against some top names so you have to respect her for that. But I don't know if she has the pedigree to beat Dubois, who has an extensive amateur career and is a very technically sound boxer.
"So if I had to put my money on it, I'd put it on a Dubois win but either way, it's going to be a great fight and I'm looking forward to it."
Prediction - Dubois
Shannon Courtenay - bantamweight boxer:
"It comes down to discipline under pressure. The fighter who controls the tempo and doesn't get emotional will win."
WBC champion Caroline Dubois has won 12 pro fights and drawn one - she faces WBO belt holder Terri Harper in London on Sunday [Reuters]
Family has always been central to Caroline Dubois' boxing story.
But two years ago, the now WBC lightweight champion - sister to former heavyweight world champion Daniel - left the family home where she was raised.
A row with her father, Stan Dubois (who also goes by the name Dave) under whose strict, high-pressure boxing regime both siblings grew up, was the catalyst.
Caroline walked away but continued training under Shane McGuigan, while Daniel went his own way. Some of her younger siblings went with her, carving out a new family dynamic in the process.
"It's such a messed-up situation. It's just so complex," Caroline, 25, says of the estranged relationship.
Speaking to BBC Sport from the McGuigan gym in Leyton, east London, Caroline - with her younger sister Alicia sitting beside her - says she hopes to reconcile with Daniel and suspects "time" will be the healer.
But it is a different story with her father.
"When you separate yourself from a person who can be overbearing, where you're not allowed to have an opinion and not allowed to have a voice, and then you have that freedom, you find what you like and what you dislike," she says.
"You find what you want to be around, what type of people you want to be with, and what type of people you don't want to be around."
'I can't watch Daniel fight' - pain of sibling split
Caroline Dubois is the reigning WBC lightweight champion, while her estranged brother Daniel is a former IBF heavyweight champion [Getty Images]
To understand why Dubois felt she needed to find her voice, you must look at how she started. Long before she was a world champion, she was a nine-year-old girl pretending to be a boy named Colin.
In a world that did not always see a future for female boxers, she tucked her hair into a headguard and lived a lie for months.
"I think it was obviously a reflection of the time, but the thing I find most sad is that they actually thought I was a boy. I mean, that's devastating," she quips. "But at the time, I was full Mulan... enjoying it, I didn't care."
That "Mulan" spirit served her well. She spent years walking into gyms known only as "Daniel's little sister," but soon carved out her own reputation, winning Youth Olympic gold, European gold and qualifying for the Olympics at just 19.
When both siblings were climbing the professional ranks, it was hailed as a family success story. But by the time Caroline beat Maira Moneo in 2024 to become WBC 'interim' champion, the relationship had already soured.
Daniel was not there to see his younger sister's crowning moment. Caroline, meanwhile, was not at Wembley Stadium when Daniel delivered his career-defining knockout of Anthony Joshua, nor was she at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when he lost his belt to Oleksandr Usyk.
For Caroline, the distance has been a necessary means of self-preservation.
"I haven't been able to watch him fight - in person or on TV - since I moved out," she says.
"I don't watch him as a friend, I watch him as a sister. It is hard if you're not there to speak to him and check in on him, go up to him afterwards and either console him or give him a slap on the back. It's been very hard."
BBC Sport has contacted representatives of Daniel Dubois, who did not want to speak on behalf of father Dave Dubois. He has previously said family "doesn't always go as smoothly as you would like it to".
Finding sanctuary in McGuigan gym
Shane McGuigan led Caroline to her first world title and says his fighter can become the pound-for-pound star of women's boxing [Reuters]
After a family split which predominately played out in private, Caroline found sanctuary and emotional support in the McGuigan gym.
McGuigan, who has guided multiple fighters to world titles, offered more than just tactical advice at her most difficult hour.
He offered perspective born of his own grief. In 2019, McGuigan lost his sister, the actress Nika McGuigan, to cancer aged just 33.
"A month later, I had Luke Campbell boxing for a unified world championship against Vasiliy Lomachenko," McGuigan says.
"My experience is that boxing saved me in those terrible times. My advice to Caroline was to use boxing as guidance. Control what you can, turn up, and keep going. It's about being strong and believing in yourself."
McGuigan noticed how his fighter was able to "compartmentalise" her personal issues, but insists the credit lies with her.
"I'm in the gym with her for two or three hours a day, that's just a fraction of the day," he adds.
"The other 21 hours are for thinking and reflecting and it must have been tough. She grew up in a massive family with all her siblings around, and now she has fewer siblings around.
"It's sad, but she's done a fantastic job adjusting."
Caroline and Daniel were both mostly home-schooled, but the difference in their personalities is striking.
Daniel can come across as reserved, even awkward, in front of the camera. Caroline, by contrast, has grown into a bold, outspoken presence.
"To be a world champ, you have to be confident," she says. "I'd say I've developed rather than changed in the past couple of years. When I started, I knew my own ability, but I hadn't proven it yet. Now I feel like I'm finally doing that."
Her first fight under the Most Valuable Promotions banner in December showcased that confidence in full.
She sparred verbally with the established Alycia Baumgardner and thrived under the glare of the Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua card on Netflix.
Caroline has also taken aim at Doncaster's Terri Harper, calling the three-weight world champion "irrelevant" and predicting what she expects will be an "easy night's work" in their unification bout on Sunday.
McGuigan calls the brashness part of an "alter ego", suggesting Caroline is playing the part, but also sees a deeper link to the independence she has carved out.
"Caroline didn't spend much time in school - only a year - so boxing was her only community. When she moved out, she had to find that community for herself and her siblings," he says.
At the end of the interview, when asked if she passes any wisdom down, Alicia - a year younger than Caroline - scoffs: "What wisdom?"
After a brief pause and a side-eye, Caroline joins in the laughter - a reminder that, however brash or independent she seems, family still sits at the centre of it all.
After four No. 1 seeds made this year's Women's Final Four, identical to last year's teams, only two remain to decide who will stand alone.
Last year's national champion, UConn, won't go back-to-back, as the Huskies fell to South Carolina in Friday's national semifinal. The Gamecocks didn't have a perfect season by any means, losing three times, but they are one win away from their fourth championship under Dawn Staley and third in five years.
UCLA doesn't bring the same kind of history to the title game, but the Bruins do bring a stifling defense after silencing Texas on Friday. With star Lauren Betts leading the way, UCLA is a win away from its first national championship in 48 years and first in the NCAA Tournament era.
Two stellar defenses will be on display on Sunday, but the confetti can only fall for one team.
Here is a complete guide to watching South Carolina vs. UCLA, including the start time, TV schedule and live stream information for the 2026 NCAA women’s tournament game.
South Carolina vs. UCLA will air on ESPN, with Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe on the call from the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.
Fans looking to stream the game can watch live on the ESPN app, which has carried every NCAA women’s basketball tournament game in 2026.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the new ESPN app.
Fans can also stream the game via Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers so you can try before you buy.
South Carolina vs. UCLA start time
Date: Sunday, April 5
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
The NCAA women’s National Championship game between South Carolina and UCLA will tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET from the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz.
South Carolina vs. UCLA radio coverage
Radio station: SiriusXM channel 203
Listen to South Carolina vs. UCLA in the 2026 NCAA women's basketball tournament live on the SiriusXM app or on channel 203 in vehicles.
Two of the top women's basketball programs in the country will collide when South Carolina and UCLA battle for the title on Sunday.
The Gamecocks got some revenge against UConn after a blowout loss in last year's national championship game, beating the Huskies in Friday's semifinal contest. South Carolina's stifling defense limited UConn to 31.1 percent shooting from the field in a 62-48 victory.
UCLA continued its impressive NCAA Tournament run with a 51-44 win over Texas, the only team that defeated the Bruins during the regular season. Senior center Lauren Betts led the way with 16 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
Which team will end the 2025-26 campaign with a championship celebration in Phoenix?
Here is everything you need to know about South Carolina vs. UCLA, including TV and streaming options for the national championship game.
South Carolina vs. UCLA will air nationally on ABC. Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo will be on the call, and Holly Rowe will serve as the sideline reporter.
Fans looking to stream South Carolina vs. UCLA can watch live on Fubo and the ESPN app.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and college sports, plus "SportsCenter," "First Take" and all your favorite ESPN shows — anytime, anywhere — only in the new ESPN app.
South Carolina vs. UCLA start time
Date: Sunday, April 5
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
South Carolina vs. UCLA is scheduled to tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 5. The game will be played at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.
Three players emerge as main culprits for Real Madrid after shock defeat to Mallorca
Real Madrid’s hopes of reclaiming their La Liga title suffered a catastrophic blow on Saturday evening as they slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat against Mallorca.
What was already a mounting pressure cooker in the title race has now turned into a nightmare for Alvaro Arbeloa’s side.
Following Barcelona’s dramatic late victory over Atletico Madrid later that day, the gap at the top of the table has widened to a daunting seven points with only eight matches remaining in the season.
The main accused: A defensive collapse
In the wake of the disaster in Mallorca, Ok Diario reports that Real Madrid have singled out three specific individuals whose performances directly contributed to the loss.
Eduardo Camavinga is at the forefront of the criticism after an uncharacteristically poor display in the heart of the midfield.
The Frenchman erred significantly in tracking Manu Morlanes for Mallorca’s opening goal and was guilty of losing possession repeatedly during a frantic first half.
These turnovers prevented Madrid from establishing any rhythm and ultimately caused the entire defensive structure to collapse under pressure.
Camavinga’s performance against Mallorca is being questioned. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Joining him in the spotlight is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who faced heavy scrutiny for his perceived lack of defensive intensity.
While the Englishman did provide a high-quality delivery for Éder Militão’s 88th-minute equaliser, his defensive work was described as weak throughout the ninety minutes.
Critics pointed to a lack of sufficient effort in tracking back, leaving the right flank exposed to Mallorca’s rapid transitions.
The third culprit identified is the young Alvaro Carreras, whose failure to close down spaces in the dying moments allowed Vedat Muriqi to net a dramatic stoppage-time winner.
Offensively, Carreras offered very little to the attack, failing to provide the width or crossing quality required to break down a resilient home side.
With the title now firmly in Barcelona’s hands, Real Madrid must regroup quickly for their Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 04: St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) lays down a sacrifice bunt during the game between the Detroit Tigers versus the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday April 4, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Oof
15 – Liverpool have now lost 15 matches across all competitions this season, their most defeats in a single season since 2014/15, when the Reds lost 18 matches under Brendan Rodgers. Disaster. pic.twitter.com/5x1q0l9PY5
6 – Bruno Fernandes has won @premierleague Player of the Month for the sixth time, now the joint-most by any Manchester United player, surpassing Wayne Rooney (5) and equalling Cristiano Ronaldo (6). Super. pic.twitter.com/zYZvINuy1v
However, the win came at a cost, with two of their key players picking up injuries that could cause major headaches for coach Hansi Flick.
Araujo and Bernal pick up fresh knocks
The two players in question are Ronald Araujo and Marc Bernal, both of whom endured knocks against Atletico Madrid.
According to Diario AS, Araujo, who started the game, picked up a hamstring injury towards the end of the first half and was replaced by Bernal.
It appears the defender had felt a twinge in his left hamstring but continued for another ten minutes before asking to be substituted.
Ronald Araujo picked up an injury vs Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
However, the report adds that Araujo’s injury doesn’t appear to be serious, but we will have to wait for tests to confirm the same.
Barcelona’s second blow on the night came when Bernal, too, asked to be substituted around the hour mark after picking up a sprained ankle.
The youngster will undergo tests, which will confirm the extent of his injury. But everything suggests he could be ruled out for the upcoming game against Atletico Madrid, in the UEFA Champions League.
The injury to these two players could serve as a major blow for a Barcelona side that was hoping to have their key players available during the final stretch of the season.
Bernal’s injury, in particular, could be a major blow as it leaves Hansi Flick with minimal options in the middle of the park, especially with Frenkie de Jong also injured.
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 01: Harry Kane of Bayern Muenchen with the price of the best Goalscorer of the last Season from the kicker magazin with Honorary President of Bayern Muenchen Uli Hoeness München before the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Sport-Club Freiburg at Allianz Arena on September 01, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Bayern Munich will score more than 101 goals in the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. With 7 games to go and at 99 goals already at the time of writing, it is only a matter or time before the 101 goal record, set in 1972, is broken. So the question turns to from if Bayern can do it to when they can and by how many goals will the record be broken.
Those questions were posed by kicker, as captured by @iMiaSanMia, to Bayern’s honorary president, Uli Hoeneß, who wasted no time in making his own predictions on the topic:
When do you think the record will be broken?
“In two games.”
How many Bundesliga goals will Bayern have scored by the end of the season?
“115.”
Why not more?
“We mustn’t forget that we still have tough Champions League matches ahead of us,” Hoeneß emphasized. “That’s the problem when you play on Wednesdays and the other teams are rested. You saw that Augsburg won here [1-2 on January 24th]. They deserved to win too. Because we were simply exhausted.”
Who will score the 102nd goal?
“Harry Kane should, because he deserves it. If you deliver such outstanding performances, you must also score the record-breaking goal.”
It would be fitting for Bayern’s #9 to grab the record breaking goal, especially because he has contributed the lion’s share of the work in breaking the record. But he will need to recover from a recent injury to do so.
Weston, from Crowborough, won gold in the solo and mixed team skeleton [PA Media]
Double Winter Olympic gold medallist Matt Weston says has been told off by his fiancee and agent for being too "blase" with his medals, which he hopes will inspire others.
"You probably should be more careful than I am, but I really enjoy showing people and letting people hold them, and hopefully being able to hold them and see them inspires people to take up sport," he said.
"I took up this sport nine years ago not knowing where it would take me and now I'm sat here with two Olympic golds, so if holding these can do that to someone then I am more than happy to share them around."
Weston, who is from Crowborough, East Sussex, was born in Redhill, Surrey, and went to Bennett Memorial School in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, also carries his medals around in a small pouch knitted for him by former Olympic diver Tom Daley.
"It's struggling a bit with two of them, it's a good problem to have, but it's a very cool and unique thing," Weston said.
Lewis Steele: Liverpool could be forced to act over Slot
Liverpool Crisis Deepens as Slot Faces Defining Weeks
There are moments in a season that feel decisive, even final. What unfolded at the Etihad, as detailed by Lewis Steele of the Daily Mail, carried that weight. Liverpool’s 4-0 defeat was not simply heavy, it was hollowing.
“As Manchester City fans briefly averted their starry-eyed gazes from the pitch to perform their famous Poznan dance, the 7,600 Liverpool supporters up high in the away end decided to follow suit.” It was a striking image, one of disengagement rather than anger. Steele notes, “This was the travelling Kop voting with their feet,” and in many ways that feels more ominous than any chant.
Fans Losing Faith in Direction
Supporters do not demand perfection, but they do expect purpose. What troubles many is not the defeat itself, but the absence of progression. Steele captures that unease clearly, writing: “Liverpool are not learning and none of them, especially the head coach, seem to have the answers to fix it.”
This was meant to be a campaign of consolidation, even dominance. Instead, it has unravelled into something uncertain. A team that once set the standard now appears reactive, chasing games rather than controlling them.
Season Built on Promise Now Faltering
The context matters. Liverpool entered the season having invested heavily and from a position of strength. Steele dismisses any softening of expectations: “Forget any talk of a ‘transition’ year, that is a lame excuse only used in hindsight.”
That line cuts to the heart of the issue. This was supposed to be the beginning of something lasting. Instead, inconsistency has eroded belief. The looming trip to Paris Saint-Germain only heightens the sense of fragility, with Steele warning they “could breeze past this rabble.”
Key Players Falling Short
Responsibility does not sit solely with Arne Slot. Performances across the pitch have dipped. “This squad is brimming with talent but none have performed to the standards they set last year,” Steele writes.
Photo: IMAGO
Even Mohamed Salah, so often Liverpool’s compass, has faltered. “Mohamed Salah… seems devoid of confidence,” Steele observes, highlighting missed chances and a penalty saved by James Trafford.
Moments like “Hugo Ekitike giving Rayan Cherki his shirt before the game had even ended” have only fuelled frustration, symbolic of a side lacking edge.
Pressure Mounting on Slot
Managers are judged on solutions, not circumstances. Steele’s verdict is stark: “He is now sleepwalking dangerously at the cliff edge.”
There remains an acknowledgement of context, including the emotional toll of Diogo Jota’s passing, but football rarely pauses for reflection. Results dictate mood, and mood is turning.
Slot, as Steele notes, resembles “a politician who knows the voters are turning against him.” That metaphor feels apt. Authority, once assumed, must now be rebuilt.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
There is truth in the frustration, but also a danger in oversimplifying the situation. Liverpool’s issues run deeper than one manager or one bad week. The patterns have been visible for months, a side dominating possession without consistently creating high quality chances.
Slot’s approach has, at times, felt cautious where it needed to be bold. The balance between control and incision has tilted too far towards the former. Fans are not reacting to a single 4-0 defeat, they are reacting to a growing sense that performances lack clarity and identity.
At the same time, it is important to resist rewriting history. This is still a manager who delivered a league title. That cannot be dismissed, nor should it be used as a shield against criticism.
The bigger concern is trajectory. Liverpool do not look like a team building towards something. They look like one searching for answers mid-season. That uncertainty spreads quickly, from pitch to stands.
The PSG game now carries enormous weight. Not just for progression, but for perception. A strong performance could steady the mood. Another collapse could accelerate the noise around change.
For supporters, the question is simple. Not whether Slot has done well before, but whether he can fix what is unfolding now.
Former Red tears into Liverpool after 4-0 defeat at Man City
It was a performance that has raised serious questions about where Liverpool are right now, and former Red Jermaine Pennant didn’t hold back in his reaction.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
After the 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, the ex-winger took to X to deliver a brutally honest assessment that will resonate with many supporters watching that collapse unfold.
Pennant labels Liverpool performance ‘embarrassing’
The former No.16 didn’t try to dress it up, instead going straight to the heart of the issue after we were swept aside at the Etihad.
He wrote: “4-0 down before 60 mins is embarrassing, doesn’t matter who Liverpool are playing.
“When is enough enough. At what point does big decisions need to be had?
“How can you watch that, and go next season yeah we are going to be better, when at no point this season have we seen it.”
That’s as strong as it gets, and it reflects the growing frustration around a side that has now struggled for consistency across the campaign.
It’s even more concerning when you consider how the game actually started, because for the opening half hour we looked competitive before everything fell apart following the penalty and the goal just before half-time.
‘No point being good for 30 minutes’ as pressure builds
When a supporter pointed out that we had been in the game early on, Pennant doubled down rather than softening his stance.
He replied: “What does first 30 mins get ya? no point being good for 30 mins or 45 mins. 90 mins a game lasts.
“That’s like taking an exam and saying I was good for half of it. Well unfortunately you will fail. Same as what Liverpool are doing.”
That comparison sums up the core issue perfectly, because it’s not about flashes of quality anymore, it’s about delivering across the full 90 minutes, something we’ve repeatedly failed to do.
With Paris Saint-Germain up next in the Champions League, the timing of this collapse couldn’t be worse, and the pressure is now firmly on Arne Slot to find solutions quickly.
If we don’t respond immediately, this season could unravel completely within the space of a week.
TURIN, ITALY - MARCH 27: Luciano Spalletti of Juventus during an training session at JTC on March 27, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Alberto Gandolfo - Juventus/Juventus FC via Getty Images) | Juventus FC via Getty Images
During his time as Juventus’ manager, Luciano Spalletti’s pre-match press conferences have been rather informative and entertaining. That is no surprise if you’ve followed Spalletti throughout his managerial career considering he’s always been one of the more reflective and thoughtful coaches in Serie A, giving you the kind of answers that certainly reflect Spalletti’s approach to the game.
Something Spalletti has been consistently asked about in recent weeks has been the status of his expected contract extension with Juventus, one that has been reportedly close to being finalized for more than a couple of weeks now.
Naturally, that topic came up again during Saturday’s pre-match press conference — with Juve playing on Monday and Sunday being Easter, things were pushed up a day — and Spalletti sounded a little perturbed to have to talk about it once again.
“I can’t understand why you’re so concerned about this,” the 67-year-old Spalletti said. “From our perspective, our relationships, everything is fine, everything is in order. Priority must be given to the match against Genoa. There will be an opportunity in the next few days; things happen, and it can’t be done in an hour, even if you want to. It’s something that has to come naturally. Not planning the match against Genoa properly is unnatural.”
There will be plenty of people who think he is deflecting any talk about his contract extension because they think it’s still tied to Juventus’ Champions League qualification. Others, meanwhile, will pretty much fall in line with Spalletti’s thinking of wanting to talk about the present rather than worrying about the future — especially when you consider just how delicate of a situation the current Champions League qualification chances are for Juventus with eight games to go in the 2025-26 season.
Either way, Spalletti doesn’t sound like somebody who wants to keep talking about or even being asked about it despite there being some in the Italian media who thought he could very well have signed his new deal during the recently completed international break.
That, obviously, never happened, with Juventus and Spalletti’s representation still trying to hammer out final details on the contract that is likely to be a 1+1 deal that sees him have an option for the 2027-28 season. Pretty much all reputable sources in Italy still expect a deal to get done, so it’s not like Spalletti not wanting to talk about his contract status is a sign that things are suddenly changing and Juve will be on the hunt for a new manager this summer after weeks of assuming a contract will be signed.
It still feels like only a matter of time before Spalletti does sign his new deal. It just feels like something he is in no mood to talk about because he wants all of the focus to be about what his team needs to achieve on the field.
Man United join race for £40 million attacker after explosive UCL performances
Bodo/Glimt winger Jens Petter Hauge has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.
According to reports via CaughtOffside, Manchester United is interested in signing the 26-year-old winger, and they will have to pay £40 million in order to get the deal done. They will face competition from Arsenal, and it remains to be seen whether they can win the race for his signature.
Man United could use a winger like Jens Petter Hauge
Manchester United could use more quality on the flanks, and the 26-year-old could be the ideal acquisition for them. He will add pace, flair and goals in the final third. The 26-year-old is in sublime form this season, and he has been particularly impressive in the UEFA Champions League.
Hauge has scored six goals and picked up two assists in the UEFA Champions League this season, and his performance has attracted the attention of top clubs.
Adding more depth in the final third would be ideal for the Red Devils as well. They should also look to invest in another striker. It remains to be seen whether they can bring in the necessary additions during the summer transfer window.
They are currently pushing for a place in the UEFA Champions League next season, and they will need a deeper squad to do well in Europe and the Premier League next season.
Manchester United have the resources to pay £40 million for him, and the opportunity to join them will be exciting for the player as well. He is at the peak of his career, and this is the right time for him to take the next step. Manchester United will be able to provide him with a platform to compete regularly in the Premier League and fight for trophies.
Inter Milan Eye Vicario as Successor to Sommer in Strategic Goalkeeping Shift
Inter planning ahead between the posts
Inter Milan’s transfer strategy rarely feels reactive, instead it carries the quiet certainty of a club planning two steps ahead. According to Calciomercato, that forward thinking is now focused on the goalkeeper position, where experience is set to give way to evolution.
Despite his advancing years, Yann Sommer continues to perform at an elite level. At 37, he remains dependable, composed, and technically sharp. Yet even reliability has a shelf life in elite football, and Inter appear ready to transition without disruption. Sommer is expected to remain in Milan, but in a reduced role, offering guidance rather than carrying the burden.
“Despite his 37 years, Yann Sommer remains a top-notch goalkeeper and a reliable player, even though the hunt for a new number 1 has already begun at Inter.”
That sentence captures Inter’s balancing act, respecting the present while shaping the future.
Photo: IMAGO
Vicario emerges as leading candidate
The name rising to the top of Inter’s shortlist is Guglielmo Vicario, currently plying his trade at Tottenham Hotspur. His performances in England have not gone unnoticed, combining sharp reflexes with composure under pressure.
“Guglielmo Vicario, currently at Tottenham and being courted by numerous clubs in Italy and beyond, is undoubtedly in pole position.”
There is a sense of inevitability in the pursuit. Inter’s sporting director has reportedly tracked Vicario for some time, identifying him as a goalkeeper capable of adapting to Serie A’s tactical demands while maintaining the modern attributes required at the highest level.
Financial feasibility strengthens Inter’s position
Transfers often hinge less on desire and more on feasibility. Here, Inter appear well positioned. Vicario’s valuation, estimated between €15 million and €20 million, places him within reach.
“Vicario’s valuation is around €15-20 million, a figure well within the reach of the Nerazzurri’s coffers.”
In an era where elite goalkeepers can command inflated fees, this represents both value and opportunity. Inter’s ability to act decisively could prove crucial, particularly with interest building across Europe.
Transition reflects Inter’s long-term vision
What stands out most is not the player, but the process. Inter are not scrambling for solutions, they are constructing continuity. Sommer’s experience provides a safety net, while Vicario offers longevity and growth.
There is also a stylistic alignment at play. Vicario’s comfort with the ball at his feet, along with his agility and shot-stopping, fits the modern interpretation of the role. Inter are not simply replacing a goalkeeper, they are redefining how that position contributes to their broader system.
In many ways, this move feels less like a gamble and more like a carefully plotted succession.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Tottenham perspective, this report raises more questions than it answers. Guglielmo Vicario has quietly become one of the Premier League’s most reliable goalkeepers, and losing him for €20 million would feel underwhelming in today’s market.
Spurs fans would likely view this as a test of the club’s ambition. If Vicario is “being courted by numerous clubs in Italy and beyond,” then Tottenham must decide whether they see him as a cornerstone or a replaceable asset. His consistency has often masked defensive fragility, and his shot-stopping has directly influenced results.
There is also the emotional layer. Vicario has not been at the club for a decade, yet he has built trust quickly. Letting him leave could signal either confidence in succession planning or a worrying lack of resistance to external interest.
A curious supporter might argue, “If Inter can see his value so clearly, why would Spurs not double down on it?” Another might suggest the fee reflects a market inefficiency rather than true worth.
Ultimately, this is not just about a goalkeeper. It is about direction. Tottenham must decide whether they are a club that develops talent for others or one that builds around it.
Luis Palma looks like a superstar compared to Balikwisha and Mvuka
Luis Palma ie eyeing a Celtic return this summer for an unlikely second chance. He looks like a superstar compared to Balikwisha and Mvuka…
The long forgotten Luis Palma has been speaking about his desire to return to Celtic and make his mark. Whilst it’s great to hear such confident words from the player, Luis has had his chance in the green and white hoops, and will ultimately be moved on when a club agrees to meet Celtic’s demands for their player.
The Honduran international, who signed from Greek side Aris for a fee of £3 million, has spent this season on loan at Polish Ekstraklasa side Lech Poznan, and has made quite the contribution scoring seven goals, and registering eight assists in 39 games in all competitions for Poznan, helping them to top spot in the Polish top flight.
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic s Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick 9/10/2024 Photo :INPHO/Tom Maher
Luis has been rather unfortunate in his Celtic career, with his record of 10 goals and 10 assists in 48 games not exactly the worst numbers in the world, but his overall game just wasn’t, and still isn’t suited to Celtic, and the Scottish game in general. That’s just the harsh reality, let’s not kid ourselves on.
It’s been suggested that Luis’s form at Poznan might just have earned him a reprieve at Celtic, but for me he’s had his chance and it’s better for all parties if he cut his ties with the club on a permanent basis. Whether that’s with Poznan or anyone else, he’s had his chance in Glasgow.
The fact that we’ve endured a difficult campaign, and had to put up with the likes of Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Joel Mvuka has made folks pine for the Honduran. He is clearly on the evidence we have seen a much better option than those two. Mvuka was so close to signing a long term deal at Celtic in the closing hours of the January transfer window but a medical condition that was uncovered by Celtic at that stage meant that the £3m transfer was turned into a loan deal that surely Celtic will end in the summer.
Joel Mvuka in action. Celtic v Dundee, Scottish Cup, Fifth Round, Celtic Park, 07 February 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/ Shutterstock
Balikwisha however has signed a long-term contract at Celtic and cost the club £5.5m last summer in a World Class in everything he does move from the Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson. That’s a long term problem for the next Celtic manager to look at, Martin O’Neill has already washed his hands of Balikwisha after giving him some minutes against minnows Auchinleck Talbot in the early rounds of the Scottish Cup campaign.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha – Auchinleck Talbot v Celtic, Scottish Cup 4th Round, Rugby Park. Sunday 18 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou ( The Celtic Star)
Both of those players – Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Joel Mvuka -are that poor that they make Luis look like a superstar. Thats the brutal and honest truth. He may slightly better than what we currently have at our disposal, but Luis Palma has no real chance of a future at Celtic. The boat has sailed on that one Luis.
Motherwell v Celtic – cinch Premiership – Fir Park Celtic s Luis Palma left celebrates scoring their side’s first goal of the game with team-mates Alistair Johnston and Matt O Riley right during the Scottish Premiership match at Fir Park on Saturday September 30, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Post your own thoughts in the comments section below…
Quick Tip – Add thecelticstar.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
Luis Suarez ensured Inter Miami came away with a point as they opened their new ground [Getty Images]
Luis Suarez scored his first goal of the season to earn Inter Miami a draw against Austin FC as the MLS champions officially opened their new stadium.
Former Uruguay forward Suarez, 39, struck in the 81st minute to salvage a point for the hosts at the 26,700-seat Nu Stadium.
Lionel Messi, 38, had earlier cancelled out Austin's opener with his fifth goal in five MLS appearances this campaign.
The Herons, who had been playing at their temporary home of Chase Stadium in nearby Fort Lauderdale, are fourth in the table after six games.
Austin's Guiherme Biro was the first goalscorer at Miami's new ground with his sixth-minute opener, while Jayden Nelson temporarily restored the visitors' advantage early in the second half.
Argentina captain Messi, who will have a stand named after him at his club's new stadium, headed in Ian Fray's cross as Miami responded quickly to falling behind.
Eight minutes after entering the pitch, substitute Suarez volleyed in from close range following a corner to earn his side a point.
Inter Miami, co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, won the MLS Cup - the championship game of the American top-flight - for the first time last season.
Beckham, whose club made its MLS debut in 2020, told Apple TV before kick-off: "To see this stadium come to life, after years and years of trying to get this up and running in Miami, is something that's very special.
India’s T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year has done little to mask a growing problem in the longest format. The side’s Test performances have dipped noticeably, and despite improved results in limited-overs cricket under head coach Gautam Gambhir, the red-ball setup remains a concern. Losses at home to New Zealand and South Africa have underlined that India are no longer invincible in their own conditions, with their World Test Championship final hopes now looking increasingly unlikely.
Recognising the issue, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has moved to reset its long-term Test structure. According to PTI, the Centre of Excellence, headed by VVS Laxman, has rolled out a detailed plan to rebuild India’s red-ball depth by focusing on the next generation.
Central to this strategy is a four-day intra-CoE competition scheduled across June and July. Talents such as Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are set to feature in the tournament, which will include 64 players aged below 25. These players will be split into four teams of 16, with each side playing two multi-day fixtures on varied surfaces to simulate different match scenarios.
The idea is to build a consistent pipeline of red-ball players who can serve India over the next decade. As part of this shift, coaches and selectors have been instructed to make red-ball development the priority at High Performance Camps in Bengaluru over the coming year.
“The India Emerging side will comprise of only U-25 players and they will also constitute India A teams for shadow tours also. The roadmap will be created keeping senior chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir in the loop,” a BCCI source told PTI.
“Once the IPL ends, India U-19 and Emerging (U-25) will both tour Sri Lanka for four-day games. The squad will be selected based on Intra-COE tournament performances,” the source added.
India’s difficulties in Tests, especially their declining effectiveness against spin even at home, have been a key trigger for this overhaul since Gambhir took charge. The new system is designed to address those gaps through sustained exposure to longer-format cricket.
For selection, 25 U-23 players will be chosen by the junior panel led by S Sharath. Another 25 players, spanning U-23 and U-25 categories, will be picked by the senior selection committee based on performances in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with the condition that these players must not have been part of the IPL.
The remaining 14 spots will go to players who featured in the IPL, including Mhatre, Sooryavanshi and Sameer Rizvi, completing the 64-player pool.
“The idea is to select 25 after the intra-COE tourney, and this core group of cricketers will represent both Emerging and India A in shadow tours. The BCCI brass and Team India management is pretty clear -- even for U-19s, the focus for next one year has to be red ball,” the source said.
Anaheim Ducks right wing Beckett Sennecke (45) fights for the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Saturday April 4, 2026 in Anaheim, Calif.
ANAHEIM, Calif. – It was déjà vu all over again for the Anaheim Ducks.
For the second straight game, they scored the rare (for them) opening goal, and for the second straight game, Anaheim saw that lead evaporate within the next five minutes. For the fifth straight game, the Ducks could not execute their now signature comeback magic.
The Calgary Flames jumped on the mistakes of a pressing Anaheim squad and capitalized on nearly every breakaway and odd-man rush thrown their way, as the Flames pulled away, 5-3, on Saturday at Honda Center.
Anaheim has now lost five in a row (0-4-1) following a four game win streak to see a five-point lead in the Pacific Division fall to second place with one point separating the division’s top three teams with five games remaining.
“We’re just too sloppy,” Leo Carlsson said. “We just got to find a better playoff mentality, I think. Making sure plays. Play harder… We gotta figure it out, like, now.”
Beckett Sennecke put the Ducks ahead early with his NHL rookie-leading 23rd of the season, but the Flames scored just over three minutes later to tie the game.
Now Flames forward Ryan Strome scored his 500th NHL point in his return to Anaheim on a go-ahead breakaway in the second period.
Despite scoring just their fifth opening goal since the Olympic break, the Ducks have trailed in all 21 games out of the break. The last team to trail in at least 20 consecutive games and make the playoffs were the 1991 Vancouver Canucks.
Calgary scored three breakways in the game and another on an odd-man rush, and the Ducks couldn’t claw back, despite a hold on the shot chart (39-20) and the possession analytics (57.61% expected goal share at five-on-five, including 70.84% in the third period).
“The breakaways and the odd man breaks were preventable by basically knowing that that's what they're gonna do on a shot from our top,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville said, “and they take off, and all of a sudden, it's free. They got them going… then we got going in the third, with some possession and zone time, and opportunities. And we've been fortunate in all year (on comebacks), but tonight, it didn't happen.”
Leo Carlsson scored on an unassisted rush eight minutes into the third period, and Mason McTavish ripped a power play marker two minutes later. However, the Ducks didn’t get the final push, and the Flames melted the game with an empty net.
Ville Husso made 15 saves on 19 shots.
“We're missing a lot of different guys that not necessarily are the scorers,” Quenneville said, “but they're the guys that were playing a real solid team game, and I think that's one thing we got to tighten up… let's make sure that you take pride, and basically, you don't want to be on the ice when you score. Nobody wants to give up goals.”
“Watched a tremendous hockey game this afternoon (Colorado-Dallas). Maybe the two best teams in our conference going at it. It's a one-nothing hockey game the whole way. We gotta be ready to play those kind of games.”
Anaheim (41-31-5, 87 points) remained in a tie on points with first-place Edmonton (39-29-9, 87 points), but the Oilers remained in first on the regulation wins tiebreaker, despite a 5-1 home loss to third-place Vegas (35-26-16, 86 points).
There is now one point separating the division leaders from losing home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs and just six points between first place and the first spot out of the playoffs.
The Ducks continue their final homestand of the regular season on Tuesday against the current second wild-card Nashville Predators
Tyson Hinds makes NHL debut
After Quenneville mentioned postgame on Friday the Ducks were searching for an answer at the left defense with Pavel Mintyukov out and right-hander Ian Moore struggling, Anaheim found a solution from AHL San Diego.
Tyson Hinds was called up from the farm on Saturday morning, and the left-hander made his NHL debut on Saturday night. Hinds was in the starting line-up and was second on the team in ice time at 23:33–all of which came at five-on-five, most by any Duck.
“It was fast paced. I love it,” Hinds said. “Just enjoying it. Every moment. Starting too, starting the first shift. So I'm glad that got the first shift out of way quickly, and the nerves were out right away. It was fun.”
It could be a pressured position, jumping into a playoff bound team as it looks to correct a free-fall and actually clinch its playoff position, but Hinds has been getting big minutes with the Gulls, who are in the middle of their own playoff push on the margins of the Calder Cup race.
“Obviously, every game counts,” Hinds said. “Big games towards the playoffs coming. So we're trying to get trying to get wins and points here, and it's a big race. So I'm just glad that I got this opportunity, and it's great, and I'll build from there.”
The 6-foot-3, 201-pound 23-year-old slotted into that left side across from veteran John Carlson, while Moore moved up to his oft-used forward slot.
“For young guys like me, it's nice to be paired with (veterans) and make plays and just rely on them to see the small details that they do and try to include in my game,” Hinds said.
Hinds was one of the last cuts in Ducks training camp, as the Ducks opted for more playing time for the 2021 third-round pick. It seems now like it was a good decision, as Hinds did not miss a beat in his NHL debut. With Hinds on the ice, the Ducks won on the shot clock (16-5) and shot attempt chart (35-13) with no goals scored for or against.
“I thought he had like a heck of a game,” Quenneville said. “He had a special game when he was in training camp there, and he looked good. I thought he did everything you'd want of him in his first start. Big minutes and very effective in a lot of ways.”
Anaheim Ducks defensemen Tyson Hinds (60) handles the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Saturday April 4, 2026 in Anaheim, Calif.
Jordan Carroll - The Sporting Tribune
Anaheim Ducks defensemen Tyson Hinds (60) handles the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Saturday April 4, 2026 in Anaheim, Calif.
Transaction News: Damian Clara, Lucas Pettersson assigned to San Diego
The AHL Gulls continue to get an infusion of talent as seasons end for others in the Anaheim prospect pool.
After 2025 No. 10 overall pick Roger McQueen made his professional debut on Friday, the Ducks announced on Saturday that Italian Olympic goaltender Damian Clara and 2024 second-round pick Lucas Pettersson were assigned to San Diego after completing their Swedish Hockey League seasons with Brynäs.
Clara, a 6-foot-6 netminder picked in the 2023 second round, played 33 games for Brynäs. With a 2.52 goals against average and .887 save percentage for a 17-15-0 record. In two playoff games, the 21-year-old won one and lost one with a 2.38 GAA and .865 save percentage.
Clara made waves in net at the Olympics, where he played four games for the host nation in Milan. While the Italians went 0-4 and Clara had a 5.13 GAA, he posted a stellar .911 save percentage against an onslaught of NHL talent.
Clara played two games with AHL San Diego last season.
Pettersson will be on his way to making his North American debut with the Gulls after spending all of his development and post-draft years in his native Sweden.
In 41 games for Brynäs, Pettersson scored 10 goals with 10 assists, and in five playoff games, the 5-foor-11, 183-pound 19-year-old registered four assists. At the World Juniors for Sweden, Pettersson scored four goals with two assists in six games.
After completing his freshman season at Providence College, McQueen signed an amateur tryout agreement and joined the Gulls to finish out the season.
The 6-foot-5, 187-pound 19-year-old debuted in a win over Bakersfield on Friday and earned an assist for his first professional point.
"Well, you see all the talent," Gulls assistant coach Michael Babcock told SanDiegoGulls.com. "He's a big body and can really, really skate, has good hands and is tight so you see all the potential that's there. In terms of his first program, I thought he was really good. So, all we can ask for in regard to that, and he's only going to get better."
San Diego is in the final playoff spot in the AHL’s Pacific Division with a five-point lead over Tucson (Utah affiliate) with six games to go.
Injury Report: Status Quo
Ducks leading goal scorer Cutter Gauthier (upper-body), captain Radko Gudas (lower-body) and defenseman Pavel Mintyukov (lower-body) all remained out on Saturday night after missing the last two games.
Quenneville said on Friday morning that all three were making “a little progress,” but all remained day-to-day.
Jansen Harkins is out for four weeks after hand surgery on Monday. Ross Johnston is still labelled week-to-week with a lower body injury.
Anaheim has two days off without a travel day as one of them for the first time since the Olympic break. Plenty of time to rest up for a crucial game in the Western playoff race, as the Ducks host the chasing Nashville Predators on Tuesday.
Playoff Magic Numbers
At (41-31-5) 87 points, the Ducks’ magic number (combined number of points won by Anaheim and lost by the first team out of a playoff spot) to clinch its first playoff berth since 2018 remained at seven, as all the relevant teams kept pace on a busy Saturday.
Nashville (36-31-9, 81 points) beat San Jose (36-32-7, 79 points) to jump back into the final wild card spot in the West, holding the regulation wins tiebreaker over Los Angeles (31-26-19, 81 points), which beat Toronto in overtime, 7-6.
If the Predators, Kings or Sharks won their remaining slate, they would reach 93 points. Nashville currently has the regulation wins tiebreaker on Anaheim.
Anaheim’s magic number to clinch the Pacific Division title is 11, with Edmonton capable of hitting 97 points and holding the regulation wins tiebreaker.
🪄 Messi scores straight away in the new stadium! A stand for him 🎥
On the day of the inauguration of Inter Miami’s new home, the 26,700-seat “Nu Stadium” witnessed Lionel Messi’s first goal at the new venue.
In front of the “Messi Stand” dedicated to the number 10 himself, La Pulce scored his 82nd goal in 94 matches for the American side.
🪄 A header in front of the Messi Stand
It was Lionel Messi himself who made it 1-1 against Austin with a finish that is not usually part of his game: a header in off the underside of the crossbar. (Click above to watch the goal video.)
Inter Miami fell behind again, and Luis Suarez made it 2-2. He had renewed his contract at the end of 2025 for another year.
It is worth remembering that the new stadium features the “Messi Stand” to honor Lionel’s journey at Inter Miami, as the club itself wrote: “Usually, tributes look to the past; they are made of nostalgia and memories. This is different. This comes from the present, from what is happening right now, from what is felt every time Leo steps onto the pitch. Paying tribute to someone does not always mean closing a chapter. Sometimes it means realizing you are witnessing something unique.”
More than 150,000 racegoers are expected at the world famous three-day festival [PA Media]
The Randox Grand National festival opens at Aintree racecourse on Thursday.
More than 150,000 racegoers are expected at the three-day event on Merseyside.
Aintree racecourse, in Sefton, has hosted the festival since 1839, with Red Rum the most successful horse in Grand National history having won the steeplechase race three times.
Here is a guide on how to get to the festival, dress code and the all-important race times for Opening Day, Ladies Day and Grand National Day.
Getting to Aintree Racecourse
Racegoers heading to the iconic Aintree meeting are advised to plan ahead, use public transport where possible and leave plenty of time.
Stagecoach Manchester and Merseyside will be running a dedicated shuttle bus service from Liverpool city centre to Aintree Racecourse across all three days of the Randox Grand National Festival.
Passengers can board the shuttle from Elliot Street in the city centre for a direct journey to Park Lane (Aintree Station), located just a short walk from the racecourse entrance.
Buses will run frequently throughout the day, helping visitors avoid the hassle of traffic and parking while travelling comfortably to and from the festival.
Tickets are priced at £5 for an adult single and £6 for an adult return.
The seven-and-a-half-minute service will run between Aintree and Liverpool Central/Moorfields stations from about 10:00 BST to 13:00 and 16:30 to 20:00.
Changes to rail services
To accommodate the more frequent services between Liverpool city centre and Aintree there will be reduced services to some stations on the Ormskirk branch of the Northern Line and a slightly amended 15-minute timetable on the Southport branch of the Northern Line.
On the Headbolt Lane branch of the Northern Line, a reduced 30 minute service will operate all-day for all three days of the festival.
The Wirral Line will operate an amended timetable from 07:00 to 19:00 during the festival.
Customers travelling to the festival from any Wirral line stations are advised to change at Moorfields for an Aintree-bound train.
Car parking
Limited on-course parking is available for the Grand National meeting.
This can be booked by calling the booking line on 0844 579 3001.
Grand National dress code
The Grand National is the biggest day of the racing calendar for racegoers. Thousands of people will pack the Aintree grandstands to watch the iconic contest unfold.
Ladies Day at the Grand National Festival is one of the biggest fashion days of the year.
Some spectators get dressed to the nines, wearing their best outfits to Aintree. However, there is actually no official style code for the Aintree Grand National. Read more here.
Opening Day - Thursday
Jockey Patrick Mullins won the Grand National on Nick Rockett last year [PA Media]
Gates open at 11:00 BST on Opening Day, which is often thought of as a day for true racing aficionados and can often be the place where new talent in the horse racing world will emerge.
The race times are as follows:
13:45: Boodles Juvenile Hurdle
14:20: Manifesto Novices' Chase
14:55: Aintree Bowl
15:30: Foxhunters' Chase
16:05: Aintree Hurdle
16:40: Red Rum Chase
17:15: Mares' NH Flat Race
Ladies Day - Friday
The second day of the Aintree meeting is traditionally a parade of colourful couture in honour of Ladies Day [PA Media]
Ladies Day, the second day of the annual meeting is all about glamour and style, alongside the horseracing on the course.
The gates open at 10:30 BST - expect bright outfits and big hats as the crowd goes all out.
It will also see the Style Awards, where two best dressed racegoers will be crowned, along with the most sustainably dressed racegoer.
Here is the schedule for the second day for the top class racing of the Aintree meeting:
13:45: William Hill Handicap Hurdle
14:20: Mildmay Novices' Chase
14:55: Top Novices' Hurdle
15:30: Melling Chase
16:05: Topham Chase
16:40: Sefton Novices' Hurdle
17:15: Debenhams Hurdle
Grand National Day - Saturday
I Am Maximus is amongst the favourites for this year's Grand National [PA Media]
Gates open at 10:00 BST on Saturday, but all eyes will be on the runners and riders taking on 30 unique fences for the main event, which takes place at 16:00.
The schedule for Grand National Day is as follows:
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 15: Errol Spence Jr. poses at the Gervonta "Tank" Davis vs Frank Martin fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
Getty Images
HIGHLIGHTS
A former champion who hasn't fought in nearly three years just broke his silence on X.
The callout came from a fighter who has won two straight after a rough stretch.
One of boxing's biggest names may finally be ready to return to the ring.
Tim Tszyu scored a unanimous decision win over Denis Nurja on Saturday night in Australia. He has now won two fights in a row since his TKO loss to Sebastian Fundora in their rematch. Tszyu called out Errol Spence Jr. And it appears the wheels are already in motion for this fight.
Tszyu called Spence a big fish and promised to meet him in the middle of the ring. Spence took to X to respond, which is fairly rare for the former world champion who hasn't fought since he was stopped by Terence Crawford in the ninth round of their highly anticipated bout back in July 2023.
With likely more than three years of ring rust to shake off, Spence will have a noteworthy test on his hands. But considering where both men are in their careers, this seems like a fight that makes sense.
What Did Spence Say?
Spence finally seems ready and committed to a return. Previously, he hasn't sounded as interested in fighting. His X post reading "I'm do you so bad" was direct and confident, the kind of response fans haven't seen from the former unified welterweight champion since before the Crawford loss.
Spence (28-1, 22 KOs) was one of the most dominant welterweights in boxing before his car accident, layoff and then Crawford dismantled him. Crawford led on all three cards at the time of the ninth-round stoppage.
Does This Fight Make Sense?
Tszyu still has a lot to prove after tough losses to Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev. A win over Spence would add a big name to his conquered list. Spence needs to get back in the swing of things. Beating Tszyu would suggest he is a legitimate threat at 154 pounds.
Reports indicate the fight is a done deal for mid-2026 with AT&T Stadium in Arlington as the frontrunner venue. Crawford, who recently retired, said he thinks Spence wins. Tszyu (27-3, 18 KOs) beat Nurja 100-88 on all three scorecards Saturday in a shutout. That’s likely a good stepping stone into something as serious as a fight with Spence.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
This Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Gannon and Lander meet for the NCAA Division II men’s basketball national championship.
Both programs are chasing their first-ever national title in a matchup that pits two of the country's hottest teams against each other on the biggest stage in D2 hoops.
Gannon (33-3) returns to the championship game for the first time since 1987, led by the "Aussie Twins," Lucas and Mackenzie Morgan, who combined for 48 points in their semifinal win.
Three years ago, the Golden Knights were a three-win program miles away from any postseason conversation. Fast forward through a meteoric three-season rise, and the transformation is staggering: 92 victories, two PSAC tournament titles, and a second trip to the Elite Eight in three years. Now, they stand on the verge of the ultimate prize, playing for the first national championship in school history.
They face a red-hot Lander (30-5) squad currently on a 15-game winning streak. The Bearcats punched their ticket to Indy by knocking off the defending champions, Nova Southeastern, and are making their first-ever appearance in a national final. The matchup features a classic contrast: Gannon’s high-octane offense against Lander’s "Blue Wall" defense.
One of these programs is guaranteed to walk away with its first-ever national trophy, capping off a historic climb to the top of the Division II landscape.
Here's everything you need to know for the championship time, including start time and streaming information.
Where to watch NCAA D2 men's basketball championship
The NCAA D2 basketball championship will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network. Fans can live stream the game live on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Gannon vs. Lander D2 championship game start time
Date: Sunday, April 5
Time: 1 p.m. ET
The D2 championship between Gannon and Lander will tip off at 1 p.m. ET from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.
The contest serves as the opening act of a tripleheader at the arena, which also features the Division III and NIT title games.
NCAA D2 basketball championship history
Here are the winners of the NCAA D2 men's basketball championships the last 10 years:
Norco pitcher Coral Williams, right, celebrates with catcher Isabella Ray after defeating Fullerton for the Michelle Carew Softball Classic Gold Bracket championship win at Peralta Park in Anaheim on Saturday night. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Satisfied is perhaps the best word to describe how Norco High pitcher Coral Williams felt after tossing a three-hit shutout in the Gold Bracket championship game of the Michelle Carew Softball Classic.
Williams recorded five strikeouts, Angelina Gonzales hit a pair of home runs and the Cougars blanked Fullerton 7-0 to capture their sixth tournament title Saturday night at Peralta Park in Anaheim.
The finals showdown between teams ranked second and third in The Times’ Top 20 poll was decided early. Kendra Nelson walked to begin the game, then Gonzales lined an inside pitch deep over the fence in left field to make it 2-0. Isabella Ray hit a solo shot to left in the fourth and in the fifth Gonzales unloaded on another homer to left to give Williams a four-run cushion that was more than she needed.
“It was the same pitch both times — I think they were trying to surprise me on the second one,” said Gonzales, who had three homers in five games. “If I didn’t get it done I knew the next player would do the job. We have each other’s backs.”
Williams, the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Player of the Year last spring, was named the most valuable pitcher of the tournament after giving up only one unearned run in 24 innings. She threw a four-hitter with nine strikeouts in Wednesday’s victory over Millikan and tossed a six-hitter with 10 strikeouts in a 2-1, 10-inning triumph over Anaheim Canyon on Friday.
“I felt confident in my preparation for this game and told myself to stay loose and don’t overthink,” Williams said. “I pitched around the zone a lot so they couldn’t do damage.”
The No. 3 Cougars (14-2) have allowed only two earned runs, and six total, while shutting out 13 opponents this season.
“I love playing behind Coral,” said Gonzales, the Cougars’ left fielder. “She makes my job easier.”
Utah Valley-bound Hayley Brock was a force at the plate for Fullerton (16-2) and singled her first time up against Williams. She was chosen most valuable player of the tournament after going 11 for 18 with four home runs, two doubles and 14 RBIs.
“It’s a great feeling to be named MVP, it just sucks coming up one win short,” said Brock, who was robbed of a second hit on a diving play at second base in the fourth inning. “That pitcher is so good. You want to attack her earlier in the count. You don’t want to get to two strikes with her.”
Norco's Angelina Gonzales celebrates after hitting the first of two home runs against Fullerton in the Michelle Carew Softball Classic Gold Bracket championship at Peralta Park in Anaheim on April 4, 2026. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Williams admitted she was wary of Brock’s prowess at the plate.
“I just had to be smart with my pitches and trust my defense,” she said. “We all need to be loose tonight and not be as tense and uptight.”
Norco advanced to the finals by blanking Orange Lutheran 2-0. Peyton May scattered five hits over six innings, striking out eight batters. Sadie Burroughs belted a solo homer in the second and Savannah Gonzalez added an RBI double to center in the fifth as the Cougars prevailed in a rematch of their 2-1 victory in the Norco Showcase finale in Chino Hills in February.
Orange Lutheran's Rylee Silva, who had 135 strikeouts as a freshman last spring, struck out five Cougars. She and the No. 7 Lancers (10-5), who edged Norco 1-0 in the semifinals last year before falling to Rosary Academy in the final, then lost to Ganesha 10-2 in Saturday’s third-place game.
Fullerton blasted five homers off of Ganesha ace Ava Phillips in its 9-4 semifinal triumph. Brock had a pair of two-run shots, Malaya Majam-Finch had a three-run home run and a solo and Andrea Montes added a solo homer as Fullerton won its ninth straight, a streak that began March 7 with a 3-2 upset over Norco at the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions in Arizona. Katelynn Mathews threw a seven-hitter with a strikeout and improved to 11-0.
Phillips allowed only four hits and struck out seven in Ganesha’s 3-2 upset of Loomis Del Oro in the first round Wednesday, then the junior transfer from Rosary outdueled Marina ace Mia Valbuena in a 4-1 win for the Giants (10-3) on Friday.
Los Alamitos (12-8) shared fifth place in the Gold Bracket with Chula Vista Mater Dei, the 2025 SoCal Division I regional champion. After throwing back-to-back no-hitters versus Rio Mesa and Los Altos on Wednesday to lift the Vikings into the top bracket, Valbuena was not in the circle in the seventh-place game against Anaheim Canyon, but her twin sister Avi hit an RBI double to tie it 2-2 in the top of the seventh.
The Comanches (12-8) prevailed 4-3 on a single by Emma Lindauer that scored Bella Alcala for the winning run in the bottom of the eighth.
Santa Maria St. Joseph took an early 3-0 lead and hung on to defeat Los Altos 4-2 for the Silver Bracket title. Jasmine Campos and Aaliyah Zamano had RBI hits for the Conquerors, who fell to 14-8.
Brooke Lebsock had a grand slam and Janai Stover added a two-run homer as Riverside King (14-4) won the Bronze Bracket with an 11-0 victory over Modesto Central Catholic.
Lauryn Kim homered and Kayla Cisneros, Addy Everett and Lizzie Hobbs each had two hits in Millikan’s 7-6 triumph over San Diego Cathedral in the consolation final.
The tournament debuted as the Canyon Tournament of Champions in the mid-1980s. Following the passing of Michelle Carew, who died from a rare form of leukemia in 1996 at the age of 18, it was renamed in her memory. She was the daughter of Angels Hall of Famer Rod Carew.
Pace boys weightlifting remains the team to beat in District 1-3A.
The Patriots swept the district championship for the third straight year, winning both the Olympic and traditional classifications.
Pace won the Olympic title with 79 points, while Navarre finished second with 56 points. The Patriots won the traditional title with 75 points, while Milton finished second with 45 points. Pace are the two-time defending 3A Olympic and traditional state champions.
Pace's Drew Groff (129 pounds), Kollin Daniels (139), Ryan Harrigill (154), Grady White (183), Alex Gomez (199), Navarre's Roan Strom (238) and Milton's Joshua Stillings (Unlimited) won the Olympic and traditional titles in their respective weight classes.
Below are area weightlifters who finished in the top 10 in their weight class. District champions automatically qualify for regionals, while the top 10 finishers have a chance to earn an at-large bid to regionals.
Pace will host the Region 1-3A championship on April 25.
District 1-3A Boys Weightlifting Championship Results
Lester Murphy was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2024 [Lester Murphy]
A man who has Parkinson's disease is trying to break as many records as he can to inspire others.
Lester Murphy from Notgrove, Gloucestershire, is a British war veteran who was diagnosed with the condition in 2024.
The 65-year-old has beaten several British and world records in indoor rowing in his age group, including for the 100m (328ft) sprint, which he achieved in 17.6 seconds through Concept 2, the manufacturer of the rowing machine he uses which also sets thechallenges.
"I want other people with Parkinson's - not just them, but everyone - to realise just because you have this illness and you are at this age, you don't have to keep looking out the window at the Grim Reaper," he said.
Murphy also holds the world record for the one minute continuous row - 309m (1,014ft) - and the British record for the four minute continuous row, which saw him rack up 959m (3,146ft).
The records are for the 65-69 age group and PR3 PD category, which is for rowers who have functional use of their leg(s), trunk and arm(s).
This category can also apply to people with up to three missing fingers on one hand, and Cerebral Palsy.
"The rowing machine that I use, the Concept 2, that's 25 years old, so I'm breaking records on a 25-year-old rowing machine," Murphy said.
"It's a testament to the rowing machine manufacturers and it's a testament to me. We're both old but we're both still breaking records."
Lester Murphy has beaten British and world indoor rowing records [Lester Murphy]
Two years prior to his diagnosis, Murphy had symptoms including tremors, violent dreams, memory loss, and problems with his body temperature.
Murphy, who also has type 2 diabetes, said rowing and taking on the challenges has helped him both physically and mentally.
"I want to, by the end of the year, have the record for all of them in my category to show others that if you set your mind to it, you work hard and you train, everything is possible."
Parkinson's is a complex condition, Anna Castiaux from Parkinson's UK said, with more than 40 symptoms which include tremor, pain and fatigue.
She said being active for 2.5 hours a week can have a positive impact, physically and mentally, on people living with Parkinson's.
"Being active isn't about pushing limits; it's about finding what works for you and making it part of everyday life," Castiaux said.
"We thank Lester for being such an inspiration and raising awareness of Parkinson's, and we wish him all the very best with his record breaking."
Apr 4, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; San Diego FC defender Manu Duah (26) leaves the field after receiving a red card for denial of a goal costing opportunity to San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Niko Tsakiris (10) during the first half at PayPal Park.
San Diego FC downed 3-0 away at PayPal Park on Saturday night, with midfielder Niko Tsakiris and the San Jose Earthquakes handing SDFC their first league loss of the 2026 campaign.
SDFC returned from the international break on the road against in-state foe, San Jose Earthquakes, looking to snap a three-match winless streak.
Despite the winless run, SDFC still saw themselves unbeaten through five matchdays of the 2026 MLS season, sitting on 11 points from three wins and two draws.
In their first two meeting last season, SDFC and San Jose split the season series, with both clubs winning on the road.
Last time out at PayPal Park back on August 17, 2025, SDFC snatched the late comeback win off Dreyer and Ingvartsen goals to take the three points.
The first goal on Saturday night belonged to the home side, with San Jose midfielder Niko Tsakiris winning possession in his attacking half off an SDFC back pass turnover.
Tsakiris then drove a shot from the left side of the box into the near post roof of the net to give San Jose the early 1-0 advantage in the 13-minute.
The problems continued for SDFC in the 28-minute, with defender Manu Duah pulling down San Jose forward Preston Judd inside the penalty area, as referee Fotis Bazakos immediately awarded the penalty attempt.
It went from bad to worse for the Chrome & Azul, with a VAR check keeping the initial penalty decision, as Duah’s yellow card was upgraded to a red card expulsion due to the takedown being deemed a last-man offence.
The red card tally continues to grow for SDFC, marking a third straight game with a sending off.
Niko Tsakiris placed the ball on the spot and buried the penalty attempt into the left side of the goal at the 34-minute mark, giving San Jose the two-goal lead and recording his first half brace with SDFC having to play the remainder of the match a player down.
Niko Tsakiris buries it from the spot for his second of the night!
Off a low-driven cross into the goal area by San Jose’s Beau Leroux, Preston Judd once again caused damage inside the penalty box, this time with the finishing first touch shot into the net.
Reduced to ten men and down by a three-goal deficit, SDFC struggled to build any momentum in the second half, with San Jose seeing the result out at the 3-0 halftime scoreline.
SDFC were unable to generate any attacking threat throughout the match, finishing with one shot on target off six total attempts.
A busy day for SDFC goalkeeper Duran Ferree, seeing 10 of the 24 total San Jose shots on target, ending his night with seven saves.
Following the defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes, SDFC head coach Mikey Varas reflected and spoke on his squad's lackluster performance on the night.
“No silver linings, we started the game really poorly with individual errors that lead to two goals conceded and a red card,” Varas said.
“Too many guys not executing the way they should be, executing the way they have and too many young guys who are playing a little bit naive right now, we have to improve from there.”
The 3-0 Saturday night road loss to San Jose marked SDFC’s first MLS road defeat since May 28, 2025, when they last fell 1-0 to the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field.
The loss also ends SDFC’s 2026 MLS unbeaten record, with their first defeat in the league campaign coming in matchday six.
A true rough patch for the Chrome & Azul, after starting the season off with three straight MLS victories, SDFC have now gone three straight league games without a win and a four-game winless streak stretching through all competitions.
San Diego FC are back at Snapdragon Stadium next Saturday, April 11, hosting Minnesota United for matchday seven of the MLS season, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m., as they look to return to winning ways.
Deontay Wilder on the floor after being knocked down by Derek Chisora at The O2, London. Picture date: Saturday April 4, 2026. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
PA Images via Getty Images
HIGHLIGHTS
A viral moment from Saturday's fight had 500,000 views by Sunday morning.
The winner admitted to holding back in certain moments because of their friendship.
What was said between the ropes tells a bigger story than the scorecards.
Deontay Wilder scored a split-decision win over Derek Chisora at the O2 Arena on Saturday night. Wilder dropped Chisora twice in the fight in what should be the latter's last pro bout. During the fight, cameras caught Wilder's lips and interpreted what appeared to be an in-ring apology to Chisora, who is also the Bronze Bomber's friend.
Wilder appeared to say, "I'm sorry. I love you," as he prepared to deliver another crushing right hand. Here is one iteration of the video which had been viewed 500,000 times by early Sunday morning.
What Did Wilder Say at the Press Conference?
During the post-fight press event, Wilder was asked if he had indeed told Chisora, "I'm sorry" and "I love you." Wilder admitted he had and offered an explanation.
"Yeah, I did tell him I love him," Wilder said. "Most definitely, because I truly do. When I say things to people, I truly mean it. I think this just brought us even closer. Derek is a wonderful man outside of boxing."
Wilder mentioned he held back in some instances because he wanted Chisora to be able to enjoy his kids and his wife in his retirement. Here is a look at the presser video.
Why Did the Video Go Viral?
A heavyweight apologizing to his opponent mid-fight while loading up a right hand is not something people see every day. The clip had 500,000 views by early Sunday morning and was trending across boxing social media.
The contrast between the tenderness of the words and the violence of the moment is what made it resonate. Fight fans on X were split between calling it one of the most genuine moments in recent boxing history and questioning whether Wilder's restraint cost him a more decisive victory.
A KO would have made a statement, but Wilder already seems to have new opportunities in front of him.
What Does This Mean for Both Fighters?
Wilder (45-4-1, 43 KOs) walked away with the win and showed a side of himself that the knockout highlight reels don’t capture. His willingness to admit he held back is rare in combat sports–even if some don’t believe him.
Chisora (36-14, 23 KOs) fought his 50th and likely final professional bout. His wife said "last fight" at the podium after the decision. If this was the end, Wilder's words in the ring gave the moment a layer most retirement fights don't get.
In case you missed it, here is a look at highlights from the fight. It wasn't pretty, but it was an entertaining slugfest.
The Seattle Mariners needed just two runs in a game against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.
Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock allowed a lead-off solo home run to Angels shortstop Zach Neto in the bottom of the first inning. That hit was all Los Angeles needed as it prevailed 1-0 against Seattle (4-5).
Outside of the homer, Hancock was solid and registered his second consecutive quality start of the season. He struck out five batters, didn't issue a free base and allowed the one earned run on six hits (including the Neto homer) in 6.2 innings pitched.
"You just got to keep executing, slow the game down a little bit," Hancock said after the game Saturday. "Kind of survive. ... Make sure you limit damage. And you just got to get back to it. Got to get back in the zone, you got to be aggressive, you got to get ahead, really have some quick outs and I think that's what helped me get into the seventh."
Los Angeles starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz had a solid outing in his own right. He fanned seven, walked two and allowed four hits in 5.2 innings pitched.
Even with Kochanowicz's good start, Seattle had several opportunities to put runs on the board throughout the game.
The Mariners went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base.
With Seattle unable to get runners over, its hopes relied solely on leaving the yard.
The Mariners had three separate hitters — catcher Cal Raleigh, first baseman Josh Naylor and shortstop JP Crawford — all look like they had connected for home runs. All three hits went to right field and all three had exit velocities of at least 93.5 miles per hour.
All three potential homers were robbed by Angels right fielder Jo Adell.
Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell jumps to rob Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor of a potential home run in a game Saturday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. | Jonathan Hui/Imagn Images.
Raleigh was robbed in the top of the first inning, Naylor's homer was taken away in the top of the eighth and Crawford was robbed in the top of the ninth inning.
Adell's robbery of Crawford was the most impressive of the three. Adell made a running grab that took him into the crowd. A review confirmed Adell held onto the ball while going into the celebratory arms of the Los Angeles crowd.
"Tough ball game tonight," M's manager Dan Wilson said in a postgame interview Saturday. " ... Offensively on our part, we created a lot of traffic tonight, we did get base runners on. You hit three balls that you feel like should go out of the ballpark and Adell makes three great catches on them. That's tough. But come back tomorrow and a chance to win the series."
You have got to be kidding.
That's THREE home run robberies tonight against the Mariners, all from Jo Adell. pic.twitter.com/RQZxD4GRQt
Seattle will have an opportunity to earn its first series win of the season in game three of the set at 1:07 p.m. PT on Sunday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.
Luis Castillo will start for the Mariners and Ryan Johnson will start for the Angels.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
The Chicago Blackhawks snapped a five-game losing streak and earned their first win at Climate Pledge Arena since 2021, defeating the Seattle Kraken 4-2 on Saturday night. Sacha Boisvert’s first NHL goal in the third period proved to be the game-winner, while Connor Bedard (2A), Ilya Mikheyev (1G, 1A), and Wyatt Kaiser (1G, 1A) each tallied two points.
With goals from Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi in the second period, the Blackhawks carried a 2-0 lead into the second intermission, the same situation they found themselves in last time they faced the Kraken on Nov. 20 at the United Center. Like, exactly. Bertuzzi and Teravainen both scored in the last meeting following a goalless first period, putting the Hawks ahead by a pair with 20 minutes to go. Teravainen’s tally was also recorded on the power play. Sounds eerily familiar, right?
But in that game, the Blackhawks couldn’t close the job in the third period, getting outshot 12-3 and allowing three unanswered goals to fall 3-2 in heartbreaking fashion. At the time, they were in the midst of a six-game point streak and held a 10-5-4 record through 19 games, looking like a potential playoff contender near the quarter mark of the year.
That dreadful defeat, however, seemed to suck all of the early-season momentum out of the Blackhawks, as they went on to lose 15 of their next 19 games to close out the 2025 calendar year. Holding onto late leads has also remained a problem ever since.
As they did in late November, the Kraken came with a third-period push in an attempt to earn another come-from-behind victory. Jaden Schwartz cut their deficit in half with 10:48 remaining, and the home crowd started to get back into it. But this time, the Blackhawks didn’t crumble in the face of adversity, responding with a punch of their own to drain the life out of the building.
Boisvert added a key insurance tally for his first career tuck at 13:08, restoring the Blackhawks’ two-goal advantage. Fellow former first-round pick Kevin Korchinski earned the primary assist with a swift pass to Boisvert in the slot for a one-timer.
While Kaapo Kakko got Seattle back within one just moments later, Boisvert’s goal was enough for the Blackhawks to hang on and avoid getting swept in the three-game season series. Mikheyev scored an empty-netter at 18:48, securing only the third regulation win for Chicago since the beginning of March.
Here are the highlights from the Blackhawks’ 4-2 win over the Kraken, moving their record to 28-35-14 through 77 games. Only five more to go.
SECOND PERIOD
After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Teravainen found the game’s first goal on the power play near the midway point of the second period. Teravainen drove the net and had his shot trickle through Philipp Grubauer’s pads at 9:15 to put the Blackhawks ahead 1-0. It’s Teravainen’s first goal since Mar. 3, snapping a 15-game drought.
Shortly before the second intermission, Bertuzzi scored his team-leading 32nd goal of the season to extend the Blackhawks’ lead to 2-0. Bertuzzi found Mikheyev’s centering feed near the crease and lifted the puck over Grubauer’s glove at 19:37.
Wyatt Kaiser➡️Ilya Mikheyev➡️Tyler Bertuzzi🚨
Bertuzzi finds Mikheyev’s backhanded centering feed for his team-leading 32nd goal of the season. 2-0 #Blackhawks through two periods. pic.twitter.com/VChH8m5moj
Through 40 minutes, the Blackhawks led 2-0 on the scoreboard and held a 24-15 advantage in shots on goal. Seattle was also limited to only three high-danger chances. It was a stout defensive performance from the visitors after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
Schwartz finally got the Kraken on the board at 10:48 of the third period, getting inside position on Kaiser at the net front and deflecting a pass from Eeli Tolvanen to cut the Blackhawks lead to 2-1. Arvid Soderblom had stopped the first 23 shots faced up to this point.
The Blackhawks courageously answered back less than three minutes later to jump back ahead by two, with Boisvert burying a one-timer for his first NHL goal at 13:08. After a group effort led to a won board battle, Korchinski found Boisvert in a soft spot of the coverage.
Just 1:10 after Boisvert’s goal, the Kraken responded with a goal of their own to cut the deficit to 3-2. Kakko jumped on Berkly Catton’s rebound and sniped a shot over Soderblom’s glove at 14:18.
The Blackhawks kept Grubauer from getting off the ice for the extra attacker until there was only 1:30 left on the clock, and Mikheyev wasted no time in hitting the empty netter to seal the win. 4-2.
The final horn sounded at Climate Pledge Arena, sending the Blackhawks to a much-needed win to snap the losing streak. They’ll look to make it two in a row and play spoiler on Monday as the road trip wraps up in San Jose against the Sharks.
Steve Bracknall, played by Sheffield's Chris McClure, says the match will be "the biggest day of my life" [Getty Images]
It has been billed as "the biggest game in Sunday League history" and it is already a sell-out.
More than 2,000 fans are expected to watch self-styled saviour of grassroots football Steve Bracknall and Royal Oak FC play arch rivals The Nags Head in the quarter-final of The Sheffield Imperial Cup.
Kicking off at 14:00 and broadcast live on YouTube and BBC Radio Sheffield, the match will draw the biggest crowd ever seen to Sheffield FC, the world's oldest football club.
The twist, however, is both teams are in fact fictional, as are the characters of Bracknall and the Royal Oak manager he serves, Paul Sampson.
Rarely doing interviews out of character, in a 2022 YouTube video he said Steve Bracknall had been born out of combination of two of his own former football coaches.
He said the first video he shared had "got a good reaction" and he was approached about developing the character, but said he was not in a position to take it on at the time.
Now though Bracknall has become a viral hit and in 2025 his Game's Gone podcast was picked up by BBC Sounds.
Speaking in 2022 McClure said: "People just see something in that guy that they love.
"Whether it's familiarity, or warmth or charm, there's millions of Steve's across our country.
"All the best comedic characters - and I'm not putting myself in this bracket - but if you look at Jim Royle or David Brent, they are like 'you're like him' or 'he's like such and such. You all see yourself in them characters."
The game will be played at the home ground of Sheffield FC, the oldest football club in the world [Getty Images]
Back in character, Bracknall runs Royal Oak FC alongside manager Sampson, better known as Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers fame.
Ahead of kick-off Bracknall said: "This is the biggest game in Sunday League history.
"Whilst on the surface it's two rival teams battling it out for a place in the Sunday Imperial Cup semi-finals, it's also a celebration of the grassroots game in this country."
He added: "I'm not necessarily saying we're better, but we'll take our chance on the day.
"And I would love it - I'm saying it like (Kevin) Keegan - I would love it, and I'll tell you now if we do it, I'll be going into the Nags Head, I'll be having a Peroni and I'm going to be absolutely giving it to them."
Bracknall said the game would be the "biggest day of his life" and has promised his players "free ale" for two weeks if they win.
Meanwhile, Adam Oxley, who will be commentating on Sunday's game for BBC Radio Sheffield, said: "I've commentated on some historic local matches in my time at BBC Radio Sheffield, not to mention my fair share of Steel City derbies between the Blades and the Owls…blue 'n' white v red 'n' white…I've seen friends and families divided come derby day.
"But I've never known a footballing story or rivalry like this one. It's unique to say the least. It's got everything, drama, betrayal and Sunday League football. What more could you want?"
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 04: (L-R) Melissa Gatto of Brazil reacts after receiving an illegal kick from Dione Barbosa of Brazil in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Better to be safe than sorry …
Following UFC Vegas 115 last night (Sat., April 4, 2026) inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, promotion officials confirmed to MMAmania.com that four fighters were transported to a local “Sin City” hospital for precautionary reasons after sustaining damage in their respective bouts.
The fighters were Chris Duncan, Lando Vannata, Hailey Cowan, and Melissa Gatto.
Duncan (15-3) was transported for precautionary CT scans of his head and face following his main event loss to Renato Moicano, where he was battered before being submitted in the second round (watch highlights).
The defeat snapped Duncan’s impressive four-fight win streak, which included finishes over Terrance McKinney (watch highlights), Jordan Vucenic, and Bolaji Oki, along with a Fight of the Night war against Mateusz Rebecki — a bout that also resulted in a hospital visit.
UFC Vegas 115 marked the first main event appearance — and first main event loss — of his Octagon career.
Vannata (12-8-2) was also transported for precautionary scans of his head, face, abdomen, and pelvis following a TKO loss to Darrius Flowers.
After returning from a three-year layoff, Vannata’s comeback didn’t go as planned. He appeared to suffer a rib injury during the bout and now finds himself on a three-fight losing streak — the longest of his career.
Cowan (7-5) was sent for precautionary CT scans of her head and face after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Alice Pereira on the preliminary card (watch highlights).
Cowan has now dropped to 0-3 inside the Octagon and has been finished in back-to-back outings, putting her UFC future in serious jeopardy.
Finally, Gatto (9-3-2) was transported for evaluation of her head following a controversial moment in her majority decision loss to Dione Barbosa.
Gatto absorbed an illegal soccer that appeared to briefly knock her out — though she was able to continue after the allotted recovery time and finish the fight. The 29-year-old Brazilian, who had been sidelined for nearly two years prior to this bout, now sits at 3-3 in the promotion.
At this time, the results of both fighters’ scans have not been disclosed.
It is normal for UFC to transport fighters to the hospital for precautionary reasons, especially if the fighters are involved in three-round battles that are full of damage or after suffering nasty knockouts.
Stick with MMAmania.com for the fighters’ health-related updates.
For complete UFC Vegas 115 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
The third round of the Texas Open has been suspended until Sunday because of bad weather.
Scot Robert MacIntyre had seen his lead reduced from four shots to two by playing partner Ludvig Aberg through six holes when storms caused play to be stopped at the PGA Tour event.
The delay extended to six hours and the decision was eventually made to suspend play at 4.55pm local time.
MacIntyre went into Saturday with a commanding lead after following up an opening 66 with a 64.
A steady start to his third round saw him pick up a birdie on the par-four fifth to reach 15 under par, while Ryder Cup team-mate Aberg birdied the first two holes as well as matching MacIntyre at the fifth.
Two eagles helped Matt Wallace climb into a share for third, with the Englishman on seven under through 14 and sitting a further two shots back.
Japan's Ryo Hisatsune is also on 11 under while England's Marco Penge birdied six straight holes to move into a share of fifth place a shot further adrift.
The event is the final tune-up before next week’s Masters at Augusta, with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy among those electing not to play in San Antonio.
Agent jets in as Liverpool cult hero nears Juventus move
Liverpool made big changes to their strikeline last summer.
Sporting director Richard Hughes made serious waves in the transfer market - completing British record deals for both Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
The Premier League champions also added Hugo Ekitike on an expensive deal from Eintracht Frankfurt - completing a radical overhaul of the centre of Liverpool’s attack.
There were of course casualties in the process with Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz finding themselves surplus to requirements. Nunez went to Al-Hilal for an initial £46m while Diaz moved on to Bayern Munich for around £65m.
The Liverpool cult hero is expected to leave Saudi Arabia next summer and it looks like the forward is nearing a move to Juventus.
That’s according to Juventus reporter Gianni Balzarini on his YouTube channel as relayed on Tutto Juve. He claims that a representative of Nunez - Tommaso Inzaghi, the son of Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi - jetted into Turin last week for talks.
Nunez was also present as the international friendly game between Uruguay and Algeria took place at Juve’s Allianz Stadium with Uruguay training at Juve's Continassa base.
The route goes past the Royal Pavilion [Brighton Marathon]
Thousands of runners are expected to take part in the 2026 Brighton Marathon on 12 April.
The first event in the city took place in 2010, with just over 7,500 competitors, but more than 20,000 participants are expected to start the 26.2-mile (41.1km) race this year.
It is organised by London Marathon Events (LME) and starts in Preston Park across various wave times from 09:45 BST.
We answer some of the key questions surrounding the event:
What is the route of the Brighton Marathon?
The Brighton Marathon begins at Preston Park and finishes on Madeira Drive [Brighton Marathon/Strava]
The Brighton Marathon begins at Preston Park and goes through the city centre, past the Royal Pavilion, out to Ovingdean, back along the coast to Hove, and then finishing on Madeira Drive.
The route has a total elevation of 477 feet (145m), compared with 266 ft (81m) at the London Marathon.
There is an official tracking app, so people can follow how friends, family and celebrities are getting on and plan where to spot them.
There are three accessible viewing points and three cheer zones on the course.
How do I get to the start of the marathon?
People are being told to walk from Brighton station to the start point [Getty Images]
The main race starts from Preston Park at 09:45 BST, with competitors setting off in waves based on how quickly they think they will finish.
Preston Park station will be closed on the morning of the event, as it has small platforms.
Govia Thameslink Railway, who operate trains through the station, say that closing the station is a safety measure to minimise overcrowding.
People travelling by rail are advised to take the train to Brighton station and walk from there to the start line, which is just under a mile.
Park and ride shuttle buses will also help people get to the start in time for the race.
Services operate from Mill Road, Falmer, Moulsecoomb and Brighton Racecourse, starting at 07:45 BST, but they must be pre-booked.
Only people participating in the marathon will be granted access to Preston Park.
Which roads will be closed in the city centre?
A number of key roads in Brighton city centre will be closed [Getty Images]
With the route going through Brighton city centre, road closures will be in place.
Timings vary for each road, with some closing from 06:00, but all roads are due to be open by 18:30.
Some of the key roads closed will be the A23 London Road and Preston Road, A259 Marine Parade and Marine Drive and St Leonard's Road.
A full list of road closures, as well as exact timings, is available on the Brighton Marathon website.
What do people get for finishing the marathon?
Some businesses in the city centre will offer freebies to runners who show their medal [Govia Thameslink Railway]
Anyone who completes the marathon within the cut-off time of seven hours will receive a top and a medal.
Participants will also receive an official time, which is tracked through a chip on their bib number.
At the finish line, runners will receive a goody pack and also access to the Beach Village Club at Hove Lawns to celebrate.
Some businesses in the city centre, mainly restaurants and bars, will be offering freebies to runners who show their medal upon completion.
What were the 2025 results?
Sam Cook, from Horsham, won the men's race in 2025 [BBC]
A lecturer and researcher at Swansea University, Marchant finished in two hours, 55 minutes and 41 seconds, despite being out until 03:00 that morning.
New York Knicks (50-28, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (45-33, fifth in the Eastern Conference)
Atlanta; Monday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta will look to keep its four-game win streak going when the Hawks take on New York.
The Hawks are 26-22 in conference play. Atlanta ranks second in the Eastern Conference with 18.4 fast break points per game led by Jalen Johnson averaging 4.1.
The Knicks are 32-16 in Eastern Conference play. New York has an 8-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Hawks' 14.6 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.8 more made shots on average than the 13.8 per game the Knicks allow. The Knicks are shooting 47.6% from the field, 0.4% higher than the 47.2% the Hawks' opponents have shot this season.
The teams play for the third time this season. The Hawks won the last matchup 111-99 on Jan. 3. Onyeka Okongwu scored 23 points to help lead the Hawks to the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 20.6 points and 3.7 assists for the Hawks. CJ McCollum is averaging 19.7 points over the last 10 games.
Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson is averaging 18.9 points and 6.4 assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 8-2, averaging 124.0 points, 42.6 rebounds, 30.2 assists, 10.2 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.5 points per game.
Knicks: 7-3, averaging 116.8 points, 44.3 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.9 points.
INJURIES: Hawks: Jock Landale: out (ankle).
Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns: day to day (elbow).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: Washington travels to Brooklyn looking to break its four-game road losing streak.
The Nets are 12-34 in Eastern Conference games. Brooklyn is the worst team in the league with just 39.5 rebounds per game led by Nic Claxton averaging 6.9.
The Wizards are 11-36 against Eastern Conference opponents. Washington is 8-47 in games decided by 10 points or more.
The Nets' 13.2 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.4 fewer made shots on average than the 13.6 per game the Wizards allow. The Wizards' 46.2% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.3 percentage points lower than the Nets have given up to their opponents (49.5%).
The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Nets won the last meeting 127-113 on Feb. 7, with Michael Porter Jr. scoring 23 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Noah Clowney is averaging 12.3 points for the Nets. Josh Minott is averaging 9.6 points over the last 10 games.
Bilal Coulibaly is shooting 41.6% and averaging 11.4 points for the Wizards. Jaden Hardy is averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nets: 1-9, averaging 101.4 points, 35.1 rebounds, 23.2 assists, 10.0 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 43.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.0 points per game.
Wizards: 1-9, averaging 115.1 points, 37.4 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 131.3 points.
INJURIES: Nets: Ziaire Williams: out (foot), Noah Clowney: day to day (ankle), Nic Claxton: out (hand), Danny Wolf: out for season (ankle), Egor Demin: out for season (foot), Day'Ron Sharpe: out for season (thumb), Michael Porter Jr.: out for season (hamstring), Terance Mann: day to day (achilles), Ben Saraf: day to day (back).
Wizards: Anthony Davis: out (finger), Tristan Vukcevic: day to day (knee), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Alex Sarr: day to day (toe), Kyshawn George: out for season (elbow), D'Angelo Russell: out (not injury related), Trae Young: out (quad).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Washington Commanders need another wide receiver. They acknowledged as much in the opening days of free agency by pursuing Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs. Pierce was the top free-agent receiver available and chose to remain with the Indianapolis Colts on a four-year deal worth $114 million. That's a lot of money for a receiver who has never caught more than 47 passes. And Washington would have been a favorite to land Pierce had he left Indianapolis.
The Commanders eventually signed Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson. Neither is even guaranteed a spot on Washington's 53-man roster, although Brown has the better shot. The Commanders missed out on some top targets, but signed Brown and Jefferson to ensure there wasn't a repeat of last season, when they were elevating receivers from the practice squad each week.
It's safe to say that wide receiver remains a high priority for Washington entering the 2026 NFL Draft. They've met with several of the top prospects, including Carnell Tate (Ohio State, Makai Lemon (USC) and Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) in recent months. Tate will visit Ashburn on an official pre-draft visit. So will Lemon.
The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon is arguably the top receiver in the class. In three years for the Trojans, Lemon finished with 137 receptions for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns. He won the Biletnikoff Award last season as college football's top receiver.
Lemon is an interesting prospect, as he could immediately play the slot for the Commanders in new offensive coordinator David Blough's offense. Lemon has often drawn comparisons to Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown, also a former USC star. St. Brown is one of the NFL's best receivers and someone Blough knows well. They were teammates in 2021 and in 2023.
Some believe the top 10 is too high for Lemon. The Commanders hold the No. 7 overall pick. However, most analysts believe he's a surefire top-15 pick. In reality, what's the difference? If he's your top receiver, which no one knows if he is, you pick him. Could Washington be hosting Lemon as a potential trade-back option?
After playing the St. Louis Cardinals on the road before heading over to San Francisco, the Mets are ready for the final game of the trip before heading back to Queens. It is set to be an afternoon affair to close out the team's first road trip of the 2026 season.
Who are the Mets playing today? Check out the complete schedule for April 5:
Who do the Mets play today?
Opponent: San Francisco Giants
When do the Mets play next?
Date: Sunday, April 5, 2026
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
What channel is Mets vs Giants game?
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App 92.3 HD2
We hadn’t done one in a while and two come along in quick succession! After the fun we had last week we return with another Room 101 and Jonny returns along with Andrew to get rid of their football pet hates! On today’s show…
Is Jonny so seething from last week?!
The Americans have been busy lately…
But are they ruining our matchday experience?!
Andrew goes in heavy on a controversial topic!
But does it go into Room 101?!
All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss another episode of our free daily show.
Want to get in touch with us? You can drop us an email at HawayThePodcastSAFC@Gmail.com, or you can contact us via social media – we’re @RokerReport on almost every platform. For your daily SAFC fan-written content, head over toRokerReport.SBNation.com
𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 🎙️
✨ ROOM 101 (PART 1) ✨
Our Temu version of a TV classic returns as the Lads try to consign more of their footy pet hates to the bin! 🚮❌
Jack Wilshere made 197 Arsenal appearances and won 34 England caps - Harvey Stacey for The Telegraph
Jack Wilshere is back at Wembley next Sunday, as a manager for the first time – a stadium at which the bewitching talent of his teenage self once looked like it would define England for a generation.
Sitting opposite me at his club’s training ground, Wilshere, the Luton Town manager, listens politely to my memories of his career. The game I go back to was 15 years ago this June, a Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland in which England fell two goals behind. From there a 19-year-old Wilshere took charge and a 2-2 draw was secured. It was the maturity of his performance, as well as the talent, that lingered.
Wilshere has a good memory for the details of his career. He can recall the line-ups that day and the flow of the match. It was at the end of his breakthrough 2010-11 season when he played 49 games for Arsenal, thrust straight into the heart of Arsène Wenger’s midfield from his first start in the season-opener at Anfield as an 18-year-old. He would never play as many games in one season again.
He felt pain in his right ankle that day at Wembley, saying: “I remember afterwards thinking, ‘That doesn’t feel right’. It was an impact in the game. It might have been [Arsenal team-mate] Johan Djourou but it was going to happen anyway because it was an overload thing that was weakened over time. That game just pushed it over the edge.”
Wilshere would not play another competitive game for 16 months after that day at Wembley in June 2011. History records that in 2011-12, when he should have emerged as one of the pre-eminent midfielders in Europe, ready to lead England in the summer at Euro 2012, not a single minute was added to his professional tally. Things would never be the same again.
“I didn’t know at the time [in June 2011],” he says. “And sometimes I think, ‘That was the last time when I was actually really, really free as a player’.”
If it wasn’t for injuries, Wilshere could have been an Arsenal and England great - Michael Steele/Getty Images
There was a very good career left in him: 197 Arsenal appearances and 34 England caps including a good run in the team in 2013 and 2014 when he had adjusted his game from those teen days as a dynamic midfielder to operate as a No 6. There is an alternative reality, I suggest, where this summer he is England captain in the United States. That Wilshere has more than a century of caps at home and seven tournaments under his belt. He is, after all, only 34.
Wilshere, talking to Sam Wallace, has a good memory for the details of his career - Harvey Stacey for The Telegraph
“I look back on my England career and those 34 caps could easily have been 75 – even if you cut down half the injuries,” he says. “I look back with pride. I went to the World Cup [in 2014] and I went to the Euros [in 2016]. Probably didn’t get the best out of me because both were off the back of a season with bad injuries, but I had a coach in Roy Hodgson who I really liked.
“Arguably, I shouldn’t have been in those squads, but he trusted me. Sometimes I look back and think of what might have been. But I have really good memories of scoring two goals [against Slovenia in June 2015]; of having a run in the team as a No 6. I loved that. So, yeah, frustrating, but also really proud.”
Whatever grieving others have done for Wilshere’s career, the man himself is at peace. He loves his new life. He is a coaching obsessive and following him around Luton’s tidy training ground is to see a manager in that sweet spot. Young enough to engage in essential football badinage – to the handyman painting a wall, a cheery, “You’ll have that done by next year.” Also, of a vintage that means the authority comes easily.
On the training pitch he can still thread a ball through a pack of hungry young League One players with the old accuracy. The Wilshere gait – a kind of gunslinger’s swagger – is unmistakeable.
Luton play Stockport in the Football League Vertu Trophy and Wilshere will lead his players on to a Wembley pitch upon which he was once part of an England team that beat Brazil. In later years, he was a substitute in two victorious Arsenal FA Cup finals. His last Wembley appearance was the 2018 Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City in his Arsenal swansong. He has been coaching since 2020, first at Arsenal’s academy, then Norwich City, where he was interim first-team manager, and at Luton since October.
Wilshere is relishing the coaching, recruitment, budget and man-management side of things at Luton - Harvey Stacey for The Telegraph
It has not been an easy ride. He has asked his players to dominate the ball in a style that has taken some adaptation. There have been some harsh words with supporters. But Luton, for whom the Premier League season of 2023-24 has prefaced an unexpected decline, presents a challenge he just cannot resist. Coaching, recruitment, budgets, man-management. All life is here for a manager prepared to take it on.
For a young footballer who could at times be something of a tearaway, and a little taciturn too, Wilshere’s flourishing into a perceptive coaching scholar shows how the game shapes its devotees.
“I want to settle and build relationships with people, with players, with the board and try to build something that is sustainable,” he says. “Hopefully we go into the Championship together. It’s not always possible but that is the idea.”
We talk about how he approaches the challenging parts of it away from the pitch – managing budgets and assigning resources. “My biggest lesson is: be who you are, be authentic. Don’t act like you really know what you are doing [straight away]. You have to learn and understand it.
“The [Uefa] Pro Licence helps with that. The biggest thing is having a clear way and an identity – a way to see every position. That takes time to build and it is always evolving. One of the big things was trying to get a clear playing style and what you want from every position: physically, mentally, tactically.”
Wilshere’s primary focus is to get Luton promoted to the Championship - Harvey Stacey for The Telegraph
Pep Guardiola is the coach to whom he returns more than once as the benchmark, just ahead of his friend and former team-mate Mikel Arteta. We are back into the past again, and the night of February 16, 2011, when Guardiola’s Barcelona came to the Emirates for the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie. This was the greatest team of the era – perhaps of any era – and on their way to their second European Cup.
Arsenal had lost 6-3 on aggregate to Barcelona in the quarter-final in the previous season. Wilshere smiles when he recalls the training-ground reaction to facing Barcelona again. “Everyone was a bit, ‘Ohhhh’,” Wilshere says, miming anxiety. “I remember thinking, ‘They can’t be that good!’”
Lots of fine players faced the great Guardiola team of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi et al – but only a few can say they got the better of them. That night was arguably peak Wilshere. Later he talks about producing players with “Spanish technique and an English mentality”. It is as good a definition as any of Wilshere in that game.
Wilshere got the better of Andres Iniesta back in 2011 in the Champions League - Eddie Keogh/Reuters
“Cold arrogance,” is how he remembers the great Barcelona team in the tunnel – and he means it as a compliment. “They weren’t bothered,” he says. Then the game started. “It was just how close they were to each other. The connections, the short passes where you thought you could press and then there was someone there.”
He flew into a tackle after 10 minutes and came out with the ball to launch a counter-attack. It had taken him that long to realise that the only way to play was on the front foot.
“When they lost the ball their counter-press would just fly at you,” he says. “And a lot of the time they would win the ball back.
“Whether it was Xavi or Iniesta, I had an advantage over them with my power in that first little step. I thought, ‘If you keep playing into where they want you to play, they will keep pressing and winning the ball back’. I call it now, ‘Going against the wave of the press’. If I put the ball in that area either they had to foul me or they couldn’t win the ball back. I had to go against their wave when they wanted to jump out to press.
“I thought, ‘They can’t get the ball off me’, and I kept doing it and doing it. They’re smart players and eventually they started to sit off.”
Arsenal came from behind to win 2-1 that night, although Barcelona would finish the job at the Nou Camp. Such talk brings us to the latest Arsenal sensation, the 16-year-old Max Dowman, who played as a 13-year-old in the Arsenal Under-18s teams which Wilshere coached. Wilshere is unequivocal about the teenager.
Arsenal 16-year-old Max Dowman has the world at his feet - Stuart MacFarlane/Getty Images
“I remember calling my dad and saying, ‘Dad, you need to come and watch this kid. I think he is better than me’. My dad [Andy] is very biased towards me. He thinks I am the best player. It actually gets to the point where I argue with him sometimes. I don’t want to put pressure on him [Dowman], but there is so much now anyway.”
Dowman’s maiden Premier League goal against Everton? “I don’t score that goal at 16,” is Wilshere’s blunt response.
“Look at his [Dowman’s] physical capabilities. At 13, 14, he was getting the highest numbers in the Under-18s for his sprints, and his high-intensity running. He was just robust. He would get kicked by people four or five years older than him. Generally, I tried to give him support – almost like a mentor – and an understanding of what Mikel would eventually want from him. But the rest – his technique – was just natural. His ability to dribble, the timing. Yeah, he was a different level to everyone.”
MAX DOWMAN RUNS THE LENGTH OF THE PITCH AND WINS IT FOR ARSENAL! 🌟
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 14, 2026
Wilshere argues that Arteta does not get enough credit for the development of young players whom, he argues, are not simply handed over by the academy “first-team ready”. The inevitable question is: should Dowman go to the World Cup this summer?
“The only thing I would say is, Spain would take him. That’s what I think. We have this way at times in England of building them up but then protecting them. You get caught in that [place]: ‘If he goes what will people say?’ He [Dowman] is definitely good enough. Even if he goes and he doesn’t play that much. Which I think he can. I think he is good enough.
“He is going to be there eventually. I understand people saying, ‘Maybe not’. But I also think [Lamine] Yamal went as a 16-year-old [to Euro 2024] and he was the best player in the tournament.”
Lamine Yamal (centre) announced himself on one of the biggest stages at Euro 2024 - Adam Davy/PA
Looking back, Wilshere, aged 18, was ready to play at the 2010 World Cup – it was simply that he had spent the preceding season on loan at Bolton Wanderers that meant he was not considered by Fabio Capello. The same could be said of Joe Hart. Both immediately became regulars in the aftermath of that tournament – so why wait?
“Let’s see what he does between now and the end of the season with Arsenal,” Wilshere says. “Because he also has to play at some point. I do think there are better processes in place for all that. I do think the FA is set up better to create pathways and they are aware of what is happening around them. There are things in the playing style that are aligned. It does help. It wouldn’t have happened back then [in 2010].”
Dowman is set up for a long and successful career and he could hardly have had a better guide along the way. Wilshere was the first of a new generation of much more technically adept English players to whom Dowman is the natural successor. There is something else, too, in Wilshere that Dowman – indeed every footballer – needs. A robustness to take the best and the worst the game can give you – and love it nonetheless.
Bayern will travel to the legendary Estadio Santiago Bernabéu once again on 7 April for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid. The stadium has been the site of some of the greatest clashes in European football between the Munich and Madrid giants.
31 March 1976: Real Madrid 1-1 Bayern – European Cup semi-final
One of the most important goals in Bayern’s history was in fact not captured on film. After Madrid’s Roberto Martínez missed a chance to score in the 43rd minute, the camera was still focused on his despair as Munich launched a counter-attack and Gerd Müller slotted home a cross from Franz ‘Bulle’ Roth. It levelled the score at 1-1 and broke the spirit of the previously dominant hosts. Bayern had won the European Cup in the previous two years; nothing could rattle them. After the final whistle, a Madrid fan knocked Müller to the ground with a punch. He didn’t complain but got his own back in the return leg with a brace to secure a 2-0 victory. Bayern went on to lift the trophy for the third time in a row.
22 April 1987: Real Madrid 1-0 Bayern – European Cup semi-final
It felt like nothing could go wrong. But what does that really mean when you’re up against Real Madrid, in front of 100,000 spectators? Bayern had won the first leg of their semi-final tie 4-1 at the Olympic Stadium, after Madrid’s Juanito was shown a red card in the first half for one of the most brutal fouls in football history, kicking Lothar Matthäus in the head. In the return leg, the Reds faced a relentless onslaught from Los Blancos. Klaus Augenthaler scored an own goal, was sent off in the 30th minute and despaired in the dressing room. “I took a few showers, had a smoke,” he revealed afterwards. With a man advantage, Real only needed to score two more goals, and the chances were there. But Jean-Marie Pfaff played the game of his life in goal. Bayern progressed to the final against Porto, which they unfortunately lost. And in the Spanish press, a new name for Bayern took hold: La Bestia Negra.
1 May 2001: Real Madrid 0-1 Bayern – Champions League semi-final
Rarely have Bayern swept through Europe with such conviction as they did in the spring of 2001. The team had not been broken by their crushing defeat in the 1999 Champions League final. They had grown from it, continually perfecting their disciplined, controlled style of play. Madrid had the better individual players, dominated possession, but didn’t stand a chance. At the back, Oliver Kahn was unbeatable. Up front, a lone striker in Giovane Élber lay in wait. The Munich defence sent a Madrid clearance straight back into Real’s half in the 55th minute. From 25 metres out, Élber turned and fired off a shot that flew into the net. Later, Élber said he hadn’t even known exactly where the goal was. Bayern simply had blind faith in themselves. They went on to win the second leg 2-1 and then lifted the trophy with victory over Valencia.
25 April 2012: Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern (Bayern won on pens) – Champions League semi-final
There was one time Bayern even managed to make the great José Mourinho feel small. The ‘Special One’ watched the final moments of one of the most thrilling European matches of all time on his knees. Bayern had won the first leg in Munich 2-1. In the second leg, however, they found themselves two goals down after just 15 minutes. There was the potential for a disaster. The team fought their way back with a penalty converted by Arjen Robben and took the tie into extra-time and then a penalty shootout. There, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká and Sergio Ramos missed their spot-kicks. But the Munich side’s nerves were also on edge. Bastian Schweinsteiger, returning from a long injury lay-off, stepped up as the last taker. Exhausted, he could barely make it to the spot but converted confidently. Bayern were through to the Finale dahoam. And Mourinho went into the Bayern dressing room to congratulate every player individually.
1 May 2018: Real Madrid 2-2 Bayern – Champions League semi-final
For the fifth time in five years, Bayern faced a Spanish side in the Champions League knockout stages. In each of the four previous years, they had been eliminated. And now? Bayern had lost the first leg against Real 2-1 at the Allianz Arena, with a great deal of bad luck. In the return leg at the Bernabéu, half the usual first-team line-up was missing – Manuel Neuer, Jérôme Boateng, Arturo Vidal, Arjen Robben, Kingsley Coman. The Bavarians scored an early goal through Joshua Kimmich and played more dominantly than ever before at the Bernabéu. But Karim Benzema struck twice, both seemingly out of nowhere. Bayern equalised to make it 2-2 on the night, but the decisive third goal just wouldn’t come. They left Madrid with their heads held high nonetheless. In 2020, we finally broke the Spanish curse, thrashing Barcelona in the quarter-finals en route to winning the competition.
8 May 2024: Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern – Champions League semi-final
After a 2-2 draw in the first leg at the Allianz Arena, Bayern put up a brilliant fight against Real in the winner-takes-all semi-final second leg at the Bernabéu. Alphonso Davies put Munich ahead in the 68th minute, sparking dreams among fans of a repeat of the 2013 all-German final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. But Real struck in the closing stages. Joselu first equalised in the 88th minute and then, just three minutes later, scored the winner for Los Blancos. A goal by Matthijs de Ligt in stoppage time did not count because the referee had already blown the whistle for an alleged offside. So, despite a tireless performance, Bayern were eliminated by the narrowest of margins and missed out on the final.
We spoke with Real’s Emilio Butragueño to preview the quarter-final tie:
Bayern take on Real Madrid again in April, 50 years on from first encounter in 1976. The Spanish club are in transition but always pose a real threat. A members’ magazine '51' search for clues between myth and business plan right in front of the Bernabéu.
When a father takes his sons to the football stadium, he wants to cheer on his team and create memories that everyone will remember for decades to come. But 60 minutes before kick-off, Miguel Fuentes and his sons Pablo, 12, and Alvaro, 10, really don't know what to expect at the Bernabéu. "The season has been full of ups and downs, like a rollercoaster," says the 40-something from a northern suburb of Madrid. All three are die-hard ‘Hinchas’ - Spanish for Real Madrid fans and have been club members for years. On a Sunday evening at the end of March, they're waiting in the queue to get in to watch the derby against Atlético Madrid. The aim is to stay in touch with Barcelona in the table, defend their city dominance and stay in the flow ahead of the most important phase of the season. But there's not much sign of the confidence Real Madrid fans in Spain are known for - and that's with just under two weeks to go till the Champions League quarter-final against FC Bayern, the ‘Clásico Europeo’, as the game is known in Spain.
No fixture has been contested more often in the Champions League
No encounter has taken place more often in the Champions League than Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich. Since their first meeting 50 years ago, in March 1976, the record champions of Spain and Germany have faced each other almost 30 times in European competition. But if you ask around the football scene in Madrid, you'll hear unfamiliar undertones: frustration, uncertainty, perhaps even nervousness. "The team just isn't working properly," says Miguel Fuentes worriedly. Although Real brought in yet another superstar in the form of Kylian Mbappé on a free transfer - rumoured signing-on fee: €150 million - the team never really got going again following the departure of midfield motors Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić. In January, the club sacked Xabi Alonso after a defeat in the Super Cup final against Barcelona. The headline in the sports newspaper AS read: "A story that began as a fairytale and ended as a nightmare." Under his successor Álvaro Arbeloa, the team have put in some brilliant performances, such as the two Champions League round of 16 wins against Manchester City, but also a surprising Copa del Rey defeat against second division side Albacete. There have been dream goals and blunders, applause alternating with boos, and repeated criticism of president Florentino Pérez, who has been at the helm for over two decades. Where will Real be in spring 2026? Is the glamour of the Los Blancos fading or are they about to go on one of their dreaded runs when it matters most?
Event venue with an underground greenhouse
On matchday, fans stream into the streets around the Paseo de la Castellana hours before kick-off, lighting purple flares and singing "Hala Madrid". For almost 80 years, the Bernabéu has been an institution in the city like the Almudena Cathedral or the Gran Vía. Nowadays, with its stainless steel panelling and amorphous shape, it looks more like a futuristic event venue than a conventional football stadium where tradition is celebrated. Following the refurbishment, it's considered the "most modern stadium in the world", according to the local press. The pitch can be completely recessed into an underground greenhouse to create space for large concerts. During the week, an artificial turf is laid so tourists visiting the Bernabéu with its museum, fan store and restaurants can take photos without a patch of bare concrete where their favourite team normally plays. The renovation cost €1.3 billion, almost three times as much as originally planned. The stadium is intended to generate revenue beyond match operations, enabling the club to keep pace with European rivals such as PSG or Man City, who are owned by billionaires and oil-producing states. The queues for the derby are packed with tourists. German, Italian, English and Arabic can be heard. Scarves and jerseys are new, either from the fan store or from one of the countless street stalls around the stadium.
Real in transition?
When it comes to the commercial side of the Pérez era, Jorge Longarela is happy. "Real Madrid are better off than ever before," says the board member of the Real fan club umbrella organisation in the Madrid region. Longarela comes from a family "where everyone has always been a Real fan" and heads up the Peña Madridista in the Carabanchel neighbourhood, which has around 90 members. "We follow the best club in the world, we pay a lot of money for tickets - so you should be able to demand a lot," says the 48-year-old insurance clerk, explaining why resentment spreads more quickly in the stands than at other Spanish clubs. Longarela believes Real are in transition. "There are rumours that this is Florentino Pérez's last term as president," he says. And he doesn't exactly sound sad.
Because in March 2026, Real seemed more vulnerable than in many previous years. There are questions about the internal balance, the inconsistent results. Teams travelling to the Bernabéu are no longer automatically afraid of the 80,000 fans, but believe they can get something from the game.
What Bayern and Real have in common
Miguel Ángel López is no exception. In Spanish football, you’re either a Madridista or a die-hard anti-Madridista - there's nothing in between. López belongs to the second type and has two membership cards in his wallet, both of which have a special relationship with Real. "Atlético Madrid and FC Bayern," he says proudly. The 61-year-old pensioner has been a Bayern fan since the 1970s, when FCB supplanted Real on the throne of Europe and won the European Cup three times in a row. With a gleam in his eye, he shows off the signed autograph cards he was sent from Munich decades ago - Beckenbauer, Augenthaler. López has been an official Bayern member since 2009.
"Bayern are the Bestia Negra"
López firmly believes Bayern will knock Los Blancos out of the Champions League this year. The inconsistencies in their performances this season are too great. "Bayern have always been Real Madrid’s Bestia Negra," he says, clearly enjoying what his Atlético have never achieved. "The fans are used to their club always winning. And if it doesn't work out, they're depressed for days, looking for someone to blame." But Bayern and Real have one thing in common, he confesses: "Both clubs never admit defeat. Not until the last minute."
The Reds in Madrid
Seasoned Bayern fans have certainly experienced many incredible evenings at the Bernabéu. The victories in 1976 and 1987, when Bayern stopped the great Madrid in the semi-finals, the triumphs in 2001 and 2012, the drama in 2024 - every Bayern team aiming for the ultimate title have to prove themselves against the Spanish giants sooner or later. Until well into the 21st century, the Munich men were downright feared in Madrid and proudly bore the title Bestia Negra, as they call their fearsome opponents in Spain. Even if the most recent knockout ties have been more of a ‘white curse’, given Real have knocked Bayern out of the competition four times in a row since 2014.
Bestia Negra is also the name of the Bayern fan club in the Spanish capital. Around 30 members, mostly German expats and a few Spaniards, belong to it. They watch the games together in sports bars, go to the stadium when Bayern come to Madrid or travel to Munich for home games. Like Daniel Gern, the spokesman for the Bestia Negra, who already has his ticket for the quarter-final second leg at the Allianz Arena. To warm up, the 49-year-old from the Rhineland-Palatinate has arranged to meet up with four other Bayern fans in an Irish pub less than ten minutes away from the Bernabéu, to scout the opposition and get in the mood for the next European classic together.
Not a fully-fledged team
They are all avowed anti-Madridistas here, but they also pay tribute to the European record champions. “Legends” - this word comes up again and again. Bayern against Real has always been "a meeting of equals," says Thomas Kress (50), who is originally from Franconia. Nevertheless, he believes that Los Blancos under Pérez are strongly focused on global marketing. His fan club pal Daniel agrees: "Unlike Bayern, the club has hardly retained anything original. Sometimes the squad seems more like a collection of big names than a fully-fledged team.”
Good chance of victory against Real
This year, the five are certain Bayern have a good chance of beating Madrid. The Munich side are enjoying an excellent season, the Spaniards a mixed one. “But it now looks as if Real have bounced back in recent weeks," Gern points out. In fact, they recorded five wins and just one defeat in March. His prediction: "1-1 in the first leg in Madrid, 2-1 in the return leg in Munich. Bayern to go through." But he doesn't sound 100 percent sure. How could he, given the images currently flickering across the screen? Real are behind in the derby, captain Fede Valverde is shown a red card, but they still win 3-2 in the end. "You must never forget that Real Madrid are Real Madrid," says Gern, shaking his head. It's one of the old adages in Spanish football. For anti-Madridistas, it's a curse - you lose even when you don't deserve to. For Madridistas like Miguel Fuentes and his sons, it's a reason to never give up hope. "When Real Madrid are suffering the most, we often progress the furthest,” says Fuentes.
Real legend Emilio Butragueño (62) on magical European Cup nights and encounters with Bayern:
Arizona’s only scheduled game this season on linear television just happened to coincide with the men’s basketball team playing in its first Final Four in 25 years, which likely meant very few fans ended up tuning in (or showing up in person). That may have ended up being a blessed in disguise.
Rival ASU scored six runs in the top of the 1st inning en route to a 15-6 win over the Wildcats on Saturday night at Hi Corbett Field, taking the 3-game series.
Arizona (10-21, 3-9 Big 12) were unable to carry over the momentum from Friday’s 7-4 win in which it rallied from down 4-0 in the 7th. The Wildcats trailed 10-1 in the 3rd as starting pitcher Luc Fladda was tagged for nine runs in 2.1 innings.
The Wildcats finished with nine hits and clubbed three home runs, two by Andrew Cain, who drove in three. It was the first multi-homer game for a UA player since Aaron Walton hit three in the NCAA regionals last June.
Maddox Mihalakis hit his first homer of the season and was one of three Arizona players with multiple hits.
The UA returns to action Wednesday at home against New Mexico State, the first of five games in six days. It visits TCU next weekend before facing ASU for a nonconference game in Phoenix on the way back.
Once again, it was nothing short of amazing. Despite temperatures just above freezing and light snowfall, over 2,000 fans turned up at Säbener Straße last Tuesday to watch Bayern’s open training session during the international break. It was as if the spectators wanted to shout across the pitch to the players: We’ll support you come what may, we’ve got your backs – especially in these now crucial weeks of the season. April brings not only the eagerly anticipated Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, but also the DFB Cup semi-final at Bayer Leverkusen (22 April) and perhaps even a potential Champions League semi-final first leg in Liverpool or Paris (28 April) – assuming quarter-final success.
But for now, the only thing that matters is this monumental clash in the Champions League against Real Madrid. Ahead of the first leg at the Bernabéu on 7 April, we spoke to the fans at training about our upcoming opponents.
Fans talk about quarter-final with Real Madrid
Marlon: “It’s going to be an incredible match. It’s the biggest game you can get in football, especially as a Bayern fan. I reckon Bayern’s chances are better this year than usual. Real might have the slightly better squad, but our players are playing so well together at the moment. Given our form, we’re the favourites right now. Bayern will beat Real and win the Champions League this year too. In the past, matches against Real have always been close – down to refereeing decisions, narrow offside calls or Cristiano Ronaldo’s class.”
Flo: “This is a top-level match, the very best of the best. Nothing beats it. I was at the stadium myself three years ago when Real played in the semi-final in Munich. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Given how the season has gone so far, I’m very confident we’ll make it through to the next round. Real are a worthy opponent, but I believe we’ll rise to the occasion.”
Markus: “The odds have never looked better. Real aren’t as good as Bayern this year. Everything has changed since Vincent Kompany joined the team. I once went to the Olympiastadion to watch Bayern take on Real – that was when Roberto Carlos scored for them. Things can only get better.”
Fenja: “Real are a tough nut to crack, but Bayern can do it this year. The last few games against them weren’t great, but it’ll be better this time.”
Andy: “It’s an absolute classic. It’s always a real treat to watch. Bayern’s chances look pretty good because they’re on a roll. I reckon Bayern are the better team, even though Real have top stars too. But stars alone don’t make a team, so I see that as a big advantage for Bayern.”
Helena: “I come from a football-mad family, so there was always huge excitement for this match. What I remember most about that clash is Neuer’s incredible save against Ronaldo – those were epic encounters.”
Marie: “We can do it! We’ve definitely got a chance. We haven’t been this good in a long time. I reckon Real will be strong at home, but we’ll be stronger at the Allianz Arena.”
David: “Probably the two biggest teams facing off. I’m absolutely certain we’ll go through.”
Sian: “It’s a top match. We’re going to knock out Real.”
Max: “I hope Bayern get to the final. I think there’s an 80 percent chance they’ll go through.”
Moritz: ‘I think it’ll be more of a 50-50 game; Real have always been good against us recently.’
Viktor: “We want to get to the semi-finals. Real are a bit of a wild card, as you can see in the league. They play well even against good teams. We need to get at least a draw in Madrid, then our chances look good.”
Take a look back on previous classic encounters at the Bernabéu:
Interview with Butragueño ahead of the quarter-final showdown
Emilio Butragueño is a Real Madrid legend and currently the club’s director of institutional relations. Speaking to members’ magazine ‘51’, the 62-year-old talks about magical European nights, the European Clásico against Bayern and why matches against Munich demand the very best.
Interview with Emilio Butragueño
Emilio Butragueño, you once said how, as a 10-year-old boy, you used to watch Real Madrid matches with your father in the stand behind the goal, perched on the shoulders of the adults. How did that shape you? “My father had been a member of Real Madrid since 1943. And he made me a member straight after I was born. We had season tickets for the second tier. But for the European Cup matches, we were in the Fondo Norte behind the goal. It was simply incredible. I’ll never in my life forget everything I experienced there. My passion for our club was born there. On those unforgettable European evenings… Those comebacks when Real were trailing.”
Comebacks that you yourself would be part of as a player a few years later. “I was lucky enough to move from the stands onto the pitch and become part of that history myself. When Madrid fall behind, you see what makes Real Madrid special. The team never gives up; they fight until the very last moment. I played against Bayern twice in the 1980s. In both matches we were three goals down and fought until the end. In 1987, Bayern qualified for the final; in 1988, we won the quarter-final. We were 3-0 down in Munich. I remember it well. It was early March, and it snowed throughout the match. In the final minutes, we reduced the deficit to 3-2, and in Madrid we sealed our place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 win.”
What makes Bayern such a formidable opponent? “They’re a very tough opponent. Bayern is a club that fields a strong team competing at the very highest level and has a wealth of experience. Without a doubt, they’re a great club that’s always among the frontrunners and always aiming for the title in Europe.”
Real Madrid against Bayern is always referred to as the European Clásico. Is that accurate? “We’ve faced each other so often – at least once every decade. I believe these matches deserve the title of European Clásico. For many decades, both Real Madrid and Bayern have been title contenders in Europe. We have great respect for the club. Bayern has certainly played its part in the growth of football worldwide, just as we have. It’s an honour for us to play against Bayern.”
What are your memories of the last encounter in 2024? “They were two close games again. In Munich, we drew 2-2. And at the Bernabéu, we were behind but managed to come back in the final minutes. It’s always very difficult against Bayern. They’re a team that always brings out the best in us. They have excellent players in every position. Both clubs always want to win and are known for their attacking football. We’ll have to put in a very complete performance if we’re to get a result against them.”
Madrid are having a mixed season, with strong performances such as in the round of 16 against Manchester City and surprising defeats against a second-tier side in the cup. Where do you see the team ahead of the clash with Bayern? “We’re going into the quarter-finals with big ambitions, without forgetting that – as always – it will be very tough. Real Madrid always try to rise to the occasion. That’s one of the constants in our history. It’s true, we’ve had major problems this season. We’ve had a lot of injuries, and coach Álvaro Arbeloa took over the team midway through the season. Álvaro has taken on a huge challenge. And we’re very pleased with how he’s handling it. His work is yielding good results, and he’s compensated well for the many absences. The team has managed to become very competitive again.”
Dieser Inhalt kann hier leider nicht dargestellt werden. Zum Anschauen kannst du die Website des FC Bayern München besuchen:Artikel auf fcbayern.com
Before the season, Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, who formed the heart of Real’s midfield for many years, left the club. Did you underestimate the impact of this change? “Real Madrid always strive for victory and success, no matter which players we have. We don’t complain. Are there changes? Of course, just like every year. Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić are football legends. They were the best in the world in their positions. It’s an honour that they played for us. Between them, they’ve won no fewer than six European Cups. But even the greats have to call it a day at some point. That’s football, and that’s life. The club has to find solutions with other players to remain competitive. That’s the process we’re in. And here we are, in the quarter-finals.”
Real Madrid isn’t just a great football club, but also a major business. To understand this, you need only look at the new stadium. “We’re very proud of the stadium refurbishment. It was inaugurated in 1947. We’ve been at home here ever since. It’s undoubtedly a landmark of the city of Madrid. Our president made a good decision in having the stadium refurbished to make it one of the best in the world. This refurbishment and the opportunities it offers will help us to remain competitive.”
What does Real Madrid stand for? For the city, for Spain, or has the club long since become a global brand that transcends all of that? “Real Madrid is, first and foremost, a way of understanding life. Real Madrid is a passion that unites hundreds of millions of people all over the world. That is our strength; that is what defines us. We try to nurture that so that it grows. That’s our goal. Of course, we’re ambassadors for our city and our country, but we’re also ambassadors for football itself. Throughout its history, Real Madrid has made a significant contribution to football becoming what it is today – the great global sport.”
You’ve been following football for several decades. A lot has changed. What’s still the same as it was when you first went to the stadium? “The passion and excitement I felt when I went to the stadium with my father as a five- or six-year-old. I still see that today in the children, holding their fathers’ hands. That passion is the driving force behind Real Madrid and sport.”
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Carter Hart made 31 saves and the Vegas Golden Knights tightened the Pacific Division race, beating the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 on Saturday night to remain perfect in John Tortorella's first three games as coach.
Vegas moved a point back of Edmonton and Anaheim for the division lead, snapping the Oilers' season-best, five-game winning streak.
Brett Howden and Jeremy Lauzon each had a goal and an assist, Colton Sissons, Mark Stone and Rasmus Andersson also scored and Jack Eichel had three assists.
Evan Bouchard scored for Edmonton, and Connor Ingram made 28 saves.
Hart was activated off injured reserve and backstopped Vegas to a 6-3 home victory over Calgary on Thursday night. He had been out since injuring his left leg Jan. 8 against Columbus.
Tortorella, who replaced the fired Bruce Cassidy, coached Hart in Philadelphia from 2022-24.
Fifty years after their one and only FA Cup success, underdogs Southampton are again stunning top-flight opposition - and doing so in style.
In 1976, Saints were a Second Division team when they shocked Manchester United with a 1-0 win in the final, with the 2026 side wearing similar yellow shirts in celebration of that side.
Fast forward to the modern day, and Southampton are again winning against the odds, beating Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1 in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday amid a thrilling atmosphere at St Mary's.
"This is not a fluke," said former Saints striker Alan Shearer on BBC One. And he was right. Victory went to the better side on the night.
Ross Stewart put Southampton ahead in the first half, but when Arsenal equalised through Viktor Gyokeres it was perhaps logical to assume the Gunners would go on to secure a Wembley semi-final spot.
Yet before the game, Saints boss Tonda Eckert had tipped Shea Charles to make a "big impact" off the bench, and the substitute did just that by scoring an 85th-minute winner.
It means Southampton are into the semi-finals for the 14th time.
"I got told to come on and try and get hold of the game, try and keep the ball a bit," said Charles. "We did OK, but to score was just special. I thought 'just try and place it in the corner'."
Southampton attacking midfielder Leo Scienza was among the team's most eye-catching performers.
He said: "Arsenal are the best team in England and one of the best teams in the world right now, so it's difficult to stop the quality they have, but we did very well.
"There are no words to describe how much we fought today. It was not luck, we fought so hard and we deserved it. Amazing."
Wembley three times in the same season?
For Southampton, this result continues a remarkable turnaround to their season.
Having been relegated in 2024-25 with only 12 points, the second lowest total since the top flight was rebranded as the Premier League in the early 1990s, Southampton were expected to push for an instant return.
When their new boss Will Still was sacked in November, though, Saints were 21st in the Championship and seemingly in danger of dropping into League One.
But the club promoted German coach Eckert from his role with the club's under-21s and they now sit seventh in the Championship, one point behind sixth-placed Wrexham in the final play-off spot.
They face Wrexham in an away league game on Tuesday. The Arsenal game was big, but Wrexham at the Stok Cae Ras could be considered just as important.
Southampton will be at Wembley at least once - in the FA Cup semi-final - and maybe twice more on top if they reach the play-off final and then the FA Cup final.
"It's a big night for us. We knew we had to dig deep in some moments," said Eckert.
"Over the 90 minutes it was very well deserved.
"They're a good team and you can throw problems at them and they always have solutions. They are so well managed and tough to come up against. We had some moments where we did find a couple of solutions.
"Then there are the substitutions that change the game - we made quite good substitutions. In the end it was a big night for us and a big night for the supporters."
Former Southampton defender Francis Benali, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "What a result. Just look at what it means to the supporters and the players. I'm proud of them. They deserved it.
"What an achievement against what is a formidable Arsenal side."
Southampton reached the last four of the FA Cup for the first time since 2021 [Getty Images]
For Arsenal, this was a second successive defeat, coming after they had been beaten 2-0 by Manchester City in the Wembley final of the Carabao Cup.
England legend Shearer, speaking on BBC One, said: "Southampton deserve their trip to Wembley.
"They were absolutely magnificent and the job that Tonda Eckert has done, what a night for them. They still had the belief that they could go on and win this game and they did. This is not a fluke. Thoroughly deserved.
"What a job that Eckert has done, the belief that he has given this football club from where they were to where they are now."
Southampton will be the only non-Premier League team in the semi-finals, having gone through on Saturday alongside Manchester City and Chelsea, with the last spot to go to either West Ham or Leeds, who play their quarter-final on Sunday.
Scienza realises Southampton are still a long way from lifting the cup, but like the heroes of 1976 they will keep believing.
"If you want to win the title, you have to beat them all," he said. "All the other teams will be very difficult, but at the moment we just have to be grateful."
That was the message from the official Southampton X account to a disgruntled Arsenal fan who had chirped back at the Saints' post celebrating their shock FA Cup victory.
Just 14 days ago the Gunners were being tipped for an unprecedented quadruple but after defeats to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and the loss to Southampton in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, those dreams are in tatters.
Shea Charles scored an 85th-minute winner to dump the Gunners out of the competition after substitute Viktor Gyokeres had levelled following Ross Stewart's first-half opener.
It is the first time this season the Gunners have suffered back-to-back defeats and it is just their fifth loss of this campaign.
The talk will now move to whether Arsenal will be able to block out the noise and deal with the pressure that will be heaped onto them following this result, with the Premier League and Champions League still to play for.
'They have to not let the season run away from them'
The Gunners have not won the Premier League for 22 years and have finished in second place for three successive seasons.
The Carabao Cup final was Arsenal's first chance to win a major trophy for six years.
And after losing to City and now being knocked out of the FA Cup by a lower league team for the first time since 2021-22 - a third round loss to Nottingham Forest - the Gunners need to ensure these defeats do not turn into a slump in form.
"They have to not let the season run away from them," former Arsenal and Southampton forward Theo Walcott told BBC Sport.
"Everything they have built this season, don't let it affect them. They have been in this situation before and they don't want to relive that."
Mikel Arteta has consistently spoken about everyone at the club's desire to win but with the end of the season approaching, games running out, and a £250m spend in the summer, the pressure is at an all-time high.
Walcott said he noticed a "nervous energy" on the touchline at St Mary's that has been seen before in recent years.
"Visually watching Mikel on the sidelines, it was elements of previous years where that energy reflected into the team," he said.
"It was very tense. Not just Mikel but a lot of the staff were out there at times. It was like too many cooks in the kitchen, too many messages."
It was a poor Arsenal performance by the high standards they have set throughout the season.
And despite dominating possession, having 23 shots and levelling the game in the 68th minute, the Gunners never really looked like they would go onto win.
"I love my players. What they have done for nine months. I'm not going to criticise them because we lost a game here in the manner that they tried," Arteta said.
"And the way they are putting their bodies through everything. Some of them probably didn't even have to be here. I'm not going to do that. I'm going to defend them more than ever.
"Someone has to take responsibility. That's me and we have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us.
"In the season, you always have moments. Normally two or three. This is the first moment that we have.
"So stand up, make yourself comfortable and deliver like we've been doing all season."
The Gunners boss was then asked how he can prevent this form rolling into the rest of the season and derailing their Champions League and Premier League campaigns.
"Giving them [the players] clarity, giving more conviction, trusting our players, believing in what we are doing," Arteta said.
"And continue to do that with the tweaks that every game demands.
"But especially maintaining the speed, the attitude and the energy at the highest possible level. Because that's critical to perform at the level that we need to win matches."
Injuries cause disruption and worry
The side Arteta picked for the match against the Saints showed seven changes from the team that lined up against Manchester City at Wembley two weeks ago.
This was not just down to rotation from the Arsenal manager but to a bout of injuries that have hit the squad.
Including the lead up to the international break, 11 Arsenal players withdrew from their national teams.
That led to speculation Arteta was putting pressure on his players to pull out but the team on the pitch for the loss to Southampton suggested that was not the case.
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, three of the players to withdraw from international duty, were not in the squad while William Saliba was named on the bench.
Captain Martin Odegaard made his first start since January and Kai Havertz was withdrawn while Arsenal were chasing a winner.
And in a worry for Arteta, Gabriel Magalhaes had to be withdrawn with a knee injury.
But Christian Norgaard, one of the Arsenal players who has had limited game time this season and started the match, says the fact it was an unfamiliar side did not play any part in the loss.
"No, there are no excuses. It has nothing to do with injuries or availability," Norgaard said.
"We had a really good team on the pitch that should have been competing on a high level. We need to pick ourselves up. We have two big competitions left to compete in."
Despite an error against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, Arteta stuck with cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in favour of regular David Raya.
"I don't think it was anything to do with Kepa in terms of them losing, but you have to play your best team," former England defender Micah Richards told BBC Sport.
Walcott added: "Playing your best team was the right thing to do.
"It's easy if I say that now, but you want a reaction off the cup final and it wasn't that - it was worse."
'Man City are going to push them all the way'
Manchester City have been a thorn in Arsenal's side in their quest for silverware.
In two of Arsenal's three second-placed finishes in the Premier League, the Gunners have been behind Pep Guardiola's side.
City beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final with one of their best performances of the season and that seems to have galvanised them.
They put four past Liverpool in the FA Cup to reach the semi-finals earlier in the day and the Gunners have to travel to Etihad Stadium in April, which is likely to play a big part in this season's title race.
"It was only a couple of weeks ago people were saying Arsenal could do the quadruple. Now they are in two competitions," Richards added.
"Man City, after what they did earlier on, look like they are going to push them all the way for the league.
"The most disappointing thing for me was watching Arsenal and their attitude. They have been excellent defensively, in transitions they have been very good, the shape has been good and the effort has been as good as anyone.
"For them to turn up the way they did, I thought was very poor."
Arsenal will hope this blip is only a footnote in what can still be a successful season - but the Gunners are going to have get back to their best, and quickly.
Arizona had looked like it might have been the best team in college basketball for most of the year. Even after Michigan basketball was clowning teams in November and December, the Wildcats had done the same, warranting a No. 1 ranking for much of the year, trading with Duke.
But then the two heavyweights faced off, and the maize and blue dominated the Big 12 school in the Final Four, 91-73 -- in a game that wasn't even that close.
After the game, Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd and Wildcats players Koa Peat, Jaden Bradley, and Brayden Burries met with the media. Here is what they had to say about Michigan basketball in the postgame press conference.
Opening statement
LLOYD: First off, I want to thank the players on our team and the staff. They were amazing this year, it was an awesome journey and as much fun as I've ever had coaching basketball. Secondly, I want to give credit to Michigan. They were outstanding tonight and really had us on our heels all night. We could never get into a rhythm, so they get a ton of credit for that. No one's been able to do that to us all year, so it was an impressive performance by them.
Trying to come back from a deficit
PEAT: I mean, I just think it just wasn't our day, honestly. A lot of shots went in and out, but at halftime, Coach told us the same thing, just to stay together, go out there, play our brand of basketball. I'm just proud of the guys. We fought. We didn't come out on top, but I'm just super thankful for these guys. I love these guys, and I cherish every moment we had together, and just really grateful for everybody.
BURRIES: The halftime speech was the same. No matter how much we were down by, it was the same. Coach Murph came in, told everybody to get up, dap each other up. We watched the clips, and then Coach Lloyd came in, gave us the pep talk if we needed it. We went out there. We just couldn't get it done.
Michigan, they were making a lot of shots. They played great. I'm just thankful, though, for the experience I had with these guys. Very blessed. I learned a lot about not only myself, but each one another.
On the Michigan defense
BURRIES: They had a great defensive plan. They were pretty bigger, but I feel like most of our shots was just in and out. It was in the rim and then out. Sometimes it's just not your day, and today just wasn't our day, honestly.
On Aday Mara
PEAT: Yeah, no, he's just a good player, you know, really unique. He had a really good game tonight, so props to them.
On Michigan dominating
LLOYD: I mean, listen, Michigan gets all the credit today, you know, whether, I mean -- it wasn't our night, probably had to do a lot with them, and they were just impressive. They were impressive how they came out and executed their game plan, and, you know, we got, you know, down a little bit, and we've been down a few times this year, but not like that. And we just probably got a little panicky and weren't able to settle back in, and they get credit. I mean, that's why, if you can get off to a good start in games, you know, it's usually pretty impactful, and that definitely was the case today.
Did he watch Gonzaga in particular to prepare?
LLOYD: Yeah, for sure. I mean, obviously we looked at that, and you know, they did that to a few other people, not just Gonzaga this year, and this game could have went that way. You know, obviously they have the kryptonite right now, you know, so that's going to be a fun thing for me to try to figure out this offseason.
They just did a great job, and their size really impacted the game, I felt that. I see they only have Mara down for two blocks, there's no way I could think of three that he tipped, you know what I mean, just right off the top of my head. And, I think they're one of those teams, I would say like Houston's like that, or even like Iowa State's like that, teams you play, you have to play them a few times, and after you kind of get used to playing them a few times, you get more comfortable. I mean, I think that's probably why you saw more closer games in the Big Ten for them towards the end, you know, because teams probably got comfortable playing them and had a better plan. I wish we had another crack at it, but we don't.
And so they get a ton of credit, and obviously, they're down to two teams left, and they got a good chance to win, but listen: I don't think anybody's going to count UConn out, you know what I mean. So that's why when everybody was saying this is the National Championship game, it's not the National Championship game. Monday night's the National Championship game, and you have to fight to get there.
So yeah, so credit to Michigan, really impressive tonight.
The disappointment of the loss
LLOYD: It'll probably take a little time, you know, I knew we could do this this year, you know, and I thought we had a chance to win this four-team tournament, but obviously Michigan had other thoughts today. So I'm sure we'll get back home and take a breath, but I know myself, no loss at the end of the season feels great, but I also think it can be a great learning tool. So we're going to take a breath, probably try to figure out what our roster looks like next year, and like I've always said, in this business as a coach, you've got to be tough enough to take disappointment and show back up, and we're going to show back up, and we're going to try to do this again to see if we can do it a little bit better.
On Michigan forcing turnovers in the first half
LLOYD: They just did a great job being in the gaps. They were kind of mixing up their -- whether they're going over and under ball screens, and our guys just, we didn't do a great job adjusting the level of our screen. And so we weren't getting the edge, and then we had a few guys over penetrate. And then, they're scrappy, and they're handsy, and they got their hands on some balls, and that was kind of the first thing.
And then, you know, I felt like there was at least, I don't know, four or five kind of rebound situations that, at our end, when we were on defense, that we had the ball or could have had the ball, and we just kind of didn't secure it. And that's tough when that happens right in front of the rim. They pick it up and lay it in.
So, you just, the combination of those two things got them off to a really good start. And then Dusty's a really good coach once they get in a good start, he kind of really knows how to control the game and when you're controlling the game and you're running your actions and you're getting some open shots or semi open shots and you knock them down, it makes it really tough to come back and that's what they were able to do.
Cloud9 Kia celebrates its 2-1 victory against LYON on Saturday at Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles.
The end of Cloud9 Kia's Split 1 didn't go how they drew it up. The team finished 1-3 in its final four matches, and with each loss fixes were put in – but they were temporary.
The time away to reset and regroup allowed Cloud9 to start working on what really happened at the end of Split 1.
Cloud9 kicked off LCS Split 2 with a 2-1 victory against Split 1 champion LYON at Riot Games Arena on Saturday.
"No more band aids. Just real fixes," Cloud9 support Philippe "Vulcan" Laflamme said.
In the closing moments of the team's Game 3 win, most of Cloud9's roster was treading backward to prepare for the next fight. But top laner Park "Thanatos" Seung-gyu had other ideas.
"He was like, 'I'm TPing base guys, fight, I'm TPing base,'" Laflamme said. "So yeah, I guess it took us by surprise a little bit that he didn't come to fight for us, but it was the right call."
As Park committed to the base, Laflamme's Bard pushed forward but was eliminated before reaching it.
It didn't matter, though, as Park and the team's minions ended the game moments later, securing the victory.
Park's split-second decision to attack the Nexus – the objective that teams are trying to destroy to secure victory in a League of Legends match – is the fine line that Cloud9 wants to walk.
"It's the kind of thing where, to be the best team possible, we need every player to see those things," Laflamme said. "He didn't hesitate or ask us, 'What if I TP base?' He's just, 'OK, I see this right now, I'm going to do it.'"
Much will be focused on Park's game-ending decision, but for Cloud9, the win wasn't necessarily the cleanest or even the best-played game.
Bigger Than One Play
Instead, Cloud9 was working toward solving a problem that plagued the team throughout the final four matches of Split 1.
"Our team played a lot of just making it as simple as possible, like objective simulator," Cloud9 coach Nicolas "Inero" Smith said. "Go from one to the other and not much planning in between really of what we can do to push advantages. So we felt like we were a little too AFK in some ways."
That's what made Park's choice so vital. It was a prime example of pushing an advantage to end a game – a decision that weighed risk and reward in real time.
Proof on the Board
This also wasn't the only moment that differed from how Cloud9 played in Split 1. In the clinching Game 3, the team did not force fights at 19:23 and 24:38 when LYON secured back-to-back Chemtech Drakes – an objective that provides a different type of power-up.
"We let the game come to us and were doing what's natural and weren't stressing out too much when we gave them three drakes," Laflamme said. "We just did what we felt was right."
The momentum shifted at 25:56 when LYON jungler Kacper "Inspired" Słoma secured Baron Nashor – another neutral objective – but Cloud9 responded with three kills to neutralize the advantage.
"It was a good sign that we were able to pivot a little bit from that because I think other teams are probably quite comfortable playing against us," Laflamme said. "I feel like it becomes easy for them to kind of read what we're going to do, and they're able to expect it and counteract it easier. … So we need to be a lot more versatile than we have been this year."
Nobody is going to crown Cloud9 as LCS champions after one game, and the same could be said for anyone counting out LYON. The longer split gives both teams time to assess and adjust.
But it's a good start for Cloud9, who can use the runway to address issues with real fixes instead of temporary ones.
"We still have a lot of work to do, and I think we're all aware of that," Laflamme said. "Especially with practice, we have to make it better because all these teams are going to improve as well."
Paul Delos Santos covers esports for The Sporting Tribune and publishes Inside Esports, a newsletter covering competitive gaming at insideesports.media.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Head coach Tommy Lloyd of the Arizona Wildcats looks on against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS—Arizona’s first trip to the Final Four in 25 years didn’t go well, its 18-point loss to Michigan tied for the second-worst by a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. It was also the 10th time a team has lost by at least that many points in the Final Four over the last 40 seasons.
The list of coaches to experience that kind of a lopsided result on this stage includes Mike Kryzewski, Kelvin Sampson, Roy Williams and Tom Izzo (twice!), among others. Each of those ended up making another Final Four after that, with a couple winning national titles.
As happy as Tommy Lloyd was to help end the UA’s Final Four drought, he’s intent on preventing anything to that long a wait for the next one.
“The first thing that popped to my head was like, one Final Four? Why don’t we go five times in 10 years?,” Lloyd said after the 91-73. “I mean, that’s where my mind’s at. You know, I’m going to do it day by day. But that’s my big dream. I mean, who knows? Maybe you guys will use that against me saying that some day, but I’m going to dream big, and I’m going to work my ass off to try to make it happen.”
Our game recap can be found here. Below is what Lloyd, Jaden Bradley, Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, Tobe Awaka, Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas said after the 2025-26 season came to a close:
Lloyd on Michigan: “They were outstanding tonight. Really had us on our heels tonight. We never could get in a rhythm. So they get a ton of credit for that. No one’s been able to do that to us all year. So it was an impressive performance by them.”
On the game not living up to the hype: “Michigan gets all the credit today.I mean, it wasn’t our night, and probably had a lot to do with them. They were just impressive. They were impressive how they came out and executed their game plan. And we got down a little bit, and we’ve been down a few times this year, but not like that. Just probably got a little panicky and weren’t able to settle back in. And they get credit. That’s why if you can get off to a good start in games, it’s usually pretty impactful. And that definitely was the case today.”
On if youth or experience mattered in this game: “I don’t think it was an inexperience thing today. We had a good couple of days of practice. We had a good shootaround today. I think we just came out and we played a team that was really well built. They have a great coach. They were able to take control of the game. And then really, they were like surgical at a point. So that’s hard to do. So they get a ton of credit. We have had a great year. But even if you’re a great team and you can’t get in a rhythm, it’s going to be a tough night. That’s what we felt tonight.”
On Michigan coach Dusty May calling Arizona ‘Gonzaga on steroids:’ “They did that to a few other people, not just Gonzaga this year. And this game could have went that way. Obviously they have the kryptonite right now. So that’s going to be a fun thing for me to try to figure out this offseason. “They just did a great job. And their size really impacted the game. I felt that. I see they only have (Aday) Mara down for two blocks. There’s no way. I could think of three that he tipped, you know what I mean, just right off the top of my head.”
On the difficulty of playing Michigan for the first time: “I think they’re one of those teams — I would say, like, Houston’s like that, or even Iowa State’s like that, teams we played. You have to play them a few times. And after you kind of get used to playing them a few times you get more comfortable. I think that’s probably why you saw more closer games in the … Big Ten for them towards the end because teams probably got comfortable playing them and had a better plan. I mean I wish we had another crack at it, but we don’t. And so they get a ton of credit.
On this game being labeled an unofficial title game: “Obviously they’re down to two teams left, and they’ve got a good chance to win. Listen, I don’t think anybody is going to count UConn out. So that’s why when everybody was saying this is the national championship game; it’s not the national championship game. Monday night the national championship game and you have to fight to get there. So, yeah, credit to Michigan. Really impressive tonight.”
On measuring the disappointment of this game against the success of the season: “It will probably take a little time. I knew we could do this this year. And I thought we had a chance to win this 4-team tournament. But obviously Michigan had other thoughts today. So I’m sure we’ll get back home and take a breath. But I know, myself, no loss at the end of the season feels great. But I also think that it can be a great learning tool. So we’re going to take a breath, probably try to figure out what our roster looks like next year, and like I’ve always said, in this business, as a coach, you’ve got to be tough enough to take disappointment and show back up. And we’re going to show back up. And we’re going to try to do this again but see if we can do it a little bit better.”
On Arizona’s seniors: “They were just incredible young men. Not just really good basketball players, just great young men. We never had one issue with (any) of those guys. They showed up every day. They played when they were a little banged up. They put in the work. They were great teammates. They did an amazing job of helping us kind of continue to build our culture and kind of raise the standards of the program. So I’ll always be thankful for those guys. I wish there was a fifth year of eligibility. I wish I could coach those guys again because they’re awesome, awesome young men.”
On the team overall: “They were amazing this year, and it was an awesome, awesome journey. It was as much fun as I’ve ever had coaching basketball.”
On the message to Tucson and the fan base: “Thank you. I mean, thank you. Thank them for everything. Obviously we’re disappointed we weren’t able to get it over the top for them. But I think we all saw what’s possible again. So now let’s all roll up our sleeves and support each other and see if we can make this a normal thing. That would be awesome for me.
“You sit around and you dream as a coach or you think, and these narratives in the media all get created that you can’t be in the big one, whatever. You get upset in the tournament. Well, I thought one day, man, I can’t wait until we get to a Final Four, because I knew we would, but can’t wait until we get there just so I could maybe just coach and I don’t have to worry about any of your guys’ narratives or anything.
“But then the first thing that popped to my head was like, one Final Four? Why don’t we go five times in 10 years? I mean, that’s where my mind’s at. You know, I’m going to do it day by day. But that’s my big dream. I mean, who knows? Maybe you guys will use that against me saying that some day, but I’m going to dream big, and I’m going to work my ass off to try to make it happen.”
On Michigan being able to force turnovers: “They just did a great job being in the gaps. They were kind of mixing up their (defense), whether they’re going over and under ball screens, and our guys, we didn’t do a great job adjusting the level of our screen. And so we weren’t getting the edge. And then we had a few guys over-penetrated. They’re scrappy and handsy, and they got their hands on some balls. That was kind of the first thing.
“Then I felt like there was at least, I don’t know, four or five rebound situations on our end when we were on defense that we had the ball or could have had the ball and we just didn’t secure it. That’s tough when that happens right in front of the rim; they pick it up and lay it in. So the combination of those two things got them off to a really good start. Dusty is a really good coach. Once they get on a good start, he kind of really knows how to control the game. And when you’re controlling the game and you’re running your actions and you’re getting some open shots or semi-open shots, you knock them down, it makes it really tough to come back, and that’s what they were able to do.”
Bradley on his foul trouble: “ Definitely wanted to be out there with my guys. They did a great job of putting me in ball screens. I was trying to cheer my guys on on the bench. We’ve got talented freshmen and other talented players. But Michigan just did a great job, and we weren’t able to kind of catch up and tie it up.”
On his Arizona career: “It means a lot. I appreciate Coach Lloyd and the staff for taking me in and giving me, I’d like to say, like a fresh start. I appreciate this team. We accomplished a lot this year. We definitely wanted to win this game, but Michigan was the better team tonight. Appreciate Tucson. Just love this group and cherish the last couple gatherings we have together before everybody goes their own ways. But just happy to be a part of this team.”
On his favorite moments from the season: “I would say just, on and off the court, I feel like you really get to figure your teammates out, know what they’re like, meet their families. Just stuff beyond basketball. I felt like it brings you closer on the court, and I feel like we did a lot of stuff like that this year.”
Peat on the difference between this game and the Elite Eight vs. Purdue: “I just think it wasn’t our day, honestly. A lot of shots went in and out. Halftime, Coach told us the same thing, just to stay together, go out there, play our brand of basketball. And I’m just proud of the guys. We fought. Just didn’t come out on top. But I’m super thankful for these guys. I love these guys, and I cherish every moment we had together. And just really grateful for everybody.”
On Aday Mara: “He’s just a good player, really unique. He had a really good game tonight. So props to him.”
On being called Mr. Arizona: “It means everything to me. Being a kid from Arizona, putting on this jersey, having Arizona across my chest. Like I said in the beginning of the season, when I put Arizona across my chest, I’m going to go 110 percent every game and leave no regrets. I’m just really thankful for the brand and the program for everything they did for me, and these teammates right here. I’m just super blessed. And it was a special year, and I’m just really thankful for everybody in Tucson, for sure.”
On the first time in his career ending a season with a loss: “I mean, it’s tough for me to process this right now. I really haven’t fully processed it. Just learn from it. You’re not going to be perfect every night. But just knowing that I gave this team all I had, I could put my head on a pillow at night and be able to sleep. Super thankful. And these two right here, I love these guys. We’re going to have a relationship for the rest of our lives. And Coach too. Coach brought me in. I can’t thank Coach enough for how much he trusted and believed in me, and I’m just really thankful for him and this program and everybody, honestly.”
Burries on Lloyd’s halftime speech: “The halftime speech was the same (as Purdue), no matter how much we were down by, it was the same. Coach Murph came in and told each other everybody get up, dap each other up. And we watched the clips. And then, Coach Lloyd came in gave us the pep talk we needed. Then we went out there and we just couldn’t get it done. Michigan, they were making a lot of shots and they played great. And I’m just thankful, though, for the experience I had with these guys. Very blessed. Learned a lot about not only myself but one another.”
On the turnovers: “They had a great defensive plan. They were pretty bigger. But I feel like most of our shots were just, like, in and out. Like, it was in the rim and then out. And sometimes it’s just not your day, and today just wasn’t our day, honestly.”
On his favorite moment from the season: “I couldn’t even pick, but it honestly would be just being around the guys, probably just in the locker room, or just, like, practice, going and competing against one another. And just being around the guys, honestly, it’s unexplanatory. It’s just a blessing.”
Awaka on the season: “It was super special, obviously, 25 years since the last Final Four and obviously wanted more. But I think that we can look back and say that we put our best foot forward. We had a great group, a great team put together. You know it’s going to sting, because when you know you’re so close to a championship and it slips to your fingers a little bit, it can be tough. But I think we’ll look back and say this is a great basketball experience.”
On if the UNC rumors with Lloyd bled into the locker room: “He didn’t mention it, not once. You wouldn’t even think it was even happening, to be honest. Honestly, I wasn’t even on social media. Most of the guys weren’t on social media just to lock in for the time being. Obviously, we heard chirpings of it, but it wasn’t really anything serious. Honestly, I didn’t really get brought up to me until media told us that he had re-signed and we got asked about it.”
Kharchenkov on the UA fans: “It’s been great. They picked me up really good, really quick. I love Tucson.”
On his favorite part of the season: “The journey. From the beginning of the preseason, being new, getting to know everything, everything looks new for myself, and then just going throughout the season, learning more stuff, new stuff, playing in big arenas with sold out crowds and with teammates, and going through adversity with my now family.”
On Michigan’s defense: “They were really gappy. They definitely looked at our film. They were definitely there.”
Krivas on what didn’t work: “Michigan is just a great team. They had a really great defensive plan, I think we couldn’t figure out how to score. And then on defense, we started really bad. We couldn’t get the rebounds, loose balls. We kind of came back a little bit, but we couldn’t hold them. They made a bunch of great plays, great shots, all credit to them. They deserve this one.”
On the season overall: “Before the season, every team wants to be remembered as a champion. And now it sucks, it hurts, but I think as the time will go through, we will all understand what we did and that we led Arizona to (the) Final Four, which is a huge deal, and it will a be great opportunity to learn from mistakes and come here again next year.”
On when he’ll decide about his future: “All I’m thinking about is this game, what we could have done better. Just need to settle down and get back and just relax.”
SEATTLE (AP) — Sacha Boisvert scored his first NHL goal with 5:42 to play to give Chicago a two-goal lead and Tyler Bertuzzi scored his team-leading 32nd goal as the Blackhawks beat the Seattle Kraken 4-2 on Saturday night.
Teuvo Teravainen and Ilya Mikheyev also scored for the Blackhawks, who snapped a five-game losing streak and have already been eliminated from playoff contention.
Arvid Soderblom made 25 saves for the Blackhawks and Connor Bedard had two assists, lifting his team-leading total to 41 and pushing his career point total to 199.
Jaden Schwartz and Kaapo Kakko scored for the Kraken, who are still in the hunt for the playoffs with 75 points, six points out of the West’s second wild-card spot. Seattle, which has lost four straight and is just 5-12-2 since the Olympic break, has seven games left.
With the Blackhawks up 2-1, Boisvert streaked down the slot on an odd-man rush and took a pass from Kevin Korchinski before shooting a one-timer past Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer, who had 27 saves.
Teravainen put the Blackhawks on the board with a power-play goal at 9:15 of the second period, taking Bedard’s pass and poking a shot inside the left post that trickled in off Grubauer’s skate.
Bertuzzi made it 2-0 with 22.2 seconds left in the second, tucking the rebound of a shot by Andre Burakovsky. Mikheyev scored into an empty net with 1:12 remaining.
Schwartz’s 11th of the year cut Chicago’s lead to 2-1 with 9:12 remaining. Kakko’s goal with 5:42 left made it 3-2.
Up next
Kraken: Visit Winnipeg on Monday night.
Blackhawks: Visit San Jose on Monday night in their final road game of the season.
Joshua
Van was scheduled to put his flyweight title on the line
against Tatsuro
Taira in the co-main event at UFC 327 on April 11 at the Kaseya
Center in Miami, Florida. However, the fight has now been
rescheduled to the already stacked UFC 328
card on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The
fight has reportedly been postponed due to a minor injury suffered
by Van. The rescheduling was announced during the UFC Fight Night
272 broadcast on Saturday.
One Month Down the Road
UFC 327 will be headlined by a clash for the vacant light
heavyweight title between Jiri
Prochazka and Carlos
Ulberg. Meanwhile, Khamzat
Chimaev will put his middleweight title on the line against
Sean
Strickland in the main event at UFC 328.
Van (16-2) won the flyweight title with an injury stoppage win over
Alexandre
Pantoja at
UFC 323 this past December. Meanwhile, Taira (18-1) is 8-1 in
the
UFC and coming off consecutive stoppage wins over Hyun Sung
Park and Brandon
Moreno.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - MARCH 31: Valentin Barco of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal during the international friendly match between Argentina and Zambia at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on March 31, 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Valentín Barco and Enzo Fernández shared a pitch last week as Argentina beat Zambia, 5-0 in a friendly — with Barco himself scoring the fifth — and they might be sharing a pitch next season as well, with the former agreeing to join the latter at Chelsea. Or they might not, with the former instead replacing the latter, who seems to be one foot out the door already, especially after the events (and decisions, and quotes) of the past couple weeks.
Either way, as per Fabrizio Romano, the 21-year-old Barco (who looks, at most, 12) has agreed to join the Blues from our sister club RC Strasbourg in the summer. This follows other reports from the last couple days, such as the original exclusive from ESPN Argentina, confirming the same. Bayern Munich were rumored to be interested as well, but our BlueCo bonds were stronger.
Barco, like Enzo, got his career started at Boca Juniors, before ending up in England with Brighton & Hove Albion. He played sparingly however and would be loaned out for his second season, first to Sevilla in Spain and then to Strasbourg in France. He did well there and would stay permanently for just €9m last summer.
We might remember him as a left back from his previous brief stint in the Premier League, but he’s now a central midfielder. And he’s now also earned the step up to Chelsea, I guess. More men to age, Liam! (Or keep aging, in this case, since they already worked together at Strasbourg.)
ADELANTO EXCLUSIVO Valentín Barco será refuerzo de Chelsea. El conjunto inglés compra al volante argentino del Racing de Estrasburgo (forman parte del mismo grupo). Tras la fecha FIFA, Chelsea avanzó fuertemente y está todo acordado para que se sume en junio. El Ex-Boca fue… pic.twitter.com/g6LrSQzxrk
West Ham Utd vs Leeds Utd – Predicted lineup and team news
West Ham United host Leeds United today, aiming to reach their first FA Cup semi-final in two decades.
The Hammers have moved into the quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty win over Brentford. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo oversaw a strong home run, with the side unbeaten in six at the London Stadium. West Ham have been eliminated from eight of their last ten FA Cup quarter-final ties. They now seek to end that trend tonight.
West Ham team news
Nuno Espírito Santo manages a squad hopeful of a key attacking return. Crysencio Summerville faces a late fitness test after suffering a calf injury in March. Consequently, his availability remains uncertain until shortly before kick-off.
Crucially, Jarrod Bowen enters the match in excellent form against the visitors. He has scored in all three of his previous appearances against Leeds at this venue.
Alphonse Areola will start in goal behind a defence featuring Konstantinos Mavropanos and Axel Disasi. In midfield, Tomáš Souček returns following World Cup qualification success with the Czech Republic.
Mateus Fernandes is also expected to start after making his senior Portugal debut. Notably, West Ham have won their last two FA Cup meetings with Leeds. They will rely on their home dominance to secure a Wembley return today.
West Ham predicted lineup
West Ham United Predicted XI (4-3-3): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Soucek, Magassa, Fernandes; Bowen, Wilson, Traore
When will the match kick off?
The FA Cup quarter-final tie officially begins this Sunday, 5 April, at 16:30 BST.
How to watch West Ham vs Leeds?
UK viewers can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 and stream via HBO Max.
Leeds United XI vs West Ham – Predicted lineup and team news
Leeds United travel to the London Stadium today, aiming to reach their first FA Cup semi-final since 1987.
The Whites have moved into the last eight after a comfortable 3–0 victory over Norwich City. Manager Daniel Farke oversees a squad currently four points clear of the Premier League relegation zone. Leeds have already beaten West Ham once this season and look for a historic cup victory today.
Notably, Leeds are unbeaten in their last six away matches in all competitions. They have lost three of their last four trips to this venue. The visitors will need a disciplined performance to overcome their poor historical record at the London Stadium today.
Leeds United team news
Daniel Farke manages a squad with a primary concern in the attacking line. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a significant doubt after sustaining a minor hamstring injury. Accordingly, Farke has hinted he will not risk any player with physical issues.
Importantly, the manager believes this tie offers a chance to write a new chapter of club history. Leeds have used seven different goal scorers in the competition this season.
Lucas Perri will start in goal behind a back three featuring Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon. In midfield, Ethan Ampadu and Sean Longstaff will provide the necessary energy and bite.
Leeds United predicted lineup
Leeds United Predicted XI (3-5-2): Perri; Struijk, Bijol, Rodon; Bogle, Stach, Longstaff, Ampadu, Justin; Aaronson, Nmecha
When will the match kick off?
The FA Cup quarter-final tie officially begins this Sunday, 5 April, at 16:30 BST.
How to watch West Ham vs Leeds?
UK viewers can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 and stream via HBO Max.
Apr 4, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes (35) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
The Mets have been a little uneven to start the 2026 campaign, putting it on Paul Skenes on Opening Day but struggling to hit in the subsequent games; before last night’s ten run breakout that is. The Mets kept the momentum going tonight, winning 9-0 over the Giants, with a funky lineup that lacked Juan Soto, Luis Robert Jr. or Francisco Alvarez. It also featured a starting outfield of Jared Young in left, Carson Benge in center, and Brett Baty in right, which is what you imagined coming into Spring Training.
The Mets fifth win of the season was arguably their most complete, and that started with starting pitcher Clay Holmes. Holmes was excellent on the day, stymieing the Giants offense over seven scoreless innings. He only walked two, perhaps the most important part of his performance, considering walks have taken him out of games quicker than you would want from time to time. He only struck out four, but he was consistently around the strike zone, throwing 61 of his 90 pitches for strikes. The Giants simply could not square him up; according to the Statcast data, they did not barrel a single ball against him.
The offense did their fair share of the hard work, especially in the middle innings. They did get out to the 3-0 lead after the second inning, but it was more misplays by the Giants than anything else. A Mark Vientos double, Jared Young walk, and Marcus Semien infield single (that honestly probably should have been an out if Jerar Encarnacion was a more experienced first baseman) loaded the bases with one out in the aforementioned second inning. Carson Benge hit a weak ground ball to Literally Platinum Glover Matt Chapman, who failed to field the ball cleanly and subsequently threw it away, chasing two runs home. The next batter, Luis Torrens, grounded out productively, making it 3-0 without the ball leaving the infield.
Landon Roupp, despite the bad luck, looked pretty good for stretches of the game, generating ten whiffs and seven strikeouts. He kept the score 3-0 until the fifth inning, where the Mets got to him again. Torrens singled, was moved over to second on a Francisco Lindor ground out, and was driven home by Bo Bichette (who is still good at baseball despite the five game slump to open the season), making it 4-0. A Brett Baty single moved Bichette to second, and the red hot Vientos drove him home with a single of his own to make it 5-0, chasing Roupp from the game.
Left-hander Ryan Borucki came in, and Jared Young was lifted for Tyrone Taylor. Taylor rewarded the newly bespectacled Carlos Mendoza with an absolute rocket of a three-run home run, traveling 419 feet with a 105.1 exit velocity.
At 8-0, the game was elementary from there. Holmes coasted through the seventh inning, Taylor added a superfluous insurance run to make it 9-0, and Tobias Myers finished the game with two perfect innings. It was a wonderful performance all around.
The Mets next match up is a fun one, with Kodai Senga squaring off against Logan Webb in the final game of the series.
Big Mets winner: Clay Holmes, +20.0% WPA Big Mets loser: Francisco Lindor, -4.9% WPA Mets pitchers: +20.1% WPA Mets hitters: +29.9% WPA Teh aw3s0mest play: Carson Benge reaching on a fielding error in the second, +15.4% WPA Teh sux0rest play: Matt Chapman’s single in the bottom of the second. -5.8% WPA
Tickets are technically sold out for Monday's championship game, but they still are readily accessible.
How to get tickets to the NCAA Tournament national-championship game?
There are thousands of tickets available on secondary markets, such as StubHub, where the get-in price for a ticket as of late Saturday night was just over $200 per seat for the upper (600) level. There also were tickets available in the $200-$300 range in the 400 level. The cheapest ticket in the lowest (100) level was just over $600.
The tickets were "selling fast" late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, according to StubHub, as Michigan fans clearly were swarming to check out the inventory after the win over Arizona. More than 1,500 tickets were purchased between 11:45 p.m. Saturday and 12:45 a.m. Sunday, on StubHub alone.
There likely will be many more tickets hitting the secondary markets, though, in the coming hours, given that two teams' fan bases might be looking to offload their championship-game tickets. Arizona and Illinois lost in the Final Four on Saturday. Illinois had the biggest share of the crowd at Lucas Oil, which seats more than 70,000 for basketball. (Michigan had the second-biggest share of the crowd.)
There were more than 3,000 tickets listed on SeatGeek around 1 a.m. Sunday, with a get-in price of $240.
There were nearly 700 listings on Vivid Seats around 1 a.m. Sunday, with a get-in price of $203.
Tickets to the Final Four were sold three ways — for Saturday's semifinal games, for Monday's championship game only, or for the entire package of three games. And fans who bought the entire package who saw their teams lose Saturday appear to be selling, as inventory on StubHub was increasing in the early morning hours Sunday.
Given the proximity to the Final Four in Indianapolis, Illinois (No. 1) and Indiana (No. 2) were the top two states for buyers and sellers of tickets on StubHub, company officials said last week. Michigan was No. 3.
It's only about 4.5 hours by car from Metro Detroit to Indianapolis.
Each participating Final Four school was allotted nearly 4,000 tickets, which were quickly spoken for after the regionals last week. For Michigan, according to an athletic-department spokesperson, 3,159 tickets were used for "internal use" and to sell to donors and season-ticket holders, and 675 were allotted to students. Michigan received nearly 5,400 requests for Final Four tickets, the spokesperson said.
INDIANAPOLIS — With fewer than five minutes left in the first half of a game that was spiraling away from Arizona, freshman point guard Brayden Burries dribbled up the sideline near the Michigan bench and right into the grown-up body of 22-year-old senior Roddy Gayle.
Unable to power through the trap and with no room to escape it, Burries’ only option was to call timeout. As he walked toward the bench, he glared toward his fellow freshman, forward Koa Peat, who had been frozen at half court. The look Burries gave him said it all: Why did nobody come to help?
For an Arizona team with three freshmen in the starting lineup, there was no more defying gravity in the new college basketball landscape, where teams are older, more physically mature and fully professional. The history of this sport has long told us that winning a national title with a freshman-dominated team is exceedingly rare.
This Final Four has shown us that it may now be impossible.
Though the games played out in different ways at Lucas Oil Stadium, Michigan’s 91-73 win over Arizona and UConn’s 71-62 victory over Illinois both made the same statement: At the highest level of college basketball when championships are on the line, old beats young nearly every time.
“They had us on our heels all night,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “We couldn’t get into a rhythm. No one has been able to do that to us all year.”
Eleven years ago in this building, Duke took down Wisconsin for the national title with a team led by four spectacular freshmen, all of whom eventually became first-round draft picks. Three years before that in New Orleans, Kentucky did it with Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague.
But that’s it. They’re the outliers.
Every year before and every year since has been the same story: No matter how talented they are or what they’re projected to be in the NBA, teams that rely on multiple first-year collegians to be their best players will likely not win six straight games in March and April.
Arizona didn't have any answers for Michigan on Saturday in the NCAA tournament Final Four. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Michael Reaves via Getty Images
Across the two semifinals Saturday, there were four freshmen projected to be first-round draft picks as soon as this year and a fifth who could get there next year. All of them played well below the potential they showed all season:
For Illinois, forward David Mirkovic went 2-for-7 from the field for 6 points and 5 rebounds despite season averages of 13.5 points and 8.1 rebounds.
Illini point guard Keaton Wagler had 20 points, but it took him 16 shots. A 41 percent 3-point shooter for the season, he went 2-for-10 and also had difficulty handling the ball against UConn’s physicality, leading to 3 live ball turnovers while Illinois had 3 assists for the entire game.
Burries was 0-for-5 at halftime and 0-for-8 before hitting a few shots in the second half when Arizona was too far behind for it to matter.
Peat was 2-for-8 at halftime and missed several opportunities right at the rim before finishing with 16 points on 18 shots.
Arizona’s Ivan Kharchenkov, a role player who should eventually find his way into the NBA as well, had to be pulled in the first half because of 3 turnovers and a couple wild drives to the rim that resulted in backboard-clanging misses.
Mock drafts have rarely felt more irrelevant.
But here’s the moral of the story: No matter how much first-year players grow up through the course of a season, everything about the Final Four experience is different. The stadium is huge and sometimes disorienting. The pageantry from the moment you get to town is intense. The stakes are sky high.
It’s probably not a coincidence that both Arizona and Illinois, practically from the moment they stepped on the floor, played with the skittishness of a team that had not been here before.
Michigan and UConn played like themselves.
“They were, like, surgical,” Lloyd said. “We’ve had a great year, but even if you’re a great team and you can’t get in a rhythm, it’s going to be a tough night and that’s what we felt tonight.”
One freshman did perform up to expectations: Braylon Mullins, also a big-time prospect, made four of UConn’s 12 threes. But there’s a pretty big difference between being a star freshman and a role player on a team like UConn that starts Tarris Reed and Alex Karaban, both in their fourth year of college basketball, alongside juniors Solo Ball and Silas Demary.
UConn shot 34 percent from inside the arc and 36 percent from three — and won anyway. That’s the mark of a team built for tournament play, where one bad night can send you home. But it’s hard to put that kind of culture together in one year. With UConn, it shows.
“We haven’t been a machine of destruction,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said. “We’ve been a team that’s had to grind out games like this. We’re comfortable in a possession game like that. We’re a tough program. We’ve got incredible will. We go into these games, we’re ready for battle. It’s not a game that we’re just running around in uniforms throwing the ball around, hoping it goes in. We’re fighting. It’s a life-or-death struggle for us to get to Monday night for the opportunity to win a championship.”
Like UConn, Michigan’s starting lineup is experienced: Two graduate students, two juniors and a sophomore, taken mostly out of the transfer portal. It’s also quite large in the front court, which showed up big-time against Arizona’s wunderkinds. One team came out, set a physical tone right away and stuck to its plan. The other looked impatient from the beginning and got away from its season-long identity, settling for shots it had no business taking because of how formidable Michigan was in the paint.
“We felt like we were battle tested,” Michigan coach Dusty May said. “We felt like if a team relies on scoring 15 feet and in, because of our size and length, its just going to be tough to score enough points if we’re making some shots and we’re in a decent rhythm offensively. I think that’s what happened tonight.”
Arizona isn’t alone. Year after year since 2015, Duke has failed to nab a title despite a bevy of top-five draft picks. Houston stacked up on five-star freshmen this season and got eliminated in the Sweet 16. A.J. Dybantsa was a one-man show at BYU and the Cougars didn’t make it to the second weekend. The days of John Calipari recruiting like he did at Kentucky and making long tournament runs seem like they’re in the rear-view mirror.
Elite-level talent is always important, but Saturday showed once again how little it can mean on college basketball’s biggest stage.
So perhaps it’s fitting that the 2026 college basketball season will come down to two teams that have hit the talent and experience quotient right in the sweet spot. Both UConn and Michigan are loaded not just with future NBA players but guys who have been around the block.
As much as college basketball has changed, Saturday was a reminder of the one thing that seems to always remain the same.
NEW YORK (AP) — The PWHL has another professional women’s hockey attendance record in the U.S., with the game between the New York Sirens and Seattle Torrent at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night drawing a crowd of 18,006.
The previous high water mark was 17,335 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Feb. 27, fresh off captain Hilary Knight and the U.S. women winning gold at the Olympics in Milan. A crowd of 17,228 saw a game in Washington on Jan. 28 prior to the Olympics.
Playing their first game at the Garden, the Sirens won 2-1 in a shootout. Canadian Sarah Fillier scored the tying goal late in regulation and was named the first star of the game.
Man United plot move for Bayern Munich winger who has left their scouts drooling
Manchester United are interested in signing the Bayern Munich winger Maycon Cardozo.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Manchester United scouts are impressed with the 17-year-old attacker, and they could look to make a move for him at the end of the season. The Brazilian winger has made a strong impression since joining Bayern Munich in 2024. He is an important player for their youth team, and Manchester United have been tracking him closely.
Man United could nurture Maycon Cardozo into a star
Manchester United have a good track record when it comes to grooming young players, and it is no surprise that they are keen on the 17-year-old. He is a player with tremendous potential, and with the right guidance, he could develop into an important player for Manchester United.
However, Bayern Munich highly rate the player, and the German champions do not need to sell him. It will be difficult for Manchester United to convince them.
It seems that Manchester United are looking to build for the future. They are looking to put together a team capable of dominating English football once again. They are currently third in the league table, and they are looking to return to the UEFA Champions League. They need to keep improving the team and add more depth to the squad in order to compete with elite clubs in the near future.
Cardozo might be too young for the Premier League right now, but he has the talent to establish himself as a quality performer in the English top-flight. With the right guidance, he could develop into a top-class player for Manchester United. The Brazilian is regarded as one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe right now. It remains to be seen whether Manchester United follow up on their interest with an official proposal.
The Minnesota Vikings’ rumor mill never takes days or weeks off, and in fact, the noise gets louder as the draft approaches. That just so happens to be 18 days from now.
Minnesota’s latest rumor roundup touches McCarthy, Murray, and a possible Brandel shift on the offensive line.
So, to keep you in the loop, here’s the second batch of Vikings rumors for the first weekend in April.
Latest Chatter Points to Key Decisions for Minnesota’s Offense
The Purple Rumor Mill for April 5th, 2026.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back and delivers an early throw, settling into the offense and setting tempo Jan 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The first-quarter sequence showed Minnesota aiming for rhythm in a pivotal divisional clash against Green Bay as McCarthy operated within structure. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Rumor: J.J. McCarthy could be traded to the Jets in a deal centered around a 2nd-Rounder.
Pro Football Network‘s Josh Weil published a few McCarthy trade ideas, and for the Jets, he explained, “New York trades a 2026 second-round pick (No. 44 overall) to Minnesota for McCarthy and a 2026 third-round pick (No. 97 overall). Will the reunion with Geno Smith result in success for the Jets? Maybe, but with an aging quarterback who has had his share of injuries, bringing in a backup with more upside than Brady Cook can make an injury not devastating for the Jets.”
“They would be able to focus on other positions with their higher draft picks and still bring in a hungry McCarthy, who could very well win the starting job over Smith.”
McCarthy has raised no fuss about Murray’s arrival, and to be shipped out, McCarthy must likely ask for a ticket.
Weil also dropped a McCarthy trade theory to Cleveland: “Cleveland trades a 2026 third-round pick (No. 70 overall) and a 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 149 overall) to Minnesota for McCarthy. While the Browns picked a pair of quarterbacks in last year’s draft and still have Deshaun Watson under contract, it is clear they are looking for someone to come in and run away with the job.”
“It seems like the Browns didn’t want to invest a first-round pick in the position, but getting a first-round quarterback at pennies on the dollar in terms of draft stock may make them buyers for McCarthy. McCarthy’s QB Impact Score last season was 64.5, resulting in a D grade. While this is a far cry from where his expectations are, he still cleared Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel by a wide margin in that category.”
Generally speaking, the Vikings probably won’t trade McCarthy.
Rumor: Kyler Murray is the Vikings’ QB1 in 2026; Kevin O’Connell spilled the beans.
O’Connell chatted with KFAN this week and mentioned his offense in 2026: “I call it the Justin Jefferson program. If they’re playing man coverage, they’re absolutely not playing Justin 1 on 1… what that means if you’re going to try and play those coverages, and have a spy for Kyler Murray, or for that matter any of our other QB’s, you’re leaving yourself a 3 man rush.”
“So, you have to ask yourself, what do you have to take away? If the answer is Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison, there’s going to be some opportunity.”
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray takes the field for warmups with SoFi Stadium reflected in his visor, capturing a unique pregame moment Jan 3, 2021, in Inglewood, California. Murray prepared for a matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, showcasing focus and presence before kickoff in a high-profile NFC West contest. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
O’Connell’s comments left no doubt: he is building the offense around Murray as the starting quarterback and planning for September with Murray in mind. Defensive coordinators must now contend with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Murray’s mobility — a combination sure to cause headaches.
Coaches rarely speak this way about backup quarterbacks. As QB4, Max Brosmer received no extensive analysis on Tuesday, which is understandable. He’s not a starter.
O’Connell may not have intended to reveal his hand, but his plan is evident. While the Vikings will still hold a quarterback competition in training camp, Murray enters the summer as the clear frontrunner.
Rumor: Blake Brandel is the odds-on favorite to start Week 1 at center.
Until this week, no one really knew the Vikings’ plan at center. O’Connell changed that a little bit.
He said to reporters, “It is great that we feel that good about Blake’s versatility, but ultimately we want to do what’s best for Blake to ascend and reach his highest potential at one position or have the flexibility still to play multiple. What his offseason looks like, what his training camp looks like and what his work flow looks like leading into the season, we want to have him more than likely at that center spot and build on some things that he did last year.”
“It’s a position that’s got some really unique names in the draft, depending on where you may be looking to take one. There’s some guys with experience, there’s some guys with tremendous upside and then some guys that have that flex above the neck of really the smarts and the command that it takes to play center at the National Football League level. We’ll continue to work through it.”
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Blake Brandel moves through pregame warmups, preparing for depth duties and special teams work Sep 12, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The lineman went through drills alongside teammates ahead of kickoff, focusing on readiness and technique before facing the Bengals. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert added, “O’Connell said the Vikings plan to make center the permanent position for longtime backup Blake Brandel, making him the early front-runner for the job that was vacated by Ryan Kelly’s retirement.”
From an early April standpoint, the starting center job is Brandel’s. A rookie will have to outshine him at training camp.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was captured using a remote camera.) Aday Mara #15 of the Michigan Wolverines dunks the ball against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Aday Mara had the game of his life in Michigan’s 91-73 blowout of Arizona in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium.
And then the 7-foot-3 Spaniard didn’t hold back while firing a shot across the bow of his former school.
Mara, 20. transferred to Michigan ahead of this season after two years at UCLA.
“I was just saying the process of being here in this year, I’m so grateful and so happy that I’m able to play with this group,” Mara said after dominating Arizona to the tune of a career-best 26 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists despite averaging 11.8 points and 6.8 boards coming in. "I'm able to fight for the national title.
"But it was a process just coming from maybe two years that I didn't have the opportunity to show what I was able to do, and now just to be in this position. But it was a long year, tough year. But it was fun, too. We're just having fun.
“We know it’s just one more, so we’re going to try to get it.”
Michigan will bid for its second NCAA championship and first since 1989 when it takes on UConn Monday night. The Huskies are seeking their third national title in four years, and seventh overall.
UConn assistants Luke Murray and Mike Nardi scouted Michigan from courtside in the second game, and must’ve been thinking they would have their hands full with Mara.
“He’s just a good player, you know, really unique,” said 6-8 Arizona freshman Koa Peat, a projected NBA first-round pick. “He had a really good game tonight. So props to them.”
“Aday was sensational,” Michigan coach Dusty May said. "He was at the rim, catching lobs. He was a force down low. He was a pressure release up top. I mean, he's such a smart basketball player.
“And obviously his rim protection -- he did a great job on Peat. He did a great job forcing a lot of those misses around the basket because of his aggression.”
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Aday Mara #15 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with teammates after making a layup through contact against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Mara was a highly sought after international recruit who committed to UCLA in 2023 after averaging just 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds the previous season for Basket Zaragoza. He had to undergo a complicated split with his pro team before coming to UCLA.
At UCLA, he averaged 3.5 points and 1.9 rebounds during the 2023-24 season and then 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds the following year. That year he started just one game as an injury replacement for Tyler Bilodeau.
Per the Los Angeles Times, “Coach Mick Cronin explained during the season that Mara’s usage was limited by matchups, conditioning and a few illnesses. Mara acknowledged there were times he asked to come out of games because he expended full energy in short spurts.”
After two seasons, he opted to transfer out and ended up staying within the Big Ten at Michigan.
“I knew that I wasn’t going to play a lot,” Mara told the L.A. Times, “so I was going like 100% — that’s why I was getting tired because I knew that it was going to be six minutes [of playing time] and if I play well it was going to be 15, so I was going like 100% and sometimes, yeah, I said like, ‘I’m tired, I need some rest,’ you know? But I think it’s a common thing if you try hard and you play hard.”
He added: “I had expectations when I came here that I didn’t achieve. Also, I think I felt like I was playing good, practicing good, practicing hard, you know, putting in extra work and until Wisconsin [when he scored 22 points] I never had the opportunity to show that I was able to play, you know? And once [Cronin] gave me the opportunity, I saw — not a lot, but I saw what I could do, so those are the two reasons.”
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Head coach Dusty May of the Michigan Wolverines and Head coach Tommy Lloyd of the Arizona Wildcats shake hands following the game in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Mara is currently a projected second-round draft pick, but certainly helped his stock on Saturday.
“Aday’s put [in] a lot of work … it takes time to grow into this role,” May said. "He's physically more mature than he was.
"Did we envision this? We went back and we looked at his film and playing with the Spanish national team, playing for Zaragoza and he had shown glimpses of this.
“I mean, coming over he was projected on the mock drafts as maybe a lottery pick, top 10 pick, as just like a lot of those guys are. And then those things changed. But he's playing ball at a high level and he's added a lot a lot to our program.”
He sure has.
And now he has Michigan within one victory of its first championship in more 36 years.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
The San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets had a blockbuster matchup on Saturday that ended in overtime. It involved a huge superstar duel between Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic.
Jokic had another standout night with 40 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists. On the other hand, Wemby had 34 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, and five blocks. It was a superb display of high-level center play at the top of the NBA.
Jokic shows his belief in Wembanyama's greatness
Jokic is the greatest center of the past two decades, as evidenced by his three MVPs. He is arguably the best player in the league, which is seen with his ridiculous numbers and regular triple-doubles.
In contrast, Wembanyama has already entered the conversation of being the best center in the league. Of course, Jokic still holds that crown, but Wemby is already making massive waves that even Jokic cannot ignore.
Jokic is not the type of player to be boastful about his achievements. He is not shy to hand out some good praise. Jokic has never been afraid to give Wembanyama his flowers, and with this current matchup, Jokic holds firm in his belief in the young Frenchman.
"I think the first time I played against him, I told you guys he was gonna change the league, change basketball. I still obviously think that. He has an opportunity to be the most unique basketball player to ever play the game. Is it fun? Yes. It’s fun against everybody," Jokic said after the Nuggets' close win against the Spurs on Saturday.
The Spurs are learning from these losses, and Wembanyama is at the center of it. The rest of the locker room are learning from Wemby's example, which is yet another sign of his greatness.
As his career progresses, Wembanyama will continue to shine as one of the best players in the league. He is the future of the NBA, and he is already shining as an MVP candidate in just his first three seasons.
Top lightweight contender Renato Moicano made quick work of his opponent Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 272, further solidifying his standing in the division.
Moicano locked in a face crank and forced Chris Duncan to tap in the main event live on Paramount+. The event took place from the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The win got Moicano back on track after a pair of losses to Beneil Dariush and Islam Makhachev. He is now 21-7-1 overall, with 11 of those 21 victories coming by way of submission.
Virna Jandiroba with co-main event triumph
In the co-feature bout of the evening, Virna Jandiroba did enough to withstand the challenge of Tabatha Ricci, claiming a decision. Jandiroba, a former Invicta FC champion, was coming off a loss to Mackenzie Dern for the vacant UFC strawweight crown.
Ethyn Ewing and Tommy McMillen both scored finishes with strikes while Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev earned a submission victory. The other main card winner was Jose Mauro Delano via decision.
Four finishes highlight preliminary action
Alessandro Costa, Darrius Flowers, Alice Pereira and Tresean Gore were all winners by finish on the preliminary card for the night. Pereira, a top prospect in the women's bantamweight division, knocked out Hailey Cowan with a knee strike deep in the second round.
Costa and Pereira scored "Performance of the Night" bonuses while Tommy McMillen and Manolo Zecchini was declared the "Fight of the Night." All four picked up $100,000, with the other winners by KO or submission - outside of Flowers, who missed weight - earning $25,000.
UFC 327 is up next, as Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg meet for the vacant light heavyweight crown on Saturday, April 11 from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. A co-main event between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira for Van's flyweight belt was scrapped after the champion was injured.
UFC Fight Night 272 Results
Renato Moicano def. Chris Duncan via submission (face crank) at 3:14 of Round 2
Virna Jandiroba def. Tabatha Ricci via unanimous decision
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Brendson Ribeiro via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:52 of Round 1
Ethyn Ewing def. Rafael Estevam via KO (strike) at 1:44 of Round 3
Tommy McMillen def. Manolo Zecchini via TKO (strikes) at 3:57 of Round 1
Jose Mauro Delano def. Robert Ruchala via unanimous decision
Thomas Petersen def. Guilherme Pat via majority decision
Alessandro Costa def. Stewart Nicoll via KO (strike) at 4:56 of Round 2
Darrius Flowers def. Lando Vannata via TKO (strikes) at :52 of Round 2
Alice Pereira def. Hailey Cowan via KO (strike) at 4:24 of Round 2
Tresean Gore def. Azamat Bekoev via technical submission (guillotine choke) at 3:27 of Round 3
Dione Barbosa def. Melissa Gatto via majority decision
Kai Kamaka III def. Dakota Hope via split decision
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Caroline Dubois and Terri Harperface off during the MVPW-01 weigh in at Kensington Olympia on April 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Getty Images
HIGHLIGHTS
An Easter Sunday card features four women's world title fights from London.
The build between the two headliners has been personal and nasty.
One promotional company is making a statement about the future of women's boxing.
On Easter Sunday, the fight world will be treated to a women's lightweight unification bout from Kensington, London. Undefeated WBC champion Caroline Dubois will put her title on the line against WBO champ, Terri Harper in the main event. This event is an MVP promoted event from Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, and it will feature four women's world title fights. Here's everything you need to know.
What Time Does the Fight Start?
American fight fans and church goers should be home in plenty of time to see the top fights. However, if you're trying to watch the entire main card, don't get caught looking at your phone in church.
The main card begins at 2 PM ET / 1 PM CT. Main event ring walks are expected at approximately 5 PM ET / 4 PM CT. Prelims begin at noon ET.
How Can You Watch Dubois vs. Harper?
The main card streams on ESPN+ in the United States at no additional PPV cost. In the UK, the fights air live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action beginning at 7 PM BST.
Prelims stream on ESPN+, MVP's YouTube channel and Sky Sports' YouTube channel starting at noon ET / 5 PM BST.
What's on the Undercard?
MVP is providing a platform for the top fighters in women's boxing. There's a chance for some of the women who came into this card as lesser known to increase their visibility.
Main Card (ESPN+ / Sky Sports)
Caroline Dubois (c) vs. Terri Harper - WBC/WBO Lightweight Unification
Ellie Scotney (c) vs. Mayelli Flores - IBF/WBC/WBO Super Bantamweight
Chantelle Cameron vs. Michaela Kotaskova - WBO Super Welterweight
Harper is a pro and the build has been nasty between the two women. That said, Dubois figures to be too quick and sharp. But we'll soon find out.
Dubois (13-0, 3 KOs) is a Team GB Olympian and the WBC champion. She's the heavy favorite at 1/4. Harper (15-2-1, 6 KOs) holds the WBO title and enters as the 5/1 underdog. Dubois called Harper "pathetic" during fight week and Harper called Dubois a "bully" in return.
By the end of the night, we should know who’s the better fighter and one of them will be a unified champion.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
The NHL is heading back into the mind of the fan with its latest animated experiment, as the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals prepare to face off on "Hockey Island."
In a collaboration between the league, ESPN, and Disney, the "Inside Out Classic" will transform real-time tracking data into a Pixar-inspired alternate broadcast, featuring Riley’s iconic emotions skating alongside animated versions of today's hockey stars.
Following the success of previous ventures like the "Big City Greens Classic," this year’s presentation utilizes NHL EDGE and Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology to bring the world of Inside Out to the ice. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly way to watch the game or just want to see how Anger reacts to a power play, it's sure to be a new fold on a Metropolitan Division rivalry.
Here is everything you need to know about the schedule, channel lineups, and streaming options for this weekend's animated showdown.
The "Inside Out Classic" broadcast of Rangers vs. Capitals will air on Disney Channel, and fans can also stream it through the ESPN app or on Disney+. The traditional broadcast of the game will be on ESPN.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the ESPN app.
What is the 'Inside Out Classic' game?
The "Inside Out Classic" is the third installment in the NHL’s animated alternate broadcast series, following the successful "Big City Greens Classic" matchups. While the physical game takes place at Madison Square Garden, the animated version is set on "Hockey Island" inside the mind of Riley, the lead character from the Inside Out films.
In this version of the broadcast, Riley’s core emotions — including Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Anxiety — will not only be watching from the sidelines but will actually be skating on the ice alongside the animated NHL players. The production also features original voice talent from the movies to provide in-character reactions to the game’s biggest moments.
Rangers vs. Capitals start time
Date: Sunday, April 5
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Puck drop between New York and Washington will be at 7:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 5. The game will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 04: (L-R) Renato Moicano of Brazil punches Chris Duncan of Scotland in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Last night (Sat., April 4, 2026), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned home to Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC Vegas 115. After the incredible high that was UFC Seattle, was there even the slightest hope that another Apex venture could maintain that momentum? Not really. Despite the decline in name value — is Renato Moicano vs. Chris Duncan really worthy of a main event? — there were actually a sneaky amount of good matchups mixed throughout the card.
Let’s take a look back over the best performances and techniques of the evening:
Money Moicano Is Back!
I’ll confess I thought Renato Moicano shot after his loss to Beneil Dariush. It wasn’t the outcome itself that was so concerning, but Moicano basically gassed out from beating up Dariush. When a top fighter can no longer maintain their own output, that’s generally a really bad sign. In this case, however, it appears to have simply been an off-night for the Brazilian veteran, who was incredibly sharp against a very game Chris Duncan.
Moicano didn’t give Duncan an inch. From the first bell, he was actively checking and countering Duncan’s kicks, refusing to let the Scottish scrapper find his distance. When Duncan tried to establish his boxing, he wound up eating straight punches, as Moicano was more crisp and rangy with his jabs and crosses. Additionally, Moicano used his wrestling to slow the pace and keep Duncan stranded at uncomfortable ranges.
Duncan hardly landed a shot in the first, whereas Moicano landed lots of stiff jabs and stabbing front kicks. The Brazilian was very confident in his timing and began to really open up with his combinations. Initially, Moicano’s aggression while already winning felt like a real gamble, but “Money” quickly sat Duncan down with a clean left hook. Faced with a wounded foe, jumping the back and finding the strangle was simple work for the longtime contender.
Once more, the old guard of UFC Lightweights stand firm and reject a would-be replacement.
Ethyn Ewing Is The Truth
Five months after his stellar debut upset win over Malcolm Wellmaker, Ewing impressed yet again in his sophomore UFC performance.
Ewing took on the formerly undefeated Rafael Estevam, who boasted an impressive 14-0 record with a trio of Octagon wins. Against the talented former Flyweight, Ewing made it look easy! In the first round alone, his heavy sprawl so easily shut down Estevam’s takedown attempts that it was abundantly clear the Brazilian was going to end up stranded on the feet.
Estevam is capable standing, but Ewing outclassed him. For a young talent, his defensive responsibility is shocking. Ewing never trips over his own feet loading up, drops his hands in the pocket, or keeps his head stationary. He stays within his stance, takes slight angles, and executes his offense with a rare level of smoothness and precision. As a result, he’s in position to counter or unleash sharp punches when he inevitably outmaneuvers his opponent.
In this fight, Ewing did a ton of work with his crisp right hand. He scored it as a lead, after rolling beneath Estevam’s swings, and on the break of clinches. After bloodying Estevam with dozens of rights in the first two rounds, Ewing suddenly slipped inside, ripped a liver shot, and sent his opponent to the canvas in a world of hurt.
Six months ago, nobody knew Ethyn Ewing. Today, he’s an undeniable blue chip prospect, a man who very much looks like a future Bantamweight contender — and a very exciting one at that!
Tommy Gun Goes Off
Tommy McMillen lived up to the hype … debatably.
I cannot knock him on entertainment or the end result. He entered the cage for his UFC debut as a -1000 or so favorite over Manolo Zecchini, and McMillen did not have any interest in winning via decision. From the first bell, the lanky striker was pushing an absurd pace, throwing power punches and trying to catch Zecchini ducking with knees. Towards the end of the first, McMillen managed to sting Zecchini with a punch and then unloaded with knees, leaving Zecchini crumpled in a bloody pile.
In the middle of all that? McMillen’s defense looked mediocre. He walked into a lot of overhands even if he showed off a sturdy chin. He fell all over his own feet while punching. It felt like a case of the young, more athletic fighter beating up his opponent by being bigger and stronger rather than particularly sharp. Even with “Suga” in his corner, I’m not seeing the Sean O’Malley comparisons just yet.
McMillen’s confidence is definitely undeniable, and at 9-0, he’s clearly doing something right. Whether he succeeds or fails in his future UFC bouts, it’s sure to be dramatic.
A Rare Bantamweight Prospect
Women’s Bantamweight is generally in dire straits, the rankings filled with old names from a decade ago. There are very few up-and-comers of note, as Strawweight and Flyweight have developed into far more interesting classes than the inaugural UFC women’s division.
Maybe Alice Pereira is the fix? The youngest woman on the UFC roster just picked up her first victory in tremendous fashion, knocking Hailey Cowan out cold with a dramatic knee toward the end of the second round.
The singular word to describe Pereira is potential. Clearly, the 20-year-old still has a lot to improve upon. Her striking is very herky-jerky, overflowing with an abundance of youthful energy and enthusiasm. As such, she wastes energy and isn’t always defensively mindful. In addition, she was taken down and controlled for a decent portion of the second. She’s wild and needs to be reigned in.
Despite all of that, Pereira is big for the division and throws absolute heat. She’s dangerous in a way that most female Bantamweights are not. I hope there’s a smart coach and camp behind her, because she definitely could develop into a serious title threat if honed properly into a more precise weapon.
Additional Thoughts
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev defeats Brendson Ribeiro via first-round rear naked choke: This was a squash match, plain and simple. Ribeiro tried to make the impossible happen with a few early connections, but his clean high kick connection ended up caught and put him on his back. From there, the difference in skill was abundantly clear, and Yakhyaev wrapped up the quick strangle. The 25-year-old Russian standout is now 2-0 inside the Octagon, so perhaps we can book him against an actual challenge next?
Alessandro Costa defeats Stewart Nicoll via second-round knockout: In a division known for movement and speed, both Costa and Nicoll were surprisingly willing to stand in front of each other and box. Costa marched forward while Nicoll worked the counter, but there was a serious difference in power. Even when Nicoll timed a nice spin, body shot, or straight right hand, Costa shrugged it off and kept advancing. Conversely, Costa exploded into his offense, sending Nicoll flying backwards when they did collide. Costa landed a couple takedowns as well, but the power remained the deciding factor. Late in the second, he stunned Nicoll with a jump knee and big punches. When the two came back together in the pocket, Costa ripped a picture-perfect liver shot that crumbled Nicoll to the canvas. Costa’s back in the win column, and each of his UFC victories came via stoppage.
Darrius Flowers defeats Lando Vannata via second-round knockout: On paper, this was a simple enough fight. Vannata started well with his movement and wrestling, then he injured his rib off a Flowers slam takedown, which ended the fight a couple minutes later. Taking a broader view of the fight, I have two takeaways. First and foremost, Flowers is better than his first trio of UFC losses demonstrated. He looked hard to take down, slick on his back, and threw compact combos of heavy shots. The slams were violent! Secondly, Vannata very much looked like an aged fighter. He’s technically a decade into his UFC career, and the fact that his body fell apart in the cage after a three-year layoff, well … it unfortunately makes perfect sense and doesn’t bode well for the future.
Tresean Gore defeats Azamat Bekoev via third-round guillotine (highlights): If you’re going to watch one fight from the “Prelims,” this is it! Gore and Bekoev threw down for the entire fight. Bekoev started strong but wound up rocked towards the end of the first. Even so, he came out slugging in the second, very nearly knocking out Gore early in the second. I couldn’t help but be impressed by the toughness and grit of Gore, who entered this fight with a 5-4 professional record as a major underdog. It would have been easy to cover up and let the referee save him, but instead, “Mr. Vicious” worked back to his feet and went right back to work with crisp combinations and chopping kicks. By the third, Bekoev was fatigued and his lead leg was toast! With the scorecards up in the air, Gore didn’t rest. He kept attacking, landed a takedown of his own, and started dropping hammers from mount. Bekoev managed to wrestle up, but in the process, Gore locked up his third guillotine finish to secure the best win of his young career.
For complete UFC Vegas 115 results and play-by-play, click here.
NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma added another milestone to his name during Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2026 clash against Delhi Capitals on Saturday, even though his innings was a modest 35 runs.
The experienced opener hit five fours and a six before getting out, but that one six was enough to put him in the record books.
With that shot, Rohit became the Indian player with the most sixes against a single team in IPL history. He now has 51 sixes against Delhi Capitals, going past MS Dhoni’s previous record of 50 sixes against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
This achievement highlights Rohit’s consistency and dominance over the years, especially against Delhi.
While he didn’t play a big innings in the match, the milestone stood out as a significant personal achievement.
Globally, the record still belongs to Chris Gayle, who has smashed the most sixes against a single team in IPL history. Among Indian batters, Rohit now leads the list, followed by Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
Rohit also came close to another big milestone, 6000 runs for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, but he fell just short of eleven runs. Despite that, his record-breaking six added another feather to his already impressive career.
Even on a day without a big score, Rohit managed to make headlines, proving once again why he remains one of the most impactful players in IPL history.
In the match, Sameer Rizvi smashed a brilliant 90 off 51 balls to guide Delhi Capitals to a comfortable six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians. Mumbai posted a modest 162/6, with Rohit Sharma (35), Suryakumar Yadav, and Naman Dhir (28) being the main contributors, while Mukesh Kumar (2/26) struck early blows.
Chasing 163, Delhi lost KL Rahul and Nitish Rana cheaply, but Pathum Nissanka’s quick 44 steadied the innings. Rizvi then took control, hitting seven sixes and seven fours, as Delhi chased down the target in just 18.1 overs.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris before the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on March 22, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images) | CameraSport via Getty Images
Régis Le Bris is fast approaching a second full season in charge at Sunderland, a feat that only three others have reached in the last 30 years – Steve Bruce, Mick McCarthy, and Peter Reid.
This stat is amazing in itself and stands out even more when you look at the high turnover of managers/head coaches we’ve seen during these tenures. As RLB looks set to become part of this exclusive club, it’s amazing to think about how, in two periods of his time on Wearside, there have been calls for him to be sacked.
With a play-off place secured and our chances of an automatic promotion spot gone by around this time a year ago, RLB shifted tactics and eased up in games, which resulted in a five-game losing streak heading into the play-offs.
As nervous as this was, several people were calling for him to be replaced before the end of the season, keen to undo months of hard work. The club was never going to make such a stupid move, but it certainly made for some baffling reading on the often ridiculous world of SAFC social media.
In hindsight, the club bided its time, prepared for a two-legged play-off against a side we hadn’t beaten away from home in over 40 years and – with a stroke of luck – got the job done and booked our place at Wembley.
Fast forward almost 12 months, and after a sticky period at the start of 2026, talk was emerging of how ‘RLB has taken us as far as he can’. For the first time all season, we lost consecutive games, and two of these were against Arsenal and Liverpool. Is it arrogance? Is it getting carried away after a fantastic season up to that point?
Whatever it was, it came across as reactionary and ridiculous, given that the weeks that followed have seen us bounce back and win back-to-back away games, surpassing 40 points and putting us in a brilliant position to achieve a top-half finish.
The modern game is ruthless, and far too many clubs are trigger-happy in bowing down to fan pressure by getting rid of a manager in the hopes of getting an instant reaction. There are so many clubs where a manager is given so little time to try and implement his own tactics and influence on a group of players he, in the most part, won’t have signed himself.
There is no patience in the game when it comes to firing the men in the dugout, so many teams and their supporters yearn for stability yet call for a manager’s head at the slightest hint of a downturn. Some clubs are more expectant and demanding than others; that’s just how things are, unfortunately.
For far too long, Sunderland were like this. Managers would come and go seemingly every six months as the hierarchy tried desperately to get an instant reaction from players and supporters. We’ve had 11 managers in the last 10 years, and that’s not even including various caretaker roles.
With most of these, we had hoped that they could be a man to lead us through a stable period for a matter of years rather than months, but it’s never quite worked out that way. In Régis Le Bris, Sunderland could well have found the perfect type of head coach to be at Sunderland – someone who is level-headed and doesn’t get swept up in emotions, either good or bad.
Many called it the 'de facto national championship game' and 'the game of the century' as KenPom's third and fourth-best teams of all time squared off in the Final Four in Indianapolis on Saturday night. But, despite Arizona having been the No. 1 for most of the season, Michigan basketball dominated the Wildcats the same way it has dominated almost everyone.
The final score of 91-73 didn't even come close to expressing just how proposterously overmatched Arizona was, as the Wolverines took the lead shortly after the tip and led wire-to-wire.
After the game, head coach Dusty May, point guard Elliot Cadeau, center Aday Mara, and reserve guard Trey McKenney met with the media to discuss the big win, with Michigan set to face UConn in the national championship game. Here is everything they had to say.
Opening statement
This game was very indicative of how this group has played throughout the season, unselfish basketball. A connected group who defends, gets out in transition and then shares the basketball.
I thought our assist-to-turnover ratio, I thought our job on the glass, especially before the game was in doubt was as impressive as anything. And the one thing that we thought really jumped out was our ability to get 50/50 basketballs and be quicker to the ball than Arizona tonight.
But just very proud of our effort. What a great group.
Elliot and Trey, I think everyone was surprised when Yaxel came back in the second half -- he looked like he was in some obvious pain, but he seemed determined to play. What did he say to you guys at halftime and what do you think about his gutsy performance?
ELLIOT CADEAU: We didn't really get a lot of time to talk to him we were on the court at halftime and he was getting treatment. But we know what type of guy Yaxel is. If he can play, he's going to play. We asked him, are you good? He said, yeah. So we expect him to be on the court.
He told us when he got on the court, he was going to give it his all.
TREY MCKENNEY: I think it just shows the guy who Yaxel is. I mean, he just wants to put it all on the floor for Michigan, and he wants to give the fans what they came here for.
I'm just really grateful to have him as a teammate. He's one of the best players in the country, and he really showed that tonight. But he's selfless as well. So I'm just really grateful to be around him.
Elliot and Aday, all the transfers brought into Michigan this year, you guys have obviously have been playing great, reached the championship game. What do you see from Coach May and the coaching staff that's let you guys mold such a cohesive identity in such a short time?
ELLIOT CADEAU: I think they did a really good job of putting five or four transfers, or five players on the court at all times that are really good at passing the ball. And I think they knew that when they were recruiting all of us.
Just having five people on the court that are all playmakers and also great scorers just helps us have connectivity on the court, for sure.
ADAY MARA: I think the same. They did a great job putting, as he said, players that were not selfish. And I think now in the era we are, with the transfer portal, we've just got to learn and adapt as soon as possible to what we have and the different teams that we play.
So I think just we've got to change, and we've got to learn every day so we can play together.
Trey, you guys came out of the gates with a sense of physicality and energy that Arizona was trying to catch up to. Was that kind of the goal coming into this one? And what do you guys feel like helped you set the tone early?
TREY MCKENNEY: I mean, during the season we have had some type of mental lapses during big games, but I think we came out, and we really knew how high the stakes were. And we just really wanted to leave it all on the floor.
We had nothing left. Really, we only have a couple of days left with the bonds that we've made throughout the summer. So I think it just really shows a lot about our team to be able to flip that switch and just push for more in the second half.
Elliot, you guys have had a lot of experience in blowouts. You got a blowout of the Final Four. Did having all that experience help you guys know how to navigate it? And also, separately, do you like that Coach May keeps the starters in late in these kind of games and doesn't, like, go all bench unit really early? How do you guys process that with all the experience you've had in these big wins?
ELLIOT CADEAU: We felt like we had a lot of games like this. And we learned from them. Some games the teams actually came back. So we stressed in the huddle keep our foot on the gas because it's March, it's April. Anything can happen, like they could come back from a 30-point deficit.
Elliot, right from the beginning, you seemed to come out and have great control of the game and be very calm at the same time. How were you able to do that in such a big stage? And did you feel that you had to do even more of that once Yaxel got the two fouls and went out?
ELLIOT CADEAU: Yeah, for sure. I think that just comes from the coaching. They have so much confidence in me. I missed a lot of shots today. I had a lot of turnovers today, but I didn't hear one thing about that from the coaching staff.
It just helps me stay calm. If I turn the ball over and I look over at Coach, they're calm. So that just helps me stay calm as well.
And definitely I tried to be more aggressive when Yax came out, for sure.
Elliot and Trey, you guys in the first half from 3 as a team shot 5-for-16. In the first eight minutes of the second half you guys combined, 6-for-8, and you guys each had two in that time span. Can you just talk about that particular run and really getting it going from beyond the arc. When Arizona was not getting their shots to fall, you guys as a team cohesively really got it going.
ELLIOT CADEAU: I think it kind of takes a little time to get used to shooting at game speed in this arena because we never played here before. But also, me and Trey talked at halftime, and we told each other, like, we had to hit shots this half. And we came out and we had each other's back with that.
TREY MCKENNEY: I would just say it's really a testament to the work we put in I mean. When you come in and before practice, I mean, everybody's getting their own individual work in. We all work on our games.
So I mean, when we're in the spotlight like this, we all have the confidence that we can and run off, you know, two 3s in a row or whatever that may be in this situation.
Q.(In Spanish).
ADAY MARA: I was just saying the process of being here in this year, I'm so grateful and so happy that I'm able to play with this group. I'm able to fight for the national title.
But it was a process just coming from maybe two years that I didn't have the opportunity to show what I was able to do, and now just to be in this position. But it was a long year, tough year. But it was fun, too. We're just having fun.
We know it's just one more, so we're going to try to get it.
What does it mean to have a guy like Roddy whose game doesn't always jump off the stat sheet but seems to be such a steadying influence on both ends of the floor?
ELLIOT CADEAU: That means everything. We had a lot of new guys coming here. He was one of the returners. As soon as we got here, he showed us the culture of Michigan. He set the tone for all of us. He taught us so much.
And just having a guy we can always rely on that, like, no matter if he's hitting shots or not hitting shots, we can always rely on him to do what he does. So it's always great to have a player like that on the team, for sure.
Could you address what Aday did for you today? And also when Yaxel showed the perseverance to get back in the game in the second half and he hit those two 3s, what did that mean to you and the team?
DUSTY MAY: Well, I think the guys know that Yax is about winning. And from day one, he's always just been one of the guys. And when you have a first-team All-American potential player of the year that just wants to be one of the dudes, it helps everyone else fall in line and just accept their role. Our glue guys were awesome tonight.
Aday was sensational. He was at the rim, catching lobs. He was a force down low. He was a pressure release up top. I mean, he's such a smart basketball player.
And obviously his rim protection -- he did a great job on Peat. He did a great job forcing a lot of those misses around the basket because of his aggression.
At halftime, Elliot's 2-of-14 and ends up with a double-double. Even though 2-of-14, the TBS staff at halftime, broadcasters today called him by far the best player on the court. When did this additional gear kick in for him as a distributor and as a leader of this team?
DUSTY MAY: As a distributor, he's always been that. As far as his leadership, he's been really consistent with that as well. He leads more with his energy and effort.
And I thought he took what the game gave him in the first half. You mentioned his attempts. A couple of those were passes off the backboard. Krivas is so good in his drops, we didn't think we'd be able to throw traditional lobs. So we've spent about 5 to 10 minutes the last three days working on the lob off the backboard. So he didn't really have that many attempts.
And then we told him if he got caught in between he and they forced him to shoot those -- we don't shoot a lot of floaters and middies -- but if he does have to shoot them, just make sure if you miss them you miss them long, because he's going to pull the big over and it's going to give Aday and Rez and those guys an opportunity to rebound on the backside.
And then obviously he got it going in the second half and made several big, big shots and found his rhythm.
You had Yax for five and a half minutes in the first half and Aday playing with two fouls, and yet you pull away somewhat at the half. Talk about how crucial that stretch was and how you were able to pull that off.
DUSTY MAY: Well, obviously Rez had two fouls and Aday had two fouls. Yax, I think, had two fouls and a couple -- then two injuries. And so we were obviously extremely concerned. Our staff's done an unbelievable job of managing the minutes and the rotations and getting those guys in and still in the few minutes here and there.
But when we went small we were obviously concerned -- when you're playing Arizona going small and we were able to get stops, the guards were flat and wings were flying in and keeping balls alive.
And once we were able to get them we turned our disadvantage on one end to an advantage on the other and had them spaced out. And I thought we generated some great looks in the first half and they didn't go down. And then the same shots dropped in a second.
I know you don't have guys who have played in the Final Four before, but what kind of a difference do you think it made to have a bunch of guys who have been around the block in college basketball to be able to come out here and, as you said, I think, play the way you normally play?
DUSTY MAY: These guys have such a -- our guys, Arizona's guys, even their young players, they have such a, I guess, extensive background playing high-level basketball games, whether it's national team stuff or even this year, we scheduled incredibly aggressive -- we had the second toughest schedule in the country behind my friend Nate at Alabama who tries to have the toughest schedule every year. We followed that model.
So we just felt like we were battle-tested. And we were concerned that playing that schedule, the stamina, the mental stamina, the physical stamina that this season can take, going through the Big Ten play.
And I give our guys a lot of credit. They've taken a backseat when thief needed to and they've stepped up when they've needed to. And it's a group that's very bright and they have great self-awareness.
I think Ian Eagle would call this question a triple Yaxel. Number one, you brought him back kind of later in the second half when the game was pretty well decided. Wondering why take that risk?
DUSTY MAY: Well, apparently you guys missed the UConn-Duke game. The game was already decided that we were playing Duke tomorrow. They were up 19, correct, in the second half? And who won?
So being out -- you're playing Arizona, one of the best teams -- statistically, the number one or two team all year in the country and you're up with 20 with 10 minutes left, with eight and a half minutes left. We didn't feel quite as confident as you guys did that we could just put the kids to bed. And he came in and Elliot was in foul trouble, and so he just held it down.
So yeah, obviously we felt like the game was still in hand.
Their game plan obviously was to try to get physical with you. Can you just talk about not just how your bigs handled that but your guards? Did you challenge them before the game knowing that was coming?
DUSTY MAY: We've played with great physicality all year. We've done a great job in the weight room. We've done I think a real solid job of not beating our guys up in practice but yet preparing them for the mental and physical wear and tear of these type of games.
But it's a mindset. It's not as if Morez Johnson needs to get souped up to go bang against those guys. That's who he is by nature.
Then you look at Trey McKenney, how physical he is for a freshman. Roddy and even Aday, Aday's really come a long way with his strength and also just his mindset.
Yeah, I think the guys, the Big Ten schedule prepared these guys for this.
Arizona, most of the season has been longer, stronger than the teams they have played. How much do you think you maybe knocked them back on their heels with your size and strength early on?
DUSTY MAY: I think a lot of it is simply match-ups. And when we've played this model, this Arizona model this year -- and they're the souped-up version, they're the steroid version of Gonzaga and these other teams -- we just felt like if a team relies on scoring 15 feet and in, with Aday and Morez and Yaxel and Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle, because of our size, length, it's going to be tough to score enough points 15 feet and in -- if we're making some shots and we're in a decent rhythm offensively.
I think that's what happened tonight. I do think we matched up well with Arizona better than we have some other teams this year.
When you were recruiting Aday out of the portal, did you sort of envision a bigger or different role for him than he had at UCLA, and is what we saw tonight kind of the ultimate of what you envisioned with him? I mean, he just said up here that he wasn't able to show what he could do for two years.
DUSTY MAY: I'm not going to speak on any of where these guys were before. Aday's put a lot of work -- he obviously -- it takes time to grow into this role. He's physically more mature than he was.
Did we envision this? We went back and we looked at his film and playing with the Spanish national team, playing for Zaragoza and he had shown glimpses of this.
I mean, coming over he was, I think, projected on the mock drafts as maybe a lottery pick, top 10 pick, as just like a lot of those guys are. And then those things changed. But he's playing ball at a high level and he's added a lot a lot to our program.
Back to Elliot for a second. I know by the end everybody had a lot of stats. But the way teams come out in these games often sets the tone for what it ends up being. Can you just speak about him at the start, especially with Yaxel's two quick fouls, the way he sort of controlled the game, not only the shooting, but the steals and with the passes that he made and the assists that he got early on?
DUSTY MAY: Yeah, the thing with Elliot and Yaxel and Morez and Aday and these guys, all the portal guys, when we've played on the biggest stages in the most important moments, their play has been elevated.
The assistant coaches, we were talking about it before the game, were like, man, Elliot's going to have a big game because of the way Arizona defends, but also just because of the stage. He's fearless. He's incredibly competitive.
And his basketball IQ is off the charts. And so we felt very confident, when you have someone that can control the game like he does, and also push tempo, and then when he's not in foul trouble, he's a pest defensively, and he cancels ball screens. He gets you out of your offense. He's been awesome for us.
Galaxy midfielder Gabriel Pec reacts during the second half of a 2-1 loss to Minnesota at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday night. (Luiza Moraes / Getty Images)
The MLS started play seven weeks ago but apparently someone forgot to tell the Galaxy, who continue to sleepwalk through a season that is rapidly slipping away from them.
On Saturday, a pair of defensive mistakes led to two Minnesota United goals and a 2-1 loss that extended the Galaxy’s winless streak to four games in league play. And it’s going to get harder, not easier, going forward for the Galaxy, who travel to Toluca, Mexico, on Wednesday for a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal, the first of six games the team will play in the next 21 days.
The Galaxy (1-3-2) was the better team for most of the first half, but they were once again plagued by indecision in the final third — especially in the first half when they outshot Minnesota 6-2. And as a result, some promising scoring chances were wasted.
They wasted another golden opportunity in the opening minutes of the second half when Gabriel Pec beat a pair of defenders up the right side and into the box, where he pulled up and pushed the ball into the center of the penalty area for an onrushing Reus. But the pass went behind Reus, allowing Minnesota to recover.
That proved costly less than a minute later when Markanich, racing up the center, got behind Galaxy defender Mauricio Cuevas to corral a long ball from Joaquín Pereyra, then beat keeper JT Marcinkowski cleanly. The Galaxy pleaded for an offside call but were ignored.
Reus took matters into his hands to tie the score six minutes later, putting a sharp right-footed shot on goal that Drake Callender parried away, then jumped on the rebound with his left foot and lifting the ball over Callender, who was still on the ground.
Yeboah bettered that in the 67th minute, taking advantage of another defensive breakdown to poke a pass from Tomás Chancalay at the left post by Marcinkowski. The Galaxy keeper turned and appeared to upbraid his defenders before clapping his hands and trying to rally his team after what proved to be the winning goal.
The Galaxy had several chances to even the score starting in the 79th minute when a rebound from a Pec shot deflected to João Klauss, whose try was high, then again a minute later when no fewer than five players touched the ball inside the six-yard box before Callender grabbed it.
Six minutes into stoppage time, Callender batted away a final left-footed shot from Pec for his season-best sixth save. When the final whistle sounded following a final corner kick from the desperate Galaxy, some in the crowd of 22,447 booed. Supporters in the north grandstand, the Victoria Block, sent the team off with chants of “We Want Better.”
Both teams were missing important players. The Galaxy were without winger Joseph Paintsil (hamstring) and defender Jakob Glesnes (calf) while Minnesota was without midfielders Julian Gressel, who was sidelined with a toe injury, and James Rodríguez, captain of the Colombian national team, who was hospitalized with severe dehydration after an international friendly last weekend.
A home-run robbery is rare in baseball, and three in one night seems impossible. Yet Jo Adell did exactly that.
As the Los Angeles Angels beat the Seattle Mariners 1-0 on Saturday night, Adell essentially won the game himself by robbing Seattle of three solo home runs. With the Angels scoring just one run, each of Adell’s defensive highlights proved to be the difference between a win, extra innings, and a loss.
With the Angels not expected to contend much this year, Adell has emerged as one of the team’s bright spots. Here’s a look at how he produced an all-time defensive performance.
Jo Adell is a former Angels first-round pick who has been in the major leagues since 2020. He is better known for his offense than his defense, as he totaled a combined 57 home runs in 2024 and 2025. The 27-year-old has started to come into his own after some rough early seasons to begin his career.
Besides Mike Trout, Adell is potentially the Angels’ most important player. Any chance the Angels have of making a run at the playoffs this year likely depends on Adell being one of the team’s best players.
Adell began his night out of the gate, as he robbed Cal Raleigh of a home run in the first inning. Little did he now, that play would be crucial for the Angels' win.
The Angels would take a 1-0 lead, which remained the case for the rest of the night. In the eighth inning, Adell kept the lead intact by robbing Josh Naylor in almost the same place he robbed Raleigh.
However, Adell still had one more home-run robbery in him. In the ninth inning, Adell made a running catch to rob J.P Crawford of a homer, falling into the crowd in the process.
Adell has had an up-and-down career thus far, but he has been able to play at least 130 games in each of the last two seasons. In that span, Adell has 57 home runs, 208 hits and 20 stolen bases.
The Angels outfielder had his best season in 2025, and he is hoping to build off it this season. While Adell has had a slow start offensively, he made up for it with his glove on Saturday night.
Jo Adell contract details
Adell is making 5.2 million this season, and he has one more year of arbitration left before he is set to hit free agency after the 2027 season.
Apr 4, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello (left) takes the ball from starting pitcher Landen Roupp (65) as he makes a pitching change during the fifth inning at against the New York Mets Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Did you think Friday was tough? Well, let me introduce you to Saturday — it was so much worse! Bad defense, no offense, frustrated pitching.
Believe it or not, there was a point at the beginning of the Giants’ 9-0 loss to the Mets when things were actually going pretty swell.
Landen Roupp started the evening with four strikeouts on the first four batters he faced. He flashed everything in his arsenal: Curve, sinker, change-up, curve. Check, check, check. One out in the 2nd, the sun was shining, the Mets were whiffing. Everything was going just fine.
But good things don’t last — at least, not for the 2026 San Francisco Giants.
The Mets hitters — rather abruptly — figured out how to put the bat on the ball, and everything got so much worse. Mark Vientos found a seam along the third base line for a one-out double. Marcus Semien followed by lunging at a curveball, rolling it so softly towards short that Willy Adames had to rush his throw to first. Of course, it sailed wide, Semien was safe, the bases were loaded, and that was when the flashbacks started. The terrible recollections of weak choppers, wayward throws, missed catches from earlier in the week. Poorly struck grounders in the most inconvenient places, like grains of sand in the infield gears, grinding them to a halt.
Jerar Encarnacion did the right thing on Adames’s throw and left the bag to secure the ball — but the bigger problem remains. That lack of sharpness, especially from their veterans, has exposed the lack-of-expertise of others. It haunted them in their finale against San Diego, and it bit them big time here.
Next batter, in an 0-2 count, Carson Benge threw his bat at a change-up and somehow put it in the most annoying place possible. The grounder dragged Chapman’s momentum away from the plate, making the force out there unlikely. But it was just likely enough for Chapman to consider it. That brief glance towards the plate split his concentration on the exchange. The ball fell out of his glove, somehow recovered it in mid-air, and now desperate to get one out, whipped the baseball in first base’s general direction.
Looking back at the replay, the throw was surprisingly accurate, and Encarnacion, perhaps shocked that Chapman actually managed to get a throw off, botched the easy part. The “catch the f***ing ball” part.
Next batter, another 70 MPH grounder hit just slow enough, just far enough away from the infield positioning, to take away the possibility of Luis Arraez starting an inning-ending double play and preventing another run from scoring.
A double, three grounders that didn’t leave the infield, and three runs for New York in the 2nd. Landen Roupp was understandably steamed. And he only got hotter by the 5th. After a lead-off single, Encarnacion fell on a grounder, blocking it like a hockey goalie, rather than fielding it like a normal baseball player would. The misplay, though redeemed by Roupp coming over to pick up the loose ball and get the out first, cost the starter another chance at a two-fer. This proved costly when Luis Torrens, advancing to second on the play, promptly scored on Bo Bichette’s RBI single up the middle. That ball too skipped within range of an infielder’s glove, and while it would’ve been an impressive play by Adames, Roupp couldn’t help but tamp down his frustrations that another grounder had made its way through to the outfield.
The right-hander tried to refocus. He battled through nine pitches to eventually strike out Jorge Polanco for his seventh K, but at that point, Roupp was gassed physically and emotionally. A shell of a his former self way back in the 1st inning. Tough breaks coupled with lack-of-execution will do that to a man. But even though Roupp was clearly broken, the Mets refused to let up. Brett Baty rolled another grounder through the right-side of the infield to extend the inning, then Vientos sent a single through the same hole to plate New York’s fifth run, and…yeah, that was it. Roupp was done. Tony Vitello released him from the mound, and he slumped back to the dugout where he had the pleasure of watching Tyrone Taylor launch a hanging curve ball from Ryan Borucki over the wall in left-center, mercifully closing the book on the starter’s outing.
7 runs, 6 earned, and Roupp maybe deserved half of them. A small consolation: the bad defense wasn’t personal. It continued after he left the mound. Luis Arraez missed a tag at second. Keaton Winn didn’t back up home properly on a relay, and a subsequent wild pitch gave Taylor a free trip to third after his RBI single.
I suppose none of these defensive shenanigans really mattered considering the offense amounted to three singles and a pair of walks against Clay Holmes. In the words of Mike Krukow, the bats have been living in the castle or the outhouse so far this season — and this was another night in the shitter. Early opportunities presented themselves too. The leadoff man reached base in each of the first three innings. They had a chance to get back in the game and capitalize on a defensive miscue too when a throwing error by Bichette put Chapman in scoring position in the 2nd. But Jung Hoo Lee waved through three straight breaking balls from Holmes, and the next two hitters were dutifully retired.
And I use that word “dutifully” without embellishment — there was an odd air of obedience when the Giants were at the plate. They knew their roles, and with heads down, they fulfilled them quickly and with little fight. Routine fly out to center. A grounder to short. Any spark, like Patrick Bailey’s well-struck line drive, was promptly snuffed out.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Ryan O'Reilly broke a tie midway through the third period and the Nashville Predators beat the San Jose Sharks 6-3 on Saturday night in a key game in the playoff race.
The Predators blew a 3-0 lead before O'Reilly converted off a pass from Luke Evangelista to give them their 15th straight win over the Sharks for their longest winning streak ever against one opponent.
Filip Forsberg scored twice in the first period for Nashville, Steven Stamkos had his 620th career goal and Erik Haula sealed it with a short-handed goal with 2:34 to play to make it 5-3. Tyson Jost added an empty-netter.
Juuse Saros made 24 saves.
The Predators moved into a tie with Los Angeles in the race for the second wild-card spot in the West with 81 points. San Jose is two points back but has a game in hand.
Macklin Celebrini scored his 41st goal of the season for San Jose. Nick Leddy and Alexander Wennberg also scored but the Sharks were unable to extend their winning streak to five games for the first time since November 2019.
Yaroslav Askarov made 29 saves.
The Predators jumped on top of the Sharks early for the second straight meeting this season. After getting off to a 5-1 lead in the first period of a 6-3 win last month at home, Nashville got two goals in a 1:16 span from Forsberg to take a 2-0 lead.
Stamkos scored a one-timer from the circle on the power play to make it 3-0 late in the first before the Sharks rallied with two late goals in the second and a game-tying goal by Alexander Wennberg early in the third.
Nashville defenseman Nicolas Hague left the game with an undisclosed injury in the first period and didn’t return.
Apr 4, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate a goal by defensemen Jeremy Lauzon (5) during the second period against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place.
When the Vegas Golden Knights hired John Tortorella amidst a challenging stretch of play, many fans and pundits expressed curiosity and a dash of skepticism about if the change was going to awaken the sleeping giant.
Three games into the Tortorella era, however, and the team now finds themselves just one point away from another Pacific Division crown.
On Saturday, the Golden Knights got their final road trip of the regular season started in emphatic fashion, leaving the Edmonton Oilers in the dust with a 5-1 victory.
The Golden Knights needed to be at their best early on, and they responded with one of the best first periods in recent memory. They were eventually rewarded for their efforts thanks to the play of Jack Eichel, who beat Jake Walman in the defensive zone with a pass to himself off the wall to get a clear lane to the net. After his shot deflected off of Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram, Brett Howden picked up the rebound to get the Golden Knights the first goal of the game, as well giving himself scores in back-to-back games.
Eichel’s assist on the goal is his 80th point this season, marking the first time a Golden Knight had crossed the 80-point threshold in consecutive seasons.
The second period would see the Golden Knights continue to roll, starting with Mitch Marner driving play once again. After trying to move the puck towards the slot, Marner was finally able to weave a pass through an Oilers defenseman to find Colton Sissons all alone. The veteran forward was able to get an easy tap-in off of the backhand to double the lead for Vegas.
Just two and a half minutes later, Jeremy Lauzon was finally able to find the scoresheet for the Golden Knights. After Jack Eichel drifted to the right to lure the Oilers defenders towards him, he found Lauzon near the opposite side faceoff circle. The defenseman was able to use a screen to fire a puck that Ingram was not prepared for, and he finally got his first tally as a Golden Knight, as well as his first in 113 games.
It was not all sunshine and roses for Vegas, however, as Evan Bouchard would take advantage of a failed clear to cut the lead to two before the end of the middle frame.
While the Oilers would get an early power play to start the third period, it would be the Golden Knights shifting the momentum after another strong penalty kill effort. They would quickly get the puck into the offensive zone, ending with Ivan Barbashev finding Mark Stone for a deflection to beat Ingram and restore the three-goal lead.
In a fitting end, former Calgary Flame Rasmus Andersson was the one to put the final dagger into Edmonton with a late power-play point shot to secure the 5-1 win.
Carter Hart was excellent in his second start since returning from injury, only allowing one goal on 32 shots.
The Golden Knights will hope to keep their winning ways intact when they head to the next leg of the road trip on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Niko Tsakiris scored two goals, Preston Judd added a goal and an assists, and the San Jose Earthquakes beat San Diego FC 3-0 on Saturday night.
Daniel De Sousa Britto — known simply as “Daniel” — stopped one shot for the Earthquakes (5-1-0). Daniel his second consecutive shutout and his fifth of the season.
Tsakiris, on the counter-attack, ran onto a ball-ahead played by Judd and then slipped a rising shot inside the near post to open the scoring in the 13th minute and converted from the penalty spot in the 34th to make it 2-0. It was the 20-year-old homegrown's first career multi-goal game in MLS.
Judd scored in the third minute of stoppage time to give San Jose a three-goal lead at halftime.
Manu Duah was shown a straight red card in the 32nd minutes and San Diego played a man down the rest of the way.
Duran Ferree had seven saves for San Diego (3-1-2).
Apr 04, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; during San Jose Sharks vs Philadelphia Flyers at SAP Center. Photo: Sport Shots / Dean Tait
The San Jose Sharks welcome the Nashville Predators to SAP Center.
Nick Leddy and Macklin Celebrini and Alex Wennberg scored, but the Sharks lost 6-3
Period 1
Top line struggles to start, Celebrini throws a pizza up the middle.
4 in: O’Reilly and Preds crashing net, but Sharks’ backheck urgent, stays with them. That’s good to see, that’s desperation you need.
6 in: Cameron Hughes, the t-shirt guy, is here, pretty sure I haven’t seen him in like six years in SAP Center. Surest sign that hockey is back in San Jose lol.
Forsberg goal: Goodrow lost his stick, Preds smart on PP, got it to Forsberg top of key where Goodrow was, the veteran goal-scorer rifled a one-timer past Askarov.
Forsberg goal: Bad team defense there. Sherwood and Eklund forecheck couldn’t influence Nashville breakout. Then maybe a rare mistake by Wennberg? In NZ, he makes aggressive play for puck, misses, and it’s a Preds’ odd-man the other way. Yup, he tries to stop up Jost, but had no support because his wingers were up the ice on the forecheck. Jost connects with Barron. Not the time for Wennberg to gamble, he’s a hero if it works, but it doesn’t. Askarov actually makes the first one-timer save. But Forsberg in front all alone, puts in rebound. Could Mukhamadullin also been more urgent locking up Forsberg? San Jose Sharks need to collect themselves.
9 left: Celebrini with excellent plays on back-to-back shifts. First, a slow stretch pass from Chernyshov, he collects it so quickly in an open position to an attacking position, gives Smith a one-timer opportunity that’s just flubbed. Then Celebrini down the slot, to Smith, Grade-A, Smith forces a Preds’ penalty.
8 left: Great kill by O’Reilly, they are so aggressive on the PK. He just surprises Smith on wall. Then O’Reilly has wherewithal, after winning puck and being harassed, to turn himself toward open lane, diagonal clear. Veteran poise.
Celebrini and Smith counterattack, 2-on-1, but Celebrini pass too hot for Smith? When it works, it works, but sometimes, Celebrini still plays too fast for Smith (and all his teammates). I don’t put that, big picture, on Macklin, his teammates need to raise their pace in the coming years. But there’s also something to be said for Celebrini to just be selfish and smoke a shot himself.
7 left: Two good keep-in’s from Dickinson on PP. Then a direct shot, no fuss, no muss. Like the simplicity.
Skjei penalty: Gaudette does good job on forecheck, gets in there, draws a call.
Orlov penalty: Boy, they rarely call that. Will say, if L’Heureux sold it, Orlov didn’t go to the box complaining much. Very disappointing two power plays by Sharks here. Huge kill, you really got get out of first period down just two or cut the lead.
Stamkos goal: And they don’t. Just the classic Stamkos one-timer, but also, Askarov has to make a save too. It was straight-up and set-up was slow enough, Askarov had time to get set up. Eklund also flubbed a clear seconds before.
It’s hockey cliche, but the Sharks need to play faster, up their urgency. Unfortunately, gains from after last Nashville disaster crashing out here. These Preds games may be the reason why the Sharks don’t make the playoffs, maybe a veteran Preds group just knowing that they’re going to approach a game like this with more calm. Nashville has a lot of youth, but not in key roles like San Jose does.
Well, for the Sharks, at least it's not 5-1 after the first period.
1 in: Leddy leads the rush, finds Celebrini in high slot. Then Celebrini whips a brilliant pass to Smith later in shift, huge Saros save.
4 in: Great cycle from Wennberg line, their best shift of the game. San Jose Sharks starting to string some shifts together, but obviously, next goal matters so much.
7 in: Askarov back to regular mask.
8 in: Huge Askarov saves on Wilsby. Breakdown, Wilsby had slot to himself, and even got a follow-up. Askarov glove.
10 in: Celebrini just misses Chernyshov in front and sets up Dickinson for a good chance, he’s on it, after that early turnover.
I never do the wave lol, even when I attend as a fan.
8 left: Askarov reaches down to make a save, then gives a push to L’Heureux, who’s mucking around. They’re old Admirals teammates, were friendly last year when the Sharks visited Nashville.
7 left: That looked like a Saginaw set-up, Misa set up Chernyshov for a scorcher. Huge Saros save. Did Chernyshov and Graf get switched?
Smith penalty: Not a great call, but second time that the Sharks have ended their own power plays with penalties tonight. Can’t do that, power plays have been main difference tonight.
Leddy goal: Sharks were coming, give them credit, overall good period, lots of chances. Orlov just hit a post. That is a marvelous Eklund pass. I don’t think that was luck. Leddy wide open and he picks it.
4 left: Great Askarov clear on PK. He looks calmer in this period than in the first.
3 left: Smith can’t settle down another good Celebrini set-up. Rough game tonight for him.
2 left: Great 200 feet of hockey by Wennberg, backcheck, wins the puck, counterattack, and was that Chernyshov just offsides? You can’t have that there.
Celebrini centering Eklund and Sherwood with about a minute to go. It was Wennberg with Chernyshov and Toffoli just before
Eklund and Stamkos get into it, I love the random kerfuffles that Eklund gets into with opponents, like Horvat earlier this year. Can never guess with him lol.
Celebrini goal: Celebrini-Graf-Dickinson-Leddy 4-on-4, Celebrini pushes back the defense, finds Graf for an opening, great pass, but not quite enough space to shoot for Graf, at least not a quality shot, he circles, and just brilliant pass to Celebrini, through two Preds. Forsberg fell asleep. Huge goal. Huge. This second period by the Sharks is a statement, they played well. Score could definitely be tied, Saros was huge. Question is, can San Jose put out one more period like this?
Period 3
Lots of cheers and squeals when #SJSharks start third period with a little bit of Ilya Rozanov's locker room speech on the scoreboard
Wennberg goal: Just cruises through the Preds defense. Not sure how Marchessault ended up as the defenseman, but that’s why Wennberg able to walk last man like that. But great finish, and that’s why Wennberg, offensively, has frustrated teams that he’s been on. He’s really, really skilled, and that’s forgotten because he’s taken on a more defensive role. Wilsby is the defenseman who jumped up on the 4-on-4, and his backcheck was of a less than desirable quality. I think if you’re the defense up and your forward is playing your position, you got to hustle your ass off to come back, you can’t assume your forward is going to be any good on defense.
5 in: Good hard backhand clear by Chernyshov after he blocked a shot, in pain, and paused. No pause in playoff mode!
O’Reilly goal: That can’t happen there, someone’s got to pick up O’Reilly in the slot. My first look, Mukhamadullin drifts too close to Askarov, I don’t think there was a Pred down low to defend against. Should’ve been more nimble, higher in slot, to contest O’Reilly.
8 left: Smith forecheck on Skjei, good job to take advantage of off-balance defenseman, sets up Graf chance.
7 left: Orlov pass off DZ draw gets picked off, leads to nervousness and a big Askarov save.
5 left: Trying a Graf-Wennberg-Celebrini super-line. Then, Misa high, has puck, but too telegraphed a pass to slot. He’ll learn from that.
3 left: Smith high on PP, not an easy position, but he’s got to make a better play than that.
Haula goal: Bad hockey, bad hockey. If Sharks miss post-season, that’s a power play that will haunt them over the summer. Not sure why Orlov ceded so much space to Haula there. Then, I think it was Jost that had a big chance off Smith turnover earlier.
The Atlanta Braves are now 6-3 overall to begin 2026 after losing 2-1 to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday. It has still been an overall respectable start to the year for a Braves team that battled injury adversity during spring training, but Ronald Acuna Jr. has struggled to begin the new campaign. On Saturday, Acuna went 0-3. The 28-year-old is now slashing just .161/.308/.194 across nine games played this season.
So, is this simply an early-season slump, or is there more to the situation?
Will Ronald Acuna Jr. Bounce Back?
Acuna is one of the best players in baseball. When healthy, he features the talent to consistently compete for the MVP award. He is a true superstar.
He has underwhelmed in 2026, though. It is still quite early in the year and there is reason to believe he can bounce back. With that being said, his early-season slump should not be completely overlooked and ignored.
The good news is that strikeouts are not the problem. His 20 percent strikeout rate is below his career average. He is also walking at a rate that is well above his career average.
However, Acuna is not hitting the ball hard. For his career, he has recorded a 52.1 percent hard-hit rate. His current 2026 36.4 percent hard-hit rate would be a career-low.
If Acuna was still hitting the baseball hard, there would be no reason for real concern. One has to wonder what is going on given Acuna's underwhelming hard-hit percentage.
Perhaps he simply is not squaring the baseball up right now. That is common in slumps. Acuna may hit a baseball hard tomorrow and be fine.
Still, this will be a situation to closely monitor. It is also worth noting that Acuna has never recorded a hard-hit percentage below 47.8 percent in his career.
As mentioned, the Braves are still finding success despite Acuna's difficult start to the season. Atlanta's performance is impressive considering the fact that Acuna is struggling and a number of starting pitchers are injured. Once Acuna gets back on track -- which he surely will at some point despite the current hard-hit percentage concerns -- the team's performance should only improve.
For now, the Braves will focus on their upcoming game against the Diamondbacks in Arizona on Sunday afternoon at 4:10 PM EST. Ronald Acuna Jr. will look to get things going at the plate in the matchup.
Years from now, someone in Canada will tell their friends that they were born in an NHL arena while a game was in progress — and they’ll have proof.
Play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels said during the second period of the Edmonton Oilers’ 5-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights that a woman was delivering a baby on the seventh floor of Rogers Place.
The afterbirth — er, the aftermath — has yet to be revealed. So too has the baby’s name.
Evan Bouchard scored the only goal for the Oilers. Fortunately Evan has gained some popularity as both a boys’ and girls’ name, if the new mother is looking for a suggestion.
Goaltender Connor Ingram allowed all five goals on 33 Vegas shots. Edmonton was trailing 3-0 until Bouchard’s goal with 34 seconds remaining in the middle period.
Vegas scored twice more in the third period, on goals by Mark Stone and Rasmus Anderssson.
It was a lousy night on the ice for the Oilers, who fell to 39-29-9 with the loss, but a banner night for medical emergencies in Edmonton.
Coincidentally, a fan attending the same game was left bloodied when he was struck in the head by a puck over the glass.
Documented reports of babies being born in the middle of sporting events are rare but not unheard of. This isn’t even the first instance this decade.
A cousin of Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell gave birth inside Lucas Oil Stadium during the Browns’ game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2023. The baby’s mother went into labor as she was arriving at the game, four days before she said she was due.
In 2015, during a game between the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres, a baby was born inside Petco Park.
An on-staff nurse at Petco Park who is also a midwife reportedly delivered the baby near the Padres’ team store.
All three babies learned something the hard way: free admission is still possible.
The San Jose Sharks hosted the Nashville Predators in a game with massive playoff implications on Saturday night.
Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky deemed it “the most important game of the season,” and to be frank, that may be underselling it. It was likely the most important game in over half of a decade.
The Predators were controlling the run of play early on, getting some quality shots on Yaroslav Askarov.
Adam Gaudette took the first penalty of the night when he was called for hooking at 6:50 of the first period. The high-powered Nashville power play took advantage of their first power play, as Filip Forsberg was able to beat Askarov to make it 1-0. Forsberg then scored his second of the night off a rebound less than a minute and a half later.
At 11:49, Nashville captain Roman Josi went to the box for hooking Will Smith. The Sharks were unable to score on the man advantage, but Sam Dickinson made some smart plays at the blue line to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Moments after Josi’s penalty expired, Brady Skjei went to the box for hauling down Gaudette. 49 seconds into the man advantage, the power play was nullified due to an interference penalty on Dmitry Orlov.
After Skjei was released from the penalty box, Steven Stamkos scored on the Predators’ abbreviated power play to make it a 3-0 hockey game.
The Sharks had a very strong possession a few minutes into the second period, keeping the Predators trapped in their own zone and unable to make a line change. Unfortunately for the Sharks, an easy glove save for Juuse Saros allowed the Predators to get fresh legs on the ice.
Askarov made a big glove save with 11:33 remaining in the second to keep his team’s hopes alive, as a four-goal deficit would almost certainly put the game out of reach.
The amount of scrums increased exponentially around the halfway point of the game, with Askarov even going after Zachary L’Heureux at one point.
Skjei went back to the box with 5:54 remaining in the middle frame, giving the Sharks a lifeline. That lifeline would once again be nullified by a penalty; this time, Will Smith went to the box for slashing Josi behind the Nashville net.
Nick Leddy scored his first goal as a Shark to bring them within two with 4:11 remaining in the period. Stamkos and William Eklund had a bit of a wrestling match with a minute remaining in the period, causing the two to get coincidental minor penalties. Celebrini scored 42 seconds after the penalties, making it a one-goal game with just over 20 minutes left to play.
Alex Wennberg set a new career-high in goals in the third period, when he made a highlight reel move to beat Saros and tie the game up at three goals apiece.
The Predators started fighting back after the Sharks’ game-tying goal, forcing a few long shifts for the Sharks, but they were unable to break the deadlock for quite a while. Eventually, the Predators would regain the lead, though, as Ryan O’Reilly scored to make it 4-3 with 11:32 remaining in the third period.
Roman Josi was called for delay of game with just 3:21 remaining in regulation. Tyson Jost had two quick chances to score a shorthanded goal on a breakaway, but both shots were denied by Askarov. Moments later, the Predators got their shorthanded goal though as Erik Haula beat Askarov to make it 5-3 and put the game out of reach for the Sharks.
Jost added an empty-net goal with 1:15 remaining to make it 6-3.
Tonight's game was undoubtedly a must-win for the Sharks, despite a valiant effort, they weren't able to get it done. As of now, the Sharks sit two points out of a playoff spot and their odds of a trip to the postseason have dropped tremendously. The Sharks and Predators will meet one more time this season, in Nashville. It'll be imperative that the Sharks get their two points back in that game.
A participant in the Men's Wild Card Jam hits a 360 flip over the ramp during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, Street League Skateboarding had there Downtown Los Angeles Takeover on Saturday, April 4, 2026 and The Sporting Tribune's Robert Talamantes was there to capture the following TST Images.
Skateboarding Legend Greyson Fletcher focusing on his next trick during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Robert Talamantes - The Sporting Tribune
Skateboarding Legend Greyson Fletcher focusing on his next trick during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
A participant in the Men's Wild Card Jam hits a 360 flip over the ramp during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Robert Talamantes - The Sporting Tribune
A participant in the Men's Wild Card Jam hits a 360 flip over the ramp during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Skateboarding during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Robert Talamantes - The Sporting Tribune
Skateboarding Legend Manny Santiago hypes the crowd up during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Korean Skateboarder Juni Kang hits a backside board slide during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Robert Talamantes - The Sporting Tribune
Korean Skateboarder Juni Kang hits a backside board slide during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Paige Heyn hits a kickflip over the ramp during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Robert Talamantes - The Sporting Tribune
Paige Heyn hits a kickflip over the ramp during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Chloe Covell celebrates after winning the women's Final during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Robert Talamantes - The Sporting Tribune
Chloe Covell celebrates after winning the women's Final during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Nyjah Huston checks out the course before the mens final during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Robert Talamantes - The Sporting Tribune
Nyjah Huston checks out the course before the mens final during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Rapper Paul Wall gave a surprise concert during intermission during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Robert Talamantes - The Sporting Tribune
Rapper Paul Wall gave a surprise concert during intermission during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Juni Kang hits a boardslide during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Robert Talamantes - The Sporting Tribune
Juni Kang hits a boardslide during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Juni Kang is in tears after winning the Men's Final during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
Robert Talamantes - The Sporting Tribune
Juni Kang is in tears after winning the Men's Final during SLS Takeover Saturday, April 4th, 2026 in Downtown Los Angeles
The Calgary Flames picked up a 5-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center on Saturday night, as the Ducks are now riding a five-game losing streak.
Anaheim struck first midway through the opening period. Jackson LaCombe set up Bennett Sennecke, who drove hard to the net and converted on his second chance after crashing the crease to make it 1-0 at 10:11. Jacob Trouba picked up the secondary assist.
Calgary responded quickly. At 13:24, Joel Farabee took a feed from Matvei Gridin, broke in alone, and lifted a backhand over Ville Husso to tie the game 1-1.
Despite being outshot 16-6 in the first period, Cooley held the line and kept things even heading into the intermission.
The Flames grabbed control early in the second. Just 1:20 in, Strome finished off a stretch play, taking a feed from Martin Pospisil and beating Husso on a breakaway to give Calgary a 2-1 lead in his return game.
Farabee and Gridin connected again later in the period. On a two-on-one at 7:49, Farabee slid a pass across to Gridin, who tapped it into an open net for his sixth of the season, with Hunter Brzustewicz also drawing an assist.
Morgan Frost extended the lead late in the frame, finishing off a breakaway after a stretch pass from Olli Maatta to make it 4-1.
Anaheim pushed back in the third. Leo Carlsson capitalized on a broken play to cut the deficit to 4-2, then Mason McTavish brought the Ducks within one on the power play, wiring a shot short side to make it 4-3 at 9:51.
The Ducks pressed late, but Frost sealed it, scoring into the empty net for his second of the night to lock down the 5-3 win.
Matvei Gridin was a difference-maker again, recording a goal and an assist for his second multi-point outing. The offensive instincts are showing up consistently.
Strome delivers in return
Ryan Strome made his presence felt against his former team, scoring on a breakaway and hitting the 500-point mark in the process.
Frost hits a milestone
Morgan Frost reached the 20-goal plateau for the first time in his career and added an empty-netter, continuing to lead the Flames offensively.
Mark Vientos slashed .057/.108/.171 with one home run and two RBI across 11 spring training games in February and March, but the Mets' 26-year-old corner infielder and designated hitter has been a different player since the calendar flipped to April.
He extended his hitting streak to four games with three knocks in Saturday's 9-0 win at the San Francisco Giants, continuing momentum from a two-hit, two-walk performance that sparked Friday's 10-3 victory.
"I feel like myself," Vientos said. "I feel good. I think the best part is just guys are going, had good day, all of us together. Clay (Holmes) pitched a heck of a game, and it was fun -- it was fun today."
Vientos had one hit in three at-bats across the Mets' March 28 and 31 games against the Pittsburgh Pirates and at the St. Louis Cardinals, respectively, before a 7-for-14 start to this month.
"It's good to see it," Mendoza said. "It's good to see it, especially after what he went through in spring training. We kept telling him, 'It's spring training. Keep hitting the ball hard. Keep controlling the strike zone.' As a human, as a competitor, they want to see results. It's just good to see him having the start he's having right now.
"He's a pretty important player for us. We're going to need him. If we can get some confidence early on, man, he's going to be an impactful player for us."
Batting fifth and starting at first base in a lineup that was without Juan Soto, whose day-to-day status leaves the Mets (5-4) relying on others to step up, Vientos sparked New York's pivotal second and fifth innings against the Giants (3-6).
The Mets' three-run second started when Vientos picked up Brett Baty's leadoff strikeout with a double to left field. Three frames later, Vientos' two-out single to right field scored Bo Bichette and padded the Mets' 5-0 lead before Tyrone Taylor's pinch-hit home run blew the doors open at 8-0.
"When you see him challenging pitches like that -- from the dugout, they look pretty close," Mendoza said of Vientos. "And then you look up on the board, it's like, 'Mark is seeing the ball really well here out of the hand.'
"What it follows is he's not missing pitches and he's recognizing, he's staying in the zone and not trying to do too much -- going the other way when he needs to, getting the head out when he needs to -- so he's in a good place right now."
Vientos, who hit his first home run of the early season in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Giants, is slashing .471/.526/.765 with three RBI and two walks through six
"I'm focused on the process and focused on having good at-bats and letting the rest fall into place," Vientos said.
The UFC handed out four bonuses after Saturday's card in “Sin City,” including an absolute joke for Fight of the Night that proved to those who subscribe to such a notion that “Dana White Privilege” is a real thing.
After UFC Fight Night 272, four fighters picked up an extra $100,000 for their performances at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. In addition, four other fighters got $25,000 extra checks for finishes that weren’t bonus-winners.
Although he submitted Azamat Bekoev (20-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC), who was an 8-1 betting favorite, Tresean Gore (7-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) was left with just a $25,000 finish bonus. He choked Bekoev unconscious in the third round – which itself was a 50-1 betting proposition before the fight. Yet, his finish wasn’t worthy of $100,000.
Instead, the two Performance of the Night bonuses went to Alice Pereira (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Alessandro Costa (15-5 MMA, 3-3 UFC). Pereira’s finish of Hailey Cowan with a stunning knee was hard to deny. And Costa had a sick body shot finish, but that almost certainly left Renato Moicano (21-7-1 MMA, 13-7 UFC) and Ethyn Ewing (10-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) with thoughts, let alone Gore.
But the head scratcher comes in the form of the Fight of the Night for Tommy McMillen (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Manolo Zecchini (11-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC). Their fight lasted less than 4 minutes before McMillen put Zecchini away with a TKO. McMillen was a massive 10-1 favorite in the fight at some sportsbooks. Afterward, the training partner of former UFC champion Sean O’Malley, who was in his corner, called for the $100,000 on the microphone and said he wants to use it at the blackjack tables in Las Vegas — clearly playing to a favorite pasttime of UFC CEO Dana White. Then, lo and behold, when the $100K Performance bonuses went elsewhere, Fight of the Night was still a way to reward him like he asked to be. Strangely, other fighters in recent events who have asked to be given $100,000 bonuses haven’t been met with the same success rate.
Left out in the cold was a certainly more deserving, at least in a traditional sense, Fight of the Night contender between Kai Kamaka III (18-7-1 MMA, 2-2-1 UFC) and newcomer Dakota Hope (11-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who stepped up for their card opener on just a few days’ notice. And Kamaka, in fact, returned to the UFC after nearly five years outside the promotion. But their 15-minute banger, a split decision win for Kamaka, gets nothing extra, officially.
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Anthony Markanich and Kelvin Yeboah each scored a goal Saturday night, Drake Callender had six saves, and Minnesota United beat the LA Galaxy 2-1.
Tomás Chancalay added two assists for Minnesota (2-2-2).
Chancalay flicked a low cross from near the left post through a crowd of defenders for a one-touch finish by Yeboah into a wide-open net that gave Minnesota the lead for good in the 67th minute.
Markanich opened the scoring in the 51st minute but Marco Reus responded for the Galaxy (1-3-2) in the 57th to make it 1-1.
JT Marcinkowski had two saves for LA.
The Galaxy had 57% possession and outshot Minnesota 20-7, 7-3 on target.
Minnesota's James Rodriguez (illness) did not play for Minnesota.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Ryan Strome scored his 500th career point with a goal against his former team, Morgan Frost had two goals and the Calgary Flames sent the Anaheim Ducks to their fifth consecutive loss with a 5-3 victory Saturday night.
Joel Farabee and Matvei Gridin had a goal and an assist apiece for the Flames, who extended the Ducks' late-season spiral by earning their first win over Anaheim in four meetings this season. Devin Cooley made 36 saves.
Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish scored in the third period, but the Ducks' comeback from a 4-1 deficit fell short when Frost put his second goal into an empty net with 1:11 to play.
Beckett Sennecke also scored and Ville Husso stopped 15 shots during yet another rough defensive performance by the Ducks.
Anaheim is attempting to end the franchise's seven-year playoff drought under first-year coach Joel Quenneville, but this skid has endangered the Ducks' entire playoff candidacy even after they spent the past four weeks leading the mediocre Pacific Division.
The Ducks remained even with first-place Edmonton with 87 points because of the Oilers' loss to Vegas, which is now just one point behind the division leaders with five games to play.
Strome sneaked behind Anaheim’s leaky defense and scored on a breakaway early in the second period, getting his fifth goal in 15 games since the Ducks traded him to Calgary last month. The veteran forward spent the previous 3 1/2 seasons with the Ducks, but struggled to produce during inconsistent playing time from Quenneville before his departure at the deadline.
Sennecke opened the scoring when he drove the net and muscled home his 23rd goal, most among NHL rookies this season, but Calgary replied with four consecutive goals that prompted the Honda Center crowd to boo its team into the second intermission.
Carlsson got his 27th goal in the third, and McTavish fired home his second goal since January during a power play midway through the period. But Calgary repelled another Ducks power play and wrapped it up with Frost's empty-netter.
Injuries left Anaheim playing without top scorer Cutter Gauthier and defensemen Radko Gudas and Pavel Mintyukov.
Defenseman Tyson Hinds made his NHL debut for the Ducks, whose defensive struggles are the primary source of their late-season woes.
Angels outfielder Jo Adell put on a show against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium on April 4.
Adell denied the Mariners three home runs with incredible catches, including one that had him diving into the crowd near the foul pole at the top of the ninth inning.
His defense helped keep the Mariners off the board in what became a 1-0 victory for the Angels.
The weekend series is tied at one game apiece. The Angels and Mariners will play against each other on Sunday, April 5.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Sebastian Berhalter and Thomas Müller scored stoppage-time goals, Edier Ocampo also scored a goal, and the Vancouver Whitecaps beat the Portland Timbers 3-2 on Saturday night.
Yohei Takaoka had two saves and an assist — his first career goal contribution in MLS — for the Whitecaps (4-1-1).
Juan Mosquera made his season debut and had a goal and an assist for the Timbers (1-3-2), and David Da Costa also scored a goal.
Müller converted from the penalty spot to make it 2-2 in the first minute of stoppage time and Berhalter capped the scoring with a shot from the top of the box about four minutes later.
Ocampo opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Takaoka played a long arcing ball-ahead to Ocampo, who avoided goalkeeper James Pantemis — who had charged off his line — and rolled a shot from the edge of the penalty area inside the back post and into a wide-open net.
Mosquera slammed home a volley from outside the area off a clearance attempt to tie it 1-1 in the 36th minute and fed Da Costo for a first-touch finish from point-blank range give the Timbers a 2-1 lead in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
Pantemis finished with six saves.
The Whitecaps had 61% possession and outshot Portland 21-9, 9-4 on target.
Minnesota United’s pair of Argentine midfielders created a scoring chance apiece which directly led to goals in the Loons’ 2-1 win over L.A. Galaxy.
MNUFC did not score in its previous two games, so the playmaking from Joaquín Pereyra and Tomas Chancalay was much needed on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif. And the win gives the Loons (2-2-2, 8 points) separation from Galaxy (1-3-2, 5 points) in the bottom of the Western Conference.
Chancalay deftly dribbled along the end line and fed a ball into the 6-yard box for Kelvin Yeboah to tap in the game-winner during the 67th minute.
Pereyra hit an inch-perfect lofted pass to meet a sprinting Anthony Markanich for a breakaway goal in the 52nd minute.
Galaxy midfielder Marco Reus had tied it at 1-1 on rebound in the 57th. He got past Morris Duggan and goalkeeper Drake stopped the first attempt but Reus stuck with the opportunity.
Pereyra, who wore the captain’s armband for the first time with MNUFC, notched his third assist of the season, while Chancalay, who was brought in from New England in the offseason, registered his first primary assist of the year.
The Loons continued to establish the defensive stability they sought stability after the 6-0 loss to Vancouver on March 15. They first found it in the scoreless draw with Seattle on March 22 and kept it up in the first half Saturday. Galaxy managed three shots on target in the opening 45 minutes, but none were too challenging for the Minnesota back line and Callender.
It took a handful of games, but it finally happened for Sacha Boisvert. On Saturday night in Seattle, Boisvert scored his first career NHL goal.
Boisvert is a very talented young player, but he's a little more raw than some of the other forwards who have come up in recent months. He brings a physical game, but he also has a lot of skill. That was on display with his goal, which capped off an excellent shift by the fourth line.
BOISVERT FIRST NHL GOAL BOISVERT FIRST NHL GOAL BOISVERT FIRST NHL GOOOOOOOOOOOAL pic.twitter.com/UPHSwz3JUi
Kevin Korchinski jumped up into the play to set up Boisvert, who didn't miss with this chance. Korchinski made an outstanding play in his 100th career game, and he's been noticeable in this most recent call-up.
Landon Slaggett picked up the secondary assist on this goal scored by Boisvert. The two complement each other extremely well on the fourth line, which is what the Hawks are looking to build on in their final games. Being strong and skilled in the bottom six is important in the NHL.
Boisvert was the 18th overall pick by the Blackhawks in the 2024 NHL Draft. He is a big part of their plans, and now he has his first goal behind him. Going forward, it's about establishing a role with the team in the long-term.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WCIA) – It was an emotional scene in and around the Illinois men’s basketball locker room after Saturday’s Final Four loss to UConn.
Underwood fought back tears when talking with reporters about this team and what the players on it mean to him.
“Please don’t ever judge me for wins and losses,” he said. “That’s not who I am as a coach. Relationships – you want it for [the players.]”
Underwood, asked what he would tell his former self – who waited worked as an assistant coach for more than two decades and had a handful of stops at lower levels – about getting to this place.
“It’s worth it,” he said. “The one thing I would tell anybody is time is wonderful, because of all the relationships… It’s worth it. It’s worth it. There’s nothing wrong with time and paying your dues, and working your tail off.”
He continued.
“It’s not over,” he said. “I want to win one, and I’m at a place where we can do that. [It would] be good to look back and tell [my former self] that Dodge City Community College Coach who thought he had all the answers and didn’t have any – that it will all be okay.”
He says this loss hurts worse than the 2024 Elite 8 loss to UConn.
“I hope this team created memories that last a lifetime for a lot of people, no matter what age,” Underwood said. “It did for me.”
As for the future of this program, his message to the players eligible to return is simple.
“Please come back, let’s go do this again,” he said.
Underwood believes this program is more than capable of building off the success of the 2025-26.
“We’ll find a lot of ways to do that,” he said.”
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Apr 4, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell (7) makes a catch against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
Emerson Hancock gave up a home run to Zach Neto on the first batter he faced Saturday. It was the only run of the game.
The home run was the first hit Hancock allowed in 2026. He threw six no-hit innings with nine strikeouts last week against the Guardians in his season debut. He looked sharp in that outing, showing a lower arm slot and better “stuff” than he’d ever shown before. That made Saturday’s start against the Angels a surprisingly anticipated event: Could he look good in twice in a row?
The answer, as it turns out, was yes. Hancock pounded the zone with fastballs early and finished the day without a walk. He always seemed to be ahead, even as he expanded the zone with each turn through the order. The Angels matched Hancock’s aggression with aggression of their own, swinging at about 60% of his pitches. But they couldn’t quite figure him out, whiffing 28% of the time and striking out five times. They did tag a few balls here and there, but most of their contact was too low or too high to matter.
The game nearly unraveled on Hancock early. Neto lead off with the homer. Nolan Schanuel then shot a sinking liner into the left-center gap that Julio Rodríguez missed with a tumbling dive for a double. Schanuel advanced to third on a hard single from Jorge Soler. With two outs, Hancock threw a wild pitch that looked like it should score Schanuel, but Cal Raleigh made a nice play to scramble for the ball and fired to Hancock for the tag at home.
From there, Hancock settled in. He faced the minimum in four of the next five innings. He nearly made it through seven before a two out squibber from Jo Adell snuck through the infield; at 82 pitches, Dan Wilson turned to the pen. Perhaps most importantly, Hancock’s fastball velocity sort of held up: It was 96.1 mph in the first inning and 96.4 mph in the fourth inning. Now, it was 93.3 mph in the seventh when he exited, but given that dip used to happen in the second (or even midway through the first), I’d call that progress.
Hancock’s final line was 6 2/3 innings, six hits, five strikeouts, no walks, 28% whiff rate, and a 31% hard hit rate. That’s not quite as good as his last outing, but if anything, I think it’s a better representation of what the good version of Hancock could potentially look like — unspectacular, efficient, solid.
None of that really mattered. Here’s highlight number one:
And highlight number two:
And highlight number three:
Cal Raleigh in the first inning, Josh Naylor in the eighth, and J.P. Crawford in the ninth each hit home runs that Adell, arguably the worst defensive outfielder in baseball, brought back from over the fence. The Mariners offense wasn’t great, striking out 10 times with a lot of weak contact. But those plays, in addition to two other nice plays from Josh Lowe and Oswald Peraza, kept them from scoring, or even really threatening.
And so there it is: A game recap about… Emerson Hancock pitching well and Jo Adell playing good defense. Whodathunk.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 04: Renato Moicano of Brazil reacts after a submission victory against Chris Duncan of Scotland in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Zuffa LLC
HIGHLIGHTS
The main event winner's post-fight interview was more memorable than the fight itself.
A 20-year-old delivered the most savage finish of the evening on the prelims.
One all-action brawl ended in the first round and earned both fighters a bonus.
Renato Moicano made easy work of Chris Duncan in the main event of UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday night from the APEX. Moicano then unleashed a profane tirade during his post-fight interview that mixed Jesus Christ's name with obscenities and a ton of other things.
He fought well, though.
Moicano submitted Duncan via rear-naked choke at 3:14 of round two. Duncan showed heart in the first round but Moicano’s grappling was too much once the fight hit the mat.
Moicano is at a point of his career where he's grasping for relevancy. He's 36 and he's long hit his ceiling as a title contender. Back in 2022 after Moicano defeated Brad Riddell via submission at UFC 281, the former delivered his first unhinged post-fight interview. People loved it and now it has become his signature. Saturday was a bit much, though.
Still, he fought well.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 04: Renato Moicano of Brazil works for a submission against Chris Duncan of Scotland in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Zuffa LLC
Moicano didn't fight well enough to earn one of the performance bonuses, but he did have one of the more memorable moments from a low-key card.
Full Results
Main Card
Renato Moicano def. Chris Duncan via submission (RNC), R2, 3:14
Kai Kamaka III def. Dakota Hope via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Bonuses ($100,000 each)
Performance of the Night: Alice Pereira, Alessandro Costa
Fight of the Night: Tommy McMillen vs. Manolo Zecchini
The moment many people will be talking about happened on the prelims.
Alice Pereira (no relation to Alex Pereira, though she looked like Poatan on Saturday) delivered the finish of the evening and it earned her a $100,000 bonus. The 20-year-old lost her UFC debut via split decision in September 2025 to Montse Rendon. She rebounded in a major way with a savage KO victory over Hailey Cowan. Here’s the finish and the immediate post-fight interview.
She goes by the name of "Golden Girl," but that was a platinum finish. The young up-and-coming fighter talked about her goals in the post-fight interview.
The other individual performance bonus went to Alessandro Costa for his second-round KO win over Stewart Nicoll.
The fight of the night bonus went to Tommy McMillen vs. Manolo Zecchini in an all-action brawl that culminated in a first-round TKO win for McMillen.
Here is a look at all of the results from the evening.
What Were the Other Key Results?
Virna Jandiroba beat Tabatha Ricci by unanimous decision in the co-main. Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev submitted Brendson Ribeiro in under three minutes. Ethyn Ewing landed a body-shot KO on Rafael Estevam in round three after Estevam missed weight.
What’s the Takeaway From UFC Vegas 115?
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 04: Alice Pereira of Brazil reacts after a knockout victory against Hailey Cowan in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Zuffa LLC
Pereira is the future. A 20-year-old rebounding from a debut loss with a savage KO and a $100,000 bonus is the kind of statement that puts you on the map. She's the name to remember from this card.
The rest of the evening was what you’d expect from an Apex card. Moicano reminded everyone he’s still skilled, McMillen and Zecchini left it all in the cage, and Jandiroba stayed relevant at 115 pounds.
All things considered, the card had its moments even without big names to draw.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michigan overpowered Arizona early and humbled the ’Cats all night long, turning the Final Four meeting billed as the Game of the Year into a 91-73 Wolverines highlight reel Saturday night.
Junior center Aday Mara scored a career-high 26 points and had nine rebounds, a dinged-up Yaxel Lendeborg had 11 points in 14 minutes and the Blue blew through their fifth straight March Madness opponent by double digits while becoming the first team to break 90 points five times in a single tournament.
Next up, a title matchup Monday against UConn, a 71-62 winner over Illinois in the early semifinal that was billed — wrongly — as the undercard to this battle of No. 1 seeds.
Michigan and Arizona came in with the nation’s top two defenses, a pair of top-five offenses and somewhere between eight and a dozen NBA stars between them.
But it was the Wolverines (36-3) who looked like pros, running to a double-digit lead only 5:31 into the contest, then swatting and slamming Arizona into oblivion.
Koa Peat had a quiet 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Big 12 champion Wildcats (36-3). They shot 6 for 17 from 3, 36% overall and had two assists and nine turnovers over a first half that ended with them trailing 48-32. Sparkplug Jaden Bradley got his fourth foul 94 seconds into the second half and finished with 13 points, most in extended garbage time.
Arizona’s only two losses before this were by four and by three back in February. They trailed by nine less than 2:30 into this one.
UCONN 71, ILLINOIS 62
UConn got another critical 3-pointer from Braylon Mullins and coach Dan Hurley’s Huskies are heading back to the national title game, beating Illinois in the Final Four as they seek their third championship in four seasons.
Tarris Reed Jr. had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while the fabulous freshman Mullins scored 15 for the Huskies (34-5), who rode strong inside play and tough defense to their 19th straight victory in the Sweet 16 or later rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
UConn will face Arizona or Michigan on Monday night as it seeks its seventh title, all since 1999, and third under Hurley, who would become the only active coach with more than two.
Mullins, whose buzzer-beating 3-pointer sent the Huskies past Duke and into the Final Four, hit a 3 with 52 seconds left that gave UConn a 66-59 lead.
Freshman Keaton Wagler had 20 points and eight rebounds to lead the Fighting Illini (28-9), who reached their first Final Four since losing the championship game to North Carolina in 2005.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Clay Holmes and Tobias Myers combined on a three-hitter and the New York Mets beat the San Francisco Giants 9-0 on Saturday night.
Holmes (2-0) matched his career high with seven innings and allowed only one runner past first base. The right-hander gave up three hits and had four strikeouts with two walks.
Myers retired the final six batters in order for the Mets’ first shutout of the season.
Mark Vientos had three hits, and Tyrone Taylor hit a pinch three-run homer and drove in four runs. Marcus Semien, Bo Bichette and Brett Baty each had two hits.
Matt Chapman, Jung Hoo Lee and Jerar Encarnacion each had singles for the Giants.
San Francisco dropped to 1-5 at home this season.
The Mets got to starter Landen Roupp (1-1) early with some help from San Francisco’s defense. After Giants shortstop Willy Adames’ throw on Semien’s infield single pulled first baseman Jerar Encarnacion off the bag, third baseman Chapman made a throwing error that allowed one run to score. Luis Torrens added an RBI groundout to make it 2-0.
New York broke the game open with a five-run fifth. Bichette and Vientos each had RBI singles before Taylor’s three-run home run off Ryan Borucki.
Up next
Giants ace Logan Webb (1-1, 7.36 ERA) was set to start Sunday against RHP Kodai Senga (0-1, 3.00).
If the Wolverines beat UConn in Monday night's national championship game, it would be U-M's first title since 1989. The Huskies topped Illinois, 71-62, in the other national semifinal game.
See the sights from Michigan basketball's trip to Indianapolis in the photo galleries collected below.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Denis Bouanga scored three goals, his fifth career hat trick in MLS, and Son Heung-min had four assists to help Los Angeles FC beat Orlando City 6-0 on Saturday night.
Sergi Palencia and Tyler Boyd each added a goal for LAFC (6-0-1). Hugo Lloris had six saves.
Orlando City (1-5-0) — which also conceded a hat trick to Sam Surridge last time out in a 5-0 loss to Nashville and lost 5-0 at New York City FC on March 7 — set the franchise record for largest margin of defeat in a regular-season game.
Son's cross was redirected into the net by Orlando defender David Brekalo to give LAFC a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute.
Bouanga added goals — all off assists by Son — in the 20th, 23rd and 28th minutes.
Or will the Wolverines finally break the Big Ten national championship drought?
No. 1 Michigan will play No. 2 UConn in the finale of the 2026 NCAA Basketball Tournament on Monday. The national championship game is at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on CBS.
UConn (34-5) has a chance to win its third national championship in four seasons under coach Dan Hurley. The Huskies beat No. 3 Illinois in 71-62 in the first national semifinal Saturday. Braylon Mullins — who hit the game-winning shot against No. 1 Duke in the Elite Eight – scored 15 points in the victory against the Illini. He hit a game-sealing 3-pointer late against Illinois.
Michigan (36-3) will attempt to become the first Big Ten team to win a national championship since the 2000 tournament. The Wolverines beat No. 1 Arizona 91-73 on Saturday, but All-American guard Yaxel Lendeborg is dealing with an MCL sprain and ankle injury. Second-year coach Dusty May has the program in position for its first national title since 1989.
Who has the edge in the national championship game? Here is a closer look at the odds, the players to watch and our final prediction. We are 48-14 S/U and 33-29 ATS heading into the championship game.
The Wolverines and Huskies have only met three times, and this is their first NCAA Tournament matchup. UConn leads the all-time series 2-1 and won the last meeting 74-60 on Nov. 25, 2015.
Michigan's key players against UConn
Lendeborg (15.2) is Michigan's leading scorer, but there are other options. He made two three-pointers in the second half against Arizona, but how much will those knee and ankle injuries impact his mobility against the Huskies? He averages 19 points per game in the tournament.
Aday Mara (11.8 ppg.), a 7-foot-3 center, continued a dominant NCAA Tournament with 26 points, nine rebounds and two blocks against the Wildcats. He teams with Morez Johnson (13.2 ppg.), another efficient scorer in the paint.
Elliot Cadeau (10.2 ppg.) had a rough shooting night against Arizona, but he also had 10 assists. Nimari Burnett (8.4 ppg.) is an effective catch-and-shoot option, and Trey McKenney (9.8 ppg.) is yet an explosive scorer off the bench. McKenney had 16 points against Arizona in the semifinal.
Tarris Reed Jr. – a 6-foot-10, 260-pound forward – has been a dominant post presence in the tournament. The senior averages 20.8 points and 13 rebounds in five games.
Alex Karaban – a senior with a chance to win a third national championship – had an off night shooting in the semifinal. He is shooting 2 of 13 from 3-point range in UConn's last two games, but he can re-heat quickly. Mullins is 5 of 12 from 3-point range in the last two games. If Karaban and Mullins are on target at the same time, then it could be trouble.
Silas Demery Jr. had nine points, seven assists and seven assists against Illinois, and Solo Ball had 13 points. The Huskies do not have a deep bench, but Jayden Ross, Jaylin Stewart and Malachi Ross will see minutes. UConn flirted with foul trouble a few times in the tournament.
If free throws are a factor late, Karaban is 13 of 13 (100%) and Mullins is 9 of 9 (100%) in the tournament.
Lendeborg's injury will be the focus through Monday. He returned against Arizona, but his mobility clearly was an issue. How much will an extra day of rest help? Remember, Lendeborg is one of Michigan's best defenders. Will he be limited to being a 3-pointer shooter who keeps the Wolverines' other scoring options open?
The UConn offense revolves around Reed. He is shooting 60.9% from the floor in the tournament. He also hit 5 of 5 from the free-throw line against the Illini. Reed opens up high actions on pick-and-rolls and has to be accounted for at all times in the paint. The Huskies will try to pull Mara out of the paint, and Johnson also will be matched up against Reed.
Will the Huskies shoot that well from 3-point range again? UConn had only five games with 12 or more 3-pointers entering Saturday's game. Mullins and Karaban will take their shots, and Howard and Alabama each made 14 3-pointers against Michigan in the tournament.
If Michigan shoots the 3-pointer like it did against Arizona, then it will be trouble for the Huskies. The Wolverines were 12 of 27 from 3-point range, and five different players hit at least one.
How do Demery and Ball factor in on the perimeter? Can they force more turnovers against Cadeau, who has been a fantastic facilitator of Michigan's offense. The Huskies have a tournament-proven defense. UConn limited Michigan State (33.9%) and Illinois (38.8%) to less than 40% shooting. The Illini shot 6 of 26 (23.1%) from 3-point range.
UConn is 5-1 S/U against Big Ten schools in the tournament under Hurley with five straight victories. The Huskies can frustrate an offense, but this is not an ordinary offense. Michigan is 4-2 S/U when limited to 72 points or less, and that would be the Huskies best hope to score one more upset. Michigan simply is playing at a championship level, and that will show through Monday.
The Mets won consecutive games for the first time since the team's season-opening victories March 26 and 28 at the Pittsburgh Pirates, taking a 2-1 lead in this weekend's four-game series at the San Francisco Giants with Saturday's 9-0 rout.
Takeaways
Clay Holmes went a career-high-tying seven innings, matching the length of his June 1, 2025, start at the Colorado Rockies but delivering a better performance. He was solid in his first start of the 2026 campaign, last Monday's 4-2 win at the St. Louis Cardinals, and built on his season-opening start with arguably his best outing as a Met. He picked up where Nolan McLean left off from Friday's 10-3 win, allowing three hits while striking out four and walking two in seven scoreless innings. Holmes was not perfect, putting the leadoff runners on in the second and third innings before issuing a two-out walk to avoid a 1-2-3 fourth, but he kept the Giants (3-6) stranded across those frames while the Mets (5-4) held a 3-0 lead before entering his zone and getting stronger as the game progressed. Holmes (2-0, 1.42 ERA) threw 61 strikes on 90 pitches before Tobias Myers took the ball for the bullpen in the eighth and ninth innings.
Bo Bichette is improving. After owning his "terrible" at-bats from the Mets' opening weekend last Sunday, he has looked more like himself with five hits in the past two games. Bichette followed Friday's 3-for-5 breakthrough with Saturday's 2-for-5 encore, driving in a run for the third straight game with a fifth-inning single to shallow center field that padded the Mets' 4-0 lead and sparked a five-run frame. After a 2-for-22 stretch across five appearance in March, April has been a breath of fresh air for Bichette, who is 7 for 19 with three RBI through four games.
Mark Vientos is also trending up. His hit streak is up to four games, following Friday's 2-for-3 step in the right direction with a 3-for-5 breakthrough. Batting fifth and starting at first base, Vientos continued Bichette's fifth-inning momentum with an RBI single to right field that scored Bichette and extended the Mets' 5-0 lead. With or without Juan Soto, whose day-to-day status remains to be seen entering Sunday and beyond, the Mets need their big bats to step up. They got that Friday and Saturday in Bichette and Vientos, the latter of whom is 7 for 14 through four April games.
Tyrone Taylor, who replaced Soto in Friday's game, came off the bench as a pinch-hit substitution for sixth-batting left fielder Jared Young and blew the game open for the Mets. Taylor's 2-for-3 night featured a three-run homer in the fifth inning that exploded the Mets' 8-0 advantage. He added to his damage with an RBI single in the seventh inning that scoredBrett Baty and polished off the Mets' 9-0 final. After an 0-for-4 Friday, Taylor filled Soto's void and then some as the Mets turned a 5-0 win into a 9-0 rout.
Who's the MVP?
Holmes, who retired seven straight from the fifth inning into the seventh and left no doubt on the mound as the Mets piled runs against the Giants.
Highlights
Mark Vientos and Jared Young score on a Carson Benge fielder's choice and throwing error to give the Mets the 2-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/FV38uslshn
Shortly after Michigan’s 2026 Sweet Sixteen victory over Alabama, senior star Yaxel Lendeborg made headlines by proclaiming that his Wolverines squad “might be” the best in the school’s history.
The statement sent shockwaves across social media and drew reactions from Jalen Rose, a member of the “Fab Five.” While the 2026 Michigan squad has had a stellar season and earned a spot in the 2026 national championship, the job is far from finished. This year’s team does boast the fewest points allowed per game when compared with the 1989 title-winning team and both Fab Five squads, but basketball is about much more than numbers on a page.
Despite playing in seven national championship games, the program has a 1-6 record in those matchups. Lendeborg’s squad will look to change that and strengthen his case. If this year’s Wolverines win a title, according to Rose, “Of course it’s time to have that conversation, ’89 versus this team."
Here is a deep dive into Michigan’s best teams and how this year’s Wolverines stack up against their predecessors
How 2026 Michigan compares to other great Wolverines teams
The Wolverines have had multiple powerhouse teams, including this year’s squad. According to former Fab Five member Jalen Rose, no team has topped the 1989 title-winning group Michigan put on the floor. That starting five of Glen Rice, Rumeal Robinson, Loy Vaught, Terry Mills and Sean Higgins remains the only group in school history to win a championship. Along with delivering the program’s lone title, that team averaged 91.7 points per game, the highest mark in school history. All five starters went on to play in the NBA, with Rice, Vaught and Mills each logging double-digit NBA seasons.
Four years after that championship run, Michigan introduced its “Fab Five” era. The 1992 and 1993 teams featured Jimmy King, Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Ray Jackson and Juwan Howard. All five were part of the 1991 recruiting class and arrived in Ann Arbor as freshmen. The group made NCAA history as the first to start five freshmen. While the Fab Five reached two national championship games, they lost both—71-51 to Duke in 1992 and 77-71 to North Carolina in 1993. Four of the five members went on to NBA careers: Webber, Howard, Rose and King.
Strictly by the numbers, the 2026 Michigan team can hold its own among the program’s best. However, at this point, they still need a bit more to enter that tier definitively. First, Nimari Burnett, Elliot Cadeau, Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara must deliver a championship. While the team has gained legitimacy by reaching the 2026 title game, the job is not finished. Beyond that, when comparing eras, sustained NBA success from multiple starters would strengthen the case. Their 87.7 points per game is impressive, but there’s more to basketball than scoring.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of Michigan’s best teams in school history.
Yaxel Lendeborg quote on 2026 being 'best Michigan team ever'
see if you can include some of the reactions to that quote as well. I think Jalen rose may have said something? I could be wrong
Following Michigan's 90-77 Sweet Sixteen victory over Alabama in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, Lendeborg mentioned that his team "might be" Michigan's best team of all time. The star's statement was immediately met with backlash from college basketball fans, as if Lendeborg had forgotten the Fab Five teams or even Michigan's 1989 title-winning team. Here is when Lendeborg gave his take.
"We might be the best Michigan team ever. We're gonna try to go for that." 🗣️
Yaxel Lendeborg never afraid of the moment as he spoke after Michigan advanced to the Elite 8 😤 pic.twitter.com/TEmNzuxx0i
Fab Five member Jalen Rose pumped the brakes on Lendeborg's statement, saying the team had to win a championship first before making any comparisons. Rose stated that the best Michigan team was, in fact, the 1989 title-winning team, not any of the Fab Five teams. Here is Rose's statement.
Jalen Rose reacts to Yaxel Lendeborg saying this "might be the best Michigan team ever" 🍿 pic.twitter.com/8v3NvP1Lg5
One fan compared the 1989 and 2026 Michigan starting lineups, which would be a matchup of the ages. Here is what a 5 vs. 5 would look like between the two sides.
Jalen spot on 🎯
No debate unless Michigan wins this yr
'89 would be a tough matchup 🔥
6'2" Cudeau v 6'3" Rumeal 6'5" Trey v 6'9" Higgins (yikes) 6'9" Yax v 6'8" Rice 🔥👀 6'10" Rez v 6'9" Vaught 7'4" Mara v 6'10" Mills
How many times has Michigan been to the national title game?
Since their Final Four appearance in 1964, when they lost to Duke 91-80, Michigan has played in seven national title games. In those championship games, they currently hold a 1-6 record. Here is a table breaking down all of the Wolverines' national championship appearances.
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Aday Mara (15) dunks against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
The No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines absolutely dominated the No. 1 seed Arizona Wildcats 91-73 in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, securing a berth in the National Championship for the eighth time ever and first time since 2018.
Here’s a recap, highlights and stats as the Wolverines blew past Arizona to move one win away from taking home a national title.
THE WOLVERINES WILL PLAY FOR A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 〽️
On the opening possession, Michigan scored the first basket of the game as Aday Mara threw down a put-back dunk. However, Yaxel Lendeborg picked up two fouls in a matter of seconds and was forced to the bench with 18:38 left.
It appeared Lendeborg’s exit would shift momentum in Arizona’s favor but the Wolverines responded with a 8-0 run. Elliot Cadeau found Morez Johnson Jr. for a fast-break finish, extending the lead to 10-1 just minutes into the game.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
Coming out of the first media timeout, Roddy Gayle Jr. connected with Mara for an alley-oop flush to take a 12-5 lead. Just moments later, Cadeau grabbed a steal and found Trey McKenney in stride for a slam to go up 16-5.
Cadeau continued his red-hot start by knocking down a three-pointer, then connecting with a wide-open Lendeborg for a triple to push the lead to 22-10 with 12:12 to go. Later in the half, Mara made a layup to take a 26-10 lead.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
Michigan had all the momentum until Lendeborg suffered an ankle injury and exited the game with 8:51 left in the half. In the ensuing minutes, Arizona took advantage of Lendeborg’s exit – going on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 28-21.
The Wolverines put an end to Arizona’s run as Gayle Jr. threw down a two-handed dunk to get the crowd on their feet. On the next possession, Cadeau tossed a no-look pass to Burnett, who finished a reverse layup to take a 32-23 lead.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
Michigan continued to seize control as McKenney and Gayle both made a three-pointer to go up 38-25 with 3:47 to go. In the final minutes of the half, Mara took over by scoring seven consecutive points to take a 48-32 lead into halftime.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
With the exception of Lendeborg’s injury, it was essentially a perfect first half for Michigan — holding an advantage in assists (12-2), points off turnovers (12-4) and steals (5-2). Mara led the way with 15 points in the first half.
HALFTIME: MICHIGAN 48, ARIZONA 32
SECOND HALF
The second half started in a similar fashion as the first — Mara throwing down a dunk on an alley-oop lob from Cadeau. Lendeborg also returned to the court to start the half and he made an instant impact by hitting back to back three-pointers.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
Michigan wasn’t done from beyond the arc though as McKenney drilled a pair of shots from deep to take a 62-39 lead. The three-point barrage kept going in the following minutes as Cadeau hit back to back triples of his own to go up 72-45.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
Since it was such a wide margin, the Wolverines cruised through the second half to advance to the National Championship. Michigan held a massive advantage in assists (22-5), bench points (25-14), points off turnovers (26-12) in the win.
The Wolverines shot a scorching 12-for-27 from three-point range as four players made multiple shots from beyond the arc. Mara totaled a game-high 26 points, while Cadeau, Johnson, Lendeborg and McKenney reached double figures as well.
FINAL SCORE: MICHIGAN 91, ARIZONA 73
MICHIGAN STAT LEADERS
C Aday Mara: 26 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
G Trey McKenney: 16 points, 3 rebounds
G Elliot Cadeau: 13 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds
F Yaxel Lendeborg: 11 points, 3 rebounds
F Morez Johnson Jr: 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
ARIZONA STAT LEADERS
F Koa Peat: 16 points, 11 rebounds
G Brayden Burries: 13 points, 6 rebounds
G Jaden Bradley: 13 points
C Motiejus Krivas: 11 points, 6 rebounds
UP NEXT
Michigan will take on the No. 2-seed UConn Huskies in the National Championship on Monday (8:50 p.m. on TBS). With a win, the Wolverines would clinch a national title for the second time in school history and for the first since 1989.
DALLAS (AP) — Martin Necas broke a scoreless tie midway through the third period, Nathan MacKinnon added an empty-netter and the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche took a big step toward home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs with a 2-0 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
Scott Wedgewood made 17 saves against his former team for his third shutout of the season in the first meeting of these Central Division rivals not to go to a shootout. Dallas won two of those three.
The regulation win gave the Avalanche an eight-point edge over the Stars, who have five games remaining. Colorado has seven games to go.
The Stars won each of the postseason meetings with the Avs the past two seasons, and a second-round showdown could be looming this spring.
Dallas is headed toward an opening-round match with third-place Minnesota, which pulled within four points of the Stars with a 4-1 victory over Ottawa and has an extra game remaining.
While Wedgewood has a good chance to start in net for the Avalanche, the Stars went with Casey DeSmith, the backup to Jake Oettinger, in the final regular-season meeting. DeSmith made 20 stops.
Colorado was without star defenseman Cale Makar for a second straight game due to an upper-body injury, while fellow blueliner Brent Burns became the second player in NHL history to play in 1,000 consecutive games.
RANGERS 4, RED WINGS 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Failing to score until there were 32 seconds left and allowing a hat trick to Gabriel Perreault, Detroit lost an important game in its pursuit of a playoff spot in a defeat to New York.
With six games left, the Red Wings remain on the outside looking in as part of a competitive Eastern Conference race down the stretch. They are among a handful of teams fighting for the East’s second and final wild-card spot.
Detroit’s loss clinched a berth for the Buffalo Sabres, who ended the NHL’s longest postseason drought at 14 seasons. Though his teammates came up empty on scoring, goaltender John Gibson made some big saves among his 17, playing well in his 14th consecutive start.
Gibson allowed a deflection goal to Jaroslav Chmelar 13 minutes in, then one each to Perreault in the second and third periods. The first came from close range after a perfect pass from Mika Zibanejad and the second off the rush.
Perreault finished off his first career hat trick with an empty-netter with 1:44 left.
WILD 4, SENATORS 1
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Ryan Hartman scored twice to lead Minnesota to a win over Ottawa.
Jonas Brodin and Jake Middleton also scored for the Wild (43-21-12), and Jesper Wallstedt made 33 saves.
Linus Ullmark stopped 19 shots for the Senators (39-27-10). Drake Batherson scored for Ottawa.
Minnesota built a 3-0 lead through the first two periods and extended its advantage midway through the third on a great effort by Quinn Hughes. Hughes kept the puck in at the line, spun and found Middleton on the opposite side. Middleton fired through traffic for his second goal of the season.
Batherson spoiled Wallstedt’s shutout attempt with just over three minutes remaining in the game. Batherson then left the game, but returned after a brief absence.
The Wild capitalized on a Senators turnover late in the first that led to Hartman’s first goal of the game. Hartman scored his second of the game and 22nd of the season when Mats Zuccharello found him at the top of the slot and he beat Ullmark on the glove side at 15:31 of the second.
LIGHTNING 3, BRUINS 1
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Darren Raddysh broke a tie with 5:31 left and Tampa Bay beat Boston, hours after the Lightning secured a playoff spot.
The Atlantic Division-leading Lightning wrapped up the Eastern Conference postseason position with Detroit’s 4-1 loss at the New York Rangers in the afternoon. Boston holds the first wild-card spot in the East.
After assisting on defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous’ tying goal at 2:13 of the third, Raddysh put the Lightning ahead with a sharp-angle shot past goalie Jeremy Swayman from the right side on a break.
Nikita Kucherov added his 42nd goal of the season into an empty net, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 21 saves to help the Lightning finish a seven-game homestand 5-1-1.
Casey Mittelstadt scored for Boston in the second. Swayman stopped 20 shots as the Bruins lost their second straight on a four-game trip. They lost 2-1 at Florida on Thursday night.
PENGUINS 9, PANTHERS 4
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeni Malkin had his 14th career hat trick and added an assist to become the 23rd player in NHL history to reach 1,400 career points, and Pittsburgh routed Florida to eliminate the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions from playoff contention.
The Panthers began the season hoping to become the first team since the New York Islanders of the early 1980s to win three straight championships. It never came close to happening as injuries and shaky play in net sent them tumbling to the bottom of the standings early in the season, a hole from which they never fully recovered.
While Florida will miss the playoffs for the first time in four years, Pittsburgh is inching toward a return to the postseason after three straight absences.
The Penguins strengthened their hold on second in the Metropolitan Division by blitzing the Panthers during the first half of the second period, pouring in four goals in less than 10 minutes.
Anthony Mantha broke a 2-2 tie with his 31st goal of the season just 1:51 into the second. Malkin then beat Sergei Bobrovsky twice in less than three minutes to create more than enough breathing room.
Erik Karlsson had a goal and three assists for Pittsburgh. Noel Acciari and Elmer Soderblom added a goal and an assist. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby picked up a pair of assists to move past Hall of Famer and childhood idol Steve Yzerman and into seventh place on the NHL’s career scoring list (1,756).
JETS 2, BLUE JACKETS 1
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Kyle Connor scored twice and Winnipeg overcame an early deficit to beat Columbus, keeping its playoff hopes alive and sending the Blue Jackets to their sixth straight loss.
Winnipeg moved to 78 points, a point out of the final wild-card spot in the crowded Western Conference.
Connor tied it with 1:46 left in the second period, and scored the winner with 9:02 left in the third. He has 36 goals this season. Mark Scheifele had his 59th and 60th assists, and Connor Hellebuyck made 15 saves.
Ivan Provorov scored for Columbus, which has lost four straight at home and remains outside the Eastern Conference wild-card picture. Jet Greaves stopped 23 shots.
Provorov scored on Columbus’ first shot 1:17 into the game. It was the Blue Jackets’ 57th goal by a defenseman this season, a franchise record.
Columbus then went more than 25 minutes without another shot as Winnipeg took control.
CAPITALS 6, SABRES 2
WASHINGTON (AP) — Aliaksei Protas had a goal and assist in his return from injury and Washington beat Buffalo.
Jakob Chychrun and Connor McMichael also had a goal and assist, and Dylan Strome, Ryan Leonard and Tom Wilson also scored for the Capitals, who have won four of their last five and moved within one point of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and assist, and Beck Malenstyn also scored for the Sabres, who clinched a playoff berth for the first time in an NHL-record 14 seasons but have dropped two in a row.
Washington had Buffalo on its heels early, scoring three goals in the first six minutes for a 3-0 lead.
Chychrun opened the scoring with a rebound off a shot from Alex Ovechkin in front, and 20 seconds later, Strome finished off a tic-tac-toe passing play to extend the lead. Just over two minutes later, McMichael picked up a rim from Chychrun off the boards and snuck it past Alex Lyon, ending Lyon’s night as Colten Ellis took over in net.
HURRICANES 4, ISLANDERS 3
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Seth Jarvis had two goals and an assist and Carolina beat New York for its fourth victory in five games.
Sebastian Aho broke a tie with a short-handed goal in the second period, Jackson Blake also scored and K’Andre Miller had two assists, and rookie Brandon Bussi made 13 saves to boost his season record to 29-6-1.
Marc Gatcomb, Max Shabanov and Anders Lee scored for the Islanders, They have a four-game losing streak for the first time this season. Ilya Sorokin made 36 saves in his 11th straight start.
Lee’ goal with 1:37 to play with the Islanders — third in the Metropolitan Division — going with an extra skater gave them a chance but they couldn’t break through again.
The Islanders had one-goal leads after Gatcomb scored in the first and Shabanov in the second. Shabanov was in his third game since the Olympic break and his first since March 13. He had been out with a lower-body injury and then missed games as a healthy scratch.
Aho’s go-ahead goal with 3:43 left in the second period gave the Hurricanes their sixth short-handed goal in nine games.
CANADIENS 4, DEVILS 3, SO
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Oliver Kapanen’s decisive goal in the shootout gave Montreal a win over New Jersey for its eighth straight win.
Kapanen scored on a wrist shot past Devils goalie Jake Allen in the fifth round of the shootout.
The win gave Montreal 100 points for the first time since the 2016-17 season when it accumulated 103 points.
Ivan Demidov, Lane Hutson and Jayden Struble scored for Montreal, and Jakub Dobes had 35 saves.
Timo Meier, Jack Hughes and Dawson Mercer scored for New Jersey and Allen stopped 26 shots.
Cole Caufield picked up two assists, but failed to notch his 50th goal for Montreal. Caufield will get another shot Sunday when these two teams face off again in Montreal. He is sitting at 49 goals.
Caufield is looking to be the first Montreal Canadiens player to score 50 goals in a season in more than three decades.
KINGS 7, MAPLE LEAFS 6, OT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Quinton Byfield scored 2:33 into overtime, Adrian Kempe had two goals and two assists, and Los Angeles beat Toronto.
Byfield finished off Artemi Panarin’s pass for his second goal of the game, securing a crucial win for the Kings, who set an NHL single-season record by playing their 31st game past regulation.
William Nylander missed his shot on a breakaway, leading to a three-on-two rush the other way where Byfield netted his 20th goal of the season.
With the win, Los Angeles moved into the second wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Panarin, Samuel Helenius and Alex Laferriere also scored for the Kings, and Darcy Kuemper made 14 saves.
Matthew Knies had two goals, and John Tavares, Easton Cowan, Steven Lorentz and Nicholas Robertson also scored for the Maple Leafs. Joseph Woll made 33 saves.
MAMMOTH 7, CANUCKS 4
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Clayton Keller had the third hat trick of his career and Utah Mammoth extended its winning streak to three games with a victory over Vancouver.
Keller’s first three-goal game of the season came on a disputed power-play score and two empty-net goal. His man-advantage goal at 7:04 of the second period came on the deflection of a point shot by Dylan Guenther that gave Utah a 3-2 lead. The goal was originally waived off due to his stick touching the puck above the cross bar. After a video review, the referee ruled the stick was at or below the cross bar.
Dylan Guenther and Lawson Crowse each had a goal and an assist for Utah, which continued to push for a Western Conference playoff spot. Kailer Yamamoto and Liam O’Brien, who was in the lineup after 18 games as a healthy scratch, also scored for the Mammoth, who won their fourth straight road game. Logan Cooley added two assists. Karel Vejmelka made 19 saves for Utah.
Linus Karlsson, playing in his 100th NHL game, scored twice for Vancouver. Marco Rossi and Jake DeBrusk added power-play goals and Filip Hronek had two assists. Nikita Tolopilo stopped 17 shots for the Canucks, who have one win in their last nine games.
INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan overpowered Arizona early and humbled the ’Cats all night long, turning the Final Four meeting billed as the Game of the Year into a 91-73 Wolverines highlight reel Saturday night.
Junior center Aday Mara scored a career-high 26 points and had nine rebounds, a dinged-up Yaxel Lendeborg had 11 points in 14 minutes and the Blue blew through their fifth straight March Madness opponent by double digits while becoming the first team to break 90 points five times in a single tournament.
Next up, a title matchup Monday against UConn, a 71-62 winner over Illinois in the early semifinal that was billed — wrongly — as the undercard to this battle of No. 1 seeds.
Michigan and Arizona came in with the nation’s top two defenses, a pair of top-five offenses and somewhere between eight and a dozen NBA stars between them.
But it was the Wolverines (36-3) who looked like pros, running to a double-digit lead only 5:31 into the contest, then swatting and slamming Arizona into oblivion.
Koa Peat had a quiet 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Big 12 champion Wildcats (36-3). They shot 6 for 17 from 3, 36% overall and had two assists and nine turnovers over a first half that ended with them trailing 48-32. Sparkplug Jaden Bradley got his fourth foul 94 seconds into the second half and finished with 13 points, most in extended garbage time.
A game that was expected to be a thriller between two of the best teams in the country was far from it, as Michigan blitzed the Wildcats right out of the gate. Arizona couldn't ever really recover as Michigan relentlessly built a lead that ballooned to 30 points at one point.
It's not often you see lopsided games on the biggest stage in college basketball, but it has happened before. But does Michigan's victory rank among the biggest Final Four blowouts in history?
Here's what to know:
Biggest Final Four blowouts
Here are the biggest blowouts in men's Final Four history:
Note: List begins when tournament expanded to 16 teams in 1951.
1. 44 points: Villanova (95) vs. Oklahoma (51), 2016 Final Four
2. 36 points: Princeton (118) vs. Wichita St. (82), 1965 third place game
T-3. 34 points: Cincinnati (80) vs. Oregon St. (46), NSF, 1963 Final Four
T-3. 34 points: Michigan St. (101) vs. Penn (67), 1979 Final Four
5. 33 points: Kansas (94) vs. Marquette (61), 2003 Final Four
6. 32 points: UCLA (101) vs. Houston (69), 1968 Final Four
7. 30 points: UNLV (103) vs. Duke (73), 1990 Final Four
8. 27 points: Purdue (92) vs. North Carolina (65), 1969 Final Four
T-9. 26 points: Kansas (79) vs. Washington (53), 1953 Final Four
T-9. 26 points: Ohio State (95) vs. St. Joseph’s (69), 1961 Final Four
Indianapolis — The Wolverines are one win away from capturing their second national title in program history.
Michigan beat Arizona, 91-73, on Saturday night in an NCAA Tournament Final Four semifinal and will face UConn for the national championship.
The national title game will tip at 8:50 p.m. Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium and will be broadcast on TBS.
Aday Mara had a career-high 26 points, Trey McKenney scored 16 and Elliot Cadeau added 13 points and 10 assists to power Michigan (36-3), which is making its eighth trip to the NCAA Tournament final and first appearance since 2018.
The Huskies, the No. 2 seed in the East Region, topped No. 15 seed Furman, No. 7 seed UCLA, No. 3 seed Michigan State, No. 1 seed Duke and No. 3 seed Illinois to reach the national title game for the third time in four seasons and seventh time in program history.
UConn (34-5), which won back-to-back national titles in 2023-24, is led by former Michigan big man Tarris Reed Jr., who spent the first two seasons of his career in Ann Arbor.
Who does Michigan play next in the Final Four?
Michigan will play UConn in the national championship game.
Michigan vs. UConn game time
Michigan’s national championship game against UConn will tip off at 8:50 p.m. Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
What channel is the Michigan vs. UConn game on?
TBS will broadcast the Michigan vs. UConn national championship game with Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill and Tracy Wolfson on the call.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 04: Alice Pereira of Brazil reacts after a knockout victory against Hailey Cowan in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Renato Moicano turned back the streaking Chris Duncan last night (Sat., April 4, 2026) at UFC Vegas 115 LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, as “Money” ended his current teammate with a dominant second-round submission (watch highlights HERE). In co-main event action, former women’s strawweight title challenger Virna Jandiroba checked rising contender Tabatha Ricci with a takedown masterclass and a unanimous decision win.
In addition to the lightweight headliner, UFC Vegas 115 produced a long list of memorable performances and impressive stoppages. Check out some of the key moments below and let us know which ones stood out the most:
Tresean Gore proved he still belongs on the UFC roster with an upset submission finish over middleweight bruiser Azamat Bekoev (click HERE)
Lightweight veteran Darrius Flowers welcomed Lando Vannata back to the Octagon for the first time in three years and spoiled “Groovy’s” comeback with a second-round TKO
Sean O’Malley’s teammate, Tommy McMillen, made good on his official UFC debut with a smashing TKO win over Italian featherweight Manolo Zecchini
Ethyn Ewing may have topped his upset win over Malcolm Wellmaker after delivering a brutal body shot knockout against previously undefeated prospect Rafael Estevam (highlights HERE)
Undefeated light heavyweight prospect Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev lived up to his ridiculous -1600 betting line as “Hunter” needed just half a round to choke out Brazilian fighter Brendson Ribeiro
Now that the Octagon action has died down, let’s take a closer look at the official UFC Vegas 115 post-fight bonus winners. Remember, each winner gets an extra $100,000, while every fighter leftover who earned a finish gets $25,000.
Fight of the Night: Tommy McMillen vs. Manolo Zecchini Performance of the Night: Alice Pereira Performance of the Night: Alessandro Costa $25K Winners: Renato Moicano, Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev, Ethyn Ewing, and Tresean Gore
For complete UFC Vegas 115 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
Apr 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Chase Dollander (32) pitches during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images | Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Do you feel déjà vu?
As was often the case in the two series against the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays, the Colorado Rockies wasted wonderful pitching with atrocious hitting.
Strikeouts and men left on base loomed large, as the Rox had their chances only to come up just one run short as the Philadelphia Phillies take the series in Denver.
There’s even more déjà vu as the City of Brotherly Love continues to show no love to Colorado, with tonight’s win making the ninth straight over the Rockies for Philadelphia.
Saturday strategy switch-up
The Rockies entered Saturday with a clear approach to the game’s pitching, hinging on a clean outing from Brennan Bernardino before Chase Dollander would get the bulk of the innings.
Unfortunately, you know what they say about the best laid plans.
Bernardino had been efficient in his four appearances this season, giving up zero runs and walks heading into today’s start. Sadly, he had a shaky start, walking Trea Turner first and then giving up a broken bat RBI double to Kyle Schwarber.
As expected, the Rockies were ready to turn to Chase Dollander early, getting him warmed up a few batters in. Not expected, however, was needing to use Jimmy Herget to get the final out of the inning after Bernardino walked Bryson Stott with Schwarber on third.
Given the looming matchups in the second inning, Warren Schaeffer would sit Dollander to try and get a few more outs from Herget.
Herget did indeed notch those, punching out Adolis Garcia to end the first and getting three straight outs in the second, limiting the damage to 1-0 going into the bottom of the inning.
Not ideal, but not catastrophic.
Dollander delivers
Dollander arrived as advertised, striking out Turner with a fireball. He sat Schwarber down on strikes right after that, ultimately tallying six impressive K’s on the night.
He gave up the one deciding run in his 4.1 innings pitched, but overall looked very effective and was able to work out of a few jams comfortably. He was the bright spot of the night, handing off a 2-1 game to Jaden Hill and giving the Rockies a chance.
Unfortunately, his performance did not receive any run support from the Rockies’ bats.
At least it was close?
Look, the bar is low right now.
Today wasn’t the 10-1 Home Opener drubbing. But it didn’t feel great either.
The Rockies are now 1-4 in one-run games. It felt like the game was right there, all the way down the stretch.
The Phillies would leave more men on than the Rockies, with nine LOB for Philadelphia and five LOB for Colorado. In good news, Colorado’s pitching was able to stave off a number of runs that would’ve been early nails in the coffin. In bad news, the Rockies probably only left five on because they couldn’t get them there in the first place.
Brett Sullivan looked solid today, as the only Rockies batter with more than one hit.
Sullivan’s RBI single in the third would provide a glimmer of hope. Sadly, the bottom of the order was doing way too much of the heavy lifting, and it would not be enough.
A familiar issue
The Rockies have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad problem right now: strikeouts.
This marks the third straight game of double digit strikeouts. Not just “barely over nine” double digit either. 17 strikeouts against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. 15 more yesterday. 13 more tonight.
Several of those came on key moments, too.
Colorado had a chance in the seventh. With Ezequiel Tovar on second and Troy Johnston on first, Kyle Karros would go down swinging for the last out.
The game ended on a big ol’ dud as well. Willi Castro ended it all trying to check his swing but going around for the unlucky 13th game-ending strikeout.
The Phillies and Rockies will close out the series with a Sunday afternoon showdown at 1:10 p.m. Taijuan Walker and Tomoyuki Sugano, both decision-less in their respective starts this season, will take the mound. The Rockies will hope to keep the brooms locked away before the Houston Astros come to town.
NEW YORK — The Yankees had to scratch and claw thanks to some poor pitching performances on Saturday night, but Giancarlo Stanton helped them come away with a 9-7 win over the Marlins in the Bronx.
The designated hitter played the part of hero, knocking a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning. The hit, which seemed playable for shortstop Otto Lopez as it hopped past him, came after Camilo Doval gave up a game-tying, two-run double to Javier Sanoja in the eighth inning, and before Ben Rice scored an insurance run on a passed ball.
That insurance run came in handy, as David Bednar permitted an RBI single to Xavier Edwards in the ninth after Jazz Chisholm Jr. took his time with an inning-opening grounder, allowing a leadoff base runner.
Stanton also manufactured an unlikely run in the seventh inning, as he walked and stole second with the Marlins declining to hold him on. The slow slugger — who had not swiped a bag in the regular season since 2020 — then advanced to third on a groundout before scoring on a passed ball.
The aggressive baserunning had the Yankees’ dugout hyped, as Gerrit Cole, Will Warren and others threw their hands up and smiled wide as Stanton crossed the plate.
Cody Bellinger played a large part in erasing what was initially a 4-0 Miami lead as well, as he got the Yankees on the board with his first homer of the year, a two-run shot off Max Meyer, in the fifth inning. The left fielder added a go-ahead sac fly in the sixth frame, which also included back-to-back RBI singles from Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge.
Earlier in the chilly evening, the Yankees didn’t get much from their starter, as Ryan Weathers surrendered three earned runs over 3 2/3 innings against the team that traded him in January. The southpaw also tallied six hits, three walks, four strikeouts and 88 pitches.
The Marlins irritated their one-time employee quickly, as Weathers allowed a 68.5-mph single to Lopez with two outs and a free pass already issued in the first inning. Heriberto Hernández then ripped a 107.7-mph, two-run triple.
With a mixture of soft and hard contact burning Weathers in the opening inning, the former — and another walk — netted the Marlins a third run in the second frame. That inning began with a 67.2-mph single and a 68-mph single before ex-Yankee Austin Slater used ABS to draw a two-out walk. Agustín Ramírez, traded by the pinstripers in the deal that brought Chisholm to the Bronx, then looped an 80.2-mph RBI single to center.
Miami scored another run in the fourth when Jakob Marsee blooped an RBI single to left with Paul Blackburn on the mound. Ryan McMahon and José Caballero both went for the ball, only to realize that neither could get to it and that no one was covering third. That mistake, combined with a throwing error charged to Bellinger, allowed Ramírez to score from first.
Earlier in the Marsee at-bat, home plate umpire Ron Kulpa took a foul ball to his face mask. Shaken up, he left the game after the at-bat, causing a short delay.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 and Trey McKenney #1 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate in the first half against the Arizona Wildcats in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The 1-seed Michigan Wolverines beat the 1-seed Arizona Wildcats, 91-73, in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night in Indianapolis, Indiana. Even as Yaxel Lendeborg had to sit out for most of the first half with an injury, plus the entire front court getting into early foul trouble, Michigan sat in the driver’s seat from start to finish and will play on Monday night for a national championship.
Here are five takeaways from the game.
No Yaxel Lendeborg, no problem
Michigan came out with firepower in the Final Four against Arizona, preventing the Wildcats from making a field goal through the first four minutes and taking a 22-10 lead into the under-12 timeout.
However, things took a drastic turn at the 8:51 mark, as First-Team All-American Yaxel Lendeborg slipped on Koa Peat’s foot as he came down from a layup attempt and immediately grabbed his ankle in pain. Lendeborg was forced to go to the locker room to treat the injury, and Arizona started grabbing the momentum back.
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 5, 2026
With Lendeborg out, the Wildcats went on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to five. However, Michigan’s supporting cast got into rhythm, sparked by a Roddy Gayle Jr. dunk, and it didn’t look back.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
Seven players had five or more points in the first half, and the Wolverines were able to limit Arizona to 37 percent from the field, as Michigan took a 48-32 lead into halftime.
Two-point shooting proves to be a big differentiator
Coming into the Final Four, head coach Dusty May knew Arizona was not going to try to win via the three-point shot. The Wildcats attempted just 16 threes per game this season, which was 363rd out of 365 DI programs. Michigan, by contrast, took 25.2 per game. With this in mind, Michigan locked in defensively within the paint and limited Arizona to 36 percent shooting on two-point attempts in the first half while only giving up three triples.
The Wolverines also struggled from beyond the arc in the first half, but they were much more efficient shooting from close to the rim, converting 48 percent (12-for-25) from two, led by Aday Mara’s 15 first-half points.
Michigan took more threes in the second half, but that did not stop the two-point shooting from being even more efficient. The Wolverines converted more than 50 percent of their shots inside in the second half (9-for-17), with Mara taking the majority of the attempts. Meanwhile, Arizona had no answer for Michigan in either capacity, shooting 9-for-23 from two in the second half, allowing the Wolverines to run away with the game.
Aday Mara shakes off early foul trouble, dominates Arizona’s bigs
As Michigan’s First-Team All-American sat in the locker room, Michigan’s entire three-person starting front court got into foul trouble early on. Mara, Morez Johnson Jr. and Lendeborg all picked up two fouls within the first nine minutes of the game, and Trey McKenney also got called for two in the same time span. However, with Lendeborg in the locker room ailing his ankle, May had no choice but to play his frontcourt if he wanted to maintain the lead.
Mara started playing extremely disciplined, enforcing the paint while not getting overly aggressive. He was also smart on the offensive side, converting 6-of-8 shots while draining all three attempts from the free throw line. In just 13 minutes, Mara had 15 points, five rebounds and just one turnover.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
He did not slow down in the second half, as Mara added 11 more points on 5-of-8 shooting, plus he notched two blocks. Mara was aggressive at the rim, he was perfect from the free throw line (4-for-4) and he fought for extra rebounds, even when leading by 20-plus. It cannot be overstated what kind of impact Mara had on both ends of the court, finishing with 26 points and 9 rebounds, while limiting Arizona center Motiejus Krivas to just 11 points (6 before garbage time).
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
With UConn on the horizon, Michigan will need another dominant game from Mara against former Michigan star Tarris Reed Jr.
Three-point shooting comes alive in the second half
The Wolverines were just 5-for-16 from three in the first half against Arizona…and they still led by 16 points. The doors were completely blown off in the second half, as Michigan started the first eight minutes going 6-for-8 from beyond the arc.
With Lendeborg back on the court (gingerly), he got right back into rhythm with two made threes in the first four minutes. Then, freshman Trey McKenney eclipsed double figures with back-to-back threes. To top it off, point guard Elliot Cadeau sank two more before the under-12 timeout, bouncing back well from a 2-for-14 start from the field. In that eight-minute span, the Wildcats took just three attempts from deep, converting once. Michigan made six on 75 percent shooting – and took a 74-47 lead into the stoppage.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
The Wolverines finished the game with 12 three-pointers, with seven coming in the second half.
Michigan knew Arizona couldn’t hang if it started hitting the three-ball, and just as my bold predictions said, it was the key to the Wolverines winning this basketball game.
Michigan will play for its first national championship since 1989
The greatest Michigan basketball team to date doesn’t have a national championship on its resume. May made it to the Final Four in 2018, but he has never gotten to the final game. All that can change on Monday night against UConn.
The 2026 Michigan basketball team is looking to do something that no team from Ann Arbor has done in 37 years. And if Saturday is any indication, the Wolverines should be in the driver’s seat to make it happen.
Michigan closed as a 1.5-point underdog at BetMGM (pick-em or -1 at some other books) — the first time the Wolverines had been an underdog since they were 2.5-point ‘dogs on Nov. 26 against Gonzaga. Michigan won that game 101-61.
The Wolverines will take on Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies on Monday night, and Michigan opened as a 7.5-point favorite at BetMGM with a total of 145.5.
UConn (+1.5) led for most of the game against No. 3 Illinois in the first Final Four game on Saturday and ended up winning 71-62 — the 18th win (and cover) in the Huskies’ last 19 NCAA tournament games.
The Huskies have won all six national championship games they’ve appeared in (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024) and covered the spread in every game. This will be the third time UConn has been an underdog in the title game.
Sportsbooks would prefer a Michigan victory on Monday night in the futures pool, as many books shortened the Wolverines’ odds significantly after their showing in Las Vegas in November so significant liability didn’t build up.
There is certainly one bettor hoping for a Huskies victory, as a bettor at DraftKings would win $1 million if Hurley & Co. win their third championship in four seasons. That bettor wagered $77,000 on UConn at 13-1 odds to win the national championship, a wager that would win $1,001,000.
The national championship game is at 8:50 p.m. on Monday on HBO and TBS.
Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) looks to shoot Saturday, April 4, 2026, during a Final Four game against the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
INDIANAPOLIS—Now we know what it looks like when this Arizona team truly has a bad game, and what a terrible time to find that out.
The Wildcats’ magical season came to a crashing end on Saturday night, losing 91-73 to Michigan in the national semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Wildcats, in their first Final Four appearance since 2001, finish with a 36-3 record.
Michigan (36-3) will take on UConn, which beat Illinois 71-62 in the first semifinal, on Monday night for the NCAA title. The Huskies are in their third championship game in the last four seasons and have won 19 consecutive tourney games in the Sweet 16 or later.
A crowd of 72,11 saw very little go right for the UA, which never getting closer than five after being down 10-1 in the first 2½ minutes. Arizona shot a season-worst 36.6 percent, turned it over 14 times—with Michigan turning those into 26 points—and on the defensive end got dunked on and shot over.
Michigan shot 47.8 percent, including 57.1 percent in the second half, were 12 of 27 from 3 and had almost as many dunks (six) as layups.
Koa Peat led the UA with 16 points and 11 rebounds, the first freshman in school history to record a double-double in the Final Four, but he was 6 of 18 from the field. Brayden Burries scored 13 on 4-of-16 shooting, including 2 of 10 from 3, and Jaden Bradley had 13 but only played 25 minutes due to foul trouble.
Michigan got 26 points from UCLA transfer Aday Mara, who was 11 of 16 from the field, 16 from Trey McKenney and 13 points with 10 assists from Elliot Cadeau. All-American Ysaxel Lendeborg had 11 points but only played 14 minutes after early foul trouble and then suffering a knee injury late in the first half.
The UA trailed 48-32 at halftime, the second-largest deficit midway through an NCAA tourney game in school history. The Wildcats missed their first five shots to start the second half, with Bradley getting his fourth foul 94 seconds in.
Michigan extended their lead to 56-34 on a Lendeborg 3 with 16:27 left, then after Arizona cut the margin to 17 the Wolverines just kept scoring. A 3 by McKenney made it 77-47 with 10:31 to go.
After that it was just about padding the stats for both teams, with Bradley scoring 10 in the second half to move past Oumar Ballo for 35th on the UA career list and Burries getting 11 of his points after halftime.
Michigan jumped out to a 10-1 lead, despite Lendeborg picking up two fouls in the first 82 seconds. Arizona didn’t make its first shot until just before the first media timeout.
The Wolverines forced four turnovers in the first 5-plus minutes, scoring seven points off them including aMcKenneydunk for a 16-5 lead that forced Tommy Lloyd to call timeout. It was just the sixth game this season the UA had trailed by double digits.
Two free throws by Morez Johnson Jr. put Michigan up 24-10, the largest deficit the UA had faced all season.
The deficit grew to 16 before Arizona started to get back into it. An 11-2 run, including seven in a row, got it within 28-21 with 7:21 left before halftime and forced a Michigan timeout.
The UA got within five and started to get Michigan’s bigs in foul trouble, withMara andJohnson both getting their second, yet Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov missed all three foul shots on a possession. Then a third foul onBradley, second on the offensive end, set up aMcKenney3 on the other end to put the Wolverines back up 35-23.
Another 7-0 Michigan run put it up 45-27 with 1:47 left in the half and the UA was outscored 18-9 after the three missed foul shots.
In a matchup of top seeds, South Carolina will face off with UCLA for the NCAA Basketball Championship as Women's March Madness comes to a close Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona.
South Carolina advanced to the title game for the fourth time in five seasons with a 62-48 victory over UConn, ending the Huskies' 54-game winning streak.
UCLA beat Texas 51-44 with 16 points by star Lauren Betts as the Bruins (36-1) advanced to the women's title game for the first time.
Please see below for more on the conclusion of Women’s March Madness Championship game:
How to watch the 2026 Women’s National Championship Game
Date: Sunday, April 5
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona
Watch on: ABC
South Carolina vs. UCLA preview:
Head coach Dawn Staley is building a dynasty at South Carolina, which is seeking its fourth championship since 2017.
Staley's Gamecocks teams rely heavily on stifling defense, which frustrated UConn and coach Geno Auriemma. Another championship will tie Staley with Kim Mulkey for third-most titles by a coach behind only Auriemma and late Tennessee legend Pat Summitt.
It's been a breakout tournament for South Carolina freshman Agot Makeer, who is averaging 14.6 points while shooting 55.6% on 3-pointers. Makeer has scored in double figures for five consecutive games after accomplishing the feat only three times in 33 prior games.
The Bruins are led by Betts, who also made a critical late block in UCLA's Final Four victory over Texas (avenging UCLA's only loss this season, at a Las Vegas tournament in November).
After getting overwhelmed by UConn in last year's Final Four, UCLA has been driven to go two steps further this season and has most of its key players back from last season.
The veteran Bruins won the Big Ten championship with a starting five comprised of seniors and graduate players.
South Carolina vs. UCLA odds
According to DraftKings, South Carolina is a 3.5-point favorite with the total at 128.5. South Carolina is -185 on the moneyline, and UCLA is +154.
Alessandro
Costa attacked the body with intention, and that work made him
$100,000 richer.
The Lobo Gym MMA product received a “Performance of the Night”
bonus for his second-round stoppage of Stewart
Nicoll in their preliminary flyweight contest at
UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday night. A left hook to the liver sent
Nicoll to his knees and Costa polished off his victory with one
follow-up punch at the 4:56 mark of the period.
A Knee KO and a Furious Round
Elsewhere, Alice
Pereira also earned a $100,000 “Performance of the Night” check
for a spectacular knockout of Hailey
Cowan in a preliminary bantamweight affair. The 20-year-old
Brazilian prospect rendered Cowan unconscious with a leaping left
knee to the chin 4:24 into the second stanza to secure her first
UFC triumph.
Finally, Tommy
McMillen and Manolo
Zecchini garnered “Fight of the Night” honors and $100,000
apiece for their frenetic featherweight encounter. While both men
were on the offensive from the outset, McMillen ultimately crumbled
his foe with a pair of knees to the body against the fence. From
there, he landed a few more follow-up punches to earn a stoppage
3:57 into Round 1.
Debinha and Michelle Cooper scored goals and the Kansas City Current snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 come-from-behind win over visiting Gotham FC on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the National Women's Soccer League, the North Carolina Courage and the Portland Thorns settled for a 2-2- draw; and the Seattle Reign played to a scoreless draw with the Denver Summit.
Gotham's Jaedyn Shaw started after a three-match absence due to injury. Her return paid immediate dividends in the 29th minute, when she scored to give Gotham (1-2-2) a 1-0 lead.
Two-time league MVP Temwa Chawinga started and played 41 minutes for her first appearance in 168 days and assisted on Debinha's goal in the 39th minute to make it 1-1.
The Current (2-3-0) completed the comeback in the 60th minute when Ally Sentnor collected an attempted clearance from defender Lilly Reale and played it wide to Cooper, who finished.
Four first-half goals for Courage, Thorns
The Courage and Thorns each scored two first half goals at WakeMed Park in Cary, North Carolina.
The Thorns (3-1-1) struck first when Reilyn Turner scored on a header in the 12th minute off a long-range pass from Jayden Perry. Turner went down immediately after scoring and was later subbed off in the 25th minute.
Manaka Matsukubo equalized for the Courage (1-2-1) in the 28th minute
Portland retook the lead in the 33rd, with Olivia Moultrie putting away the rebound to make it 2-1.
Ashley Sanchez’s well-placed shot in the 37th minute tied the match again.
Kössler comes close for Denver
Seattle goalkeeper Claudia Dickey and Denver counterpart Abby Smith each recorded three saves in a scoreless draw at One Spokane Stadium.
The sides combined for 31 shots and six on target. The closest call came in the 29th minute when Melissa Kössler’s shot for the Summit hit the post.
Denver (1-3-1) is unbeaten in its last four matches.
The Reign (3-1-1) remain tied for second in the standings and completed their three-game homestand at 2-0-1.
UConn and Michigan will square off in the national championship game on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which will officially wrap up the 2025-26 college basketball season.
The Huskies, after leading almost the entire way, held on late to beat Illinois 71-62 in the first game of the night on Saturday. UConn committed just four turnovers throughout the contest, and Tarris Reed and Braylon Mullins combined for 32 points in the win.
That sent the Huskies to the title game for the third time in the past four seasons. The last two times they’ve been there, they’ve brought home the championship.
Unprompted during his press conference, Hurley pointed out that oddsmakers anointed Illinois a 1.5-point favorite over UConn even though the Huskies beat the Illini by 13 points five months ago. Hurley also noted that he saw more prognosticators picking Illinois than UConn when he flipped on the TV prior to Saturday’s game.
“I had to throw some shade about that,” Hurley said.
If Hurley thought the media provided bulletin-board material before Saturday’s game, wait until he sees the skepticism his team will face entering Monday night’s title game. Yes, UConn is an astounding 13-1 in Final Four games in program history. And yes, nobody with half a brain would count out a Dan Hurley-coached team in the NCAA tournament. But the Huskies will have to play a heck of a lot better than they did Saturday just to keep it close against No. 1 Michigan.
UConn struggled to put away Illinois despite the Illini shooting an anemic 6-for-26 from behind the arc and making sloppy mistakes they hadn’t made all season. How many times has Keaton Wagler airballed a wide-open step-back 3-pointer like he did Saturday? How many times has forward David Mirkovic turned the ball over dribbling it off his shoe?
The Huskies also benefited from some serendipitous bounces at one end of the floor and some demonic rim-outs at the other. Braylon Mullins banked in a 3-pointer that extended UConn’s lead to 10 in the final minute of the first half. Then Solo Ball sank a second-half 3-pointer that bounced impossibly high off the back rim and fell in. Meanwhile, Andrej Stojakovic provided a snapshot of Illinois’ shooting night when his second-half driving layup rolled all the way around and hung tantalizingly on the back of the rim before finally falling off the mark.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 4, 2026
And yet despite all that, Illinois still managed to pull within four points three times in the game’s final five-plus minutes. It wasn’t until Mullins buried a clutch 3-pointer with 52 seconds left and Tarris Reed Jr., Silas Demary and Jayden Ross combined to sink 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch that UConn could exhale.
“Our defense sustained us,” Hurley said. “I mean, we had so many opportunities. We could have made 18 threes. We had twos at the rim. We could have played better offensively and finished plays more.”
By muscling past Illinois, UConn moved within a single victory of its third national title in the past four seasons and its seventh since 1999. The Huskies would be alone in third place for most championships, trailing only UCLA (11) and Kentucky (8).
Whereas Hurley’s 2023 team jelled into a powerhouse by March and his 2024 team flattened everything in its path all season, this year’s Huskies, as Hurley put it, “have had to be clutch.” They needed a miracle 40-footer from Mullins to cap a comeback from a 19-point deficit against Duke in the Elite Eight. They staved off Michigan State’s comeback bid in the Sweet 16. Heck, even their first-round matchup with Furman was a five-point game with less than six minutes to play.
The breathing room that UConn had Saturday was a product of its smothering defensive ball pressure. The Huskies fought over every screen to prevent Illinois from hunting favorable matchups, contested every shot at the rim and prevented the Illini 7-footers from overwhelming them on the offensive glass.
What let UConn down was its second-half offense — especially during a scoreless stretch of nearly five minutes while Illinois sliced a 14-point deficit to four. The Huskies missed an array of open jumpers and struggled to finish inside against Illinois’ frontcourt length.
That’s an ominous sign for UConn on Monday night against Michigan. Teams shoot a mere 44.3% in the paint against Michigan, the third-worst mark in the nation.
What that means is UConn will probably have to rely on running its shooters through off-ball screens to try to create open 3-point looks. If the Huskies sink only 34.6% of their threes like they have all season, it will be a long night. If Mullins, Alex Karaban and Solo Ball can catch fire, then it’s game on.
“We haven’t been a team of destruction,” Hurley said. “We’ve been a team that has had to grind out games.”
No one will give them much hope of doing it again against Michigan on Monday night.
They’ll have to play a lot better than they did Saturday to prove the doubters wrong.
Arizona had an impressive season, having lost just two games all season (back-to-back in February). But otherwise, the Wildcats looked a lot like the Wolverines had all year -- just running roughshod all over everyone. Thus, the speculation was that Saturday night's Final Four matchup between Arizona and Michigan basketball would be the game of the year -- after all, the Wildcats and Wolverines were ranked KenPom's No. 3 and 4 teams of all time.
But then the Tucson-based school ran into a buzzsaw in Indianapolis.
Michigan led wire-to-wire, never trailing. Despite Yaxel Lendeborg having injured both his ankle and MCL (knee) in the first half, the Wolverines dominated the hapless Wildcats, with Aday Mara leading the charge for the maize and blue. He finished with 26 points and nine rebounds, leading all scorers. Michigan won 91-73, the fifth straight 90-point win for the Wolverines in the NCAA Tournament.
While it was an impressive win (and it was very impressive), the maize and blue now have one more game -- and that's with there being just one more game left. Michigan is set to face former Wolverine Tarris Reed Jr. and the UConn Huskies in the national championship game on Monday night, for the right to be called the best team in the 2025-26 season.
The maize and blue have appeared in nine Final Fours, but have only come away with one national championship thus far, in 1969. The Wolverines have lost two in the modern era (both under John Beilein in 2013 and 2018) and the two that hadn't been recognized, with the Fab Five era having been vacated.
Michigan has played UConn three times in history, with a record of 1-2 against the Huskies. All three matchups came during the Beilein era, with a home-and-home his first two years (the Wolverines won the home game at Crisler in 2009), and an early-season neutral-site game in the Bahamas in 2015.
INDIANAPOLIS — A Final Four matchup of high-scoring offenses was instead decided by Michigan’s defense, which held Arizona in check and delivered a 91-73 win to send the Wolverines to Monday night’s national championship game.
Michigan won despite the extended absence of All-America forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who battled foul trouble and an apparent lower-body injury and played a season-low 14 minutes. He still managed to score 11 points on 3 of 4 shooting.
Without Lendeborg serving as the focal point, the Wolverines leaned on center Aday Mara, who had a career-best 26 points to go with nine rebounds and three blocks. Point guard Elliot Cadeau had 13 points and 10 assists while guard Trey McKenney added 16 points while hitting 6 of 9 attempts.
Arizona was led by forward Koa Peat's 16 points, though the freshman made just 6 of 18 shots from the field. Overall, Arizona shot 36.6% and committed 14 turnovers. The Wildcats came into the semifinal ranked 11th with an average of 86.5 points per game.
Thanks to a suffocating style that unsettled Arizona’s tempo, Michigan took a 26-10 midway lead through the opening half despite losing Lendeborg, who picked up two quick fouls and then limped off the court later in the half to have his ankle re-taped.
After returning to the Wolverines’ bench with about five minutes to go, Lendeborg was escorted back to the locker room and didn’t return until entering the lineup to open the second half.
The Wildcats finally gained their footing with a 13-2 spurt to make it 28-23 with 6:43 to play until halftime. Michigan answered with a quick 7-2 run of its own and pushed the lead to as many as 18 points before heading into the break ahead 48-32.
The 48 points were the most in the first half of a national semifinal since North Carolina had 49 against Villanova in 2009.
Both teams went into halftime with foul issues. Morez Johnson jr., Mara and McKenney also had two fouls for the Wolverines. Arizona guard Jaden Bradley picked up three fouls, limiting him to just 11 minutes in the first half, while star freshman Brayden Burries had two fouls and was 0 of 5 from the field.
The Wolverines kept their foot down coming out of the break, pushing the lead to 53-32 on a Lendeborg 3-pointer with 17:47 to play. That edge grew to 23 points at 64-41 on a Mara dunk with 14 minutes left and then ballooned to 27 points under two minutes later.
Michigan would continue to control the flow of the game on both ends, answering every brief Arizona run with a key bucket while forcing the Wildcats into increasingly difficult looks thanks to its lengthy frontcourt.
After the Wolverines went in front 77-47 with 10:31 to play, the only question left in this matchup asked they'd become the first team to score 100 points in the Final Four since Michigan State in 1979.
While they came up short of the century mark, the Wolverines’ 91 points were the program’s most in a semifinal since beating Princeton 94-76 in 1965.
Michigan is chasing the program’s second national title. The Wolverines previously reached the title game in 1965, 1976, 1989, 1992-93, 2013 and 2018, winning it all in 1989.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium on April 4, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In Saturday night’s game thread, we mentioned how Giancarlo Stanton hadn’t had much success against his former team, but in this back-and-forth affair, the game-winning at-bat came from the Yankees’ DH. Stanton drove in a pair in the eighth inning with a single to give the Yankees the lead in what ultimately became a 9-7 win, making the absolute most out of an ungodly number of free passes handed out by the Marlins: 10 in total.
Before the Yankees could take control of things late in the ballgame, plenty of walks were distributed on both sides as the pitching staffs struggled to find their footing. In a matchup of young starters, efficiency is half the battle. Unfortunately for Ryan Weathers, that was something he sorely lacked against his old teammates, averaging well over 20 pitches per inning and thus unable to complete four full frames before Miami could chase him out of the ballgame.
The Yankees have made a point of getting Weathers to trust the changeup more, but he couldn’t really generate many chases on it against Miami. Able to lay off the changeup consistently, the Fish worked three walks against Weathers, which was pivotal in driving up his pitch count for an early exit. Still, the worst result on a changeup for Weathers came in one that generated a chase. Up at the plate with one on and two outs in the first, Otto Lopez protected against a two-strike change down below the zone, lifting a pop fly to right that had no business dropping in front of Aaron Judge. That hit kept the inning going, and quickly thereafter both runners came around to score on a Heriberto Hernández triple—the Marlins took the lead, an advantage they kept until the bullpens got involved.
As much as Weathers could lament the poor batted-ball luck in that first inning, his performance over the whole game didn’t quite justify a much better result than the three runs allowed in 3.2 innings of work — needing 88 pitches to record just 11 outs. In the third, Hernández proved he was locked in against Weathers, this time taking him on a ride to right field on a ball that fell just short of going out, requiring a leaping grab from Judge.
While Max Meyer did a better job than Weathers at stranding runners, the Miami starter walked in the early goings, allowing only a single hit through four; the Yankees got to him in the fifth. Aaron Judge hit a rocket single, and then Cody Bellinger took advantage of a slider up in the zone to go deep for the first time in 2026.
That would be the last pitch Meyer would throw, and while the Yankees were unable to exercise a starting pitching advantage—sort of a regular thing these days—they had ample time to get to the Marlins bullpen with only a minor deficit to erase.
Andrew Nardi came in for Meyer, walked two, but got out of the fifth by retiring Jazz Chisholm Jr. Surprisingly, the Marlins sent Nardi back out there for the sixth in a move that didn’t work out. Aaron Boone was aggressive with his bench and deployed the lefty-masher Goldschmidt against Nardi. The southpaw was careful, leading to a walk that would spark the big inning the Yankees needed to take control of this affair (for the first time, anyway).
In a game where virtually every pitcher struggled with command, Anthony Bender, who came in for Nardi, hit José Caballero to put the go-ahead run on base. Following Ryan McMahon’s inability to get a bunt down, the top of the order was ready to pounce on this opportunity—Judge tied it with an opposite-field poke down the right-field line, and Bellinger secured the lead on a sac fly despite a worrisome slide from Trent Grisham.
The sequence of the matchup saw the Yankees starter falter, the Marlins starter falter, and the Marlins bullpen falter. The Yankees held a late lead, but the win wouldn’t come that easy, as the Yankees’ bullpen also faltered.
Stanton had been successful in giving the Yankees an insurance run with a—dare we say it—Rickey Henderson-inspired turn around the bases. He walked on five pitches against Calvin Faucher, and one out later, he took advantage of the Marlins completely disregarding his presence on first. Stanton said “thank you very much” and stole second base, his first regular-season swipe in six years (though he did steal a base in the 2024 ALDS against the Royals). A slow groundout from J.C. Escarra moved him to third, and when Faucher threw a wild one, Stanton scored his economic run.
Protecting a two-run lead, Camilo Doval collapsed rather easily against the bottom of the Marlins order. The Yankees’ right-handed reliever allowed a two-run, game-tying double to Javier Sanoja, the Marlins’ ninth-hole hitter. Brent Headrick cleaned up his mess, but the lead had already vanished.
As all else before, this 6-6 tie would be short-lived, as the Marlins managed to gift-wrap the Yankees an opportunity in the bottom of the eighth by walking the bases loaded for Stanton with two outs. Stanton had enough strength to muscle a ground ball through the infield and drive in a pair.
Just before he was sent to the Yankees in December 2017, Stanton rejected a trade from the Marlins to the mid-2010s Cardinals. Well, this was the kind of rally that would’ve made that iteration of the Cards’ franchise proud.
Walks and passed balls were the Yankees’ friend, and the latter added an insurance run after that Stanton single, making it 9-6 when Ben Rice dented home plate. That was just enough to survive a massive scare in the ninth by David Bednar, who seems to have penchant for late drama (not helped by some nonchalance from Chisholm that allowed the first man on). The Yankees’ closer coughed up one run and loaded the bases, putting the tying run at second and the go-ahead margin at first. before striking out Griffin Conine to wrap up the W. With both sides well short of their best game, the Yankees had just more reliable production in key moments for the victory.
It’s always a good day when Max Fried takes the mound, and with a sweep on the line, that’ll be the treat for fans attending Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon, particularly those who hung around for the end of his marathon. The start time is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. (EST). The Marlins will counter with Chris Paddack, who got absolutely rocked by the White Sox in his first start of 2026.
The Wolverines ran the Wildcats off the floor at Lucas Oil Stadium and added the latest chapter in their season of dominance with a wire-to-wire 91-73 rout on Saturday.
Aday Mara had a career-high 26 points and Lendeborg, who played just five minutes in the first half due to foul trouble and an injury, had 11 points for Michigan (36-3), which advanced to the NCAA Tournament final for the first time since 2018 and eighth time in program history.
Trey McKenney scored 16 and made four of Michigan’s 12 3-pointers and Elliot Cadeau added 13 points and 10 assists for an offense that shot 47.8% from the field.
Michigan will face No. 2 seed UConn in the national championship game at 8:50 p.m. Monday. The game will be broadcast on TBS.
After leading by as much as 18 in the first half and by 16 at the break, Michigan kept taking it to Arizona, couldn’t be stopped on offense and bombed away from deep to blow it open.
Lendeborg, with a sleeve on his left knee, drained two 3-pointers within an 80-second span to make it 56-34 with 16:27 to play. Not long after that, McKenney splashed a deep ball on back-to-back possessions sandwiched around a defensive stop where Michigan forced a shot-clock violation.
Cadeau joined the downtown barrage and swished two 3-pointers in 25 seconds. That came during a quick 8-0 burst and a string of seven straight made shots. By the time McKenney knocked down Michigan’s seventh deep ball of the half, the Wolverines had all but knocked out the Wildcats and led, 77-47, with 10:31 to play.
Arizona (36-3), a team that entered the matchup with two losses by a combined seven points, never came close to getting off the mat as Michigan cruised to the finish line.
Morez Johnson Jr. finished with 10 points and seven rebounds for Michigan, which scored 26 points off 14 Arizona turnovers and turned 11 offensive boards into 19 second-chance points.
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 5, 2026
Koa Peat had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Jaden Bradley and Bradyen Burries scored 13 apiece and Motiejus Krivas added 11 points for Arizona, which shot a season-low 36.6% from the field and finished with just five assists.
Michigan came out swinging, landed the first punch and grabbed an early double-digit lead to immediately set the tone. Nimari Burnett canned a corner 3-pointer on an inbounds pass. Cadeau had a sequence where he hit a floater in the lane, came away with a steal and found Morez Johnson Jr. for an and-1 layup during a string of eight unanswered points.
That sparked a 14-4 burst that featured an alley-oop slam and a second-chance bucket by Mara. Cadeau ripped the ball out of Arizona’s Anthony Dell’Orso hands for another steal and threw an outlet pass ahead to McKenney for a fast-break dunk. Michigan jumped out to a 16-5 lead with 14:29 left in the first half and forced an Arizona timeout.
And much of that came without Lendeborg, who picked up two fouls five seconds apart less than 90 seconds into the game and before Arizona even scored its first point. But once Lendeborg checked back in – and Arizona starting point guard Jaden Bradley picked up his second foul on a drawn charge by Cadeau at the 12:57 mark – Michigan added to its lead.
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 5, 2026
Cadeau had a drive and kick to Lendeborg, who got a corner 3-pointer to bounce in. Mara had an offensive board and putback. A string of seven straight points made it 26-10 with 10:00 to go in the half.
The Wildcats clawed back with a run of their own after Lendeborg came up limping after a layup attempt and went back to the locker room with an apparent ankle injury. Arizona, after missing 11 of its first 15 shots, made four straight shots during a 9-0 surge that cut it to 28-23. To make matters worse, Mara and Johnson each picked up their second foul less than a minute apart.
The Wolverines weathered the storm and countered with a 20-7 flurry. A two-handed slam by Roddy Gayle Jr. snapped Arizona’s run. McKenney knocked down a second-chance 3-pointer. Will Tschetter found Gayle in the corner for another 3 before Mara took over.
McKenney faked a shot and found Mara for an and-1 layup. Cadeau swiped the ball and connected with Mara for another finish at the rim. Mara went on a personal 7-0 run before Johnson was fouled on a putback dunk and capped the run for a 48-30 lead.
Despite getting 32 combined minutes from its starting frontcourt, Michigan won the battle in the paint on both ends, got contributions from all over and was stifling on defense en route to a 48-32 halftime advantage.
This is a developing story. Come back soon to detroitnews.com for more on this game.
jhawkins@detroitnews.com
@jamesbhawkins
Want to comment on this story? Become a subscriber today. Click here.
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) reacts against the Arizona Wildcats in the second half during a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
The No. 1-seed Michigan Wolverines played a basketball game against some low level team called “Arizona” and defeated the upstart Wildcats by a final score of 91-73.
Here are some of the best reactions from social media from the Final Four matchup.
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) April 5, 2026
Elliot Cadeau may have only had five points on 2-of-14 shooting in the first half, but he was the straw that stirred the drink
This first half will be a great litmus test of who watches the game and who looks at box scores. Because Elliot Cadeau was a dismal 2-of-14 from the field and he’s 100% the best player on the court for either team tonight.
Brandon McCoy, a five-star guard recruit, committed to Michigan at halftime!
Brandon McCoy Jr., a 5-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Ca., just told the Fab Five on its alternate Final Four telecast that he is committing to Michigan.
Thirty-five years after the Fab Five stepped on Michigan’s campus, McCoy informed them that he now… pic.twitter.com/vTWZrxypPr
Michigan fans singing Mr. Brightside at the Final Four as the Wolverines dominate Arizona to reach the National Championship Game. pic.twitter.com/pQNDnqcMPe
Michigan didn’t take much time to make it clear it is the favorite to win the national championship.
The Wolverines blitzed Arizona in the first half on the way to a 91-73 Final Four win. Michigan will play UConn on Monday night in the national title game. And it was the fifth time in five games during the 2026 NCAA tournament that Michigan scored at least 90 points.
Michigan led by 16 at halftime as the Wildcats faced their largest deficit of the season just halfway into the first half when the Wolverines were up 26-10. And it was far from a perfect half for Michigan too. That’s how much Michigan outplayed Arizona.
Lendeborg tried to walk it off, but was forced to leave the game and head to the locker room. He didn’t return for the rest of the half as he limped around with a brace on his knee. But Michigan did not need him. Nor was he the only Michigan forward with two fouls in the first half.
Morez Johnson and Aday Mara also had two fouls in the first half. So did sixth man Trey McKenney. If you’d told a Michigan fan before the game that Lendeborg would play five minutes and he’d have two fouls along with Johnson, Mara and McKenney, that fan would be fearing a 30-point halftime deficit.
Instead, Michigan simply piled it on Arizona even though the Wolverines shot just 42% from the field. Michigan’s defense forced nine turnovers and Big 12 player of the year Jaden Bradley picked up three first-half fouls for the Wildcats.
The Wolverines also had 12 assists on 17 field goals. Elliot Cadeau was just 2-of-14 in the first half — he shot the ball early and often — but also had six assists to just one turnover in the first 20 minutes.
Mara, meanwhile, had 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Arizona seemed to be the biggest test for Michigan’s frontcourt, but Mara got what he wanted near the rim, and Johnson added eight points and four rebounds of his own.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
Lendeborg makes his mark in the second half
Per the TBS broadcast, Lendeborg was dealing with an ankle issue along with an MCL sprain. He returned to the court with a freshly taped ankle and a brace on his left knee. And immediately established himself as the best player on the court.
Michigan quickly extended the lead to 21 early in the second half as Lendeborg drained consecutive 3-pointers and McKenney also kept making shots.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
The Wildcats needed to cut into Michigan’s halftime lead early if it wanted to have a chance at a comeback.
But that biggest deficit of the season got even larger. This was supposed to be a matchup between the two best teams in college basketball. We got a blowout instead.
Michigan led by as much as 29 points with 11:41 to go. At that point, it was plainly obvous that UConn could stop worrying about scouting Arizona in its preparations for Monday night.
Michigan is looking for its first title since 1989
Michigan’s win means that one of the wildest geographical stats in sports continues. Arizona’s last title came in 1997, as the Wildcats marched to the national championship as a No. 4 seed.
It’s also the last time a team west of the Central Time Zone has won a national title. That streak will now reach 30 years as both Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Storrs, Connecticut, are both safely in the Eastern Time Zone.
Michigan not only has a chance to break a long title drought of its own, but the Wolverines will also be looking to snap the Big Ten’s winless streak. Michigan State’s 2001 title is the last time a team from the conference has won the national championship while UConn is looking for its third title in four seasons.
It’s the first national title game for Wolverines coach Dusty May after he led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023. FAU was seconds from making the national title game that season, but a Lamont Butler shot at the buzzer sent San Diego State to the title game against UConn in a 72-71 win for the Aztecs.
Arizona keeps Tommy Lloyd, falls short in semis
Before Saturday night, Arizona’s only two losses this season came in the same week. The Wildcats lost at home in overtime to Texas Tech — a Red Raiders team with a healthy JT Toppin — before losing just over 48 hours later at Kansas.
The Wildcats had won 13 straight games entering the Final Four and the team’s success under coach Tommy Lloyd over the past five seasons made Lloyd a prime candidate at North Carolina following the firing of Hubert Davis.
But Lloyd signed a new contract with the Wildcats this week, a contract that makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the Big 12 and even means he no longer has to report to Arizona athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois.
Now, entering year six, Lloyd will likely need to replace potential NBA Draft lottery picks in Koa Peat and Brayden Burries along with Bradley. The Wildcats have firmly established themselves among the Big 12’s elite. But there’s still an NCAA tournament hurdle to overcome.
INDIANAPOLIS − In order to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Michigan basketball did exactly that. Arizona had lost two games this season, both in the second week of February, going 36-0 outside of that four-day stretch. It hadn't trailed all NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines just ended it all.
Aday Mara scored 26 points to go with eight rebounds, and Elliot Cadeau dished 10 assists and had four steals to overcome poor shooting (4-for-16), directing the Wolverines' fast pace against the Wildcats (36-3). Freshman Trey McKenney scored 16 points off the bench, going 4-for-6 on 3s.
Michigan (36-3) became the first team in NCAA tournament history to score at least 90 points in five March Madness games.
The Wolverines held Arizona standout freshmen duo of Brayden Burries and Koa Peat to 27 points on 9-for-32 shooting (28%).
Michigan had an inauspicious start, with star Yaxel Lendeborg picking up two fouls in the opening 82 seconds. It didn't matter. Michigan blitzed out to a 10-1 lead and the Wildcats never got back within a possession, but that doesn't mean the day was perfect for the Wolverines.
Lendeborg went down awkwardly on a layup attempt stepping on the foot of an Arizona player with 8:51 left in the first half, writhed in pain and after he made two free throws left the game and went to the locker room. He came back with brace on his knee and returned to the second half, canning two 3s despite moving gingerly.
Lendeborg got hurt midway through the first half on a layup attempt stepping on the foot of a defender. He was in pain, but made two free throws, then gingerly walked to the locker room. The team soon after announced that he was getting ice on the ankle and getting it retaped.
He came back to the bench biting a towel and with a towel on his head, and a brace on his knee, then a few minutes later went back to the locker room again. It's the same ankle he tweaked in the Big Ten Tournament three weeks ago.
He started the second half and made two 3-pointers as Michigan's offensive wave ballooned its lead to 30 points.
"I have to [play], I have to," TBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson reported he said as he looked toward family and friends in the stands in the second half.
Lendeborg's status is unknown for Monday's national championship game against UConn.
INDIANAPOLIS − In order to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Michigan basketball did exactly that. Arizona had lost two games this season, both in the second week of February, going 36-0 outside of that four-day stretch. It hadn't trailed all NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines just ended it all.
Aday Mara scored 26 points to go with nine rebounds, and Elliot Cadeau dished 10 assists and had four steals to overcome poor shooting (5-for-17), directing the Wolverines' fast pace against the Wildcats (36-3). Freshman Trey McKenney scored 16 points off the bench, going 4-for-6 on 3s.
Michigan (36-3) became the first team in NCAA tournament history to score at least 90 points in five March Madness games.
The Wolverines held Arizona standout freshmen duo of Brayden Burries and Koa Peat to 29 points on 10-for-34 shooting (29.4%).
Michigan had an inauspicious start, with star Yaxel Lendeborg picking up two fouls in the opening 82 seconds. It didn't matter. Michigan blitzed out to a 10-1 lead and the Wildcats never got back within a possession, but that doesn't mean the day was perfect for the Wolverines.
Lendeborg went down awkwardly on a layup attempt stepping on the foot of an Arizona player with 8:51 left in the first half, writhed in pain and after he made two free throws left the game and went to the locker room. He came back with brace on his knee and returned to the second half, canning two 3s despite moving gingerly. He finished with 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting in 14 minutes.
Lendeborg got hurt midway through the first half on a layup attempt stepping on the foot of a defender. He was in pain, but made two free throws, then gingerly walked to the locker room. The team soon after announced that he was getting ice on the ankle and getting it retaped.
He came back to the bench biting a towel and with a towel on his head, and a brace on his knee, then a few minutes later went back to the locker room again. It's the same ankle he tweaked in the Big Ten Tournament three weeks ago.
He started the second half and made two 3-pointers as Michigan's offensive wave ballooned its lead to 30 points.
"I have to [play], I have to," TBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson reported he said as he looked toward family and friends in the stands in the second half.
Lendeborg said postgame on the court in his TV interview that he's playing "no matter what" Monday against UConn.
INDIANAPOLIS − In order to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Michigan basketball did exactly that. Arizona had lost two games this season, both in the second week of February, going 36-0 outside of that four-day stretch. It hadn't trailed all NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines just ended it all.
Aday Mara scored 26 points to go with nine rebounds, and Elliot Cadeau dished 10 assists and had four steals to overcome poor shooting (5-for-17), directing the Wolverines' fast pace against the Wildcats (36-3). Freshman Trey McKenney scored 16 points off the bench, going 4-for-6 on 3s.
Michigan (36-3) became the first team in NCAA tournament history to score at least 90 points in five March Madness games.
The Wolverines held Arizona standout freshmen duo of Brayden Burries and Koa Peat to 29 points on 10-for-34 shooting (29.4%).
Michigan had an inauspicious start, with star Yaxel Lendeborg picking up two fouls in the opening 82 seconds. It didn't matter. Michigan blitzed out to a 10-1 lead and the Wildcats never got back within a possession, but that doesn't mean the day was perfect for the Wolverines.
Lendeborg went down awkwardly on a layup attempt stepping on the foot of an Arizona player with 8:51 left in the first half, writhed in pain and after he made two free throws left the game and went to the locker room. He came back with brace on his knee and returned to the second half, canning two 3s despite moving gingerly. He finished with 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting in 14 minutes.
Lendeborg got hurt midway through the first half on a layup attempt stepping on the foot of a defender. He was in pain, but made two free throws, then gingerly walked to the locker room. The team soon after announced that he was getting ice on the ankle and getting it retaped.
He came back to the bench biting a towel and with a towel on his head, and a brace on his knee, then a few minutes later went back to the locker room again. It's the same ankle he tweaked in the Big Ten Tournament three weeks ago.
He started the second half and made two 3-pointers as Michigan's offensive wave ballooned its lead to 30 points.
"I have to [play], I have to," TBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson reported he said as he looked toward family and friends in the stands in the second half.
Lendeborg said postgame on the court in his TV interview that he's playing "no matter what" Monday against UConn.
INDIANAPOLIS — As college basketball gets further and further away from the old way of doing things, with the transfer portal, revenue sharing and name, image and likeness payments to players, the built-in advantages for traditional powers like Kentucky and Louisville in this new era are fading away too.
That point was on full display Saturday at the Final Four.
Although May hasn’t made it official yet, it would be hard to envision him leaving Ann Arbor for the North Carolina opening, given he has what all coaches want: a program with the resources to win a national title.
Michigan will face Connecticut — the new money of college basketball right down to its brash, hate him or love him, coach Dan Hurley — in Monday’s championship game. The Huskies will be going for their seventh title since wining their first in 1999 after beating Illinois 71-62 in the semifinals.
UConn began to blow up the notion of blue bloods before everyone started doing it. And trust, a lot more schools are prepared to get in on the act.
While at the Final Four this weekend, Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd turned down North Carolina to stay in Tucson. The Wildcats have been a good, modern day basketball program, but are not what Carolina has been historically.
None of that mattered to Lloyd, who got them back to the Final Four for their first time since 2001.
Just look at recent coaching searches.
Two years ago, Kentucky and Louisville faced the same reality. In a different age, coaches would have jumped at the chance to take over one of those programs. Neither UK coach Mark Pope nor UofL’s Pat Kelsey were considered the first choices for either school as head coach.
Considering Baylor’s Scott Drew declined both opportunities shows how irrelevant tradition is now. (Most of you reading this probably can’t name another Baylor coach besides Drew. And if you said Dave Bliss, it’s only because of the horrific circumstances of how his tenure ended.)
But Baylor has a more recent national title than either the Cats or the Cardinals.
It’s not just in coaches either.
Players long figured out they didn’t have to be at a perennial power to have a path to the NBA. Add in the chance to get paid and they’ll go wherever the money and the playing time is right.
If it was shocking that A.J. Dabantsa — the No. 1 player in the Class of 2025 and potential No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft — chose to play at BYU, you might need a seat when you learn the Cougars have another top-10 recruit (Bruce Branch III) coming in the Class of 2026.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Elliot Cadeau #3 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts while playing against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS — The Michigan Wolverines have been the best team in men’s college basketball all season. The UConn Huskies have been the sport’s main character from the moment they hired Dan Hurley, and he has two national championship rings to prove it. The 2026 national championship game is going to be a stunner, but only one team can cut down the nets on Monday night.
Michigan has been throttling teams all year, but it saved its best performance of the season for its Final Four rout of Arizona. In a matchup of the top-2 teams on KenPom’s rankings, the Wolverines flexed their power even while superstar forward Yaxel Lendeborg was limited to only five minutes in the first half with foul trouble and injury. Arizona only had two losses on its resume entering the night, and had not trailed by more than 12 points this season. Michigan was still up 18 going into halftime, and it was a blowout from there.
UConn looked like it might make an early tournament exit after losing its regular season finale to a bad Marquette team, then getting crushed by 20 points by St. John’s in the Big East tournament championship game. Dan Hurley turned it on once the NCAA tournament started, and Braylon Mullins’ miracle three to stun Duke in the Elite Eight saved the season. The Final Four win against Illinois was more proof he’s the best postseason coach in all of sports.
Hurley picked apart Illinois size by running shooters off screens all night, and letting the Illini big men fire away from three. UConn looked like a team that was used to playing games in a football stadium in their third Final Four appearance in the last four years. Maybe the sightlines messed with the Illini, or maybe it was just a cold shooting night, but the Huskies got every bounce they needed while Brad Underwood’s team couldn’t buy a bucket.
Hurley and UConn are going for three national championships in four years. Michigan wants to solidify its place as one of the most dominant college teams in recent memory. Who has the edge?
How UConn can win the 2026 national championship
The Huskies have the best coaching staff in America. Hurley is so good that he turned down $70 million to coach the Los Angeles Lakers and it doesn’t even seem like a regrettable move. Top assistant Luke Murray is a schematic genius, and he’ll be Boston College’s head coach after Monday night. Kimani Young is another elite assistant who has been with Hurley throughout this run.
UConn’s offense is hard to prepare for because no one plays like them. The Huskies finished in the 100th percentile of off-screen play types, and also mix in a whirling combination of back-cuts and dribble-handoffs. Hurley won a national championship with Jordan Hawkins running off those screens to hit shots. Then he did it with Cam Spencer. Now Braylon Mullins is his latest gunner. It doesn’t matter who is in the role, the offense produces great shots and Hurley recruits players who can hit them.
Alex Karaban has been Hurley’s rock the entire time. He was a freshman starter on the 2023 national champions led by Andre Jackson and Adama Sanogo, and then he was next to Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan on the 2024 championship run. Hurley tried to make Karaban the focal point last season, and it wasn’t the right fit as the team was eliminated in the round of 32 by eventual champ Florida. Karaban is back playing his old role this year, and UConn has returned to being a postseason monster.
The Huskies upgraded at point guard over the offseason by bringing in Silas Demary, a fierce point of attack defender who also makes 39 percent of his threes. Demary helped tighten up the ball pressure, and the defense suddenly took off, going from No. 75 last season to No. 8 this year.
Tarris Reed has been the team’s best player, and one of the very best in this NCAA tournament. He uses his strength and 7’5 wingspan to eat inside. He gets UConn so many second chances on the offensive glass, and he’s become really good at challenging shots at the rim without fouling. Reed started his career at Michigan, and winning on Monday night would be the ultimate validation for him.
Michigan could have trouble getting over UConn’s maze of screens with such a big lineup. The Huskies hold opponents to 30.1 percent shooting from three on the year. If the Wolverines are cold from deep and the game is close late, Hurley will have a chance to work his late game magic again.
Why Michigan will win the 2026 national championship
Michigan showed it had a chance to be an all-time great college team in November at the Players Era Fest when it blasted San Diego State by 40, Auburn by 30, and Gonzaga by 40. From that point on, the national championship race has been running through the Wolverines.
Arizona felt like one of the few teams with the talent to actually have a chance against Michigan. The game was only competitive for a few minutes despite the Wolverines’ three best players all getting in early foul trouble. It didn’t matter. Michigan showed its more than just Lendeborg’s team with an incredible team effort that showed off the full extent of their might. Elliot Cadeau dominated with his speed and playmaking despite a cold shooting night. Aday Mara proved you can’t teach 7’3 with a 7’7 wingspan by dominating the rim at both ends. Morez Johnson is all heart, hustle, and muscle — which is a cliche way to describe college basketball’s best and most versatile defender. Freshman Trey McKenney ripped the nets from three, Roddy Gayle uncorked a huge dunk or two. Arizona had been a steamroller all year, and this time they were the team that got steamrolled.
Michigan is uniquely equipped to defend Tarris Reed. It can match his strength with Johnson, and let Mara roam off the ball as a help-side shot blocker. It could also let Mara try to smother him with length. The Wolverines should have the advantage on the glass, and they will almost certainly draw more free throws. Demary could give Cadeau some trouble, but as long as he plays within himself, Michigan should win comfortably.
Michigan’s transition game is so hard to stop with Mara has the trigger man on outlet passes. Cadeau’s passing vision is second to none, and even a hobbled Lendeborg looked pretty great in the second half against Arizona.
Lendeborg’s injury is an issue if he doesn’t heal quickly. Michigan also showed it doesn’t really need him to roll a great team.
It’s been Michigan’s year all season long. It will lock it in on Monday night.
Honeybaked became the first American-based team to win the Canadian-dominated hockey tournament, which showcases the top OHL Draft eligible players.
Austin Hall scored two goals in Honeybaked's 3-1 win over the Toronto Jr. Canadiens at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.
“Words can’t describe it,” said Hall, the tournament MVP who led the OHL Cup in scoring with 14 points. “First American team to do it – it’s history.
“We’ve been a third period team all year long, coming back from behind and just pushing and having grit. Our saying is ‘grittiness,’ we just love to play hockey.”
Honeybaked, which finished with a 7-0-0 record, also won the Michigan state title last month and the Whitby International Silver Stick tournament in November.
“I’m so proud of the boys," Honeybaked coach Matthew Romaniski said. "We were serious about coming and winning this. It was good to come up here and finish out the year the right way."
Blue Jackets' nosedive continues
The Columbus Blue Jackets had a chance to move ahead of the Detroit Red Wings and into sole possession of the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
However, Columbus lost its sixth straight game as they dropped a 2-1 decision against the Winnipeg Jets at Nationwide Arena on Saturday.
Kyle Conner (Shelby Township) scored two goals for the Jets, including the go-ahead goal midway through the third period.
Winnipeg is now just one point behind the San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Columbus is tied with the Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and Philadelphia Flyers for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Grand Rapids 7, Winnipeg 2
Poland's Wojciech Stachowiak recorded his third-straight, multi-point game in the Grand Rapids Griffins' 7-2 victory over the Manitoba Moose on Saturday at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Stachowiak, a former Michigan State Spartan from 2018-2020, had two assists for his 11th point in five outings (3+8=11) for the Griffins, who swept Manitoba in the weekend series and have won five straight games.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard scored his second-straight, game-winning goal, Eddie Genborg and Anton Johansson both recorded their first AHL goals, and Michal Postava made 31 saves to improve to 15-6-0.
PWHL sets U.S. attendance record
Four hours after the Detroit Red Wings lost 4-1 to the New York Rangers in front of 17,292 at Madison Square Garden, the New York Sirens and Seattle Torrent set a U.S. attendance record of 18,006 at Madison Square Garden.
Detroit's Elle Hartje had a team-high six shots in the Sirens' 2-1 shootout victory.
Final Four Saturday is over. UConn topped Illinois 71-62, and Michigan smacked Arizona 91-73.
Now it's time to talk about the national title game.
Dynasties are not built on talent alone. They are built on repeatable habits in the biggest moments. The UConn Huskies are back on the sport’s biggest stage with a chance to win its third title in four seasons, but the Michigan Wolverines present a very different kind of challenge on Monday in the national title game.
Michigan is fast, deep, and capable of turning a game in minutes. For UConn, winning this title will come down to executing a very specific formula.
With their win over Illinois, UConn's record over the last four tournaments is now 18-1 🔥
Michigan’s offense is at its best when possessions are quick and chaotic. That is where its depth and scoring volume become overwhelming. UConn has to shrink the game.
That means longer possessions, fewer transition chances, and forcing Michigan to operate against a set defense. The Huskies do not need to win a track meet. They need to turn this into a grind where every possession feels heavy.
2. Make Michigan defend for full possessions
One of the most overlooked strengths of UConn is how well it moves the ball. It is not just about scoring. It is about forcing defenses to work. If the Huskies consistently make Michigan guard deep into the shot clock, cracks will form. Rotations get slower. Closeouts get softer. That is where UConn finds its clean looks.
Against a team that prefers tempo, patience becomes a weapon.
3. Attack the Lendeborg situation early
Yaxel Lendeborg is central to everything Michigan does, but his health adds uncertainty heading into the title game. UConn should not wait to test that.
Run actions at him. Force him to defend in space. Make him move laterally and handle contact. If he is limited, it will show. If he is healthy, UConn at least forces him to expend energy early, which can matter late. Either way, ignoring that variable would be a mistake.
Tarris Reed Jr. does not need volume to impact a game. He needs touches in the right spots. After scoring 17 points against Illinois, Reed showed how effective he can be when UConn plays through him inside. Michigan has size, but Reed’s strength and finishing ability create a different type of pressure.
If UConn consistently generates paint touches, it forces Michigan to collapse, opening everything else.
5. Stay composed when Michigan makes its run
Michigan will make a push. That is what it does. The Wolverines score in bursts, and there will be a moment when momentum swings. UConn’s edge is that it does not panic in those stretches. It resets, executes, and waits for the game to come back to it.
That is where experience matters. That is where programs that have been here before separate themselves.
Hurley's huge test
This game is not about who plays better for 40 minutes. It is about who wins the key stretches. UConn’s path is clear. Slow the game. Stay disciplined. Attack mismatches. Trust its identity.
Michigan will try to speed everything up and turn it into a scoring avalanche. UConn will try to control every detail. Somewhere between those two approaches, a national champion will emerge on Monday.
Forward Devon Paliani continues to carve out one of the most consistent offensive runs in recent ECHL history, rewriting his own record book yet again during the 2025–2026 season.
Now with the Tahoe Knight Monsters, on an AHL deal with the Henderson Silver Knights, Paliani has surpassed his previous single-season points total, marking the third consecutive year he has set a new personal best. This is a testament to both his development and his growing role as an offensive driver.
Paliani’s rise has been steady, undeniable, and noticeable. After posting 43 points during the 2023–24 campaign with the Reading Royals, he elevated his game significantly in 2024–25 with 59 points while he was with the Savannah Ghost Pirates. This season with the Knight Monsters, he has pushed beyond that mark once again, reaching (and surpassing) the 59-point mark while continuing to produce at nearly a point-per-game pace.
The upward trend isn’t just incremental—it reflects a player who has added layers to his offensive game every year. His ability to generate chances, finish plays, and contribute in all situations has turned him into one of the league’s most reliable forwards.
Driving Tahoe’s Offense
In Tahoe, Paliani has become a central figure in one of the ECHL’s most explosive offenses. The Knight Monsters have been among the league leaders in scoring, and Paliani’s production has played a major and consistent role in that success.
Devon Paliani after scoring a goal against the Kansas City Mavericks Photo Credit: Tahoe Knight Monsters
With nearly 30 goals and over 50 points this season, he has not only been a consistent scorer but also a catalyst, where he delivers in key moments, including special teams and clutch situations.
His ability to impact games in multiple ways has helped solidify Tahoe as a dangerous opponent night in and night out.
Evolving Into an Elite Contributor
What makes Paliani’s three-year streak particularly impressive is the way his game has evolved. Early in his ECHL career, he was a depth contributor still finding his footing. Now, he’s a top-line forward capable of carrying offensive responsibility.
His shot has become a major weapon, while his vision and hockey IQ allow him to create opportunities for teammates. The result is a well-rounded offensive profile that continues to improve with each season.
Consistency as a Calling Card
Devon Paliani during a play Photo Credit: Tahoe Knight Monsters
In a league where rosters change quickly and production can fluctuate, Paliani’s consistency stands out. Breaking your own points record once is notable—doing it three years in a row signals a player reaching a new level.
As the 2025–26 season winds down and the focus shifts toward the Kelly Cup Playoffs, Paliani’s continued production could be a key factor in how far Tahoe can go.
One thing is already clear: year after year, Devon Paliani isn’t just maintaining his standard—he’s raising it.
What happens when an unstoppable force runs into an immovable object? We are about to find out.
UConn, despite an imperfect regular season, looks to be unsinkable once again. Dan Hurley is 18-1 in his last 19 NCAA Tournament games, and the Huskies continue to win in spite of long offensive droughts.
Michigan looked like the best team in the country in November and continues to look like it in April. The Wolverines overpowered a two-loss Arizona team on Saturday night, jumping out to a red-hot start and cruising to a blowout win in Indianapolis.
Much like UConn two years ago, Michigan looks like the team to beat — but Hurley’s track record tells you he’s the coach to beat.
Here’s a look at how UConn and Michigan stack up, plus when they last played each other.
UConn and Michigan both played loaded nonconference schedules, but they never faced each other during the season.
In fact, it’s been more than a decade since the Huskies and Wolverines last met. UConn last faced Michigan in the first round of the 2015 Battle 4 Atlantis on Nov. 25, 2015, with a Kevin Ollie-coached Huskies team defeating the John Beilein-coached Wolverines.
The two programs have only faced off three times in their history and have never met in the NCAA Tournament. That will change on Monday night.
UConn vs. Michigan common opponents
UConn and Michigan faced five common opponents this season, with a combined two losses in those games.
UConn record
Opponent
Michigan record
2-0
Illinois
1-0
0-1
Arizona
1-0
2-0
Villanova
1-0
1-0
Duke
0-1
1-0
UCLA
1-0
6-1
Total
5-1
UConn lost to Arizona in November, falling 71-67 at home, but Michigan prevented a rematch by beating the Wildcats in the Final Four and setting up the first-ever NCAA Tournament meeting between the Huskies and Wolverines.
Meanwhile, Michigan suffered one of its three losses against Duke in a neutral-site game n Washington D.C. Ironically, UConn reached the Final Four by beating Duke on the same floor, courtesy of a now-iconic last-second shot by Braylon Mullins.
UConn and Michigan each faced Illinois, Villanova and UCLA as well, but both took care of business against those squads.
Here's a closer look at how UConn and Michigan stack up statistically.
All stats other than team record through Elite Eight.
UConn
Stat
Michigan
34-5
Record
36-3
77.1
Points per game
87.7
36.3
Rebounds per game
40.1
18.4
Assists per game
18.8
48.1%
Field goal pct.
51.1%
34.6%
3-point pct.
36.9%
11.1
Turnovers per game
11.7
65.2
Points allowed per game
69.6
40.5%
Opponent field goal pct.
38.4%
6.9
Steals per game
5.5
5.2
Blocks per game
6.1
Michigan has been the better team by most metrics this season, and the numbers support that. The Wolverines are averaging over 10 more points per game than UConn and are more efficient from the field. While their size is one reason for the discrepancy, the Wolverines are also more efficient from 3-point range.
UConn allows fewer points per game than Michigan, though teams are shooting less efficiently against the Wolverines at barely more than 38 percent. UConn forces more turnovers at nearly seven per game, but Michigan unsurprisingly controls the paint with more blocks per game.
The Huskies have gotten this far by flexing their defensive muscle, but they will have to contend with that size to finish the season with a win.
UConn and Michigan have met three times in their history, but never in the NCAA Tournament:
Season
Result
Setting
2008-09
UConn 69, Michigan 61
Regular season
2009-10
Michigan 68, UConn 63
Regular season
2015-16
UConn 74, Michigan 60
Regular season (Battle 4 Atlantis)
The Huskies and Wolverines first met on Feb, 7, 2009 in Storrs, where Michigan went to halftime with a narrow lead over No. 1-ranked UConn but fell behind in the second half. UConn would go on to reach the Final Four less than two months later.
Michigan got the better of the Huskies in a return game in Ann Arbor a year later, winning 68-63 in a season that saw both teams miss the NCAA Tournament.
The two met again on Nov. 25, 2015 in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis, with UConn holding Michigan to 60 points despite Caris LeVert leading all scorers with 21 points for the Wolverines.
The fourth meeting between UConn and Michigan will be easily the most compelling, with a national championship on the line in Indianapolis.
As Barry Trotz’s retirement approaches, the Nashville Predators’ search for a new general manager continues to heat up. Now, a new rumor has cropped up – linking their hunt to the Carolina Hurricanes.
During Elliotte Friedman’s ‘Saturday Headlines’ segment in the second intermission of ‘Hockey Night in Canada’, the SportsNet insider shared the latest rumors from the Predators’ search, including a report that Nashville requested to speak with the Hurricanes’ GM, Eric Tulsky.
“The Hurricanes would not talk about this when I asked about it today,” Friedman said. “But I’m under the understanding – it’s kind of funny timing, cause Keith Pelley mentioned the other day Eric Tulsky’s name – but during their search, Nashville asked for permission to speak to Carolina’s GM, and they were denied again. The Hurricanes would not discuss it.”
Tulsky’s first job with an NHL team – a consultant role – was with the Predators during the 2012 offseason. Considering his previous ties and the Hurricanes’ recent front-office success, it’d make sense for the Predators to wish to speak with him. But it says even more about his role in Carolina that their request was not even entertained.
Darren Yorke Reportedly Interviewed by Nashville
Tulsky was not the only individual from Carolina to draw interest from the Tennessee team. Friedman continued to discuss the rumors, including what he has heard about candidates and in-person interviews, listing Brett Peterson (Florida Panthers Assistant GM), Scott White (Dallas Stars Assistant GM), Bill Scott (Edmonton Oilers Assistant GM), and Darren Yorke (Carolina Hurricanes Assistant GM).
“It hadn’t been reported before, as far as I can tell,” he explained. “Darren Yorke from the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s the GM of the Chicago Wolves; he’s been there 17 years. I understand he had an in-person visit. We’ll see where Nashville goes from here.”
Friedman further mentioned that the Hurricanes also declined to speak with him regarding the rumors about Yorke.
Michigan basketball hasn’t reached its ultimate goal of a national championship – yet – but on Saturday, April 4, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the Wolverines accomplished a dominating feat matched by no other team in NCAA Tournament history.
When Roddy Gayle Jr. sank the second of two free throws with 2:34 remaining, it gave U-M 90 points for the fifth straight game in this year’s edition of March Madness. The Wolverines are the first team ever with 5 games of at least 90 points in a single NCAA tourney, breaking a tie with six other squads throughout the years.
On the men's side, UCLA (1965), Jacksonville (1970), UNLV (1990), Connecticut (1995) and Michigan’s only national champions, in 1989, are the others with four 90-point games. For the women, Notre Dame did it in 2018.
Of the six other teams, however, only four went on to win the national title: UCLA (which beat U-M in the final in the days when only four wins were needed to win a smaller tourney), U-M, UNLV and Notre Dame. Jacksonville scored just 69 points in a title-game loss to UCLA, and UConn scored 96 in a six-point loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight.
Michigan basketball 2026 NCAA Tournament results
Michigan’s previous 90-point games in this year’s NCAA Tournament:
March 19: Michigan 101, Howard 80.
March 21: Michigan 95, Saint Louis 72.
March 27: Michigan 90, Alabama 77.
March 29: Michigan 95, Tennessee 62.
April 4: Michigan 91, Arizona 73.
What time is NCAA Tournament championship game in Final Four of March Madness?
When Roddy Gayle Jr. sank the second of two free throws with 2:34 remaining, it gave U-M 90 points for the fifth straight game in this year’s edition of March Madness. The Wolverines are the first team ever with 5 games of at least 90 points in a single NCAA tourney, breaking a tie with six other squads throughout the years.
On the men's side, UCLA (1965), Jacksonville (1970), UNLV (1990), Connecticut (1995) and Michigan’s only national champions, in 1989, are the others with four 90-point games. For the women, Notre Dame did it in 2018.
Of the six other teams, however, only four went on to win the national title: UCLA (which beat U-M in the final in the days when only four wins were needed to win a smaller tourney), U-M, UNLV and Notre Dame. Jacksonville scored just 69 points in a title-game loss to UCLA, and UConn scored 96 in a six-point loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight.
Michigan basketball 2026 NCAA Tournament results
Michigan’s previous 90-point games in this year’s NCAA Tournament:
March 19: Michigan 101, Howard 80.
March 21: Michigan 95, Saint Louis 72.
March 27: Michigan 90, Alabama 77.
March 29: Michigan 95, Tennessee 62.
April 4: Michigan 91, Arizona 73.
What time is NCAA Tournament championship game in Final Four of March Madness?
When Roddy Gayle Jr. sank the second of two free throws with 2:34 remaining, it gave U-M 90 points for the fifth straight game in this year’s edition of March Madness. The Wolverines are the first team ever with 5 games of at least 90 points in a single NCAA tourney, breaking a tie with six other squads throughout the years.
On the men's side, UCLA (1965), Jacksonville (1970), UNLV (1990), Connecticut (1995) and Michigan’s only national champions, in 1989, are the others with four 90-point games. For the women, Notre Dame did it in 2018.
Of the six other teams, however, only four went on to win the national title: UCLA (which beat U-M in the final in the days when only four wins were needed to win a smaller tourney), U-M, UNLV and Notre Dame. Jacksonville scored just 69 points in a title-game loss to UCLA, and UConn scored 96 in a six-point loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight.
Michigan basketball 2026 NCAA Tournament results
Michigan’s previous 90-point games in this year’s NCAA Tournament:
March 19: Michigan 101, Howard 80.
March 21: Michigan 95, Saint Louis 72.
March 27: Michigan 90, Alabama 77.
March 29: Michigan 95, Tennessee 62.
April 4: Michigan 91, Arizona 73.
What time is NCAA Tournament championship game in Final Four of March Madness?
DENVER, CO - APRIL 4: Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesús Luzardo (44) pitches in the first inning during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 4, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Philadelphia Phillies (5-3) grew their early season win streak to four games as they came out on the right side of a rare pitchers’ duel in Denver, defeating the Colorado Rockies (2-6) by a score of 2-1 on Saturday night.
Jesus Luzardo bounced back from his rough first start with a 6.2 IP 11 K gem. The Rockies scattered five hits and scored once against Luzardo during his 99 pitch performance.
The Rockies opted for a left-handed opener in Brennan Bernardino, who didn’t make it out of the first inning as the Phils opened the scoring two batters into the game via a leadoff walk by Trea Turner and a broken bat double by Kyle Schwarber.
Colorado tied it up in the bottom of the third on a pair of singles by Troy Johnston and Brett Sullivan.
Rockies’ young right handed starter, Chase Dollander, ate the majority of innings in the game from the third into the seventh and largely kept the Phillies’ offense at bay.
They finally cracked him in the top of the fifth inning as Brandon Marsh led off with a single followed by a JT Realmuto walk. Marsh came in to score the eventual winning run on a Turner double. Trea finished with two hits, a walk, a run scored and a run batted in, not to mention several solid defensive plays.
Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Justin Crawford each collected a hit while Bryce Harper and Adolis Garcia failed to reach base. Crawford notched his first of many career stolen bases and Garcia did contribute with a nice running catch.
Jose Alvarado came on in relief of Luzardo with two outs and a man on second in the bottom of the seventh and walked the next batter before getting out of the jam with a strikeout of Kyle Karros.
Brad Keller pitched a one-hit scoreless eighth and Jhoan Duran collected his third save of the season with a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth.
Taijuan Walker goes for the sweep tomorrow afternoon against Rockies’ right hander, Tomoyuki Sugano.
Cade Kelderman awaits a question from Jared Larson in the post Alcorn State game press conference.
Waukee Northwest alumnus Cade Kelderman announced his decision to enter the transfer portal after three years with the Iowa State program Saturday night. The 6-foot-1 guard tweeted a statement, in which he expressed deep gratitude for his time in Ames and the relationships he built while representing the Cyclones.
For Kelderman, putting on the Iowa State uniform was more than just a collegiate opportunity; it was the fulfillment of a long-held ambition.
“Wearing the cardinal and gold has been a childhood dream and is something I will always be proud of,” Kelderman said in the statement.
He extended specific thanks to the leadership within the program for helping him achieve that goal, stating, “Thank you coach T.J. and the entire staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be a Cyclone.”
Reflecting on his time in Ames, Kelderman emphasized that the impact of his time at Iowa State extends far beyond basketball.
He noted that the “Relationships I’ve built will last forever” and offered a special message to his fellow players: “To my teammates, thank you for the support and the memories we’ve created both on and off the court. Love all of you guys!”
While Kelderman is moving on to explore new horizons, he made it clear that his connection to the community remains strong.
“Ames will always hold a special place in my heart.”
As he prepares for the next step in his career, Kelderman noted that he is “excited for what’s next.”
Kelderman appeared in 45 games for the Cyclones, scoring 34 points, pulling down nine rebounds, dishing out 23 assists and stealing the ball 15 times.
In a 132-68 victory over Alcorn State during the 2025-26 season, the school record for points in a single game, Kelderman contributed seven points – a career high.
Los Angeles Kings players celebrating winning in overtime during an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 4th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
LOS ANGELES -- It may have taken the Los Angeles Kings less than two minutes to save their season, in an all-important 7-6, OT win over Toronto at Crypto.Com arena, as they continue to fight for the final wildcard playoff spot in the Western Conference.
They trailed the Maple Leafs 4-3 in the third period, when they erupted for three critical goals in those two minutes.
In the blink of an eye, Adrian Kempe tied it up at four, with his second goal of the game and 32nd of the season.
28 seconds later, Samuel Helenius scored just his fifth of the season, on a feed from Taylor Ward.
Bing, bang, boom, less than a minute later, they continued the flurry when Alex Laferriere’s 19th of the year suddenly gave them a two-goal lead.
“We said going into the third, stick with it,” said Kempe. “We’re gonna get scoring chances.”
Although as soon as they earned the lead, they gave right back, resulting in a third straight Overtime game on home ice. By doing so, the Kings broke the team record for the most Overtime games in an NHL season.
In OT, Quinton Byfield scored his second goal of the game, and 20th of the year, to get the win.
Even with the victory, if there was a diagnosis tape for everything that’s gone wrong for the Kings' season, it would be their performance against Toronto in Saturday’s late matinee. Their special teams proved why they are bottom five in the league in both Penalty Kill and Power Play.
“We’re gonna take the two points, and just throw the tape away, and move on to the next one,” coach D.J Smith said after the rollercoaster win.
Once again, the Kings dug themselves a big-time early hole, trailing 2-0 after the first period.
“We have to be more engaged in the starts,” Kempe added. I think we’re a little passive when we come out there.”
They assisted in their own misery when Anze Kopitar turned the puck over in his own zone on the Power Play, leading to a Steven Lorentz shorthanded score for Toronto.
It wasn’t like the home team didn’t have it’s chances. Laferriere watched a shot ring off the left post early in the game. Then, they didn’t convert on a four-minute man advantage ending the first, and heading into the second period.
That’s when things started to turn around. Byfield got the scoring started just 90 seconds into period number two. Then, a few minutes later, the Kings would get even, with Kempe scoring. In an instant, the game was tied 2-2.
It was 3-3, with just 13 seconds remaining in the second period until Toronto scored on the power play, with Easton Cowan taking the lead for the Leafs.
That’s when the madness of the third period ensued. A combined 10 goals would be scored in the second and third period.
In the end, the Kings do their part to keep their playoff hopes very much alive, as they get ready for another monster contest with Nashville.
“We’ve got ourselves another playoff game Monday night,” coach Smith said.
The Washington Capitals (39-29-9) keep their playoff hopes alive for now. They put up a whopping six goals against the red-hot Buffalo Sabres (46-23-8) for a 6-2 home victory on Saturday.
Buffalo had entered the game having already clinched its first playoff berth since 2011. However, the Capitals didn’t seem so phased by the news.
Washington quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead with goals from Jakob Chychrun, Dylan Strome, and Connor McMichael. However, Buffalo then cut the deficit to 3-2 before the first intermission.
Nevertheless, the Capitals kept the momentum in their favor with tallies from Aliaksei Protas, Ryan Leonard, and Tom Wilson. Wilson’s goal came shorthanded on a highlight-reel play.
McMichael and Protas each finished with a goal and an assist. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin and Pierre-Luc Dubois also contributed with a pair of assists each.
Logan Thompson made his 10th consecutive start in net and made a huge impression. He stopped 37 of 39 shots against the playoff-contending Sabres.
With the win, the Capitals are now one point behind the second Wild Card spot. They now head up to New York to face the Rangers on Sunday night.
Capitals Analysis
After a rough 7-3 loss to New Jersey on Thursday, the Capitals got off to the start they wanted. Chychrun recorded the first goal after Ovechkin’s shot didn’t go. Dubois recorded the secondary assist, as he now has points in three straight games.
20 seconds later, Strome made it 2-0 on a tap-in feed from Protas. Then, over two minutes later, McMichael responded after Chychrun’s shot went wide to make it 3-0, ending Alex Lyon’s night.
However, Buffalo didn’t back down as they showed why they’re such a surprising team this season. Rasmus Dahlin and former Capital Beck Malenstyn each scored on Logan Thompson to cut the deficit to 3-2.
The second period is when Protas came through in his return after colliding head-first with Nic Dowd in Vegas a week ago.
While on the 4-on-4, the 25-year-old went on a 2-on-1 with Cole Hutson and scored to extend the Capitals’ lead to 4-2. Protas now has 24 goals on the season, with 22 of them coming at even strength.
In the third, Leonard picked up a drop pass from Hutson and sniped one past Colten Ellis. The 21-year-old now has points in four straight games.
Then, the Capitals went on the penalty kill, as Wilson scored a highlight-reel shorthanded goal. He cut to the inside and backhanded the puck in the net to seal the game.
Capitals Report Card
Team: A-
The Capitals got off to a strong start, despite Buffalo attempting to rally, but finished strong. A much better performance than against New Jersey on Thursday.
Logan Thompson: A
Thompson stood tall in his 10th consecutive start. The 29-year-old stopped 37 of 39 shots against a red-hot Sabres team.
Connor McMichael: A
McMichael posted a multi-point performance, as his first-period goal made it 3-0. The 25-year-old made Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff switch goalies at that point.
Aliaksei Protas: A
Protas also finished with a multi-point performance in his return on Saturday. His 22 even-strength goals are the second-most on the team this season.
Tom Wilson: A
Wilson recorded a highlight-reel shorthanded goal to put the game out of reach. The alternate captain now has goals in three straight outings.
Last season, Cal Raleigh hit 60 homers. This season, he has zero through nine games.
That’s now partially thanks to Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell, who robbed what would have been the Seattle Mariners catcher’s first long ball of the season in the first inning of Saturday’s game.
Facing Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz, Raleigh clubbed a ball 104.7 mph and 370 feet to right field. It was a bona fide barrel… and landed just low enough for the 6-foot-2 Adell to snag it.
It’s been a slow start to the season for Raleigh, who entered Saturday slashing .138/.242/.172. He had so far registered only four hits while striking out an AL-high 16 times in 33 plate appearances.
And that’s after going 0-for-14 at the plate for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March.
Is that cause for panic? Well, food for thought, this time last year Raleigh was hitting 125/.250/.250 in seven games. He did have a homer by then, but the point is that disappointing numbers in early April are very easy to erase. Raleigh went on to finish second in AL MVP voting and become only the seventh player (or fourth, if you remove players with steroid allegations) in MLB history to reach 60 homers.
He was in obvious pain as he landed on the court and was slow to get up. He was fouled on the play and was able to shoot free throws before limping off the court to the Michigan locker room.
Arizona reeled off seven straight points after he left the game to cut Michigan’s lead to 28-21.
Lendeborg was able to briefly return to the Michigan bench before the end of the half, but again limped off the court before halftime.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jonathan Aranda hit a two-run double, Yandy Díaz drove in two runs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 7-1 on Saturday night.
Aranda’s double highlighted a three-run second inning, and Díaz later added an RBI triple as Tampa Bay rallied behind a strong start by Steven Matz.
Matz (2-0) allowed one run on two hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking two. Mick Abel (0-2) took the loss after allowing four runs on six hits in four innings for the Twins.
The Rays broke through in the second inning after Chandler Simpson reached on a throwing error and Ben Williamson walked. Díaz was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in the game’s first run. Aranda followed with a sharp double to right field that scored two more and gave Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead.
Minnesota answered in the bottom half when Brooks Lee lined a two-out RBI single to center that scored Matt Wallner and cut the deficit to 3-1.
Tampa Bay added another run in the third after Cedric Mullins reached on a bunt single, stole second and later scored on a double-play grounder by Williamson to extend the lead to 4-1.
The Rays stretched the margin in the fifth when Williamson singled home Mullins, and Hunter Feduccia followed with another RBI single to make it 6-1.
Díaz capped the scoring in the eighth with a triple to center field that drove in Richie Palacios.
Cole Sulser pitched two scoreless innings, and Mason Englert worked a scoreless ninth as Rays pitchers combined for a three-hitter and 12 strikeouts.
Up next
RHP Nick Martinez (0-0, 3.00 ERA) gets the start for the Rays, while RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (0-1, 3.60 ERA) takes the mound for the Twins in the series finale on Sunday.
Hill attended UCLA’s Spring practice earlier today and was offered a scholarship by UCLA OL coach Chris Smith. Hill committed on the spot and broke down why he chose the Bruins.
“I’m very excited about my decision,” Hill said. “I wanted to make an early commitment and I felt like UCLA was an opportunity too good to pass up.
“I was at the Junior Day back in January and I loved the new culture the coaches are bringing in. All the coaches have their kids around the building because they trust that everyone there in the building is a good influence. It’s a just great all around environment to be in.”
Hill said it’s obvious the coaches care about the players.
“You can tell they really care about the players as not just athletes but people too,” Hill said. “That was a big message from coach Chesney, wanting to really build you up on and off the field.
“During the practice, you can feel the energy surging out from the players. Everyone cheers each other on and it’s beneficial competition, that’s something I wanted to be a part of.”
Hill said he’s excited about the opportunity to play for Chris Smith as well.
“Coach Smith has an NFL background and development is big with him,” Hill said. “I really enjoyed talking with him and I know I can learn a lot from him and I feel like I already have.
“To be the best, you’ve got to be coached by the best and I feel like he’s one of the best coaches around. He understands what it takes to achieve success and I can’t wait to play for him.”
Hill is a true tackle prospect with high end physical traits. He’s all of 6-foot-6, pushing 6-foot-7, 300 pounds with an 83” wingspan. He’s a former baseball player who played catcher and you can see the baseball background in his game.
He’s a natural bender and gets off the ball well, which are two traits obviously needed to play catcher. He’s a fluid mover and has made a nice jump athletically over the last year.
He can still improve his feet and overall twitch but Hill is making strides in those areas. As he continues to fill out and add strength, he can take his game to another level.
“He’s the best OL prospect we’ve had since I’ve been here and we’ve had some good ones,” Eagles head coach David Machuca said. “He’s a late bloomer but has all the skills and size to be a great player at the next level.
“I’m really not sure why more schools didn’t go on him. He’s a no-brainer to me and still just scratching the surface. I think he can play for anyone and UCLA is getting a really good player and a hardworking kid off the field as well.”
It was eventful and occasionally dramatic but Garrett Mitchell dba Cleetus McFarland made it to the checkered flag in his NASCAR O’Reilly Series debut at Rockingham Speedway on Saturday.
Driving the No. 33 for Richard Childress Racing, McFarland finished 32nd and six laps behind winner William Sawalich and there was a lot that happened over 250 laps in the sand hills.
Off the initial start, he found himself three-wide and sideways but saved it and kept going
Narrowly avoided a collision with a sideways Blake Lothian
Pit road speeding penalties
Numerous half-spins
McFarland called it 'the hardest thing I have ever done in my life' but also celebrated gaining one overall position on the day.
“Did I ruin anyone’s day other than my own,” he asked. “I did not. This was one hell of an opportunity and I got my ass kicked but I finished the race. That was our goal.
“So we did meet our goals. We did have higher expectations, or higher wants — I think we got to 26th for a minute and I was like so excited just to hear that that literally the next corner I went in and spun out because I was just going too danged fast for my own abilities.”
McFarland said he got too ambitious during that initial start.
"I had a ton of confidence, and then I spun out, then about 50 laps into the race, when I was kind of on my own racing those other four guys, I got my confidence back. That carried on for a while."
He said that first spin killed his tires for the first run and it was a lesson about what that does to his overall grip.
"At that moment I was like, I have put myself in the worst position I could possibly be in right now," he said. "I am way in over my head. But I knew we just had to get to the end and that's what we did."
At one point, teammate Jesse Love was in the back and saving his tires to restart on them come the start of the next stage. McFarland said he tried to learn from that opportunity and did.
“I was already way back in the field, I got behind Jesse Love when he was saving tires,” McFarland said. “And I could catch him, but just watching his line, I was like, ‘Shoot, I’ve been doing that wrong all day.’ Learned so much and the guys were helping me a lot on the radios. It was great.
“I mean I think I spun out 50 times, almost died 10 times. And overall I’m here with a car that’s not destroyed. I didn’t ruin anyone’s day, which was my main goal. I did want to stay out of the news more. You know, Dale Jr. said, ‘Please, stay out of the news.’ That was my goal. But several times I just overdrove the corner, and then the one time I lost it and caused a caution.”
The reason McFarland was in this race is that NASCAR had required him to participate at Rockingham as part of an approval process to race at Talladega in the O’Reilly Series at the end of the month.
He finished fourth earlier in the day in the ARCA East race for Rette Jones Racing but still has less than a dozen full bodied stock car appearances on his resume and NASCAR doesn’t want a driver that didn’t meet an approval process potentially crashing series regulars at Talladega.
McFarland feels like he did enough to compete at Talladega.
“So all in all, I made a ton of mistakes and I learned a lot,” McFarland said. “I hope to stay more out of the news than I did but I have a lot to learn. And you know, all this internet talk, it got me thinking maybe I shouldn’t come back …
“PSYCH! See you guys in two weeks at Talladega. That’s right!”
Richard Childress Racing’s vice president of O’Reilly Series operations, Danny Lawrence, offered a nuanced response to his driver’s efforts.
"Well, it's a big step," Lawrence told Motorsport.com. "This is a hard race track and he did really good a couple of times where he could have spun the car out in front of everybody and didn't. I think if we were to go green tomorrow, he would be way better.
"He learned a lot in a short amount of time and I think it shows everyone what a big step this is going into the O'Reilly Series. I think he did a great job but we got to be better."
So, to wit, Lawrence isn't totally sure NASCAR has seen enough to grant approval for Talladega.
"Well, they'll look at everything," Lawrence said. "They might ask us to run another race because the thing about it is we didn't get to do a live pit stop. There were a lot of things they wanted to see happen that didn't happen.
"When he got sideways early, we automatically went into this conservation mode of just keep rolling and don't push it too hard. So, it's going to be close, but I would not be surprised if NASCAR didn't want us to run another race before we got to Daytona and Talladega. Everything happens so fast there that we all want to be prepared when we do take him there."
Justin Allgaier, the 2024 series champion praised McFarland for staying out of the way every time they lapped him, without incident.
“I thought Cleetus did a great job,” Allgaier said. “You know, he did a really good job this morning in the ARCA race to come home with a top-five was just trying to figure out where he needed to be at today. He had one spin off Turn 4 and I don’t know what happened but I do not envy his position at all.
“I know that today had to be really tough on him, especially with some of the social media stuff that he’s had going against him the past few weeks, so I’m proud of him. He put in the effort and tried to make sure he was where he needed to be to have s a solid day.
“I think he did exactly what he needed to do and hopefully he had a good time.”
Would Allgaier trust McFarland enough to push him in the draft?
“Look man, I can't answer that because I think there's a couple that we race with weekly that I don’t know that I would want to draft with at Talladega,” Allgaier said.
Allgaier reiterated what he said earlier in the weekend in stating that he believes the YouTube sensation has a greater respect and appreciation for what the NASCAR regulars do each week.
“It’s not that I don’t think he respected it when he started, but I think he respect more the time and effort that goes into this than he did before,” Allgaier said. “Like I said, I hope he had a great time and runs 100 races or he runs one more, I had no problem racing with him today. He did a good job.”
Michigan couldn't have started much hotter against Arizona in Saturday's Final Four matchup, but Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg ran into a couple of hiccups along the way.
Two fouls in the first two minutes sent Lendeborg to the bench for an extended stretch, and he was forced to exit the game with an injury once he returned.
Lendeborg limped back to the locker room at Lucas Oil Stadium, concerning Michigan fans as the Wolverines pursued a return to the national championship game for the first time since 2018.
Here's what you need to know about Lendeborg's injury and status going forward.
Lendeborg landed awkwardly on Motiejus Krivas' shoe and appeared to turn his ankle, leaving him in significant pain. He would come out of the game and walk back to locker room.
While the TBS broadcast reported Lendeborg would have his ankle taped and likely return, it was soon reported that Michigan's training staff was also looking at the senior's knee.
Indianapolis — If Michigan wants to play for a national championship, it may have to do so without its best player.
With 8:51 to play in the first half of a Final Four game against Arizona on Saturday night, Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg rolled his left ankle on a drive after he stepped on the foot of Arizona center Motiejus Krivas. After hitting two free throws, he subbed out of the game and headed down the tunnel with the help of a trainer.
Lendeborg’s pain showed immediately. After he got up from falling, he walked down the court wincing, squatting to collect himself. He tied his shoes tighter to boos from some Arizona fans before hitting his foul shots. Then he walked to the bench, down the stairs past concerned teammates before heading off to be evaluated.
Arizona went on a 9-0 run after Lendeborg left the game.
Lendeborg returned to the Michigan bench, walking gingerly, with about six minutes left in the first half, but did not immediately return to the game. He then returned to the locker room before the end of the half.
Lendeborg was the Big Ten Player of the Year and leads Michigan with 15.2 points per game, but he played just five minutes of the game against Arizona. In the span of 1:22, he picked up two defensive fouls and had to sub out, returning at 12:57 as the Wolverines led 19-10.
Lendeborg made a 3-pointer and hauled in a rebound before leaving the game with his injury.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Seth Jarvis had two goals and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the New York Islanders 4-3 on Saturday night for their fourth victory in five games.
Sebastian Aho broke a tie with a short-handed goal in the second period, Jackson Blake also scored and K’Andre Miller had two assists, and rookie Brandon Bussi made 13 saves to boost his season record to 29-6-1.
Marc Gatcomb, Max Shabanov and Anders Lee scored for the Islanders, They have a four-game losing streak for the first time this season. Ilya Sorokin made 36 saves in his 11th straight start.
Lee’ goal with 1:37 to play with the Islanders — third in the Metropolitan Division — going with an extra skater gave them a chance but they couldn’t break through again.
The Islanders had one-goal leads after Gatcomb scored in the first and Shabanov in the second. Shabanov was in his third game since the Olympic break and his first since March 13. He had been out with a lower-body injury and then missed games as a healthy scratch.
Aho’s go-ahead goal with 3:43 left in the second period gave the Hurricanes their sixth short-handed goal in nine games.
The Metropolitan-leading Hurricanes were playing in their first game since clinching a playoff berth two nights earlier. It was Carolina’s second straight strong defensive effort after allowing only 10 shots on goal Thursday night vs. Columbus.
Carolina has defeated the Islanders in all three meetings and they’ll meet again in the regular-season finale.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Aliaksei Protas had a goal and assist in his return from injury and the Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-2 on Saturday night.
Jakob Chychrun and Connor McMichael also had a goal and assist, and Dylan Strome, Ryan Leonard and Tom Wilson also scored for the Capitals, who have won four of their last five and moved within one point of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and assist, and Beck Malenstyn also scored for the Sabres, who clinched a playoff berth for the first time in an NHL-record 14 seasons but have dropped two in a row.
Washington had Buffalo on its heels early, scoring three goals in the first six minutes for a 3-0 lead.
Chychrun opened the scoring with a rebound off a shot from Alex Ovechkin in front, and 20 seconds later, Strome finished off a tic-tac-toe passing play to extend the lead. Just over two minutes later, McMichael picked up a rim from Chychrun off the boards and snuck it past Alex Lyon, ending Lyon’s night as Colten Ellis took over in net.
Following a timeout and goalie change, the Sabres responded. Just 38 seconds after McMichael’s goal, Dahlin cut to the inside and sniped a shot past Logan Thompson. Minutes later, Malenstyn got to the front and lifted home a rebound.
Protas restored Washington’s two-goal lead early in the second, calling his own number on a 2-on-1 break.
In the third, Leonard struck from the slot, and Wilson scored shorthanded.
Thompson, making his 10th straight start for Washington, had 37 saves.
Michigan basketball big Yaxel Lendeborg appeared to hurt his ankle the Wolverines' game against Arizona in the Final Four on Saturday, April 4, as he landed while fouled on a layup attempt.
After taking a minute to collect himself, he hit both free throws before being subbed out and headed to the locker room.
The team soon after announced that he was getting ice on the ankle and getting it retaped and was expected to return soon.
Michigan held a double-digit lead when Lendeborg departed.
Lendeborg missed a few minutes in Michigan's Final Four-clinching victory over Tennessee last weekend. He also sat early on Saturday after picking up two quick fouls in the first 90 seconds against the Wildcats.
After sitting for nearly 7 minutes, Lendeborg returned and went to work, driving through the lane and leaping for a finger roll, then falling awkwardly and rolling head over heels after Arizona was called for a foul. He screamed as he went to get up, banged both hands on the court and then walked all the way back to Michigan's back court, limping before he doubled over for a moment.
Lendeborg stepped up to the line and hit both free throws, but Morez Johnson Jr. was subbed in for him. When the forward left the game, he didn't head to the bench, but rather up the tunnel in the direction of Michigan's locker room with trainer Chris Williams.
Lendeborg had five points and one rebound in five minutes to open his Final Four debut.
The Golden State Warriors have put together their teams through a variety of ways over the years, yet few approaches have proven as successful as the NBA draft. More than anything else, the most talented players to represent the Warriors have arrived in Golden State either by being selected directly in the annual draft or through trades executed on that same night.
The Golden State Warriors have taken many of their top stars through the draft, but have also landed a number of notable players over the years as well. From tiny colleges to blue blood programs, these alumni have contributed significantly to the team's roster over the years. So, we chose to take a closer look at which Dubs came from which schools over the years.
So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Warriors out of Alabama.
Robert Scott - guard
Draft year and position: fourth round (second pick, 71st overall), 1980 NBA Draft
Seasons at Alabama: four
Seasons played with Warriors: did not make the team
Bobby Lee Hurt - center
Draft year and position: second round (18th pick, 42nd overall), 1985 NBA Draft AND sixth round (5fifh pick, 121st overall), 1986 NBA Draft
Seasons at Alabama: four
Seasons played with Warriors: did not make the team
Latrell Sprewell - wing
Draft year and position: first round (24th pick, 24th overall), 1992 NBA Draft
Seasons at Alabama: two
Seasons played with Warriors: six
Jermareo Davidson - forward
Draft year and position: secnd round (sixth pick, 36th overall), 2007 NBA Draft
Seasons at Alabama: four
Seasons played with Warriors: one
Richard Hendrix - forward
Draft year and position: second round (19th pick, 49th overall), 2008 NBA Draft
Seasons at Alabama: three
Seasons played with Warriors: did not make the team
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
The Houston Rockets have had players donning a total of 52 different jersey numbers (and have one not part of any numerical series for Houston assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson) since their founding at the start of the 1967-68 season, worn by just under 500 players in the course of Rockets history.
To honor all of the players who wore those numbers over the decades, Rockets Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who wore them since the founding of the team all those years ago right up to the present day.
With seven of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Rockets of all time to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.
And for today's article, we will continue with the 21st of 21 who wore the No. 10, big man alum Jabari Smith Jr. After ending his college career at Auburn, Smith was picked up with the third overall selection of the 2022 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets.
The Fayetteville, Georgia native played the first four seasons of his pro career with Houston, and remains with the team at the time of writing.
During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Smith wore only jersey Nos. 1 and 10 and put up 13.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
INDIANAPOLIS – From the scowls to the play calls to the angry gestures to the rare (often sarcastic) smirks, all the way to the postgame handshake lines, Dan Hurley is as at home on the Final Four stage as Bryan Cranston on Broadway. It is one masterpiece after another.
Whatever challenge Hurley is presented when we arrive at this stage of the NCAA Tournament, he conjures something to assure his team is playing at its highest level, perhaps beyond.
This could be said, as well, of the Connecticut Huskies.
They were the ones, from senior Alex Karaban to freshman Braylon Mullins, who handled the business of a 71-62 victory over Illinois in the first NCAA semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium. They were the ones who turned the Illini back into a team filled with capable scoring options who decided, as they had too frequently during the regular season, the available shot was a reasonable alternative to the preferred shot.
“They’re a tough guard. They have so many offensive weapons out there,” UConn associate head coach Kimani Young told The Sporting News. “We just felt like if we could hold up one-on-one, that would put us in a good position. Obviously, we wanted to do a great job on the defensive glass; a ton of their offense comes from the glass. And the defending without fouling was a huge key. Taking away threes from their really, really good shooters and kind of living with some of the respectable 3-point shooters, and it just kind of went our way.”
Yeah, that’s one way to put it.
Holding up in matchups: Illinois shot 13-of-30 on 2-point attempts and shot 33.9 percent from the field, their poorest number in that category.
Protecting the defensive glass: The Illini retrieved just 31 percent of their own missed shots.
Defending without fouling: Only guard Silas Demery hit the four-personal mark.
Taking away best shooters: Ben Humrichous and Jake Davis released only four of Illinois’ 26 3-point attempts. They were a combined 1-of-4.
“Those are the two guys that can absolutely shoot the cover off the ball,” said Young, who was assigned the scouting report for this game. “We weren’t helping off them. They do a lot of stuff in the middle of the floor, where they pick-and-pop, and they’re almost inviting you to full rotate to a guy like (Tomislav Ivisic), then one more to a guy like Davis or Humrichous. That’s where you’re in trouble.”
Got all that? Yeah, that’s the science.
It’s not that simple, though, is it?
That UConn found its way through its own meager March to the grandest of college basketball stages felt far beyond its standard March miracles, far more difficult to explain, even, than the 2011 team winning 11 consecutive elimination games, or the 2014 Huskies surging from a No. 7 seed to the top of the trophy platform, and certainly more than Emeka Okafor and friends recovering from an 8-point deficit in the last four minutes to win their 2004 semifinal against Duke.
This is the team that lost to 11-19 Marquette on the final day of the regular season, the team St. John’s blasted by 20 in the Big East Tournament final, the team that trailed Duke’s latest No. 1 seed by 10 points with 6 minutes remaining and by 2 with a half-second remaining.
Solo Ball had shot 3-of-21 from 3-point range in this tournament. Reserve forward Jaylin Stewart had missed more than a month with a nagging knee injury. Point guard Silas Demery Jr. missed the tournament’s first game with a high ankle sprain, then played hurt in wins over UCLA and Michigan State on the way to the East Region final. Until his pair of late threes in the comeback against Duke, he hadn’t made a 3-pointer in 15½ days. Freshman wing Braylon Mullins was 6-of-23 on NCAA Tournament threes until his buzzer-beater eliminated Duke in the Elite Eight.
This is UConn in March, though.
It does not matter if the coach is Jim Calhoun, Kevin Ollie or Dan Hurley.
It does not matter if it’s Khalid El-Amin off a high ball screen, Okafor torturing the unfortunate Blue Devils bigs who hadn’t fouled out of that semi, or Kemba Walker breaking ankles and busting threes. One can try to believe there is no such thing as magic or voodoo or sorcery, but there has to be some supernatural force at work when UConn arrives at the Final Four.
You know how many times this program had lost at the semifinal stage, in seven prior appearances? Once. One tries to evaluate the Huskies based on the team they’re presenting and how it’s performing, and it seems not to matter at all.
Against Illinois, Ball scored 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting from long range. Demery had nine rebounds and seven assists and was one of the key defenders as Illini All-American Keaton Wagler shot 2 of 10 on threes. Stewart hit a key 3-pointer. Mullins made four threes in his return home to Indiana – he’s from up I-70 in Greenfield – and finished with 15 points. His 3-pointer with 52 seconds left clinched the victory after the Illini had closed a 14-point lead down to 63-59.
If UConn can win the championship Monday, there will be a case for UConn’s NCAA Tournament dynasty – that would be three titles in four years – as being comparable to what John Wooden achieved at UCLA.
“You’re set up for success at UConn. Geno Auriemma, Jim Calhoun, Kevin Ollie – just some incredible coaches before me,” Hurley told Turner Sports. “Got the best staff in the country, got an incredible group of players, and there’s nothing like the bus ride on Monday night over to the stadium when you’re one of the last two teams standing.”
Sorry to mix a metaphor here, but Hurley was booed as if he were Breaking Bad’s Walter White as he spoke to the Turner television crew in an oncourt interview after the game, the Illinois-heavy crowd embracing him as a villain rather than a genius.
Apr 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (8) hits a two run double against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images | Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Decked out in Minnesota’s freshest uniforms, and making his first start at Target Field, Mick Abel struggled through four innings, and the Twins lineup was unable to keep things interesting, as the Rays evened the series with a snoozy 7-1 victory.
Abel labored through his first two innings, allowing a pair of two-out baserunners in the first, then surrendering a leadoff single and a walk to start the second, before hitting the #9 hitter on an 0-2 pitch to load the bases. After a mound visit, Abel plunked the leadoff hitter to get the Rays on the board, then served up a two-run double to Jonathan Aranda that made it a 3-0 Tampa Bay lead, and helped guarantee that Abel’s pitch count would soar above 50 before he had recorded five outs.
Abel would strand the last two Ray runners, but it wasn’t a particularly confidence-inspiring introduction to the Saturday night game.
Minnesota was able to bounce back in the home second, with Matt Wallner resetting Friday’s tone by leading off with a groundball single; Ryan Jeffers worked a walk in a great at-bat to follow it up. A strikeout of Victor Caratini and another (another) wonderful defensive play by Cedric Mullins stopped all the runners from advancing, but the Twins would get a run across on a two-out Brooks Lee liner to center.
But Abel would never settle down, giving the run back in the third and giving up another two baserunners in the fourth inning. With his pitch count up to 84 (53 strikes), Abel would not return for the fifth inning; instead, it would be Taylor Rogers coming in for middle relief, and making his first appearance as a Twin at Target Field since the 2021 season.
It wasn’t the world’s greatest homecoming — (that was yours! Don’t you remember the wonder of being young?) — Rogers allowed the Rays to add a pair of insurance runs on three hits, pushing the Tampa Bay lead to 6-1 before the game was halfway over.
On the flip side, the Twins were only able to tag Steven Matz for two hits through five, the latest stretch in a streak of mostly uninspiring offensive performances; the team was hitting a combined .217 entering tonight’s game.
Anthony Banda became the first Twins pitcher to post a scoreless line, keeping the Rays off the board in the sixth. Zak Kent would do the same in the seventh, then tried the old “double it and give it to the next guy” trick, except the next guy was him, so he gave up a run in the eighth. (He also apparently broke math by doubling zero and getting one. Somebody call Terrence Howard.)
Minnesota rolled over and died on offense through the middle innings; Luke Keaschall’s one-out, eighth-inning single was the first Twin hit since the second, and one of their only baserunners in the game.
The tiebreaker is set for tomorrow, with a Sunday matinee deciding which team will win the series, as is usually the case in tiebreakers of all kinds.
Michigan men's basketball is off to a strong start against No. 1 Arizona in the Final Four, but the Wolverines have lost a big part of their scoring.
Wolverines guard Yaxel Lendeborg limped off the court at Lucas Oil Stadium and headed immediately into the tunnel in the first half to get tended to by Michigan's medical staff. He appeared to have twisted his ankle on the previous play after stepping over Wildcats forward Motiejus Krivas while going to the basket for a layup. The broadcast later added his knee was hurt on the play as well.
"I just got word that Yaxel Lendeborg is getting iced and ankle retaped and will be back as soon as they complete that," CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson said on the broadcast.
Yaxel Lendeborg injury update
Lendeborg appeared to have twisted his left ankle after going up for a layup in the first half against Arizona in the Final Four.
Later, it was reported he also injured his knee on the play. The extent of the injury is unclear.
The Montreal Canadiens were in New Jersey on Saturday night, facing the Devils at the Prudential Centre.
The Habs blew a 3-0 lead, but emerged with two points as they finally beat the Devils in the shootout, reaching the 100-point mark in the process.
For the view from the other side of the rink, don’t forget to visit our sister site, New Jersey Hockey Now.
Let’s dive into the highlights!
Struble Impact
The Canadiens got off to a great start, with defenceman Jayden Struble finding the back of the net for the second time this season, assisted by Arber Xhekaj and Cole Caufield. The Habs rarely out shoot their opponents, making every single shot on net a valuable contribution. They don’t have to be perfect shots like the one unleashed by Struble, however, nice goals always work wonders when it comes to a shooter’s confidence.
The Habs doubled their lead midway through the second period, when rookie Ivan Demidov scored his 17th goal of the season, a powerplay marker.
Even though he was just one goal away from reaching 50, it was an assist-filled night for Caufield, who registered his second apple on the Demidov scoring play.
With the Canadiens in complete control of the game, phenom Lane Hutson handed his team a 3-0 lead, and while it did not seem like a very important goal at the time given the score, the Devils would go on to score three consecutive times, tying the game late in the third period.
Possible de renommer le renommer le « fleuve Hutson »?
A rather eventful overtime period made way to the shootouts, though it should be noted the Devils almost ended the game when Jakub Dobes got involved in some extracurricular activities behind his net. Such is life with a netminder who loves to stretch his legs.
In the ensuing shootout, it was another rookie who took centre stage. After Demidov and Caufield had scored, it was up to Oliver Kapanen to secure the 3-2 shootout win for the Canadiens. The first-year player made no mistake, calmly beating Jake Allen to push the team’s regular-season tally to 100 points.
It was also Montreal’s eighth straight win, the exact type of streak you want to see a team enjoy before the playoffs begin. As the adage goes, the Habs are peaking at the right time.
The Montreal Canadiens will be back in action on Sunday, facing the very same New Jersey Devils. This time around, the game will take place in Montreal, with the puck drop scheduled for 5 pm ET.
All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick.
HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — Julian Hall, Emil Forsberg and Mohammed Sofo each scored a goal and the New York Red Bulls beat Cincinnati FC 4-2 on Saturday night.
Ethan Horvath had four saves for the Red Bulls (3-2-1)
Hall opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Cade Cowell, on the counter-attack, played a low cross from the right side to a charging Hall for a first-touch finish that deflected off goalkeeper Evan Louro and rolled into the net to give the Red Bulls a 1-0 lead.
Hall, an 18-year-old homegrown, has scored in back-to-back games and has five goals this season.
Pavel Bucha and Kyle Smith scored a goal apiece for Cincinnati.
Samuel Gidi played a long ball-ahead to Kevin Denkey, who cut inside and tapped a pass to Bucha for a rolling finish from inside the penalty arc that made it 1-1 in the 17th minute.
Forsberg scored on a free kick from the edge of the penalty arc that ricocheted off the crossbar into the net to give the Red Bulls a 2-1 lead in the 48th.
New York took a two-goal lead in the 66th when Cowell's cross from the right side was redirected into the net by Smith.
Smith trimmed Cincinnati's deficit to 3-2 in the 72nd.
Alvas Powell was shown a straight red card in the fifth minute of stoppage time and Cincinnati (2-4-0) played a man down the rest of the way.
Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Logan Henderson (43) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images
The Brewers and Royals played a game with a lot of baserunners but not a lot of action tonight, except for one big inning. The Royals busted the game open with a five-run, two-out rally in the sixth, an inning full of sloppiness on Milwaukee’s part, a Royals inning that felt almost Brewers-y. The Brewers, meanwhile, weren’t able to muster much offensively, and ended up settling with a split of today’s doubleheader (here’s the recap of the first game, if you would like some happier reading). Hopefully, the game was the only thing the Brewers lost tonight, as Sal Frelick became the latest Brewers position player to deal with an injury when he exited the game after hitting a single in the fourth inning.
Royals starter Seth Lugo was on his game early tonight, and retired the first six Brewer hitters. Logan Henderson, Milwaukee’s 27th man and tonight’s starter, wasn’t quite as sharp. In the first inning, Maikel Garcia led off with a single but was erased when trying to steal second on a perfect throw from Gary Sánchez.
An absolute LASER from El Gary to cut down the runner
In the second inning, the Kansas City leadoff hitter reached again when Salvador Perez walked. Jac Caglianone flew out for the first out, but Jonathan India hit a single and Carter Jensen put the first runs on the board with a two-run double into the right field corner. Henderson retired Isaac Collins and Kyle Isbel to end the inning and limit the damage, but in a flip of the early game, it was the Royals, not the Brewers, who led 2-0 through two innings.
David Hamilton was the first Brewer baserunner following a great at-bat to lead off the third: he fouled off four straight 1-2 pitches before knocking a single through the infield on the eighth pitch he saw. Blake Perkins battled with Hamilton on first and made Lugo throw nine more pitches, but he struck out. Joey Ortiz struck out, too, but Brice Turang hit a fly ball into a good spot in left that Collins couldn’t catch on a dive, and Turang ended up at third base with an RBI triple.
Garrett Mitchell was next, and Lugo left a mistake right over the middle, a hanging sweeper in a 2-1 count, that Mitchell laced it into the right field gap. Mitchell had a double, his third run-scoring extra-base hit of the day (after two in the day game), and Turang scored to tie the game at two. Lugo got Christian Yelich to end the inning, but the Brewers had two big two-out RBIs, and Lugo was all the way up to 63 pitches through three innings.
Henderson, who isn’t fully stretched out and threw only 45 pitches in his one start at Triple-A Nashville earlier this week, was done after two innings and 35 pitches (and a long layoff in the top of the third). The originally scheduled starter, Brandon Sproat, was on against the top of the Royals’ order. He got Maikel Garcia to strike out and then made Bobby Witt Jr. look like a much worse baseball player than he is with a nasty sinker that Witt over for strike three. A Vinnie Pasquantino walk extended the inning, but Perez hit a harmless grounder to short and the inning was over.
Sal Frelick hit a two-out single in the top of the fourth, but he appeared to wince as he got to first. After a visit from Pat Murphy and the team’s athletic trainer, Frelick was removed in favor of Brandon Lockridge. Hopefully the Brewers don’t have a third injury-list addition early this season, but we’ll keep an eye out for updates (Sophia Minnaert later reported “left side tightness”). Lockridge, the injury replacement, stole second, and Hamilton had another long plate appearance before drawing a walk to put runners on first and second. Perkins walked, too, and—gasp—Ortiz was up with the bases loaded. Unfortunately, he struck out, looking a bit foolish on a 2-2 slurve off the outside of the plate. The game remained tied, but Lugo was all the way up to 91 pitches through four.
Sproat’s second inning didn’t go quite as smoothly, but he contributed to getting himself out of it. After Caglianone walked to start things, India struck out, and then Sproat picked Caglianone off at first base. A Jensen fly out to left ended the inning with no damage.
Lugo kept going in the fifth, which he may not have done had today not been a double header. But Lugo struck out Turang, and he got the second out after Mitchell appeared to have an infield hit but was called out upon review. On the next pitch, Lugo’s 103rd, Yelich grounded out to end the inning.
Sproat again walked the leadoff batter, Collins, in the bottom of the fifth. After a visit from Chris Hook, Milwaukee got the first out when Kyle Isbel bunted Collins to second. Garcia hit a sinking line drive into left that looked destined for the grass, but Lockridge—quite a luxury in left field—came out of nowhere and made a sliding catch for the second out. Sproat still needed to get Witt to get out of the inning, but he needed only three pitches to strike him out for the second time. The game remained tied headed to the sixth.
Old friend Nick Mears was on the hill for Kansas City in relief of Lugo, and he had no trouble putting Jake Bauers, Sánchez, and Lockridge in order. Sproat did get the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the inning, which is good, but Salvy Perez got him with one out and hit a first-pitch curveball out to center field. Sproat recovered to strike out Caglianone (an at-bat that featured two challenges by Caglianone, the second an unsuccessful one on a 3-2 pitch) but India and Jensen hit back-to-back two-out singles to put runners on the corners. Collins was up for what felt like a momentous at-bat, and he delivered an RBI single up the middle on a 2-2 pitch that increased KC’s lead to 4-2.
That was the last pitch for Sproat, who was replaced by Jared Koenig. Koenig fell behind the number-nine-hitter Isbel 3-0 before serving up a 3-1, 92 mph sinker right down the middle that Isbel lined into center for another RBI single. Garcia, up next, also got a pitch right down the middle—this one a changeup—and hit a double down the left field line that scored another. After an intentional walk to Witt, Pasquantino hit a chopper at Bauers which he couldn’t snag. The team’s first error of the year (!) resulted in another run, and a wild pitch scored another, and after another intentional walk (this one to Perez), Caglianone finally grounded out to end the inning. Between Caglianone’s strikeout for the second out and his groundout to end the inning, eight straight Royals reached, five of them scored, and the Brewers were in an 8-2 hole.
Sproat looked better today, but he was still fighting his control. The stuff is certainly intriguing—he throws hard and it moves. The issue right now is that he doesn’t really seem to know where it’s going to go. He didn’t get much of an assist from Koenig today, but his final line was four runs allowed in 3 2/3 innings on four hits, three walks, and four strikeouts.
With one out in the top of the seventh, Perkins hit a fly ball down the left-field line that should have been caught, but it bounced out of Collins’ glove (apparently in fair territory) and Perkins ended up at second on a two-base error. The next batter, Ortiz, hit a ball up the middle that India fielded but on which he had no throw, so Milwaukee had runners on the corners with one out for the top of the order. But Turang struck out on three pitches, and Mitchell struck out on four, and the Royals’ 27th man, Eli Morgan, had a zero on the board.
DL Hall worked around a four-pitch walk and two wild pitches to put up a zero in the bottom of the seventh. Luis Matos made his Brewers debut to lead off the eighth (he replaced Yelich, who was removed merely for blowout purposes), and he drew a four-pitch walk. But one pitch later, Bauers grounded into a fielder’s choice that erased Matos, then Sánchez struck out, and Lockridge grounded out to third.
Hall remained for Milwaukee in the bottom of the eighth. He gave up a leadoff single to Garcia (his third hit tonight), but picked him off—the second Brewer pickoff of the game! A pitch later, Witt grounded out to third, and after a bit of a battle Pasquantino popped out to end the inning. Morgan, in his third inning of work, cleanly retired the bottom of the order, and the game was over.
Henderson, Sproat, and Koenig all struggled to varying degrees tonight. Hall wasn’t perfect, but he at least managed to put up a couple of zeroes, something no other Brewer pitcher accomplished tonight. The offense was only able to muster five hits on the evening, with the only extra-base hits being the double and triple that Turang and Mitchell hit back-to-back in the third.
The Brewers and Royals will decide this series tomorrow afternoon. That’s a 1:10 p.m. start, and will feature a pitching matchup of Milwaukee’s Kyle Harrison and Kansas City’s Kris Bubic.
TAMPA, FL - APRIL 4: Darren Raddysh #43 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates a goal against the Boston Bruins at Benchmark International Arena on April 4, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Perhaps it’s time for us to just accept that the Bruins and Florida Men don’t pair well together.
After a solidly played first 40 minutes, the Bruins allowed three unanswered goals in the third period to drop their second Florida game in a row, losing to Tampa Bay, 3-1.
Casey Mittelstadt scored the Bruins’ only goal early in the second period, while Jeremy Swayman made 20 saves in the defeat.
Charle-Edouard D’Astous tied the game for Tampa two minutes into the third period, then Darren Raddysh gave the Lightning the lead with just over five minutes left in regulation.
Nikita Kucherov would add an empty-net goal, and that was that.
The Bruins’ goal came off of a beautiful pass from Viktor Arvidsson, with Mittelstadt cashing in to make it 1-0 Bruins.
D’Astous’s goal came on a good bit of second effort from him, helped by some calamitous defending from the Bruins, making it a 1-1 game early in the third.
Yikes. You can look at the Florida game as one where the team got off to a slow start, got going, and got goalie’d a bit. Tonight was almost the opposite, with the B’s playing well early (they outshot Tampa 19-13 in the first two periods) before falling apart.
This isn’t to pin a loss on a single player, but that Raddysh goal can’t happen. Swayman cannot get beat from there, let alone in the last six minutes of the third period. The entire sequence looked like something you’d have happen to you when playing NHL23 (or pick your year) online: random defenseman gets the puck in the neutral zone, skates up the ice unbothered, shoots from a weird angle, scores, then some teenager starts swearing at you.
I’m not sure there’s much in this, but it’s worth noting that both of Tampa’s non-empty-net goals came off of plays that started in their own zone. I know that’s usually true of every goal if you rewind it far enough, but both goals seemed to come with the Bruins getting caught flat-footed when an offensive attempt petered out.
The Bruins went 0-for-4 on the power play, which certainly didn’t help matters. They had two chances in the first period, then had a big power play chance just two minutes after D’Astous’s goal, only to come up empty. NOT GREAT.
Also in the “NOT GREAT” file, the Bruins managed just three shots on goal in the third period. Yes, Tampa had as many goals as the Bruins had shots. I am not a paid analyst, but you’re not going to win that many games when that happens.
Mittelstadt’s goal was his 15th of the season, equaling his previous career high; that came back in 2023 with the Buffalo Sabres.
Depending on your mood at the moment, the Bruins either blew a big opportunity with this game or caught a big break tonight. They failed to pick up any points, but Detroit, Ottawa, Columbus, and the Islanders all lost Saturday as well, so the Bruins didn’t really lose any ground.
Montreal did end up winning on Saturday, putting that third spot in the Atlantic a bit further out of reach. They’re now six points ahead of the Bruins, with a game in hand as well.
Some minor housekeeping: with this recap up and a 3:30 PM game tomorrow, there won’t be a separate preview for that game.
We’ll put up a Public Skate a bit earlier than usual, so feel free to congregate there.
If you observe, Happy Easter. If you don’t, Happy Sunday?
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 04: Starter Bryce Elder #55 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Chase Field on April 04, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Coming into this game, the Braves had exorcised a lot of their 2025 demons with their 6-2 start, but one remained conspicuously absent: the one-run loss. Well, in their ninth game of the season, they finally had a one-run decision, and, in somewhat-reminiscent-of-2025 fashion, it was a loss that probably could have, and at times begged to, go a different way. In brief: Bryce Elder was outstanding, but his own defensive miscue doomed the Braves, who couldn’t find the hits that have made the start of their season a success thus far.
Elder was, as noted, really good — but former teammate and Braves Country favorite son Michael Soroka was… not. Still, as we’ve seen repeatedly in the first few games of this season, a pitcher’s performance is only part of the equation as far as the box score is concerned, and that disparity didn’t matter in the end result here.
Soroka ended up with a 3/3 K/BB ratio in five innings of work. The Braves plated a run in the second on a leadoff walk by Mike Yastrzemski, a groundout that moved him to second, a barreled out (sigh), and then Dominic Smith rolling a seeing-eye grounder through the infield for a two-out RBI. The Braves then shot themselves in the foot (shades of 2025) in the third — Ronald Acuña Jr. drew a leadoff walk but then was thrown out trying to steal, which sucked because Matt Olson crushed a double that would’ve easily scored Acuña a few pitches later. In Soroka’s final inning, the Braves seemed almost destined to score: Mauricio Dubon “singled” on a ball that actually went through shortstop Geraldo Perdomo’s glove, Drake Baldwin was grazed by a pitch after Acuña popped out, and then Olson avoided a double play when Soroka dropped the relay throw at first. That brought up Austin Riley, but for the third time in game, he failed to come through (the WPA vortex is already looming large for him), hitting a routine grounder to short.
Meanwhile, Elder was really good, but to little avail in the end. After a 1-2-3 first, the Diamondbacks got a couple of singles off him in the second, though the second would’ve been an easy double play had the infield been playing Nolan Arenado up the middle. Then, Jose Fernandez dropped down a surprise bunt, and Elder ill-advisedly threw it to first. Even if the throw had been on target, it wouldn’t have been on time. It wasn’t on target either, though, and Arenado ran through a stop sign while Acuña failed to come up throwing. Just like that, it was 2-1 in favor of the home team, and that’s how the score would stay.
Elder kept dealing, though. He faced the minimum after his own error, thanks to a couple of double plays. He finished with an 8/1 K/BB ratio — his best start since that 12-strikeout performance against the Giants in San Francisco while the Braves’ 2025 season slipped away from them. He threw a bazillion pretty well-located sliders and the Diamondbacks had few answers, if they were even aware Elder was posing a question to them. But, in the end, his throwing error stood.
The Braves did nothing against a procession of Arizona relievers in the one-run contest — they went 12 up, 12 down. There was the hope that they could stun Paul Sewald again, but no dice. Last night, both Ozzie Albies and Olson homered on in-zone fastballs after seeing and not offering at some sweepers; tonight, Sewald basically threw sweeper after sweeper, and got strikeouts of Yastrzemski and Albies. Michael Harris II battled for a while, but ultimately hit a routine flyout on a hanging sweeper to end the game.
Ah, well, you can’t win them all. It’s just a shame to waste such a great Bryce Elder performance like this. Maybe the good times will keep rolling tomorrow — winning a four-game set on the road without Chris Sale pitching would still be pretty good, and better than expected. Hopefully the Mets and Phillies lose, too.
Michigan men's basketball standout Yaxel Lendeborg left Saturday's Final Four game in Indianapolis against Arizona with an ankle injury during the game's first half.
Lendeborg is one of Michigan's best players, making him integral to any Wolverines success on the court. Losing him for any amount of time is a huge bummer for Michigan and its fans.
We have no doubt Michigan fans are crossing their fingers tightly that he can return healthy at some point in Saturday's game. In a good sign, he apparently tried to give fans some relief in the moment that he was okay.
The Devils hosted the Habs at the Prudential Center on Saturday in the first of a home-and-home situation on the weekend, and fell in the first game 4-3 via shootout.
Canadiens fans arrived in Newark, New Jersey in droves and were a rowdy bunch even before the warmups began.
That’s partially because it looks like Montreal will head to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and partially to see Cole Caufield score his 50th goal of the season.
When the puck dropped, Caufield was sprung for a half-break—an early opportunity to reach the 50-goal plateau. However, Johnathan Kovacevic’s backcheck was too much for the Habs forward to handle, and he never even got a shot on goal.
The Devils then pushed the Canadiens into their own zone, pressuring Jakub Dobes in waves.
However, it was the Canadiens that struck first when Jayden Struble snuck into the Devils’ slot and received a pass from Caufield to give Montreal a 1-0 lead.
The second period started similarly to the first. The Devils were heavy in the Montreal zone, pressuring Dobes with an abundance of zone time and chances through the first seven minutes of the middle frame.
However, Jonas Siegenthaler’s tripping penalty at the 7:40 mark of the period sent the Devils to their first penalty kill. Ivan Demidov doubled the Habs lead on yet another Caufield primary assist, receiving a back door pass and making it a 2-0 game on a one-time chance.
Just over a minute later as even strength resumed, Lane Hutson tripled the Montreal lead to give the Habs a 3-0 advantage.
The Devils finally struck back at the 6:52 mark of the second, however. Dawson Mercer drove the Devils’ net, and from an impossible angle, sniped the puck over Dobes’ left shoulder and by his left ear, cutting the Canadiens lead to 3-1 with very little visible twine.
Despite the Devils being ont he disadvantage, Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt were spring for a 2-on-1 toward the Montreal end.
The Devils then went to a long disadvantage after Brenden Dillon was whistled for a double minor after high-sticking Zachary Bolduc, which drew blood.
Although Dobes made the save, Jack and Bratt quickly went on another 2-on-1 breakaway after a bad Montreal change, and this time, Jack cut the Montreal lead to 3-2, scoring his 25th goal of the season shorthanded.
The Dillon penalty expired, as did the second period shortly after, and New Jersey entered the third period down a goal.
The Devils put the pedal to the metal in the third period. It took 17:44 of grinding on offense, but Timo Meier eventually broke through and tied the game at three late in the third period, erasing a three-goal deficit.
Regulation wasn’t enough in Game 76 of the season, and the Devils and Canadiens went to overtime. And despite the entertaining extra period, it wasn’t enough and the game required a shootout.
After five rounds, the Canadiens won the extra point on the stick of Zachary Bolduc, 4-3.
Jake Allen made 26 saves on 29 shots through 65 minutes of regulation and overtime, suffering his 17th loss of the season.
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev was a -1600 betting favorite when he entered the cage at UFC Fight Night 272, and he lived up to it with a first-round win.
Yakhyaev (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) took a couple punches from Brendson Ribeiro (17-10 MMA, 3-4 UFC) before securing a takedown, moving to the back and locking in a rear-naked choke to force the tap at the 2:52 mark of Round 1 in the light heavyweight bout at Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
At 25, Yakhyaev looks to have a bright future in the light heavyweight division. He's finished all but one of his career wins inside the first round, with all three of his octagon foes falling inside the opening frame during his UFC run thus far.
"I'm really happy. We made plan to finish in the first round and we did it," Yakhyaev said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. "It doesn't matter who is next. I just want to fight."
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 272 results:
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Brendson Ribeiro via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:52
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 04: (L-R) Ethyn Ewing punches Rafael Estevam of Brazil in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Ethyn Ewing continued his prospect-killing ways earlier tonight (Sat., April 4, 2026) at UFC Vegas 115 LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, shocking previously undefeated Rafael Estevam with a blistering body punch knockout in the third round.
If Ewing’s name sounds familiar it should. The former construction worker made a huge Octagon debut at UFC 322 last November with an upset decision win over highly-touted bantamweight prospect Malcolm Wellmaker. It was a huge way to start his UFC career and the reason why fight fans got excited to see Ewing’s name on Saturday’s Las Vegas card.
Estevam, who missed weight on Friday, struggled to do much of anything from the opening bell. His usually-effective takedowns weren’t a match for Ewing’s movement and counter pressure. Ewing soon began to tag Eestevam with countless right hands and sharp elbows inside. Eestevam didn’t seem to have an answer for anything as he face was a bloody mess.
Ewing’s dominance continued into the third round when he stalked Estevam down again to land whatever offense he wanted. Eventually, Ewing’s go through with a perfectly-placed left hook to the body that dropped Estevam for good and put a stop to the fight.
“I think it was the flow of the game, but coming into the game I knew I needed to shoot it with confidence coming off last Sunday just to have that flow, that momentum,” Mullins said. “Seeing the first two go in, it just boosts all the confidence for you to keep shooting. I think it just happened within the game.”
His teammates also had a good feeling: “When he hit that first one I kind of knew it was a going to be a good day. Once he hits that first shot and he’s aggressive, he’s kind of unstoppable, to be honest with you,” said junior forward Jaylin Stewart.
“His game’s always on point,” added freshman center Eric Reibe.
With the game still in the balance and the Illini cutting a 14-point deficit to a four-point UConn lead with under a minute to play, Mullins made another 3-pointer from the wing to secure the win and a matchup against the winner of the second national semifinal between No. 1 seeds Michigan and Arizona.
“Really, just since he stepped on campus he’s had such a great maturity to where I just want him to be himself and not let the moment get to you, don’t let any external pressure get to you,” said senior forward Alex Karaban. “Because at the end of the day, everything is amplified here. But you’re just playing basketball.”
Mullins finished with 15 points on 5 of 14 shooting, including 4 of 7 makes from deep. He had been mired in a long shooting slump, making a combined 11 of 59 3-pointers in his past nine games and just 5 of 25 in the Huskies’ first four tournament games.
Again and again this NCAA Tournament, Mullins has proved this stage isn’t too big for him to handle.
“I think he’s one of the best freshmen in the country,” Stewart said. “One of the best players in the country, honestly.”
Even against an opponent from the vaunted Big Ten and with his family in attendance for the national semifinals, the Greenfield, Indiana native remained poised and helped the Huskies stand a win away from the seventh national championship in program history.
“The way he’s playing is phenomenal as a freshman,” said senior guard Malachi Smith. “Braylon doesn’t really talk that much, but he talks to us on the court. And that’s what we need. Even when he’s not hitting shots, that’s what we need. He has the mamba mentality of going to the next play.”
After he was held in check until the final seconds against the Blue Devils, Mullins’ ability to get into a flow in the Final Four helped the Huskies take a 37-29 halftime lead after briefly falling behind 22-21 with seven minutes until the break.
But he went cold coming out of the locker room, missing his first five attempts from the field as the Illini began to cut away at the UConn advantage to make it a 63-59 game with a minute left.
All throughout this season, UConn veterans such as Karaban have preached to Mullins the importance of remaining confident even if his shots aren’t falling. Those lessons have continued to pay off: On the next possession, the soft-spoken freshman drilled his game-clinching jumper.
“You've always got to shoot with confidence,” Mullins said. "The set was going to be run for anybody on the team, you've just got to shoot with confidence. Just trying to find the best look on the floor and I know our point guards are going to get us the ball, so I think that was the biggest shot I hit tonight.”
Overshadowed by this late-game magic are the little things that Mullins continues to do even when his shot isn’t falling, teammates said. In the second half against Illinois, that included a pair of steals that helped the Huskies turn a 44-36 game with 17:08 to play into a 13-point lead just two minutes later.
“He gets it done every night. Even if he’s not hitting shots, he impacts the game in so many ways. He’s just a special player,” Stewart said.
But it’s a cold-blooded scorer that Mullins has played a starring role. Shot by shot, he’s building a postseason résumé full of shining-moment memories that will long outlast what could be a one-and-done run with the Huskies.
“We all know what kind of a shooter he is and what kind of scoring ability he has,” said Reibe. “And we really need his confidence. If we bring that together, we’re going to have a good night on Monday.”
On Saturday night the leading MMA promotion heads to its headquarters in Las Vegas for another edition of UFC Fight Night.
The card is set to take place at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC Fight Night will be headlined by a matchup at lightweight, when Renato Moicano faces Chris Duncan. The Brazilian native Moicano will seek to snap a two-fight losing skid. “The Problem” is currently on a four-fight winning streak, along with three stoppages.
Below, you can catch up on all the UFC Fight Night results and fight-ending highlights.
UFC Fight Night Results (Prelims)
Kai Kamaka III (-255) vs. Dakota Hope (+123)
Kamaka defeats Hope by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
The first fight of the night is not disappointing 💥
Denver's Nikola Jokic scores against Victor Wembanyama in the Nuggets' NBA overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs (Justin Edmonds)
Nikola Jokic scored 40 points to propel the Denver Nuggets to a 136-134 overtime victory over Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio on Saturday, halting the Spurs' 11-game NBA winning streak.
Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic added eight rebounds, 13 assists and three blocked shots for Denver, who won their eighth straight game and inched closer to the Los Angeles Lakers for third seed in the Western Conference.
MVP candidate Wembanyama, back after missing one game to rest a sore ankle, scored 34 points with 18 rebounds, seven assists and five blocked shots for the Spurs, who led most of the contest but couldn't resist the Nuggets' late surge.
Aaron Gordon, fed by Jokic, threw down a dunk to tie it at 124-124 with 6.2 seconds left in regulation.
Wembanyama's jumper as time expired clanged off the rim and they went to overtime, when Gordon's dunk in the opening minutes put Denver ahead for good.
"It was indicative of what we can be as a group," said Gordon, who finished with 15 points.
Johnson scored 17 points and Jamal Murray scored 15 points and handed out 10 assists for the Nuggets in a contest marked by playoff-level intensity.
"We like the intensity," Gordon said. "That's a really good ball club over there that plays really hard. So they brought it out of us."
Two weeks before the start of the playoffs, Gordon said the victory over the West's second-placed team was an important marker.
"It's big," he said. "I just want us to be ready when the time is coming. This was a good step in that direction."
Denver's Johnson drilled a three-pointer to open the contest, but Devin Vassell quickly tied it and the Spurs didn't trail again on the way to a 72-65 halftime lead.
Denver cut the deficit to one on Jokic's layup early in the third quarter and trailed by four going into the fourth.
San Antonio pushed their lead to 11 on a Wembanyama dunk with 9:08 left in regulation, Denver battling back to briefly take a one-point lead before they finished regulation all-square.
Wembanyama called it an "amazing game".
"Very fun, one of the most fun games, Wembanyama said. "I wish we could have closed it out."
But, he added: "It's good for us. It's a real test against a team that's actually playing for something right now."
- Pistons clinch top seed -
The Detroit Pistons clinched the Eastern Conference top seed with a 116-93 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Tobias Harris scored 19 points and Jalen Duren and Daniss Jenkins added 16 points apiece to help Detroit capture the top seed, and home court advantage throughout the East playoffs, for the first time since 2007.
Jenkins added 14 assists for the Pistons, who improved to 8-2 since star guard Cade Cunningham was sidelined by a collapsed lung.
"The way this group has grown together as quickly as it has, it is special," coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "But we've got more food to eat. We'll take tonight, enjoy this, but tomorrow we'll get back to work."
With center Joel Embiid sitting out the second night of a back to back, Tyrese Maxey scored 23 points to lead the Sixers, who slipped behind the Toronto Raptors for sixth place and the last direct entry to the playoffs.
The Miami Heat, 10th in the East and jockeying to improve their play-in position, beat the Washington Wizards 152-136.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored a game-high 32 points off the bench for Miami.
Fellow reserve Kel'el Ware added 24 points, 19 rebounds and eight blocked shots and seven Heat players scored in double figures.
That included Bam Adebayo, who scored 83 in Miami's last game against Washington but settled for 14.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Logan Farrington and Petar Musa continued red-hot starts and Dallas breezed to a 4-0 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night.
Michael Collodi finished with three saves to earn his second clean sheet this season for Dallas (3-1-2) and his fifth in 15 career starts.
Farrington used assists from Ramiro Benetti and defender Sebastien Ibeagha in the 16th minute to score for the third time and give Dallas a 1-0 lead. Farrington has 12 career goals in 67 appearances with the club. Benetti had four assists last season, his first in the league. Ibeagha's helper was his third in 195 career matches.
Patrickson Delgado scored for the first time this season off a free kick in the first minute of stoppage time and Dallas took a two-goal lead into the break.
Defender Osaze Urhoghide scored with a header in the 78th minute for a 3-0 advantage. He had two goals as a rookie last season. Joaquín Valiente and Kaick Ferreira had assists. Valiente subbed into the match in the 71st minute before notching his third assist in his first five appearances. Kaick's helper was his first in his 33rd appearance.
Musa scored unassisted in the first minute of stoppage time to cap the scoring. It was his seventh goal, tying for the league lead with Nashville SC's Sam Surridge, who played later Saturday. Musa has 41 goals through his first 66 MLS matches.
Sean Johnson totaled three saves for DC United (2-3-1), which falls to 10-8-5 at home in the all-time series with Dallas. Johnson posted two shutouts and allowed only four goals through his first five starts.
Collodi surrendered nine goals through his first five starts.
DC is 10-7-5 all time at home against Dallas.
Up next
Dallas: Hosts St. Louis City on Saturday.
DC: Visits the New England Revolution on Saturday.
With the win, the Pistons clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They leave Saturday with a 57-21 record and four games remaining in the regular season. They’re 4.5 games ahead of the second-place Boston Celtics, who cannot catch them in the standings.
Saturday’s win was secured via a balanced offensive effort as seven different Pistons scored in double figures. Tobias Harris led the way with 19 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals.
The Pistons limited a 76ers team playing without Joel Embiid to 44% shooting from the floor and 28% shooting from 3 while forcing 15 turnovers. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 23 points.
The No. 1 seed is the first for the Pistons since the 2006-07 season. They lost in the Eastern Conference finals that season to LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers.
Will Cade Cunningham be back for playoffs?
Detroit will be guaranteed home-court advantage as along as it advances through the Eastern Conference playoffs. Doing so won’t come easy as the status of All-Star and team leader Cade Cunningham remains unclear.
Cunningham has missed 10 straight games since being diagnosed with a collapsed lung in mid-March. The Pistons announced on Thursday that he’s making progress in his recovery, but a precise return timeline remains unclear.
Cunningham is scheduled to be re-evaluated next week. The playoffs are scheduled to start on April 18.
The Pistons have gone 8-2 in Cunningham’s absence and no longer have much to play for in the regular season. Surpassing the 61-16 Oklahoma City Thunder and the 59-19 San Antonio Spurs for guaranteed home-court advantage throughout the playoffs would be a long shot even with Cunningham in the lineup.
The Pistons can now shift their focus to the postseason and hope that Cunningham will be available for a first-round matchup.
INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA Tournament featured a musical act between the Final Four games at Lucas Oil Stadium and social media was not in favor.
The concert was broadcast and is an effort to appeal to more casual fans.
"It's an event our clients are asking us for now," Dave Aussenberg, a music sponsorship agent at CAA, said of the musical roster with March Madness in Hollywood Reporter. "When the festival was first conceptualized, it was a nice-to-have complement to a weekend of basketball, but it's growing so much. ... People want entertainment, they want to make a weekend out of an event like this."
The reviews of playing the college basketball semifinals and national championship received mixed reviews.
It will never not be absurd to play the biggest three college basketball games of the season in a giant cavern. pic.twitter.com/yZ7ZmIkSQG
I still like the Final Four in football stadiums because it gets a lot more real fans in the door. Smaller setups mean a greater percentage of celebrities and neutrals who don't really care, pricing out fans. https://t.co/c2iJifZBMA
Nothing against the people performing, and it’s just my opinion, but….
Dear NCAA, We don’t need or want a concert between the two semifinal games. Put the appropriate time on the clock, let the teams warm up and play ball! Thank you!
It's early April, meaning the 2026 NBA Playoffs will soon begin — but first, there's plenty to be settled in the standings. While "tanking" teams have been a major storyline of the 2025-26 campaign, leaving far fewer questions over which franchises remain in contention, seeding will remain critical over the last days of the regular season.
In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons have secured the No. 1 seed despite Cade Cunningham's recent absence, while the surging Boston Celtics look like another favorite with Jayson Tatum's return. The middle of the pack is where it gets interesting — between the Hawks, 76ers, Raptors, Hornets, Magic and Heat, only two teams will avoid the Play-In Tournament.
Out west, the San Antonio Spurs are still in the running to catch the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed. Three teams have already locked in Play-In bids in the Western Conference, including Stephen Curry's Warriors — so the only other significant question will be how the first-round matchups play out.
The playoffs are almost here. Below, you can find the latest breakdown of the 2025-26 NBA standings, including an updated playoff bracket projection.
Here's a look at how the 2026 Play-In Tournament would look based on the current standings.
Updated through Apr. 4 games.
Eastern Conference
(7) 76ers vs. (8) Hornets
(9) Magic vs. (10) Heat
Western Conference
(7) Suns vs. (8) Trail Blazers
(9) Clippers vs. (10) Warriors
When do the NBA Playoffs start?
Play-In Tournament: April 14-17
NBA Playoffs: April 18
The 2025-26 regular season will end on Sunday, April 12, and the Play-In Tournament will then begin two days later on Tuesday, April 14. From there, the Play-In Tournament will take place over the next four days, with the playoffs set to begin on Saturday, April 18.
How will the 2026 NBA Playoffs work?
Similar to the format for the last few seasons, here is a rundown of how the 2026 NBA Playoffs will work:
When the regular season ends, the top six seeds in each conference will automatically make the playoffs, while the teams ranked Nos. 7-10 will participate in the NBA Play-In Tournament over the course of four days.
In each conference, the teams ranked Nos. 7 and 8 will play in the Play-In Tournament, with the winner moving on to play the No. 2 seed in each conference.
The teams ranked Nos. 9 and 10 in each conference will play in a different Play-In Tournament game, with the loser being eliminated from playoff contention.
The losers of the 7-8 games and the winners of the 9-10 games will then face off, with the winner earning the No. 8 seed in each conference and moving on to play the conference's No. 1 seed.
From there, the playoffs will follow the usual bracket format, with each series being a best-of-7 format.
PHOENIX (AP) — Rookie José Fernandez's bunt single in the second inning led to two unearned runs and the Arizona Diamondbacks held on to defeat the Atlanta Braves 2-1 on Saturday night.
With runners at first and second, Fernandez dropped a bunt to the third-base side of the mound. Braves pitcher Bryce Elder picked it up and threw wildly to first, allowing Gabriel Moreno and Nolan Arenado to score.
Michael Soroka (2-0) allowed one run in five innings for the Diamondbacks. He gave up four hits and one run. He threw 91 pitches in walking three and striking out three.
Taylor Clarke, Jonathan Loáisaga, Juan Morillo and Paul Sewald each pitched a 1-2-3 relief inning, with Sewald picking up his third save.
Elder (1-1) still hasn't allowed an earned run this season in 13 innings, but he took the loss on Saturday because of his own error. He pitched seven innings, giving up four hits, walking one and striking out eight.
The Braves’ run came in the second. Mike Yastrzemski led off with a walk, advanced to second on an infield out and scored on Dominic Smith’s two-out single to left.
Neither team had a runner after the fifth inning.
The Braves are playing 13 days in a row to open the season. Even with the loss Saturday, they're 6-3 — a stark contrast to last season’s 0-7 start that the team never really recovered from on the way to a 76-86 season, the franchise’s worst since a 72-90 finish in 2017.
Mauricio Dubón’s leadoff single in the fifth, clocked at 105 mph, went off — or through — the glove of Arizona shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, who had to replace the equipment before play resumed.
Up next
Arizona sends RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-0, 7.50) to the mound in Sunday’s series finale. Atlanta has not yet announced a starter.
With their backs against the walls following a tough loss in New Jersey, the Washington Capitals roared back against the Atlantic-leading Buffalo Sabres, with just about everyone chipping in en route to a dominant 6-2 win.
Wit the victory, Washington sits just one point out of the second Wild Card spot.
Here are the takeaways.
Capitals Get Off To Dominant Start, But Also Let Sabres Back In
The Capitals got off to exactly the start they wanted, as they had the Sabres on their heels from the moment the puck dropped.
Jakob Chychrun opened the scoring after a strong forecehck from Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has points in three straight outings, and 20 seconds later, Dylan Strome extended the lead to 2-0 on a tap-in feed from Aliaksei Protas.
Then, just 2:17 later, Connor McMichael picked up a wide shot from Chychrun and put it past Alex Lyon, ending the Sabres netminder's night and making it 3-0.
While it was a promising start for the Capitals, Buffalo fought back, tilting the ice and generating quite a bit on Logan Thompson as the defense faltered.
First, Rasmus Dahlin cut to the inside and scored to cut it to 3-1, and then, Beck Malenstyn bit the hand that once fed him, scoring on a rebound to pull the Sabres to 3-2 entering the second.
The first showed just how strong the Capitals offense can be when it's clicking and firing on all cylinders, but it also showed the team's weaknesses and struggles as it gave up two quick goals to change the dynamic of the game.
Protas Shines In Return From Injury, Leonard & Wilson Stay Hot To Put Things Out Of Reach
With Washington needing some insurance in the second, where the Sabres had turned the tide, Aliaksei Protas, back from injury after having collided with Nic Dowd head-on in Vegas a week prior, stepped up to restore the momentum.
Protas took matters into his own hands at 4-on-4, and ultimately, carried the puck up ice and called his own number on a 2-on-1 with Cole Hutson for a 4-2 lead.
The 25-year-old has 24 goals on the season, and 22 of those have come at even strength, the second-most on the team this year. His assist also gave him yet another multi-point outing to lead D.C. to an important two points.
Then, in the third, Ryan Leonard added to his hot streak, picking up a drop pass from Cole Hutson and sniping a shot from the slot blocker side to make it a 5-2 game. Leonard now has points in four straight outings.
Tom Wilson also added to his hot streak with a highlight-reel goal, cutting to the inside and scoring on a backhander from his back while shorthanded to put things out of reach, 6-2.
Wilson has goals in three straight outings, with four total over that span.
Thompson Stands Tall In 10th Straight Start
With the Capitals needing "all hands on deck" for their final playoff push, coach Spencer Carbery decided to stick with Logan Thompson in net, starting him for 10th consecutive game.
If there was any fatigue, Thompson didn't show it, standing tall for a huge win over a red-hot buffalo team that clinched its first playoff berth in 14 seasons.
Thompson put on a clinic between the pipes, stopping 36 of 38 shots in the victory. He was quick on his feet, agile and did whatever it took to keep the puck out of the net, and he was tracking pucks well all night long.
Their 13-game winning streak is history, but they still have plenty to play for.
The UW-Eau Claire softball team saw its memorable early season run end as it ran into a strong opponent Saturday afternoon at the Sonnentag Fieldhouse.
Hope College flexed its offensive muscle to pull away for a 10-4, 11-5 doubleheader sweep over UWEC.
The Blugolds were competitive in both games, grabbing an early lead in the nightcap before coming up short.
UWEC fell to 18-6 overall. The Flying Dutch improved to 17-5.
"Hope was a really good opponent. They were really good," UW-Eau Claire coach Leslie Huntington said. "You can tell they play in a conference with the defending national champion, Trine.
"They played at a high pace, they played at a high level and they were aggressive. We had a couple opportunities where we were in the ballgames, but for whatever reason we gave up too many walks and made too many errors."
The Blugolds fell behind 6-0 in the opening game before scoring four times in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Freshman Jane Wallace blasted a two-run homer to highlight the inning for UW-Eau Claire. UWEC junior Siri Springer went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs in the first game.
Hope came right back to score four unearned runs in the top of the sixth inning to pull away.
UWEC took an early 3-2 lead in Game 2 before Hope responded to regain control. The Flying Dutch scored four times in the fourth inning and five times in the seventh.
Blugold senior Claire Beck drove in two runs in the nightcap. Springer collected three hits and senior Paige Lathrop had a pair of hits. Junior Molly Marquardt scored twice and drove in a run.
"We just learned that we have to keep playing and we can't let up, especially against a team like that," Lathrop said. "Hope is one of the best teams we've played and that was a good test for us."
The Blugolds are scheduled to play their next game at Northwestern (Minn.) on Wednesday in St. Paul.
"We just have to respond to this in a positive way," the coach said. "We have one more non-conference doubleheader before we start conference play. That will be a good opportunity for us to come back and show we can respond to the bump in the road.
"We just have to get back to practice and get after it. Then respond against Northwestern and try to get some momentum going into our WIAC opener."
UW-Eau Claire is still playing at a high level as it moves closer to WIAC play.
"The WIAC is one of the top conferences in the country in Division III softball," Huntington said. "This doubleheader, at this time, despite the outcomes, was probably good for us because it was a bit humbling after a 13-game win streak.
"We really have to stay hungry, we have to continue to work hard. There are no easy days, that's the way it is."
Lathrop is looking forward to WIAC play.
"This is my fourth year playing in this conference," she said. "Every single day is a dogfight. There is no bad team in our conference. It's very competitive and I am excited to see what we can do."
In a matchup of teams off to 4-4 starts, Sunday Night Baseball on NBC and Peacock will feature the St. Louis Cardinals facing the Detroit Tigers in the finale of a three-game series at Comerica Park.
Righthander Kyle Leahy is expected to start for St. Louis, matching his total starts from last season (when he made 61 appearances in relief).
The Tigers have recalled righthander Keider Montero from Triple-A Toledo to make the start for Detroit. Justin Verlander, was scheduled to start for the Tigers, but the 43-year-old righthander was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 1) with left hip inflammation, scuttling plans for his first start at Comerica Park for the Tigers since 2017.
Detroit has won the first two games of the series, a 4-0 win on Friday and an 11-6 victory Saturday.
See below for additional information on how to watch the Cardinals vs. Tigers and a breakdown of the game. Also check out the schedule for the MLB on NBC and Peacock. There will be 27 prime-time MLB games featured across NBC, Peacock and NBCSN in 2026. NBC Sports will also stream one out-of-market game each day of the 2026 MLB season nationally on Peacock.
Jason Benetti will provide play-by-play alongside Brad Thompson (who spent most of his six MLB seasons from 2005-2010 as a relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals) and Andy Dirks (an outfielder and designated hitter for the Tigers from 2011-2013). Ahmed Fareed will host the pregame show with analyst Dexter Fowler.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Detroit Tigers preview:
The Cardinals won their first two series, winning twice in three-game sets against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and New York Mets.
St. Louis is trying to snap a playoff drought that dates to 2022 and avoid missing the postseason for four consecutive years for the first time since 1995.
After several offseason trades of veterans, the Cardinals entered the 2026 season with the youngest active roster in MLB. First baseman Alec Burleson and catcher Pedro Pages, both 27 years old, were the oldest players in the Opening Day lineup. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar, 28 and in his 6th year with St. Louis, is the longest tenured active player on the team but is out after offseason heel surgeries.
Before opening this series with two victories, the Tigers had dropped four consecutive, including a sweep by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Detroit's offense has been off to a slow start, and the Tigers were shut out twice in the first six games.
Two-time All-Star outfielder Riley Greene got off to a 5-for-25 start after leading the Tigers with 155 hits, 36 homers and 111 RBI last year. Outfielder Kerry Carpenter also struggled in the first six games (2 for 22) after a career-high 26 homers last year.
Detroit has lost in the ALDS for the past two seasons and is seeking to return to the ALCS for the first time in 13 years.
Sunday Night Baseball will make its debut March 29 with the Guardians vs. Mariners. The 18-game MLB Sunday Leadoff schedule will begin May 3, with the defending AL champion Toronto Blue Jays visiting the Twins in Minnesota. On Sunday, July 5, all 15 MLB games will be presented nationally across Peacock and NBC as part of a special all-day “Star-Spangled Sunday” showcase.
NBC Sports will also stream one out-of-market game each day of the 2026 MLB season nationally on Peacock. Telemundo Deportes will present all NBCUniversal-produced MLB games in Spanish, with Universo televising all games broadcast on NBC.
From an MLB Opening Day doubleheader on March 26 to the Wild Card round of the playoffs, NBC Sports’ 2026 schedule delivers wall-to-wall coverage.
D.J. Short
,
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC and Bravo hits for whatever suits your mood.
The UFC will have a future title challenger on their hands if Ethyn Ewing keeps it up.
At UFC Fight Night 272, Ewing (10-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) put on a sequel that was much like the original. Continuing where he left off in his impressive win over Malcolm Wellmaker in November, Ewing became the first man to defeat Rafael Estevam (14-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) when he finished him with a big body shot TKO at the 1:44 mark of Round 3. The bantamweight bout took place at Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Despite Estevam's impressive resume (and extra pounds, missing weight on the scale), Ewing essentially danced circles around the Brazilian in a flow-state. Ewing seemed always one step ahead and piled up the damage until a massive punch to the body shut Estevam down completely.
BODY SHOT ENDS IT EARLY ⏰
Ethyn Ewing puts on a flawless performance at #UFCVegas115!
Tennessee (20-11, 4-7 SEC) defeated LSU (21-11, 5-6 SEC), 4-1, Saturday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols tied the SEC series, 1-1. First pitch for Game 3 between the Vols and Tigers is slated for 1 p.m. EDT on April 5.
Tennessee led, 1-0, in the first inning after Blake Grimmer recorded a RBI by reaching base on an error.
After LSU tied the game in the second inning, the Vols regained the lead when Grimmer hit a solo home run in the third inning.
Tennessee extended its advantage to, 3-1, when Jay Abernathy had a scoring single for the Vols, who collected three hits against the Tigers.
Grimmer went 1-for-4. He hit one home run, recorded two RBIs and scored a run, while Abernathy went 1-for-3. He hit a double and recorded one RBI. Blaine Brown went 1-for-4 and scored one run.
Cam Appenzeller (4-0) pitched five innings in relief for the Vols and allowed one hit. He recorded six strikeouts. Appenzeller totaled 68 pitches, including 45 strikes.
Tegan Kuhns started on the mound for the Vols. He pitched four innings, allowing one run four hits and two walks. Kuhns recorded one strikeout. He totaled 69 pitches, including 43 strikes.
The Final Four attracts coaches from all over college basketball.
But one coach received criticism for watching the first men's national semifinal on April 4 between UConn and Illinois.
A coach whose team was set to play in the second national semifinal.
Michigan's Dusty May was seen in the stands watching the game between the Huskies and Fighting Illini, which some pointed out on social media as a rare occurrence, with his team set to play in a game against Arizona.
Some on social media slammed May for "scouting" his next opponent as a sign that he was overlooking Arizona.
INDIANAPOLIS — It was almost as though time had stopped for Illinois six minutes into the second half of Saturday’s Final Four semifinal against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Andrej Stojaković’s put-back attempt rolled around the rim before coming to a dead stop on the back of the basket as everyone in the massive football stadium held their breath and waited for gravity to make a call.
In or out? Up or down?
Make up your mind.
In the end, the ball eventually decided to come down off the rim and into the hands of UConn’s Alex Karaban, another in a series of missed opportunities for the Illini in a heartbreaking 71-62 loss.
It was a difficult end to a delicious season that gave Illinois fans a chance to realistically dream about a national championship. Once again the dream was deferred, though this year’s group showed it’s not far off.
UConn, which survived Sunday on a legendary last-second 3-pointer by Braylon Mullins, played almost error-free the entire game, making no turnovers over until 6 1/2 minutes into the second half and only four on the night.
Coach Dan Hurley’s team advanced to its third title game in four years, in search of the Huskies third national title in that span, and will play the winner of the late game between Michigan and Arizona.
The Huskies took control from the start, gave the Illini a brief lead in the first half and took several body blows in the final minutes to stave off a collapse. Illinois made a late run after trailing by 14 with just less than 10 minutes left, and Keaton Wagler’s spinning layin cut the deficit to four with a minute and a half left.
The crowd was mostly Illini fans, and the stadium was rocking in anticipation of a dramatic comeback, shades of the 2005 Elite Eight win over Arizona.
Mullins answered with an arching 3, and Keaton did likewise on the next possession, making it look like the two precocious freshmen were playing a game of H-O-R-S-E in the driveway, ignoring their mother’s call to come in for dinner.
But Silas Demary Jr. hit a pair of free throws, and the Illini just ran out of steam.
Wagler led the Illini with 20 points, but Illinois shot a miserable 34% (19 of 56) from the field and 23% (6 of 26) from 3-point range.
Wagler said Friday that the game plan was relatively simple.
“We’ve got to go in there with the right mentality of being the more physical team, hitting the other team first,” Wagler said. “We can’t go out there and get bullied.”
But that was easier said than done.
UConn had shot a combined 1 for 13 over a seven-minute stretch midway through the first half to let the Illini take a brief one-point lead on a Tomislav Ivišić’s 3 with eight minutes left. But Illinois couldn’t take advantage of the Huskies’ benevolence.
When Karaban ripped the ball out of Wagler’s hands with a little more than four minutes left in the first half and led a fast break that resulted in Mullins’ three-point play, the Huskies were the bullies Wagler had been warned about. UConn recovered from its prolonged shooting slump to regain its bearings, eventually increasing its lead to 10 points on a Mullins’ 3 with 47 seconds left in the half before heading into the locker room up 37-29.
It was almost a rerun of the game in November when UConn beat the Illini at Madison Square Garden. The Huskies also went on a memorable 30-0 run two years ago in their Elite Eight matchup in Boston to coast to a 77-52 win, though none of the Illini players were around for that one.
Illinois’ season was a lot like the Stojaković’s shot that hung forever on the rim, with moments when everything looked up and times when the Illini looked down and out. They certainly didn’t have the right mindset in the Big Ten Tournament, blowing a 15-point second-half lead against Wisconsin and losing 91-88 in overtime. It was their fourth overtime loss in a nine-game stretch and led to questions about a lack of a killer instinct.
“It was tough, but it gave us a lot of time to prepare for this tournament,” Wagler said. “And it gave us a sense of urgency that we’ve got to be focused to go on a deep run in this tournament, especially on the defensive side.”
The journey Illinois took to get to Indy is likely to be copied by many other programs, thanks to the performance of the Balkan players who quickly meshed with home-grown players such as Wagler, Kylan Boswell and Jake Davis. Recruiting in the NIL era is a different animal, and the European players were looking at Illinois as a brand that has proved its success the last few years.
“Well, it’s speed dating,” Underwood said Friday. “I think the one thing that we have done is instead of spending four years recruiting a kid, we’ve just dove in headlong into what is important to us. We have four pillars, as we call them. It’s positional size, shooting, basketball IQ and character.”
The key date in Illinois’ rebrand was Nov. 8, 2017, when Morgan Park senior guard Ayo Dosunmu signed a letter of intent to play for Underwood. The Illini went from 21 losses to 21 wins in his sophomore season in 2019-20, and only the season-ending pandemic spoiled a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament.
Still, disappointments have been the norm at this time of year. The Illini have suffered some painful tournament losses in the 50-year span from 1975 to 2025, including to 14th-seeded Austin Peay in 1987, to 12th-seeded Dayton in 1990, to 14th-seeded Tennessee-Chatanooga in ’97, to 12th-seeded Western Kentucky in 2009, and to eight-seeded Loyola in 2001, when they were a No. 1 seed.
Playing in a Final Four game was a rarity for Illinois, which advanced this far only two other times times since the field was expanded to 32 teams in 1975 — the 1989 team that lost to Michigan 83-81 in the semifinals and the 2005 team that beat Louisville in the semis before losing to North Carolina in the championship game.
The ’89 loss in Seattle’s Kingdome by the team dubbed the “Flyin’ Illini” would be relived forever in Illini lore. Sean Higgins’ put-back of a missed 3-pointer with two seconds left ended a thriller that saw 33 lead changes. Would the Illini have beaten Seton Hall in the title game had they gotten past the Wolverines?
You can’t rewrite history, just as you can’t control gravity.
Sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way.
Wagler was asked Friday what it would mean to Illini Nation if this was the team that ended the drought. He replied that he thought the Illini won “a long time ago,” before being corrected. It’s a logical mistake considering the school’s long history of talented teams.
“To be able to do that would mean a lot to the community, to fans, to coaches, to everyone,” Wagler said. “It’d be amazing and would help out this program a lot.”
It might happen soon, but Wagler, the best Illini player in years, figures to be in the NBA by then.
DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 40 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, Christian Braun added 21 points and the Denver Nuggets beat San Antonio 136-134 in overtime Saturday to snap the Spurs’ 11-game winning streak.
Cameron Johnson scored 17, Jamal Murray finished with 15 points and 10 assists and Aaron Gordon scored 15 for the Nuggets.
Gordon scored with 6.2 seconds left in regulation to tie the game, then forced Victor Wembanyama into a miss on the final shot of regulation.
Wembanyama finished with 34 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists and five blocked shots for the Spurs, who lost for only the third time in their last 30 games.
Stephon Castle scored 20 points for San Antonio, while Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie each scored 18 for the Spurs.
HEAT 152, WIZARDS 136
MIAMI (AP) — Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 32 points before dashing out to fly to the NCAA women’s basketball title game, Kel’el Ware finished with 24 points, 19 rebounds and seven blocks, and Miami rolled past Washington.
Bam Adebayo — who scored 83 points in Miami’s last game with Washington — faced a triple-team on his first possession and scored 14 for Miami. Andrew Wiggins had 21 and Pelle Larsson scored 16 for the Heat. Adebayo also had nine rebounds and seven assists.
Miami reached 150 points for the third time in franchise history. It scored 153 against New Orleans last April 11 — and finished with 150 against the Wizards in Adebayo’s 83-point night on March 10.
Will Riley scored 31 for Washington, which has reached the 60-loss mark for the third straight season. Sharife Cooper scored 20 for the Wizards, who trailed by as many as 35 at one point.
PISTONS 116, 76ERS 93
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tobias Harris scored 19 points, and Daniss Jenkins added 16 points and 14 assists as Detroit beat Philadelphia to clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The last time the Pistons (56-21) were the top seed in the East was in 2006-07. They have already clinched the Central Division title for the first time since 2007-08.
Jalen Duren added 16 points and seven rebounds, and Ausar Thompson had 14 points for the Pistons, who have won 12 of their last 15 games.
Both Duren (illness) and Harris (left knee contusion) had been listed as questionable. The Pistons are 8-2 in the 10 games that Cade Cunningham has missed with a collapsed left lung.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 23 points. Paul George scored 20 points, and VJ Edgecombe added 19. George has averaged 25.8 points in six games since returning from a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 04: (R-L) Ethyn Ewing punches Rafael Estevam of Brazil in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Ethyn Ewing proved his stunning win over a highly touted prospect in his debut was no fluke as he took out another undefeated fighter in Rafael Estevam at UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday.
Following a dominant win over Malcolm Wellmaker on short notice, Ewing had a full training camp to prepare for his second fight and it definitely showed. From the start, Ewing was punishing Estevam with blistering combinations that were just chipping away at the Brazilian.
Ewing scored a near finish at the close of the opening round but he just kept dishing out damage until he blasted Estevam with a nasty body shot that put him down and out on the canvas. That was enough to earn the knockout victory with the referee stopping the fight at 1:44 in the third round.
“I’ve been waiting to say this all the way to this post-fight interview, you fight me your ‘O’ must go,” Ewing said. “I’m going all the way to the top. The belt is what I’m searching for. There is nothing that’s going to stop me from getting to that point. I’m here because I want to be the best 135-pounder in mixed martial arts. You should all be watching out for me.”
Ewing not only showcased a very dominant striking arsenal but he displayed great defense as he used good head movement to duck and dodge many of the biggest shots Estevam was throwing at him. In return, Ewing was just hammering away at him with quick combinations and pinpoint accuracy that just couldn’t miss.
Ewing was also mixing up his strike selection to keep Estevam guessing and that allowed him to dole out even more punishment. The body shot that ended it was almost a mercy killing following another shutout performance from Ewing.
Now 2-0 in the UFC, Ewing looks like a potential contender at bantamweight as he scores a second impressive win in a row.
After a dramatic comeback in Game One, LSU baseball hoped to win the series against the Tennessee Volunteers with a win tonight. Unfortunately, a win was not in the cards for the Tigers as they lost 4-1. All of the runs scored in this game were scored in the first four innings, and half of the Tennessee runs were unearned.
William Schmidt had a good start but came away with the loss. He pitched 5.2 innings and gave up four runs, only two earned runs, on three hits, seven strikeouts, and three walks. Derek Curiel led the way offensively for LSU, finishing the game 2-for-4. Here are three takeaways from Saturday night's game.
Good start for Schmidt
Unfortunately, William Schmidt was credited with a loss in this game because he did a good job today. He held a good Vols lineup to only three hits, but a passed ball and a fielding error did not help his case. Schmidt has emerged as one of the SEC's best pitchers this season and his ERA is 2.63 on the year.
Chris Stanfield had this RBI single in the top of the second that wound up being the only run of the day for LSU. After the second inning, the Tigers would only have three baserunners for the rest of the game. Tennessee pitching did its job, and unlike Friday night, the Vols finished the job.
Defensive issues still plague LSU
Jay Johnson has worked all year to try to eliminate the defensive mistakes the Tigers have been making, but so far, it has not worked. I would expect to see Omar Serna Jr. in the field somewhere tomorrow, whether it be at catcher or at first base.
One of Oklahoma's top high school football recruits has made his college decision.
Edmond Memorial linebacker Colton McComb announced his commitment to Kansas State on Saturday. He chose the Wildcats after receiving more than a dozen offers from several Division I programs.
He is a three-star recruit, the nation's No. 35-ranked linebacker in his class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior chose Kansas State over the likes of Baylor, Boston College, Kansas, OU, Oklahoma State and Purdue, among others.
McComb shined on both sides of the ball during the 2025 season, recording 88 total tackles at linebacker and while also rushing for 263 yards and four touchdowns.
McComb's older brother, David, is a second-year quarterback at rival Kansas.
Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @thejordancdavis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Ashley Westwood and Wilfried Zaha each scored a goal to help Charlotte FC beat the Philadelphia Union 2-1 on a rain-soaked Saturday night.
The Union (0-6-0) — the 2025 MLS Supporter's Shield winners — are off to the worst start in franchise history.
Zaha, on the counter-attack, side-footed a volley off an arcing cross from Pep Biel that capped the scoring in the 80th minute.
Danley Jean Jacques scored for Philadelphia to make it 1-1 in the 78th.
Westwood scored his first goal of the season to give Charlotte (3-1-2) a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute. The 36-year-old midfielder put away a first-touch shot from just inside the penalty area.
Andre Blake stopped three shots for Philadelphia.
Kristijan Kahlina had two saves for Charlotte. Kahlina went into the day leading MLS with 30 saves, seven more than Montreal's Thomas Gillier and Portland's James Pantemis, who are tied for second.
Enjoying a cold one on your 21st birthday is a right of passage for many young folks, including this Washington Nationals fan.
During Saturday's Nationals home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, fan Sorcha Lewis celebrated her 21st birthday with a ceremonial first sip of beer. Funny enough, Washington played its first game 21 years ago on Saturday.
Lewis and the Nats sharing a day-and-date birthday is pretty awesome. Now, both the fan and the franchise are old enough to share a beer together. Talk about a perfect day at the ballpark... well, almost perfect... the Nationals lost.
Darn... well... we hope the beer was good, at least!
INDIANAPOLIS — Fans in orange and blue streamed through the streets of Indianapolis hours before Illinois’ national semifinal against Connecticut on Saturday and showed up early to Lucas Oil Stadium, an hour or so before tipoff. One half of the stadium was covered in orange, as were large patches of seats in the upper decks.
A two-hour drive from Champaign and three-hour trip from Chicago probably helped. So did the draw of the program’s first Final Four appearance in 21 years.
It had all the makings of a special weekend in Indianapolis — until UConn spoiled the party early.
The Huskies rattled the Illini on both ends of the floor for three-quarters of the game and led for all but a short stretch in the first half on the way to a 71-62 victory.
Connecticut will play for its third national championship in four years Monday against the winner of the Michigan-Arizona semifinal. The Huskies, six-time national champions, also won titles in 2023 and 2024.
After trailing by as many as 14 points in the second half, Illinois tried to mount a comeback, using a 10-0 run to cut UConn’s lead to four with 5 minutes, 2 seconds to play. Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler’s layup with 1:38 to play also cut it to four.
UConn freshman Braylon Mullins and Wagler traded 3-pointers in the final minute. But Silas Demary Jr. made two free throws to extend it to six, and UConn hung on from there with its free-throw shooting.
Illinois has had a vaunted offense all season. But there were too many moments early in the game in which the Illini looked out of control, badly missing shots, tripping on their drives. The Illini had trouble getting in an extended flow and at times looked deflated.
Wagler and fellow freshman David Mirković combined for three turnovers in the first 4:30 of the second half as UConn pulled ahead by 11 points. Mirković picked up this third foul early in the half and covered his face in frustration. At one point midway through the half, Andrej Stojaković missed on a fast-break layup attempt, got the rebound and then watched as his putback balanced on the back of the rim before rolling out.
It felt like that kind of cruel night for much of the game.
Meanwhile, the Huskies showcased what Illinois had all season — an offense capable of punishing with any number of players. Tarris Reed Jr. had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Mullins had 15 points and Solo Ball added 13 points for the Huskies.
Wagler had 20 points and eight rebounds and Tomislav Ivišić had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Illini.
The loss ended a memorable run for a fun group of Illini players.
The Illini became media darlings on their NCAA Tournament run with their interesting mix of U.S. and European players, big personalities and intense competitors.
A CBS Sports reporter called them the most fun team in the Final Four. The Athletic dubbed Mirković “The Most Interesting Man in the Final Four,” recounting a handful of hilarious stories about the Montenegrin.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood, at 62 years old and in his 39th year of coaching, was making his first Final Four appearance, leading an Illini team to the big stage for the first time since the 2005 run to the national championship game. The stars of that team, Deron Williams and Dee Brown, sat together at Saturday’s game, drawing huge cheers when they were shown on the video board.
But Illinois couldn’t make it back to the final game. The Illini will have to wait another year to try for their first national championship.
UConn took a 37-29 halftime lead behind 11 points and five rebounds from Reed.
Reed had been dominant in this NCAA Tournament heading into the Final Four, and it was no different early against Illinois. He had seven of UConn’s first 18 points as the Huskies jumped to an 18-9 lead. The Huskies made 7 of their first 13 field-goal attempts in building the cushion.
Mullins, who hit the winning shot to knock off top-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight and is from Indiana, made his first two 3-pointers and had 12 first-half points.
The Illini started cold from deep, missing their first six 3-point attempts before Wagler ended the drought with 10:30 to play in the first half, sending a roar through the Illini crowd. UConn’s Jayden Ross quickly answered with a 3. Ivišić later made a 3 without a defender on him to give Illinois its first lead at 22-21 with 7:54 to play in the first half.
Illinois came up with defensive stops but couldn’t build a bigger lead in the half, missing seven of its next eight shots. The Huskies used an 8-0 run to build its halftime lead.
Mirković had three blocks in the first half but picked up his second foul and went to the bench for the final four minutes of the half.
When the teams met earlier this season on Black Friday, UConn easily handled Illinois in a 74-61 victory.
In the days leading up to the rematch, Underwood and all of the Illini players talked about how they were a different team this time around.
That game had forced the Illini to examine what they were doing on offense with Wagler, who scored three points on three shots in 14 minutes in the game. They decided to put Wagler on the ball more, and the freshman changed the face of the Illini offense in the months that followed. His rise to becoming a second-team All-American coincided with Illinois’ rise to becoming one of the best offenses in the country.
But UConn was also a different team. Reed and Mullins were both coming off ankle injuries in that first game and combined for four points. They were a big reason why UConn pulled ahead early.
There was big buildup to the game for the Illini, who had beaten Penn, VCU, Houston and Iowa to make it to the Final Four.
During an open practice Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium, thousands of Illini fans showed up in orange to watch, while large groups of kids on field trips sat in the end zone, cheering.
Underwood said afterward that was why he came to Illinois, to go to a place where basketball was important to fans.
“If that doesn’t touch you, then you’re not human,” Underwood said.
The follow-up Saturday just fell short of also being special.
CLEMSON, SC - DECEMBER 16: Clemson Tigers Assistance coach Sean Dixon during a college basketball game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers on December 16, 2025 at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, S.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Pat Kelsey’s second major staff addition of the 2026 offseason will come from within the ACC.
Sean Dixon, who has spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach on Brad Brownell’s staff at Clemson, will take on the same role at Louisville. He joins former Campbell head coach John Andrzejek as assistants who will replace the departed Thomas Carr and Brian Kloman in 2026-27.
Before being hired at Clemson, Dixon had assistant stints at Middle Tennessee, UNC Asheville and Presbyterian, where he had previously earned first team All-Big South honors and served as a team captain as a player. At his various stops as an assistant, Dixon acquired a reputation as a defensive-minded coach with solid success working with guards and wings.
One hire with a background of primarily working with bigs. Another hire with a background of primarily working with guards and wings. Both coaches having a background of being more defensive than offensive-minded.
It certainly seems like at least a moderate philosophical shift could be coming to Louisville basketball in 2026-27.
The Miami Dolphins' wide receiver room is almost tough to look at, as I've said a few times now. If there's one thing Miami has to improve on, it's adding a wide receiver or two for Malik Willis to throw the football to. Bringing in Willis just to have this wide receiver room doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense, but that's seemingly where the Dolphins are going right now.
If the Dolphins want to take a risk, there will be some options for them to go after, including Brandon Aiyuk. There have been times when the current San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has been a very good player throughout his career. The issue, however, is that he seems to be a bit of a head case. The last thing the Dolphins want to deal with while implementing a new regime would be somebody who doesn't want to be there. However, Moe Moton of Bleacher Report doesn't believe that's too big of an issue, linking the Dolphins to him.
“The Dolphins can't roll out a receiver room of backups and rookies and expect Malik Willis to grow as a first-time full-time starter. He needs help in the passing game. Nearly three weeks ahead of the draft, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and Malik Washington lead the Dolphins' receiver unit. None of them have caught 50 passes or eclipsed 610 receiving yards in a season.
“Aiyuk would be the clear-cut No. 1 option in Miami's aerial attack. Also working in his favor, he's familiar with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was the 49ers' passing game specialist and coordinator from 2021 to 2022. In the latter year, Aiyuk recorded career highs in catches (78) and touchdown receptions (eight).”
A receiver of his caliber would help. However, considering what we've seen out of the Dolphins for much of the past 20-plus years, I'd rather see this team make smart decisions and bring in guys who are going to fit the culture of what they're trying to build.
Argentine striker Lionel Messi scored Inter Miami's first goal at Nu Stadium when he found the net in the 10th minute against Austin FC on Saturday in Miami. Photo by Paolo Aguilar/EPA
MIAMI, April 4 (UPI) -- Argentine soccer icon Lionel Messi netted Inter Miami's first goal at Nu Stadium, finding the threads with a header Saturday against Austin FC.
Messi tallied the Herons score in the 10th minute of the matchup in Miami. Thousands of pink clad Herons fans serenaded the striker after he scored the equalizer on opening night of the $350 million stadium.
Left back Guilherme Biro gave the Verde and Black an initial edge in the sixth minute. The Brazilian scored that goal when he beat Herons goalie Dayne St. Clair by heading in a corner kick from Uruguayan winger Facundo Torres.
Less than four minutes later, the Herons' eight-time Ballon d'Or winner leveled the match. Messi started the play with an entry pass to winger Telasco Segovia, who turned and sent another pass onto Ian Frey. The right back brought the ball in near the end line and chipped a feed back through the box, finding a hovering Messi.
The Argentine pounced on the chance, smashing the ball into the right side of the net for his fifth goal in five games.
The game remained level at 1-1 through the first portion of the first half. The Herons held an edge in possession of 64.% to 35.2% during that span. They also out-passed the visitors 133-77 through 24 minutes.
“I wanted to defend myself. I didn’t want to have a go at the BVB fans. I spoke with the club this week. I wanted to hear Ole’s point of view and how he approaches things," he told Sky Germany.
“I had a good conversation with Lars Ricken and with Ole Book. The talks will continue this week. I think it won’t take much longer before I make a decision.
“I’ve said it all along: of course I can imagine staying. But all the discussions have to be right. Now we’ll see how things develop,” Schlotterbeck added.
The central defender's suggestive smile caught on camera appeared to hint that an outcome is near. The question is, will it be in yellow and black or different colours entirely.
The Cleveland Browns still don’t have ideal options at the quarterback position or in many other places offensively. If the Browns want to improve moving forward, even if they decide to go with Shedeur Sanders, finding him help offensively will be just as important as him developing at the level Cleveland is hoping for.
Among the options that could be available, Brandon Aiyuk is one of them. Not that the San Francisco 49ers receiver is a star at this point in his career by any means, as there are certainly questions about his attitude and game due to the stunts he pulled last year, but if his head is on right, the Browns could certainly use a player of his caliber.
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report thinks the Browns could be one of the top landing spots for the disgruntled receiver, adding that he's a dynamic player when he was on the field and could be useful in Cleveland.
“If Aiyuk bounces back into pre-injury form, the Browns would have a dynamic receiver who can lead their passing attack with big plays. He averaged at least 15 yards per catch in the previous two seasons. Cleveland will likely take a wideout early in the upcoming draft, though it would help whoever starts at quarterback tremendously to acquire a talented veteran who's ready to contribute right away.”
If something like this were to happen, and the Browns also added a wide receiver in the NFL Draft who can come in and make an immediate impact, we’d suddenly have an offense that goes from one of the ugliest in the league to potentially decent.
A lot of this would hinge on how Sanders, or whoever they pick to be the quarterback, looks, but at least they'd actually have somebody to throw the football to. That would solve half the problems in that offense.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Romello Height #9 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates after a sack against the Oregon Ducks in the first quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Height ranked just 91st on Teets’s big board, implying that this is a “get it while you can” pick for Snead.
The six-year college athlete played at Auburn, USC, Georgia Tech, and Texas Tech. Extend your career long enough and who knows what will happen. Finally, Heights reached his ceiling in 2025 with the Red Raiders, totaling 10 sacks in 14 games.
Must add more muscle mass to hold up as a pro. Lacks instincts and post-snap recognition. Will struggle to hold the point and leverage gaps as a pro. Missing base and contact balance to keep from getting jostled around. Lacks the play strength to fight through redirect blocks.
An edge defender with a lean, angular frame, Height will need a heavy dose of weight-room work to compete at the pro level. His rush is fast and relentless. He uses long strides to challenge at the top and can leap inside the protection. However, his lack of play strength and contact balance allow blockers to bounce him around. Height needs to improve his skill level and refine his approach if he’s going to make an impact as a designated pass rusher, but he has the talent to cause some chaos in the pocket.
In Chris Shula’s hands, can Height hone his athletic and physical gifts to challenge Josaiah Stewart for snaps?
Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
Coming in at 91, Benny is 6’3, 300 lbs, but considered an effective two-gapper at 3-tech.
Benny is a tricky evaluation as a 3-technique. He has good length and is consistent entering into block battles. He’s an effective two-gapper who locates the ball-carrier and quickly sheds. On the flip side, he’s not a true wide-body and struggles to drop a sudden anchor when challenged by downhill double teams. He lacks ideal explosiveness and is unlikely to be much of a disruptor. Benny is capable of competing for a backup role as an early down interior lineman who can play in one- or two-gapping fronts.
As opposed to Height, Benny spent all five college seasons at Michigan, going back far enough to be teammates with Aidan Hutchinson. Surprisingly, he’s another reach on Teets’s own list, as Benny was 142nd on the big board but goes 91 here.
Now what would the Rams defensive line room look like after this class?
Imagine a Rams defensive line like this in 2026:
EDGE Jared Verse
EDGE Byron Young
EDGE Josaiah Stewart
EDGE Romello Height
DT Kobie Turner
DT Poona Ford
DE Braden Fiske
DT Rayshaun Benny
DT Tyler Davis
DT Ty Hamilton
DE Desjuan Johnson
DE Larrell Murchison
Overkill?
Maybe. Perhaps Teets is looking at it from the perspective that Turner, Young, Murchison, and Johnson are free agents in 2027, then Verse, Fiske, Ford, and Davis in 2028.
The Rams will most likely need a Ford replacement, while it could be difficult to retain both Young and Verse.
We have no idea if Stewart is even going to be a hit or a miss yet. Plus, if either Benny or Height are steals, they could end up eclipsing the value of someone like Fiske or Young.
The Syracuse Orange celebrate a goal during an NCAA men's lacrosse game at 1952 Stadium in Princeton, United States, on February 27, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Saturday was not the day for the Syracuse Orange, who traveled down to Chapel Hill and had their six-game winning streak exploded in a 14-9 loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Carolina used a 6-0 run that started late in the first quarter and continued into the second to take control of the game, turning a one-goal deficit into a five-goal advantage and never looking back. ‘Cuse would not get closer than three goals the rest of the game.
It was a disaster of a day for the Orange, who got out-played in every aspect of the game by the Tar Heels.
Johnny Mullen, Drew Angelo and the face-off unit hung with Brady Wambach for a while, at one point tied 8-8, but ultimately lost that battle, 17-10, as the second half wore on.
But the real issues were everywhere else, where ‘Cuse’s performance was defined by the mistakes they made, the opportunities they wasted and the way they allowed UNC to dictate the way it all played out.
The offense was shut down by Carolina’s defense. SU never generated anything from behind the cage (barely ever venturing back there), lacked conviction and effectiveness in their ball movement and dodging, and largely didn’t force slides or switches. As a result, the Tar Heels were able to play straight up on their marks, pack themselves in and keep all the action in front of them and above GLE.
‘Cuse only had four assists on the game because the passing and off-ball cutting lanes simply were not available in any area of danger in the 6-on-6. The Orange were forced into mostly shots from distance in the half field, helping goalie Josh Marcus be a difference-maker with 15 saves on the day.
The Orange’s sloppy play, especially in the first half, was back-breaking. Some of it was forced by UNC’s solid defense, and some of it was unforced on simple passes, but wasting opportunities against this team is a no-no given their baked-in possession advantage to begin with.
In a first half that was defined by Carolina’s 6-0 run, the Heels actually only had an 8-7 edge on face-offs, but 10 Orange turnovers opened the door for a 24-14 shot advantage that the home team was more than happy to turn into a game-defining run.
Michael Leo was the point-producer on the day with five points on a hat trick and two assists, while Luke Rhoa added a pair of goals. Six other players tallied a single point. Joey Spallina was not one of them as he was completely shut off by their defense, only finding three shots while finishing with zero points.
Defensively for SU, the opposite was true as North Carolina spent all afternoon creating havoc through the pick game and causing a deluge of confusion from the Orange as they lost their marks and scrambled to recover and rotate.
Jimmy McCool started off hot with five saves in the first quarter, bailing out his defense a few times, but lost sight of the ball as the game wore on and was ultimately replaced by Michael Ippoliti in the second half in a move that was effective but came too late. McCool finished with seven saves and a .368 save percentage on the day.
Dom Pietramala proved to be unstoppable in this one, scoring five goals on 10 shots as the Tar Heels spent much of the afternoon shaking him loose from his matchup with Billy Dwan. They were extremely effective in getting Pietramala into the pick game and giving him a more favorable mark and/or finding him time-and-room to step into a shot, a few of which he buried from distance. It was exactly the kind of thing the Orange failed to do themselves, and it was a clinic from Petro and the Heels.
They wasted no time in executing that clinic, opening the score book 51 seconds in when they used a big-little two-man to switch Dante Bowen onto Pietramala, giving him plenty of space to sizzle the net on his first look of the game.
‘Cuse answered with a patented Wyatt Hottle blow-by goal from up top paired with a nice shot on-the-run to tie it up, followed by a quick little flick-of-the-wrist finish from just above left-side GLE by Michael Leo after his defender lost his stick on a wrap-around check attempt.
The Heels tied it back up after Owen Duffy got Riley Figueiras hung up, and found Caden Harshbarger coming off a pick out in front of goal.
After roughly seven minutes of scoreless play, SU would get their nose back out in front for the final time when Tucker Kellogg took a bounce shot around his defender to beat Marcus and give ‘Cuse a 3-2 lead with 1:13 left in the first.
UNC taking over the game from there came swiftly and brutally, as long-pole Peter Thomann, who did a terrific job helping shut down the offense all day, strayed up the field off the ensuing face-off win to score 13 seconds later to re-tie the game with exactly one minute left in the first. Then, with five seconds left in the first, Ty English scored a transition goal after a bad ‘Cuse turnover was committed high up the field to make for easier transition play for the Heels.
That was two goals scored in the final minute of the first quarter, both in transition opportunities before the defense had any chance of getting settled, to kick off their 6-0 run and turn a deficit into a lead in the final minute of the opening frame.
The second quarter continued the onslaught, as Riley Figueiras got blown up in a pick behind the cage, which Duffy came up and scored on without a switch from Jayden Kittelberger. A couple minutes after that, Pietramala got his second when multiple offensive midfielders got caught on defense, leading to a wide open look from up top that he canned for their fourth straight goal.
They added two more to complete their run with 4:56 left in the first half, taking complete control with an 8-3 lead while the SU offense simultaneously floundered with turnovers and, when they actually got them off, weak shot attempts.
The Orange did find a way to punch back late in the half to give themselves a little bit of life heading into halftime. After a UNC turnover, Michael Leo found Finn Thomson in transition after a quick restart, on what was a beautiful catch where he had to reach back across his body before turning back to finish with a twister as he streaked his way towards the crease with 1:31 on the clock.
About 40 seconds later, Luke Rhoa gave a little shake-n-bake to a shortie up top, which drew an actual slide to kick start the ball movement. Rhoa fed Payton Anderson, who helped it along to Leo with his feet set from the low wing for a goal that made it an 8-5 game heading into the break. It was a little bit of hope that stemmed the onslaught from the Tar Heels and simultaneously brought the deficit to a much less-daunting three goals.
It ended up being irrelevant, as Pietramala got both goals back quickly in the first three minutes of the third quarter. First, he easily beat Jordan Beck off the dodge for the first before yet again taking advantage of bad pick defense and finishing from deep for the second, restoring the five-goal lead at 10-5.
Rhoa got his second with a lefty rip from up top, but UNC once again scored off a face-off, taking advantage of a disorganized defense that was still subbing players into the game when the goal was scored. They added another one just over a minute after that for their most emphatic lead of the day at 12-6.
After that goal, Gary Gait put Ippoliti into the game for McCool in a move that worked nicely and allowed the Orange to actually re-insert a little bit of doubt into the outcome. The Orange scored three straight goals while holding the Heels off the board for more than 18 minutes after Ippoliti subbed in, making it a 12-9 game with 9:03 to play.
But Carolina ended their drought with a man-up goal and a fifth-and-final tally from Pietramala to put any end to thoughts of a dramatic comeback. Ippoliti finished with four saves, a couple of them of the spectacular variety, against only two goals surrendered.
After the game, Gait had some interesting comments when asked to assess the team’s performance on face-offs, where he ended up talking about the conditions playing on a grass field:
“Some missed ground balls. It’s tough to replicate a grass field. And this ball, you saw it throughout the game, the ball was jumping and popping. And it’s tough, when there’s just no way to practice on grass so you just show up and you try to make the plays and do your best, but obviously they had the advantage there and I think that was a big difference in the game. We missed some that would normally be easy ground balls, starting from the opening face-off all the way through the game. And a very slippery field, too. It was a tough field for both teams, watching them fall all over the place every time they tried to change directions. So, you know, it’s definitely a home field advantage for that field”.
Not the most inspiring comments to hear coming out of that game, especially considering the Final Four will be played on grass this year. But, good news, the Orange have a lot of work still to do before they start thinking about that as a concern.
‘Cuse will return home for next weekend’s showdown with a suddenly hot Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, April 11 at 4 PM on ESPN U.
No. 2 Hawaii outlasted No. 5 UC Irvine 3-2 on the road Friday behind a 53-assist performance from setter Tread Rosenthal.
Back causing trouble in the Bren.
The No. 2-ranked University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team outlasted No. 5 UC Irvine (15-4, 3-2 Big West) in an intense five-set battle on Friday night inside the Bren Events Center, seeing setter Tread Rosenthal do a little bit of everything to help lead the way to another road victory, (25-22, 19-25, 23-25, 25-23, 18-16).
Rosenthal tallied 53 assists, 10 digs, nine kills and six blocks in the win as the Rainbow Warriors improved to 8-0 on the road this year, notching his second double-double of the season while eclipsing the half-century mark of assists in a single match for the third time this campaign.
Kristian Titriyski was on the receiving end of 16 of those dishes, leading Hawai’i (22-3, 5-0 Big West) in kills for the sixth time this year while adding eight digs and two of UH’s four total service aces.
Three other Rainbow Warriors finished with double digit kills alongside Titriyski, seeing Louis Sakanoko rack up 14 kills on 30 swings to go with seven digs while Trevell Jordan and Adrien Roure each tacked on 12 kills apiece.
Errors did haunt Hawai’i for a majority of the match, committing 20 on the attack, 19 from the service box and another four on serve-receive. When looking at the razor-thin finish between the teams on the first night, Rosenthal pointed to the lack of sharpness that the Rainbow Warrior unit typically shows.
“I think we all kind of had our own mental lapses,” the junior setter reflected. “At the end of the day, we all brought it back together, we all relied on each other, and we got it done … I think our execution was bad. We’ve just got to execute better [on Saturday].”
Sakanoko struggled from the service line, sending out eight unplayable rally-starters and handing out a trio of faulty attacking swings. Adrien Roure had an up-and-down showing with seven attack errors and three service miscues himself while Kristian Titriyski added six attack errors in his 40 attempts with another three mistakes from the service box.
Rosenthal also had his fair share of faulty moments, committing three attack errors and picking up a red card in the second set for kicking the ball out of frustration after he sent a strike into the net. It was one of two point-scoring infractions called against the Rainbow Warriors throughout the night as Roure picked up his own red card in the third frame after hitting the antenna and smashing the volleyball into the floor out of frustration afterwards.
Hawai’i did take the night’s opening stanza, hitting .517 as a group as Roure got off to a quick start with six kills to pace the visitors. Titriyski tacked on four of his own putdowns, but a net violation was what ultimately secured the first frame for the Rainbow Warriors.
After a scorching hot first, the encore set saw Hawai’i embark on a rollercoaster ride offensively with as many attack errors as kills midway through the frame. UC Irvine carried over a hot-hitting first set performance, hitting .419 while capitalizing on the free points from UH to knot the match up at one.The Anteaters took the third frame as well, stunning the Rainbow Warriors with a late rally by scoring four of the final five points in the swing set to go up 2-1 and put UH on the brink of the team’s first Big West loss and road loss at the same time.
Hawai’i answered the bell in the fourth set, forcing eight faulty swings and holding UCI to .152 on the attack in the stanza go to a fifth frame for the just the second time all season.
The Rainbow Warriors raced out to an 8-5 advantage by the flip in the fifth, but the Anteaters would swap the momentum with a 5-0 run to snap themselves ahead by a pair in the decisive set, 13-11.Hawai’i again had a response, rattling off three in a row to suddenly set up aloha ball on the road before a service error from Kainoa Wade allowed for UC Irvine to take a momentary breath.The Anteaters fended off two more match points from the Rainbow Warriors behind the heavy swings of Andrej Jokanovic and Trevor Clark, but a service error by UCI’s Micah Goss and a putdown try that skewed wide by Clark helped Hawai’i finally outlast their Big West rivals on the first night of the two-match series, 18-16.
Jokanovic led all players with a game-high 22 kills on 51 swings in the loss for UC Irvine and William D’Arcy tacked on 14 putdowns for the hosts. Goss also finished in double figures, adding 12 kills on 20 swings with seven errors (three service, four attacking) for the Anteaters.
“Every game is a big game now, so honestly we have to keep the momentum,” said UH’s Louis Sakanoko after the hard-fought and – at times – ugly victory. “It’s the Big West now, it’s some big boy things so we just need to win every single game as we can.”
Hawai’i and UC Irvine will rumble for round two on Saturday afternoon with first serve scheduled for 3 p.m. HT / 6 p.m. PT. The Rainbow Warriors are looking to finish the regular season unbeaten on the road for the first time since 2023 when the team went 10-0 away from the Stan Sheriff Center.
While Michigan was settling into the locker room before facing fellow No. 1 seed Arizona, coach Dusty May was away taking care of other responsibilities.
The Wolverines coach set up shop courtside and personally scouted the game between UConn and Illinois at Lucas Oil Field Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday night. It is extremely rare to have a head coach be right there in the middle of the action, especially in the Final Four. But this proves how badly May wants to clinch his first championship.
The moment was captured by Field of 68's Jeff Goodman, who applauded May for his attention to detail. "Haven’t seen too many head coaches in the second semifinal do this," he wrote on X.
The test ahead for May and Michigan is an upbeat Arizona squad, who spend a majority of the regular season as the last major undefeated. The battle for a spot in the National Championship Game is expected to be one that's hard-fought and may come down to the final possession.
Michigan won their games by an average of 22.5 points per game and only suffered three losses. It's the kind of dominance that has many believing May's team will be the toughest test for Tommy Lloyd and Arizona (8:49 p.m. ET, TBS).
Both Chisora and Wilder were fighting in their 50th fight [Getty Images]
Derek Chisora suffered a points defeat by Deontay Wilder in a wild heavyweight contest at London's O2 Arena in what is expected to be his final professional bout.
Chisora, 42, was dropped in the eighth round and sent through the ropes. The Briton looked close to being stopped several times as Wilder pushed for the finish, but the veteran somehow fought his way back.
American Wilder was awarded a split decision with scores of 115–111 and 115–113, while one judge scored it 115–112 to Chisora.
"I had an adorable opponent. I knew Derek was going to bring everything he had," Wilder said afterwards.
"In the ring I saw his temple start to swell, I said 'you've got to live for your kids'. Too many lives have been lost in this ring, nobody gives a damn about us. Us fighters have to look out for each other.
"Tonight, I looked out for him, I want him to live for his kids. It's time for us to take care of each other. I have seven of my own, those are my best friends."
Both men absorbed heavy punishment as the contest, almost inexplicably, went the distance.
Chisora had his moments, notably stunning Wilder, 40, in the fifth round, but the former world champion ultimately deserved the decision.
Remarkably, it was the 50th bout of both men's careers. Londoner Chisora - now with 14 defeats - had said beforehand it would be his last fight, but he hesitated to confirm his retirement when joined in the ring by his family.
It was not pretty, nor particularly elite, but it was undeniably entertaining.
For Wilder, this represents his best win in recent years and extends a career that may also be nearing its end.
It is only the second time in Wilder's career he has won on points [Getty Images]
Chisora - who rolled up to Thursday's news conference in an army tank - travelled to fight night on the London Underground and was greeted by a huge roar.
The crowd inside the 20,000-capacity arena was not quite full, but it was loud and partisan.
A bizarre opening round saw the heavyweights become tangled on the ropes, continuing to throw punches while ignoring the referee's calls to break.
A member of Chisora's team even climbed into the ring before order was restored.
Chisora - fighting at the venue for the 11th time - was second best in the early exchanges. "Go back to your boxing. Get that jab working," his trainer urged.
The Zimbabwe-born heavyweight's jab was largely non-existent but an overhand right - a trademark Chisora shot - stunned Wilder in the fifth.
Suddenly it was Wilder who looked vulnerable, as Chisora pressed forward while two-time world champion Anthony Joshua urged his friend on from ringside by calling for an uppercut that never came.
The fight continued and Wilder pushed Chisora over in the fifth before landing after the bell in the sixth, while both men tumbled to the canvas more than once.
Then came a Wilder right hand in the eighth - the punch responsible for most of his 43 knockouts in 44 previous wins.
Chisora, partly outside of the ropes, beat the count at eight, eyes glazed, as Wilder stalked forward.
Wilder was docked a point for pushing, and both men ended up on the canvas again in the 11th, though neither incident was ruled a knockdown.
How Chisora survived to hear the final bell was astounding.
Despite the absurdity of the whole fight, there was no bad blood as the self-styled "brothers" embraced at the end.
Showman, warrior, controversial - how will Chisora be remembered?
The hope in boxing circles is that this will be the end of the road for Chisora.
If so, the two-time world title challenger has shared the ring with the likes of Vitali Klitschko, David Haye, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
He fell short at the top level but often earned respect even in defeat.
Many believe he should have retired years ago. Yet Chisora repeatedly defied those calls, extending his career and even finding late momentum with victories over fringe world-level contenders.
Chisora is not the most talented heavyweight of his era, but remained one of British boxing's most reliable ticket sellers.
With his departure, the sport loses a fighter who could draw a crowd and fill out arenas without ever holding a world title.
His longevity is extraordinary - bridging eras from his 2007 debut to facing opponents from a new generation, but Chisora's story has never been confined to the ring.
From a conviction for assaulting his then partner in 2010 and a ban for biting an opponent, to weigh-in flashpoints and the infamous brawl with Haye, controversy followed him throughout.
In the end, Chisora will leave the sport as a warrior, a gatekeeper and a showman inside the ropes, but also a deeply polarising figure whose behaviour outside them at times cast a shadow over his career.
Did we see the Wilder of old?
A feared puncher, Wilder has become wary of pulling the trigger in recent years [Getty Images]
There was a period when Wilder almost single-handedly kept American heavyweight boxing visible on the global stage.
But for those who have watched him in recent years, the signs of decline have been clear.
He has never quite looked the same since his trilogy with Fury - a brutal rivalry in which he was floored five times and stopped twice.
Against Chisora there were fleeting reminders of the fighter who once terrified the division.
The trademark right hand still carried threat, but the explosiveness, timing and confidence that once made him so dangerous were not as prevalent.
Earlier this year Usyk floated Wilder as a potential future opponent, and a victory here at least keeps that possibility alive.
In the modern boxing landscape there may also be crossover opportunities, perhaps against the likes of Francis Ngannou.
Despite the win, at this stage of his career the margins are thin and Father Time has also almost crept up on the Bronze Bomber.
A bloodied Lauren Price dug deep to beat Stephanie Pineiro on points to retain her welterweight world titles in Cardiff before calling for a future fight with Claressa Shields.
The 31-year-old picked up a terrible cut after a clash of heads in the fifth round against the previously unbeaten Puerto Rican.
Price rallied to fight to the final bell and was rewarded with a unanimous decision on the scorecards.
After the fight, American Shields - who has held 15 world title belts across five weight divisions - stepped into the ring to face off with Price.
"I want the biggest fights in boxing, and what a great honour it would be to share the ring with Shields," said Price.
"It makes for a great fight, but not just one fight. I said to her tonight, 'Let's do it, I'll come to America and then you come to Wales,' and she shook on it. So hopefully we can make that happen.
"It is why I'm in the game, I want to fight the best. Credit to Shields - I respect her - but I back myself!"
Shields said the location of any fight would have to be discussed but hinted at a meeting between the two stars at the end of 2026 and said the bout would be at middleweight.
"When you are an Olympic champion you are a special fighter," said Shields.
"Me and you have talked online and me and you can make it happen, you did great tonight.
"No disrespect to you, you've got a little bit of time. I've got one more fight and then we can fight at the end of the year."
Price has spoken often about staging a future fight at either the 33,000-seat Cardiff City Stadium or Principality Stadium, which can hold almost 80,000 fans.
In Shields, Price could face the calibre of opponent who would merit such a step up in venue.
Shields, also 31, currently holds the IBF, WBC, WBF and WBO heavyweight world titles and has a professional fighting record of 18-0.
But Price's win over Pineiro was no walk in the park.
Previously, Price has cruised through fights, but against the previously unbeaten Pineiro - who had promised to shock the Cardiff crowd - she was made to work for her win.
Price expected the "kitchen sink from round one" and Pineiro immediately looked to start the fight on the front foot.
The 35-year-old landed her share of punches in the opening two minutes and did not look out of her depth in her first professional fight outside of Puerto Rico.
However, Price was far more dominant in round two, using speed to her advantage against her significantly taller opponent to land a string of clean punches.
The left eye of Pineiro looked visibly bruised and swollen to begin round three and three more right hooks from Price added to the damage.
But Pineiro proved she was there on merit in the middle rounds, turning in a composed fifth round during which Price's lip was heavily split.
Undeterred, Price took things up a gear in the sixth and seventh rounds, finishing each with a flurry of punches which left Pineiro looking off-balance.
Two relatively uneventful rounds followed, though the damage on both fighters' faces was becoming more and more apparent.
Knowing a knockout was probably needed, Pineiro pressed forward in the 10th and final round, but it was Price who continued to land the more significant strikes while cheered on by the majority-Welsh crowd.
The judges' scorecards told the story, as Price was declared the winner to rapturous applause with scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92.
With a super-fight now in Price's sights, her promoter Ben Shalom said the Welshwoman could be the number one pound-for-pound female fighter on the planet by the end of the year.
"It's only a matter of time. To become the number one fighter in the world, you have to box the number one fighter in the world," he said.
"I believe that fight will happen this year and as Lauren said on a two-fight deal."
Edwards and Powar to 'go again' after draw
In the co-main event of the evening, Rhys Edwards and Gully Powar could not be separated in the British featherweight title fight - with a majority draw verdict coming down from the judges.
Penygraig's Edwards started the brighter and picked up the first couple of rounds after landing quick counter right hands and utilising the jab effectively.
Powar grew into the contest from that point and was the busier fighter throughout, throwing more punches than the Welshman in every round.
Both fighters lifted their arm at the end of the 12th round, each corner believing the belt was theirs.
The first judge's scorecard went the way of the Wolverhampton fighter 115-114, to the delight of Powar's travelling fans who made their voices heard in south Wales.
However, the two other judges scored the contest 114-114, resulting in a majority draw.
The pair - who were far from friendly in the week leading up to the fight - showed great respect for one another at the bell and both vowed to have a rematch following the decision.
"I knew it was a tight fight, he's a very good fighter. I respect him and we go again," said Edwards.
Powar responded: "Rhys is a great fighter but I think I won the fight.
"I was relentless the whole 12 rounds, I didn't let him breathe but let's do it again, I'd love to do it again."
Elsewhere on the undercard, there were wins for Welsh quartet Mikey O'Sullivan, Jacob Robinson, Kyran Jones and Morgan McIntosh, while Ireland's Teo Alin upset hometown fighter Kane Shepherd in the only defeat for a Welsh fighter on the night.
Indianapolis – Tarris Reed Jr. posted his third double-double of the NCAA Tournament and Connecticut beat Illinois 71-62 on Saturday night in the Final Four to advance to Monday night’s national championship game.
The No. 3 Huskies will meet the winner of the second national semifinal between No. 1 seeds Arizona and Michigan.
Reed had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Braylon Mullins had 15 points on 5 of 14 shooting and guard Silas Demary Jr. had 5 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Illinois guard Keaton Wagler posted a game-high 20 points with 8 rebounds. He was joined in double figures by Tomislav Ivicic’s 16 points.
BOX SCORE: UConn 71, Illinois 62
The Huskies went into halftime leading 37-29 behind the two-man game of Reed and Mullins, who posted a combined 23 points on 9 of 16 shooting. After making his only 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in the Elite Eight win against Duke, Mullins went 3 of 5 from deep in the first half.
Illinois was led by Wagler, who had 10 points and 6 rebounds at the break. Wagler also committed the only two turnovers of the opening half by either team. UConn and Illinois shot a combined 24 of 63 at the break and were 10 of 32 from 3-point range.
The Huskies’ lead would grow to 13 points at 49-36 on a pair of Karaban free throws five minutes into the second half. The Illini would get back within single digits at 49-40 with 12:56 to play but UConn answered with an 8-3 run capped by a Jaylin Stewart corner 3 to go in front 57-43 with 9:24 left.
Illinois would have another response. With UConn in foul trouble after picking up its 10th team foul with 8:03 remaining, the Illini made it 57-51 a minute later on a pair of Ivicic free throws and then 57-53 on a Stojakovic layup with five minutes to play.
After Wagler scored on a driving layup with 1:39 left to make it 63-59, Mullins would make a crucial 3 from the wing to put the Huskies in from 66-59 with 52 seconds to play. They’d make five of six from the line in the final 37 seconds to seal the win.
UConn is chasing its seventh national championship and third in four years after going back-to-back in 2023-24. A seventh title would break a tie with Duke and bump the Huskies into third in NCAA history behind UCLA (11) and Kentucky (eight).
BYU players stand together for the national anthem prior to the Cougars' game against the Columbia Lions in the championship game of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
|
Jaren Wilkey/BYU PHOTO
When the BYU women’s basketball team learned March 15 that it came up just short of making the NCAA Tournament, the Cougars could have easily looked forward to next season and beyond.
Instead, they embraced the challenge of competing as a No. 1 seed in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament and went on the program’s longest postseason run, building momentum and optimism for the future.
One more victory, and BYU would have needed to make room in the trophy case for a tangible piece of evidence of a national postseason title.
That postseason run, though, along with the Cougars’ Big 12 tournament showing, highlighted what first-year coach Lee Cummard has cooking in Provo and left Cougar Nation with the impression even brighter days are ahead, thanks to a group that found its chemistry and was peaking in March.
It capped off a memorable season where BYU records were set along the way to a 26-12 record, one full of learning and unforgettable moments, as the Cougars exceeded the expectations they faced heading into the season.
“We love our group. We were all-in. Really pleased with the growth of them as people. Really pleased with how we hit some adversity and the group just got closer,” Cummard said Wednesday night after BYU fell in the WBIT championship game.
“I do think it speaks moreso to (what) we’re trying to establish (as our culture), but they’re just great human beings that want to see everybody succeed.”
BYU guard Delaney Gibb, left, dribbles the ball as Utah guard Lani White defends in a second-round game at the Big 12 women's basketball tournament at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
|
Ryan Weaver
Building the culture of a winning program
After BYU had gone three seasons without a winning season under previous head coach Amber Whiting, the culture of the program needed a bit of a reset entering the 2025-26 season.
It all started with Cummard, the former BYU basketball wing who excelled for the Cougars in the 2000s and even earned Mountain West Co-Player of the Year honors in 2008.
He built and molded a roster that relied heavily on underclassmen to play pivotal roles on the court, alongside a small group of seniors who helped provide leadership.
“I think this team wouldn’t be who they are without these coaches and how much they love us. I think that’s really what helped us do really good this season is just the love with these coaches and that they had for us and just all the bonds we have.”
BYU freshman Olivia Hamlin
“It’s super exciting and it’s motivating going into next season, I think,” said sophomore guard Delaney Gibb, a first-team All-Big 12 selection this season. “Coach Cummard has done a great job of inspiring us and holding us to excellence and just caring about us as individuals. You want to pour into a coach when you know that they genuinely have a relationship with you.
“It’s super fun. I just can’t explain enough how fun this group has been, and with the coaching staff, just such great relationships, and it’s so fun to play basketball with a group of people that you care about.”
Freshman Olivia Hamlin, the St. George area native who flipped her commitment from Nebraska to BYU once Cummard was in place as the Cougars’ head coach, credited the coaching staff for its influence in building cohesion on the roster.
“I think this team wouldn’t be who they are without these coaches and how much they love us,” she said. “I think that’s really what helped us do really good this season is just the love with these coaches and that they had for us and just all the bonds we have.”
When Cummard, Gibb and fellow sophomore Brinley Cannon represented BYU at Big 12 media days last October, they laid out expectations for the year. It included finishing in the top half of the Big 12, playing late in the conference tournament and getting back to the NCAAs.
The Cougars lost just once in nonconference play — against a ranked Vanderbilt squad — even as Gibb missed eight games due to injury, before hitting some bumps in Big 12 action.
BYU was 6-9 in conference play before finishing the regular season with three-straight wins, going .500 in the league and earning the No. 9 seed in the Big 12 tournament.
While the Cougars didn’t fully meet those preseason expectations, other notable benchmarks were met — among them the deep WBIT run — and they successfully turned around the trajectory of the program while being more competitive in the Big 12 than their first two seasons in the league.
There were strong leaders at the top of the roster, and the Cougars developed a competitive chemistry as the year wore on.
Gibb, who averaged 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, credited Cannon and senior Hattie Ogden as two individuals who helped provide leadership this season.
“They’ve been huge leaders for our team, and it’s been really helpful for me,” Gibb said before the team’s WBIT semifinal game against Kansas. “I struggled with some injuries this season and that was hard because one of my main goals for this season was to be a bigger leader for this team and someone who’s more vocal. So when you’re injured and you’re on the sideline, that’s kind of a tough situation and it’s a harder dynamic to try and find a leadership role.
“But Brinley and Hattie have been two people that are constantly looking outside of themselves and looking to help everyone else on the team, whether it be on the basketball court or even outside of basketball. They’re just two girls that are amazing human beings and have been just such great leaders for this team.”
Cannon, who was one of three every-game starters for BYU alongside senior Lara Rohkohl and freshman Sydney Benally, put into perspective how Gibb had grown in her second season at BYU.
“She’s the face of this team. Obviously she scores a lot of points, but she also has a really big role of just keeping us connected and tied together because she is such a great player,” Cannon said. “And I think she’s held that role and position with a lot of grace and in a really selfless way.
“I think when you have really good players doing that, then it’s contagious for the rest of the team. So I think that it’s just been a really fun year for us to grow both on and off the court and in that leadership role.”
BYU guard Brinley Cannon drives to the basket during the Cougars' matchup with the Stanford Cardinal in the quarterfinal of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
|
Brandon Judd, Deseret News
Finding their stride
The chemistry BYU built started to pay off immensely near the end of the regular season, when the Cougars beat Utah, Arizona State and Colorado to end up with a 9-9 mark in Big 12 play.
BYU carried that momentum over into the postseason, going 9-2 over its final 11 games and ended up with 26 wins, a program record for a first-year head coach.
The Cougars snapped a four-game losing streak to Utah this season — a major milestone considering the Utes had made the NCAAs four-straight years — and beat the Utes three times, including in the second round of the Big 12 tournament.
That was one of two wins BYU had in the conference tournament in Kansas City, the first time the Cougars had won a postseason game since joining the Big 12.
But it wasn’t over.
The Cougars carried that success over into the WBIT, and as a No. 1 seed, they earned the opportunity to play at home for the first three rounds, as they beat Alabama A&M, Missouri and Stanford by an average of 19.3 points to advance to the semifinals.
Gibb said BYU’s stretch of 10 games, prior to losing in the championship game against Columbia, truly represented what the group had become.
“I’m just so grateful to be part of such a culture and such a group of girls that truly just love each other and connect and get along. It’s really fun to play basketball with a group of people that you just really enjoy being around,” Gibb said.
Hamlin, who ended up second on the team by averaging 12.9 points per game, starred in the postseason as well — twice, she tied her career high with 23 points in WBIT action.
“I don’t think you guys really understand how special this group is with the coaching staff and all the girls because we just bond so well,” Hamlin said. “I’m just really thankful to be here with these great people.”
The opportunity to extend BYU’s season — playing an extra five games in the WBIT — was also extremely valuable.
In the semifinals, the Cougars faced a Kansas team they hadn’t beaten since joining the Big 12 and trailed by eight just minutes into the game.
BYU rallied, and, led by its youth, the Cougars won a 70-67 thriller. It was just one example of resiliency that this team showed as the season wore on.
“You can practice all you want, you can’t simulate a game rep. It’s just completely different. Every game had different things that will be so vital for some of these young players going forward,” Cummard said of BYU’s postseason run.
“... There’s just so many good reps in the Big 12 tournament on that stage and then in this tournament on this stage and learning how to get knocked down on your rear end, thinking you’re going to the NCAA Tournament, and having to pick yourself up and show everybody that it still matters, because it does.”
Even though BYU lost in the WBIT championship game, the Cougars’ fight showed up in the fourth quarter, when they went on a 13-0 run sparked largely by a tenacious, turnover-causing defense that led to transition points.
BYU even cut the deficit to nine early in the final minute on the back of another run before the Lions won the game at the free-throw line.
“I think it’s really telling for this group, too, we got down big, and nobody faltered. They just kept playing hard for each other,” Cummard said.
“Whether they’re playing next year or they’re going into the professional world, you get in these moments, you get a chance to go capture something special, you’ve got to go grab it. It’s not going to fall in your lap.”
BYU guards Olivia Hamlin (7) and Sydney Benally (2) celebrate during the Cougars' WBIT semifinal victory over Kansas on March 30, 2026.
|
Jaren Wilkey/BYU
What the future holds
How the season ended — with a loss in a national postseason championship game — will sting a little, Cummard said, but it was an invaluable learning experience for a program on the rise.
There’s a lot of young talent for BYU to build around going forward, if the Cougars can avoid having a rash of transfers. Gibb, a two-time All-Big 12 honoree, will be a junior next season, and there are two other main rotational players, Cannon and Kambree Barber, who will also be juniors.
Then there’s a freshman class that includes Hamlin, Benally (who set the program single-season record for assists by a freshman with 148) and Bolanle Yussuf.
“I’m a big dreamer, so I have a lot of expectations. I think with this group being so young, it’s super exciting, and it’s super fun to see. Obviously we’re going to really miss our seniors. They were the foundation of our team, and they were the leaders of this group,” Gibb said.
“Obviously there’s going to have to be some gaps being filled just in that aspect. But it’s super exciting to have such a young group of girls because there is so much potential and there’s so much growth that can happen. So going into the postseason and this offseason, it’s super exciting, and it’s motivating because every single girl wants to be their best and wants to improve for the rest of the group.”
“I’m a big dreamer, so I have a lot of expectations. I think with this group being so young, it’s super exciting, and it’s super fun to see. Obviously we’re going to really miss our seniors. They were the foundation of our team, and they were the leaders of this group.”
BYU guard Delaney Gibb
Playing against established programs like Columbia, Stanford and Missouri — teams the Cougars don’t always get a chance to face — during the postseason also had its advantages for this young group.
“I think this is great for us, especially the young ones, especially me. I think this is a good opportunity to improve and just learn from playing against these really good teams,” Hamlin said.
“And it kind of fuels us, like now we know what it’s going to be like for next season and now we understand these teams are tough and D-1 teams are really good, so I think it fuels us that we can play with them and just build off from that.”
It’s helped elevate expectations for next season, even as the uncertainty of the current era of college sports — with an even more wide open transfer portal — makes it unclear who all will be back.
One player, Marya Hudgins, already announced she is headed to the transfer portal for her final collegiate season. She missed time both of her two years at BYU due to injury.
Others could follow, and the Cougars will say goodbye to three seniors.
On the positive side, there will be transfers coming in and the Cougars are expected to get back Kailey Woolston, who shined as a freshman in 2023-24 before missing the past two seasons while serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This year’s group proved that BYU can thrive under Cummard and that the foundation of its culture is strong at the religious school.
“I think we’ve done a fantastic job. The staff has done a great job. But we’ve got a special locker room,” Cummard said. “If you spent time with these athletes, these players, you’ll know why some of the results happened the way they did. They’re high-character young women that carry themselves, and there’s many instances in what we put on them as far as expectations where they’ve risen to the occasion.
“That’s not just on the basketball court. Some of the things that we are trying to expect from them, how they carry themselves, how they talk and act in public. They’re just a great group. They’re special.”
BYU players cheer together as they head towards the arena prior to the Cougars' game against the Columbia Lions in the championship game of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
|
Jaren Wilkey/BYU
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 27: Max Strus #1, Sam Merrill #5 and Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game against the Detroit Pistons on January 27, 2025 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be starting the first round of the playoffs in two weeks. There isn’t much left to prove in the regular season. Their number one focus is making sure they’re healthy for the playoffs. As a result, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they will be without multiple key players for their game against the Indiana Pacers on Easter.
Cleveland will be missing starting center Jarrett Allen for what the injury report labels as right knee injury management. Allen hurt his knee during the Cavs’ March 3 victory over the Detroit Pistons. This caused him to miss 10 games after the injury.
Allen has performed well after returning to the lineup for the team’s March 27 win over the Miami Heat. However, he is still paying through pain. Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor reported last week that Allen is still in pain and not quite 100%.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Jarrett Allen Fro shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
Additionally, Evan Mobley will also be out due to left calf injury management. Being without both starting bigs will likely force Thomas Bryant into the lineup. It could also allow two-way forwards, Olivier Sarr and Riley Minix, some playing time with the team after the Cleveland Charge’s season concluded this past week.
The Cavaliers also won’t have the services of Sam Merrill. He’s been dealing with and playing through various injuries throughout the season. Merrill is being held out on Sunday with the designation of left hamstring injury management.
The Cavs will still be without Dean Wade (ankle) and Jaylon Tyson (toe). The team hasn’t released an update on those injuries since saying they both would be missing the team’s recent three-game road trip that wrapped up on Friday. We’ll likely get some sort of update from head coach Kenny Atkinson on their injuries before Sunday’s game.
The Pacers, meanwhile, will be down several key players. They will be without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Pascal Siakam (ankle), Johnny Furphy (ACL), T.J. McConnell (hamstring), Andrew Nembhard (back), Aaron Nesmith (neck), and Ivica Zubac (rib).
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Landen Roupp #65 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the first inning of a major league baseball game at Oracle Park on July 12, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a very good series opener on Thursday, and a very bad follow-up on Friday, the San Francisco Giants will look to take the lead in their four-game set with the New York Mets this evening.
Taking the mound for the Giants is right-hander Landen Roupp, who will look to reprise his phenomenal season debut last week. Against the San Diego Padres, Roupp pitched six shutout innings, while allowing just four baserunners and striking out seven. Last year, in 22 starts, the 27-year old went 7-7 with a 3.80 ERA, a 3.91 FIP, and 102 strikeouts against 45 walks in 106.2 innings.
For the Mets, it’s righty Clay Holmes, a 33-year old veteran who is also making his second start of the year. In his season debut, Holmes gave up seven baserunners and two earned runs against the St. Louis Cardinals, while striking out five batters in 5.2 innings. He made 31 starts last year (plus two relief appearances), and went 12-8 with a 3.53 ERA, a 4.11 FIP, and 129 strikeouts against 66 walks in 165.2 innings.
Enjoy the game, everyone. Go Giants!
Game #9
Who: San Francisco Giants (3-5) vs. New York Mets (4-4)
The New York Yankees decided to keep Luis Gil in the minors to start the season, and it wasn't the worst idea. The Yankees only needed a four-man rotation to start the year due to a few off days, so having the young right-hander get some work in Triple-A made a lot of sense.
The former Rookie of the Year seems to be doing well health-wise, and according to the latest report, he should be back in the Yankees' big league rotation by next week.
“Luis Gil is headed to join the RailRiders, where he is expected to make a start this weekend, putting him in line to rejoin the Yankees when they need a fifth starter (by April 11),” Greg Joyce posted on X.
As Joyce touched on here, this wasn't due to not throwing well in spring training or any other reason. There simply wasn't much of a reason for the Yankees to have him in the rotation or on the big league roster if he wasn't going to get a chance to pitch early on. Perhaps the Yankees could have used him as a bullpen arm over the first few games, but changing up his routine wouldn't have done anybody any good.
Hopefully, he can now come back up to New York and not miss a beat.
The UConn Huskies entered the 2026 NCAA tournament as the No. 2 seed in the East region, coming off a 20-point blowout loss in the Big East tournament final against St. John’s.
But discount Dan Hurley’s tournament pedigree at your own peril, as pretty much all the Huskies have done is win — and cover — over the past few seasons. After two easy wins over No. 15 Furman and No. 7 UCLA, the Huskies beat No. 3 Michigan State 67-63 and got by No. 1 Duke 73-72 thanks to a miraculous last-second 3-pointer from Braylon Mullins.
Despite closing as a 1.5-point underdog on Saturday night in the Final Four against Illinois, UConn led most of the game before holding on down the stretch to beat Illinois 71-62.
For one bettor at DraftKings, that means another UConn victory would result in a $1 million payout.
The bettor wagered $77,000 on the Huskies to cut down the nets at 13-1 odds, which would win $1,001,000. It’s the biggest liability remaining among reported futures wagers at legal U.S. sportsbooks.
UConn will be an underdog against either No. 1 Arizona or No. 1 Michigan in the national championship game, but bet against the Huskies at your own peril. UConn is now 18-1 straight up and against the spread in its last 19 tournament games under Hurley.
One bettor will certainly be rooting for one more Huskies win.
Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
All the focus is on the Minnesota Vikings’ draft pick at No. 18 — and rightfully so. But this week, we asked VikingsTerritory writers to predict the second draft pick of the event, and Minnesota currently holds the 49th selection.
Minnesota’s second-round outlook sparked a wide mix of predictions from the VikingsTerritory staff.
These are their formal predictions, with the draft 2.5 weeks away.
The Prospects Who Stand Out for Minnesota at Pick No. 47
Which player do you think the Vikings will draft in Round 2?
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard goes through pregame warmups, preparing for action and working through routes ahead of kickoff Oct 11, 2025, at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Bernard focused on timing and movement as the Crimson Tide readied for a road matchup against the Missouri Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
1. Germie Bernard | WR, Alabama
Predictor: Sean Borman
From a roster-building standpoint, getting a talented WR like Bernard with pick 49 makes sense. The Vikings just picked up Jordan Addison’s 5th-year option for 2027. While interim GM Rob Brzezinski said the team has budgeted for an Addison extension, picking Bernard not only adds a WR3 who can play immediately, but also provides insurance and leverage for future Addison negotiations.
2. Treydan Stukes | CB, Arizona
Predictor: Brevan Bane
The kid could fit in Minnesota, playing corner (mostly in nickel) or even at safety, next to a potentially returning Harrison Smith or a replacement to be determined.
3. Logan Jones | C, Iowa
Predictor: Kyle Joudry
Going to Minnesota will be Logan Jones, the center from Iowa (after a trade down in the 2nd). He fits their preferred details for the spot as a smaller option who is an excellent athlete.
4. Jadarian Price | HB, Notre Dame
Predictor: Henrique Gucciardi
There are multiple reports that the Vikings are targeting an RB early in the Draft. Price is an explosive and patient runner who could also contribute as a kick returner. He also doesn’t have much mileage, as he was Jeremiyah Love’s backup in college.
5. Jonah Coleman | RB, Washington
Predictor: Josh Frey
The Vikings need to inject some youth into their running back room, and Coleman is a player who can impact the game in all aspects, whether it be running the ball, catching passes, or blocking.
t6. Anthony Hill Jr. | ILB, Texas
Predictor: Cole Smith
Smith aligns with the 49th overall pick on the PFSN Industry Consensus Big Board and was one of the nation’s most reliable tacklers in 2025. This gives the Vikings a young linebacker alongside Blake Cashman and allows Brian Flores to be even more creative with Eric Wilson.
t6. Anthony Hill Jr. | ILB, Texas
Predictor: Dustin Baker
Eric Wilson will turn 32 this year, and the other starting off-ball linebacker, Blake Cashman, will be a free agent in 2027. Minnesota needs youth at linebacker.
Flores favors versatile players, and Hill perfectly exemplifies a do-it-all linebacker. While at Texas, he demonstrated the ability to rush the passer from the edge, play off-ball linebacker, and drop into coverage. This hybrid skill set is a mainstay among players who have thrived in Flores’s system, such as Andrew Van Ginkel and Josh Metellus.
t8. D’Angelo Ponds | CB, Indiana
Predictor: Janik Eckardt
Indiana defensive back D’Angelo Ponds stands on the practice field during summer workouts, taking reps and sharpening technique Aug 5, 2025, at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Ponds worked through drills with teammates as the Hoosiers prepared for the upcoming season and evaluated defensive depth in camp. Mandatory Credit: Rich Janzaruk-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ponds thrives in zone-heavy schemes that feature nickel defenders. His awareness, quick reaction, and strong ball skills are best utilized in these systems. He is particularly effective in off-coverage and zone concepts, where he can quickly read the quarterback and react. He’ll be a Viking on Day 2 of the draft.
t8. D’Angelo Ponds | CB, Indiana
Predictor: Steve Hoikkala
The biggest knock on Ponds is that he is undersized at only 5’9, 182 lbs, but he plays a lot bigger than that with his top CB vertical at the Combine at 43.5″, and ran a 4.31 40-time at his pro day. He has a nose for the ball and in (2) seasons at Indiana in the Big 10, he only allowed 1 TD, caught 5 INTs, and allowed a meager 52.4 passer rating to opposing QBs.
If he is there at pick #49, D’Angelo Ponds may be tough to pass on for the Vikings. If the Vikings don’t select a CB in the first round, the second round may be the last chance to get a potential starter for the future in this draft.
t10. Lee Hunter | DT, Texas Tech
Predictor: Adam New
The Vikings need a big nose tackle, and Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter ticks that box. A 24-year-old rookie, he brings plenty of experience and should be able to make a big contribution in Year 1.
t10. Lee Hunter | DT, Texas Tech
Predictor: Tony Schultz
Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter speaks with reporters during conference media availability, discussing preparation and expectations Jul 8, 2025, at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Hunter represented his program at Big 12 Media Days, offering insight into the Red Raiders’ defensive outlook heading into the season. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
After taking a starter and a player of need in round one, the Vikings can follow that up immediately in round 2. Safety, cornerback, center, or running back can be addressed in the first round. However, this may be a surprise pick at wide receiver or defensive tackle.
I say they take defensive tackle Lee Hunter over wide receiver Chris Brazzell because Brazzell has some driving violations. Sound familiar? Hunter would shore up the middle on run plays and has some push to collapse the pocket and make plays in the backfield. If his projection pans out, he, Jalen Redmond, and Levi Drake Rodriguez would make a formidable front.
t10. Lee Hunter | DT, Texas Tech
Predictor: Wes Johnson
This pick is obviously based on what happens in the first round, but let’s assume the Vikings go safety — Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren — with their first pick. Hunter fills a need for depth along the defensive interior and should help shore up the defense upfront in a division where they like to run the ball.
“I’m sorry, I love you.” Those were the words offered by Shawn Michaels before he Sweet Chin Music’d pro wrestling icon Ric Flair into what should’ve been a perfect retirement at WrestleMania 24. Deontay Wilder, 18 years on, tried to give Derek Chisora the same poetic sendoff - repeating those exact words - in a slugfest for the ages. Unlike Flair, who at the tender age of 59 backtracked on his retirement and continued to painstakingly wrestle into his 70s, Chisora should accept this 50th fight for what it is: his rightful finale.
It wasn’t the fairytale ending, with Wilder, 40, edging out victory by split decision after 12 rounds of spine-tingling, back-and-forth brawling. But 42-year-old Chisora, now on 14 losses, isn’t the fairytale type. He’s a loveable brute with a maniacal smile and, after an up-and-down career, victory on this night didn’t feel imperative for “Delboy” to deliver. Chaos was all his adoring fans asked for, and that’s what they got.
“I’m going to go home with the boss lady and see,” Chisora said, staying a bit coy over whether 50 would be it before suggesting this has to be his last fight. “I’m going to go home and drop the kids, do the school run.
Derek Chisora seemed to finally retire after his defeat by Deontay Wilder (Getty Images)
“Thank you very much, I really appreciate it. Thank you very much, United Kingdom I really appreciate you. I was born in Zimbabwe, I came over when I was 16, I got in trouble and then got addicted to boxing. I didn’t know I was going to get addicted. Thank you very much, I really appreciate it.”
For a man who was allegedly on the precipice of retirement, Chisora felt like he was allowing himself to properly enjoy the last build of his career. He was romanticising the “scumbag” world he was about to step out of, and used his final media duties to tick off something of a Delboy bucket list; whether that was arriving at his press conference on a tank with controversial Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, or calling Piers Morgan a scathing four-word profanity to his face on air.
But Chisora also didn’t feel desperate to sell his boxing farewell as legacy-defining. His mantra in fight week was “f*** it, let’s go”; he was done with the talk and was at peace with leaving everything between the ropes. Maybe that’s why London’s O2 Arena wasn’t completely sold out for what proved a fight-of-the-year contender.
Chisora (left) arrived to his press conference with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in a tank (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)
Wilder, meanwhile, was hardly a pillar of composure in the days and weeks leading up. His future after fight night was far less clear and, whether it was his blow-up in front of TalkSport host Simon Jordan, 58, over the topic of the Tyson Fury trilogy – one which required security to step in – or his bizarre rant on Morgan’s show where he made allegations about the conception of his child, he didn’t seem like a man with his mind particularly in check. This felt more like a boom-or-bust for Wilder’s career after seeing his force fade in recent years, and his emotions were indicative of that.
Circumstances created a perfect storm for a fight that seemed guaranteed to bring a finish. Wilder, needing a huge performance, had lost four of his last six - three by KO - but of course once boasted the reputation as arguably the hardest-hitting heavyweight to ever live. Chisora promised to empty the tank for better or worse in his last hurrah.
Chisora, right, and Wilder entertained the O2 Arena (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)
The expectation of a knockout was entrenched from the outset, with Wilder unloading on Chisora before toppling into Delboy on the ropes, refusing to separate. Chisora’s coach darted into the ring to remedy the situation. This was the first round, a sign of the carnage to come.
Chisora knew he had to survive the early attacks, with Wilder’s optimum time to finish expected to come in the first three or four rounds. But Chisora began to turn the tide, starting to pummel Wilder before the end of the fourth. Wilder came back with counter-punches but the Briton was getting his American foe to the corners and unloading serious punishment. The home crowd were vociferous, as “Oh, Derek Chisora” rang from stand to stand.
To Chisora’s dismay, Wilder’s chin stayed strong and soon the Brit began to tire. Then came the round of the year so far; the eighth. Wilder responded to a stiff shot with two clean crosses before punching Chisora through the ropes, scoring the fight’s first knockdown. There was cinema to these three minutes, with Chisora uttering that famous “Heartbreak Kid” line before unleashing what he thought was a legend-killing blow.
Literally and figuratively, Chisora was looking ropey. He beat the count but seemed there for the taking, only for Wilder’s next move – a push – to cost him a point. Chisora was given a crucial few extra seconds to regain his composure and survive the round.
Chisora was knocked down in the eighth round (Adam DAvy/PA) (PA Wire)
Each man gassing but still throwing bombs, they seemed to trade knockdowns in the 11th, only for both to seemingly be ruled trips after the fact. Their war of attrition, somehow, now looked set to go the distance.
As their battered skulls kept spraying sweat, the final 10 seconds of the final round sent the crowd to a fever pitch one last time. Both searched for a Hail Mary knockout that didn’t come, and the bell sounded on a barnstormer and surely Chisora’s storied career. The result keeps Wilder’s career alive but it didn’t really matter when it came to the hero of the hour. This was the climax Chisora’s journey warranted; an unadulterated firefight.
Doubt will still hover over the definitiveness of his boxing departure, because of Chisora’s unpredictable and sometimes irrational character. But this should answer his retirement question once and for all. He’s made his money and “Delboy”, despite his true love for the game still burning, just couldn’t deny that this is how his time in the ring was meant to end. "You know when it's time, it's time.”
The road to the national championship goes through Indianapolis, where Michigan basketball has to face a red-hot Arizona team that, like the Wolverines, has been among the best of the best in college basketball this season. The Wildcats are the best team that the maize and blue will have seen thus far, and with a win in the Final Four against Arizona, Michigan would have the opportunity to win the whole shebang, with one final game against 2-seed UConn coming on Monday night.
Saturday night's matchup is a tall task, but it's what the Wolverines have been working toward all season long. With standouts in the frontcourt, including forward Yaxel Lendeborg and center Aday Mara, the maize and blue will work to stall some of the Wildcats' stars, such as Koa Peat and Brayden Burries.
Follow along with our live blog, not only to get the play-by-play, but also our instant analysis of the Final Four contest.
With the Illini band and cheerleaders leading the way, the Fighting Illini nation at Lucas Oil Stadium was pumped up. While there may be four schools there Saturday, Illinois was taking it over.
"It's like a home game. Everybody's wearing orange, and Indianapolis feels like Champaign to me," said Brad Lane with the Chicago Illini Club.
University of Illinois fans flooded Indianapolis for their Final Four March Madness game against UConn.
There seemed to be an endless line of orange-clad Illinois fans walking into pre-parties before the main event at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"We have by far the most amount of fans here from any team," said Matty Kramer with The Boardroom Podcast.
Tracy Abrams played and graduated in 2017.
"We never got to do this," Abrams said. "Just to be here supporting these guys, I'm with it. I'm all in!"
Marcus Griffin played and graduated in 2001.
"Just for all the players that came before," Griffin said. "This is all we ever wanted to see, wanted to see coach and the players get to a national championship."
Of course they need to beat UConn in order to get to that national championship game on Monday night. Almost all the Illinois fans ABC7 talked to in Indianapolis say they are planning on being there Monday night as well.
Final Four March Madness watch parties were sold on the University of Illinois campus in Champaign.
Excitement was also building on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
An Illini Union watch party got underway Saturday afternoon, where eager fans were hoping for a win.
"It's history in the making, since 2005," U of I alum Dwayne Banks, Jr. said. "It's crazy, and it's crazy to see."
Students and alumni gathered in the Illini Union to, hopefully, witness the Fighting Illini basketball team continue its historic winning streak in the Final Four.
"Didn't really see this coming at the start of the tournament, but I mean, we've just been rolling," U of I sophomore student Vivin Anand said.
"It's just great to have an ongoing legacy of Illini just bleeding orange and blue with everybody," U of I class of 1989 alum Lori Nixon said.
"We're old enough that we've seen the Flying Illini in action. We had season tickets back in the day, and this is a big moment," U of I class of 1989 alum Bruce Nixon said.
For most students, they weren't even born the last time the team made it to the Final Four in 2005.
"It's something we've never seen before," U of I sophomore student Ayan Bhakta said. "We've been here for two years. There hasn't been a win, like the Elite Eight. And, we're just going to keep going."
The hype behind the team is palpable beyond campus, too.
ABC7 saw lines stretching out of nearby bars, like Legends , where watch parties were sold out, costing, at some places, $100 or more a ticket. And even then, a ticket might not guarantee a spot inside.
"We're trying to get in. So, we're at the end of the line, like you said, so hopefully we make it in there," U of I alum Giovanni Guzman said. "It's time to celebrate and make sure that we can, at least, enjoy a great game and make some history, too. Let's go! U of I, let's go!"
After every win, the tradition on campus is for everyone to gather outside the Illini Union at the Alma Mater statue. They're hoping the party returns there later Saturday night.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood doesn't need any reminders about what happened the last two times his team faced UConn.
He can just plug in the game tapes, rewind them and watch them again. Back in November, the Huskies led wire-to-wire in a 74-61 victory. Two years ago in the Elite Eight, UConn used a 30-0 run en route to a 77-52 victory on the way to a second straight national championship.
There's nothing the Fighting Illini can do to change those results now, but they do believe they can change the course of this series Saturday when they face UConn in their first Final Four clash in more than two decades.
"I've said all along, you just have to keep knocking on the door and our opportunities were going to come," Underwood said in Indianapolis when asked about the impact of the 2024 postseason loss. "We learned a lot from that game. I thought that team was a Final Four team that just happened to play a damn good basketball team in the Elite Eight, so we didn't get there. But I think we grew from that from the standpoint of understanding how hard it is, what that looks like."
Underwood took those lessons, revised his plan and started plotting how to get the Fighting Illini (28-8) to their first Final Four since 2005. Now, after 39 seasons in the coaching ranks, Underwood has finally made it here in March Madness for the first time.
For Illinois, it's a new experience, too. The Illini last reached the national semifinals during their 2005 runner-up finish. The obstacle again will be getting past UConn (33-5).
But this looks like a very different matchup than this season's previous meeting with two more physical, more balanced and more experienced teams squaring off.
Huskies coach Dan Hurley has built his reputation on tough players eager to the dirty work and this group is more of the same.
Center Tarris Reed Jr. earned the East Region's Most Outstanding Player award by scoring 21.7 points and grabbing 13.5 rebounds in tourney wins over Furman, UCLA, Michigan State and Duke- including 31 points and 27 rebounds in Round 1.
Huskies Forward Alex Karaban already holds school records for most games played (149), most wins (125), most starts (148) and most 3-pointers (288) and now needs two more tourney wins to push his March Madness career mark to 19-1. That would send him past Hurley's brother, Bobby, for second all-time in NCAA tourney wins.
"Defense and rebounding, that's really been our calling card," Karaban said as he chases a rare third title. "Every time we've had success or won championships, that's what our calling card has been."
And, of course, UConn would not be playing at Lucas Oil Stadium without a remarkable 19-point rally and Brayton Mullins' miraculous 35-foot, 3-pointer to beat top-seeded Duke 73-72 last Sunday. Mullins is now playing just 37 minutes away from his hometown - Greenfield, Indiana.
Hurley, too, is chasing milestones. He needs one victory for career win No. 350, two for his 200th win at UConn, giving him his third national title in four years and the Huskies their seventh crown since 1999.
Just don't get fooled by what happened in November.
Mullins entered his college debut on a 10-minute restriction because of an early-season injury that forced him to miss UConn's first six games. Now he's playing in front of a home-state crowd that will include his family and perhaps a large contingent of local residents clad in UConn gear.
"I told him last night, I was like 'Look, man, it's time to get ready for Illinois," Mullins' father, Josh, told The Associated Press during Friday's open practice at the 72,500-seat football stadium turned basketball arena. "Just enjoy the hell out of the time we have right here. It's pretty awesome."
Illinois is different, too. Guard Keaton Wagler, a second-team All-American, was just starting to emerge as a scoring threat in November. Today, he's the Illini's leading scorer (17.9 points) and the South Region MOP.
In November, forward Jake Davis was still coming off the bench and guard Andrej Stojakovic was still trying to find his groove. Davis now starts, Stojakovic's big plays off the bench have played a key role in fueling Illinois' tourney run and the 7-foot Ivisic twins, Tomislav and Zvonimir, have provided a needed physical presence.
The result: Illinois steamrolled its way through four tourney games, beating Penn, VCU, Houston and surprise Elite Eight participant Iowa all by double-digit margins. The second-seeded Cougars, who won a regional in Indy last year before losing in the title game, even were playing in Houston.
Now it's time for Underwood & Co. to prove they have what it takes to contend with the always sturdy Huskies, with a chance to erase the bleak memories from the previous matchups by reaching the school's second title game in front of what is expected to be a large contingent of orange-clad fans making the two-hour drive to Indy.
"I think from the game two years ago, it's a clean slate," Stojakovic said. "But we're not really worried about that game. Obviously, we've gotten better (since November), had some guys return from injuries - both sides."
UConn entered the Final Four with the most distant national championship odds of the four remaining teams, but the Huskies will be one of the last two teams standing on Monday night.
UConn is a perfect 6-0 in national championship games. The Huskies have never lost when playing for a title, picking up wins in 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023 and 2024. That will have fans feeling positive entering Monday night's game despite UConn entering as an underdog after the win over Illinois in the Final Four.
UConn national titles
UConn has won six national championships, all since 1999:
Year
Championship game
Coach
1999
UConn 77, Duke 74
Jim Calhoun
2004
UConn 82, Georgia Tech 73
Jim Calhoun
2011
UConn 53, Butler 41
Jim Calhoun
2014
UConn 60, Kentucky 54
Kevin Ollie
2023
UConn 76, San Diego State 59
Dan Hurley
2024
UConn 75, Purdue 60
Dan Hurley
The Huskies haven't always been favored to win their titles. UConn entered the championship game as a sizable underdog against Duke in 1999, and the 7-seeded Huskies were slight underdogs against Kentucky in 2014.
To keep their title game record perfect UConn will have to win as an underdog again in 2026.
UConn's six national championships rank third all-time and already exceed blue bloods Duke and Kansas. Another giant could be next.
A win on Monday would put the Huskies ahead of North Carolina, giving UConn its seventh title. The program would stand alone in third behind only UCLA and Kentucky in that scenario.
Hurley has won two national championships, which puts him in rare company even at an early stage of his career. He is one of 17 coaches to win multiple titles and one of three active coaches, alongside Bill Self and Rick Pitino.
A third would put Hurley up there with basketball royalty. Only six head coaches have won three or more national championships: John Wooden, Mike Krzyzewski, Adolph Rupp, Roy Williams, Jim Calhoun and Bob Knight. One more win would make Hurley the seventh.
INDIANAPOLIS — Tarris Reed Jr. posted his third double-double of the NCAA Tournament and Connecticut beat Illinois 71-62 in the Final Four to advance to Monday night’s national championship game.
The No. 3 Huskies will meet the winner of the second national semifinal between No. 1 seeds Arizona and Michigan.
Reed had 17 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Braylon Mullins had 15 points on 5 of 14 shooting and guard Silas Demary Jr. had 5 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Illinois guard Keaton Wagler posted a game-high 20 points with 8 rebounds. He was joined in double figures by Tomislav Ivicic’s 16 points.
The Huskies went into halftime leading 37-29 behind the two-man game of Reed and Mullins, who posted a combined 23 points on 9 of 16 shooting. After making his only 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in the Elite Eight win against Duke, Mullins went 3 of 5 from deep in the first half.
Illinois was led by Wagler, who had 10 points and 6 rebounds at the break. Wagler also committed the only two turnovers of the opening half by either team. UConn and Illinois shot a combined 24 of 63 at the break and were 10 of 32 from 3-point range.
The Huskies’ lead would grow to 13 points at 49-36 on a pair of Alex Karaban free throws five minutes into the second half. The Illini would get back within single digits at 49-40 with 12:56 to play but UConn answered with an 8-3 run capped by a Jaylin Stewart corner 3 to go in front 57-43 with 9:24 left.
Illinois would have another response. With UConn in foul trouble after picking up its 10th team foul with 8:03 remaining, the Illini made it 57-51 a minute later on a pair of Ivicic free throws and then 57-53 on an Andrej Stojakovic layup with five minutes to play.
After Wagler scored on a driving layup with 1:39 left to make it 63-59, Mullins would make a crucial 3 from the wing to put the Huskies in from 66-59 with 52 seconds to play. They’d make five of six from the line in the final 37 seconds to seal the win.
UConn is chasing its seventh national championship and third in four years after going back-to-back in 2023-24. A seventh title would break a tie with Duke and bump the Huskies into third in NCAA history behind UCLA (11) and Kentucky (eight).
The Men's Final Four will be pure cinema, taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Michigan, Arizona, Illinois and UConn are all taking a trip to Indianapolis for the national semifinals. The Huskies will look to grab another title after going back-to-back in 2023 and 2024. Arizona and Michigan are hoping to end long championship droughts, and Illinois is attempting to win the first title in program history.
While two of these programs are No. 1 seeds, the others took down top dogs to secure their spots. UConn defeated No. 1 Duke with a shocking buzzer-beater, while Illinois beat Houston and an Iowa squad that pulled off an upset against defending champion Florida in the second round.
Here is everything you need to know about the Men's Final Four, including TV and streaming options for the 2026 NCAA Tournament semifinals.
Both semifinal games and the national championship game will air on TBS and truTV. Fans can stream those games live on DIRECTV.
Catch every game — try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1 and NFL Network — all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
What time is the Men's Final Four today?
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 6:09 p.m. ET | 8:49 p.m. ET
UConn vs. Illinois will tip off at 6:09 p.m. ET, and Michigan vs. Arizona will start at 8:49 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 4. Both games will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The Toronto Blue Jays now look like they could be without Cody Ponce for the rest of the year after he suffered a tough injury on the mound earlier in the week. It's unfortunate that things have unfolded this way for the Blue Jays early on, but this is the reality of Major League Baseball.
Instead of dwelling on it, the Blue Jays need to go out and make a move for a starter, and one idea from Patrick McAvoy of Sports Illustrated would help solve that. He believes there's an ideal starter for the Blue Jays to go after, and it's none other than Lucas Giolito, who is surprisingly still a free agent.
“It’s unfortunate any time you see an injury pop up around the league. But, on the bright side, there is a free agent starter out there right now who could help Toronto, or any team with a pitching need for that matter: Lucas Giolito. There is no reason why Giolito is available right now. The 31-year-old made 26 starts for the Boston Red Sox in 2025 and logged a 3.41 ERA across 145 innings of work. He also logged a 121-to-56 strikeout-to-walk ratio over that stretch.”
The nice part about Giolito coming in is that he wouldn't need time to find his groove. This is a guy who has been in the league for a very long time now, and there's zero reason why he doesn't have an opportunity with a contending team like the Blue Jays already. However, him waiting in free agency could actually be a good thing, as a team like Toronto, which is now facing injuries, could use him.
No more debates. No more projections. Let March Madness begin.
Led by Sporting News College Basketball Player of the Year Cameron Boozer, Duke (East Region) will enter the bracket as the No. 1 overall seed. Arizona (West Region), Florida (South Region) and Michigan (Midwest Region) earned the other No. 1 seeds in this year's tournament.
Of course, there are also plenty of underdogs hoping to make Cinderella runs. Which teams will navigate their way through a challenging bracket and reach the Final Four?
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 NCAA Tournament, including TV and streaming options for each round of March Madness.
How to watch 2026 March Madness games: TV channels, live streams
NCAA Tournament games will air on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Viewers can also stream March Madness games on DIRECTV (CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV), Fubo (CBS) and Paramount+ (CBS).
Catch every game — try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live college basketball, MLB, NHL and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1 and NFL Network — all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
You can listen to NCAA Tournament games live on SiriusXM. Channels for games are listed on the official SiriusXM website.
New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
March Madness bracket 2026
You can download Sporting News' printable NCAA Tournament bracket (PDF) by clicking here.
Greg McDermott coached his final game at Creighton Saturday as the Bluejays fell to West Virginia in the semifinals of the College Basketball Crown tournament at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS — It has been quite a run to say the least.
Ten NCAA appearances. Fourteen years of 20-plus wins. A trip to the Elite Eight. A smooth transition from the Missouri Valley to the Big East.
Not bad for a small Catholic school in Omaha, Nebraska.
Greg McDermott was the guiding hand to Creighton’s basketball success over the last 16 years. Saturday, he coached his final game with the Bluejays, falling to West Virginia 87-70 in the semifinals of the College Basketball Crown at T-Mobile Arena. The Mountaineers will meet Oklahoma for the Crown championship at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The Sooners earned their spot with an 82-69 win over Baylor in the first semifinal Saturday. The winner will receive $300,000 for its NIL collective.
The final tally on McDermott’s ledger — 366-189.
“I’m going to take a step back for now. I do not think anybody ever says ‘never say never,’ but I am comfortable if I never coach again, I am in a really good spot, with what has transpired here and the relationships I have developed over the last 16 years,” McDermott said last month when he announced his retirement plans.
Saturday, he reiterated those remarks while getting to reminisce about his time on the court and the many special moments he was part of. Perhaps the biggest was getting to coach his son Doug, who became a First-Team All-American and won the John Wooden Award and the James Naismith Award in 2014 as college basketball’s top player.
But even after his son left for the NBA, McDermott was able to maintain a level of excellence with the program for a school whose enrollment is just over 8,400. And that might be the biggest part of McDermott’s coaching legacy.
“When we first talked about the job, it was about the people in the Omaha community and how they’ve been so supportive,” McDermott said. “It’s always about the people stepping up.
“You don’t have success without having good people around you. We were fortunate to have a lot of really good assistant coaches who’ve gone on to have success as head coaches. We also had an administrator that was very supportive and the Omaha community has been tremendous in its support of what we were trying to accomplish. We certainly knocked down some doors getting to Sweet 16s and to the Elite Eight.”
West Virginia coach Ross Hodge said he told McDermott in the postgame handshake line: “If I can have half the success you’ve had it would be a helluva career.
“The consistency he’s had, doing it with class and being a true ambassador having impacted a lot of people,” Hodge added. “He’s had a heck of a run. Sixteen years at one school? That’s incredible.”
Saturday, the Bluejays started slow and were in an early 11-3 hole. But each time Creighton mounted a comeback, West Virginia answered it and managed to extend the lead. The Mountaineers’ quickness coupled with an ability to get to the rim allowed them to stay in front and go wire-to-wire.
West Virginia led 43-37 at the half, extended the lead to 16 (65-49) with 9:17 to play and led by as many as 19 late to earn its spot in Sunday’s title game. Oh, and the Mountaineers (20-14) are getting $100,000 just for advancing.
“We’ll be one of four teams still playing on Sunday,” Hodge said. “Us. Oklahoma. The two teams that won at the Final Four. That’s very special.”
As for the 61-year-old McDermott, he’s likely heading to the golf course where his wife Theresa said he can help her with her swing. Creighton’s basketball future will be in the hands of Alan Huss, who is being promoted from his associate head coach duties.
“it’s not good enough to help anyone else’s,” McDermott said when asked how much he can improve his wife’s golf game.
The Bluejays will have work to do to keep pace in the competitive Big East, where Connecticut and St. John’s currently rule the roost and where schools like Seton Hall, Villanova, Marquette and DePaul are going to be looking to make a push forward.
“You don’t ever want it to end,” McDermott said after Creighton finished 16-18. “This team has been through a lot this season. They were incredibly close and had each other’s back.
“The level of play in college basketball you can argue is the best it has ever been. The level of talent is certainly there. I wish we could figure out a way to restrict the movement a little. I think part of our responsibility as stewards of the game is to prepare the students for the real world. Some of this is not real. It’s not like going out and getting a job that’s 8-to-5 and all that goes with it.
“I love building a program. I think I was good at it. But I’m not sure I want to rebuild a team year after year.”
With McDermott’s exit from coaching, the Transfer Portal and the NIL world appears to have claimed another casualty.
Brace yourselves, college basketball fans. March Madness has finally arrived.
The 2026 edition of the NCAA Tournament will begin with First Four games on March 17 and 18, and it will conclude with the national championship game on April 6.
Arizona, Duke, Florida and Michigan are just a few of the contenders hoping to end the 2025-26 season with a celebration. Which squad will cut down the nets in Indianapolis?
Here is everything you need to know about this year's NCAA Tournament bracket, including key dates and TV and streaming options for each round.
NCAA Tournament games will air on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Viewers can also stream March Madness games on DIRECTV (CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV), Fubo (CBS) and Paramount+ (CBS).
Catch every game — try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live college basketball, MLB, NHL and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1 and NFL Network — all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
You can listen to NCAA Tournament games live on SiriusXM. Channels for games are listed on the official SiriusXM website.
New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
The Boston Bruins (43-26-8) dropped their second straight on the road trip, losing 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning (48-22-6) at Benchmark International Arena on Saturday night.
Casey Mittelstadt (15) scored the lone Bruins’ goal, set up by both of his linemates, but they did not hold off a three-goal third period from the Lightning.
Jeremy Swayman made 20 saves but picked up his second straight loss. He is now 30-17-4 this season.
Jordan Harris skated in his first game since March 5, and Mikey Eyssimont returned to the lineup to play against one of his old teams.
Fraser Minten won the puck off Ryan McDonagh’s stick and had an early scoring chance for the Bruins. He was taken down on the follow-through, and his skate caught Erik Cernak in the face. Cernak went down the tunnel but returned after a brief trip.
The Bruins had two power play opportunities in the first period but did not capitalize on either.
They finished the game 0-for-4 on the power play.
Both teams were even in goals (0), shots (8), and hits (6) after the first 20 minutes.
The Bruins started to push ahead of the Lightning in the second period, and the second line opened the scoring. Pavel Zacha played it to Viktor Arvidsson, who found Casey Mittelstadt in stride, crashing the slot. Mittelstadt fired and beat Andrei Vasilevskiy low-blocker side at 6:47 of the second period.
Jeremy Swayman turned aside all five shots he faced in the second period. The Bruins got 11 shots on Vasilevskiy.
The Lightning struck in the third period, three times, pulling away from the Bruins. They also outshot the Bruins 10-3 in the final 20 minutes.
Andrew Peeke, in a clearing attempt, played the puck to Charle-Edouard D’Astous. He fired a shot that was saved by Swayman, and he followed his rebound to tie the game 2:11 into the third period.
Darren Raddysh skated into the offensive zone and steered a shot on goal. The puck got through his blocker and into the net behind Swayman, giving the Lightning the lead with 5:31 to play.
Both Lightning goals were scored by defensemen. Raddysh set the Lightning franchise record for most goals in a season by a defenseman (21).
Nikita Kucherov sealed the win with an empty net goal with 93 seconds to play.
The Bruins are now 0-2-1 against the Lightning this season. They will play once more next Saturday in Boston.
They are now 31-1-4 when leading after two periods, and 10-1-2 in games after a loss since January 1.
The Bruins are on a flight to Philadelphia for a game Sunday against the Flyers (38-26-12). They will close out their road trip on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes (48-21-6).
The Huskies led 37-29 at halftime and pushed their lead to 12 early in the second half. UConn played a strong first half, going the entire half without turning the ball over.
Their first turnover came on their 40th possession of the game. The Illini tried to make a run in the second half, getting it down to 10 with 8:41 to go. The Huskies committed their 10th foul of the second half at that point, and Kylan Boswell nailed two free throws. Two more Illinois free throws made it 57-49 at the 8:00 mark. Two more free throws at the 7:00 mark made it 57-51, and the crowd of pro-Illini got loud.
Coach Hurley took a timeout at the 6:08 mark, with a 57-51 lead. More missed shots led to a bucket at the 5:00 mark to cut it to 57-53 Huskies. It was seven straight misses for the Huskies.
A Tarris Reed Jr. bucket silenced the crowd a little for the Huskies. A Solo Ball dunk got the Huskies back up 8 at the under 4:00 mark. A Ben Humrichous made it 61-56 UConn with 3:00 to go.
Reed got to the line and nailed both to put the Huskies back up 7. Illinois went back to the line and split the two to make it a two-possession game with 2:31 to go. A UConn miss kept the hope alive for the Illini. Keaton Wagler go to the rim with 1:37 to go and it was 63-59 Huskies.
After a miss, the Huskies got the offensive rebound, ran some clock, before Mullins hit yet another massive shot to put UConn up seven. Wagler came back with three of his own to make it 66-62 with 43.4 to go.
That forced the Illini to use their last timeout. Following the break, the Huskies had a tough time getting the ball across, but finally did and got fouled with 36.3 to go. UConn made both free throws and got a Wagler miss. The Huskies went back to the line with 26.1 to go.
After splitting the two free throws, it was a seven-point lead. Another miss by the Illini pretty much put the game out of reach. Reed made both free throws to make it 71-62.
That was the final score.
Old hat for Huskies
Overall, UConn is seeking its seventh overall national title. The last time the Huskies played in the title game was in 2024 when they took down Purdue. The previous season, UConn took down San Diego State in the title game.
End of the road
For Illinois, their season is over at 28-9. A three seed in the South region. The Illini were back in the Final Four for the first time since the 2005 season. The loss for the Orange and Blue puts pressure on Michigan in the Big Ten.
The conference has not won an NCAA title since the 2000 season, when Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans cut down the nets.
Illinois entered the Final Four with the best offense in college basketball. It wasn’t enough on Saturday to overcome UConn’s disciplined defense and inside-out attack.
UConn disrupted Illinois’ normally efficient offense and rode its own balanced attack to a 71-62 win in Saturday’s first national semifinal. When Illinois threated to rally from a 13-point second-half deficit, it looked to a familar face.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2026
With the win, UConn advances to Monday’s national championship game, where it will seek its third NCAA title in four seasons. It will face the winner of Saturday’s second Final Four game between Arizona and Michigan.
Mullins had a strong first half picked up where he left off with a 3 for the first points of the game. The Indiana native playing close to home at the Indianapolis Final Four hit 3 of his first 5 3-point attempts en route to 12 points before halftime, including a bank shot that extended UConn’s advantage just before the break.
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 4, 2026
Tarris Reed Jr, meanwhile, bullied outmatched Illinois defenders in the paint in the first half. Illinois countered Reed with height on its front line in 6-9 forward David Mirković and 7-1 center Tomislav Ivišić.
But neither had the strength to limit Reed’s offensive impact at the rim and on the glass as he went for 11 points and 5 rebounds before the break.
BIG slam from Tarris Reed and the Huskies are doubling up Illinois early 👀 #MarchMadness
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 4, 2026
While UConn tallied nine assists and zero turnovers before halftime, the Huskies limited Illinois’ normally potent offense to just one assist while taking a 37-29 lead into the break. The 37 points first-half points were the most Illinois had allowed in NCAA tournament play.
UConn kept its foot on the gas after halftime, extending its lead to 49-36 early in the second half, handing Illinois its largest deficit of the entire season. Mullins’ and Reed’s teammates took the offensive baton as UConn’s defense continued to frustrate an Illinois attack that ranks first in the nation in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency, no matter who was on the fllor.
Illinois mounted a rally and held UConn scoreless for more than four minutes to cut its deficit to 57-53 late in the second half. Neither Mullins nor Reed had scored in the second half at that point after leading UConn in the first.
But Reed broke the drought with a layup in traffic to get the UConn offense going again. Illinois again cut the lead to four points before Mullins’ late 3 extended UConn’s cushion to seven points in the final minute. Illinois never got back within four points as UConn held on for the win.
In the end, Reed and Mullins led the way for UConn. Reed finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds while shooting of 12 from the field. A 59.4% free-throw shooter, Reed finished 5 of 5 at the line, including a pair of late clutch free throws to help stymie the Illinois rally.
Mullins finished with 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. He struggled from the field overall (5 of 14) but thrived from long distance while hit 4 of 7 shots from beyond the arc. He maintained his composure while trapped in the backcourt late in the game and advanced the ball with a pass over midcourt to avoid a would-be critical turnover.
His poise in that moment was indicative of UConn’s throughout the game.
The Huskies weren’t terribly efficient while shooting 35% from the field. But they limited their mistakes while committing just four turnovers for the game. And they were effective from long distance (36%, 12 of 33) and at the stripe (88%, 15 of 17).
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 12: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers scrambles during the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Aaron Rodgers isn’t a Pittsburgh Steeler at the moment, but he sure feels like one.
After Kirk Cousins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, what we’ve felt confident about for a while became even more likely: Rodgers is the last remaining viable quarterback on the market for Pittsburgh, unless the franchise unexpectedly turns to Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, or a rookie Week 1.
But even assuming Rodgers is set to return in 2026, a few questions remain. When exactly will he re-sign? And how much will his contract be worth?
Last season, Rodgers signed just a one-year, $13.65 million deal — a far cry from the two-year, $75 million deal he had previously signed with the New York Jets in 2023.
After passing for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025, as well as leading his team to the playoffs, Rodgers certainly outplayed what he made during his first year in Pittsburgh, even if he did put up slightly worse statistics than in his final year as a Jet.
Per Spotrac, Rodgers’ yearly market value rests at just $10.6 million. But if you look at the listed “comparable players,” it includes Russell Wilson, Jacoby Brissett, and Davis Mills — all backups.
Spotrac also references Daniel Jones’ one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts before 2025. However, Jones is now averaging $44 million per year in his latest extension.
A more accurate comparison might include Malik Willis’ recent $22.5 million per year — which is an acceptable starting quarterback salary but still a tier below recent Super Bowl champion Sam Darnold’s $33.5 million average. Cousins’ aforementioned deal, that comes down to a one-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth $20 million, is also in the ballpark, although he’s near-guaranteed to be a backup in Las Vegas in 2026.
Ultimately, that means even in his age 42 season, Rodgers has the leverage to ask for over $20 million per year entering 2026.
But he clearly took a pay cut in 2025 to play for the Steelers. Even though the league clearly wasn’t high on Rodgers following a disappointing stint for the Jets, he still could’ve demanded far more on the open market than just $13.65 million.
However, Rodgers just didn’t seem to be worried about where his contract ranks at his position. His legacy is secure and per Over the Cap, he has made nearly $395 million in career earnings. Unless there’s a sudden change of heart, I wouldn’t expect Rodgers to play contract hardball with what might be the lone NFL franchise still offering him a starting job.
Still, a raise should be due following Rodgers’ performance in 2025. Something in the $15 to $20 million range per year makes sense if and when he starts Year 2 in the Steel City.
NEW DELHI: Gujarat Titans suffered a narrow 6-run loss to Rajasthan Royals in a high-scoring IPL clash, but the bigger talking point after the match was the fitness of their regular captain, Shubman Gill. Stand-in skipper Rashid Khan provided some reassurance, saying, “He's good. Hopefully he's gonna be alright for the next game. He just had the muscle spasm, so hopefully he's gonna be alright soon.”
Where GT Lost the Game
Rashid admitted the team started well both with the ball and bat but lost control during a crucial phase. “I felt we have given a great start with the openers. And then I felt in the 12th and 13th overs, we lost back-to-back wickets. That's something which really put us on the back foot.”
He added that the target was achievable but momentum slipped away. “On the wicket like this, 9-10 per over, it's not that the hard job to be done… but I think we just lost a few early quick wickets… which just didn't allow us to go on.”
Final Over & Fightback
Chasing 211, Gujarat needed 11 runs in the last over, but Tushar Deshpande held his nerve brilliantly. Rashid revealed the plan was simple: “Well, the discussion was clear, like, we just need to hit one boundary.” However, he credited the bowler, saying, “I think Tushar bowled really well. He bowled some exceptional yorkers.”
Rashid also admitted he missed a key chance: “The one ball which he missed his line and length, I should have hit that for six.”
Despite the loss, Rashid remained optimistic about the season ahead. “It's gonna be a long tournament and we learn from it and we come back stronger.”
Overall, while Gujarat fell short in a tight finish, the update on Gill’s injury will be a big relief for the team going forward.
Stillwater football player James Cocozzo runs through drills during a practice on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Stillwater High School in Stillwater, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union) | Times Union
Rutgers football now has two commits for the 2027 class as three-star offensive lineman James Cocozzo has decided to commit to the Scarlet Knights, according to the Knight Report. He decided to come to Rutgers despite receiving offers from programs such as Maryland, Penn State, Syracuse, UConn, and Virginia Tech, among others. He did have an official visit scheduled to Syracuse, but it is expected that he will cancel that in the coming days. He is scheduled to take his official visit to Rutgers on May 29th.
The 6-foot-4, 292-pound interior offensive lineman is heading into his senior year at Stillwater High School in upstate New York. Cocozzo is no stranger to Piscataway, as he has made several trips to campus over the past few years, with his most recent visit last Saturday sealing his commitment.
Cocozzo was originally offered under former Knights OL coach Pat Flaherty, but the school’s interest in him did not waver as they switched to current OL coach Jim Turner.
Cocozzo had a stellar sophomore season at Stillwater before missing the entirety of his Junior season with a torn ACL. In 2024, he did not allow a single sack or quarterback hurry. He also earned Times Union First Team honors that season.
Football runs in the Cocozzo family, as James’ father, Joe, played at the University of Michigan, where he earned first-team all-Big Ten honors and was named a second-team all-American in 1992. He was drafted by the Chargers in 1993, where he started 48 games over 7 years, including the Chargers’ loss to the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX.
Cocozzo shared what he liked about Rutgers in a statement to 247sports after he visited campus in early March.
“What stood out to me the most were the facilities and amenities they have for the players. They have all the training and recovery equipment that you could ever need. There is stuff there that I didn’t even know existed. It is like a well-oiled machine how they run all of the stuff there.”
He would revisit campus not long after his early March trip before committing.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Athletics pitchers were in a giving mood on Saturday as they issued 13 walks in their 11-0 loss to the Houston Astros.
Right-hander Luis Morales (0-2) set the pace for the control problems by Athletics pitchers. Morales gave up five runs on eight hits and six walks in only three innings. Relievers Elvis Alvarado, Hogan Harris and Luis Medina each issued two walks. Michael Kelly capped the walk-fest by issuing the final free pass.
In all, five Athletics pitchers threw 200 pitches, including 107 for strikes.
The 13 walks were a significant total but far from a team record.
The A’s walked an Oakland-record 17 batters in a 17-6 loss to the New York Mets on April 14, 2023. It was the second-most in franchise history only behind 18 surrendered by the Philadelphia A’s in 1916.
Houston left fielder Yordan Alvarez was the biggest beneficiary of the generosity by Athletics pitchers with four walks in Saturday's game. Astros batters reached base 32 times with 18 hits, 13 walks and one hit batter.
The 13 walks were tied for the fifth-most in a game for Astros hitters and tied for the second-most in a nine-inning game.
CHENNAI: The new generation of top-order batters with their audacious approach have lately been hogging the limelight in the IPL. While 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has emerged as the poster boy of this Gen Z crop, he is far from a lone ranger. Two more young willow wielders are coming into the frame as serious contenders for bigger things going forward.
During Punjab Kings’ five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday, it was the tale of two young guns — Priyansh Arya and Ayush Mhatre.
While the 18-year-old Mhatre, with his clever strokeplay, powered CSK to 209 with a 43-ball 73, the 24-year-old Arya launched PBKS’s chase in style. The opener’s whirlwind 39 off just 11 balls at a staggering strike rate of 354.54 took the game out of CSK’s hands early.
Both made their debut last year and enjoyed breakout seasons. Now, in their second IPL campaign, they’ve begun brightly and enough to catch the eye of Ravichandran Ashwin, who heaped praise on the “Gen Z players who put on a batting festivity.”
“Both of them (Arya and Mhatre) batted brilliantly. The way these Gen Z batters played, they are changing our mindset. And I absolutely enjoyed seeing their batting. I also expect a lot more Gen Z bowlers, I want more new new bowlers to come up,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel after the match.
Mhatre, a big positive for CSK
Ashwin, a former CSK stalwart, felt the No.3 batter Mhatre’s knock and the shots he played was the silver lining in the five-time champions’ defeat to PBKS, amid a season already strewn with early struggles.
“The way Mhatre batted today, this should be the happiest news and a big positive for CSK. For the next 10 years, they have found a champion player. CSK didn’t get him in the auction, they signed him as an injury replacement. And he has shown what he can do, the way he played and pulled Marco Jansen for a boundary, it was amazing,” Ashwin added.
Arya’s mental toughness aids PBKS
During his onslaught against CSK bowlers, Arya operated with the freedom of knowing there was batting depth behind him to back the team. Hence, he was swinging at everything that came his way with fearless intent and even perished while trying to go big.
Talking about his young teammate, Shashank Singh said it’s Arya’s “strong mentality” that sets him apart. “With Priyansh what we, as a team, really liked last year is that he’s mentally very tough. He knows his role, and he knows his areas where he can score runs. He’s very young, but the way he’s matured regarding his batting, I think, is fantabulous,” said Shashank.
The Panthers have won the past two Stanley Cup championships and have been to the Final the past three years.
Florida lost 4-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in 2024, and 4-2 in 2025.
The Panthers are the first defending Stanley Cup champions to miss the playoffs the following season since the Los Angeles Kings in 2015.
Florida has been to the postseason every year since 2020, the longest playoff streak in franchise history.
The Panthers had only been to the playoffs in consecutive seasons (1996-97) once before this recent run.
Injuries derailed the Panthers’ hopes of a three-peat almost from the start.
Matthew Tkachuk was injured at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February and, after missing the final 25 games of the 2024-25 regular season, returned for the playoffs and tied for the team lead with 23 points in 23 postseason games.
Only he had surgery to repair a sports hernia and a torn adductor in August and did not return to the Florida lineup until Jan. 19.
Captain Sasha Barkov was lost for the season when he injured his right knee on his first day of training camp in September, requiring reconstructive surgery the following day.
Although Barkov has been skating and practicing with the team in a noncontact jersey, coach Paul Maurice said he would not return for the final games.
Florida was also without a host of key contributors including center Tomas Nosek (knee), defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (shoulder), Jonah Gadjovich (upper body), and Seth Jones (collarbone) as they went into the Olympic break eight points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Although the Panthers came out of the break with a rousing 5-1 win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 26, Florida lost its next four making it pretty clear it would not be playing deep into this summer.
The past few weeks have seen the Panthers lose more and more players.
Leading scorers Brad Marchand (lower body) and Sam Reinhart (foot) have been out the past few weeks and will not resume play this season.
On Tuesday night, the Panthers also lost Kulikov when he was struck in the face with a deflected puck; defenseman Aaron Ekblad tied Barkov for the franchise lead in games played with 804 on Tuesday, but he fractured his right hand hand late in the third when he blocked a shot on a penalty kill.
Forwards Evan Rodrigues (broken finger) and Anton Lundell (ribs) are done for the season along with defenseman Niko Mikkola (knee).
The Panthers have had so many injuries this season, Maurice said he uses a spreadsheet to keep track of them all saying if he did not, he would forget about some of them.
Although the Panthers are disappointed they did not get the chance to become the first team to win the Stanley Cup three straight times since the New York Islanders won it four years in a row from 1980-83, they figure they will be back at it next year.
Aside from a handful of free agents, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky leads the list, most of the Panthers are signed for through the next decade.
Healthy, this is a different team.
And, perhaps, the rest will be beneficial.
No team in NHL history had played more games over a three year span than the Panthers did from 2022-25.
Counting the regular season and playoffs, the Panthers played in 314 games besting the Dallas Stars (1997-2000) and Detroit Red Wings (2006-09) which both played in 309.
Reinhart and defenseman Gus Forsling played in 309 of those 314 games which is tied for most games played by an NHL player over a three-year span topping Phil Kessel’s 307 with the 2014-17 Pittsburgh Penguins.
For the first time in a long time, the Panthers will have a full summer to get ready for the next season.
It will be a deserved rest whether they really want it or not.
MIAMI (AP) — Don Garber remembers the earliest days of David Beckham's plans to bring Major League Soccer to Miami, the quest that started more than a dozen years ago.
There were twists. There were turns. Eventually, there was Lionel Messi, too.
But there was never Miami — until now.
“We believed in Miami,” Beckham said. “And Miami believed in us.”
Inter Miami finally played a game in its namesake city on Saturday night, hosting Austin FC after more than six years of calling Fort Lauderdale its home. Garber was there for the ribbon-cutting of Miami Freedom Park, a complex with construction still very much in progress and one that needed temporary approvals from civic officials just so Saturday's match could be held.
Beckham picked Miami as his spot in 2013, the league made it official in 2014 when he formally exercised his option for an expansion franchise, and now, there's a home.
“We made a commitment to him that he would have an option on the team, and he exercised that in Miami," Garber said. "And it was a journey. And that journey, in many ways, didn’t end when Leo Messi joined the club. The journey really came to its conclusion today with the opening of this building.”
The team says the stadium holds 26,700 seats. A public golf course near Miami International Airport was plowed under to make room for the stadium, and tons of construction equipment — from cranes to hard hats and everything in between — is still scattered all over the site. The lack of certain aesthetics didn't stop some fans from spending more than $1,000 on the resale markets for the best seats on Saturday, which was Inter Miami's first “home” match since winning last season's MLS Cup championship.
“It's a great day for the club,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano told Apple TV before the match. “It's our dream day."
By the time Messi came onto the field for warmups, most of the seats were filled. Beckham and the rest of Inter Miami's ownership group came out to applaud the fans moments earlier, even mingling with some in the most ardent supporters' section behind one of the goals. It was an event, with pink glow sticks being waved in the stands and music icon Marc Anthony performing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“There were times of trouble, you know, but David, he’s an optimist," Garber said. "I think he was an optimist as a player. Again, he’s got a lot of courage. You’ve seen that throughout his career. He has that same courage as a business person.”
Beckham is a global icon when it comes to soccer, entertainment and fashion — and in many ways, MLS changed forever when he came to the U.S. to play for the LA Galaxy. It was through that deal that he got the option for an expansion franchise, which ultimately meant Miami.
“When I came to America and the MLS 20 years ago, my dream was to win championships, help raise the game of soccer that I love so much and to build my own team,” Beckham said. “Thirteen years ago, I announced Miami was my choice. We had no name. We had no fans. We had no stadium. Today, I stand in our new home. We are champions of the MLS. We have the best player in the history of the game playing in Miami. Dreams really can come true.”
Beckham's celebrity level got things started. Messi put the team onto a global stage. And others now will try to replicate it — including Austin, which has actor and producer Matthew McConaughey as part of its ownership group.
McConaughey wrote an open letter of sorts to Beckham on Saturday.
"As Austin visits Miami today for a little shindig on your new pitch, I want to first shout out a sincere “
Much work remains, both in terms of finishing the construction, all the surrounding areas — the team has promised parks, soccer fields, retail shops and more as part of the complex — and there's still final certifications to obtain from various governmental agencies. Garber said he isn't worried about any of that affecting Inter Miami's home schedule going forward.
MLS gave Inter Miami several road matches to start the season, buying the team time to get closer to finishing construction. And though outside was a traffic nightmare, things seemed to go off without a hitch inside the stadium.
Garber said his initial assessment Saturday was that the stadium was “breathtaking.”
“What’s happened in the last 30 days to where they are today is just remarkable," Garber said. “It’s way further along than I expected it to be. And I’ve learned a lesson that when people tell you things are going to get done, sometimes you've just got to trust them.”
Brayden Burries #5 of the Arizona Wildcats during the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 26, 2026 in San Jose, California; Brayden hugs his mother Hannah on March 15, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty; Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
Arizona basketball player Brayden Burries' parents, Bobby and Hannah, were both college athletes who met at California State University San Bernardino
Brayden's older brother, BJ, also played college basketball and now works as a graduate assistant on Arizona's men's basketball team
Both Bobby and Hannah attend Brayden's games and show up in custom merch
Brayden Burries may be one of the top recruits playing in March Madness 2026, but he's following in both his parents' footsteps.
The Arizona Wildcats guard started playing basketball from his young age, since both his dad, Bobby Burries, and his mom, Hannah Low-Burries, both played college basketball. The couple met while playing at California State University San Bernardino and married in 2001.
Bobby and Hannah remained in California and welcomed five children together: sons Robert Burries Jr. (BJ) and Brayden and daughters Brianna, Brealani and Brielle. BJ also played college basketball but now works as a graduate assistant coach on his brother's team.
Here's everything to know about Brayden Burries' parents, Bobby Burries and Hannah Low-Burries.
His parents met while playing basketball at the same college
Brayden Burries #5 of Roosevelt Mustangs holding the trophy hugs his mother Hannah after the CIF State Open Division championship basketball game on March 15, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Credit: Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty
Brayden inherited the athletic gene from both Bobby and Hannah. Bobby and Hannah played basketball for the California State University San Bernardino's men's and women's teams, respectively.
Bobby got his collegiate start at San Bernardino Valley Junior College before transferring to CSUSB in 2000, per his CSUSB Hall of Fame profile. He went on to lead the team to three California Collegiate Athletic Association titles, three NCAA West Region title appearances and its second appearance in the NCAA Elite Eight in four years.
He graduated in 2004 and was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2011.
Meanwhile, Hannah also had her own list of athletic accomplishments. Hannah played volleyball, softball and basketball in high school before continuing her basketball and softball career at Merced College, per her Summerville Union High School Hall of Fame bio.
She received several honors — including two-time MVP of her league and California Player of the Year — before transferring to the University of Tennessee to play softball. She later accepted a full scholarship to CSUSB to play basketball.
Brayden has previously credited his parents' work ethic in helping him become the athlete he is today.
“That’s helped me get to the point where I’m at today,” he told Arizona Desert Swarm in August 2025.
Brayden and his four siblings were raised in California
Brayden Burries playing basketball as a child. Credit: Brayden Burries/Instagram
Shortly after Bobby and Hannah got married, they started their family and welcomed sons BJ and Brayden and daughters Brianna, Brealani and Brielle. The family established roots in San Bernardino, Calif.
Brayden played basketball at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, where he was ranked No. 11 in the country and became a five-star recruit, per his Arizona roster.
In April 2025, Brayden committed to play basketball at Arizona, and his parents proudly stood by his side at the press conference where he announced his plans.
Just a month later, his older brother, BJ, who played college basketball at Mesa Community College, announced that he'd be supporting his brother's team as a graduate assistant with Arizona's men's basketball team.
“It’s honestly great continuing to get to know each other, push each other,” Brayden told Arizona Desert Swarm. “Days I don’t feel like it, like say I don’t want to do something. He’s there to push me and make sure I get it done. And it’s great to have somebody like that.”
Bobby and Hannah frequently attend Brayden's games with custom merch
Even before Brayden helped lead the Wildcats to the Final Four, his parents could often be seen cheering him on in the crowds.
In a March 2026 video with Geico, Bobby revealed that he has "not missed one of [Brayden's] games yet."
When the Burries do show up, they can be seen nervously standing, shouting and cheering Bradyen and the Wildcats on, as shown in a Bleacher Report video that mic'd them up. They've further shown their support by making custom merch with their son's face and name printed all over shirts in Arizona colors.
Brayden has cited his success to his family's "sacrifices" for him
Brayden Burries' family cheers during the the CIF State Open Division championship basketball game on March 15, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Credit: Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty
Throughout his basketball journey, Brayden has had the support of his family. In the father-son duo's March 2026 video with Geico, Bobby and Brayden explained that Bobby frequently drove his son all over the country to compete in tournaments.
"He's the true definition of cream rises to the top," Bobby said of his son.
Meanwhile, Brayden also acknowledged all the long hours and everything his family has done for him.
"It's just a blessing honestly," Brayden said. "Just to give back to him and my teammates and my family for all the sacrifices they’ve put in."
Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general view of the NCAA Men’s Final Four logo ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
It’s Game Day! At the Final Four!
The Arizona Wildcats (36-2) take on the Michigan Wolverines (35-3) in the national semifinals, with the winner advancing to the NCAA title game.
Here’s all the info you need to watch, listen to or follow the game online. Come chat with us!
Arizona-Michigan game time, details:
Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026
Time: 5:49 p.m. PT (approx.)
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis, Ind.
Line: According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Arizona is a 1.5-point underdog and the over/under is 157.5. KenPom.com gives the UA a 50 percent chance of winning.
How can I watch Arizona-Michigan?
Arizona-Michigan will be shown on TBS. Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Bill Raftery (analyst), Grant Hill (analyst) and Tracy Wolfson (sideline) will be calling the game.
How can I stream Arizona-Michigan online?
The stream of Arizona-Michigan can be viewed on NCAA.com.
How can I listen to Arizona-Michigan on the radio?
MILWAUKEE (AP) — An NBA investigation into the dispute between the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo regarding the two-time MVP’s injury status is ongoing.
The NBA issued a statement offering an update on the investigation Saturday, a day after Antetokounmpo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Athletic that he’s healthy and he wants to play.
Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since leaving a March 15 victory over the Indiana Pacers after landing awkwardly on a dunk. The Bucks released an injury report Saturday ruling him out for Sunday’s matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies, which will mark the 11th straight game he has missed.
“The NBA’s Player Participation Policy investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo is ongoing and certain facts remain in dispute,” an NBA spokesman said. “The investigation has found that the Bucks scheduled Giannis to work out last week in three-on-three scrimmages as part of his return-to-play process, but he declined to participate. There is a disagreement as to whether the team requested that Giannis participate in a group workout earlier this week, and the league is continuing to monitor the situation.”
ESPN first reported that an investigation was taking place.
Since that Indiana game, the Bucks have ruled Antetokounmpo out due to left knee hyperextension and a bone bruise. Antetokounmpo has been participating in pregame warmups lately with no apparent limits.
“I’m healthy,” Antetokounmpo told reporters before the Bucks’ 133-101 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday. “I hate it when people force me to do things against my nature. I’m a player. I get paid to play.”
Sunday will mark the career-high 42nd game Antetokounmpo has missed this season. He had two extended absences earlier this season due to right calf strains. He also sat out four games early this season with a left adductor strain.
The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo says he’s feeling better now and wants to get back on the floor. He has played his entire 13-year career with Milwaukee, which selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 draft.
Given his long history with the team, Antetokounmpo said the Bucks should have known he wouldn’t want to be shut down for the season just because their playoff hopes have vanished.
“You know who you’re dealing with,” Antetokounmpo said Friday. “So, for somebody to come and tell me to not play or to not compete, it’s like a slap in my face.”
This dispute comes amid much speculation regarding Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks.
Antetokounmpo becomes eligible to sign a four-year contract extension worth up to $275 million in October. If he doesn’t sign the extension, Antetokounmpo could become a free agent after the 2026-27 season, or the Bucks could decide to trade him beforehand.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers said after Monday’s game that he wishes this disagreement had been kept between the two parties. Rivers added that “this is a grown man’s game, and it should be handled that way by everybody.”
“I just don’t like that this is so public,” Rivers said. “This is where grown men get in a room and they talk it out. Whether they agree or disagree, that doesn’t matter. But this should not be public, and I don’t like that.”
TOPEKA (KSNT) – A doubleheader split for the Hornets on Saturday.
Emporia State softball (22-13, 8-6 MIAA) went 1-1 on Saturday against Fort Hays State (18-21, 4-10 MIAA).
The Hornets took Game One 15-7 before losing Game Two 8-3.
In Game 1, ESU got on the board first in the second inning thanks to an RBI single from Avery Brewer.
The Hornets added three scores in the third. Brooke Flewelling had a two-run home in the inning, her 14th of the season, while Brewer singled again to bring in another score.
Fort Hays State poured in six runs in the latter half of the inning to lead 6-4 through three.
That score held the same until the 5th when the Hornets exploded for 11 runs. Brynley Smith and Ally Miller opened the inning with a home run each.
Sydney Wagner and Miller both had two-run triples in the inning.
The Tigers would add a score back in the bottom half of the inning.
Flewelling and Miller finished with three RBIs each while Wagner, Brewer and Elina Bartlett had two RBIs each.
Chloe Wilson got the win inside the circle for the Hornets. Through 2.1 innings, she allowed two hits and one run. She struck out one and walked a batter. Hannah Butterbaugh got the start for the Hornets. Through 2.2 innings she allowed four hits and six runs (zero earned) while striking out two.
In Game 2, both teams traded a pair of runs in the first inning.
Addison Callaway and Flewelling both doubled to bring in scores.
Taryn Burkhardt doubled in the third to bring in a score to give the Hornets a temporary lead.
Fort Hays played three in the fourth and two in the sixth to avoid the sweep.
Maci Hayes took the loss for the Hornets inside the circle.
Morgan Tomlinson got the start for ESU, while Chloe Wilson and Izzy Sloan pitched in relief.
The Hornets are back in action on the road on April 10 against Central Oklahoma.
The two will play a doubleheader with the first pitch set for 2 p.m.
For more sports news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Apr. 4, 2026 – 59:43 – The NFL owners and coaches met in Arizona this past week for the annual league meetings, and that means media access to some of the teams’ top personnel. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke and intimated his plans for the Purple’s 2026 quarterbacks
Welcome to the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast, where co-hosts Joe Oberle and Mark Craig offer their unique insider’s opinion and analysis on the latest Purple news and happenings emanating from TCO Performance Center, U.S. Bank Stadium and beyond. The Minnesota Vikings are a constant source of exciting, enervating and, oftentimes, confounding news, and Craig and Oberle illuminate and explain it all from a perspective of experience and hard-earned insight.
The Insider
Mark Craig Mark Craig is a Vikings writer and the NFL Insider for the Star Tribune newspaper and Startribune. Hailing from Northeast, Ohio, he has been covering the NFL since Brett Favre was a rookie (1991) and writing for the Star Tribune about football for 23 years and the Vikings for the past 20 seasons. He is author of the book, “100 Things Vikings Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die,” and is Minnesota’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame selector and Associated Press post-season NFL Honors voter. Each week he shares venerable insight on everything from one-on-one sit-downs with the Vikings head coach to the latest quarterback change for the Cleveland Browns. Craig covers everything NFL and speaks from a time-worn perspective of one who has seen and wrote about it all. But he’s still the, um, “young gun” of this podcast.
The Homer
Joe Oberle has been in on every iteration of this podcast from when it was called Three Deep (with the website creator Joe Johnson) back in 2016 to today. He has been following the Vikings since before their first Super Bowl loss in 1970 and has covered them for several websites (including CBSSports) for more than 12 years. The award-winning author of three books (including “Unstoppable: The Story of George Mikan—The 1st NBA Superstar”) Mankato-native Oberle has spent a career working in sports (with the Minnesota Timberwolves), covering them (Vikings, Twins, NBA, amateur hockey and golf) and talking about them. His coverage is thorough and often passionate, with a dose of humor sprinkled in to spice up his takes.
Nick Yorke didn’t enter the game until the bottom of the eight inning but delivered a walk-off double in the ninth to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday evening.
Scoring Plays
To 4th, 2-0 BAL: The Orioles (3-5) sent eight men to the plate and plated a pair of runs against Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski. Dylan Beavers and Leody Taveras each recorded RBI singles.
Bottom 4th, 2-1 BAL: The Pirates (5-3) got on the board on Spencer Horwitz’s sac fly to left field off right-hander Shane Baz.
Bottom 8th, 2-2: With runners on the corners and two outs, pinch-hitter Jake Mangum grounded a ball weakly to the right of the pitcher’s mound. Orioles right-hander Anthony Nunez was unable to handle the ball for a game-tying RBI single.
Bottom 9th, 3-2 PIT : Bryan Reynolds doubled off Ryan Helsley (0-1) and Ryan O’Hearn was intentionally walked. Nick Yorke, who pinch ran for Marcell Ozuna in the eighth inning, delivered the walk-off blow with an RBI double.
Deontay Wilder beat Briton Derek Chisora in a heavyweight bout at London's O2 Arena on Saturday [Getty Images]
Deontay Wilder "vehemently denies" allegations he physically assaulted the son of his ex-partner, says the former world heavyweight boxing champion's lawyer.
US outlet TMZ reports Kerron Swift has filed a civil lawsuit suing Wilder for claims including "battery, assault, emotional distress, and false imprisonment".
Swift - the son of Wilder's ex-fiancee Telli Swift - claims the abuse took place between 2016 and 2024, a period during which he was a minor.
BBC Sport has not seen the lawsuit, but Wilder's lawyer Paul Patterson confirmed it had been filed in Los Angeles.
He said his client denied allegations which were "riddled with complete and utter fabrications" and had "never physically disciplined any child".
"We look forward to defending this case," he added.
That win came after the 40-year-old had lost four of his previous six bouts, and puts his fight record at 45-4-1.
Patterson said the timing of the lawsuit was a "classic smear campaign" to distract from the fight.
But the law firm representing Swift - the X-Law Group PC - told TMZ it "filed this action quietly and without a press release - the opposite of what we would have done if the intent were to generate publicity".
These two fellas, Miguel Vargas and Munetaka Murakami, have been driving the White Sox offense thus far. | (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)
When one of the worst teams in the majors plays one of the best, it’s fair to expect that the mistakes will be made by the team that lost 102 games last year — not the one that was in the World Series.
Scratch that expectation.
For the second day in a row, it was the Blue Jays making the big mistakes and the White Sox taking advantage. Friday, it was emergency substitute catcher Tyler Heineman blowing a routine throw to first that would have ended the game in Toronto’s favor, and today it was … well, er uh … that same Tyler Heineman making a crucial baserunning mistake that kept Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from coming to the plate with two on and the Sox up 4-3 in the seventh. Then Heineman blew the game open with another terrible throw, trying to get Miguel Vargas out in a rundown that would have ended the eighth but instead extended the lead to three.
Not that the White Sox didn’t do good things without Toronto’s help. Grant Taylor had his second straight, nine-pitch, clean inning as an opener, after which a Lenyn Sosa single, Vargas double and Munetaka Murakami sac fly off bullpen-game opener Mason Fluharty gave the Sox a 1-0 lead. That 1-0 would hold up until the fifth, as bulk pitcher Anthony Kay kept the Jays off the board through his first four innings. The Sox went hitless for four innings against second-man-up Lazaro Estrada, while in the top of the fifth Guerrero hit a 431-foot blast to give the Jays a 2-1 lead.
But the White Sox came right back, as in the bottom half Vargas his his second double of the day off Brendon Little (who came into the game with an ERA of more than 18 and left with one 24-plus), and then Little decided the middle of the plate was a good a place as any to pitch Murakami.
Murakami’s blast was six feet shorter than Guerrero’s, so he’ll have to work on his homer swing.
The middle of the plate created such drama with Murakami that Little decided to try the same pitch to Colson Montgomery. Unlike the two big bruisers, Montgomery was only able to hit it 92.9 mph and 348 feet, but it was enough to clear the wall in right and put the Sox up, 4-3.
The insurance runs came in the eighth after Vargas walked and Austin Hays singled. With two outs, Luisangel Acuña hit an infield single, with Vargas getting caught in a rundown between third and home. To balance things out with his throw into right field yesterday, Heinneman threw the ball into left field this time. Two runs scored, to make it 6-3.
They've surged beyond the play-in spots and into a secure playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Recently, though, they ran into an injury that will hurt their cause. The center Jock Landale is out.
They needed a replacement, and they found one in free agency.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported Saturday that the Hawks have signed Tony Bradley to a contract.
The Atlanta Hawks are signing veteran center Tony Bradley to a deal for the remainder of the season, adding frontcourt depth in wake of an injury to Jock Landale, sources tell ESPN. Atlanta has had a hot second half, surging to No. 5 in the Eastern Conference.
Bradley is 6-foot-10, a 28 year old originally from Florida.
He played college basketball at North Carolina, and he was the No. 28 overall pick (first round) in the 2017 NBA Draft. The Lakers took him but immediately traded his draft rights to the Jazz.
Bradley has averaged 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in his NBA career while shooting 62.1% from the floor.
This season, Bradley had played in 38 games for the Indiana Pacers and averaged 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds.
He won't get tons of minutes for Atlanta, but Bradley is a logical pickup that the Hawks are hoping will work out.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Derek Chisora punches Deontay Wilder during the Heavyweight fight between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder as part of the Dereck Chisora v Deontay Wilder: 100 fight night at The O2 Arena on April 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Watch Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora full fight video highlights from their boxing main event showdown Saturday afternoon, courtesy of multiple outlets.
Wilder vs. Chisora took place April 4 at the O2 Arena in London, England. Deontay Wilder (44-4-1) and Derek Chisora (36-13) squared off in the main event clash. The fight aired live on DAZN pay-per-view.
Official result: Deontay Wilder def. Derek Chisora via split decision (115-111, 112-115, 115-113)
For more on Wilder vs. Chisora, check out the live blog below.
Round 1
Both men out in orthodox and Chisora is comically bigger than Wilder. Wilder is lanky and much taller, but Chisora looks huge. And he’s using it early to crowd Wilder to the ropes, looking for a big shot. Wilder flashing the jab to find range and chopping the right hand in early. That’s the kill shot. But Chisora is staying in his grill, and we’re getting a lot of clinch wrestling early.
Wilder has missed the money right hand twice now, and Chisora is staying low and on the gas. Wilder swings a big uppercut that just misses as Chisora bullies him in and lands to the body. Man, what happened to Wilder? He can’t evade Chisora at all, just swinging the right and then clinching for the break up. And honestly, he looks slow, too.
Chisora shuffle steps in and clinch and they both nearly go over the ropes as they refused to break apart and nearly tipped over. The referee tries to get in and he almost goes over with them, so the ref stops the action to give a stern talking to both parties. Gotta listen to him or a DQ is coming.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Chisora.
Round 2
Chisora right back on the pressure, dipping low to evade the punches and bullying in. Good body shot from Chisora. Wilder’s feet look like he’s walking in mud. But now we’re going! Chisora gets him to the corner and Wilder wings the power shots! He lands a good one and Chisora is moving around to avoid a follow up! Wilder sees he hurt Chisora and wild punches but Chisora’s chin holds up, and he comes in again.
Good inside fighting from Chisora, but Wilder with a strong left hook. But Chisora keeps coming at him, rough-housing on the inside. He’s got a nice little sway step to sneak in there, but Wilder tags him with a right hand. Chisora eats it well though. And keeps coming and lands a nice right hand up top! This is a Chisora type of fight despite the damage he’s taken already.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Wilder, 19-19 overall.
Round 3
Chisora right on the attack. He knows how he wins this fight, and he’s going to press the issue. Wilder has atrocious footwork. He’s just backing straight up, trying to land his shot, and then clinching. Chisora working when they clinch and this is gonna get dark for Wilder, I think.
Nice body shot from Wilder but Chisora marches through. Wilder lands a pair of nice counters as Chisora marches in and that gets a reaction but Chisora holds up. And keeps the march going, working the body when he gets inside. Wilder might be winning the battles right now, but losing the war. Chops a BIG right hand that gets another reaction from Chisora, but the old war horse is still going and we get a ref break.
OH! Chisora has something wrong! He’s in the corner and there’s something wrong with his eye. But the round is live and Wilder bombs on him. Chisora takes it and then a weird situation. I’m not sure what it happening but the round ends and everyone is mad. You can’t call a timeout, so Chisora shouldn’t be mad? Maybe a thumb to the eye that the ref missed? No clue what that was, but it was weird and we’re continuing on.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Wilder, 29-28 Wilder overall.
Round 4
Something seems wrong with Chisora’s eye still, but he charges forward, bullying Wilder to the corner. Wilder coming a live a bit though, firing big overhands after getting Chisora off the line. Big thuds from the side of Chisora’s head, but he continues. Wilder actually pawing a jab now, doing better to hold him off. But they clinch and Wilder goes down, rules a push.
Chisora marching and leaning on Wilder, putting that 40 pounds to use. And Wilder is backing up so freely. He pings that right hand in though, but Chisora cracks him with a big right hand!!!! Wilder is on shaky legs against the ropes as the crowd roars to life! He moves away and gets his legs under him, but Chisora puts another right hand into him and Wilder is not loving this!!
Chisora all over Wilder in the corner, bombing away, and Wilder is taking it, working to the end. This fight came to life real quick.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Chisora, 38-38 overall.
Round 5
Now we’re gonna get a fight. Both men have landed big shots, both men have survived. Let’s get rugged.
Wilder chops a nice right hand early, but Chisora is all over him. He’s renewed by that last round, and he’s moving Wilder around the ring, bombing with that looping right hand. Wilder doesn’t have the footwork and right now, his power isn’t backing Chisora off. But then Wilder comes forward, and Chisora hits the mat after a strange clinch. No knockdown.
Wilder coming forward would be a huge help to him, but that’s not what he wants. And he eats two big right hands because he’s backing up with his hands low. And Chisora marches on. Big right hand from Chisora. Wilder in the corner chopping back. Both men throwing some UGLY punches in there, but we’re having fun. And Chisora hits the mat again, this time when Wilder pushed him off and Chisora just fell over. Now Wilder is getting a talking to, and that seems unfair.
Chisora keeps coming and more clinch work. This fight has turned into a real mudfight. I’m having a great time.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Chisora, 48-47 Chisora overall.
Round 6
Chisora is in his 40s and has an incredible gas tank. Man to aspire to. But Wilder tags him early with some good right hands. Chisora keeps coming but Wilder lands a really nice left. Chisora will not be deterred, though. Wilder lands a pair of good ones but eats a big body shot. Chisora is pressuring in but Wilder is having more success creating enough space to return shots. If he had combos, that would help. But Chisora keeps smothering him after one or two.
Wilder keeps cracking away though as Chisora rough-houses. He’s chopping away at the body. Eats a right hand, chops some more. That’s the routine we’re seeing. But Wilder is landing much more this round. And a HUGE uppercut from Wilder puts a jolt into Chisora but he eats it. And Wilder lands a combo just after the bell rang, too.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Wilder, 57-57 overall.
Round 7
Chisora’s chin is incredible. But he is cut now, and the corner had to get to work on that over his left eye. But you’re gonna have to drag Chisora out of there. And he keeps marching in. But Wilder is landing counters better now. Not monster shots, but he’s landing.
And then Chisora gets him to the corner and bangs a few into Wilder. This is a give-and-take matchup. And it’s Wilder’s turn as he lands a big right that gets Chisora out of position. But then Chisora goes, backing Wilder to the rope and digging into the body. Round and round we go. Both men gonna feel this one in the morning.
Chisora keeps marching but his output is dropping a big. And Wilder is smiling in there. Chisora moving forward less and Wilder on him.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Wilder jumped forward and Chisora just kinda fell over, taking Wilder with him. That looked like a straight-up pro wrestling move just before the round ended. Frog splash!
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Wilder, 67-66 Wilder overall.
Round 8
The ref gives the boys a talking to before the round starts, likely telling them to get it together.
Chisora is inspired and comes forward aggressively. Wilder landed a decent counter, but Chisora put 3 into the body. Wilder waiting a little too much, and Chisora is working now. More clinching and HUGE RIGHT HAND FROM CHISORA!!!!!!!! OHHOHOHOHOHOHOH HUGE RIGHT FROM WILDER!!!!!!! OH MY GOD!! WHAT IS HAPPENING!
CHISORA WENT OVER THE TOP AND HAD WILDER ON STILTS BUT A BIG RIGHT FROM WILDER GOT CHISORA WHO RAN BACK TO THE ROPES! WILDER ON HIM BUT CHISORA GETS OUT. AND A BIG COMBO FROM WILDER PUTS CHISORA THROUGH THE ROPES!!!!!
CHISORA GEST UP AND BEATS THE COUNT! WILDER IS NOT JUMPING ON HIM THOUGH!!!!! WHAT IS HAPPENING! WILDER NOW COMING IN AND CHISORA GOES THROUGH THE ROPES AGAIN, BUT I DON’T KNOW IF THAT’S A KNOCKDOWN. THAT LOOKED LIKE A PUSH!!!
This is chaos, and Wilder may have told Chisora he loves him before the second attack. This is insane but Chisora has survived.
Except he just ate a MONSTER right hand that backs him up!!!!!!! And Wilder backs him across the ropes and HUGE SHOT FROM CHISORA!!!!!!!
WHAT A FREAKING ROUND!!!!!!!!!
MMA Fighting scores the round 9-8 Wilder, 76-74 Wilder overall.
Round 9
Chisora has recovered it seems ands comes forward, landing a big left hook to start. Wilder wants that right hand, trying to line it up, but Chisora jabbing him back.
Oh wow! Wilder had a point taken off last round. I didn’t realize that. For the shove. That’s even more nuts. I’ll go back and adjust last round’s score.
Wilder’s legs are still under him, which is impressive, but Chisora keeps marching. The pace slowed after that insane 8th round, but we’re still rocking in here. Chisora marching like a zombie, Wilder trying to line up the shot but can’t. Yet. He does land one just before the end though but Chisora continues on.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Chisora, 85-84 Wilder overall.
Round 10
Wilder digs the body early as Chisora looks a bit slow to start this round. Wilder looking sharp in space, but Chisora is not giving him much. But when Chisora slows, Wilder has the chance. And he’s slowed now. Wilder is talking to him, and Wilder is on the advance, looking for his right hand. Chisora either got hurt or he’s playing possum, I’m not sure. But he’s against the ropes with his hands down, and Wilder is starting to line up a big shot.
Chisora talking back and Wilder can’t find the big one, plying the distance with his jab. Then Chisora moves him across the ring and lands body to head nicely. This is very silly fun. Wilder tries to time an uppercut as Chisora keeps marching. And a big right hand for Chisora. Chisora putting the pressure on him and landing big shots here, but Wilder is taking them well.
Man, when Chisora is up against it, that man digs deeps. Miles and miles of heart.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Chisora, 94-94 overall.
Round 11
Chisora on the match yet again. Wilder still looking spry but his offense is slow early. Wilder is staying in space better, moving his feet more. Chisora’s getting real wild in there, and Wilder lands a nice right hand. Chisora will not let up though and chips away inside.
He keeps backing Wilder to the ropes or corner, and jabs then digs the body. Wilder lands a big right but Chisora seems impervious at this point. Flares a right hand up top that lands. Rugged stuff from Chisora, but now he’s backing up. Is he hurt? He is now! Wilder tags him and puts Chisora through the ropes!
Chisora beats the count but I think he got hurt before that, and he’s still a little shell shocked. OHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Wilder got wayyyy too aggressive and ate a right hand as he slipped, Chisora gets a knockdown for his trouble. The place is so loud and Chisora lands one after the bell, that I couldn’t even hear. This is so fun.
MMA Fighting scores the round 9-8 Wilder, 103-102 Wilder overall.
Round 12
I have no clue who is actually winning this fight. And frankly, who cares. Let’s just enjoy this. Last round. Give it all you got, boys.
Chisora’s final round of his career and he’s coming after Wilder, but Wilder is lively and fires a right hand into him. Chisora is clearly tired but refuses to believe he’s tired. Wilder wantss that right hand and he tags him! Chisora wobbling in space, but dives back into him to clinch. And then Chisora with a big right! Body shots from Chisora and Wilder is banging right back.
The crowd is on its feet and they damn well should be. This is a battle. War. And they keep going. Inside, battling. Break. Chanting from the crowd. Chisora punching away and lands a big right hand but Wilder ties up. 1 minute left and Chisora backing up. Wilder cannot pounce though and Chisora is so spent. He’s almost falling over from exhaustion but he’s swinging away.
10 seconds and Chisora runs at him, missing all his punches, into a clinch.
What. A. Freaking. Fight.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Chisora, 112-112 overall.
The Cardinals are hiring Sean Dixon, who has spent the past four seasons as an assistant on Brad Brownell’s staff at Clemson, a source close to the program confirmed to The Courier Journal. TigerIllustrated.com was first to report the news of Dixon's intraconference move.
Dixon is the second addition to UofL's staff this offseason, following the departures of assistant Thomas Carr and executive director of player personnel and strategic initiatives Brian Kloman. They left for similar positions at Indiana and Auburn, respectively. On Wednesday, Campbell announced head coach John Andrzejek was joining Kelsey's staff as associate head coach.
Dixon, according to his bio on Clemson Athletics' official website, worked "in lockstep" with Brownell and Tigers associated head coach Billy Donlon on the defensive end. He also focused on developing the program's wings.
Clemson went 24-11 in 2025-26, falling to Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Per KenPom.com, it ranked 24th in adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing 98.1 points per 100 possessions.
The Tigers won the only meeting with Louisville of the season, 80-75 on Feb. 28 at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Prior to joining Brownell at Clemson, Dixon spent four seasons as an assistant under Nick McDevitt at Middle Tennessee State.
Before that, the Marietta, Georgia, native and McDevitt logged five seasons together at UNC Asheville, where he served as the Bulldogs' recruiting coordinator and, per his Clemson bio, "specialized in guard development."
Dixon is a 2007 graduate of Presbyterian College. He totaled 1,106 career points and earned first team All-Big South honors as a junior and senior. He got his start in the coaching ranks on the Blue Hose's staff.
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
Arsenal treble dream over after ‘very strange’ Southampton defeat
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted it as “very strange” that his team could not deal with Southampton’s directness following their shock exit from the FA Cup.
The Gunners struggled to break down the Championship side at St. Mary’s Stadium after going behind to Ross Stewart’s first-half opener.
Arteta brought Viktor Gyokeres on to amend that, which he did in the 68th minute when he tapped in from close range to equalise.
But it was the Saints who came out on top after Shea Charles finished off a sweeping team move with a tidy finish late on, booking their place in the semi-finals of the cup.
“We have to congratulate Southampton, they are going to Wembley and we are not,” Arteta told BBC Sport after the final whistle.
“The team had some very good moments. We didn’t capitalise on those moments, and the way we conceded the goals is not at the level we have shown.
“That is the reason we have lost the game.”
Arsenal treble dream over after ‘very strange’ Southampton defeat
When asked if Southampton’s direct approach caught Arsenal by surprise, he simply responded with “no”, but struggled to find an explanation for his side’s subpar performance.
“We didn’t manage the long balls well enough, which is something very strange,” he said.
“In the first half, we just let the ball through us and they were one against one.
“The way we concede the second goal was very similar.
“Very difficult to explain. But it is all credit to them.”
Worryingly for the north London outfit, Gabriel Magalhães was replaced by William Saliba in the second half after going down off the ball clutching his knee.
“He couldn’t continue, so we are going to have to assess him and see if he gets better soon,” Arteta explained.
After 11 of his senior players withdrew from national team duty over the international break, Arteta had to field a rotated lineup. Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie were left out of the matchday squad due to injury.
“I hope that we can recover some of the players that we are missing. As quick as we do that, the stronger we are going to be.”
MALLORCA, SPAIN - APRIL 04: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid CF reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de Son Moix on April 04, 2026 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Player Ratings: Mallorca 2 – 1 Real Madrid
Andriy Lunin: 6 Made zero saves and conceded twice, though neither goal was really his fault.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 5 Registered an assist, but overall he struggled. He was poor on the ball and his passing lacked its usual precision.
Dean Huijsen: 6.5 Showed good verticality in possession and looked composed on the ball.
Antonio Rüdiger: 7 Did an excellent job man-marking Vedat Muriqi for most of the match. On the late winner, Rüdiger was on the opposite side as the game had become stretched and chaotic.
Álvaro Carreras: 5 A poor outing. Perhaps he lacked match fitness, but his decision-making on the ball was shaky and he was not tight enough defensively.
Aurélien Tchouaméni: 7 Very strong long-range distributor, completing nine of his 10 long balls. Also posed a threat on attacking set pieces.
Manuel Ángel: 6 Not quite ready yet. He showed some neat dribbling, but his passing was off.
Arda Güler: 7.5 Real Madrid’s best player on the night. He easily could have had at least one assist. His passing into Mbappé was consistently dangerous, and he turned well under pressure.
Eduardo Camavinga: 3 Aside from one strong sequence — a driving carry followed by a through ball to Mbappé — this was a rough performance. He was lazy and disengaged on Mallorca’s first goal, attempted unnecessary flicks in deep areas, and looked clumsy throughout.
Brahim Díaz: 5 A quiet night. He was not nearly as involved offensively as he had been in recent matches.
Kylian Mbappé: 6 Unlucky not to score. He finished with six shots and three big chances, though those opportunities were tougher than they may have looked. His off-ball movement to get into those positions was intelligent.
Substitutes
Éder Militão: 7.5 An impressive return after a long injury layoff. Scored a brilliant header and looked strong defensively.
Thiago Pitarch: 6 Worked hard, but lacked quality on the ball.
Franco Mastantuono: 4 Very clumsy in possession. His touches looked robotic and heavy.
Jude Bellingham: 6.5 Put in some good challenges in midfield and nearly played Mbappé through on goal with an excellent pass that was intercepted.
Vinícius Jr.: 5.5 Ineffective in one-on-one situations. Mallorca consistently crowded him out with two or three defenders.
Dec 23, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jasper Johnson (2) reacts after making a basket during the first half against the Bellarmine Knights at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Good morning, BBN!
The roster movement is starting to happen for the Kentucky Wildcats, as we saw two more players enter their names into the transfer portal on Friday night. Joining Jaland Lowe are freshman guard Jasper Johnson and center Brandon Garrison.
Let’s first start with Johnson. The Lexington, KY native came into his freshman season with some lofty expectations as one of the prize recruits in Mark Pope’s first full recruiting class. After the injury to Lowe, things changed the course of the season for Johnson. Becoming the secondary ball-handler, Johnson impressed some but mostly struggled as SEC play got rolling. Now, he will be heading to a new program for his sophomore season.
For Garrison, his second season in Lexington also didn’t go as planned. However, that did not stop BG from getting some BG time going once again.
Garrison could go down as one of the beloved players of the Pope era after he joined the team in Year 1 and helped spark the upset win over Duke in the Champions Classic. Add in the great performance against Santa Clara this year in the NCAA Tournament, and it was a fun two seasons of Garrison.
With the portal opening next week, the picture of what positions the staff will be targeting is starting to take shape.
Best of luck to Jasper and Brandon on their next stops!
Nov 18, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) is congratulated by forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77) after a three-point basket in the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ late-season surge has come to an abrupt halt.
After going 14-2 in March and looking like one of the NBA’s hottest teams, the Lakers are now facing a dramatically different outlook following injuries to their two leading scorers, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Dončić suffered a hamstring injury during Thursday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, leaving the court with a visibly dejected expression. The injury immediately cast uncertainty over a Lakers team that had been building momentum heading into the postseason.
Before Dončić’s injury on April 2, the Lakers were listed at 20/1 odds to win the NBA championship at BetOnline.ag, with 12/1 odds to win the Western Conference. Those numbers quickly shifted following the injury, dropping to 55/1 for the title and 28/1 to win the West.
The outlook worsened even further after news of Reaves’ oblique injury, which is expected to sideline him at the start of the playoffs. With both stars unavailable, the Lakers’ championship odds have now fallen to 150/1, while their Western Conference odds sit at 80/1.
The shift underscores the magnitude of the losses for a team that had found its rhythm behind Dončić’s scoring and playmaking, along with Reaves’ emergence as a reliable secondary option. The duo had helped stabilize the Lakers’ offense and elevate their standing in a competitive Western Conference.
Just weeks ago, Los Angeles appeared to be rounding into form at the perfect time, with Dončić playing at an MVP-caliber level and the team developing strong chemistry alongside LeBron James. Now, the focus shifts to how the Lakers can stay afloat without two of their primary offensive engines.
With the playoffs approaching, the Lakers’ championship aspirations have gone from promising to precarious, as injuries have dramatically reshaped both their roster outlook and their place in the betting market.
Indianapolis — Hours before coaching his team in the Final Four, Michigan coach Dusty May was getting a head start on his scouting for the national championship game.
May sat courtside at Lucas Oil Stadium for the first half of the opening Final Four game between UConn and Illinois. His Michigan team would face the winner if it beats Arizona later Saturday night.
Michigan’s Final Four game against Arizona (36-2) tips off at 8:49 p.m. and will be broadcast on TBS. There is also an alternate broadcast called by the Fab Five that will air on TruTV.
Dusty May here courtside scouting the first half of this game.
In the NCAA Tournament, each team gets seats courtside for other games to scout out the opponents they might face later in the weekend. Most of the time, assistant coaches take those scouting assignments, but May took them himself Saturday with a potential national championship on the line.
Michigan (35-3) won its most recent — and only — national championship in 1989. It has played in the title game four times since in 1992, 1993, 2013 and 2018.
May is coaching in his second Final Four as a head coach, having taken Florida Atlantic in 2023 where it lost 72-71 to San Diego State. In just his second season at Michigan, May has taken Michigan to its ninth Final Four in program history. He is 62-13 and counting at Michigan over two seasons.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a single during the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Braves try to make it (gasp!) four in a row, and three in a row against the Diamondbacks, as Bryce Elder and Michael Soroka square off in the desert.
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 30: A general view of the exterior of Chase field is seen prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
BRAVES
DIAMONDBACKS
Ronald Acuna – RF
Ketel Marte – 2B
Drake Baldwin – C
Corbin Carroll – RF
Matt Olson – 1B
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Austin Riley – 3B
Gabriel Moreno – C
Mike Yastrzemski – LF
Adrian Del Castillo – DH
Ozzie Albies – 2B
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Michael Harris – CF
Jose Fernandez – 1B
Dominic Smith – DH
Alek Thomas – CF
Mauricio Dubon – SS
Jorge Barrosa – LF
Bryce Elder – RHP
Michael Soroka – RHP
A slightly unusual start time for a Saturday, rather than the typical 5:10 pm. That’s because today’s game is a Fox Sports national broadcast, so we must all bow to their commercial demands. More irritatingly, that means that, a mere nine games in, this will be the fourth different subscription-based service you need to have in order to watch the Diamondbacks. In addition to dbacks.tv, we have already had Netflix on Opening Day, and Apple TV last night. I know you’ll need to add Peacock to the list in June. I will not be engaging with this nonsense, and so will be following this game purely on Gameday, if at all.
After Eduardo Rodriguez proved his first start was no fluke, with an even better one last night, we turn to Michael Soroka to see if he can reproduce his sterling debut as a Diamondback. Right now, he has a FIP of -0.22. Yes: that’s a negative figure. It’s possible because FIP just goes off things like K-rate and BB-rate. Soroka fanned ten batters in only five innings last time on the mound, while walking one. The joys of small sample sizes. It’d be nice if he could keep anything in that solar-system up, though right now, I’m more concerned about the offense. The D-backs now have a collective OPS of a mere .648. Carroll is our only active player with 10+ PA and an OPS+ above a hundred.
To this end, things have been shaken up a bit this afternoon. Jose Fernandez replaces the woeful Carlos Santana at first, and Adrian Del Castillo makes his first start as the designated hitter. Santana’s .043 average is the lowest for any D-back through ten games (25 PA or more). The previous worst was Geraldo Perdomo’s 1-for-20 start in 2022, and he at least had the ability to draw seven walks. Santana’s much-praised plate discipline hasn’t really been seen, with just two walks and eight strikeouts. I know Torey doesn’t want to pull the plug hastily, but Santana has been such a black-hole on offense, he could be a literal black-hole on defense and he’d still be of questionable value.
Atletico Madrid’s Robin Le Normand on Gerard Martin red card – ‘If I do the same, no doubt they send me off’
Atletico Madrid defender Robin Le Normand has joined teammate Juan Musso and manager Diego Simeone in claiming that Gerard Martin’s red card should have stood in their 2-1 defeat to Barcelona. Following a VAR review, the referee decided to downgrade Martin’s challenge to a yellow card.
Speaking after the game, Simeone declared that there ‘wasn’t much more to say’, and the officials ‘got it wrong’. Le Normand’s complaints followed a similar line, even going a step further. He was asked about Hansi Flick declaring that it was not a red card in his view.
“Of course he’s going to say it’s a red card, but I think it’s very clear for everyone that understands football, that has played the game. If I do it, no doubt they will send me off. I don’t know what happened, I don’t understand it.”
Le Normand frustration with referee
More generally on the performance of the referee, Le Normand felt that he did not help the game as a whole either.
“No, as you saw, today he didn’t speak to anyone, not even the captain. Whenever anyone tried to speak to him, he showed a yellow card. In my view, his officiating raised the tension of the game. Everyone can get it wrong, and he got it wrong.”
In their previous game against Real Madrid, the officiating ‘details’ from an Atletico point of view went against his side too.
“Everyone is watching it [in reference to decisions against Real Madrid], I’m not going to repeat myself, they are big details, that have a big impact.”
Excitement about Barcelona clash
Looking ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against the Blaugrana on Wednesday, Le Normand said his side were excited.
“We always prepare with all the energy we have, but there’s no feeling of revenge, we have to prepare in order to win the game.”
“We are very excited, today we are very disappointed, but we’ll recompose ourselves, the truth is that we had a lot of energy, a lot of good play.”
Barcelona will no doubt go into the tie as favourites, but Le Normand believes Atletico are competing on level footing.
“We’ve shown in the Copa, Liga, that we’re there, with a lot of desire, energy, talent too, and we’re looking forward to Wednesday a lot.”
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 21: Fans look on from the stands in the ninth inning at Target Field on September 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Steven Garcia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
SANDY, Utah (AP) — Diego Luna scored his first goal of the season in the fourth minute, 19-year-old Zavier Gozo added a goal and two assists, and Real Salt Lake beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1 on Saturday.
Sergi Solans also scored for RSL (3-1-1). The 23-year-old in his first MLS season has three goals in his first four career MLS starts.
Rafael Cabral had two saves for Real Salt Lake.
Dejan Joveljic scored his first goal of the season in the 59th minute that cut Sporting’s deficit to 2-1.
Luna, as he approached the top of the penalty arc, made a quick cut and blasted a low left-foot shot that slipped inside the right post to give Salt Lake a 1-0 lead.
Solans, on the counter-attack, took a pass from Gozo, cut back to evade a defender and rolled a shot from the center of the area inside the left post to make it 2-0 in the 55th minute.
Gozo made it 3-1 in the 82nd. Noel Caliskan played a short pass to the right corner of the penalty area, where Gozo flicked it up in the air and rifled a volley into the net.
John Pulskamp stopped four shots for Sporting (1-3-1).
RSL outshot Sporting 22-5, 7-3 on target.
Solans hit the crossbar with shots from the center of the area in the 22nd and 41st minutes.
Chelsea seek defender from partner club, Inter target Spurs goalkeeper and Liverpool look to add to defensive ranks.
Chelsea are interested in signing Argentine defender Valentin Barco, 21, from sister club Strasbourg. (Talksport)
Inter Milan want Tottenham's Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, 29, as their new number one. (CalcioMercato - in Italian)
Liverpool will seek to add Atalanta's 21-year-old Italian right-back Marco Palestra to their ranks this summer. (CaughtOffside)
Manchester United are one of a number of Premier League clubs tracking Blackburn's Northern Ireland defender Tom Atcheson, 19. (Teamtalk)
Sunderland could make a move for Almeria's 24-year-old attacking midfielder Sergio Arribas if sporting director Florent Ghisolfi follows up a long-standing interest. (Sport Witness)
Arsenal are set to rival Liverpool for the signing of Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon, 25. (Football Transfers)
Scotland's Robert MacIntyre maintained the lead during the storm-interrupted Valero Texas Open's third round Saturday in San Antonio.
MacIntyre was 1 under through six holes, putting him at 15 under for the tournament and holding a two-stroke edge on Sweden's Ludvig Aberg at TPC San Antonio's Oaks Course. Aberg was 3 under for the round through six holes.
No golfers completed the third round, which will resume Sunday morning.
The third round was suspended late Saturday morning because of storms. There were multiple announced restart times, but the weather prevented those from taking place before the decision to not return to the course Saturday.
A pair of Englishmen made the biggest moves before the weather interfered. Matt Wallace was 7 under through 14 holes, moving to 11 under for the tournament. Marco Penge also completed 14 holes, doing so in 6 under to move to a tie for fifth place at 10 under.
Japan's Ryo Hisatune is tied with Wallace in third place after finishing eight holes at 3 under Saturday.
Chris Kirk, Chandler Phillips, Michael Kim and Tony Finau — all only completing holes on the front side — were all at 10 under.
MacIntyre carried a four-shot lead into the weekend.
At 14 through two rounds, MacIntrye held the lowest opening 36-hole total since the tournament moved to TPC San Antonio.
MacIntrye is bidding to become the third consecutive left-hander to win the tournament following Akshay Bhatia in 2024 and Brian Harman in 2025.
Aberg had top-five finishes in his last two PGA Tour outings.
Defending champion Brian Harman shot 3 under through 11 holes Saturday to move to 6 under.
Play also was suspended Friday in the second round. Luke Clanton had to play his final hole Saturday morning before the third round began, and he made the cut. The third round was pushed up a couple of hours in hopes of avoiding weather problems, but those weren't averted.
It didn’t take long for Munetaka Murakami to adjust to his new home park.
The first baseman hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning Saturday during a 6-3 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays in front of 18,389 at Rate Field. Colson Montgomery added a solo shot later in the sixth for the Sox, who secured a series win against last year’s American League champions.
“It was always a dream for me to play here and then hit in front of the crowd here at Rate Field,” Murakami said through an interpreter. “To get that one out is really pleasant.”
Murakami has four home runs in eight games after signing a two-year deal with the Sox in the offseason. The home run Saturday was the first at Rate Field for the two-time Nippon Professional Baseball Japanese Central League Most Valuable Player.
“He’s built for this,” manager Will Venable said. “He’s been everything that we imagined as far as his impact in the clubhouse, who he is as a person, his play on the field defensively as well as the power and plate discipline. Really good stuff from Mune.”
“Both those guys (Murakami and Montgomery) can change the game with one swing, we saw it today,” Venable said. “To have that in your lineup is huge. We want to be able to have slug in there. We want to be able to pressure the defense with Tristan Peters and (Derek) Hill and talking about the bunts we’ve talked about since spring training.
“You’ve got to find different ways to score runs on different nights. Today we were able to do that.”
The Blue Jays started the power display with a two-run home run from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the the top of the sixth for a 2-1 lead. That was the only mistake made by Sox pitcher Anthony Kay, who allowed two runs on three hits with two walks and no strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings following opener Grant Taylor’s perfect one inning of work.
“Overall it was pretty good,” Kay said of his outing. “They’re a very contact-oriented team, so I wanted to let them put the ball in play and let the defense make some plays.
“Those guys behind me made some good plays. Overall, pretty solid. Obviously, the pitch to Vladdy — wasn’t even a terrible pitch, just a good piece of hitting by him. That’s what he does.”
Miguel Vargas began the bottom of the sixth with a double against Blue Jays reliever Brendon Little. Murakami followed with the 431-foot home run on a 1-1 sinker in the lefty-lefty battle, putting the Sox ahead 3-2.
“That (top of the) inning, they got to us,” Murakami said. “So definitely I wanted to get a run in. I wanted to move the runner forward and not too much. It was the best result coming off the bat.
“I was really glad we were able to push that lead.”
Montgomery came up with one out and lined a 3-1 sinker just over the right-field wall, extending the Sox lead to 4-2. It was Montgomery’s second home run of the season.
“It goes back to our preparation during the game,” Montgomery said. “We’re trying to get different looks in the cage before we go out and hit against their lefties who are really pretty good. It goes back to the coaches’ game plans with us.
“Me and Mune probably had very similar plans, we were just trying to see him up and over the plate and try to put our best swing on it, and we were both able to put good swings on the ball.”
The Blue Jays scored a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly to right by Nathan Lukes. Tyler Heineman attempted to advance from second on the play, but right fielder Peters made a strong throw to the cutoff man Murakami, who fired to third in time to get Heineman for the final out of the inning.
“I was seeing the second-base runner so at that moment I was going to throw it to third,” Murakami said. “I made a good play out of it, so I’m really happy I made that.”
Heineman made a defensive mistake in the eighth, leading to two insurance runs for the Sox. Vargas got caught in a rundown between home and third, and the catcher Heineman threw the ball wildly into left field. Vargas and Austin Hays scored on the sequence, making it 6-3, and the Sox (3-5) were on their way to their second straight home victory.
“It’s a really fun crowd,” Murakami said. “They are really, really loud. They are cheering us on. I’m happy to play in front of them.”
KANSAS CITY – The Milwaukee Brewers have switched up their pitching plan a bit as they try for a split doubleheader sweep of the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night, April 4 at Kauffman Stadium.
Right-hander Logan Henderson, on hand for Game 2 as the Brewers' 27th man, now starts with right-hander Brandon Sproat scheduled to follow. Sproat struggled mightily in his Milwaukee debut last weekend.
"We've got to be careful of his pitch count," manager Pat Murphy said of Henderson, who will be making his 2026 debut after having battled arm issues since late season. "When you get that 27th man, you've got to use him. Logan's been used to starting.
"This might give Brandon a little reprieve; he can watch and know (he'll pitch) in a clean inning."
The Brewers beat the Royals, 5-2, in Game 1 thanks to a five-RBI game by Garrett Mitchell.
What time are the Brewers games today?
Time: 1:10 p.m. and 6:10 p.m.
What channel are the Brewers games on today?
TV channel: Brewers.TV.
Brewers 2026 record
6-1 entering Saturday night.
Brewers second game lineup
Brice Turang 2B
Garrett Mitchell CF
Christian Yelich DH
Jake Bauers 1B
Gary Sánchez C
Sal Frelick RF
David Hamilton 3B
Blake Perkins LF
Joey Ortiz SS
Royals lineup
Maikel Garcia 3B
Bobby Witt Jr. SS
Vinnie Pasquantino 1B
Salvador Perez DH
Jac Caglianone RF
Jonathan India 2B
Carter Jensen C
Isaac Collins LF
Kyle Isbel CF
Brewers schedule
Brewers at Royals, April 5, 1:10 p.m.: Milwaukee LHP Kyle Harrison (0-0, 1.80) vs. Kansas City LHP Kris Bubic (1-0, 1.50). TV – Brewers.TV. Radio – AM-620 WTMJ.
Brewers at Red Sox, April 6, 5:45 p.m.: Milwaukee RHP Brandon Woodruff (1-0, 3.60) vs. Boston TBA. TV – Brewers.TV. Radio – AM-620 WTMJ.
Brewers at Red Sox, April 7, 5:45 p.m.: Milwaukee RHP Jacob Misiorowski (1-0, 2.45) vs. Boston TBA. TV – Brewers.TV. Radio – AM-620 WTMJ.
Brewers at Red Sox, April 8, 12:35 p.m.: Milwaukee RHP Chad Patrick (1-0, 0.96) vs. Boston TBA. TV – Brewers.TV. Radio – AM-620 WTMJ.
Tresean Gore pulled off the biggest win of his career against Azamat Bekoev at UFC Fight Night 272, and did so after overcome adversity.
Gore (6-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) was rocked and on the verge of being stopped in the second round of the middleweight bout vs. Bekoev (20-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, but that moment only appeared to awaken the beast.
The significant betting underdog Gore started hurting a tiring Bekoev with strikes on the feet in the final frame before latching onto a guillotine choke and putting his opponent to sleep at the 3:27 mark of Round 3.
Check out the replay of the slick submission below (via X):
After the win, an elated Gore spoke about the pride he had for pulling off the unlikely result, according to the odds.
"Look what discipline gets you," Gore said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. "This is just the beginning. I'm going to show what I can do. Keep doubting. I have title aspirations, but I've got to take my time."
If that was the floor, things on the south side will get ugly quickly.
The good news is the first two games of the homestand have provided a glimpse into what the Sox’ ceiling might be. Against the defending American League champion Blue Jays, they won their home opener on a walk-off on Friday and then secured a series win with a solid offensive performance and strong pitching on Saturday.
On paper at least, the White Sox should be taking a notable forward this season. They have what should be a much stronger offense than the past two seasons and a pitching staff that’s in better shape too. The difference between how the team looked on the road to open the 2026 campaign and how they’ve looked the first two games in Chicago might come down to simply getting through the nerves of the first few games of the season.
“Credit to being back home,” Colson Montgomery said of the team’s play the past two days. “Being here, we’re all very familiar. We all feel like we play the best at home. We’re most comfortable at home playing in front of these fans. It’s easy for them to hype us up.
“Progressively each game everyone’s been getting better. Settling down, realizing that this is a marathon and you’re not going to swing your way out of slumps or whatever with what swing or one at bat, so you just gotta trust the process, and I feel like we’re doing that.”
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Montgomery provided a valuable insurance run in the sixth inning with a solo homer to right field after Munetaka Murakami put the White Sox ahead with a two-run blast to center field. Both left-handed batters went up against a tough lefty reliever in Brendon Little and gave the south side fans a boost after Vlad Guerrero, Jr. hit a go-ahead two-run shot in the top half of the inning.
“That last inning, they got to us. So definitely I wanted to get a run in,” Murakami said via team interpreter Kenzo Yagi. “It was more less I wanted to move the runner forward and not too much of it. It was the best result coming off the bat. I was really glad we were able to push that lead.”
Before this homestand, Murakami was the only member of the lineup who looked ready for the season. He homered in his first three games and had at least a base hit in his first five games.
For their part, the pitching staff that looked so rough in the first six games has also settled in at home. On Friday, they limited the Blue Jays to three runs through the first nine innings, and on Saturday, White Sox pitchers held all but Guerrero, Jr. in check.
For the second game in a row, manager Will Venable used Grant Taylor as his opener, a move that’s worked like a charm both times. On Saturday, it took Taylor less than three minutes to retire George Springer, Davis Schneider, and Guerrero, Jr. From there, Venable used five different arms — including Anthony Kay for 4 1/3 innings — to put together a collective quality start.
It’s too early to gauge which version of the White Sox is the real one, and the better thought is that they are something in between the struggles of the first six games on the road and the successes of the first two at Rate Field. Every baseball season contains ebbs and flows that show a team at their best and at their worst, but White Sox fans are understandably itching just a little to see if this year’s group can at least get them closer to 81 wins, a mark they haven’t reached since 2022.
For what it’s worth, pitcher Erick Fedde was with the White Sox through the first half of 2024, when things were at their worst for this organization, and he senses a difference in the team this April compared to what he experienced two years ago.
“When I came into camp, there was a lot of hope, a lot of optimism,” Fedde told CHGO. “Some of the first things guys [told me] was ‘Oh, you’re going to love it here right now. Things are going really well; we like the way things are run.’
“So I think it’s just a lot of people in a good head space and a good place to be.”
Even through the mire of the first six games, Fedde said he and his White Sox teammates maintained an attitude of not jumping to conclusions and settling in to get back to .500 and then go from there.
“As a team, we have a goal of making sure we’re playing important games in July, August, and September. So you start battling now to make sure we get important games then.”
An April series win against the Blue Jays is a good place to start. Maybe the first six games could be chalked up to season-opening jitters. Starting off in Milwaukee against a team that made it to the National League Championship series and is hoping to win their division for the fifth straight year isn’t an easy way to begin a season. There’s a long way to go before we can know if the White Sox of 2026 are going to be significantly better than the previous years, but their first two games back in Chicago were a promising sign.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 04: Tresean Gore reacts after a submission victory against Azamat Bekoev of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Tresean Gore may have saved his UFC roster spot earlier tonight (Sat., April 4, 2026) at UFC Vegas 115 LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the former Ultimate Fighter standout turned in an upset submission victory over former LFA middleweight champion Azamat Bekoev with a third-round guillotine choke.
This fight was a solid back-and-forth affair. Bekoev looked better in the early going — including a knockdown that nearly led to a finish along the cage — but Gore came back in the second half of the fight and did a lot of damage with whipping leg kicks. Bekoev kept trying to get inside to throw sharp elbows and test Gore’s questionable chin, but he was barely able to walk.
Gore took full advantage of Bekoev’s immobility and was in complete control of the fight in the third round. Bekoev launched some desperate takedown attempts, but Gore was there to sprawl and ended up locking up a tight guillotine choke along the cage. Bekoev tried to fight the hands, but Gore ended up putting him to sleep for the upset stoppage.
Auburn head football coach Alex Golesh is already understanding the importance of the twelfth game of the season. During spring practice, Auburn has had a period labeled "Iron Bowl". Auburn has not won in college football's best rivalry since 2019, when they won 48-45. During the period, Auburn is playing Dixieland Delight over the loudspeakers during contact drills.
On Friday, Golesh was asked about the period during his press conference recapping Thursday night's scrimmage under the lights at Jordan Hare Stadium.
"It ain't important unless you make it important", Golesh said. "If I've gotten any message from the Auburn family, it's the fact that that game is really, really important. Well, if it's important to them, then it's certainly important to me."
While the Iron Bowl is very important to everyone involved, how the team plays in the 11 games before will dictate how that game goes in late November. It is refreshing to see Golesh not give the topic the typical coach speak. Most other coaches would say it is as important as any other game, and the next game is the most important. Not this coach, though. He understands that winning against Alabama is very important to a lot of people on the Plains.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow Phillip on Twitter@PJordanSports
The Las Vegas Raiders' biggest priority this offseason has to be putting the right pieces around Fernando Mendoza. After signing Kirk Cousins on Thursday, the Raiders now have a veteran quarterback he can learn from who has been around this league for a very long time.
Mendoza, however, needs some better wide receivers to throw the football to, and in a recent trade proposal from Ryan Shea of SI, he'd get just that.
His trade would send a third-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for Jerry Jeudy.
“The Cleveland Browns would make this trade to turn a talented but expensive receiver into valuable draft capital that can help address multiple roster needs.
"With Jeudy potentially commanding a significant contract and the Browns looking to balance the roster, a 2026 third-round pick gives them flexibility to invest in areas such as the offensive line, secondary, or defensive front.”
Jeudy is a good player and has proven at times that he can be someone a team like the Raiders is looking for.
The question about him continues to be centered around consistency, though it's also tough to blame him for some of the struggles we've seen him have due to the Browns' offense being that bad.
However, if Mendoza wants to be as good as he can be, the Raiders need to help him out, and adding Jeudy would at least be a step in the right direction.
But Arteta has backed his players to respond immediately, with a Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP up next.
“I love my players,” Arteta said after the defeat.
“What they’ve done for nine months, what am I going to do, criticise them now because they lost a game here? In the manner that they tried and the way they are putting their bodies through everything? Some of them probably didn’t have to be here today.
“I’m not going to do that. I’m going to defend them more than ever. If someone has to take responsibility, that’s me, and we have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us.
“In a season, you always have (difficult) moments. Normally two or three. This is the first moment that we have had with a certain level of difficulty.
“We say difficulty, but we’re going to play the Champions League quarter finals and the run in for the league. If this is a difficult period, I believe there are many other ones that are much more difficult.
“So stand up, make yourself accountable, and deliver like we have been doing all season.”
In a further blow for Arsenal, defender Gabriel was forced off injured during the game and Arteta says he will be assessed to determine how serious the issue is.
“I don’t know, he felt something, I don’t know exactly what it is,” he said.
“We’re going to have to assess him but obviously when a player is asking to be substituted, it’s never good news.”
If you enjoy our articles, help us out by making Hayters.com one of your preferred sources on Google by clicking here.
Diego Simeone on Gerard Martin red card decision: ‘There’s not a lot to say, they got it wrong’
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has told the media that the referee’s decision not to send off Gerard Martin during their 2-1 defeat against Barcelona was incorrect. Los Rojiblancos put in a stirring performance down to ten men, but eventually fell short due to a late Robert Lewandowski goal.
The flashpoint issue of the encounter was the rescinded red card for Gerard Martin following a VAR review. Simeone was convinced the Blaugrana defender should have been dismissed.
“They told me, and I saw the Betis-Rayo, and the CTA said it was a sending off. There’s not a lot to say, he gets there late, he steps on his full ankle. We’ll see if the CTA go back it. The thing is clear.”
“They haven’t been detrimental to me. They got it wrong. Just as managers do, players do. Did you see it or not [the Betis-Rayo]? Did you see it or not? Well it’s clear.”
Asked what he was discussing with the referee at half-time, Simeone revealed it was related to the decision to upgrade Nicolas Gonzalez’s second yellow to a red card.
“I said, what I said. I told the referee it was yellow, yellow, red. He said it was red, red.”
‘Losing isn’t positive, but the performance was good’
Despite falling to defeat, Atletico were impressive in the first half, putting Barcelona on the ropes for a period. In the second, they nearly held out for a point.
“We can speak about the two halves. The first half, we played very well. We created a lot of play, we ran very well. And then we found ourselves with the red that was a red. There are red cards that are red cards, and that was it. In the second half we had to defend, wecouldn’t attack as we would have liked. They got the goal, on a rebound.”
Asked if there was positivity over their performance despite the loss, Simeone was careful not to go over the top in his praise of the side.
“Losing isn’t positive. It’s true the work of the guys was very good. The first half was very, very good. The effort in the second half was enormous. The two debutants came on, and did very well considering the moment they came on in. Focusing on those positive things is useful, but losing isn’t positive.”
Debuts and Champions League first leg
Simeone was also asked about the impact of Raphinha’s absence for the Champions League quarter-final, a player he has praised in the past.
“I’m not thinking about Raphinha, I’m thinking about the quarter-final, at their ground, thinking about the responsibility that the game brings. We have to play better than we did during the Copa del Rey semi-final there, where we couldn’t attack, we couldn’t generate play, we couldn’t do anything.”
With a number of Atletico players being rested, Simeone sent on academy products Taufik Seidu and Javi Morcillo for their debuts in the second half.
“It was a good moment for them to debut, they brought the necessary energy. And Lookman and the others rested, which was good.”
Los Colchoneros travel to Camp Nou on Wednesday night to face Barcelona in the first leg of their quarter-final. The return takes place the following week on the Tuesday at the Metropolitano.
“We limited Arsenal” Ross Stewart proud to knock Arsenal out of FA Cup
Ross Stewart, one of Southampton’s goalscorers in their victory over Arsenal, has expressed his pride in the team’s tactical execution against the Gunners.
Southampton entered the match in strong form, yet the majority of observers still expected Arsenal to secure victory and progress in the FA Cup. The Gunners have performed consistently well across competitions this season, and few anticipated that they would fail to win this fixture.
There had even been discussions about Arsenal completing a treble, with the FA Cup forming part of that ambition, making Southampton’s success appear unlikely before kick-off. However, as the match unfolded, it became evident that Southampton were well prepared and determined to challenge their opponents.
Tactical Discipline Pays Off
From the outset, Southampton demonstrated organisation and intent, making it clear that Arsenal would not find the game straightforward. Their disciplined approach limited Arsenal’s attacking effectiveness and forced them into less dangerous positions.
The Saints ultimately secured a 2-1 victory, executing their strategy effectively over the course of the match. Stewart highlighted the importance of their preparation and tactical awareness, as quoted by Sky Sports:
“Incredible night. Celebrations are mad. Unbelievable night for the club. We believed we could do it, and it was a great result.
“I give credit to the manager. Tactically, he’s been incredible since he came in.
“We limited Arsenal to shots from long range.”
A Statement Performance
Stewart’s comments underline the collective belief within the squad and the impact of the manager’s tactical approach. Southampton’s ability to restrict Arsenal to efforts from distance reflects a well-organised defensive structure and a clear understanding of their game plan.
Although the result is not what Arsenal supporters had hoped for, Southampton delivered an impressive performance and executed their tactics with precision. Their victory serves as a reminder of the importance of preparation and discipline, particularly when facing high-quality opposition, and represents a significant achievement for the club in the competition.
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
A Minnesota Vikings special teams unit lines up at the line of scrimmage as long snapper Andrew DePaola (42) delivers the snap, initiating the play with precision and timing Aug 14, 2022, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, during a preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders with execution key to the sequence. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Last week, we brought you the youngest players on the Minnesota Vikings’ 2026 roster; now it’s time for the inverse — the oldest players on the depth chart.
Minnesota’s 2026 roster still leans on several proven veterans at key spots.
The Vikings, in fact, have one of the NFL’s oldest rosters entering 2026, so they’ll need to nail the draft for a long-term fix if the goal is to get younger.
Veteran Presence Still Shapes the Vikings’ 2026 Depth Chart
From bottom to top, these are Minnesota’s elderly players in NFL-speak (No. 1 = oldest player)
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. reacts after reaching the end zone, showing emotion following a scoring play Sep 8, 2025, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Jones provided a spark for Minnesota’s offense, delivering key production on the road against a division rival in a tightly contested NFC North matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Jones played 12 games last season, battling injuries that have plagued him since his time in Green Bay (2017-2023). Despite the setbacks, he still managed a respectable 747 scrimmage yards and 3 touchdowns in 2025.
The previous year, his first in Minneapolis, Jones totaled 1,546 scrimmage yards and 7 touchdowns, exactly matching Justin Jefferson’s yards-from-scrimmage output.
As he approaches his 32nd birthday in December, Jones will aim for a full, healthy season.
4. Eric Wilson, ILB | Age: 31 Birthdate: September 26, 1994
Wilson, who joined the team last offseason as a depth player, emerged as a key defensive component by the end of 2025.
Initially envisioned for a rotational role, backing up Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. while contributing on special teams, Wilson quickly exceeded expectations. By early October, he had secured a starting position and was performing at a Pro Bowl level.
His statistics reflected his impact, as Wilson consistently disrupted plays. He led all linebackers in sacks and pressures by an off-ball linebacker and ranked near the top in forced fumbles. Flores’s defensive scheme values intelligence and disruption, and Wilson reliably delivered both.
At 31, Wilson achieved career highs, recording 115 tackles, 17 for loss, 10 quarterback hits, 6.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Just a year prior, he was considered a depth player and special teams contributor in Green Bay.
Minnesota had ample reason to re-sign him. From September through January, Wilson consistently delivered high-impact football, becoming one of the defense’s most dependable players. With Flores remaining as defensive coordinator, retaining Wilson was a logical decision.
Re-signing him this offseason became an obvious offseason priority, which the Vikings executed. Now, Wilson’s career might begin and end in Minnesota, nine years after the team initially drafted him.
The Vikings fired up a 2-3 record on Wentz’s watch last year, a man signed late in the 2025 offseason to be a grown-up in the kids’ room, also known as Minnesota’s quarterback corps.
He played through a torn labrum for a few weeks in 2025, embodying toughness and winning fans’ hearts along the way.
Even with Kyler Murray on tap as the QB1 next season, in addition to J.J. McCarthy still in the mix at 23 years old, Wentz is back to serve as the dependable QB3 if injuries go nuts again — like last year.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz throws passes during pregame warmups, preparing for action ahead of kickoff Oct 19, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Wentz went through routine drills while getting acclimated before facing his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, in a highly anticipated matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell explained this week why his team re-upped with Wentz as the QB3, “I just think it’s about depth. It’s about the fact that, without too much of a rearview-mirror-looking backward, you see where the final standings were; where we were at 9-8 and ultimately maybe the one or two or three plays or sequences of games where you find your way into the dance.”
“That’s really all you ever want at the beginning of every year is to punch your ticket to compete in that one game to continue moving on. We’ve played three guys in one year. We’ve played four in another.”
2. Johnny Hekker, P | Age: 36 Birthdate: February 8, 1990
From 2013 to 2017, Hekker built an impressive resume, earning Pro Bowl appearances and First-Team All-Pro honors each season. He also received Second-Team All-Pro selections in 2014 and 2018.
Last season, however, was a departure from this standard. Hekker ranked 24th in net yards per punt and 17th in punts inside the 20, with seven touchbacks, placing him in the average-to-below range for 2022. The Vikings will be looking for him to rebound this year.
Hekker’s selection to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s demonstrates the high level he has achieved in the past. With the Vikings, he’s now an elder statesman. Minnesota signed Hekker last month when Ryan Wright unexpectedly found a fat bag of cash dangling from the New Orleans Saints.
1. Andrew DePaola, LS | Age 38 Birthdate: July 28, 1987
At 38, Andrew DePaola remains the NFL’s premier long snapper. Earning Pro Bowl selections from 2022 to 2024 and four consecutive All-Pro honors, he has solidified his top ranking.
Minnesota Vikings long snapper Andrew DePaola participates in practice drills, staying sharp with fundamentals ahead of the Pro Bowl festivities Feb 4, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. DePaola represented the NFC unit while continuing to reinforce his reputation as one of the league’s most consistent specialists. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
While long snappers don’t accumulate statistics, Pro Football Focus consistently ranks DePaola among the league’s best.
Within NFL special teams circles, his reputation is unmatched; he’s considered the gold standard, far surpassing his peers. As he enters 2026, DePaola is poised to be the Vikings’ oldest player, a distinction he will likely hold by Week 1 unless Minnesota signs a really old free agent.
Apr 3, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) singles during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
As far as regular-season games go, this one is as big as it’s gotten so far for Ryan Weathers, personally. The newest member of the Yankee rotation will pitch for the first time in front of his new home crowd and will do so against none other than his former team, the Miami Marlins. This is not your traditional successful big leaguer who inevitably gets moved to a contender, as he doesn’t fit the timeline of his current team. Sure, the Marlins got younger by flipping Weathers to the Yankees, but they also had plenty of time to develop him into a more established starter and then trade him for a better package. He’ll face his former teammates with something to prove, looking to justify the trust the contending Yankees placed in him.
If all of that wasn’t enough, Weathers faces the pressure of maintaining this outstanding run of form that Yankee starters have showcased to begin the year. Through the first seven games of the year, Yankee starters have an ERA below 1.00—Cam Schlittler is validating all the exciting takes he generated after his first year, Max Fried is being his usual outstanding self, and Will Warren has delivered two productive starts. Out of these four, Weathers was the most unpredictable commodity, and if he can hold his own, this rotation will be in a terrific spot, only getting better as the season goes on and more veteran reinforcements arrive
A bit of interesting information about this game and one that ties into last night’s performance: Historically, Giancarlo Stanton hasn’t fared particularly well against his former team, in what’s obviously not that large of a sample size. Stanton has a .391 SLG in 79 PA against the Fish. Amidst the offensive outburst of an 8-2 win on Friday, Stanton was the only Yankee hitter not to reach base safely.
Hansi Flick: ‘I don’t know why Lamine Yamal was annoyed, he’ll be happier on Wednesday’
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has stated that he was happy with his side’s win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday night that moved them seven points clear at the top of the La Liga table, following Real Madrid’s defeat earlier in the day. However he noted that his players did not celebrate the victory too much in the dressing room.
Flick seemed generally content with his side’s showing, despite their struggles to break down Atletico with a man less in the second half.
“We played against 10 men, we tried everything to score the goal. We played against a team with one less player and they defended very well, but we tried everything until we scored the goal. The three points, very valuable. It’s not easy to play here, against a great team, because of the very intense atmosphere.”
“Today we showed how we want to defend, but also how we want to attack. We controlled the game. For this, I think it’s important also good rest defending. Gerard and Pau did a good job, from one side to the other.”
In terms of the gap it opens up between Barcelona and Real Madrid, seven points, he was reluctant to make any sweeping statements on the fate of La Liga.
“The team are happy, everyone knows that it was big points today. But it’s not done. Now Wednesday is the next game, very important game. They are happy, but we don’t celebrate too much.”
“I don’t take care about [the Real Madrid result], I only care about my team. After the international break, the players were away with the national teams. it’s not easy, for us, for Atletico, for Real Madrid, but it’s our business and we have to adapt to it.”
Gerard Martin’s red card reversal
Perhaps the most controversial point in the match was the red card that was handed out to Gerard Martin, but after a VAR review, was downgraded to a yellow card.
“For me it was clear, he wanted to clear the ball, and I think it’s not a foul. But at the end, the VAR acted, and it was good for us. For me, it was not a red card.”
Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford futures
It was also put to Flick that Lewandowski’s goal could be worth a title. The German manager was asked if it might earn him a contract renewal.
“This is looking a little too far. I’m happy with Robert, I’m happy with the players. For me, it is not done, we have eight games to go.”
Similarly, Marcus Rashford came up with an important goal.
“This is the same as Robert, that is for the end of the season. Today he showed his ability one-on-one, and he did good. I’m happy with Marcus, he has to keep showing his ability.”
Lamine Yamal frustration
Despite the dramatic fashion of the win, Lamine Yamal was also seen exiting the pitch frustrated. The cause escaped Flick, but he was pleased with his star forward.
“I don’t know exactly what happened. There was a lot of emotion. Lamine tried everything to score the goal, not everything was perfect, but he was always trying, always available. We have three days to prepare the next match, and he will be in a better mood than today.”
Flick on Bernal and Araujo injuries
Asked about injuries to Ronald Araujo and Marc Bernal, who were both taken off, Flick seemed to imply there was a chance they could feature on Wednesday.
“At the end Ronald is out. Bernal he had problems with the ankle. We have to do our job. Every game is to win, it’s not easy. We need that hunger and that focus.”
“We know that the Champions League is different, every player has an extra 5-10% to give, we all want to be at the semi-finals. We have three days more to prepare, to rest a bit, home game for us. These are the games why we are doing this job,”
Barcelona face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Camp Nou. The return leg a week later on Tuesday at the Metropolitano.
Alvaro Arbeloa takes blame for Real Madrid loss against Mallorca, assesses La Liga chances after slip-up
Real Madrid fell to a disappointing defeat against Mallorca on Saturday, with the home side emerging as 2-1 winners at Son Moix. It is a result that has seen them lose ground in the La Liga title race, with Barcelona now seven points clear after they took advantage to win at Atletico Madrid.
As per Diario AS, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa spoke on the possibility of winning La Liga after the defeat. He recognised the task ahead of him, but all he wants is for his side to do their part in the remaining matches.
“It’s more difficult (to win La Liga) than before the game started. We have eight games left and, as I told the players, no matter how the league is, our next objective is to win the remaining eight. And to do that we have to play better than today and perform at a much higher level. It’s all more difficult, but our objective has to be the same.”
Arbeloa: This defeat is mine, all and absolutely mine
Arbeloa took responsibility for the defeat, as he urged his players to start thinking about Tuesday’s showdown clash against Bayern Munich.
“This defeat is mine, all and absolutely mine. What I need from them is that they are already thinking about Tuesday’s game. When they leave the dressing room this game is already over for them. I’m the one who makes the decisions, the one who makes the line-up, the one who makes the changes, the one who chooses how we have to play and this defeat is absolutely mine. I need my players to believe in winning Tuesday’s game, in that important match we have in the Champions League, a competition that is very important for us. So when they leave the dressing room, they only have to think about Bayern.”
Arbeloa calls for calm with Bellingham
Arbeloa also made it clear that he expects Jude Bellingham to continue gaining prominence and match sharpness over the coming weeks, after an less-than-convincing cameo off the bench at Son Moix.
“Well, it’s normal (that Bellingham lacks rhythm), it’s just that he’s been away for many weeks. During the match against Atlético he played 20 minutes. Today it was a little more than half an hour and the idea is that I can continue to get into the rhythm of competition. He cannot be at his maximum level without hardly playing games. We have to be patient with him, of course.”
Bizarreness in the UFC cage is nothing new, but the latest iteration of wackiness stirred up all sorts of controversy Saturday on the UFC Fight Night 272 prelims.
During a flyweight prelim at Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Dione Barbosa wound up and booted a downed Melissa Gatto in the upper chest/neck area early in Round 2. The principle point of contract was a bit unclear, but referee Chris Tognoni immediately called timeout as Gatto (9-3-2 MMA, 3-3 UFC) flopped backward to the canvas and laid flat.
There was discussion amongst Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) officials, as Gatto tried to regain herself, up against the five-minute recovery clock. Ultimately, it was decided a point deduction was proper. Barbosa (9-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) went on to win a majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Dione Barbosa lands a SUPER illegal soccer kick and has a point deducted and STILL WINS the fight 😳
The decision-making to let the fight continue was highly debated on social media with many users thinking the bout should not have continued, as Gatto presented as if she was knocked out. Others said the kick landed in the chest.
Gatto was not immediately available for comment, as a member of her team told MMA Junkie she was transported to a local hospital for a CT scan and further evaluation.
For Barbosa, the win bounced her back from an August loss to Karine Silva. For Gatto, she falls to 1-3 in her most recent four.
Andrew Luck's retirement from the Indianapolis Colts remains one of the most shocking sports stories in recent memory.
In the last week, there've been some new discussions about what really happened when Luck decided to leave the NFL while in the middle of his prime.
Former NFL tight end Eric Ebron essentially suggested that the Colts forced Luck to retire.
“Andrew then decides that he’s so tired of—he don't tell nobody this, this is the backstory—he's so tired of injury, and he doesn’t wanna do his surgery," Ebron said on his On My Soul podcast. You know who the man is around there that gets on everybody’s nerves. Big drawers over there behind that desk [Chris Ballard]. He tells Andrew, ‘You’re either playing this year, or we’re moving on.' Who the f--- would tell Andrew Luck that? Andrew Luck now says, ‘I’m not gonna be ready. I’m tired of playing with pain. I retire.'”
"Chris and I had a wonderful partnership, especially through my decision to retire, and we remain close. Any notion of internal pressures that influenced my decision are without merit."
Clearly, Luck has no reason to lean into any negative narratives right now, so there are no guarantees that that's the full story.
At the same time, Ebron has also admitted that he isn't a fan of Ballard, so he may not be the perfect source here, either.
It's a fascinating saga, but it's clear that Luck isn't coming back. Besides that, nothing really matters all that much.
UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van is out of next week’s UFC 327 card in Miami due to undisclosed reasons, multiple people with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MMA Fighting.
It’s unclear if Taira will face a different opponent that night or if the title bout will move to a later date. The UFC has considered options over the past few days, sources said.
UFC 327 takes place at the Kaseya Center on April 11 and features Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight championship in the main event.
Van (16-2) won the 125-pound title in December when Alexandre Pantoja suffered an arm injury seconds into their UFC 323 bout. With Pantoja sidelined, the UFC opted to book Van against rising contender Taira instead for April 11.
Taira (18-1) inserted himself in the title picture with a second-round knockout victory over ex-champion Brandon Moreno on the same night Van claimed the belt. That was his eighth victory in nine octagon appearances, six of those by stoppage.
The Chicago Bears have had an interesting offseason and are looking to improve upon what was a very successful first campaign for Ben Johnson.
Among the options that make sense for the Bears to pursue is New York Jets running back Breece Hall. Hall is reportedly available for the right price, though it remains uncertain if the Jets actually want to trade him. After not moving him at the deadline a year ago, New York has some interesting decisions to make, to say the least.
In a recent proposal, it feels like a deal that would be too good to pass up for Chicago. Sports Illustrated's Ryan Shea proposed a deal that would send Hall to the Bears for a third-round pick and D'Andre Swift.
“The Chicago Bears would make this move to land a true offensive centerpiece in Breece Hall—something their offense has been missing. Hall isn’t just a solid starter; he’s a home-run threat who can flip games with one touch, whether as a runner or receiver.
"In a system led by Ben Johnson, that versatility becomes even more valuable. Johnson’s offenses are built on creativity, spacing, and getting playmakers into favorable matchups. Hall would likely see more designed touches in space, screens, and mismatch opportunities, which not only boosts real production but also raises his fantasy ceiling.”
In the right system, Hall is the kind of player who can really be a star in this league. He proved that in the earlier stages of his time with the Jets, but he's also been on one of the worst offensive teams in the league over the past few seasons. With Johnson as his head coach, I'd expect that to change.
The No. 2 UConn Huskies and No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini will begin Saturday's slate of Final Four games from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
Dan Hurley and his Huskies are looking to return to the program's third national championship game in the last four seasons, following their back-to-back 2023 and 2024 championship wins. Their path to the Final Four was impressive, with wins over No. 1 Duke and No. 3 Michigan State. Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. will vie to continue his strong 2026 NCAA Tournament performance history after averaging 21.7 points and 13. 5 rebounds through the team's first four games, including a 31-point, 27-rebound double-double in the opening round against Furman.
After defeating No. 9 Iowa in the Elite Eight and ending the Hawkeyes' March Madness run, the Fighting Illini are back in the Final Four for the first time since 2005. Star freshman guard Keaton Wagler will look to continue his good form in this year's tournament, after averaging 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and a steal in Illinois' first four games. Along with Wagler, the Fighting Illini are also equipped with their "Balkan Five" of European talent: Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic, David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic, and Mihailo Petrovic.
The winner of this game will take on the victor of No. 1 Arizona and No. 1 Michigan on Monday at the home field of the Indianapolis Colts.
Here's a look at the complete box scores for both UConn and Illinois from Saturday's Final Four matchup.
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 28: Renato Moicano of Brazil prepares to face Benoit Saint Denis of France in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at The Accor Arena on September 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is live TONIGHT (Sat., April 4, 2026)with UFC Vegas 115, streaming live online via Paramount+. The happens at the META APEX for tens of tens of fans. The main event is Renato Moicano vs. Chris Duncan in the Lightweight division. The rest of the card is… well, terrible. So you must be a real hardcore fan if you’re joining us tonight!
UFC Vegas 115 Preview
UFC Vegas 115’s main event is an interesting tilt in the promotion’s premier division. Renato Moicano has lurked around the top fifteen for years, but he’s fallen on hard times. He was dominated by Beneil Dariush in his last fight. That was his first bout since he was smoked by Islam Makhachev in a short notice title fight (which he grabbed after Arman Tsarukyan hurt his back).
Chris Duncan is surging up the ranks right now and will hope to land himself among the upper-middle class of Lightweight with a win over the Brazilian. Duncan has won his last four, including wins over Terrance McKinney and Mateusz Rebecki. He’s gotten a lot of his wins with his trademark guillotine.
The co-main event is Virna Jandiroba vs. Tabatha Ricci at Strawweight. Yeah, I know. Jandiroba is a recent title challenger, though. She lost to Mackenzie Dern last year for the right to keep Zhang Weili’s belt warm. Ricci is on a mini run and a win here might put her in line to meet Zhang at some point in the near future.
The pick of the main card fights include top prospects Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev, Tommy McMillen and Ethyn Ewing. Yakhyaev and McMillen have lay-up opponents. Ewing meets the undefeated Rafael Estevam.
The “Prelims” see the return of Lando Vannata. He fight Darrius Flowers.
UFC Vegas 115 Start Date and Time
It’s the standard operating procedure this weekend.
UFC Vegas 115’s “Prelims” will begin at 5 p.m. ET.
UFC Vegas 115’s main card is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET.
All of UFC Vegas 115 airs on Paramount+, which you can stream here.
The live blog here starts rolling at 5 p.m. ET. Come in and say hi!
UFC VEGAS 115 QUICK RESULTS
Main card
155 lbs.: Renato Moicano vs. Chris Duncan
115 lbs.: Virna Jandiroba vs. Tabatha Ricci
205 lbs.: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Brendson Ribeiro by submission (rear naked choke), round 1 (2:52)
135 lbs.: Ethyn Ewing def. Rafael Estevam by TKO (body punch), round 3 (1:44) — HIGHLIGHTS
145 lbs.: Tommy McMillen def. Manolo Zecchini by TKO (knees and punches), round 1 (3:57) — HIGHLIGHTS
145 lbs.: Jose Delano def. Robert Ruchala by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Prelims
265 lbs.: Thomas Petersen def. Guilherme Pat by majority decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27)
125 lbs.: Alessandro Costa def. Stewart Nicoll by TKO (punches), round 2 (4:56)
155 lbs.: Darrius Flowers def. Lando Vannata by TKO (punches), round 2 (0:52)
135 lbs.: Alice Pereira def. Hailey Cowan by KO (knee), round 2 (4:24) — HIGHLIGHTS
185 lbs.: Tresean Gore def. Azamat Bekoev by technical submission (guillotine), round 3 (3:27) — HIGHLIGHTS
155 lbs.: Kai Kamaka III def. Dakota Hope by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 28-29)
UFC VEGAS 115 PLAY-BY-PLAY UPDATES
Main Card
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev vs. Brendson Ribeiro
Round 1: Yakhyaev made good as one of the biggest betting favorites in UFC history. However, he looked a little shaky to start this fight. Ribeiro cracked him a couple of times, but Yakhyaev got the fight to the ground after catching a head kick attempt. On the ground Yakhyaev took the back and sunk in the choke without any trouble at all.
Staying perfect 💯
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev secures the submission to keep his undefeated record!
Official decision: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Brendson Ribeiro by submission (rear naked choke), round 1 (2:52)
Ethyn Ewing vs. Rafael Estevam
Round 1: That was a very strong opening round for Ewing. He walked forwards, forcing Estevam to back up. While walking back Estevam couldn’t launch into takedowns, so he became a bit of a sitting duck. In the last few seconds Ewing put a hurting on him against the fence and would have got the stoppage if there had been perhaps 10 seconds more in the round.
Round 2: Ewing styled on Estevam in this round. Estevam looked desperate going for takedowns early, but Ewing defended and the proceeded to rock him with punches. Estevam got bloodied up and looked very tired and foggy from all the damage. Ewing didn’t over commit, though. He cruised through the round just adding more punches to the bank.
20-18 Ewing
Round 3: Ewing continued to pour it on in the third round. All that volume eventually added up to a stoppage, with Estevam going down off a big shot to the liver. That’s Estevam’s first loss. Ewing looks like someone we’re going to see a lot of in Bantamweight division.
Official decision: Ethyn Ewing def. Rafael Estevam by TKO (body punch), round 3 (1:44)
Tommy McMillen vs. Manolo Zecchini
Round 1: These guys came to fight. They swung haymakers at each other from the jump. And it was McMillen’s length that made a lot of difference. He was able to tag Zecchini with more power and from further range. Zecchini did his best to fire back, but he ended up taking a bit of a beating and went down off some body shots against the fence.
All out madness 🫨
Tommy McMillen earns the TKO in his debut at #UFCVegas115!
Official decision: Tommy McMillen def. Manolo Zecchini by TKO (knees and punches), round 1 (3:57)
Jose Delano vs. Robert Ruchala
Round 1: That was a close and competitive round. Ruchala pushed the pace, walking Delano down and throwing lots of volume. Delano stayed very composed, though. He was able to avoid a lot of what Ruchala threw and land good counters. He bloodied Ruchala’s nose and gave him a big welt with a very good body kick.
10-9 Delano
Round 2: Delano decided to go forwards in this round. And he found a lot of success doing that. He landed a number of overhand rights and started to wear Ruchala down. He then mixed it up with combos, landing to Ruchala’s head repeatedly.
20-18 Delano
Round 3: Ruchala came out looking for a finish. He pressed forwards throwing combos. That forced Delano to play his counter striking game again, which he did very effectively. He used excellent head movement to avoid Ruchala’s shots and continued to land good counters. Ruchala looked for a takedown late in the round and had a point deducted for grabbing onto the fence.
30-26 Delano
Hard fought 15 💪@ZeDelano earns the UD victory in his UFC debut!
Official result: Jose Delano def. Robert Ruchala by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Prelims
Guilherme Pat vs. Thomas Petersen: Pat looked menacing in the first round, throwing power kicks at Petersen. But in the second he was too passive and he let Petersen fight himself back into the contest. Then, in the third, Petersen went for broke, dropping Pat and coming close to a finish. That earned him a 10-8 round and the underdog victory.
Official decision: Thomas Petersen def. Guilherme Pat by majority decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Alessandro Costa vs. Stewart Nicoll: These two looked evenly matched early on, until Costa started landing to the body. He went there early and often and this led to Nicoll focussing a lot of his attention on protecting his body. This left his head open for shots over the top. In the second Costa continued going to the body and eventually dropped Nicoll with a crushing shot to the liver. He followed up to score the TKO on the ground.
Straight to the liver 🫨@AlessanCosta10 keeps his 100% finish rate in the UFC after this TKO at #UFCVegas115!
Official decision: Alessandro Costa def. Stewart Nicoll by TKO (punches), round 2 (4:56)
Lando Vannata vs. Darrius Flowers: This fight looked painful, for Vannata. In the second round Vannata jumped a guillotine, but Flowers responded in brutal fashion. He jumped and landed right on top of Vannata, driving his shoulder into Vannata’s ribs. Vannata reacted like he had broken a rib, but he made it to the end of the round. He looked terrible on the stool and early in the second, Flowers landed a trip which put Vannata on his back. As soon as he hit the ground Vannata was yelping in pain. He turtled up and Flowers was able to score the TKO win.
FOR HIS FIRST UFC WIN 👏
Darrius Flowers earns the TKO victory at #UFCVegas115!
Official decision: Darrius Flowers def. Lando Vannata by TKO (punches), round 2 (0:52)
Alice Pereira vs. Hailey Cowan: The 19 year-old Pereira looked sharp in the first round, beating Cowan to the punch. Cowan was able to take back some momentum in the second, with her wrestling. She had Pereira pinned down for some time. However, once they stood up, Pereira placed a knee right on Cowan’s jaw. That put Cowan to sleep and earned Pereira her first UFC win.
STEP IN KNEE GETS THE KO 👏@AlicePereiraUFC gets her first UFC win in STYLE!
Official decision: Alice Pereira def. Hailey Cowan by KO (knee), round 2 (4:24)
Azamat Bekoev vs. Tresean Gore: Gore wins as a massive underdog here. He unsettled Bekoev early by throwing hard combos. Gore was able to out work Bekoev with his wrestling, too. That all tired out Bekoev. In the third round Gore was still going for the kill. Half way through that round he was able to trap Bekoev in a guillotine, off a scramble. Gore put him to sleep from that position, scoring his third guillotine win in a row. Impressive stuff from Gore.
Make it 3 straight wins via Guillotine 😳
Tresean Gore locks up the finish in impressive fashion!
Official decision: Tresean Gore def. Azamat Bekoev by technical submission (guillotine), round 3 (3:27)
Dione Barbosa vs. Melissa Gatto: Barbosa must have forgotten where she was fighting here. She obliterated Gatto in the second round with a soccer kick to the throat that would have been more than at home at the Saitama Super Arena. Gatto looked unconscious, but she was allowed to keep fighting after a five minute break. Barbosa was docked a point, but that didn’t matter in the end. Barbosa won every round on my card with her very aggressive striking, grappling and submission hunting.
An illegal kick by Dione Barbosa results in one point being deducted.
Official decision: Dione Barbosa def. Melissa Gatto by majority decision (28-28, 28-27, 28-27)
Kai Kamaka III vs. Dakota Hope: Hope gambled that he could get Kamaka out of there with five minutes of furious Muay Thai offense. That didn’t happen, though, and Kamaka was able to take over for the second and third round against a tired Hope (whose gas tank was further depleted by all the body shots he took). I had Kamaka winning 29-28.
The first fight of the night is not disappointing 💥
Official decision: Kai Kamaka III def. Dakota Hope by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 28-29)
Live stream begins at 5 p.m. ET. …
Dealing with a busted bracket?
The Sweet 16 is almost here – who’s still alive? We’re reviewing the week that was in the first week of the NCAA tournament and turning our focus to remaining teams. How bad (or good!) is your bracket? Join us in the SB Nation March Madness Feed and let’s talk about who’s most likely to make a run to glory.
For more UFC Vegas 115: “Moicano vs. Duncan” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
Auriemma has experienced losses in the NCAA Tournament that he never saw coming, unpredictable opponents getting hot at the right moment or making clutch plays when it mattered most. But the 2025-26 Huskies had weaknesses that Auriemma recognized all season long, and they showed in the worst possible moment against the toughest opponent the team faced all year.
“The losses that are the hardest are the ones where you feel like your team has very, very few flaws, very few areas where the other team can exploit,” Auriemma said. “Then there’s other losses, where you come here with a team and you know, there are things that could happen that we would not be able to recover from.
“When your flaws, when things happen that are exposed, you kind of go, ‘Damn man, they found us out.’”
For most of this season, UConn seemed infallible. The Huskies dominated nearly every opponent in their path on their historic 54-game win streak, which tied the fourth longest in NCAA history. The team won 34 in a row by at least 14 points and entered the Final Four leading the country in scoring defense, steals, assists and field goal percentage.
But UConn was also never truly tested throughout its undefeated run. The other three 1-seeds that reached the last weekend of the NCAA Tournament — UCLA, Texas and South Carolina — all played at least one game against another Final Four team during the regular season. The best opponent the Huskies faced before South Carolina was Michigan back in November, and the Wolverines got blown out by Texas in the Elite Eight.
Without having experienced a major challenge, UConn’s flaws were easy to sweep under the rug. South Carolina dragged them into the light.
“I was never comfortable with that (undefeated) narrative, people talking like that going into the season, in the middle of the season,” Auriemma said. “It’s really hard. It’s always been hard. It’s why I don’t like the narrative in November, December, January, February. I don’t care when it is, because there’s too many good teams left to play. There’s too many big moments left to play in.”
The headliner was a combined 7-for-31 shooting performance from the All-American duo of redshirt senior Azzi Fudd and national player of the year Sarah Strong. Strong, who had never experienced a close postseason game since arriving at UConn, struggled to keep her composure against South Carolina’s relentless defensive pressure. The famously even-keeled sophomore looked sped up and out of rhythm the entire night, and she eventually grew so frustrated that she accidentally ripped her own jersey at the collar after missing a layup at the third-quarter buzzer.
Fudd, too, was smothered by the Gamecocks’ defense, finishing with just eight points, and she admitted her shots felt rushed throughout the game.
“Our whole objective was to get them to shoot as inefficiently as possible, make them put the ball on the floor,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “Don’t give them as many catch-and-shoot opportunities. I thought our kids really locked into that … I just thought that we made it real difficult for them to get clean looks.”
The loss isn’t solely on either star, but neither stepped up when the Huskies desperately needed someone to take over and make plays. As far back as Big East Media Day in October, Auriemma worried that UConn didn’t have an “alpha” personality in the mold of Diana Taurasi or Maya Moore or Breanna Stewart, the kind of dominant force capable of single-handedly willing a team to victory. He’d never seen a team go undefeated without one, and the Final Four performance proved his point.
Rebounding has also been a consistent problem for UConn, and the Huskies’ assistant coaches spent time in nearly every huddle during the Final Four matchup begging the team to commit to boxing out and fighting for boards. UConn came into the game ranked 124th in the country in rebounds per game while South Carolina ranked seventh, and the Huskies’ 47-32 deficit on the Friday reflected the season-long trend.
South Carolina only scored nine points off offensive rebounds, but the inability to bring down boards limited UConn’s ability to push the pace in transition, and the Huskies finished with just nine fastbreak points.
And then there was the foul trouble, which seemed to be the issue at the root of Auriemma’s bizarre late-game meltdown toward Staley. Auriemma complained both on the broadcast to ESPN’s Holly Rowe and during his postgame press conference about the foul disparity between the two teams: South Carolina was assessed eight personal fouls to UConn’s 17, and the Gamecocks also took 22 free throws to the Huskies’ six.
“The biggest problem I think was the difference in free throws,” Auriemma said. “One way to get easy shots is to get to the free throw line. Now, I don’t think, generally speaking, we did enough with the ball to create the contact that we needed to create to get to the free throw line.”
UConn failing to get to the line wasn’t unique to the Final Four game. The Huskies rank 326th out of 359 Division I teams in free throw attempts averaging just over 13 per game, while South Carolina averages more than 20. The Gamecocks are also a top 10 team in fouls per game averaging 12.7, and though UConn typically averages just 13.2, it’s not shocking that the number escalated in a game where the team looked visibly rattled from the very beginning.
Plain and simple, the Huskies got exposed, and they know it. If there’s a lesson the team takes away from the crushing end to their undefeated season, it’s that every detail needs to be perfected by the time they get to this stage, regardless of what their record looks like.
“Things that need to be fixable throughout the season, that nag a little, if you don’t address it sooner, it kind of bites you on the butt on the back end,” junior guard Ashlynn Shade said. “I think just remembering this feeling, knowing what it’s like to be in this spot and using that as fuel to get better.”
UFC 327 just lost its co-main event, as flyweight champion Joshua Van has pulled out from his title fight with challenger Tatsuro Taira according to MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz.
The bout was set to be Van’s first title defense and also the first time two Asian-born men have fought for a UFC title. Van’s reason for pulling out remains unknown.
It remains to be seen if Taira remains on the UFC 327 card to face a different opponent or the whole fight gets postponed. The UFC has reportedly been considering its options over the past few days.
The main event is still Jiří Procházka against Carlos Ulberg for the light heavyweight title.
Van won the belt in surprising and surreal fashion. After a quick rise through the flyweight ranks, he faced Alexandre Pantoja as an interesting underdog then basically got handed the belt after the champion gruesomely dislocated his shoulder on an awkward fall.
A Pantoja rematch would have been a natural choice, but the 35-year-old remains out of commission. That opened the door for Taira, who is coming off a second-round TKO win over former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323, the same event as Pantoja-Van.
Augusta National is one of the trickiest courses in the world.Getty Images
The azaleas are in full bloom in Augusta, Ga., which means the Masters is upon us.
Golf fans are getting a sneak peak at Augusta National today as the ladies play the final round of ANWA, while the men with arrive early next week to prep for the 90th playing of the Masters.
If nearly a century of competitive golf being contested at Augusta National has taught us anything, it’s that there may be no better stage in the game to crown a champion.
Below are three shots that competitors at Augusta must have in their repertoire — and some tips on how you can hit them yourself.
3 shots needed to compete at Augusta National
1. Bump-and-check
Why it’s necessary: The bump-and-run is one of the most fundamental short-game shots in golf. But to compete at Augusta, you need to put a little twist on it. Instead of having the ball immediately roll out when it hits the green, it needs to instead hit, check and then roll out.
“Think about long of No. 15,” says GOLF Top 100 Teacher Parker McLachlin. “You’ve got to bump it into the hill, but it can’t be a bump-and-run. If it is, it’ll roll off into the water on the other side. And you can’t hit it high and stop it because you’re into the grain and you can’t spin it as much and landing on a downslope. So you have to hit a bump with a little check.”
How to hit it: Hitting this shot is similar to the traditional bump-and-run, but with a few key adjustments. Play the ball a bit back in your stance with your weight and the handle of the club leaning forward. Open the clubface a bit and then make an in-to-out swing path. If you catch it right, it should come out a little low and check on the second bounce.
2. High, soft pitch
Why it’s necessary: If you’ve watched the pros play Augusta, you know that there are plenty of bad places to miss around the greens. When you find yourself in these spots (particularly when you;re short-sided), you’ve got to know how to hit a pitch that lofts high and lands soft.
How to hit it: The key to hitting a high pitch that lands soft is combining a steep angle of attack with an open clubface. Grab a high-lofted wedge and set up with the face a bit open. Keep a neutral shaft angle and then focus on making a little longer backswing than normal with a bit more wrist hinge than normal. As you come through the impact zone, keep the clubhead moving with some speed. When you clip it clean, the ball will launch high and land soft with some spin.
3. Towering iron
Why it’s necessary: With the speed and firmness of Augusta’s greens, you’ve got to be able to hit your approaches high and land them soft. If you can’t do that, accessing many of the pins is tough.
How to hit it: Set up with the ball a little more forward in your stance and tilt your spine away from the target. This will help you increase the dynamic loft just a bit and create a higher launch. But don’t forget to hit down on the ball, either. A key ingredient of high shots is spin, so you’ll need to create ball-first contact to maximize that spin.
Woodbine (Iowa) four-star wide receiver Landon Blum has committed to Penn State, according to Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett.
He chose the Nittany Lions over a slew of Midwest suitors including Iowa State, Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas State.
Blum is the No. 202 overall prospect and No. 26 WR in the 2027 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the top-ranked recruit in Iowa.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder was once a heavy lean to Matt Campbell and Iowa State. But once Campbell departed Ames for Happy Valley, Blum quickly became a top PSU target and he’s now set to head to the Keystone State at the next level.
Blum is visiting Penn State for the first time this weekend.
“I have a great relationship with the old ISU staff and new PSU staff right now,” he told Rivals’ Allen Trieu last month. “Really working on building that relationship with Coach Moore right now since he’s new to the program. He’s been great so far.”
Once ranked as a tight end prospect, Blum is being recruited by Penn State as a wideout. He’s the first blue-chipper to choose the Big Ten program this cycle and is commit No. 5 overall.
The Denver Nuggets are on a hot streak as the NBA regular season winds down. The Nuggets have now won eight straight games after securing a 136-134 overtime win at home against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
The Spurs had a massive first quarter, scoring 43 points and pulling away from the Nuggets early on. But Denver rolled all the way back: In the final seconds of regulation, Aaron Gordon hit a big dunk to tie the game at 124-each and force overtime.
Nikola Jokić, who finished the night with 40 points, sunk two free throws in the final seconds of OT to ice the game.
Dylan Harper’s very long three-pointer, somewhat shockingly, went in at the buzzer, but it was too late for San Antonio, who had to settle for the two-point overtime loss
Jokić led the game with a near triple-double, recording 40 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds and three blocks. Victor Wembanyama’s MVP campaign continued as well, with the Spurs center putting up 34 points and 18 rebounds, but his efforts fell just short.
San Antonio is very comfortably at second in the Western conference with four games left in the season. The Spurs, with a 59-19 record, sit two wins back from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and are well out of reach from the rest of the conference heading into the postseason.
For Denver, though, the win gives them a boost. The Nuggets are neck-and-neck with the Los Angeles Lakers for the third spot in the West, with both currently at 50 wins. Every win also pulls Denver further away from the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, who sit two and four wins, respectively, away from the fourth-place finish.
The Nuggets and Spurs will meet again in San Antonio next weekend, for the regular season finale on April 12.
Asterisk Talley's ANWA hopes evaporate with 12th hole blowup at Augusta NationalJosh Schrock
Asterisk Talley joined an infamous list on Saturday at Augusta National, but not the one she wanted.
The 17-year-old Talley made the turn at Augusta National holding the final-round lead in the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. After making a par at the 10th, Talley had not made a bogey at the ANWA since the sixth of the final round last year and was in prime position to handle the back-nine pressure at Augusta and leave with a prestigious amateur title. But Talley dropped a shot at the par-4 11th and then arrived at the famous par-3 12th tied for the lead with Maria Jose Marin. The 12th hole at Augusta National has claimed many victims and doomed many title runs. Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Tony Finau and Francesco Molinari are among the names who have failed the final-round exam at the 12th hole.
Talley surveyed the wind and pulled her club. But the eddy effect at the 12th did what it does, and Talley’s tee shot sailed long and landed in the bushes. However, Talley got a good break as the ball bounced back down into the bunker, leaving her a tricky shot to get up and down and stay in a tie for first place. But her bunker shot came out hot and raced across the green and down into Rae’s Creek.
Talley surveyed her options after her ball met its watery demise. She had two choices: drop on the other side of the creek or play the exact same shot she just played from the bunker. The 17-year-old chose the second option, but the result was the same as her second attempt at the bunker shot sped across the green and into the creek. Talley elected to drop on the other side of the creek after her second water ball, and wound up making a lengthy putt for a quadruple bogey 7, which dropped her from 13 under to 9 under and five shots behind Marin.
“Anything can happen on this golf course is what I would tell her,” McIlroy told NBC’s Cara Banks. “Two par 5s coming up in 13 and 15, with a pin on the left at 16, the water is in play. A lot can happen. Obviously she needs to bounce back on 13 and hopefully make a birdie but it’s certainly not over around this place. I know that better than anyone. Hopefully she regroups and it’ll be an exciting last few holes.”
Talley bounced back with a birdie at the 13th, but her ANWA hopes had already been dashed by the shortest hole on the golf course — and she won’t be the last victim claimed by the hole named Golden Bell.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at Petco Park on April 01, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
They have only seen it twice this season, but according to this week’s Padres Reacts Survey on Gaslamp Ball, San Diego Padres fans would not be opposed to seeing Mason Miller and his new bullpen entrance more often.
The problem to this point in the year after the first six games over two series at Petco Park is that there have only been a couple of chances for Miller to job from the bullpen to the mound. Of course, there was at least one other opportunity where many Padres fans thought Miller should have been coming into the game, but San Diego manager Craig Stammen said he and pitching coach Ruben Niebla decided before the start of the game that Miller would not throw more than an inning in a save situation. Stammen cited the early time of year as the reason the right-handed flame thrower was unavailable.
With the team on the road, there is no chance Miller will be accompanied by his entrance music, “Blind” by Korn should he come into a game over the next two series. The Padres dropped the first game of their series against the Boston Red Sox but will look to get on a winning streak as San Diego completes the series in Boston and moves on to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates before returning home to face the Colorado Rockies, April 9.
No. 16 Alabama took the rubber game of the weekend's three-game set against No. 11 Oklahoma on Saturday, 3-2, to win the series.
Oklahoma fell to 5-7 in the Southeastern Conference and has lost five of its last six SEC games. Saturday's finale came down to the wire as the Sooners nearly rallied from a 3-0 deficit.
Alabama jumped out by scoring all three of its runs in the first inning. A wild pitch, a passed ball and a field error allowed the Crimson Tide to score one, two and three in a row. All with two outs and all with the same batter at the plate.
OU coach Skip Johnson went with a committee approach and after starter Trent Collier struggled in the opening frame, the rest of the staff settled down, giving up just six baserunners the rest of the way.
Oklahoma had plenty of chances, leaving 11 runners on base for the game. Brendan Brock plated the first comeback run in the bottom of the first with an RBI single to score Trey Gambill. Kyle Branch pulled the Sooners within one with an RBI single again in the fifth to score Drew Dickerson. OU put a runner into scoring position in the seventh and eighth innings before going down 1-2-3 in the ninth.
Dickerson was the only Sooners player with two hits, going 2 for 3 with a walk and a run as Oklahoma finished with seven hits and seven walks against Alabama pitching.
The Sooners are back in action quickly with a rare Monday game against Dallas Baptist at home. Next weekend, OU travels to Nashville for another Thursday-Friday-Saturday series against Vanderbilt.
John Higgins won the Tour Championship in 2025, defeating 10-8 Mark Selby in the final [Getty Images]
John Higgins suffered the heaviest defeat of his 34-year career as he lost 10-1 to Zhao Xingtong in the semi-finals of the Tour Championship in Manchester.
The defending champion was swept aside by China's Zhao, who racked up 11 breaks over 50, including one century.
The four-time world champion avoided failing to win a single frame when he took the 10th with Zhao on the verge of victory.
The 50-year-old has twice lost by a margin of nine frames before - 13-4 against Stephen Hendry at the 2012 World Championship and 18-9 against Judd Trump in the 2019 Crucible final - but had never experienced the manner of this defeat in a best-of-19 contest.
"I played well and I am very happy to reach the final," said Zhao.
"My cueing was very good, I tried not to think too much, I just enjoyed the table and concentrated on the balls. This season I have been in four finals and I am enjoying every moment and trying to get better.
"To play Judd in a final for the first time will be a big moment for me, it will be very tough."
The 29-year-old moved into his sixth ranking final having won his first five - a feat only previously achieved by Steve Davis, Mark Williams and Neil Robertson.
Zhao is trying to become the first player to win all three events in the Players Series in the same season, having triumphed in both the World Grand Prix and Players Championship in February.
He is guaranteed to move to a career-high fourth place in the world rankings regardless of the result of Sunday's final, which will be his first meeting with Trump at this stage of a tournament.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kelly Pannek had two goals and two assists to pad her PWHL-leading points total and help the Minnesota Frost hold off the Vancouver Goldeneyes 6-5 on Saturday, snapping a three-match losing streak and clinching a spot in the postseason for the two-time defending champions.
Pannek scored twice on power plays in the third period to give Minnesota (12-3-4-6) a 6-4 lead. She tops the league with 14 goals and 28 points with five matches left in the regular season. Pannek had seven goals through her first two seasons.
Sarah Nurse redirected a shot by former Frost standout Sophie Jacques just 1:18 into the match to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead. It was the earliest goal this season for the Goldeneyes, who had posted regulation victories the previous five times they scored first.
Pannek used a no-look backward pass to set up Grace Zumwinkle in front of the net for her career-high 12th goal of the season, tying it 1-1 at 9:05. Pannek's 14 assists this season is a career high.
Minnesota took a 2-1 lead with 2:21 left in the first when Katy Knoll scored her seventh goal — with assists from Lee Stecklein and Pannek.
But Tereza Vanišová beat Frost goaltender Nicole Hensley one on one to tie it and Jacques gave the Goldeneyes a 3-2 lead when she scored on a power play. The two clubs combined for three goals in 40 seconds.
Vancouver took a two-goal lead 3:30 into the second period on Jenn Gardiner's fourth goal.
Mae Batherson scored her third goal, and Taylor Heise followed with her 10th — on a power-play 1:18 later — to even it 4-4 at 13:25 and the tie stood heading to the final period.
Pannek gave Minnesota a 5-4 lead a little over four minutes in with Heise notching her career-best 16th assist and rookie Kendall Cooper collecting her 14th.
Pannek scored another power-play goal with 6:16 remaining for some insurance that became necessary when Izzy Daniel scored her seventh goal for the Goldeneyes with 53 seconds left.
Hensley finished with 20 saves for Minnesota.
Emerance Maschmeyer stopped 29 shots for Vancouver.
Naperville Central (Ill.) five-star shooting guard Trinity Jones has been released from her signing with Clemson, Rivals’ Talia Goodman confirms.
Jones, a McDonald’s All American, is the No. 7 overall prospect and No. 2 shooting guard in the 2026 cycle. She committed to the Tigers in October and headlined an impressive blue-chip haul for head coach Shawn Poppie and Co.
She’s the second five-star recruit to re-open her recruitment this weekend, following Five-Star Plus+ power forward Oliviyah Edwards, who requested her release from signing with Tennessee.
Jaden Bradley will have plenty of opportunities off drives when he attracts extra defenders, doing one of the things he does best: facilitating under pressure.
Nobody attacks the rim very efficiently against the Michigan Wolverines, outside an elite few of teams, because they can’t stand up to their physicality. The Arizona Wildcats are one of those exceptions.
So is Duke. And using the Blue Devils as a proxy, they posted over one point per possession on big cuts and rolls in their win against Michigan earlier this year.
The Wildcats can do something similar, and Bradley leads all of those actions. That makes the assist bet a nice accompaniment to my Most Outstanding Player of the tournament bet at +850.
Prop #2: Motiejus Krivas Over 0.5 steals
-140 at bet365
It was probably inevitable that the eventual fallout of the LJ Cason injury for Michigan would be Yaxel Lendeborg taking on more of a point-forward role, and that’s exactly what we’ve seen.
His usage rate has climbed by 2% from what it was before the Cason injury, and he has posted an assist rate of over 25% in back-to-back games. What does this mean for Motiejus Krivas? In two words: ball pressure.
Arizona won't let Lendeborg run that point-forward role without heating him up. Not when they have one of the best defenders in the country, which is quantified by both metrics (+5.2 DPM) and the eye test. Given the increased opportunities to guard a high-volume ballhandler, I make this closer to -175.
Prop #3: Nimari Burnett Over 1.5 made threes
-140 at bet365
Michigan will make a concerted effort to take threes in this matchup. There are myriad reasons, but a prevailing one is that Dusty May has to know if Michigan is making them at a decent clip. Arizona is specifically built to be at a (bigger) deficit than most because of how few it takes.
The Wildcats force a 95th percentile ball-screen rate and protect the rim at an elite level, taking away easy twos and putting pressure on shooters. With Yaxel likely drawing primary attention on-ball, Burnett becomes a key outlet on swing actions, and he’s gone over this number in three of his last five games.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Bet Now supimg src="https://images.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.png?width=75&height=undefined" alt="bet365" width="125" height="36"/sup
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Newsflash: A Tiger not named Dillon Dingler has homered in 2026.
Kerry Carpenter, off to awful start (.091 with 12 strikeouts through six games), got things started in the first inning with a two-run opposite-field home run off Dustin May (who's no Dusty May) that sent the Tigers on their way back to .500. It was just Detroit's third homer of the year. They made up for lost time. Later, Zach McKinstry hit the fourth (on 0-2), Gleyber Torres the fifth (oppo taco), and Matt Vierling the sixth (through a hurricane).
Carpenter showed some country-strong in flicking the bat at a 91-mph change-up and flipping it into the bullpen. It traveled 359 feet — Colt Keith hit two balls much farther in Arizona, and neither left the yard — but a homer's a homer.
Carpenter snapped his longest homerless drought to start a season, by games started:
2022: First homer in fourth start
2023: First homer in seventh start
2024: First homer in second start
2025: First homer in sixth start
2026: First homer in eighth start
Carpenter had one RBI coming into the game, then had three in his first two trips to the plate Saturday. He tacked on with a sacrifice fly to shallow center in the third, scoring Kevin McGonigle, who led off with a single.
That collective groan you heard moments before the start of Saturday's game might've been the producers of NBC's "Sunday Night Baseball." They're in Detroit this week, and they were geeked to have Justin Verlander making his highly anticipated return to the Comerica Park mound as a Tiger. It won't happen. Verlander, 43, has been placed on the injured list, with left hip inflammation.
It's the eighth time Verlander has gone on the IL in his career, more than half coming since he turned 40.
The Tigers have been successful on 12 of their ABS challenges, but none were bigger than the overturn for Dillon Dingler in the bottom of the fifth. It would've been an inning-ending strikeout; instead, he walked, and Zach McKinstry followed with an RBI single to give the Tigers a two-run lead, right after the Cardinals had pulled within one on a mammoth grand slam by Jordan Walker. Leave it to the catcher to know the zone.
The Tigers' challenge success rate this year:
Hitter: 8-for-12 (75%)
Pitcher/catcher: 4-for-4 (100%)
Next Tigers game
▶ Game 9: Cardinals at Tigers, 7:20 Sunday, Peacock, 97.1
In 2021, Mike Krzyzewski began his final season as Duke head coach before retirement. It was also the start of the NIL era in college sports, though he has made it clear that’s not why he chose to walk away.
Krzyzewski has watched from afar as NIL and the transfer portal became important parts of the college athletics landscape. Specifically, he acknowledged athletes staying in school longer – but that led to an “unintended consequence” as a result.
Speaking with TNT Sports’ Ernie Johnson ahead of the Final Four, Krzyzewski joked about how much fun college is and said the ability to make money adds to it. However, he said those athletes who stay in college aren’t necessarily doing so with the same program with the transfer portal as an option.
“It’s good for the families that need it,” Krzyzewski said. “NIL – name, image and likeness – the reason it was brought in is because you should have the ability to take advantage of your persona. The consequences of doing that are all good. There were some unintended consequences, like when coaches say it keeps [athletes] in school longer. It does, but not at the same school.
“However, how can being in college longer be bad? I mean, really? … It’s the best time of your life. You’re playing a sport that you love. Now, you’re getting an opportunity to make money. Come on.”
Last year’s NBA Draft showed the impact NIL has on the talent pool at both the college and professional level. Notable names such as Labaron Philon, Yaxel Lendeborg and PJ Haggerty returned to school rather than going to the draft. That meant two high-level players remained in college, meaning the second round of the draft took a hit.
This season, the college basketball landscape added another wrinkle. Revenue-sharing arrived as part of the landmark House settlement last year, meaning schools can directly share up to $20.5 million with athletes. That number will grow to $21.3 million this summer.
While the majority of those dollars went to football, as expected, men’s basketball is receiving an estimated $4.2 million in rev-share allocations on average, according to data from Opendorse. Roster costs have also increased, as On3’s Pete Nakos reported, especially for teams competing in the Final Four this weekend.
Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder (right) face off during a press conference at York Hall, London. Picture date: Thursday April 2, 2026. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
MMA Fighting has Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora live round-by-round updates for one of the most anticipated boxing fights of the year at O2 Arena in London, England on Saturday afternoon.
Deontay Wilder (44-4-1, 43 knockouts) has had a rough stretch as of late, losing four of his past six fights. The former WBC heavyweight champion did knock out Tyrrell Anthony Herndon in the seventh round in his last outing this past June.
Derek Chisora (36-13, 23 knockouts) has reeled off three straight wins all via unanimous decision. He defeated Otto Wallin via decision in his last outing last February.
Get the Wilder vs. Chisora round-by-round live blog below:
Every team can use a good X receiver. But not every team has one. And they don't just grow on trees. Raiders brass and coaches have noted this offseason several times that it isn't the easiest thing to find a good one. They didn't sign one in free agency, so the next place to look is the draft. And they are doing their homework to see what talent there is at that spot. They are among 12 teams to set up a visit with Georgia State WR Ted Hurst in the coming days.
Georgia State WR Ted Hurst, one of the busiest draft prospects, has a visit on Monday with the #Dolphins, then he has the #Colts, source said.
The 6-4 receiver didn't go to a big school with a lot of high-end competition and televised games, so teams are very interested in getting a closer look at him. He should get drafted. The question is who will pull the trigger on him and how early.
Most projections have him as a mid-round prospect, going in the third or fourth round.
Hurst was First-team All-Sun Belt last season. He led the Panthers with 71 receptions for 1,004 receiving yards (14.1 per), and six touchdowns over 12 games.
He performed well at the combine, running a 4.42 40-yard dash with a 36.5-inch vertical and an 11-3 broad jump.
Maria Jose Marin started the day one back of the lead in the Augusta National Women's Amateur and finished it winning by four.
The 19-year-old Arkansas junior from Cali, Colombia was firmly in the mix as the final two pairings teed off at Augusta National Golf Club, but it was 17-year-old Asterisk Talley getting the winner's edit entering Saturday.
After two rounds at Champions Retreat Golf Club, Talley was bogey free. She was the runner-up in 2025, and it seemed like it was finally the Stanford commit's time in her third appearance.
But after three birdies in the first nine holes, Talley's bogey-free streak unraveled in devastating fashion.
The bogey at the par-4 11th was manageable – it could easily be made up with two more par 5s to go – but the quadruple bogey at the par-3 12th? Dropping to 9 under? Nearly impossible to come back from.
Marin wasn't waiting in the wings for Talley to mess up, she just played good, clean golf for two rounds and came to Augusta National with a plan. An early bogey could have derailed her, but she followed with five birdies to only one more bogey.
Part of that plan also included opting for an Augusta National Caddie – something the other two leaders entering the day did not do.
The result was a 4-under 68 in the final round and 14-under overall – after two rounds at Champions Retreat and one at Augusta National. That's the lowest score in the history of the Augusta National Women's Amateur.
"It means the world to me," Marin said after becoming the first Colombian to win at this course.
She was also the only player in the field to shoot in the 60s all three rounds.
It didn't happen instantly – this was Marin's fourth appearance in the tournament. She was T-14 in 2023, T-30 in 2024, and missed the cut in 2025.
Marin has found her stride in the past year, becoming the third NCAA individual champion from Arkansas. She's the third NCAA champion to win this event at the home of the Masters, joining Jennifer Kupcho (2019) and Rose Zhang (2023).
Stanford sophomore Andrea Revuelta finished second at 10 under after a final round 4-under 68. The Spaniard carded six birdies on the day, including one at that treacherous par-3 12th that nearly became the hole’s fourth ace ever.
Korea's Oh Soomin was solo third at 9 under – the only player in the field with a clean card at Augusta National after also recording a 4-under 68 with four birdies.
Talley finished T-4 in the group at 8-under overall. After the quad bogey, Talley carded two birdies, a bogey and a double bogey to finish with a 3-over 75 on the day.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 02: A general view of the exterior of Lucas Oil Stadium before the Men's Final Four on April 02, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As hard as it is for Purdue fans to watch four other teams in today’s Final Four, that just so happens to be just down the street in Indianapolis, I know most of us will be tuning in. With that in mind I wanted to give you all a space to talk about the upcoming games. The schedule is below. For me, I can’t decide if I want the Big Ten to win and break their championship drought or if I want Arizona to win so that Purdue lost to the champion. However, we can all agree that we are rooting against UConn. Right?
#3 Illinois vs. #2 UConn – TBS/truTB/HBO Max – 6:09 PM tipoff
#1 Michigan vs. #1 Arizona – TBS/truTV/HBO Max – 8:49 PM tipoff
They should be two great games. There are four great teams right there with a lot of high octane offenses. Points should be coming fast and furious especially in that Michigan vs. Arizona game.
It was a rocky start for the veteran CJ McCollum in an Atlanta Hawks uniform.
During his first six games with the Hawks, McCollum averaged just 16.7 points while shooting just 40.7% from the field and 23.5% from three. During this stretch, Atlanta went 2-4 as McCollum struggled to fit in with the team.
At 34 years old, McCollum is the oldest player on Atlanta’s young roster. Moreover, he is also the Hawks’ highest-paid player, making more than $30.6 million this season.
Given how things started for McCollum in Atlanta, the notion to re-sign him this offseason would not have been popular. However, with how well he and the Hawks have performed as of late, it might be wise for the Hawks to consider bringing him back next season.
McCollum has been in a unique situation this season. Both the Hawks and Washington Wizards have young rosters in need of veteran leadership. McCollum has been a positive force in both locker rooms, as his veteran presence has helped both teams grow and develop.
Winning Cures Everything
Over the last 19 games, McCollum is averaging 17.9 points per game while shooting 44% from the field and 31.2% from three. It’s no coincidence that as he settled in, the Hawks have played their best basketball of the season. Atlanta is 17-2 during that stretch and has risen to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Of course, McCollum isn’t the sole reason for the Hawks’ recent success, but they certainly wouldn’t be where they are without him.
At first, McCollum’s role was to provide a scoring punch off the bench. He came off the bench in 16 of his first 18 games with Atlanta, and the Hawks went 8-10 during those games. Ironically, Atlanta took off the moment he permanently joined the starting lineup.
CJ McCollum Knows His Role
This season, the Hawks have a 120 offensive rating with McCollum on the floor. Additionally, Atlanta has a NET rating of +11.6 with him on the floor.
— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) April 1, 2026
The key factor is McCollum’s understanding of his role within the Atlanta offense. During his time in Atlanta, McCollum’s usage rate is 27.2% compared to 24.4% with the Wizards this season. His 27.2% usage rate is McCollum’s highest for McCollum since the 2022-23 season with New Orleans. Furthermore, he is second on the team in field goal attempts per game (15.3 FGA) since joining Atlanta.
If there’s one thing that’s clear: CJ McCollum can flat out score. Even at his older age, he is still finding ways to be effective. At the same time, the Hawks don’t need to ask much more out of him. Naturally, with Atlanta being a high-volume assist and passing team, McCollum will contribute in the playmaking category. His assist percentage of 20.9% ranks third on the Hawks behind Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels.
McCollum is an offensive machine and has been for his entire career. Since his debut on Jan. 11, the Hawks rank fifth in points per game (118.4) and assists per game (29.3). In that same timeframe, Atlanta also ranks ninth in offensive rating (117.1).
Playoff Pressure
For the first time since the 2020-2021 season, the Hawks are at least 10 games over .500 (45-33). As of now, Atlanta holds a five seed in the Eastern Conference and, with tiebreakers over both the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic, they are primed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2022-2023 season.
The Hawks are ten games over .500 for the first time since the final day of the 2020-21 season
CJ McCollum is very familiar with the bright lights of the playoffs. He has by far the most postseason success of anyone on the roster. With 67 playoff games under his belt, McCollum is more than capable of performing under pressure.
From 2015-2021, McCollum averaged 22.3 points per game while also shooting 39% from three in the playoffs. During that time with the Portland Trail Blazers, his team made the Western Conference Finals in 2019. During that series, he averaged 22 points per game, but Portland was swept in the series by the Golden State Warriors.
His playoff experience could prove valuable to a team with very limited playoff experience. The Hawks are still developing as a group, and having veteran leadership to guide the team can be positive in the present and future.
The New York Yankees have been using a four-man rotation to start the season.
Right-hander Luis Gil opened the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, mainly because New York's off days in March and in the early goings of April did not require them to carry five starters.
Instead of keeping Gil on the bench and having him throw bullpen sessions on the side, they felt it was best to have the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year make at least one start against hitters from an opposing team in the minors.
However, we now know when Gil will return to the mound in the Majors for the Yankees.
"The Yankees plan to have Luis Gil return to the rotation on April 10 at Tropicana Field, Aaron Boone said," MLB.com's Bryan Hoch wrote Saturday on X.
What Gil's return means for Ryan Weathers
Gil's return means that offseason trade acquisition Ryan Weathers may be out of the rotation by the time Carlos Rodon and or Gerrit Cole are reinstated from the injured list.
Weathers will start on Saturday night against the Miami Marlins, his former club. The 26-year-old struck out seven and allowed one earned run on four hits in his Yankees debut against the Seattle Mariners.
Given his recent lengthy injury history, a move to the bullpen may not be the worst-case scenario for Weathers. He's never thrown more than 94.2 innings in a season, reaching 86.2 with the Marlins two seasons ago.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Garrett Mitchell matched a career high for RBIs with a two-run double and a three-run homer in the first three innings alone, and the Milwaukee Brewers held on to beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 on Saturday in the opener of their doubleheader.
Chad Patrick (1-0) scattered four hits and three walks over five scoreless innings for the Brewers. Aaron Ashby and Abner Uribe took over and handed a three-run lead to All-Star closer Trevor Megill, whose two-out walk to Bobby Witt Jr. in the ninth brought the tying run to the plate.
Megill struck out Vinnie Pasquantino with a 98 mph fastball to end the game, much to the delight of the resident “rally tortoise” hanging out in the Milwaukee clubhouse these days.
Mitchell did all of his damage against Luinder Avila (0-1), who made his first major league start for Kansas City after pitching out of the bullpen as a rookie last season. He allowed all five runs on eight hits and two walks in three-plus innings.
Avila was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to start Friday night in place of Michael Wacha, who was scratched because of an illness. That game wound up getting postponed 90 minutes before first pitch because of an approaching storm, setting up the doubleheader.
Mitchell, who had driven in five runs total during a 5-1 season-opening homestand, picked up two RBIs with his two-out double in the first. Two innings later, Mitchell hit Avila's two-out pitch an estimated 420 feet to right-center to give Milwaukee a 5-0 lead.
The Royals had a runner cut down at the plate in the second inning and stranded two more at third before Lane Thomas' RBI single in the seventh. Witt made it 5-2 with his hard-hit single before the Brewers bullpen got out of the inning.
Kansas City's own relief crew wound up pitching six innings of two-hit ball.
Up next
The nightcap of the doubleheader featured the original Saturday afternoon matchups. RHP Brandon Sproat (0-0, 21.00 ERA) was on the mound for Milwaukee while RHP Seth Lugo (1-0, 0.00) got the start for Kansas City.
CHICAGO (AP) — Munetaka Murakami hit a two-run homer and Colson Montgomery followed with a solo shot in Chicago’s three-run sixth inning as the White Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 Saturday for their second straight victory.
Murakami’s 431-foot shot to straightaway center off Brendon Little was his fourth homer and first at home since signing with the White Sox (3-5) as a free agent in December. He added a sacrifice fly to finish with three RBIs. Miguel Vargas added two hits, including a double.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot in the top of the sixth to give Toronto (4-4) a 2-1 lead. Pinch hitter Nathan Lukes drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Before the game, the Blue Jays placed two-time All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk on the injured list with a dislocated and fractured left thumb.
Chris Murphy (1-0), the third of six Chicago pitchers, worked one inning and earned the win. Seranthony Dominguez worked around a single and walk in the ninth for his first save.
Little (0-2) got only one out, while allowing three runs on three hits.
Murakami’s sac fly in the first gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead off Toronto opener Mason Fluharty. Lazaro Estrada followed with four scoreless and hitless innings.
Chicago right-hander Grant Taylor opened and pitched a scoreless inning for a second straight day. Anthony Kay followed and pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and Guerrero’s two-run homer, a 437-foot shot to left-center that gave the Jays the lead.
After Murakami and Montgomery gave Chicago a 4-2 lead, Lukes' sac fly cut it to 4-3 in the seventh.
The White Sox added two unearned runs in the eighth on a botched rundown when Toronto catcher Tyler Heineman threw the ball over third base and into left.
Up next
Toronto LHP Eric Lauer (1-0, 3.38 ERA) faces Chicago RHP Davis Martin (1-0, 5.40) on Sunday.
Southampton dumps complacent Arsenal out of FA Cup
Southampton has eliminated Arsenal from the FA Cup following a 2-1 victory at home, bringing an end to the Gunners’ hopes of securing a treble. With one trophy already out of reach, Arsenal entered the match under pressure, knowing defeat would see them exit another competition.
The result will come as a disappointment to Arsenal, particularly given their ambitions this season, but Southampton has been in impressive form and approached the game with confidence. Their strong start caught the attention of many, including Arsenal supporters who were surprised by the intensity of the home side’s opening performance.
Southampton Take Control
Southampton understood the importance of capitalising on their opportunities, and their early intent paid off. Despite Arsenal enjoying spells of possession and creating chances of their own, they were unable to convert when it mattered.
The Saints took the lead in the 35th minute through Ross Stewart, a development that surprised many watching the match. Southampton maintained their composure and discipline for the remainder of the first half, going into the interval with a deserved advantage. Their organisation and energy ensured that Arsenal struggled to find a breakthrough before the break.
Late Drama Seals Outcome
After the interval, Arsenal made several tactical adjustments in an attempt to shift the momentum. The introduction of Viktor Gyokeres after the hour mark proved effective, as the Swedish forward scored the equaliser just eight minutes later, raising expectations of a comeback.
However, Southampton remained resilient and continued to frustrate Arsenal’s attacking efforts. Their defensive structure held firm under pressure, limiting clear opportunities for the visitors. In the 85th minute, Shea Charles restored Southampton’s lead, once again surprising Arsenal and putting the hosts in a strong position to secure victory.
Arsenal pushed forward in search of another equaliser, but Southampton defended resolutely in the closing stages to preserve their advantage and confirm their progression in the competition, leaving the Gunners to reflect on a missed opportunity.
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
Robert Lewandowski sniffs out winner in game of false nines between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona
Barcelona took a major step towards the La Liga title on Saturday night, just about overcoming 10-man Atletico Madrid with a late winner from Robert Lewandowski. A spirited performance from Diego Simeone’s side served only for moral encouragement, with Barcelona taking a seven-point lead home to Catalonia.
A heavily rotated Atletico Madrid were without five key players, but on top of that rested Julian Alvarez and David Hancko. Hansi Flick also experimented, but perhaps not with such a keen eye on Wednesday’s Champions League clash, with Dani Olmo given the false nine role ahead of Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski.
After ten minutes of more gentle probing, both sides decided to burst into the large spaces created by an aggressive press. Antoine Griezmann was the first to take advantage, skipping inside both Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo, but his finish was too tame to beat Joan Garcia. Twice in quick succession, Lamine Yamal used the outside of his foot to bend the ball around the Atletico backline and into Fermin Lopez’s path, with a nutmeg to boot. Both times Lopez was on the stretch though, and couldn’t get a clean strike past Juan Musso.
That flurry of chances gave way to a more consistent rhythm after 15 minutes, and a slightly more tempered pursuit of goal, but one that suited Atletico Madrid. Dani Olmo and Fermin combined to slip Lamine Yamal in on the right side of the box, but his clipped effort hit the outside of the post.
Outside of that, Atletico were having their best spell of the game. Long switches to the side of the pitch where Barcelona were short continued to nourish a sharp and mobile attack, with Griezmann and Alex Baena peeling off behind the centre-backs. The source of the goal was surprisingly Clement Lenglet though. The Frenchman’s raking ball from the back hit Giuliano Simeone in stride and onside. His perfect control and lethal finish gave Atletico the opening goal after 40 minutes.
It was illustrative of the reason the game was absorbing. Both sides felt as though they were one pass away from a chance at all times. When Rashford picked up the ball on the left side after a pass around the corner from Olmo three minutes later, he was in his own half. Driving at Nahuel Molina though, he twisted the Atleti right-back inside out, before a one-two with Olmo allowed him to slot past Musso.
Perhaps the most comical point of the match was when Lamine Yamal was sent running in behind, and makeshift left-back simply caught the ball to avoid a certain chance. That was after 22 minutes, but into stoppage time he was forced to chase the 18-year-old again down the flank. Just before Lamine Yamal reached the box, he cynically took him out. At first it looked like he might be saved by VAR from a second yellow, but the Metropolitano groaned as it was upgraded to a straight red card.
Atletico Madrid’s diligent defending holds off Barcelona
Just two minutes into the second period, Gerard Martin was sent off, but this time the review spared him. Flick and Barcelona were relieved, but it did serve to up the temperature at the Metropolitano, but the Catalan side set about taking the fans out of the game with long possessions in the Atletico half. Down to 10, with only Griezmann up top, Los Colchoneros defended their box in a Christmas tree. Lamine Yamal was determined to duck and weave through the brances, and nearly authored a goal of the season contender after beating four challenges, and curling just wide.
A flurry of substitutions broke the rhythm of the game up, and if Diego Simeone’s priorities were not clear before, 18-year-old Taufik Seidu and Javi Morcillo were sent on for their Atletico Madrid debuts. Barcelona meanwhile had been forced to remove Ronald Araujo and his substitute Marc Bernal through injury. Ferran Torres had come off the bench and was the next to work Musso, the second time after a beautiful exchange with Olmo. The game was almost exclusively being played in the Atletico half with 20 minutes to go – Joan Garcia almost spectating with the rest of the Metropolitano.
By no means did the Barcelona goal feel inevitable though, with Atletico stoutly shuttling back and forth across their box. If anything, the anxious nature of Barcelona’s attacks gave away their concern at the ticking clock. Too tight, too intricate, Barcelona’s laboured build-up was allowing Atletico the chance to get a challenge in at some point in each move. Drifting into the final five minutes, Atletico drew on the memory of Simeone sides of old.
It would have to go down only as encouragement for the coming Champions League ties though. With a minute to go, Joao Cancelo twisted Molina inside out for a second time in the game, powering a shot at Musso. One the Argentine was able to stop, but in the right place, at the right time, was Robert Lewandowski. The game had began with Griezmann and Olmo as false nines, seeking to confuse the defence, Lewandowski was sniffed out the right place to be, and instinctively shouldered the ball into the net.
Simeone will take plenty from his side’s ebullient attack in the first half, proving again that Barcelona don’t have an answer for Atletico’s ability to deconstruct their high line. The second period served for further rotations, but demonstrated an admirable commitment to the cause.
Flick will sleep happily with the gaping lead at the top the top of the table this evening, and there were individual efforts to be pleased with, not least Lamine Yamal’s absurd passing. Olmo might not have been decisive, but he was much improved, at the heart of many of Barcelona’s best sequences of play. Given the effort put into pushing for the winner, potential injuries to Araujo and Bernal, and the rotations Atletico had made, the German coach’s happiness may be tempered by the potential impact on their Champions League clash this Wednesday.
Southampton 2-1 Arsenal: Stewart and Charles send Saints into FA Cup semi-finals
Southampton stunned Arsenal to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at St Mary’s.
Shea Charles’ goal in the final minutes of the second half ended the Gunners’ hopes of a first cup win in six years.
Ross Stewart slotted home the opener only to be cancelled out by Viktor Gyökores in the second half, but the Saints fought back admirably 50 years on from their own famous cup win.
As it happened
The opening stages were evenly contested, with Arsenal enjoying more of the ball but Southampton looking the more direct and purposeful in attack.
The hosts tested the defensive line early with balls played into the channels, while Arsenal probed patiently without creating clear-cut chances.
Southampton made the breakthrough in the 35th minute following a moment of hesitation in the Arsenal defence.
A high ball into the penalty area was not properly cleared, allowing Ross Stewart to take control under pressure.
He cushioned it on his chest, held off his marker and then calmly guided a low finish beyond the goalkeeper into the far corner to give the hosts the lead.
Arsenal struggled to respond before the interval but emerged after the break with greater urgency and intent.
Their equaliser arrived in the 68th minute through a well-worked move, as a precise pass released Kai Havertz down the left channel.
With the goalkeeper drawn towards him, Havertz squared the ball unselfishly across goal for Viktor Gyökeres to tap home from close range.
With momentum now in their favour, Arsenal pushed forward in search of a winner, committing more bodies into attacking areas.
However, this left them vulnerable to Southampton’s counter-attacks, with the hosts continuing to threaten whenever they broke forward at pace.
The decisive moment came late in the game when Southampton exploited that space.
A driving run from midfield pulled Arsenal’s defence out of shape before a perfectly timed through ball released Shea Charles into the box.
The finish was composed and clinical, struck low beyond the goalkeeper to restore the lead and ultimately secure Southampton’s place in the semi-finals.
This tie underlined the importance of efficiency in knockout football. Arsenal’s dominance in possession and territory ultimately counted for little without the clinical finishing or defensive assurance to match it. Their equaliser showcased their quality in attack, but their vulnerability in transition proved their undoing.
Southampton, meanwhile, executed their game plan to near perfection. They remained compact without the ball, limited Arsenal’s clear-cut chances and showed composure when opportunities arose. Stewart’s opener was a product of sharp instinct and technique, while the winning goal reflected their ability to exploit space quickly and decisively.
In the end, it was a performance defined by discipline and belief from Southampton, who embraced the occasion and delivered when it mattered most, while Arsenal were left to reflect on missed opportunities and costly lapses.
Lazio 1-1 Parma: Noslin Confirms Himself as Crociati’s Bogeyman
At the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Lazio salvaged a draw against Parma thanks to Tijjani Noslin’s second-half equalizer.
Lazio Starting Lineup
Maurizio Sarri maintained his 4-3-3 lineup, but was forced to replace Mario Gila and Patric, who weren’t available due to injuries. Oliver Provstgaard filled in at the back alongside Alessio Romagnoli, Adam Marusic, and Nuno Tavares, while Danilo Cataldi made a timely recovery to occupy the Regista role.
The Italian started between Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Kenneth Taylor. The manager entrusted Daniel Maldini with the False 9 role once more, flanked by Pedro and Gustav Isaksen.
Parma Take an Early Lead
After an uneventful quarter of an hour, Parma stunned the meagre home crowds by snatching the lead through Enrico Del Prato. The Crociati captain pounced on a loose ball from a freekick, sending a clinical low shot past Romagnoli and into the bottom corner.
While Lazio continued to dominate possession, their reaction was rather tame, failing to create anything noteworthy during the first half. Maldini and Taylor both had penalty shouts, but the referee didn’t buy them.
On the other hand, the visitors almost doubled their lead before the interval through Emmanuele Valeri, who was set up by a clever square ball from Sascha Britschgi that evaded the crowd. The Lazio youth product tried to beat Edoardo Motta with a venomous shot, but the young goalkeeper pulled off an acrobatic save.
Tijjani Noslin Enjoys Another Memorable Cameo Against Parma
After the break, Lazio immediately showed signs of improvement, while Parma retreated into their areas. Maurizio Sarri’s substitutions also paid off, with the right flank finally functioning thanks to Manuel Lazzari, who caused havoc with his penetrations. The full-back tested Zion Suzuki with a shot from the edge of the box, but the Japanese goalkeeper was able to gather it.
In the 77th minute, the Aquile finally got their goal, thanks to Tijjani Noslin, who was the ultimate hero of the reverse fixture with a last-ditch winner. The versatile attacker played a give-and-go with his compatriot Taylor, before cutting to the middle. His shot took a big deflection off Alessandro Circati before creeping into the bottom corner. This time, the Dutchman’s strike was only worth one point.
Lazio were hoping to add another goal, but they also had a major scare when the referee headed to the monitor for an on-field review following a handball from Tavares inside his own box. But luckily for the home side, the match official decided that Mateo Pellegrino took advantage of his offside position to interfere with the play, so the Biancocelesti were taken off the hook.
Sarri’s men weren’t able to extend their winning run to four, but at least they avoided a setback defeat.
Arsenal knocked out of FA Cup by Championship side Southampton
A fittingly thrilling classic late night FA Cup quarter-final was settled by Southampton substitute Shea Charles as bookies’ favourites Arsenal suffered a shock defeat to exit the competition.
Fresh from their Carabao Cup final humbling by Manchester City last time out, Mikel Arteta’s men were unable to cope with a Championship side that played with an intense sense of belief and destiny.
Make no mistake – Southampton thoroughly deserved this. These are worrying times for Arteta, his players and Arsenal supporters even though they still top the league in their pursuit of their biggest quest this season.
Arsenal substitute Viktor Gyokeres had equalised following Ross Stewart’s first half opener for the Saints.
But Northern Ireland midfielder Charles, once of Manchester City, became the latest cup hero for this famous club with a brilliantly taken low finish as the clock wound down to send Arsenal out and his own side to Wembley.
Southampton go to Wembley for a semi-final in the 50th anniversary of their last win in this competition while the cup’s most successful ever side go to Lisbon on Tuesday for a Champions League tie hoping they can recover some sort of form to restore confidence before they resume their Premier League title challenge at home to Bournemouth next weekend.
Milan coach Allegri on Italy World Cup exit: ‘Very disappointed, we need solutions for young players’
Massimiliano Allegri has spoken of his personal disappointment at Italy’s World Cup elimination while calling on football’s governing bodies to address the structural problems holding back the country’s young talent, ahead of Monday’s blockbuster Serie A clash with Napoli at the Maradona.
The Milan head coach was in a positive mood as his squad trained in front of a enthusiastic group of supporters, acknowledging that the players had earned genuine goodwill from the fanbase through their performances this season.
“We are very happy that the fans came out today, because they won’t be with us in Naples,” he said, via TuttoMercatoWeb.
“I think this year the players have earned the respect and esteem of the supporters through their commitment and determination in matches.”
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Milan boss Allegri: ‘We must help young players develop better’
On the World Cup, Allegri was measured but sincere. “I don’t know why we didn’t qualify, what I do know is that as an Italian I am very disappointed,” he said.
“From this situation, the relevant authorities must thoroughly examine solutions that can help young players develop into good footballers.”
It is a sentiment that echoes the broader chorus of concern from across Italian football in recent days, and notable coming from one of the country’s most prominent and successful coaches.
On more immediate matters, Allegri confirmed that Ruben Loftus-Cheek has returned to full fitness, with Matteo Gabbia the only absentee, the defender expected back on Tuesday.
The prospect of facing a Napoli side that has recovered its key players was greeted with respect rather than concern.
“Napoli are a strong team, especially now that they have everyone available,” Allegri said. “It will be a wonderful match and we will need a great team performance.”
PLAYER RATINGS | Lille 3-0 Lens: Les Dogues embarrass rivals in comfortable Derby du Nord win
Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 28, 04/04/2026
Lille OSC slapped local rivals RC Lens with a bruising 3-0 defeat in the Derby du Nord on Saturday evening.
The Match
The smoke from firecrackers filled the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with a thick white haze, giving the Derby du Nord a fog of war in the opening exchanges. After ten minutes, and with the away team’s white shirts blending in with the smoke, the referee called a halt to the game, setting the tone for a stop-start half.
When the ball was in play, Lille dominated it, with Lens taking up a passive approach out of possession. Lens so often like to harry the opposition high up the pitch, but they settled into a low-to-medium block, likely wary of the pace of Lille’s mobile front line.
Despite Lens’s intentions, Lille still found space behind Lens’s backline to thread through-balls for Matias Fernadez-Pardo and Hákon Arnar Haraldsson to run at. Robin Risser was called into action throughout the first half as he did his best to prevent Lille from taking the lead.
A second break in the game would come into effect in the 38th minute, following chants from the Lille supporters. Six minutes later, Lille would find another sort of break as they opened the scoring. Aïssa Mandi’s ball from deep released Fernandez-Pardo down the left channel. The striker held possession long enough for reinforcements to arrive before delivering a cross on the cut-back. Haraldsson was waiting at the far post and tapped home a well-deserved lead.
A disappointing evening would continue into the second half for Lens. They came out after the break with a higher press, but soon shot themselves in the foot. Matthieu Udol sent a fairly routine pass back to Nidal Čelik, who inexplicably left the ball, believing Risser was closer. Félix Correia slipped in to beat the onrushing goalkeeper and slid his shot home.
It really should have been three when Correia was allowed to once again go clear off the backline, with Ganiou’s recovery sliding tackle only freeing the winger with an unfortunate bounce. However, Correia couldn’t angle his shot past Risser. Lille wouldn’t have to wait long for their third.
Ganiou again was involved as he once more went to ground trying to deny Romain Perraud a crossing opportunity. The centre-back only managed to handle the ball, giving the referee enough cause to point to the spot. Fernandez-Pardo stepped up and slotted his shot low and to the right, sending Risser in the wrong direction.
For Lens, it felt as if any hope that they were still in the title race had been dashed tonight in a bruising result made worse by a performance that lacked any conviction in both attack and defense. This was not the Lens that we have become used to seeing this season. While Lille are now eight games unbeaten in the league and provisionally up to third.
Lille Player Ratings
Berke Özer, 5
Hardly tested throughout the game, did enough when he was actually called upon to keep a clean sheet.
Romain Perraud, 6
Aïssa Mandi, 7
Nathan Ngoy, 7
Thomas Meunier, 6
Nabil Bentaleb, 7
Ayyoub Bouaddi, 7
Félix Correia, 5
A very lucky performance from a winger who has struggled since a bright start to life at Lille. He came close to gifting Lens with their only real chance of merit when his backpass went straight to Édouard. He was fortunate that Lens couldn’t do much with it. He did well to take advantage of Lens’s own error from a backpass. And he really should have made it three when he went one-on-one with Risser.
Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, 7
Ngal’ayel Mukau, 6
Matias Fernandez-Pardo, 8
With Olivier Giroud’s lack of form and Hamza Igamane’s injury, Fernandez-Pardo is making the no. 9 role his own. An early criticism of his gameplay was that he would be brilliant until the final third and then make an inexplicable decision. However, experience is slowly ironing that out. His involvement in the first goal was brilliant, and he was ice-cold with his finish for the penalty. With rumours of Atlético Madrid being interested, it may prove hard to keep hold of him over the summer.
Lens Player Ratings
Robin Risser, 6
The best performer for Lens, and a big reason why Lille didn’t run away with this game early on. It’s quite telling that even when he had a good performance, Lille still managed to put three past him.
Malang Sarr, 3
Ismaëlo Ganiou, 2
From the first ten minutes, it looked as if the young centre-back was going to have a long night. He showed signs of nerves, making strange decisions when usually he is composed at the back. He recovered briefly after the first break in play before his night took a turn for the worse. Poor defending in the first goal, almost allowed the third, before eventually causing the third when he gave away the penalty. A night to forget for a player who looks to have a bright future.
Nidal Čelik, 2
Matthieu Udol, 3
Mamadou Sangaré, 5
Adrien Thomasson, 4
Saud Abdulhamid, 4
Wesley Saïd, 3
Odsonne Édouard, 3
Lens offered very little going forward. The striker was largely isolated throughout the match and only had one moment of note when Correia passed him the ball. However, he couldn’t find the angle to shoot quickly enough, and his shot was closed down by Özer.
The stands of Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium were packed for Lacrosse Day in Chicago, and the Wildcats gave them a performance to write home about.
No. 6 Northwestern (9-3, 3-1 B1G) stayed red hot on Saturday, taking down the USC Trojans (6-8, 0-6 B1G) 11-5 for its fourth win on the bounce.
Madison Taylor’s four goals and two assists were both game highs. Foster registered a hat trick and Kaylee Fravert’s three goals paced the Trojans. USC’s Hollis Mulry and Jaylen Rosga both had four ground balls, while Mulry’s four caused turnovers led the game. Madison Smith’s seven draw controls were a game high.
The first quarter went all NU’s way as the ’Cats scored early and often while dominating the draw control battle. The opening draw control landed in the stick of Kate Ratanaproeska, and the first-year attacker opened the scoring with a well-placed shot into the bottom left corner after Madison Taylor found her on a cut into the fan.
Shortly after, Noel Cumberland charged past two Trojan defenders to fire home the second goal of the game with 12:39 to go in the first quarter.
The game slowed after its explosive start. NU turned the ball over on back-to-back offensive possessions, giving USC its first offensive opportunities. Fravert registered the first USC shot attempt with just under 8 to play in the quarter, but Jaylen Rosga would cause a turnover to end the Trojans’ attack. NU moved quickly in transition and Aditi Foster found the back of the net to push the lead to three with 7:33 on the clock.
The two squads came out of the media timeout sloppy, combining for five turnovers. USC finally registered its first shot on goal of the contest, but Jenika Cuocco got down quickly to deny Alex May from close range. A second Cuocco save ended USC’s first real stretch of positive play.
Northwestern capitalized shortly after. Madison Taylor earned and converted a free position shot to register her 300th career goal and grow the lead to four with 2:18 left in the period. The resulting draw control was the only one USC won all quarter, and the Trojans thought they got on the board through a low effort from Fravert, only for the goal to be disallowed. The ’Cats ended the quarter with a four goal advantage.
The second quarter was much slower than the first quarter. That wasn’t evident at the start, however. The ’Cats won the ball back after Hollis Mulry forced a turnover on their first possession out of the break, but this time it was NU’s turn to see a goal disallowed, as Cumberland’s solo effort was chalked off the board. A third Cuocco save set up NU for another offensive possession, but both Adamson and Taylor put their efforts wide of the net.
NU’s defense continued to stifle USC at every opportunity, forcing multiple turnovers and not allowing it to register a shot. On the other end, NU continued to work the ball inside but didn’t find a second quarter breakthrough until Taylor Lapointe found the net from close range with 7:20 left in the half.
Sydney Stewart’s free position shot was USC’s first attempt of the quarter, but it couldn’t find the target.
The wind appeared to get taken out of the ’Cats’ sails when Adamson went down on the ensuing offensive possession and needed attention from the trainer. She was able to walk off the field without assistance.
But the offense didn’t miss a beat, as Foster rifled home an effort from outside of the fan to give NU its sixth goal with 4:09 left before halftime.
USC finally broke the deadlock thanks to Lily Neilson’s first goal of the season, and the Trojans had the opportunity to double up after winning the ensuing draw control, but a lengthy offensive possession ended with groundball pickup by Cuocco and a timeout by the ’Cats. The two squads went empty on their last two offensive possessions, leaving the score at 6-1 going into the break.
Taylor led the way with three total points while Foster was the only player to score two goals in the first half. Rosga’s three ground balls and three caused turnovers paced all players. The two teams were equal in ground balls (nine) and draw controls (four) while NU led the turnover battle 11 to nine.
NU won the first draw control of the half, and won a free position shot through Annabel Child, but the Mid-season Honorary All-American saw her shot thunder off the crossbar. USC broke the second half deadlock when Fravert darted into the fan and finished off a well-worked Trojan passing sequence. NU couldn’t register a shot in its next possession, and it looked for a moment that USC might find a foothold in the contest after Fravert narrowly missed the target on a short range effort.
But NU wrestled back the momentum almost immediately. Taylor’s second goal of the game put NU up 7-2 with 6:54 to go in the third, and Lapointe found Taylor again 90 seconds later to complete her hattrick and give NU a six goal lead.
From there it was a defensive battle until NU won consecutive free position shots. Taylor’s shot clanged off the post, but with 42 seconds left in the quarter, Maddie Epke found the back of the net for her 15th goal on the season to bring the score to 9-2 going into the fourth.
The fourth opened on an NU possession clock violation, but it didn’t take long for the ‘Cats to add to the scoreboard. Foster fought off contact from a defender and fired home while falling down to join Taylor in the hattrick club on the day. NU continued to dominate possession, and Taylor came close to adding a fourth, but her diving effort was met by the stick of Ellie Thomas.
USC came down the other end and won its second free position shot of the day, this time Fravert converted to notch her second of the day. Another USC goal just over two minutes later, this time from Stewart, brought the score to 10-4 with 7:59 left in the game.
NU continued to dominate the draw control battle, winning the draw for the seventh time in the half to USC’s one, but neither team could find a rhythm offensively. An acrobatic close-range save from Cuocco was a stand out moment amidst a turnover-filled passage of play from both sides. Fravert was the one to end the drought, netting her third of the match and 20th of the season with 2:51 to go.
With 41 seconds to go, Taylor put the finishing touches on a convincing NU victory, dancing past defenders and finishing low past Thomas for her 58th goal of the campaign and the final goal in a 11-5 NU victory.
The ’Cats will be back in action on Thursday when they head to College Park to face the Maryland Terrapins. It will be the second time NU pays the team ranked No. 1 team in the country at the time this season, with both matchups being on the road.
Newcastle Red Bulls were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by a late burst from much-changed La Rochelle.
The French giants, Champions Cup winners in 2022 and 2023, came through some awful weather conditions at Kingston Park to book a quarter-final trip to Ulster next weekend.
Three tries in 13 minutes in the first half through Ihaia West, Jules Favre and Gabin Garault put La Rochelle 12 points up.
But with Newcastle a man extra, scores from Elliott Obatoyinbo and Murray McCallum brought the game level at 15-15.
A Brett Connon penalty put the Red Bulls ahead before Diego Jurd kicked two of his own and then Nolhann Couillaud's try in the final minute ended a disappointing evening for the home side.
More to follow.
Newcastle Red Bulls: E Obatoyinbo; Wade, Hearle, Beeckmans, Spencer; Connon, Benitez Cruz; Brocklebank, McGuigan, Palframan, Hodgson, Clarke, Gordon, Christie, Leathebarrow.
Saturday’s game began with Dustin May on the mound for the Cardinals and Jack Flaherty for the Tigers, but neither was sharp and the game ended up being a slugfest including a grand slam from Jordan Walker, but the Tigers would rock Dustin May and the Cardinals bullpen and win 11-6 after being called an official game by rain.
The scoring started early for the Detroit Tigers as they put 3 runs on the board in the bottom of the 1st inning on a single by Torres and a throwing error on Victor Scott II that allowed Keith to score. That was followed by a 2-run homer by Carpenter that put the Tigers up 3-0 in the first frame.
The Tigers would add to their lead with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 3rd inning by Carpenter. McKinstry homered in the bottom of the 4th inning and Vierling followed that with a sacrifice fly to give Detroit a comfortable 7-1 lead. Or, at least they thought it was comfortable as the St. Louis Cardinals came storming back in the top of the 5th inning as Alec Burleson doubled to left field scoring JJ Wetherholt who had walked. Jack Flaherty then had a hard time finding the strike zone as the Cardinals loaded the bases for Jordan Walker who unloaded them with a monstrous grand slam that traveled 459 feet and had an exit velocity of 113.7 mph.
The Detroit Tigers would strike back in the bottom of the 5th inning as McKinstry singled in Greene to make the score 8-6. In the bottom of the 7th Torres hit a drive to right field that Jordan Walker appeared to have caught, but his back hit the wall which allowed the ball to sail over his glove into the bushes for a home run making in 9-6 Tigers.
Matt Vierling hit another home run in the bottom of the 8th inning giving the Tigers their final score of 11-6. Dustin May’s final stat line was a disappointing 3 innings and a 1/3 giving up 7 earned runs on 7 hits. His ERA is now a hefty 15.95. The Cardinals bullpen including Svanson, Bruihl, and Roycroft were responsible for the other 4 Tigers runs. The game was finally delayed with one out in the 9th inning by rain before it was eventually called.
The Cardinals, now at an even .500 at 4-4 for the season, will try not to get swept by the Tigers when they play Sunday night. According to MLB.com, Kyle Leahy will make the start for the Cardinals while Keider Montero will take the mound for the Tigers.
Recent reporting suggested that Kristaps Porzingis is expected to re-sign with the Golden State Warriors in free agency over the offseason. But, that might not necessarily be the case.
"It's hard to say. Of course, it would be nice for me to go ahead and say, 'Yes, I want to continue here,' and this and that,” Porzingis said. “But the reality is I didn't have a good year at all. I barely showed what I'm capable of. And so I have to see what's out there."
But while he doesn’t know what the future holds, Porzingis made it clear that he has enjoyed his time with Golden State thus far.
"Honestly, the team is great here," Porzingis said. "The team is great, the city is great, the organization is fantastic. The only thing is the time difference with Europe — it's 10 hours, it's too much. But everything else, I enjoy it here."
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski snatched the winner at Atletico as the Catalans extended their lead at the top of La Liga (Pierre-Philippe MARCOU)
Robert Lewandowski shouldered home a dramatic late winner for Barcelona as they edged Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Saturday to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid slipped up.
Second-placed Real were beaten 2-1 at Mallorca earlier on and Barca capitalised at the Metropolitano stadium to take a big step towards defending the league title.
Marcus Rashford pulled Barca level after Giuliano Simeone opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half.
Atletico midfielder Nico Gonzalez was sent off just before the break and his team dug deep with 10 men to try and avoid defeat, which they almost managed.
Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski had other ideas and used his shoulder to deflect home a rebound from point-blank range after 87 minutes.
With little left to play for in La Liga, Atletico coach Diego Simeone rotated heavily with Wednesday's visit to Camp Nou in mind.
His Barca counterpart Hansi Flick opted for Dani Olmo as a false nine to rest Lewandowski, while starting Rashford in place of the injured Raphinha on the left wing.
The England international, on loan from Manchester United, tested Juan Musso early on with a free-kick which the goalkeeper fielded comfortably.
At the other end Antoine Griezmann, playing for Atletico for the first time since announcing his departure at the end of the season to MLS side Orlando City, was profligate.
The forward skipped into the box and cleverly nutmegged Gerard Martin but his shot was too close to Barca stopper Joan Garcia to trouble the new Spain international.
Fermin Lopez was similarly wasteful at the other end, unable to find Rashford who had a clear sight of goal, and prodding wide himself when Lamine Yamal sent him scuttling through with a sensational pass.
Barca's 18-year-old star Yamal hit the post with a dinked effort after Lopez laid the ball off to him as the game flowed from end to end.
Atletico took the lead in the 39th minute through Giuliano Simeone, the coach's son bursting in behind Barca's high defensive line onto Clement Lenglet's pass and slamming past Garcia.
The visitors pulled level just three minutes later, Rashford exchanging passes with Olmo and drilling past Musso on only his third league start since January.
Atletico were reduced to 10 men just before half-time when Gonzalez scythed down Yamal on the edge of the box as he ran towards goal.
Barcelona defender Martin was dismissed early in the second half as he thumped the ball away but then clattered Thiago Almada with a high foot. However after a VAR review the red card was revoked, much to Atletico's fury.
Barca substitute Ferran Torres, without a goal since January, was twice thwarted by Musso as the visitors probed for a winner but struggled to make their numerical advantage count.
Eventually their winner came when Joao Cancelo cut his way into the penalty area and his cross-shot was pushed out by Musso, only for wily striker Lewandowski to knock it home with his shoulder.
Florida starting pitcher Aidan King delivered his strongest outing of the season, while center fielder Kyle Jones notched his 13th multi-hit game of the season in Friday night's 2-0 win over the Ole Miss Rebels. Both players pointed to energy and execution behind the performance while speaking to the media after the victory.
King leaned on his fastball command to set the tone. He told reporters that he emphasized attacking early, trusting his defense, and maintaining consistent energy following a letdown series against Alabama. Jones noted how King’s presence and emotion on the mound carried into the dugout, forcing the lineup to "match that intensity."
Jones also broke down the Gators' simplified offensive approach against one of the top starters in the conference, Hunter Elliot. Playing without Brendan Lawson forced Florida to stick to its plan, so it could even up the series going into Saturday.
Here's everything they said.
Aidan King on fastball command and outing
"Just having the fastball early was key. Recognizing they were probably going to take a lot early in counts, I just established the fastball and commanded it in and out. Let the defense work behind me and let (the offense) come in and score some runs."
Aidan King on team energy shift after Alabama
"Energy is very important to us. You’ve got to stay high throughout the entire game. After the Bama series, that was a tough loss for us, but you’ve got to turn around, know what you did wrong, and come back with higher energy."
Aidan King on emotions during the game
"It was high energy all game. They were going back and forth. Tensions are going to get high. I showed emotion; they showed emotion. I knew I was done, so I just showed some emotion."
Aidan King on Blake Cyr’s catch in center field
"I honestly thought it was gone at first, and then I realized the wind. It was crosswind, so it was going to die a little bit. I saw Blake keep running and going, and I thought, 'Well, he might get there.'
"So, he made an outstanding catch. That’s what you do. I expect them to make plays like that, and they expect me to throw strikes. It’s a mutual respect. It's an unbelievable catch, and I'm glad he caught it."
Were you surprised he got up? It looked like he was knocked out for a second
"At first, it looked like it took the wind out of him, so I was glad to see him get up, and he's not hurt. That's the key, is making sure he's okay. I took my time to make sure he got the breath back into him. He was all good. I wasn’t going to rush him. I was going to make sure that he was going to be okay."
Aidan King on rotation conversations with Liam Peterson
"To us, it doesn’t matter. It’s a one-two punch. He deserves the Friday spot as much as he does. He goes out there and throws the ball well, and everyone knows he’s a top guy in the draft this year, and he can throw the ball well. There’s no doubt in my mind he stays the Friday guy.
"Honestly, it doesn't really matter to me. He deserves it. That conversation doesn’t really get brought up to us at all. He keeps doing what he's doing; he's fine. I just keep doing what I'm doing, and make sure that if he has a bad start or a good start, I’m right there behind him continuing to do what I do."
Aidan King on Liam’s support
"We talk back and forth all the time. Tonight I was having trouble with a pitch, so I asked him, like 'Hey, I'm feeling this. Do you have anything that could maybe help?' We just bounce ideas off each other and try to improve each other and ourselves based off what he went through the past three years and what I've gone through the past two years.
"So, it's just bouncing off each other and learning from each other."
Aidan King on pitch mix
"The fastball was there. You just work off the fastball. They weren’t really getting to it, so you throw changeup, slider in there, and a couple splitters. Establish the fastball and then catch them off guard."
Aidan King on mound visit late in outing
"He was just telling me how what we were going to do against the guy; just attack him and get the guy out. He knew I didn’t want to come out of the game, and if he was going to tell me I was done, I was going to argue back. I did my job, and I trusted what he told me on the mound."
Aidan King on retiring 15 of 17 hitters
"Just keep throwing the ball. I don't pay attention to strikeouts or how many guys I retire. You can’t worry about numbers because then you think, 'Oh, I want more strikeouts.' Just keep throwing the baseball."
Kyle Jones on Aidan King’s performance
"Superstar. That’s really the only word you can use to describe it. He set the tone from the beginning. When you go seven innings, it's pretty easy for the bullpen to do what they do, and we've got Barbs and Josh. It's pretty locked down at that point. Aidan did amazing."
Kyle Jones on easy day on defense with King on the mound
"Yeah, exactly. I got like four or five, but still. He makes it look easy."
Kyle Jones on offensive approach
"Just trying to simplify. Hitting the baseball is really hard, so just try to stay easy and not think about it very much. Go out there, do your job, try to get on base. That’s what I’m in the leadoff spot for, so I try my best."
Kyle Jones on Cyr's catch from his perspective
"You knew it was going to be a tough play. Not much launch angle on it; hit pretty hard on a line, so you knew it was going to be a tough play. His route couldn’t have been better to that ball, and him wearing the fence like that. It's not easy. I was checking on him to make sure he was okay.
"But an unbelievable catch, in a huge spot of the game. The fact that he made that was big for the team and momentum."
Kyle Jones on Aidan King’s energy
"It fires up the dugout. It leads into the next inning. Him doing that, going out, we almost have to respond to it by matching his energy, if that makes sense. He was outstanding today."
Kyle Jones on grinding at-bats in a low-scoring series
"Go up there, swing at the strikes and take the balls. You just try to get up and get a good pitch to hit, put a ball on a barrel. Obviously, you're going to have those ones where you hit it hard, and you're going to be out. You have those ones you don't hit well, and it falls. It's just baseball. Just trying to get one at a time, multiple hits, just pass the baton to the person behind you."
Kyle Jones on approach vs. Elliott
"He likes the changeup a lot. He's going to go to it. So, you’ve got to see it up. It's also got fade to it, so you have to keep inside the box, see him up and not chase it down or outside. As righty, keep him inside the black."
Kyle Jones on lineup adjustment without Brendan Lawson
"He’s a huge part of our lineup. I don't exactly know what happened before the game. Hopefully, he's back (Saturday), if not, then on Tuesday. When you're missing him, he's such a huge part of our offense; you have to get things going earlier. He brings a lot of power, so you’ve got to find ways to score. Really, coming together as a team, trying to get it done. Nobody does it by themselves."
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Top-5 recruit Oliviyah Edwards has requested a release from her signing to Tennessee, sources told Rivals. Edwards, ranked No. 5 on Rivals, is a 6-3 forward from Washington.
“I’d say I’m very versatile,” Edwards previously said of her game. “I think that as a big, I do have good handles. I could also post up the little, tiny ones. I feel like it’s hard to guard when I can shoot, I can get to the basket and I could create my own shot. That’s really hard to guard, especially with my height. I also know how to pass the ball too.”
Edwards previously talked to Rivals about several factors that would play a role in her decision.
“I would say that family aspect,” Edwards said. “I want to be able to have a home away from home. That’s really the main thing that I’m looking for. Who do I feel closest with? Who do I know that I can build and grow with? Everything else I feel like, for me, will fall into place. I know, anywhere I go, I’m gonna get better. Anywhere I go, they’re gonna have a good facility. They’re gonna have nice things. In that aspect. I’m not really materialistic. I’m just looking at, okay, how do the players get along? How do the coaches coach? What’s the style of play? I really want to fit in here, not just basketball wise. I want them to love me for who I am and everything I’ve got going on. I want to be able to call these girls my sisters – to be able to, even after I’m done, be over at the coach’s houses. These are people I want to have long, deep connections with.”
Michigan coach Dusty May revived the Wolverines in just two seasons, leading the program to the Final Four in 2026 after taking over a team that went 26-40 in the two years prior to his arrival.
May has only been a head coach for eight seasons but already has two Final Four appearances at two schools – Michigan and Florida Atlantic. A national championship is in Michigan's sights this season.
His services are also – obviously – sought after. He has been tied to the North Carolina opening after the school fired Hubert Davis, and he'll likely always be thought of as a dream candidate at Indiana, where he cut his teeth as a student manager before graduating from his hometown school.
Michigan won't let him walk easy, like any other top-tier program in college basketball.
Here's a look at May's current contract at Michigan, which could increase even more if the Wolverines add another raise after is Final Four run:
Dusty May contract
May signed a new contract with Michigan in February 2025, just under a year after he became the Wolverines' next coach. His current deal is through 2030, and offers him an increase of $250,000 each season, according to his contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
His base salary this season was $4.6 million and will increase to $4.85 million next season if his current deal doesn't change, which seems unlikely due to the Wolverines' dominance and other schools' interest in May. His yearly salary would peak at $5.6 million in Year 5 of the deal under the current agreement.
He also earns $150,000 on April 30, 2026, as part of his retention bonus. His retention bonus is set at $450,000 for 2027 and 2028, before going back to $150,000 for 2029 and 2030.
Dusty May bonuses
May has already made $250,000 in bonuses this season for leading Michigan to an outright Big Ten championship and at least a Final Four appearance, according to his contract. He's currently earning $200,000 for a Final Four spot, but that bonus can rise to $300,000 for a national championship berth and $400,000 if Michigan wins the title.
Dusty May buyout
May's buyout is currently set at $7 million, if he were to leave Michigan before April 30, 2026. The number decreases each year, and is set at $5 million until April 30, 2027, $3 million until April 30, 2028, $2 million on April 30, 2029, and $1 million on April 30, 2030.
Lewandowski scores late winner as Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid to move seven points clear
Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in La Liga at the Metropolitano stadium on Saturday evening.
The result moves Barcelona seven points clear at the top of the table after Real Madrid lost 2-1 at Real Mallorca earlier in the day.
Fermin Lopez should have opened the scoring in the 14th minute after being played through by Lamine Yamal’s brilliant pass, but he could not hit the target.
Atletico opened the scoring through Giuliano Simeone in the 39th minute. The Argentine latched onto Clement Lenglet’s pass, before slotting past Joan Garcia.
Barcelona responded immediately, with Marcus Rashford combining with Dani Olmo before squeezing the ball through Juan Musso’s legs.
Atletico were reduced to 10 men before halftime as Nicolas Gonzalez was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Shortly after the restart, Gerard Martin was sent off after a challenge on Thiago Almada. However, the red card was rescinded after a VAR check.
There was no either chance at either end untill the hour mark when Yamal skipped past some challenges, but could not steer his effort on target.
Atletico had Musso to thank as the Argentine goalkeeper denied Ferran Torres twice in quick succession to prevent Barcelona from taking the lead.
Lewandowski scored the winning goal for Barcelona two minutes from time, with the ball deflecting off him and into the net.
Liverpool and Richard Hughes considering ridiculous €100m spend
Liverpool could seal a ridiculous €100m spend if a reported deal goes through.
Liverpool needed a new left-back last summer and so went and spent more on a full-back than they’d ever previously spent. The record, in fact, had only been set a month earlier with Jeremie Frimpong signing from Bayer Leverkusen - but they broke it anyway.
That was to sign Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth. He cost them £40m (Guardian) - a large fee but one that, hopefully, secured a player who could hold down the role for a long time to come.
Only, it seems that Liverpool are ready to ‘replace’ Kerkez in that role. They’re now aiming to sign another left-back for even more money. Pushing the overall spend on left-backs beyond €100m in the course of two summer windows.
Sport Witness relay a piece from Bild that once again suggests Liverpool are lining up a move for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown. He’d cost around €60m were he to leave in the summer and competition is quite fierce.
But is that a wise spend? Over €100m on left-backs? Liverpool will need to replace Andy Robertson in the squad if he doesn’t agree a new contract, of course, though it seems a bit mad to spend €60m on that replacement.
Kerkez was signed to be the first-choice option and signing Brown for that money feels a lot like giving up on him. Yes, competition is good - but surely €60m would be better spent on other positions?
We’ll see what happens but if this is the course of action, spending €100m on left-backs feels quite ridiculous.
Milos Kerkez: Situation Summary
Liverpool Performance and Role
Milos Kerkez has quickly established himself as Liverpool’s primary left-back during the 2025–2026 season following his arrival from Bournemouth. As of April 4, 2026, the 22-year-old Hungarian international has made 39 appearances across all competitions, effectively displacing long-time veteran Andy Robertson. In the Premier League, Kerkez has started 25 matches, contributing two goals and one assist while maintaining an 88% passing completion rate. His aggressive defensive style and high-energy overlapping runs have made him a crucial component of Arne Slot’s tactical setup, as he continues to adapt to the physical demands of playing for a title-contending side.
Current Status and Form
Heading into the final stretch of the campaign, Kerkez is in excellent physical condition and remains a consistent starter. He was a standout performer for Hungary during the March 2026 international break, playing nearly every minute in matches against Slovenia and Greece. His most recent club goal was a clinical finish during a narrow 1–2 defeat to Brighton on March 21, 2026. While Liverpool has experienced an inconsistent run in the league, Kerkez’s individual development has been a significant positive. With Robertson’s contract set to expire this summer, Kerkez is firmly cemented as the long-term solution for the Reds on the left flank.
An efficient Ulster side saw off Ospreys 28-24 in an enthralling contest at the Affidea Stadium to reach the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
Ospreys, who have reached the last eight of this competition in the past two seasons, led 17-14 at the break after tries from Reuben Morgan-Williams and Dan Kasende.
But with the wind behind them in the second half, Richie Murphy's side fought back with Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney crossing to give Ulster a narrow win despite Ospreys having a late try disallowed.
They will now look forward to a home quarter-final tie against La Rochelle which will be played on Friday, 10 April in Belfast.
Second-half showing helps Ulster through
Stockdale crossed early in the second half to spark Ulster's turnaround [Getty Images]
In a game played in blustery conditions as a result of Storm Dave in Belfast, early pressure from Ulster told as after numerous phases, the returning Cormac Izuchukwu crashed over for the opening try on four minutes.
Ospreys responded well to going behind and, playing with the wind, they got their first try on nine minutes as Morgan-Williams jinked his way over after a patient move from the Welsh side.
Mark Jones' side then went ahead on 20 minutes with Morgan-Williams again at the heart of it as he peeled off a driving maul and fed Kasende, who evaded the challenge of Stuart McCloskey and crossed.
Edwards stretched their advantage to 10 points with a penalty before Ulster hit back with a second try before the break.
They eventually broke Ospreys' resolve on 34 minutes as Dave McCann grounded the ball on the line, powering over after a quick tap and go penalty.
Ulster started well in the second half and were rewarded as Stockdale finished off a free-flowing move to race over and restore the home side's advantage.
They produced some super last-ditch defending to hold up Jac Morgan on the line before Timoney then gave them some breathing space with a fourth try on 56 minutes.
McCloskey fed the ball to Timoney out on the left and he sold a sweet dummy before darting to the corner.
Things went from bad to worse for Ospreys as captain Morgan was shown a yellow card for a high tackle in the build-up to that try.
They managed not to concede any more points while Morgan was off the pitch and instead cut the gap to four points with 12 minutes remaining courtesy of a penalty try.
It was awarded when Luke Morgan was taken out by a high tackle from Jack Murphy as he looked to score in the right corner, with the Ulster fly-half sent to the sin bin.
Ospreys continued to battle and thought they had stolen the victory on 78 minutes when Owen Watkin caught Ulster on the break and fed Kieran Hardy, who dotted down.
The try was eventually chalked off following a review from the television match official (TMO) which spotted a forward pass in the build-up as Ulster clung on for victory.
Replacements: T Stewart, Crean, Wilson, Irvine, B Ward, McKee, Murphy, Z Ward.
Ospreys: Walsh; Kasende, Watkin, K Williams, L Morgan; Edwards, R Morgan-Williams; G Thomas, Parry, Henry, R Davies, Smith, Sutton, J Morgan (capt), M Morris.
Replacements: Daniel, S Thomas, Botha, Fender, Deaves, Hardy, Boshoff, Hopkins.
The Boston Celtics have gotten unlikely contributions from numerous role players this season, most of whom have exceeded expectations. It's a big reason why they're second in the Eastern Conference despite missing Jayson Tatum for most of the year.
That includes Ron Harper Jr., who's been a key bench player this season in his first year with the Celtics. After appearing in just 11 games over his first three NBA seasons combined, Harper has appeared in 26 games and counting for Boston this year.
The veteran forward even started two of those contests, helping fill in for the Celtics when they were shorthanded.
With the regular season winding down, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Saturday that Boston is signing Harper to a two-year deal, rewarding him for his contributions this season.
The Boston Celtics are signing two-way wing Ron Harper Jr. to a new two-year deal, agent Drew Gross of WME Basketball tells ESPN. Harper has played a key Celtics rotation role at times this season while spending time starring for their Maine G League affiliate. pic.twitter.com/3g44oay1Ql
Harper's currently on a two-way contract and has also played for the Maine Celtics in the G League this year, performing well for them. A two-year deal gives the 25-year-old some short-term job security and extends his NBA career.
That's a big deal for Harper, who played sparingly early in the season before getting more court time in mid-January. He officially joined the Celtics' rotation in early February and has appeared in most of their games since then, even after Tatum returned in March.
In 10.3 minutes per game this season, he's averaging 3.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.
The 2026 NCAA Tournament Final Four tips off Saturday night as the UConn Huskies face the Illinois Fighting Illini at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Tip-off is set for 6:09 p.m. ET on TBS and streaming on DIRECTV, as both teams battle for a spot in Monday’s national championship game.
Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) controls the ball against Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
How to Watch UConn Huskies vs Illinois Fighting Illini
UConn enters the Final Four looking to continue its dominant postseason pedigree. The Huskies have thrived on the biggest stage in recent years, winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024 under Dan Hurley. They arrive in Indianapolis after a dramatic 73-72 Elite Eight win over Duke, showing resilience and clutch play under pressure.
Meanwhile, Illinois is making its first Final Four appearance since 2005 and has surged behind a high-powered offense. The Illini have leaned on balanced scoring and improved play down the stretch, emerging as one of the most dangerous teams left in the field. Their success is driven by perimeter shooting, and when they heat up from beyond the arc, they’re one of the hardest teams to stop.
This matchup will pair UConn’s physical interior presence and experience versus Illinois’ offensive firepower and momentum. Both teams have proven they can win in different ways, making this one of the most evenly matched semifinal games in recent memory.
With a trip to the national championship on the line, expect a battle between two programs peaking at the right time.
You can catch all the action on TBS, TNT, and truTV, and if you’re looking to stream the action, DIRECTV has you covered.
Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Buffalo Bills are still far from done this offseason. They still have some holes on the roster, but one area of strength is at cornerback.
While Benford and Alford are established veterans in the league, Hairston is the wild card among them. However, under new defensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard, Hairston is poised for a breakout season.
Hairston Flashed Plenty of Potential
After being selected 30th in the 2025 NFL Draft, Hairston went into Bills training camp fighting for a starting job.
Unfortunately for Hairston, he suffered a knee injury and started the season on injured reserve. By the time he came back, the Bills were already comfortable starting Tre’Davious White opposite of Benford.
While Hairston only played in 11 games and started three due to injury, he made the most of his opportunities. This was most evident during his second-career game against the Chiefs, where he was tasked with covering Xavier Worthy.
Throughout the game, he kept up stride-for-stride with Worthy, who owns the record for fastest 40-yard dash.
For the game, Worthy was held to just three catches for 23 yards. Hairston’s most impressive play came when he intercepted Patrick Mahomes after sticking with Worthy on a deep ball.
Like most rookie corners, there were growing pains for Hairston, but the flashes of potential he showed outweighed the struggles.
What he put on tape should make him a prime candidate to start alongside Christian Benford and Dee Alford.
Multiple things to like on this Max Hairston INT
-3 deep 3 under fire zone -Bosa’s pressure -Solomon (56) carrying in the middle hook with DEPTH -Hairston (31) playing the route distribution + ball tracking -Bishop (24) speed/baseball turn in the post
Due to an ankle injury that held Hairston out of the playoffs, many people forget just how talented he is.
Coming out of Kentucky, Hairston wasn’t the prototypical corner the Bills usually target in the draft. However, when selected, he instantly added a new style of play to the position that they had been lacking.
With a 4.28 40-yard dash and a natural ability to find the ball in the air, Hairston had the tools to excel in off-man zone coverage.
While this was something he excelled at, he was still strong in a zone-heavy scheme under Sean McDermott as a rookie last season.
The versatility in Hairston’s game will allow him to acclimate to whatever kind of scheme the new coaching staff wants to run.
When it comes to tackling and assisting in rush defense, there is still a lot of room for growth with Hairston. The good news is that these are skills that are much easier to coach into a player.
If these are the biggest worries with a corner, then they’re likely in a good spot with their development.
All the attributes that you can’t coach into a player are ones that Hairston already has. If given more snaps this upcoming season, he’ll be able to develop into the perfect corner alongside Christian Benford.
New #Bills CB Maxwell Hairston was the fastest man at the NFL Combine this year, running a 4.28. Long arms, can play both man and zone, excellent ball skills. Concerns about ability to tackle #BillsMafiapic.twitter.com/AoT4DG4CAL
These three corners still need to play games together, but they have the potential to make Brandon Beane’s job much easier in the next few years.
Knowing the team has such an important position on the defensive side of the ball figured out will allow them to allocate more resources to keeping their star quarterback happy and healthy.
The Bills should trust in Maxwell Hairston to break out next season, not just because they spent a first-round pick on him, but because he fits any style of defense Joe Brady and Jim Leonhard want to run.
PHOENIX (AP) — When basketball great Cheryl Miller thinks of the state of the women's game today, she is filled with pride.
Pride with how interest and investment in women's hoops has skyrocketed since her days dominating at Southern California. Pride with how women's athletes are celebrated. Pride with the development in player skill over the years.
“A lot of these players are so dedicated, not just the X's and O's or the physical, their skillset," said Miller, who was honored this week as one of the greatest players of The Associated Press women’s basketball poll era, "but taking care of their bodies, the nutrition and sleeping better and what’s provided for them now at certain universities and programs. It’s just the evolution of the game itself.”
Miller and other women's basketball trailblazers, including Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman and former UCLA standout Ann Meyers Drysdale, spoke about the state of college sports at “The AP Top 25 Fan Poll Experience,” which was held at Arizona State’s First Amendment Forum in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Phoenix.
Most conversations centered on how name, image and likeness along with the transfer portal are shaping the college game.
The changes in college sports have permeated politics, and ahead of the start of the Final Four for both men and women, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at restoring “order, fairness and stability” to college athletics.
The order directs federal agencies to bolster the effectiveness of key rules on transferring, eligibility and pay-for-play by evaluating whether violations of such rules render a university unfit for federal grants and contracts.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, whose team will play Sunday in the national championship game for the fourth time in five years, recently said her conversations with recruits nowadays reflect the new college sports landscape. While Staley's talks with recruits once centered on earning degrees, they're mostly focused now on money, especially with players in the transfer portal.
That's the same adjustment Arizona State coach Molly Miller has been forced to make.
"Recruiting a high school athlete is a lot different than recruiting a portal athlete," Miller said on a panel hosted by the AP on Thursday.
“Their questions are totally different than the portal kids,” she added. "Their questions are, ‘What’s the student-to-teacher ratio?' When you get in the portal they’re like: ‘Am I going to play? What’s the depth chart like, is the culture good and how much (money)?’”
Ackerman, who was the first president of the WNBA, sees tremendous growth in institutional investment in women's college sports, which she pointed out was evident in the success of the Final Four teams — South Carolina, UConn, Texas and UCLA — in Phoenix.
While that growth is paying off in brand value and fan engagement, Ackerman worries that it will lead to a wider disparity between schools with major football revenue and institutions that rely on smaller revenue streams.
“I’m not sure what the future holds,” she said. “I think it’s going to require leadership on campuses and innovation in terms of how to deploy resources that are finite for all sports.”
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Flynn Cameron of the 36ers and Owen Foxwell of the Phoenix during game three in the NBL Playoff Series between Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on March 17, 2026, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a surprise move, the Wisconsin Badgers have landed Australian guard Owen Foxwell to kick off a very important offseason, nabbing their potential point guard for the 2026-27 season.
Foxwell, 22, hails from Melbourne and has a connection with forward Austin Rapp, which could be a fun pairing for the Badgers next season. He’s considered a high-level playmaker and quality defender, and was initially set to join the LSU Tigers before flipping to the Badgers on Saturday.
Foxwell averaged 11.1 points and 4.5 assists in the NBL last season while shooting 41.1 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from three, and 80 percent from the free-throw line. He’s a left-handed lead guard and could fill the void left by Nick Boyd this offseason, but his playstyle is a bit different as more of a playmaker.
The Badgers were expected to look for a lead guard this offseason with Boyd gone and John Blackwell’s status up in the air, and Greg Gard and his staff tapped into the international pool for a solution, with Foxwell immediately becoming the frontrunner to compete for the point guard role.
Now, the focus turns to retention, as the Badgers are looking to bring back Blackwell, Nolan Winter, Aleksas Bieliauskas, and Austin Rapp. Those four, combined with Jack Janicki, Hayden Jones, Zach Kinziger, Will Garlock, and Wisconsin’s two incoming freshmen, would be a strong group for the Badgers heading into the offseason.
But one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle was solved on Saturday with the addition of Foxwell. Now, let’s see what else the Badgers can do this offseason.
DETROIT (AP) — Kerry Carpenter, Zach McKinstry and Matt Vierling hit two-run homers and drove in three runs apiece, and the Detroit Tigers powered their way to an 11-6, rain-shortened victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.
The game was called after 8 1/3 innings following a 40-minute rain delay.
Gleyber Torres added a solo shot for the Tigers, who had only two home runs in their first seven games.
The game was delayed with one out in the ninth because of inclement weather. The field was deemed unplayable after the delay.
Detroit starter Jack Flaherty was charged with five runs in four-plus innings. He allowed three hits and four walks and hit three other batters with pitches.
Brant Hurter (1-0) picked up the win with one inning of scoreless relief.
Jordan Walker had three hits, including a grand slam, and drove in five runs to carry St. Louis' offense. Cardinals starter Dustin May (0-2) gave up seven runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Carpenter's home run capped the Tigers' three-run first inning. McKinstry's homer highlighted Detroit's three-run fourth as the Tigers built a 7-1 lead.
The Cardinals scored five runs in the fifth, topped off by Walker's 459-foot blast to left-center field.
McKinstry's RBI single in the bottom of the inning gave Detroit an 8-6 lead. Torres led off the seventh with his opposite-field homer and Vierling homered with two out in the eighth.
Up Next
Justin Verlander (0-1, 12.27) was scheduled to make his first start at Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform since Aug. 20, 2017, on Sunday night but he was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday with left hip inflammation. RHP Keider Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to take his spot in the rotation. Montero will be opposed by RHP Kyle Leahy (0-1, 7.20) in the finale of the three-game series.
As the Tigers tried to hold onto a huge lead and finish this game, a nasty storm was barreling towards Detroit.
It was one eye on the radar – an ugly, ominous blob of blue, purple and yellow was marching across Michigan and heading toward Comerica Park, which is never good when trying to play baseball.
And the other eye on the field. The rain finally arrived in the eighth inning. Fans pulled out rain gear and others scrambled for cover, as Tyler Holton pitched in relief for the Tigers, holding onto a 9-6 lead, getting a double play and flyout.
Tigers fans embraced the moment, literally singing in the rain before the bottom of the eighth.
Then, Matt Vierling mocked Mother Nature by hitting a two-run homer, shooting a ball through sheets of rain over the right-field wall.
But that light rain turned into a nasty, driving rainstorm and huge puddles were forming on the infield, as relief pitcher Kenly Jansen tried to finish it for the Tigers. But the game was put into a rain delay with one out in the bottom of the ninth – the Tigers two outs from the win – and the tarp was pulled onto the field.
Not long after, the rain stopped, of course.
After a delay, the infield tarp was pulled off the field but the one over home plate remained in place. The managers met at home plate with the umpire, then went into the dugout.
That's when it was called. The Tigers (4-4) won their second-straight game over the Cardinals (4-4).
You like the long ball? Kerry Carpenter, Zach McKinstry, Gleyber Torres and Vierling all jacked home runs.
You like great situational hitting? Carpenter and Matt Vierling both hit sacrifice fly balls to drive in runs.
You like clutch hitting? McKinstry hit a double in the fifth inning, driving in a run.
You like some fancy defense? The Tigers twisted a picture-perfect double play in the sixth inning – from Spencer Torkelson to shortstop Kevin McGonigle back to Torkelson to end the top of the sixth.
You like drama? No, nobody likes drama when it’s watching the Tigers blow a huge, comfortable lead with rain on the horizon.
The Tigers took a 7-1 lead into the fifth inning, but everything fell apart with Jack Flaherty on the mound.
Flaherty, who had started the game, struggled with his control. In the top of the fifth inning, he walked two, hit a batter and gave up a double. He was taken out with the bases loaded and the Tigers holding a 7-2 lead with no outs.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch brought in Drew Anderson. On Anderson's second pitch, Jordan Walker crushed a grand slam – an absolute monster blast – that traveled 459 feet, hitting the brick in left center.
That's the fact, Jack
Flaherty got the start for the Tigers, pitching against the team that drafted him in the supplemental first round (34th overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles.
But he struggled from the start, opening the game with a walk and hitting a batter, then got out of it.
In the second inning, he did it again, walking a batter and then hitting another, but he got out of it once again.
In the third inning, the script changed. Ivan Herrera got a double and then scored on a single.
So, he was trying to gut his way through it, until it fell apart.
Flaherty gave up five earned runs in four innings, walking four, while striking out six. He also hit three batters.
It was just the second time that Flaherty faced the Cardinals. And it was completely different than his first time when he set a career-high with 14 strikeouts on April 30, 2024 at Comerica Park.
Kerry Carpenter comes through
Carpenter has had a strange season, bouncing around the batting order.
He started out the year as the Tigers leadoff batter. But he struggled through a .063 stretch.
So, Hinch moved him to fifth while playing against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second series of the season.
“I wanted to ease off Kerry a little bit,” Hinch said at the time. “He seems to be swinging more and more, which is out of his norm. I mean, he can be a little bit more disciplined. I'll get him back at the top at some point.”
Then, for the home opener, Hinch moved Carpenter to the third spot when the Tigers beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-0. Carpenter went 2-for-3 with a walk.
On Saturday, Hinch put Colt Keith at the leadoff spot and pushed Carpenter back to cleanup.
And Carpenter responded, hitting his homer against Dustin May, a 28-year-old righty.
In the third inning, Carpenter had another great chance, hitting with McGonigle on third with one out.
The speedy rookie had singled and advanced to second on a ball that bounced off catcher Pedro Pagés.
That gave Carpenter a great RBI chance and he lifted a short fly ball to center. Victor Scott II caught the ball but had a bad throw.
McGonigle scored with ease, as the Tigers took a 4-1 lead.
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff
LeBron James has shared some insight into one NBA city he isn’t much of a fan of:
Memphis.
The Los Angeles Lakers star, in a recent appearance on the "Bob Does Sports" YouTube show, took some digs at the home of the Grizzlies. He clarified that it wasn’t about the people who live in Memphis, but rather the travel aspect of going to the city as an NBA player, also listing Milwaukee as an unfavorable destination.
James’ comments received some criticism, especially from those close to Memphis — including the city’s mayor.
Here’s what James said about Memphis, how he responded to the backlash and more.
James recently had a rare in-depth media appearance on the YouTube show "Bob Does Sports," where he was asked about traveling in the NBA at the age of 41 and a longtime star. James' response specifically targeted Memphis and Milwaukee.
“A random f---ing Tuesday in Milwaukee,” James said. “Staying at the f---ing Hyatt at 41 years old. You think I want to do that s---? Being in Memphis on a f---ing random a-- Thursday? I’m not like the first guy to even talk about it in the NBA."
LeBron James on the Memphis Grizzlies 💀
“I’m f*cking 41 years old, you think I want to do that sh*t being in Memphis on a random a** Thursday. I’m not like the first guy even to talk about in the NBA. Like, we all like you guys have to move. Go over to Nashville… their only… pic.twitter.com/3z3XnLE69t
James, who said he might have "not showed up" if he was drafted by the Grizzlies in 2003, also suggested that the team shouldn't be in Memphis and should be relocated to Nashville, Tennessee.
"[NBA players are] all like, ‘You guys have to move. Go over to Nashville.’ You got Vanderbilt over there," James said. "You got NASCAR. You got a stadium. Don’t they got a hockey team, too?”
Those comments from the NBA legend were not taken kindly from some people close to Memphis.
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo was one of the NBA figures who pushed back on the Memphis crticism.
"I can say from my own perspective that I have the complete opposite, 180-degree perspective on that," Iisalo said, per ESPN. "The Memphis where we have arrived less than two years ago has been very warm. Very welcoming."
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic, who was an assistant in Memphis before taking over as head coach in Toronto, also spoke on James' comments.
"I don't care what the rest of the world thinks. I love the people of Memphis," Rajakovic said, per ESPN. "I love the food. I love every single time I come over here."
Additionally, the mayor of Memphis, Paul Young, responded to James' criticism by inviting the Lakers star to the city. In a Facebook post that also highlighted Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins' debate on "First Take" about James' words about Memphis, Young said he would show James the "culture and powerful investment opportunities" of Memphis.
“I would welcome the chance to turn your criticism into action in one of the most important cities in the world,” Young wrote. “Come to Memphis and roll around with me for a bit, and I will show you some of the culture and powerful investment opportunities in our City. Let’s do something epic in one of the largest majority Black cities in the nation!"
Bob Does Sports is a YouTube gold channel that follows Robby Berger (Bobby Fairways) and his friends Nick Stubbe (Fat Perez) and Joseph Demare (Joey Coldcuts), with over one million subscribers on the platform.
The account has had athletes featured in the past, including Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold and Bills QB Kyle Allen in 2024.
On Apr. 2, a video featuring James playing a round of golf was released by the account.
On Saturday, James was asked a follow-up question about his Memphis comments. He made sure to point out that he had also mentioned Milwaukee as a difficult travel spot in the NBA, clarifying that he wasn’t speaking about the people in either city, but simply that those are two places he does not enjoy playing in.
“Milwaukee was, too. Did they miss that one, too? They didn’t see that?” James said. “41 years old, it’s two cities I do not like playing in right now. That’s Milwaukee, and that’s Memphis. What is the problem?”
I asked LeBron James about Memphis and if he wanted to clarify anything
"41 years old. Two cities I do not like playing in right now. That's Milwaukee and that's Memphis... I don't like going home either. Shit, and I'm from there" pic.twitter.com/EIMiDcj2Xo
James also went as far to say that he'd include Cleveland on his list of unfavorable traveling destinations, "and I'm from there."
“I don’t like going home either … and I’m from there,” James said. “People are ridiculous. They also get mad at my son being on the [Lakers], too. So what are we talking about? People need to figure out other ways to put their energy to other things that’s important. Like seriously? I’m not talking about the city, like the people in Memphis. I don’t like staying at the Hyatt Centric. What’s wrong with that? Nothing! What are we talking about? … People need to chill the hell out.”
Memphis Grizzlies attendance numbers
According to ESPN, the Grizzlies rank 29th among the 30 NBA teams in total attendance for the 2025-26 season so far, with 615,489 fans in total.
The Grizzlies, currently the only major professional sports team in the city of Memphis, were originally established in Vancouver, Canada, in 1995. The franchise moved to Memphis after the 2000-01 season.
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 4: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates 1-2 during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on April 4, 2026 in Madrid Spain (Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Barcelona will finish Matchday 30 with a huge seven-point lead at the top of the La Liga table thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano on Saturday night. Barça had to come from behind to win a true battle in the Spanish capital even though Atlético had only 10 men throughout the second half, but Robert Lewandowski scored a late winner to give Barça three massive points as the Blaugrana took full advantage of Real Madrid’s loss early in the day and are now in full control of the title race.
Reactions & Observations
The opening 45 minutes were a lot of fun for a neutral, with both teams in attack mode and exploring the space in behind both defenses to create huge chances. Antoine Griezmann and Fermín López both missed a couple of big opportunities on either end, and the game was somehow goalless after the first 39 minutes.
The 40th minute brought a goal from Giuliano Simeone, who timed his run in behind the Barça backline to receive a long pass from Clément Lenglet and fired it past Joan Garcia to put Atleti ahead. Marcus Rashford equalized almost immediately after a glorious one-two with Dani Olmo, and Barça were able to respond right away.
Atleti then went down to 10 men right before halftime when Nico González took out Lamine Yamal at the edge of the box, and he was initally shown a second yellow card which was changed to a straight red for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity following a VAR review.
We were all square at the break after a crazy first half, and Barça had a real chance to grab a second half winner playing against 10 men.
The second half almost started with a disaster for Barça when Gerard Martín was shown a straight red card after a collision with Thiago Almada in midfield, with the replays showing Martín kicking the ball before catching Almada’s ankle. VAR called the referee to the screen and the red card was changed to a yellow, and Barça stayed with 11 men.
Barça had to deal with two injuries on the night, with Ronald Araujo and Marc Bernal forced off. Bernal had come on for Araujo, but lasted only 20 minutes before having to come off.
Diego Simeone used all of his substitutions to change the shape to a 5-3-1 and try to preserve the draw, while Hansi Flick sent on Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski and Gavi looking to rescue a late winner. Ferran missed at least two really good chances, while Gavi looked fantastic even in a short cameo as Pedri’s double pivot partner.
But it was Lewy who decided the game as he scored a proper striker’s goal: João Cancelo fired a shot that was saved by Juan Musso, but the ball went straight to Lewandowski who was at the right place at the right time and scored it with his chest on the rebound to give Barça the lead in the 88th minute.
Atlético had very little time to try and chase a late equalizer, and Barça did a solid job of managing the final minutes and earning a gigantic victory to open up a seven-point gap at the top of the standings.
This was not pretty, but Atlético away is never pretty. The three points were all that mattered after Real’s loss to Mallorca, and Barça got what they needed. This is a huge result, and it’s the confidence boost they need before the Champions League quarter-finals against this same Atleti side.
One team will head home with a national championship trophy when Michigan, Arizona, UConn and Illinois face off in the Final Four and national championship game this weekend.
Another team across the country won't be winning a national title, but will be going home with $300,000 in name, image and likeness cash.
The second annual College Basketball Crown, which Nebraska won during its inaugural tournament in 2025, is a five-day tournament in Las Vegas, where eight teams that didn't make the Men's NCAA Tournament compete for cash prizes.
Oklahoma, Baylor, Creighton and West Virginia already earned at least $50,000 each for reaching the semifinals of the tournament, which are being played Saturday, April 4. The championship game will be held Sunday, April 5.
The CBC is a similar postseason tournament to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), which usually features the top non-NCAA Tournament teams in a given season. NIL, though, is shaking up which consolation tournament teams choose to be a part of, especially with the CBC featuring all power conference teams.
Here's a look at the payout structure for the CBC in 2026, which features $500,000 in prize money:
CBC winner's share: How much does champion make in prize money?
CBC champions: $300,000
The champion of the College Basketball Crown earns $300,000 in NIL money.
College Basketball Crown payout structure 2026
Teams competing in the CBC are guaranteed to earn NIL cash prizes as long as they won their first-round game in 2026. Here's how the CBC payout structure works:
CBC champions: $300,000
CBC runners-up: $100,000
Semifinalists: $50,000 each
College Basketball Crown bracket, scores
Here's a look at the full College Basketball Crown bracket so far, with scores for each game:
Fabian Hurzeler “totally committed” to Brighton amid Bayer Leverkusen links
Fabian Hurzeler has moved to dismiss speculation linking him with a return to Germany, insisting he remains “totally committed” to Brighton despite reported interest from Bayer Leverkusen.
The 31-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most admired young coaches, earning praise for Brighton’s progressive style and clear tactical identity. With Leverkusen rumoured to be weighing up a managerial change this summer, reports in Germany suggested Hurzeler is being considered as a potential successor to Kasper Hjulmand.
However, speaking to Sky Sports, Hurzeler made his position clear. While admitting it was “an honour” to be mentioned alongside such a high-profile vacancy, he stressed his focus remains firmly on Brighton’s season run-in.
Hurzeler highlighted the rare sense of trust he feels from the club, pointing to the loyalty and support he has received since arriving on the south coast. In an era where patience is often short and pressure relentless, he suggested Brighton’s stability has allowed him to “express” himself as a coach and build something meaningful.
With European qualification still within reach, Hurzeler insists his only priority is finishing the campaign strongly.
WATCH: Atletico Madrid strike first against Barcelona before Marcus Rashford equalises
Barcelona will go seven points clear at the top of La Liga if they defeat Atletico Madrid, and they still have chances to do so after responding immediately to falling behind at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano inside the first half.
Interestingly, Diego Simeone has opted to rest a number of players for the upcoming Champions League quarter-final first leg between the two teams, and the difference in quality has been noticeable thus. Barcelona have had big chances, but they have failed to take them – and they were punished by conceding the opening goal.
Simeone fires Atleti into first half lead
A long ball over the top was well-collected by Giuliano Simeone, who ran in behind before finishing well beyond Joan Garcia.
But that lead for Atleti lasted mere minutes, as Barcelona are now back on level terms. Marcus Rashford has played a one-two with Dani Olmo before finishing under Juan Musso to make it 1-1.
VAR challenge used in professional football for first time, watch 📹
Football has debuted YET ANOTHER new feature involving technology and officiating. The VAR challenge was used for the first time "officially" this Saturday (4).
The "Football Video Support" (or Challenge) is being used in the Canadian League. And it led to the first review and the first goal in history with this new feature:
In "Football Video Support," each coach is entitled to TWO review requests.
To activate it, the coach must make a circular motion with their finger in the air and hand a card to the fourth official.
If the challenge is successful, the coach KEEPS both review requests in the match.
This challenge can be requested for goal situations, penalties, straight red cards, or mistaken card identity.
So, is this new feature a positive one, or will it "slow down" the flow of the match? Leave your prediction!
In the official debut of "Football Video Support," Fogen Football beat Atlético Ottawa 2-0 in the opening round of the Canadian league.
Tests in 🇧🇷
Other matches — including in Brazil — had already used "Football Video Support," but only on a trial basis.
FIFA had tested this "challenge," for example, in 2025 Copa Paulista matches.
The new feature was also tried at the U-17 World Cup and the U-20 World Cup.
The Chicago Bears are coming out of the first few weeks of free agency with two areas of need that have yet to be fully addressed, if at all.
While edge rusher is a massive issue that needs more help, that help will likely come during the 2026 NFL Draft. But the Bears also need more insurance at left tackle with Ozzy Trapilo coming off a torn patellar tendon last year.
With the need for a left tackle in mind, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox projected that the Bears would go out and sign a former left tackle of the Detroit Lions, Taylor Decker, to reunite with Ben Johnson and be a key LT option in 2026.
Bears projected to sign Taylor Decker in free agency
"Projected landing spot: Chicago Bears," Knox writes. "...In other words, the Bears could use a veteran left tackle, at least during Trapilo's recovery. Chicago also employs former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as its head coach, meaning Decker is a perfect candidate."
Decker is a 32-year-old offensive tackle who is coming off a 14-start season for the Lions and is only one year removed from being a Pro Bowler in 2024.
He's started 140 games in his 10-year NFL career, all with the Lions. While he might be a bit older and maybe not as good as he once was, Decker isn't a bad option for some insurance in Chicago.
With his link to Ben Johnson, and the Bears' very questionable left tackle room with Trapilo down with injury, and Theo Benedet and Braxton Jones being the only other options, Decker would be a great signing well after the first wave of free agency.
It's not an ideal situation, needing to acquire an insurance piece at left tackle. But, for the Bears, with Caleb Williams looking to climb even higher in 2026, good pass protection is a must, and Decker could fill that role nicely.
🎥 Ben White's nightmare continues with shocking FA Cup mistake
It's not easy being Ben White at the moment.
The Arsenal defender found himself booed by England supporters on his long-awaited international return, and things have not gotten much better at club level.
Mikel Arteta's side could see their hopes of a treble dashed after Southampton punished White late in the first half of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final clash.
The 28-year-old hugely misjudged his attempt to head clear a James Bree cross, allowing Ross Stewart to pounce and rifle home an opener for the hosts.
How costly will that goal prove to be for the Gunners?
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 23: Deontay Wilder looks on following the WBC International & WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight title fight between Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker during the Day of Reckoning: Fight Night at Kingdom Arena on December 23, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora are set to throw down later TODAY (Sat., April 4, 2026) inside O2 Arena in London, England, streaming live on DAZN PPV (watch it here) in hard-hitting Heavyweight affair that will see two power-punching brawlers try to secure a much-needed win.
Wilder was last seen defeating journeymen Tyrrell Anthony Herndon via seventh round technical knockout back in June 2025, his first win in three years, snapping his two-fight losing streak against Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker. As for Chisora, he is currently riding a three-fight win streak and was last seen defeating Otto Wallin in Feb. 2025.
Many readers check in before, during and after the fights to share their thoughts on all of the action, as the main card kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on DAZN PPV. Feel free to leave a comment (or several) about the bouts and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show — it’s always a lot of fun!
200 lbs.: Viddal Riley vs. Matuesz Masternak – Riley via unanimous decision, becomes new European Cruiserweight champion
160 lbs.: Denzel Bentley vs. Endry Saavedra – Bentley via seventh-round TKO
Heavyweight: Matty Harris vs. Franklin Igantius – Harris via second-round knockout
160 lbs.: Amir Anderson vs. Jordan Dujon – Anderson via eighth-round TKO
130 lbs.: Ashton Sylve vs. Raul Antonio Galaviz Hernandez – Sylve via unanimous decision
130 lbs.: Jermaine Dhilwayo vs. Jake Morgan – Dhilwayo via seventh-round TKO
126 lbs.: Tom Welland vs. Alexander Morales – Welland via unanimous decision
154 lbs.: Dan Toward vs. Misael Da Veiga – Toward via third-round TKO
WILDER VS. CHISORA DAZN PLAY-BY-PLAY
Round 1:
Chisora takes the center of the ring right away. They clinch up against the ropes. Wide base from Wilder, throws a loopy right hand in. Chisora throwing haymakers to kick things off. Chisora bullies Wilder up against the corner. Right hand lands for Wilder. Chisora once again pushes Wilder up against the corner and works the body. Big jab from Wilder. The clinch, up against the ropes and they almost go over the ropes. One of Chisora’s cornermen jumps into the ring, for whatever reason. That was odd. He steps out and now the referee is having a word with him. 10-9 Chisora
Round 2:
Chisora gets in close and goes to work on the body. Wilder trying to keep him at bay with his jab. Chisora again bullies Wilder up against the corner and works the body, then the head. Wilder gets out of danger and they break. Chisora slips to his knees. Wilder land a left hand to the side of the head. Chisora looking a bit slow with his attack. 10-9 Wilder
Round 3:
Chisora looks gassed, his punches are very slow. Wilder with an uppercut to the body. Straight right hand from Wilder. Big shot to the body lands for Chisora. Sneaky left hand lands for Wilder, pushes Chisora up against the corner and hits the body a few times. Big looping left misses for Wilder. Chisora continues to attack the body, pretty sloppy fight so far. Deep breathes now from Wilder. Chisora misses everything on a huge haymaker. Chisora complaining about his eye and the ref stops the fight for a few seconds, odd. Round comes to en and. 10-9 Wilder
Round 4:
They clinch on the first exchange. Jab from Chisora. Two big right hands land for Wilder as Chisora goes in for the clinch once more. Chisora drags Wilder down to the canvas, gets some cheers from the crowd. Wilder back up and they clinch again. Chisora wobbles Wilder with a big right hand. Chisora steps in and tries to finish. Another big shot from Chisora lands and Wilder is getting pummeled up against the corner. 10-9 Chisora
Round 5:
Chisora working the jab, then lands a big right hand. Wilder is now the one who looks a bit gassed. The clinch and Chisora slips and falls to his back. He looks exhausted. Overhand right lands for Chisora. Double jab from Chisora and follows it up with an overhand right up against the corner. Chisora throws another overhand right, Wilder blocks and pushes him to the canvas….again. 10-9 Chisora
Round 6:
Big swing from Chisora. He misses. Wilder takes advantage and tags Chisora with a right hand down the middle. Chisora manages to bully Wilder up against the corner again. They are starting to trade in the middle of the ring. Wilder now has Chisora up against the corner. Wilder lands a big right hand as the bell sounds. 10-9 Wilder
Round 7:
Chisora comes in and attacks the body again. Slap shot from Wilder to the side of the head. Chisora marching forward. Three-punch combo from Chisora. Wilder swinging from way back, overreaching a bit. Chisora doesn’t take advantage. Leaping left hook from Chisora. Uppercut lands for Wilder. They tangled up and they both take a trip down to the canvas. What is going on here. very sloppy. 10-9 Wilder
Round 8:
They clinch right away. Wilder hurts Chisora with a left hand. He goes up against the ropes and Wilder knocks him down with another big shot and nearly out of the ring. He gets back up but he is in trouble. Wilder goes in for the kill but pushes him down to the canvas. Chisora is very tired and it is starting to get sloppy again. Nice jab from Chisora. Upper cut lands for Wilder. Huge right hand lands for WIlder and Chisora felt that one, Chisora returns fire and he is now the one unloading as the round comes to an end. What a round. 10-8 Wilder
Round 9:
Big left hook to start the ninth round from Chisora. Chisora working the body again. Wilder complaining to the ref about something. They clinch. Jab from Chisora. Lazy overhand right from Chisora. Wilder a bit more crisp with his strikes, though not by much. Another looping miss from the Brit. Big miss from Chisora as the round comes to an end. 10-9 Wilder
Round 10:
Chisora lands a right hand to the temple. Wilder with an overhand right hand up against the ropes. Chisora starting to walk Wilder down again. They clinch and dirty box a bit on the inside clinch. Ref breaks it up. Double, triple jab from Wilder. Big right hand crushes Wilder’s jaw. He eats it. Big body shot to the midsection from Chisora, who looks a bit refreshed. 10-9 Chisora.
Round 11:
Chisora goes to the well (the body) once more. Wilder a right hand and a jab right behind it that land. Wilder has loosened up a bit. Wilder working the jab. The ref warns Wilder about something, not clear. Chisora pushes Wilder against the ropes, Wilder fires a right hand the lands. Chisora isn’t backing down, pushes up against the ring. Wilder lands a big right hand and Chisora goes through the ropes once more. He answers the count. Wilder goes down but it is not a knockdown. Chisora lands a short after the bell. Wild round. 10-9 Wilder.
Round 12:
Chisora pushes forward, lands a jab to the body. Overhand right lands for Chisora and he is now unloading to the body. Chisora putting it all on the line here. Wilder clinches. Jab lands from Chisora. Wilder misses a big left hand, Chisora again with a big looping left. Ref tries to break the clinch. Wilder trying to push the pace, he’s spent. Chisora with two shots to the body, then the head. They end the fight with another clinch up against the ropes. 10-9 Chisora.
Final result: Deontay Wilder def. Derek Chisora via split-decision
It has likely played a part in the AL East club's 6-1 start to the season.
"The Yankees stole five bases yesterday (2 by Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2 by Jose Caballero, 1 by Aaron Judge.) That was their most in a game since Sept. 5, 2013 (6 vs. BOS)," MLB.com's Bryan Hoch wrote on X Saturday.
So, the last time the Yankees stole at least five bases in a game is when legendary shortstop Derek Jeter was still active. The captain played just 17 games that year due to complications from a fractured left ankle in the 2012 ALCS.
As of Saturday afternoon, New York ranks second in the majors with 11 steals, four behind the Milwaukee Brewers' 15. The Yankees clearly feel confident that they are a more athletic team than in recent seasons.
During spring training, Chisholm said he's looking to steal 50 bases this season, which would surpass his career high by 10.
Caballero led the American League in stolen bases in each of the past two years. With more plate appearances and opportunities to get on base while Anthony Volpe is out, he could be in contention for MLB's top spot.
Defending champions London Pulse completed a third consecutive victory as they brushed aside Birmingham Panthers 78-45 in Netball Super League - the biggest winning margin of the season so far.
The result at the Copper Box moves Pulse up to second place in the table, overtaking Manchester Thunder who lost 68-58 to leaders Loughborough Lightning.
Pulse took early control against winless Panthers, leading 24-8 by the end of the first quarter and 42-18 at the halfway mark. It was a ruthless effort against a team who have lost all of their matches so far by at least 10 points.
"We needed a game like this. We all came together, we knew exactly what we had to do. We're really proud of ourselves," Pulse's player of the match Funmi Fadoju told BBC Sport.
"It was so important for us to show we're not a one-dimensional team, we have different combos, different structures and they do work. It just gave us confidence going into the second half of the season."
Pulse face London Mavericks in a derby fixture in the next round, marking the halfway stage in the regular season.
Coach Sue Bird said Saturday's victory would help Pulse press on, with the first-time champions looking to triumph again.
"Building on what we've done, stepping up the intensity on everything we do, just becoming a real menace to play against," said Bird, discussing her plan for the rest of the campaign.
"There's been certain games where we've either had our defence firing or our attack firing but maybe not everyone together, but when that comes together like it does today then we're a very dangerous team.
"We've been adjusting a couple of things in training and the girls have taken that on really well this week. I know when we're winning ball, that's our identity, and once we were cooking we'd be fine."
Undefeated Lightning made it six wins in a row at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, with Samantha Wallace-Joseph top-scoring with 26 goals against Thunder.
Defeat means Thunder slip to third, but they remain ahead of Nottingham Forest who fell to a 62-57 loss against Dragons in what was the first game of a double-header in Nottingham.
Forest's South African international Rolene Streutker led the scoring in that fixture with 27 goals, but it was not enough to take her side to victory.
London Mavericks face Leeds Rhinos in Saturday's evening fixture (19:00 BST).
How to follow 2026 Netball Super League on BBC Sport
BBC Sport will show one game per week during the regular season.
These are games you can watch live on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer:
11 April: Dragons v Birmingham Panthers (16:00)
18 April: Loughborough Lightning v London Mavericks (18:00)
Barcelona took advantage of Real Madrid's latest La Liga slip-up as they battled to a pulsating and ill-tempered 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid.
Los Blancos suffered a dramatic 2-1 reverse at Real Mallorca on Saturday, meaning Barca are now seven points clear with eight games to play.
Atleti and Barca will reconvene in Catalonia for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal next week.
More to follow
Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona score
Starting lineups:
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2, right to left): Musso (GK) — Molina, Lenglet, Le Normand, Gonzalez — Simeone, Vargas, Koke, Baena — Griezmann, Almada
Barcelona (4-2-3-1 right to left): Joan Garcia (GK) — Araujo, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo — Pedri, Eric Garcia — Lamine Yamal, Lopez, Olmo — Rashford
Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona highlights, key incidents
87 mins: LEWANDOWSKI SURELY WINS IT FOR BARCA! Cancelo twists and turns just inside the penalty area to the left. He fires towards goal, Musso pushes his attempt away and Lewandowski turns his shoulder into the ball to find an improvised finish.
69 mins: Fabulous save from Musso! Barca, with the man advantage, are battering their opponents further and further back. Their
49 mins: NO RED CARD! DOWNGRADED TO A YELLOW! Martin gets a reprieve, following a pitchside review. As you can imagine, that's gone down incredibly well with the locals.
46 mins: RED CARD! IT'S 10 vs. 10! Gerard Martin follows through in a challenge by plunging his studs into Almada's ankle. Oh, hang on, we're off to VAR...
45_5 mins: VAR CONFUSION! Right, so a lot went on there. After the offside check, there was a check to see whether the foul was in the penalty area. It was not, however the referee decided Gonzalez denied a clear goalscoring opportunity so upgraded his second yellow to a straight red. Then, from the resulting free-kick, Bernal reeeaaallly should have put Barcelona ahead.
45+2 mins: RED CARD! Nicolas Gonzalez is sent off! It's not so long since Atletico were winning this game. Now they're pegged back and down to 10 men. Gonzalez was already on a yellow card when he bolted after a rampaging Lamine Yamal and clattered into the Barca winger.
But hang on... we're checked to see whether Lamine was offside. If he was, the red card will be overturned... Nope, he's walking.
42 mins: Rashford levels in quicktime! Barca almost instantly back on terms and that's some vintage Marcus Rashford as he comes in off the left flank, exchanges passes with Dani Olmo and slides a finish through Musso's legs. That's Rashford's 11th goal of the season and first since January.
40 mins: Giuliano Simeone makes it 1-0 to Atletico! A proud father celebrates on the touchline as Giuliano springs a flimsy offside trap to smash past Joan Garcia. To compound matters for Barca, Ronald Araujo is injured and makes way for Marc Bernal.
34 mins: Lamine Yamal hits the posts! Glorious interplay from Fermin Lopez and Pedri as the latter releases Lamine Yamal. The winger lifts a deft finish against the upright.
Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona talking points, analysis
Talking points and analysis will be added after full-time.
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid upcoming schedules
Oct 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) on the sideline during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Cue the SpongeBob meme in which he is holding a paper clip and a string because that is just about all the Indianapolis Colts sound like they will be getting in return for Anthony Richardson if they can find a trade partner. Gone are the days of the Vikings being rumored to offer four first-round picks to trade up in the draft. Gone are the white hot rumors of teams lining up for his services when he first requested a trade. The market is stone cold, and the Colts have no one to blame but themselves.
Richardson wasn’t ready for the NFL, or at least not right away. His collegiate experience was far from robust. Less than 400 passing attempts and a slew of injuries including one in which he was dancing at the team hotel was the first set of red flags in an ominous football odyssey. The whole idea was that he was a raw talent. His incredible RAS looked good on paper and even in person, but it didn’t mean it would translate to the NFL immediately. Richardson should have been eased in, with an old hat veteran to guide him, but he was thrust into action immediately.
Look, I get it. When you get a new toy, you want to play with it immediately. Richardson was shiny and had all the physical traits and looks of an NFL quarterback, but where were Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen to pull back on the reins? Why not retain Matt Ryan to be a mentor? Gardner Minshew was more competition than assistant and was young and relatively inexperienced himself. Ryan had a wealth of knowledge and would have posed no threat while teaching Richardson how to be a professional.
So, of course he struggled. The injuries are one thing, but when he was deployed, how he was used, and how little time he got have made his trade value close to nothing. When his maturity came into question, he was benched immediately. He is one of the most inaccurate quarterbacks ever. Instead of working through that, the Colts replaced him. It’s a tough league but the Colts provided a rough environment to grow and an unyielding hand to develop Richardson. The quarterback they produced and displayed was well below standards. Expecting there to be a trade market is ridiculous.
Every coin has two sides. Anthony Richardson is not without blame but to put all of that on a 22-year old is tough. The Colts organization could have done a much better job at preparing him for life in the NFL and easing him in. Would things be drastically different? Maybe, maybe not, but we would have a better understanding and acceptance of the situation. The Colts barely know what they have because they didn’t give him much of a chance while at the same time, providing the league with enough data to know to stay away.
Camara, a 6-foot-8 freshman forward, committed to UofL last May and was the final member of Pat Kelsey's Year 2 roster to sign with the program. In a statement at the time, Kelsey said, "Mo is a big-time athlete who has the ability to be an elite defender early in his career. He can guard every position on the floor and disrupts both on the ball and at the rim.
"He has great tools and a mindset that craves coaching, which will allow him to develop quickly. He will be playing on an experienced, veteran team which will allow him to learn and grow daily. We are very excited to have him here at Louisville."
Sure enough, before the Cards' exhibition finale four days later, they released a statement saying Camara would redshirt the season.
"I've said many times in interviews when people ask me about him (that) he has an extremely high ceiling. He is unbelievably talented with a huge upside," Kelsey said. "He's playing on a team with a lot of older guys and a lot of older guys at his position, so there's no reason to rush him. We have a development mindset with him right now, and all of his people in his camp feel the same exact way.
"(I) love Mo, and I have big plans for him. But the situation he's in now, it's all about development with him."
In an evaluation of Camara's game for 247Sports last May, Travis Branham said: "His offensive skillset is a work in progress, but he has the tools and upside to be a valuable contributor as a utility 4 man who can defend and rebound at a high level in the high major ranks."
Camara is the third UofL player to announce their departure before the portal opens, joining fellow frontcourt members Sananda Fru and Khani Rooths.
The portal will be open from April 7 through midnight Wednesday, April 22. That's an entry window; players can take their time finding a new home once they've hit the market. College basketball's regular signing period begins Wednesday, April 15.
Players can choose to withdraw their name from the portal, but programs are not obligated to hold scholarships/roster spots for entrants.
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
Catalan Dragons survived a scare as they beat neighbours Toulouse Olympique 33-26 in Super League.
After seeing three tries disallowed, the visitors fell 16-0 down inside half an hour before scoring three tries of their own to level the scores.
Three second-half tries then secured the victory for the home side, their fourth of the season so far.
Defeat is Toulouse's fifth in a row this season in the league.
Thomas Lacans crossed inside the first five minutes for Toulouse, but the video referee adjudged there was a knock-on by Romeo Tropis and Kruise Leeming was sent to the sin bin for a foul in the build-up.
Cesar Rouge and Olly Ashall-Bott's also saw tries disallowed before Toby Sexton, Leo Darrelatour and Nick Cotric compounded the visitors' misery with quickfire scores at the other end.
By half-time though Toulouse were level thanks to three tries in 11 minutes. Ashall-Bott finally crossed between two from Mathieu Jussaume.
The Dragons responded with back-to-back tries of their own after the break.
Derralatour's second of the night came as Solomona Faataape's brilliant feet created space in the corner, before Faataape crossed himself.
Quick thinking from a Toulouse penalty saw Jussaume grab this third try in the corner, but Rouge hit the post with his kick.
Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e's try, converted by Sexton, and a Leeming drop goal, wrapped up the Dragons' win.
Luke Polselli added Toulouse's fifth try on the buzzer, converted by Rouge.
TORONTO (AP) — Josh Sargent had the go-ahead score after notching his first assist in a three-goal second-half run and Toronto FC rallied to beat the Colorado Rapids 3-2 on Saturday in a match that saw three red cards issued.
Alonso Coello's first assist of the season set up Sargent's winner in the 85th minute for Toronto (3-2-1) after a scoreless first half. It was Sargent's first goal in his third career appearance.
Colorado (3-3-0) was forced to play a man down in the 34th minute after midfielder Jackson Travis was charged with a red card for his foul on Raheem Edwards. However, Edwards returned the favor four minutes into the second half for his foul on Wayne Frederick, returning the match to even strength.
Paxten Aaronson scored off a free kick in the 51st minute to give the Rapids a 1-0 lead and defender Keegan Rosenberry made it 2-0 three minutes later. Aaronson's third goal this season and Rosenberry's first were both unassisted.
Richie Laryea used assists from Sargent and José Cifuentes to score, cutting it to 2-1 in the 65th minute, and Miguel Navarro exited in the 74th after he was tagged with a second yellow card, again leaving Colorado short-handed. An own goal by Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffan tied it 2-2 in the 77th.
Steffen finished with three saves for Colorado in the finale of a three-match road trip. He allowed three total goals in his first three starts.
Luka Gavran saved two shots for Toronto in his 22nd career start since 2023.
Anthony is the DH and Jarren Duran is starting in left field again against the Padres as the Red Sox look for their second straight win at Fenway Park. The Red Sox will use the exact same lineup as they did in Friday’s 5-2 win. Marcelo Mayer is at second base against Padres righty Randy Vásquez and Carlos Narváez is catching Connelly Early, who will make his second start of the season.
With five healthy options in the outfield/DH mix, manager Alex Cora vowed to mix and match the group of Anthony, Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela and Masataka Yoshida in the early goings. In the first eight games, though, Yoshida has started just three times.
Crucially, Bayern managed the comeback without their leading scorer Harry Kane, who missed the trip due to an ankle injury - an issue that also ruled him out of England national team duty during the recent international break.
Following the match, sporting director Max Eberl offered an encouraging update on the 32-year-old’s condition, raising optimism that he could return in time for Tuesday’s crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash away to Real Madrid.
“The physios are working on it. He’s constantly on the training ground receiving treatment. We believe it will work,” Eberl explained after the victory, underlining Bayern’s intensive efforts to have their talisman fit in time.
Head coach Vincent Kompany also struck an optimistic tone: “I have a feeling he’ll make it.” Meanwhile, Joshua Kimmich highlighted Kane’s importance in typically emphatic fashion: “I think he'd play even in a wheelchair. Even if he's still in a bit of pain, he'll drag himself onto the pitch. I expect him to be fit and ready to go on Tuesday.”
Kompany’s team selection in Freiburg also hinted at one eye on the Madrid clash. Michael Olise and Konrad Laimer were introduced only in the second half, while Dayot Upamecano was rested entirely. Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies, meanwhile, both made their returns off the bench - further strengthening Bayern’s options ahead of their European showdown.
BVB win 2-0 at VfB – Adeyemi and Brandt score in added time
Personnel matters
Felix Nmecha has been a mainstay in midfield but was sidelined through injury. Captain Emre Can (cruciate ligament rupture) and Filippo Mane (muscle injury) were also unavailable. BVB made three changes to the starting XI from the match against HSV (3-2) before the international break: Ramy Bensebaini, Carney Chukwuemeka and Serhou Guirassy replaced Luca Reggiani, Felix Nmecha and Karim Adeyemi.
The match
While BVB struggled to make an impact in the opposition’s half, VfB created their first chances in the penalty area early on, and Kobel was called into action for the first time after 18 minutes, saving a shot from Stiller. The Black & Yellows were increasingly forced onto the back foot and any time they won the ball, they immediately lost it again. The teams went into the break with VfB having chalked up eight shots on goal to Borussia's two and having 69% possession.
The Black & Yellows started the second half much more proactively, stringing together longer passages of play for the first time but also allowing the opposition a second good chance as Assignon tested Gregor Kobel (55) following a short corner. After just over an hour, Fabio Silva and Karim Adeyemi came on for Guirassy and Chukwuemeka as fresh attacking options. But Stuttgart once again dictated the pace and rhythm during this phase, right up until the start of the six minutes of added time. Then BVB threw everything at it once more…
In the 94th minute, a through ball down the right flank sent Julian Brandt – who was not offside – clear and he crossed into the box. Chabot’s clearing header fell to the lurking Adeyemi, who cut inside past Karazor and fired the ball into the net just to the right of the post, with Nübel having no chance of saving it.
In the 96th minute, substitute Fabio Silva won a duel with Jeltsch with a robust yet fair challenge following a clearance from Marcel Sabitzer. The ball was then crossed into the box to the waiting Brandt, who fired the ball crisply under the bar from a tight angle.
Outlook
There are two more matches against direct rivals to come. First up is the home game against Bayer Leverkusen this coming Saturday (15:30 CEST), followed a week later by the away game at TSG Hoffenheim.
Wayne Rooney: Man United icon makes huge career decision
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has reportedly made a big career decision ahead of the start of next season.
Managerial tenure
Rooney kick-started his managerial career at Derby County in the Championship, having initially joined as a player-coach. He eventually assumed full control of the club and stepped away from playing duties.
Despite severe off-field issues including administration and a points deduction, Rooney steadied the ship and guided Derby from the relegation zone to safety on the final day of the 2020/21 season. He then resigned in June 2022 amid ongoing financial turmoil at the club, which was eventually relegated.
United’s record goalscorer proceeded to take over the reins at MLS outfit D.C. United, where he had enjoyed a brief stint as a player. His time in the dugout was slightly underwhelming, leading to a departure by mutual consent in 2023.
Rooney then landed a high-profile role as Birmingham City boss, replacing John Eustace. His spell was disastrous as he registered nine losses, four draws and just two wins from the 15 games he oversaw before his sacking after 83 days.
After a period out of work, Rooney was named head coach of Championship side Plymouth Argyle on a three-year deal. Under him, Plymouth endured a long winless run as they sat at the bottom of the table at the midway point. He left Plymouth in December 2021, with the side in deep relegation trouble.
The former England international has since reinvented himself as a pundit and is now one of the most ubiquitous faces in football.
However, according to The Sun, Rooney is planning a return to football management next season.
Career decision
The Sun reveal that Rooney’s ambition to manage again was laid bare during the 40th birthday celebrations of his wife, Coleen.
Rumoured to be earning £400,000 a year as a Match of the Day pundit for the BBC, Rooney is keen to get back into the dugout and start afresh after his recent challenging roles.
A source is alleged to have told the newspaper, “Wayne is enjoying his telly work, but he does want to get back into management. He will be open to it if the right opportunity comes up.”
“Ideally, he would get something at the start of the summer so he is in position for the start of the season in August.”
The Sun write that Rooney is eyeing the Championship or League One.
Friday night's bout between No. 1 South Carolina and No. 1 UConn was eventful, to say the least. Besides a defensive back-and-forth that resulted in UConn's 54-game win streak being snapped, Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley's postgame extracurriculars took the main spotlight away from the game, which ended in a 62-48 Gamecock win.
With 0.1 seconds left on the clock, UConn's coach admitted defeat and walked towards Staley's side of the court to shake her hand. After a split-second embrace, the camera caught the coaches going further than the traditional handshake. In an animated turn, both coaches' faces turned hostile and barked back at each other.
On Saturday, Auriemma released an apology statement, saying there was "no excuse" for his end-of-game actions.
Here is everything you need to know about the exchange between Auriemma and what the UConn coach said to Staley inside the Mortgage Matchup Center.
In the videos that have surfaced from the handshake incident, it's not specifically clear what Auriemma said to Staley, but the UConn coach was seen pointing to the floor the two coaches were currently standing on, and towards the direction of the court.
In her postgame press conference, Staley directed questions about the exchange toward Auriemma, saying that he "initiated the conversation" when he was upset about a handshake pregame.
"You can ask Geno the question. He's the one that initiated the conversation. I don't want what happened there to dampen what we were able to accomplish today."
Dawn Staley was asked about what was said between her and Geno Auriemma at the end of tonight's game: pic.twitter.com/bf1LkBw4wf
— UConn Women’s Basketball Videos (@SNYUConn) April 4, 2026
In his press conference, Auriemma said he waited for about three minutes at halfcourt to shake hands with Dawn Staley before the game but never did.
Geno Auriemma says he waited for about three minutes at halfcourt waiting to shake hands with Dawn Staley.
According to South Carolina's coach, Staley shared that Auriemma was dissatisfied that she failed to shake his hand before the game. According to Staley, she shook his entire staff's hands before the game. Here is her interview just after the South Carolina victory, where she discussed the altercation.
Auriemma was already not happy on the sidelines due to, in his opinion, the lack of fouls South Carolina was called for compared to his Huskies. After the game, UConn's coach was nowhere to be seen shaking hands with South Carolina's team. Here is a crowd angle, where Staley seems to be questioning Auriemma's disappearance.
Auriemma and Staley are both coaches of some of the nation's best women's college basketball teams, so a rivalry is always present when the two meet. On Friday night, a new chapter was written in the rivalry's legacy between the Big East's best and one of the top-tier SEC teams.
Prior to their postgame handshake, UConn's coach was already dissatisfied with the lack of foul calls compared to the whistle South Carolina was getting during the game. In an interview that featured an expletive, it's safe to say Auriemma was not happy.
"I'm not making excuses because we can't make a shot. But this is ridiculous."
Just after Auriemma and Staley's postgame back-and-forth, The Athletic reporter Grace Raynor shared that UConn's coach went as far as skipping the postgame handshake lines.
Geno Auriemma just bounced and skipped the handshake line. Went straight into the tunnel. Some beef between him and Staley as this one ends.
After the game, Auriemma was asked if he and Staley had any kind of relationship off the court. According to the UConn coach, "Nah, not really. We don’t have a lot in common.” He went on to elaborate, saying she used to be an assistant on his Olympic team, and that he has a tremendous amount of respect for what she's done with South Carolina. Here is the full video with Auriemma's commentary.
Geno Auriemma said he and Dawn Staley don’t have a relationship, only describing them as rivals. “Nah, not really. We don’t have a lot in common.” pic.twitter.com/sxbQS2s2tD
After the Huskies' Final Four loss, Auriemma went to shake Staley's hand. However, it didn't end there. UConn's coach was seen going much further than just wishing Staley a good game, and South Carolina's coach clearly didn't like what Auriemma said. Here is a video of the altercation.
Geno Auriemma exchanged words with Dawn Staley in the final seconds of South Carolina and UConn’s Final Four matchup. pic.twitter.com/S6anlPKqwe
Just after the incident, Staley had to be separated by her former coaches. It's safe to say the Gamecocks' head coach was far from happy and was heard saying she would "beat Geno's a--" repeatedly. Here is a video of the Staley soundbite.
According to Staley's postgame interview, Auriemma alleged that she did not shake his hand. According to the South Carolina coach, she shook hands with his entire staff before the game, as is customary to display good sportsmanship.
While ESPN's coverage angle made it hard to see what UConn's coach was mouthing to Staley, ESPNreporter Kareem Copeland caught the moment from behind the scorer's table.
On Saturday, the day after South Carolina's win over UConn, Auriemma released a statement apologizing for his interaction with Staley.
"There's no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina. It's unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut. I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina," Auriemma's statement said. "It was uncalled for in how I reacted. The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don't want my actions to detract from that. I've had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them."
UConn and South Carolina, under Auriemma and Staley, have met 15 times during both coaches' tenures. Auriemma holds the overall 9-6 head-to-head record over Staley, with the most recent win achieved by the Gamecocks in the 2026 Final Four.
Staley has been gaining ground on Auriemma, though, with all six of her wins coming within the last eight matchups between the two women's college hoops powerhouses.
The Wildcats are back on the biggest stage in college basketball, breaking a 25-year drought to reach the national semifinals. It's been a remarkable ride, winning the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles to earn a No. 1 seed in March Madness. Arizona hasn't slowed down since then, winning every game by double-digits to make it to Lucas Oil Stadium.
With Arizona having one of its most successful seasons in decades and two wins from its first national title since 1997, fans will sure be rallying around its most famous chant: Bear Down.
People may be hearing it for the first time and may be confused about why the Wildcats are chanting about bears, but it holds a special meaning for Arizona, with a story that is 100 years old.
Why does Arizona say ‘Bear Down’?
Bear Down came from a tragedy.
In 1926, John Byrd “Button” Salmon was a star on campus as the student body president, member of several honor societies, football quarterback and baseball catcher, according to Arizona.
That October after the varsity team beat the freshman squad, Salmon returning from a trip to Phoenix with friends when he was in their car crashed and rolled over, leaving him "critically injured." He was paralyzed below his second rib and his spine was shattered. He had regained some motor function in his arms, but doctors determined that any additional surgeries wouldn’t be effective.
Coach J.F. "Pop" McKale visited him in the hospital regularly, but Salmon died the morning of Oct. 18 at the age of 22. Before he died, his last words with McKale were a message to his teammates, "Tell them... tell the team to 'bear down.'”
Later that season, McKale gathered his team and relayed the message to the players.
Word spread of Salmon's final message and the university student body grew attached to it, painting the slogan on the roof of the gym and it inspired Jack K. Lee to write the song “Bear Down, Arizona” in 1952 for his application to become the university’s band director. He earned it and the song became the fight song, which is played at sporting events and the campus bell tower daily.
Lazio-Parma at the Stadio Olimpico could be a consolidating match: the Gialloblu are 7 points clear of the relegation zone and cannot afford to relax too much, especially with Cremonese and Lecce playing in the next few days.
The Biancocelesti, meanwhile, want to build on their three straight wins against Sassuolo, Milan and Bologna.
🔥 Strefezza escapes, Delprato makes them pay
In a first half that was far from thrilling, Parma made the most of the clearest chance of an opening period that they generally played better than the Biancocelesti, who were blunt and posed little threat going forward.
Parma took the lead in the 15th minute: a scramble in the box saw Circati touch it on for Delprato, who reacted quickly to strike with his right foot and put his side ahead.
In the 27th minute, there was a major scare for Strefezza after a foul on Cataldi: only a yellow card by a matter of centimetres. His high foot did not catch the Lazio midfielder on the shin, but on the upper part of the ankle.
It's the kind of hitting stretch not seen from a 9-hitter in a quarter century.
The Kansas City Royals' centerfielder has now hit safely in all seven games to begin the season, all out of the No. 9 spot in the batting lineup.
In total, that's 10 hits after his first knock on Saturday.
As you might imagine, it's not often that a 9-hitter has a seven-game hitting streak to start the season, especially while remaining down at the bottom of the order.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 01: Lamont Butler #5 of the San Diego State Aztecs celebrates with teammates after making a game winning basket to defeat the Florida Atlantic Owls 72-71 during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at NRG Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We will get another mid-major in the Final Four – at some point.
It’s been bleak. No mid-majors making even the second weekend, let alone the third weekend for a second straight year.
We’re just three years removed from TWO mid-majors in the Final Four. We love you San Diego State and Florida Atlantic. Now, we’re experiencing a second Final Four in a row with four teams that rank in the top 10 in KenPom. Last year, it was the top four teams in the ranking.
So, what does the future look like? When will we see another mid-major on the game’s biggest stage?
According to our recent reacts poll, 38% of fans believe we are five-10 years from the next mid-major playing in the Final Four. Next was three-four years with 31%. More than 10 years had 21%, and one-two years received 10% of the votes.
Let’s look at some history. The NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, and it took 21 years before a true mid-major reached the Final Four – George Mason in 2006. (That’s not counting UNLV and Memphis, who operated at a level and in conferences much closer to power-conference affiliation.)
However, after the 11th-seeded Patriots set the stage, we’ve seen a bunch: Memphis in 2008, Butler in 2010 and 2011, VCU in 2011, Wichita State in 2013, Loyola Chicago in 2018, Houston in 2021, and San Diego State and Florida Atlantic in 2023.
(For the Tigers and the Cougars, their conference affiliations put them in mid-major classification.)
“We’re two years removed from two of them being in there,” he said. “No, I don’t think we’re done [with mid-majors in the Final Four]. I don’t want to believe that we are. If it takes another seven-eight years, then it takes another seven-eight years… I think we can and will get there again, but we’re obviously in the midst a pretty significant sea change that’s going to last the better part of a decade before we get to somewhat stability. I think we’ll get there again. I just don’t know if it’ll happen next year or the year after.”
To Norlander’s point, it’s an ever-changing landscape. NIL. Transfer portal. Revenue sharing.
Those are all factors that have helped to contribute to mid-majors struggling to advance in the Big Dance.
“I do think it’ll be more infrequent than it has been in recent years,” Gary Parrish said. “It’s going to be more difficult than in this range of time where we were getting the George Mason, Loyola Chicago, Butler stories. It’ll be more difficult for programs like that, from leagues like those leagues to bounce to the final weekend of the season I believe going forward, based on rev. share and NIL and transfer waivers.” The odds are certainly stacked against mid-majors. Getting to the Final Four may not happen that soon. But we believe. And let’s hope we’re not starved for that long.
For all your college basketball postseason betting needs, visit FanDuel.
The Cleveland Browns are making history by converting their Dawg Pound into a doggy daycare.
Three starting quarterbacks, one of whom is followed by a camera crew. A new head coach who sent defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz packing. The reigning DPOY Myles Garrett is ghosting the team. A long list of continual heartaches for the faithful Browns fans.
However, not all hope is lost. The Browns signed guard Zion Johnson on a three-year, $49.5 million deal. Additionally, their trade for tackle Tytus Howard from the Texans solidifies a desperate offensive line. Not to mention the quick signing of Quincy Williams to replace Devin Bush, the only defensive starter to enter free agency.
Browns Draft Picks:
Despite their overhaul of the offensive line, the Browns still need more depth and talent. Thankfully, their 2026 draft may very well be the difference maker, with five picks in the first four rounds:
Round 1: Pick 6
Round 1: Pick 24
Round 2: Pick 39
Round 3: Pick 70
Round 4: Pick 107
Round 5: Pick 144
Round 5: Pick 147
Round 6: Pick 206
Round 7: Pick 248
Browns Positions of Need:
Understanding the crucial role of a new head coach, GM Andrew Berry knows that it’s been “fast and furious” getting ready for the NFL draft. With a pitiful wide receiver room and an offensive line that is starting anew, the Browns have clear needs in these areas:
The 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner, Makai Lemon, is a high-profile wide receiver who would change the Browns’ offense. With over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns, Lemon is an explosive slot receiver.
Although he may not be the biggest receiver on the pitch, his speed makes up for it. Lemon is ranked as the 13th overall prospect in the 2026 class and represents a prime target for the Browns.
Arguably the best tackle prospect in the draft, Monroe Freeling could excel as a starter in Cleveland. With a surprising 90 athleticism score in the combine, Freeling would add much-needed length and dexterity.
Freeling is consistently mocked within the top 20 selections and will undoubtedly go in the first round.
Another athletic offensive lineman, Caleb Lomu, ran an unbelievable 4.99 40-yard dash. An All-Big 12 first-team player with zero sacks allowed in the 2025 season, Lomu is an immovable object.
With the addition of Lomu, the Browns would excel in both the run and pass game. The Browns will need to aggressively pursue Lomu, who projects as a first-round talent, to send him to Cleveland.
College basketball fans won't be too shocked by this development, as the actor and comedian has long attended Connecticut men's basketball games. That's because he's the father of Luke Murray, an assistant coach for UConn and future head coach of Boston College.
However, Bill Murray also grew up a fan of Illinois men's basketball — the team UConn happens to play in the Final Four for a chance to compete in the March Madness national championship game.
So, who is the "Saturday Night Live," "Caddyshack," and "Groundhog Day" actor rooting for between UConn and Illinois?
Here's what Bill Murray said ahead of the Final Four meeting between Huskies and Fighting Illini:
Is Bill Murray a UConn or Illinois basketball fan?
Bill Murray grew up in Evanston, Illinois, and is a known longtime Chicago Cubs fan. And, despite attending Regis University in Denver, a private Jesuit school, he still grew up a fan of the Fighting Illini.
He has also been seen supporting Illinois basketball in the past, as evidenced by a 2005 photo of when Illinois last played in the Final Four:
The Tribune went back into the archives to find some photos of Murray at the 2005 Final Four. And look who’s next to him, over his right shoulder, when he was 17 and being heavily recruited by the Illini: pic.twitter.com/RdTOocvUXZ
That said, Bill Murray will be rooting for the Huskies for at least one more game.
“Go Huskies!” Murray wrote in a text message to a Chicago Tribune reporter earlier this week.
His son, Luke Murray, 41, is in his fifth season as an assistant coach to Dan Hurley. He has won two national championships in the role. However, last month, he was hired as the new head coach for Boston College.
BALTIMORE, MD - MARCH 29: Shane Baz #34 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on March 29, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Probable pitchers: RHP Shane Baz (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 4 K) vs. RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (0-0, 4.15 ERA, 8 K)
Where to watch: MASN/MASN+
The Orioles’ Game 1 loss in Pittsburgh followed the same script we’ve seen far too often this young season: the starting pitcher gives up a big inning early and the offense struggles to claw the O’s back into the game. Friday night, the O’s fell just short, with Pete Alonso striking out against former Oriole Gregory Soto to seal a 5-4 loss. This afternoon, Baltimore will look to get off to a faster start and tie the series with the Pirates at one game apiece.
Offseason acquisition and newly minted $68M man Shane Baz will take the ball for the O’s, looking to improve on his first start in the black and orange. Like Kyle Bradish yesterday, Baz ran into early trouble in his Orioles debut vs. the Twins. In the 2nd inning of his start vs. Minnesota, Baz allowed the first four base runners to reach before allowing a bases-loaded double that put Baltimore in a quick 4-0 hole. The 26-year-old right-hander would rebound from there, keeping the Twins off the scoreboard from there and giving the offense the time to rally back for an 8-6 win.
Still, a final line of 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER and 4 K was a disappointing debut for the hard-throwing righty, especially coming immediately in the wake of his five-year contract extension. Baz could have the perfect “get-right game” opportunity against the Pirates, however. In his only previous meeting with Pittsburgh, at the start of last season with the Rays, Baz blanked the Buccos over six innings while collecting 10 strikeouts. That outing came in the hitter-friendly confines of Tampa’s temporary home at Steinbrenner Field, meaning Baz may get even more of a boost in the more pitcher-friendly PNC Park.
However, yesterday’s matchup showed that this is a different Pirates offense in 2026. After finishing last in runs, home runs and OPS in 2025, the revamped Pittsburgh order is putting up nearly five runs/game through their first seven games of 2026. Konnor Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in baseball, sparked yesterday’s game-defining rally for the Pirates with an RBI double in his first career AB. Oneil Cruz, former AL East rival Brandon Lowe and former Oriole Ryan O’Hearn have also been crucial for Pittsburgh’s offensive revival.
Opposing Baz and looking to shut down the Baltimore bats is 27-year-old right-hander Carmn Mlodzinski. The South Carolina native began last season in the Pirates’ rotation, but ultimately ended up back in the bullpen after posting a 5.67 in nine starts and spending a month in Triple-A.
The O’s will look to pounce on Mlodzinski early, as the righty has a 4.45 career ERA as a starter (compared to 2.71 as a reliever) and only averages just over 3.1 IP per start. The former first-round pick out of South Carolina did look solid in his first start of the year against the Mets, posting a line of 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER and 8 K. Mlodzinski is also a reverse splits guy, with opposing RHBs posting an OPS 43 points higher than LHBs. That could set up well for Taylor Ward and Pete Alonso, who have already gotten off to strong starts at the top of the Orioles’ order.
The 27-year-old left the club last summer - joining Real Madrid for £10m. And sporting director Richard Hughes made two big moves to safeguard the future of the right-back slot.
Jeremie Frimpong was brought in from Bayer Leverkusen for £29m and Conor Bradley was given a new lucrative long-term contract.
Owing to injury neither deal has yet worked out.
Frimpong, 25, has suffered multiple muscle injuries this season and in any case Arne Slot now seems to prefer using him further up the pitch.
Bradley has been afflicted by serious injury trouble over the past two years since breaking into the first-team picture. And the Northern Ireland captain has been absent since January with a knee injury and won’t play again until next season.
“Liverpool are making “serious preparations” to secure the signing of Atalanta’s young defender Marco Palestra in the upcoming summer transfer window,” the report reads.
“The English club view Palestra as a solution to strengthen squad depth and possibly as a long-term replacement option.”
Fellow Premier League clubs Newcastle and Tottenham have also been linked with the 21-year-old - who has impressed in Serie A this season on loan at Cagliari.
Italian interest is represented by Inter Milan and Juventus but “Liverpool is considered the strongest candidate financially,” says the report, adding that a deal could cost around €45m (£39m).
Marco Palestra: Situation summary
Marco Palestra is a 21-year-old Italian right-sided defender/wing-back, currently on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta, and regarded as one of Serie A’s standout young wide players.
Operating mainly on the right, he combines athletic overlap with end-product, contributing a goal and four assists in 2025/26 while ranking strongly for minutes and creative output among Serie A wide men.
Palestra’s profile is that of a modern, aggressive wing-back: high engine, strong recovery running, and willingness to attack space, underpinned by top-flight exposure in Serie A and European competition with Atalanta, including a Europa League win in 2023/24.
Contracted to Atalanta and on loan to Cagliari, he is approaching a pivotal decision point this summer, with his parent club so far reluctant to sell despite heavy interest.
Inter Milan and Liverpool are both monitoring him closely, with reported bids and valuations between €35–50m and talk of a potential €45m deal, suggesting a high-profile move is likely if Atalanta soften their stance.
The Houston Astros (5-3) travel to the Athletics (2-5) this afternoon in Sacrament0 in the second game of a three game series.
Astros game three starterRHP Tatsuya Imai will make his second start of the season for the Astros, this time opposite RHP Luis Morales and the Athletics.
Saturday’S TILT: The Astros and Athletics will play the second game of their three-game series this afternoon as Houston looks to bounce back after last night’s loss.
ON THE HUNT: RHP Tatsuya Imai is making his second career start after getting knocked around in 2.2 innings in game four. He carries am 13.50 ERA with four strikeouts and four walks.
Imai did not give up any runs this spring in more than ten innings of work. He is coming in off a sparkling career in the Japanese Professional League and remains a high ranking rookie of the year candidate this season.
ASTROS VS. Morales: The Astros are squaring off against Morales for the first time. He pitched in only ten games last year as a rookie.
RIVALRY VS. THE ATHLETICS: The Astros and Athletics have squared off 182 times in their history. They have a 101-82 against the Athletics in their lifetime. However, the Athletics were 8-5 against the Astros in the 2025 season and 0-1 so far on the 2026 season.
MR. 500: LF Yordan Alvarez recorded his 500th career RBI last night on a sac-fly RBI in the third inning…became the 15th player in franchise history to record 500 RBI…is also the fastest player in franchise history to record 500 career RBI doing so in just 685 games, passing 1B Jeff Bagwell, who recorded 500 RBI in 717 games.
GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 8: A fan of the Green Bay Packers wears a cheese head with the word owner during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field on September 8, 2002 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers beat the Falcons 37-34 in overtime. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Green Bay Packers president and CEO Ed Policy dropped some hints on what the Packers’ new Rivalries jerseys will look like in his recent monthly column. For those who aren’t aware, Nike and the NFL are going to create a new set of alternative uniforms for each team in the league, with two divisions getting these jerseys each season. Last year, it was the AFC East and NFC West that got the first round of the Rivalries series.
Five of the Rivalries uniforms from the 2025 season were home uniforms, while the other three were away uniforms, so it could be a home or away kit for the Packers this upcoming season. In 2026, the NFC North and AFC South will be getting Rivalries uniforms (with the NFC East and AFC West in 2027 and the AFC North and NFC South in 2028).
Here’s what Policy had to say about the Packers’ Rivalries set:
As I mentioned back in November, there is a true alternate uniform in the works. Last year, the NFL unveiled a new rivalries uniform for teams in the AFC East and NFC West. The NFC North is on the docket this year. Stay tuned and you’ll learn more in the coming months – but I will say this truly alternate uniform will celebrate owners and emphasize our uniqueness…
So get ready for another look for your Packers, beyond their classic home and away, their Winter Warning all-whites and their 1923 throwbacks that they added last season. I’m not sure how Green Bay is going to celebrate ownership in the uniform, but feel free to drop your prediction on how they’ll be doing that in the comment section below.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 04: Maria Jose Marin of Colombia plays her shot from the 12th hole tee during the third round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club on April 04, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Maria Jose Marin has won the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Marin held off other elite amateur women including Andrea Revuelta, Soomin Oh, and Meja Örtengren to win with a score of fourteen under par. Marin shot a final round score of 68 at Augusta National Golf Club to cruise to victory with a four shot lead. She is the only golfer to shoot in the 60s for all three rounds of the tournament, shooting a 65, 69, and 68, taking the victory over Andrea Revuelta, the next closest competitor who finished in second. With her win, Marin also sets the tournament scoring record with her score of 202, besting the 2025 champion Carla Bernat Escudar’s previous scoring record of 204 by two strokes.
Marin, who is 19 years old from Cali, Colombia, was making her fourth start at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. In her previous three starts, Marin finished in a tie for fourteenth in 2023, tied for thirtieth in 2024, and missed the cut in 2025.
While Marin won with a comfortable four-shot lead, she did not capture the lead until the second nine. Making the turn at three-under par, Marin went through amen corner at even par and made birdie at the thirteenth. She eventually took the lead after Asterisk Talley made a seven on the twelfth hole. Marin would hold the lead until the end, becoming the first Colombian to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship.
Marin adds the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship to her already burgeoning resume. She is a two-time First Team All-American and was the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Individual Champion for Arkansas. In addition to her collegiate success, she has twice won the South American Women’s Amateur, won the Women’s Amateur Latin America, and made the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2025. She is the 7th ranked amateur in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
KL Rahul’s remarkable dominance over Mumbai Indians comes to an end after pacer Deepak Chahar dismissed him during Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday.
Heading into the match, Rahul had an extraordinary record against Chahar, scoring 160 runs off 103 balls in 13 innings at a strike rate of 155.3 without ever being dismissed by the pacer. This made him the highest-scoring batter against a bowler in IPL history without losing his wicket. However, the streak came to an end in this game, as Chahar dismissed Rahul for just 1 run, marking the first time he managed to get the better of the Delhi Capitals opener.
KL Rahul was also just 24 runs away from becoming the first batter in IPL history to score 1,000 runs against Mumbai Indians. However, he fell well short, managing just 1 run. His dominance over MI has long been one of his biggest strengths, but it eluded him on this occasion.
New Chapter with Delhi Capitals
Rahul’s journey took a new turn ahead of the 2025 IPL season when he was signed by Delhi Capitals for Rs 14 crore in the mega auction. The franchise showed faith in him by retaining him for the 2026 season, expecting him to anchor their batting lineup with experience and class. However, his start to IPL 2026 has been far from ideal. In DC’s opening match against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1, Rahul was dismissed for a golden duck, and in Delhi's home ground match against Mumbai Indians he again fell for 1 run, raising concerns over his batting in T20.
Match Summary: DC vs MI
Delhi Capitals registered a dominant six-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026, powered by a sensational knock from impact substitute Sameer Rizvi. Chasing 163, the 22-year-old played a match-defining innings of 90 off 51 balls, smashing seven fours and seven sixes. Despite losing early wickets, Delhi recovered through a 66-run partnership between Rizvi and Pathum Nissanka (44 off 30). Rizvi then took complete control, adding 78 runs with David Miller (17*) to guide the team home with 11 balls to spare. His aggressive strokeplay, including a 20-run over off Corbin Bosch and back-to-back sixes against Mayank Markande, sealed the chase.
Earlier, Mumbai Indians posted 162/6, with Suryakumar Yadav anchoring the innings with 51 off 36 balls and Rohit Sharma contributing 35. However, MI struggled to build momentum after early wickets, as Mukesh Kumar struck twice in the powerplay. A 53-run stand between Rohit and Suryakumar steadied things briefly, but Delhi’s bowlers maintained control. Captain Axar Patel impressed with figures of 1/22, while Ngidi, Natarajan, and Vipraj Nigam chipped in with crucial wickets. Regular breakthroughs in the death overs restricted MI to a modest total, which Delhi chased comfortably.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma has issued an apology following a heated on-court exchange with South Carolina's Dawn Staley after the Huskies' defeat in the women's Final Four.
The incident occurred in the final seconds of South Carolina’s dominant 62-48 victory on Friday night, where a visibly upset Auriemma approached Staley, appearing to chastise her.
Coaches from both teams intervened to separate them, and Auriemma subsequently bypassed the traditional post-game handshakes, heading directly to the locker room.
The Hall of Fame coach addressed his actions in a statement released Saturday.
Auriemma had explained after the loss that the confrontation stemmed from the absence of a pregame handshake between the coaches (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
"There’s no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina. It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut," Auriemma stated.
"I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted. The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don’t want my actions to detract from that. I’ve had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them."
Staley, whose team advanced to the title game against UCLA, initially downplayed the incident, stating her focus was elsewhere.
"For me, no distractions at this time. I'm concentrating on winning a national championship, that’s it," she said Saturday morning. "That’s a little disheartening. This is sports, sometimes things like this happen. Continue to focus on my team and ability to advance in this tournament and hopefully win another national championship." She later indicated she would address the matter more fully at a later time.
Auriemma had explained after the loss that the confrontation stemmed from the absence of a pregame handshake between the coaches.
The incident occurred in the final seconds of South Carolina’s dominant 62-48 victory on Friday night, where a visibly upset Auriemma approached Staley, appearing to chastise her (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Staley, however, expressed confusion about the interaction. "I have no idea," the South Carolina coach remarked after the game.
"But I’m going to let you know this: I’m of integrity. I’m of integrity. So if I did something wrong to Geno, I had no idea what I did. I guess he thought I didn’t shake his hand at the beginning of the game. I didn’t know. I went down there pregame, shook everybody on his staff’s hand. I don’t know what he came with after the game, but, hey, sometimes things get heated. We move on."
South Carolina is now set to face UCLA in Sunday's championship game, aiming for their third national title in five seasons. The two powerhouse programs, UConn and South Carolina, are scheduled for future matchups over the next two years, with their next game slated for Connecticut.
Rangers head coach Rohl watches his side play Dundee United [SNS]
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl was satisfied as his team went top of the Scottish Premiership for the first time this season - just don't expect him to follow the Hearts and Celtic games on Sunday.
The 4-2 win over Dundee United at Ibrox marked the first time for two years Rangers have climbed to the top of the league.
It also eclipsed the 13-point gap Rangers had to make up on Hearts when Rohl replaced Russell Martin in October.
They only lead on goal difference and will cede top spot if Hearts, who had led since September, avoid defeat at bottom side Livingston on Sunday.
Not that Rohl will be following closely.
"I will do the same as the last matchday," the Rangers boss said.
"I put my phone off, no ticker [on the bottom of the screen], no live score. Last time, I got a message from my assistant coach saying 'did you see the result [Celtic's loss to Dundee United]?'.
"I said 'no, what happened?' He said 'great result'. So I will do exactly the same and maybe three times in a row it will happen.
"Let's see - but I'm not available this time on Sunday."
Rohl was able to enjoy his side scoring four goals for the second game in a row at Ibrox, with some influential performances in attack.
As the German said after the match, if Rangers win six games they win the league.
The question is whether the performances suggest they are capable of doing that given the opposition only gets tougher. Rohl is "convinced" they can.
The win against United built on improved attacking performances, something that has been thrown at this Rangers side. Are they creative enough?
They are, though, the top-scorers in the league and looking much more of a threat.
Thelo Aasgaard has been a much-maligned figure in his maiden season at Ibrox but was involved in three of the four goals, including scoring the third.
Djeidi Gassama, whose form has dipped after eye-catching early displays, was impactful off the bench in driving Rangers forward, and set up Aasgaard.
Striker Ryan Naderi grabbed his first Premiership goal too, before being withdrawn with an injury at half-time for Youssef Chermiti.
Rangers' number nine ended up with four shots and no goals in a busy display but is still looking for consistency, while Andreas Skov Olsen underwhelmed again before being withdrawn at the break.
Nonetheless, there is plenty to build on.
"We have to be on the front foot and if we win six games then we will have something at the end of the season," Rohl added.
"I am really convinced that my players have the potential to do this. But there is still a long way to go and it's no secret that next week away to Falkirk is a very, very difficult game.
"We will take things step by step, but we had nine 'finals' and we have won the first three of them.
"That gives us a good feeling, but nothing more. We have to be humble and ready for the next fight."
[BBC Sport]
'We need to be stronger against the ball'
Staying humble is the message from Rohl because he acknowledged performances are still falling short of being excellent for entire matches.
With left-back Tuur Rommens injured for the next two games at least, Jayden Meghoma started for the first time since February and struggled defensively.
John Souttar's form is also a concern as he made his return to the starting line-up but was caught out, along with others, by swift United counter-attacking.
Rangers could have been more streetwise when re-establishing their two-goal lead and Rohl laid down the gauntlet to his players.
"I like clean sheets and the last two games we've conceded one - and then two today," Rohl told BBC Scotland.
"It's a little bit too much for me because we needed four goals and in some games you won't have the chance for four goals.
"We need to be stronger against the ball. But we want to play exciting football and in some phases of the game we played enjoyable football.
"At 2-0 and 3-1, you feel our quality - we were finding the spaces and being really brave. But then you bring your opponent back which was unnecessary.
"The 2-1 can happen but the 3-2 we should never allow because we had a lot of situations before to score four or five.
So far this season, every time the conversation shifts toward potential staffing changes for Texas A&M baseball, the Aggies have answered with a statement. This weekend was no different.
Facing a Vanderbilt lineup that entered the series second in the SEC in home runs, head coach Michael Earley knew his pitching staff had almost no margin for error. Game 1 didn’t meet the moment. A&M’s pitching and defense struggled from the jump, and a 14–8 loss raised real concerns about how the rest of the weekend might unfold.
Whatever Earley told his team afterward clearly landed. Over the next two games, the Aggies allowed just four total runs, stabilizing the series with an 8–4 win in Game 2 before completely overwhelming the Commodores in a 12–0 run‑rule shutout to close it out.
"I mean they those guys worked really hard and we're a team and just everyone had each other's back and you know they picked us up plenty his year and you know Friday or Thursday I guess it just wasn't the case. But they were awesome today." - Earley
Offensively, A&M continued its recent surge. The Aggies have looked locked‑in for the better part of the last seven or eight games, and that carried into the weekend as they piled up 28 runs despite not playing their cleanest baseball across all three contests.
"Just relentless. We have a really good game plan and Coach Earley's, you know, big on just the process of our at bats and I think, all weekend you kind of saw just guys just passing the baton to the next guy and I think that's what was going on today." - Hacopian
The clear star of the weekend was sophomore right‑hander Aiden Sims, who delivered a complete‑game masterpiece in the finale. Sims struck out eight, allowed only three hits, and didn’t give up a run. With ongoing conversations about where he fits best in the rotation, he delivered exactly when the Aggies needed him most.
"It's just go out there and pitch like every game's every game. I feel like I go out there and it doesn't matter what the what the series is. It could be 20 or 0. I still got to go out there and throw strike one." - Aiden Sims
Below is the full postgame press conference following Texas A&M’s series‑clinching win over Vanderbilt.
No. 20 Texas A&M will host Texas State in a mid-week matchup on Tuesday, April 7, at 6:00 p.m. CST. The game can be viewed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN App.
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.
Cooper Flagg exploded for a career performance and further etched his name in the history book on Friday, leading the Dallas Mavericks in a loss against the Orlando Magic.
Flagg produced 51 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and one blocked shot in the 138-127 loss at the American Airlines Center. He finished by shooting 19-of-30 from the field, including a career-high six 3-pointers in 33 minutes of work.
The No. 1 overall pick is one of 10 first-year players to score 50 or more in a game and is just the third to do so since the NBA-ABA merger (1976-77). He is the youngest player and the only teenager in history to reach that mark (19 years, 104 days).
"He should be Rookie of the Year," Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. "It is unbelievable. The country is not watching the same thing that we get to watch on a daily basis, the things that he has done. He is in rare air. He is with the GOAT when you talk about M.J. and what he did in his rookie year, and as a teenager."
Flagg surpassed his own record of 49 points for the most scored in a single game by a teenager in history, which, ironically, came against his top competitor for Rookie of the Year: Former Duke teammate and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel.
The former All-American closed the gap in the race for the top rookie award, at least, according to most sportsbooks, after seeing his odds move to plus-225. But while that isn't something he is actively campaigning for, Flagg was pleased with his latest outburst.
"It is always fun getting into that type of mode," Flagg said. "The basket feels big. Your teammates are looking out for you, helping you out. But I love to win. That was my main focus. It is hard for me to fully enjoy myself out there when we're down 20, down 10, down 15 for the majority of the game."
Flagg is averaging 20.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 47.2% from the field in 65 appearances. He is the first rookie with three or more 40-point performances since Allen Iverson, who registered five such games in the 1996-97 season.
The 6-foot-8 forward joined the Mavericks with tremendous hype and expectations as the top pick. While he is nearing the end of a historic rookie campaign, the organization is surely excited for his potential on and off the court.
"He plays the game the right way," Kidd said. "He loves the challenge, so when you look at him taking the floor, he has always delivered, and tonight was no different. To be able to have a 50-ball against a really good defensive team, it just shows he is getting better, and we're excited about that. We've talked about that pretty much this week: We have planted our flag, and we're really proud to have Cooper. We're excited about the present, but we're also excited about the future."
Arizona pitcher Jalen Adams (12) faces Oklahoma at Hillenbrand Stadium on Feb. 8, 2026 | Photo by Ryan Kelapire
Weather is a major factor in Midwestern softball. The bulk of the Arizona Wildcats are getting a rare view of that this weekend in Ames, Iowa where their weekend series against Iowa State had to be significantly altered due to expected rain and cold. Pitcher Jalen Adams and second baseman Sereniti Trice are used to it, though.
Adams grew up in Fort Dodge and played her first three years of college at Iowa. Trice finished high school in San Diego, but she was born in Illinois and was on the Cyclones’ roster her first year. They know what it means to navigate the cold, snow, and rain to play softball.
“It was fun at Iowa State,” Trice said. “I mean, seeing the snow is always an experience when you’re used to the sunshine, so I had a lot of fun experiencing that.”
Trice also had a positive experience with the people in Ames.
“Was actually trying to figure out if I can meet up with some of my teammates, maybe go to a dinner,” Trice said. “Super excited to go back and see them. Great relationship. Excited to see the coaching staff. I haven’t seen them in a while, so it’ll be fun to go back.”
She’s really looking forward to one thing, though.
“Oooh! Boulder Tap House!” Trice said. “I’m planning to go this weekend, take my family and some of the teammates to Boulder Tap House. Best place ever.”
This experience will be different than what Adams experienced growing up, though. Like many places in the Midwest, Iowa does not play high school softball in the late winter and early spring. To truly make the sport a national pursuit, it has to be moved to summer in some places.
“Growing up, it was, all I really knew was softball’s in the summertime, so I didn’t think too much of it,” Adams said. “And then, I mean, once you get to college, you kind of just transition to springtime.”
There were some opportunities in the spring, though.
“I did spring tournaments and stuff like that with my different travel ball teams,” Adams said. “But whenever the weekend was nice, we could go outside. We had some indoor tournaments early on in the spring.”
That has helped the sport grow, but it also adds complications for those pursuing spots on college rosters.
“It kind of sometimes…throws a wrench in travel ball, but, man, talk about Iowa softball in general,” said Arizona head coach Caitlin Lowe. “I mean, the amount of great pitching, great players that have come out of Iowa recently, as you look across the country in DI softball, has been great.”
Lowe thinks the development of players like Adams only means more development in Iowa.
“She’s someone that’s gonna go and give back to her community and grow it even more, which is even, I think on my end cooler, to see that she’s going to help develop those little ones that are looking up to her right now,” Lowe said. Adams and Trice are teammates now, but last year they were on the opposite sides of an in-state rivalry. Trice and the Cyclones came out on top 9-5 in Ames.
Arizona’s current second baseman went 2 for 4 and scored a run that day. Adams didn’t take the loss, but she did pitch on a day that was difficult for the Hawkeyes’ pitching staff. The group gave up 11 hits and five walks that day.
“Sereniti was definitely the toughest out on the team,” Adams said. “I don’t know if I did get you out, actually.“
Trice acknowledged that one of her two outs did come at the hands of Adams.
“It was tough then, and I’m really, really happy that we’re on the same team now,” Adams said.
Notes
Arizona freshman first baseman Kez Lucas was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for the second consecutive week after Arizona beat GCU and swept Baylor last week to extend its winning streak to six straight games. She went 8-for-15 with a double, a home run, and a walk in four games. She scored three runs and had three RBI.
The Wildcats and Cyclones will play a doubleheader on Easter Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. MST. On Monday, the two teams finish the series at 11 a.m. MST. All three games will stream on ESPN+. Afterwards, they will fly directly to Baton Rouge to take on LSU next Friday.
Arizona is currently ranked No. 14 by NFCA and Softball America. D1 Softball and USA Softball have the Wildcats at No. 13. More importantly for their postseason hosting hopes, the ‘Cats are No. 12 in RPI, No. 13 in DSR, and No. 14 in KPI.
Is anyone really surprised that the Los Angeles Dodgers still sit in the No. 1 spot in the latest MLB Power Rankings?
The Dodgers didn't really do much to deserve being bumped down the list of all 30 MLB clubs.
For its latest MLB Power Rankings, The Athletic has Los Angeles sitting pretty and looking down to the rest of the teams.
Dodgers fans watched Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and other Dodgers players get off to a slow start at the plate. But it's not really something to worry about because Los Angeles has a powerful lineup from top to bottom.
Here's a statistic that The Athletic's Grant Brisbee pointed out as a real meaningless statistic right now: A .222 team average, 0.00 bullpen ERA.
"It’s not like everyone on the Dodgers is cooking," Brisbee wrote. "Shohei Ohtani hasn’t gotten much to swing at, and he hasn’t done much with the swings he’s gotten off. Four of the everyday players — Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker and Ohtani — were under the Mendoza Line for the first series of the season."
Seeing those four hitting below .200, which is the definition of the Mendoza Line really should not worry Dodgers fans. It's early in the season and everyone probably knows that those four players are not going to be at that level all season long.
"This makes it more than a little terrifying that the Dodgers are still rolling, still laying waste to everyone in their path," Brisbee continued. "At some point, and soon, they’ll really start hitting."
That will happen. Brisbee also pointed out that the Dodgers' bullpen has been lights out early this season, especially with closer Edwin Diaz just blowing opposing batters away.
"As for what won’t last, consider the Dodgers’ bullpen, which hasn’t allowed a run as of this writing," Brisbee wrote. "It’s a fine bullpen, and it might even be an excellent bullpen. But it has to be a tired bullpen, what with the extra month of baseball they have to play every season, the poor devils. Eventually, they’ll give up a run. Maybe."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts must look at his lineup every day and have a big smile on his face. He gets to fill out a lineup card with Ohtani, Betts, Freddie Freeman, and others on the team.
Already, the Dodgers are flexing their muscles and sitting atop the National League West Division standings. Sure, it's early in the 2026 MLB season, but Los Angeles is already making noise.
For the rest of the majors, that's some bad news.
The Dodgers are just going to keep on getting better and better. This team is filled with superstars. Only a lot of injuries sidelining a bunch of players for a long period of time probably will derail them from another division title.
Yet everyone in the City of Angels wants to see the Dodgers have a third straight World Series celebration.
After the first week this season, they are well on their way.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
The Kansas City Chiefs brought Travis Kelce back for this coming season but need to invest in a long-term replacement for the future Hall of Famer. The 2026 NFL Draft lacks star power at tight end outside of Kenyon Sadiq but features several developmental players with starting upside. The Chiefs have several options, but one underdiscussed prospect stands out.
Stanford Cardinal TE Sam Roush possesses prototypical size for an in-line tight end at 6'6", 267 lbs., but his arms are disproportionately short at just 30 5/8 inches. Roush also has significant experience deploying in the slot. He lacks the burst and top speed to threaten off-coverage but is fast enough to draw attention down the seam and slip past the defense’s second level.
#Stanford TE Sam Roush runs his routes with urgency and does a nice job with route pacing and finding soft spots in zone coverage over the middle of the field. Effort is there as a blocker, though not always consistent because his lack of length.
Roush is not a consistent separator because he lacks the explosiveness and suddenness to pull away from defenders or to break free from tight man coverage at the top of the stem. However, he uses quick footwork and active hands to work across the defender’s face and forcibly generate throwing lanes for his quarterback.
Stanford fed Roush many passes in the flat and let him rumble for extra yards. He lacks the athletic traits to be a significant threat after the catch, but defensive backs struggle to tackle him one-on-one. Roush displays a good feel for holes in second level zone coverages. He frequently delivers an initial block before slipping out on a route.
Roush fails to profile as a high-volume passing threat. He doesn’t fit the Kelce mold in that regard. However, if he continues to develop, he could generate 500 to 750 receiving yards per season while serving as an essential part of Kansas City’s revamped run game.
Roush’s size and aggression as an in-line blocker give him a path to earn meaningful snaps early in his career. He uses active hands to refit his blocks and gradually reposition defensive linemen. Outside linebackers struggle to win through Roush’s frame and fail to anchor when the powerful tight end hits them on an angle block.
Roush’s arm length creates some limitations against longer-limbed opponents, but the tight end drives nice power through his extensions to move defenders off the line and win the leverage battle. His size makes him an overwhelming force when facing defensive backs as a perimeter blocker.
Roush needs to continue developing his hand usage and balance but already has the foundation to step in as a team’s second tight end in 2026.
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tyson Hinds (60) warms up before a preseason game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. (Source: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images)
Defenseman Tyson Hinds has been recalled by the Anaheim Ducks from their AHL affiliate team, the San Diego Gulls.
The 23-year-old has scored 19 points (5G, 14A) with a rating of plus-16 in 62 games with San Diego this season, setting new career highs in points and goals.
With 204 career games played through three seasons with the Gulls, the 2021 Draft third-round pick has played the third-most games for a blueliner with the AHL club, recording 47 points (11G, 36A).
There has
been no shortage of storylines around the Montreal Canadiens this season; the
Habs’ struggles in net, Juraj Slafkovsky’s awakening, Cole Caufield’s chase for
the 50-goal mark, the Rocket Richard Trophy and Nick Suzuki’s arrival on the
international stage, which earned him recognition in other NHL markets—lost
amongst all that, though, is the fact that Alex Newhook is having the best
season of his career.
The
25-year-old winger has only played 35 games so far this season, but he still
has 23 points to his name, which is a 54-point pace projected over the course
of a full 82-game campaign. In the past, his highest-scoring season was 34
points in just 55 games in his first year with the Habs, which was a 51-point pace
over 82 games.
Not unlike
Kirby Dach, Newhook has been plagued by injuries since joining the Habs ahead
of the 2023-24 season. In three seasons, he has played just 172 games out of a
possible 239 so far. Still, with regular linemates Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen
this year, he has proven to be a viable option on the top six. A much better option
than Dach, who only put up 14 points in the 32 games he skated in this season,
a 36-point pace over a full 82-game season.
Granted, on
a contending team, Newhook would more than likely be a good third liner, but
playing with a couple of talented youngsters, he has shown an ability to raise the
level of his game. Next season, the Newfoundlander will be entering the final
year of the four-year deal he signed when he joined the Canadiens, and he will
have another chance to prove that he should be part of Montreal’s plans
long-term. In an ideal world, he would be able to remain healthy and prove that
he can consistently produce at the rate he has this season.
As things stand,
he looks like a good option while the Canadiens wait to see how players like
Michael Hage and Alexander Zharovsky will develop in the coming years and how
well their skills will translate to the NHL.
In the
Canadiens’ seven-game winning streak, Newhook has five points and a plus-five
rating.
The Denver Broncos didn't have a lot of areas to address after finishing as the No. 1 seed in the AFC and making a run to the conference title game.
One big one is defensive tackle, which took a big hit after John Franklin-Myers signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
The blockbuster trade for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle saw their first-round pick go to Miami in exchange for the former Alabama star, so that means Denver doesn't pick until the end of the second round in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With April here, Chad Reuter of NFL.com compiled a new mock draft, but this time it is five rounds.
Let's run down the picks from Reuter.
Round 2, No. 62 overall: Stanford tight end Sam Roush
+ Ideal size for a tight end + 9.94 relative athletic score + 545 receiving yards in 2025 + Effort as a blocker + 71.2 pass blocking grade in 2025 + Effective route runner + Special teams’ experience + Physical runner after the catch + Finding soft… pic.twitter.com/bfqizIWvi4
Round 4, No. 108 overall: Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan
The Broncos don't have a third-round pick, either, so the next pick wouldn't come until Day 3. But, this is an obvious need, and McClellan is somebody who has played in the SEC, so he should be able to contribute right away.
Missouri DT Chris McClellan caught my eye while watching Zion Young and then balled out in Mobile. 6’3, 315 with 34” arms and 11” hands. Has some position flex to play the one or the three with six sacks in 2025. Will be one of my guys this draft cycle. pic.twitter.com/nKOOTHKh6q
Boettcher is another player who can contribute right away, and he also met with the Broncos during the pre-draft process and said he feels like he meshed well.
Oregon ILB Bryce Boettcher met with the #Broncos at the combine and felt he “meshed well with them.”
“I think we shared a like-minded mentality when it comes to the physicality of the game, but also the mental part of the game.” pic.twitter.com/R8TyT1j3yM
Round 5, No. 170 overall: Kentucky running back Seth McGowan
This is an interesting pick for a few reasons. For starters, J.K. Dobbins is back, but he has also dealt with plenty of injuries.
RJ Harvey broke out for Denver as a rookie, but McGowan is also turning 25 years old, so he is an older player who has plenty of college experience.
At the same time, the Broncos are trying to surround Bo Nix with playmakers, and McGowan is decent injury insurance for Dobbins and Harvey.
Seth McGowan (6’0 223) Kentucky
+ Ideal size for a running back + 9.63 relative athletic score that included a 42.5” vertical jump + Natural hands catcher + Knack for finding pay dirt with 12 rushing touchdowns in 2025 + 6.4 yards per carry as a freshman at Oklahoma + Decisive… pic.twitter.com/LvCEFuA1bt
The other draft picks the Broncos have are all in the seventh round, with three selections coming at Nos. 246, 256 and 257.
In this scenario, the Broncos address glaring needs at tight end, linebacker and defensive tackle, and McGowan is a sneaky pick who could be just the type of player Davis Webb is looking for in his offense.
Rosenior has terrible piece of injury news on Chelsea attacker
Chelsea enjoyed an excellent win over Port Vale today, but there was one piece of bad news to blacken the mood at the Bridge.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
It was a really positive day for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge today, with the Blues romping to a 7-0 win which raised spirits after some bleak weeks.
Sadly, there was one caveat to all the smiles at Stamford Bridge. In the pre-match press conference, Liam Rosenior noted happily that Jamie Gittens was finally fit and ready to feature. So it was curious when he was left out of the squad. We feared the worst, and post-match Rosenior has confirmed it.
Liam Rosenior drops unfortunate news on winger
“Unfortunately, Jamie, in training yesterday, picked up what looks like a hamstring injury again,” Rosenior explained.
“We have to scan him and make sure. It’s a real shame for him, I think it’s the third time it’s happened. We need to help him and we need to make sure he’s okay. I can’t give you a time frame on that at the moment.”
This really is devastating news for Gittens, whose season started with some bad performances and has now been consistently marred by injury. This sounds like it will be him done for the season now.
The good news is that at least Estevao is back fit now, meaning Chelsea have good options again on both wings.
In other news…
Estevao was the star of the show in today’s win, and he got a goal right at the end, just reward for his effort.
Gusto, Hato And Neto Get 8 | Chelsea Players Rated In Dominant Win Vs Port Vale
Chelsea welcomed Port Vale at Stamford Bridge earlier this evening as they looked to secure a good result at home in the FA Cup. The Blues made a quick start to the game and conceded the opening goal in the second minute when Jorrel Hato found the back of the net. Joao Pedro doubled his side’s advantage in the 25th minute before Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel scored an unfortunate own goal in the latter stages of the first half. Liam Rosenior’s men went into the half-time break 3-0 up on the scoreline.
Tosin Adarabioyo scored Chelsea’s fourth goal in the 57th minute before Andrey Santos got his name on the scoresheet in the 69th minute. Estevao managed to score as well in the 82nd minute. Alejandro Garnacho converted from the penalty spot in injury time as the match ended with Chelsea securing a dominant 7-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
Let’s take a look at how each Chelsea player fared during the clash against Port Vale.
He didn’t have a save to make in the game and kept a comfortable clean sheet at the back.
RB: Malo Gusto – 8/10
Gusto was solid at the back and was lively going forward.
CB: Wesley Fofana – 7/10
He was solid when defending inside his half and was good on the ball.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – 7.5/10
Adarabioyo was a rock at the back and managed to score in the 57th minute.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 04: Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Chelsea and Port Vale at Stamford Bridge on April 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LB: Jorrel Hato – 8/10
He didn’t do much wrong defensively and managed to score early in the game.
CM: Romeo Lavia – 6.5/10
Lavia caught the eye at times in the middle of the park.
CM: Andrey Santos – 7/10
He retained the ball well and managed to score in the 69th minute.
RW: Pedro Neto – 8/10
Neto was a constant menace on the right flank.
CAM: Cole Palmer – 7/10
Palmer linked up play well with others around him, but there was no goal for him.
LW: Estevao – 8/10
He did well to score in the 82nd minute and was a real threat up top.
ST: Joao Pedro – 7/10
Pedro managed to score in the 25th minute and caused a few problems for the opposition defenders.
Substitutes:
ST: Liam Delap – 6/10
His impact on the game was minimal.
CAM: Dario Essugo – 7/10
He managed to catch the eye at times in the final third.
FSU baseball pitcher Bryson Moore throws to the plate during his start against Virginia. | FSU Sports Information
Bryson Moore entered Saturday’s Florida State rubber match at Virginia with plenty of pressure on his shoulders.
Top-10 series. FSU’s run of ACC series wins to begin conference play.
Oh, and he was facing off against his former team.
Not only did he rise to that occasion, but it brought out the best start of his young FSU career as he threw seven scoreless innings against the 10th-ranked Cavaliers (24-9, 8-7 ACC), for whom he played his first two seasons in college, to lead No. 7 FSU (24-7, 9-3) to a 9-3 win in the rubber match of the series in Charlottesville, Va.
With the win, the Seminoles have won their first four ACC series to remain atop the conference standings. To do it, they beat a Virginia team which had lost just twice in its first 17 home games on back-to-back days after losing Thursday’s series opener.
Moore (5-1) worked around a leadoff walk in the first and then allowed back-to-back singles to begin the second before really buckling down. Starting with a double play and groundout to escape that jam, Moore retired the next 13 batters he faced, seven of them on strikeouts.
Were it not for an error by Brayden Dowd in center on a liner with two outs in the sixth, he very well could have ended his outing with 17 straight retired.
In all, Moore tossed a career-high seven innings, allowed just two hits and one walk and tied his career high with seven strikeouts. He was commanding his entire pitch mix, pounding the strike zone and consistently getting whiffs with his offspeed pitches.
Moore’s outing proved to be more than good enough as a balanced offensive approach for the FSU lineup. Eight of the nine hitters had at least one hit and all nine reached base. The bottom of the order, in particular, was effective as Cal Fisher, John Stuetzer and Carter McCulley. Each of them had two hits, with Fisher and McCulley providing two RBIs each.
Fisher opened the scoring with a two-run homer — his first of the season — in the second inning.
Hunter Carns (who also had two hits) and Eli Putnam added RBI hits in the fourth to stretch that advantage to 4-0.
McCulley and Chase Williams (who was in the leadoff spot) had consecutive two-out RBI hits to make it 6-0 in the fifth.
After a trio of two-run frames, FSU finally broke through with a three-run seventh inning. McCulley started the scoring with an RBI double under the third baseman’s glove before Williams (RBI groundout) and Noah Sheffield (sacrifice fly) followed with productive outs to stretch that advantage to 9-0.
It was an effective day at the plate for the Noles, who put the leadoff hitter on five times, were 8-of-22 (.364) with runners on base and 5-of-16 (.313) with runners in scoring position. FSU was only set down in order once, in the ninth inning when the result was effectively in hand.
Brodie Purcell replaced Moore on the mound in the eighth. He had allowed homers to Kyle Johnson and Antonio Perotta on his first pitches to end the combined shutout bid and another leadoff homer to Joe Tiroly in the ninth.
Gabe Nard came out of the bullpen to get the final three outs and preserve the victory and series win.
Up Next
With another ACC series in hand, the Seminoles return home for a chance to salvage one game from its midweek rivalry series vs. No. 21 Florida. The series concludes Tuesday at Dick Howser Stadium with a 7 p.m. start which will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Germany U21 captain Tom Bischof celebrates first Bayern Munich goals and makes grand statement ahead of summer World Cup
Germany U21 star Tom Bischof was understandably elated after finally scoring his first Bundesliga goals in a Bayern Munich tricot on Saturday afternoon. Bayern’s spectacular come-from-behind 2-3 away win over SC Freiburg furnished plenty of fabulous news for German football heading into the summer World Cup.
Bischof and his fellow young German attacking phenom Lennart Karl scored the Bayern goals. Karl picked up the assist on the first of Bischof’s tallies. German national team captain Joshua Kimmich played a vital role in Karl’s late winner at 90+9 by playing Alphonso Davies in with a perfectly incisive pass.
Tom Bischof’s Bayern Munich journey
After joining the German record champions on a free transfer this summer, the 20-year-old Bischof found himself behind in the FCB midfield pecking order. German national team starters Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, and Aleksandar Pavlovic stood ahead of him on the depth chart.
Head coach Vincent Kompany addressed this by converting Bischof into a makeshift left back. The mega-talented youngster thrived in this role and collected three assists in the league during fullback deployments on both the left and right.
Today’s brace certainly helps his German national team prospects.
Bischof’s German national team prospects
Bischof actually initially circumvented the Germany U21 level, earning his first German national team cap last June. As the 2025/26 campaign got under way, Bischof was sent to Antonio Di Salvo’s U21s for the very first time in September. A sluggish start under Di Salvo was soon forgotten.
“Of course, I still have hope and would be very happy to be a part of it [the World Cup],” Bischof noted at a Monday DFB press conference. “Of course I’ve been in contact with the national team coach, but that stays between us for now. It’s his decision if he wants to say anything about it. I haven’t booked any vacation for the summer yet.“
Bischof on scoring his first Bayern goals
“Finally,” Bischof told German broadcaster DAZN when commenting on opening his FCB goal-scoring account in today’s post-match interview. “Before the game, Jo said to me, ‘Can you please shoot on goal now?’. I always do it in training, but in the game I can’t find the opportunity [during the match].“
Bischof on the Bayern victory
“We had some luck, but really wanted it badly,” Bischof said of the Bundesliga win over Freiburg. “We wouldn’t be Bayern if we didn’t believe in ourselves.“
Estevao had a goal and an assist as Chelsea progressed to the FA Cup semifinals with a 7-0 win over third-tier Port Vale at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Jorell Hato's second-minute goal stood alone for a bit, but the Blues led 3-0 by half and scored regularly right into stoppage time to blowout League One's Valiants.
Joao Pedro starred and scored in the game, which also saw Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos, and a Port Valew own goal join a stoppage-time penalty from Alejandro Garnacho on the score sheet.
More to come....
Chelsea vs Port Vale live updates — by Nick Mendola
Chelsea vs Port Vale live score: 7-0
Jorell Hato 2', Joao Pedro 25', Jordan Gabriel o.g. 42', Tosin Adarabioyo 57', Andrey Santos 69', Estevao 84', Alejandro Garnacho pen
Alejandro Garnacho penalty goal — Chelsea 7-0 Port Vale
Alejandro Garnacho wins and converts a penalty to bring the Blues' total to seven goals at Stamford Bridge. It's almost the final kick of the game.
Estevao goal — Chelsea 6-0 Port Vale
The teenager collects a loose ball from very close range and cuts it inside the post, but will it stand?
A pair of through balls are reviewed and onside!
Port Vale subs
Four recent moves for the Valiants, as Andre Gray, George Hall, Elijah Campbell, and Ethon Archer have entered the game at different points for Ben Garrity, Liam Gordon, Ben Waine, and Martin Sherif (in no particular order).
Andrey Santos goal — Chelsea 5-0 Port Vale
Port Vale keeper Gauci can't get to the corner kick service and Andrey Santos flies into the six to head home.
Chelsea triple change
THe Blues make three moves in the 61st minute with Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, and Dario Essugo entering the game for Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, and Joao Pedro.
Tosin Adarabioyo goal — Chelsea 4-0 Port Vale
Good work off a short-played set-piece, as Gusto crosses high for Tosin Adarabioyo to head home after hanging in the air.
Four-midable!
Tosin rises high to head home @ChelseaFC’s fourth of the day
Stamford Bridge would've wanted a comfortable win with little nonsense and the Blues have pretty much put a bow on this by halftime.
It's what's expected against third-tier visitors at this stage of the competition, but Chelsea and expectations have been odd bedfellows for better or worse the past few years.
Jordan Gabriel own goal — Chelsea 3-0 Port Vale
Drama's been sapped from this one before halftime.
Malo Gusto makes a mixtape on this goal, flicking a Tosin Adarabioyo pass from midfield to Pedro and racing to the right side.
That's where Pedro finds him after a delayed move, and Gusto rips a shot toward goal.
It's pushed away from goal but Cole Palmer and a defender jab their feet at it and the end product is a three on Chelsea's side of the scoreboard.
Chelsea make it three!
Cole Palmer forces an own goal to extend @ChelseaFC’s lead.
Chelsea vs Port Vale preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
Liam Rosenior's Chelsea lost four-straight games ahead of the international break and were dumped out of Europe by Paris Saint-Germain and humbled at Everton in the league. That leaves Rosenior under pressure as the Blues are scrambling to qualify for the Champions League and the FA Cup is now their only chance of silverware this season. With Enzo Fernandez handed a two-game ban for his recent comments on his future at the club, plus Marc Cucurella also openly discussing a potential move away from Chelsea this summer, things are unraveling fast for Rosenior.
Port Vale are bottom of the table in League One and look destined for relegation to the fourth-tier but somehow they're in the last eight of the FA Cup. That is the magic of this competition. The Staffordshire club beat Premier League side Sunderland 1-0 at home in the last 16 to set up this quarterfinal and Port Vale have absolutely nothing to lose. They were last in the FA Cup quarterfinals in 1954, and they reached the semifinals that season...
Chelsea team news, focus
Injuries have been mounting up, especially in defense, for a while for Chelsea. Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Levi Colwill and Filip Jorgensen have all been out, while Jamie Gittens is still out but close to a return. Rosenior will likely rest plenty of players who played lots of minutes and traveled far and wide during the international break, but he will try to have plenty of stars on the pitch to start the game and wrap things up by half time.
Port Vale team news, focus
New Zealand international striker Ben Waine scored the winner against Sunderland, and he scored during the recent international break, and is one to watch out for. Port Vale will sit in deep and try to hurt Chelsea from set pieces and on the break and Rosenior's side have looked particularly susceptible when defending set pieces.
Chelsea vs Port Vale prediction
This should be fairly straightforward for Chelsea but it could take until the second half for them to break through and seal the deal. Chelsea 3-1 Port Vale.
How to watch Chelsea vs Port Vale live, stream link and start time
The Atlanta Falcons made sweeping changes to their coaching staff and front office at the start of the 2026 NFL offseason. The team brought in former quarterback Matt Ryan to be the primary football executive, later hiring Kevin Stefanski as head coach and Ian Cunningham as general manager.
Despite these changes at the top, the Falcons roster will be largely the same in 2026 due to the team's lack of resources. Atlanta has no first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and with almost no salary cap space, the team was limited in free agency.
The Falcons signed a handful of veterans to one-year deals, and while it's hard to criticize these additions considering the lack of cap space, it's also fair to question whether this roster has improved or not from last season.
Those around the league don't seem to be overly impressed with Atlanta's offseason thus far. A new article from The Athletic's Mike Sando provided some insight into what other NFL executives thought of the Falcons' free agency class.
“There is nothing about what they have done that I can say, 'That makes sense,’” one NFL exec told Sando.
So, what exactly did these three anonymous NFL front office members have such a problem with? Based on the quotes, it comes down to the team's perceived lack of vision for 2026. The Falcons don't seem to be trying to win this season, nor do they seem to be in full-rebuild mode.
One NFL exec praised the Tua Tagovailoa signing, but couldn't understand the team's overall plan.
"For the price, you can’t hate on that,” another exec told Sando. “But overall, it seems like they swapped out guys for guys. They have some talent, but they are not in win-now mode. They are not in tank mode, either. They seem very net neutral.”
Another exec questioned the team's decision to sign kicker Nick Folk and punter Jake Bailey to multi-year contracts, while letting star linebacker Kaden Elliss sign with the New Orleans Saints for a three-year, $33 million deal.
“Why are you doing these deals?” a third exec questioned. “If you are going to pay these guys, why wouldn’t you pay to keep Kaden Elliss? He is 30 years old, but a good player coming off one of his best years. Played like 100 percent of the snaps (99.9 percent), can play multiple spots, can rush, play off the ball. It’s crazy.”
Those are undoubtedly some harsh words, however, the fact that the quotes are anonymous makes them feel more like pettiness than legitimate critiques. While I doubt anyone was overly impressed with the Falcons' free agent class, one could argue that they've made the best out of a difficult situation.
Time will tell if these moves come back to bite Atlanta this season, but it's only fair to wait until the 2026 NFL Draft to fairly evaluate the Falcons' offseason.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 03: Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates a 2-0 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Diamondbacks News
Diamondbacks Waste a Second E-Rod Gem Eduardo Rodriguez gave the Diamondbacks as good an opportunity to win on Friday as anyone could ask for, throwing seven scoreless innings. Unfortunately, Arizona’s offense was held even quieter.
Offense, Sewald Spoil E-Rod Gem Arizona did not even register their first hit until the sixth inning and never had a runner reach third base. On top of that, Paul Sewald was brought in to pitch the ninth inning, only to watch the first to batter each launch solo-shots to carry to the Braves to a shutout victory.
Arizona’s Outfield Options Growing Thin Once, not so long ago, considered an area of depth for the Diamondbacks, the organization is now perilously thin on reliable starting options for the outfield at the MLB level. The injury to Jordan Lawlar is going to test the mettle of the remaining players and may even create a need to reach down for one of the untested prospect bats, such as Kristian Robinson.
Spencer Giesting Suffers Oblique Injury Arizona’s left-handed pitching depth just took another significant hit. The Reno Aces’ Giesting has been placed on the 7-day IL but is expected to miss more than a month of time.
Yes, Pennants Can Be Lost in April The season is just a week old, but there are already sizable impacts in playoff probabilities around the league.
Brewers Finalize 8-year Extension with Top Prospect Cooper Pratt Cooper Pratt joins the ranks of top prospects getting early extensions. Pratt has now signed an 8-yr/$50.75MM extension that will keep him in Milwaukee for the foreseeable future. Because Pratt signed the deal before making his debut, he will not be eligible to earn a PPI pick should he eventually win Rookie of the Year when he does finally debut. As Pratt has only made his AAA debut a few days ago, it could still be a while for the young shortstop.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Jorrel Hato of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Wesley Fofana during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Chelsea and Port Vale on April 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) | Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Liam Rosenior opted for a strong lineup against the worst team in the third division, and it took us barely a minute to open the scoring with Jorrel Hato finding the loose ball and a gap in the sea of bodies in the box to give us the early lead.
Surely the only question at that point was how many more we would add, even as we settled into our usual controlled, low tempo, often rather aimless possession. In fact, it took nearly 25 minutes to double our lead, with João Pedro showing good composure to take advantage of the far too much time afforded to him in the box.
The pick of the first half goals was certainly the third, with Cole Palmer tapping in after a flowing move through the middle — though it would officially to down as own goal.
Chelsea would add several more in the second half to complete an easy afternoon’s work: Tosin, Santos, Estêvão, and Garnacho all getting on the scoresheet.
Job done.
Carefree.
Game 1 of 2 for Enzo’s in-house suspension; sat right behind the substitutes bench, behind Cucurella specifically; the two seen sharing a laugh before kick-off
Hato’s second goal of the season, and second in the FA Cup, one off his career mark set last year
Seven goals, seven different goalscorers
A clean sheet, even!
Can we play third division opposition every week?
Not sure why we had to wait until the hour mark to start making changes, but better late then never
A debut for 17-year-old Ryan Kavuma-McQueen!
Next up: Manchester City, next Sunday at the Bridge
FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - APRIL 04: Tom Bischof of FC Bayern Muenchen gives an interview following the team's victory in the Bundesliga match between SC Freiburg and FC Bayern München at Europa-Park Stadion on April 04, 2026 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. (Photo by A. Scheuber/FC Bayern via Getty Images) | FC Bayern via Getty Images
99th minute winners are incredibly euphoric. Ergo, Lennart Karl’s late, late winner for Bayern Munich in the 3-2 victory over SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga- following two phenomenal long range goals from Tom Bischof- will lead to a massive boost in morale for both the team and the fans. What a way it was to win the match.
But once that euphoria fades, some introspection will be needed. It is important to note that Bayern are returning from an international break, played a rotated side, had to travel to one of the most intimidating avenues in the Bundesliga and left head coach Vincent Kompany satisfied with the performance.
Yet it is also true that Bayern could and possibly should have been 3 or 4 goals down in the second half after the hosts gave up some massive chances while the Bavarians were floundering. Will this performance be enough when Bayern travel to the Bernabeu on Tuesday? Will the likes of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé miss the chances presented to the Freiburg forwards?
Sure, Real Madrid are currently facing their own troubles. But history dictates that one cannot expect to get a result against them in the Champions League without a perfect performance. And Bischof knows the Bavarians will need to better than today to get that desired result.
“We’re aware we have to step it up a notch against Real Madrid,” he admitted after the match, as captured by @iMiaSanMia. “We actually need three or four steps up from today.”
Can Bayern manage those steps up once the rotated players return to the side and the pressure is on against Real Madrid in the quarterfinals? We shall see on Tuesday.
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…
DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander's long-awaited return to Comerica Park as a member of the Detroit Tigers was put on hold Saturday.
Verlander, the major league's oldest active player at 43, was placed on the 15-day injured list with left hip inflammation. On Sunday night, Verlander was scheduled to make his first start in a Tigers uniform at Detroit's home park since Aug. 20, 2017.
Verlander was dealt to Houston at the trade deadline that season. He re-signed with Detroit on a one-year, $13 million contract in February after spending last season with San Francisco.
Verlander made 380 starts for Detroit from 2005-17. In his first start this season, Verlander gave up five runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings against Arizona on Monday and took the loss.
RHP Keider Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo and is expected to start the finale of a three-game series against St. Louis.
Golf bettors have their eyes on the skies above Augusta National, trying to figure out how spring weather will impact their Masters picks at this year's eagerly anticipated tournament.
Find out what to expect below and how it could affect the latest Masters odds.
Masters 2026 weather conditions
Overall, Mother Nature will play nice for the first major championship of the season, with mild to warm spring conditions with a gradual warming trend through the weekend.
Date
Temperature
Forecast
PoP
Wind
April 9
70°
Mostly Cloudy
10%
8 mph E/Gusts 12 mph
April 10
75°
Mostly Sunny
0%
8 mph E/Gusts 10 mph
April 11
77°
Partly Sunny
10%
10 mph SE/Gusts 15 mph
April 12
79°
Mostly Sunny
5%
7 mph S/Gusts 12 mph
Masters 2026 forecast
After a cloudier start on Thursday, the weather will clear up beautifully for the weekend. Friday and Sunday look especially ideal for scoring, with plenty of sunshine in the forecast.
Golfers should expect consistent easterly and southeasterly breezes, though they shouldn't reach the high-gust levels often seen earlier in the spring at Augusta National.
The best news of all is there is no significant threat of rain. However, isolated spring showers in Georgia can never be entirely ruled out.
How does the weather affect Masters betting?
Softer fairways
When dry, the spring track at Augusta National's turf is as tender as an airport tarmac. That means extra yards for those big hitters off the tee box. However, cooler temperatures and rain can soften up this hallowed track.
While Augusta National drains well, the fairways will be softer if rains stick around on Friday. That means less length off the tee box but more forgiveness in terms of accuracy, as wayward tee shots won't roll into the rough.
That puts an emphasis on second-shot power and approach when it comes to longer Par-5 holes. Cooler temperatures could keep things soft for the weekend rounds.
Stick the landing
Second shots and approach shots are always tricky at Augusta National but the course should play nice.
The subtle slopes and undulations of Augusta National won't be as slick as past tournaments played in hotter temperatures, so holes like No. 12 Golden Bell, No. 15 Firethorn, and No. 16 Redbud don't hold the same danger of running harder approach shots into the drink.
It's always smart to back golfers with maximum control on their second and approach shots, but those skill sets could have more wiggle room in the opening round of the 2026 Masters.
Not easy being greens
If August National is known for anything, it’s the greens and the challenge the grounds crew lays down every spring. Even during the pandemic-displaced 2020 Masters, state-of-the-art turf management systems allowed the November greens to play closer to their April form.
Even with the rain, the SubAir system-controlled greens at Augusta are regulated and maintained at a level usually reserved for museum masterpieces, so don’t bank on them slowing up much.
Leaning on the best players with a putter is never a bad golf betting strategy, regardless of the event, but finding a short-game combo of pinpoint approach and measured putting is a smart way to cash in those Masters wagers.
Where can I bet on the Masters?
With the Masters being North America's most popular golf event, all sportsbooks and betting sites will offer Masters props and betting markets. The trick is finding one that is reputable, trustworthy and has all the bells and whistles you're looking for.
Geno Auriemma apologized to South Carolina players and staffers on Saturday, less than 24 hours removed from his postgame clash with Dawn Staley that followed a 62-48 defeat in the Final Four.
“There’s no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina,” Auriemma said in the statement.
“It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut. I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted.”
Auriemma added: “The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don’t want my actions to detract from that. I’ve had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them.”
🚨 Southampton and Arsenal name XIs for FA Cup quarter-final clash
Arsenal's bid for a quadruple across the 2025/26 season may have been dashed, but a crack at a fifteenth FA Cup triumph is still on as the Gunners head to St. Mary's to lock horns with Southampton.
Coming back into action after the recent international break, Arteta's outfit have, once again, been hit with a rash of fitness concerns across the senior side ahead of what could be a somewhat tricky affair away from the capital.
Saints, on the other hand, will hope to carry their form over from the Championship after winning five of their last six league fixtures under February Manager of the Month, Tonda Eckert.
Here is how the two sides will line up this evening...
Will the Gunners march back to the capital with a semi-final ticket booked, or can Saints end another run at major honours for the English giant?
The first leg of tonight's Final Four matchups features a 3-seed in Illinois against 2-seeded UConn. Prediction markets (such as Kalshi) now allow fans to get in on the action in any state (excluding Nevada), and we're breaking down the Illinois vs. UConn win probability for both programs, as well as other March Madness picks that you can trade on for this game.
Illinois is the favorite and has a slight edge in win probability, sitting at a 54% chance to win, which translates to -117 odds. On the other side, UConn's win probability is currently at 46%, which equates to +117 odds of advancing to the National Championship.
Our prediction:UConn (46¢ at Kalshi)
Our college basketball expert Jason Logan believes that the Huskies' screen-heavy offense will force Illinois to work non-stop defensively, and those taxing possessions will grind down the Illini over 40 minutes while also preventing them from ever finding their flow on offense.
Sign up now using our exclusive Kalshi promo code 'COVERS' and get a $10 trading bonus after you trade $10 on any other event contracts — including the Final Four!
Sign Up Now at img src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/336/kalshi.svg" alt="Kalshi" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
*Eligible to ALL states + DC, (excluding Nevada)
More Illinois vs UConn prediction markets
You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Illinois vs. UConn at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, mention markets and more, among other March Madness odds markets.
You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Illinois wins by Over 2.5 points means the Illini will cover, while "No" means the Huskies will cover +2.5 — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using theCovers odds converter.)
Result (Price)
Illinois wins by over 2.5 points — NO (54¢)
Trade atspan /spanstrongKalshi/strong
Over 139.5 points — NO (50¢)
Trade atspan /spanstrongKalshi/strong
UConn scores 10 points first (46¢)
Trade atspan /spanstrongKalshi/strong
A double-double is mentioned (45¢)
Trade atspan /spanstrongKalshi/strong
Illinois vs UConn spread and total at prediction markets
Outcome
Yes
No
Illinois -2.5
47¢ (+113)
54¢ (-117)
Over 139.5
51¢ (-104)
50¢ (+100)
Our predictions:UConn +2.5 and Under 139.5
Both of these teams love to pass in half-court sets, while utilizing lots of action set up off screens. Possessions will run deep into the shot clock, plus easy scoring opportunities will be few and far between.
Other Illinois vs UConn prediction markets available
Race to 10 points
1st Half Winner
1st Half Spread
1st Half Total
Mentions
What is Kalshi and how does it work?
Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will Illinois win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.
How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?
In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.
Why should I wager on Illinois vs UConn at Kalshi?
Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:
Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.
Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.
Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing the Washington Nationals on Saturday, hoping to keep their hitting success going.
The Dodgers destroyed the Nationals in the first game of the series, winning 13-6 as Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker, Shohei Ohtani, and Mookie Betts all hit home runs.
The offense was league average in terms of production, and a lot of the hits came in the second half of games for comeback attempts.
However, against Miles Mikolas of the Nationals, they got going early and did not stop all game long.
Apr 3, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) singles against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Dodgers were making hard contact on a regular basis, crushing pitches and converting it into hits.
With the momentum on the Dodgers’ side, they need to capitalize and keep the ball rolling against Jake Irvin on Saturday.
1. Shohei Ohtani, DH 2. Kyle Tucker, RF 3. Mookie Betts, SS 4. Freddie Freeman, 1B 5. Will Smith, C 6. Max Muncy, 3B 7. Andy Pages, CF 8. Alex Freeland, 2B 9. Alex Call, LF P. Tyler Glasnow, RHP
Alex Call gets his first start of the season after making a single cameo on Friday. The Nationals are his former team, which should give him some motivation to put his stamp on the game.
Alex Freeland also came in during the game on Friday, and he will get a full-on start at second base.
The Dodgers’ pitching on the whole has been stellar, limiting the amount of runs on the board, but Emmet Sheehan had a rough start on Friday, and Tyler Glasnow will look to get the rotation back on track.
Glasnow projects to be a sneaky Cy Young candidate if he can put a full season together, and he looks healthier than ever.
Andy Pages, the best hitter on the team at the moment, is only hitting seventh still, with the Dodgers seemingly slowly moving him up the order, but wanting him to make sure that he stays in a good spot to succeed.
Jake Irvin had a good first start, pitching five innings and putting up a 3.60 ERA with seven strikeouts. He is a righty who will be at a disadvantage against the lefty-leaning Dodgers.
Thomas Sorber is getting some shots up at practice. He remains out for the season due to a torn ACL in his right knee, but he looks to be progressing well. pic.twitter.com/hY3hfmiTlg
PHOENIX —UConn coach Geno Auriemma issued a statement to apologize for his behavior at the end of the Huskies loss to South Carolina on April 3 in the Final Four.
Even the end of the Huskies' perfect season, bid for a second-consecutive championship and 54-game win streak was overshadowed by a terse exchange between him and Staley as they went to shake hands just before the final buzzer. When the final remaining fractions of a second played out, Auriemma went back to his team's locker room without shaking the hand of Staley or any of South Carolina's players or coaching staff.
"There’s no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina. It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut. I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted. The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don’t want my actions to detract from that. I’ve had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them."
Justin Verlander’s return to the Detroit Tigers continues its shaky start. The veteran pitcher was placed on the 15-day injured list with left hip inflammation, the team announced on Saturday.
Verlander, 43, had a difficult season debut in a 9-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. He allowed five runs on six hits and two walks, with only one strikeout in 3 2/3 innings.
Prior to Friday’s home opener at Comerica Park, Verlander spoke with reporters about his return to Detroit but also highlighted mechanical flaws that could be fixed to improve his next performance.
“Hips and head position,” Verlander said, via The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen. “Trying to be a little more deceptive and stay in line a little bit longer. “
“I hope it’s not like last year, where I spent months trying to find it,” he added. “Hopefully, it gets right a little quicker than that. Talking to the analysts, they said the stuff was actually pretty good. I’m not that far away, I don’t think.”
Verlander caught the ceremonial first pitch from former teammate Brandon Inge before the Tigers’ 4-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
However, after a throwing session on Saturday, the decision was made to put Verlander on the IL. He was scheduled to start Sunday night’s game versus the Cardinals. Instead, Keider Montero was called up from Triple-A and will take Verlander’s turn in the rotation.
Montero, 23, appeared in 20 games for the Tigers last season, making 12 starts. He finished with a 4.37 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 90 2/3 innings. Pitching for Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Montero allowed two runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings, making one start.
Scott Boras has a reputation for not having players who sign extensions before reaching free agency. But baseball’s most renowned agent budged at the persuasion of a 21-year-old prospect who has yet to step foot on a major-league diamond.
Pratt, the No. 51 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America and the Journal Sentinel’s No. 2 prospect in the Brewers organization, could remain with Milwaukee up through 2035 under the current deal, which could maximize at $80 million dollars if two club options are picked up on the back end.
“Me and my family were pretty excited, pretty stoked,” Pratt said in a Zoom news conference alongside Boras on April 4. “They brought it up in spring training, and it just worked out to happen early into the season. But I feel like we made a good decision. I feel like, in my heart, I made a good decision. We thought about it, we prayed about it, and we're super excited to be able to do this with the Brewers, to be able to hopefully be a longtime Brewer.”
While Boras negotiated the numbers with the Brewers, it’s clear the impetus for getting a deal done was on Pratt.
The thinking from the Boras side on early extensions is simple: These deals are, by nature, predominantly team-friendly, with the player typically delaying his entry into free agency in exchange for an early financial guarantee. Boras may have said that the Pratt deal shows his corporation’s reputation can be “miscast” but history also shows it’s also well-earned. Over the past decade-plus, only a small handful of players represented by Boras have signed an extension. Most of those deals, such as the ones for Stephen Strasburg, Jose Altuve and Xander Bogaerts, came with the player holding all the leverage and receiving massive paydays and opt-out clauses.
That put the burden of proof in Pratt’s court to explain why he felt taking this deal and delaying his free agency by likely three years was worth it.
“As Cooper will tell you, it’s a difficult task,” Boras said.
So how did Pratt do it?
For Pratt, the money was undeniably a factor, but that’s no different from the countless other Boras clients over the years who were intrigued by the financial security and never signed. Pratt, whose mother is a doctor and father is an accountant, comes from a stable financial background, as well.
But what Pratt effectively conveyed to Boras was how a contract would allow him to develop into an even better player because it would unburden him developmentally.
“The point of it that I heard was that, for him, this is something that allowed him to explore a corridor where he could go out and risk and seek optimization without restraint,” Boras said. “And when I heard that, we will end up with a better player on both sides, and a more advanced player and potentially a star-level player. Which, then, will justify the contract concerns I have when you are essentially doing a contract like this that will have substantial economic benefits for the team and delay free agency.
“So believing that this would allow him to have the greatest chance to be a star-level player was really the motivation I heard from Cooper that was most persuasive.”
Pratt expanded on his thinking.
“It's not going to change anything on how I want to perform. I'm still going to want to go 5 for 5 every night,” he said. “It's just that thought in the back of your head disappears. You still want to be the best that you can be, but there is no more pressure. There's pressure, but it's different – it's fun pressure. And you get to just enjoy and go and and play and not have to worry about some other things. And that was one of the biggest reasons why I kind of decided to do this.”
In the end, Boras felt comfortable with making Pratt, who he has represented since high school, a very rare exception.
“The fact of the matter is I think this turned out very well for everybody,” Boras said. “And the best thing about this is that there's one person on this call that really knows so much about what he can do as a shortstop, and that's Cooper. That's one thing that he really, really made me aware of as to how he feels about what he can do going forward. So that's what allows me to feel very good about his decision making, because he really is very self-understood at this age.”
Pratt will return to Class AAA the richest man on the Nashville Sounds but with the same goal as everyone else on the team: Make the big leagues. With Pratt on the Brewers 40-man roster, that day will likely come at some point in 2026.
It’s something he can now focus on without any of the outside worries.
“Just the security I'll have the opportunity to set up like I'll never have to worry about anything like that, pretty much, the rest of my life,” Pratt said. “I can just play and play the game like how it's supposed to be played, not think about it as much and also be able to take care of my family for generations.”
NEW DELHI: A meeting of the Bangladesh Cricket Board was held in Dhaka on Saturday, where officials discussed ties with India, news agency ANI reported.
The meeting took place after a communication had earlier been sent to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding upcoming bilateral tours and cooperation.
The meeting was chaired by BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul.
Earlier, director Nazmul Abedin Fahim said the board had sent an email to BCCI as part of routine communication. The letter mentioned the Indian team’s scheduled tour of Bangladesh in September, followed by the Bangladesh women’s team’s tour of India. It also included a proposal to explore more areas of cooperation between the two boards.
Speaking to ANI earlier, Fahim said such exchanges are part of regular engagement with other cricket boards.
"We maintain regular communication with various countries' cricket boards. As part of that regular communication, we recently reached out to the Board of Control for Cricket in India via a letter, through an email, to communicate with them", Nazmul Abedin Fahim, Director (Cricket Operations) of BCB, told ANI.
"In the letter, we mentioned that the Indian national cricket team is scheduled to come to Bangladesh in September to play a series, and after that, our women's team is supposed to go to India. We also included in the letter a request to explore any other possibilities for reciprocal cricket collaborations," he added, as cited by ANI.
The development comes months after IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders had released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from its 2026 squad on the BCCI’s direction. The move led to a reaction from Bangladesh authorities and the public.
The BCB had then asked for its matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to be shifted from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the request, saying there was no credible threat to Bangladesh players.
Bangladesh was later withdrawn from the tournament and replaced by Scotland. The issue was resolved after the BCB avoided a fine from the ICC and secured hosting rights for an ICC event in 2028.
Bangladesh also stopped the telecast of IPL matches in the country.
Sometimes to get wins in March, you need things to go your way. The UCLA Bruins benefitted from an abnormally cold game from Texas Longhorns star junior Madison Booker in Friday’s semifinal game.
UCLA outlasted the Longhorns 51-44 but it took Booker going a shocking 3-23 from the field. Booker began the day with a nice bucket but she went ice cold from there. Booker closed out the game 2-22, with a better performance from Booker perhaps it’s Texas facing South Carolina on Sunday.
Booker, the First Team All-American, entered Friday’s game averaging over 20 points per game in the tournament, so her rough performance caught everyone by surprise. Longhorns Wire writer Trey Luerssen wrote about how much of a shock Booker’s struggles were.
“Booker, who is one of the best players in the sport, had one of the worst games of her life at the worst time. The junior forward finished the game with 3 for 23, 13% from the floor. She had just six points. Over and over Texas tried to go to the All-American throughout the game and time after time, Booker failed to convert,” Luerssen said. “The final Lady Longhorns offensive play was a perfect example. Texas ran a play for Booker who drove to the basket, but a little bump knocked her off kilter and she fell, turning the ball over and ending UT's chances.”
The Bruins will hope that their good fortune hasn’t run out quite yet. UCLA will face South Carolina for an Easter Sunday showdown to decide this year’s national championship.
🧨Fiorentina's vital 1-0! Verona KO, brawl, two 🟥🟥 and Fagioli 💥
Fiorentina beat Verona 1-0 thanks to Fagioli’s goal in the 82nd minute: the Viola’s only shot on target in the match. Verona pushed mainly in the first half, but De Gea saved everything; tempers flared at the end, with a double red card after a brawl between Suslov and Gudmundsson.
Fiorentina move up to 32 points and go five clear of the relegation zone, with Lecce and Cremonese still to play. Verona, meanwhile, stay on 18 points: survival is becoming increasingly difficult.
🧤 De Gea SAVES Fiorentina in the 1st half
In the 1st half, Fiorentina started strongly with a shot from Fagioli that grazed the crossbar, but the Viola’s momentum quickly faded and it was Verona who came close to scoring several times: De Gea made four saves to keep the score level, first on Bowie’s deflected effort (10’), then against Bernede (11’), Orban (32’) and Oyegoke (38’).
Four interventions that combined were worth 1.18 xGOT. Fiorentina, meanwhile, failed to hit the target at all in the 1st half.
💥 Verona dominate but Fagioli scores with the 1st shot!
After the break, Verona also took control of possession but struggled to create clear chances, producing only long-range shots and a dangerous cross that Bowie failed to reach.
Until the 82nd minute Fiorentina did not shoot towards goal but then suddenly found the breakthrough: Harrison laid it off for Fagioli, who from the edge of the box hit the inside of the post and scored. It was the Viola’s first shot on target of the match.
Verona protested because referee Guida had earlier stopped a dangerous move as Fagioli was down on the ground. A potential chance that “would have been ruled out anyway for a foul by Gagliardini,” Marelli told DAZN.
🟥 DOUBLE red: Suslov-Gudmundsson clash
The match boiled over when Suslov and Gudmundsson started arguing with play stopped: the two went face to face, put their hands on each other’s faces and grabbed each other’s shirts. The referee sent both of them off.
The Miami Dolphins have made several changes to their roster this offseason, especially at the receiver position, where they've replaced Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine with Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and Terrace Marshall Jr.
While the room still has some capable targets for new quarterback Malik Willis to throw to in 2026, they could still use help at the position.
"The Dolphins can't roll out a receiver room of backups and rookies and expect Malik Willis to grow as a first-time full-time starter. He needs help in the passing game," Moton said. "Aiyuk would be the clear-cut No. 1 option in Miami's aerial attack. Also working in his favor, he's familiar with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was the 49ers' passing game specialist and coordinator from 2021 to 2022."
The 28-year-old has caught 294 passes for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns in five years before tearing his ACL midway through the 2024 season. San Francisco stripped Aiyuk of his guarantees after several issues during his rehab last year.
If he's healthy, the Dolphins could get a top wide receiver for cheap, but there is a risk.
During a recent appearance on "Bob Does Sports," LeBron James savagely dissed the city of Memphis and said that the Memphis Grizzlies should move to Nashville, which happens to be the most populous city in the state of Tennessee. He even suggested that had the Grizzlies won the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, he might have refused to play for them.
In response, Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo, who has been at the helm of the team since late last season, defended Memphis and said that his experience in the area has been a positive one, per ESPN.
"I can say from my own perspective that I have the complete opposite -- 180-degree perspective on that," Iisalo said. "The Memphis where we have arrived less than two years ago has been very warm. Very welcoming."
He seems very opposed to the idea of the Grizzlies relocating.
"All I can say is Memphis is the right place for the Grizzlies," Iisalo said.
In addition, Darko Rajakovic, who was an assistant coach with the Grizzlies for three seasons starting with the 2020-21 campaign, said he enjoyed several aspects of his time in Memphis.
"I don't care what the rest of the world thinks," Rajakovic said. "I love the people of Memphis. I love the food. I love every single time I come over here."
Just three years ago, when Rajakovic was in his final season as an assistant under Taylor Jenkins, the Grizzlies were starting to look like a budding contender. But that spring, James' Los Angeles Lakers upset them in the first round of the playoffs, and since then, they have dramatically declined. Star guard Ja Morant has been riddled by injuries and off-the-court incidents, and his supporting cast has been underwhelming.
The team currently has a 25-52 record, which puts it in 11th place in the Western Conference, and it is 11 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the final play-in tournament spot.
Rafael Estevam and Ethyn Ewing meet on the UFC Fight Night 272 main card Saturday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Check out this quick preview of the matchup.
Rafael Estevam vs. Ethyn Ewing UFC Fight Night 272 preview
Estevam (14-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) will look to keep his undefeated record intact, although he's likely in the doghouse with the promotion after missing weight for the third time in four fights – even after moving up to bantamweight for this one. He's won all three of his UFC bouts thus far by decision, getting past Charles Johnson, Jesus Aguilar and Felipe Bunes.
Ewing (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) pulled off a big upset in his November debut by picking apart highly-touted Malcolm Wellmaker. After stumbling in the first two fights of his pro career, Ewing hasn't lost since, winning nine straight fights, a streak that includes seven finishes.
Rafael Estevam vs. Ethyn Ewing UFC Fight Night 272 MMA Junkie staff picks
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 06: Scott Wedgewood #41 of the Colorado Avalanche saves a shot by Jason Robertson #21 of the Dallas Stars during a shootout at American Airlines Center on March 06, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The biggest date remaining on the regular season schedule has arrived for the Colorado Avalanche, who have long been the most dominant team in the NHL all year long.
The Dallas Stars, however, won’t stop at nothing to overtake them.
Today, both teams will face each other one last time at American Airlines Center to close out their regular season series, with the winner potentially laying claim to a first place finish in the West.
Colorado Avalanche (49-15-10)
The Opponent: Dallas Stars (45-19-12)
Time: 1:00 P.M. MDT/3:00 P.M. EDT
Watch: ABC, ESPN (US National Broadcast), SNP, SNW, SN+ (Canadian National Broadcast)
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche wrapped up their final extended home stand on Wednesday night with an underwhelming 8-6 loss to the last-place Vancouver Canucks. The loss was the second during Colorado’s three game home stand, and while the 4-2 loss to Winnipeg a week ago was disappointing, this most recent defeat was exceptionally glaring: a host of defensive miscues and poor puck management opened the door for Vancouver to run up the score early and often. Mackenzie Blackwood, who gave up six goals on nineteen shots, was pulled with 4:39 remaining in second period in favor of Scott Wedgewood. The Avs then rallied from a 6-2 deficit to tie the game late in the third on Sam Malinski’s second goal of the evening, but Vancouver would reclaim the lead twenty-three seconds later, and iced the game with an empty net tally after Wedgewood was pulled for the extra skater.
Coach Jared Bednar, in what was indisputably his shortest press conference of the season, didn’t hold back. “The reality of it is, is if you want to win in this League, you have to play [the way we played in the third period] for sixty minutes, and we weren’t even close. [It] wasn’t a great first and it got worse in the second and […] if you want to hand out badges for good effort and stuff like that, I think we’re beyond that this time of year, you know? Effort for twenty minutes and doing the right things for twenty minutes isn’t good enough.” He went a step further, saying that there were no positives to be found in their effort.
“There’s no excuse,” he continued, “If we’re making excuses for that performance, it’s going to be a short [playoff] run.”
The loss prevented the Avalanche from increasing their points lead over Dallas, and as a result, today’s game still carries weight for both clubs. For the Avs, it’s the start of a back-to-back weekend that sees them returning home for an Easter evening matchup against the St. Louis Blues. With four massive points hanging in the balance for the Avs this weekend, here’s where today’s game matters from their perspective:
The Avs come into Dallas as the undisputed leader across the Central Division, Western Conference, and League standings with a total of 108 points. They have eight (8) games remaining on their schedule—two in hand on Dallas—and have forty-six (46) regulation wins on the season. A regulation win for the Avs wouldn’t completely drive the final nail into the coffin for Dallas to catch them, but it would put their chances on life support. A regulation win for the Avs, coupled with a victory on home ice tomorrow, should put first place out of Dallas’ reach.
This is all predicated on the Avs taking care of their own affairs. They control their own destiny, and while they have the tiebreaker advantages over Dallas right now (points and regulation wins), things can flip on a dime, and the last thing they need is giving Dallas any extra motivation with the end of the season in sight.
While this is certainly a huge weekend for the Avs, today’s game also sets a monumental milestone for Brent Burns, as he is slated to skate in his thousandth consecutive game. The forty year old defenseman, who made his NHL debut for the Minnesota Wild after being selected with the twentieth overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, played his first seven seasons with Minnesota before being traded to San Jose prior to the 2011-2012 season. He spent would spend the next eleven seasons in San Jose, where many of his career milestones would take place. The 2014-2015 season saw the first of eleven consecutive seasons of Burns skating in every every regular season game. He made his Stanley Cup Final debut in 2016, set a career high in goals (27) in a Norris trophy-winning campaign in 2017, and set career highs in assists (67) and points (83) in 2019.
Burns was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes prior to the start of the 2022-2023 season, where he spent three seasons before signing with the Avs prior to the start of this season. After surpassing former NHL defenseman Keith Yandle’s mark of 989 consecutive games on March 14, Burns became the all-time leader in consecutive games played among defensemen. Coming into today’s game, he trails only Phil Kessel, who holds the all-time record of 1064 consecutive games among all NHL skaters.
Nathan MacKinnon is the first player in the NHL to reach 50 goals, having broken the mark this past Wednesday. Despite being the NHL’s goal scoring leader, his 121 points total is three points behind both Tampa’s Nikita Kucherov (124) and five points Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (126). Martin Nečas (35) and Brock Nelson (33) rank second and third in team goal scoring, respectively. Cale Makar, who left Wednesday’s game with injury, did not accompany the team to Dallas, and will be re-evaluated next week. Nicolas Roy also did not travel with the team to Dallas, and his status will be re-evaluated next week as well.
While Bednar did not indicate who would start in today’s game, look for Wedgewood to get the nod today.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Gabriel Landeskog – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas Artturi Lehkonen – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin Parker Kelly – Nazem Kadri – Logan O’Connor Ross Colton – Jack Drury – Joel Kiviranta
Defense: Devon Toews – Sam Malinski Josh Manson – Brent Burns Brett Kulak – Nick Blankenburg
Between the Pipes: Scott Wedgewood Mackenzie Blackwood
Dallas Stars
The run that Dallas has been on has made them a darling of hockey circles everywhere. In any other season, Dallas’s 102 points would tie them with Carolina in a race for first place in the League, and with both teams splitting their two game season series, it would come down to the thinnest of margins to decide who would emerge ahead of the other. Add in Eastern Conference mainstay Tampa Bay Lightning and the come-out-of-nowhere Buffalo Sabres, both of whom boast 100 point seasons of their own, and there would be no shortages of storylines heading into the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with Dallas featured prominently among them.
A ten game winning streak? Done. A gold medal winning goaltender? Check. A top-rated power play threat? Yep. A stellar record at home and away? You bet. If you’re the Dallas Stars, you rightly believe that success is yours for the taking as the Stanley Cup Playoffs grow closer.
In any other season, but not this season.
For all their success to this point, Dallas is, and still remains, second best. Coming into today’s regular season finale against Colorado, Dallas is still looking up at their division rival. That ten game winning streak? Colorado’s done that twice. Home and away records? Colorado remains the only team in the NHL that has yet to lose more than ten games on home ice (24-8-5) compared to everyone else (Dallas is 23-10-4 at home). As good as Dallas has been on the road (22-9-8), Colorado’s 25-7-5 record is still better than everyone else.
Let’s not stop there: A +49 goal differential for Dallas? Colorado’s +90 is tops in the League. Colorado’s allowed the fewest number of goals (193) compared to Dallas (209), and Scott Wedgewood’s 2.19 goals against average and .916 save percentage leads all active goaltenders. By comparison, goaltender Casey DeSmith’s 2.38 goals against average ranks third among active goaltenders, while Jake Oettinger’s 2.61 ranks fifteenth. DeSmith’s .909 save percentage ranks fourteenth among active goaltenders, while Oettinger’s .900 ranks twenty-third.
There are a couple of bright spots for Dallas. Dallas can hang their ten-gallon hats on a second-ranked power play percentage (29.1%), while Colorado’s 17.9% ranks twenty-fifth. Oettinger also ranks third in wins among goaltenders (31), four more than Wedgewood (27), and ten more than Mackenzie Blackwood (21).
Dallas also leads the regular season series 2-0-1, their most recent victory being a 2-1 shootout decision back on March 18 at Ball Arena. To this point in the season, every game against Colorado has ended in a shootout. In their last meeting at America Airlines Center on March 06, Dallas captain Jamie Benn botched an opportunity to ice the game with Wedgewood on the bench for an extra skater, but his shot attempt banked off the side of the net. Valeri Nichushkin would score the game-tying goal moments later, and provided the shootout heroics alongside Martin Nečas to best Oettinger en route to a 5-4 decision for Colorado. That game would also see the departure of Roope Hintz to injury after getting tangled up with Nathan MacKinnon in the second period.
Since then, Dallas has regained the services of former Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen. He returned to action on March 28 in a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Rantanen, who sustained injury during his play for Team Finland during the Olympics in Italy, had not made a regular season appearance for Dallas since a 5-4 victory over St. Louis on February 04, prior to the Olympic break.
In order to have a shot at first place in the West, Dallas is banking on a repeat performance from Oettinger, who blanked the Winnipeg Jets by a score of 3-0 this past Thursday. The victory was only Dallas’ third in their past ten games. A regulation win over Colorado would pull Dallas within four points of first place, and with four games remaining in the regular season, today’s head-to-head matchup is Dallas’ last, best chance to prevent Colorado from widening the gap between them. Even with a win over Colorado, Dallas would still have to play nearly flawless hockey down the stretch and hope they get some help from Colorado’s remaining opponents.
Wyatt Johnston leads all Dallas skaters in goals (41) and power play goals (25). Jason Robertson ranks second in goals (40), and leads the team in points (89). Miro Heiskanen leads all Dallas skaters in assists (53), while Rantanen is a close second (52). Rantanen also leads all Dallas skaters in penalty minutes (89).
Today marks the second of a five game home stand for Dallas, their final prolonged stretch of games on home ice. Oettinger will likely start in goal to close out the season series against Colorado.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Jason Robertson – Wyatt Johnston – Mikko Rantanen Jamie Benn – Matt Duchene – Colin Blackwell Oskar Bäck – Justin Hryckowian – Mavrik Bourque Adam Erne – Arttu Hyry
Defense: Esa Lindell – Miro Heiskanen Thomas Harley – Nils Lundkvist Lian Bischel – Ilya Lyubushkin Kyle Capobianco
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
With Joe Pyfer defeating Israel Adesanya by TKO in the second round during UFC Fight Night last weekend, the top contenders to possibly dethrone UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev is coming into picture. But now, the promotion company turns to UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Duncan to get even a better picture surrounding up-and-coming lightweight contenders — ahead of UFC 327 on Saturday, Apr. 11.
On Saturday, Apr. 4, the main event features Brazilian Renato Moicano (20-7-1) taking on Scotitsh fighter Chris Duncan (15-2-0) in a marquee lightweight match. It’s scheduled for five rounds. UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Duncan takes place at Meta APEX in Las Vegas, NV. The prelims start at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT, while the main card starts at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
How to Watch UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Duncan Online
UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Duncan is not a pay-per-view (PPV) event. The event is available to livestream exclusively on Paramount+. For new subscribers, UFC Fight Night starts at $8.99/month for the Paramount+ Essential plan for access to all UFC events (included numbered and fight night events).
If you’re looking to livestream UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Duncan for free, there is a clever workaround since the streamer doesn’t offer a free trial. Right now, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial for Walmart+, which comes with Paramount+ as one its perks.
Aside from streaming access to Paramount+ to watch UFC, you can take advantage of everything Walmart+ has to offer with perks such as free and fast delivery; fuel discounts at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Exxon, Mobil and Murphy stations; Burger King deals; additional savings with early access deals and many other perks. Learn more about what Walmart+ can offer you here.
In my use, Paramount+ is a top tier streaming service, thanks to its amount of highly-rated movies and blockbusters, premium TV shows, broad comedies and live sports with the addition of UFC and live news with in-depth reporting. For $8.99/month, the streamer is best for those who love genre media, like police dramas and westerns, and live sports, while Paramount+ can be watched just about anywhere, including smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and on the web.
Paramount+ is the home for hit originals, such as “1883,” “Mayor of Kingstown,” “Halo” and “Evil;” popular movies, including “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning” and “Top Gun: Maverick;” live sports from March Madness, NFL on CBS, UEFA, PGA, NWSL and other sports leagues, live news from CBS News and much more.
Meanwhile, Paramount+ Premium, which goes for $13.99/month, features Showtime originals, like “The Chi,” “A Gentleman in Moscow,” “The Curse” and “Yellowjackets,” as well as features films and documentaries, including “Breathe,” “The Wrath of Becky,” “Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court” and others.
UFC Fight Night Odds & Predictions
For the main event, Moicano is the favorite to win against Duncan. BetMGM’s oddsmakers give Moicano a -205 moneyline (bet $205 to win $100), while Duncan received a line of +170 (bet $100 to win $270), as the underdog. Want more odds? Check out the complete odds and wagers at BetMGM.com online here.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 30: Starting pitcher Michael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts after pitching an immaculate fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers of the home opener at Chase Field on March 30, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Is there a more beloved former Brave than Michael Soroka? (Maybe Freddie Freeman?) Perhaps because the phrase, “What could have been?” peals more sharply with regard to Soroka than anyone else, the fondness for the Canadian giraffe-necked right-hander from this corner, at least, is at its max. But, on Saturday night, the Braves will face off against our beloved in search of a fourth win in a row.
Soroka’s injury travails as a Brave after his 2019 4.0 fWAR campaign have been well-documented and are a bit too depressing to recap at this point, so we’ll focus on what happened afterwards. Sent to Chicago’s South Side in the Aaron Bummer deal after the 2023 season, Soroka was a blah swingman out there for a year, and then had a nice time as a starter for the Nationals in 2025 before a midseason trade sent him to Chicago’s North Side, where he barely pitched and didn’t distinguish himself. His contract with the Nats was for $9 million; this past offseason, he signed with the Diamondbacks for a lower, $7.5 million salary, made some starts in the World Baseball Classic, and made it to Opening Day as a member of Arizona’s beleaguered starting staff.
But, things went swimmingly for him in his first start of 2026: he absolutely dominated the Tigers for five innings, with an insane 10/1 K/BB ratio that included an immaculate inning in his final frame of work. He had a 5-0 lead before departing, and the Diamondbacks added even more in the bottom of the fifth. The only real blemish to that outing was that the Tigers made some hard contact off him when they weren’t striking out (three barrels, though only one went for a hit), but that doesn’t really portend anything for him considering the excellent K/BB ratio. Whatever happens while Soroka pitches against the Braves today, it’ll be bittersweet in one direction or another, but maybe it’ll be another game like last night, where the thunder in the Braves’ favor comes exclusively late.
On the Atlanta side of the pitching equation, Bryce Elder will look to keep the good times rolling. After last night’s shutout, the Braves’ pitching staff is in a funny place: they’re seventh in MLB in fWAR, second in ERA-, sixth in FIP-, and 13th in xFIP-. Whereas 2025 was an exercise in “if it can wrong, it will go wrong,” the Braves are putting on a dazzling run prevention display thanks to some elite defensive play (they’re third in MLB in defensive value coming into this game), and a favorable HR/FB for once (they have the fourth-lowest HR/FB against their pitchers). Reynaldo Lopez and Grant Holmes have now made four collective starts with a sub-3.00 ERA (Lopez’ is under 2.00) and an xFIP around 5.00, so hooray for baseball god boons rather than banes at this point.
Speaking of weird starts, that descriptor probably applies to Bryce Elder’s first start of the season, albeit for a different reason than it could be used for Lopez or Holmes thus far. Elder was legitimately good against the Athletics — nothing we haven’t seen before, albeit inconsistently — with a 5/1 K/BB ratio in six shutout innings. The reason why it was weird was that all the stuff that Elder and the team provided messaging about in the offseason, about his work with a biomechanics expert and the like, well… that wasn’t really on display. Elder didn’t appear to be throwing harder nor did he let loose more often with an ehanced four-seamer. Rather, he showed up with a much drop-ier (droopier sounds sad) slider with some added horizontal verve, which was enough to stymie the green-and-gold bats. Whether he can do so again against the Diamondbacks, well, that’s always the question, innit?
This will be Soroka’s second outing against his former team. He had an okay four innings against them in May of last year, with Drake Baldwin hitting a game-tying two-run shot against him in the fourth before Soroka departed. Elder, meanwhile, has made two starts against the Diamondbacks in his career — one in 2023 and one in 2024 — and they were both really rough. The one in 2023 was his shortest start of the year and one of his worst (2 2/3 IP, charged seven runs and gave up a homer despite a 4/1 K/BB ratio), and the one in 2024 featured a 1/2 K/BB ratio in five innings with three runs charged. Both of those games got absolutely insane late, with the Diamondbacks winning 16-13 in 2023 and the Braves prevailing 5-4 in 2024.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Saturday, April 4, 7:15 p.m. EDT
Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
TV: FOX
Streaming: MLB.tv, probably not blacked out on BravesVision/etc.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 11: Gable Steveson, who qualified for the U.S. Olympic team, is introduced to throw out the ceremonial pitch before the start of the game between the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins at Target Field on June 11, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Fight fans are still waiting for Gable Steveson to make his official jump to the Octagon, but it may come sooner than expected.
Steveson, who is a former Olympic gold medalist widely regarded as one of the best collegiate wrestlers of all-time, has looked unstoppable across his first three professional mixed martial arts (MMA) bouts. All three fights have taken place over the past seven months and have all ended via first-round knockout, including a victory in Mexico this past February (watch it HERE).
“I got a couple of matches with RAF,” Steveson recently told The Schmo. “I told everybody I’m a full-time mixed martial artist, and. I would love to keep doing that. But I got good news: any day now.”
Steveson, who is just 25 years of age, is already excelling as a full-time MMA fighter under the tutelage of former UFC champion Jon Jones. “Bones” believes Steveson could push for UFC gold by early-2027, but the wrestling phenom will need to make his official Octagon debut first. Steveson hopes that comes soon as he’s completely focused on winning a UFC title.
“I’m doing RAF to show people that I can still wrestle,” said Steveson. “I’ll show people that I’m great at wrestling, I’ll show people I’m one of the best heavyweights of all time. But the UFC title is more important to me.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder face off as they weigh in ahead of their heavy weight fight during the Dereck Chisora v Deontay Wilder: 100 weigh-in at York Hall on April 03, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MMA Fighting has Wilder vs. Chisora results for the Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora fight card and more for one of the most highly anticipated events of the year Saturday night at the 02 Arena in London, England.
When the main event begins around 5 p.m. ET, check out our Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora live round-by-round updates for our live blog of the main event. Deontay Wilder is trying for his second straight win in the division against Derek Chisora, who has won three straight via decision.
Gable Steveson is confident that he has the right team in place to succeed in mixed martial arts, and that group includes Jon Jones.
The 2020 Olympic freestyle wrestling champion is already being talked about as one of the top prospects in MMA, with a UFC debut looking more like a matter of when than if.
Since linking up with Jones, Steveson has picked up three wins, all by first-round knockout.
But despite the fast start, Daniel Cormier believes keeping Jones involved might not be in Steveson’s best interest. In a recent episode of “Good Guy / Bad Guy” on ESPN, Cormier offered a word of warning to the young fighter.
Why Daniel Cormier thinks Gable Steveson should cut ties with Jon Jones
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Cormier didn’t mince words when discussing why he thinks Gable Steveson should reconsider his relationship with Jones. According to him, there’s more risk than reward in keeping Jon around.
Jon Jones has been part of Steveson’s camp from the beginning, bringing a wealth of experience from his long career in the sport.
Across nearly two decades in the Octagon, he built one of the most decorated resumes in UFC history, holding records for both title fight wins and successful defences.
Even so, Cormier remains sceptical. He pointed to Jones’ history of distractions and off-field issues as reasons to question whether he can fully commit to guiding Steveson’s rise.
“I believe he (Steveson) has a real chance to be a world champion,” Cormier said on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“I believe there are some factors that may slow down [that trajectory] — his coach is Jon Jones.
“As long as he lets the other coaches coach him, yes. But if Jon is actually coaching him, I don’t know,” he added.
The 25-year-old didn’t hold back when asked about doubts surrounding his trainer. Instead, he made it clear just how much faith he has in Jones’ leadership.
“My relationship with him is everything,” Steveson told MMA Fighting.
“I don’t think he does [get enough credit]. I think a lot of people overshadow [his abilities] with a lot of things with just fighting and a lot of the things he has going on. His mentorship is the best thing that we can have.
“He’s the best fighter of all-time leading a new guy to maybe be that person also. It’s a one of a kind opportunity and I’m all ears. I’m a sponge. Just soaking in all the knowledge that I can,” he added.
“He’s perfect. He’s everything you want in a coach. He shows up on time. He’s ready to work. He’s ready to work overtime, also. So the narrative of him being not there, his ego’s there — it’s non-existent with him.”.
When is Gable Steveson scheduled to fight again?
Steveson managed to stay unbeaten in his third fight, surviving a head kick scare before finishing Hugo Lezama at Mexico Fight League 3 back in February.
After that win, Steveson was hoping to feature on the UFC White House card for his debut. However, despite discussions about signing him for the event, he didn’t make the final lineup.
With his UFC debut still on hold, the 25-year-old is set to return to wrestling next.
He’s scheduled to appear at Real American Freestyle’s ninth event on May 30, though an opponent hasn’t been announced yet.
Serie A | Verona 0-1 Fiorentina: Fagioli steals massive victory for safety
Fiorentina thanked several big David De Gea saves and a Nicolò Fagioli goal against the run of play, beating Verona to break away from the drop zone.
This was a huge relegation dogfight, as the Viola were only two points clear of the drop zone and made the trip without Rolando Mandragora, Dodo, Fabiano Parisi, Manor Solomon, Niccolò Fortini, and Tariq Lamptey, but Moise Kean was risked from the start despite a recurring ankle issue.
Hellas were joint rock bottom with Pisa, missing Sandi Lovric, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Suat Serdar, although Domagoj Bradaric and Antoine Bernede were available again.
Fiorentina had a huge chance to take the lead in the fourth minute when the Nicolò Fagioli volley from the edge of the area smacked the top of the crossbar.
At the other end, David De Gea needed a sensational one-handed save to deny the Bernede scorcher at the near post, but Kieron Bowie scuffed from a promising position on the Rafik Belghali pull-back.
VERONA, ITALY – APRIL 04: Moise Kean of Fiorentina in action during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on April 04, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
De Gea flew again to palm a Gift Orban strike out from under the crossbar, then had an even tougher save on Oyegoke after Bowie pounced on a Marin Pongracic error.
VERONA, ITALY – APRIL 04: Albert Gudmundsson of Fiorentina competes for the ball with Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro of Hellas Verona during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on April 04, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Verona kept pushing after the restart, as three times they flashed dangerous balls across the face of goal, with nobody able to get the tap-in, most dangerously when Bowie was inches away from getting his boot to it from four yards.
Bowie also cut inside to bend a left-foot finish just over the bar, but it was Fiorentina who took the lead completely against the run of play. Jack Harrison got down the right and laid it off for Fagioli to sweep in first time with the right foot from 14 yards. The home fans and players were furious, because only moments earlier the referee had stopped play for a Fagioli injury in a clash with Roberto Gagliardini.
VERONA, ITALY – APRIL 04: Rafik Belghali of Hellas Verona competes for the ball with Jack Harrison of Fiorentina during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on April 04, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
The tension spilled out when Tomas Suslov and Albert Gudmundsson got into a brawl before a Verona free kick, leading to them both getting sent off with ripped jerseys.
It was a tough slog, but Fiorentina leapfrog Cagliari in the standings and practically doom Verona to relegation.
CHICAGO — The Toronto Blue Jays placed two-time All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a dislocated and fractured left thumb and recalled catcher Brandon Valenzuela from Triple-A Buffalo.
Kirk was injured in the 10th inning of a 5-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Friday when Austin Hays fouled a pitch off Kirk’s glove. He left the game immediately and went for X-rays.
The Blue Jays also assigned 36-year-old left-hander Patrick Corbin to Single-A Dunedin on Saturday, a day after signing him to a one-year contract.
Manager John Schneider didn’t have a timeline for Kirk’s return but said before Saturday’s game in Chicago that the 27-year-old would see Dr. Thomas Graham, a hand specialist in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on Monday to determine the next steps.
“(The thumb) was dislocated,” Schneider said. “They put it back in last night, as well as a fracture. So tough news for us and I think for Kirky for sure.
“They’re going to see if they need to do any kind of surgical intervention or pin or something like that. We’ll know that on Monday, and then kind of determine the timeline after that.”
As an All-Star in 2025, Kirk batted .282 with 15 homers and 76 RBIs in 130 games for AL champion Toronto. He played in all 18 of the Blue Jays’ postseason games and hit .308 with two homers and six RBIs in seven World Series games against the Dodgers.
Kirk was batting .150 with one homer and two RBIs in five games this season.
The 25-year-old Valenzuela has yet to play in the majors, but he arrived in Chicago on Saturday and is expected to split time behind the plate with Tyler Heineman while Kirk is out.
In four games with Buffalo this season, he was batting .200 with one homer and four RBIs.
Corbin, a two-time All-Star in 13 major league seasons, was 7-11 with a 4.40 ERA for Texas last season. For his career, Corbin is 110-142 with a 4.51 ERA over 373 games including 354 starts.
Three Blue Jays starters — Shane Bieber, José Bérrios and Trey Yesavage — are currently on the injured list.
Schneider wasn’t sure how long it would take Corbin to ramp up and return to the majors.
“I think definitely we view him as a starter or definite length option,” Schneider said. “I think until the dominoes kind of start to fall back into place with Trey and Josey and Biebs ... you look for length and how we can use it.”
Oklahoma freshman catcher Kendall Wells tied the NCAA all-time freshman home run record with her 30th homer during the fourth inning of the Sooners' game against Kentucky on Saturday. The homer went 261 feet.
Wells' 30th home run comes in her 40th career game.
Wells ties Hawaii's Kelly Majam, as well as former Sooner greats Jocelyn Alo and Lauren Chamberlain with 30 home runs as freshmen.
Wells, a Bogart, Georgia, native is four home runs away from tying the OU record (34) set by Jocelyn Alo and seven home runs away from the all-time single-season record of 37, set by Arizona's Lauren Espinoza.
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Last season for Texas, he had a 4.40 ERA in 31 appearances (30 starts). He has thrown at least 150 innings in each of the last five MLB seasons.
The Blue Jays don't have a ton of lefty starting depth, either. Eric Lauer wouldn't even be in the rotation if everyone is healthy, but he's the lone southpaw representation.
Now he has some company in Corbin, and the Blue Jays will see how Corbin looks at Single-A before going from there.
The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to win the World Series in 2026, more so than ever, with their aging core and multiple players hitting the open market after 2027.
Jhoan Duran, the closer they acquired at the trade deadline from the Minnesota Twins, is one of those 2027 free agents. Getting the most out of him now is a must.
And fortunately for the Phillies, as MLB.com's David Adler shared, Duran should be nastier than ever for the Phillies. He's added a new pitch, one that has 34 inches of drop to completely fool hitters this year.
Jhoan Duran adds pitch that drops 34 inches on average
Adler shared how Duran, who was the "pioneer of the 'splinker,'" has added a new pitch to his mix in the form of a splut-change.
"The new split-change (classified as a splitter) averages about 89 mph with 34 inches of drop and 13 inches of run," Adler writes.
With Duran having a fastball that can reach over 100 mph, and a sinker-splitter hybrid that averages 97 mph, this new 89 mph split-change should be a huge weapon for the Phillies' righty closer.
Hitters can't solely rely on fast pitching from Duran; they will have to adjust to offspeed pitches against the Phillies righty more than ever.
While his start to the season hasn't been perfect, his 2.45 ERA with six strikeouts, a 1-1 record, and two saves is a good start as Duran warms up for the heart of the regular season.
Duran looks as good as ever, and if this new pitch can continue to develop and become a weapon, Philadelphia's closer might be able to overtake Mason Miller as the best closer in baseball.
ST. LOUIS, Missouri: Jorge Prado continues to be fast in qualification as he led the first session at The Dome in America's Center.
Qualification 1
Jorge Prado (56.048) continues to be fast during a single lap and he led the field in the first qualification session.
Malcolm Stewart (56.054) earned his first top-five of 2026 two weeks ago in Birmingham and his first podium last week in Detroit. Could he be on track for his first win? He landed second on the chart.
Chase Sexton (56.088) came back to the field last week in Detroit with a vengeance. He was third.
The top two in points, Hunter Lawrence (56.220) and Eli Tomac (56.353) rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth respectively.
There were a lot of fascinating storylines that came out of the MLB offseason. Such as Kyle Tucker signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Alex Bregman going to the Chicago Cubs. However, one of the feel-good moments came when Verlander decided to return to the city where he became a household name, Detroit.
Verlander is top 10 in many of the franchise’s all-time pitching categories after playing 14 seasons for the team. The second overall pick in the 2004 MLB Draft earned six of his nine All-Star appearances in Detroit, as well as won the AL Cy Young, Triple Crown, and MVP award in a Tigers uniform in 2011. That is why his return to team up with reigning CY Young Tarik Skubal in a formidable rotation excited many long-time fans.
Justin Verlander misses Detroit Tigers start, headed to IL
Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Well, Tigers fans will have to wait a bit longer to see the two team greats pitch in the same rotation. “Detroit Tigers great Justin Verlander, who was scheduled to make his first start Sunday night at Comerica Park since 2017, is now going on the 15-day IL with left hip inflammation,” USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale reported on Saturday.
Verlander turned 43 in February and is pitching in his 21 first season in MLB. Unsurprisingly, he has dealt with a variety of injuries due to the wear-and-tear on his body. Including a low-grade teres major strain in his right shoulder in 2023, inflammation in the same shoulder and neck discomfort in 2024, a pectoral injury last year, and now the hip inflammation this season.
If the hip inflammation had forced his start back a few days, then no biggie. However, going from ready to pitch to the injured list and out for two weeks in a snap is why making Verlander part of the rotation was a big risk for the Tigers. Hopefully, this isn’t the beginning of more issues for the legendary future Hall of Famer.
It all comes down to this. The national championship will either head west to Los Angeles or stay on the East Coast, returning to familiar ground in Columbia.
There’s no shortage of talent between these two squads, but in the end, this matchup will be defined by defense.
Both UCLA and South Carolina responded to past losses with statement performances, and now those battle-tested defenses face one final challenge to decide who finishes the job.
Let’s break down why defensive intensity will be the difference in my South Carolina vs. UCLA predictions and college basketball picks for Sunday, April 5.
South Carolina vs UCLA prediction
Who will win South Carolina vs UCLA?
South Carolina: Once you take down a powerhouse like UConn, anything feels possible. Dawn Staley has been through the trenches and used those experiences to shape a tougher, more complete team.
What we saw was a masterclass in turning last year’s loss to the Huskies into a blueprint for success in 2026, as Staley secures her fourth championship over UCLA.
South Carolina vs UCLA best bet: Under 130 (-110 at bet365)
Lockdown defense stole the spotlight in the Final Four, and another defensive showcase is on deck as the South Carolina Gamecocks meet the UCLA Bruins.
South Carolina held the UConn Huskies to a season-low 31% shooting and just 48 points, while UCLA matched that intensity by limiting Texas to 31% from the field.
The Bruins also neutralized Madison Booker and the Longhorns’ starting unit, none of whom reached double figures, which puts the spotlight on Joyce Edwards.
Even if Edwards is contained, South Carolina’s depth continues to shine, with Ta'Niya Latson delivering a timely double-double and freshman Agot Makeer adding 14 points.
Still, with two elite defenses colliding, scoring won’t come easily, making the Under the smart play in what should be a gritty title fight.
COVERS INTEL:The Gamecocks have reached the Final Four in six of the last nine NCAA Tournaments, including an active streak of four consecutive appearances.
UCLA brings plenty of firepower, and Lauren Betts should have the edge inside to help keep the Bruins within striking distance.
But when it comes to experience in closing out a moment like this, Dawn Staley has been here time and time again (18 seasons deep) and knows exactly how to finish the job.
It’s hard to see South Carolina falling short, with Staley poised to capture her fourth title with the Gamecocks.
South Carolina vs UCLA odds
Spread: South Carolina +3.5 (-110) | UCLA -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: South Carolina -160 | UCLA +135
Over/Under: Over 130 (-110) | Under 130 (-110)
How to watch South Carolina vs UCLA
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Tip-off
3:30 p.m. ET
TV
ABC, ESPN
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Auburn baseball returns to the diamond Saturday to face Arkansas, looking to clinch another SEC series in the final game of this weekend's set.
Auburn used a middle-inning surge to claim game one of the series on Thursday. Five players logged an RBI in the 5th inning of Auburn's 10-2 win over Arkansas on Thursday, with Mason McCraine and Ethin Bingaman logging two RBI in the seven-run frame.
Friday's game was much closer, with Arkansas putting all of its hope on catcher Ryder Helfrick. Helfrick hit a solo home run in the 6th inning of Friday's game to cut Auburn's lead to 2-1, and he sealed the win for the Razorbacks with a two-run home run in the 8th inning to lift Arkansas to a 3-2 victory to even the series.
What will happen in Saturday's winner-take-all game three? Follow along for the latest score updates, highlights, and notes from Saturday's SEC battle between the No. 11 Auburn Tigers and the No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks.
Auburn baseball's lineup for game three of its SEC series with Arkansas
From the desk of Auburn head coach Butch Thompson, here's how the Tigers will line up on Saturday as they look to claim the series over No. 16 Arkansas.
CF Bristol Carter
2B Chris Rembert
C Chase Fralick
3B Eric Guevara
1B Ethin Bingaman
LF Bub Terrell
SS Brandon McCraine
DH Todd Clay
RF Cade Belyeu
Auburn announces its starting pitcher for Saturday
Alex Petrovic will get the nod for the Auburn Tigers on Saturday in its SEC series finale with Arkansas. Auburn head coach Butch Thompson elected to go against his usual pitching rotation by moving Andreas Alvarez to Thursday from his usual midweek role, and kept Jake Marciano in his usual Friday slot to keep the routine. Petrovic, the usual Sunday starter for Auburn, takes the mound with one less day of rest and will open the door for Jackson Sanders to take on a relief role as Auburn looks to close the series with a win.
The finale of the SEC series between Auburn and Arkansas is set for 2 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 4.
What channel is Auburn vs Arkansas on today?
TV Channel: None
Livestream: SEC Network+
Auburn vs Arkansas will stream exclusively on SEC Network+ from the broadcast booth at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Alabama, on Saturday.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Chelsea have made it 5-0 with a goal from Andrey Santos from a corner as the Blues continue to crush Port Vale.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
It was a superb corner from Estevao, who clipped a perfect delivery to the far post where Santos was charging in to meet it at close range.
The midfielder pointed directly to his fellow Brazilian in thanks, as well he should. Chelsea have really raised their game in the second half, and the home fans will go home happy after witnessing a slew of goals.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — First, the Milwaukee Brewers had “pocket pancakes.” Now, they have pocket turtles.
Ahem, tortoise.
This all probably needs an explanation.
During a game last August, Brewers manager Pat Murphy was caught taking a pancake from the pocket of his hoodie for a midgame bite, right in the middle of a dugout interview during a game against the Nationals. It wasn't necessarily new for Murphy, who's been known to have everything from waffles to eggs rolls close at hand should he get the munchies.
The Brewers were supposed to play the Royals on Friday night on Apple TV, though the game was called 90 minutes before first pitch because of the rain. During a pregame interview with Apple's reporter, Tricia Whitaker, Murphy said he was informed “under no uncertain circumstances, no pocket pancakes” during their talk, so he pulled out what was supposed to be a pocket turtle.
“This is Bobby Jr.,” Murphy said in presenting it to her, having named the creature after his longtime friend, Bobby Witt, and his son, Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. “I didn't want to pull out pancakes so here we are.”
Whitaker posted the moment on social media, and fans immediately informed her that the reptile was not, in fact, a pocket turtle — or any turtle. It was a tortoise, or more specifically a Sulcata tortoise, which can live 70 years and grow to 100 pounds.
“How am I supposed to fly this home?” Whitaker asked.
Good question.
Turns out, as Whitaker later posted on social media, American Airlines has “a strict no reptiles policy,” so Bobby Jr. had to stay behind in Kansas City. The agreement, she wrote, is that the club would keep the tortoise for the time being.
Indeed, the reptile was happily living under a heat lamp in the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday, though the plan is to find Bobby Jr. a good home soon. He won't be traveling with the club all season.
“It was suggested by one player,” Whitaker said, “that they get to keep the ‘rally turtle' if they win today. If they lose, I am hoping, consideration will be given to send me the tortoise.”
Bayern Munich's Tom Bischof scores his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayern Munich at Europa-Park Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa
Tom Bischof scored two late goals and Lennart Karl added a third deep into stoppage time to lead Bayern Munich to a breathtaking 3-2 Bundesliga win at Freiburg.
Johan Manzambi broke the deadlock for the hosts in the 46th minute and Lucas Höler doubled their lead in the 71st.
It looked like Bayern would have to accept their second league defeat of the season, but Bischof was on target in the 81st and then again early in stoppage time.
It was best for Bayern, however, to make a statement heading to the first leg of their Champions League quarter-finals against Madrid on Tuesday. And that's what 18-year-old Lennart Karl did when he scored the winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
Bayern top the standings 12 points ahead of Borussia Dortmund, who visit VfB Stuttgart later.
Bayer Leverkusen survived a hectic match, which had three penalties, to defeat VfL Wolfsburg 6-3.
Alejandro Grimaldo converted the first spot-kick to cancel out Jonas Wind's opener for Wolfsburg. But the guests retook the lead with goals from Joakim Mæhle and Christian Eriksen's penalty.
Grimaldo completed a brace to pull one back for Leverkusen before the break, and they were level in the 53rd as Patrik Schick also converted his spot-kick.
The hosts eventually had the final word thanks to Edmond Tapsoba, Ibrahim Maza and Malik Tillman's effort in stoppage time.
Elsewhere, RB Leipzig beat Werder Bremen 2-1, Borussia Mönchengladbach fought back for a 2-2 draw with Heidenheim, Mainz defeated Hoffenheim 2-1 and 10-man Hamburg held on to a 1-1 draw with Augsburg.
Bayern Munich's Tom Bischof celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayern Munich at Europa-Park Stadium. Tom Weller/dpaBayern Munich's Lennart Karl scores his side's third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayern Munich at Europa-Park Stadium. Tom Weller/dpaBayern Munich's Lennart Karl celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayern Munich at Europa-Park Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa
Bayern’s latest Bundesliga seemed sure to end in a loss for the Rekordbmeister, until outside-the-box heroics from Tom Bischof and a valiant 90+8’ winner from Lennart Karl helped Bayern turn their fate around and end the day on a very positive note.
Harry Kane, who sat the game out due to a minor injury he picked up during the international break, showed support to his teammates for the comeback against all odds.
Speaking post-game to fans on his app Cleats, he said, “Wow, wow, wow…what a comeback! Credit to the boys: that wasn’t easy. What a mentality, what a win! Great away three points.” (as captured by @iMiaSanMia)
Kane’s enthusiasm for the team’s win is great, and the victory certainly helps boost team morale as a decisive clash against Real Madrid looms midweek in the Champions League.
What did you think of the crazy game? Tell us in the comments below!
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…
Guler, Huijsen And Trent Get 7 | Real Madrid Players Rated In Tough Loss Vs Mallorca
Real Madrid faced off against Mallorca at the Son Moix Stadium earlier this afternoon as they hoped to secure a good result on the road in La Liga. Los Blancos made a slow start to the game and conceded the opening goal in the 42nd minute when Manu Morlanes found the back of the net. Alvaro Arbeloa’s men went into the half-time break 1-0 down on the scoreline.
Eder Militao equalised for Los Blancos in the 88th minute before Vedat Muriqi put the home team ahead in injury time. The match ended with Real Madrid suffering a tough 2-1 loss away from home.
Let’s take a look at how each Real Madrid player fared during the clash against Mallorca.
Lunin failed to make a save in the game and conceded twice this afternoon.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10
He made some decent chances in the final third and has got an assist to show for his efforts.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 7/10
Rudiger put his foot through the ball when he could and won his fair share of aerial duels.
CB: Dean Huijsen – 7/10
He didn’t do much wrong on the defensive end of the field and was tidy with his passing.
MALLORCA, SPAIN – APRIL 04: Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid passes the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Daredevil Son Moix on April 04, 2026 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
LB: Alvaro Carreras – 6.5/10
The Spaniard was a positive influence at both ends of the field.
RM: Manuel Angel – 6.5/10
He caught the eye at times but failed to make a difference in the final third.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – 6.5/10
Camavinga did his fair share of defending but lacked quality on the ball.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 6.5/10
He anchored the midfield well but failed to make a difference going forward.
LM: Arda Guler – 7/10
Guler managed to shine at times, but has got nothing to show for his efforts.
ST: Brahim Diaz – 6/10
He was quiet for most of his time on the field.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – 6.5/10
Mbappe caused a few headaches for his marker but failed to find the back of the net.
Substitutes:
LW: Vinicius Junior – 6.5/10
He made a few promising runs with the ball.
CB: Eder Militao – 7/10
Militao was a threat going forward and managed to score in the 88th minute.
Lady Vols basketball will have two of its greatest players inducted to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in its 2026 class.
Candace Parker and Chamique Holdsclaw were both announced as two of the nine members of the 2026 class, the Hall announced April 4. Tennessee will also have a few additional players enter the Hall this year with the induction of the 1996 U.S. women's national team, which included former Lady Vols Nikki McCray-Penson and Carla McGhee.
WNBA great Elena Delle Donne will join Parker, Holdsclaw and the 1996 team on the women's side. The class, which will be enshrined on Aug. 15 in Springfield, Massachusetts, also includes Gonzaga coach Mark Few, Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, former NBA player Amar'e Stoudemire and referee Joey Crawford.
Parker will be enter the Hall in her first year of eligibility, two years after retiring from one of the greatest careers in women's basketball. Parker will also be inducted to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame on June 27 in her first year of eligibility.
Parker retired in April 2024 after 16 seasons in the WNBA. The 6-foot-4 forward was a two-time WNBA MVP, a three-time WNBA champion and a 10-time All-WNBA selection.
Parker is the only player in league history to win WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season in 2008, the same summer she won her first of two Olympic gold medals and went No. 1 overall in the draft. She retired as the only player in league history to rank in the top 10 all-time in points, assists, rebounds and blocks.
Her years in the WNBA were preceded by an illustrious career at Tennessee playing for legendary coach Pat Summitt. Parker led the Lady Vols to back-to-back national championships in 2007 and 2008, winning Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four both years.
Holdsclaw was a six-time WNBA All-Star after she was the No. 1 overall pick of the 1999 WNBA Draft. She's one of the most decorated Lady Vols of all time, winning three straight national championships from 1996-98.
Holdsclaw is still the all-time leading scorer not only for the program, but for the SEC with 3,025 career points – she's the only Lady Vol to ever score more than 3,000 points in their career. She was a four-time All-American who also holds program records for career rebounds, and she was a two-time SEC player of the year and two-time Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
Holdsclaw, who has been a member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame since 2018, was a two-time Naismith Player of the Year in 1998 and 1999.
Holdsclaw was the 1999 WNBA Rookie of the Year and the 2002 scoring champion. She averaged 16.9 points and 7.6 rebounds across her 11-year WNBA career, which included playing for the Washington Mystics, the Los Angeles Sparks, the Atlanta Dream and San Antonio Silver Stars. Holdsclaw won an Olympic gold medal in 2000.
The Calgary Flames continue a lengthy six-game road trip tonight when they visit the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center.
Both clubs have been skating in high-scoring games of late, and I’m predicting more fireworks in my Flames vs. Ducks predictions and NHL picks for Saturday, April 4.
Flames vs Ducks prediction
Flames vs Ducks best bet: Over 6.5 (-115)
Defense has not been the strong suit for either team this season, with the Anaheim Ducks ranking 30th in goals against per game (3.50) and the Calgary Flames sitting 24th (3.16).
Anaheim enters Saturday on a four-game losing skid, allowing 4+ goals in each of those games. The Ducks’ last three games have cashed the Over and featured at least seven total goals.
Meanwhile, the Flames have hit the Over in three straight as well, with each of those contests featuring 9+ total tallies.
Anaheim has cashed the Over in 59% of its games this season — the highest rate in the NHL.
Flames vs Ducks same-game parlay
Yan Kuznetsov has developed into an important piece on the Flames' blueline during his first full NHL season, logging just over 20 minutes per matchup.
The 6-foot-4 defenseman has eclipsed 1.5 blocked shots in 11 of his last 14 games. The Ducks average 30.4 shots per contest— third-most in the NHL — so Kuznetsov should see plenty of rubber coming his way.
Flames vs Ducks SGP
Over 6.5
Yan Kuznetsov Over 1.5 blocked shots
Flames vs Ducks odds
Moneyline: Flames +130 | Ducks -150
Puck Line: Flames +1.5 (-180) | Ducks -1.5 (+155)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-120) | Under 6.5 (+100)
Flames vs Ducks trend
Calgary is 9-2 in its last 11 road meetings against Anaheim. Find more NHL betting trends for Flames vs. Ducks.
How to watch Flames vs Ducks
Location
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Date
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
Sportsnet One
Flames vs Ducks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Tries: Roberts, Nofoaluma, Williams Goals: Roberts
Huddersfield Giants beat York Knights to record back-to-back Super League victories for the first time since August 2025.
Fresh from their stunning win over Wigan Warriors last weekend, Huddersfield scored three tries in the first 14 minutes, although York reduced the deficit to 18-8 at the break, including a debut score for Will Roberts.
Jacob Gagai's two tries in the second half stretched the Giants lead, but they saw it cut again when Paul McShane creatively set up Nikau Williams to touch down.
Zac Woolford's interception saw him race away to get his first Huddersfield try to add gloss to a second win under interim head coach Liam Finn.
The first Super League meeting between these two sides looked like being a one-sided affair as the Giants opened up an 18-0 lead.
First, Woolford's half-blocked pass bounced loose and triggered York's Jesse Dee out of the line, but the ball evaded his attempt to gather and Adam Clune nipped in to score.
Niall Evalds and Tanguy Zenon then went over in a blistering spell where Huddersfield's attacking combinations threatened to overwhelm the visitors.
But York regrouped and Roberts, the former St Helens academy player, got a try on his first appearance as he raced on to Ata Hingano's grubber kick.
Roberts then turned provider, feeding David Nofoaluma, who evaded two challenges to touch down. However the youngster missed both goals in the face of a strong wind.
Any hopes York had of establishing a foothold in the match, though, were all but ended by two tries from Gagai, who showed great strength to touch down under pressure from Roberts for his first.
He then showed brilliant feet to cut in from the left and escape a couple of tackles before speeding away to score.
Between those two tries, York's Kieran Buchanan had a try ruled out by video referee Aaron Moore for obstruction, but they did reduce the deficit when McShane's super aerial pass found Williams in the corner.
But they created problems of their own making when Woolford intercepted and scampered away to seal a 20-point win.
While Auburn basketball aims to win the 2026 NIT Championship on Sunday, they are adding some future opponents to the schedule. Justin Hokanson of Auburn Sports reported on Friday that the Tigers will play the Wisconsin Badgers during the 2026-27 season. The game is scheduled for Dec. 19 in Nashville, Tennessee, at Bridgestone Arena.
It will be just the second time the two teams have met in men's basketball. The last meeting between the schools was in the 2006 South Padre Island Invitational when Wisconsin won 77-63 in the third-place game. That Auburn team was coached by Jeff Lebo and ended the season with a 17-15 record. They did not play in the postseason that year.
Wisconsin finished this season with a 24-11 record and finished fifth in the Big Ten with a 14-6 conference record. The Badgers were upset by No. 12 seed High Point 83-82 in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. They are coached by Greg Gard, who will enter his 12th season with Wisconsin next season. During his time with the Badgers, he has a record of 237-128 and has only missed the postseason once. Nick Boyd (20.7 points per game) and John Blackwell (19.1 points per game) led the Badgers as guards. However, Boyd was a senior this season, and Blackwell was a junior.
Bruce Pearl was known for making Auburn's nonconference slate tough, and that trend looks to continue with Steven Pearl leading the team. Auburn had one of the toughest schedules in college basketball this season. That was a big reason why the Tigers had a case to be in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers will hope to use this run in the NIT to give the program some momentum going into next season.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow Phillip on Twitter@PJordanSports
Penn State football will have a completely overhauled roster to get to know in 2026 under new head coach Matt Campbell. Following one of the most active offseasons in recent memory for Penn State with a flurry of activity in the transfer portal, fans will have a lot of catching up to do in getting to know this year's Penn State roster. Fortunately, not every face will be brand new to fans. Regardless, we will be here to give you a fresh overview of every player on the roster for the 2026 season with a series of player profiles.
From all of the returning players, a long list of new faces from the transfer portal, and incoming recruits from the Class of 2026, we will have you covered with this year's player profiles for the Penn State roster. Here is a quick look at wide receiver Lyrick Samuel for the 2026 season.
Preseason Player Profile
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Height: 6-4
Weight: 177 lbs.
Class in 2026: Redshirt Freshman
Recruiting Rankings
Class of 2025: Composite three-star recruit, No. 64 WR in class, No. 1 in state of NY
A three-star recruit from Erasmus Hall, Samuel received offers from Rutgers, West Virginia, and Syracuse before committing to the Nittany Lions.
Career Stats
Samuel has not compiled any career statistics with the Nittany Lions. He will enter the year as a redshirt freshman.
Depth Chart Overview
Samuel is considered a long term project rather than an immediate starter. He is expected to be in a key backup role at the Z receiver spot behind Brett Eskildsen and will most likely receive some key red zone targets in the offense. A key focus for Samuel would be bulking up to deal with a hevaier workload as his collegiate career progresses.
Random Fact
Samuel was the first wide receiver commitment in Penn State's Class of 2025.
Bayern Munich's German midfielder #42 Lennart Karl (R) celebrates scoring the 2-3 goal with his teammates Bayern Munich's French midfielder #17 Michael Olise (C) and Bayern Munich's Austrian midfielder #27 Konrad Laimer during the German first division Bundesliga football match between SC Freiburg and FC Bayern Munich in Freiburg, southern Germany on April 4, 2026. (Photo by Silas STEIN / AFP via Getty Images) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO | AFP via Getty Images
Bayern Munich had a screamer of a game against SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga. After being down by two goals, the Bavarians made an exhilarating comeback to seize the win with a 2-3 scoreline. Lennart Karl revealed the locker room is feeling unbeatable as the Real Madrid fixture is due next.
Scorer of the winning goal, Lennart Karl did not hold back when asked how big of a boost was this win against Freiburg and what means for the upcoming UCL quarter finals against Real Madrid. “We spoke about that in the dressing room. It gives us a lot of confidence. It was very important. We actually feel unbeatable at the moment,” said Karl (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
It was a brilliant comeback to say the least, of which the youngsters played a massive role. Tom Bischof has repeatedly shown he deserves more minutes. And Karl, has just been Karl. Continues to surprise everyone with his ability and self-belief to do the impossible. The last time Bayern made such a comeback is probably against RB Leipzig with the legendary Arjen Robben scoring the winner.
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…
Real Madrid slip up at Son Moix as Mallorca claim crucial victory in relegation dogfight
Mallorca 2-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid have suffered a potentially crucial slip-up in the La Liga title race, as they fell to defeat against Mallorca at Son Moix.
Alvaro Arbeloa chose to make several changes to his side for the trip to Palma, with Vinicius Junior one of the players left on the bench. Nevertheless, Real Madrid should have scored twice in the first half, but Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Roman expertly denied the returning Kylian Mbappe on both occasions.
Real Madrid and Mbappe were made to pay for those misses as Mallorca took the lead just before half time. Pablo Maffeo picked out Manu Morlanes with a fine cross, and the midfielder finished coolly beyond Andriy Lunin.
It stayed that way until half time, during which Arbeloa would have had to deliver a huge team talk to rally his side to a comeback. But there was little response in the opening 15 minutes of the second period, which prompted the introductions of Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and the returning Eder Militao.
And it was Militao that dragged Real Madrid back level in the 88th minute as he headed home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner. It was a special moment for the defender, who had been out since November with a torn hamstring, although it proved to be in vain in the end as Mallorca netted the winning goal in stoppage time. The visitors were all at sea in defence, and that allowed Mateo Joseph to slip in Vedat Muriqi, who slammed home from inside the penalty area, which sparked jubilant scenes inside Son Moix.
Real Madrid could be out of La Liga title race this evening
It’s a huge win for Mallorca, who leapfrog Elche to move outside of the relegation places. As for Real Madrid, they will fall seven points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race if the Catalans defeat Atletico Madrid later in the day.
FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - APRIL 04: Lennart Karl of FC Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Bundesliga match between SC Freiburg and FC Bayern München at Europa-Park Stadion on April 04, 2026 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich threaded a perfect pass in toward a streaking Alphonso Davies, there was an imminent threat of danger.
The Canadian would make good on that threat.
Davies’ cross was perfectly placed and found Lennart Karl, who deposited the ball into the net to help clinch a 3-2 victory for the Bavarians over SC Freiburg.
The score was even more exciting because it came in the game’s waning seconds after Bayern Munich scuffled for large portions of the match.
It was an amazing — and frankly crazy — turn of events for a team that had lacked urgency for 80 minutes. The goal for Karl, though, was more than just a game-winner, it was the squad’s 100th tally in the Bundesliga this season — a remarkable figure after 28 matches:
Lennart Karl's winner was Bayern's 100th goal of the season. Just one away from the Bundesliga record pic.twitter.com/xISVvtciX6
Bayern Munich will now try and build off of this momentum ahead of its Champions League showdown with Real Madrid on Tuesday.
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…
There are reports Milan legend Paolo Maldini is targeted to be the new President of the Italian Football Federation after Gabriele Gravina’s resignation.
Italian football is in flux following the unprecedented failure to qualify for three consecutive editions of the World Cup.
There have been resignations from FIGC President Gravina, coach Gennaro Gattuso, and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon.
Maldini among options to lead Italian football
LECCE, ITALY – JUNE 22: Paolo Maldini of Milan during the Serie A match between US Lecce and AC Milan at Stadio Via del Mare on June 22, 2020 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
The search is on for a new Federation leader who can enact reforms that help value Italian youth, and an intriguing candidate is Maldini.
Cambridge men celebrate their fourth victory in a row over Oxford - Andrew Boyers/Reuters
Cambridge have extended their dominance of the men’s Boat Race, overcoming some of the most choppy and windy conditions in recent memory to win for the fourth consecutive year.
With a team packed with internationals and Olympians that have swept all before them this year, Cambridge arrived as clear favourites to chalk up yet another win after only losing once in the past decade.
Cambridge began strongly, despite the slight disadvantage of starting from the Middlesex station, before Oxford rallied gamely during a messy middle section of the race.
Both teams were warned by the race umpire and there were a series of close calls between the oars of the two sets of rowers.
With water frequently lapping up into the boat in virtual sea conditions, there were briefly even fears that one of the boats could become submerged.
Oxford’s unexpected resistance was brave, but there is no bluffing over the 4.3-mile Championship Course and Cambridge gradually eased to a comfortable four-length victory to win what was the 171st Boat Race. It was Cambridge’s seventh win in eight years to extend their overall lead since 1829 to 89-81.
While the Dark Blues were again defeated in the men’s race they had had something to celebrate in the earlier women’s race, ending a 10-year wait since their last victory.
After starting from the supposedly slower Middlesex station, Oxford led from literally the first stroke to the last, prevailing over Cambridge for the first time since 2016.
Since then, the Light Blues had won eight times in a row, with the 2020 edition cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic. In front of their proud parents, sisters Lilli and Mia Freischem became the first siblings to compete against one another in the Boat Race, with Oxford’s Lilli securing family bragging rights.
The Dark Blues powered off, taking a lead of half-a-length within the first minute. Cambridge rallied but, as the crews then settled going into the first turn just after Hammersmith Bridge, Oxford had already established clear water. This was vital given that Cambridge had won the toss, and choosing the Surrey station would have given them an advantage on that bend. The Oxford lead mitigated that advantage hugely, however, as they could then move across into the water in front.
Oxford women led from start to finish to win for the first time since 2016 - Yui Mok/PA
The hugely choppy conditions then became significant as they approached Chiswick Pier. Cambridge took the gamble of taking a very different racing line through this section, moving closer to the edge of the Thames and the calmer waters. Oxford, who initially stayed in the traditional race line in the middle, then themselves moved across to counter any possible Cambridge advantage.
It was a smart move, which ultimately negated any possible tactical advantage, before coasting to the sort of emphatic victory that had been the preserve in recent years of Cambridge.
More to follow...
04:08pm
‘We didn’t see the best of Cambridge’
Martin Cross, Olympic rowing champion, says on Channel 4 says...
“I don’t think we saw the best of Cambridge – the rough water was a great leveller. The way the Dark Blues held on to Cambridge at the start, that was sensational.”
Cambridge won for the fourth year running - Carlos Jasso/AFP
03:55pm
Cambridge led from start to finish
Cambridge were strong favourites (as much as 8/1 on with some bookies), but Oxford held on well in the early stsages of the race.
Andrew Matthews/PA
But, having led from the start, the Light Blues got clear water and stretched well ahead.
Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Ultimately, winning by 11 seconds in a time of 17mins 56.84secs.
Andrew Matthews/PA
03:50pm
Winning cox Sammy Houdagui speaks to Channel 4
“That was a fantastic race, all credit to Oxford and all credit to the eight guys.”
03:44pm
Dominant victory
The tough conditions made it look, at times, like sea-rowing.
Cambridge led from start to finish - Andrew Matthews/PA
03:41pm
Cambridge win for fourth time in a row
They were expected to win and the Light Blues led from the start. Oxford battled well against possibly the best eight in the world but it’s defeat once again for the Dark Blues.
03:40pm
Cambridge have led from the start
Carlos Jasso/AFP
03:40pm
Cambridge moving clear
The lead looks to be over three lengths now, and after their impressive battling in the first half of the race Oxford must now know they’re going to lose for the fourth successive time.
03:37pm
The conditions are a leveller
Cambridge are fighting the choppy waters, and they’re doing it well. The lead is roughly two and a half lengths. They’re under Barnes Bridge and making the turn for home.
03:35pm
Oxford did well...
...in the early part of the race but Cambridge are still over two lengths ahead. Last year the Light Blues won by over five lengths, can they win by more this year?
03:33pm
Horrendous conditions
And both crews are fighting the white water. Cambridge are coming into their own and stretching their lead.
03:32pm
At halfway
The Light Blues lead by over a length. The river is choppy and the rough stuff has arrived. Cambridge making the conditions for Oxford even tougher.
03:30pm
Oxford have to try and stay with Cambridge
The conditions are now getting choppy and anything could happen.
03:29pm
At Hammersmith Bridge
Cambridge lead by over a length.
Time for a stat: 80 per cent of the leaders at Hammersmith Bridge go on to win.
03:28pm
Cambridge were expected to be well ahead by now
And they’re not. Oxford are hanging in there, they’re down but still in with a chance.
03:27pm
Really close to a clash
Oxford are being really aggressive, they’re less than a length down and trying to find the fast part of the water before they get the advantage of the Surrey bend.
03:26pm
Conditions are calm
The choppy conditions come later, so important for both to try and eke out a lead early on. Oxford are still down and still being warned to move, there is more than a hint of clashing oars.
03:25pm
Oxford warned
The Dark Blues are being told to move back to their side of the water. Cambridge are favourites and it’s not hard to see why, they’re one of the best eights in rowing and they currently have a lead of half a boat length.
03:23pm
They’re off!
And Cambridge power out to an early lead, but it’s a tiny lead, the Light Blues were expected to lead by now so decent start from Oxford.
03:20pm
The crews are in the water
And we’re moments away from the start of the men’s race.
Can Oxford do the double?
Andrew Matthews/PA
03:14pm
Cambridge dominant
The Light Blues have won the past three races and seven of the past 10 races.
They lost the toss, however, and Oxford will have the Surrey station.
03:12pm
The two line-ups
Oxford Men
Cox- Tobias Bernard (President) Stroke - Harry Geffen 7 - Alex Sullivan 6 - Jamie Arnold 5 - Alex Underwood 4 - Fergus Pim 3 - James Fetter 2 - Julian Schöberl Bow - Felix Crabtree
Cambridge Men
Cox - Sammy Houdagui Stroke - Freddy Breuer 7 - Will Klipstine 6 - Lexi Maclean 5 - Gabriel Obholzer 4 - Patrick Wild 3 - Kyle Fram 2 - Noam Mouelle (President) Bow - Simon Hatcher
Bernard (Oxford) and Hatcher (Cambridge) are the only returning participants from last year’s showdown. Both teams boast international prestige with World Championship and Olympic success amongst their ranks. Both teams are dominated by postgraduate students with Underwood (Oxford), Bernard (Oxford) and Wild (Cambridge) the only undergraduate representatives.
03:11pm
Oxford end Cambridge women’s decade of dominance
Oxford have ended a 10-year wait since their last victory in the women’s Boat Race.
After starting from the supposedly slower Middlesex station, Oxford led from literally the first stroke to the last, prevailing over Cambridge for the first time since 2016.
Since then, the Light Blues had won eight times in a row, with the 2020 edition cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic. In front of their proud parents, sisters Lilli and Mia Freischem became the first siblings to compete against one another in the Boat Race, with Oxford’s Lilli securing family bragging rights.
The Dark Blues powered off, taking a lead of half-a-length within the first minute. Cambridge rallied but, as the crews then settled going into the first turn just after Hammersmith Bridge, Oxford had already established clear water. This was vital given that Cambridge had won the toss, and choosing the Surrey station would have given them an advantage on that bend. The Oxford lead mitigated that advantage hugely, however, as they could then move across into the water in front.
Oxford led from start to finish to win for the first time since 2016 - Yui Mok/PA
The hugely choppy conditions then became significant as they approached Chiswick Pier. Cambridge took the gamble of taking a very different racing line through this section, moving closer to the edge of the Thames and the calmer waters. Oxford, who initially stayed in the traditional race line in the middle, then themselves moved across to counter any possible Cambridge advantage.
It was a smart move, which ultimately negated any possible tactical advantage, before coasting to the sort of emphatic victory that had been the preserve in recent years of Cambridge.
02:57pm
Cambridge bow Gemma King speaks
“Not the outcome we wanted, but am proud of the crew. There were crazy conditions out there. We’ll be back.”
02:54pm
‘Relieved and overjoyed’
So happy for the Oxford women. I’m crying sitting here on my sofa. They’ve done it. They have finally broken Cambridge. Heidi Long was magnificent in brutal conditions. The mood on the Oxford women’s alumnae WhatsApp group is jubilant. We are relieved and overjoyed. Their coach Allan French has been so supportive of the veterans – I am so happy for him. He deserves this victory.
02:50pm
How to end a decade of dominance
Oxford led from the start in choppy conditions - Yui Mok/PAOxford ended a losing streak of eight defeats - Yui Mok/PAAfter the pain, the elation - Yui Mok/PA
02:45pm
Pete Reed on the Oxford win
“That was so incredible. They’re making the memories of a lifetime. I am so proud of them and hopefully that’s a change of momentum for the Dark Blues.”
02:41pm
Oxford win
The Dark Blues end the losing streak in the most dominant way possible. They led from the start and won by over two lengths.
02:40pm
Oxford lead by over two lengths
It’s been a dominant performance and they’ll win for the first time since 2016.
02:39pm
Cambridge still in Oxford’s wake
How he race has looked for the vast majority of the time since the start - Yui Mok/PA
02:37pm
Oxford battling through the conditions
They were at 36 strokes a minutes and are now down to 32. The lead remains two lengths.
02:35pm
Two kilometres to go
And the Light Blues need a miracle...both crews are in the pain zone...feel the burn!
02:34pm
Oxford respond to the Cambridge gamble
They, too, go to the south bank of the Thames and the gap remains sizeable, roughly two lengths now.
02:33pm
Gamble from Cambridge
They’re not fighting for what is assumed to the be the fast water and looking for a calmer part of the river.
02:32pm
Pain on the faces of the Oxford crew
But I cannot see them blowing up from here, the lead is over a length and a half.
There is white water on the famous river - the conditions are bad.
02:29pm
Surrey bend is worth 3/4s of a length
But Cambridge won’t get that advantage as they are now two lengths down, with Oxford rowing in the part of the water they want thanks to their lead.
02:28pm
Cambridge struggling
The conditions are choppy and even more so for the Light Blues who have to deal with the extra ‘waves’ created by the Oxford boat which is stretching it’s lead as they approach the Hammersmith Bridge. The gap is up to about a boat and a half...
02:26pm
Oxford’s race to lose
There’s clear water now and they can now move into the other boat’s water. The Light Blues are five seconds down.
02:25pm
Past Craven Cottage they go
And Oxford still hold the advantage, Cambridge are still in it and trying to hold on for the Surrey bend when they will hopefully, for them, eat into the Dark Blues’ lead, which is about a boat length.
02:23pm
Cambridge had to respond
And they’ve done just that. Meanwhile, Oxford are being warned and told to move from the Light Blues’ boat.
02:23pm
They’re off!
Both crew fire out of the blocks and it’s a great start from Oxford, just what they needed, looking to end the eight-race losing streak. A minute in and the Dark Blues have a lead of about five metres.
Andrew Matthews/PA
02:19pm
Crews are at the start
And we’re moments away from the women’s Boat Race.
The start is key, you have to go out as hard and fast as you can. Feel those legs and lungs burn...
02:16pm
Preparations all done – time for the race
Cambridge University crew take their places in the boat and throw their wellies ashore ahead - Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesAnnie Anezakis of Oxford University helps to carry the boat to the water - Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesSpectators line the Thames showing their allegiances - Kevin Coombs/Reuters
02:11pm
How do Oxford women break the eight-race losing streak?
According to Pete Reed, three-time Olympic champion and former Oxford rower...
“The hard work is done, now down to belief. They just need to execute their plan on the water.”
02:05pm
Surrey station is likely to be more sheltered
The conditions are challenging and it’s no shock to find that the winners of the coin toss (Cambridge women and Oxford men) have both opted for the southern bank of the famous river.
02:00pm
Blustery out on the Thames
I’m in place on the beach at Quintin Boat Club, which is just after the finish line at Chiswick Bridge. Certainly rather more blustery and wintery than last year, with the elements expected to become particularly significant around Chiswick Pier. Both crews will hope to have established clear water by then so that they can choose their line into the final bend.
01:58pm
The women’s race is 30 minutes away
So, who are the favourites? Well, it’s Oxford and the Dark Blues are desperate for a win because they haven’t tasted victory since 2016. Overall, Cambridge hold the advantage, 49-30.
Oxford Women’s Esther Briz Zamorano throws their wellington boot - Andrew Matthews/PA
01:50pm
Weather report
It’s dry BUT the water is expected to be choppy, not ideal...
01:41pm
Channel 4 coverage...
...is under way and it’s no shock at all to see it helmed by Clare Balding, is there anything she doesn’t present? Perhaps, more surprisingly, Jamie Laing of Made in Chelsea fame is her co-presenter...
01:37pm
The coin toss
The first significant action of the day: The coin toss. Highly significant in the Boat Race, with the Surrey station providing a definite but still very surmountable advantage at Hammersmith Bridge.
Cambridge women and Oxford men won their respective tosses, and both predictably opting for the Surrey station.
The wider context suggests Cambridge may be rather happier with that outcome than Oxford. Word from inside the Cambridge camp is that the men’s team should still have too much for Oxford but the women, after seven straight wins, are in for a huge test if they want to extend that winning streak and so will want every possible edge.
01:36pm
Early starts and blistered hands
Another reason why I couldn’t row (bar the early starts...) is the damage it does to your hands.
“When you first start rowing, and even when you’ve been off for the summer and you come back for the start of the season, you get so many blisters. And it’s all tearing apart, and your hands are bleeding, and it’s all rough. And especially when you’re rowing with the oar, the handle gets a lot of friction on your hands, and that’s what caused the blisters, and then the blisters pop, and then they really hurt.”
Hands that tell a story - blistered hands of Carys Earl, who will race for Cambridge this afternoon
01:05pm
Cambridge dominate (again...)
Sigh. Another Boat Race day, and another Cambridge clean sweep. On Friday, it was the turn of the Lightweights and the Veterans, a warm up before the big day today. I sincerely hope it’s not a precedent for today’s results.
I rowed in the Oxford Women’s Veteran Boat. Last year, we were the only Oxford crew to win, and we were sure the Cambridge veterans wouldn’t have enjoyed that pasting. Indeed, out came their Rolodex of Olympians who’ve rowed for the Light Blues. Three time world champion Olivia Coffey and Olympic gold medallist and rowing legend Grace Prendergast were at 6 and 7 respectively, with silver medallist Cath Bishop my opposite number at four (“We had to up our game,” she told me). MI6 Chief Blaise Metreweli was a no-show for our opponents, presumably so we didn’t have to have a police escort.
We made three changes, with our powerful number 5, Emily Reynolds, from our 2025 crew now six months’ pregnant. Perhaps crucially, our age average was 50 to Cambridge’s 46 (Blues Veterans crews have to be 42 average or above).
There’s no stake boat and the river is open for the Lightweights and Veterans, so once the Uber boat was out the way, we set off, having won the toss and elected for Surrey.
Lebby Eyres on the Thames in last year’s Veterans race - Jeff Gilbert
Our Dark Blue boat got off to a strong start, edging out to a 2ft lead past the boat houses. But the Light Blues took full advantage of their early bend, and between the Black Buoy and Craven Cottage, got almost a length of clear water in blustery conditions. At the milepost, they were 6.3 seconds ahead.
In contrast to most Boat Races, and perhaps a hint for today, our coxes had different interpretations of where the stream is on the stretch to Hammersmith. We were wide apart, and there was none of the gladiatorial frenzy of our dead heat two years ago. (The men’s veterans still managed to engineer a clash, however, in a dramatic race which saw the lead change twice).
With cox Joe Gellett from the 2024 Blue Boat urging us on, we did not lose our self-belief. “They’re not moving away!” he cried, and we believed him, finally settling into a long and powerful rhythm in flatter water.
From Harrods Furniture Depository onwards, with the bend now in our favour, we started to reel them in. I could suddenly hear their cox again, and knew we were agonisingly close. Our late surge through the bridge brought the boats into contact again, but it was Cambridge for the win at Furnivall steps, 3.58 seconds ahead in a time of 8 mins 38 seconds. The verdict from my son, the harshest critic of my rowing? “Close, against a stacked crew.” I’ll take that, but I wish we could have provided a glimmer of hope.
My predictions for today? It’s going to be windy so weather will play a part – the Lightweights yesterday, rowing the full course, had white horses to deal with at Chiswick Eyot. Whoever wins the toss, I’d remind Oxford you can win from both stations, as Cambridge demonstrated yesterday. The Oxford women are the favourites: I’m just praying to the gods for a Dark Blue win.
12:40pm
Sibling rivalry
For the first time in the history of the Boat Race, two sisters will compete against one another. The Freischem sisters, Lilli and Mia, will represent Oxford and Cambridge respectively. The pair do not come from a traditional rowing background. It was only by virtue of “Covid boredom” during their time at the University of Edinburgh that they began rowing. Nor did it influence elder sister Lilli’s choice to study her PhD at Oxford . She said: “it was a completely academic choice [to study at] a high-quality institution.” They will put rivalry aside shortly after as they will compete together in the German National Championships two weeks after this clash.
The Freischam family will definitely have a winner today as Lilli and Mia race for opposing boats - Yui Mok/PA
12:19pm
Who has sacrificed a load of lie-ins?
The thing that always prevented me from be a world-class rower (that and about a billion other reasons...) is the the fact that rowers get up at stupid-o-clock, when most sane people are still asleep. Isn’t one of the great things about being a student the fact that you can sleep in of a morning? Anyway, more fool them – here are the four crews for today’s races.
Cambridge Women
Cox - Matt Moran Stroke - Aidan Wrenn-Walz 7 - Mia Freischem 6 - Camille Vandermeer 5 - Antonia Galland 4 - Carys Earl 3 - Charlotte Ebel 2 - Isobel Campbell Bow - Gemma King (President)
Spearheaded by Olympic bronze-medallist Heidi Long, Oxford also boasts Spanish Olympian Esther Briz Zamorano. Domestically, Kyla Delray has represented Great Britain at Junior, Under 23 and Senior level at World Rowing Championships. Meanwhile for Cambridge, their stroke Aidan Wrenn-Walz, has represented the USA at junior level. Camille VanderMeer, compatriot of Wrenn-Walz, was part of the USA’s World Rowing Championships’ outfit last year. Gemma King, President and Bow, is taking part in her seventh Boat Race Weekend and her third in the Blue Boat.
Oxford Men
Cox- Tobias Bernard (President) Stroke - Harry Geffen 7 - Alex Sullivan 6 - Jamie Arnold 5 - Alex Underwood 4 - Fergus Pim 3 - James Fetter 2 - Julian Schöberl Bow - Felix Crabtree
Cambridge Men
Cox - Sammy Houdagui Stroke - Freddy Breuer 7 - Will Klipstine 6 - Lexi Maclean 5 - Gabriel Obholzer 4 - Patrick Wild 3 - Kyle Fram 2 - Noam Mouelle (President) Bow - Simon Hatcher
Bernard (Oxford) and Hatcher (Cambridge) are the only returning participants from last year’s showdown. Both teams boast international prestige with World Championship and Olympic success amongst their ranks. Both teams are dominated by postgraduate students with Underwood (Oxford), Bernard (Oxford) and Wild (Cambridge) the only undergraduate representatives.
11:37am
New era for historic race
The Boat Race: elitist bit of exercise on the Thames or top-class sporting event that demands attention?
As with most debates, the answer doubtless lies in between these two extreme viewpoints. What is not in doubt, however, is that this event is staple part of the British sporting schedule, a sign that spring has sprung and something that millions of us watch every year. It occupies a somewhat quaint and historic space in British sport and, since 1927, was synonymous with the BBC.
That is, until now.
To watch the race today, you will need to turn on Channel 4 and if you want to listen then you’ll have to tune into Times Radio. The Boat Race had signed with commercial broadcasters for TV and radio just once before. ITV had the TV contract from 2005-09, while LBC had radio rights from 2005-10.
Channel 4 has a five-year deal for event which was first shown on the BBC in 1938.
The radio deal comes after sources close to talks told Telegraph Sport last October that the BBC’s director of sport appeared to show “very little enthusiasm” during negotiations.
BBC sources previously countered claims that Alex Kay-Jelski, who arrived as director of sport in 2024, viewed the event as “elitist”.
Insiders at the BBC told Telegraph Sport that a failure to renew rights was based purely on concerns around return on investment.
So a new era for the Dark Blue and Light Blue race in London, but one cannot help but think the BBC has dropped the ball (or oar?) here, at a time when it has ever fewer sporting events – that either demand attention or attract attention – to cover.
Cambridge have dominated in both the women’s and men’s races and in the men’s race the Light Blues are strong favourites once more. It’s a different tale in the women’s race, where Oxford start as favourites.
First up is the women’s race, set to get under way at 2.21 and then at the men’s battle will begin at 3.21 – stay here for all the action on the Thames.
It’s a full Saturday of MLB action today, but my MLB home run predictions see value in two players from the same game, as the Nationals and Dodgers have both good matchups... and good hitting conditions.
See why my MLB player props for April 4 are keying in on CJ Abrams and Teoscar Hernandez from that game, as well as the electric Elly De La Cruz — and a nearly 200/1 parlay for all three to go yard!
UPDATE: Added Elly De La Cruz HR pick + parlay.
Best MLB home run props today
Player to hit a HR
Odds
CJ Abrams
+560
Teoscar Hernandez
+450
Elly De La Cruz
+600
💲Today's HR parlay
+19993
CJ Abrams (+560)
CJ Abrams is off to a strong start this season, hitting .269 with an increase in his hard-hit rate. The Nationals' shortstop has gone deep in back-to-back contests and is seeing the ball well, with six hits in his last four games.
He'll face flamethrower Tyler Glasnow today, but Abrams is hitting .429 against fastballs early in the season (after hitting .292 against the heater last year), and he has gone yard off Glasnow already in his career.
We also get a boost from the weather, as the wind is expected to be blowing 10 mph straight out to center field.
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NATS, SNLA
Teoscar Hernandez (+450)
I'm sticking with the same game but shifting over to the Dodgers, as Teoscar Hernandez has long been an elite power hitter, but has yet to hit a dinger in 2026.
His issue has been an absurd 69% ground-ball rate (and a 6.3% fly-ball rate that's well below his 28.1% career average), but the veteran is still hitting .320 on the year and has a great get-right matchup in facing Jake Irvin.
The Nats righty surrendered an MLB-worst 38 home runs last year, and started his 2026 campaign by allowing two dingers to the Cubs — including a 58% hard-hit rate and 33.3% FB rate.
Teo is also 4-for-13 off Irvin in his career, with a pair of long balls.
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NATS, SNLA
Elly De La Cruz (+600)
Elly De La Cruz is only hitting .214 so far, but his power has been on full display when he does make contact. The Cincinnati Reds star has six hits on the season, but three of them have left the yard — and he’s gone deep in two of his last three contests.
He and the Reds will face Kumar Rocker tonight, and while the young righty has electric stuff, he struggles with control... and coughing up homers: Rocker only made 14 starts last year, but allowed 11 dingers... and the wind at Globe Life Field is projected to be blowing out to left field at around 13 mph.
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: RSN, CINR
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
HR picks: 3-9, +0.72 units
Today’s HR parlay
CJ Abrams
Bet Now +19993
Teoscar Hernandez
Elly De La Cruz
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Bayern Munich's German midfielder #42 Lennart Karl celebrates scoring the 2-3 goal with his teammates during the German first division Bundesliga football match between SC Freiburg and FC Bayern Munich in Freiburg, southern Germany on April 4, 2026. (Photo by Silas STEIN / AFP via Getty Images) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO | AFP via Getty Images
Dreams do come true. Even the wild ones. And there is no bigger proof to this than Lennart Karl.
Bayern Munich’s youngster Karl was perhaps the hero tonight — the team secured three points by dint of his last-minute goal that won them the game. Karl wasn’t the most important guy on the pitch — the extraordinary efforts of Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise that engineered the brace Tom Bischof scored were all crucial to the win. However, he took what looked like a difficult draw and turned it into a massive win for the Bavarians.
Karl then spoke following the game on how it felt to score the winner. He spoke on his dreams of scoring a late winner, culminating in a celebration that would involve taking his shirt off. Granted, taking one’s jersey off is a straight ticket to a yellow card in the modern game, but this is a real dream nonetheless for surely thousands of young footballers.
“A very, very intense feeling for me. I’d been thinking the whole time about taking off my jersey, and then it actually happened. (…) Then I scored the goal, and that’s when things really took off,” he said to Sky, per Bild.
“I’ve always had it in my mind to score a late winner and take off my shirt. Thankfully it worked out, an incredible feeling. I had a bit of a feeling that I was going to score today. It happened and it was perfect,” he declared.
BFW Commentary
I last compared the youth movement in Bayern to the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire, and player performances tonight really cement that fact. The kids are here, and here to win.
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…
FISHERS, Indiana, April 3 — It's the high school basketball national championship game.
Or at least the closest thing we have to it.
The Chipotle Nationals championship game is set for 12 p.m. EST local at Hamilton Southeastern High School, and one half of the bracket looks familiar. The No. 11 Montverde [FL] Academy Eagles have made the field at the Chipotle Nationals 14 years in a row, and they've won the tournament seven times.
On the other side of the bracket waiting for them are the No. 7 CIA-Bella Vista [Phoenix, AZ] Bears who will be playing for their first title.
Neither team is guaranteed to win the title of The Sporting News High School Basketball National Champions where both of them entered the week ranked behind the No. 5 Sierra Canyon [Chatsworth, CA] Trailblazers. But the top four teams in SN's rankings all lost at the Chipotle Nationals at least opening up the door a bit to the possibility. And none of those four teams – No. 1 Dynamic Prep [Dallas, TX], No. 2 AZ Compass Prep [Chandler, AZ] Dragons, No. 3 Prolific Prep [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Crew, and No. 4 Paul VI [Chantilly, VA] Panthers – even made it to the championship game, of course.
Sierra Canyon will no doubt move up, too, but the Trailblazers aren't allowed to participate in the event due to California's CIF rules. They had to settle for California's Open Division state championship, but a wild and crazy week in Fishers, Indiana, may yet deliver a national title to the Trailblazers.
That will be announced next week after all the results are in.
A missed three by Montverde ends it. CIA-Bella Vista is the Chipotle high school boys basketball national champions!
__________
They miss the first free throw, but they sink the second to make it a two-possession game at 69-65. 4.8 seconds to play. As long as CIA-Bella Vista doesn't foul, they'll win their first Chipotle Nationals title.
__________
Missed three pointer by Montverde, but CIA-Bella Vista steps out of bounds with the rebound. Osaruyi fouls out afterward, and Montverde banks in a three-pointer to trim it to 68-65 with 4.8 seconds remaining. They have to foul after the inbound, and CIA-Bella Vista to the line.
__________
It's 68-62, CIA Bella Vista after the free throws.
__________
CIA-Bella Vista ball, and Montverde has to foul with 26.9 seconds remaining. Bears to the free throw line.
__________
40 seconds to play, it's still a game. CIA-Bella Vista clinging to a 66-62 lead. Montverde not going away.
__________
Under a minute, it's 66-60, CIA-Bella Vista headed into a timeout. They've got the ball when they head back to the court.
__________
It's down to 64-60 on a dunk by Montverde!
__________
Under two to play, it's CIA-Bella Vista up 64-58.
__________
Three to play, it's 62-56, CIA-Bella Vista heading into a timeout.
__________
4:12 to play, it's 60-53, CIA-Bella Vista.
__________
Five to play, it's 60-52, CIA-Bella Vista headed into a timeout.
__________
At the 6:10 mark, it's 56-48, CIA-Bella Vista.
__________
It's getting just a little bit chippy with double technicals near the seven-minute mark. A long delay figuring it all out with CIA-Bella Vista up, 54-47.
__________
The fourth quarter is under way!
__________
END OF THIRD QUARTER — CIA-Bella Vista 52, Montverde Academy 47
__________
Montverde hits another bit three to get it within three at 50-47, and CIA-Bella Vista closes the scoring the quarter with a finish at the rim to make it a five-point game headed to the fourth period.
__________
Under a minute to play, and Montverde trims it to 50-44 on a big triple! They're on a 10-2 run with the ball.
__________
Under the two-minute mark, Montverde has got it back to single digits at 50-41 after falling into a 19-point hole earlier.
__________
At the 3:11 mark, it's CIA-Bella Vista up 48-34.
__________
Timeout near the halfway mark, it's 46-34, CIA-Bella Vista.
__________
Under five to play, Montverde on an 8-0 run to get it back down to 11 at 43-32.
__________
Under the seven-minute mark, it's 40-22, CIA-Bella Vista.
__________
The third quarter is under way!
__________
END OF SECOND QUARTER — CIA-Bella Vista 36, Montverde Academy 19
__________
Under 90 seconds, it's all CIA-Bella Vista now, 34-19.
__________
Under the two-minute mark, CIA-Bella Vista has steadily pulled away over the last couple of minutes. Up 31-19 headed into a timeout.
__________
Under three to play before the half, it's 27-19, CIA-Bella Vista.
__________
Under the 3:30 mark, CIA-Bella Vista takes it's biggest lead of the game at 24-17.
__________
At the 4:38 mark, CIA-Bella Vista hits a three out of the timeout to go up, 21-15. They are on a 9-0 run.
__________
Under five to play in the quarter, it's CIA-Bella Vista in front, 18-15. Timeout in Fishers.
__________
CIA-Bella Vista back to the lead at the 5:44 mark. It's 16-15.
__________
Under the six-minute mark, it's 15-14, Montverde.
__________
Just under seven, it's 13-12, Montverde.
__________
The second quarter is under way!
__________
FIRST QUARTER — Montverde Academy 13, CIA-Bella Vista 10
__________
Back-and-forth they go, it's 9-8, Montverde. 1:19 to play.
__________
Offense is a little hard to come by so far. Just under two to play, it's 8-7, CIA-Bella Vista.
__________
Timeout just under the four-minute mark, and it's still Montverde on top, 5-4.
__________
Dhani Miller with a three to put Montverde up, 5-2. CIA-Bella Vista answers, and it's 5-4 just under the five-minute mark.
__________
Both teams come up empty in their opening possessions, but CIA-Bella Vista breaks the ice on their next possession followed by Montverde's answer. Approaching six minutes, it's 2-all.
__________
The Chipotle Nationals championship game is under way!
__________
Coming soon! Game time is set for 12 p.m. EST local!
__________
How can I watch CIA-Bella Vista vs. Montverde Academy?
Spalletti: De Rossi is one of my footballing sons, I love him as much as I think he loves me
At 20:45 CEST on Monday, April 6, Juventus will face Genoa in the league at the Allianz Stadium: the Bianconeri will host the Ligurian team on matchday thirty-one of Serie A.
Coach Luciano Spalletti presented the match against the Rossoblu in the press conference 48 hours before the match.
"The games that await us are important, but it's our standard. It's normal to play these types of games. It always has been and always will be. We'll have to be ready to give our all; we have little margin given the current standings. We'll have to win almost all of them to be in the competition. We'll have to be clear-headed and make correct assessments, but I expect a team at their best for a very difficult match against a strong team like Genoa.
'I can't understand why you're so concerned about my contract renewal: from a relationship standpoint, everything is fine, regular. The priority must be given to the match against Genoa, which is extremely difficult. There will be an opportunity in the next few days, it doesn't have to be done in an hour. It's something that comes naturally. It's unnatural not to plan the match against Genoa well. De Rossi deservedly won against Roma three games ago, that's the priority, the utmost attention, the current difficulty. Not having one more or one less contract signed."
SQUAD CONDITION
"Vlahovic is fine, he trained well because these two weeks allowed him to alternate between hard training sessions, followed by the opportunity to recover because the rotation was needed. I'll try to evaluate carefully; I think it'll be tough for him to start, but I think it's possible he can help us during the match. Boga has shown everyone that he has specific characteristics, he has flashes of quality, made up of strength. He's a bit bothered by physical contact; he's a player who's best started from the outside because he sees the opponent and the ball. We're happy to have him available, and he's in perfect condition. These days have helped us get to know each other better."
DE ROSSI IS A CHALLENGING COACH
"De Rossi is one of my footballing sons, I love him as much as I think he loves me. Sometimes I've gotten on his nerves, as happens in real life between father and son. There's that famous saying that parents understand each other when you become one. He shapes a team, he adds something to it. Beyond his role as coach, he brings something extra. Now it seems difficult for me not to be able to say that this isn't De Rossi's Genoa, it's his Genoa. He created it to his own measure, and you can see the characteristics of him as a player, in the mentality, in the strength, in the ability to be compact and aggressive, wherever you are on the pitch."
At this point, it's a foregone conclusion that Aaron Rodgers will eventually re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers and be the team's starting quarterback in 2026. Rodgers was a bit of a drama queen last offseason and we expect nothing less this time around with new head coach Mike McCarthy.
But then there's Will Howard. And Mason Rudolph. We've heard all the hype around Howard and McCarthy and at this point, it's hard to imagine Rudolph is going to be on the roster at the start of the season. So what to do with a Rodgers/Howard combo? Former NFL scout John Middlekauff had some strong thoughts on the matter and thinks both quarterbacks will get starts this season.
"If I was a betting man, because it's like who are their quarterbacks?" Middlekauff asked. "Will Howard's going to be the backup and Aaron Rodgers is going to be the starter. And based on a guy being over 40, there is no guarantee, and we just saw last year he broke his hand and Aaron Rodgers no longer moves at all. Like Will Howard is probably going to get some starts in 2026."
Rodgers missed one game last season with an injury and played hurt for the remainder of the season. We would hope that McCarthy would have more sense than Mike Tomlin, who brought Rodgers back at least a week early and it showed in his play. If the Steelers go all-in on Rodgers this year and Howard for the future, it could mean the team passes on a quarterback in the 2026 NFL draft.
Mallorca's Vedat Muriqi netted a late goal to secure his team a surprise win over Real Madrid on Saturday (JAIME REINA)
Vedat Muriqi snatched Mallorca a surprise 2-1 La Liga win over Real Madrid on Saturday to deal Los Blancos a significant blow in the Spanish title race.
Alvaro Arbeloa's side thought they had rescued a point after Eder Militao nodded home with two minutes remaining before Muriqi pounced in stoppage time to help the hosts climb to 17th.
The defeat leaves second-place Real Madrid four points behind leaders Barcelona, who visit Atletico Madrid later on Saturday.
Arbeloa started the game with Vinicius Junior on the bench, with Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich in mind.
Madrid lacked spark in the first half, creating few openings of note. The best was for top scorer Kylian Mbappe, fit after a knee sprain that has troubled him for months.
Arda Guler rolled a ball in behind Mallorca's defence for the French superstar to dart on to but Leo Roman saved with his leg.
The goalkeeper denied Mbappe again after Eduardo Camavinga fed him and Antonio Rudiger also nodded over from a corner.
Manu Morlanes threatened for Mallorca, heading just over, but Madrid did not heed the warning.
The midfielder opened the scoring a few minutes later, losing Camavinga and arriving into the box to fire Pablo Maffeo's cross into the bottom corner past Andriy Lunin.
Leo Roman saved from Mbappe early in the second half as Madrid searched for an equaliser.
Arbeloa sent on Vinicius, Jude Bellingham and Militao for his first appearance since December after injury.
Madrid huffed and puffed but to little avail as Martin Demichelis's Mallorca stayed solid at the back until the final stages.
They were eventually undone by Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner, whipped towards Militao, who powered a header into the top corner.
However there was a sting in the tail for Madrid.
Muriqi, second top scorer in the division behind Mbappe, lashed past Lunin in the 91st minute to claim three points for his side with his 18th league goal of the campaign.
Mallorca climbed two points clear of the drop zone after recording a famous victory, which the players celebrated gleefully with the fans at the end.
On this week’s SmackDown, WWE fans were served one of the most disappointing reveals in decades. After weeks of hyping a mystery figure that has been pushing WWE undisputed title challenger Randy Orton to go to dark places so he can win the belt at WrestleMania 42, fans of the company were universally let down to find out that the individual was… Pat McAfee.
Heading into the expected reveal, legends of the industry that had unique links to Orton or his WrestleMania opponent, Cody Rhodes, were named in the speculation about the mystery caller. Greats like Ric Flair, The Rock, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, and even Shane McMahon. Instead, WWE fans got McAfee. A sometimes analyst and wrestler, more known for his podcast and NFL career.
The reveal was met with confusion inside the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and disdain online. Including thousands more dislikes than likes on YouTube for the video of the moment. What made the surprise reveal more bizarre is the why of it all.
The popular podcaster ranted about the product being lackluster and missing the violent, adult, grittiness of the Attitude Era, and that the company needs to push the 46-year-old Orton because Rhodes is a poor leader, and why the product is not what it should be.
There has been some pushback from fans about Rhodes, his character, and his featured role over the last year. There is a level of truth in what McAfee said on SmackDown. However, his return highlights a far bigger problem. That is WWE and their parent company TKO’s celebrity worship on the Road to WrestleMania.
Pat McAfee and the IWC’s case against Cody Rhodes
Credit: WWE
There was no performer hotter in the industry than Cody Rhodes in 2024. His journey to finish the story at WrestleMania 40 took the business by storm and made the event a historic success. He filled the void left by John Cena, but without the divisive reactions from fans.
However, “The American Nightmare” has lost a lot of steam with some fans over the last year. They have grown tired of him being a main fixture in the WWE title picture as well as his lengthy reigns. Furthermore, he often lacks the edge that made him a superstar in 2023 and 2024 as he looks to be this generation’s version of Cena. But is that really all on Rhodes?
He is the QB1, especially with fellow top star Roman Reigns having a part-time schedule. In the end, WWE is still a business, and he is putting butts in seats. Despite frustratingly high ticket prices, the company is still doing well with him as the face. Sure, he has a say in his storylines, but blame needs to fall on the head of creative Paul “Triple H” Levesque and his team for the opposition they put in front of the WWE champ. A great face needs multiple great heels.
Rhodes didn’t choose to face Drew McIntyre too many times over the last few months. Nor does he have a say on the rest of the show and other frustrations with the product, as McAfee mentioned in his rant. Like the QB1 of an NFL team, he has taken on the blame for concerns he has no control over. Yet, instead of making the product better, WWE is leaning on a different strategy that has gotten out of control.
Why WWE’s celebrity worship is getting out of control
Credit: WWE
Celebrity appearances in WWE are nothing new. That crossover of stars from other industries has often been very helpful for the brand. Like Cyndi Lauper in the 1980s, Mike Tyson in the late 1990s, and Bad Bunny in recent years. Those names bring added attention to the product and possibly new fans.
However, the company is starting to go to that well way too much instead of focusing on making their content as strong as it was just a couple of years ago. And that overindulgence may be something forced on decision-makers by their bosses at TKO.
According to a new report, McAfee’s unexpected return to be involved in the Orton and Rhodes storyline was pushed by TKO. With many believing by CEO Ari Emanuel, who is a big fan of McAfee and is trying to turn him into a film star.
It has been speculated in the past that TKO may have also been a driving force in The Rock making a random return at last year’s Elimination Chamber, but never returning to finish off his role in John Cena’s heel turn. Likewise, with hip-hop superstar Travis Scott being in that storyline, but turning into an unreliable celebrity flake who made just one more appearance and then disappeared.
Recent WWE celebrity appearances: Jelly Roll, Lil Yachty, Cardi B, IShowSpeed, Sexyy Red, Pat McAfee
Credit: WWE
Yet, there have been other instances of overuse of celebrities that may have had nothing to do with TKO. Grammy winner Jelly Roll appeared in a disturbing five segments last week on SmackDown. Including getting a win over Kit Wilson in a singles match, and being hit with an RKO at the end of the broadcast.
Rapper Lil Yachty was on this week’s SmackDown, serving as the guest pal of rising star Trick Williams. IShowSpeed was on WWE Raw this week, accidentally helped The Vision win the tag titles, and is expected to be in a six-man tag match at WrestleMania this month.
There are also rumors that NFL legend Tom Brady could also appear at WrestleMania this year to continue a bizarre rivalry with Logan Paul. Rapper Sexyy Red will make yet another appearance for NXT this weekend, and Cardi B hosted SummerSlam in August. Furthermore, McAfee is back in the fold, again, because of his fame outside WWE.
WWE’s over-reliance on celebrity appearances is getting out of hand. And in wonderful irony, McAfee has further spotlighted — although that was not his goal — how it has become a far bigger problem than Rhodes. In a time where WWE has its greatest roster ever, wasting TV time and valuable spots in major stories on celebs and not current or legendary talent, isn’t Rhodes’ fault and is a symptom of a greater problem.
PREVIEW | Juventus vs Genoa - team news, lineups, predictions
Juventus and Genoa face each other this Monday at the Juventus Stadium on Match Day 31 of the Serie A. The match will be broadcast live at 17:00 on DAZN.
Juventus currently have 54 points and lie in 5th position. In their last fixture, the Bianconeri shared the spoils 1-1 with Sassuolo (Serie A 2025/26).
Genoa have 33 points to their name this season and occupy 13th position in the table. In their last fixture, Daniele De Rossi's team suffered a 0-2 reverse against Udinese (Serie A 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Juventus winning 1-0.
Login
