While the social media starlet had plenty of fame for out-of-competition reasons, she also entered the Milan-Cortina Games with plenty of hype for her skill on the ice. Leerdam was previously an Olympic silver medalist in the 2022 Beijing Games.
Last week, “The Flying Dutchwoman” claimed gold in the women’s speedskating 1000m with an Olympic record, and on Sunday morning, she added to her trophy case with a silver medal in the women’s speedskating 500m.
After the race, Leerdam took to social media to make a surprising revelation about the race. While she put together an incredible performance to land on the podium, she almost never made it to the arena because of her health.
Leerdam revealed that she woke up this weekend sick, but was able to overcome the illness. “What a day. I woke up sick yesterday,” Leerdam wrote on Instagram Stories. “I don’t know how I pulled this off, but so happy I did!!!”
Feb 15, 2026; Milan, Italy; Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands reacts after skating during the women’s 500m during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Speed Skating Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
If you’ve never watched speedskating but recognize Leerdam’s face or name, there is probably a good reason. Along with being a world-class athlete, she is also the fiancée of controversial YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Paul and Leerdam began dating in April 2023 after an exchange on Instagram. According to the couple, Paul had slid into Leerdam’s DMs, which sparked a long-distance romance. The two have since been inseparable, with Leerdam becoming a staple ringside at Paul’s blockbuster boxing events.
But while Paul is usually the one breaking records and getting the spotlight, it’s Jutta’s time to shine.
Jutta Leerdam celebrates winning the silver medal in the women’s speed skating 1000-meter race during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Speed Skating Oval on Feb. 17, 2022.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 12: Sean Mannion #19 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the hirings made on Sunday morning, the NFL’s offensive play-callers are now set for the 2026 season. As it stands now, there are 18 head coaches who double up as offensive play-callers in the league, 6 who double up as defensive play-callers and just 8 teams that are willing to live in the head-coach-as-CEO world (Chargers, Commanders, Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Lions, Patriots and Texans).
One thing that is interesting to me is how few of these “new” play-callers are getting their first shot at calling plays in the NFL. The NFL has been on a firing spree, as ownership seems to want to pull triggers on multi-million-dollar buyouts quicker over the last two seasons, but these coaching searches aren’t really unearthing any new names. As it turns out, more firings just means more retread hires.
This is also true at the head coach and defensive play-caller level, too, but today, I want to focus on the league’s offensive play-callers. Let’s dive in.
Returning Offensive Play-Callers
Head Coaches
49ers: Kyle Shanahan
Bears: Ben Johnson
Bengals: Zac Taylor
Broncos: Sean Payton
Chiefs: Andy Reid
Colts: Shane Steichen
Cowboys: Brian Schottenheimer
Jaguars: Liam Coen
Packers: Matt LaFleur
Panthers: Dave Canales
Rams: Sean McVay
Saints: Kellen Moore
Vikings: Kevin O’Connell
Offensive Coordinators
Patriots: Josh McDaniels
Texans: Nick Caley
These two data points are why teams are leaning into hiring play-callers as head coaches. It’s a lot easier to stabilize your club with a dual-role head coach than to find a new offensive coordinator every year. Every hiring cycle is an opportunity for failure. Few play-calling offensive coordinators are retained year-to-year. If he succeeds, he’s almost certain to get a head coaching opportunity quickly.
The one caveat here is that there is some debate in Denver about whether Sean Payton will continue to be the team’s play-caller or if that job will go to Davis Webb, who was promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator this offseason after receiving head coaching interviews. Beyond Webb’s case, there has been clear reporting on the other 31 play-calling situations around the league.
Newly Hired Offensive Play-Callers
Head Coaches
Bills: Joe Brady
Browns: Todd Monken
Cardinals: Mike LaFleur
Raiders: Klint Kubiak
Steelers: Mike McCarthy
Joe Brady was actually already the Buffalo Bills’ offensive play-caller, as he was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach this offseason. All of these other head coaches, unsurprisingly, also have backgrounds in calling plays in the NFL.
Offensive Coordinators
Buccaneers: Zac Robinson
Chargers: Mike McDaniel
Commanders: David Blough
Dolphins: Bobby Slowik
Eagles: Sean Mannion
Falcons: Tommy Rees
Giants: Matt Nagy
Jets: Frank Reich
Lions: Drew Petzing
Ravens: Declan Doyle
Seahawks: Brian Fleury
Titans: Brian Daboll
This is where you might expect to see fresh names, new ideas, etc., from the league: play-calling offensive coordinator hires. If you expected that, though, you’d be wrong. Of the 12 newly hired offensive coordinators in play-calling roles, two-thirds of them are retread play-callers.
Here’s a breakdown of guys who have previous experience in play-calling:
Buccaneers: Zac Robinson previously called plays for the 2024-2025 Atlanta Falcons.
Chargers: Mike McDaniel was a play-calling head coach with the Miami Dolphins from 2022 to 2025.
Dolphins: Bobby Slowik called plays for the Houston Texans from 2023 to 2024 as offensive coordinator and was with the Dolphins in 2025, making him one of two internal promotions on this list.
Falcons: Tommy Rees was actually the play-caller with the Cleveland Browns under Kevin Stefanski, and he followed Stefanski to Atlanta.
Giants: Matt Nagy was the play-caller with the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half of the 2017 season, his final year there, before taking the Chicago Bears’ head coaching job, where he was a play-caller until giving up that role to Bill Lazor.
Jets: Frank Reich has called plays at multiple stops, notably his entire run in Indianapolis as the Colts’ head coach from 2018 to 2022. In 2023, his lone year with the Carolina Panthers as head coach, he gave up play-calling duties just to take them back.
Lions: Drew Petzing called plays for the Arizona Cardinals the last three seasons.
Titans: Brian Daboll was the offensive play-caller with the Buffalo Bills from 2018 to 2021 and also called plays as the head coach of the New York Giants (2021 to 2025) until his final year there.
Of the 32 offensive play-callers league-wide, these four are the only coaches who are getting their first crack at a fresh opportunity in 2026:
Commanders: David Blough, a former NFL quarterback (2019 to 2023), has made a meteoric rise after serving as the Commanders’ assistant quarterbacks coach over the last two years. He was internally promoted all the way to offensive coordinator after being Tavita Pritchard’s (quarterback coach) assistant in 2024 and 2025. Pritchard left the NFL this offseason to become the head coach of his alma mater, Stanford.
Eagles: Hey, it’s Sean Mannion! Mannion is another former NFL backup quarterback (2015 to 2023) who was an offensive assistant for the Green Bay Packers in 2024 before becoming the quarterbacks coach in 2025.
Ravens: Declan Doyle was the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator in 2025, but head coach Ben Johnson elected not to block Doyle from leaving for a play-calling opportunity elsewhere. The 29-year-old had only been an on-field coach for two years before his hiring as a coordinator.
Seahawks: Brian Fleury comes to Seattle by way of the San Francisco 49ers, where he’s served as tight ends coach since 2022. Before making the transition to offense, he spent the 2005 to 2015 seasons coaching on the defensive side of the ball, earning an on-field role as the outside linebackers coach with the 2015 Cleveland Browns. He then left coaching for three years to work for the Miami Dolphins’ research staff before reemerging in San Francisco and transitioning to the offensive side of the ball.
So, yeah, those are really the only new names to learn for 2026. Outside of them, the NFL has been a big game of musical chairs this offseason.
MILAN - USA men's hockey put an exclamation point on a successful preliminary round with a third consecutive victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 5-1 final against Germany on Sunday, Feb. 15 at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena left the Americans atop Group C standings, earning a bye into Wednesday's quarterfinals.
The Americans added the victory over the Germans 24 hours after downing the Danes, 6-3, and three days after taking out Latvia, 5-1, in the opener. USA and Canada each finished with nine points, but Canada's better goal differential earned the No. 1 seed going into the quarterfinals, with the U.S. finishing second.
USA will play the winner of Tuesday's qualification game between Sweden and Latvia.
The Germans never really gave USA much of a battle, despite having one of the best players in the world in the lineup in Leon Draisaitl. Matthew Tkachuk chirped the German captain and member of the Edmonton Oilers during the game, saying, "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride." The two have a rivalry dating to Tkachuk's days with the Calgary Flames, heightened as Tkachuk, now with the Florida Panthers, has twice beaten Draisaitl's Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Americans, meanwhile, steamrolled up the aisle to say I do to 3-0.
Zach Werenski put the Americans on the board with 8.7 seconds left, picking a corner of Germany's net with a shot from the right circle off a pass from Auston Matthews. The Germans went with Maximilian Franzreb in goal over NHLer Phillip Grubauer, just like the Danes went with Mads Sogaard over NHL regular Frederik Andersen.
Connor Hellebuyck saw nine shots in the first period. Not even a man advantage could generate momentum for the Germans, who barely had possession of the puck while Jack Eichel was in the box. Instead the Americans converted during a power play early in the second period. Matthews was in front of the crease, in position to poke in a shot to make it 2-0. Brock Faber added to the score with a shot from along the boards near the midpoint of the game.
Tage Thompson's shot from the blue line put USA up 4-0 early in the third period, with Dylan Larkin picking up an assist. Jake Sanderson took a shot that Matthews redirected just outside the crease, giving him two goals and an assist on the night.
Tim Stützle ruined Hellebuyck's bid for a shutout with a goal midway through the third period.
Netherlands' Daria Danilova and Michel Tsiba react after competing in the pair skating short program at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. (JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP via Getty Images)
JULIEN DE ROSA via Getty Images
MILAN — There will be other pairs in Milan who score higher than the Netherlands’ Daria Danilova and Michel Tsiba, other pairs who pull off more complex routines, other pairs who will take home medals. But it’s pretty safe to say there is no other pair having quite as much fun in Milan as the Dutch-by-way-of-Russia duo.
That’s what happens when you make it to the Olympics even after your own country says you can’t go.
Danilova and Tsiba were among the first pairs to skate in the short-form program on Sunday night. By the end of the evening, the German duo of Minerva FabienneHase and Nikita Volodin posted the short program’s highest score. Two American duos finished the night in the top 10: Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea in 7th, and Emily Chan and Spencer Howe in 9th. But no one had a better time on the ice than the Dutch duo, the only figure skaters from the Netherlands at the Olympics, and the first pair from their home country ever to reach the Games.
Danilova, who is Russian, began skating with Tsiba, who is Dutch, in 2018. They found immediate success, medaling in four straight Dutch championships from 2020 to 2023 — two gold, two silver. They enjoyed a series of strong worldwide finishes leading up to the 2025 World Championships in Boston, where they finished 15th, good enough to qualify, in the eyes of the International Skating Union, for the Milan Olympics.
And then everything went sideways for the pair.
In the eyes of the Dutch Olympic committee, just “good enough” to make the Olympics isn’t good enough. If you’re going to go to the Olympics wearing Dutch orange, you’d better be good enough to win, not just show up. That’s the directive of the Nederlands Olympisch Comité*Nederlandse Sport Federatie, abbreviated NOC*NSF, and it’s codified in their performance requirements for athletes seeking to attend the Olympics as members of the Netherlands.
“The ambition of NOC*NSF and the sports federations is to be among the top ten elite sports nations in the world,” the federation says. This is achieved by winning as many medals as possible in as many different sports as possible at the Olympic Games.”
In order to hit those lofty marks, NOC*NSF says, “an elite athlete must have demonstrated the potential to finish in the top eight at the Olympic Games.” In practice, that means even if an athlete qualifies for the Olympics based on an international governing body’s standards, NOC*NSF can block the athlete from attending if the athlete hasn’t met Dutch standards.
They’re serious. In 2024, NOC*NSF forbade three Dutch golfers — Joost Luiten, Darius Van Driel and Dewi Weber — from participating in the Paris Olympics, the second straight Olympics that the Netherlands had blocked certain golfers from playing. The International Golf Federation attempted to intervene on the players’ behalf, to no avail.
Netherlands' Daria Danilova and Michel Tsiba compete in the pair skating short program at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. (JULIEN DE ROSA/Getty Images)
JULIEN DE ROSA via Getty Images
In Danilova and Tsiba’s case, NOC*NSF determined that a 14th-place finish in the worlds would satisfy their expectations — one place higher than they’d finished. The federation gave the pair two more opportunities over the course of 2025 to reach the designated Dutch points benchmark, but they couldn’t do so.
The Royal Dutch Skating Federation (KNSB) appealed to NOC*NSF, arguing that the pair’s 14th-place world ranking, combined with their long string of demonstrated excellence, was enough to warrant an Olympic berth. A Change.org petition organized by fans sought the same reconsideration.
Tsiba and Danilova, meanwhile, rode the “emotional rollercoaster,” in Tsiba’s words, between exultation and heartbreak.
“I remember when I was just driving, and I'm happy trying to train, and I think all of a sudden, ‘Olympic Games,’ and I just start crying out of the blue,” Tsiba said. “I'm cooking, I'm with my music on, listening to, I don't know, Eminem or something. And then I think about the Olympic Games, and I'm starting to cry because it's like a knife in your heart, you know?”
“It's rare that a request to use discretionary powers is approved,” André Cats, director of elite sports at NOC*NSF, said in December. “There have to be truly exceptional reasons. After thoroughly examining the situation, we're convinced this is the case, and that's why we've made this exceptional decision.”
With their Olympic future assured, and their pairs skate short program date set for more than a week after the Opening Ceremony, Danilova and Tsiba enjoyed every bit of their Olympic experience. They attended the Opening Ceremony and stayed so long that they were the last Dutch athletes still in the stadium. They visited the pin-trading hub in Milan. They reveled in the glory of the Olympic village.
“One of the best skaters in the Netherlands, she guided us a little bit and she was like, ‘OK, we're making a plan for you guys,’” Tsiba said. “Because you skate quite late at an event, you come here, first two days you're a tourist … She said that when she went to the Games [for the first time], she was so much in her bubble that afterwards she was like, ‘I didn't enjoy anything.’”
And once they finally reached the ice, how did Danilova and Tsiba perform, given the chance? Well … they had fun, at least. They cycled through a graceful routine set to Raury’s “Take Back the Power,” and when it was done, they embraced and kissed at center ice. They finished 17th out of 19 pairs, missing out on qualifying for the free skate by 0.58 points. But they smiled throughout, and they spent a good long time after their skate laughing with several assembled media members.
“All the things that happened within the season are behind us,” Tsiba said, “and we got to have a fresh new start. So that's amazing, yeah.”
They may have lost at the Olympics, but they made sure they didn’t lose the party.
It's hard to explain what happened on the final lap of the Daytona 500, but it was pure mayhem.
Carson Hocevar was leading at the white flag, but he got turned from the lead. The race stayed green, and Chase Elliott surged ahead with a push from Zane Smith.
Busch led the race from pole position, and he was aggressive in blocking all lanes as he tried to maintain. Nemechek moved ahead, just as the first caution of the race flew.
Something broke on the No. 78 of BJ McLeod, who snapped around at the back of the field. He collected Allgaier and Mears, but also William Byron whose attempt a historic three-peat just got a lot harder. He complained about the car 'wandering' a bit, even after repairs to the toe.
The entire field came down pit road with the exception of Busch. As the stage rolled on, Busch ended up in the middle of the pack and nearly spun at the exit of Turn 4. He slammed doors with Keselowski, and both of these veteran champions were able to carry on.
And since he did not pit with the rest of the field, Busch was among the first to head down pit road. Most of the field followed, but one group managed to save just enough, stretching the fuel to the very end of the stage.
Zane Smith was among them, winning Stage 1 over Cindric, Blaney, Hocevar, Buescher, Suarez, McDowell, Preece, Bowman, and Gragson. However, Gragson ran out during stage break, but got a helpful push from Berry back to the pits.
In Stage 2, it was much of the same as drivers hit their fuel numbers, but it was not nearly as smooth. Rookie Connor Zilisch made an appearance near the front of the field, but his car was very unstable.
Moments later, he pushed up and his teammate Chastain got unsettled, leading to contact with Cody Ware and a multi-car crash.
Zilisch suffered damage, as did Briscoe and A. Dillon, who slammed into each other at pit entry and ended Bass Pro Shops' shot at a 500 win.
After that, Chevrolet drivers took turns leading, but it all ended with Allgaier took the lead in the JRM entry on Lap 124. Hamlin tried to get to his outside, and Allgaier came up, unaware he was there,
About 20 cars suffered damage in that crash, putting drivers like SVG, Allgaier, Bowman, Gilliland out of contention.
Stage 2 ended under caution with Wallace leading the way.
Stage 3
The final stage was a massive pack of 30 cars, three-wide, one second apart as they fuel-saved. Wallace and his fellow Toyotas led most of the time, and were among the first to pit with just 19 laps left in the race.
As the pit stop cycle wrapped up, Hamlin, Heim, and Bell collided in a small wreck on the frontstretch. NASCAR reluctantly threw the caution as storms were getting closer to the speedway.
McDowell was leading as he hadn't pitted, but he stayed out in an aggressive call to stretch the fuel. Reddick was second, Hocevar third, Byron fourth, and Keselowski fifth.
The race restarted with just four laps to go, and it was pure chaos. Hocevar took the white flag and finished just 19th as the 2026 Daytona 500 field had multiple wrecks on the final lap, with Reddick taking the win.
Davante Adams didn't have a big statistical season in his first season with the Los Angeles Rams — relative to his career, at least. The 12-year veteran finished with just 60 receptions for 789 yards in 14 games, both of which were the lowest of his career in a single season since his second season in 2015.
Adams, did, however, make the most of his receptions in 2025. Not only did he finish with a league-best 14 receiving touchdowns, but 85.0% of his 60 receptions ended with either a first-down or a touchdown, according to NFL senior researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno. That mark led all receivers this past year nearly 7%.
Highest percentage of receptions for 1st downs or TD in 2025 (minimum 50 receptions)…
Adams was a fiend in the moments that mattered for L.A. Matthew Stafford constantly targeted him in the red zone, where he scored most of his touchdowns. Adams' 51 receptions for a first down also tied for 10th-most in the league overall, although it was 29 receptions behind his teammate and league-leader in first-down catches, Puka Nacua.
This was a great role for Adams as he progresses in his career. While he had five consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards before joining the Rams, Adams no longer needs to be the focal point of the offense. In reality, he was essentially what Cooper Kupp was for L.A. in 2024 but with more end zone and contested catch capabilities.
Hubert Davis said it best after UNC's upset win over Duke: senior captain Seth Trimble is a rare find in today's NIL-controlled, college basketball landscape.
Trimble briefly entered himself in the transfer portal after North Carolina's 2023-24 season, which ended in a Sweet 16 loss at Alabama. Two weeks later, much to the relief of Tar Heel Nation, Trimble withdrew himself to give UNC's backcourt a major boost.
Now in his fourth and final season at North Carolina, Trimble provided another big moment in Saturday's 79-65 win over Pitt. Trimble tied Jarin Stevenson for a team-high 19 points, making five field goals and a Tar Heels-best nine free throws, while adding three rebounds and two steals.
After the victory, Trimble spoke extensively about his big afternoon, which UNC (20-5, 8-4 ACC) needed big-time with only eight guys playing.
“For me, I just wanted to be as aggressive as possible," Trimble said. "We were hunting mismatches all night and a lot of times in the game, I felt like and all our guards felt like, we had guys on us that we could get what we wanted with. So we just wanted to be as aggressive as possible. But when two guys of such high production go out, you have no choice but to raise your confidence level, just to raise your focus and just to raise everything. Because you know when they go out, you gotta make up for it and we definitely did tonight.”
Caleb Wilson (broken hand) and Henri Veesaar (illness) both missed Saturday's victory, but North Carolina delivered a memorable performance in which it led from the opening minutes. Trimble was one of four Tar Heels scoring in double-figures, joining Stevenson (19), Zayden High (15) and Luka Bogavac (15).
This type of performance is common for Trimble, but it came at a perfect time on Saturday afternoon. Trimble will lead UNC into Raleigh on Tuesday night, looking for a third-straight win against the Wolfpack (18-8, 9-4 ACC).
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
The Chargers added to their defensive coaching staff with two hires: Denzel Martin as assistant outside linebackers coach and Sean Spence as inside linebackers coach.
Martin, who was previously the Steelers' outside linebackers coach, coached standout edge rushers like T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. In LA, he'll work alongside outside linebackers coach Dylan Roney, defensive line coach Mike Elston, and assistant defensive line coach Julian Campenni.
Spence, a former NFL linebacker, replaces former LBs coach NaVorro Bowman, who stepped away from coaching. His coaching career began in 2023 as a special teams analyst at Western Michigan, where he later served as linebackers coach (2024) and edge rushers coach (2025).
Napoli ‘fought like lions’ say Alisson Santos and Buongiorno after 2-2 draw
Alisson Santos ‘would’ve been happier’ with his first Napoli goal if they had all three points against Roma, while Alessandro Buongiorno admits he ‘needed to react’ to a recent crisis.
It was a hard-fought and thrilling match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with the Giallorossi twice going in front through Donyell Malen goals, only to be clawed back by a deflected Leonardo Spinazzola strike and late Alisson Santos daisy-cutter.
The January signing seemed very emotional when celebrating his first goal in the Napoli jersey, as the crowd went wild in the stands behind him.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Alisson Santos of SSC Napoli scores his side second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“I am very happy to score and help the team. I would’ve been happier if we won the game, for sure, but I am feeling really good and enjoying scoring at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona,” Alisson Santos told DAZN Italia.
Alisson Santos came off the bench and made a remarkable impact this evening, as he ran at opponents every time and gave them that spark they needed to get back into the game.
He even pushed to the very end trying to win it in stoppages, so was named Serie A Man of the Match.
“My relationship with the teammates, the coach and the whole staff is really good.”
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Leonardo Spinazzola of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his side first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Buongiorno stepped back into the starting XI for the first time since his nightmare performance in the 3-2 win at Genoa, where he was directly at fault for two goals and was hauled off by Antonio Conte.
“We fought like lions to the end of the match, so we’ve got to thank everyone here, because we are giving our absolute all,” Buongiorno told DAZN Italia.
“I faced up to my problems and tried to resolve them, I did a lot of work in training and know that if you never give in, you can achieve your dreams.
“I have to thank the fans, my family and my partner for being close to me during this difficult time. There are moments where you fall and you’ve got to get back on your feet.”
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: SSC Napoli supporters showing banners for the team during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Napoli are now out of the Champions League and the Coppa Italia, but are up to third in Serie A, ahead of Roma and Juventus.
“The only objective we have really is to get into the top four, but we need to take it one game at a time and see what happens.”
The United States looked imperfect in a win over Denmark on Saturday, but the Americans can finish off a Group C win with the right result against Germany on Sunday and secure their spot in the quarterfinals.
Germany, which fell to Latvia in a disappointing result on Saturday, brings some star power to the table with Leon Draisaitl and Tim Stutzle on the ice, but slowing down a powerful U.S. offense is undoubtedly the biggest challenge for the German squad.
The USA, meanwhile, is hoping to prove some goaltending lapses in the preliminary round are just a temporary issue and not something that could doom a gold medal-hopeful team when the bracket portion of the tournament begins.
The U.S. also entered Sunday with an outside chance to earn the No. 1 seed in the tournament, needing to win by 10 or more goals to avoid a potential quarterfinal matchup with Sweden.
Here's a look at the complete box score from the USA's Olympic men's hockey game against Germany, with full stats and ice time for each player.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park on February 14, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nick Woltemade has had himself a season.
Woltemade’s campaign started with him playing the role of “rope” in a transfer tug-of-war between VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich. After VfB Stuttgart refused to accept Bayern Munich’s terms, the player seemingly had made it clear that he wanted out of Stuttgart.
Lo and behold, Newcastle United opened its coffers and paid VfB Stuttgart an absurd amount of money (€75 million) for the attacker and things seemed…great.
Woltemade had gotten off to a good start, he appeared happy, he improved his play for the German national team, and everything looked like it was falling into place for the big man.
Things, however, have take a turn.
Woltemade had not scored in the any competition since December 20th before netting a goal on Saturday vs. Aston Villa in the FA Cup. Woltemade has seen his role start to diminish — a red flag for German national team candidacy. Even that slide and the potential fallout have not deterred his vision of suiting up for Germany in the World Cup this summer.
“You always say as a kid, this is the dream, to play a World Cup. I’ll be 24; for the next one I’ll be 28, when I’ll be in my prime. Then I may not even play in the next one because I’ll be 32. But we have a good team and I’m feeling confident,” Woltemade told British GQ (as captured by Get German Football News).
Hopefully, Woltemade is not counting his chickens before they hatch. If things do not improve and he becomes relegated to the bench, that could be something that works against Woltemade in the eyes of Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Oddly, the situation could be nearing desperation for Woltemade at Newcastle United if you believe a very loose report, which have linked him — again — to Bayern Munich.
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…
Collin Morikawa picked up his first win since 2023 on a windy Sunday afternoon at Pebble Beach. (Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Orlando Ramirez via Getty Images
Scottie Scheffler's run came just a bit too early on Sunday afternoon at Pebble Beach.
With Scheffler watching from the clubhouse, it was instead Collin Morikawa who made it out to claim the first signature event of the PGA Tour season and end his years-long dry spell.
Morikawa fended off a huge group late on Sunday afternoon at Pebble Beach Golf Links to claim the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He posted a 5-under 67 in his final round to get to 22-under on the week, which gave him a one-shot win over the field. The win is Morikawa's seventh of his Tour career, and his first since 2023.
Though he had a two-shot lead late, Morikawa had to birdie the 18th to claim his win. After a short drive on the par-5, Morikawa landed his second shot just short on the rough after a nearly 20 minute delay in the fairway while Jacob Bridgeman struggled ahead of him to close out his round.
Morikawa then easily secured a two-putt birdie, despite his ball sitting right on the edge of the thick rough, to finish out his win.
Morikawa vaulted himself into contention with 11 birdies on Saturday. That threw him into a three-way tie for second, two shots back of Akshay Bhatia, entering the final round. He hung around early on a windy, rainy Sunday, too. Morikawa made the turn at 2-under on the day, and then joined the pack at 20-under after a birdie at the 11th. But it was a 30-footer at the par-4 15th that finally sent Morikawa into the solo lead for the first time.
Collin Morikawa!
A 30 foot birdie on 15 gives him the solo lead @ATTProAm.
Morikawa followed that up with an 8-foot birdie putt at the 16th, which suddenly gave him a two-shot lead over the field. But that immediately disappeared, after Min Woo Lee birdied above him and then Morikawa bogeyed the 17th when his tee shot on the par 3 landed in the thick rough well left of the green.
But that set up Morikawa's two-putt birdie and his eventual win on the final hole.
Scheffler made a massive, almost historic run on Sunday. The top-ranked golfer in the world started the day eight shots back, and then posted a 9-under 63. That gave him a 19th straight top 10 finish on Tour, and his 18th round of 63 or better on Tour over the past five seasons — which is five more than anyone else has produced over that timespan.
Scheffler joined the leaders at 20-under when he hit the clubhouse, too, thanks to an absolutely ridiculous approach into the par-5 18th as the wind was picking up. That gave him his third eagle of the day. He is now the first golfer in the last four decades to make that many in a single round in this event.
Had it not been for a trio of bogeys, two of which came on the back side, Scheffler may have ran away with the event completely. But his bogeys and early start left plenty of time for the rest of the field to overtake him. Lee birdied the 18th too, however, to get to 21-under — which eliminated Scheffler from contention and made things more complicated for Morikawa briefly. That gave Lee his second-place finish, his best outing on Tour since his inaugural win last season.
Scheffler finished in a tie for fourth with Tommy Fleetwood, a shot back from Lee. Sepp Straka joined Lee in second after he eagled the final hole, too.
Morikawa's win was the first of his career since he claimed the Zozo Championship in 2023. That came after his British Open win in 2021, which was his second major title. Morikawa only missed three cuts last season and had a pair of runner-up finishes, and the 29-year-old entered this week at No. 19 in the Official World Golf Rankings, but that seventh win continued to elude him.
But now, after nearly 850 days, Morikawa has finally won again.
During an NBA Showtime appearance at the Intuit Dome, Curry made it clear he’s coming back for the 2027 Three-Point Contest in Phoenix. And he’s not coming alone.
“Oh! 100%. I already scheduled it. Imma try to bring some people. Me, Dame, Imma try and get Klay. Let’s go!” Curry said.
STEPH TO NEXT YEAR'S @StateFarm NBA 3-POINT CONTEST??
He is going after Damian Lillard and Klay Thompson. If he pulls that off, the 2027 contest stops being just another All-Star weekend sideshow.
Curry has not been in the standard three-point contest since 2021 in Atlanta. He left that night with his second trophy and a 31-point round that still holds up as one of the best performances the event has seen.
Win again in Phoenix, and he is in rare company. Larry Bird and Craig Hodges are the only three-time champions in contest history. Curry would be joining that list at 38 years old.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrate after winning the NBA All-Star 3 Point Contest at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The shooting has not slipped either. He’s averaging 23.4 points per contest appearance, which tells you the numbers still back up the reputation.
Moreover, Thompson beat Curry in the 2016 contest, back when the Splash Brothers were at their peak in Golden State. They split in 2024, and now they could be lining up against each other in Phoenix.
Add Lillard coming in as the 2024 champion, looking to prove himself again, and the field starts looking genuinely stacked.
When the NBA lands in Phoenix, Curry walking up to that rack will still draw the whole room in.
That's what should make their active status on the bench in Sunday's exhibition so unsurprising.
After playing just a few minutes, both Jokić and Dončić exited Sunday's All-Star Game in Los Angeles. It's easy to explain why. For one, both players are still nursing recent injury recoveries (a knee bone bruise for Jokić and a hamstring strain for Dončić). For two guys who probably weren't going to play hard no matter what, it doesn't make much sense for them to push themselves in a meaningless game. This is while noting that similar stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Steph Curry are both sitting out with their own injuries.
Factor in a new All-Star format with singular 12-minute quarters and short overtime periods, and it's no shock to see likely little further playing time for two top-five players.
The 2026 NASCAR season is underway, delivering a new points format. Gone are the days of win-and-in for the playoffs, it is now a 26-race battle for 16 spots in the Chase format. Sunday’s Daytona 500 is just the first of many races to come under the new format, with points more important than years past.
As the Daytona 500 draws to a close, let’s dive into the NASCAR points standings today in the Cup Series.
Byron Buxton has been a member of the Minnesota Twins since entering the league in 2015 and has made a name for himself as one of the best hitters in the league.
Buxton has made the All-Star Game twice, and he and the Twins have formed a successful relationship; in fact, the slugger is on a seven-year, $100 million deal he signed in 2021 that includes a full no-trade clause.
Even with the clause, Buxton reportedly 'felt disrespected' that the organization never shut down any trade rumors surrounding him during this past offseason, according to USA TODAY MLB columnist Bob Nightengale.
From Buxton's point of view, it can be understandable why the two-time all-star could feel a certain way, considering that in the past few seasons in every sport, no player is ever 100 percent safe from not getting traded, no matter how long they have been with a franchise or what they have accomplished in the league.
However, for the Twins, they are probably in the mindset of, if we already have him under contract with a no-trade clause, and even if the team wanted to trade him, Buxton literally has the power to void it since he has made it clear in the past that he wants to remain with the Twins for the rest of his career.
With the season quickly approaching, these could cause a rift between Buxton and the organization and make a trade more likely than ever, especially when players tend to go into defensive mode and look for a potential escape to another team instead of taking the chance of being blindsided by a trade.
There’s a new offensive-minded regime in the Pittsburgh Steelers, and head coach Mike McCarthy will no doubt be looking to acquire additional wideouts this offseason.
The Steelers are currently down to DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson as their top two wide receivers, with uncertainty surrounding the depth at the position.
If Pittsburgh ultimately looks to free agency to bring in another wide receiver, Wan'Dale Robinson of the New York Giants would be an ideal acquisition.
With Adam Thielen retiring and Calvin Austin, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Scotty Miller set to hit free agency, Pittsburgh's offense could desperately use a wide receiver of Robinson's caliber.
Robinson, who’s capable of playing out wide and in the slot, would give McCarthy another weapon to exploit alongside Metcalf, forming a terrifying wide receiver tandem that Rodgers could potentially take advantage of.
Contract prediction
Robinson's price tag likely won’t eclipse $20 million annually, despite his breakout 2025 season. We at Steelers Wire predict Robinson could sign a two-year, $32 million contract.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Canada won all three of their matches in the preliminary round at the Milan-Cortina Olympics (Alexander NEMENOV)
Canada hammered France 10-2 in an awesome show of power on Sunday while the United States smashed Germany 5-1 as the powerhouse nations ended the Olympic men's ice hockey preliminary round with 100 percent records.
The Canadians -- the most successful team in Olympic history -- lost to Sweden in the quarter-finals at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games as Finland won gold.
National Hockey League stars have returned to the Winter Olympics at the Milan-Cortina Games for the first time since 2014.
Jon Cooper's star-studded Canada squad have been in ominous form, running away with Group A to win their three games by a combined scoreline of 20-3.
Top spot in the group and a place in the quarter-finals were already secured before Canada took on France in Milan.
Team Canada superstar Connor McDavid became the outright top scorer in Italy with nine points after recording a goal and two assists against hapless France, who finished bottom of Group A with three defeats from three.
There were nine different scorers for Canada before Macklin Celebrini netted his second goal and his team's 10th to complete the rout.
"We are still trying to get better," the Edmonton Oilers centre McDavid told TNT Sports.
"It is a short tournament and we are still trying to get better every day. We now have couple of days to prepare and get ready to go for the real stuff."
It was a milestone match for captain Sidney Crosby, whose one goal and two assists took him to 16 career Olympic points, surpassing Jarome Iginla for the most by a Canadian at Winter Olympics featuring NHL players.
Canada are favourites for the gold but the Americans are desperate for their first win since the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" in Lake Placid.
The United States wrapped up their preliminary round campaign with a comfortable win over Germany and an aggregate scoreline of 16-5 over their three matches.
Zach Werenski broke the deadlock at the end of the first period and Auston Matthews scored twice as the United States topped Group C.
The world's top players are able to compete in Italy after the elite North American league agreed to a mid-season shutdown and issues of ice quality and rink size were resolved.
Tyler Reddick —winner: "Last year was really hard for all of us, hard for me. When you're a Cup driver and you get to this level and drive for Michael Jordan, it's expected you win every single year. For us to go on that drought we did made us look hard in the mirror, and really proud of everyone on our Toyota Camry. Worked really hard in the off-season, and there was many points in this race where we weren't making decisions we wanted to, but we just reset, and every opportunity we got to reset we went back at it. Just speechless. I didn't know if I'd ever win this race. It's surreal, honestly. Honestly, the best part is my son asked before this race, Are you finally going to win this race? Something about today just felt right.
"Yeah, I keep looking for my wife and my kids. They'll be here at some point, I'm sure. Maybe they're taking a nap. Yeah, we had the lead there when that caution came out, lined up next to McDowell, and we just kind of kept getting hung a couple times in the closing laps there. Yeah, just every time we'd kind of break up, there would be nowhere left to go but to push, and they pushed me, obviously. My teammate Riley Herbst gave me a lot of pushes there and then tried to win the race for himself, as he should at the end there. Just incredible how it all played out. Just true Daytona madness. It's going to be a long night if I've already lost my voice from screaming. Never thought I'd be Daytona 500 champion."
Bubba Wallace — second: ": Man, I don't know what to say. First of all, hats off to the 45 group. I don't want my emotions to take away from the monumental day they just accomplished. Happy birthday, MJ. That's a massive birthday present. I thought this was our week, the best 500 I've ever had, and come up short, sucks. But couldn't be more proud of the team. Led a lot of laps, lap leader, I believe. It was a good day for us, but damn. Try again next year."
Justin Allgaier — 38th: "Unfortunately, I’m going to have to take 100 percent of the responsibility for that one. I hate it for everyone that got caught up in it. I felt like our No. 40 Chevrolet was incredible all day. Greg Ives (crew chief) and this whole team have done a phenomenal job building a race car that we felt like we could come here and not only run up front, but be able to lead laps. I got to the top lane there and I watched the run coming on the top with Denny (Hamlin). I thought he was going to push. I thought the lane was closed up just enough that he wouldn’t try to go up there, but when I realized he was going up there, it was just too late. Once the air kind of got on the spoiler, it just turned me to the right. I hate it for everyone that got caught up in it because it wasn’t what we wanted. But hats off to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller, everyone at JR Motorsports, for this opportunity. To have Traveller Whiskey and Chris Stapleton back on board, it was great to be out front and be able to lead the Daytona 500. Thank you to all of our partners and the Hendrick Engine Shop. We had big power today and that was really what it came down to. We’ll go back and regroup. I’m going to watch this video back a lot and really try to figure out what I could have done better."
Todd Gilliland — 39th: "I don’t know what happened, but that’s two incidents that were completely out of my control. The first one only really got me and the second one was in my lap again. I guess that’s how these things go sometimes. It just really sucks. We made our way all the way back up there, and that was really impressive, but we’ll just have to do what we can next week.”
Alex Bowman — 40th: It’s just unfortunate - wrong place, wrong time. We made some good moves to gain some positions back that we lost when we got stuck on pit road. I had a little thought to bail earlier, but right as I thought, I gained a lot of track position through the middle, and I was going to stick with it and see if we could get some stage points. Just wrong decision on that one. It is what it is. We will keep digging; go to Atlanta next week and try to win. I think everybody’s cars are driving pretty bad from where I sat, especially off of Turn Four. I felt like I could push really well, so everything on the Chevy end was great there. It was just a lot of getting off of the throttle off Turn Four and that made the bottom really difficult to run, and it kind of brought the two grooves up the racetrack. Even the middle could get pretty sketchy. I was far enough back that I couldn’t really see what started it. I could see the No. 40 (Justin Allgaier) try and get up in front of the No. 11 (Denny Hamlin), and that is probably what caused it. But for us, just wrong place at the wrong time.”
Malen: ‘Gasperini played a big role in me choosing Roma’
Donyell Malen admits Gian Piero Gasperini ‘played a big role’ in convincing him to come to Roma, and is allowing the former Aston Villa striker to flourish. ‘It’s a big club with big ambitions.’
The Netherlands international has had an extraordinary impact in Serie A with five goals in his first five games, and bagged another brace this evening in the thrilling 2-2 draw away to Napoli.
However, he wasn’t happy with the result, having seen the lead twice slip away to a deflected Leonardo Spinazzola strike and late Alisson Santos finish.
Malen made remarkable Roma impact
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates after scoring his side first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“To be honest, I am quite disappointed. I think we deserved to win it and had done enough. Obviously, it was a good night personally, but this is football and you want to win,” Malen told DAZN Italia.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates after scoring his side first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
When he arrived from Aston Villa in the January transfer window, on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season, was he expecting such a strong start to life in Italy?
“I had a good feeling when I signed for the club. I know what I can do and I know my qualities. In football, you also need a little bit of luck and momentum, so I am very happy to be here.”
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Donyell Malen of AS Roma battles for possession with Amir Rrahmani of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Roma coach Gasperini said that Malen is “the ideal striker for my style of football,” so what role did the former Atalanta tactician play in convincing him to choose the Stadio Olimpico?
“Gasperini played a big role, he told me about the position and what he wanted me to do, what he feels I could bring to the team,” replied Malen.
“I believe Roma is a very big club, with big ambitions, and the right place for me to play my football. That’s why I chose Roma.”
Tyler Reddick won the NASCAR Daytona 500 in a crazy finish that featured two major crashes on the final lap on Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway.
Reddick survived a final lap that featured multi-car crashes going into turn 1 and coming to the checkered flag.
The No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota darted past Zane Smith and Chase Elliott to take the lead off of turn 4, then drove away as the next seven cars crashed.
Everyone who finished in second through eighth place was involved at the crash to the finish line.
23XI Racing won the Daytona 500 for the first time, months after settling an anti-trust lawsuit with NASCAR regarding the charter system. Reddick also won the Daytona 500 for the first time in his career.
Tyler Reddick won the NASCAR Daytona 500 in a crazy finish that featured two major crashes on the final lap on Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway.
Reddick survived a final lap that featured multi-car crashes going into turn 1 and coming to the checkered flag.
The No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota darted past Zane Smith and Chase Elliott to take the lead off of turn 4, then drove away as the next seven cars crashed.
Everyone who finished in second through eighth place was involved at the crash to the finish line.
23XI Racing won the Daytona 500 for the first time, months after settling an anti-trust lawsuit with NASCAR regarding the charter system. Reddick also won the Daytona 500 for the first time in his career.
Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500 in a car owned by Michael Jordan when Chase Elliott crashed as he and Reddick were battling for the win.
Reddick, in a Toyota for 23XI Racing, led only one lap on Sunday: the one to the checkered flag for the team owned by the NBA Hall of Famer and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.
Hamlin, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, was involved in the final caution when he and teammate Christopher Bell collided with nine laps remaining. It set up the final push to the finish over the final four laps.
Elliott had control on the final lap after leader Carson Hocevar was spun off the track and it appeared the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott would finally win his first Daytona 500.
Instead, Reddick made a huge surge, hit Elliott to cause Elliott to crash and sailed past to take Jordan to the Daytona International Speedway victory lane.
Jordan was the face of the December federal antitrust lawsuit that NASCAR settled on the ninth day of trial. The settlement changed the revenue-sharing model in the United States’ top motorsports series.
(WATCH BELOW: Suspensions announced after fight during Hornets-Pistons game)
Feb 11, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko and offensive line coach John Benton react during the Super Bowl LX parade. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
When former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak accepted an offer to take the helm of the Las Vegas Raiders, the question of which assistant coaches he’d try to poach from the Super Bowl champions was top of mind for many.
As of Sunday, it seems he’s found his first, hiring Seattle’s quarterbacks coach, Andrew Janocko, to be the next offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He worked alongside the new Raiders’ headman in New Orleans in 2024 and spent time on the Minnesota Vikings staff for three seasons from 2019 through 2021.
The #Raiders are set to hire #Seahawks QBs coach Andrew Janocko as their new offensive coordinator, per The Insiders, filling a big role for new coach Klint Kubiak.
Janocko’s new role with the Raiders will be his first offensive coordinator job, although he’s worn many hats throughout his time as an assistant coach in the NFL. With over a decade in the NFL, he’s spent time coaching offensive lines and wide receivers with a primary focus on quarterbacks.
Janocko came to Seattle alongside Kubiak and helped renovate the offense behind quarterback Sam Darnold. He’ll be tasked with doing the same and bringing some stability to a Raiders team that is going on its fourth offensive coordinator in four seasons.
Chris Bey speaking at a SiriusXM event - Bryan Steffy/Getty Images
It's been over a year since former Super X Cup Winner Chris Bey suffered a grievous neck injury. Bey was injured in an October 27, 2024 match against The Hardys. There have been slow and steady updates from Bey. Luckily, on the former TNA World Tag Team Champion's 30th Birthday, he had some good news for fans.
Roughly one year after Bey posted an update seeing him take tentative steps, Bey is now doing full-on jumps in the gym, posting a video showing off the progress he's made with agility and mobility, since his 29th birthday.
"God is good," Bey wrote in a post on social media. "1 year ago today I was taking my first steps unassisted and posting to the world about my injury. The support has been overwhelming and I can't describe how I feel other than grateful. From that moment on I walked independently, no matter the distance, 1 step at a time. Thank you all for walking with me. Time to jump into the next chapter."
There is no word on whether Bey is even considering a return to the ring, as the injury was so severe that many were afraid he wouldn't walk again, let alone wrestle, but Bey's positive update is likely to buoy the spirits of TNA fans.
Bey has not been completely absent from TNA during his recuperation, as he made an appearance at October's Bound For Glory event, where the former X Division Champion announced the record attendance for that night's show in Long Island, NY.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 15: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros bats in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park on September 15, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There’s only one real way to make the current situation work, and that involves the Astros giving in to Yordan Alvarez’ desires.
We have reached a point that seemed impossible to navigate all offseason. The Houston Astros have fully opened Spring Training and both Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker are still on the team.
It has been a foregone conclusion one of the two would have been traded for other needs on the roster by the time Spring Training expanded to more than just pitchers and catchers. Yet, here we are.
Throughout interviews, all of the Astros players who could potentially be impacted by the infield logjam have towed the company line, saying they are only focused on playing their best and that everything else is up to management. They also all want to play everyday, and based on the plans laid out thus far by manager Joe Espada that doesn’t seem to be feasible.
Unless… Yordan Alvarez gets his way and gets to play LF a lot more?
The Astros seem to be suggesting more DH days for Yordan Alvarez than Left Field this season.
When Jason Bristol asked if how he feels about playing less in the field changes as he gets further into his career, Yordan didn’t flinch:
It’s a point that has been made many times by both myself and my show partner Shaun Bijani on AREA45 on Sportsradio 610. Yordan has never gotten hurt playing the field, and he WANTS to play the field.
Now, Yordan does not grade well as an outfielder because he has very limited range, however he does have a strong and accurate arm. If the team was willing to try to live with Jose Altuve in LF, surely it can live with Yordan Alvarez in LF?
There are some caveats here are well. Notably, current projected CF Jake Meyers can run down anything, and is well versed in helping cover for whomever the Astros may have in LF on any given day when necessary. Having Cam Smith or Zach Cole in RF would also allow Meyers to be more concerned with LF because either of those 2 in RF can cover a lot of ground as well. Therefore, the team can mitigate the fact that Yordan has limited range.
Also, there is an offensive side to the coin. Yordan is a career .297 hitter, with a career .389 OBP and career .961 OPS, but his numbers are even better when he plays LF.
When Yordan plays LF, he is a career .330 hitter with a .415 OBP and a 1.046 OPS. That sample is over 769 AB and 896 PA, so it is a well represented sample size.
Is it possible the Astros listen to their superstar slugger and let him grab his glove a lot more often?
Alvarez playing LF opens up the DH slot for whichever among the infielders is getting the day off from their regular position. This would allow Paredes to DH, play 1B with Christian Walker at DH, play 3B with Carlos Correa at DH, maybe even play 2B with Jose Altuve at DH.
Whether or not Paredes can still play 2B at the MLB level is a legitimate question. He last played the position in 2023, and the metrics were not kind to him. Overall, he has started 53 games at 2B in his career, and the metrics overall show he’s been passable. It is unlikely he will be a better 2B than Jose Altuve, but if he is, Altuve hit his best last season in the DH role (.816 OPS at DH, .759 at 2B, .742 in LF).
Being able to rotate the DH spot would allow Espada to give days off without losing guys bats, and with players all saying how they want to play every day and play 150 games, this would be the most likely path to that happening.
While Yordan playing LF doesn’t necessarily change the fact the Astros are still very right-handed offensively, they do have the option of playing both Zach Cole and Joey Loperfido against righthanded pitchers to help balance the lineup out, and both of those players are capable of playing CF. It is also possible they make a deal for another lefthanded OF bat without surrendering anyone major from the lineup, and can play three lefty bats in the OF and maybe one at DH to have a highly balanced lineup. A trade like the one theorized by David Schoenfield of ESPN of Jake Meyers to the Angels for Josh Lowe would give the Astros three lefthanded OF bats (Cole, Loperfido, and Lowe) and two righthanded OF bats (Smith, Dezenzo) in addition to Yordan, creating lineup opportunities of 5 righties and 4 lefties in the lineup.
It is also possible that the team doesn’t want to listen to Yordan, but a deal for either Paredes or Walker doesn’t materialize, and they find themselves in a situation where they need to find a way to get all their best hitters in the lineup as much as possible. Giving Yordan more time in LF would certainly help them accomplish that goal. They could be forced to listen to Yordan because the other alternatives are just too inferior.
The Astros also start the season with 24 games in 26 days. It would likely be a pretty good idea to have a way to keep everyone fresh early, and not overplay someone into an injury due to fatigue. Correa has a long injury history, Altuve has a recent injury history and is about to enter his age-36 season, Walker has been plagued by oblique injuries in recent years and is about to enter his age-35 season, and Paredes is coming off a torn hamstring so not needing to push those guys hard early would be ideal.
Yordan has never played more than 56 games in LF in a season, and that was in 2022, a season he finished 3rd in MVP and helped lead the Astros to a World Series Championship. He played 53 games in LF in 2024, and it is his only other top-10 MVP finish. Perhaps Yordan is on to something? Perhaps playing him 80-90 games in LF would be a benefit to the team and to Yordan’s production?
If the Astros haven’t been able to find a viable trade for Paredes or Walker yet, maybe they should try listening to Yordan?
Let us know in the comments if you agree with Yordan and would let him play more in LF?
Eintracht Frankfurt give injury updates after Gladbach win
Albert Riera has managed to end Eintracht Frankfurt’s winless run in his first home game as head coach after a 3-0 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach. 20-year-old attacker Jean-Mattéo Bahoya was decisive with two assists to Nathaniel Brown and Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab in a dominant first-half display by the hosts.
However, they had to deal with injuries to Arnaud Kalimuendo and Rasmus Kristensen. The January signing was substituted off early after picking up a shoulder injury while trying to score from an offside position, while the fullback was taken off at halftime.
Frankfurt confirmed Kalimuendo’s shoulder injury will not keep the Frenchman out for a long time. Meanwhile, Kristensen will be out for the time being due to an ankle injury, while he awaits further examinations.
The New England Patriots will have a lot of money to spend when 2026 free agency officially kicks off on March 11. There aren’t too many big-budget resignings to make, so much of New England’s more than $32 million in cap space will go toward acquiring new talent.
Of all the areas to address, none is more urgent than getting quarterback Drake Maye more pass catchers.
The Patriots have been heavily rumored to be interested in Baltimore Ravens free-agent tight end Isaiah Likely.
Likely fanned the flames of these rumors on Thursday night when he made an Instagram post that showed him courtside at a Boston Celtics game.
An Instagram user commented, “Come back home, bro.” Likely “liked” the comment in a non-private gesture that can be seen by all users.
In this day and age, nothing is accidental on social media.
The 25-year-old was born and raised in Cambridge, Mass. He graduated from Everett High School after transferring from Malden. He is Boston through and through.
Whether Likely’s social media jab was a move to put pressure on his current team or a genuine olive branch extended to the Patriots organization, one thing is for sure: Likely should be one of New England’s top free-agent targets this offseason.
The young tight end has been a consistent contributor for the Ravens since he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He combined for 784 yards and eight touchdowns in his first two seasons, but really made a name for himself in 2024 when he finished with a career-high 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns.
Likely played out his rookie contract as the No. 2 tight end on Baltimore’s offense, stuck behind All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews in the pecking order.
His top-end athleticism makes him a breakout candidate that would thrive in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels offense.
Míchel: Girona “have analysed the best way to win” but “will suffer” against Barça
Barcelona will prove to be a “complicated” test for Girona when they meet on Monday, admitted Míchel in his pre-match press conference.
Girona sit two points above the relegation zone ahead of a tantalising Catalan derby, in which Barcelona will be just as desperate to pick up three points after suffering a midweek thrashing in the Copa del Rey and conceding pole position in the LaLiga title fight to Real Madrid.
Míchel doesn’t believe that his side should prepare any differently to face a wounded Barça, insisting that “the big teams play every match with the intention and confidence that they must win, otherwise it becomes a tough week for them.
“The pressure and expectations are always there, not just because they’re coming off a defeat.”
Only a win would see Barça restore their lead in the standings, and Míchel revealed: “I expect the best Barça, as always. They’re a great team, and it’ll be difficult to get a good result against them.
“What I like about [Hansi] Flick’s Barça is that they always play the same way. They have many good qualities and are difficult to counter [because of] their pressing [and] the high defensive line which gives them many advantages despite the risk.
“Before the [Barcelona v] Atlético match, we had already looked at Barça and analysed how to counter their style of play. I have it in my head, but it will be difficult to execute on the pitch.
“You have to be clear about where and how to press, and be good with and without the ball to avoid transitions,” the 50-year-old explained.
The Girona boss views the Catalan derby as “a special match” and an opportunity for the blanquivermelles to build momentum as they look to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
He said: “Normally they win, since they win 90% of their matches, but I am optimistic and have analysed the best way to win: being ourselves, and aware that it’ll be very complicated because of the opponent’s quality.
“With the suffering we will face on the pitch, the crowd must give us an extra push.”
Girona v Barcelona gets underway at 20:00 UK on Monday 16 February at the Estadi Montilivi.
NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Donyell Malen scored his second brace in a row for Roma but host Napoli twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw in Serie A on Sunday.
The result kept Napoli in third place, three points ahead of Roma after 25 rounds.
Leader Inter Milan beat fifth-place Juventus 3-2 on Saturday for its sixth straight win in all competitions, increasing its gap to rival AC Milan to eight points. Napoli is three points behind AC Milan, which has a game in hand.
Malen, the Dutch forward who signed on loan from Aston Villa in the winter transfer window, also scored twice in Roma's 2-0 win against Cagliari on Feb. 9.
Malen opened the scoring Sunday in the seventh minute, then converted a 71st-minute penalty kick in Roma's only two attempts on target.
Leonardo Spinazzola scored for Napoli in the 40th and substitute Alisson Santos sealed the draw in the 82nd with a right-footed shot from about 25 meters (yards) out.
Substitute Robinio Vaz had a couple of late chances to give Roma the lead again.
Other results
Eighth-place Bologna ended a four-game losing streak in the league with a 2-1 victory over 14th-place Torino. Santiago Castro scored the 70th-minute winner.
Midtable Sassuolo picked up its third win in four matches by beating Udinese 2-1 with goals two minutes apart from Armand Lauriente and Andrea Pinamonti in the second half.
Parma won 2-1 against last-place Verona, which played with 10 men from the 11th minute as Gift Orban was shown a straight red card. Mateo Pellegrino scored Parma's winner three minutes into second-half stoppage time.
The 2026 NASCAR season is officially underway, with Sunday delivering the Super Bowl of Stock Car racing at Daytona International Speedway with the Daytona 500. Under the first race in the new points-scoring format, the iconic track delivered a great finish for NASCAR fans.
Let’s dive into the NASCAR results today from the Daytona 500. We’ll start with the full Daytona 500 results followed by the NASCAR stage results today from the Cup Series.
Here are the NASCAR stage results today from the Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Of note, under the 2026 rules, playoff points are no longer awarded for winning a stage.
Brazilian full-back travelling to Germany to complete Dortmund move
After initial reports in January suggested that a club-to-club agreement had been reached, Sky Germany now report that the 17-year-old is travelling to Dortmund to undergo his medical and sign his contract. A fee of around €12 million is expected to be paid to Brazilian side Cruzeiro.
Prates is set to sign a deal with the Bundesliga club until 2031. Although he will officially join the Black and Yellows in the summer, he is expected to attend Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Atalanta.
The highly rated full-back has already made 16 senior appearances in all competitions for Cruzeiro, scoring once, and has also represented Brazil at U17 level - underlining why Dortmund view him as another exciting long-term investment.
The squad, which won its first three games in Milan, is hanging Gaudreau’s jersey in the locker room in a tribute to the late NHL star who, along with his brother, Matthew, were killed by an alleged drunk driver in a 2024 crash that rocked the hockey world.
The brothers were riding their bikes ahead of their sister’s wedding the next day when they were struck and killed by the driver, who has been charged with aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular homicide.
On Sunday, NBC’s coverage of Team USA’s preliminary round game against Germany featured a segment showing Gaudreau’s nameplate on display in the locker room alongside his jersey.
Prior to his death, Gaudreau played in 40 games for Team USA and has the record for most points ever scored by a U.S. men’s player at the World Championships.
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Zach Werenski — who played with Gaudreau on the Columbus Blue Jackets — told NBC that his late friend and teammate would have made the Winter Olympics team.
He considers Gaudreau to be one of the greatest American-born hockey players, and said the team wants to make the late NHL star and his brother proud at the Games this year.
Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan said the team’s tribute to Gaudreau — a seven-time NHL all-star and winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the best “sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct” in the league — “speaks volumes” to their character.
Gaudreau’s family, in a statement issued before the Milan Cortina Games, said representing the stars and stripes at the Winter Olympics was one of the late hockey star’s “greatest dreams,” and he was pushing to be in the “best shape of his life” in the summer leading up to the deadly crash.
“Though the Olympics will be bittersweet for our family, we find comfort knowing that in the hearts of his teammates, friends, and everyone who loved watching him play, John will be right there,” the statement read.
“Go Team USA. We know John and Matty are watching with pride.”
Team USA's Tage Thompson celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the third period during a win over Germany on Sunday at the 2026 Winter Olympic games. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Gregory Shamus via Getty Images
MILAN — For a team that comfortably won all three of its group-stage games to secure a bye to the Olympic men’s hockey quarterfinals, the U.S. will head to the knockout round with plenty of questions to answer.
The Americans weren’t as convincing as expected against a feeble group with no other credible medal threats.
A 5-1 victory over Germany on Sunday night served as a small step in the right direction. The U.S. finally seized control of the game in the latter two periods after being held scoreless for nearly the entire opening session.
Zach Werenski got the Americans on the board with 8.7 seconds left in the first period when he found space near the right face-off circle and fired the puck past German goalie Maximilian Franzreb. The goal salvaged a lackluster period for the Americans during which the Germans at times threatened to score.
The U.S. found its footing in the second period thanks to a pair of goals from Auston Matthews and Brock Faber. Matthews forced home the rebound of a Quinn Hughes shot from the point. Then Faber lofted a soft shot that appeared to be heading straight for Franzreb’s glove, but the German goalie whiffed on the catch and allowed the puck to find the net.
Tage Thompson and Matthews added goals early in the third period to extend the U.S. lead to 5-0. Only then did Germany finally get on the board as Tim Stützle found space near the left face-off circle and beat Connor Hellebuyck gloveside.
In the quarterfinals, the Americans could face much tougher competition. They’ll get the winner of a knockout-round matchup between Sweden and Latvia. The Swedes are loaded with NHL talent and arrived in Milan as medal favorites. They won two of their three group-stage games but failed to get a bye to the quarterfinals as a result of goal differential.
For the Americans to advance deep into this tournament, they will have to raise the level of play they have displayed so far.
Gold-medal favorite Canada outscored its three group-stage opponents by a score of 20-3. The U.S. hasn’t quite met that standard.
Fleury is a significant loss for the 49ers. He joined the club in 2019 and spent his first season as a a defensive quality control coach. In 2020 he moved to offensive quality control where he spent two seasons. In 2022 he was promoted to tight ends coach, and in 2025 he added the run game coordinator title alongside his TE coach duties.
Seattle is aiming to keep with the Kyle Shanahan scheme on offense under head coach Mike Macdonald. Kubiak joined the Seahawks in 2025 and helped put together an offense that brought the Seahawks a Super Bowl championship. Now Fleury will be leading their offense and calling plays for the first time in his career.
There's no word yet on a replacement for Fleury on the 49ers' staff. Deuce Schwartz and Jacob Webster are both offensive quality control coaches who could follow Fleury's path to become a TE coach. Assistant head coach and offensive line coach Chris Foerster could take on the run game coordinator responsibilities again after holding that position for three seasons beginning in 2022.
Tyler Reddick emerged from a wild final lap as the winner of the Daytona 500, delivering 23XI Racing and co-owner Michael Jordan his first victory in NASCAR's biggest race.
Reddick navigated the final 2.5 miles around Daytona International Speedway as several contenders wrecked.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished second, followed by JOey Logano, Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski.
Get live updates from the 2026 Daytona 500, including race results, leaderboard, highlights, stats, standings, track map, purse money and breaking news from NASCAR’s season-opening race.
American Vincent Trocheck and German Jonas Muller compete for the puck during the first period of the U.S. win at the Winter Olympics on Sunday in Milan. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
The U.S. will take the No. 2 seed into the quarterfinals of the men's hockey tournament of the Milan-Cortina Olympics after beating Germany 5-1 on Sunday to finish group play unbeaten.
The Americans’ opponent in the final eight will be determined in a four-game qualification round Tuesday. Canada, also unbeaten after it thrashed France 10-2 earlier in the day, will take the top seed into the quarterfinals by virtue of its plus-17 goal differential.
The U.S. got two scores Sunday from Auston Matthews and goals from Zach Werenski, Brock Faber and Tage Thompson. Germany’s only score came from Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators, his fourth of the Olympics, with less than nine minutes to play.
The Americans outshot Germany 13-3 during the first 16 minutes, but a combination of poor puck handling and sloppy play in front of the net kept them off the scoreboard until Werenski, a defenseman with the Columbus Blue Jackets, took a pass from Matthews in the center of the right circle, stepped up and drilled a wrister past goalie Maximilian Franzreb nine seconds before the first intermission.
The U.S. thought it had a goal moments earlier when Vegas Golden Knights’ forward Jack Eichel drove the puck from the top of the left circle though a crowd and into the back of the net. But the officials ruled the play had been whistled dead before the shot.
Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ captain, doubled the advantage 3:25 into the second period, poking the rebound of a Quinn Hughes’ shot by Franzreb for his second power-play goal of the Olympics.
Faber, who plays for he Minnesota Wild, made it 3-0 with less than 2:30 left in the second period, playing the puck off the boards near the blue line and flicking it on goal where Eichel got a stick up in front of Franzreb, distracting the goalie as he reached up unsuccessfully to glove the puck.
Thompson, of the Buffalo Sabres, and Matthews closed out the scoring for the U.S. with goals less than five minutes apart into the final period.
Martinelli hits major milestone with new goal for Arsenal
Gabriel Martinelli once again proved decisive and achieved an important milestone with the Arsenal jersey.
According to Opta data, the Brazilian is the first player from the club to score 10 or more goals in a single season across Cups and European competitions since Ian Wright, who scored 12 in the 1994/95 season.
This milestone was reached on Sunday (15th), with a goal scored in the thrashing of Wigan in the FA Cup.
This achievement highlights Martinelli's importance in the current team. In knockout games and continental nights, the forward has been one of the main offensive weapons, appearing in crucial moments and maintaining consistency throughout the season.
The performance also showcases Arsenal's strength in competitions parallel to the national championship.
With the team competing in Cups and seeking prominence in Europe, Martinelli's goals help sustain the club's ambition.
By joining a list that hadn't seen new names for almost three decades, the Brazilian confirms his evolution and central role in the team's project.
Kelly won 248 games and four state championships as coach at East Catholic-Manchester, Southington and St. Paul-Bristol before retiring in 2019. Two years later, he came out of retirement to restart the football program at Weaver High in Hartford, stepping away in 2022.
Dozens of his players went on to become coaches themselves, and remember him as a devoted and gentle mentor who messaging went far beyond football.
“He was a builder,” said Jon Esmail, who played for Kelly at Southington and is now the town’s Youth Services Coordinator. “He was a builder of men, he was a builder of programs, he was a builder of community. He always instilled all of the important aspects we needed as young people playing football, and always communicated how the game of football is a direct parallel to life.”
Kelly, who graduated from Wethersfield High in 1970, played at Southern Connecticut and began his coaching career there, eventually earning a master’s degree from UConn. Taking over at the football program at East Catholic in 1979, he was 61-33 with CIAC Class M championships in 1983, 86 and 87.
“When he developed teams, created teams, it was more than that, it was families,” said Tim Feshler, who played on Kelly’s first teams at East Catholic, later coached under him at Southington at St. Paul, and became a head coach himself at Avon and Xavier-Middletown. “His teams were extremely tight. He was just a constant in all our lives. There was no judgement, just love and guidance and mentorship. And there was always a home for any of us, there was always a place with him and you felt welcomed and loved.”
Feshler was among those who visited Kelly this week. “He just had a way of showing you, tell you, that he loved you and he cared about you,” Feshler said.
Beginning a career pattern, he left East Catholic in 1987 seeing a new challenge and moved to Southington High, where he was 115-62-2, leading the Blue Knights to a Class LL championship in 1998. Frank Stamilio, a youth football coach in town at the time, joined Kelly’s staff at Southington and has remained with the team 35 years.
“He’s a mentor, a father figure, and he teaches you all the life lessons that the beautiful game of football is,” Stamilio said. “I’m still indebted to that man. He was the kind of person you’d want your own children to grow up and emulate.”
In 2005, Kelly moved to Bristol to take over a St. Paul program that was 0-10 the previous year with only 31 players. With declining enrollment, Kelly saw rebuilding football as a way to help keep the school from closing.
“When he came in, we were a co-op program at that point,” said Tony Mazzarella Sr., who coached under Kelly at Southington and St. Paul, eventually taking over at St. Paul. “He came in and he had a plan, and four or five years in, we were in state competition. But the impact he had on people’s lives, he set a standard of character and behavior, and he could relate to kids to well, and he did it subtly, that’s the whole thing. You didn’t realize what he was doing until you saw the outcome, and then you’d go, ‘Okay, I get it now.'”
Kelly won 70 games in 15 seasons at St. Paul, helping to develop Byron Jones, who went on to play for UConn and star in the NFL. Mazzarella and some of Kelly’s other former coaches started compiling a list of those who went on to coach at some level. “We were up to 45,” Mazzarella said. “And I know we didn’t get them all.”
Said Stamilio, “He used to tell me, ‘never let that candle go out, keep the flame going.”
Chris Kennedy, who now coaches football and basketball with the CREC program and lacrosse at Southington, was about 9 when he first met Kelly in church in Southington.
“I’m one of the lucky ones,” Kennedy said. “I went to his youth camp every year, had the honor of playing for him, then after high school I was kind of lost and didn’t know what I was going to do. Then what I always do is go visit Coach, and I started coaching with him right away, at Southington, and I went with him to St. Paul and my son, Brycen, got to play for him. … He knew that kids were great — everywhere. The lessons he taught players and young men were seldom about X’s and O’s, he would make you a better man.”
Weaver returned to the field first as a JV team in 2021, going 8-1, then Kelly coached his last varsity season, going 2-8 in 2022.
“Why did I do this? That never comes into my mind,” Kelly told The Courant in a 2021 interview. “Just, what do we need to do today? What can we do better? Be patient, as long as we get better every day and the kids are learning life skills. We all want to win, but I don’t think I could have coached the years I did if I didn’t believe in the fact that high school football is the best thing in education.”
Kelly leaves behind life partner Norma Kendrick and family including Kai, Hazel, Jacqueline, Alaina, Josie and Brendan Kendrick; daughter Karen Plourde, her husband Joe Plourde and their children Ethan, Logan and Ellie. Arrangements are pending.
“He was so much more than a coach,” Norma Kendrick said Sunday. “He was a good person who wanted to make the world a better place. ‘Leave a place better than you find it,’ he always said.”
Chances are, the Minnesota Vikings will be remaking their quarterback room this offseason after firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and promoting Rob Brzezinski to general manager. Making changes doesn’t guarantee that J.J. McCarthy won’t be returning to the roster, possibly even as the starting QB.
Teams don’t typically move on from quarterbacks they’ve selected 10th overall, especially just two seasons after the draft occurred. But that doesn’t mean the 23-year-old wouldn’t benefit from some strong competition.
Some quarterbacks who have already been linked to the Vikings include a pair of Pro Bowlers in Kirk Cousins and Derek Carr. But retired former Vikings defensive tackle John Randle doesn’t think either quarterback is worth the chase. The Hall of Famer told SKOR North that he believes his former team can do better.
“I’m not a big fan of Derek Carr. I’m sorry. He retired. The talk about Kirk Cousins coming back. We’ve been down that road. No. We want to move on from you. You’re trying to say the right things, but not bringing in the right people. You have one playoff game; I want more. If it’s finding a quarterback, maybe he’s not that great of a quarterback, but a guy who can manage on the offense. We want somebody who can do that.”
John Randle
If Carr and/or Cousins aren’t the answer, then who is? Could the Vikings get lucky by getting another former Pro Bowl QB like Tua Tagovailoa or Kyler Murray for a bargain rate? Kevin O’Connell, Justin Jefferson, and Jordan Addison can certainly help during the recruitment process, but the Vikings will certainly have to clear some cap room first.
Otherwise, the Vikings have to hope McCarthy makes major strides in his development this offseason. If so, the offseason conversation could be moot, but with Carson Wentz set for free agency, the Vikings undoubtedly have to add another competitor in the QB room. For now, it’s just McCarthy and 2025 undrafted rookie Max Brosmer set to return in 2026. That’s not enough.
When the New York Yankees acquired Ryan Weathers in a trade with the Miami Marlins last month, some wondered exactly what the Yankees were doing.
Weathers is talented, no doubt, but he made just 24 starts over the last two seasons due to injuries, and New York didn't really need another depth option in its starting rotation. It needed another frontline starter.
But perhaps Weathers will end up being more of the latter for the Yankees?
The left-hander was throwing live batting practice on Sunday, and he was already hitting 98.5 mph with his fastball.
First look at Ryan Weathers on the mound. His fastball is already at 98.5 mph, which is insane for February. pic.twitter.com/ySSLJkSYNF
Weathers averaged 96.9 mph on his fastball in eight starts last year, which ranked second among all lefties. Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal came in at No. 1.
That is some pretty fine company for Weathers.
But the fact that the 26-year-old is already hitting nearly 99 mph in February is incredibly impressive.
When healthy, Weathers pitched well for the Marlins, logging a 4.11 ERA while allowing 128 hits and registering 131 strikeouts over 138 innings of work. That was over the course of two-and-a-half seasons.
The Loretto, Tn. native was originally selected by the San Diego Padres with the seventh overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft and was a top prospect early in his career, but he never quite materialized with the Padres.
Weathers made 43 appearances and 29 starts in San Diego, posting a 5.73 ERA, 5.53 FIP and 1.490 WHIP. His biggest problem with the Friars was his command, which he largely got under control in Miami.
Ryan Weathers. Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images.
New York paid a fairly steep price to acquire Weathers, sending four prospects to the Marlins in exchange for him. That included highly-regarded outfielder Dillon Lewis.
Clearly, the Yankees saw something they really liked in the southpaw, and while it's only Spring Training, Weathers is already showing why New York took a gamble on him.
We'll have to see if Weathers is able to stay healthy in the Bronx. If he does and produces, it will be interesting to see what the Yanks decide to do with him once Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon both return this year.
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Utah Utes forward Keanu Dawes (8) gets double-teamed by Arizona State Sun Devils forward Allen Mukeba (23) and center Massamba Diop (35) at the Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
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Laura Seitz, Deseret News
With 1:56 remaining, it looked like Utah was on its way to winning its second Big 12 Conference game of the season despite a rough shooting day.
The Utes crashed the boards, were showing improved defensive effort (even with some breakdowns) and had found a way to overcome a nine-point first-half deficit, even as they struggled to shoot in the second half.
The ending, though, fell apart.
Utah stumbled in the final two minutes, as Cincinnati scored the game’s last nine points in a 69-65 win.
“We got a little tentative, and it’s a shame,” Utah coach Alex Jensen said in his postgame interview on ESPN 700 AM.
The Runnin’ Utes (9-16, 1-11 Big 12) went up a game-high five points, at 65-60, when Keanu Dawes hit a fadeaway jumper with 1:52 remaining.
From there, though, Cincinnati made the plays to win.
First, Day Day Thomas scored to make it 65-62 after Cincinnati extended its possession with an offensive rebound.
Then, Terrence Brown missed the front end of a 1-and-1, and Baba Miller made two free throws for Cincinnati to trim Utah’s lead to 65-64 with 1:06 to play.
Don McHenry missed a running jumper, and the Utes’ transition defense gave up a Miller dunk with 40 seconds left, putting the Bearcats ahead 66-65.
While Utah still had its opportunities to win, the Utes couldn’t capitalize. Dawes missed a 3, McHenry was off target on the front end of a 1-and-1 as well as a 3-point attempt and Cincinnati (14-12, 6-7 Big 12) made 3 of 4 free throws down the stretch.
The missed free throws, on a day where the Utes went 12 of 15 from the line, and giving up the go-ahead dunk on a fast break stood out among the plays Utah couldn’t make in clutch moments.
On the fast break, Jizzle James threw ahead to Jalen Celestine, and with Dawes trying to protect the paint in a 2-on-1 situation, Celestine passed to Miller along the baseline at the last second, leading to the bucket.
“We missed the front of the 1-on-1 and then … transition D, we had a couple guys fall down,” Jensen said “Seydou stopped and stabbed at the ball, and then KD, as hard as 2-on-1 (is), we talk about fouling them and not letting him have it.
“I think we fought hard. I think down the stretch, they got a little tentative, but again, it’s hard to win when you have more turnovers than assists on offense.”
Utah’s turnover-to-assist ratio — the Utes’ gave it away 13 times and had only 12 assists — was part of a frustrating day where Utah only shot 36.1% for the game, and 30.3% in the second half.
While Utah hit more 3-pointers, with nine to Cincinnati’s four, the Utes were outscored 32-16 in the paint and 12-4 in fast break points.
Jensen has often talked about how the Utes’ margin for error is small with his first-year group — there was so much turnover on Jensen’s first roster, and Utah has had injuries impact its plans time and again.
Against the Bearcats, the Utes were making the plays to overcome those adversities — until the end.
Jensen noted that his squad is still learning to work through letdowns and not suffer ups and downs throughout games.
“We did a good job defensively. You’re gonna make mistakes, just gotta eliminate (mental errors). … I think we tend to get sped up sometimes, that’s partially something I could help them with,” Jensen said.
“I thought we played hard, and it’s a shame, because I told them all along, we’re good enough to win these games and they’ve done a better job. You got to forget yourself and figure out how you fit into the team and do that job, and we’ll be fine.”
Despite facing a team that had a significant size advantage, thanks to the 6-foot-11 Miller and 7-2 Mousthapa Thiam, Utah scraped its way to a 40-30 rebounding edge, including 16-8 on the offensive glass.
As a result, the Utes held a 16-11 advantage on second-chance points.
That helped close the gap against a Cincinnati team that shot 44.4% from the field and 17 of 22 at the free-throw line.
McHenry led four Utah players in double-figures, as he had 18 points, five rebounds and three assists. He also made a team-high three 3-pointers.
Dawes added 16 points and 14 rebounds to continue his recent string of standout games, while Brown (11 points) and Traore (10 points, five rebounds) also scored in double-figures.
“He’s had a great three-game run. I think he’s played really hard,” Jensen said of Dawes. “I think he’s being more aggressive. It was great on him. Again, we continually want him to keep doing that, and hopefully others can play off of him and use that to better their game.”
On Cincinnati’s side, Miller put up 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Thiam had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Thomas (16 points) and Keyshaun Tillery (10 points, three assists) also scored in double-figures.
The effort was there for Utah, the execution was not — not enough to win, anyway.
The Bearcats still have aspirations — even if it’s long odds — to make the NCAA tournament, while Utah is seeking to build momentum at the end of a trying season.
It’s moments like these that can be frustrating as the losses pile up — Utah lost its seventh straight with Sunday’s setback — but are a part of a learning curve as Jensen works through the process of rebuilding the Utah program, all while competing in the ultra tough Big 12.
For now, the Utes will try to rally quickly away from home. Utah will continue a two-game road trip when they face West Virginia on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. MST, FS1).
“We’ll probably take tomorrow (and) watch this game. That’s the one nice thing about the road is you get to spend time together,” Jensen said. “None of us get a chance to go to the people around us to tell us what we want to hear.
“We can go and watch the game by ourselves. And hopefully we can, like I told them after the game, get better individually and collectively.”
Murillo has suitors in London and on Merseyside, his Nottingham Forest team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White could be heading to Manchester City, and Everton remain keen on Fulham's Harry Wilson.
Nottingham Forest defender Murillo is set to leave the club this summer with Chelsea showing firm interest and Liverpool also considering making a move for the 23-year-old Brazilian. (Teamtalk)
Napoli have opened talks with the representatives of Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, 29, about extending his stay in Italy to 2030. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian)
Manchester City have been told they will have to pay £60-70m to prise England midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, 26, away from Nottingham Forest in the summer. (Football Insider)
Chelsea and Tottenham are interested in signing Bayern Munich's South Korean centre-back Kim Min-jae, 29. (CFBayernInsider)
RB Leipzig's Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool, says the Anfield outfit are his father's favourite club. (Bild via Goal)
But Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany is keen for the Bundesliga leaders to beat Premier League rivals to Diomande's signing in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
Everton plan to make another move for Wales winger Harry Wilson, 28, in the summer having had an approach rebuffed by Fulham in the January transfer window. (Football Insider)
Manchester United and Arsenal are interested in bringing AC Milan and United States forward Christian Pulisic, 27, back to the Premier League, with Tottenham also in the mix. The former Chelsea man would be available for 70m-80m euros (£61m-£70m). (Caught Offside)
Real Madrid are considering selling Brazil striker Endrick, 19, when he returns from his loan spell with Lyon amid interest from several Premier League clubs. (Fichajes - in Spanish)
Juventus would like United States midfielder Weston McKennie, 27, to sign a new contract, but negotiations have stalled because he wants to double his wages, currently between 2.5m-3m euros (£2.18m-£2.6m) per season. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian)
Midfielder Sandro Tonali, 25, has reaffirmed his commitment to Newcastle United following speculation linking him with Arsenal. The Italian said he raced over to manager Eddie Howe after scoring in the FA Cup against Aston Villa on Saturday because he wanted to show their relationship remains strong. (ChronicleLive)
The Seattle Mariners farm system has been considered one of the best in baseball, boasting six top 100 prospects per MLB Pipeline.
Most of the attention on the Mariners farm system has been paid toward the position players, with Colt Emerson (No. 9 MLB Pipeline) and Lazaro Montes (No. 43) getting a lion's share of discussion among analysts over the years.
However, so far in spring training, it's been the pitching prospects that have showed out at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Ariz.
Last year's No. 3 overall MLB Draft pick, left-hander Kade Anderson (No. 21), showed out Saturday. He struck out utility player Miles Mastrobuoni, outfielders Dominic Canzone and Randy Arozarena and generated a popout from Cal Raleigh, all in a live bullpen session.
The aforementioned players are competing in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic and are getting in live BP reps earlier than usual in spring training due their participation in the international competition.
On Sunday, it was time for another top 100 pitching prospect's time to shine: right-hander Ryan Sloan (No. 33).
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound hurler, who was picked in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of high school, took on Raleigh, Josh Naylor and Arozarena in a live BP session.
The 20-year-old took on Raleigh in an eight-pitch at-bat that didn't yield a clear result. He then forced a groundout from Naylor.
The biggest highlight came during his showdown against Arozarena. He sat down the 2025 All-Star swinging on a slider with 20 inches of vertical break, per an article from MLB.com's Daniel Kramer, that resulted in Arozarena's bat flying out of his hands.
Sloan's fastball touched 99 miles per hour and his two-seam fastball, which he put on display for the first time in his professional career, touched 98 mph.
Sloan had an impressive showing in his first year of professional ball last season and was awarded with a non-roster invite. He began '25 with the Single-A Modesto Nuts and was promoted to the High-A Everett AquaSox on Aug. 10.
Sloan finished '25 with a 3.73 ERA and struck out 90 batters in 82 innings pitched across 21 starts at Single-A and High-A.
The organization views both Anderson and Sloan in high regard and doesn't expect lengthy stays in the minor leagues for either of them. In Kramer's article, Seattle president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said he doesn't expect either to spend a "heck of a lot of time" in the minor leagues.
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The Denver Broncos should be a team that attacks free agency aggressively ahead of the 2026 NFL season. With a Super Bowl window that is wide open, the team has no time to waste.
Currently, the Broncos have $28.8 million available in salary cap space, according to Over the Cap, and that number can increase if the Broncos make any moves with players currently under contract. But before the team can look too far at players from other teams, it will first need to decide what to do with its own, in-house free agents.
Here, we will take a look at the 11 players from last year's roster who were on expiring contracts and will become unrestricted free agents once the new league year begins on March 11.
Which of these players should the Broncos prioritize? Which ones should they let test the market? These players are ranked in descending order based on importance to next year's roster.
Ranking Broncos' unrestricted free agents
11. Marcedes Lewis, Tight End
Sean Payton wanted Marcedes Lewis on his team dating back to his days with the Saints. He got his chance to add him to the roster this season and he did, making him the oldest tight end to ever play in an NFL game. But at 41 years old, his best days are far behind him and Lewis did state on this episode of Night Cap with Shannon Sharpe that 2025 would be his final season in the league.
10. Sam Mustipher, Center
The Broncos added Sam Mustipher to add a veteran presence this past season after Luke Wattenberg went down with a shoulder injury and then his replacement, Alex Forsyth, was hobbled as well. He's not likely to return to Denver.
9. Michael Burton, Fullback
Payton likes what Michael Burton brings to the team and his offense does call for a fullback. However, when a hamstring injury flared up for Burton before the season, the Broncos were forced to turn to Adam Prentice, who filled in quite well.
The team should just move forward with Prentice in 2026.
8. Sam Ehlinger, Quarterback
The Broncos have their starting quarterback in Bo Nix and their backup in Jarrett Stidham, but Sam Ehlinger's allegiance to Denver this past season was refreshing. If the Broncos can get him on another cheap, one-year deal to help in the QB room, there's no reason not to.
7. Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Wide Receiver
Lil'Jordan Humphrey was not part of the opening day roster after signing with the New York Giants during the offseason. But when they released him, the Broncos brought him back in favor of their own free-agent signing, Trent Sherfield.
Payton has an affinity for Humphrey and he is a good blocking wide receiver. However, the Broncos need to strongly upgrade the position with a solid No. 1 option while keeping the likes of Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant as young players to develop in the system.
In theory, there shouldn't be a spot for Humphrey if the Broncos address this position properly.
6. Adam Trautman, Tight End
Adam Trautman is another player whom Payton believes in greatly, but his contributions to the team aren't anything that can't be improved upon.
Trautman remains on this roster to this day because the Broncos can't find consistency in the passing game from the tight end position. Evan Engram was supposed to be the answer, but he struggled to be much of a factor in 2025. The Broncos will still have Nate Adkins and Lucas Krull under contract for next season, so if they can find a good option in either free agency or the draft to pair with Engram, they could easily move on from Trautman.
5. P.J. Locke, Safety
P.J. Locke would be further down this list if the Broncos didn't have to turn to him this past season when Brandon Jones went down with a pectoral injury. He played well in Jones' absence, particularly in the postseason, where he had an interception and a forced fumble.
If the Broncos don't bring him back, they will need either Devon Key or JL Skinner to make a big leap forward in 2026.
4. John Franklin-Myers, Defensive Lineman
John Franklin-Myers is the best player the Broncos will have hit the open market this year and he would be No. 1 on this list if not for the fact that it seems highly unlikely that he comes back to Denver, which is why he is in this spot.
The Broncos would love to keep the defense intact as much as possible, but it seems that they would have to make too many alterations in order to keep JFM, who is going to get multiple offers with big dollar amounts attached, so the best move is to start figuring out who his replacement is going to be.
3. J.K. Dobbins, Running Back
One of the biggest decisions the Broncos will have this offseason is what to do with veteran running back J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins was terrific for the Broncos this past season until a foot injury in Week 10 knocked him out for the rest of the season, though he likely would have played in Super Bowl LX if the Broncos made it there.
If the Broncos sign a big-name running back such as Breece Hall, there likely won't be much reason to re-sign Dobbins, as they still have RJ Harvey in the mix. The Broncos will have to decide if they want to risk riding the injury-prone Dobbins or move in a more consistent, yet more expensive, direction.
2. Alex Singleton, Linebacker
Alex Singleton once again led the Broncos in tackles this past season, and he did that despite a cancer scare that forced him to miss a game. But he is 32 years old and has become a bit of a liability in pass coverage. There is a decent chance the Broncos move in another direction. And that direction could be...
1. Justin Strnad, Linebacker
Singleton's backup. Justin Strnad has been forced into action in each of the past two seasons due to injuries to Singleton and Dre Greenlaw. Unless the Broncos surprisingly cut Greenlaw after just one season, they will likely be deciding between Singleton and Strnad at the inside linebacker position.
Reddick passed Chase Elliott exiting Turn 4 on the final lap at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday to win his first Daytona 500. Reddick drives for 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by Michael Jordan.
Reddick passed Elliott, who then crashed into the outside wall before the finish line after Riley Herbst got turned into the wall.
Carson Hocevar was leading when the final lap began, but he too ended up crashed and into the outside wall.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever win this race, it’s surreal honestly,” Reddick said.
Reddick was fourth when the final lap began but somehow avoided the wreck that took out Hocevar. He then ended up behind Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Chase Elliott on the backstretch as Zane Smith pushed Elliott to the lead.
But Elliott was hung out to dry in the final two corners. Reddick got a push from his teammate Herbst after zooming around Zane Smith and went around Elliott before the crash happened behind him as he took the checkered flag.
The final lap was the only lap Reddick led all day.
William Byron entered the race looking to become the first driver to win three Daytona 500s in a row. He was caught up in an early wreck when BJ McLeod had a parts failure on his right rear wheel, but was in position to steal another victory late in the race.
However, Byron was slowed by that wreck that included Hocevar and ended up out of contention for the win.
Though Byron's streak is over, Reddick's win continues a streak of Daytona 500 winners who haven't led many laps in their wins.
Over the last six 500s, Austin Cindric's 21 laps led in 2022 are the most of any winner. Byron led just 14 total laps in his two wins, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. led 10 laps in 2023 and Michael McDowell only led the final lap in 2021.
Another NASCAR victory for Michael Jordan
Reddick's win comes two days before Jordan's 63rd birthday.
"I'm ecstatic, I don't even know what to say. It feels like I won a championship but until I get a ring I won't even know," Jordan told Fox after the race.
Jordan became a NASCAR team owner in 2021 when he went in with Denny Hamlin to form 23XI Racing. The team hired Bubba Wallace to drive the No. 23 car and has expanded to three cars with Reddick and Herbst while also fielding a fourth entry on Sunday for Corey Heim.
Just two months earlier, Jordan and Hamlin scored a massive legal victory over NASCAR. The team, along with Front Row Motorsports, sued NASCAR over the sanctioning body's franchising system. The lawsuit made it all the way to trial, where the two parties finally settled after the trial began.
The settlement was a clear win for the plaintiffs. 23XI and Front Row wanted permanent charters — NASCAR's version of franchises — for the teams. NASCAR was relenting. But NASCAR gave permanent charters as part of the settlement and the parties also agreed to financial compensation before the jury was needed to reach a verdict.
After the settlement was announced, NASCAR chairman Jim France and Jordan presented a united front about how the settlement would push NASCAR forward. On Sunday, France was there in victory lane with a hearty handshake to congratulate Jordan and the team after the win.
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 12: Tonie Morgan #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats brings the ball up court during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Rupp Arena on February 12, 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, after taking care of business against Texas A&M, Kenny Brooks and Kentucky welcomed No. 14 Ole Miss to town in a game that meant a lot more than just a game.
The first quarter was a bit back and forth, but the 2nd quarter started with a Kentucky blitz. The Cats were smothering Ole Miss, and Cotie McMahon in particular. McMahon is averaging nearly 20 points per game. She had 0 through the first 15, going 0-8 to start.
It was 20-15, then all of a sudden it was 36-15. We had an Asia Boone Bomb and one, and Amelia Hassett hit 2 3’s during the stretch that saw Tonie Morgan get her 2nd block, yes, Tonie Morgan. They were trying to break Ole Miss’s will, but the Rebels were fighting back. They had the lead down to 39-20 when an Asia Boone steal allowed the Cats to hold for the last shot, but Clara Strack was blocked to send the teams to the half.
Ole Miss fights back in the 3rd quarter
The second half opened up with a Kentucky turnover, and Cotie hit her first 3 of the game off an offensive rebound. Another turnover and a shot clock violation gave the Rebels a little 5-0 run before Clara Strack hit a nice layup to get the Cats on the board in the 3rd. But it was the foul calls that were really piling up for Kentucky. They had 4 team fouls with 6:49 to go. Tonie Morgan, Clara Strack, and Teonni Key all had 3 fouls, and the fouls they were calling were questionable at best. Somehow, Ole Miss had just 2 fouls despite being as physical as Kentucky
But you knew the Rebels were going to make a run. How would the Cats handle it?
They would handle it with an Amelia Hassett corner 3 that pushed the lead back up to 18. But it was the Rebels who just kept attacking and going to the foul line. 2 more free throws from Cotie McMahon cut the lead back to 12 with 51 seconds to go in the 3rd. A huge Tonie Morgan and one put the lead back up to 15. Kentucky had the ball with a chance for the final shot, but Clara Strack missed it a little earlier than Brooks would have liked, which led to an Ole Miss break that had the Cats up 55-42 heading to the 4th.
Ole Miss uses 9-0 run to reel Kentucky back in
Teonni Key came back in the 4th after sitting most of the 3rd with foul trouble and hit a nice turnaround jumper to get the Cats on the board early. But it was the Rebels who owned the first half of the 4th with a 9-0 run by Ole Miss, fueled by Cotie McMahon. The 19-point halftime lead was suddenly down to just 6, and the momentum was all on the visitors’ side.
Strack made a jumper to stem the tide, and Kentucky took a little time off the clock with a Strack pump fake and layup to get it back up to double digits, but she didn’t stop there. She scored 8 straight for Kentucky, and the lead was right back to 14.
Kentucky would slow it down even more, with Clara Strack scoring her 28th point of the game and the Rebels running out of momentum. Kentucky would close it out at home 74-57.
The ladies will have the week off as they will not be back on the court until next Sunday with a rematch against Vandy after dropping a tough one at home to the Dores 2 weeks ago.
Drew Holbrook has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time, he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion
Justin Allgaier’s poorly timed block near the end of the second stage of the Daytona 500 took out a host of cars at the front of the field.
Allgaier was leading with less than 10 laps to go before the stage concluded when Denny Hamlin got a push from Ryan Blaney at the front of the outside line entering the tri-oval. As Hamlin went to Allgaier’s outside, Allgaier moved up. Slowly.
The late block collected Hamlin, Blaney, defending Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, Shane van Gisbergen and many others. At least 20 cars were involved. Forty-one cars started the race and 40 were on track at the time of the crash.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Manny Machado #13 of the Dominican Republic celebrates after hitting a home run in the third inning against Israel at loanDepot park on March 14, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the 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.
Spring Training is a time for players to reconnect with their organizations, coaches and teammates as they prepare for the upcoming season. Spring Training will be all that this season, but it will also be a time for players to prepare for the World Baseball Classic. The tournament is played every three to four years and brings players and countries together to compete on a global stage.
The WBC provides competitive games with thrilling plays and legendary matchups, but it also means participants are competing at a level that is comparable to a postseason game. With this type of effort and intensity, players can be more susceptible to injury and for many fans, it means they run the risk of missing time with their MLB club.
Fans of the San Diego Padres seem to have the same concerns. In this week’s Padres Reacts Survey respondents were asked how they felt about players from the San Diego roster competing in the WBC. Respondents were not unanimous in their position, but the majority said they hate that players from the Padres are competing in the WBC.
Everyday players third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Xander Bogaerts have regularly played for Dominican Republic and Netherlands. Right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. and closer Mason Miller will make their first WBC appearances with Dominican Republic and USA. This group is joined by relievers Wandy Peralta, Alek Jacob and Yuki Matsui as well as minor league pitchers Victor Lizarraga and Omar Cruz who will all compete for their respective countries.
Baseball fans who like the WBC point to the matchup between Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani from the 2023 WBC final. Trout stepped to the plate to face Ohtani in the top of the ninth inning with two outs and Japan holding a 3-2 lead over USA. Trout would ultimately strikeout to end the game, but the baseball world was captivated by the intense and dramatic moment.
Baseball fans who do not like the WBC will point to the 2023 WBC as well and say Edwin Diaz, who was then the closer for the New York Mets, tore his patellar tendon in his knee while celebrating a WBC win that caused him to miss the entire 2023 MLB season. The statement was often made that he was injured in a game that did not count and the Mets suffered as a result.
There is no question the WBC creates great theater, and the tournament has supporters and detractors. The players seem to enjoy it and most of them enthusiastically accept the opportunity to play for their country, but the potential for injury is always an underlying concern… especially for fans.
AS FAR complaint reignites debate: Will Al Ahly be forced to play the quarter-finals without fans?
Bottle-throwing incidents draw formal response
AS FAR complaint reignites debate: Will Al Ahly be forced to play the quarter-finals without fans?
Moroccan club AS FAR confirmed they have filed official complaint to CAF over crowd incidents during their Champions League match against Al Ahly.
What happened during the match?
AS FAR have announced that they submitted formal complaint to Confederation of African Football following crowd trouble during their CAF Champions League group-stage match against Al Ahly.
The match played in Cairo as part of matchday 6 of the group stage, ended in 0-0 draw. Despite the result, the game was overshadowed by incidents involving some Al Ahly supporters.
AS FAR condemn “unacceptable behavior”
In official statement, AS FAR strongly condemned what they described as unsporting behavior from sections of the home crowd. The club said bottles were thrown toward their players and technical staff creating direct threat to safety on the pitch.
AS FAR confirmed that their management has taken immediate action by sending an official letter to CAF calling for the application of disciplinary measures in line with the competition’s regulations.
The club stressed that the move is aimed at protecting sporting values and ensuring the safety of players & staff.
Calls for fair treatment from CAF
The situation gained further attention after comments from Ahmed Hamoudan, a key AS FAR player.
He publicly asked CAF to apply the law fairly and equally reminding the governing body that AS FAR had previously accepted sanctions imposed on their own supporters.
Hamoudan said he hoped CAF would show the same firmness in dealing with the incidents in Cairo especially after reports of bottle-throwing and delays affecting the Moroccan team.
Despite the controversy both teams secured qualification to Champions League quarter-finals. Al Ahly finished top of the group with 10 point while AS FAR ended second with 9 point.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Since the start of the offseason back in October, the Mets have insisted the clubhouse wasn’t toxic last season, yet the narrative has followed the team into spring training. It appears as though it’s going to continue following them until they show people otherwise.
The Mets are finding out that you can’t put genie back in the bottle, at least not in New York. While fans might be eager to point fingers at a villain, there really wasn’t one last year, and heading into the 2026 season, there still doesn’t appear to be one. The perceived rift between Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto isn’t exactly a rift — it might be that they’re simply just coworkers.
“I think it’s a great relationship,” Soto said Sunday at Clover Park. “We talk all the time in the game and everything. We help each other.”
The two are the faces of the team and two of the faces of the league as well. They play in baseball’s largest market and have international appeal as two of the most prominent Latino players.
Bad Bunny, a musician with such global popularity that the NFL signed off on him doing an entire Super Bowl show in Spanish, offered to pay for Francisco Lindor’s World Baseball Classic insurance, something the shortstop confirmed Sunday. Soto is one of the faces of UnderArmour, Celsius energy drinks and Presidente beer.
That doesn’t mean they share many commonalities or interests outside of baseball.
Manager Carlos Mendoza described the clubhouse as “too corporate” last season. It was professional, sure; players got to the park at the right time, did their work, played the game and went home. They celebrated home runs in the dugout together and they shared tips with one another. But they lacked the fire and mental toughness they had in 2024 when they had Grimace, “OMG” and a feeling of invincibility.
“We’ve always pulled for each other, we always wanted what’s best for each other,” Lindor said. “Are we all best friends? That’s not how he works in the clubhouse.”
It isn’t how it works in any workplace, for that matter, and it also doesn’t mean a team can’t win. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal famously feuded for years but still won three straight NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. In the Bronx, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez had a strained relationship, but still won the 2009 World Series together, and now sit on the same TV set regularly as analysts for MLB on FOX.
The foundation of a winning culture isn’t friendship, it’s a mutual respect for one another as teammates and athletes.
“We’re friends, we’re good teammates, we care for each other, we have love for each other, and we want the best for each other,” Lindor said of the Mets clubhouse. “And we have a lot of guys here who seem like they’re going to work hard and they’re gonna do whatever it takes to win. Ultimately, that’s what it comes down to. It’s all about winning and everybody pulling in the same direction.”
Last season has become the season no one wants to talk about. It’s been a bit of a sensitive subject over the last week in Port St. Lucie, but then again, who really wants to talk about their failures? President of baseball operations David Stearns decided early on after the 2025 campaign ended that he wouldn’t run back the same team in 2026. As a result, there are more new faces in camp this spring than there have been in the last few years.
Soto and Lindor both agree the overhaul has made the team better.
“We had a great team last year; this year, I feel like it’s an even better team,” Soto said. “It’s a great feeling, definitely. I played with those guys last year, but it’s a new year. We forget about what was going on last year and anything that happened. We’re focused on this year.”
“We feel like we have what it takes,” Lindor said. “They addressed the defense, they addressed the base running, they addressed the hitting, they addressed the pitching.”
Whether they’re best friends or frenemies or something in between, Lindor and Soto are two of the most important leaders on the team, and that isn’t about to change anytime soon. The slate has been wiped clean, at least as much as it can be, and while the narrative hasn’t changed just yet, once the season starts, the Mets are hoping to win enough to make everyone forget about 2025.
“Have fun, forget about all the drama and everything, focus on the game,” Soto said. “And win some ball games.”
COLUMBUS, OHIO - FEBRUARY 15: Ava Watson #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes knocks the ball out of the hands of Oluchi Okananwa #7 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second quarter of the game at Value City Arena on February 15, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Sunday on a warm winter day in Columbus, the No. 8 Ohio State women’s basketball team returned to the court for the first time in a week. It was a top-20 matchup against the No. 20 Maryland Terrapins, a side that the Buckeyes defeated handedly on Jan. 11, 2026, in College Park, Maryland. This time around, the Buckeyes had a 15-point second quarter lead but could not hold it. Maryland erased the lead early in the fourth quarter and carried cold Ohio State shooting to a late 76-75 Terrapins victory.
First quarter
Before the game, Ohio State honored point guard Jaloni Cambridge for her 1,000th career point, scored against the Oregon Ducks one week ago. It took the guard 54 games to reach the milestone. Before Cambridge, guard Kelsey Mitchell hit the mark in 41 games, early in her sophomore season. Mitchell then hit 2,000 points at 79 games.
From the jump, Maryland showed it would try to speed the game up when point guard Oluchi Okananwa received the jump ball and made a beeline to the basket. It was a peculiar game plan because the Buckeyes are known for their speed, and it worked about as expected. Ohio State went up 13-3 quickly and hit its first four shots from beyond the arc.
Maryland battled back and went on a 10-point run, which cut the Buckeyes’ lead down to five points, but it did not last. Guard Chance Gray hit a three, her third of the quarter, to end the run, followed by five points from Jaloni Cambridge. The final came at the buzzer of the first quarter. Seeing that the clock would soon expire, Jaloni Cambridge hit a deep three-point basket to give the Buckeyes a 28-15 lead headed into the second quarter.
Second quarter
If the first quarter was a speed skating race, the second quarter was a curling match. After scoring runs took over the first 10 minutes, Maryland and Ohio State traded baskets in the second quarter, and part of the reason is the Terps, who decided to slow the game down.
Neither side hit more than three baskets in a row, and the 15-point lead at the end of the first quarter ended with another 15-point lead. Part of the reason for the Ohio State lead was a 12-6 rebounding margin in the first quarter. In the second, Maryland took its turn doubling up the other side on the boards with 14 to Ohio State’s seven.
However, those extra possessions did not end in extra points on the scoreboard. Maryland shot 5-for-18 in the second period and made one of its five attempted shots from beyond the arc. Ohio State shot 42.9% and hit half of its three-point attempts, which made the difference to maintain the double-digit lead.
Third quarter
Normally, after halftime, the Buckeyes identify an issue and work on correcting it in the second half. The rebounding issues of the second quarter were not remedied for Ohio State early in the third quarter, which gave the Terrapins a door to cut into the lead. After three minutes of the second half, Maryland had a 6-1 rebounding margin, and the 15-point lead for Ohio State was cut down to 10 points, which prompted a timeout for head coach Kevin McGuff.
Out of the timeout, guard Kennedy Cambridge went for a loose ball in front of the Maryland bench, and in the process, a Terrapin player stepped on the redshirt junior’s ankle. Cambridge needed to be carried off the court and into the locker room for additional medical attention.
Kennedy Cambridge returned within three game minutes, which were extended due to a lot happening on the court. Initially, it was a review of the out-of-bounds call that happened during Kennedy Cambridge’s injury. As the guard was carried off, she appeared to tell her teammates on the court to look at it. Then, Okananwa went to the basket, and her elbow hit Jaloni Cambridge in the face in the process. Referees looked at it for a potential upgrade, but it was deemed a common foul.
The guard’s return did not give the Buckeyes any real spark as the Terps scored 12 of the last 19 points of the quarter to cut the Ohio State lead to three points at the end of the quarter.
Fourth quarter
Maryland earned its first lead of the game since the first basket of the game with an eight-point run to start the quarter. That gave the Terrapins a five-point lead with 7:29 left on the clock in the game. Ohio State tried to establish an inside game on offense, but the Maryland interior defense was too much for center Elsa Lemmilä early in the period. The Finnish center missed her first two baskets of the quarter and had four points through three quarters up to that point.
It was not only missed baskets, but Maryland shots began to land. From the end of the third quarter through the start of the fourth, the Terrapins went 5-for-7 from the floor. At the same time, Ohio State went 2-for-8.
The Terrapins stretched the lead to nine points before the Buckeyes’ offense started to hit shots. Ohio State went three of five attempts from the floor, and the Terps stopped hitting deep shots. Up until that point, Maryland had seven shots from beyond the arc in the second half, compared to three total in the first 20 minutes.
Ohio State trimmed the lead down to four points with 2:51 remaining and looked like it was about to force a shot clock violation on Maryland. However, guard Saylor Poffenbarger hit a deep three-point shot with seven-tenths of a second left on the clock to make any attempted comeback more difficult.
McGuff’s side needed to stop the Terps and get a rebound, but Maryland did not allow that to happen for most of the last three quarters. Maryland out-rebounded the Buckeyes 45-29 and took 15 more shots off that advantage. With just over a minute left in the quarter, Chance Gray got a rare rebound for the Buckeyes but clashed with Okananwa in the process. Gray pushed the Maryland guard, and it required a review from the officials. Gray and Okananwa each received flagrant fouls after the Maryland guard used “unsporting language,” according to the official review.
That meant Okananwa fouled out of the game with it her fifth of the day. The Buckeyes had 1:01 remaining to try to make up a five-point deficit. Guard Ava Watson wiped three of those points away with a three-pointer at the top of the arc. On defense, the Buckeyes stopped the Terrapins from scoring, and Kennedy Cambridge got the rebound and a trip to the line to potentially tie the game. The guard missed bot,h and Maryland got the ball with 28.2 seconds remaining.
On the inbound pass, Maryland’s Poffenbarger held the ball too long thanks to defensive pressure from the Buckeyes and a loud arena. Ohio State had the final possession, missed two shots, and forward Kylee Kitts had the chance to tie the game from the free-throw line. Kitts made one of two, and the Buckeyes tried to rush a shot, but Maryland grabbed the rebound and missed two free throws on the subsequent foul. Jaloni Cambridge had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but missed the midrange effort.
Number of the game: 19
That is the lead Ohio State built in the second quarter. The Buckeyes’ offense looked strong in the first half on Sunday, but slowed down in the second half. It is the biggest blown lead for Ohio State this season.
Ohio State is on the road this week. On Wednesday, the Buckeyes are in Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Although they are unranked, the Golden Gophers sit 10th in the NCAA’s NET rankings and entered this weekend on a seven-game winning streak.
Then the Buckeyes are back at home a week from Sunday when the USC Trojans are in Columbus for the 2:00 p.m. ET tip. It is the third season in a row that Ohio State will face the Trojans, and both ended in defeats for the Buckeyes.
The report arrives just days after an emotional Malinin held back tears as he left the ice, where he was a heavy favorite going into the free skate. But he took two falls among other mistakes on a night where he shocked fans for reasons he didn’t wish, leaving with his worst final score (264.49) in almost four years.
The 21-year-old is expected to take part in the non-medal exhibition event on Saturday, a day before the Winter Olympics closing ceremony, a source told the veteran sports journalist at USA Today.
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Team USA's Ilia Malinin competes in the men's figure skating short program on Tuesday. Stephanie Scarbrough via Associated Press
The gala typically sees medalists (and, on occasion, fourth-place finishers and natives of the host country) performing for the crowd, making the inclusion of Malinin — who finished in eighth place overall in the men’s singles competition — “almost unheard of,” per Brennan.
The “Quad God” is also set to travel to Prague next month, where he looks to hold onto his crown at this year’s world championships. He’s won back-to-back world figure skating titles.
Malinin was spotted with Mexico’s Donovan Carrillo and Team Canada’s Piper Gilles in the crowd as they watched the pair’s short program on Sunday.
Team USA’s Emily Chan and Spencer Howe made their Olympic debut with a score of 70.06. American duo Ellie Kam and Daniel O’Shea are set to hit the ice later in the competition.
This offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals have a lot of work to do with the defensive side of the ball. There is a huge need at pass rusher, linebacker is a must, interior of the defensive line is a need, the cornerbacks could use help, and the safety room needs major overhauling.
Every position is needed on the defensive side of the ball. With a few outgoing free agents, led by Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals could focus on the defensive side of the ball from their 2026 free agent class.
But, as CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles writes, the Bengals shouldn't focus on Hendrickson, and instead should prioritize Joe Flacco as their top free agent this offseason. Why? As seen in 2025, the Bengals can't go into 2026 without a plan at backup quarterback.
Bengals urged to re-sign Joe Flacco over Trey Hendrickson
"The Bengals know all too well that backup quarterback is a crucial role, and even if it's for just a few games or a few drives, they'd appreciate being able to turn to Flacco," Pereles writes.
While Cincinnati could elect to try to bring back Hendrickson this offseason, as Pereles notes, Hendrickson "is almost certainly gone."
There's little after Hendrickson among the Bengals' outgoing free agents who are better than Flacco, with Joseph Ossai and Geno Stone both being replaceable. Flacco isn't nearly as replaceable this offseason.
After losing Joe Burrow for a period of time in 2025, Jake Browning struggled to a massive degree. Flacco came in, stabilized the offense, and if it weren't for poor defensive play, they would've had a few extra wins.
Flacco is 41 years old, is a Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion, and is planning to play for at least one more season. The 2026 season will be his 19th in the NFL, and the Bengals should make sure that 19th season is in Cincinnati.
With Burrow's injury history, keeping Flacco in Cincinnati should be a huge priority. While there are other solid backup quarterbacks set to be free agents, Flacco is already familiar with the team and would be a much simpler solution to the backup QB problem.
Hendrickson departing would also likely net the Bengals a solid compensatory draft pick, whereas Flacco might not. Re-signing Flacco and letting Hendrickson walk to bring home a 3rd or 4th round compensatory pick should be what the Bengals do this offseason.
A nine-car pileup that began near the front of the field of the NASCAR Daytona 500, including former race champion Austin Dillon, occurred during the second stage on Feb. 15.
Connor Zilisch moved down the track to try to pass Justin Allgaier, and that began the chain reaction collision that also included Austin Dillon, Chase Briscoe, Todd Gilliland, Cody Ware, Ty Gibbs, and Corey Heim.
Gibbs was in the lead and Allgaier behind him at the time of the crash.
Ware gave Zilisch a bad bump after Zilisch and Allgaier made contact.
The wreck occurred on the 85th lap. It was the second cation of the race. Dillon hit Briscoe in the infield after both spun out on the track.
Athletes routinely put their bodies on the line at the Winter Olympics, and that is certainly true of skiers regardless of the event.
During Sunday's freeski big air qualifying runs, 18-year-old Finnish skier Elias Lajunen suffered the fate every skier knows is possible when he was knocked out of the competition by a violent crash.
The crash left Lajunen face down as he reached the bottom of the landing area, as fans held their breath in hopes the impact wasn't as bad as it first appeared.
Here's what you need to know about Lajunen and his condition after a crash ended his day.
Fortunately, Lajunen was conscious after the crash and even gave the crowd a thumbs-up as he was tended to by medical staff. Medics rushed over to Lajunen as soon as he crashed.
No other details on Lajunen's condition have been released. He did not participate in the and third qualifying runs of Sunday's freeski big air competition as he received medical attention, but fans were relieved to see the 18-year-old conscious, sitting up and even signaling that he was feeling alright after the violent landing.
Lajunen couldn't complete his final rotation during Sunday's freeski big air qualification run and appeared to land hard on his back.
Lajunen slid down the ice face-down and laid motionless for a few seconds before medical staff made their way over to check him out. While the crash looked violent, Lajunen was able to sit up on his own and signaled to the crowd that he was going to be alright.
Who is Elias Lajunen?
Lajunen is only 18 years old and was making his Olympic debut.
Born in Finland, Lajunen competed in the 2025 world championships, finishing 31st in freeski slopestyle competition and 32nd in freeski big air.
Lajunen participated in slopestyle qualification earlier in these Olympics but did not qualify for the medal round, finishing 18th with only 12 skiers advancing. By crashing out of Sunday's qualification, Lajunen won't have the chance to walk away from the Olympics with a medal — but he was fortunate just to walk away from the scene after such a hard landing.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 13: Spencer Rattler #18 of the New Orleans Saints and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko during a game at Caesars Superdome on October 13, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
New Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak is continuing to interview for his offensive coordinator as he is talking to Andrew Janocko on Sunday, according to ESPN. The Raiders have also reportedly interviewed Seattle Seahawks wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson for the job.
Let’s get to know Janocko:
Seahawks QB coach Andrew Janocko is interviewing today in Las Vegas for the Raiders offensive coordinator job, and also is a candidate for that same job title in Seattle as the successor to Klint Kubiak, per sources. pic.twitter.com/2HsjLaohlU
He was the Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach in 2025.
Age:
He is 37.
Coaching experience:
He has 13 years of NFL coaching experience. He has five years NFL experience as a quarterbacks coach, but eh has also coached the offensive line and wide receivers. So, he has a good grasp of total offensive coaching and game planning.
Why the Raiders are interested:
Janocko and Kubiak have worked together in Minnesota, New Orleans and in Seattle. There is clearly a comfort level involved and Janocko has to be considered a favorite to land the job. Kubiak will call the offensive plays and run the offense, but Janocko would be a trusted assistant.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Clara Strack had 28 points and nine rebounds, Tonie Morgan added 14 points and nine assists, and No. 18 Kentucky beat No. 14 Mississippi 74-57 on Sunday.
Asia Boone scored 10 of her 15 points in the second quarter for Kentucky (20-7, 7-6 SEC).
Latasha Lattimore scored four points and Cotie McMahon the next five in a 9-0 spurt that trimmed the Rebels' deficit to 57-51 with 6:45 left in the game, but Strack scored eight consecutive points over the next three-plus minutes before Morgan made a layup to give Kentucky a 16-point lead with 2:59 to play.
Ole Miss (20-6, 7-4) had won four of its last five, the lone loss in that span coming at then-No. 21 Alabama, 64-63, on Feb. 5.
McMahon led the Rebels with 18 points but made just 4 of 18 from the field. Lattimore finished with 15 points, on 6-of-17 shooting and added 11 rebounds and three blocks.
Lattimore made a layup to open the scoring, but Strack hit two free throws and then a jumper that made it 4-2 less than three minutes into the game and Kentucky never trailed again, although there was one more tie.
Boone converted a four-point play to spark a 19-0 run that culminated when Boone sandwiched a pair of 3-pointers around another 3 by Amelia Hassett to make it 39-15 with 3:18 left in the second quarter.
Up next
Ole Miss: Hosts No. 22 Tennessee on Tuesday in a game that had previously been scheduled for Jan. 26.
The Los Angeles Rams are trending in the right direction ahead of the 2026 offseason after just missing out on a Super Bowl appearance. Matthew Stafford will be back and the majority of the team's best players and coaches will all return for the 2026 season as well.
So, it shouldn't be a surprise to hear that NFL.com's Bucky Brooks ranked the Rams as the second-biggest Super Bowl window in 2026, behind only the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.
Sean McVay's brilliance as a leader and play-caller will keep the Rams in the hunt for as long as he roams the sidelines. The one-time Super Bowl winner has mastered the art of building a championship squad, mixing superstars with newbies and veteran pickups hoping to prove themselves in the NFL.
Given the Rams' returning lineup and their coaching prowess, Super Bowl LXI could be a home game for the NFC heavyweights.
It all comes back to the tentpole players for L.A.: Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Kyren Williams and the bevy of young defensive stars. They're all back, healthy and hungry to play the Super Bowl at their home turf of SoFi Stadium.
That same team looked dominant for most of the 2025 season and only fell apart in the waning moments of the NFC championship game. L.A. finished with the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense with the league's MVP as well as a top-10 defense. So, it stands to reason that a repeat of that is possible in addition to whatever players the Rams add in free agency, the draft, and or the trade market.
Former Denver Broncos head coach John Fox will be returning to the NFL at age 71 after a couple of years away from the game. Fox has been added to the Buffalo Bills' staff, led by Joe Brady, as a senior assistant.
Fox last coached in the NFL during the 2023 season as a senior defensive assistant for the Detroit Lions. He was the head coach of the Broncos from 2011 to 2014, leading the team to four AFC West division titles. He was fired following the 2014 season for not being able to get the Broncos over the hump.
The team won the Super Bowl the next year with Gary Kubiak as the head coach.
Fox then became the head coach of the Chicago Bears, going 14-34 in three seasons. He was out of the league until 2022, when he was hired as a senior defensive assistant under head coach Frank Reich.
He now joins a Bills team that still feels it is a major Super Bowl contender despite moving on from head coach Sean McDermott following a loss to the Broncos in the divisional round of this year's playoffs.
Below, find out where some other familiar names will be in the NFL for the 2026 season.
Former Broncos coach tracker
Nathaniel Hackett
After going 4-11 in his first season as the Broncos' head coach, the team didn't even wait until the 2022 season was over to fire Nathaniel Hackett. He has managed to find new jobs since that debacle and though he was hired to serve as the quarterbacks coach for the Miami Dolphins under their new coach Jeff Hafley, he took a job as the offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals just days later.
Adam Gase
Adam Gase spent six seasons with the Broncos and rose through the ranks to become one of the best offensive minds in the game. That led to him getting head coaching jobs with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, failing miserably in both roles.
Former Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, who took over as the interim head coach of the Tennessee Titans when they fired Brian Callahan during the season in 2025, has been hired as an assistant head coach as part of Klint Kubiak's new staff with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jim Leonhard
The Broncos badly wanted to keep Jim Leonhard on their staff, but when Vance Joseph was not offered a head coaching position for this coming season, Brady stole him away to become the new defensive coordinator for the Bills.
Keary Colbert
After three seasons as the Broncos' wide receivers coach, Keary Colbert was relieved of his duties following the season, partly due to the team having too many drops. He was hired to serve in the same role for the Baltimore Ravens shortly thereafter.
Addison Lynch
When the Broncos fired Colbert, they also moved on from cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch. He was able to find a new gig coaching defensive backs for the New York Giants as part of new head coach John Harbaugh's staff.
Pete Carmichael
Long-time Sean Payton assistant, Pete Carmichael, who the Broncos let go of following the season, scored a big new job when he was hired by Brady to be the new offensive coordinator of the Bills.
Zack Grossi
Zack Grossi served as a passing game coordinator for the Broncos this past season and spent four years on the coaching staff, fighting a battle against cancer during that time. In 2026, he will be the tight ends coach for the Ravens.
Joe Lombardi
The Broncos fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi following the season, mostly to make room for Davis Webb to move into that role to prevent him from joining another team. Lombardi will join Grossi and Colbert in Baltimore as a senior offensive assistant for the Ravens.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 1: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to a game against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Los Angeles Rams are big fans of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, possibly the second player at his position to get drafted in April, according to ESPN’s Louis Riddick.
“I know they like Ty Simpson and his skillset and his makeup is exactly what they’re looking for,” said Riddick over the weekend. Should the Rams use one of their two first round picks on Simpson and start the process of developing a successor to Matthew Stafford who isn’t Stetson Bennett?
Louis Riddick on yesterday's NFL Draft Daily "I know personally they (Rams) like Ty Simpson. His skillset and makeup is exactly what they're looking for" pic.twitter.com/cnKTWXVRg9
You could hardly call Simpson an NFL draft prospect a year ago and he was one of a few quarterbacks in contention to be the next quarterback at Alabama, eventually winning that job in the fall. Simpson ended up throwing 28 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in Kalen DeBoer’s offense.
In his first three seasons with the Crimson Tide, Simpson had never thrown a touchdown.
The 23-year-old quarterback was advised by many to go back to college and continue to gain the experience he never had before last season. Without many other quarterbacks in the class worthy of an early pick, the 6’2 Simpson decided to take his chances.
The son of a college head coach, Simpson could be a good player for Dave Ragone to develop behind the scenes. But given how much time he’s already spent behind the scenes and his relatively mundane season at Alabama (I mean, he’s good, he obviously didn’t blow the doors off of anyone’s expectations) is he worth a first round pick?
That requires a lot more proof than just an endorsement from someone at ESPN that the Rams might be interested!
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — David Mirkovic had 25 points and seven rebounds and No. 8 Illinois rebounded from back-to-back overtime losses with a 71-51 victory over Indiana on Sunday.
Kylan Boswell, the Illini’s second-leading scorer and top defensive player, returned and played nearly 33 minutes after missing seven games with a broken right hand, his dominant hand, which was heavily taped and padded.
Boswell had nine points and seven rebounds and committed one of Illinois’ two turnovers.
Keaton Wagler scored 18 points and Tomislav Ivisic had 14, including 12 in the second half, for Illinois (21-5, 12-3 Big Ten), which was coming off OT losses to Wisconsin and No. 10 Michigan State. Ben Humrichous went 0 for 7 from the field but led the Illini with eight rebounds.
Lamar Wilkerson had 21 points for Indiana (17-9, 8-7), 14 in the first half. He has scored at least 20 points in 10 Big Ten games this season.
Tucker DeVries scored 13 and Sam Alexis had 11 points and eight rebounds for the Hoosiers, who were outscored 33-20 in the second half after trailing 38-31 at halftime.
Illinois pulled down 15 offensive rebounds, which led to 17 second-chance points, and outrebounded Indiana 38-25.
Indiana came into the game with five wins in six tries after a four-game losing streak.
Former Illini players and NBA rookies Kasparas Jakucionis (Miami Heat) and Will Riley (Washington Wizards) were at the State Farm Center to watch the game during the All-Star break. The two are Illinois’ first one-and-done players.
Martin Ødegaard to United: What Arsenal captain has told his agent
Ahead of Manchester United’s clash against Arsenal last month, many fans of the North London club debated whether Martin Odegaard is better than Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes delivered a statement performance, helping United secure a remarkable 3-2 win at the Emirates. Odegaard, meanwhile, was hooked before the hour mark.
The Portuguese maestro remains the Premier League’s best number 10. However, the 31-year-old’s long-term future at United remains uncertain. Interestingly, it is being suggested that the Red Devils could turn to the Arsenal captain.
Martin Odegaard wants Manchester United move
According to a report in Foot Africa, Martin Odegaard is considering leaving Arsenal in the summer.
It is believed the Norwegian midfielder has asked his agent to open talks with United over a stunning move to Old Trafford, following in the footsteps of Arsenal legend Robin van Persie, who joined Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in 2012.
Mikel Arteta has transformed Arsenal into one of Europe’s most physically dominant sides, who heavily rely on set-pieces and crosses to unlock defences.
The league leaders frequently dominate possession but rarely play between the lines, failing to make the most of Odegaard’s passing range and vision.
The 27-year-old, who has completed 90 minutes of football just five times in the league this term, feels undervalued at Arsenal and is now “ready to leave, with tensions reported between him and Mikel Arteta.”
Bayern Munich are keen to sign the former Real Madrid talent, but his preference is to remain in the Premier League. Accordingly, Odegaard is prioritising a move to United.
Bayern Munich interested in Manchester United captain
Vincent Kompany seems determined to add creativity to his side, as Bayern are also monitoring Bruno Fernandes.
In January, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming the Bundesliga giants are working on convincing United to part ways with their leader, who is open to joining them.
United considered selling Fernandes last summer. As such, it is not far-fetched to assume INEOS could be tempted to cash in on the ageing midfielder again if Bayern table a significant offer.
However, it is very unlikely Arsenal would entertain the possibility of losing their creative force to United once again, especially as Odegaard is tied to the club until the summer of 2028. Accordingly, it is advised to take the claim with a pinch of salt.
Crazy monster offer was on Liverpool radar; Arne Slot would have been thrilled
Liverpool had a truly incredible offer under consideration in the summer. Arne Slot would have been thrilled.
Liverpool made some gigantic decisions in the summer. Well, really, those decisions started before the summer even rolled around.
The Reds decided to renew the contracts of both Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah for two more years. Those contracts kept the pair on enormous money but after the seasons they'd just had, Liverpool had little choice.
But the spending certainly didn't stop there. The club broke their transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz before June, then broke it again at the end of the window with Alexander Isak.
There were record spends at both left-back and right-back. Hugo Ekitike arrived for a massive fee, too.
And it turns out that Liverpool thought about one more huge spend before ultimately deciding not to.
Luis Diaz's contract
Luis Diaz had a contract at Liverpool until 2027 but, importantly, remained on the initial deal he signed when joining the club in 2022. He wasn’t paid at the level of other players at his standing - and that made negotiations difficult as the Colombian wanted a massive pay rise.
Liverpool ultimately decided to sell Diaz to Bayern Munich and did get a new fee. But the Telegraph claims they considered giving him that lucrative new contract.
They claim that in wanting to repay Diaz for the years of being ‘underpaid’, Liverpool contemplated a contract that 'could have totalled around £400,000’. Salah money, in other words.
It’s no great surprise that Liverpool decided against that but we also wonder if Arne Slot wishes they went with it. He’s bemoaned the lack of Diaz this season.
“You always miss good players,” Slot said of Díaz this week. “He was so important for us last season."
And he really was. The winger was really the only player who sought-out one-v-ones and offered true direct dribbling that the squad now lacks.
Liverpool didn’t replace him, after all. A decision that may, ultimately, cost them more than that contract was worth.
Raspadori out with hamstring injury: Will miss Champions League & a doubt for Italy World Cup play-offs
Giacomo Raspadori faces a significant setback after picking up a first-degree hamstring strain during Atalanta BC’s clash with Lazio.
The injury, sustained late in the match, is expected to sideline him for at least three weeks, as per SportMediaset.
Head coach Raffaele Palladino, already without Charles De Ketelaere, confirmed that Raspadori will miss both legs of Atalanta’s Champions League play-off against Borussia Dortmund, with the first leg in Germany on February 17 and the return in Bergamo on February 25.
“It’s a real blow for us,” Palladino told club media.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Raffaele Palladino, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Raspadori has been in great form, and losing him for these crucial matches in Europe is a challenge we have to face together.”
Raspadori a doubt for Italy World Cup play-offs
The striker is also set to miss Atalanta’s trip to Naples and the Coppa Italia semifinal first leg against Lazio on March 4.
Beyond club commitments, his availability for the Italian national team is in doubt, with the World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland scheduled for March 26 in Bergamo now uncertain.
BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Giacomo Raspdori of Atalanta celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio 1913 at Gewiss Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
This injury deprives both Atalanta and Italy of one of their most versatile forwards.
Raspadori’s pace, movement, and finishing have been crucial this season, and his absence forces Palladino and Italy national team coach to reconsider attacking options.
Recovery over the next three weeks will be closely monitored, and the timing could influence squad selection for the World Cup play-offs, potentially reshaping Italy’s offensive strategy for one of the most important periods of the season.
Nineteen of the teams ranked in that list took the court between Thursday and Saturday with three games pitting ranked teams against each other. All those games took place on Saturday, including the No. 1 AZ Compass Prep [Chandler, AZ] Dragons' 64-63 escape vs. the No. 22 Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy [Dallas, TX] Eagles.
That game came down, literally, to the final second when the Dragons' DeMarcus Henry rebounded a missed layup by Elijah Summers and was immediately fouled by Oak Cliff's Gavin Placide with one tick remaining on the clock. Henry then converted the first free throw to secure the win and end the Eagles' upset bid.
The other two games between ranked opponents were also exciting affairs with the No. 2 Link Academy [Branson, MO] Lions taking down the No. 12 CIA-Bella Vista [Phoenix, AZ] Bears, 68-62, while the No. 11 Montverde [FL] Academy Eagles defeated the No. 13 Brewster Academy National [Wolfeboro, NH] Bobcats, 76-71.
Sunday's Top 25 action features three teams in action with No. 1 AZ Compass Prep taking the court against Veritas Academy while previous No. 1 and current No. 6 SPIRE Academy National [Geneva, OH] will face Oak Hill Academy. The No. 13 Brewster Academy National [Wolfeboro, NH] Bobcats are also scheduled to play against The St. James Performance Academy [Springfield, VA] Strivers.
🚨 Úbeda backs this XI v Platense to turn things around
Boca hosts Platense this Sunday in the fifth round of the 2026 Apertura Tournament, starting at 7:30 PM at La Bombonera.
After two defeats and two victories, and a poor showing against Vélez, here is how the home team lines up against a Calamar side that has started the season on a positive note.
Boca Juniors: Marchesín; Barinaga, Di Lollo, Costa, Blanco; Paredes, Ascacibar, Alarcón; Romero, Merentiel, and Janson.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James still hasn't decided whether his unprecedented 23rd NBA season will be his last.
“When I know, you guys will know,” James told reporters Sunday after arriving at Intuit Dome to play in his 21st All-Star Game. “I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live. That’s all.”
The 41-year-old James again confirmed he is not on a farewell tour this season with the Los Angeles Lakers, even though he teared up during a tribute to his career in Cleveland last month. He has also spoken repeatedly about the importance of savoring moments of the season with his teammates, including his 21-year-old son, Bronny.
And while he deftly parried this All-Star Game round of questions about his future with the same basic answer he has given for months, James expressed gratitude for another chance to make memories with Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant on the All-Star stage. The veteran superstars were slated to play together on the “Stripes” team of American All-Stars before Curry's knee injury sidelined him, but Curry is still attending the game.
“It’s always an honor to see those guys,” James said. “We've had such an unbelievable journey throughout our individual careers and then intersecting at certain points in our careers — matchups in the regular season, Finals appearances, postseason appearances, then Olympics two summers ago. When it comes to me, Steph and KD, we’ll be interlocked for the rest of our careers, for sure.”
As to the length of that career, James repeated his regular declarations that he hasn't made a decision and he is focused on the final 28 games of the regular season with the Lakers, who are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race despite major injury problems. James could be a free agent this summer, but he claims he's not thinking beyond the tasks before the Lakers.
“It has nothing to do with that,” James said. “Same motivation, same mind factor. We’ve got past the marathon, and now the sprint is about to start.”
James has spoken in the past about his desire to become an NBA owner after his playing career, and the league could soon be exploring expansion. James has noticed, but his next career isn't his focus.
“There’s a lot of things that I have on the table that I could tap into if I want to, (ownership) being one of them,” James said. “There’s other ventures as well that I’ll continue to explore, and then see what will engage me and motivate me post-career. Right now, I’m still locked in on what’s going in right now with our season, and that’s where my mind is.”
James spoke to reporters before Sunday’s game because the league has allowed him to skip All-Star Saturday activities in recent years. James said Thursday that he planned to spend his extra time off at home recovering from a season in which he has already missed 18 games due to various health concerns, including sciatica that sidelined him for the Lakers’ first 14 games.
Yet he still headed into this break Thursday by becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.
The four-time NBA champion with the longest career in league history is still performing at an All-Star level alongside fellow All-Star Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, yet the Lakers’ dynamic trio has played only 10 games together this season because of injuries to all three players.
“It’s too hard to really say what we’re capable of,” James said. “I know that when we’ve played some of our best basketball of the season, we’ve looked very good. On the other side, when we’ve been terrible, we’ve looked disgusting. So, I think the most important (thing) is if we can get healthy, how many minutes we can be on the floor, how much chemistry we can build with this sprint starting.”
James has missed too many games to qualify for his 22nd inclusion on the All-NBA teams, but he was still chosen for another All-Star Game after missing last year's game in San Francisco, ending his 20-year streak of appearances.
More than two decades after he started for the Eastern Conference in his All-Star debut, he returns to play in a game that has been transformed into a round-robin tournament between two teams of American players and a powerhouse team representing the rest of the world.
Like Kawhi Leonard and several other All-Stars, James prefers the classics.
“East-West is definitely a tradition,” James said. “It’s been really good. Obviously, I like the East and West format. They’re trying something. We’ll see what happens. I mean, it’s like the U.S. versus the World? The World is gigantic over the U.S. I’m just trying to figure out how that makes sense.”
BYU guard Richie Saunders (15) is helped off the court after an injury during the first half of a game against Colorado, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in Provo, Utah.
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Tyler Tate, Associated Press
Beating Colorado on Saturday was supposed to be a formality. No. 22 BYU was on the heels of a road win at Baylor, and the Buffaloes have been struggling lately. It also seemed like the perfect day to pack the Marriott Center with a matinee and retire Jimmer Fredette’s No. 32 jersey.
As far as checking those boxes, the Cougars did hold off Colorado 90-86 in overtime behind Rob Wright’s 39 points. Halftime festivities were spectacular as Fredette was honored for his dominance on the floor and his excellence off it.
However, a key injury to star forward Richie Saunders turned Valentine’s Day into a heartbreaker for him and his team. Just 45 seconds into his 128th game, Saunders jumped and landed awkwardly. He went down to the floor and immediately grabbed his right knee.
After a few minutes with the team trainers, Saunders got up and walked the length of the court to the locker room. The 6-foot-5 senior who grew up in the Marriott Center cheering for BYU, lifted both arms high into the air before he disappeared into the team tunnel as if to say to the crowd, “I’m OK.”
He wasn’t.
Evaluation in the locker room and further testing at Utah Valley Hospital determined Saunders tore his ACL and is lost for the rest of his final season. In an instant, not only did the Big Three become the Remaining Two, but the Cougars lost their glue guy who Kevin Young calls “the heart and soul” of his team.
To his credit, after earning first-team All-Big 12 honors last season, Saunders returned for his senior year to play with the likes of AJ Dybantsa and Wright and take BYU to where it has never gone before — a Final Four. Instead, 45 seconds into the game, it became the final Saturday for Saunders, who averaged a critical 19.8 points, six rebounds and 32.6 minutes.
The injury shifts him into a cheerleader role as BYU (19-6, 7-5) travels to No. 1 Arizona (23-2, 11-2) and hosts No. 5 Iowa State (22-3, 9-3) next Saturday. The NCAA Tournament begins next month.
Watching the Fredette ceremony in the wake of the Saunders injury was reminiscent of Jim McMahon’s jersey retirement at halftime of the BYU-Utah State game on Oct. 3, 2014. With a full house and peak excitement at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Taysom Hill suffered a season-ending leg injury near the end of the second quarter.
Seeing their quarterback being carted off the field seemed to drain the life out of the team and Utah State upset No. 18 BYU in Provo for the first time since 1978. Thanks to Wright’s herculean effort, Young’s Cougars avoided the same fate against Colorado, but the aftermath of Saunders’ injury could impact the rest of the way just as losing Hill altered the football season.
Young and his massive staff have an even bigger challenge on their hands.
Saunders joins Dawson Baker, Nate Pickens and Brodie Kozlowski as key pieces of BYU’s roster that won’t be available down the stretch. That puts even more pressure on Keba Keita, who is nursing a sore hand, Kennard Davis Jr. and what has been an underperforming bench up until Saturday when they produced 18 points.
Still, the Cougars showcase the potential top pick in the NBA draft and the nation’s leading scorer in Dybantsa and Wright, a game-changing point guard. They also remain in the hunt for a lofty NCAA Tournament seed.
With Saunders over the last three and a half seasons, the Cougars evolved into a top-20 program. The returned missionary married Sierra Johnson. He secured healthy NIL compensation, is closing in on his degree — and he made Tater-Tots cool again.
Saunders is a success story whose BYU basketball journey ended with an unlucky landing that tweaked his knee the wrong way. Now it’s up to his teammates to rise in his absence and keep the season going.
A broken heart and torn ACL make for a rough Valentine’s Day — especially for a player who is loved by so many. If there is any good news, it’s that both mend with time. The next shot we see Saunders sink will be in the NBA — probably later than sooner, but only a fool would doubt his heart and determination to get there.
BYU Cougars head coach Kevin Young yells during a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle coaches from the sidelines during a game against the BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) makes a basket during a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Colorado Buffaloes forward Sebastian Rancik (7) yells during a game against the BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
BYU Cougars fans cheer during a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Colorado Buffaloes forward Sebastian Rancik (7), center, attempts to remain in possession of the ball during a game against the BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) runs the ball down the court during a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Colorado Buffaloes guard Isaiah Johnson (2) drives the ball toward the basket during a game against the BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The BYU Cougars play against the Colorado Buffaloes during an NCAA basketball game at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Colorado Buffaloes players cheer from the bench during a game against the BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) drives the ball toward the basket during a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1), center, celebrates after winning 90-86 in overtime against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1), center, celebrates after winning 90-86 in overtime against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
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Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at deseretbook.com.
It wasn't much of a fight, more of a wrestling match with no one punches thrown. But the International Ice Hockey Federation rules say a fighting penalty can be called if "players wrestle in such a manner as to make it difficult for the linespersons to intervene and separate the combatants."
That's what happened in the third period when Canada's Tom Wilson went after Pierre Crinon, who several minutes earlier was called for interference for a hit on Nathan MacKinnon.
Both Wilson and Crinon were ejected under IIHF rules. Both received two minutes for roughing, five for fighting and a game misconduct. That gave Wilson a Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist and fight).
“Obviously fighting isn’t a big thing in this tournament, but when a guy takes a run at one of our big guys, that’s what Willy does,” Canada defenseman Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings said after the game. “I mean, he does a lot more than that, but it was great to see him step up.”
A fight can lead to a suspension, but Sportsnet reported that neither player will be. They will be eligible for their next games: Wilson in the quarterfinals and Crinon in the qualifying round.
“We didn’t like the hit: felt like it was late and high,” Canada's Connor McDavid told reporters. “Willy just finishes a check and the guy jumps him, and Willy’s just protecting himself. That’s all he can do. That’s the type of guy he is, type of teammate he is. Nothing but respect for him.”
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 6: Grant Holman #67 of the Athletics reacts after getting out of the top of the sixth inning with no runs scoring against the Baltimore Orioles at Sutter Health Park on June 6, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Arizona Diamondbacks have claimed RHP Grant Holman off waivers from the Athletics. The 25-year-old Holman was originally a 6th-round pick by (then) Oakland in the 2021 draft, and made his major-league debut in August of 2024. He has made a total of forty appearances in the big leagues since, with an ERA of 4.66, and a K:BB of 33:18, across 38.2 innings, and a FIP of 4.34. Last year, he also made eight appearances for Triple-A Las Vegas, allowing just one hit across 9.1 scoreless innings, with one walk and nine strikeouts. However, his season ended after his appearance on June 11, due to rotator cuff tendinitis.
He has just over one year of service time, so won’t reach arbitration until 2028 and is under D-backs control until 2031. Grant also threw a no-hitter for California in the 2013 Little League World Series – the only time since 1979 a 7-inning solo no-no has been pitched in LLWS history. Mind you, considering the game recap says Holman was 6-foot-4 as a thirteen-year-old… He’s only two inches taller now. To make room on the 40-man roster for the new arrival, LHP A.J. Puk was placed on the 60-day injured list, as he continues his recovery from left ulnar collateral ligament surgery. The D-backs’ 40-man roster remains at 40.
Clemson baseball legend Kris Benson officially added another historic chapter to his already decorated career on Thursday, earning induction into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.
For Clemson, Benson’s enshrinement is more than a personal milestone. It is a reaffirmation of one of the most dominant individual eras the program has ever seen.
Benson’s name is woven into nearly every meaningful Clemson baseball conversation. In 1996, he produced one of the greatest single seasons in school history, leading the Tigers to the College World Series while posting a 14–2 record, a 2.02 ERA, and a 204 to 27 strikeout to walk ratio across 156 innings.
A unanimous first-team All-American, Benson swept college baseball’s top honors that year, earning National Player of the Year, ABCA Player of the Year, Rotary Smith Award winner, and the Dick Howser Trophy, which recognizes performance, character, leadership, and courage.
Benson was named ACC Athlete of the Year for all sports in 1996 and became the first overall pick in the 1996 MLB Draft, making him the only Clemson athlete in any sport to ever be selected No. 1 overall. Shortly after, he represented Team USA at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, helping bring home a bronze medal.
Clemson previously honored Benson with induction into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2003, he was named to the ACC’s 50th Anniversary Team, cementing his place among the conference’s all-time greats.
Benson’s professional career spanned 12 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1999 to 2010. He pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, and Arizona Diamondbacks, compiling 70 career wins, a 4.42 ERA, and 806 strikeouts across 1,243.2 innings. He made 200 career starts and posted his best big-league seasons early, following a strong rookie year in 1999 with an even better campaign in 2000 before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Despite later battling rotator cuff issues, Benson continued to provide value as a rotation mainstay. While with Pittsburgh, he started the final game at Three Rivers Stadium and the first game ever played at PNC Park, while also setting the franchise record for strikeouts by a right-handed pitcher.
Beyond the numbers, Benson built a reputation as a deeply respected humanitarian. He earned the Roberto Clemente Award from the Pirates, along with the Thurman Munson Award, Joan Payson Award, and New Jersey Sports Writers Humanitarian of the Year, reflecting his commitment to community service and charitable outreach.
That impact has continued well beyond baseball. Benson is the founder and CEO of Superior Business Management, which he launched in 2014 in Atlanta, and remains active in numerous philanthropic efforts.
Already destined for induction into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame this May alongside former Clemson standouts Donnell Woolford and Bobby Johnson, Benson’s National College Baseball Hall of Fame honor further cements what Clemson fans have long known.
Kris Benson is not just one of the best players in program history. He is one of the greatest athletes to have ever represented Clemson.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Kara Lawson of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with Ashlon Jackson #3 following their 72-68 win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 15, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nothing would have been finer for Carolina than to have broken Duke’s winning streak Sunday in Cameron, but that didn’t happen as the Blue Devils beat the Tar Heels 72-68 to push the streak to 16.
Not that it was easy. UNC had a 33-28 first-half lead with 3:13 to play when the Blue Devils ripped off a 13-0 run, featuring three three-pointers from Jordan Wood, including a buzzer-beater to push the score to 41-33.
Of course UNC fought back. That was inevitable. The Tar Heels won the third, 21-17, shooting 10-of-16 for the period. Carolina cut the lead to 56-54 before Ashlon Jackson hit a shot to give the Blue Devils a 58-54 lead going into the fourth.
In the final period, the Tar Heels cut the lead repeatedly to two or three points but could never quite get over the hump. Carolina cut the lead to 71-68 with 0:15 left but they fouled Jackson, who split her shots, but a 72-68 lead was enough to put Duke over the top.
Neither team shot well but UNC didn’t get to the line at all, which is unusual. Duke made 17 of 21 from the line.
Jackson and Taina Mair led the way with 14 each. Riley Nelson had 13. Toby Fournier was held to 6 but had 12 rebounds.
Duke’s turnaround, to us anyway, is the story of the year in the ACC. This team has gone from 3-6 to 19-6 and is as hot and unified as any team in the country.
Next up is NC State in Cameron on Thursday. State is currently 17-7 and unranked but they are a well-coached team that is used to success. This game will be a challenge.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — David Mirkovic had 25 points and seven rebounds and No. 8 Illinois rebounded from back-to-back overtime losses with a 71-51 victory over Indiana on Sunday.
Kylan Boswell, the Illini's second-leading scorer and top defensive player, returned and played nearly 33 minutes after missing seven games with a broken right hand, his dominant hand, which was heavily taped and padded.
Boswell had nine points and seven rebounds and committed one of Illinois' two turnovers.
Keaton Wagler scored 18 points and Tomislav Ivisic had 14, including 12 in the second half, for Illinois (21-5, 12-3 Big Ten), which was coming off OT losses to Wisconsin and No. 10 Michigan State. Ben Humrichous went 0 for 7 from the field but led the Illini with eight rebounds.
Lamar Wilkerson had 21 points for Indiana (17-9, 8-7), 14 in the first half. He has scored at least 20 points in 10 Big Ten games this season.
Tucker DeVries scored 13 and Sam Alexis had 11 points and eight rebounds for the Hoosiers, who were outscored 33-20 in the second half after trailing 38-31 at halftime.
Illinois pulled down 15 offensive rebounds, which led to 17 second-chance points, and outrebounded Indiana 38-25.
Indiana came into the game with five wins in six tries after a four-game losing streak.
Former Illini players and NBA rookies Kasparas Jakucionis (Miami Heat) and Will Riley (Washington Wizards) were at the State Farm Center to watch the game during the All-Star break. The two are Illinois' first one-and-done players.
Manchester City Are In Pole Position To Land This Nottingham Forest Star: Dream Signing For Pep?
In a recent report, journalist Pete O’Rourke stated that Manchester City are in pole position to land Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson. O’Rourke said,
“It’s fair enough to say that Newcastle are down the pecking order in that race to sign Elliot Anderson.
“Eddie Howe’s openly admitted he would love the opportunity to bring him back to the club, he didn’t really want to sell him when they sold him to Nottingham Forest in 2024.
“Anderson has really kicked on since that move. He has really impressed for Forest, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most accomplished central midfielders.
“He’s going to be in huge demand this summer, there’s no doubt about that. Manchester City are regarded as the favourites for his signature if he does end up leaving Forest.
“I don’t think Newcastle, especially if they’ve got no Champions League football to offer next season, will be in any position to offer (£100million) due to PSR, FFP, so it looks like one that’s probably going to be beyond them in the summer transfer window.”
Anderson’s Impressive Form In The Premier League
Anderson is having a solid campaign at the Midlands club as he has produced a handful of impressive performances for them at the centre of the park. The 23-year-old has scored one goal and grabbed a couple of assists in 32 matches for Nottingham this season in multiple competitions.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest takes a free kick during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on February 06, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
His current contract at the City Ground will run out in the summer of 2029, which could make it tough for Man City to snap him up on the cheap later this year.
Will Anderson Be A Dream Signing For Manchester City?
Anderson loves a tackle and can read the danger well to secure the ball back for his team inside his half. He doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball when required and has got the vision to create some decent chances in the final third.
The English sensation can strike the ball with power from long range and is an energetic runner with the ball. He has got a wealth of experience in the Premier League and won’t take much time to settle into life in the Premier League.
We can expect Anderson to add more quality to Man City head coach Pep Guardiola’s midfield department. He is more than capable of earning a regular first-team spot at the Etihad Stadium next season.
At 23, Anderson has his best years ahead of him, which makes him a dream signing for Man City to pursue at the end of this campaign.
Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James responded to a question about his plans for the future during a media session at 2026 NBA All-Star weekend.
James is on the last year of his current contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, and there has been some speculation that he could decide to call it a career when this season comes to an end.
LeBron James remains unsure about his plans for the future
Some even speculated that his personal press conference at All-Star weekend would serve as the platform for him to announce his retirement. That wasn't the case, though.
When asked if he knew what he wanted to do regarding his career beyond the current campaign, James kept it vague, as he clearly wasn’t ready to commit one way or another.
"I want to live," James said. "When I know, you guys will know. I don't know. I have no idea. I just want to live, that's all."
James has played in the NBA longer than any other player in history. He's in the midst of his record-setting 23rd season in the league and he has a million miles on his body.
He has also accomplished basically everything that a basketball player could ever dream of. So, if he does decide to walk away from the game over the offseason, no one would blame him.
But, he's also still playing the game at a high level. He's no longer at the peak of his powers, but he remains one of the league's most productive players.
So far this season, James has played in 36 games for the Lakers and posted averages of 22.0 points, 7.1 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per performance.
If he ultimately decides that he would like to continue his career, there are plenty of teams out there who would be happy to have him, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, who would reportedly be open to a reunion with James over the offseason.
Since James didn't make a definitive decision one way or another at All-Star weekend, his future will continue to be a major talking point in NBA circles for the remainder of the season and into the offseason.
The Dallas Cowboys have a decision to make on Javonte Williams' future, as the 25-year-old running back is set to hit free agency in March.
Williams is coming off a career year in 2025 with Dallas, tallying 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.8 yards per carry.
Though Dallas is looking to retain Williams, FanSided's Jake Beckman predicts the Cowboys will let him walk and instead sign Jacksonville Jaguars free agent running back Travis Etienne.
Here is what Beckman had to say about Etienne and his fit in Dallas:
When the Cowboys need a starting running back, they’ve either drafted a running back very high or waited entirely too long to get a free agent and get stuck with an undesirable.
But last season, they turned Javonte Williams from one of those undesirables into one of the better running backs in the league. There’s a chance that they try to capitalize on that success and actually go after one of the better running backs available. That guy would be Travis Etienne.
Etienne has quietly been one of the most productive running backs in football over the last few years, posting three 1,000-yard campaigns in his first four seasons.
The 27-year-old is also incredibly reliable, missing just two games in his career so far and playing all 17 games in three separate seasons.
Bringing back Williams would be a logical move from the Cowboys, but replacing him with Etienne would also be electric. The Clemson product would be a fantastic fit in Brian Schottenheimer's offense, as he's a dynamic playmaker on the ground and through the air.
Etienne had a career-high six touchdown catches in 2025, along with seven rushing touchdowns. The former first-round pick would immediately step in as a top contributor for Dallas and take some pressure off quarterback Dak Prescott and the aerial attack.
Spotrac projects Etienne will land a two-year deal worth $13.6 million, an average annual value of $6.8 million. Dallas is slated to be $29 million under the cap this offseason, but if the Cowboys can create some cap space and end up losing Williams, they should pursue Etienne and upgrade the offense for 2026.
The New York Jets have so many areas of the roster to improve upon going forward. Fortunately, the offensive line is not one of their biggest needs.
Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu have played great, and should keep their spots at tackle for the Jets. But the interior of the offensive line could use some extra help, especially at right guard.
Joe Tippman wasn't terrible, but the Jets could use an upgrade there. That's why, as Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports urges, the Jets should not let former first-round OL Alijah Vera-Tucker leave in free agency this offseason.
Jets urged to re-sign Alijah Vera-Tucker after missing all of 2025
"Still just 26, Vera-Tucker should figure into Aaron Glenn's plans in 2026 as the Jets continue to dig themselves out of a big hole," Pereles writes.
Vera-Tucker is a young offensive lineman, and while he didn't play at all this past season, thanks to a brutal torn triceps right before the season opener, the Jets should not let him walk.
Good offensive linemen like Vera-Tucker don't come around often, and thanks to his missed 2025 season, Vera-Tucker likely won't be fielding as many competitive offers this offseason.
The Jets might have an easier time re-signing him this offseason. But the Jets shouldn't risk Vera-Tucker leaving at all.
Getting a deal done before he hits the open market would be ideal. A one-year contract would be great for the Jets and what Vera-Tucker would most likely be willing to take.
A prove-it deal for Vera-Tucker for the 2026 season could give the 26-year-old offensive guard a chance to prove he's a great starter in the NFL.
If he can have such a 2026 season, then he could hit the open market once again and cash in with a big deal. This offseason, however, such a deal isn't likely to come thanks to missing the entire 2025 season.
Pereles wants the Jets to re-sign Vera-Tucker this offseason, and for good reason. Good offensive linemen are hard to come by, and the 2021 first-rounder has steadily improved over the years.
While the Jets could let him walk and still field a decent offensive line, retaining him for at least one more year makes the most sense for the Jets.
Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua is eligible for a monster contract extension this offseason after three sensational NFL seasons. The Rams are reportedly prioritizing a new deal for Nacua, but it's unclear if his extension will reset the market or just fall among the top-paid receivers in the league.
Either way, former Rams star pass-catcher Isaac Bruce has a simple piece of advice for the young Nacua: "Get your money and don’t take too many hits."
Bruce, who played 14 seasons for the Rams from 1994 to 2007 and made the Hall of Fame, told ESPN's "The D Marco & Travis Afternoon Show" that Nacua needs to "go get your money" because of how the Rams use their star receiver and because of how physical he plays the game.
Nacua caught a career- and NFL-best 129 receptions in 2025, finishing with 1,715 receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns. He was an will remain the focal point of this offense because of how often he gets open in all areas of the field.
But, as Bruce noted, Nacua can get battered and bruised over the course of a game. He missed just one game with an ankle injury (right before the Rams' bye) but Davante Adams has tried to teach him not to always play with his body, which can get him hurt more easily.
Bruce was the epitome of durability for the Rams. He played fewer than 14 games just four times in his 14-year career and finished his tenure with 14,109 receiving yards on 942 receptions for 84 touchdowns in 197 games for the Rams.
It will be hard to get Nacua to change the way he plays, but that won't stop the Rams from handing him a big contract.
DURHAM, N.C. — Ashlon Jackson and Taina Mair scored 14 points each on their senior day and No. 11 Duke edged No. 21 North Carolina 72-68 on Sunday, the Blue Devils’ 16th consecutive win.
After a back-and-forth first half that saw 16 lead changes, Duke led 41-33 at halftime and never trailed in the second half. The Blue Devils’ lead was only 56-54 with 30 seconds left in the third quarter but the Tar Heels got no closer.
Delaney Thomas’ layup made it a six-point game with 30 seconds remaining. Nyla Brooks hit a 3 for North Carolina with 15 seconds left, but Jackson added a free throw for the final margin.
Riley Nelson scored 13 points and Toby Fournier grabbed 12 rebounds for Duke (19-6, 14-0 ACC). Mair finished with seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Ciera Toomey scored 14 points, Indya Nivar 12 and Brooks and Nyla Harris 10 each for North Carolina (21-6, 10-4). It was UNC’s first loss this season when the Nyla’s — Brooks and Harris — both scored in double figures.
There were 10 lead changes in the first quarter and Nelson’s jumper in the final minute gave Duke a 19-18 lead at the end of the period.
A 7-0 run helped put North Carolina ahead 29-23 in the second quarter. Jordan Wood hit three second-quarter 3-pointers to help Duke take an eight-point lead at halftime.
Duke, which visits North Carolina on March 1 in a regular-season finale, leads the series 57-55.
While the All-Stars descend upon Los Angeles for a weekend built on spectacle, the basketball pulse in Houston beats with a different kind of anticipation.
Next Saturday night, the Rockets step onto the sport’s grandest stage, a prime-time meeting with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. There are regular-season games, and then there are nights when the lights feel warmer and the air feels heavier. This is the latter.
The calendar offers another quiet reminder. April 12 looms. Houston currently sits fourth in the Western Conference. Stay there, and the path likely runs straight through the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. That is not a matchup anyone circles lightly.
The first half of the season has unfolded in layers. There have been convincing wins over Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Denver, flashes that suggest a ceiling worth believing in. There have also been head scratchers, including losses to Sacramento and back to back setbacks against Portland despite 67 combined points from Kevin Durant across those two nights.
Durant, now 37, continues to age in reverse. He is averaging more than 25 points per game for a 19th consecutive season and sits just 430 points behind Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all time scoring list. Seventeen games or so, and another legend moves down a line.
When Sporting News caught up with Rockets television analyst Ryan Hollins, his tone carried belief.
“The first half showed real progress,” Hollins said. “Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson are finding their stride, and you can see the game slowing down for them. I see their confidence growing and impact expanding on both ends. That internal growth matters as much as anything and their combined foundation only strengthens the Rockets.”
“It’s always special,” Hollins said. “Houston will have its star power in KD and Alperen Sengun. The lights there are bright, the energy will feel like the playoffs. It just elevates everything and it’s a matchup truly built for prime time.”
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. In February, it is just another game on the schedule. In feel, it might be a preview of something bigger.
The North Carolina Tar Heels, down their entire starting frontcourt on Saturday afternoon against Pitt, led throughout in a 79-65 victory.
UNC (20-5, 8-4 ACC) knew Caleb Wilson would be out, as the superstar freshman broke his hand during the Miami (FL) loss Tuesday. In the hour before tip-off, North Carolina learned starting center Henri Veesaar would not play.
Every Tar Heel who played Saturday rose to the challenge, including starting point guard Derek Dixon. Though Dixon scored just three points, the freshman found additional ways to contribute. Dixon led UNC with seven assists, plus tied with Zayden High for a team-best seven rebounds.
After North Carolina's big win, Dixon dove into the importance of his production on the boards, while emphasizing his team's selfless mentality.
“I think it was just a next man up mentality," Dixon said. "It wasn’t going to come from one person. It’s a lot of production that we have to make up for. If everybody steps up and does a little bit more, that’s how we fill that role."
“I think it was a big emphasis for us this week," Dixon continued when asked about backcourt rebounding. "Obviously, Caleb and Henri are the majority of our boards, so perimeter rebounding was a big emphasis from the coaching staff this week. We all had to go and help out and that’s what I tried to do tonight, just trying to impact the game in different ways: crash the glass and help us out in there.”
The Tar Heels' backcourt combined for 16 rebounds. Seth Trimble and Jaydon Young added three apiece, Jonathan Powell grabbed two boards and Luka Bogavac snagged one.
UNC hopes that Veesaar is back for Tuesday at NC State, but if not, the guards are ready to step up and deliver again.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Feb 13, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Amed Rosario (14) bats as he works out during spring training practices at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
It’s Sunday once more, and you know what that means — it’s time for our weekly social media roundup! It’s the best time of the year: the start of spring training! Pitchers and catchers reported to camp this week, many of the position players have arrived, and this coming Friday, the Bombers will take the field for the first time this spring with a matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. What’s going on down in Tampa? Let’s find out!
Super Bowl Sunday
Last Sunday was the last hurrah of an important winter sport. Yep, that’s right — the New York Knicks took on the Boston Celtics at Beantown’s knockoff version of MSG, as YES broadcaster Ryan Ruocco was on the call. Jalen Brunson and the guys came away with the big win, as they compete in a tightly contested Eastern Conference.
Oh, you thought I was referring to that other game last week, didn’t you? The one where the First Order (aka, the post-Darth Hoodie New England Patriots) took on the Seattle Seahawks? Well, yea, that happened too, with the city of Boston losing for the second time that day. More importantly, though, seconds after the game ended, the Yankees took to Instagram to announce: it’s time for baseball.
(Seriously, this was posted mere seconds after the clock hit 0:00; props to whoever was on the social media team for being on the ball.)
It wasn’t just the organization that was excited, though. A few minutes later, Suzyn Waldman posted Snoopy, and the YES Network a reel of their own, complete with the YES music:
Wednesday saw pitchers and catchers officially report to spring training, with a whole bunch of position players joining them. Both the official Yankees accounts, as well as the players’ personal accounts (oh, and some reporters too!), took to social media to celebrate.
The current players aren’t the only ones at camp, though. With the World Baseball Classic next month, former Yankees shortstop Sir Didi Gregorius, who will be suiting up for the Netherlands, has been getting some work in with the team. Notably, he was spotted working with shortstop Anthony Volpe, who is rehabbing from injury as he seeks to recapture the promise that made him a top prospect years ago.
The Yankees continued to celebrate Black History Month by highlighting the career of Oscar Gamble, who spent seven years in the Bronx.
Question of the Day
Ah, the best part of these spring training social media posts — Question of the Day! While last year’s fan favorite question-answerer, Luke Weaver, will no longer feature in these posts, we still got quite a bit of fun this week. The series began this week with a question that shows us that, in many ways, these guys are human too: how many alarms did they set to wake up? And while some guys claim they only need one, we need to give props to Paul Blackburn, who doesn’t need an alarm clock.
Corporate social media accounts love Valentine’s Day, when they can post cheesy puns-as-cards. While I’m not going to recommend actually using these cards, it’s always funs to see what they come up with.
Logan Paul walking to the ring in WWE - WWE/Getty Images
Earlier this year, Logan Paul announced that he'd signed a new WWE contract that will keep him with the company on a more full-time basis for the next several years, at least. Even before that, fans and fellow wrestlers have pointed out that Paul seems naturally gifted as a wrestler, and during an interview with Sports Illustrated, he revealed that he agrees.
"I was born to wrestle," Paul said. "I truly believe that. ... Every single skillset that I've garnered throughout the entirety of my life has culminated into this insane balance of ability that is the WWE, from the showmanship to the storytelling to the improv and intuition that comes with being a wrestler, to the physicality."
Paul then referred to a recent public conversation he had with former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, where Paul shared his belief that wrestling is more difficult than professional football, though it seems likely that the performer was simply trying to stir things up with his comments. As far as his new WWE contract, Paul stated that the decision was an easy one for him.
"I'm too good to leave all that meat on the bone. The WWE needs me," the wrestler lamented. "The audience needs me, because there is no one like me. I needed to inject more of myself in this business, that I am so clearly gifted at."
Over the last six years, Paul has wrestled just over 30 matches in WWE, with the majority of those taking place in 2025. Paul most recently appeared at the end of Monday's "WWE Raw," joining his Vision stablemates in a failed attempt to get Austin Theory in the upcoming Men's Elimination Chamber match.
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Sports Illustrated and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Liverpool among the clubs challenging Arsenal for top talent
Kees Smit has emerged as a transfer target for several of Europe’s leading clubs, with Arsenal reportedly pursuing a move for the 20-year-old midfielder. The AZ Alkmaar player has developed steadily in recent seasons and is regarded as one of the most promising young midfielders in the game.
Arsenal have consistently monitored emerging talent capable of strengthening their squad, and Smit appears to fit that profile. The club’s scouting network has tracked his progress closely over recent months, and he is now being linked with a potential move to the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta has demonstrated a willingness to trust young players, provided they show the required quality and mentality to contribute at the highest level.
Arsenal Assess Midfield Options
Arteta is expected to receive backing in the transfer market at the end of the current campaign, and Smit could be among the names under consideration. His development at AZ Alkmaar has attracted attention beyond the Netherlands, and Arsenal’s interest aligns with their strategy of recruiting players who can grow within the squad over time.
Strengthening the midfield may be a priority as the club looks to maintain competitiveness across competitions. Smit’s technical qualities and composure have marked him out as a player with the potential to adapt to elite football, should a transfer materialise. Arsenal will need to evaluate how he fits into their long-term plans while balancing immediate performance objectives.
(Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
European Rivals Enter the Frame
The pursuit, however, is unlikely to be straightforward. According to Team Talk, the youngster is also being followed by Liverpool and Real Madrid, two clubs with established reputations for securing top emerging talent. Their involvement is expected to intensify the competition for his signature.
The report suggests that Smit is likely to favour a move that offers greater opportunities for regular first-team football, a factor that could ultimately influence his decision. Arsenal, therefore, may need to present a compelling sporting vision to secure his commitment, as the coming months could prove decisive in determining his next destination.
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The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is bringing a fresh twist to one of basketball’s biggest showcases, as Team World takes on the Stars and Stripes on Sunday night in a brand-new round-robin format that promises nonstop action and elite talent on the floor.
Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Western Conference forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the first half of the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
When: Sunday, February 15, 2026 Time: 5:00 PM ET TV Channel: Peacock Live Stream: Peacock (Watch LIVE)
Instead of the traditional single exhibition, this year’s event introduces a three-team tournament featuring USA Stars, USA Stripes, and Team World, a format designed to raise the intensity while highlighting the league’s global depth.
At the center of the spotlight is Team World, a lineup packed with international superstars who have helped redefine the modern NBA. Led by playmaking wizard Luka Dončić, reigning MVP contender Nikola Jokić, and rising phenom Victor Wembanyama, the roster also features impact players like Jamal Murray, Pascal Siakam, Karl-Anthony Towns, Alperen Şengün, and Deni Avdija. It’s a global powerhouse capable of scoring in bunches while blending size, skill, and creativity.
On the American side, the tournament splits talent across two squads. Team USA Stars brings youthful explosiveness, headlined by Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, and emerging stars like Cade Cunningham, Chet Holmgren, Tyrese Maxey, and Scottie Barnes. Their blend of speed and athleticism gives them the potential to turn every possession into a highlight.
Team USA Stripes counters with veteran star power and championship experience. Legends like LeBron James and Kevin Durant headline a loaded group that includes Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, and Norman Powell.
2026 NBA All-Star Game Format
The new format adds real stakes to every possession. Each team plays two 12-minute round-robin games, with the best two records advancing to a Championship Game to decide the All-Star crown. If all three teams finish 1–1, point differential becomes the deciding factor, meaning style points and late-game runs suddenly matter in what has traditionally been a loose, defense-light exhibition.
That structure could dramatically change the way stars approach the game. Coaches and players may push harder to build leads or close out games, knowing every point could determine who advances. It also creates fascinating matchup dynamics, youth vs. experience, American athleticism vs. international precision, and superstar duels that fans rarely get to see on the same stage.
For fans, the biggest draw is obvious: an unmatched collection of talent sharing the floor at once. Whether it’s LeBron orchestrating, Durant pulling up from deep, Jokić threading impossible passes, or Wembanyama showcasing his otherworldly reach, the 2026 edition feels less like an exhibition and more like a global celebration of where the league is headed.
With the NBA embracing its international identity and experimenting with competitive formats, this year’s All-Star Game feels like a glimpse into the future. Team World versus the Stars and Stripes isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a showcase of how global the game has become and why fans won’t want to miss a minute of the action.’
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Cole Palmer back in top 3 for vital stat after return to form in Premier League
Cole Palmer’s return to form has been reflected in the numbers, with superb xG figures putting him top 3 in the league.
We’re 2/3rds of the way through the Premier League season, meaning we can get some great reads on the stats and the numbers behind the campaign so far.
Things are looking good for Chelsea under Liam Rosenior, with top results so far, and that’s been reflected in the numbers.
Chelsea’s highest performing star in key attacking stat
The top players for xG in the Premier League, with Cole Palmer in third.
One stat we like to look at is xG per 90. This tells you who is creating the most threat in the team. Cole Palmer, as a great player and an attacker who is happy to take shots, is always high on this list.
After a couple of great games, he’s back up to third in the whole Premier League. He’s also 5th in the whole league for goals per 90.
As always with Palmer, his stats are boosted by his penalty taking duties – it was two spot kicks against Wolves two weeks ago which put him back up this list and fired him to form. But it’s not just the penalties. He’s finding his form after a long difficult spell where he looked like he couldn’t trust his body.
He had Friday night off, and we’re hoping he will look even better with that rest in the bank when we face Burnley next weekend.
In other news…
Chelsea also have been linked with Juventus defender Gleison Bremer. His stats are great, but at his age and price it’s just not a deal we can see happening.
Pedro Neto’s move to the middle proved a success against Hull, and we’re interested to see what else Liam Rosenior has up his sleeve.
Serena Williams propped up American tennis for two decades in a difficult period for the once-tennis behemoth.
Williams won 23 Grand Slams in a period where the men’s game was faltering after the retirements of Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras.
Williams was far and away the most successful American player in the men’s or women’s game during her career.
Amanda Anisimova, one of America’s biggest hopes in the current era, has revealed just how influential Williams was to the current crop of players.
Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Amanda Anisimova calls Serena Williams an ‘inspiration’
Speaking at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Amanda Anisimova was asked how much of an influence Williams has been on the new American breed on the WTA Tour.
Anisimova currently occupies a place in the top 10 of the rankings alongside Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula.
“I feel like Serena was such an icon and a legend. To be able to try to follow in her footsteps, obviously that’s almost impossible to be able to achieve for the majority of us,” said Anisimova.
“But it is the goal. It is that motivation. I think she’s been an inspiration to each one of us Americans as well as everyone else from other countries. Yeah, I feel like we’re all doing really well.”
Anisimova even believes the next generation, including Iva Jovic, has been inspired by the American great.
“You also have a lot of youngsters coming in like Iva Jovic, who are performing well. Their attitude is great,” she said.
“It’s really good to see. I feel like there’s a really good group of us right now that’s really strong. Yeah, it’s really exciting.”
Jovic enjoyed a breakthrough tournament at the Australian Open this term, where she reached the quarter-finals.
Who will Amanda Anisimova play in Dubai?
With Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka withdrawing from the event, Anisimova is the second seed in Dubai.
The American is just behind Elena Rybakina and she will be considered one of the strong favourites to lift the trophy.
The star has received a first round thanks to her seeding, but she’s still faced with a tough second round test at the event.
The star will play former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejčíková, who has qualified for the event thanks to a protected ranking.
Anisimova has also been drawn in the same section of the draw as Mirra Andreeva, Victoria Mboko, and Leylah Fernandez.
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Gareth Taylor, Manager of Liverpool, arrives at the stadium prior to the Barclays Women's Super League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool at Kingsmeadow on February 15, 2026 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Sally Rawlins - WSL/WSL Football via Getty Images) | WSL Football via Getty Images
Liverpool Women, on an actually good run of form, took their updated squad down to meet the reigning champions at their home turf on Sunday, facing Chelsea Women at Kingsmeadow. Fresh off an uplifting win against Aston Villa, the Red Women were brought back down to Earth by goals from Sjoeke Nusken and Lauren James in both halves, losing the match 2-0.
Gareth Taylor, comparing the side to earlier opponent Manchester United, was optimistic about the squad is headed in his post-match press conference, but did recognize that there is always work to be done.
“A little bit disappointed because we had large spells of the game and I thought the identity we showed today was more of what I was looking for,” the manager said to Sky Sports.
“We put this game in the same category as Manchester United a couple of weeks ago, but I think they were contrasting kind of performances and we felt that we were always in this game.
“I know people will probably point to the fact that we equalised against United, but just thinking [about] the way we want to do things, the way that we want to play and the courage and bravery we showed, we were really good today in moments.
“We didn’t make enough of our opportunities, particularly in the first half. We worked Hannah Hampton a little bit more in the second half and also, really, I said to the girls, we would be disappointed with the goals because I think they’re on us.”
Chelsea are a hard team to beat on any day, though they’re not currently in first and have lost two of their last three, so keeping them to only two goals is worth mentioning, even if it doesn’t feel great. Sjoeke Nusken scored in the 40th minute, with Lauren James adding the second just after the hour mark, so it is a testament to how hard the Red Women pushed the current champions. Taylor did give some individual flowers to standout performers on the day, as well.
“We collapsed a little on either side for each of the goals and that can be frustrating because you know that pretty much everything’s got to go your way when you play against the likes of Chelsea because of the quality of players that they have,” Taylor explained.
“But all in all, I do believe it’s a step forward for us, for us to come here and have large parts of the possession that we did today and control large parts of the game with some good performances in that.
“I thought Fuka [Nagano] was very good, Fisky [Grace Fisk], was very good, Jennifer Falk really, really improved today. So, overall, pleased, [it’s a] step forward but a little bit disappointed that we didn’t get something from the game.”
With every loss there is something to learn for the future, and especially with this updated squad and new manager, there are still quite a few knots to work out to restart the winning momentum.
“It never changes, football – it’s always the top end of the pitch,” the manager continued.
“I think just having that craft and the decision-making and again like we say about the game, it’s always won in both boxes. We need to defend better, we need be better in the duels.
“Chelsea are a very physical team we know that’s a real strength of theirs so that’s something we need to improve on and if we’re not going to be mega-great in the duels then we’ve got to be really good with the ball.”
Liverpool next host Everton in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup at St. Helen’s Stadium on Sunday, February 22, at 4:30pm BST.
Northwestern will look to snap its six-game losing streak as it travels to face Penn State. The Lady Lions rank one spot below NU in the Big Ten conference standings, and this game could have implications regarding which team qualifies for the Big Ten Tournament. Here’s how to follow all of the action.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 24: Ben Rortvedt #47 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws the ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The itinerant offseason of Ben Rortvedt continued on Sunday, as the catcher was claimed off waivers by the Mets, and a case of unfortunate timing for the Dodgers.
After September injuries to both Will Smith and Dalton Rushing, the Dodgers liked trade deadline acquisition Rortvedt enough to start him 19 times in 25 games down the stretch, including each of the first four games of the postseason until Smith was ready to fully return from a broken bone in his hand.
The Dodgers liked Rortvedt enough to sign him for $1.25 million in November to avoid salary arbitration, but since he is out of options and the club is invested in Rushing as Smith’s backup, Rortvedt can’t be kept around on the 40-man roster unless he’s active. So they tried to sneak him through waivers to be kept around as depth, twice, but in November the Reds claimed Rortvedt and three months later New York claimed him.
Timing cost the Dodgers in two ways in Rortvedt’s second stint on the roster. The first was less under their control, as Rortvedt became available soon after Cincinnati designated the catcher for assignment with the signing of Eugenio Suárez on February 3.
Even had the Reds waited a few days to place Rortvedt on waivers, the latest he would have been available was February 10, two days before pitchers and catchers officially reported to Dodgers camp at Camelback Ranch. So the Dodgers couldn’t yet place someone on the 60-day injured list to make room for a new player. In claiming Rortvedt, the Dodgers decided to designate Anthony Banda for assignment, then traded the southpaw reliever to the Twins on Thursday.
The second case of unfortunate timing was more in the Dodgers’ control. They could have kept Rortvedt on the 40-man roster through spring training as a hedge against potential injury to Smith or Rushing. After all, in a best-case scenario Rortvedt wouldn’t need to be sent to the minors until opening day anyway. There’s also the game theory of trying to find the ideal time for Rortvedt to clear waivers. Rather than wait until later in spring, they opted to do so at the beginning of camp for most teams. The Mets, for instance, placed pitcher Dedniel Núñez on the 60-day injured list on Sunday to make room for Rortvedt.
The Mets with Rortvedt have four catchers on the 40-man roster, so it’s entirely possible that with five and a half weeks remaining until opening day that Rortvedt might become available yet again this spring. Nothing is set in stone, after all.
France scored a record amount of points against Wales [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
Perhaps it was lost in translation, but Fabien Galthie's declaration that Grand Slam-chasing France "performed reasonably" against Wales should be enough to strike fear into Italy, Scotland and England.
While the Welsh attempt to somehow avoid a third-straight Wooden Spoon, Les Bleus are hunting a first clean sweep since 2022.
France swatted aside Ireland in round one and ran eight tries past Wales in front of a large travelling contingent at the Principality Stadium.
Part three of the Grand Slam bid is against dangerous Italy in Lille on Sunday before Scotland away and England in Paris.
"We can't stop moving forward," said Galthie. "We are performing reasonably but nothing is sure.
"We expect a difficult encounter against Italy, so are still working. We had many great parts against Wales but we can do better."
In some ways, what Les Bleus achieved in Cardiff was nothing special - Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa had already hit Steve Tandy's side for half-centuries in the autumn.
The home side felt their performance was reasonable - and certainly better than in the round one hammering by England - yet they were still overwhelmed in all departments.
France ran in eight tries but could have had even more with an attack marshalled by Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert racking up 28 line breaks, 31 defenders beaten, 1,136 carry metres and 24 offloads.
"When you play a team like that you have to be good at everything," said former England and British and Irish Lions captain Martin Johnson on BBC One.
"France had zero worries because they knew they were going to win, they knew they were too good.
"They're all so comfortable on the ball. When they're confident and there's no jeopardy, I was thinking 'thank god I'm not on that field'.
"It's so difficult to contain them when they're that confident and don't feel that anything is going to go wrong for them."
Johnson won five Six Nations titles as a player but only two Grand Slams, so knows that potential banana skins lie ahead for Les Bleus.
"France are massive favourites to win this tournament, everyone is talking about how good they are," he said.
"You've got to deal with that expectation. They're looking very good, they've got huge depth, they've got massive confidence at the moment, but you've got to get them into a point where they feel pressure."
Fellow former Lions captain Sam Warburton - who won a Grand Slam and title with Wales - believes that is easier said than done.
"France have got that double-edged sword of physicality up front and the ball-playing ability out wide," said the former flanker.
"They're so potent in attack, they're so difficult to defend against. France are great, I love watching France."
That swagger is providing plenty of entertainment for French supporters, who were rewarded for their long weekend in Cardiff with a thumping win.
It was Wales' smallest Six Nations crowd despite an impressive travelling contingent that boosted the coffers of the capital's pubs.
Plenty will venture to Murrayfield with great expectations, and a little more trepidation.
"At the end when they were singing, we felt like we were in the Stade de France," said star scrum-half Dupont.
"It's incredible to feel that you are at home when playing away."
A win in Lille and another in Edinburgh would give France the chance to secure an 11th Grand Slam against England.
Tandy is well placed to judge France's qualities after a tough start to his reign that has featured assignments against the Pumas, All Blacks, Springboks and England.
"They're in a great space to achieve that, but the Six Nations is funny," said Tandy.
"There's no complacency there and they are playing at a high level, so I don't see why they can't win the Grand Slam. They're a formidable outfit."
FA Cup Awards: Awful officials and Neto nets three
It’s time to dish out our FA Cup fourth-round Awards following the weekend’s action, featuring Louis Reed, referee woes, and Pedro Neto.
Moment of the Week
Talking about refereeing decisions in our Moment of the Week is a serious sin, but we can’t overlook the chaos of Aston Villa against Newcastle United. With VAR not in use in round four, we witnessed first hand the impact the technology has had on officials. We’ve all moaned, groaned and lambasted VAR, but the damage might even be deeper than we realised.
Without it, officials seem terrified of making mistakes. First, Aston Villa’s opener was adjudged onside, despite replays clearly to the contrary. Tammy Abraham won’t have minded, but it makes you question how much officials may have deteriorated in this technology-reliant era.
In the second half, there was this. It might just be one of the worst decisions we’ve seen for a long time.
Fortunately, justice was served as Newcastle scored from the set piece, but how did the referee and his assistant get this one so wrong?
VAR vindicated? Newcastle win over Villa marred by refereeing errors
Player of the Week
Chelsea cruised to a win at Hull City on Friday night with Pedro Neto the star of the show. A first-ever career hat-trick helped Liam Rosenior see off his former club, a treble taken with aplomb.
Neto whipped in a fine finish from the edge of the area for the opening goal, before scoring directly from a corner as his delivery evaded everyone.
He sealed the deal – and match ball – with an emphatic finish to make it 10 goals for the campaign in all competitions. Already, this is now Neto’s best ever goalscoring season.
Goal of the Week
Louis Reed has come alive in the FA Cup this season. That’s three goals for the Mansfield midfielder in this season’s cup campaign, while he’s quickly building his own Goal of the Season catalogue, too.
This fabulous free-kick earned an upset win at Burnley, and a place in round five for Mansfield for the first time in 51 years.
Stat of the Week
Cup progress for Chelsea, who are aiming to debunk Alan Hansen’s famous “You can’t win anything with kids” mantra this season.
The kids, it appears, are actually alright.
A week to forget for…
Grimsby Town’s groundsmen. The Blundell Park pitch is going to need some serious TLC after this weekend’s clash with Wolves, with grass certainly in short supply.
Madueke urges Arsenal fans to ‘get excited’ about trophy chase
Noni Madueke has said Arsenal fans ‘have every right to be’ excited about where the club’s season is heading.
Arsenal eased into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic at the Emirates on Sunday.
The Gunners made light work of the League One strugglers, with all four goals coming inside the opening 27 minutes. Madueke scored the opening goal of the blitz, with Gabriel Martinelli, a Jack Hunt own goal, and Gabriel Jesus completing the rout.
Arsenal’s win ensures the North Londoners remain in contention for all four trophies this season, with Mikel Arteta’s team also top of the Premier League, into the Carabao Cup final, and safely into the Champions League’s last 16.
Madueke was pleased with a professional performance from Arsenal against Wigan and believes there’s reason to be excited about what’s to come.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “Very pleased. We were very professional and had the right intent. Four goals and a clean sheet. Like you said, it can be tricky if you don’t apply yourselves properly, but that wasn’t the case with us today so we are really happy.
“I thank god for the goal and the win. That is my job – to try and help the team. When we win it is much better than when we draw like the other day.”
Asked whether Arsenal fans should get excited about the run-in, he added: “I think they have every right to be. We are working hard to try and deliver the type of ought to be with our performances right now. That is our main focus and I think it is exciting – but we need to carry on doing the right things every single day.”
Our Team of the Weekend following the FA Cup’s fourth-round action, featuring a Liverpool quartet and names from Arsenal, Leeds, Chelsea and Mansfield.
Goalkeeper: Lucas Perri – Leed United
Not always convincing at set pieces, but made some big saves at big moments for Leeds. Perri made a fantastic stop to push Jay Stansfield’s effort onto the woodwork, and another to get down low to Demarai Gray’s drive. His most important came in the shootout, guessing right to deny Tommy Doyle and help Leeds through.
Right-back: Curtis Jones – Liverpool
Liverpool’s latest stand-in right-back impressed on a pleasing night for the Reds. Jones ended his long goal drought with the opener against Brighton and was rarely troubled by the Seagulls defensively.
Centre-back: Konstantinos Mavropanos – West Ham
A brick wall as West Ham made hard work of third-tier Burton Albion. The Greek defender has vastly improved since Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival at West Ham and captained a rotated team at Burton.
He produced a leader’s performance, making an astonishing 19 clearances, one from the goal-line, and winning eight aerial duels.
Centre-back: Kyle Knoyle – Mansfield Town
An incredible upset for Mansfield Town, who stunned Premier League Burnley at Turf Moor to book their place in the fifth round for the first time since 1975.
Kyle Knoyle was crucial to the win, with a vital last-ditch clearance to prevent a certain goal, and the cross for Rhys Oates’ equaliser. The Stags march on.
Left-back: Milos Kerkez – Liverpool
Seems to be getting better and better in a Liverpool shirt. Against Brighton, Kerkez looked like the player Liverpool believed they were signing in the summer. One sweet hit forced a fine save from Jason Steele, before his cross picked out Curtis Jones to break the deadlock.
Midfield: Sandro Tonali – Newcastle
Sandro Tonali has waited all season for a goal but found two as Newcastle won at Aston Villa. In a crazy game littered with bizarre decisions, Tonali took responsibility to turn it around for Newcastle. His second goal was a stunner, fizzed into the far corner.
Midfield: Eberechi Eze – Arsenal
Just as there were some question marks beginning to be asked about Eze, he delivered a nice reminder of his quality. Sure, there will be tougher tests than League One strugglers, but the invention Eze showed in Arsenal’s 4-0 win at the Emirates stood out.
His defence-splitting pass for Noni Madueke’s opener was a beauty, before he added a second assist for Gabriel Martinelli. Much, much better from the summer signing.
Midfield: Louis Reed – Mansfield Town
Louis Reed is loving the FA Cup this season. The Mansfield midfielder has three goals in this season’s competition, having netted just once in League One. Reed’s sensational free-kick earned The Stags a 2-1 win at Burnley and a place in round five.
Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool
Mohamed Salah believes Dominik Szoboszlai is now one of the world’s best footballers. Based on his performances this season, it’s tough to disagree.
The Hungarian was everywhere again in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Brighton and scored the second with a thumping effort. He’s been Liverpool’s standout this season by a considerable distance.
Forward: Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Much more like his old self this weekend. Salah set up Szoboszlai’s goal with a lovely cushioned pass, before bundling a route through the Brighton defence to win a penalty. The Egyptian emphatically smashed home from the spot to seal an impressive win for the Reds.
Forward: Pedro Neto – Chelsea
Chelsea’s hat-trick hero as the Blues eased past Hull City on Friday night. Neto netted the opener with a crisp finish from the edge of the area, before scoring a fortuitous second as his corner evaded everyone to go straight in. He claimed the match ball for a first career hat-trick to confirm Chelsea’s place in the fifth round.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Tariq Francis scored 21 points, Harun Zrno added 13, and Rutgers defeated Maryland 68-57 on Sunday, lifting the Scarlet Knights out of the Big Ten cellar.
Zrno hit three 3-pointers and scored 11 of Rutgers' first 15 second-half points as the Scarlet Knights built a 42-34 lead through the first seven minutes after halftime. The lead reached 13 points with 8 1/2 minutes remaining.
Maryland cut the deficit to five points a couple of times and the Terrapins were still within 60-54 with two minutes left. Rutgers (10-15, 3-11 Big Ten) then closed it out at the free-throw line with Francis making 6 of 6 and Jamichael Davis going 2 for 2.
For the game, Francis made 12 of 13 free throws and the Scarlet Knights were 19 of 24.
Solomon Washington had 11 points and 14 rebounds for Maryland (10-15, 3-11), which had won two in a row. Darius Adams scored 13 points and David Coit had 12.
Rutgers led 18-13 with seven minutes remaining in the first half before Washington had a layup and a dunk in an 8-2 run that put Maryland on top 21-20 with four minutes left. Rutgers quickly went back ahead and held the lead until Washington's free throw in the final second made it 27-all going into halftime.
All three of Rutgers' conference wins have come at Jersey Mike's Arena, the previous two in overtime against Northwestern and Oregon.
Rutgers and Maryland are one win clear of last place in the conference, ahead of Oregon, Northwestern and Penn State which all have two wins.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is once again a free man.
Chris Unger via Getty Images
Cain Velasquez is a free man. The former two-time UFC heavyweight champion was released from prison Sunday after serving the past 11 months behind bars after a controversial 2022 shooting conviction.
Velasquez, 43, was sentenced to five years in a San Jose, California, prison on March 24, 2025, after being convicted of attempted murder and other charges, ending a three-year saga that was repeatedly delayed in the courts and ignited widespread outrage within the mixed martial arts community. Velasquez's sentence included time served; the former champ spent nearly one year incarcerated following the 2022 incident, as well as nearly two years on house arrest with an ankle monitor.
🚨 Former UFC champ Cain Velasquez was just released from prison
He served time after firing shots at a vehicle carrying a man accused of molesting his 4-year-old son in 2022
Velasquez initially faced 10 felony charges after engaging in an 11-mile high-speed car chase with Harry Goularte, who remains accused of molesting Velasquez's then 4-year-old son on “multiple occasions." Velasquez fired several shots through his windshield from a .40-caliber handgun during the chase into a car carrying Goularte, Goularte's mother and Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, resulting in non-life threatening injuries to Bender due to a gunshot wound to his arm.
Velasquez's 10 charges ranged from attempted murder, shooting at a motor vehicle or aircraft, assault with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, willfully discharging a firearm from a vehicle and carrying a loaded firearm with intent to commit a felony. Velasquez pleaded no contest to all charges.
Goularte currently awaits a March 9 start date for his own trial after pleading not guilty to one felony charge of lewd acts with a minor.
Velasquez's family has filed a separate civil lawsuit against the Goularte family and its businesses.
Prior to his incarceration, Velasquez expressed remorse for his actions and accepted whatever punishment came his way. Velasquez also said he had forgiven Goularte’s family for what happened; Goularte’s mother ran the daycare where the alleged molestation happened.
“What I did was not correct," Velasquez said. “I understand that. I paid and I’ll pay whatever else as far as what I have to do to pay all that back. I don’t think I can pay that back, but I can always learn from my mistakes and help others. It’s just information that you never know anybody. Trust your kids. Have that open communication with your kids.
“[But] the way that I handled things was not the way to do it. We cannot put the law in our own hands."
Velasquez (14-3) is one of the most decorated heavyweights of his era. He first captured the UFC heavyweight title in 2010 with a first-round knockout of Brock Lesnar, then won the belt back again in 2012 with a revenge win over Junior dos Santos. A prodigious talent whose career was perennially snakebitten by injuries, Velasquez defended his championship twice with wins over Antonio Silva and in a trilogy bout against dos Santos, before suffering a 2015 loss to Fabricio Werdum. Velasquez only fought twice more — once in 2016 and once in 2019 — before stepping away from MMA entirely.
Velasquez then briefly pursued professional wrestling and even signed with WWE from 2019-20 before being released from his deal due to financial cuts during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oct 21, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Chargers guard Zion Johnson (77) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
With the 2025 NFL season now officially concluded, the offseason picture will soon begin to take shape. The first and biggest upcoming period on the docket is free agency, which is only a few weeks away. For the Baltimore Ravens, this free agency cycle will be a significant one.
Coming off a disappointing non-playoff season, the Ravens cleaned house in their coaching staff and will need to retool the roster to quickly return to contender status. The Ravens have clear positional needs this offseason and other areas where they can improve upon current strengths. Free agency is a prime opportunity to do this.
Let’s take a look at some of the top available free agents at one position group, interior offensive line, who could be realistic targets for the Ravens to pursue. This will only include external free agents, not the team’s own players who will be hitting the open market.
OG Zion Johnson, Los Angeles Chargers
Johnson was drafted in the first round of the 2022 draft by the Chargers and was a full-time starter from the get-go. The former Boston College product has started 65 out of 66 appearances for his career and missed only two total games. Johnson has been a high-level pass protector at left guard and shown growth over the past four seasons since his rookie year. At 26 years old, Johnson is in his athletic prime and could continue to refine his game as an overall offensive guard. A couple potential noteworthy connections to the Ravens include the fact that Johnson was born in Maryland and played high school football in the state, too. Although he played on the opposite side of Jesse Minter’s defense in Los Angeles, Johnson is likely plenty-familiar with the Ravens’ new head coach as well.
OG Alijah Vera-Tucker, New York Jets
Vera-Tucker is a former first-round, No. 14 overall pick from 2021 who has struggled to stay healthy through five seasons. He missed the entire 2025 campaign with a torn triceps injury and was absent for 25 total games over the previous four years combined, too. His injury history is an undoubtable concern but could lower the market value for a talented player with untapped upside. When healthy, Vera-Tucker has been a sturdy force at offensive guard. In 2024, he allowed the fourth-lowest pressure rate at the position and the Ravens’ pass protection was troublesome at both guard spots for much of this past season. Vera-Tucker possesses offensive tackle versatility as well but has settled into more of an interior role since being drafted.
OG Kevin Zeitler, Tennessee Titans
Zeitler is a familiar face and viable candidate for a reunion in Baltimore. The 14-year veteran played some of the best football of his career with the Ravens from 2021-2023, cumulating in his first ever Pro Bowl nod. The Ravens opted to let Zeitler walk in free agency and go younger at the position, which ultimately proved to not work out in their favor. At 35 years old, Zeitler is certainly in the twilight of his career — but has still played at a high level in back-to-back seasons with the Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans. Zeitler seemingly enjoyed his time in Charm City and could be open to returning on a one-year deal. While not a long-term solution, he would be provide an instant upgrade at either offensive guard spot.
OG Dylan Parham, Las Vegas Raiders
Parham is a 26-year-old whose played all four career seasons for the Raiders. He’s not the sharpest pass protector at offensive guard but has a strong physical profile and positional versatility. Parham has played both guard positions and seen snaps at center in this NFL career and right tackle in college, as well. He’s started 63 total games out of 64 appearances. In a new scenery surrounded by better offensive talent, Parham may perform with more consistency and take another step forward. In his current state, he’s a stable presence at the position who would likely be affordable for the Ravens. He’s still plenty young enough to make strides in his development.
OG/C Connor McGovern, Buffalo Bills
In the event that the Ravens can’t re-sign Tyler Linderbaum, they’ll have a big void to fill at starting center and will need to quickly pivot to replace him. If free agency is their preferred avenue to do so, McGovern could be a reasonable target. The 28-year-old, six-year veteran has some limitations in run blocking but has been a strong pass protector for his career. He’s been a surefire starter at both center and offensive guard for two different teams in his NFL tenure to-date. So, even if the Ravens retain Linderbaum, McGovern could still be a target as a reliable starter for either guard position as well.
What do you think about these free agent options for the Ravens at interior offensive line? Are there other available players not listed you think the team should pursue? Join in the discussion and share your thoughts below!
Ilia Malinin isn't going to wait long to get back on the ice.
The 21-year old United States figure skating superstar is coming off the most brutal performance of his career, a fall-ridden free skate to cost himself not just the gold medal at these 2026 Winter Olympics, but also any medal at all.
Malinin, though, wants to skate again, and soon.
According to USA Today's Christine Brennan, Malinin will be back on the ice Saturday to skate in the exhibition gala at the Olympics, a chance for the world's best competitors to put on a show for fans once more.
Malinin has also made up his mind, per Brennan, to compete at next month's world championships in Prague. He has won the last two world titles.
He was the heavy favorite to win gold as an individual at these Olympics, but everything went awry for him in his free skate program.
Instead, he placed eighth. That was despite having the best short program score, which gets combined with the free skate for a final total.
Malinin does take home one gold medal from his first Olympics. Team USA won the figure skating team event in which Malinin skated both his short program and free skate. In that free skate, he scored 200 points, best among any competitor, and nearly 40 points better than he ended up getting in the individual competition when he skated the same routine but not nearly as well.
These Olympics will likely leave a sour taste in Malinin's mouth, and the "Quad God" will likely be counting down the days until he gets a chance to redeem himself in four years time.
In the meantime, Malinin will just try to continue to grow as a skater in every opportunity he gets.
The Denver Broncos, following a hugely successful 2025 season, will be selecting toward the bottom of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft. They hold the No. 30 overall pick.
With that pick, the team will have to be patient and see what falls to them. In nearly every mock that has been put out to this point, that is a defensive player. This year's class lacks top-end offensive talent, which is what the Broncos should be searching for.
However, in the most recent mock draft published by Dan Parr of NFL.com, the Broncos strike gold. Parr predicts that Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq will fall to the Broncos at the bottom of the first round.
"The draft’s top tight end falls right into Sean Payton’s lap, allowing the Broncos to reunite Bo Nix with his former Oregon teammate. Sadiq brings versatility and explosiveness to Denver’s offense", wrote Parr.
Kenyon Sadiq would be the ideal first-round pick for the Broncos
If the draft were to fall like this in April, the Broncos should throw a large celebration.
The Broncos need to find players who can open up the offense and make it more explosive and Sadiq fits that bill. The Broncos felt that adding Evan Engram in free agency this past offseason would accomplish that, but he struggled to become much of a factor for the team.
Sadiq caught 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns for the Ducks this past season, but he hasn't scratched the surface of his true potential. A freak athlete, Sadiq will run a 40-yard dash in the area of 4.5 seconds. He can get open over the middle and the versatility he will bring to an offense will be where he becomes a real weapon for the team that gets him as he can be moved all over the formation.
TRENDING: Top-#NFL tight end prospect Kenyon Sadiq’s college highlights from when he was at Oregon.
This is the kind of player the Broncos need and have needed. Last year during draft season, Tyler Warren, who ultimately went to the Indianapolis Colts, was the best-looking prospect for the Broncos. Sadiq could feel that role and the Broncos could bring him along slowly behind the veteran Engram.
At No. 30, the Broncos need to select the best player on the board, rather than zero in on a position of need. If Sadiq is still on the board, they shouldn't waste much time in announcing him as their choice.
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus – Former Lazio Goalkeeper & Sky Pundit Claims: ‘Let’s Not Make Bastoni Out To Be A Monster’
The controversy surrounding Pierre Kalulu’s red card in Inter Milan’s 3-2 Derby d’Italia win over Juventus continues to divide opinion, and former Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Orsi has now weighed in.
In the first half, with Kalulu already on a yellow card, the Juventus defender made light contact with Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni.
Bastoni went down theatrically, and celebrated after the ref showed the Frenchman his second yellow.
The Italian has faced much criticism after the incident.
Juventus 3-2 Inter – Orsi Slams Media Reaction To Bastoni Incident
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Alessandro Bastoni of Internazionale looks on during the warm up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Speaking on Sky Sport, via FCInterNews, the ex-shot-stopper turned pundit criticized simulation in general, but urged observers not to turn Alessandro Bastoni into a villain.
“There has to be punishment for players who simulate, because that’s anti-football. There’s no debate about that,” Orsi said.
“From Bastoni I expected something different, maybe to admit he went down on his own. That would have been a great gesture.”
Orsi agreed with refereeing chief Gianluca Rocchi’s recent comments condemning simulation, adding: “Rocchi is right, it’s unsporting. The celebration looked awkward, yes, but let’s not make them out to be monsters.”
While debate rages over the incident’s sporting ethics, Orsi’s intervention attempts to lower the temperature, separating criticism of the act from personal attacks against the player.
Liverpool star ‘dreams’ of joining Real Madrid claims head coach
Liverpool future in spotlight as Dominik Szoboszlai linked with Real Madrid dream
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has once again found himself at the centre of transfer discussion after comments from Hungary head coach Marco Rossi suggested that Real Madrid remains a long held ambition. While speculation often surrounds elite players, the situation highlights both the player’s growing influence at Liverpool and the ongoing pull of Spain’s biggest club.
Since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £60million, Szoboszlai has developed into a cornerstone of Liverpool’s midfield. Under current manager Arne Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2024/25, the Hungarian international has combined technical quality with leadership, earning praise across Europe.
Szoboszlai form under Arne Slot
Liverpool’s recent campaigns have not always been smooth, yet Dominik Szoboszlai has consistently delivered strong performances. His ability to dictate tempo, press aggressively and contribute goals has made him one of the standout figures in Slot’s system. Even during a demanding season for the reigning champions, he has remained among the most reliable players in red.
That progress has not gone unnoticed beyond Anfield. Rossi openly discussed the midfielder’s development, saying, “Dominik is currently one of the best players in the ranks of Liverpool and the Premier League, thanks to his outstanding form, where he has developed a lot and clearly.”
Photo: IMAGO
Such comments underline why Liverpool supporters view Szoboszlai as central to the club’s future, particularly as Slot continues to refine a squad capable of competing domestically and in Europe.
Real Madrid dream revealed
Talk of Real Madrid inevitably sparks headlines, and Rossi’s remarks have added fresh intrigue. Speaking about Szoboszlai’s ambitions, he said, “He is currently one of the best players in Europe and the world, and it is natural that there are clubs that will be interested in signing him.”
He continued, “From what I have heard and what I know, and because of the very good and direct relationship I have had with Dominic since he started playing football as a child, Real Madrid was his dream.”
Rossi went further by stating, “Dominic, ever since he started playing football, has had one dream, which is to play for Real Madrid.” Those words have inevitably fuelled speculation about whether Liverpool could face interest from the Spanish giants in the coming transfer windows.
Contract talks at Anfield
Despite the noise surrounding Real Madrid, there remains a strong possibility that Dominik Szoboszlai stays at Liverpool for the long term. Rossi himself acknowledged the midfielder’s importance, explaining, “He’s currently playing for Liverpool and they’re a big team in the Premier League. I don’t know if he can take that step, because it depends on his personal decision, as well as his club’s decision.”
He added, “But on the other hand, I don’t rule out the possibility that he will stay at Liverpool and renew his contract there, especially since he is highly regarded within the club. He is a very important player for Liverpool, and Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
Szoboszlai’s current deal runs until 2028, placing Liverpool in a strong negotiating position should interest from Real Madrid intensify.
What comes next for Liverpool midfielder
Interestingly, the player himself has struck a calm and positive tone about his future at Liverpool. When asked about a potential extension, he said, “I would love to. I like the city, I like the club, I like playing with these guys, I love Anfield, I love the fans, let’s see what the future holds. Let’s see what happens, hopefully everyone will be happy at the end.”
He also admitted, “It’s not in my hands. There is no progression but if the right offer comes then let’s see.”
For now, Liverpool remain focused on building around Dominik Szoboszlai, while Real Madrid linger in the background as a possible long term destination. Whether ambition or loyalty shapes the next chapter will depend on decisions made both on Merseyside and in Madrid.
With the Super Bowl and the NFL season over, Buffalo Bills star quarterback Josh Allen enters an offseason that could be the beginning of something special for the AFC East team. After firing Sean McDermott as head coach, they promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Super Bowl 60 wasn’t the only big event of the month. Valentine’s Day happened nearly a week after, with Allen and his wife, Hailee Steinfeld, celebrating. During the latest edition of her “Beau Society,” the Hollywood star detailed her favorite plans for the day.
“I love February,” Steinfeld wrote. “I don’t know if it’s the pink and red everywhere, the chocolate cake and cookie recipes that pop up the second I open my phone, or the way every streaming service suddenly becomes a curated shrine to romance.
“Maybe it’s the simple fact that I love and any excuse to celebrate it: romantic, platonic, self-love, dog love…it all plays.
Jan 8, 2017; Beverly Hills, CA, USA; Hailee Steinfeld arrives in the International Ballroom for the the 74th Golden Globe Awards at Beverly Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY NETWORK
Additionally, Steinfeld revealed that Allen was similar to her in that regard.
“A cherry on top is having a husband who not only tolerates my enthusiasm for this holiday but genuinely leans into it with me. Lucky for me, he’s also perfectly satisfied with the version of the day that results in both of us in sweats on the couch doing a whole lot of nothing.”
Sep 14, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) practices before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
After losing to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the 2025 NFL playoffs, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills prepare for a new season. Following another disappointing early exit, the quarterback leads the list of early odds for the MVP race.
FanDuel has Allen as the favorite at +600, while Lamar Jackson (+750) and Drake Maye (+850) close out the top three. Allen and Co. have a lot to prove, and next season might be their last chance to do so.
Canada’s men’s curling team is in hot water again at the Milan Cortina Games. Two complaints in two days, and the double-touching controversy is not going away.
Switzerland raised the same concern during Saturday’s round-robin contest that Sweden had brought up just a day earlier. That first accusation got heated fast, with sharp words exchanged between players on the ice.
Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson claimed Canadian third Marc Kennedy made illegal contact with the stone’s handle after it crossed the hog line, which would be a direct rule violation.
Canada still won 8-6, but no penalty was handed out. Kennedy did get a verbal warning, though it was for profanity, not the double-touch itself.
Then came Saturday’s match, where Switzerland beat Canada 9-5. Swiss curler Pablo Lachat-Couchepin was caught on camera telling his coach what he saw.
“I don’t want to focus too much on it, but he double-touched, and the referee saw it,” Lachat-Couchepin told his coach, per Toronto Star.
Marc Kennedy of Canada during a men’s curling round robin game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
The curling drama isn’t just about Canada’s men
The scrutiny is not just on the men’s team either. Canada’s women’s squad got pulled into the same mess during their Saturday match against Switzerland.
Officials ruled that Canadian skip Rachel Homan committed a double-touch, making contact with the stone after releasing it. The umpire pulled the stone from play in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Rachel Homan of Canada, Emma Miskew of Canada and Sarah Wilkes of Canada during their match against Denmark in a women’s curling round robin match during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Issei Kato/Reuters via Imagn Images
Homan did not agree with the call, per The Washington Post, and said she didn’t think she broke the rule. After the loss, she told reporters the heat around the men’s team may have put extra eyes on her squad too.
Two teams, two controversies, one tournament. Canada’s got a real problem on its hands at these Games.
PREDAZZO, Italy (AP) — Evgeniy “Zhenya” Maloletka is an Associated Press staff photographer based in Kyiv, Ukraine. He has won numerous awards for his work covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He is covering his first Winter Olympics at the Milan Cortina Games.
Why this photo?
For me any photograph, including this one, must convey a sense of presence and evoke emotion and feeling — both in the person who took it and the person who will see it.
How I made this photo
It’s always good in a photo when there’s something unfamiliar, something new, something you might not have seen before. This makes you stop for a a second and forces you to think and analyze what you’re seeing.
Why this photo works
In this case, the rain did a good job. My lens was covered in raindrops. At first, I considered removing them but once I saw what the effect was, I decided to leave them and use them in the photo. The result is as if your glasses are splattered with rain, and you’re forced to look into the light which creates glare from the tiny droplets.
Feb 15, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Darius Adams (1) goes to the basket against Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Harun Zrno (13) during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Rutgers basketball has snapped their seven game losing streak by beating Maryland 68-57. The game started as an ugly affair until the Scarlet Knights found some consistency on offense, allowing them to pull away from the Terrapins and secure the win.
After some solid passing on the first possession, Dylan Grant would put the first points on the board by hitting a mid-range jumper. Collin Metcalf would tie the game at 2 before Grant hit a three-pointer to retake the lead. After an exchange of buckets, the game would be tied up at 7 with 15 minutes left to play in the first half. Both offenses struggled early, as neither team broke into double digits until David Coit hit a layup on a fast-break after a Rutgers turnover with just under 12 minutes to play in the first half. Rutgers retook the lead after Chris Nwuli hit two free throws to give the Knights a one-point lead before Maryland hit a layup to take the lead right back. Both teams combined for 7 turnovers and 27 percent shooting with just over 8 minutes left to play in the half.
Over the next three minutes, Rutgers would outscore Maryland 8-6, taking a 20-19 lead before Solomon Washington would throw down a dunk to make the game 21-20 in favor of the Terrapins. Rutgers would go on another run, started by a JaMicheal Davis jumper, before Tariq Francis scored 5 points to give Rutgers a four-point lead. Maryland would tie the game at 27 heading into the half due to a three-pointer and a last-second free throw shot from a penalty that occurred with less than a second left on the clock.
Emmanuel Ogbole would open the scoring in the second half with a dunk after he made a nice cut to the basket. Harun Zrno would follow up by hitting a three-pointer to extend Rutgers lead to five. Kaden Powers would push the lead to seven before Elijah Saunders broke up the run by hitting a layup for Maryland. The Knights held a 36-34 lead with 15 minutes left to play in the game before Zrno hit two three-pointers and Francis hit a jumper to extend the lead to 10. Rutgers pushed their lead to 11 with just under 10 minutes left to play in the game. Maryland’s shooting started to find some consistency with around six minutes left to play in the game, shrinking the Knights’ lead to five several times. Rutgers would answer every basket Maryland scored and then some to secure the 11-point victory.
Francis once again led the Knights in scoring with 21 points. He, along with Zrno, provided a much-needed spark to the Knights in the second half, allowing them to get going offensively. Ogbole had a good day rebounding the ball, grabbing nine total.
Rutgers had a better shooting percentage than Maryland across the board, shooting 42 percent from the field, 79 percent from the line, and 28 percent from three. After starting 1 of 4 on free throws, the Knights hit 18 of 20 to help lift them to a win.
Two areas the Knights struggled in this game were offensive rebounding and points in the paint, as the Terrapins scored 6 more points underneath the basket and grabbed 9 more offensive rebounds than Rutgers.
Rutgers will return to action on Wednesday when it makes the road trip to face Penn State at 6 p.m. on BTN.
Arsenal manager MIkel Arteta speaking to the BBC: "We started so well. We made a lot of changes because of players who needed minutes and deserve minutes as well. I'm very pleased with the way we started the game and the intensity that we showed, the connections between players and the threat we had. The first-half made a difference, obviously."
No difficulties after so many changes?: "We tried a few different things as well because of some players not being available. I'm very pleased because the players did so well."
On Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres playing together for the first time: "Very good. We had an opportunity to try different things and different connections. From here until the end of the season, I'm sure we're going to use them."
On the performance of Christian Norgaard: "He was exceptional again. I'm not surprised. The way he prepares himself, the way he trains every single day, and looks after himself and his team-mates.When this happens, you can play in any context. I'm very pleased with him."
Did you know?
Arsenal became the first Premier League team (from 1992-93) to score four goals in the opening 30 minutes of an FA Cup game.
The Gunners have reached the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2019-20 season when they won the competition, ending a run of five campaigns without reaching that stage, their longest post-WW2.
Gabriel Martinelli is the first player to score 10+ goals in cup/European competitions in a single season for Arsenal since Ian Wright in 1994-95 (12).
Former Everton Chief Spreads Major Rangers Double Raid Speculation For Leeds United: Is It The Right Fit?
People in football circles are starting to talk about an interesting transfer triangle. It is taking shape between Glasgow and West Yorkshire as the summer window gets closer. Former Everton and Aston Villa boss Keith Wyness spoke to Football Insider recently. He thinks Leeds United could be the main team interested in Rangers pair Mikey Moore and Nicolas Raskin.
Potential Elland Road raid: The Rangers connection
Wyness suggested a clever way to handle the deal. The Whites could buy both players now. Then, they could send them back to Ibrox on loan for half a season. This would help the Scottish giants keep their squad together for a bit longer. The report shows that these two famous clubs are working well together. Both want to grab top-tier young players while still dealing with the pressure of a tough market.
He said: “One other thing we’ve got to think about, talking about Mikey Moore and Raskin, could there be something with Leeds coming into play here, whereby Leeds perhaps buys the player or moves the player and somehow does a half-season loan with Rangers?
“This is where we’ve got to see how these sorts of things can work out and if there is a way to try and do that.
“It could complicate the issue, but still if there are quality players you want to keep them within your group, and that’s just one thought.
“Although nothing I’ve heard is going that way, it’s something I think that could be in people’s thoughts as we’re looking towards the summer.”
Analysis: A smart move for Leeds?
PORTO, PORTUGAL – JANUARY 29: Nicolas Raskin of Rangers FC reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between FC Porto and Rangers FC at Estadio do Dragao on January 29, 2026 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
The idea of Leeds United signing Mikey Moore and Nicolas Raskin makes a lot of sense. It shows the club are thinking about the future. At only 18, Moore has already shown he is a massive talent. He is currently on loan from Tottenham. He gives Scottish Premiership defenders a nightmare with his pace down the left wing.
Moore is also a big part of the England U19 setup. So, he fits right in with how Leeds likes to recruit. The club prefer young British players with high potential. At the same time, Nicolas Raskin brings a bit more experience, even though he is only 24. He plays with the calmness of a full Belgium international in the holding midfield role.
As of February 14, 2026, Leeds United sit in a decent mid-table spot in the Premier League. They are in 15th place after a gritty draw against Chelsea. Bringing in Raskin would give them the extra shield they need in front of the defence. He is currently among the best in the league for creating chances from deep positions.
PORTO, PORTUGAL – JANUARY 29: Mikey Moore of Rangers FC looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between FC Porto and Rangers FC at Estadio do Dragao on January 29, 2026 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Moore’s energy and Raskin’s time playing in Europe make for a great mix. This could help fix the squad depth problems that usually hit Leeds during the busy winter months. On top of that, the “buy-and-loan-back” plan is a smart bit of business. It lets Leeds beat other teams to the punch. It also keeps things friendly with the Rangers.
If Leeds manage to get these deals done, they will get a versatile winger. He has already played over 1,600 minutes of senior football this season. They would also get a reliable engine in the middle of the park. This move feels right for Leeds United. It fixes the need for quality right now while building a team that can push for Europe in the next few years.
Bryan Mbeumo lifts lid on his secret musical passion
Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo has shared fresh insight into his long-standing love of music.
The Cameroon international also conveyed why learning the piano has become one of his favourite ways to unwind away from football.
Speaking in an interview published on the club’s official website, the 26-year-old illustrated music as a constant in his life.
“Music [is] really important to me, because I grew up with it,” he remarked.
Mbeumo describes where his love of music started
The United number 19 traced that connection back to a weekly family routine at home.
“I remember every Sunday my dad would put music on during the cleaning of the house, so every Sunday we’d have it on,” he explained.
The attacker added that his father’s taste still influences him now.
“My dad would play only African music and sometimes I listen to that now,” he mentioned.
The former Brentford man also outlined what he enjoys listening to today, pointing to “French rap”, “Afrobeat[s]” and “piano music.”
The United forward is learning piano almost every day
Mbeumo revealed the moment the piano first inspired him to have a go.
“I had a friend who played piano, and I went to their house one day and she was playing, and I was like: that’s so beautiful. And I wanted to try to learn,” he stated.
The French-born player emphasised the appeal is partly about keeping his mind busy.
“I always like to learn new things in life. It’s relaxing as well, so I really like that,” he observed.
United’s top scorer this season then provided an update on what he is working on at the moment.
“Right now, I’m learning ‘7 Years’ by Lukas Graham and I’m playing almost every day. I’ve just bought a new piano,” he answered.
The United player also named a track he associates with a key moment from his time at Brentford.
“Are there any important songs from my career? ‘Freed From Desire,'” Mbeumo noted, highlighting it “was played when [Brentford] won the play-offs.”
This offseason, the San Francisco 49ers have some work to do. The pass rusher unit needs massive reformation, as Nick Bosa isn't close to enough to have a good unit.
The same can be said about the wide receiver room. Brock Purdy needs more than just Ricky Pearsall in 2026, and with Brandon Aiyuk likely gone, and Jauan Jennings a free agent, adding WR help is a must.
But, for CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles, the player he's urging the 49ers to retain this offseason is their kicker, Eddy Pineiro. After years of iffy kicker play, the 49ers cannot let the solid starter in Pieniro walk this offseason.
49ers urged to re-sign Eddy Piñiero to finally end kicking woes
"It may seem like a cop out to pick a kicker here. But considering the 49ers' prior struggles at the position under Kyle Shanahan, Eddy Pineiro was a revelation," Pereles writes.
Letting someone like Pineiro walk would be a massive mistake for the 49ers. While a kicker might not seem like a massively important player, the 49ers are well aware of what shaky play can get you.
This past season, after cutting Jake Moody, the 49ers turned to journeyman kicker Eddy Pineiro, and it worked wonders.
Since coming to the 49ers, Pineiro went an impressive 28-for-29 on his field goal attempts, good for an NFL-best 96.6% accuracy rating.
He missed four extra points, which isn't the best, but considering the field goal proficiency and how some of those misses weren't on Pineiro, there should be no doubt that he should be the kicker of the future in San Francisco.
While a kicker might not be the largest need for the 49ers this offseason, there isn't a player hitting free agency that would be harder to replace with someone the 49ers can trust like Pineiro.
Retaining Pineiro is a must for the 49ers this offseason, for the reason Pereles pointed out with Shanahan's struggles to find a competent kicker in recent years.
The USA women's curling team celebrates a comeback victory against China on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)
Andrew Milligan - PA Images via Getty Images
The United States women's curling team still has three matches remaining in the round-robin session of the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, Team USA may not earn a more thrilling win than its comeback victory over China on Sunday.
The team of Tabitha Peterson, Cory Thiesse, Tara Peterson and Taylor Anderson-Heide fell behind 4-1 after the fifth end. But the rally began with a 2-0 win in the fifth, cutting the match deficit to 4-3. The U.S. comeback appeared to be stanched with China expanding its lead to 5-3 heading into the seventh end. Yet that just set up an impressive comeback during the next three ends.
"We just had to stick with it," said Tara Peterson, the Team USA skip (via NBC Sports). "We had a good team meeting at the fifth end break of what we needed to do to flip it around for us for the second half, and we got more energy and our draw speed got a little bit better, and we kind of kept the pressure on them to make some tough shots."
With that added energy, Team USA stole the point in the ninth and 10th ends for an improbable win. And the Americans pulled off the victory in walk-off fashion, creating one of the most spectacular victories in U.S. curling memory
Still down 5-4 going into the ninth end, Rui Wang missed on her attempt to knock a U.S. stone out of the button. That allowed Team USA to steal the point and tie the match at 5-5 going into the 10th end. From there, the best was truly saved for last.
China had the hammer going into the final end and built a virtual fortress of stones around the button. But Tabitha Peterson somehow managed to maneuver through the traffic with a deft touch to make it difficult for Wang to thread the proverbial needle with her next throw.
Unfortunately for China, Wang didn't get enough of a push, leaving her stone at the back of the house. That opened an opportunity for Peterson to lay her stone closest to the center, stealing the point and a win for the U.S.
"I think it says a lot about our team. We're not going to give up," Peterson said after the match, via Olympics.com. "Just keep the game tight, and anything can happen, even if it's a steal in the last end."
After six sessions in round-robin play, the U.S. is second in the standings at 4-1. Only Sweden is ahead with a 5-0 record and Switzerland is right behind Team USA at 3-1. The Swiss face Great Britain on Monday at 3:05 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the U.S. will face home country Italy earlier in the day at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Super Bowl 60 has come and gone with the Seattle Seahawks defeating the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium to hoist their secondary Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
Now, all 32 teams across the NFL, including the San Francisco 49ers, are transitioning to the offseason and preparing for 2026. One of the first items on their agenda will be to decide what they're going to do with their pending free agents.
Among those players set to hit the market is wide receiver Trent Taylor. Let's look at the decision that John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan will have to make regarding the wide receiver's future with the team.
Trent Taylor 2025 season recap
Taylor, who started his NFL career as a fifth-round pick of the 49ers in 2017 out of Louisiana Tech, returned to San Francisco in 2024 after two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and one with the Chicago Bears.
He spent the entire 2024 season on the practice squad, and before the 2025 season, he was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, ending his year before it even started.
Potential replacements for Trent Taylor
San Francisco has plenty of depth wide receiver options on their roster already, including Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, Junior Bergen and Malik Turner.
They could also decide to bring back Kendrick Bourne or Skyy Moore, who were on the roster last year and are hitting the market. Other depth wide receivers becoming free agents across the league include Noah Brown, Braxton Berrios, Tutu Atwell, Cedrick Wilson Jr. and more.
What contract could Trent Taylor receive as a free agent?
Taylor was on a one-year, $1.17 million deal last year, and without playing in 2025, he'll likely receive another veteran minimum deal if he's signed in 2026, which would be worth $1.26 million.
Should the 49ers re-sign Trent Taylor?
Taylor is turning 32 this offseason and hasn't played a snap in the regular season in over two years now. It's probably smart for the 49ers to go a different direction with at wide receiver, as they could use better starters and depth.
The Arizona Cardinals are coming off their losingest season in team history, going 3-14 in 2025. It led to the firing of head coach Jonathan Gannon and potentially the departure of quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett.
They hired Mike LaFleur to be their new head coach. When they began their search leading to LaFleur, owner Michael Bidwill was clear that he wanted a quick turnaround.
However, is that realistic?
Not based on what is the outside view of the team.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler broke down every non-playoff team's situation and tiered the type of overhaul they need to make the postseason.
The Cardinals fall all the way down into the lowest tier of "full-blown overhaul."
The hope for a quick turnaround: The law of averages says Arizona will have better luck on the injury front. The team was playing third- and fourth-stringers at several spots last season. Better health will allow Arizona to run the ball more efficiently. The defense is not devoid of talent.
Why it might take longer than hoped: Arizona could be looking at a complete reset at quarterback, with Kyler Murray owed $36.8 million in guarantees in 2026 and possibly on his way out. The team lacks true blue-chip players, save for 26-year-old tight end Trey McBride and 30-year-old safety Budda Baker. The Cardinals simply weren't competitive for much of last season and must make hard decisions as a result.
This is an awful spot to be in. It was just three years ago when Gannon was hired and began a complete overhaul. Three years later, they are in the same place again?
They have some cap space, but they don't have a ton. They don't have a good option at quarterback right now. They have a rookie head coach. They have a defense that allowed over 30 points in six of their final nine games.
They went 3-14 in a division where everyone else made the playoffs and won more than 10 games.
They have needs all over the roster.
With the right moves, a best-case scenario would get them to where they were in 2024 before things fell apart, but even that would be quite optimistic.
We will see in the weeks to come how they remake the roster.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Team GB made history by winning two Winter Olympic titles on one day for the first time as Matt Weston and Tabitha Stoecker clinched mixed team skeleton gold.
Weston produced a stunning race to make more of his own history in Cortina - he is the first Briton to win two gold medals at a Winter Olympics having claimed individual gold just two days ago.
Stoecker, 25, had given Weston a tough task with her run of 1:00.77, 0.18 seconds off the pace of the Germans, with the British pair - ranked top seeds - the last to run.
But 28-year-old Weston, who won Team GB's first medal at the Games, showed why he is the best skeleton racer in the world with a sublime 58.59secs run to clinch a second medal with a final time of 1:59:36.
It is also the first time Great Britain have won three gold medals at a single Winter Olympics.
"The individual event is amazing but doing it as a team when we're normally an individual sport is amazing," said Weston.
"To have my team-mate by my side as Olympic champions, two-time for me which is crazy. I'm looking forward to the celebrations!"
A second British team, Marcus Wyatt and Freya Tarbit, missed out on a medal by an agonising 0.01secs as the two German teams of Christopher Grotheer and Jacqueline Pfeifer and Axel Jungk and Susanne Kreher took silver and bronze, respectively.
The mixed event, making its debut at Milan-Cortina, sees the sliders hurtle down the track one after the other with a quick reaction time crucial as five red lights going out prompts them to set off.
Pushing off before the lights go out results in heavy penalties or even disqualification and that led to many of the sliders erring on the side of caution with some hesitant starts.
Janine Flock, who won gold on Saturday in the women's event, blew the Austrian team's chances when she incurred a one-second penalty for reacting too soon at the start, opening the door for both British teams to get on the podium.
But the two German teams were too good and the only way Wyatt and Tarbit could have got on the podium would have been if Weston and Stoecker had not.
Weston 'raising the bar to new standards'
Two-time world champion Weston came into this Games stating that only gold would be good enough and he will now walk away as the most decorated man in British Winter Olympics history.
After finishing 15th in Beijing four years ago, Weston's rise in the sport has been meteoric and his two Olympic golds add to the three Crystal Globes - overall World Cup titles - he won consecutively from 2024.
Former bobsledder John Jackson, Olympic bronze medallist in 2014, said: "Weston has been the cream of the crop of anybody on this track. We are witnessing history right here.
"He just keeps raising the bar to new standards, and that was absolutely nail-biting stuff when Tabby didn't quite have the run she wanted to give him a chance. Weston absolutely destroyed the field."
As Sunday's competition got increasingly exciting, building to a gripping finale, it was Weston who once again stepped up, having broken the track record in all four runs of the individual event, he produced another immaculate run to turn it into a Super Sunday for GB.
"Luckily I felt like I knew what I needed to do," Weston told BBC Sport.
"It's all a bit of a whirlwind, I took confidence from the individual event and in my head I had to be quite boring and just get the job done."
'A blip not a trend' - GB up and running at Milan-Cortina
It took Team GB a week of action in Italy to get their first medal on the board after a series of fourth-place finishes and near misses from the nation's other medal contenders.
But securing two gold medals in one day - with Bankes and Nightingale's a first ever on snow - certainly goes a long way to improving the landscape.
While the one in Livigno came as a surprise, Weston and Stoecker's in Cortina marks a return to the norm for Team GB on the skeleton track.
The British team have a long history of Olympic skeleton success but a disastrous Games in 2022, where they failed to win a medal for the first time since the sport was reinstated at the Olympics in 2002, is now proving to be an anomaly.
Weston was the heavy favourite coming into the men's event on Friday and he clinched gold with a winning margin of 0.88secs - the second-biggest in skeleton history.
Then, although the British trio of women - Stoecker, Tarbit and Amelia Coltman - did not finish on the podium, they all ended inside the top 10 at their debut Games.
Wyatt, who finished ninth in the men's event, said: "Me and Matt were there in Beijing [2022] and it was good to come and prove that that was a blip and not a trend.
"What these medals will do for the future of this programme for the next four, eight, 12 years - we are going to be expecting more medals and keeping that rich history of British skeleton alive."
An Olympic gold medal on snow has long seemed like the impossible for Team GB's winter athletes. One hundred and two years, to be exact.
But for those in the know, it has been just a matter of time.
In winning the mixed team snowboard cross title in Livigno on Sunday, Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale have written themselves into the history books, forever to be known as the first - yet it has been a very real prospect for some time.
In 2018, GB Snowsport set the lofty ambition of Great Britain becoming a top five snow sport nation by 2030.
It was a target set to build on the success of snowboarder Jenny Jones, Team GB's first medallist on snow with her 2014 bronze, and the same colour won by freestyle skier Izzy Atkin and snowboarder Billy Morgan four years later.
But it was also a target that raised eyebrows and smirks, and perhaps with four years to go, may still be a touch too ambitious - but the trajectory of progression is undeniable.
In Bankes - both individually and with Nightingale - Mia Brookes and Zoe Atkin, GB has world champions on snow. It has overall multiple Crystal Globe winners, X Games and World Cup gold medallists too.
"We've been saying we've got the talent, we've been showing the talent in World Championships and World Cups, but everybody looks to the Olympics because everything is amplified," Gosling told BBC Sport.
"Here we are, actually producing that gold. For us, that is massive.
"We've said that anything is possible. We have amazing Brits with grit and amazing talent, it's all about unlocking that.
"People can truly see it's possible and we can deliver Olympic medals.
"Hopefully we are inspiring the next generation to get themselves to snow domes and get themselves prepared because the future is looking rosy."
Speaking after Sunday's gold, Nightingale said: "What we've shown today, we are becoming a top snow sports nation and that's great for kids to see.
"We inspire kids to go on the slopes and go snowboarding or skiing or whatever it is, just try out winter sports.
"As a nation, if we get young kids into it, we can do very well."
Yes, it's right to say that this Games has not gone to plan for some British snow athletes so far.
But Olympic medal tables do not tell the full story, and are not the be-all and end-all.
Snowboarder Brookes finished an agonising fourth in the big air - despite almost landing a never-before-seen trick in competition - and failed to qualify for the slopestyle final.
Yet despite not winning Olympic gold, silver or bronze as anticipated after her previous World Championship title and double X Games gold, she is a diamond on the British books and one of the biggest names in her sport.
She is just 19 and could well lead the British challenge at multiple Winter Olympics in the future - if she decides to continue down that avenue.
That's because Brookes is a snowboarder's snowboarder, a "purist's dream", who takes far more joy in shredding on a powder day than competing on the world stage.
So highly respected is she in her sport that every brand wants to work with her - BBC Sport understands it is just a case of name your price.
Next year, her own line of Oakley goggles will hit the market. She already has her own Mia Brookes CAPiTA snowboard, and a boots line with Vans.
In Muir and Atkin, Great Britain also has two of the world's best freestyle skiers.
Like Brookes, Muir missed out on an Olympic medal by the narrowest of margins, just 0.41 points separating her from bronze in the slopestyle, but she has another chance in the big air on Monday after qualifying fourth - with plenty still in her locker.
Atkin, meanwhile, is the current halfpipe world champion and X Games gold medallist, and will get her campaign under way on 21 February.
Away from the flagship park and pipe squad, Andrew Musgrave - competing at his fifth Olympics - finished sixth in the 10km interval start freestyle to post Britain's best finish in a Winter Olympic cross-country skiing event.
The Alpine skiing squad - Dave Ryding, Laurie Taylor and Billy Major - compete on Monday in the slalom.
In 2022, Ryding won Britain's first World Cup gold in the sport and will retire at the end of the season with seven podiums under his belt, while Taylor achieved a career-best fourth earlier in the season.
GB 'punching above our weight'
Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale won gold despite a 13th-place seeding [EPA]
What makes GB's snow athletes' achievements all the more remarkable is the limited budget on which the team operates.
As Gosling told BBC Sport before the Games got under way, "we've punched way above our weight in terms of the deliverables".
UK Sport ploughed £7.2m into the ski and snowboard Olympic programme over the Milan-Cortina four-year cycle, more than any other winter sport but a mere fraction of the budget on what other nations are running.
It equates to £1.8m per year, a limited amount given the amount of global travel required for not just the athletes, but their coaches and support staff too, and so the governing body - which has just seven full-time members of staff at its London headquarters - has had to turn its hand to sourcing alternative funding through commercial revenue and sponsorship deals.
The sticking point for any GB success on snow has always been the lack of snowy mountains and freestyle courses, but that is not as convincing an argument as it once was.
Yes, many of Team GB's athletes have honed their crafts overseas - Bankes is Hemel Hempstead-born but grew up in the French Alps, while Nightingale hails from Bolton but moved to Austria with his parents.
But Jones and Morgan both learned on dry slopes in the UK. Looking at the current crop, Brookes grew up riding the rails at the indoor ski centre in Manchester, while Muir learned her craft in Aberdeen. Ryding raced on plastic in Lancashire until he was 21.
"We have over 60 facilities in the UK," said Gosling. "We produce amazing talent and we have showed it time and time again over the past few years.
"Now it's about nurturing the talent and building the pathways needed and [putting] more emphasis and funding into it."
One, he hasn't played particularly well, and the U.S. hasn't given him big ice time as he's worked to find how he fits in on a star-studded roster.
Two, it allows Keller to play. It makes sense to ensure the only forward who hadn't suited up yet does get that chance in group action before the games become win-or-go-home. The United States wouldn't want to be backed into a corner of needing Keller later and not having had him out on the ice at all yet.
Izzy Hammond - daughter of former Top Gear and Grand Tour presenter Richard - escaped unhurt as she crashed during a Formula E influencer event in Saudi Arabia.
Competing in the Duals stage of the sport's Evo Sessions, in which content creators go head-to-head for the fastest lap on behalf of two teams, Hammond smashed into a barrier at turn 13 of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Speaking to her team via her radio, the 25-year-old said: "I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine."
Hammond was competing as part of Team Senor Frogs alongside influencers including Joshua Larkin (also known as TheBurntChip), William Lenney (WillNe), Arthur Frederick (ArthurTV) and Ethan Payne (Behzinga).
The accident happened as he was attempting a land speed record while being filmed.
Influencer Izzy Hammond, pictured with her father at the British Grand Prix in 2024, has almost 280,000 Instagram followers [Getty Images]Hammond told her team she was unhurt [Formula E]
A bump-and-run is useful on links courses.Getty Images
Q: Dear Chef, I’m heading across the pond to play my first round of links golf this summer. Which short-game shot do I need to master before then? —Andrew V., Traverse City, Mich.
Links golf? Let’s go! You’re about to step into golf’s purest form — tight lies, firm turf and unpredictable wind. The shot you must have ready before wheels up? The bump-and-run.
This is your go-to when you can’t fly it to the hole. I’m talking ball back in your stance, shaft leaning forward, minimal wrist action. Think putting stroke with a wedge-narrow stance, quiet body and a low finish. You can use anything from a 9-iron to a 6-iron, depending on how much green you have to work with.
The best part? It’s reliable. The ball stays under the wind, handles any sketchy lies and rolls out like a dream. Practice it now and when you’re standing on the 4th at North Berwick with the wind howling, you’ll know exactly what to do.
Cheers!
You’ll find much more of McLachlin’s advice at ShortGameChef.com, which provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short games. Through personalized tips, drills and expert insights, McLachlin helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.
The Celtics will be back in action on Thursday after an eight-day break for the All-Star festivities. The biggest question mark for Boston as it heads down the stretch is whether Jayson Tatum will return this season.
Tatum hasn’t played at all this season after tearing his Achilles in May, but there’s a possibility he could come back before the playoffs. Former Celtics star Paul Pierce has a message for Tatum regarding his potential return.
“Do what’s best for you and what you feel comfortable doing,” Pierce said Friday on “KG Certified” regarding whether Tatum should return this season.
Typically, a torn Achilles tendon can take a player up to a full year to recover from, which could mean Tatum might only be able to return in May. However, there’s also a chance that Boston’s season could be over by that time, as it would fall in the midst of the playoffs. Without Tatum, the Celtics could struggle to advance in the playoffs, facing significant challenges along the way.
Tatum should carefully consider whether he should return this season. If he rushes back and suffers a setback, it could jeopardize his chances of playing next season and even impact his career down the line.
The New Orleans Saints have a lot of momentum heading into the offseason. While they didn't make the playoffs, nor did they win any end-of-season accolades, and they finished last in the NFC South, things are looking up.
Kellen Moore was a good hire as head coach, Tyler Shough looks like a solid starter, Chris Olave broke out in a big way, and their 2025 rookie class looks to be incredible.
With free agency right around the corner, the Saints have some work to do. And for Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports, there's nothing more important than re-signing beloved veteran defensive lineman Cameron Jordan.
Saints urged to re-sign Cameron Jordan
"Cameron Jordan just belongs in New Orleans, doesn't he?" Pereles writes. "... As the Saints continue to build, keeping a franchise icon in place should be top of mind."
Jordan is a free agent this offseason, and while he might end up retiring after 15 years in the NFL, if he doesn't retire, then the Saints should leave no doubt and bring him back for a 16th season.
He's one of the better defensive linemen in the NFL, and even at 36 years old this past season, he put up a solid 10.5 sack season with 47 tackles and 15 quarterback hits.
While it's not as good as his Pro Bowl seasons in years' past, Jordan is still one of the best defensive linemen of the last decade and a half in the NFL.
Letting him walk would be a disaster, and Pereles is urging the Saints to re-sign him for the 2026 season in a move that should be a no-brainer for the Saints.
He's beloved by the fan base, and sitting at 132 career sacks, Jordan can continue adding up impressive career totals in 2026 in a bid to make a compelling Hall of Fame argument.
If Jordan doesn't retire, there should be no question about whether he should be brought back or not. Letting Jordan leave New Orleans cannot happen, and Pereles is urging the Saints to re-sign him to make sure such a future doesn't come to pass.
ATHENS, Ga. — Dani Carnegie scored 29 points to lead Georgia to a 76-74 upset win over No. 5 Vanderbilt on Sunday.
Trinity Thomas made a mid-range jumper with 50 seconds remaining to give the Bulldogs (20-6, 6-6 SEC) a 75-74 lead. After forcing a turnover on the ensuing Vanderbilt (24-3, 10-3) possession, Carnegie split a pair of free throws to give Georgia a two-point advantage with 22.2 seconds remaining,
Vanderbilt had one final opportunity to force overtime, but Sacha Washington’s floater fell short off the front rim as time expired.
Carnegie scored 18 of her points in the first half to help Georgia build a 14-point advantage over the Commodores, before Vanderbilt closed the first half with a 16-3 run to create a tight game. Vanderbilt led by as many as five points in the fourth quarter, but Mia Woolfolk scored 11 of her 19 points to help the Bulldogs win.
Mikayla Blakes led Vanderbilt with 27 points.
The loss snaps a five-game winning streak for the Commodores and dropped them two games behind No. 3 South Carolina for the confference’s regular season title race.
Vanderbilt’s loss came less than 24 hours after the team was announced as the fourth No. 1 seed by the NCAA in its top 16 reveal to this point of the season.
Up next
Georgia will take on another ranked opponent when it hosts No. 10 Oklahoma on Thursday, while Vanderbilt will host No. 18 Kentucky next Sunday.
Lots of golfers think their impact should look similar to their address.GOLF Magazine
A fallacy shared among most rec golfers is that the goal on iron swings is to return the club to the same position it held at address. Uh-uh. The two positions are dramatically different and may explain why mid- to high-handicappers never improve.
Here’s a drill to fix the problem.
Stick an alignment rod in the ground right behind where you play the ball at address. Make sure the shaft is straight up and down. Place another rod next to the first, but angle it, say, 20 degrees toward the target as shown in the photo above.
Set up to the ball, using the first rod as your guide. (Your hands can be a little bit in front if that’s what you prefer.) Now, press your hands forward and shift your hips toward the target until your clubshaft matches the angle of the second rod.
This is the preferred impact position, which guarantees the ball-first contact all great ball strikers achieve. Add a little lower-body rotation, too. If you can re-create these positions during actual swings, you’re money.
Would football be better without the Video Assistant Referee system?
Premier League fans, managers and players got a reminder of what life was like without VAR in the FA Cup fourth round - and it is fair to say this weekend was not without its problems.
For this season and the previous FA Cup campaign, VAR has not been brought in until the fifth round, with many fans looking forward to a return to football without interruptions from technology.
After a season full of controversy, delayed decisions and confusion fuelled by VAR, its very existence has been questioned at times, with many claiming the game would be better without it.
In fact, after a day full of long delays, mixed messages and irate managers in early February, ex-Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Match of the Day: "For the good of the game, you'd have VAR gone.
"The problem is what it is doing to the games, to the spectacle, with the amount of time it takes to get there.
"Do you want more right decisions or do you want a more free-flowing football experience that is genuine and spur of the moment?"
After a couple of offside goals being allowed, a blatant penalty not being awarded plus various other controversial decisions, the weekend certainly brought the subject back into the public eye.
Decisions taking too long, celebrations being put on hold while deliberations take place, confusion as goals are given - or ruled out - for marginal reasons, denying referees the ability to use their own common sense.
But Newcastle's controversial 3-1 win at Aston Villa on Saturday could hardly have gone better for supporters of VAR - or worse for those who argue football is better without it.
Tammy Abraham's opener was clearly offside, Villa's full-back Lucas Digne inexplicably escaped conceding a penalty for handball and the Frenchman could easily have been dismissed for a reckless challenge as well.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: "I'm so torn because the game is better without VAR in terms of excitement and the spectacle for the supporters and us when we're living a moment live.
"But it does give accurate results. It does make the game more precise in terms of decision making. You have to respect those moments. They're worth their weight in gold, especially us today when we were on the wrong side of it."
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery went further, saying "VAR is necessary. It's necessary to help the referees".
There was also some controversy at Anfield during Liverpool's 3-0 win over Brighton.
Substitute Rio Ngumoha, 17, had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside for the hosts, while the Seagulls were furious Mohamed Salah was awarded a penalty.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: "In general, I enjoy watching football without VAR because if you then score you're like 'it's a goal'.
"I like VAR only for the clear and obvious things - I'm not meaning a red card yes or no for Marc Guehi on Mo Salah because I thought it was.
"So let's stay away from that and only go to offside yes or no, ball over the line yes or no and, for the rest, the referee referees the game.
"I think we're now so used to VAR that I would prefer to have VAR during a game."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was unsure whether football was better with VAR, despite seeing Omar Marmoush denied a goal for a debatable offside in his side's 3-0 win against Salford.
"Sometimes before I thought it was better and sometimes I think VAR helps us to have a more fair game," he said. "To be honest I don't know."
Are officials too reliant on VAR now?
For some though, it is simple - rather than VAR being a solution for wrong decisions, they would argue officials just need to get things right.
When asked on Match of the Day Live whether the errors at Villa Park put him in favour of VAR, ex-Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, said: "No. I would like the officials to do their job properly. It is not too much to ask, is it?
"If you ever needed any evidence of the damage that VAR has done to referees, I think Saturday is a great example of that.
"These guys look petrified to make a decision because they didn't have a comfort blanket.
"For me, [referees' decisions] are actually getting worse."
Former Newcastle and Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given added on Match of the Day: "It shows you why we use VAR. A lot of decisions the officials got wrong at Villa Park. VAR is like a comfort blanket for referees.
"The decision is taken away from the officials. The linesman has been told all season not to put their flag up, so their brain has been trained. I think it shows VAR is a help even though we complain about it most weeks."
When asked whether football had become too reliant on VAR, Howe had some sympathy with the argument.
"There is an argument to say yes," he said. "Because when VAR is there, there is a tendency to think 'oh well I won't give that because VAR is there to check it'.
"Then your decision making isn't as sharp as it would normally have to be. Maybe there is a difference there. I would probably say you are right in that respect."
But former referee Graham Scott feels it is unfair to claim officials hide behind VAR.
"I really don't think that's fair," he said on the Wayne Rooney Show.
"Obviously I work with them closely and I know these guys and they're not like that. It's not how their minds work, not how their processes work.
"I spent half my career with VAR and half without it - the other way around of course, without it first.
"And then when I was in the Premier League I was still dropping into the Championship quite often. So you're in and out, in and out. And your processes essentially stay the same.
"What has changed though is with VAR you don't have that spell in a game where you know you've made a really big error and you now have to reset and go again."
'Much better without' or 'a shambles' - your views
Against VAR:
James: Football without VAR is real football. Having gone to games for the last 30 years, the last few years have been terrible in comparison. I don't bother cheering goals any more as the officials are far more interested in finding ways of disallowing goals than the entertainment of the match-going fan.
VAR will be the thing that makes me turn in my season ticket, and if West Ham do get relegated the lack of VAR will be a blessing.
Frank: I supported the introduction of VAR, but it was great not having it today. It wouldn't be so bad if there weren't so many VAR ridiculous errors.
Alan: Much, much better [without]. VAR has ruined the game, thankfully I now support non-league football where there are humans, making human mistakes and getting it right.
Stephen: Much better without VAR. No waiting for obvious incidents that everyone can see immediately but takes VAR forever to decide. Time for return of refs and linesman to start refereeing the game again.
Mike: Better, even though City probably had a goal chalked off incorrectly. Right or wrong, its so much better to just know immediately if its a goal or not. VAR is a moment-killer.
Les: The game is so much better without VAR. It flows without problem like it used to do. The officials are there to make decisions rightly or wrongly. VAR are always making wrong calls so I can't see the point of it. Offside because someone's toes are on the lines drawn is absolutely pathetic.
For VAR:
Bonnie: As a Villa and VAR fan, that is exactly the decision that VAR doesn't get credit for. VAR gets it right 100%
Roger: That was so blatantly offside, have linesman lost their natural ability to spot stuff like this since the introduction of VAR? Whenever you see a defence hold their line like Newcastle did, strikers are more often than not offside. Poor decision.
Peter: There's an easy fix for VAR offsides. If you can watch one TV replay and see the on-field decision is clearly wrong, you intervene.
Stephen: That's what you all wanted isn't it? More goals regardless of whether they're actually fair or not?
Liga: It's these types of situations and these types of situation only where VAR should and needs to be used for offsides. Not those hairline millimetre is he on or off line drawing nonsense situations.
Callum: This season is proving 2 things. 1) VAR is a must. 2) Brave, high pressure attacking football is dead.
Ben: What are linesman for exactly? Having no VAR is a another shambles, who makes these decisions?
DeKalb Sectional: Three area wrestlers were sectional champions as Newman’s Blair Grennan won the 110-pound bracket, Fulton’s Kerby Germann was the 130-pound champion and Erie-Prophetstown’s Michelle Naftzger was the 135-pound champion. Naftzger qualified for state for the fourth year in a row and won the first sectional title at E-P.
Germann was the Steamers’ first sectional girls wrestling champion after three straight pins.
Grennan also won all three of her matches by pin. She beat E-P’s Rozlyn Mosher in the final. Grennan was also a sectional champion as a freshman before taking fourth at state. She lost her blood round match at state last year as a sophomore.
“It feels good, especially having such a setback last year,” Grennan said. “I’m working my way back up and this year is just about getting better.
“I just don’t like to lose. I really did not like it last year so I want to bounce back in the best way I can.”
Oregon’s Kendra Ege also advanced after taking second at 100 pounds.
Ryleigh Eriks of Rock Falls came all the way back at 125 pounds after getting pinned in her first match as the top seed. She went on to win her blood-round match with an 18-16 decision to advance to state before taking fourth.
Fulton’s Tessa Fosdick fell in her blood-round match by pin at 115.
* Eddie Carifio contributed to this report
Boys wrestling
Class 2A Geneseo Sectional: Sterling senior Evan Jones picked up a pin before falling short of the blood round at 113 pounds. Classmate Cael Lyons lost an 11-7 decision at 126 pounds in the second round of consolation.
Girls basketball
Fulton 59, Milledgeville 26: Wrenn Coffey scored 16 points, Breleigh Hayton had 14 and Haley Smither added 11 in the regional quarterfinal win. The Steamers will face Wethersfield on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Fulton (20-11) had a 19-0 run and matched its most wins in a season in 33 years with the victory.
Polo 83, Galva 45: Cam Jones scored 33 points and Carlee Grobe had 25 in the regional quarterfinal win. Polo will face Bureau Valley in Tuesday’s semifinal at Galva at 7:30 p.m. The Storm beat Morrison 51-11.
Orion 54, Forreston 50: The Cardinals fell short in the 1A regional quarterfinal matchup. Xairyn Goeddeke scored 20 points and Hailee Vogt had 18 for Forreston.
Mendota 46, Rock Falls 45: The Rockets fell just short in the 2A regional quarterfinal matchup.
Erie-Prophetstown 34, Hall 28: The Panthers advanced to Monday’s 2A Riverdale Regional semifinal to face the top-seeded Rams at 6 p.m.
Girls bowling
Sterling’s Sarah Doughty qualifies for state: Doughty rolled a 1,324 to take third overall. She was just 15 pins away from the lead. Dixon (5,331) took eighth as a team and Sterling (5,201) was 10th as a team. Addison Cox led the Duchesses with a 1,165 take 22nd.
Boys basketball
Mendota 71, Oregon 62: Benny Olalde led the Hawks with 21 points in the setback. Cooper Johnson and Brian Wallace each had 12. Aden Tillman led Mendota with 21 points. Oregon led 31-30 at halftime.
Woodlawn 58, Eastland 48: The Cougars trailed 42-31 through three quarters at the Riverton Shootout. Parker Krogman led Eastland with 21 points.
📋 Botafogo and Flamengo line-ups confirmed for Cariocão knockout clash
Botafogo and Flamengo are set for the clash this Sunday (15th) in the quarter-finals of the Campeonato Carioca.
The match takes place at the Nilton Santos stadium and will determine who advances to the next phase. In case of a draw in the 90 minutes, the winner will be decided by penalties.
The winner will face Madureira, who defeated Boavista on Friday (13th).
See the starting line-ups below:
Botafogo
Martín Anselmi will use the starters even with a Libertadores game next Thursday (19th).
Arthur Cabral is only among the substitutes, with Barrera, Montoro, Villalba, and Matheus Martins starting the game.
Bastos is a starter in defense for the third time after returning from a serious injury. The other two opportunities were also in classics, against Vasco and Fluminense.
Flamengo
Saúl Ñíguez and Varela are following a recovery schedule set by the medical department and are out.
Erick Pulgar and Lucas Paquetá start the match among the starters.
Among the defenders, Léo Pereira and Leo Ortiz are on the bench, making room for Danilo and Vitão.
Andrew also gets an opportunity, while Rossi stays on the bench.
At the San Antonio Stock Show, consistency is often rewarded. However, an average race is not considered for the title or advancing on. If an athletes has a chance at the championship in San Antonio, they need to be consistently in the money from the beginning.
In each bracket there are three rounds. Money earned carries through. The four highest earners in each event advance to the semifinals. That is what makes a clean sweep stand out.
Six-time NFR Steer Wrestler Stetson Jorgensen did exactly that during Bracket 1. The Blackfoot, Idaho, bulldogger was 3.9, 4.0 and 4.1 seconds across three rounds to sweep the bracket and finishing with $8,256 earned already.
Jorgensen, who made his sixth NFR appearance in 2025 and finished fifth in the world standings after a big Round 10 win, has been close to a gold buckle before. He was reserve world champion in 2020. Early in his career, he even considered bull riding, winning the Idaho High School State Finals Rodeo in the event in 2011 before focusing on steer wrestling. He also won the Central Rocky Mountain Region steer wrestling title for Central Wyoming College in 2012.
San Antonio once made him nervous. His PRCA bio notes that he considered the 2019 San Antonio rodeo one of his most challenging because of its size and stage. That is not the case now. At the top of his game, Stetson has been to every big stage rodeo has to offer, and knows how to capitalize on any of them.
Married to 2017 NFR barrel racer Kellie Collier Jorgensen and now a father, Jorgensen looks steady and confident. He sits fifth in the world standings early in 2026, and a San Antonio title would be a major step toward the gold buckle that has narrowly eluded him in past years.
Joining him in the steer wrestling semifinals from the first bracket are Colin Fox and a tie between Denell Henderson and Ryan Shuckburgh.
Bareback Riding
Reigning World Champion Rocker Steiner opened his San Antonio run with confidence. Steiner won two of the three rounds in Bracket 1 and finished with $7,431 to lead the field comfortably into the semifinals.
Cooper Cooke, who won Round 1, advances in second with $4,403, followed by Kade Sonnier with $3,578 and Gavin French with $2,753.
Team Roping
Kellan Johnson and Trent Vaught were the only team to place in all three rounds of the team roping, earning $4,404 and the top spot in the bracket. Vaught, fresh off a Fort Worth win, currently sits No. 1 in the world standings on the heeling side. Johnson is also inside the top 10 on the heading side.
They are joined in the semifinals by Cory Kidd & Carson Johnson and Nelson Wyatt & Jonathan Torres, who tied for second and third. Wyatt Bray & Tyler Worley finish out the top 4.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Roper Kiesner, who earned his way into San Antonio through the Uvalde qualifier last November, topped Bracket 1 in the saddle bronc with $4,954. Lucas Macza follows close behind with $4,770. Will Pollock and Shea Fournier tied for the final two advancing spots at $2,752.
Breakaway Roping
The breakaway race came down to the dollar, literally. 2021 World Champion Sawyer Gilbert used runs of 2.6 and 4.4 seconds to earn $4,404, just one dollar ahead of Cadee Williams with $4,403 after her round 3 win. Veteran Erin Johnson and rookie Kirby Rawlinson each secured a round win and advance tied at $2,752.
Tie-Down Roping
Brushton Minton came out firing with an 8.6-second Round 1 win and followed with an 8.4 in Round 2. That early momentum carried him to the top of the bracket at $4,954.
Tyson Durfey, Marcos Costa, and Monte Lewis also move on.
Barrel Racing
Emily Beisel and Liza won two of three rounds, earning $7,155 to lead the field. Katie Jo Halbert placed in all three rounds and advances second with $5,504 won. Jordan Driver and Judge stopped Beisel’s streak with a Round 2 win and finishes third with $3,853. Hailey Garrison Graham claims the final spot with $2,202 to her name so far.
Bull Riding
Cody McElroy and Cimarron Rucker tied at the top with $5,321 each. Rucker’s 87 point ride in round 2 was the highest marked of the bracket. Cullen Telfer earned $4,220 and Mason Moody with $4,128 to round out the semifinalists.
Bracket 2 is now underway, and more world champions are stepping into the arena. In San Antonio, they have to stack money early on to get to that title.
After three rounds, the path to that title is already starting to narrow.
Why Barcelona are not happy with referee appointment for Girona clash
All associated with La Liga champions Barcelona have on Sunday expressed concern with the refereeing appointment for the club’s next outing.
This comes after César Soto Grado was confirmed as the official set to oversee Monday’s Catalan Derby.
Barcelona are of course primed to return to action tomorrow evening, when they make the trip to the Estadi Montilivi for a league meeting with Girona.
The fixture marks a hugely important one for the Blaugrana, who on Saturday found themselves overtaken atop the table by arch rivals Real Madrid.
As alluded to above, though, on the eve of the matchup, Barca have been given reason to worry.
As confirmed by the CTA, César Soto Grado has been selected as the man to oversee proceedings at Montilivi on Monday.
The reigning Spanish champions have long drawn issue with the standard of Soto Grado’s officiating, amid widespread accusations of bias against Barcelona.
Such exploits on the part of the referee have given rise to a record of seven wins, six defeats and three draws in the Blaugrana’s last 16 fixtures under his watch.
Tennis legend Serena Williams is focusing on her health amid the controversy and is trying to get “back at it.”
For months now, Williams has been one of the leading ladies in the GLP-1 provider Ro’s commercials, including a starring role in the 2026 Super Bowl spot. Days after the incident, she uploaded a unique workout routine, and it has fans split.
In case you missed it, in an Instagram story from earlier this week, obtained by DailyMail, we can see Serena in her home gym going “back at it” on the pole dancing exercises, captioning the video by saying, “I’m back to training on my 2 favorite devices.”
While many fans love that she’s showing her love for pole dancing, especially after fans never knew this about her before, many can’t get over the recent love for weight-loss medications she’s been promoting. And they haven’t forgotten her ad.
One X user wrote, “this is so ******* ridiculous and backwards serena williams is a retired tennis legend her body has won her so many awards and titles why the **** is she promoting glp-1.”
Another wrote, “My bigger problem is they have a woman who is fit and a phenomenal athlete doing this. It’s NOT a weight loss drug, its a diabetes maintenance drug that CAN HELP with losing weight.”
(And many noted that her husband Alexis Ohanian is on the board of directors for Ro.)
Serena Williams at the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala on November 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.Michael Buckner/Variety
She first told People in Aug 2025 that she used a GLP-1 medication to help loss pregnancy pounds, saying, “I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained. “It was crazy because I’d never been in a place like that in my life where I worked so hard, ate so healthy and could never get down to where I needed to be at.”
She added, “I had never taken shortcuts in my career and always worked really hard. I know what it takes to be the best. So it was very frustrating to do all the same things and never be able to change that number on the scale or the way my body looked.”
Before you go, click here to see all of Serena Williams’ epic grand slam championship wins!
The Texas women's basketball team will attempt to get back on track while visiting Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.
Tennessee (16-6, 8-2) and Texas (23-3, 8-3) can currently claim the third- and fourth-place spots in the SEC standings, but both of the UTs have recently faced scrutiny from their own coaches. On Thursday, Texas coach Vic Schaefer labeled the Longhorns as "the softest team I've had in years" following an 86-70 loss at No. 5 Vanderbilt. UConn and South Carolina have respectively beaten Tennessee by 30 and 43 points this month, and Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell said the Volunteers had "a lot of quit in us tonight" after last week's South Carolina loss.
Tennessee owns a 26-18 lead in a storied series that dates back to 1978. However, Texas went 2-0 against Tennessee last year with one of those wins coming in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.
Stay tuned for live updates.
Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Lee (7) brings the ball down, navigating around Tennessee Lady Vols defense in the first half of the Longhorns' NCAA Playoff Regional semi-final game against the Tennessee Lady Vols at Legacy Arena in Birmingham Alabama, March 29, 2025. (Sara Diggins/American-Statesman)
Texas vs. Tennessee: Live updates, highlights
This section will be updated as more information becomes available.
Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) battles Louisiana State defend in the third quarter of the Longhorns’ game against the LSU Tigers at the Moody Center in Austin, Feb. 5, 2026. Texas won the game 77-64. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
MVP raises his hand after an in-ring victory - AEW
When one entertains a profession like professional wrestling, they should know what they're signing up for: pivotal breakthroughs, with a mixture of injuries (unintentional and scripted). If there's one key lesson that Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) has learned within his 27-year career, it's how to work the crowd if an injury stoppage is part of a scripted plan. When asked on his "Marking Out" podcast, "If a ringside doctor pauses a match for a concussion check, how do you restart without losing the crowd," AEW's on-screen manager and now occasional in-ring wrestler of The Hurt Syndicate responded with two answers: one from a heel's perspective and another from a babyface's point of view.
"I would say that if you have a capable healer who knows what he's doing, my first impulse would be...to try to get at that guy a few times and make them pull me back," the in-ring veteran answered. "If I'm a healer, if I'm a babyface, I'd show aggressive concern...I want to beat him up, but I don't want to see him hurt."
Whether the uninjured party is a heel or a face, MVP emphasis that the best thing to do is to sell your concern or not during that stall. In his first run with WWE, MVP recalls which match portrayed the best injury sell, and which wrestler inspired him to create his best heel work when circumstances like that arose.
"Somebody took a nasty bump, and they stopped the match for a minute, and they were checking on the babyface that Finlay was working against...Finlay, he's still working the crowd as a heel. You know, he's still kind of pacing," MVP recalled. "And Finlay conveyed to the wrestler as soon as you're up and you've got a moment...he told the ref to tell them. The ref went over and said, when you get up and they ring the bell, dive on Finlay, and just start beating his a**...The crowd came right up."
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Marking Out with MVP and Dwayne Swayze," with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Five MLS teams are now worth over $1 billion, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami sitting at the top of the list.
Major League Soccer’s financial growth continues to accelerate, and the latest valuations underline just how quickly the league’s leading franchises are pulling away. Inter Miami’s rise, fuelled by Messi’s global appeal, has pushed the club to the summit of the rankings.
Photo by ESTEBAN VEGA LA-ROTTA / AFP via Getty Images
Five MLS teams are now worth over $1 billion
The latest valuations confirm that five MLS franchises have crossed the $1 billion threshold. Forbes ranked Inter Miami CF as the most valuable MLS club at $1.35 billion.
Los Angeles FC follows closely at $1.32 billion, underlining the commercial strength of the Southern California market. The Los Angeles Galaxy are next at $1.08 billion, maintaining their position as one of the league’s historic heavyweights.
New York City FC are valued at $1.02 billion, while Atlanta United FC round out the billion-dollar group at $1.00 billion.
Together, these five franchises represent MLS’s financial elite, reflecting strong ownership groups, stadium assets, and growing global reach.
Average MLS club value rises, but gap widens
Beyond the billion-dollar clubs, the broader MLS financial picture also shows steady growth.
The average value of the league’s 30 teams now stands at $731 million, a 6% increase from 2025’s $690 million. That rise signals continued investor confidence and expanding commercial opportunities across the competition.
However, the figures also highlight a widening gap between the top and bottom of the league. While Inter Miami lead at $1.35 billion, last placed CF Montréal are valued at an estimated $440 million.
The contrast illustrates how star power, market size, and infrastructure investment are shaping MLS’s financial hierarchy.
Wth Messi driving global attention in Miami, the league’s growth is clear, but so too is the emerging divide between its most and least valuable clubs.
While Jonathan Kuminga helped the Golden State Warriors land former All-Star Kristaps Porzingis, there’s no question that his trade value wasn’t as high as it once was.
Kuminga’s breakout NBA campaign came in 2023-24, as the former lottery pick contributed a career-high 16.1 points per contest. According to a report from ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors had a ‘prime opportunity’ to trade Kuminga for ex-Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, but ultimately dropped the ball.
“In the seasons that followed, team sources theorized that Lacob's outward public belief in Kuminga and his animated celebrations of Kuminga's big moments stemmed from his desire to be proved correct in his original assessment,” Slater wrote Wednesday. “It's also why, those sources believed, Lacob had a difficult time sending out Kuminga in potential trades.”
“That included talks to land Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls at the 2024 trade deadline, viewed by some in the organization as the prime opportunity they should've pounced.”
Caruso is a two-way asset the Warriors could use right now. The Texas A&M product was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in June of 2024 and was an immediate impact contributor with the surging Western Conference franchise.
Caruso’s ability to drill perimeter jumpers at timely moments, play well without the ball, and harass opponents 30+ feet from the basket while not being afraid to defend big men in the low post was among the keys to the Thunder’s 2025 NBA championship.
At the end of the day, though, it all worked out for the Dubs this season. The seven-time NBA champions finally moved on from an asset they had little to no faith in (Kuminga) and acquired a valuable win-now piece to assist Stephen Curry moving forward (Porzingis).
With NBA Europe likely 20 months from launching in October 2027, there seems to be a thaw in the league’s relationship with EuroLeague, courtesy of its new CEO Chus Bueno. “I’m encouraged by some constructive discussions we’re having with the EuroLeague now,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during a press conference ahead of All-Star Saturday. “There was recently a new CEO, Chus Bueno, who replaced the prior CEO at the EuroLeague, someone who is a longtime colleague at the NBA. So I’m hopeful that will help us advance in more of an integrated system in Europe of approaching this.”
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — The Pirates beat Rice on the road 85-75 behind Jordan Riley’s 22 points, giving ECU back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly two months.
Riley, who leads the conference in scoring, went 8-for-19 from the field with six rebounds, three steals, as well as two block shots on the night.
Demitri Gardner, the midseason transfer from Augusta State, had a season-high 21 points for the Pirates, going 3-for-4 from deep.
This was ECU’s first time winning back-to-back games since they beat Buffalo and Presbyterian at home in December.
The Pirates play host to Wichita St on Feb. 18 at 7pm for the next game.
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The former UFC heavyweight champion secured his release from prison on Sunday, following a 10-month stint behind bars after pleading no-contest to a multitude of charges, including attempted murder, following his arrest in 2022.
Velasquez was being housed at the Correctional Training Facility and was originally eligible for parole as early as March, but that date was bumped up to February. Inmates can earn additional time off a sentence based on “participating in rehabilitative programming.”
The 43-year-old Velasquez was initially sentenced to five years in prison after his conviction, but Velasquez received credit for time served following a lengthy stay in jail before he was finally granted bail, and he also spent time under house arrest while his case played out in court.
Velasquez was initially arrested back in 2022 after he went on an 11-mile high-speed chase pursuing a car containing Harry Goularte, a man accused of molesting the fighter’s son at a daycare owned by Goularte’s mother. Goularte faces separate charges of his own for child molestation, but after his arrest, he was released on bond against the advice of the prosecution.
That led to the high-speed car chase where Velasquez fired several rounds from a .40-caliber handgun at the vehicle containing Goularte, ultimately striking Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, in the arm. Bender sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result.
When the car chase ended, Velasquez was arrested without incident by the Morgan Hill Police Department and hit with a multitude of charges that kept him behind bars for the next eight months before he was eventually granted bail.
Prosecutors were seeking 30 years to life for Velasquez, but Judge Arthur Bocanegra ultimately settled on a five-year sentence with time already served.
Before he reported to prison, Velasquez had gotten back to work as a coach at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose while also making appearances at professional wrestling shows as permitted by the courts. After his no-contest plea and sentencing, Velasquez reported to prison in March 2025.
Now, 10 months later, Velasquez’s ordeal behind bars comes to an end with his release.
Under California law, victims in violent crimes are due restitution from the person convicted, but it’s still to be determined how much Velasquez will owe until the hearing plays out in March.
Below is a video of Velasquez after his release on Sunday.
🚨 Colo Colo mourns director Carlos Cortés's passing
According to media outlets like 'La Tercera' or 'DaleAlbo', the director of Blanco y Negro, Carlos Cortés, has passed away although the causes are still unknown.
The lawyer, a member of the Vial-Ruiz Tagle bloc, aged 56, was in the south of Chile on vacation with his family.
Cortés joined Blanco y Negro in 2019, backed by a long career as a lawyer in criminal and economic offenses.
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 15: Andre Mills #7 of the Maryland Terrapins controls the ball during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on February 15, 2026 at Jersey Mikes Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Heading into Sunday, Maryland men’s basketball was playing some of its best basketball of the season. Iowa had been winners of six straight before the Terps vanquished them at Xfinity Center to secure a two-game win streak.
But on their trip up to Piscataway, the Terps transformed back into the team fans have been accustomed to watching this season. On the back of a 22-of-66 team shooting performance and 10 giveaways, Rutgers pulled ahead of a lifeless Maryland squad that ultimately suffered a 68-57 defeat.
Maryland started just 3-of-11 from the field across the game’s first five minutes. Andre Mills and Darius Adams established the tenor of the attack with some physical drives, but reach-in fouls were the only thing to materialize from them.
But Rutgers wasn’t all that productive itself, grabbing a slight 7-2 lead before failing to score for over three minutes.
What transpired from there was a hectic, discombobulated display. The action featured baseline-to-baseline sprints, transition 3-pointers, travel violations and a blocked shot by Solomon Washington that ended up in his own basket.
The contest grew messy and disorganized, and head coach Buzz Williams’ squad needed to settle itself down.
That steadying presence didn’t come, though. Maryland and Rutgers embarked on a combined 2-of-16 stretch in the middle of the frame. On offensive possessions that could have been best described as a mad scramble, the Terps still passed up on numerous open looks from beyond the arc. Many possessions ended in a low-percentage layup look or heavily-contested isolation jumper.
Through the first 12 minutes, the two teams combined to shoot a paltry 27% from the floor.
Maryland finally found a sequence of consecutive buckets with just under five minutes to play in the half. Adams and Mills both sliced through the center of the defense on fast break opportunities. The former had a nifty finish with his right hand on the left side of the hoop, while Mills quickly dumped it off to Solomon Washington under the hoop for an easy layup.
But the quick run that resulted in Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell calling timeout proved to be an anomaly. The Scarlet Knight swiftly regained the advantage before the first half’s closing, capitalizing on a Diggy Coit turnover and Collin Metcalf foul on a 3-point shooter.
Some last-second antics resulted in Washington tying the game at the free throw line, 27-27, heading into the break.
But Rutgers channeled some deft shotmaking to build an early lead in the second half. With some offensive rebounding assistance, the Scarlet Knights went on a 7-0 scoring run. A dunk, 3-pointer and elusive spin-move layup forced an early Maryland timeout.
Through the half’s first six minutes, Rutgers shot 60% from the field. Unlikely hero Harun Zrno drilled his third 3-pointer to give Rutgers an eight-point lead — he scored 11 total points in those six minutes.
Maryland’s comeback bid didn’t start smoothly. Washington airballed a corner 3-pointer, and though Metcalf dragged down the rebound, his putback was rejected emphatically. Kaden Powers improved Rutgers’ lead off a Terps turnover just 30 seconds later.
A Mills triple cut Rutgers’ lead down to five points with 6:30 left to play, capping off a 9-1 Maryland run. Coit followed it up with some aggressive shot selection of his own, sinking a stepback midrange.
But Tariq Francis’ 3-pointer put Rutgers up by nine points and served as the dagger with just over three minutes left to play.
The Terps scored just seven points the rest of the way, capping off a demoralizing afternoon.
Three things to know
1. Downtown struggles. Maryland is no stranger to poor shooting performances from beyond the arc, but Saturday’s demonstration just looked ugly. Not only did the Terps finish 7-of-30 from deep, but ugly airballs and ill-timed attempts tainted the already-disappointing display. Coit went 2-of-10 from downtown.
2. First half turnovers. In the early goings, neither team could seem to keep the ball in their possession. Maryland gave the ball away six times in the opening frame, while Rutgers did eight.
3. Few free throws. Maryland outdid Rutgers in paint points, 26-20, but despite its activity around the hoop, it was unable to get any easy opportunities at the line. The Terps shot just 13 free throws Sunday, a stark decrease from its season average of just over 23. And they hit just six of those attempts.
Yesterday — 15 February 2026Yahoo! Sports - News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games
Jon Moxley and Konosuke Takeshita at AEW Grand Slam Australia 2026 - AEW/Ricky Havlik
The AEW Grand Slam Australia event on February 14 opened up with Jon Moxley making his first official defense of the AEW Continental Championship against Konosuke Takeshita. Both men know each other very well having faced off in singles competition four times before, but there was always a decisive winner in those bouts unlike this one, as Moxley and Takeshita wrestled to a 20 minute draw in front of the fans in Sydney.
Much like their previous battles, the match between Moxley and Takeshita was extremely physical. Moxley ended up with a bloody nose and swelling around his eye by the time the match reached the final five minutes. In the closing stages, both men threw everything they could at each other, even exchanging attempts to get each other in a Rear Naked Choke. Moxley would hit the Death Rider on Takeshita who would kick out, but it was the challenger who looked to have the match won in the closing moments as he powered through a Lariat from Moxley to kick out at one, who proceeded to kick out at one from a Lariat from Takeshita, but Takeshita would hit his Power Drive Knee to the back of Moxley's head. However, Takeshita was unable to get Moxley up for the Raging Fire as he was deadweight, leading to the time limit expiring.
After the match, Takeshita wanted to make sure that he still had Moxley in his sights by laying the champion out with the Raging Fire. Moxley would cut a promo backstage that was uploaded to AEW's social media pages expressing his frustrations about not getting the win, despite leaving Australia with the title in hand. Moxley declared that there will be a definitive winner the next time he steps in the ring with Takeshita, and with the Revolution pay-per-view on the horizon, there is every chance the match will take place there with a longer time limit.
Could you imagine Draymond Green as NBA commissioner? The iconic Warriors forward himself could. Green shared his interest in the role -- which has been held by Adam Silver since 2014 -- in speaking to sports media personality Skip Bayless during a live edition of “The Draymond Green Show” podcast published Friday. “I would love to,” Green told Bayless, who proposed the idea. “I always want to see this league grow. You know, in my time in this league, I've had my fair share of hiccups, but I hope -- and I think -- I've done more good than bad.”
“Pete Myers -- I'm sure you know Pete Myers, he was an assistant coach my first two years under Mark Jackson -- he used to tell me a couple of things,” Green told Bayless. “He would say, ‘Hey, Draymond, a couple of things I want you to always remember in this league -- as long as you're dealing with this league, you owe it to the game to leave it in a better place than it was when you found it.’ “And he said, ‘You get paid in this league for the next young guy to get paid.’ It's so often in this league [that] you hear guys complaining about, ‘Oh, man, this young guy is now making this,’ or you hear how an older guy tried to crush a younger guy, and it derails a young guy's career. And [Myers] was always telling me, ‘You get paid for the next young guy in this league to come along to get paid.’”
22’s in the rafters 🤝 @wallace_cason had his jersey retired at Richardson High School in Texas, stamping his legacy at his old stomping grounds 🦅 pic.twitter.com/GsZ3l3m3ho
Renee Regis produced a championship record to claim a first British 200m title [Getty Images]
Renee Regis - the daughter of former world indoor champion John Regis - announced her arrival on the national stage with a first senior British title in the women's 200m at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham.
The 20-year-old took victory in 22.95 seconds and was presented with the gold medal by her father in what she described as a "really nice moment".
"It was quite funny to see my dad was presenting me with the medal," Renee told BBC Sport. "He didn't tell me he was doing it."
John Regis won the world indoor 200m title in 1989 and went on to win world outdoor silver at 200m, as well as an outdoor European title, while Renee's mother, Jennifer Stoute, won 4x400m bronze at the 1992 Olympics.
Renee was asked what role her parents had played in helping her to prepare for the championships, where she clocked 23.22 - the year's best time by a UK athlete - in the heat and then a championship record 22.89 in the semi-final.
"It is a mix of the lessons from my coaches and my parents," she said.
"I take in all that they say, so they are all a big help to me. I didn't expect to run that fast in the semi-final. My coaches told me to hit it and commit, so that's exactly what I did. It made me confident going into the final."
Azu adds 200m title to 60m gold
In the men's 200m final, Jeremiah Azu claimed victory to complete a sprint double a day after winning 60m gold.
The world indoor 60m champion powered to victory in an impressive 20.77secs.
Athletes were required to compete at the UK Indoors to be considered for selection for next month's World Indoor Championships in Poland (20-22 March), and must also secure the World Athletics entry standard by the 4 March deadline.
Former world indoor champion Josh Kerr was given a medical exemption after withdrawing from the men's 3,000m because of a back injury, Tom Keen stepping up in his absence to win the event.
Hannah Nuttall retained the women's 3,000m title in a championship-record time, crossing the line in 8 minutes 41.75 seconds to take almost two seconds off the previous best set by Jo Pavey (8:43.23) in 2004.
Welsh champion Issy Boffey capitalised on the absence of Olympic gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson to win a third UK indoor title in the women's 800m, finishing in 1:59.64 - the second-fastest time of her career.
Jemma Reekie, a world indoor silver medallist in the 800m, powered away from the field to comfortably win the women's 1500m title, while Jack Higgins won the men's event in a championship-record time of 3:38.12.
World champion Amber Anning had to be content with a shock third-place finish in the women's 400m, edged out by winner Yemi Mary John and Louisa Stoney.
Meanwhile, Scott Lincoln surpassed Linford Christie's record for UK indoor titles (nine), winning the men's shot put for a 10th time with a longest throw of 20.80m.
Mitchell, his half-back partner, believes the 32-year-old made an understandable choice with England struggling to penetrate the Scottish defence in the home 22, even if it went awry.
“I think it's always a call we look for in the 22, in the red zone especially,” he explained. “[Scotland were] slowing the ball down, they did a fantastic job in that area, we couldn't get the speed of bal. A lot of the time the defence is on top.
Huw Jones capitalised on a blocked drop goal from George Ford (Getty Images)
“it's definitely a tactic to go to, drop it in the pocket and go into the drop goal or go into a kick in the air. But today it just didn't go our way. That's obviously frustrating. [Ford] is normally fantastic at that. But today it just didn't work out.”
Defeat in Edinburgh ended a run of 12 consecutive wins for Steve Borthwick’s side as their Six Nations title hopes took a major blow.
England must still visit Paris on the final weekend for a meeting with tournament favourites France, but first will focus on a meeting with Ireland in round three at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
England’s long winning run came to an end (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)
“Ireland are an incredible team,” Borthwick said. “They've got such enormous amounts of talent.
“How many starting British and Irish Lions they have on their team? And the whole British and Irish Lions coaching team. They play together so often, given the Leinster influence and only coming from a limited number of teams. They're a very good team. They've been at the top of the world rankings for a long period of time.”
Full-back George Furbank could come into contention for selection having been restored to Borthwick’s squad along with prop Vilikesa Sela. The pair spent last week in rehabliitation.
No. 22 Tennessee (16-6, 8-2 SEC) will host No. 4 Texas (23-3, 8-3 SEC) Sunday in SEC basketball play.
Tipoff between the Lady Vols and Longhorns is slated for 3 p.m. EST at Food City Center.
Sunday will mark the 45th meeting between the two teams. Tennessee has a 26-18 record in the previous games contested in the series that dates back to the 1978-79 season. The Lady Vols are 14-7 at home and 4-6 in the last 10 games versus the Longhorns. Texas has won the last two games in the series.
The teams last played on March 29, 2025 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament with the Longhorns earning a, 67-59, victory at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Texas also won a 2024-25 regular-season game, 80-76, on Jan. 23 at Moody Arena in Austin, Texas. The teams were scheduled to play during the 2021 season, but the game at Texas was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The teams first played on Dec. 8, 1978 with the Lady Vols earning an, 84-60, victory.
Tennessee's women's basketball results versus Texas since 2019-20 season
2019-20: Texas 66, Tennessee 60
2021-22: Tennessee 74, Texas 70 (OT)
2024-25: Texas 80, Tennessee 76
2024-25: Texas 67, Tennessee 59
Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
In an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints, the two-time Super Bowl champion—Manning famously defeated Belichick's New England Patriots in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI—called the snub "pretty shocking."
"Bill Belichick not making the Hall of Fame is pretty shocking," Manning said. "You have one of -- if not maybe the greatest coach of all time -- and what he built there in New England, and the amount of Super Bowls they went to, and AFC championships, let alone just the amount that they won, it was incredible. I can't imagine a more deserving coach to make it in the Hall of Fame than him."
Belichick, 73, entered his first year of eligibility after a legendary career that includes a record six Super Bowl titles as head coach, nine Super Bowl appearances (the most ever), and 333 career wins (second only to Don Shula's 347). His dynasty with the Patriots, featuring Tom Brady, is widely regarded as one of the greatest in NFL history.
Despite this resume, Belichick failed to secure the required 80% approval (at least 40 votes from the 50-member selection committee) under the Hall's revamped process, which grouped coaches, contributors, and seniors together, limiting inductions and sparking widespread controversy.
The decision has prompted discussions about potential changes to the voting system, including reverting to in-person deliberations and stricter confidentiality rules.
Reactions from figures like Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Brady -- and now Manning -- underscore the backlash, with many expecting Belichick's eventual induction in future years.
A shoulder injury nearly derailed Ron Harper Jr.'s start to his NBA career with the Boston Celtics, a torn labrum pushing his hopes into a future which, at that time, he could not yet see coming together. But after healing up and returning to Boston as a two way play via time spent elsewhere suiting up for the Maine Celtics in the G League, things are moving in the right direction for Harper again.
"I definitely feel like the tires are shifting in the right direction," said Harper after playing in the NBA's 2026 Rising Stars Challenge. "I've had great conversations with the coaching staff, great conversations with (team president) Brad (Stevens), good conversations with my circle."
"(I'm) just feeling in a good place about where I am today with the team and with the organization," he added. "And I'm just looking forward to getting back out there next Thursday (Feb. 19), I think, we play – so just looking forward to that."
His labrum tear impacted his time with Boston significantly, he said, in both stints. "I look at the time— the first time I spent with Boston compared to the second, to the second stint."
"How different the training camps were for me from a mental standpoint, and from a physicality standpoint, and a lot of the preparation that went into that, getting over that hump, getting over that wall, being able to feel comfortable with my shoulder was a big thing for me."
"And that's probably the biggest obstacle I've dealt with in my pro career so far," said Harper. "I'm in a good place now, I'm feeling good, I'm feeling healthy, and I'm ready to put one foot in front of the other."
For England rugby, it was a Valentine’s evening to forget. There was a novel feeling to post-match proceedings as a side that had learned how not to lose remembered again how it felt to fall short; after an extended honeymoon period in the forging of a new identity through a run of 12 wins, here was the sort of showing that Steve Borthwick’s side had perhaps been due.
Cue talk of a learning experience, of taking the positives, of building back better, a once-familiar script returned to. “It is frustrating,” centre Fraser Dingwall said, before belabouring the point, using that word seven times in two minutes as he collected the thoughts of a muddled mind. He, and the rest of his England colleagues, could identify what went wrong – aerial inferiority, red-zone inefficiency, high-profile errors – but not really articulate why.
The straightforward solution would be to strike a performance like this from the record; a setback, yes, but an aberration when viewed as part of a rather more positive body of evidence 12 months long. Yet as England gathered after the match, there must have been a galling feel of another haunting night at their Edinburgh house of horrors. Why always here? Why always them? “I think if you look at Scotland, obviously they had a frustrating result last week against Italy, but they bounced back really well and they’re a quality side,” the scrum half Alex Mitchell suggested. “They've showed that for the last couple of years. We’ve not got a result here in however long, but it’s one of them. It’s tough to take.”
An anguished Alex Mitchell reacts to a tough day for England (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
A few have suggested a sort of English exceptionalism was the bedrock to the suggestion that a grand slam charge might be on, but it would be wrong to say that there was not sound reason for a belief in their upward mobility. Frankly, it was hard to see a performance – and result – like this coming based on the last 12; disaster had not exactly seemed around the corner. Which may make it all the more frustrating when Borthwick brings his squad together on Monday morning for what could be a tricky review. There was a real sense that if England could overcome their Edinburgh “bogey zone”, as Ben Earl termed it, they could carry momentum through the rest of the championship.
Huw Jones scores Scotland’s fourth try during the Guinness Six Nations match (David Rogers/Getty Images)
Now, where are they, and what are they? There will be twists and turns to come yet in this Six Nations campaign, but it is now six years since England beat any of Ireland, France or Scotland away from home in the championship; this is their finest side in that span and yet still it feels the fact that holds them back. Looking even beyond Paris on the final weekend, there is a jaunt to Johannesburg in July – the Springboks might have watched this with eager interest.
“I always will try and review a game from a neutral standpoint,” an admirably clear-eyed Dingwall said. “I think that after a win or a loss, you’ve got to be incredibly honest so you kick on and grow and develop, irrespective of the result. As ever, there are parts that won’t be as bad as you think they are, but there are parts that will be tough to watch back as well.
“You’ve got to be honest and confront those in both senses. The emotional side will be around the contact stuff, the physicality stuff, the moments which are based upon desire and effort. But we’ll be very clinical and direct when it comes to detail bits in how we can develop and what we are trying to do.”
England were dominated by Scotland in the air (Russell Cheyne/Reuters)
In part, the reason that England’s performance jarred so much is that it felt like their foundation stones failed them. If one were to pinpoint the areas around which England had based their game over their winning run, it would be their contestable kicking game, breakdown accuracy, tactical discipline and edge defence. Against a mightily fine Scottish performance, each faltered; England failed. Suddenly, questions that felt answered must be raised again – the fly half position, for example, is all the more interesting. England have been keen to give Fin Smith more time at international level but, as shown by the reshuffle required after Henry Arundell’s red card, there is probably greater value in having Marcus Smith among the replacements.
It was a tough day for George Ford, too. His decision to drop back into the pocket reflected England’s blunted attack – 12 entries into the Scottish 22 amounted to just two tries – and it is a tactic that has worked for him before. But with ruck ball slow, Matt Fagerson’s blocking provided a 10-point swing. “It’s definitely a tactic to go to, drop it in the pocket and go into the drop goal or go into a kick in the air,” Mitchell explained. “But, yes, it just didn’t go our way. That’s obviously frustrating. He’s normally fantastic at that.”
George Ford’s blocked drop-kick was returned for a Scotland try in a pivotal moment (Jane Barlow/PA)
While England’s baby will not be tossed out with the bathwater, the make-up of the rest of the backline is a matter of intrigue. Arundell will probably not face a ban for his two yellow cards, but it feels unlikely he starts against Ireland; with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso out, and Elliot Daly short of sharpness lately, England’s wing stocks are not perhaps as they would like them to be. Bringing in Ollie Lawrence at 13 and returning Tommy Freeman to a familiar role on the wing would be sensible, but represent a shift in short and long-term strategy.
Both Dingwall and Mitchell felt positive that there was another game around the corner, rather than the fallow week that has followed the second round in this competition over the years. Ireland are not short of problems, either. England’s catalogue of errors will surely not be as large again – an international side does not knock on five metres from the line that often. Yet that only serves to underline what may be the truth: England are a good side but not yet particularly near greatness.
At the end of January, we published our first mock draft database of the season. At the time, 21 of the 25 mocks (84%) were projecting the Cowboys to take a linebacker, with Sonny Styles (17 mocks, 68%) the clear favorite. The second most popular position was cornerback with 15 picks (60%), followed by edge rushers with 11 picks (44%). The early consensus seemed to be LB Sonny Styles with the 12th pick and a CB with the 20th pick, a combo offered by 10 of the 25 mocks or 40% of the time.
But a lot has happened since then: The Super Bowl came and went, this year’s salary cap was announced, the Senior Bowl is behind us, and the Cowboys look to have completed their coaching hires, so it’s again time to turn our attention to the very serious business of mock drafting.
On the hypothesis that the predictive value of multiple mock drafts is greater than that of a single mock, we are taking a survey of 40 different mock drafts today. Importantly, all 40 mocks were published on or after February 1st, giving us a big data set of the latest mock drafts. And here are all those 40 mocks, and which two players they have the Cowboys selecting.
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Mock Draft
Player (12th)
Position
College
Player (20th)
Position
College
Last Updated
NFL.com (Parr)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Cashius Howell
EDGE
Teaxas A&M
12-Feb
Fox Sports (Rang)
Mansoor Delane
CB
LSU
Gabe Jacas
EDGE
Illinois
12-Feb
NBCSports (Dvorchak)
Keldric Faulk
EDGE
Auburn
Brandon Cisse
CB
South Carolina
11-Feb
CBSSports (Podell)
Mansoor Delane
CB
LSU
Cashius Howell
EDGE
Teaxas A&M
11-Feb
ESPN (Yates)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Keldric Faulk
EDGE
Auburn
11-Feb
Draft Countdown (Staff)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Monroe Freeling
OT
Georgia
11-Feb
The Big Lead (Risdon)
T.J. Parker
EDGE
Clemson
Caleb Banks
DL
Florida
10-Feb
Clutch Points (Crean)
T.J. Parker
EDGE
Clemson
Kayden MacDonald
DL
Ohio State
10-Feb
CBSSports (Renner)
Jermod McCoy
CB
Tennessee
Blake Miller
OT
Clemson
9-Feb
The Athletic (Baumgardner)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Brandon Cisse
CB
South Carolina
9-Feb
Yahoo (Staff)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Brandon Cisse
CB
South Carolina
9-Feb
McShay Report (McShay)
Akheem Mesidor
EDGE
Miami (FL)
C.J. Allen
LB
Georgia
9-Feb
Bleacher Report (Sobleski)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Cashius Howell
EDGE
Teaxas A&M
9-Feb
Draft Network (Eisner)
Jeremiyah Love
RB
Notre Dame
Cashius Howell
EDGE
Teaxas A&M
9-Feb
Mock Draft
Player (12th)
Position
College
Player (20th)
Position
College
Last Updated
Sharpe Football (McCrystal)
Jordyn Tyson
WR
Arizona State
Cashius Howell
EDGE
Teaxas A&M
9-Feb
CBSSports (Edwards)
Keldric Faulk
EDGE
Auburn
Colton Hood
CB
Tennessee
9-Feb
SI (Morales)
Cashius Howell
EDGE
Teaxas A&M
Colton Hood
CB
Tennessee
9-Feb
NFL.com (Reuter)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
S
Toledo
9-Feb
USA Today (Middlehurst)
Mansoor Delane
CB
LSU
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
S
Toledo
9-Feb
Sporting News (Iyer)
Carnell Tate
WR
Ohio State
Kayden MacDonald
DL
Ohio State
9-Feb
CBSSports (Rogers)
Mansoor Delane
CB
LSU
Keldric Faulk
EDGE
Auburn
9-Feb
Fox Sports (Klatt)
Caleb Downs
S
Ohio State
Keldric Faulk
EDGE
Auburn
9-Feb
NBCSports (Rogers)
Mansoor Delane
CB
LSU
Keldric Faulk
EDGE
Auburn
9-Feb
SI (Feinberg)
Jeremiyah Love
RB
Notre Dame
Keldric Faulk
EDGE
Auburn
9-Feb
CBSSports (Brockermeyer)
Jeremiyah Love
RB
Notre Dame
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
9-Feb
CBSSports (Wilson)
Caleb Downs
S
Ohio State
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
9-Feb
SB Nation (Schofield)
Keldric Faulk
EDGE
Auburn
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
9-Feb
Mock Draft
Player (12th)
Position
College
Player (20th)
Position
College
Last Updated
NFL Spin Zone (Debinger)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Akheem Mesidor
EDGE
Miami (FL)
8-Feb
PFF (Cummings)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Akheem Mesidor
EDGE
Miami (FL)
8-Feb
PFF (Chadwick)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Cashius Howell
EDGE
Teaxas A&M
8-Feb
DraftWire (Popejoy)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Spencer Fano
OT
Utah
8-Feb
USA Today (Ostly)
Mansoor Delane
CB
LSU
Cashius Howell
EDGE
Teaxas A&M
7-Feb
NFL.com (Frelund)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
T.J. Parker
EDGE
Clemson
6-Feb
Draft Countdown (Menedez)
Jermod McCoy
CB
Tennessee
Keldric Faulk
EDGE
Auburn
4-Feb
DMN (Hoyt)
Jermod McCoy
CB
Tennessee
C.J. Allen
LB
Georgia
2-Feb
NFL.com (Zierlein)
Caleb Downs
S
Ohio State
Jordyn Tyson
WR
Arizona State
2-Feb
USA Today (Camenker)
Jermod McCoy
CB
Tennessee
Keldric Faulk
EDGE
Auburn
2-Feb
ESPN (Miller)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
T.J. Parker
EDGE
Clemson
2-Feb
PFF (Sikkema)
Caleb Downs
S
Ohio State
T.J. Parker
EDGE
Clemson
2-Feb
Draft Network (Melo)
Sonny Styles
LB
Ohio State
Mansoor Delane
CB
LSU
1-Feb
That’s a ton of info to digest, with 21 different prospects mocked to the Cowboys somewhere in the first round, so let’s look at a few more digestible extracts from this exercise, starting with how this round of mocks compares to the last one.
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Mock Draft distribution by Player Posiition
Position
January
February
Linebacker
84%
48%
Cornerback
60%
40%
EDGE
44%
68%
Safety
4%
15%
Others
8%
32%
Wide Receiver
4%
8%
Running Back
4%
8%
Offensive Tackle
—
8%
Defensive Tackle
—
8%
What we see here is a shift away from linebackers to edge rushers, plus a strong increase in “other positions” that didn’t get much attention in January. Naturally, this produces some “winners and losers” among the players mocked to Dallas:
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Mock Draft distribution by Player Posiition
Position
Player
January
February
LB
Sonny Styles
68%
43%
C.J. Allen
8%
5%
Arvell Reese
8%
—
CB
Mansoor Delane
—
18%
Jermod McCoy
—
10%
Colton Hood
20%
5%
Brandon Cisse
12%
8%
Avieon Terrell
28%
—
EDGE
Keldric Faulk
24%
25%
Cashius Howell
4%
20%
T.J. Parker
4%
13%
Akheem Mesidor
12%
8%
Gabe Jacas
—
3%
S
Caleb Downs
4%
10%
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
—
5%
WR
Jordyn Tyson
—
5%
Carnell Tate
4%
3%
RB
Jeremiyah Love
4%
8%
DL
Kayden MacDonald
—
5%
Caleb Banks
—
3%
OT
Blake Miller
—
3%
Monroe Freeling
—
3%
Spencer Fano
—
3%
Sonny Styles still remains the consensus favorite for the Cowboys, but his lead over other prospects has dropped. At cornerback, the attention in the mock drafts shifted towards the top two guys in this draft class, Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy at the expense of the other corners in this class. At edge, the Cowboys are completely out of the Rueben Bain and David Bailey sweepstakes, but Cashius Howell and T.J. Parker are new names popping up in the mocks. Safety is getting some mock interest, but having Caleb Downs dropping all the way to No. 12 seems more like a pipe dream than anything else at the moment. But keep an eye on Emmanuel McNeill-Warren, he’s been getting increasing interest lately. Also, why anybody would have the Cowboys invest their No. 12 pick in a WR, RB, or DT is completely beyond me.
But all of that doesn’t yet tell us too much about how the first round could play out for the Cowboys. For that, I plotted where seven specific players were taken in each of the 50 mocks. Those seven players are:
The top safety, and maybe the best player in the draft, Caleb Downs
The consensus top pick from the 40 mocks, Sonny Styles
The top six edge rushers in the 40 mocks
The top four corners mocked to the Cowboys
Here’s how often each player was taken at which spot in the 50 mocks:
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40 Mock Drafts – Summary Results
Pick
Team
Rueben Bain
David Bailey
Caleb Downs
Sonny Styles
Mansoor Delane
Jermod McCoy
Keldric Faulk
Cassius Howell
T.J. Parker
Akheem Mesidor
Colton Hood
Brandon Cisse
Edge
Edge
S
LB
CB
CB
Edge
Edge
Edge
Edge
CB
CB
1
LV
2
NYJ
7
2
2
3
ARI
4
1
1
4
TEN
16
16
1
5
NYG
4
1
2
1
6
CLE
1
1
4
7
WAS
4
11
6
7
1
1
1
8
NO
2
2
1
9
KC
3
2
1
1
1
2
10
CIN
4
15
1
7
2
4
11
MIA
1
2
2
13
16
12
DAL
1
4
14
6
4
3
1
2
1
13
LAR
5
8
3
1
14
BAL
3
4
1
15
TB
8
1
4
7
3
3
1
16
NYJ
1
1
1
3
2
17
DET
1
4
1
5
5
1
18
MIN
1
4
3
3
19
CAR
2
1
2
2
2
2
20
DAL
4
1
7
6
3
2
2
3
20+
1
1
1
10
19
27
26
26
29
This table illustrates how the first round could likely play out for the Cowboys and the prospects they are interested in. One of the top two pass rushers, Bain or Bailey, is headed to Tennessee (#4) with the other one likely going to Washington (#7). Caleb Downs is a top 10 pick, and has a hard stop at Cincinnati (#10), though there is a slim chance he could fall to the Cowboys.
LB Sonny Styles could be a consideration for Washington at #7, but they should happily bite on one of the falling pass rushers, so there’s a 70% (28 of 40 mocks) chance he’ll be available at #12 for the Cowboys. Barring Caleb Downs falling to them (12.5% chance), the Cowboys should have the option of picking between Styles (70%) or cornerbacks Mansoor Delane (37.5%) or Jermod McCoy (50%). Which of the two corners fall depends on what Miami does at #11.
The mocks seem to agree, for now, that pass rusher is the likely pick at #20 for the Cowboys, and depending on which player the Cowboys have their eyes on, they might even consider trading down from the 20th spot if they can find a team interested in moving up.
Overall, that leaves the Cowboys with a lot of options, and if you boil it down to position combinations, here are the most frequent combinations among the 40 mocks:
23%: #12 CB/Safety, #20 Edge
20%: #12 LB, #20 Edge
10%: #12 LB, #20 CB/Safety
5%: #12 Edge, #20 CB
5%: #12 Edge, #20 LB
To get a little more clarity on which player could be available for the Cowboys, you can look up the player ranking on your favorite big board, you can make up your own ranking, and you could even use a consensus big board to figure out such a ranking.
Or we could look at the average draft position for each player based on the 40 mocks above, which is exactly what you’ll see in the table below. I included all LBs, CBs, edge rushers and safeties that were mocked to the Cowboys at least once, and added four more players to round things out (LB Arvell Reese, DE Rueben Bain, DE David Bailey, CB Avieon Terrell). To arrive at the average rank, I calculated the average across the 40 mocks, and where a player fell out of the Top 32, I used the 33th spot to calculate the average draft position.
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POS
Avg. rank
Player
Available at No. 12
Available at No. 20
LB
2.6
Arvell Reese
—
—
12.4
Sonny Styles
70%
10%
27.1
C.J. Allen
100%
80%
CB
11.5
Mansoor Delane
38%
5%
12.9
Jermod McCoy
50%
3%
25.1
Avieon Terrell
100%
60%
26.3
Colton Hood
100%
70%
27.7
Brandon Cisse
100%
80%
EDGE
5.5
Rueben Bain
3%
3%
6.1
David Bailey
3%
—
18.0
Keldric Faulk
83%
43%
23.1
Cashius Howell
100%
60%
25.9
T.J. Parker
98%
75%
26.1
Akheem Mesidor
100%
70%
32.7
Gabe Jacas
100%
100%
Safety
8.5
Caleb Downs
13%
—
28.7
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
100%
88%
Within the confines of this 40-mock data set, that gives the Cowboys plenty of options, with the big caveat that it’s still a long way to go to the draft.
What would be your choice right now, based on these 40 mocks and the 21 prospects mocked to the Cowboys?
DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 03: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on February 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jaylen Brown comes from a fighting background and after his basketball career is over, perhaps he’ll take his talents to the octagon.
The Boston Celtics star, who is getting set to play in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, discussed that idea when asked a question by a media member who claimed to have trained with his father in the boxing gym in the past during All-Star Media Day.
Jaylen Brown says he talked to Dana White about fighting in the UFC after he’s retired from the NBA.
“To be honest, I’ve toyed with this, and I’ve talked to some people, maybe post part of my career, I would love to take part in something like UFC, or even boxing,” Brown told reporters. “I’ve talked to Dana White about some stuff, but we’ll see as things go on.”
Fighting and combat sports are generational in Brown’s family. The 29-year-old’s father was a WBU champion, while his grandfather Willie Brown was also a former boxer.
Of course, the five-time All-Star, two-time NBA Finals participant, and one-time world champion and Finals MVP, still has some work left to do on the hardwood. But with Celtics had coach Joe Mazulla also being a massive combat sports fan, Brown will get the chance to watch UFC fights quite often.
Feb 14, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Jarin Stevenson (15) passes the ball as Pittsburgh Panthers forward Cameron Corhen (2) and guard Damarco Minor (7) defend in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Let’s get something out of the way from the start: Pitt is bad. We all know they are bad, the standings confirm they are bad, and there’s a pretty good chance that they’ll finish in the bottom three of the ACC, completely eliminating them from the ACC Tournament.
You can’t take too much out of the fact that Carolina won—except that there have been seasons and teams before where Carolina could have let one of these teams nip them. And without Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar, and James Brown plus Pitt actually having some depth on the inside, you don’t have to stretch too far to see how this could have gone sideways. With Wilson out for the foreseeable future, it’s going to be on the bigs that are healthy to carry the team so they can still get into the NCAA Tournament in as strong a position as they had before.
One of those players is Jarin Stevenson, and on Saturday he gave UNC fans at least a little reason to hope that they can tread water until Wilson and Veesaar are healthy.
Stevenson took the assignment on Saturday and was one of four players to score in double figures on Saturday, but he was arguably the most important. Stevenson was an impressive 6-7 overall, his only missing come from three where he was 3-4, and also had two assists with three rebounds and a block. He also, importantly, wasn’t credited with any turnovers showing the ability to take care of the ball and bringing his experience front and center.
When Henri Veesaar does come back, he’ll likely be the beneficiary of the Veesaar passes that had been going to Wilson, and while no one and I repeat no one can replace Wilson, Stevenson gives the team a different look that will force teams to spread out their defense. If teams decide to double Veesaar to take away his post presence, it should create more opportunities for Stevenson to score. On Saturday he showed he’s going to have to be taken seriously even with the only other post option for Carolina being Zayden High.
Other Tar Heels took advantage of Pitt as well: Seth Trimble also scored 19, but he had to get there with 5-13 shooting, missing both of his threes. Where he was effective though was his driving to the rim which would draw fouls from Pitt, and he was able to go 9-11 from the line. One would expect him to want to take a bigger role in the offense with Wilson out, and you had to wonder if he was putting a little extra pressure on himself to step up.
Luka Bogavac had one of his best days as Tar Heel, hitting for 15 points and took the most shots on the team going 6-15. He was 3-7 from behind the arc, but ten of those points came in the first half when he and the rest of his teammates had more success shooting. In the second half he was only 2-7, though he still looks more comfortable taking shots than he has during most of the season. He’s also likely going to be a beneficiary of the minutes that Wilson will miss, and him making threes will help ease some worries.
Finally, you have to give a shout out to Zayden High. With Veesaar and Brown out, Coach Hubert Davis was forced to both start and use High for more minutes than just about anyone would feel comfortable going into the game. To his credit, he responded in his 32 minutes by scoring 15, being a +13 while on the floor, snagged seven rebounds, and also had two assists. Even when Veesaar comes back it’s clear we’re going to see more of High until Wilson comes back, and here’s hoping when the competition steps up he does as well.
Still, in the end Stevenson had the most consistent game for Carolina in their first game without Caleb Wilson. It’s why he’s the player of the game, and here’s hoping it’s a sign of how he’ll do the rest of the season.
Damian Lillard had Giannis Antetokounmpo visibly panicking after winning the 3-Point Contest, asking a single question that immediately changed the tone.
Lillard, now back with the Portland Trail Blazers after his time in Milwaukee, enjoyed the spotlight following his shooting display.
But it was his interaction with Giannis that quickly became the bigger talking point.
Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
Damian Lillard’s bet question sparks Giannis Antetokounmpo’s reaction
The mood shifted moments after Damian Lillard secured his 3-Point Contest victory. Law Murray on X shared the clip of Lillard turning to Giannis with a pointed line.
“Did you place a bet on Kalshi?” Lillard asked.
The question immediately caught Giannis off guard, prompting his blunt response: “Stop! Stop, stop, stop.”
Those few words revealed clear discomfort. What might have been simple banter between former teammates quickly took on added meaning given the broader conversation surrounding Giannis off the court. The crowd reaction suggested everyone understood the reference.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s reaction ties into the ongoing Kalshi controversy that has followed him in recent weeks.
The Bucks star recently became linked to the regulated prediction market platform Kalshi, a company that allows users to trade contracts on future events, including sports-related outcomes.
The situation drew attention because markets connected to Giannis’ own future and NBA scenarios generated significant activity, prompting debate about optics and potential conflicts, even though active players are restricted from participating in NBA markets themselves.
Critics have questioned whether an active superstar having a stake or public association with a prediction market platform creates unnecessary perception issues in a league that already operates under strict gambling policies.
Supporters argue that regulated platforms operate within legal frameworks and that Giannis has not violated league rules.
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Credit: WWE
There are many potential reasons the WWE might be struggling to sell tickets for WrestleMania 42, as has been reported. While many point to the cost of attendance and a weekend in Las Vegas as a factor, I have another thought to consider. The storytelling in the company has gone stale, and I think there's a clear way to fix it.
While Triple H and company may be hoping for Seth Rollins to be healthy or for Bad Bunny to clear his schedule to face Logan Paul, it may be better to look into tweaking the creative direction heading into the event. Before getting into how to fix it, let me first talk about what I think the biggest problem the current product suffers from.
The WWE Is Trying Too Hard To Keep Its Storytelling Grounded
It began with the decision to tone down the mystical nature of the Wyatt Sicks, and ever since, the WWE has prioritized grounded storytelling over any over-the-top angles. Every angle is about wrestlers being mad, thinking they deserve a title shot, and maybe someone is called a PG-level profanity along the way.
If it's not that, a mysterious figure in a mask has run in and upset what would've been a surefire victory for someone else. In fact, the "masked person in a hoodie gimmick" seems to be the most popular swerve the WWE has, with it happening several times with The Bloodline, and now again with The Vision.
To speak specifically to that reveal, where does it lead? The masked wrestler is revealed to be a new wrestler the company has signed, or someone who has been away for a while. They then slide into the midcard, often to serve as backup with no real pop beyond the initial reveal of their identity. It's because the WWE doesn't want to get too crazy with its storytelling, which I think is a huge mistake.
The WWE Should Lean More Into The Goofiness And Superheroics That Set It Apart
To me, it feels like the WWE currently wants to appear more like a product closer to the UFC than to professional wrestling. That isn't appealing to me as a fan, because if I wanted to watch something that feels like realistic combat sports, I'd just put on the UFC.
Now, I'm not going to sit here and say I wish the WWE went as wild with creative storytelling as it has in the past, and I'm not asking for anything like the level of Edge and Lita in a bed in the middle of the ring. I think people love to bring up the Shockmaster and Gobbledy Gooker and be like, "Yeah, glad those days are gone," but I think we've gone too far in the other direction.
I think there is one great example of the WWE striking a balance on the main roster right now, and it's what we're seeing with the dueling El Grande Americanos. While the WWE somewhat lucked into the idea of having a "good" and "bad" El Grande Americano when Chad Gable was injured, it's shaping up to be one of the most interesting angles in the company. Hilariously enough, a large chunk of the storytelling is happening over in AAA, so maybe the creative team doesn't think so, or they'd save more content for its own shows.
What I think the WWE lacks right now is meaningful storytelling that touches on culture. So much of what they do anymore is creating "moments," but a surprising return or celebrity appearance can only keep people entertained for so long. Let's start injecting more personality into the WWE roster, more than a catchy theme or a hustle to get a WWE championship.
Hopefully, plans are already in place to spice things up as WrestleMania 42 is set to happen in Las Vegas on April 18th and 19th. I'm still hyped for the event, but I do hope to see a little more creativity flowing into the WWE.
In late 2018, the stage was set for Becky Lynch to become a major star in WWE, but the actual moment that popped the lid off took place by accident. Ahead of that year's WWE Survivor Series, Lynch and Nia Jax were in the ring with various other performers when Jax accidentally broke Lynch's nose with a punch, with the images of Lynch with blood streaking down her face solidifying her as WWE's latest breakout performer. At the time, Nia Jax thought it might be the end of her career, however.
"We get done and we go to the back, and I'm sitting there going, 'Oh, my gosh. I am in so much trouble. This is it. I think they're done with me. I was getting my papers,'" Jax said on "Insight." "Becky was in the trainer's room and I couldn't go in there. They were checking her out and I was just trying to make sure she was okay. And then I had to go talk to Vince [McMahon] and the producers."
Jax didn't initially know how the conversation was going to go, as McMahon and the other company officials in attendance were mostly quiet, instead just watching replays of the footage from various angles. After a few minutes, McMahon told Jax that wrestling "isn't ballet," excusing her from any kind of punishment over the incident.
Lynch wound up being okay after the punch, exploding in popularity shortly thereafter. Jax was able to gain some momentum from the situation as well, and she recalled riling up fans with a social media post showing a small cut on her hand, with Jax asking why nobody was concerned about her. Plus, as a result of the attention she was getting, Jax said McMahon changed his mind on the finish of the Survivor Series match to have Jax wind up as the winner.
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Insight with Chris Van Vliet" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Chelsea and Man U chase £100m midfielder – and it’s a huge move that’s actually possible
Chelsea are once again being linked with a move for Elliot Anderson, the sensational midfield talent tearing it up at Nottingham Forest.
We’re into the final third of the season now, and minds are already turning to the summer. Chelsea are going to be busy in the transfer market once again, it seems, as their dealing continues.
The Blues are being strongly linked with interest in Elliot Anderson, the brilliant Nottingham Forest midfielder who looks set to move on for a huge price this summer.
Sites like CaughtOffside are claiming that he’s going to be on the move, with Chelsea and Man U both keen. An asking price of £100m is vast – but given his talent, not totally crazy.
Chelsea could yet spend mega money on Anderson – but it still seems unlikely
Elliot Anderson in action for Nottingham Forest.(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
It’s hard to know how to judge this one. Chelsea have spent £100m on two midfielders already. Clearly they’re willing to splash the cash if they think a player is an instant upgrade to the first team – and Anderson would be just that. He’s 23 and ready to enter his peak years. Unlike some of the big money rumours we see, this one feels possible.
However, purchases like that are a real rarity, even for Chelsea and it seems more likely they try and target someone younger and cheaper and try to develop them. But don’t rule this one out entirely just yet, especially if the Blues make some big sales.
In other news…
Liam Delap also was interviewed after the game, and he spoke about how he needs minutes and rhythm to challenge Joao Pedro for the number one striker spot.
It’s NBA All-Star Weekend and we know you’re already seated and ready to see your favorite ballers go head-to-head for the trophy.
The 75th NBA All-Star Game brings together the biggest names in the game, and each of them have been assigned a team. Two teams — Team Stars and Team Stripes — will represent the United States. Team World will be made up of the most notable basketball players from around the globe.
Each team will hit the court for the tournament which includes four 12-minute games. The final two teams will match up in the championship game.
With all that said, let’s get into how you can tune in.
When is the game?
The NBA All-Star game takes place on Sunday, Feb. 15.
What time does the game start?
The NBA All-Star game starts at 5 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Olivia Miles. (Photo by Scott Wachter) | Getty Images
Olivia Miles’ previous career-high in 3-point attempts was 13. On Thursday, it became 20.
Miles became a high-volume 3-point shooter last year at Notre Dame, but on Thursday, the most gifted passer the college game has seen in quite some time fell in love with the 3 at a whole new level, making 10 of them en route to a career-high 40 points to help her No. 17 TCU Horned Frogs win 83-67 over the No. 12 Baylor Bears.
It was yet another showcase of how her skill set has evolved since beginning college a semester early as the No. 8 recruit in the high school class of 2021. Once a poor 3-point shooter, she shot 40.6 percent from beyond the arc last year.
She may be shooting less efficiently from 3 this year compared to last (down to 37.3 percent), but she has shown that she can couple a higher volume of long-range bombs with averages in assists and rebounds that approach her career highs. She’s posting 6.6 helpers per contest (up 0.8 from last year) and 6.8 boards (up 1.2). She’s also upped her career-best in 2-point field goals per game by 0.7 to 5.3, contributing to her career-leading 7.3 field goals per game (up 1.9). She’s having her most efficient season from the floor save for the six games she played in 2020-21, shooting 50.7 percent, up 2.4 percent from her next-best full season. She’s making 0.6 more free throws per game than she’s ever made (3.9) at a stellar 85.7 percent clip that is 6.7 percent better than her previous best.
She’s taken on a higher volume of attempts in free throws, 2s and 3s. That, along with her increased efficiency in the first two categories and her ability to maintain a very good clip from distance, have contributed to a 5.1-point rise in her best scoring average to 20.5.
She’s nearing the 50-40-90 ballpark, and scoring 20.5 points per game. All the while, she is the triple-double threat she’s always been, whose “wow” factor when it comes to passes puts her in rare air with the Point Gawd, Chelsea Gray.
Before this season, there was a narrative of “Why is she coming back to college when she is the projected No. 2 pick in the WNBA Draft?”
True, there is no difference between the No. 1 and No. 2 picks’ starting salary, so even if Miles were to move up to the top spot, it wouldn’t change anything. And in ESPN’s Friday 2026 mock draft, as well as our Eric Nemchock’s mock from January, Miles is projected to go third. That would earn her the same amount of money as No. 1 and No. 2, so not a downgrade, but also not an improvement.
But with her NIL deals, plus the brand-new revenue sharing system for NCAA athletes, she’s doing just fine moneywise. The real reason people thought she should have gone pro in 2025 is because they thought she had nothing new left to show WNBA scouts. Why risk injury if that’s the case?
But Miles has taken her game to yet another level this season.
In all likelihood, demonstrating this improvement in college, rather than as a WNBA rookie, will end up benefitting her. She’s gotten to test herself as a dominant scorer in a space where that is possible, as she likely wouldn’t have had the opportunity to occupy such a high-impact role right away in the W. When the time comes in the W, she can reach back to what she’s learned this season and apply it in order to become a bigger star.
Whether it was the right decision or not, Miles has clearly shown just how good of a prospect she is, even before her apex effort on Thursday.
WNBA fans are now EVEN MORE excited to see her at the next level. With the Seattle Storm holding the No. 3 pick, a team-up with do-it-all 6-foot-6 center Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, would be intriguing to say the least, and it could last for years to come.
For now, Miles’ goal is getting to her first Elite Eight, and hopefully beyond.
2023 may have been Miles’ best shot thus far at advancing beyond the Sweet 16. Her Irish earned the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament, but, due to her season-ending ACL tear suffered in the regular-season finale, they were blown out by Louisville 64-38 in the semifinals, thus lowering their seeding to a No. 3 for the Big Dance. They met No. 2 seed Maryland in the Sweet 16; having lost to the Terps on a buzzer-beater in the regular season, Notre Dame was no match for them without Miles, falling 76-59. Miles’ sharpshooting teammate Dara Mabrey also suffered a season-ending ACL tear that regular season.
Hannah Hidalgo came in as a freshman the following season, which Miles missed the entirety of as she recovered from her injury. Hidalgo led Notre Dame to a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but the Irish again fell in the Sweet 16. Miles was active for the two other Sweet 16 games during her Irish tenure, going for 21 points, six boards and six helpers in a 2022 loss to NC State and managing just 10 points, two boards and three helpers in last year’s loss to the team she now represents.
It’s been a heartbreaking Elite Eight curse for Miles. So she came back to college to right the wrongs.
The win over Baylor on Thursday was huge, but before that, the Frogs lost to Colorado, the first team outside the tournament field in ESPN’s Bracketology as of Friday morning. This season, TCU (22-4, 10-3 Big 12) has also lost to a Utah team that is part of the “Last Four In.” Their other two losses have come to No. 8 Ohio State and No. 16 Texas Tech. While two of those are pretty bad losses, all of their losses have come by two points or less, or in overtime. That’s how close they are to being undefeated.
After the Baylor win, their next-biggest win came by a point over now-No. 19 West Virginia, the team they face Sunday night (8 p.m. ET, FS1). The rematch against the Mountaineers is crucial, as is a rematch with the Bears to close the regular season on March 1 (4 p.m. ET, ESPN).
The Frogs were No. 12 in the first NCAA top 16 reveal on Saturday, putting them on track to be a No. 3 seed. Just like every team, they’d really like to hold on to host status. And with how Miles is playing, the Horned Frogs should be confident in that happening.
Last Wednesday, Chock and Bates, who are the reigning world and national champions in ice dance, performed an outstanding free skate routine that put them at the top of the medal leaderboard … right up until France’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron topped them and skated away with the gold medal.
The American duo were visibly devastated after the medal ceremony, with Chock calling it “bittersweet” to come so far and fall short of gold. The next day, Chock called for “transparent judging” on CBS News. “I think it's also important for the skaters, that the judges be vetted and reviewed to make sure that they are also putting out their best performance,” she added, “because there's a lot on the line for the skaters when they're out there giving it their all, and we deserve to have the judges also giving us their all and for it to be a fair and even playing field.”
A deeper examination of the skating scores indicated that while bias existed all up and down the judges’ panel, the French judge favored Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron by a greater degree than any other judge’s bias in other directions.
The 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating ⛸️ free dance was scored by 9 judges
The French judge gave Beaudry & Cizeron 🇫🇷 a 137.45 but only gave Chock & Bates 🇺🇸 a 129.74
All other judges were relatively close in their two scores 🤔
However, the International Skating Union contended there was no malfeasance at work. “It is normal for there to be a range of scores given by different judges in any panel and a number of mechanisms are used to mitigate these variations,” the governing body said in a statement. “The ISU has full confidence in the scores given and remains completely committed to fairness.”
U.S. Figure Skating had 24 hours to appeal the result, but opted not to do so. “There has been a lot of thoughtful, and at times emotional, discussion about the ice dance competition in Milan,” USFS CEO Matt Farrell told USA Today Sports in a statement. “Working together with Madi and Evan after the Games, we will have thoughtful and intentional discussions about the best way to support them and the future of the sport. For now, we plan to join them in supporting the success of U.S. Figure Skating in Milan.”
The pairs and women’s events remain to be skated in Milan. Team USA already has a team gold medal, won in part by Chock and Bates.
England’s title hopes have taken a major blow, though, after another Murrayfield horror show against Scotland, who had been beaten in round one in a rain-soaked Rome by Italy.
The removal of one rest weekend has slightly condensed the campaign, which may serve to further underline the competitiveness of a competition that always seems to deliver.
Saturday 21 February: England vs Ireland (2.10pm, Twickenham)
Saturday 21 February: Wales vs Scotland (4.40pm, Cardiff)
Sunday 22 February: France vs Italy (3.10pm, Lille)
Round Four
Friday 6 March: Ireland vs Wales (8.10pm, Dublin)
Saturday 7 March: Scotland vs France (2.10pm, Edinburgh)
Saturday 7 March: Italy vs England (4.40pm, Rome)
Round Five
Saturday 14 March: Ireland vs Scotland (2.10pm, Dublin)
Saturday 14 March: Wales vs Italy (4.40pm, Cardiff)
Saturday 14 March: France vs England (8.10pm, Paris)
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to watch every match live on the BBC and ITV, who are in the first year of their a new joint agreement for the television rights. Live streams will be available via the BBC iPlayer and ITVX, and viewers can also watch some games on Premier Sports.
On Saturday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the NBA's longstanding tanking problem. He candidly admitted that, when it comes to winning games and securing dibs on the best incoming players, the incentives are misaligned.
The only way to ensure full integrity of the games in an age of legalized gambling, with every team trying its best to win every single game, is to fully align the incentives. And the only way to do that is to revolutionize the way the draft order is determined.
It's that simple. Any effort to tie draft order to performance, or lack thereof, will incentivize a business decision to not try to win, or to actively try to lose.
While the phenomenon is more common in the NBA, it still happens in the NFL. And it's not about players trying to lose. It's about teams shelving their best players, before or during games, in the hopes that the lesser players will achieve the desired result.
The Raiders seemingly greased the skids toward the No. 1 overall pick in the final weeks of the 2025 season by shutting down their best two players — defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers. And while the Raiders emerged with the top pick, they may have lost Crosby, for good.
The approach flows directly from the benefits of landing a higher spot in the draft. Who cares if a bad team finishes 3-14 or 4-14? Once a season is lost, why not try to turn it into a win?
That won't change unless and until the pro sports leagues come up with a different way to assign incoming players to teams. The simplest and cleanest outcome would be to make the whole thing a lottery, with no team having more chances than another. It's the luck of the draw, every year. And it's the most fair way to accomplish the goal of removing any incentive to tank.
The other possibility would be to enhance the incentive to succeed. The first overall pick becomes one of the spoils of winning the Super Bowl. The team that loses the Super Bowl picks second, and so on.
Some would insist that this would keep bad teams bad. But plenty of bad teams stay bad even when they get the best incoming players.
Or they could just get rid of the draft entirely, and allow the incoming players to pick their first NFL teams. Unfortunately, the NFL's ultimate traveling reality show about nothing has become way too big to ever be disbanded.
Regardless, tanking is a problem. For the NBA, it's teetering toward a crisis. The NFL has managed to keep that from happening. One of these days, it will.
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 13: Michael Saunders #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats during the ninth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 13, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 4-3 in twelve innings. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images) | Getty Images
To nobody’s surprise, Bryce Harper earned more votes than Dustin McGowan in their matchup of the “Last Man In” free agent tournament.
Stats with the Phillies: 118 games, 48-34 W-L, 2.94 ERA, 813 K, 124 BB, 20.7 bWAR
The Phillies traded for Cliff Lee at the 2009 trade deadline, and he helped them reach the World Series. And then, the Phillies traded him away for a really awful return. Lee was a free agent after 2010, and with Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt already in the Phillies’ rotation, most people didn’t think they were even a remote possibility for Lee.
However, Lee apparently loved it in Philadelphia and took a slightly lower offer with the “mystery team” to return. The result was the ultra-fun (at least until the playoffs) 2011 season of the Four Aces.
Cliff Lee signed with the #Phillies six years ago today. Giving Philadelphia one of the best rotations in history. pic.twitter.com/HnqiEVBZdK
The rest of Lee’s time with the Phillies was somewhat disappointing, but darned if 2011 wasn’t fun.
16. Michael Saunders, 2017
Stats with the Phillies: 61 games, .205/.257/.360, 6 HR, 20 RBIs, -0.9 bWAR
By 2017, the Phillies were starting to transition out of rebuild mode, and general manager Matt Klentak wanted to acquire some veteran “professional hitters” to supplement the young lineup. One of the guys he targeted was outfielder Michael Saunders who had made the All-Star Game with the Blue Jays the year before.
There were some warning signs with Saunders. 2016 was the first season in an eight-year career he hit over 20 home runs or had an OPS over .800. And though his first half of 2016 was All-Star caliber, he slumped badly in the second half.
That slumped continued into 2017. By mid-June, the Phillies decided if they were going to get poor hitting from a right fielder, it might as well be from a young hitter with some potential to improve. They released Saunders who went back to Toronto and continued to hit poorly.
Michael Saunders. Arguably the most forgettable Phillies position player of all time. https://t.co/yeFBwI58wy
Northwestern men’s tennis (9-2) continued its blistering start to non-conference play, blowing out Marquette and Illinois State in a Saturday doubleheader at the Combe Tennis Center.
Head coach Arvid Swan’s squad has now won nine straight after dropping its first two matches of the season. It’s Northwestern’s largest win streak since 2017.
The Wildcats did not drop a single set this weekend, winning every singles game in straight sets and taking 24 of 29 doubles games. NU has not dropped a single set in each of its nine consecutive victories.
Northwestern’s success against Marquette (1-8) started in doubles with Chad Miller and Vincent Yang, who rolled to a 6-1 victory in the No. 3 spot. Cyrus Mahjoob and Ethan Schiffman followed that up with a 6-2 at No. 2 to give the hosts the doubles point and an early 1-0 lead.
In singles, No. 4 Miller quickly netted a 6-1 victory before picking up his third 6-0 set of the season. The senior has embraced a leadership role both on and off the court this year, and Swan described him postgame as playing with a ton of confidence and positivity.
Yang continued the dominance with a 6-2, 6-0 win in the No. 5 spot, while Mahjoob clinched the match with a pair of 6-2 finishes in No. 2 singles. Schiffman, Carter Pate and Cooper Han each won their sets as well, completing a 7-0 sweep. Out of all seven sets, Schiffam’s 7-5 win and Han’s 7-6 victory were the closest game scores all morning.
Han cleans up on Court 6️⃣
The fy. picks up his 10th win as a 'Cat, defeating Coppage: 7-6(4), 6-3 💪
After sweeping Illinois State 7-0 last season, NU’s rematch against them garnered a similar result — a 4-0 thrashing of the Redbirds (3-4).
No. 3 Miller and Yang built on their performance against Marquette, registering a 6-0 score for their second win of the day. Meanwhile, No. 1 Pate and Greyson Casey, after starting their match 2-2, steamrolled with four straight games to finish it 6-2.
Doubles has been particularly impressive for Swan’s squad this season, which he told reporters is a testament to the chemistry developed across the Northwestern roster.
After receiving a walkover point in No. 6 singles, Miller again picked up an early 6-1, 6-1 win, becoming the first Wildcat to complete their match for the second straight time that day. He’s only dropped 13 singles games in his past five matches, which he attributed postgame to improved footwork.
EMahjoob clinched the match in No.1 singles by a 6-2, 6-1 score.
Northwestern has a tougher challenge ahead of itself, as it travels to take on Notre Dame (8-1) on Friday. It will then travel back to Evanston, where it’ll face Denver (4-1) on Sunday.
Brentford Women 5 Dorking Wanderers 0: Big win sends Bees to Capital Cup semi-final
Brentford Women progressed to the semi-final of the Capital Cup with a dominant 5-0 win over Dorking Wanderers at Bedfont Sports Club.
Cloe O'Brien opened the scoring to give the Bees a narrow lead at the break, before Renai McCrea, Ashley Cheatley, Becca Teale and Lucy Potter added goals in the second half to cruise through the quarter-final.
McCrea had the first effort on goal on 12 minutes, marauding forward from left-back and forcing Libby Stratton to tip the ball behind at the near post.
Saskia Reeves-Priestley was then called into action down the other end when an improvised, looping effort from Amelia Hawali needed to be scooped off the line from right underneath the crossbar.
It was the Bees who found the lead on 18 minutes when McCrea's perilous through ball caught Stratton out and allowed O'Brien to tap into an empty net to make it 1-0.
Asees Sangha had a good chance to make it two on 35 minutes when hard work from substitute Cheatley caused the ball to fall to the midfielder inside the box but her strike was well shut down by Stratton in the Dorking net.
A rainbow emerged at half-time due to the temperamental weather, and the Bees certainly found the pot of gold at the end of it.
50 seconds after the restart, Carly Williams side doubled their lead when McCrea's cross after an intricate team move looped over Stratton and in off the far post.
To put the game to bed, Teale opened her account for Brentford with an excellent finish on 52 minutes. O'Brien's ball over the top gave her the chance to run at goal, but she still had a lot of work to do to hold off her defender and slot home to make it 3-0.
Ten minutes later and she almost had a second when Alissa Down's corner nearly crept in at the near post but was eventually recycled to the full-back who struck the ball very cleanly but Stratton got down well to her right to parry it away.
On 65 minutes, Khyri McKenzie had an instant impact off the bench, seeing her volley parried into the path of Cheatley, who tapped in on the rebound but was denied by the linesman's raised flag.
Cheatley did get her goal with just over 20 to play, pouncing on a loose ball from close range after Sangha's strike was saved by Stratton.
It was an excellent second-half performance from the west Londoners, Freya Worsley almost made it five after she guided her header from a superb cross from Maddie Phillips onto the crossbar.
The Brentford skipper, Potter, also got in on the action on 80 minutes to score her first of the season. Having started every game for Williams' side this season, it was the icing on the cake when she leathered her strike into the roof of the net after a one-two with McCrea.
A dominant display to progress to the semi-final of the Capital Cup, and a win that will give the group a lot of confidence going into a top-of-the-table clash with Saltdean United at Gtech Community Stadium next weekend on Sunday 22 February (2pm kick-off GMT).
Buy tickets to the Bees' return to the Gtech here.
Habib Beye no longer in contention to replace Roberto De Zerbi following Medhi Benatia resignation
Habib Beye will not become the next head coach of Olympique de Marseille following the resignation of sporting director Medhi Benatia, according to a report from Libération.
The Marseille hierarchy has been plunged into further instability just days after the departure of Roberto De Zerbi. On Sunday, Benatia confirmed that he had formally submitted his resignation on 9 February – the same day as De Zerbi. Yet the decision was not made public until after Marseille’s 2-2 draw against Strasbourg this weekend. According to Libération journalist Grégory Schneider, Benatia’s exit effectively ends the club’s pursuit of Habib Beye, who had emerged as a leading candidate to replace De Zerbi. The report highlights that the process of replacing De Zerbi had become a point of tension between Benatia and OM president Pablo Longoria. Both men are said to have distanced themselves from responsibility regarding the potential appointment of Beye.Benatia already submitted his resignation yet reportedly continued to negotiate with potential managerial candidates in recent days. One scenario discussed internally reportedly involved offering Beye a short-term contract until the end of the season, with Champions League qualification acting as a trigger for an extension beyond June. However, with Benatia now gone, that pathway appears closed.With Beye no longer expected to join, the responsibility for appointing De Zerbi’s successor now rests squarely with president Longoria.GFFN | George Boxall
Report: Arsenal and Man United interested in move for former Chelsea star
Christian Pulisic Premier League Return Gains Momentum
Transfer windows often orbit around reinvention, clubs recalibrating squads while players reassess trajectory and ambition. Christian Pulisic now sits at the centre of such a recalibration, with AC Milan open to offers that could reshape both their finances and forward line structure. Credit to Caught Offside for detailing a situation gathering pace as summer planning intensifies across Europe.
Milan’s willingness to consider bids in the €70 to €80 million bracket signals strategic flexibility rather than urgency. The figure reflects Pulisic’s resurgence in Serie A, where he has rebuilt reputation through consistent output and attacking authority.
Milan Overhaul Sets Stage
AC Milan’s broader squad overhaul provides the structural context behind this potential departure. Financial balance, tactical reconfiguration and long term recruitment planning all inform their openness to negotiation.
Since arriving from Chelsea in 2023, Pulisic has established himself as a decisive presence in wide areas. His dribbling acceleration, spatial awareness and capacity to deliver in high pressure moments have resonated with supporters at San Siro.
One Italian performance analyst described his impact as “verticality personified, a winger who turns transitional moments into scoring platforms.”
Yet even admired players can become assets within broader rebuild cycles. Milan’s readiness to listen reflects strategic timing rather than dissatisfaction.
Photo: IMAGO
Premier League Interest Builds
England appears the most probable destination should Pulisic depart. Familiarity with the league, coupled with his commercial and sporting profile, makes a return both logical and attractive.
As reported, “Arsenal value his goal-scoring ability and have kept him on their radar for some time. Manchester United are also in the mix, viewing him as a ‘serious’ candidate to inject fresh energy into their attack.”
Tottenham also feature prominently in recruitment discussions, identifying Pulisic as a dynamic solution to wide attacking inconsistency. His direct running and transitional pace align with their tactical emphasis on width and penetration.
For Arsenal, the attraction lies in productivity from wide zones. Goals from midfield and flanks remain central to their title ambitions, and Pulisic’s movement between defensive lines offers valuable unpredictability.
Manchester United’s interest appears rooted in attacking refreshment. Sources suggest they view him as a player capable of raising tempo and chance creation simultaneously, particularly in systems demanding aggressive wing progression.
Performance Metrics Strengthen Appeal
Pulisic’s current campaign provides tangible recruitment evidence. With 12 goal contributions this season, he continues to demonstrate efficiency alongside creativity.
His prior Premier League experience reduces adaptation risk, a factor increasingly valued in high cost transfers. Clubs investing at this level seek immediate integration rather than developmental bedding in periods.
Photo: IMAGO
He also carries elite pedigree, having lifted the UEFA Champions League during his Chelsea tenure. That experience of operating within trophy winning environments adds intangible value to dressing rooms seeking competitive edge.
One recruitment consultant framed his appeal succinctly, stating, “He offers proven output with resale stability, a combination that protects sporting and financial investment.”
Summer Decision Looms
While English interest intensifies, Milan retain control over final direction. Any transfer will require alignment between valuation, squad planning and player ambition.
Pulisic himself is understood to be open to a Premier League return, yet respectful of Milan’s project and supporter connection. The coming months will determine whether admiration converts into formal offers.
Should negotiations accelerate, this could become one of the window’s defining attacking moves, a high profile winger re-entering England at peak maturity.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
For Arsenal supporters, Pulisic represents tactical enrichment rather than headline glamour. Fans would view him as a rotation weapon capable of delivering goals during congested fixture cycles. His ability to operate across multiple forward roles enhances squad fluidity, particularly in systems demanding positional interchange.
Manchester United followers may interpret the link through urgency. Attacking inconsistency has frustrated supporters, and Pulisic’s directness would be welcomed. His transitional speed and pressing work rate align with the intensity many fans want restored.
Across both fanbases, sentiment would converge on one theme, Pulisic offers immediate attacking elevation with proven European pedigree.
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 19: Zach Banner #72 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game against theTennessee Titans at Heinz Field on December 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Zach Banner announced his retirement from football on social media.
“This is that announcement that every professional athlete hates to make,” Banner said. “You try your hardest to play and perform at a high level as long as you can. You work so many hours and days on and off the field to chase your dreams and goals, and you don’t really have time to process that announcement. But, I’m here no so I am officially going to retire from the National Football League…”
Banner was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts out of USC. He joined the Steelers in 2019, appearing in 22 games for Pittsburgh from 2019-21. Banner most recently played for the Houston Roughnecks in the UFL in 2025.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
The Arizona Cardinals somewhat surprisingly decided to retain Nick Rallis as defensive coordinator. That has been met by mixed responses from fans. However, a captain on the Cardinals appears pleased that Rallis will return to lead the defense.
Linebacker Mack Wilson posted this on his Twitter/X account this past week after the report that Rallis was being retained.
It is a photo of Wilson with Rallis, captioned "Unfinished business."
Wilson became the Cardinals' starting "Mike" linebacker last season. He was ateam captain for the first time. And he had his season cut short after only eight games, suffering a rib injury at the end of the Cardinals' final win of the year, a 27-17 over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9.
Wilson didn't play again, and the Cardinals never won again. Over the nine games Wilson missed, the Cardinals allowed over 30 six times.
By retaining Rallis, it makes it much more likely that much of the personnel on defense will be the same. Wilson enters the final year of his three-year contract with no guarantees remaining. A new coordinator might have prompted signing a new linebacker and cutting Wilson. We should likely expect Wilson to return to his role of defensive leader, relaying playcalls to the defense and manning the middle of the field.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes provided injury updates on Kiké Hernandez and Evan Phillips, who re-signed with the Dodgers last week, on Sunday.
Hernandez signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with L.A., and Phillips came back on a one-year, $6.5 million deal after the Dodgers non-tendered him earlier in the offseason. Hernandez underwent surgery to repair his elbow at the end of the season, and Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery in the middle of 2025.
“Kike’s progressing well, obviously he’s in a place where he should be starting swinging here pretty soon,” Gomes said. “We’re going to be very mindful of how we progress into this, making sure that when he comes back he’s not only healthy, but healthy and ready to perform. …He’s in a good place and really where he should be as far as the rehab schedule.
“…[Phillips] is feeling really good, throwing looks great, body looks great. I think it’s just being mindful and viewing him as almost a trade deadline acquisition.”
Jun 1, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips (59) pitches during the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
What Role Will Kiké Hernandez Play in 2026?
Hernandez, much like the last few years, will likely be coming off the bench for the Dodgers in 2026.
The utility man is a key player for the Dodgers, and can play across the diamond if they need him to. His versatility — as well as his energy — are invaluable to the Dodgers, and they’ll hope he can continue to produce for them on both offense and defense.
He played 92 games last season, featuring at six positions, and slashed .203/.255/.366 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs.
How Does Evan Phillips Fit in the Bullpen?
Phillips spent the majority of the 2025 season on the sidelines with injury, but when he’s healthy, he’s one of the Dodgers’ most dominant relief arms.
The right-hander threw in seven games last season, and didn’t give up a run through 5.2 innings pitched. He’s made 201 appearances with the Dodgers since arriving in 2021, and has a 2.22 ERA with 221 strikeouts through 195 innings pitched.
He is one of the Dodgers’ best right-handed relievers, and will play a huge role in stabilizing the bullpen when he makes his return to the team.
Which player do you think will be more impactful next season?
Japan's Ikuma Horishima botched his landing on his last jump in the men's round of 16 Sunday at the Milan Cortina Olympics, then bounced back up to ski backward over the finish line. And he still won.
Despite the mishap, Horishima still crossed the finish line first ahead of USA's Nick Page and eventually advanced to the event's gold-medal race. There he finished behind Canada's Mikaël Kingsbury to win silver in the first ever men's dual moguls competition at the Olympics. Australia's Matt Graham won the consolation final to secure bronze.
Here's how it happened. Horishima, skiing on the right in the video below, started to lose control of his run after the first of two jumps. But he didn't miss a gate and recovered in time to hit the ramp for his second jump.
He crash landed on the jump, but maintained his downhill momentum and popped back up skiing backward before the finish line, where he crossed just ahead of Page.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EYES." 😳
Dual moguls madness as Nick Page skis out of the course for a DNF while his opponent, Ikuma Horishima, barely stays in control and skis over the line BACKWARDS for the win. pic.twitter.com/hFqqi5gnQE
It turned out that he didn't need to cross first as Page missed a gate during his own rocky run and was disqualified. As long as Horishima completed a legal run, he would be declared the winner.
It added up to the second wild dual moguls finish in as many days.
One of the women's semifinals on Saturday saw similar chaos. In that race, USA's Jaelin Kauf crashed early, and appeared to be done. But her competitor, France's Perrine Laffont, missed one of her gates and was disqualified. Kauf got back up from her crash and eventually crossed the finish line to secure the win due to Laffont's disqualification.
Jaelin Kauf advanced to the Dual Moguls big final after a BIZARRE ending in her semifinal. 😮
Her opponent, Perrine Laffont, was disqualified after skiing around the course control panel. Kauf crashed but managed to complete her run and went on to take the Silver medal. pic.twitter.com/MS5YYVxOOf
Justin Rose posted a photo of his stunning home trophy display after winning the Farmers Insurance Open, and Charley Hull took note. The Englishwoman, who is renovating her home, sent it to her carpenter.
"Sorry Justin, I've copied your trophy cabinet," said Hull at her winner's press conference at the PIF Saudi Ladies International. "But it's legendary."
The cabinet was, in fact, still top of mind after Hull won at Riyadh Golf Club. She took a video of the monster trophy and sent more notes to the carpenter.
"Can we make sure this fits now, please?" she asked. "Because it's quite heavy as well."
Hull played the last eight holes in six under on Saturday to win the LET season-opener with a closing 65. She won $750,000 and noted right away that it would be used to pay off the renovation.
Lovely being back home for a few days with the family… @FarmersInsOpen 🏆 in place!!
Rose, it should be noted, has a large empty space in his trophy cabinet. Hull, who has to yet to win a major, will have plenty left to fill in the coming years. Currently enjoying the highest ranking of her career, No. 5, she'll likely move up on Monday when the new list comes out.
A three-time winner on the LPGA, Hull now has five titles on the LET. She has finished runner-up on the LPGA nine times, including four times at three different major championships.
One trophy that will likely be on display in the Rose-inspired case: Hull's 2020 Rose Ladies Series title. Hull won the series' inaugural event during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - MAY 28: Henry Baez #10 of the San Antonio Missions pitches during the game between the San Antonio Missions and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Braeden Botts/Minor League Baseball)
*In an effort to make the nomination votingeasier for everyone, I will comment, “NOMINATIONS”, and you may reply to that with your picks and upvote the player you’d like to see on the next nominee list.
The next player to land on our annual CPL is right-hander Henry Baez. One of the return pieces for Mason Miller, Baez is a strong right-hander who has steadily climbed the minor league ladder and is now on the cusp of the majors. The A’s have lots of options ahead of him to open the season but he could be an option for the starting rotation later this summer if he continues to impress against high-quality batters.
Next nominee will be outfielder Junior Perez. The righty-swinging corner outfielder has lots of pop in his bat and displayed some speed this past season split between Double and Triple-A. Now 24 and just one stop away from the big leagues, Perez could very well be an option for the Athletics this coming season if he continues to show improvement in the batter’s box. The A’s clearly think highly of him after they protected him from being selected by other clubs in the Rule 5 Draft.
The process for this public vote is explained below. Please take a moment to read this before participating:
Please only vote for one. The player with the most votes at the end of voting will win the ranked spot. The remaining four players move on to the next ballot where they are joined by a new nominee.
In the comments, below the official voting, the community will nominate players to be put onto the ballot for the next round. The format for your comment should be “Nomination: Player Name”.
If a prospect is traded, his name will be crossed out, and all other players will be moved up a space. If a prospect is acquired, a special vote will be put up to determine where that player should rank.
The voting continues! Who is the 14th-best prospect in the A’s system? Here’s a quick rundown on each nominee— the scouting grades (on a 20-to-80 scale) and scouting reports come from MLB Pipeline.
Taylor’s fastball jumped 3 mph this spring, as he worked at 92-95 mph and touched 98 while maintaining his velocity deep into games and throughout the season. His fastball lacks life but he commands it well and it’s difficult to hit when he locates it up in the zone. He does a fine job of killing spin on his low-80s changeup, which fades and sinks and grades as a solid pitch.
While neither Taylor’s mid-80s slider nor his low-80s curveball stand out with their spin or shape, they generate a high level of chases and empty swings. He overcomes his lack of size with a drop-and-drive delivery that produces a low release height, flat approach angle and plenty of extension, which combine to make his pitches more difficult for hitters to pick up. He’s 23 and pretty much a finished product, but he has a long history of throwing strikes and a high floor as at least a back-of-the-rotation starter.
At the plate, Morii features a smooth left-handed swing with tremendous balance. His power stands out, as he clubbed 45 home runs as a high schooler. He is considered an advanced hitter with good barrel control. On the mound, his fastball has been clocked as high as 95 mph and sits around 92-93. He also brings a splitter with nasty movement, a true 12-to-6 curveball and a tighter slider with solid bite and depth, though that offering will probably require some fine-tuning. Having only been pitching with regularity for less than two years, Morii’s arm is relatively fresh as he enters the organization.
Morii’s high-octane throwing arm plays well at shortstop, but some evaluators see a possibility of moving to third base as his 6-foot-1 frame fills out. While scouts see Morii’s long-term future in the batter’s box, the A’s plan on giving him every opportunity to succeed as a two-way player, with excitement already building over his impressive physical traits and desire to become one of the next great players out of Japan.
Per Billy Owens, Athletics director of player personnel and assistant GM: “Perez is a live-bodied specimen with high-caliber tools. His range and athleticism stand out defensively. Offensively, he can be streaky, but he has displayed plus bat speed, patience and real power. Solid package. Development is not linear. Patience will be required to realize his significant potential.”
Though Hoglund may never get back the electric stuff he possessed earlier in his career, the A’s were encouraged to see his fastball velocity tick back up to the low-90s. He has also experimented with adding a two-seamer and cutter. His low-80s slider now features more sweeping action and works as his main secondary pitch. He has also improved his low-80s changeup, creating a solid three-pitch mix that is enhanced by a strong ability to consistently throw strikes.
Now three years removed from Tommy John, the A’s are hopeful that Hoglund can develop into a solid back-end rotation piece, especially if he can successfully develop a fourth pitch. The Florida native was regularly going deep into starts in his big league cameo (6.40 ERA with 23 strikeouts to 11 walks across 32 1/3 innings) before going down with the injury and is expected to make a full recovery before the 2026 season.
The A’s were working on some mechanical adjustments with Miller prior to his injury. His electric fastball ticked up to 96 mph in high school and displayed excellent movement down in the zone. The mid-80s slider is a hard breaker and was showing signs of improvement. His low-80s changeup showed some potential as an average third pitch.
There was real excitement within the organization for Miller’s professional debut. His three-pitch mix and large 6-foot-6 frame give off the potential of a workhorse-type starting pitcher in the big leagues. The A’s also loved the competitiveness they saw from him on the mound while scouting him. After an unfortunate delay, he finally got his first opportunity to make an impression this summer.
* * *
Programming Note: Each CPL vote will run for around 48 hours, so don’t delay in making your vote!
Mario Barrios faces Ryan Garcia, Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington 2, plus Claressa Shields vs FCD 2 this week in boxing! | Getty Images
Thursday, February 19th
Millions.Co, 7:00 pm ET, Champions Against Domestic Violence. From Altamonte Springs, Florida. A $19.99 PPV stream from Christy Martin Promotions. Tony Aguilar headlines in an eight-rounder. Vaughn Alexander, 1-11-1 since December of 2023, appears in support.
Friday, February 20th
YouTube, 5:30 pm ET, Night of Champions XIV. A BoxLab show from Orlando, Florida. Dainier Pero and Alex Bray are the spotlight fighters. Pero fights 43 year old Donald “Mr. JBT” Haynesworth, who you may recall from losing efforts against Bryant Jennings, Zheilil Zhang, Guido Vianello, and Richard Torrez.
ESPN+, 8:00 pm ET, Nicolas Jara vs Lorenzo Gerez. From “Argentina,” with no further detail available about the venue. But, Argentina is barely over a million square miles, smaller than Alaska plus two Texases. So, it shouldn’t take long to find if you just drive around a bit and ask after it. Spanish language broadcast shows on ESPN+, and the English stream usually pops up later in situations like this.
Saturday, February 21st
DAZN, 1:00 pm ET, Dream Boxing. From Riga, Latvia. Main event sees Milans Volkovs fight Christian Fabian Luis for a lesser IBF cruiserweight title.
DAZN, 2:00 pm ET, Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington 2. From Nottingham, England. A rematch of their 2023 tilt which saw Wood reverse seven rounds of abuse with a magnificent hook that ended the fight. Since then, they’ve had just three combined fights, two of those coming in the form of a loss to Anthony Cacace by each man. Warrington also has a win over Asad Asif Khan, but otherwise these fellows are just as we left them two and a half years ago. The optimist in me says even if they’re clearly below their peaks, not every fight needs to be world class if it’s well-matched and in front of a crowd that can elevate it. The pessimist in me remembers the last time we saw Josh Warrington try to avenge a shock KO upset in a fight I was covering for the site. Lower on the card, Ishmael Davis defends a pair of domestic titles against Bilal Fawaz, and Sandy Ryan fights for a vacant WBC super lightweight belt against 12-10-2 (4 KO) Karla Zamora. Prelims start at 12:30 pm ET, if all that isn’t enough for you. BLH will have live updates
Millions.Co, 3:00 pm ET, Iliad in LA: USC vs UCLA. From Los Angeles, California. $14.99 gets you access to an amateur college boxing showcase hosted by USC. Poster implies fighters will be represented from USC, UCLA, Stanford, Santa Clara, Washington, UC-Riverside, and El Camino College.
DAZN PPV, 5:45 pm ET, Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia. From Las Vegas, Nevada, for Barrios’s WBC welterweight title. Garcia looked lousy in a loss to Rolly Romero his last time out in May. That came after a one year suspension for a failed drug test that turned his win over Devin Haney into a no contest. Barrios enters off consecutive draws to Abel Ramos and 46 year old Manny Pacquiao. $69.99 American to feast your eyes on this white-hot matchup! Support fights include Gary Antuanne Russell defending his WBA super lightweight belt against Andy Hiraoka and Richardson Hitchins defending his IBF super lightweight belt against Oscar Duarte. Plus, Frank Martin and Bek “The Bully” Melikuziev. BLH will have live updates
Sunday, February 22nd
DAZN, 8:00 pm ET, Claressa Shields vs Franchon Crews-Dezurn. From Detroit, Michigan, for every major sanctioning body’s (and the WBF, but not the IBO!) heavyweight title, all currently held by Shields. A rematch nearly a decade in the making! Both women launched their pro careers in November of 2016 in a four-rounder that Shields won by decision. Both have gone on to win titles at multiple weights up and down the rankings. Now, with little left for either to do or try, they’ll run it back. Shields is still considered the top P4P female fighter and one of the greatest in the history of the sport. FCD is almost certainly a future hall-of-famer, but fell to #2 in the rankings of fighters to lose hair mid-fight after Jarrell Miller’s viral moment a few weeks ago. BLH will have live updates
Even with Matthew Stafford coming back for 2026, the Los Angeles Rams could still draft a rookie quarterback in the draft this year. They have two first-round picks and could use one to find a young player to sit behind Stafford until he eventually retires from the NFL.
While there isn't a huge list of quality 2026 prospects to choose from after Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is expected to go No. 1 overall, NFL insider Louis Riddick said on ESPN this week that the Rams really like Alabama's Ty Simpson.
"I know personally, I know they [the Rams] like Ty Simpson out of Alabama," Riddick said. "When you look at Ty's skillset, and you think about Ty's makeup, that's exactly what they're looking for."
Louis Riddick on yesterday's NFL Draft Daily "I know personally they (Rams) like Ty Simpson. His skillset and makeup is exactly what they're looking for" pic.twitter.com/cnKTWXVRg9
If the Rams are interested in Simpson, the next question will be where they'd want to draft him. He could easily go in the first round with either of the Rams' two first-round picks at Nos. 13 and 29, or perhaps L.A. believes Simpson could fall into the second round, where they could take him at No. 61 or move up to grab him.
The decision to draft a quarterback or not in 2026 will be one to follow all offseason, but Riddick's intuition with the Rams shouldn't be discounted. Riddick accurately predicted the Rams would want to draft Pittsburgh's Konata Mumpfield in 2025, which they did in the seventh round. Mumpfield ended up playing a decent amount of snaps as well.
Simpson would be a solid sit-and-develop type of quarterback for head coach Sean McVay, too. He's only a one-year starter, but finished the 2025 season with 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions for Alabama. Simpson is a good size for a pocket passer, too, at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds.
The only reason not to take Simpson with a first-round pick, though, is that he would be a long-term piece on a team that is primed for a short-term Super Bowl run. Stafford's return is huge, and the Rams may prefer to upgrade pieces of significant need right now rather than add a quarterback of the future.
Real Madrid new signing destined to start vs Benfica after impressive display against Sociedad
Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the standout players for Real Madrid when they secured a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.
The Englishman, starting a game for the first time since his second injury blow, produced an excellent display in the right-back position.
The former Liverpool star notably produced a brilliant ball to assist Gonzalo Garcia’s all-important opener. He was a constant threat down the right flank before he eventually made way for Dani Carvajal around the hour mark.
Trent destined to start vs Benfica
In light of his performance against Sociedad, Trent appears to be destined to start in Real Madrid’s upcoming game against SL Benfica.
This is according to MARCA (h/t Madrid Xtra), which suggests there are no doubts about the Englishman’s starting role against Benfica.
Trent produced a brilliant display vs Sociedad. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Given the way Real Madrid had struggled against Benfica during the league phase, losing 4-2, Trent’s abilities on the flanks could be useful.
The right-back can put constant pressure on the flanks of the Benfica defence, making it difficult for the Eagles to utilise a high-pressing game.
Not to mention, the former Liverpool sensation offers a lot of productivity through set-pieces, making him an ideal avenue for Los Blancos.
However, Benfica coach Jose Mourinho, who had to visit the hospital ahead of the game, will be well aware of Trent’s abilities, having faced him previously during his time in the Premier League.
Apart from Trent, the other option for Real Madrid is Dani Carvajal, who has resolved his issues with Alvaro Arbeloa and is ready to contribute to the team, after struggling with fitness for the majority of the campaign.
Ligue 1: Le Havre triumphs with ten men against Toulouse
Le Havre snatches victory over Toulouse despite early sending off for Arouna Sangante.
Ligue 1: Le Havre triumphs with ten men against Toulouse
Le Havre AC pulled off a stunning 2-1 win over Toulouse FC at the Stade Océane—a hard-fought victory after being reduced to ten men almost from the outset.
Just two minutes in, Arouna Sangante was shown a red card, leaving Le Havre a man down for nearly the entire match. Despite this early setback, the hosts took the lead right before halftime through Issa Soumaré (43’). Toulouse responded instantly, with Djibril Sidibé equalizing in first-half stoppage time.
But after the break, Soumaré struck again (53’), set up by Sofiane Boufal, netting the decisive goal. With this victory, Le Havre claims a second consecutive win and continues its positive momentum ahead of a trip to Nantes. Meanwhile, Toulouse will look to bounce back at home against Paris FC.
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus – Newspapers Critical Of Brazil Winger: ‘He’s Falling Asleep’
Luis Henrique and his performance in Inter Milan’s dramatic 3-2 win over Juventus has sparked fresh debate about his consistency.
After impressing in the previous league outing with a lively cameo, expectations were higher for the Brazilian winger in the Derby d’Italia.
He appeared to start brightly, with a cross that indirectly led to Andrea Cambiaso’s own goal.
However, the positive impact quickly faded and the media were critical in their assessment.
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus – Luis Henrique ‘Falling Asleep’
BARI, ITALY – AUGUST 16: Luis Henrique of Inter during Pre-Season Friendly match between FC Internazionale and Olympiacos FC at Stadio San Nicola on August 16, 2025 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Henrique switched off during Juventus’ equalizer, allowing Cambiaso to ghost past him far too easily and restore parity.
Several outlets described the moment as him “falling asleep,” highlighting a lapse in concentration that nearly proved costly.
Gazzetta dello Sport awarded him a 5, while Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, TMW, and L’Interista all settled on 5.5.
While Inter ultimately secured the victory, Henrique’s timid display raised questions about which version of the winger Cristian Chivu can rely on moving forward.
Two coordinators in two days now for the Raiders. The first hire was defensive coordinator for which the Raiders stayed in-house to promote DL coach Rob Leonard to the post. Today, Klint Kubiak reached into his past to lure in his dad's former special teams coordinator for the same position.
The #Raiders are expected to hire South Carolina’s Joe DeCamillis as special teams coordinator, sources tell @CBSSports.
Before South Carolina and working at Texas in 2023, DeCamillis was a special teams coach in the NFL for 31 years. pic.twitter.com/qf01dkMaZu
DeCamillis brings a breadth of experience as an NFL special teams coordinator. He has coached in the NFL for 31 years, including being part of two Super Bowl teams in Denver (2015) and with the Rams (2021). His last stops were in the college ranks with his most recent NFL coaching stint being in LA in 2022.
That 2015 team in Denver had Klilnt's father Gary as head coach. Raiders GM John Spytek was also a scout for that team in Denver.
Two years later, Dicamillis was hired as the Jaguars special teams coordinator to which Gary said "Joe is a leader of men and a tireless worker that brings energy and knowledge to the staff and organization. He is a championship-level football coach and the Jaguars have landed a special man. Go get 'em Joe."
Jutta Leerdam, Jake Paul's fiancée, won her second medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics
Six days after her gold in the women's 1000-meters, the speedskater added a 500-meter silver
Erin Jackson, who won gold in the event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, becoming the first Black woman to win a solo medal at a Winter Olympics, finished off the podium
Jutta Leerdam is adding to her medal count — and her fiancé Jake Paul couldn't be prouder.
The Dutch speedskater, 27, snagged the silver medal in women's 500-meter speedskating at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday, Feb. 15, just behind her fellow countrywoman Femke Kok, who took gold. Erin Jackson, the Team USA star who won the event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, was unable to defend her gold medal and finished in fifth, 0.83 behind Kok and just 0.05 off the podium.
Leerdam was in the first place position coming down to the final two skaters, Kok and Jackson. Jackson took the lead after the first 250 meters, but couldn't hold on, as Kok skated away for gold.
Kok and Leerdam celebrated together, along with the bronze medalist, Japan's Miho Takagi, after Kok and Jackson's skate.
(L-R) Jutta Leerdam looks on as Femke Kok celebrates
Daniel MUNOZ / AFP via Getty
Paul, 29, was in the Milano Speed Skating Arena to cheer on his fiancée for a second time, and immediately posted a video of the moment she skated her way to the first position.
"she’s so amazing wow. another medal 🥈 you inspire us all. @juttaleerdam," Paul wrote after the race.
“I really welcome the pressure, so I guess I’m a little bit different in that regard,” Jackson, who became the first Black woman to win a solo medal at the Winter Olympics in 2022. “I kind of eat on that pressure to get me in the right mindset for my events.”
Unfortunately, though, Jackson wasn't able to find that gold again at the 2026 Games. Along with her fifth-place finish in the 500 meters, she took sixth in her other event, the 1000-meters.
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.
Charles Ollivon scores France’s eighth try against Wales - Paul Ellis/Getty Images
Another Wales humiliation, another record for the Dragonhood to pile on to their recent mass of rancid ignominy.
And perhaps the most humbling aspect of this eight-try destruction was that Steve Tandy’s men actually played much better than in the previous weekend’s stuffing in Twickenham. That is where Wales happen to be at the moment.
And the fact that this was the lowest attendance (57,744) ever for a Six Nations at the Principality Stadium was desperate. Utterly desperate.
Yes, the French were exhilarating and exuberant and all those other adjectives that make the Six Nations favourites so “ex”-rated to the opposition.
France’s scrum-half Antoine Dupont was too much for Wales to handle - Paul Ellis/AFP
And considering the Antoine Dupont-inspired visitors – of which his half-back, Matthieu Jalibert, maybe enjoying his best performance in the blue shirt – were 19-0 ahead after only 15 minutes, it was something of an achievement for Wales to limit the damage of the ensuing 65 minutes to 35-14.
Indeed, the scoreline might not even have reflected the improvement in the Welsh from the insipid dross they delivered in the 48-7 annihilation against England eight days before.
Their defence was better, their set-piece was in a different class and at last, after two games of not even scoring a point in the first half of their last two Tests, they gave the Welsh public something to cheer on before they went off to get their leek bovril.
But still, they lost by 42 points and this was their worst defeat in Cardiff against France. Furthermore, it was their 13th Six Nations defeat in succession and their 21st loss in 23 games in the the championship since winning the title in 2021.
Regardless of whatever signs of promise the red-shirted faithful carried out into the wet Welsh air on Sunday evening, this must now be regarded as one of the most dramatically quick downfalls in the history of any sport.
A third wooden spoon beckons and with the Welsh Rugby Union overseeing something approaching a civil war in the domestic game, it is all the governing body deserves. It is a shocking mess.
They’re very good to watch, certainly if you pay to watch them you’re getting your money’s worth.
I’m the defence coach, they’re probably a bit more like me when I was a player, loved to attack. My job is to remind them you have to defend well in vital moments, and I was very pleased with that today.
On Matthieu Jalibert:
Roman [Ntamack] has had an injury and we wish him well in his recovery, but Matthieu has come in and been outstanding in attack and defence, hopefully we can keep that competition going between them.
On the thinking behind Charles Ollivon’s move to second row:
Mobility, Charles in the 2nd row, Mickaël Guillard has played back row. Mobility as well as the power. Sometimes there’s a bit of give [and take]. Selection has been very good for mobility.
On France’s Grand Slam prospects:
We know we’ve got a huge game coming up vs Italy, who were magnificent against Ireland and beat Scotland. That’s the next job, we’ll be bang at it.
05:25pm
Welsh head coach Steve Tandy to BBC Sport:
I definitely feel like that we didn’t throw many punches last week, but our discipline was much better, set piece excellent, and we had a few moments.
Ultimately we’re really disappointed with the last few moments of first half. 19-7 would’ve been a transitional moment for us.
It’s a part of the journey we’re on, but there’s more to see from that performance today.
France, the athletes they have 1-23, if you kicked a little bit too far, an offload, knock on they were incredible. You have to tip your hat.
For us, we’re transitioning. We’re not where we want to be, especially on scoreboard, but we’re building.
On not having a full-time defence coach:
We’ve been looking at a defence coach, mid-season it’s hard to get things in and I wanted to see what’s around us, by summer we’ll have an option there.
On the lack of ticket sales:
It’s our job to get support here. Our supporters are amazing, the general public have been amazing, understanding. You see the effort out there as a young group, it’s not on the scoreline but they do love the community and nation, and the support makes a difference.
05:12pm
Dewi Lake post-match
Speaks well for a man undeservedly at the front and centre of this mess.
Was this a step forward:
Guess so. We were a lot better than last week, but there’s still massive work ons. When we did create, we were largely inaccurate. We can be more positive than last week but there’s still a a lot of improvement.
Its always a privilege to put the jersey on, that will never change, but the morale comes from the scoreboard. We were disappointed last week and we can probably be a bit more positive. But we got broken on kick chase.
They’re a world class team, best in the world at what they do, but we need to be better.
On the lowest attendance at a Six Nations game in Cardiff (57,744):
It’s our job to make people want to watch games. We’re a side that at the minute are not getting results. All we can ask is people stick with us, come on the journey as we are growing. It’s our job to excite people and make them want to watch.
05:05pm
Hear from France:
Emilien Gailleton, who was born in Croydon! Strange London twang in his accent:
Very pleased we had the win and bonus point in the first half. We were happy to attack, we’re very pleased. More games to go, the job’s not finished.
All this year long we’ve seen [Matthieu Jalibert] in the Top 14, outstanding performance, special kicker, happy to play with him.
Matthieu Jalibert, as translated by Gailleton:
Really pleased to play with such talented players. The forwards made a big effort, gave us space.
05:00pm
Scratching for the positives
Not too far from what we expected, then. Perhaps most worryingly for Wales is that their set piece was actually quite good, demonstrated by a scrum penalty and lineout before the try. But set piece is usually the easy get out to excuse poor performance - if that goes well, what didn’t instead? It’s a platform to build off, at least.
There’s only so much you can do about a France team attacking like that though, the offloading and speed of ball to width was irresistible at times. Not many teams capable of playing like that, or indeed defending it.
04:55pm
Full-time: Wales 12 France 54
France go long from the kick off and Hardy slices his clearance giving France one last attack, but the game ends with Bielle-Biarrey stepping into touch.
04:52pm
Try Wales!
Wales go to the corner and their attack is promising, getting within a couple before Kieran Hardy gets slotted, and Taine Plumtree gets held up.
We go back to the advantage and they tuck it up the jumper, earn another advantage and Mason Grady scores out wide, fed selflessly by Rees-Zammit. Well workedfrom a good set piece platform.
04:49pm
75 mins: Wales 7 France 54
Bra-Boirie crashes up for 10m off the scrum, he’s been very impressive. They kick long and Wales knock it on in their return. That spells danger for Wales but as Ramos bursts up the left his pass to Bielle-Biarrey is forward. Welsh ball, and they win a penalty at the scrum!
04:46pm
73 mins: Wales 7 France 54
Hardy is on now and quick taps from just outside the 22 and it’s dangerous for France. He gives it to Hawkins but his offload goes to ground.
They keep the ball for a few more phases but a fatigued Wainwright drops it.
04:44pm
70 mins: Wales 7 France 54
Nearly a hattrick for Attissogbe, a Ramos grubber a bit too close to the touchline to score.
Wales have a chance to counter but every time they look to go wide they seem half a yard slower, both in speed of foot and ball, than France. They’re turned over again and another France grubber is just about kept away from the tryline.
04:41pm
68 mins: Wales 7 France 54
Eddie James intercepts with a France overlap left waiting, but once again his team are not matching his efforts. Their ball is slow, and Gailleton effects the turnover.
Kieran Hardy only played 30 seconds vs England last week, yet to appear today, but Williams looks tired.
That’s Gailleton’s last involvement, replaced by debutant Noah Nene who looks a bit of a specimen.
04:39pm
66 mins: Wales 7 France 54
France clear and Wales attack in the midfield, Eddie James running a nice line before Taine Plumtree knocks on. Ramos hacks clear and Wales are are in their 22.
04:37pm
64 mins: Wales 7 France 54
Just misery for Wales now. The France support is in full voice but Wales make some headway, Eddie James carrying particularly well. On his third involvement he carries within a metre and Josh Adams tries to dot down but somehow knocks it on. France will feed the scrum in coffin corner.
04:35pm
Try France! Immediate follow up
Off comes Dupont, replaced by Baptiste Serin, one of the most underrated players in the world. He immediately dances through for a linebreak from a dummy kick and France work through the phases.
Eventually they get within pick and go distance and Charles Ollivon, who provided Serin with the support, flops over. His Six Nations try scoring record is ridiculous, continued even at second row. 19 tries in 50 caps.
7-54. Record score on the cards.
04:30pm
Try France!
Rinse and repeat from the second try.
Maul stymied and Jalibert goes to Attissogbe cross field. Rees-Zammit is far too narrow and the right winger even lets the ball bounce before dotting down for his brace.
04:29pm
57 mins: Wales 7 France 40
French subs have brought some serious physicality and a sequence of huge hits leads to the counter ruck turnover. Ramos dinks one over to Attissogbe who can’t keep his toes from the whitewash, so we go back to a penalty.
5m lineout.
04:28pm
55 mins: Wales 7 France 40
Dafydd Jenkins is caught offside being slow to retreat and France go to the corner, but Brau-Boirie knocks on from the crash ball. Wales attempt to play out and the newly-introduced Meafou turns it over but the referee is sympathetic in going back for a long knock on advantage.
An attacking scrum for France turned into a penalty as Gailleton tackles from the floor - he’d just made one and then made another. Don’t like that rule, should reward double efforts like that. Wales can clear and somehow their ambition from depth is rewarded.
04:24pm
Welsh gallows humour
Funny moment in the press box. The huge screen in the Principality Stadium showed Sir Gareth Edwards in the grandstand shaking his head. A French voice shouted: ‘Dupont is better than you’. It was followed by the response of a wizened Welsh scribe. ‘That is as maybe,’ he said. “But you must remember Sir Gareth is 80 next year.” Gallows humour is all the Welsh have left.
04:24pm
52 mins: Wales 7 France 40
On comes the French bench. All six forwards on with a couple of Welsh forwards on as well.
04:20pm
Try France! Wingers combine from 70m out
Attisogbe scores after Bielle-Biarrey coasts into Welsh half. He’s done well to keep up with his counterpart.
All three of the back three involved, exemplifying their USPs. Ramos has loose ball to clear up and does so with abundant composure, offloading over the top for Bielle-Biarrey. The left-winger flies clear and links up witb Attissogbe, who runs Ashton-esque support lines, for the try.
04:19pm
49 mins: Wales 7 France 33
Six minutes of rugby and Wales have gone from a hard-earned 12 point deficit to 26 points.
Wales work some offloads for themselves and Francis storms over on the front foot. Wales finally get quick ball to Wainwright in a wide channel but his lack of support is a tidy illustration of the difference between the two sides. They eventually knock on and France hoof clear, Mee doing well to clear up.
04:15pm
Try France!
France flex their maul muscles and Marchand comes up with a modest smile. 50th cap celebrated in style.
Left to right fade from the conversion on the touchline and France lead 33-7.
04:14pm
43 mins: Wales 7 France 26
France go wide again off the lineout and Ramos, Bielle-Biarrey and Gailleton combine to fly into the Welsh half. They make their way into the 22 before Wales concede the penalty. Jalibert pins the kick within 7m.
04:13pm
42 mins: Wales 7 France 26
Jalibert has so much time on the ball. Wales turn over but recycle it slowly and kick long. Jalibert takes his time and then banana kicks it down the middle, finding grass and forcing Wales to kick out.
04:11pm
Second half start: Wales 7 France 26
France kick off and Wales clear, Williams keeping it in play.
04:11pm
Last try really frustrating
The pundits are really grappling at straws here, this has been better than the 28-0 deficit they had against France at half-time last year, they say.
Suppose that’s where we’re at with Wales nowadays. Can’t overstate how frustrating that last try was, an intercept or Ellis Mee aerial take (he’s made plenty) was all it would have taken to make this a one score game. Not saying that would’ve resulted in anything but France are absolutely not playing the percentages so who knows?
France have been making those low percentage plays look anything but that, of course. Long may it continue, it’s brilliant to watch.
Second half about to start.
04:03pmAnalysis
‘Better from Wales’
Wales would have taken being 19-7 down at the break. But that Adam Beard howler has dispirited this place to the point of resignation. It has been better from Wales, though. And with the scoreboard reading 7-26 that speaks volume about Wales are. Still, they have ‘drawn’ the last 26 minutes.
04:01pm
Some stats
Just the 21 offloads and 19 clean breaks from France so far, resulting in 533m over the gainline. They’re obviously on a different plain to Wales, and with that considered Wales have genuinely done well to stem the flow of tries, especially after the flurry of three tries in the first 15 minutes.
I’m sure if France were a touch more pragmatic in the 22 they’d have more reward but you live by the sword etc. The tries they have scored have been scintillating.
03:57pm
Half-time: Wales 7 France 26
Both sides opting to play on as the clock goes red but Wales floundering under the obligation to play through the phases. France win the penalty after 12 phases.
Jalibert decides enough is enough. Half time and Wales were probably deserving of a 7-19 deficit. 7-26 instead though.
03:52pm
Try France! A gift for Jalibert!
Adam Beard with a bit of a brain fade...
Wales had really steadied themselves and in another instance of this they win a turnover at the ruck on half way. Second row Adam Beard comes away with it and inexplicably opts to kick. It’s blocked at point blank range and the ball sits up perfectly for Jalibert to coast in unopposed. So frustrating after a 25 minute period of real defiance.
03:51pm
38 mins: Wales 7 France 19
Back come France after Wales keep their kick in play. Wales defend well so Jalibert goes to the air but Attissogbe wins it back...
03:50pm
37 mins: Wales 7 France 19
France kick assuming the advantage was still on but it’s not, and Rees-Zammit hoovers up before Williams exits. I personally like not playing the advantage for too long but James Doleman should’ve made that a bit clearer.
France manufacture an opportunity for Dupont to have a run at the Welsh defence from the lineout and he dances through before offloading to Brau-Boirie. The ball is knocked on though and Wales get the ball out of a back-pedalling scrum.
03:47pm
35 mins: Wales 7 France 19
Lineout infringement so France attack with penalty advantage...
03:47pm
34 mins: Wales 7 France 19
Free kick Wales and Rees-Zammit is given a run but Brau-Boirie lassoos him.
Ball is retained but after a couple phases Thomas Francis enters a ruck illegally and France will attack from 45m out.
03:45pm
33 mins: Wales 7 France 19
Wales go to the air quickly again and France look to have the scraps but Marchand was in an accidentally offside position. Midfield scrum for Wales. Rees-Zammit’s been quiet.
03:44pm
Try disallowed: Wales 7 France 19
Wales had kicked off first phase and Bielle-Biarrey juggled his claim under pressure before offloading to Dupont. He bursts round the outside and steps himself, but his offload leads to more ground. From the ruck, 10m out, he dinks over but Attisogbe was well in front of him.
03:42pm
Try France!
Attissogbe finishes off some lovely heads up rugby!
It came from a dink from Dupont but we’re checking whether the winger was offside.
03:41pm
29 mins: Wales 7 France 19
Wales kicking on first and second phase and Mee in particular making it work in the air. Frustratingly Tomos Williams hoofs it cross field after a slow subsequent phase and Bielle-Biarrey catches before hoofing back into the Welsh half.
03:39pm
27 mins: Wales 7 France 19
This French attack is flowing - offloads and distribution from forwards and backs alike. Brau-Boirie has been brought in as a big 12 but his feet are slick. Has to be said that Wales are scrambling very well even if France are making their way round the outside with ease.
That’s exemplified again as composed offloading in scrappy situations allows for a linebreak and Dupont looks to be away before Tomos Williams tracks back to tackle. They turn it over and Louis Rees-Zammit is almost away but is hauled down. This game is chaos, Wales playing their part at present.
03:35pm
25 mins: Wales 7 France 19
France go wide first phase and Louis Bielle-Biarrey is once again in space. His pass to Attissogbe is poor and Wales go quick from the lineout.
03:33pm
23 mins: Wales 7 France 19
Some normality as Wales win the scrum and Tomos Williams hoofs into the stands. France lineout on half way.
03:32pm
22 mins: Wales 7 France 19
So frustrating... Wales knock on the restart and Francis catches it in an offside position so France attack again as Dupont goes quick.
Great tackle though by Eddie James in an outside channel on Ramos, who knocks on. Wales will feed the scrum.
03:29pm
Try Wales! Carre pulls one back
Here we go then! Ellis Mee claims the kick off and is hauled down a few metres short. France offside twice in their scramble defence and Wales will go for the tap play.
Lake remembers to tap it today, and Carre, all 131kg of him, crashes over.
It’s amazing what a try can do! Atmosphere has lifted dramatically here after Wales hit back following that increasingly familiar 0-19 opening. Ellis Mee has been fantastic these last 15 minutes.
03:26pm
Try France! Relentless
Fabien Brau-Boirie with a debut try!
Devestating from France. Bielle-Biarrey dances round Dewi Lake and France look to the right wing next phase. Jalibert is sitting out back of the pods in the midfield and flying round the outside channels with ease. This time he offloads inside to Brau-Boirie and France have a third in 15 minutes.
03:25pm
13 mins: Wales 0 France 12
France look like they’ll score every time they go wide, this time Ollivon and Jalibert combining before Bielle-Biarrey makes mince meat of Wainwright’s ankles. His pass inside to Ramos is dropped and Wales have the feed.
03:23pm
Try Louis Biell-Biarrey!
The man is inevitable! 23rd try in his 24th test, and they don’t get much simpler.
France saunter into the corner and the maul is repelled at great expense. Ball is drawn back to Jalibert and his crossfield is on the money, Bielle-Biarrey catching it over the tryline before dotting down.
Conversion sliced wide. 12-0 France.
03:22pm
10 mins: Wales 0 France 7
Wales seemed to be defending well again but Thomas Ramos fizzes a long pass wide and it’s immediately shifted to Jalibert, who gets outside his man to release Fabien Brau-Boirie on debut. Attissogbe has it and his feet are so quick. He’s held up but Wales dragged him 5m over their own line, penalty not releasing.
03:20pm
9 mins: Wales 0 France 7
Well defended, Wales. After that initial Dupont surge Wales get set and Jalibert goes for a dink which Mee claims before being tackled into touch. Still a good outcome for the visitors.
03:18pm
8 mins: Wales 0 France 7
Wales hold firm but Dupont links with Jalibert to burst into the Welsh 22 before France push them back 10.
France roll over the gainline, however, with ease to get back onto the front foot.
03:17pm
7 mins: Wales 0 France 7
Dan Edwards goes long after Wales get stuck on half way again but it always looks too long, and we’ll come back for the scrum in a central position.
03:16pm
5 mins: Wales 0 France 7
Ellis Mee wins the ball back in the air vs Bielle-Biarrey, after the latter won one in the lead up to the try.
They’re playing some phases here but are struggling to get past the half-way so Dan Edwards goes to the air.
03:13pm
Try France! 88 seconds on the clock!
Émilien Gailleton scores with his first touch!
Sumptuous no-look offload by none other than Dupont to Attissogbe who dances though defenders before releasing Ollivon. He executes the two-on-one for Gailleton to score. They were queuing up.
03:11pm
1 min: Wales 0 France 0
Wales kick off deep, and France clear immediately through Dupont.
03:10pm
Kick off imminent
Bold play to go Acapella given all the talk about ticket sales but Cardiff in fine voice for Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. Two great anthems, lots of travelling French support.
03:08pmAnalysis
Poor scoring record at home
Wales’s most obvious challenge is to score points - any sort of points - in the first half. They have failed to trouble the scoreboard operators in their last tests. Wales were 28-0 down here at half-time in their 73-0 execution against South Africa in November - and 29-0 to the bad in their 48-7 in Twickenham last weekend. Surely, they must offer this crowd some sort of hope.
03:06pm
Kick off in 5 mins
Teams are out, anthems and kick off imminent. Regardless of attendance the Principality nows how to set the scene.
The top tier resembles that of a Barbarians game, though.
03:02pmPictures
Ticket sale fears justified so far
This was taken just 15 minutes before kick off - David Rogers/Getty Images
03:01pm
Welsh board member John Manders to BBC Sport:
Welsh rugby’s full of passioin, we all want it to do right thing. If I could bottle passion from fans we wouldn’t have to do anything, it’s key.
We’re working really hard on a plan, a mandate to change, because we have to change things. As a board we’ve only been together for two years, there’s been huge change in our governance, financial structure. We’ve secured good funding in our pathways, the model’s changed.
If the fans stick with us, we’ll get through this together. We understand the problems we’ve got and we’re working hard to improve them.
02:59pmAnalysis
‘Never seen Cardiff so flat’
Never seen the streets of Cardiff so flat before a Six Nations - apart from the renditions of ‘Alez Les France’ of course. Expecting there to be 10,000 empty seats. However, the roof is shut and the a Capella anthem will make goosebumps rise.
The Welsh can only pray they will not be soon be replaced by stress rashes.
02:58pm
Wales head coach Steve Tandy:
Reaction to last week’s 48-7 defeat:
It was really open and honest, the boys were bitterly disappointed. A lot of what happen was self-inflicted, credit to England but we were masters of our own downfall.
Looking ahead to France:
We have to understand the gulf, where we’re both at. We need to build our game, focus on and implement what we can achieve.
His side’s discipline:
It’s been a focus for us every week. From the autumn we’ve had referees in to help, especially with the offside. The way the game is refereed, you want the space. We’ve got to have a massive focus, the needless penalties were a large part of defeat at Twickenham.
02:51pm
I had Welsh rugby sorted out in six months – this lot are incompetent
Just so much to be said about Wales’s situation, but who better to provide some insight than David Moffett. He was the WRU CEO between 2002 and 2005, arriving with the organisation registering a loss of £3.7m and leaving having made a profit of £3.6m. He was the man responsible for setting up the five regions: Cardiff Blues, Scarlets, Ospreys, Dragons and the promptly disbanded Celtic Warriors.
Charles Richardson spoke to him this week:
“Let’s face it, the WRU hierarchy could not organise a p--- up in a brewery,” Doncaster-born Moffett tells Telegraph Sport. “They are incredibly incompetent. They sit there as the entire infrastructure is crumbling and falling apart. They don’t seem to have any idea how to fix it. I know they have no idea how to fix it. Yet, they are still there.
“I’ve got a lot of answers. I never criticise without offering solutions. I’ve laid out a full 10-page rescue plan on LinkedIn. I presented a manifesto in 2014. The WRU will have nothing to do with me. The reason for that is that I would make them confront their inadequacies and their incompetencies.
We have to play to our standards and potential, we have to judge ourselves harshly in everything we’ve done. We know we played well vs Ireland but we want to improve.
I’m sure better times are coming for Wales, let’s hope it happens tomorrow, not today.
On debutant Fabien Brau-Boirie:
He’s some player, very big, very strong but can also avoid contact v well. The two centres have played together at Pau, so hopefully they can play well today.
02:35pm
Anything can happen in the Six Nations, but surely not this?
Although it surely didn’t need affirming, yesterday was a fantastic reminder that anything can happen in the Six Nations. An England team, brimming with confidence and harnessing more belief from their fanbase than they have this decade, beaten thoroughly and comprehensively by Scotland at Murrayfield... for the fourth time in five games there. Finn Russell pulling the strings, Jamie Ritchie everywhere, Huw Jones and Ben White on the scoresheet; while it was no doubt a surprise, there was a retrospective feeling that everyone should’ve seen that coming.
That said, there is an unshakeable feeling of certainty for today’s match between Wales and France. If Wales were to win, and anyone says they predicted it, tell them they’re full of it or ask them for the lottery numbers. The hosts haven’t beaten a tier one nation since they beat a tumultuous Australia in the 2023 World Cup, and haven’t beaten France since the 2019 World Cup quarter-final. Only Josh Adams, Tomos Williams, Thomas Francis and Aaron Wainwright survive from that win. The bookies have Wales at 40/1, France at 1/25, surely their worst odds in a Six Nations game ever.
France fans have arrived in Cardiff expecting a procession - Ian Cook/Getty Images
This week’s fresh epicentre in the ever-growing crisis in Welsh rugby is ticket sales, as was hinted at during their miserable Autumn. It was reported that they have offered stewards free tickets in an attempt to fill the stands. Whatever the week’s problem is, Wales are at their lowest ebb, unable to run a “p--- up in a brewery” according to their former CEO David Moffett.
Conversely, France are flying. Despite winning last year’s championship, three (expected) defeats to New Zealand last Summer and defeat to South Africa in the Autumn prompted a bit of pressure on head coach Fabien Galthié. That was silenced emphatically by their 36-14 victory over Ireland last week, the scoreboard non-reflective of their dominance.
Their squad has an average age of 26, not much lower than Wales’s but their experienced players are world class and their youngsters have the world at their feet. Much was said about Galthié‘s decision to drop the likes of Gregory Alldritt, Gael Fickou and Damian Penaud for the tournament but Theo Attissogbe on the wing looks to be a revelation and their back row depth is unparalleled in the tournament. The one question may be over their centre partnership, Fabien Brau-Boirie and Emielien Gailleton the new men in after injuries to Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere - Fickou not required.
Even still, it’s doubtful that will have any meaningful impact. Let’s hope Wales can invalidate this entire preview and provide a challenge. Their fans need it.
Stay tuned for build up, team news and live coverage!
Andre Onana will return to Manchester United in the summer when his loan at Trabzonspor comes to an end.
Ruben Amorim had signalled the need for a change between the sticks, and Onana was subsequently moved on.
The club then brought in Senne Lammens on deadline day for £18 million, while the Cameroonian goalkeeper joined Trabzonspor on loan for the entire 2025/26 season.
While Lammens is thriving at Old Trafford, Onana has been struggling during his time in Turkey, with another difficult showing coming in yesterday’s 3-2 defeat against Fenerbahce.
Man United may be stuck with Andre Onana’s wage problem
Photo by Hakan Burak Altunoz/Anadolu via Getty Images
Onana is reportedly holding talks with Inter Milan about a potential summer transfer. This move implies that he anticipates returning to Old Trafford this summer and subsequently seeking a new club to join.
Ineos are likely to be more concerned about getting his salary off the books than focusing on the size of the fee they get in return.
On his current deal, Onana is earning £120,000 per week at United, which equates to just over £6 million per year.
Should he return to Manchester, the club would be paying a significant sum for a goalkeeper who is certain to be Lammens’ understudy. Given that Onana’s contract runs until 2028, there will be a strong internal push to move him on as soon as possible.
Andre Onana’s wage increase could cause problems for Man United
Ineos have made a concerted effort to bring more structure to Manchester United’s wage bill since taking over, so the prospect of Onana returning and taking up space on the books without contributing on the pitch is far from ideal.
Trabzonspor are currently covering his full salary, but once he comes back, that financial burden shifts entirely back to United.
On top of that, there is a clause in his contract tied to Champions League qualification that would boost his pay even further.
The Mirror reports that when United are in Europe’s top competition, Onana’s salary jumps up to around £170,000 per week.
With United holding fourth place and looking likely to return to the Champions League next season, this only adds more pressure for the club to find a solution.
Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe has been having another solid season for the Nets as he bring his customary rebounding energy to the floor whenever starter Nic Claxton comes out of the game. Brooklyn has been relying on the tandem of Claxton and Sharpe to provide 48 minutes of productive play at the center spot and Sharpe learned something new to help him be more consistent on the court.
"I looked and saw that there was a part of his game that we need to work on and improve on and that was his finishing in the paint," Nets assistant coach Juwan Howard said during a recent episode of the "Nets Pod With Sarah Kustok." Howard spoke on various topics over the course of the podcast, but one of the topics he addressed was helping Sharpe with his finishing at the rim through his patience.
"[During] offensive rebounding when he gets the ball sometimes, he rushes his shot and there are times when he's off-balance. There are times when he's trying to score [over] a smaller player that he struggled with," Howard continued. "I'm looking at how his body is going east and west, falling back, and he's trying to shoot the ball."
Sharpe, 24, is averaging 8.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 61.1% from the field and 67.9% from the free-throw line in 51 games played this season. Part of the intrigue surrounding Sharpe is how well he performs when he gets to play minutes worthy of a starter as he's averaging 13.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per contest while shooting 61.1% from the floor and 64.7% from the charity stripe in those situations.
More to the point, Sharpe has been more productive during his minutes at least in part due to the fact that the patience he has learned from Howard over the past two years. Since Howard joined the coaching staff, Sharpe is shooting 71.2% from 0-3 feet whereas in the three seasons prior to Howard joining Jordi Fernandez's coaching staff, Sharpe never shot better than 68.8% within that same range.
Despite playing in front of their first sellout crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena since 2024, No. 25 Iowa basketball (18-7, 8-6 Big Ten) authored one of its most disappointing performances of the year against No. 12 Purdue (21-4, 11-3 Big Ten) on Saturday evening, as the Hawkeyes have now dropped two consecutive Big Ten games.
Following an ugly loss at Maryland on Wednesday, the loss against Purdue has sounded some alarms amongst fans with No. 8 Nebraska coming to town on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Until then, here are the biggest takeaways from the Hawkeyes' home loss to Purdue:
Bennett Stirtz, Tavion Banks need more help on offense
While Bennett Stirtz and Tavion Banks have been outstanding for Iowa this year, the Hawkeyes desperately need to find a reliable tertiary scoring option to have success against quality opponents down the home stretch of the season and potentially into the postseason.
While Stirtz finished with a game-high 19 points, along with Banks' nine points, the Boilermakers' defense put a lid on those two for most of the night, which forced Iowa to find scoring elsewhere.
Given that Iowa's offense is almost entirely reliant on the production of the senior duo, opponents will undoubtedly follow the same blueprint until the Hawkeyes can prove otherwise.
Slow start dooms Hawkeyes again
Similar to the Feb. 11 loss at Maryland, Iowa could not find its offensive rhythm against Purdue, despite playing relatively well defensively in the opening portion of the first half.
Against a potent, efficient Boilermakers offense, the Hawkeyes needed to capitalize on their looks early and often to tap into the energy of the sold-out crowd. Unfortunately, Iowa's defensive presence could not hold off Purdue's offensive onslaught much longer, resulting in the Hawkeyes playing out of their game and taking shots out of necessity.
Poor situational rebounding
While Iowa actually outrebounded Purdue, 38-30, the Boilermakers had much better situational rebounding, which led to second- and third-chance opportunities offensively.
Although both Iowa and Purdue finished with 53 shot attempts, the extra opportunities gained by the Boilermakers' aggressive rebounding allowed them to hit critical shots to widen their lead at the start of the second half and eventually force the Hawkeyes into taking low-percentage shots.
With the six remaining games on Iowa's Big Ten schedule featuring Nebraska twice (home and away), along with contests against a red-hot Wisconsin team and No. 2 Michigan, the Hawkeyes cannot afford to continue this downward trend as the Big Ten Tournament and potentially the NCAA Tournament near in the not-too-distant future.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
The New York Giants are undergoing some big changes this offseason.
The team successfully lured John Harbaugh to be the next head coach, and that alone should raise the team's floor. Harbaugh is a Super Bowl-winning coach who had the Baltimore Ravens contending in almost every one of his seasons.
Now, the hope is that Harbaugh can bring the Giants back to prominence. The Giants went 4-13 in 2025, but thanks to young talent like Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers, there's optimism for the future.
Jake Beckman of FanSided recently predicted landing spots for the top 25 free agents this offseason. Beckman identified the Giants as a logical landing spot for center Tyler Linderbaum, who has spent the first four years of his career with the Ravens.
Obviously, Harbaugh is extremely familiar with Linderbaum, and the Giants do need some help on the interior of the offensive line. Regarding this potential pairing, Beckman offered the following:
When the Giants hired John Harbaugh as their new head coach, he was reported to be open to bringing some former Ravens with him, which makes total sense. If you’re looking for a guy to anchor your (probably) rebuilt interior offensive line, starting with a young and awesome Tyler Linderbaum would be a great piece for them to add.
Also, John Michael Schmitz isn't all that good, so they definitely need an upgrade regardless.
As Beckman mentioned, it's expected that Harbaugh will bring some Ravens with him to New York, and Linderbaum could be the perfect target.
John Michael Schmitz Jr, has been the starting center for the Giants, but his performance has been mixed. In 2025, the center earned a 60.5 Pro Football Focus grade and while being penalized four times and allowing one sack.
Linderbaum won't be a cheap option, however, Spotrac projects the lineman to earn a four-year deal worth around $18 million annually. The Giants would have do some maneuvering to fit that contract, but perhaps Linderbaum would offer his former coach a discount.
Linderbaum has only missed two games in his career, so availability isn't an issue. The Iowa product earned an elite 80.3 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025, which ranked 5th out of 40 qualified centers.
16 games, many questionable calls: A closer look at the referee of Girona vs Barcelona match
Barcelona are slated to face Girona on Monday in a must-win game, failing which the Catalans will have to relinquish their top spot to Real Madrid in the league table.
But in a week where there have been multiple refereeing scandals, even forcing the club to file an official complaint, Barcelona have been dealt with yet another bad news.
Barça’s upcoming game against Girona at Montilivi will be officiated by none other than referee Cesar Soto Grado.
Who is Soto Grado?
As pointed out by Diario SPORT, Grado’s appointment has raised immediate concern within the Blaugrana dressing room.
The official arrives amidst intense controversy following Pau Cubarsí’s disallowed goal against Atletico Madrid, which prompted formal complaints from the club.
Soto Grado has a turbulent history with Barça, yielding a record of seven wins, three draws, and six defeats across 16 matches.
Soto Grado has a sketchy past with Barcelona. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
This will be the third time he has officiated Hansi Flick’s side this season, following a contentious Madrid derby in November.
During that fixture, he sent off Pedri and awarded a penalty against Eric Garcia for handball, though Wojciech Szczesny saved the attempt.
He also initially awarded a penalty for a perceived foul on Vinicius Junior that was ultimately overturned by VAR after it was revealed the Brazilian dived.
His tenure is marked by high-profile disputes, most notably the 2023-24 Clasico, where he failed to award a ghost goal to Lamine Yamal.
Previous seasons saw a Joao Felix goal disallowed for a debated offside and a scoreless draw at Getafe marred by Raphinha’s dismissal.
In that Getafe match, he refused a late penalty on Ronald Araujo, citing previous handballs by Gavi in a decision many viewed as an invention.
Even under Ronald Koeman, the official awarded a rigorous penalty against Frenkie de Jong during a defeat to Getafe in the 2020-21 campaign. The performance of Soto Grado, therefore, will certainly be a key monitorable this Monday.
MILAN (AP) — A budding star with the Detroit Red Wings in his fourth NHL season, Lucas Raymond has elevated his game to an entirely different level with Sweden at the Olympics.
Only Canada's Connor McDavid, widely considered the best hockey player on the planet, and Slovakia's Juraj Slafkovsky, the reigning MVP at the Games from his breakout performance in 2022, have more points.
Raymond has been not just producing but also winning puck battles, and veteran defenseman Victor Hedman said the 23-year-old forward “put this team on his back” at times.
Raymond also had an ill-timed slashing penalty in the waning minutes of the preliminary round finale against Slovakia, which led to a costly goal that dropped Sweden from what would have been a comfortable spot as the third seed all the way to seventh. That means an extra game Tuesday in the qualification playoffs just to get into the quarterfinals Wednesday, and it's a chance for Raymond to get some retribution and put the Swedes back on track.
“We all saw that penalty in the end,” coach Sam Hallam said. "He has to own it. We support him. We do things together as a team. We learn from it. I’m pretty sure he’s going to be fired up for the next game.”
Raymond has a goal and four assists through three games, which is even better than his point-a-game pace with Detroit.
“He’s a very talented player — very good, very skilled," Sweden teammate Adrian Kempe said. “He plays hard, and obviously we saw some of that today. He’s been great. He’s one of our best players. When you get to watch him in the NHL, as well, you see what he can do. He’s obviously a young, talented guy and a big (part of the) future for our country.”
While Hedman and captain Gabriel Landeskog may be playing at the Olympics for the final time, Raymond is young enough to envision this being the first of a few, as long as the NHL continues to participate. There's already an agreement to go when it's in the French Alps in 2030.
Milan has been a showcase event so far for Raymond.
“I’ve felt better game by game," Raymond said. "Coming into a tournament, you want to perform. You want to play well for your team, and you want to be a good teammate. I think that’s our entire team’s mindset coming in, and we’re going to keep doing it that way.”
Sweden struggled to get going early in its opener against host Italy, lost to archrival Finland and actually had its best game against Slovakia until Raymond's slash and Dalibor Dvorsky's goal cut the margin from three to two, changing the group winner despite a 5-3 victory.
“You never want to put the guys in a spot like that, but it is what it is," Raymond said. "We’ll move on and get ready for the next game.”
Chelsea record routine home victory against improving Liverpool
Chelsea took another step towards securing European qualification by defeating Liverpool 2-0 at Kingsmeadow this afternoon.
Sjoeke Nüsken and Lauren James got the goals as The Blues boosted their chances of finishing in the Barclays Women’s Super League’s top-three.
Both sides created chances in the opening 20 minutes, but neither goalkeeper was really troubled.
It was Chelsea who took the lead just before half-time as James’ cross found Nusken, who slotted a right-footed shot beyond visiting keeper Jennifer Falk and into the net. The goal was her first in the Barclays Women’s Super League this season.
After the break, it was the visitors who looked to respond, but Cornelia Kapocs’ cross went just wide of Hannah Hampton’s goal.
James doubled The Blues’ lead in the 65th minute with a right-footed shot from outside of the box, the ball nestling in the bottom corner.
Both teams pushed to add to the scoresheet in the latter stages of the game, however, the scoreline remained 2-0.
This afternoon’s victory sees Chelsea retain third place in the Barclays Women’s Super League table while Liverpool remain in 11th position. Both sides are in Adobe Women’s FA Cup action next weekend with Chelsea playing host to Manchester United and Liverpool facing Everton on home soil.
I don’t like to sugar-coat things. If something looks FANTASTIC, I like to point it out. If something looks BAD, I will bring that to the forefront.
In this series, “The Cold, Hard Truth”, I will give my analysis on various parts of the team in an effort to allow healthy discussions on the specific topics at hand.
The Commanders have missed on more top 100 draft picks then they have hit on
Top 100 picks are very valuable in the NFL. In the last decade, over 70 percent of All-Pro first and second teamers were comprised of former top 100 draft picks. Now of course there are outliers, but as it stands, successful teams hit on the majority of their top 100 picks.
When Adam Peters arrived in Washington, he said during his opening press conference that he would build through the draft, and supplement through free agency. Now, it’s not for a lack of trying, as in his first two seasons as general manager he’s had eight top 100 draft picks. It’s what he’s done with those top 100 draft picks that leaves a bit of uncertainty.
2024 NFL Draft
RD1 #2: Jayden Daniels
Peters inherited the second overall pick in the draft and chose the uber-athletic Heisman winner from LSU. In what looks like a pretty special quarterback class, I think Peters got this pick correct – although some fans who were huge supporters of Drake Maye in the pre-draft process may argue otherwise. Daniels did have a rough second season marred by inconsistency and injuries, but his outlook remains high.
My Pick – Jayden Daniels
RD2 #36: Jer’Zhan Newton
This was a big swing-and-miss by Peters. Although Newton played in 16 of a possible 17 regular season games as a rookie, his impact was minimal. He was coming off foot surgery, and many felt he was not at 100 percent during the season, however his 2025 campaign showed very little improvement. He’ll enter 2026 as an afterthought.
My Pick: Cooper DeJean – DeJean has been a standout since entering the league, making the Pro Bowl and earning All-Pro in 2025.
RD2 #50 (via trade-back with Eagles): Mike Sainristil
Sainristil looked decent as a rookie bouncing between slot corner and the outside, however he took a HUGE step backwards in 2025. There were times last season where he looked unplayable. The question needs to be asked, is it the player or the scheme? For now, I’m going to say we missed on this pick – ESPECIALLY seeing who we could have chosen.
My Pick: Edgerrin Cooper OR Kool-Aid McKinstry – Assuming the Eagles didn’t trade up for pick #40.
RD2 #53 (via trade-back with Eagles): Ben Sinnott
In his first two seasons, Sinnott has been a major bust. He’s started five total games in two seasons and has recorded just 16 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
My Pick: I don’t have a pick here as I went with the assumption we never made the trade with the Eagles to move off pick 40.
RD3 #67: Brandon Coleman
At the time, Coleman seemed like a solid third round pick. He was thrust into a starting role at left tackle as a rookie and really struggled – but that was to be expected. Quinn and Peters new they needed to do more to protect their franchise quarterback, so the move was made to trade for Tunsil the following offseason, leaving Coleman to battle with rookie Josh Conerly for the starting right tackle job – one he ultimately lost. He ended up getting moved to left guard where he lost the starting position to Chris Paul.
My Pick: Calen Bullock – Bullock was a versatile safety coming into the draft. He’s been a starter and key contributor for Texans defense for the past two seasons, collecting nine total interceptions and making the Pro Bowl in 2025.
RD3 #100: Luke McCaffrey
McCaffrey has been a used as a fourth wide receiver and special teams player. He has 29 career receptions for 371 yard and three scores (all in 2025 before getting injured).
My Pick: Troy Franklin – Franklin, who was selected two picks after McCaffrey, has started 13 career games for Denver, and had a breakout season in 2025, collecting 65 receptions for 709 yards and six touchdowns. He has 93 receptions for 972 and 8 scores in his career.
2025 NFL Draft
RD1 #29: Josh Conerly
Adam Peters selected Conerly near the end of the first round despite trading for Laremy Tunsil in the offseason and drafting Brandon Coleman the previous year. Conerly had a rough rookie season but did show some improvement during the final six games. He started all 17 games and didn’t miss an offensive snap.
My Pick: Nick Emmanwori – Emmanwori had an outstanding rookie season for the Seahawks and made his presence felt all throughout the playoffs and Super Bowl. He’s a true chess piece who supports the run like a linebacker and can cover like a corner.
RD2 #61: Trey Amos
Amos performed admirably as a rookie on a horrible defense before breaking his lower leg in week 10. His six passes defended led the team through nine games and he easily looked like Washington’s best defender.
My Pick: Trey Amos – I will stick with Amos here but seeing what changes I would have made with the 2024 draft; this could have gone a different direction if we had both DeJean and McKinstry on the team.
Alternate Pick: Harold Fannin
Commanders Updated Roster
Offense:
QB: Jayden Daniels
RB: Bill Croskey-Merritt
WR: Terry McLaurin
WR: Troy Franklin
WR: Treylon Burks/Jaylin Lane
TE: John Bates/?
LT: Laremy Tunsil
LG: Chris Paul
C: Tyler Biadasz
RG: Sam Cosmi
RT: Trent Scott/?
Defense:
EDGE: Dorance Armstrong
DT: Daron Payne
DT: Javon Kinlaw
EDGE: Frankie Luvu/?
LB: Edgerrin Cooper
LB: Jordan Magee
CB/LB: Nick Emmanwori
CB: Cooper DeJean
CB: Trey Amos
S: Calen Bullock
S: Quan Martin/Will Harris
Overall, Peters has had eight top 100 picks in two years. Of those picks, I feel he flat-out missed on three, and when you factor in who he COULD have had, I will say he hit on just two – Daniels and Amos. Now, I know this second part will be open for discussion and I did that intentionally so the dialogue could get flowing, as I don’t necessarily feel in the context of what really happened that Connerly, and maybe even McCaffrey were “misses”.
Regardless of the above, or how you feel personally about the previous picks, Adam Peters has a lot of work to do this offseason and only two top 100 picks to work with in the 2026 NFL draft. It’s possible he finds some gems like Bill Croskey-Merritt or Javontae Jean-Baptiste in later rounds but the misses on top 100 picks over the last two draft could come back to haunt him – especially when you look at some of the talent Washington passed over.
Free agency, another area where Adam Peters hasn’t exactly knocked the ball out of the park these past two years, will be even more important this season as Washington looks to climb back into contention.
LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA NOVEMBER 3, 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers superstars Shohei Ohtani, left, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto acknowledge fans lining the streets of downtown Los Angeles for the Dodgers World Championship Parade and Celebration. The Dodgers are the first team to win back-to-back World Series titles since the Yankees did it in 1998. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Dodgers are in rarefied air in their long franchise history going into 2026, having won consecutive championships for the first time. What’s next on the checklist is trying to become the fifth MLB team to win at least three World Series in a row.
MLB teams winning 3+ championships in a row
New York Yankees 1949-53 (5)
New York Yankees 1936-39 (4)
Oakland A’s 1972-74
New York Yankees 1998-2000
The Yankees understandably dominate this list, with several extended periods of dominance in their storied history. These represent different eras as well. The two longest title streaks came in a league of 16 teams and no divisional play. The A’s in the 1970s were in a 24-team MLB and had to go through a best-of-5 League Championship Series. The Yankees from 1998-2000 are the only team of this group to be in our modern era, with 30 MLB teams and two extra rounds of playoffs before the World Series.
The Yankees are the only MLB team to win three titles in a row after Pat Riley trademarked the term “Three-peat” in 1989. Riley was ahead of his time, even though his Lakers team that year ran into a Pistons-sized roadblock in the NBA Finals, getting swept after an 11-0 start to their postseason. Multiple trademarks for “Three-peat” are still active under Riles & Company, Inc., which means any such marketing (shirts, hats, etc.) have to go through Riley for approval and/or compensation for use.
The Dodgers in 2026 are just the third team coming off consecutive championships and going for a third straight title in the wild card era, along with those Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays in 1994. In all there have been 21 teams prior to the Dodgers to win the previous two World Series.
Year
Team
W
L
Pct
Finish
1909
Cubs
104
49
.680
2nd (behind 110-win Pirates)
1912
Philadelphia A’s
90
62
.592
3rd (behind 105-win Red Sox)
1917
Red Sox
90
62
.592
2nd (behind 100-win White Sox)
1923
NY Giants
95
58
.621
lost World Series (4-2) to NYY
1929
Yankees
88
66
.571
2nd (behind 104-win A’s)
1931
Philadelphia A’s
107
45
.704
lost World Series (4-3) to StL
1938
Yankees
99
53
.651
won World Series (4-0) over Cubs
1939
Yankees
106
45
.702
won World Series (4-0) over Reds
1940
Yankees
88
66
.571
3rd
1951
Yankees
98
56
.636
won World Series (4-2) over NYG
1952
Yankees
95
59
.617
won World Series (4-3) over Dodgers
1953
Yankees
99
52
.656
won World Series (4-2) over Dodgers
1954
Yankees
103
51
.669
2nd (behind 111-win Cle)
1963
Yankees
104
57
.646
lost World Series (4-0) to LA
1974
Oakland A’s
90
72
.556
won World Series (4-1) over LA
1975
Oakland A’s
98
64
.605
lost ALCS (3-0) at Bos
1977
Reds
88
74
.543
2nd (behind 98-win LA)
1979
Yankees
89
71
.556
4th
1994
Blue Jays
55
60
.478
3rd
2000
Yankees
87
74
.540
won World Series (4-1) over NYM
2001
Yankees
95
65
.594
lost World Series (4-3) to AZ
Eleven teams, just over half of the 21, reached the World Series after winning the previous two, with seven championships. In the divisional era, four of seven teams reached the World Series, with two wins.
This is the sixth time the Dodgers have won two pennants in a row — 1952-53 and 1955-56 in Brooklyn, plus 1965-66, 1977-78, 2017-18, and 2024-25 in Los Angeles. They have yet to win three pennants in a row, and this is their only time winning consecutive championships.
The only one of the previous 21 back-to-back champs to finish under .500 in Year 3 were the 1994 Blue Jays, who were 55-60 when a strike ended that season in August.
It stands to reason that a team winning two championships in a row will still be good the next year. These 22 teams have an average .609 winning percentage, roughly 99 wins over 162 games.
The facts ahead of the play-off first leg against Atalanta
The scenario: After a strong start (three wins, one draw, one defeat) in the first five games of the 2025/26 league phase, BVB managed to win just one point from their last three matches and dropped from sixth to 17th place. Borussia Dortmund will face an Italian opponent for the third time in the current Champions League season. At the start of the league phase, they drew 4-4 with Juventus and finished with a 2-0 home defeat to Inter Milan. Atalanta lost their first and last two matches, recording four wins and one draw in between to finish 15th.
The rules: The teams ranked 9th to 16th will have home advantage in the second leg. The eight winners of the eight play-off matches will advance to the round of 16. If the aggregate score is level after both legs, the match will go to extra time, followed by a penalty shoot-out if neither team finds a winner in extra time. The winner of the tie between BVB and Atalanta (17th and 15th after the league phase) will face the team that finished first (Arsenal) or second (Bayern Munich). This will be decided by a draw on 27 February.
Home/away: The Black & Yellows have lost only two of their last 22 home games in the UEFA Champions League, recording 13 wins and seven draws. Their goal difference stands at 47 for and 16 against. Their home record against Italian teams is eight wins, five draws and eight defeats. Their most recent result was a 2-0 defeat against Inter Milan.
Previous matches: Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta faced each other eight years ago in the round of 32 of the 2017/2018 UEFA Europa League. At SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, BVB came from behind to win 3-2 thanks to goals from Michy Batshuayi (65th and 90+1st minute) to take a 3-2 lead. In the sleet in Bergamo, Marcel Schmelzer poked the ball over the line in the 83rd minute to make it 1-1 and secure BVB's fortunate passage to the next round.
Head-to-head: Borussia will face a Serie A opponent for the 43rd time. So far, they have recorded 12 wins, eight draws and 22 defeats. For Atalanta, this will be their 14th encounter with a Bundesliga opponent (six wins, three draws and four defeats to date). Of the last eight matches, they have lost only one, winning the last three without conceding a goal (3-0 in Frankfurt, 2-0 in Stuttgart and 3-0 against Leverkusen in the 2024 Europa League final). In seven away games in Germany to date, Atalanta have suffered only two defeats. Both of these came in the Ruhr region: in 1978 in the UEFA Intertoto Cup against VfL Bochum (1-3) and in 2018 – see above – against BVB.
BVB facts: Borussia have reached at least the round of 16 in ten of their last 12 appearances in Europe's premier club competition. This is BVB's fifth play-off tie in the UEFA Champions League – the Black & Yellows have progressed three times (1999 against Teplice, 2001 against Donetsk, 2025 against Sporting) and been eliminated once (2003 against Bruges).
Atalanta facts: Atalanta were in pot two for the league phase draw and have been a consistent and successful participant in European club competitions since 2017. In 2024, the Lombardy-based club won the UEFA Europa League. Last season, the Italians were knocked out in the play-offs. With four wins (2-1 against Bruges, 1-0 in Marseille, 3-0 in Frankfurt, 2-1 against Chelsea), one draw (0-0 against Prague) and three defeats (0-4 in Paris, 2-3 against Bilbao, 0-1 at Saint-Gilloise), head coach Raffaele Palladino's team (head coach since November 2025) finished the 2025/26 league phase in 15th place. This is Atalanta's fifth appearance in the Champions League and they have reached the knockout stages twice.
Host nation Italy was delighted as Brignone's sensational comeback continued with a second gold medal of the Olympics, still in pain after a badly broken leg last year.
Klaebo has the most gold medals of any Winter Olympian in history with nine after taking gold with Norway's cross-country men's relay team.
Brignone does it again
Winning one gold medal in super-G made Brignone feel like she was living in a movie.
What do great movies get? A sequel.
The Italian skier known as the Tiger was unbeatable in the giant slalom for her second gold of the Olympics and fifth career medal, breaking her own record as the oldest women's Alpine skiing Olympic champion for good measure.
There were two silver medalists as Sara Hector and Thea Louise Stjernesund finished in exactly the same time and bowed to Brignone to mark her victory.
After breaking multiple bones in March, Brignone needed two surgeries and 42 stitches to put her leg back together. She only returned to skiing in January.
Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States was 11th and has now failed to win a medal in eight straight Olympic races since the Winter Games in 2018.
Record ninth gold medal for Norwegian skier
Klaebo stands alone as the most successful Winter Olympian of all time after winning his ninth career gold medal in cross-country skiing.
Norway’s Prime Minister was watching as Klaebo anchored his team's relay gold Sunday. That broke a tie on eight gold medals with three other Norwegians: cross-country skiers Marit Bjoergen and Bjoern Daehlie and biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen.
Klaebo could get into double figures by the end of the Milan Cortina Games. His next chances for a 10th gold are in the team sprint on Wednesday or the 50-kilometer race on Saturday. He's still only 29.
Another win for the moguls king
Mikael Kingsbury of Canada has won almost everything there is to win in moguls skiing. When they added a new Olympic event, he won that too.
Kingsbury took gold, his fifth career Olympic medal, in the inaugural dual moguls event Sunday, three days after settling for silver in the traditional moguls event in a surprise win for Australian Cooper Woods.
Britain won its first-ever Olympic gold in any snow sport with victory for Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale in team snowboardcross.
Biathlon saw a first Olympic gold for Italy as Lisa Vitozzi won the women's pursuit, hours after Sweden's Martin Ponsiluoma's surprise gold in the men's event.
Still to come
Later Sunday, Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam and Erin Jackson of the United States compete for the women's 500-meter gold. Leerdam, whose fiance is influencer and boxer Jake Paul, is aiming for a second gold after winning the 1,000, while Jackson won the 500 at the 2022 Olympics and carried the U.S. flag at the opening ceremony in Milan.
Medals are also on offer in the women's ski jumping large hill event and team skeleton. The pairs figure skating competition begins with the free skate and the United States plays Germany in men's hockey aiming to secure a quarterfinal place.
Arsenal host League One side Wigan Athletic for the first time in nearly 12 years when the Latics and Gunners duel at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
For live updates and highlights throughout Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic, check out PST's live blog coverage below.
How to watch Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic live, stream link and start time
Kick off time:11:30am ET Sunday Venue: Emirates Stadium — North London TV Channel/Streaming: ESPN+
Arsenal vs Wigan score: 0-0
Arsenal vs Wigan live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Calafiori misses out
A surprise as Arsenal have lined up at the start of this game. Riccardo Calafiori is not playing at left back, with Myles Lewis-Skelly moving back to left back and Bukayo Saka coming in to the starting lineup and starting in a central role.
OUT: Kai Havertz (muscular), Mikel Merino (ankle), Max Dowman (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: William Saliba (illness)
The Gunners should be able to rotate and freshen their men, and Gabriel Jesus, Christian Norgaard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel Martinelli, and Riccardo Calafiori could start after no or limited minutes at Brentford. Eberechi Eze was also pulled at halftime and Arteta may need to give him another run for vibes alone as the boss' curious use of the ex-Crystal Palace star continues in North London.
Wigan Athletic team news, focus
Wigan are healthy, so they've got that going for them. Joe Taylor leads the team in goals with seven while center back Jason Kerr has been one of their standout players in a rough season and will join goalkeeper Sam Tickle as necessary components of any upset hope.
Arsenal vs Wigan preview
The Premier League leaders are coming off a 1-1 draw at Brentford which has trimmed their table lead to four over Manchester City, and they'll be looking to get themselves right ahead of two PL matches in five days next week: at Wolves and North London derby rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
A Premier League side from 2005-2013, Wigan are in a scrap for their third-tier lives at the moment. The Latics are 22nd of 24 team in League One with 31 points, two points back of four teams.
Wigan fired coach Ryan Lowe last week after a seven-match winless run yielded just two points. They've since lost again and interim boss Glenn Whelan — the longtime Stoke City and Ireland midfielder — would love the boost that would come from a solid performance against a team 65 spots above it on the pyramid.
Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic prediction
This should be a 'get-right' cruise for the Gunners at home, and they may even face a slightly-weakened Wigan side who have two league games against upper-half teams next week. Arsenal 3-0 Wigan Athletic.
Jane is expected to perform "America the Beautiful" before the big race. Jane is a platinum-selling singer and songwriter who is known for her vocals.
"I’m so excited for this opportunity and can’t wait to experience the energy firsthand," Jane said in a statement. "I’ve heard there’s nothing like the thrill of going fast NASCAR-style."
Jane gained notoriety as a member of Fifth Harmony, an American girl group from Miami.
Who will sing national anthem before Daytona 500?
A singer for the national anthem has not been announced. Jane could be an option to sing the national anthem as well on Sunday. However, in 2025, Daytona put Technical Sergeant Michael J. Aiello on the stage, going back to something established in 2020 and 2021.
Jane, for her part, has sung the national anthem before at sporting events, including the MLS Cup championship game in 2022.
Cassie Donegan, Miss America 2026, performed the National Anthem before the America 250 Florida Duel on Thursday, Feb. 12.
Who will sing before Daytona 500?
Lambert, a country music star, is scheduled to perform before the race.
Who will be 2026 Daytona 500 grand marshal?
Comedian Nate Bargatze is expected to be the grand marshal for the Daytona 500 and will be tasked with commanding drivers to start their engines.
Who will be 2026 Daytona 500’s Honorary Pace Car Driver?
Actor Kurt Russell will serve as the honorary pace car driver on Sunday. He will lead the field of drivers toward the green flag for the official start of the race.
LONDON (AP) — Premier League teams Fulham, Leeds, Sunderland and Wolverhampton have avoided upsets to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Later Sunday, Premier League leader Arsenal hosted third-tier struggler Wigan.
Fulham rallied to win 2-1 at second-tier Stoke, with Harrison Reed slotting in a late winner after intercepting Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin’s misjudged pass. Brazilian winger Kevin equalized for Fulham early in the second half after South Korean midfielder Bae Jun-ho's early goal for Stoke.
Midfielder Habib Diarra's penalty earned Sunderland a 1-0 win at second-tier struggler Oxford, and midfielder Santiago Bueno's goal gave Wolves a 1-0 victory at fourth-tier Grimsby at a soggy and rain-soaked Blundell Park.
Leeds needed penalty kicks to win at second-tier Birmingham after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes and extra time.
German forward Lukas Nmecha put Leeds ahead early in the second half after being set up by Noah Okafor, but Patrick Roberts equalized in the 89th minute with a powerful shot.
In the shootout, Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri denied Tommy Doyle before Roberts blazed over, leaving Sean Longstaff to score and send Daniel Farke's side through 4-2.
Non-league Macclesfield caused arguably the biggest upset in the competition's history when it beat titleholder Crystal Palace in the third round last month.
Macclesfield faces Premier League Brentford on Monday. ___
Nebraska baseball (2-0) faced off against Northeastern (0-2) for day two of the MLB Desert Invitational on Saturday night. The Huskers picked up their second victory, running away with a 7-4 win over the Huskies.
Northeastern jumped ahead 3-1 in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs off a double. Nebraska responded with a three-run outing in the top of the third, before the Huskies tied it in the fifth. The Huskers regained the lead in the sixth and shut down Northeastern for the remainder of the night.
Nebraska delivered 14 hits for seven RBIs, with six batters finishing with multiple hits. Joshua Overbeek and Max Buettenback both finished 2-for-5, driving in two RBIs each. Overbeek hit two doubles, and Buettenback hit one. Dylan Carey and Cole Kitchens also batted 2-for-5, earning one RBI each. Carey drove his RBI through a home-run shot, and Kitchens grabbed his on an RBI single.
Case Sanderson and Jett Buck both also snatched two hits, with Sanderson finishing 2-for-3 with two walks. Devin Nunez earned Nebraska's final RBI of the game, hitting a sacrificial fly to bring Buettenback in.
The Huskers, defensively, held the Huskies to five hits in the win and left six runners on base. Carson Jasa (1-0) picked up the win on the mound in his start. He pitched 5.0 innings, struck out nine batters and allowed five hits and three earned runs.
Grant Cleavinger pitched in the sixth and struck out two batters. Ryan Harrahill took over for the seventh and eighth innings and went six-up, six-down with one strikeout. Kevin Mannell got the save in the ninth, striking out two.
Nebraska continues the invitational on Sunday night against Grand Canyon. The first pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on MLB.com.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin stood at the start gate atop the giant slalom course at sun-splashed Tofane and made a promise to herself.
“I’m going to do this whole thing here,” she said.
Considering the path the American star has taken to reach the Milan Cortina Olympics, and to this event in particular, that was enough.
So while the leaderboard near the finish line during Sunday's GS needed to flip to the second page before Shiffrin's name appeared in 11th, the most decorated skier in the history of the sport didn't view her finish as a disappointment.
Disappointment is washing out, which she did four years ago in Beijing. Disappointment is wondering if the speed that once came so easily would ever return while recovering from a harrowing crash during a World Cup start in Killington, Vermont, in late 2024 that left her abdomen punctured and her confidence shaken.
What happened during what Shiffrin called “the greatest show of GS skiing we've had in a really long time” was not disappointment. If anything, it was the opposite.
Yes, Shiffrin finished outside the top 10. The way the snow felt underneath her skis and the razor-thin margin that separated the silver medalists from the chasing pack — there was no catching Italy's Federica Brignone on this day — offered evidence she's trending in the right direction heading into slalom, her best event, on Wednesday.
“To be here now like within touch of the fastest women, that’s huge for me,” Shiffrin said. “So I’m proud of that.”
The gap between Shiffrin and co-runners-up Sara Hector of Sweden and Thea Louise Stjernesund was an impossibly tight 0.3 seconds in a discipline that requires skiers to make two runs.
When Shiffrin won gold in the GS in Pyeongchang eight years ago, the gap between silver and 11th was around 1.4 seconds. Four years ago in Beijing, it was nearly 2 seconds. Three weeks ago at a World Cup event in Czechia, where Shiffrin earned her first podium in the GS in two years, it was over 3 1/2 seconds.
On Sunday, Shiffrin was right there. A turn here. A turn there. On a course that was a little flatter and a little less technically demanding that what Shiffrin and the rest of the best skiers in the world usually see — one almost explicitly designed to create a safe and ultracompetitive race — the difference between a medal and the middle was nearly imperceptible.
Shiffrin promised to “learn” after slogging down through the slalom in the women's combined last week, when her skis couldn't seem to “go.” Perhaps too aware of the perception of an Olympic slump — the Games are the only place she hasn't won in the last eight years — she did her best to refocus and block out the noise.
In her mind, she did just that. She could feel herself taking power from the course. As “Killing In The Name Of” by Rage Against the Machine blasted over the speakers during her second run, Shiffrin felt like she was in the moment and not in her head.
“It felt good to push, which was amazing,” she said, later adding: “It felt really good to ski high intensity.”
Shiffrin's intensity feels as if it is slowly but steadily ramping up. She wore bib No. 3, a nod to the fact she's back in the top 7 in the world in the GS, something she considered a “challenging task” when the season began. It's become doable, but Shiffrin has learned progress isn't linear.
While she continues to dominate slalom — in which she's already clinched her ninth World Cup series title with two races to go — GS is another matter. Sure, Shiffrin's 22 career GS victories are a record. But she hasn't won a GS race since late 2023.
Her climb back up the GS rankings has been fueled by consistency. The “lights-out speed” she knows is required to finish atop the podium doesn't come quite as easily as it did when she was at the peak of her powers. That's fine.
“The task ahead of me for the coming months (and) in the coming years is to try to bring that kind of intensity and fire and to continue to work with the team to find those hundredths (of a second) that it takes to actually win races,” she said.
That didn't happen under the snowcapped peaks of the Dolomites on Sunday. Maybe on another course, one with a more difficult setup that would allow her to lean in to her experience, things may have played out differently.
It's not a conversation Shiffrin seems particularly interested in having. The layout allowed for competitive racing. And she pointed to the medal stand — where the 35-year-old Brignone won her second gold in four days and Hector added silver to go with the gold she captured in Beijing in 2022 — as proof the results were not fluky.
“It wasn’t like somebody won who wasn’t supposed to win,” Shiffrin said.
Brignone emerged as a deserving champion. Behind her, however, was chaos. Shiffrin doesn't think that's a bad thing.
“(We were all) close and that’s how that’s how high the competition level, is I think,” she said. “That’s a beautiful show of our sport on an Olympic stage.”
NASCAR will kick off its 2026 Cup Series season today with the 68th Daytona 500, which will herald the dawn of a new championship era.
After 13 seasons of elimination playoffs and a one-race title showdown between four drivers, NASCAR has reinstituted "The Chase," a 10-race run for the championship to end the season. The top 16 drivers after the 26-race regular season will qualify for the Chase, and then the driver who amasses the points over the last 10 races will be crowned the champion in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Though wins will be worth more points under the new system, there are no more automatic "win and in" playoff berths with a victory. So the victory will be celebrated with the Harley J. Earl Trophy today, but there is no guarantee that the Daytona 500 winner will compete for the title.
A slightly different iteration of The Chase was used from 2004-13 before the elimination playoffs from 2014-25.
L'Équipe: Habib Beye favorite to take charge of OM
After De Zerbi, OM bets on Habib Beye
Olympique de Marseille / @x.com/TouchlineX/
The management of Olympique de Marseille has decided to speed up the process of appointing its new head coach, following the contract termination of Italian Roberto De Zerbi, which came after a string of disappointing results in recent weeks.
This decision follows several notable underperformances, including elimination from the Champions League after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Club Brugge, and then a harsh drubbing in Le Classique against Paris Saint-Germain, which ended in a resounding 5-0 loss.
After De Zerbi, OM bets on Habib Beye
According to information from the sports daily L'Équipe, Senegalese coach Habib Beye is currently the frontrunner to take the helm of the first team.
Despite his recent departure from Stade Rennais, the coach enjoys strong backing within the club. Having arrived on the Rennes bench in January 2025, he oversaw 39 matches, recording 18 wins, 7 draws, and 14 defeats.
The Marseille board now wants to wrap up this appointment quickly in order to stabilize the club’s sporting situation, especially since sporting director Mehdi Benatia officially tendered his resignation this Sunday.
This will be Zack Gelof’s fourth season in an A’s uniform. Isn’t that crazy? I think it is. Probably the craziest most interesting thing about his career up to this point (not counting the dynamic 70 game rookie campaign of course). Now according to Gelof himself in an interview with Foul Territory, the plan was to take the field with the boys yesterday. His shoulder injury last September might’ve prevented him from repping Team Israel in the WBC, but maybe it was for the best…for all parties involved. We need Gelof in camp, looking around at vets like Jeff McNeil, hot prospects such as Leo De Vries, and thinking to himself: “where do I fit in?”
That’s a great question, Zack! Glad you brought it up because I’ve been sitting on an idea I’d like to extend your way…
How about third base?
Think about it for a second before you roll your eyes. What was the biggest question mark outside of the pitching staff this offseason? It was who was going to be playing third base. So much speculation swirled around that alone, producing storylines where Nolan Arenado was apparently on the table, reunions with Miguel Andujar were suggested, even the ghost of Yoan Moncada was thrown out there as a possible option. All this resulted in nothing by the way, and now we’re stuck talking about the uninspired rogues gallery of Harris, Hernaiz, and Muncy (with Andy Ibanez I guess floating around there somewhere).
This is just so bland!
Gelof, in my opinion, has the highest upside out of all these guys and if we can get him at-bats and time to settle into the hot corner, I say let’s explore it. Plus, much of Gelof’s college career at the University of Virginia saw him already playing there, so it’s not like we’re asking him for a Scott Hatteberg. In this case, third base is an old friend. Maybe the sensation of being back where he had experienced so much success will awaken something within Zack Gelof? Maybe a “change of scenery” doesn’t have to mean a new team, but just a different home on the diamond?
Sure, you could throw some advanced stats at me that explain why this would be such a terrible idea, why some of the other options are just statistically a better choice — but I don’t care. I’m thinking with my heart here and I feel like we got to figure it out. More importantly, Gelof needs to figure it out as he’s not getting any younger, and it’s not like the A’s are completely without options. If I were him, I’d be doing anything and everything not to get lost in the shuffle. He’s at a point where he could still follow in the footsteps of a lot of great A’s players and pivot, adjust to the moment, and see some success along the way.
Think about this: Josh Donaldson’s legacy would be non-existent, hadn’t he actively looked towards keeping himself on the field. Many forget that he came up as a catcher, but turned to third base as an opportunity to secure more trips to the batter’s box.
The rest was history from there.
Point is, I’ll be drinking the Zack Gelof Kool Aid this Spring Training, hoping that we at least see it put into action as a trial run. Chances are, however, he’ll just be slotted in as a platoon guy with McNeil to begin the season, but hey — I see no harm in throwing the idea at the wall and seeing if it sticks.
Vítor Pereira tasked with stabilizing the team and reviving Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest announces new head coach
Nottingham Forest has announced the appointment of Vítor Pereira as their new head coach until the summer of 2027. The English club is enduring a tough season, sitting 17th in the Premier League, just three points above the relegation zone.
The 57-year-old Portuguese tactician brings a wealth of international experience. He won the league title with FC Porto, then made his mark at Olympiakos and Fenerbahçe, before conquering China with Shanghai SIPG. He has also managed Corinthians and Flamengo in Brazil.
Nottingham Forest is counting on Pereira to restore stability, turn results around, and secure their Premier League status.
"John would have been my answer but he's retired, so I'm gonna say Kevin Steen," MJF said. When asked specifically about injured WWE star Kevin Owens, MJF clarified that wasn't who he meant. "No. I want Kevin Steen, the one that I watched in Ring of Honor. Not saying Kevin Owens isn't spectacular. Kevin Owens is one of the best wrestlers in the world and it sucks that he's hurt right now. It kills me. But Kevin Owens can't exactly say some of the things that Kevin Steen was able to say back in the day. So I want Kevin Steen. That's a dream match for me ... I think that would probably go down as one of the greatest matches of all time and one of the greatest promos of all time."
Owens is currently dealing with a neck injury suffered in early 2025 that has now kept him out of action for nearly a year. MJF went on to mention another injured WWE star, Seth Rollins, before turning an eye to the AEW roster, mentioning that he's never had singles matches with Swerve Strickland or Andrade. He also seemed receptive to the idea of recent AEW arrival Tommaso Ciampa when Van Vliet brought up that name.
Earlier in the interview, MJF was effusive in his praise of Cena, calling him "a god amongst men" and "everything that I want to be when it comes to work ethic."
Serena Williams is seemingly edging closer to a stunning comeback to tennis following her reentry into the anti-doping testing pool.
Williams will be eligible to play on the WTA Tour later this month, but it remains to be seen if she will do so, aged 44.
The American legend looked to have played her final match at the 2022 US Open, but a remarkable return is now on the cards.
Williams won 23 Grand Slam titles during her phenomenal career, with a former coach of the icon now sharing insight into her huge success.
Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Rick Macci suggests why Serena Williams is the greatest ever
Rick Macci posted on X: “Serena never won FL. junior tournament. Serena never won a Nat. junior title.
“Serena never won a Jr. Slam. Serena did not play a tournament from age 10 to 15.
“Serena greatest female player ever to hold the stick. Chasing balls daily not chasing a Jr. ranking.”
Of course, she had phenomenal ability that not many others will ever possess, but it’s certainly an approach that many young players could follow, on both the WTA and ATP tours.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Who are the up-and-coming youngsters on the WTA Tour?
Williams has made a lasting impact on women’s tennis and tennis in general, just like her sister Venus Williams.
Notably, she has already returned to the sport, having made a stunning comeback last summer after a 16-month break.
That might inspire her sister to make a similar move, with the pair even potentially reuniting on the doubles court.
Venus has, however, struggled to find success against the current generation of the WTA Tour, which includes the likes of experienced stars Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.
Excitingly, the future generation is also full of rising stars, including Victoria Mboko, Mirra Andreeva and Linda Noskova.
It’s also looking bright for American tennis specifically, with Coco Gauff and Iva Jovic ensuring the future is in good hands.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - February 1: Drew Dalman #52 of the Chicago Bears participates in the 2026 Pro Bowl Skills Challenge during the NFL Pro Bowl Games at Moscone Center South on February 1, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Chicago Bears finally addressed the center position last offseason, and they were rewarded with a representative being chosen for the Pro Bowl. However, the Bears will have some work to do at the position, as they need to determine who will be backing up.
Here are the Bears’ two current centers.
Drew Dalman – Signed through 2027 – The 27-year-old Dalman, who was also the only Bears player to play every snap on offense, made his first Pro Bowl in his first year as a Bear, and he also finished fourth in All-Pro voting at center, picking up the third most first-place votes (3).
Back in December, quarterback Caleb Williams heaped praise on his offensive line, saying he collectively calls them The Avengers, and Dalman is The Hulk.
“He’s the brains and all of it, but when he gets out there on the field, he’s strong as can be, fast, and the right guy for the job for us and my future, and our future here,” Williams said. “So I’m excited for that, and I’m happy that he’s here with us and with me, and we’re going to keep growing together, and we’re going to keep finding ways to help each other out in this tenure that we have together.”
Ryan Bates – Free agent – Bates’ versatility may have been valuable enough for him to stick around last season, but as 2025 wore on, he was clearly only an option as a backup center. Rookie Luke Newman and Jordan McFadden both played guard over Bates, as Bates only saw 82 snaps on special teams.
2026 OUTLOOK – The Bears will need to find a backup if they don’t bring Bates back, but if Ben Johnson was content with Bates backing up Dalman last year, then I see no reason they wouldn’t make him an offer. He just turned 28, and if he’s over the injury issues that plagued him in 2024 — he was healthy all last season — then re-sign him.
Former Bear and Orland Park, Illinois native Dan Feeney is a free agent and should be relatively inexpensive if Bates isn’t an option.
They may draft a guy with center/guard versatility on day three, but Newman received some center reps in the offseason, and that may continue this year.
Who do you think the Bears will bring in to back up Dalman?
Milan delegates visit Hill Dickinson Stadium to take inspiration for San Siro project
Delegates from Milan have recently been in the city to study the Hill Dickinson Stadium as part of their fact-finding mission for the San Siro project, according to a report in La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Hill Dickinson Stadium, which officially opened in 2025, has a capacity of 52,769 spectators. The waterfront venue, built at the Bramley-Moore Dock site over the River Mersey, hosted its first Premier League game on August 24, where Everton beat Brighton 2-0.
Both Milan and Inter officially acquired the San Siro site last November, including the famous Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, which was previously owned by the city council. Both clubs are planning to build a new stadium at the same site, although, adjacent to the current Giuseppe Meazza Stadium.
Construction of the new ground is expected to begin in 2027 with both clubs intending to have a state-of-the-art venue ready to host matches during EURO 2032. Demolition of the current stadium could take place in 2031.
Everton is not the only stop for the five-member delegation from Milan. They are also looking to visit other venues, including Tottenham Hotspur’s Stadium and Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park, on their fact-finding mission.
Mike McCarthy faces a defining quarterback decision in his first season as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, with calls growing for him to look beyond Aaron Rodgers.
McCarthy’s arrival signals a fresh chapter in Pittsburgh, but the spotlight has quickly shifted to who will lead his offense.
The veteran appeal of Rodgers is obvious, yet some believe the smarter long-term move lies elsewhere, especially given McCarthy’s history of developing quarterbacks.
Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
Malik Willis backed over Aaron Rodgers for Mike McCarthy
Malik Willis has now been put forward as the quarterback Mike McCarthy should prioritise in Pittsburgh.
“I think he makes an ideal fit, to be completely honest. For Pittsburgh, for the city, and also for Mike McCarthy. McCarthy can envision him as the new version of Dak Prescott,” Hunt said.
The comparison to Prescott is deliberate. McCarthy helped guide Prescott through productive seasons in Dallas, leaning into mobility early in his career before refining his pocket presence. The suggestion is that a similar developmental path could work again in Pittsburgh.
Choosing Rodgers would offer experience and immediate credibility, but it would also represent a short-term play. Backing Willis signals investment in growth and scheme flexibility.
Malik Willis’ skill set suits Mike McCarthy’s system
Supporters of the move argue that Malik Willis brings traits McCarthy has previously maximised. The focus centers on athleticism combined with visible improvement as a passer.
“When Dak came in, Dak was more of an explosive runner. He’s not that now, but Malik Willis still has that capability in his bag,” Hunt continued.
He concluded, stating: “And also, we’ve seen growth from him in passing the football because he’s gotten more opportunities to get out of there and on the field.”
The point is not that Willis mirrors Prescott exactly, but that the developmental template exists. A mobile quarterback who can extend plays while sharpening decision-making fits with how McCarthy has operated before.
This is McCarthy’s first season in Pittsburgh, and the choice between Aaron Rodgers and a younger option will shape the tone of his tenure. Opting for experience guarantees headlines. Choosing Willis would suggest belief in progression and long-term identity.
BEREA, OHIO - JUNE 10: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during Cleveland Browns mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 10, 2025 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Browns find themselves between the proverbial rock and a hard place when it comes to their quarterback situation in 2026.
At one point it seemed clear that the Browns were going to use the first of their two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft on a quarterback. But that plan fell by the wayside late in the season when wins over the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were more concerned about defensive end Myles Garrett’s quest for the sack record than trying to win, and the Cincinnati Bengals, behind a legendary offensive explosion that netted six points, knocked the Browns from the No. 1 overall slot to No. 6.
Further complicating the issue is a draft class that is extremely thin after presumptive No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza of Indiana. With Dante Moore returning to Oregon for another season, and Trinidad Chambliss doing all he can to play another season at Mississippi, the idea of the Browns selecting a quarterback in the first round should be off the table. And even selecting one on Day 2 seems like a bad use of draft assets.
So where does that leave the team? Unless general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Todd Monken decide it is a good idea to get into a bidding war for Green Bay quarterback Malik Willis, who has made six starts in four seasons, the Browns appear poised to run it back with the same crew this fall.
That means more of Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, who as rookies ranked No. 38 and No. 39, respectively, out of 42 qualified quarterbacks in completion rate over expected, according to Next Gen Stats. Sanders and Gabriel also combined to commit 25 turnover-worthy plays to only 13 big-time throws, according to Pro Football Focus. Throw in Joe Flacco’s four starts at the beginning of the season, and Cleveland’s quarterbacks were responsible for a 46.5 PFF passing grade last season, the lowest of any team.
But wait! There is another quarterback in the mix, allegedly, in veteran Deshaun Watson, who was last seen on the field in Week 7 of the 2024 season, when he suffered the first of two torn Achilles’ tendon injuries.
Because of salary cap reasons that at this point are too exhausting to rehash, Watson is going to be on the roster again this season. But does that mean he is going to be in play now that Monken is calling the shots?
That all depends on whether or not Monken likes a quarterback who:
Was ranked No. 33 out of 33 starting quarterbacks in OBR in 2024
Has been sacked 70 times in the 19 games he has played with the Browns
Has thrown 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in those 19 games
Makes the idea of another season with Sanders and or Gabriel on the field seem palatable
Watson is going to be on the roster in 2026. The Browns want a veteran QB. Monken is insisting everyone gets a fresh start with him, so he’ll look at Watson. That said, keep in mind Watson is coming off two Achilles surgeries, a major shoulder operation on his throwing arm and he also had ACL knee surgery in 2017.
It’s one thing to look good throwing the ball in practice. It’s another to thrive in a game where people are trying to tackle you.
The party line is Watson was a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback. That’s true. But the last time he had a good year was 2020. That’s five years ago. A lot has happened in Watson’s life since then.
I don’t buy the argument that the offense of coach Kevin Stefanski was the main reason Watson failed. The injuries were a factor. He also was under a lot of stress given all the circumstances of him coming to Cleveland.
It is still early in the process, so there is no telling what will take place between now and the season opener in September regarding the quarterback position.
But if Monken is as knowledgeable about offensive football as he appears to be, there should be no way that he looks at the 2026 version of Watson and thinks, “that’s my guy!” given everything that has gone on since Watson arrived in town.
COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M baseball's 38 runs in the first two games are the most it has scored in the opening two games of a season since 1948.
Sunday, the Aggies (2-0) look to continue their offensive onslaught against Tennessee Tech.
The Golden Eagles (0-2) have also battled offensively, scoring 13 runs in two games. However, their pitching has given up eight home runs to A&M so far. The Aggies have tallied 33 hits in the first two games, including 19 that went for extra bases.
Aiden Sims (20) of Texas A&M pitches against Arkansas at Baum-Walker Stadium at George Cole Field on April 18, 2025 in Fayetteville, Ark. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
On the mound Sunday for A&M is Aiden Sims, making his first appearance as a weekend starter. The sophomore right-hander beat out Clayton Freshcorn for the role after a strong preseason and will now look to help cap off an opening weekend sweep.
For Tennessee Tech, Logan Moller will get the ball. The 6-foot-5 right-hander appeared in 20 games for the Golden Eagles last season, going 3-1 with a 4.23 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 38⅓ innings.
Late Claude-Maurice penalty breaks Heidenheim hearts
In a match largely controlled by the visitors, who once again lacked the cutting edge that has plagued their torrid season, heartbreak struck late for Heidenheim as Alexis Claude-Maurice converted from the penalty spot with ten minutes remaining to seal an unspectacular yet vital win for Augsburg.
Heidenheim made the brighter start, with Augsburg appearing sluggish during the opening 15 minutes as Frank Schmidt’s side dominated possession. Christian Conteh looked lively on his debut, though the visitors struggled to translate their promising approach play into clear-cut chances and were often wasteful in the final third.
Augsburg’s first real warning came after 20 minutes when Kristijan Jakić tested Diant Ramaj from distance, forcing the goalkeeper to parry to safety. Six minutes later, Michael Gregoritsch nearly capitalised after Ramaj spilled a cross in a dangerous area, but the keeper reacted quickly to smother the striker’s close-range effort.
The contest remained evenly poised as the half wore on. Heidenheim continued to see more of the ball and looked threatening on the counter, particularly through Conteh, yet both sides ultimately cancelled each other out as they went into the break goalless.
The visitors resumed on the front foot. Five minutes into the second half, Ramaj launched a long ball towards Arijon Ibrahimović, who quickly fed Conteh centrally. His initial effort was blocked inside the box, and his follow-up drifted wide of Fin Dahmen’s goal, serving as an early warning for Augsburg.
Heidenheim continued to press, with Jan Schöppner and Eren Dinkçi both passing up promising openings. Their profligacy proved costly in the 80th minute when Augsburg were awarded a penalty against the run of play. Benedikt Gimber was penalised for pulling Keven Schlotterbeck at a corner, and Claude-Maurice stepped up to calmly dispatch the spot-kick for an unlikely 1-0 lead.
As Heidenheim pushed desperately for an equaliser, spaces began to open. Substitute Rodrigo Ribeiro surged into the area, weaving past defenders before forcing Ramaj into a sharp low save. Despite four minutes of added time, the visitors could not carve out another clear opportunity and were left to rue missed chances in a match they arguably deserved more from.
It marks a significant result for Augsburg, who return to winning ways after last week’s disappointment in Mainz and climb to 11th place. For Heidenheim, the defeat stretches their winless run to nine matches, leaving them six points adrift of safety.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Versatile Cavan Biggio is expected to join the Houston Astros' spring training camp as a non-roster player on Sunday after signing a minor league deal with the team.
Biggio, 30, has hit .223 in seven major league seasons with four teams. He made his debut in the majors with Toronto in 2019.
Biggio appeared in 37 games with Kansas City in 2025. He played first base, second base, third base, two outfield positions and designated hitter. He hit .174 in 69 at-bats.
Biggio is a son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, who played for the Astros from 1988-2007.
Makai Lemon is the USC Trojan who will be talked about the most as the buildup for the NFL draft starts. Lemon is coming off a fantastic junior season in which he made a case for himself to be the first receiver taken in this draft class. Scouts may want more, so the scouting combine could be a big day for Makai Lemon. Regardless, he looks like a sure thing to get drafted in the first round.
Dane Brugler with The Athletic broke down his top 100 prospects in the upcoming NFL draft, and only one Trojan cracked the list at 14: Lemon. Here are his thoughts on Lemon:
"Given the USC connection, the Amon-Ra St. Brown comparisons feel too on the nose — but they also fit like a glove.
Lemon lacks top-tier physical traits, but there are multiple throws on each USC tape when the quarterback makes a “my guy is better than your guy” decision and puts the ball in a spot for Lemon to go get it. More times than not, he proves the QB right."
A lot of teams would take Amon-Ra St. Brown in a heartbeat. He is a difference maker and as reliable as it gets. He has had a huge part in changing things around in Detroit. Makai Lemon can replicate that, wherever he lands. He is as tough as it gets, plays bigger than he is, and he can be a 1k-yard receiver as a rookie.
Lemon would be the perfect complement for a young quarterback, as the trust he built with Jayden Maiava was a sight to see this season. He would be a perfect fit with an older veteran quarterback like Matthew Stafford, perhaps, because even with how young he is, he still is a true professional.
Any team that has one of its biggest needs being a receiver should not hesitate to take Lemon. As good as Lemon is, there will be teams that will think about taking Lemon with bigger needs than receiver. Makai Lemon is the best player available. It will be fun to watch all the predictions for where he lands, but there should be no doubt that this guy will be a baller when he finds his NFL home.
The search for a new defensive coordinator is hitting the home stretch in Cleveland. The Browns head coach Todd Monken is moving to replace Jim Schwartz, narrowing the field to three primary finalists according to team insider Mary Kay Cabot.
With in-person interviews wrapping up this weekend, a decision could land within the next 48-hours.
Here is the breakdown of the trio vying to lead Cleveland’s elite defense:
Undlin is the name to watch if Monken wants to keep the aggressive "Schwartz-style" engine running.
Pros: He spent time alongside Jim Schwartz in Philadelphia. He knows the Wide-9 front and the specialized coverages that made Cleveland’s defense a top-5 unit. He offers the smoothest transition for Myles Garrett and company.
Cons: His previous stint as a DC in Detroit (2020) was statistically rough, though he lacked the high-end talent he’d inherit with the Browns.
Mike Rutenberg (Falcons defensive pass-game coordinator)
A rising star with deep ties to the staff, Rutenberg brings a fresh perspective from a revitalized Falcons unit.
Pros: He has a long history with Monken from their time together in Tampa Bay. He’s known for high-level schematic flexibility and coached a very disciplined secondary in Atlanta.
Cons: He hasn’t called plays at the NFL level yet, making him a "projection" compared to veteran options.
Jason Tarver (Browns linebacker coach)
The internal candidate who knows this roster better than anyone.
Pros: Total continuity. Tarver has earned massive respect in the locker room having already built up LB stars like rookie DPOY Carson Schwesinger and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. He has previous DC experience with the Raiders as well.
Cons: Hiring internally might be seen as "playing it safe" rather than bringing in a fresh spark to evolve the unit.
The clock is ticking. Expect the Browns to have their man by end of day Monday.
Femke Kok has been utterly untouchable in the 500 meters of speed skating entering the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The superstar from the Netherlands has raced the event seven times in World Cup competition in the current season. She's won it all seven times, never by closer than 0.3 seconds. All her margins are much more than you'd expect in such a short race.
Kok races Sunday in the final pairing of the race, matched up in her heat with Team USA's Erin Jackson.
She was the silver medalist in the 1000 behind teammate Jutta Leerdam. Leerdam races in this event, too, but it's Kok who is the heavy favorite.
Kok does hold the world record time in the 500 meters.
She set it in Salt Lake City on Nov. 16, 2025. She skated the 500 meters in 36.09 seconds.
Kok also holds the junior world record in the sprint combination event, and she holds the team sprint world record with teammates Jutta Leerdam and Letita de Jong.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke was proud his team were able to progress in the Emirates FA Cup despite not performing at their best.
Speaking after the Whites had won a dramatic penalty shootout against Birmingham City, the boss was pleased the squad had shown a different side to their game to grind out the result.
“I have to say really well done and congratulations first of all to Birmingham,” the German explained. “They made for us this really difficult game.
“Like expected, a fantastic home performance. You could feel this team is in red-hot form. Of course, the stadium was buzzing. Everyone was on it today.
“I think it is no question mark that Birmingham was the better side in the first half. They would have deserved to be in the lead.
“If you then don’t dominate the ball and dominate the game, it could be the case that you are a bit out-muscled. This is what happened in the first half.
“There were not too many positives in the first half. But what was positive, that although we were suffering in the first half, that we still found a way to keep the clean sheet. Lucas Perri had one or two really excellent saves.
“We changed then our setup in the second half also bringing our captain, our leader, Ethan Ampadu, in for a bit more physicality. We changed also the base formation, the way we set up.
“And by doing this, we won then a bit more, step by step, more control over the game back. We were better in the pressing, better in keeping the ball.
“A well-taken goal from Lukas Nmecha but also Birmingham stayed in the game in the end. It was a very tight, very competitive game.
“It was a tight game, perhaps even tighter than I would have wished for but in the end we found a way to win it and for that many compliments to my players.”
Discussing goalkeeper Perri’s heroics, Farke added: “I am very happy and delighted for him. He fully deserves to be in the spotlight today because he is such a smart and thoughtful guy.
“It was not easy for him in the recent weeks and overall also his two injuries in the recent months. But, yeah, days like this are the best in order to find his confidence back, to find his rhythm back and today he deserves lots of praise and also fully deserves to be in the spotlight.”
The San Diego Padres are in a tough spot going forward, as they have to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. While the Padres have a solid team, the Dodgers huge spending gives them a big advantage.
While many around Major League Baseball are tired of the Dodgers huge spending the last few years, especially teams competing with the Dodgers like the Padres, not everyone hates their spending.
ESPN's Jesse Rogers shared comments from the Padres superstar Manny Machado, who had a very strong NSFW defense of the Dodgers' spending in recent years.
Manny Machado has strong NSFW defense of Dodgers spending
"I (expletive) love it," Machado said. "Every team should be doing it. That (expletive) is (expletive) great for the game."
Despite being in the NL West and going up directly against the Dodgers and their superteam with hundreds of millions more spent than most other teams in MLB, Machado is a big fan of the Dodgers' spending.
As a player, the big spending of the Dodgers is a good thing. If there were a salary cap or some other limitation placed on teams regarding spending, players wouldn't be able to make nearly as much as they can now.
While some teams around MLB, especially those that don't spend like the top teams in the league, want a cap on spending going forward, the players do not want there to be a cap.
Machado's strong defense of the Dodgers' spending is a great sign of how the players view the huge spending by the Dodgers.
Things have come to a head this offseason, as the Dodgers are giving Kyle Tucker an absurd $240 million, four-year deal. It's a ridiculous $60 million per season, which is more than half of the total payroll for many teams around MLB this season.
It wouldn't be a surprise if Machado was frustrated with the Dodgers spending, as it makes his chances in the postseason not as strong. But he's not only okay with it, but he's also urging other teams to spend big.
If the lines couldn't be drawn any more clearly, the players are very much in favor of big spending teams. Machado defending the Padres' biggest rival's spending is a tell-tale sign of how players around MLB view the Dodgers and other teams' big spending.
Penn State may not have won many battles in the 2027 recruiting class, but they have received good new from one of the top defensive lineman recruits in the class.
According to 247Sports, Marcus Fakatou, a five-star defensive lineman, has included Penn State in his top 10. Several other blue blood programs in the mix include Georgia, Miami, Texas, and Ohio State . Fakatou was initially a part of the 2028 class but chose to reclassify. It's important to note that while Fakatou attended Penn State's White Out game last year, he has not returned to campus for a visit since the hiring of new head coach Matt Campbell.
NEWS: Elite 2027 DL Marcus Fakatou is down to 10 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals
The 6’7 275 DL from Riverside, CA is ranked as the No. 2 DL in the ‘27 Class (per Rivals Industry)
Fakatou is a versatile player whose experience as a multisport athlete will help him throughout his college career. He had 69 tackles, 17 for loss, 14 QB hurries, eight blocked field goals, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pass deflections in the 2025 season alone. His ability to create pressure on opposing offensive linemen through a blend of power and size is something that Penn State desires.
Fakatou is the No. 2 defensive lineman in the entire class and No. 35 prospect overall, so it will not be easy sledding for the Nittany Lions on the recruiting trail, especially with the other heavy hitters. However, if Penn State does manage to get him, he would be their first commitment...and arguably their best no matter what.
As far as the Premier League is concerned, Wolves' fate has long appeared sealed.
Rock-bottom for much of the campaign, they are 18 points adrift of safety with 12 games remaining - and an end to their eight-season stay in the top flight seems inevitable.
But the FA Cup still offers Rob Edwards' side the opportunity to salvage some joy from an otherwise dismal season.
And this was a gritty performance in tough conditions against highly motivated opponents, who stunned Manchester United in the League Cup earlier this season.
While Wolves had not tasted victory since their 6-1 FA Cup third-round win over League Two Shrewsbury Town on 10 January, in-form Grimsby were unbeaten in 10 games and enjoyed a run to the FA Cup quarter-finals as recently as 2023.
But, although Wolves have managed just one top-flight win all season, their back-to-back FA Cup victories and a place in the fifth round offers supporters something to look forward to.
Their side had to remain disciplined and focused until the final whistle in conditions reminiscent of a bygone era, the pitch proving a leveller across four tiers of English football and preventing either side from building any meaningful momentum.
By doing so, Wolves have extended their cup ambitions into March and will be one of a maximum of 11 Premier League teams in the competition's last 16.
The NASCAR Cup Series opened its 2026 season with a bang at the Daytona 500 this afternoon at Daytona International Speedway.
William Byron came up short in his pursuit of a three-peat, finishing 12th after a carnage-filled final lap. Tyler Reddick, a surprise underdog from the Daytona 500 odds, ultimately came through with the victory.
Below, revisit our Daytona 500 predictions and free betting picks from before the event began and get ready for next week's race.
In a chaotic final lap that saw spinouts and crashes, Tyler Reddick, who was +4000 at one point, emerged from the pack to take the checkered flag at the 2026 edition of the Daytona 500. He was the only Toyota driver to finish in the Top 7. It was a narrow victory, as nine cars finished within two seconds of first behind Reddick.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Joey Logano wrapped up the podium, finishing second and third, respectively. Chase Elliott led for a good portion of the final lap, but ultimately dropped to fourth, with Brad Keselowski rounding out the Top 5.
Denny Hamlin (+900) Implied odds: 10% Denny Hamlin isn't often the sentimental favorite. Still, after losing his father in a house fire less than two months ago, a fourth Daytona 500 victory would certainly qualify as a "feel-good" story.
Hamlin might have won his first championship last season with a little more luck. He's one of the great drafting track racers of all-time and is always a threat at Daytona.
Ryan Blaney (+1000) Implied odds: 9.1% The Penske Fords are a common sight at the front of the pack at Daytona, with Ryan Blaney among them.
Although Blaney has never won the 500, he has taken the summer race over this course on two occasions. He's also a three-time winner at Talladega.
William Byron (+1100) Implied odds: 8.3% This price feels a bit disrespectful, as William Byron seeks a Daytona 500 three-peat.
Byron has won here three times overall, and is first in average finish among current full-time drivers at drafting tracks over 18 races dating back to February 2023.
Daytona 500 sleeper
Carson Hocevar (+2800) Implied odds: 3.4% Carson Hocevar's aggression can be a blessing and a curse, but he's hit the Top 10 in four of his last five races on drafting tracks. There's no doubt he has the guts to make a decisive last-lap pass in the Daytona 500, which it always seems to come down to, and this is a nice price.
Daytona 500 fade
Kyle Larson (+1100) Implied odds: 8.3% Kyle Larson has never, ever won on a drafting track, yet he always gets bet like a good thing at Daytona and Talladega. Until he finally gets this monkey off his back, he is an automatic toss in races like the Daytona 500 for this handicapper.
Daytona International Speedway track analysis
Daytona International Speedway is a 2.5-mile superspeedway located in Daytona Beach, FL. It typically hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races per season, but chief among them is the "Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing," the Daytona 500.
Daytona opened in 1959 and hosted the first Daytona 500 on February 22 of that year. The event has been renewed every year since.
Expect tight pack racing at Daytona, which is known as a drafting track. This can lead to big wrecks and unpredictable outcomes.
Daytona International Speedway trend to know
William Byron, the reigning Daytona 500 champion, became the first back-to-back winner of the race since Denny Hamlin in 2019-20.
How to watch the Daytona 500
Location:
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
Date:
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Start time:
2:30 p.m. ET
TV:
FOX
Daytona 500 weather
Meteorologists are calling for significant cloud cover on a 77-degree Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. There is an elevated chance of rain beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET, with thunderstorms developing late at night, increasing the possibility that the Daytona 500 start time gets moved up.
Previous Daytona 500 winners
Year
Winner
Manufacturer
2026
Tyler Reddick
Toyota
2025
William Byron
Chevrolet
2024
William Byron
Chevrolet
2023
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Chevrolet
2022
Austin Cindric
Ford
2021
Michael McDowell
Ford
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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
🚨 Desperate derby: starting XIs for Levante v Valencia
Derby afternoon in Valencia with relegation to the Second Division looming in the rearview mirror for both clubs.
Second-to-last faces seventeenth in the table today at the Ciutat, with these lineups already confirmed:
Levante: Ryan, Dela, Arriaga, Moreno, Manu Sánchez, Losada, Pablo Martínez, Tunde, Carlos Álvarez, Nacho Pérez, and Iván Romero.
Etta Eyong starts on the bench.
Valencia: Dimitrievski, Núñez, Tárrega, Cömert, Gayà, Ugrinic, Pepelu, Luis Rioja, Ramazani, Beltrán, and Hugo Duro.
The biggest question Corberán faced during the week was the right winger, but in the end, Ramazani and Rioja are playing. Diego López is out of the starting eleven.
Spanish ice dancer Olivia Smart has quietly built one of the most respected careers in modern figure skating. A World Championship medalist and Olympic competitor, she has represented both Great Britain and Spain on the sport’s biggest stages while earning recognition for her performances.
Now, the latest turn in her personal life is capturing just as much attention as her routines on ice. Smart has announced her engagement on social media, sharing a glimpse of what appears to be a romantic proposal during the Winter Olympics in Milan that has quickly begun making waves online.
Smart’s time at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan has taken a heartfelt turn away from competition. The Spanish ice dancer is now engaged after fellow ice dancer Jean-Luc Baker got down on one knee during a romantic Valentine’s proposal in the streets of Milan on February 16.
The moment was later shared on social media, where Smart could be seen celebrating the proposal as she showed off her engagement ring. The surprise proposal caught attention online, with fans congratulating the Olympic ice dancer on what has become one of the most talked-about off-ice moments from Milano Cortina 2026.
Jean-Luc Baker, an ice dancer, has competed for Team USA on the international stage. He is best known for his longtime partnership with Kaitlin Hawayek. Together, the duo represented the United States at the Olympics and multiple ISU World Figure Skating Championships.
Feb 9, 2026; Milan, Italy; Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck of Spain skate during ice dancing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
Baker has also won medals on the ISU Grand Prix circuit and built a reputation for his artistry and smooth skating style. Over the years, he has remained a consistent presence in top-tier ice dance competitions. Now, his name is drawing wider attention after his engagement to Spanish ice dancer Olivia Smart during the Winter Olympics in Milan.
When it comes to their highest-priority free agents this offseason, wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson is at or near the top of the list for the New York Giants.
Robinson had a career year in 2025, reeling in 92 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns, with his yardage and scoring outputs being personal bests.
It remains to be seen if the Giants will retain him, though.
We know New York needs wide receivers, and that issue is only made more dire by the fact that Malik Nabers isn't guaranteed to be ready by Week 1 after suffering a torn ACL last season.
But Robinson is likely to command a big contract (Spotrac projects four years and $70.5 million) and the Giants might not be keen on paying up after what was his first real standout season in the NFL.
New York's cap space situation isn't great, either, as head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen have just $6.9 million to work with before cuts and restructures.
We’re expecting the Washington Commanders to splurge this offseason, using the 2026 NFL Draft to reinforce Dan Quinn’s defense while bringing in immediate contributors to support Jayden Daniels in NFL free agency. Wan’Dale Robinson, coming off a 1,000-yard campaign, is an excellent slot receiver who averaged 7.2 yards per target in 2025 and excels at creating early separation. He’ll complement Terry McLaurin nicely and allow Washington to use that top-10 pick on an edge rusher.
The Commanders have their own issues at wide receiver, as Deebo Samuel is set to be a free agent and that leaves the team with Terry McLaurin and a bunch of unproven players behind him.
Not exactly an ideal scenario for the Commanders, who are trying to develop a young quarterback in Jayden Daniels who is coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued campaign.
The 25-year-old can make plays at all three levels and has the kind of explosive speed that makes him a threat from anywhere on the football field.
The Commanders also have the cap space to be aggressive in a pursuit of Robinson, with the team having a projected $74.5 million, the fifth-most in the NFL.
When you put it all together, we could see Robinson squaring off against the Giants as a member of the Commanders in 2026.
The Juventus Women’s First Team were held to a goalless draw by Lazio on Serie A Women Matchday 14.
THE MATCH REPORT
It was a tight one from the very start in Biella, but the Bianconere looked to break through first via Chiara Beccari in the opening seconds, and then again with Barbara Bonansea inside five minutes, but Francesca Durante in the Lazio goal was largely untroubled.
In the 11th minute Michela Cambiaghi passed up a big chance to open the scoring, before Martina Lenzini tried her luck from range in the 18th without success.
From there the first half was quiet, with both teams looking defensively solid and going in at the break with the deadlock firmly intact.
The second half began with more of the same, and it wasn’t until the 62nd minute that Beccari again tried to force something, but her low effort came back off the post. Then in the 68th it was Cristiana Girelli who brought a save out of Durante.
With just under ten minutes of regular time to play, the Bianconere’s biggest chance came. Chaos unfolded in the six-yard box as a goalmouth scramble played out, but Lazio managed to survive it unscathed and with their sheet still undirtied.
And that was where the chances stopped in Biella, with the sides sharing the points.
After four years of playing college football and then another eight seasons moving up the assistant coaching ranks, Demeitre Brim is ready to crack the pros as the newest member of the Cowboys staff.
Brim is expected to be hired by Dallas as an assistant defensive line coach, per a Saturday report from Matt Zenith of CBS Sports. He'll serve in that capacity- his first foray in the NFL- under newly-hired defensive line coach Marcus Dixon and defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Bryan Bing was the Cowboys' assistant DL coach for the 2025 season, his first with the team after following Matt Eberflus from Chicago. Bing's future is not immediately known.
The #Cowboys are expected to hire UCF’s Demeitre Brim in an assistant defensive line coach capacity, sources tell @CBSSports.
Brim, a former UCF linebacker who posted 81 tackles as a senior in 2016, was an assistant DL coach at UCF. Before UCF, worked at Nebraska and Lehigh. pic.twitter.com/hN2FuFwvlV
Brim began his coaching career at Nebraska as a graduate assistant in 2018 working with the Cornhuskers' inside linebackers. He moved up to a defensive analyst role and then, by 2022, a defensive quality control position.
From Lincoln, he went next to Lehigh of the FCS. Under Brim as DL coach for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the conference-champion Mountain Hawks ranked second in the Patriot league in sacks; 15 of their 21 came from the defensive front.
The 2025 season brought Brim to Central Florida as a defensive analyst. That stop in Orlando was a full-circle moment for Brim. He had finished his college playing career with 22 games at linebacker for the Knights over his junior and senior seasons (and was the squad's Defensive MVP in 2016) after initially playing two years at Virginia.
And now he'll have a chance to make an impact at the highest level of the game as the newest member of the Cowboys staff, working with notable names like Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Solomon Thomas, Osa Odighizuwa, and Donovan Ezeiruaku.
An incredible second-half display from Celtic gave Martin O’Neill a 3-2 win against Kilmarnock in his 300th game in charge with Julian Araujo scoring the winner in the 97th minute!
Even though 2-0 down at halftime, Celtic’s never-say-die attitude won the day with second-half goals from Sebastian Tounekti and Benjaminn Nygren drawing Celtic level before the Mexican’s late, late winner. For the third game in a row, Celtic left it late, and the joy among the away support as the referee blew for full time matched anything in the campaign so far.
The home side had the better of the early stages, Findlay Curtis shooting straight at Kasper Schmeichel in the 13th minute when he perhaps should’ve done better having only the goalkeeper to beat.
Kilmarnock did eventually take the lead in the 21st minute when Tyreece John-Jules curled a shot past Schmeichel from the left side of the penalty area.
Celtic were struggling to carve out any clear-cut chances in front of goal when the home side then doubled their lead on 28 minutes, John Hugill sending a looping header into the back of the net.
Daizen Maeda had a great chance to pull one back for Celtic in the 37th minute but his powerful goalward shot was blocked in the six-yard box. With the away fans clearly frustrated, Celtic were trying hard to give themselves a lifeline before half time.
A glancing header from Liam Scales from a Kieran Tierney corner almost found the corner of the net but that was it for a largely disappointing first half for Martin O’Neill’s side.
Celtic made three changes at half time with Tomas Cvancara, Sebastian Tounekti and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain coming on for Junior Adamu, Yang and Reo Hatate
Just 10 minutes later Celtic had a goal back thanks to a wonderful curling strike from Tounekti who cut in from the left and beat Kelle Roos high to his left from 25 yards out. It was an incredible finish from the Tunisian internationalist.
James Forrest came on for Daizen Maeda on the hour and three minutes later Benjamin Nygren pounced on a loose ball inside the six yards box to draw Celtic level with a left foot strike. It was game-on at Rugby Park!
The home side weren’t lying down, however, and Robbie Deas came close to a third for Kilmarnock on 72 minutes with a header just over the crossbar. John-Jules then rifled the bar direct from a free kick from 20 yards out. Going into the final 15 minutes of the match, and with Saracchi on for Tierney, the game was wide open.
Tounekti saw his header go wide from a James Forrest cross as Celtic searched for a winner. It looked like the spoils would be shared but Tomas Cvancara had other ideas. Good play from the Czech forward on the left and his low cross was fired high into the net by Julian Araujo. Cue delirium. Next up Stuttgart in the Europa League.
Wolves match-winner Santiago Bueno runs past Grimsby's Jaze Kabia during their English FA Cup fourth round tie (Darren Staples)
Leeds survived an FA Cup scare to reach the fifth round with a penalty shoot-out victory against second-tier Birmingham on Sunday.
Birmingham substitute Patrick Roberts snatched an 89th-minute equaliser at St Andrew's to cancel out Lukas Nmecha's 49th-minute opener for Leeds.
With a feisty fourth round tie level at 1-1 after extra-time, Leeds won the shoot-out 4-2.
Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson and Sean Longstaff all converted their penalties for Daniel Farke's team.
Tommy Doyle's effort was saved by Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri before Roberts fired over the crossbar.
Battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, Leeds are one win away from reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 2003.
Wolves also avoided an upset as they won 1-0 at fourth-division Grimsby.
Grimsby stunned Manchester United in the League Cup earlier this season.
But Wolves avoided similar embarrassment thanks to Santiago Bueno's 60th-minute goal from the visitors' first shot on target on a mud-caked pitch at Blundell Park.
Grimsby did not manage to force Wolves 'keeper Sam Johnstone into a save until Andy Cook's header in the 90th minute.
It was Wolves' first away win since beating Manchester United in April.
Mired in a miserable season that has left them bottom of the Premier League and almost certain to be relegated, Rob Edwards' side can still salvage some pride in the FA Cup.
Fulham came from behind to win 2-1 at second tier Stoke.
Cottagers boss Marco Silva made 10 changes from their midweek defeat at Manchester City and nearly paid for the gamble.
South Korean midfielder Bae Jun-ho capped a fine move to put Stoke ahead after 19 minutes.
But Brazilian winger Kevin got his reward for an impressive performance in the 55th minute, sending a first-time shot into the bottom corner.
Harrison Reed completed Fulham's escape act in the 84th minute, intercepting a poor pass from Stoke keeper Tommy Simkin and slotting home.
Sunderland reached the fifth round for the first time since 2015 as Habib Diarra's controversial penalty clinched a 1-0 win at second tier Oxford.
Regis Le Bris' side went in front after 32 minutes when Dennis Cirkin tumbled under Christ Makosso's challenge.
Referee Thomas Kirk pointed to the spot despite Oxford's protests and Diarra rubbed salt into their wounds as he calmly converted the penalty.
In Sunday's late game, Premier League leaders Arsenal host third tier strugglers Wigan.
Pablo Sabbag signs for Al-Ahli Tripoli in record-breaking deal
Despite interest from Turkish clubs, Sabbag chooses Libya.
Pablo Sabbag signs for Al-Ahli Tripoli in record-breaking deal
This transfer has sent shockwaves through Libyan football. Al-Ahli SC of Tripoli has officially announced the arrival of Pablo Sabbag for approximately $2 million—a record-breaking fee for the local league.
The striker joins from Suwon FC after a standout season in South Korea, where he netted 17 goals and claimed the top scorer title. At 28, the Barranquilla-born player, who has represented Syria internationally since 2024, was on the radar of several Turkish top-flight clubs. Still, he opted for Tripoli, where the mission is crystal clear: defend the domestic title and return to the African Champions League.
Off the pitch, Sabbag is also making waves with his music career. Under his artist name, his track “14 Horas” has surpassed one million views on YouTube. A unique profile for a signing that marks a turning point in the history of Libyan football.
Hazard hails Mousa Dembélé as most underrated teammate, calling him one of the best midfielders of his generation
Eden Hazard has named former Belgium teammate Mousa Dembele as the most underrated player he played alongside.
Hazard was posed the question during an interview withThe Guardian, in which the former Chelsea winger reflected on his career and life after football.
When asked to name the player he played alongside who failed to get the required recognition, Hazard answered immediately with Dembele.
Dembele made 243 appearances in thePremier League during spells at Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, but failed to win a major trophy during his time in English football. The midfielder's only career major honour came with AZ Alkmaar, after winning the Eredivisie title in 2008-09.
However, he has regularly been cited by former Tottenham teammates as the finest footballer they shared a dressing room with.
Hazard played alongside Dembele with the national team, with both featuring prominently as Belgium finished third at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Hazard believes Dembele was one of 'the best midfielders of that generation' and blamed a lack of goals for his lack of recognition.
“I always thought Mousa Dembélé was one of the best midfielders of that generation," Hazard said.
"People didn’t talk about him much because he didn’t score goals, but the fans in thePremier League
Lindsey Vonn was preparing to fly back to her home country on Sunday after her terrifying head-over-heels crash in the Olympic downhill, the U.S. Ski Team’s chief told The Associated Press.
Sophie Goldschmidt, president and CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, told the AP the team’s medical staff has been coordinating Vonn’s recovery since the crash and subsequent helicopter evacuation at the Milan Cortina Games and would try to accompany her home. Vonn has had multiple surgeries in Italy to repair a complex tibia fracture in her left leg.
“We’re working through all of that at the moment,” Goldschmidt said. “We’ve got a great team around helping her and she’ll go back to the U.S. for further surgeries.”
Spectators tuning in to see Vonn attempt to win a medal at age 41 with a torn ACL in her left knee and a partial titanium replacement in her right knee were thrown into shock when the American standout got hooked on a gate 13 seconds into her run – resulting in a spinning, air-born crash that sent her careening down the Dolomite mountain.
“The impact, the silence, everyone was just in shock. And you could tell it was a really nasty injury,” said Goldschmidt, who was in attendance for the fall. “There’s a lot of danger in doing all sorts of Alpine sports but it gives more of an appreciation for how superhuman these athletes are.
“I mean putting your body on the line, going at those speeds, the physicality. Sometimes actually on the broadcast it’s really hard to get that across,” Goldschmidt added. “Danger sometimes brings fans in and is pretty captivating. We obviously hope we won’t have injuries like that but it is unfortunately part and parcel of our sports.”
Vonn herself has no regrets.
“When I think back on my crash, I didn’t stand in the starting gate unaware of the potential consequences,” Vonn said in an Instagram post late Saturday. “I knew what I was doing. I chose to take a risk. Every skier in that starting gate took the same risk. Because even if you are the strongest person in the world, the mountain always holds the cards.
“But just because I was ready, that didn’t guarantee me anything. Nothing in life is guaranteed. That’s the gamble of chasing your dreams, you might fall but if you don’t try you’ll never know,” Vonn added.
Goldschmidt visited Vonn at the hospital twice and said, “She’s not in pain. She’s in a stable condition.
“She took an aggressive line and was all in and it was inches off what could have ended up a very different way,” Goldschmidt said. “But what she’s done for our sports and the sport in general, her being a role model, has gone to a whole new level. You learn often more about people during these tough moments than when they’re winning.”
Florida State baseball's series finale against James Madison on Sunday, Feb. 15, has been cancelled as severe weather is expected to move through the Big Bend.
The strongest storms are expected to move into Tallahassee between roughly 11 a.m. and 6 p.m, which forced the Seminoles (2-0) to cancel the series finale. Gametime was initially moved to 11 a.m. to try to avoid the storms, but before a pitch was thrown, the game was put into a weather delay before being canceled.
In game two, the top four of FSU's lineup, Brayden Dowd, Noah Sheffield, Myles Bailey and Cal Fisher went a combined 12-for-14 with 11 RBI and four extra base hits alongside five walks to lead the Seminoles to a 16-5 run rule win.
The Seminoles will spend the next week on the road, traveling to Jacksonville for a midweek showdown with the Dolphins. Following the midweek road contest, FSU heads to Arlington, Texas, for the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field.
FSU will face Michigan, Auburn, and Nebraska, while in Texas, a strong early-season test.
How to watch FSU baseball vs. Jacksonville
When: Tuesday, Feb. 17 / 6 p.m.
Where: John Sessions Stadium / Jacksonville, Florida
Watch: ESPN+
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
Lindsey Vonn is preparing to return to the United States, the U.S. Ski Team's chief told The Associated Press on Sunday, saying the champion skier was getting ready to fly back home for further treatment after wiping out in the women's Olympic downhill competition last weekend.
Sophie Goldschmidt, president and CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, told the AP the team's medical staff has been coordinating Vonn's recovery since the crash and subsequent helicopter evacuation at the Milan Cortina Games and would try to accompany her home. Vonn has had multiple surgeries in Italy to repair a complex tibia fracture in her left leg.
"We're working through all of that at the moment," Goldschmidt said. "We've got a great team around helping her and she'll go back to the U.S. for further surgeries."
Spectators tuning in to see Vonn attempt to win a medal at age 41 with a torn ACL in her left knee and a partial titanium replacement in her right knee were thrown into shock when the American standout got hooked on a gate 13 seconds into her run — resulting in a spinning, air-born crash that sent her careening down the Dolomite mountain.
"The impact, the silence, everyone was just in shock. And you could tell it was a really nasty injury," said Goldschmidt, who was in attendance for the fall. "There's a lot of danger in doing all sorts of Alpine sports but it gives more of an appreciation for how superhuman these athletes are.
"I mean, putting your body on the line, going at those speeds, the physicality. Sometimes, actually on the broadcast, it's really hard to get that across," Goldschmidt added. "Danger sometimes brings fans in and is pretty captivating. We obviously hope we won't have injuries like that but it is unfortunately part and parcel of our sports."
Vonn said on Friday that she was expecting to have another surgery for the leg injury, which was slated to happen on Saturday. In a video shared to social media, Vonn told her followers that she could potentially return to the U.S. after that surgery if it went well. At that point, she had already undergone three surgeries since her crash.
But Vonn has no regrets about skiing in the 2026 Olympics.
"When I think back on my crash, I didn't stand in the starting gate unaware of the potential consequences," Vonn said in an Instagram post late Saturday. "I knew what I was doing. I chose to take a risk. Every skier in that starting gate took the same risk. Because even if you are the strongest person in the world, the mountain always holds the cards.
"But just because I was ready, that didn't guarantee me anything. Nothing in life is guaranteed. That's the gamble of chasing your dreams, you might fall but if you don't try you'll never know," Vonn added.
Goldschmidt visited Vonn at the hospital twice and said, "She's not in pain. She's in a stable condition."
"She took an aggressive line and was all in and it was inches off what could have ended up a very different way," Goldschmidt said. "But what she's done for our sports and the sport in general, her being a role model, has gone to a whole new level. You learn often more about people during these tough moments than when they're winning."
Thusfar, Larkin has yet to register a point in Olympic play. He has six shots on goal and has averaged 13:11 of ice time in the first two games, a 5-1 victory over Latvia and a 6-3 victory over Denmark.
Meanwhile, Germany enters the contest having defeated Denmark by a 3-1 final score, coupled with a 4-3 loss to Latvia.
Seider continues to rack up the ice time as he has in Detroit, leading all German defensemen with an average of 26:59 through the first two games. He also has an assist.
There will be extra incentive for Larkin and the United States, as a victory over Germany would enable them to officially clinch Group C, whereas a loss in regulation would drop them to the qualifying round.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, a metro-Detroit native, is expected to get the start.
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Caleb Downs | Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Disp / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
I had not intended to debut my weekly multi-round New York Giants mock draft for at least another week. Then, Giants coach John Harbaugh spoke to Mike Francesa and made some eye-catching comments about the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. On the heels of those, I felt a need to jump into the NFL mock draft frenzy.
So, here we go.
This is a no-trades mock to simply set a baseline for future draft scenarios. I used the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator.
“Big fan, big fan,” Harbaugh said of Downs. “We favor Hall of Fame safeties, so if we have a chance to draft a potential future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me.
“We’ll take the best player. You know, when you draft that high, you take the best player. It’s not a need pick. It’s the best player pick because you’re going for the guy that’s going to be that kind of a player. You’re talking about a guy that you would like to see someday wearing a gold jacket if possible. That’s what the goal is with that pick. …
“That guy would be just fine with me. I’d take him in a second.”
That might be a first shot at draft gamesmanship from Harbaugh to see if the Giants can generate interest in trading down a few spots to pick up additional draft assets. It also might not be. I will take Harbaugh at his word that Downs is firmly on the Giants’ radar.
We have talked about how Harbaugh coached Hall of Famer Ed Reed in Baltimore, and how the Ravens drafted two-time All-Pro Kyle Hamilton in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft. Harbaugh pointed out to Francesa that four-time First-Team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler Brian Dawkins was part of the team when Harbaugh was an assistant coach for Andy Reid with the Philadelphia Eagles.
If there is anyone in the NFL who understands the value of a premier safety, it would be John Harbaugh.
I have already said several times that the selection of Downs is one I would support. The Giants have lacked a real difference-maker in the secondary for several years, and Downs could give them that. We don’t, of course, know how free agency will impact the Giants’ priorities in the draft. Today, though, Downs is the choice.
Caleb Downs is a versatile defensive back and one of the leaders on the talented Ohio State defense. He was used in a variety of different ways and alignments this past season to utilize his athleticism and instincts to maximize his play-to-play impact. He saw the majority of his snaps as a strong safety, working top to bottom allowing him to read and react to the ball as the play developed. While he is only a 3-year player, he has an enormous amount of experience, having started in every game of his college career. He spent his freshman season at Alabama and after coach Nick Saban retired he transferred to Ohio State. His accolades include being a 2-time All-American, National Champion, and 2025 Thorpe Award winner, given to the best defensive back in the country each season. He also has NFL bloodlines, as his brother Josh is a receiver for the Colts, and his uncle is Pro Bowler Dre Bly. His frame is compact, but he is a fluid athlete and easy mover on the field. His leadership is evident on and off the field, as he was a captain for the 2025 season.
Pass Game
Downs displays exceptional instincts and feel in coverage for a young player. His eyes are constantly in the right place allowing him to anticipate and feel out route combinations and play with proper leverage against his assignments. In zone coverage he plays with discipline to perform his job and knows when to bail from his assignment and rally to the football. He plays with good pad level to quickly drive and close on the ball in the air and can affect the catch point with physicality. In man coverage, he has the physicality to match with tight ends and foot speed to stay attached with wide receivers down the field.
He wasn’t asked to be a center fielder on top of the defense, and while he has sufficient range he isn’t a sideline-to-sideline roaming free safety. He lacks great length which can prevent him from disrupting the catch point, but he is a natural athlete who can track and play the ball in the air. Downs has natural ability to communicate and lead on the back end. He is always talking and making sure his teammates are aligned and on the same page pre-snap, and even post-snap you see him motioning and signaling to his teammates to pass routes off in coverage. His ability to disguise and hold his water before attacking downhill is remarkable as well.
Run Game
Downs plays with the desired physicality needed to defend the run. He has performed his duties at multiple alignments at a high level. He can attack downhill and fit against the run with physicality, and he will also run the alley with speed. He also can help set the edge and be a force player if asked as well. His instincts against the run are just as exceptional as they are in coverage. He knows when to attack downhill and has a magnet for finding the ball. As a tackler, he can come to balance and attack the ballcarrier with physicality. There are times when he can be aggressive working downhill, which can lead to misses in the open field. However, he is very productive as a tackler and can correct mistakes in game and week-to-week. His alignment versatility allows him to be a quality run defender in the slot, in the box, or as a deep safety.
Last Word
Downs projects to be a starting-level safety who can be aligned in a variety of ways to utilize his instincts and physicality. He can align as a Nickel defender in the slot who can play in coverage and fit against the run, with the ability to play as a deep safety in a scheme that lets him work top-down. He doesn’t display overwhelming athletic traits or length to his frame, but his instincts and ability to affect the game are valuable assets to add to any defense at the next level. On 3rd downs, he can play in man coverage on tight ends, blitz from depth, or patrol the intermediate areas of the field. He also is an experienced special teams player who even showed some playmaking ability as a returner.
Other players considered: Rueben Bain, edge, Miami; Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State; Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami; Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU; Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Round 2 (No. 37) — Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
I went into this pick with an open mind regarding offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback or whatever would help the Giants the most. Admittedly, though, the trenches were at the forefront of my thoughts.
With no idea at this time what the Giants might actually be looking for in terms of trench players other than big and physical ones, Pregnon is a player I watched recently and was impressed by.
Here is part of the Sports Info Solutions scouting report on Pregnon:
Pregnon is a long, intelligent, and sturdy pass protector … In the run game, Pregnon is incredibly powerful and deceptively quick. He displays fantastic functional strength and power to drive and displace defenders at the point of attack … Pregnon projects to be a quality starting-level guard at the next level with his massive size and functional power. He has the tools to be a scheme-versatile blocker with the sound feet and movement ability to fit in a zone scheme, and the strength and power to displace at the LOS in a downhill gap scheme. He can also set a firm anchor in the pocket to allow a QB to have ample room to step up and maneuver the pocket.
Other players considered: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida; Anthony Hill, LB, Texas; Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M; Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa; Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Round 4 (No. 105) — Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC
In what is said to be a deep wide receiver class, there were still several options on the board here. I have to acknowledge that I have a preference toward bigger receivers who can be useful in red zone and contested catch situations. The three receivers in my ‘other players considered’ category below — Kevin Coleman, Deion Burks, Brenen Thompson — are smallish slot receivers. If Wan’Dale Robinson leaves in free agency they might earn more consideration, but that’s a bridge to cross when we have to.
Lane is a 6-foot-4, 196-pound target.
Sports Info Solutions says:
Lane is a long, lanky receiver whose strong hands, tracking ability, and concentration in contested situations make him a vital piece to a receiver room at the next level, though a lack of play strength and suddenness could hold him back from reaching his full potential.
Real Madrid complete the signing of former La Masia starlet – report
Although the January transfer window is no longer open, Real Madrid remain on the hunt for hidden gems across the globe.
The Spanish giants are not shying away from signing former Barcelona youth prodigies either and are said to be closing in on a move for Clifford Nana.
The 16-year-old winger, who previously spent time at Barcelona’s prestigious La Masia academy until 2023, has become one of the most sought-after teenagers in Spanish football.
Deal done for Real Madrid
According to journalist Matteo Moretto, the deal is now closed, with the player expected to sign his official contract at Valdebebas in the coming days.
Nana’s arrival marks another victory for Real Madrid’s scouting network, which has been monitoring the player’s rapid rise for some time.
The youngster is described as an explosive and direct attacking midfielder who possesses elite dribbling skills and a remarkable instinct for scoring goals.
Arbeloa hasn’t shied away from giving chances to young players. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Having scored seven goals in just 11 matches this season – following a prolific 16-goal campaign last year – Nana is viewed as a high-potential project for the club’s long-term future.
While the immediate plan is for Nana to join the club’s youth ranks, there is already speculation that his high market value and technical readiness could earn him a spot with Castilla.
Real Madrid have done well to move swiftly to secure the signature of the young prodigy, ahead of other European rivals.
The addition of Nana will be welcome at a time when Real Madrid have given renewed focus to La Fabrica, especially under the leadership of new coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
The Spaniard has been quite open about giving chances to Real Madrid youth players, although Nana is unlikely to be considered for the first team anytime soon.
Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale won snowboard cross mixed team gold to secure Team GB's first ever Winter Olympic title on snow.
After heartbreak in their individual events, the British pair made amends with an astonishing performance to add Olympic gold to the World Championship title they won in 2023.
It is the first time Great Britain have won two gold medals at a single Winter Olympics.
GB's only previous Olympic medals on snow were bronzes - for snowboarder Jenny Jones in 2014, and freestyle skier Izzy Atkin and snowboarder Billy Morgan four years later.
In an event that sees the men race first, Nightingale crossed the line in second place behind France's Loan Bozzolo to set up Bankes perfectly - and she used her remarkable speed on the board to take the lead and pip Italy's Michela Moioli to the line by 0.43 second.
It marked a second successive silver in this event for Moioli and Lorenzo Sommariva, while Bozzolo and Lea Casta took bronze.
Bankes, a former individual world champion and two-time overall World Cup winner, was left crestfallen on Friday when she exited the women's event in the quarter-finals, just as she did four years ago in Beijing, despite being widely tipped for a medal.
Similarly, Nightingale was left wanting much more from himself after exiting the men's competition in the round of 16, but found another level to produce arguably his best racing alongside Bankes.
They had been seeded in 13th place for this event, despite winning the only mixed team World Cup of the season before the Games.
A large British contingent descended on Livigno Snow Park on Sunday to watch Bankes and Nightingale, with huge union jacks plastered with their images pinned to the front of the fan zone.
The red, white and blue-clad supporters' excitement was palpable as Bankes and Nightingale first won their opening quarter-final, and then their semi-final - by a much more comfortable margin - to ensure a shot at a medal.
And with only four teams in the final, their chances of a podium finish were high - though in the chaotic world of snowboard cross, where riders can hit speeds of 60mph and the slightest clip of a board can end all hope, nothing is guaranteed.
Bankes looked stunned as she crossed the finish line, coming to a stop at the barriers as the ecstatic Nightingale enveloped her in a hug, before sprinting over to the Team GB coaches who were waiting in the wings to congratulate their champions.
Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale have now won both Olympic and World Championship gold in the mixed team event [EPA]
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 14: Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the third period during the Men's Preliminary Group C match between the United States and Denmark on day eight of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Matchup: Team USA (2-0-0-0) vs. Team Germany (1-0-1-0)
The Time: 3:10 PM EST (local time 21:10)
The Broadcasts: TV — Peacock, USA Network
Final Day of Round Robin
Today is the final preliminary round day of the Men’s Tourney in Milan. Probably the most surprising development so far is Slovakia and our guy Simon Nemec won Group B that had both Sweden and Finland in it.
Canada is cruising to the top seed in Group A with only France left to play to secure the top seed. This morning the Swiss with Timo, Nico and Siegs took down Czechia to take the 2nd seed.
Team USA
Team USA wraps up their group play at 3:10 this afternoon against Leon Draisatl and Team Germany. Theoretically, this game should mostly be a formality for the US to take the top seed in group C, but they have come out of the gates slow in both games so far leading Latvia only 1-0 after the 1st on Thursday and only really separating from Denmark in the 3rd yesterday. With wins both the US and Canada would both be 3-0, so goal differential will determine the top seed. Right now Canada sits at a pristine +9 scoring 10 and giving up only 1, while the US sits at +7 (11-4). SO for the US to steal the top seed they would need to dominate Germany and we would need France to put up a fight against Canada.
All 12 teams will move to the knock out stage, with the top 4 seeds (Likely Canada, The US, Slovakia and Finland) getting a bye, and awaiting the results of teams ranked 5-12.
So far Team USA has been powered by the line of Matthew Tkachuk-Jack Eichel-Brady Tkachuk, with Eichel topping the team with 4 points in 2 games while Brady Tkachuk has scored two massive goals to get the US team on track. Jack Hughes has had an excellent tournament so far finding chemistry with Brock Nelson on their “4th line” and both players are tied for 2nd on the team in scoring with 3 points in 2 games. Jack scored one of his patented bank shots yesterday to put Denmark away for good in the 3rd.
Play Free Bird!
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😍 Dad won the World Cup in 2014: Son of German legend makes pro debut
It was the 87th minute in the match between TSV Havelse and TSV 1860 Munich when a very special substitution took place.
Noah Klose made his professional debut with the score at 5-0 for the Lions. Klose? Yes, indeed, the son of DFB legend Miroslav Klose. Just like his father, the 21-year-old, who had previously played for 1860’s second team, plays as a center forward.
Will he ever come close to matching his father’s career? Miro Klose also made his professional debut at the age of 21 – back then for 1. FC Kaiserslautern. He then went on to have a fabulous career, crowning it with the World Cup title in 2014. A second Klose as a German world champion? Hardly anyone would object to that.
Pro Football Focus named the biggest roster decision all 32 NFL teams must make during the ongoing offseason.
For the Buffalo Bills, it's not a surprising selection.
The wide receiver room in Buffalo was a lightning rod of attention during the 2025 season. Improving that area is the pick by PFF.
Last season Khalil Shakir was head and shoulders the leader for the Bills in the air. He led the team with 72 catches and 719 yards while adding four touchdowns.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid provided some help when healthy, it was clear more playmakers were needed around quarterback Josh Allen in Buffalo. Whether during free agency or the 2026 NFL draft, a wide receiver is certainly a top need for the Bills roster this spring.
Although the Bills finished last season second in offensive EPA per play, the team’s receiving room grew extremely dire by the divisional round. Now, it’s up to general manager Brandon Beane to amend past mistakes.
Buffalo returns at least one solid option in Khalil Shakir, who has recorded a 74.3-plus PFF receiving grade in each of the last three years. But outside of Shakir, no Bills receiver reached even a 65.0 receiving mark.
Beane and others have expressed faith in third-year receiver Keon Coleman, but his early career returns have been underwhelming. Plus, Tyrell Shavers suffered a torn ACL in the playoffs. Josh Allen certainly needs more firepower around him, and options exist both in free agency and the draft. The Bills could make a splash for someone like Alec Pierce or trade up from No. 26, or they could try to fill out the room with cheaper but quality options.
Maverick Vinales has offered insights into his new partnership with Jorge Lorenzo, revealing how the three-time MotoGP champion is pushing him to reach levels he wouldn’t otherwise access.
While the 31-year-old is famous for his raw speed and peak performance, as reflected in his tally of 10 grands prix wins and 35 podiums, he has struggled to deliver that level consistently in MotoGP.
Vinales began working with Lorenzo over the winter as part of his preparation for the 2026 season, even as he simultaneously recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained at the German Grand Prix in July.
From testing road bikes at Jerez to completing ‘figure of eight’ drills in Valencia amid dirt riding, Vinales undertook an exhaustive winter programme to return to the level he enjoyed prior to his crash at Sachsenring.
Those training sessions also helped the Tech3 KTM rider better understand his own limits, with Lorenzo repeatedly pushing him to ride in conditions he would previously have avoided.
“During this winter season, Jorge pushed me to go out in conditions where I didn't like to go out,” Vinales explained. “But I think this is the key to this relationship, because he's strong.
“I remember one time the track was really [wet] with a lot of water, and it was the first time I rode after my injury in rainy conditions. I was ready to go home. I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll go home and then come back tomorrow’.
“But no, I rode. He made me ride. And I think these kinds of things unlock a lot of potential. This is very important.
“I think Jorge will bring the intensity I needed outside the MotoGP bike.”
Vinales explained that Lorenzo helped him completely overhaul his training programme, a step he felt was necessary to extract his full potential in MotoGP.
Apart from spending more time riding on wet and slippery asphalt, Vinales was able to focus on specific areas over the winter, having previously spent most of the winter break just getting mileage and maintaining fitness.
Lorenzo will also join his countryman for the pre-season tests and the opening rounds of the 2026 MotoGP season.
“What I expect is to improve my technical side on the motorbike,” he said. “To change the riding style is hard because already I do everything automatically. But to gain or to have some tricks under my [belt], like how you manage the gas, how you brake. Jorge’s experience with racing, the experience of a long-time champion, this is really a key to make the next step for me.
“Obviously, I train very differently from the other years; very, very different. It's another way of preparing for the season. If I want something to happen, I have to do something differently.
Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3, speaks with Jorge Lorenzo
Maverick Vinales, Red Bull KTM Tech 3, speaks with Jorge Lorenzo
“This year, I did something very different. I rode the bikes quite a lot, especially in the worst situation I can ride, which I was avoiding before. So, I did a step forward in difficult conditions.
“After that, Jorge brings a lot of direction just to train for a goal, which is important, not just making laps. [Earlier] I was doing long runs, trying to understand, but never working in a special area.
“With Jorge, we focus a lot on working every inch of the track. So, I think when I have him on the track, like Sepang tests and the first races, it will be good because he's able to really see good things outside the bike.”
Vinales and Lorenzo’s partnership is unusual given their personalities and history in MotoGP. It was Vinales who replaced Lorenzo at Yamaha in 2017, after the latter fell out with the Iwata-based brand and joined Ducati.
However, Vinales insists their relationship “has been fantastic” so far, adding: “We have a lot of fun. I'm surprised, too, because I knew another Jorge from the past and the last words we had were not nice.
“I had different expectations, but we are enjoying it. He's in another time of his life and he's enjoying himself now [after] coming back to the bikes, also because he thought that I'm giving the maximum. I think this is the key.”
Serie A | Udinese 1-2 Sassuolo: Solet beaten by rapid Neroverdi double
A first-half strike from Oumar Solet was not enough for Udinese to hold onto, as two goals within two minutes from Armand Lauriente and Andrea Pinamonti saw Sassuolo leapfrog their opponents into ninth place in the Serie A table on Sunday afternoon.
Kosta Runjaic opted for a change in shape and brought Nicolo Zaniolo back into his starting line-up, while Fabio Grosso made just one change: Replacing the suspended Nemanja Matic with Luca Lipani in midfield.
UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Nicolò Zaniolo of Udinese and Luca Lipani of Sassuolo in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Friuli on February 15, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
The hosts broke the deadlock within the first 10 minutes when Josh Doig attempted to play an underhit pass out from left-back. Solet was aggressive in his pressing and did brilliantly to win the ball high up the pitch on the right flank before dribbling inside and firing low into the bottom corner off his toes from the edge of the area.
UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Oumar Solet of Udinese celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Friuli on February 15, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
It took Sassuolo until the second half to properly dust themselves down.
10 minutes into the second period, the Neroverdi ran it all the way down the left flank from a goal-kick following an Udinese corner: Laurient, Ulisses Garcia and Pinamonti all combined in a fantastic team move, which ended with the Frenchman dispatching into the far corner from the centre of the area.
It was a dismal few minutes for Udinese, as Sassuolo went on to steal the lead with their next attack of the game after the re-start.
The ball was worked down the right flank on this occasion, before Lauriente, Garcia and Pinamonti combined for the second time in two minutes. This time it was Garcia’s cross that was met by the head of Pinamonti in the middle of the area for 2-1.
UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Andrea Pinamonti of Sassuolo celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Kristian Thorstvedt during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Friuli on February 15, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
This was a big result for Sassuolo, who have managed to leapfrog their opponents into ninth place in the Serie A table: Not a bad achievement for a team fresh off promotion from Serie B. Udinese sit one place below them in 10th palace, level on points on 32 from 25 matches.
Owen says Gyokeres is not the answer to Arsenal’s goalscoring problems
Michael Owen has expressed reservations about whether Viktor Gyokeres can fully resolve Arsenal’s goalscoring concerns, despite acknowledging the striker’s qualities. The Swedish forward arrived in the summer for a substantial fee, having established himself as one of the most prolific attackers in European football during his time at Sporting Club.
Negotiations over his transfer were prolonged, with Sporting initially reluctant to sanction a sale. The Portuguese side believed they could command an even higher fee if he moved to another elite club. However, Gyokeres ultimately opted for a switch to Arsenal, prompting both clubs to engage in extended discussions before reaching an agreement. Arsenal’s persistence throughout the process underlined their determination to secure his signature and strengthen their attacking options.
Although the Gunners eventually completed the deal, Gyokeres has not scored as frequently as anticipated. Given the significant investment involved, expectations were understandably high. His recent output has attracted scrutiny, with questions raised about whether he can be the decisive figure Arsenal require in crucial moments.
Owen Questions the Fit
Owen offered a measured assessment of the striker’s impact. As reported by Metro Sports, he said, ‘Listen, I don’t mind him. I think he’ll definitely be a source of goals if you play him in every game. But then again, I could probably play in every game for Arsenal; they are the best team at the moment and create a lot of chances.
‘But is he the answer? I’m not so sure. He’s certainly an asset to the team. You would expect paying £60m for a striker, for him to be the stand-out striker, the go-to player. But I don’t know.’
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Expectations Remain High
Owen’s comments reflect the broader debate surrounding Gyokeres. While his ability is not in doubt, the question remains whether he can consistently deliver at the level required to justify his transfer fee and lead Arsenal’s line with authority.
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Italy's Lisa Vittozzi reacts at the finish line after the Biathlon Women's 10 km pursuit at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
Lisa Vittozzi claimed her biggest career success when she won a first ever Olympic biathlon gold for Italy in style in front of a home crowd on Sunday.
Vittozzi shot clean in the pursuit race and capitalized from two penalty laps in the final shooting for a race total of three for then leading sprint winner Maren Kirkeeide of Norway.
Vittozzi coasted home 28.8 seconds ahead of Kirkeeide after 10 kilometres, and the bronze went to Finland's Suvi Minkkinen, another 5.5 seconds back.
World Cup leader Lou Jeanmonnot of France had to settle for fourth. Retirement-bound German Franziska Preuss was in medal contention until missing twice in the last shooting and placing sixth.
Vittozzi won the overall World Cup and 15km gold at the world championships in 2024 but she then had to sit out the entire past season owing to back problems.
She returned this season and celebrated her biggest moment on Sunday to make history for Italy, after mixed relay silver a week ago and a bronze in that event in 2018.
Italy's Lisa Vittozzi reacts at the finish line after the Biathlon Women's 10 km pursuit at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David has played one of the most physically demanding positions in football for 14 years. He's not sure whether he'll keep going, but he believes he can.
“I feel good," David recently told the Caps Off podcast via JoeBucsFan.com. "You know, I’m healthy. I’m happy. I’m undecided [on retiring]. I’m genuinely undecided, like I don’t know. I don’t know. I still got a lot of football left in me. I know that for sure. I still love the game. I know that for sure. The other side is I want to spend more time with my daughter. She’s in school, so [I’ve been] taking her to school and it’s a good feeling."
David turned 36 last month. He's due to become a free agent next month.
A second-round pick in 2012, David has played his entire career with the Buccaneers. He's survived (actually, thrived) through five different head coaches.
David has played 215 regular-season games. He has started every one of them. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2013. Two other times, he was a second-team All-Pro. Somehow, he's been voted to the Pro Bowl only once.
He's at crossroads. After that much time, it makes sense. While (amazingly) he's confident he can still physically do it, life changes for a guy in his late 30s. Priorities change. Football season is a significant commitment of time and focus and effort.
At some point, the cost of continuing outweighs the benefit — especially for a guy who has made $100.846 million under six different contracts with the same team.
CORTINA d'AMPEZZO (AP) — Italian skier Federica Brignone captured her second gold medal in four days at her home Winter Olympics by winning the women’s giant slalom on Sunday, as Mikaela Shiffrin finished off the podium again.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
The 40-year-old came from five shots behind Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to win LIV Golf Adelaide by three on Sunday, capturing his first professional victory in nearly 16 years.
As Kim made his run and started fist-pumping in birdie putts on the back nine (five in total in a closing 5-under 31), social media was ablaze as people watched one of the greatest stories the sport has seen unfold.
Here's a look at the best social media posts from Kim's victory in Adelaide.
Best social media reactions to Anthony Kim's LIV Golf Adelaide win
Thank u GOD Thank u sobriety Thank u 2 my few close friends& family NEVER GIVE UP❤️ 1% BETTER https://t.co/eMMRGqXiNu
What a comeback @AnthonyKim_Golf. Incredible story of overcoming demons over the years! Congratulations on turning your life around. Your hard work & commitment paid off. Cherish this sweet victory with your family. Heart warming story of the year. @livgolf_league
Redemption stories always resonate. From being one of the most talented players in the world, to disappearing from the game, to putting in the work to get yourself back into the winner’s circle - that takes something special.
- the original iPad had been on sale for one day - instagram was still six months from creation - The New Orleans Saints were newly minted Super Bowl champions pic.twitter.com/jgiByY43YX
If you're too young to remember the lightning strike that was peak AK: 2nd in birdie average in 2009, behind only Tiger. Masters record 11 birdies in a single round in '09. Wore a goddam bedazzled belt buckle.
Iowa State center Audi Crooks (55) scored 29 points in the 2025 Play4Kay game. In two career Play4Kay games, Crooks averages 23.5 points. | Jared Larson
Who: Iowa State (19-6, 7-6 Big 12) vs. Kansas State (14-12, 7-6 Big 12)
Where: Hilton Coliseum – Ames, Iowa
When: Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 – 1 p.m.
Watch: ESPN (PxP: Eric Frede, Analyst: Christy Thomaskutty)
Listen: Cyclone Radio Network (PxP: John Walters, Analyst: Jamie Steyer Johnson)
Mikaela Shiffrin's Olympic drought continues after she missed the podium of the Milano Cortina Games women's giant slalom on Sunday, finishing in 11th place.
The U.S. standout had a combined time of 2:14.42. Her runs were clean but just not quick enough to challenge for a podium spot. She didn't show any outward signs of disappointment after her second run, blowing out her cheeks and waving to the fans in the grandstand with both hands.
The 30-year-old, who is the winningest athlete on the World Cup circuit, has now failed to win a medal in eight straight Olympic events since the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang.
Italy's Federica Brignone took home the top prize, her second gold medal of these Games and her fifth medal overall. Remarkably, it was a split silver medal after Sweden's Sara Hector and Norway's Thea Stjernesund posted the same time in both the first and second runs.
After Brignone crossed the line to loud cheers from the home crowd, Hector and Stjernesund ran into the finish area and bowed down to the champion to a backdrop of chants of "Fede" from fans.
"That was, like, the greatest show of GS skiing that we've had in a really long time," Shiffrin said. "And to do it, you know, at the Olympics where people actually have eyes on the sport. Federica skied incredible. That was so cool to watch."
Redemption for Shiffrin, who came in fourth place with teammate Breezy Johnston in the women's team combined event on Thursday, could come at her best event — the slalom — on Wednesday.
Rodrygo: How Klopp could help United sign Real Madrid winger
Manchester United are expected to search for a winger capable of stretching the pitch, having switched to a back four formation following Ruben Amorim’s departure.
Interestingly, Jurgen Klopp, the former manager of their fierce rivals Liverpool, might have a major influence on their pursuit.
At this point, RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is considered United’s preferred target. Klopp, who is Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, played an influential role in convincing the Ivorian to move to Leipzig.
Needless to say, any suitor would have to deal with the German in the race for Diomande’s signature. However, there is a possibility that Klopp might leave Red Bull before the electric winger does.
Manchester United interested in Rodrygo
It has been widely reported that Real Madrid are interested in appointing Jurgen Klopp as their next manager in the summer.
According to Defensa Central, if Klopp were to arrive in the Spanish capital, he could initiate a major squad overhaul.
The Spanish outlet claims Klopp would offload Rodrygo and Eduardo Camavinga. Both high-profile stars are reportedly not highly rated by the Champions League-winning manager.
It is added United are keen on signing Rodrygo, whose preference is to stay at Santiago Bernabeu. However, the 25-year-old will consider his options if he is not guaranteed a more prominent role moving forward.
Luis Enrique wants Rodrygo at Manchester United
Plans to find a new permanent manager are also underway at United, with Luis Enrique emerging as one of the leading candidates.
In January, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming Enrique is open to leaving Paris Saint-Germain for the Red Devils.
However, the Spaniard would demand significant backing in the transfer market.
It is thought Enrique is an admirer of Rodrygo and would want United to sign the Brazil international, who is valued at €80 million by Real Madrid.
2. Bundesliga: Schalke withstand Kiel fight back to reclaim top spot
Hasan Kuruçay’s 29th-minute goal ultimately proved decisive for Miron Muslic’s side, who withstood a relentless second-half onslaught from Kiel to grind out the win and climb back to the summit of the Zweite Liga.
Schalke had to weather an early scare, with John Tolkin forcing a sharp save from Loris Karius inside the opening ten minutes, before taking the lead shortly after the quarter-hour mark. A corner from the left was flicked on at the near post and poked towards goal by Edin Džeko, where Kenan Karaman was perfectly placed to bundle home from close range.
Kiel threatened again soon after, only for Karius to produce another excellent stop, this time denying Adrian Kapralik from point-blank range. Schalke then doubled their advantage just before the half-hour, again from a corner. Adil Aouchiche’s delivery was flicked on towards the back post, where Hasan Kuruçay forced the ball over the line to make it 2-0.
Kiel believed they had found an instant response through Phil Harres’ header, but the goal was swiftly ruled out for a push on Kuruçay, ensuring Schalke carried their two-goal cushion into the interval.
The hosts emerged with greater urgency after the break and were rewarded ten minutes into the second half. Jonas Therkelsen was brought down inside the area, and David Zec calmly sent Karius the wrong way from the penalty spot to hand Kiel a lifeline.
Kiel continued to pile on the pressure, dominating much of the second half but failing to make their superiority count. Harres went close once more, while Kuruçay produced a heroic goal-line clearance to deny Ivan Nekic’s header as the equaliser continued to elude the hosts with the clock ticking into the final ten minutes.
Schalke eventually managed to steady the tide in the closing stages, throwing themselves into tackles, frustrating their opponents and defending their penalty area with discipline and resolve to protect a vital three points.
It marks a significant breakthrough for Schalke, who claim their first victory of the calendar year at the fifth attempt and end the weekend in first place. For Kiel, meanwhile, the defeat makes it three consecutive league losses, leaving the Storks 14th and dangerously close to being pulled into the relegation battle.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 8: Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball during the NFL Super Bowl LX football game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Santa Clara California. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In Today’s Links: more on the search for a new OC, the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl and you can’t take that away from Sam Darnold, places were the Dark Side D can improve, draft talk, the squad’s offseason plans, and more. How’s the hangover? You bored yet with ‘Hawk content? Didn’t think so.. Thanks for being here. Go, ‘Hawks!
Analysis: Examining Seahawks External Options to Replace Klint Kubiak – Emerald City Spectrum Capturing the Lombardi Trophy for only the second time in franchise history in Sunday’s 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, the Seattle Seahawks understandably haven’t finished celebrating a historic milestone for the franchise, with the much-anticipated parade in downtown coming on Wednesday.
QB the Cardinals may have an interest in remaining in school – Revenge of the Birds The quarterback market coming out of college got another hit when Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss was granted an extra year of eligibility by a state judge on Thursday. Earlier, Oregon QB Dante Moore had pulled his name from consideration and announced he will remain in school another year.
Belk served as USC’s secondary coach for the past two seasons. Prior to that, he coached defensive backs at Houston and West Virginia.
Unlike with Henderson, the Trojans will not need to conduct a search for Belk’s replacement. USC recently hired Paul Gonzales, who previously worked with new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson at TCU, as defensive backs coach.
Puka Nacua has been everywhere lately, from the Pro Bowl to Super Bowl festivities in San Francisco to now the Daytona 500. He was named an honorary race official for the race on Sunday and with that title, he was treated to a ride-along with Bubba Wallace.
A few videos from their drive were posted on social media and it sure looks like Nacua loved his time riding shotgun with Wallace. He was all smiles after getting out of the car at Daytona International Speedway before the big race on Sunday.
Take a look at his reaction to his ride-along with Wallace.
Iowa State Cyclones' guard Kenzie Hare (12) takes a three-point shot against UCF during the second quarter in the Big-12 women’s basketball on Jan. 31, 2026, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. | Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
You can now fit the number of games remaining on one hand.
Buckle up.
After two full weeks away from their home crowd, the Cyclones return to Hilton to take on the Kansas State Wildcats. Airing on ESPN, this is the sixth appearance on network television for Bill Fennelly’s squad, with two remaining afterwards. This matchup also represents Iowa State’s Play4Kay game, as fans are encouraged to wear pink as programs across the NCAA unite in the fight against breast cancer.
The Cyclones are returning to Hilton following a trip to the state of Utah where they split their pair of games, winning against the Utes and falling to BYU. With both games being classified at Q2, their tournament hopes remain steady, consistently being placed in the 7-9 seed range. This upcoming home game against Kansas State is currently classified as a Q3 as the Wildcats are currently ranked 59th in the NET rankings.
Audi is still the star we know
Audi Crooks has maintained her role as the headlining act, and the focal point of opposing defenses. She has led the team in points in three of the last four games, and while she is no longer on pace for the ridiculous achievement of more points than minutes, she has continually demonstrated why every defense collapses onto her once she receives the ball. She is currently second in the nation in points per game with 25.5, and is currently shooting a monstrous 70% from the field.
While much of the recent success has required Audi to maintain a very active presence on the offensive side, the consistency of the guard play has been equally important for one of the best offenses in the conference. The return of Arriana Jackson paired with an increased presence from Sydney Harris and Jada Williams from deep has opened up space for Audi to go to work.
Claps for Kenzie Hare
Even though the team ended with a loss, one bright spot was the revival of Kenzie Hare. She had struggled throughout much of conference play, but exploded for a 5-of-9 performance from beyond the arc and a season high 15 points. While I personally chalk much of the result to a third quarter where everything went BYU’s way, the one thing I would like to keep from that game is Kenzie’s presence from deep.
I am also a firm believer that the offense works at its best when there are at least two hot hands from beyond the arc. Obviously that will lead to more threes and therefore a more explosive option, but that also makes it harder for defenders to leave their assignments and double Audi. I also believe that Iowa State has to shoot at a higher percentage than most other teams, because one key weakness can be their transition defense. If the offense is able to hit their shots, it is a lot harder for opponents to come down the court with speed. If Kenzie can replicate her performance down the stretch, then she can rejoin the plethora of options Iowa State boasts from deep and ultimately overwhelm opponents.
The Wildcats have been… weird
I cannot get a good reading on this Kansas State squad. They are 3-3 on the road and 4-3 at home during conference play, so it doesn’t appear that location has a large factor. They have some very good wins in Big 12 play, namely on the road at Texas Tech and most recently at home over Oklahoma State. This is paired with some very bad losses, namely at Arizona (currently 2-12 in league play), a 22-point blowout against Kansas, and a brutal non-conference record that will likely be the reason they miss the tournament. Which Kansas State team shows up? Nobody knows, which is mildly terrifying.
Kansas State is led primarily by their guards, which may explain their high variance. Their leading scorers are Taryn Sides, Nastja Claessens, and Tess Heal, all averaging over 10 points per game. One odd thing that I just found interesting is that while Brandie Harrod leads the team with 5.3 rebounds per game, the Wildcats have six players averaging 3.7 or more rebounds. For reference, Audi averages 7.5, and then Jada Williams is second on the active roster with 3.6.
The Wildcats are currently close to even in point differential during conference play, which largely reflects their 7-6 record. One thing to bring to attention is that Kansas State forces the fourth most amount of turnovers in the conference, and the second most amount of steals. Iowa State has shown to get into trouble when pressed, so keeping the turnovers down will greatly help the Cyclones maintain control.
So after all of this, what are the main keys to the game for Bill Fenally’s squad? Here are my thoughts.
Smart play from Audi. Kansas State is not known for their size. Their two centers that may be able to match some of Audi’s physicality only combine for 20 minutes per game 5.1 points per game, so Kansas State will have to rely on doubling her when she has the ball or moving to a zone defense. While I believe that she will be able to win a lot of matchups one on one, she needs to be keenly aware of when to keep it herself and when to kick it back out once extra defensive help inevitably arrives.
Score at least 74 points. That may seem odd, but it appears that there is a threshold that decides the game. Iowa State has scored at least 74 points in all but one of their wins, and has scored less than that mark in all of their losses. I believe this is because their biggest defensive weakness is the fast break, but it is much harder for opponents to move with pace if Iowa State is consistently hitting their shots.
No turnovers before half court. Kansas State’s high steal rate does concern me, as Iowa State has shown to fall out of rhythm offensively if they have trouble getting past the press. With a small lineup, a press may be the strategy for the Wildcats to throw the Cyclones into a funk.
Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Hilton, and you can also watch live on ESPN. ESPN currently favors Iowa State 83% to 17%
England’s bid for Six Nations glory ground to a halt at Murrayfield on Saturday as Scotland delivered a commanding 31‑20 victory in the Calcutta Cup, extending their recent dominance over the Red Rose and ending England’s 12‑match winning streak.
The Bath winger, Henry Arundell had given England a moment of hope by touching down for his fourth try in two matches soon after the break. But his afternoon unravelled in the first half after being punished for a failure to release in the tackle and then shown a second yellow card for taking Scotland’s Kyle Steyn out in the air, which automatically upgraded to a 20‑minute red leaving England down to 14 men.
Although Arundell’s second yellow was clearly justified there was debate over whether his first booking by Nika Amashukeli was too harsh. England head coach Steve Borthwick, said: “To be honest, when I'm in the game, I don't spend any time looking back when the referee makes a decision. I go on trying to think about how we're going to deal with the situation.”
What happens next for Arundell?
Under Six Nations regulations two yellow cards in a match result in a temporary dismissal but do not automatically trigger an additional suspension beyond that period.
However, match officials or the governing body can cite a player for dangerous play if they believe the offence merits further review.
A player receiving a red card, whether from two yellows or a straight red will usually have their case heard by a Disciplinary Panel.
If Arundell is cited for his second yellow offence (the high tackle on Steyn), he would face a disciplinary hearing.
According to typical tournament practice, a citation does not guarantee a ban and if the referee’s reports are deemed not to cross the threshold for further sanction, Arundell could avoid a suspension.
(Getty Images)
What are the rules?
Under Six Nations regulations a player who is sent off after receiving two yellow cards has the right to challenge one or both if they were given for foul play, but not for technical offences.
If the Disciplinary Panel upholds the appeal the red card is removed from the player’s record, although any yellow cards not successfully challenged remain.
Players who accumulate two Citing Commissioner Warnings (CCWs), or a combination of a CCW and a yellow card are treated as if they had been sent off meaning disciplinary procedures are triggered in the same way.
When a player faces sanctions for multiple offences in a single match the panel applies a penalty for persistent offending rather than for each individual yellow card.
The standard entry point for a one-match suspension is one week with final sanctions determined by considering mitigating and aggravating factors, following the methodology set out in RFU Regulation 19.
Kyle Busch has won a lot of things across his glittering 22-year career. He hasn't captured a Daytona 500, though.
The two-time Cup Series champion, 63-time race winner and future NASCAR Hall of Famer is one of the most decorated drivers to ever grace a cockpit. But American stock car racing's grandest prize has eluded him thus far.
He's gotten close, to be sure. Busch placed third in the race in 2016 and second -- behind teammate Denny Hamlin -- in the 2019 iteration of the race.
At 40 years old, Busch likely doesn't have too many opportunities left to hoist the famous Daytona 500 trophy. He set himself up nicely ahead of the 2026 race, however, setting the Daytona International Speedway track alight with a blazing run during qualifying.
With that, here's what you need to know about the starting lineup for Sunday's Daytona 500.
Qualifying for the Daytona 500 pole took place on Wednesday, with Richard Childress star Kyle Busch holding off reigning Championship 4 contender Chase Briscoe.
He avoided wrecking out during Thursday's Daytona Duels, ensuring he'd sit on the pole come Sunday afternoon.
Busch has yet to find victory lane since 2023. He also is yet to capture a Daytona 500. Daytona poles aren't quite meaningless. But they don't necessarily predict in-race success, either. After all, The Big One tends to shake things up in a major way during race day.
Nevertheless, Busch expressed delight over his car's performance on Wednesday.
“Just a valiant effort by everybody here,” Busch said, per NASCAR.com. “It would be really nice to be doing an interview like this about being No. 1 come Sunday night.”
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Credit: NBC/ Olympics
The Olympic Village ran out of condoms earlier this week, which has inspired another round of public fascination about how busy the athletes are getting when they’re not competing for medals. The 2,800 Olympians have apparently already gone through 10,000 this year. That would mean they’re each, on average, having a good time at least three times, which is quite impressive given they’ve barely been there a week. At least that’s what it would mean if all of the condoms were being used for their intended purposes, but not so fast.
In my mind, it was this lavish experience, but it was just a basket filled with condoms that said in Korean ‘generic condom.’ No Olympic rings. No fanfare. No frills…. I gave those to my friends as souvenirs.
He’s not the only one with the same story too. Mailitiana Clerc, a skier who has represented Madagascar at three Olympics, spoke about the disappearing condoms at a recent press conference. She said some are being used for their intended purpose, but a lot of them are being taken by athletes to give as gifts. Here’s part of her quote, per CBS News…
I already know that a lot of people are using some condoms or just taking them to give to their friends outside of the Olympics because it's a kind of gift for them
The Summer Olympics typically have somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 athletes competing. During the most recent games in Paris, athletes reportedly went through 300,000 condoms during the two weeks or so they were there. Obviously there were plenty of people taking condoms as souvenirs there too, though it’s worth noting they’re definitely not all just souvenirs.
Clerc said in her quote people are “using some condoms,” and there have been plenty of athletes who have talked openly about the amount of sex that goes on in the Olympic Village. Athletes get done with their events and often have plenty of time afterwards to hang out and mingle. Given there are literally thousands of world class athletes in top shape within walking distance of each other, it’s not a surprise that plenty of sex does happen. They started giving out the condoms for a reason, and it had nothing to do with assuming people would take them as gifts.
Regardless, it’s been a delight to watch the Olympics so far. There’s been plenty of world class competitions and also more than enough goofy viral moments with broken medals and double take worthy new sports. These athletes bring so much joy to the world; so, if that price of that is letting them take a few condoms home to their friends, it’s worth it.
Arteta believes Nwaneri loan still positive despite bad week
Mikel Arteta insists Ethan Nwaneri’s loan to Marseille will remain positive despite Roberto De Zerbi’s departure, but the early signs aren’t good.
Photo via Nwaneri on Instagram
Roberto De Zerbi left Marseille earlier this week following a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, sparking concerns about Ethan Nwaneri and his loan spell to the Ligue 1 club.
De Zerbi had been cited as one of the key factors behind Nwaneri’s move to Marseille, and he’d consistently picked the Arsenal loanee in their early matches together.
Speaking about De Zerbi’s Marseille exit on Friday, Mikel Arteta admitted it was out of his control, but added that he thinks the loan will remain a positive experience for Nwaneri.
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
“It’s something I can’t control,” Arteta said. “Once again, it’s a decision that’s part of the game when you’re on loan, and it’s part of a football player’s career.
“So you have to work with different coaches, and it can happen at any time. You can’t control it, you can’t avoid it.
“Yes, De Zerbi was one of the reasons for the loan to OM. But it was also Marseille, and what Marseille, as a club and environment, brings to Ethan. I think it will remain very positive.”
Photo via Nwaneri on Instagram
Unfortunately, the early signs haven’t been so positive. Nwaneri had started all four of Marseille’s first four domestic fixtures before De Zerbi’s exit, but he was an unused substitute against Strasbourg on Saturday.
One potential positive is that Marseille didn’t win the match, drawing 2-2 after a late comeback by the away side. But that was more about Marseille’s defensive issues than an attacking problem Nwaneri could solve.
Nwaneri also should have been shown a red card in Marseille’s game against Stade Rennais last week, so from that lucky escape to the 5-0 defeat to PSG, the De Zerbi exit, and now his role as an unused sub, it’s been a bad week or so.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Arsenal did at least plan for the eventuality that Nwaneri doesn’t play much on loan, including a clause in the player’s loan deal that will earn them more money the less he features.
The guaranteed fee is €1.5m, but it could rise to €4m if Nwaneri isn’t involved regularly. Even so, the Gunners would surely prefer to receive just the initial €1.5m and have Nwaneri on the pitch more often.
Chelsea and Tottenham are thought to be interested in the centre-back, who produced a cracking performance against Bremen.
Chelsea and Tottenham keen on Kim Min-jae
(Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Christian Falk told CFBayern that both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have shown interest in Kim Min-jae, and they have kept him in their shortlist.
Spurs could be looking to sign a new centre-back next summer, but a lot will depend on who their next permanent manager will be.
Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are Tottenham’s first-choice centre-backs, but they need more top-quality defenders in their ranks, with the likes of Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin failing to make huge impacts.
Chelsea are well-stocked in their defensive department, but they are keen to add another quality defender after missing out on Jeremy Jacquet.
Both Spurs and Chelsea could be closely following Min-jae’s situation. The defender is happy at Bayern, but he is their third-choice defender after Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah.
Min-jae has still made 10 starts in the Bundesliga, and a further four appearances have come from the bench. He has also made six appearances in the Champions League.
Kim Min-jae impressed against Werder Bremen
The 29-year-old defender made two interceptions and five clearances, and impressed with his contribution overall.
Anthony Kim’s name is back at the top of a leaderboard, something few would have predicted even a year ago.
The former PGA Tour star stepped away from competitive golf for more than a decade, battling personal struggles and disappearing from the professional scene.
His return has been gradual and uncertain. Yet in Australia, he delivered something extraordinary.
Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter hail Anthony Kim’s remarkable win
Kim secured his first victory in nearly 16 years with a closing nine-under 63, finishing at 23 under par to beat Jon Rahm by three shots.
It capped a remarkable comeback for the 40-year-old, who had to come through a qualifying tournament last month just to earn his place on the LIV Golf tour this season.
Photo by Brenton Edwards / AFP via Getty Images
Former world number one Lee Westwood kept his reaction short but powerful. “Just WOW.”
Fellow Majesticks Golf Club player Ian Poulter expanded on the scale of what he had witnessed.
“Truly unbelievable round of golf today,” he tweeted. “That course was on the edge. That round of golf and coming back is so incredible.
“Start the movie. It will take a while to unpick and tell AK’s Story. So awesome to see. Respect. And the 4AcesGC for taking him after Reed left.”
The admiration from his peers reflected how significant the moment felt within the golfing world.
Billy Horschel says Anthony Kim’s comeback is ‘inspirational’
The reaction was not limited to LIV players. Billy Horschel also acknowledged the magnitude of Kim’s achievement.
He posted on X: “Congrats, Anthony Kim, on the victory! Impressive playing, but it’s even more than that. It’s inspirational!!”
Kim’s journey back to the winner’s circle resonates beyond just the leaderboard.
After 12 years away from competitive golf and open battles with drug and alcohol struggles, his victory represents far more than a low score.
Mohamed Salah is facing criticism over his Liverpool form but his numbers still compare closely with top wingers in Europe.
Salah’s difficult season at Liverpool
Mohamed Salah is going through one of his toughest seasons with Liverpool especially when compared to his high standards during the recent Premier League title-winning campaign.
This dip in form has increased talk about possible exit at the end of the season, with strong links to Al Ittihad, the current Saudi Pro League champions.
While Salah has not been at his best, expectations remain extremely high because of what he has delivered in previous years.
Recent improvement and current numbers
Despite the criticism, Salah has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. He has been involved in six goals in his last six match including a goal, an assist and a won penalty which he converted himself during Liverpool’s FA Cup win over Brighton.
Across all major competitions this season, Salah has recorded 15 goal contribution in 26 match:
Premier League: 10 contribution (4 goals, 6 assists)
FA Cup: 2 contribution (1 goal, 1 assist)
Champions League: 3 contribution (2 goals, 1 assist)
Some appearances came as substitute while his rhythm was affected by injury, a period away at Africa Cup of Nations and time out of the team.
When placed alongside two of the world’s top winger, Salah’s output remains competitive.
Ousmane Dembélé who plays for Paris Saint-Germain has 16 contribution in 21 match across league, cup and Champions League:
12 in Ligue 1 (8 goals, 4 assists)
2 in the French Cup (1 goal, 1 assist)
2 in the Champions League (1 goal, 1 assist)
It is worth noting that Ligue 1 is generally seen as less competitive than the Premier League.
Meanwhile Raphinha of Barcelona has 13 contribution in 20 match:
11 in La Liga (8 goals, 3 assists)
1 assist in the Copa del Rey
1 goal in the Champions League
Like Salah, both players missed matches due to injuries.
Laporte picks Salah over Premier League greats
Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte recently praised Salah during interview with After Foot.
Asked to choose between several top attackers, Laporte consistently picked the Egyptian over players such as Heung-min Son, Sadio Mane, Harry Kane and even Luis Suarez.
Feb 7, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Dylan Grant (9) shoots the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Rutgers fans, it’s Game Day! After an eight-day break, the Scarlet Knights are set to return to the hardwood today against Maryland. Despite both of these teams being two of the worst in the Big Ten, the Terrapins are coming into this game on a two-game winning streak. Rutgers, on the other hand, is looking to snap a seven-game losing skid. A full preview of the game is available here.
Betting
Rutgers -2.5, O/U 144.5
How to Watch
Rutgers vs Maryland will tip off inside Jersey Mike’s Arena today at noon. Live coverage for the game will be available on FS1.
As always, let us know your thoughts and opinions about the game in the comments below!
The Bears were able to finish this time in a second tense battle of the season against Harvard, the same program that walked off this Pizzitola Center floor last March with an Ivy Madness title.
Brown is one step closer to credibly dreaming the same for itself in 2025-26 after this long-awaited victory. Multiple veteran contributions down the stretch pushed the Bears to a 68-62 triumph, a cathartic result that snapped a 20-game losing streak against the Crimson.
Ada Anamekwe’s tough layup, four free throws apiece from Grace Arnolie and Beth Nelson, a steal by Nelson on an inbounds pass toward midcourt – that was all part of the deciding equation for Brown. The Bears suffered a 61-58 crusher at Harvard during the first meeting Jan. 31, more of the same in a string that dated back to 2014-15. That was the last time the Bears enjoyed this feeling, and it’s one that pushed Brown even with the Crimson among what is now a clear top four in the Ivy League standings.
“I just want our team and our program to feel like we’re one of them,” Brown coach Monique LeBlanc said. “We’re a top team.
“Beating the top team helps everyone feel like that’s true. I think for the program it’s great to kind of get over that hump with who have traditionally been the top three teams in the league.”
Princeton and Columbia remain out front at 8-2. The Bears and Harvard are both now 7-3 and share a three-game lead over Penn with four games to play. Brown has one foot into the last four at Cornell for the first time since 2016-17, and these 40 minutes should convince the Bears they can reach for more.
“I would say it just feels once-in-a-lifetime,” Anamekwe said. “It’s just been such a long time coming. Obviously, my senior class has just been through a lot.”
The Bears never lost the lead in the fourth quarter, but that doesn’t mean they were ever comfortable. Harvard still faced just a 57-55 deficit when Brown called timeout with 1:37 to play. Charlotte Adams-Lopez found the paint on the ensuing possession and Anamekwe finished through contact on the right side to give the Bears a four-point cushion.
“Focus on defense first, then everything will come,” Anamekwe said. “I know I can control how well I play defense and helping my team out by getting rebounds.”
The Crimson were fighting against Brown’s defense and the clock from there. Arnolie’s pair of free throws with 32.0 seconds left matched two from Olivia Jones and kept it a 61-57 game. Harvard missed a pair of shots at the other end and Anamekwe finally cleared the defensive glass with 20.3 seconds to play.
“That’s what you’re supposed to do,” Anamekwe said. “But it’s just good when they seal things for the game.”
LeBlanc was able to call a quick timeout and drew up an inbounds play for Arnolie, who was fouled and hit another pair at the line with 17.5 seconds left. Nelson leaped to intercept a heave by the Crimson and was fouled with 14.3 seconds to play, knocking down two of her own at the stripe to make it 65-57. The Bears had little to do from there but count down the final moments of a weekend sweep against Dartmouth and Harvard.
“Obviously just really thrilled for the program,” LeBlanc said. “The seniors have been a huge part of rebuilding this program and have really put their heart and soul into it.”
It was a first win for Brown in this series since an 83-80 triumph on the road in February 2015. The Bears last tasted victory at home in February 2011, a 58-55 grinder. The Crimson entered 34-3 in the last 37 meetings, a span that dates to January 2007.
Arnolie closed with a team-high 21 points for the winners while Anamekwe came up just shy of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds. The hosts were plus-14 at the foul line while visitors fired 27 3-pointers. Saniyah Glenn-Bello (undisclosed) did not play for Harvard after sinking a pair of late jumpers that stung Brown in the first meeting.
The Bears (15-7, 7-3 Ivy League) play a single game at Princeton next weekend before a last couplet at home against Cornell and Columbia. Brown could jump again in the standings by taking out the Tigers and handling business back here. The Crimson (14-9, 7-3) play their next three at home, including Saturday against the Quakers.
“As I said to them in the locker room, just really fired up for them to get this kind of signature win,” LeBlanc said. “The best thing is I know they’re excited and they’re also motivated to continue to play great basketball.”
Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium has quickly established itself as one of the top venues in world football.
While leaving Goodison Park was always going to be an emotional decision, there’s no denying the move has made a massive impact on the club’s financial health. The 52,000-seat stadium has given Everton a major boost off the pitch.
The additional revenue is clear. Everton are bringing in around £40m more each year thanks to larger crowds and better commercial deals at their new home.
This season, average attendances have climbed from 39,191 to 52,170, putting Everton up there with some of the biggest clubs in England.
They currently sit eighth for average attendance in the Premier League, just behind Newcastle United and Manchester City.
Everton considering expanding Hill Dickinson Stadium
Photo by Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
There are reports suggesting that Everton could look to expand the Hill Dickinson Stadium before the European Championships in 2028.
The stadium is set to host five matches during the tournament, and there are early discussions about increasing its capacity to a possible 62,000.
Of course, any expansion plans would depend on how things play out on the pitch. If the club were relegated, it is hard to imagine those plans moving forward.
But with Everton currently looking more up than down under David Moyes, the focus is firmly on pushing for a place in Europe.
The Scotsman has said he is aiming for European qualification and right now they are not far off it.
They sit eighth in the table, only three points behind seventh-placed Brentford with plenty still to play for this season.
DURHAM - Addie Carbone and Evie Dalke both placed in the top three in multiple events, and the Dover High School girls swim team placed second at the 17-team Division I state championship meet on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the University of New Hampshire.
"The girls were prepared for the meet and went in ready to race," Dover head coach Nicole Ciancarelli said. "They worked well together as a team and had many season-best and personal-best times."
It is the fourth straight year Dover has placed second.
"They really had to work for it this year," said Ciancarelli, who has been head coach for the past four years.
Bedford won with a team score of 301, while Dover (182), Pinkerton (156), Windham (135) and Goffstown (112) rounded out the top five, respectively.
Exeter (103) was sixth, Winnacunnet (24) was 12th, and Portsmouth (14) was 14th.
Dalke was second in both the 50 free (24.89 seconds) and 100 free (54.28), while Carbone was second in the 100 back (59.80) and third in the 200 IM (2:23.67). Teammate Abby Scholosser was third in the 100 breaststroke (1:13.74).
Both the Dover's 4x200 free and 4x200 medley relay teams placed second. Dalke, Carbone, Marylou Carroll and Scholosser competed (1:54.68) in the medley, and Dalke, Carbone, Carroll and Liv Nyby competed in the free (1:45.99).
Exeter's Nel Steckler won the 100 butterfly (59.06), and was second in the 200 free (1:58.42), and Winnacunnet's McKinley Fowler was third in diving (342.95)
Exeter boys place fourth
Exeter scored 126 points and placed fourth in the 17-team Division I field. Bedford won with a team score of 297, while Pinkerton (154), Keene (129), Exeter and Dover (115) rounded out the top five. Portsmouth (96) was seventh, and Spaulding (1) was 17th.
Exeter's Dennis Dragomaretski won both the 200 free (1:44.56) and 500 free (4:45.64), and Griffin Thomas won both the 200 IM (2:01.01) and 100 breast (59.37)
Exeter's 4x200 medley team, consisting of Andrew Allen, Thomas, Dragomaretski and Jackson Loranger, placed third in both the 4x200 medley (1:47.98) and 4x200 free (1:38.26) relays.
Dover's Max Winn placed third in the 200 free (1:54.41), while the 4x400 free relay team, consisting of Andrew Houghton, Edi Petro, Nikita Romanyuk and Winn, placed second in 3:40.26.
Oyster River boys, girls both place third in Division II meet
Oyster River placed third in both the boys and girls Division II state championship. Souhegan (233), Hanover (204) and Oyster River (164) were the top three teams in the girls, and Hanover (192), Souhegan (150) and Oyster River (149) were top three in boys.
St. Thomas Aquinas was sixth in the girls with 88 points, and 10th in boys with 46 points. Newmarket was ninth in girls (38) and 15th in boys (23). Portsmouth Christian was 12th in boys (25)
Oyster River's 4x200 boys medley relay team, consisting of Ben Phillips, Milo Rogers, Will Desorda and Gavin Walsh, placed second in 1:51.45. Rogers, Ethan Pennington, Desorda and Phillips placed third in the 4x400 relay (3:42.23).
Phillips was second in the 200 IM (2:08.07), Walsh was third in diving (247.35), Rogers was third in 500 free (5:33.47)
Oyster River's Greta Parks won girls diving with a score of 399.9, and teammate Maya Harwood (297.65) was third. Oyster River's 4x200 free relay team, consisting of Jillian Trezaz, Hadley Carlson, Nora Gargac and Riley Duggan, placed third in 4:13.49.
St. Thomas Aquinas' Dylan Nichols won the boys 200 free (1:46.66) and was second in the 50 free (22.41). Teammate Peter Latsilnik was third in the 100 free (53.94)
St. Thomas Aquinas' Morgan Batchelder won the girls 100 butterfly (1:01.14) and was second in the 50 free (25.56). Newmarket's Anika Benson was third in the 50 free (26.28), and Portsmouth Christian's Josie DiBiase was third in the 200 free (2:10.71)
Barring something unforeseen, the Las Vegas Raiders are going to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Knowing that, the Raiders' No. 1 priority this offseason will be to set their new franchise quarterback up for success.
The process of doing that starts with beefing up both the offensive line and wide receivers room, two position groups that need some love.
The wide receivers room is in particularly rough shape. The jury is still out on 2025 draft picks Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech, and Tre Tucker, who is really a No. 3 receiver, is the most notable veteran under contract for 2026.
That means the Raiders need at least two wide receiver additions, and ideally those additions are veterans who can offer reliable targets for Mendoza and take some pressure off superstar tight end Brock Bowers.
Here's Johnson's thoughts on a Seahawks-Shaheed pairing:
The Seattle Seahawks would love to re-sign Rashid Shaheed, and there’s a possibility of it happening. However, the club needs to prioritize re-signing Kenneth Walker III, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is headed for a contract extension worth 40 million plus. We think that will limit Seattle’s ability to beat the Las Vegas Raiders in a bidding war for Shaheed. This signing would be a reunion with play-caller Klint Kubiak, whom Shaheed also played for with the New Orleans Saints in 2024. Shaheed can be an All-Pro returner for Las Vegas, improving the average field position for Fernando Mendoza while also providing the rookie quarterback with a reliable deep threat who gels in Kubiak’s scheme.
Of course, Shaheed has the connection with new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who was the explosive wideout's play-caller after he was acquired by Seattle via trade before the deadline.
While Shaheed wouldn't check the box of the No. 1 wide receiver the Raiders need, he would be a solid option to serve as the No. 2 or 3.
Shaheed is one of the most electric playmakers in the NFL thanks to his ability to make house calls from anywhere on the field. Not only would he provide a boost for Las Vegas' offense, he's also an elite returner.
If the Raiders can come away with Shaheed and an established No. 1 target this offseason, it will have been a successful one for the team's wide receivers room.
The NHL season has hit the Olympic break, and New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer is -1000 on the Calder Trophy odds board.
We still have the second half of the season, but Ivan Demidov (+900) will have to do something pretty spectacular to overcome the Isles' 18-year-old sensation.
Get a first bet encore up to $800 with BET99 bonus code COVERSNHL. (not available in Ontario)
Understanding NHL Calder odds
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. When the regular season is nearly finished and a consensus has emerged, you might see a player with a minus sign (-) ahead of his odds, like this:
Ivan Demidov -400
The (-) means that Demidov is the odds-on favorite, and a bettor would need to wager $400 to win $100. Other contenders in the Calder race might have plus (+) odds to win.
Alexander Nikishin +900
Here, a bettor stood to profit $900 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use a tool like our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
It has been quite some time since the USC Trojans have won a national championship and been on top of the world in college football. Yet the Trojans continue to have success with former alumni winning in the NFL. The Trojans are the college football program with the most Super Bowl winners, with an impressive 68. The Trojans have also had at least one alumnus featured in 49 Super Bowls. The Trojans may not be viewed as a college program that is currently at the pinnacle of college football, but that success cannot be overlooked.
The Trojans have had multiple Super Bowl winners, including 3 time winner Lynn Swann, 4 time winner Ronnie Lott, and two-time winner Troy Polamalu. Sam Darnold, Leonard Williams, Brandon Pili, and Uchenna Nwosu are the most recent former Trojans to hoist a Lombardi trophy after their victory on Sunday night.
In a recent tweet by LAFB Network, they highlight the success former Trojans have had when it comes to winning a Super Bowl ring:
"USC is now officially the college football program with the MOST Super Bowl champions. Los Angeles breeds champions...the pLAce to be".
The Trojans have not been winning at the level of their competitors in the Big Ten, Ohio State, and now Indiana. The Trojans still have the number 1 recruiting class for this season. Recruits are still coming to USC for more than just one reason. Part of that goes into the culture and the identity that is in those USC halls. This is a football program that has credibility, and more than ever, it is a program proven to create winners.
The Trojans will have 7 players heading into the NFL, and it is hard to look at a player like Makai Lemon, who will be at the bare minimum a first-round pick, not winning in the NFL. He may end up being one of those players who is a culture changer. With the destinations analysts were predicting him to land, he could win a Super Bowl even as a rookie if he ends up with the Rams.
Lincoln Riley deleveling Caleb Williams and playing a part in what he has become as a star quarterback, who's to say he will not hold a Lombardi trophy in the next few years, with how close he got this past season. USC has made winners at the highest level better than anyone. Now it is time for Lincoln Riley and company to get those same results in college football. This program is deserving of its first national title since 2004. Indiana has shown just how easy it can be when everything falls in place. You are up now, Lincoln Riley, and Gary Patterson.
After two years of getting bashed by their own players via the NFLPA’s annual team report cards, the Pittsburgh Steelers are getting a reprieve this offseason.
The NFL filed a grievance in 2025 to put a halt to the publication of the reports, arguing that it violated a clause in the CBA, and on Friday, the league announced to its teams that it had won the grievance, ending the process of public feedback from the union on each of the 32 teams, according to a memo published by ESPN.
According to the memo, the union lost the grievance because of the non-scientific nature of the report cards.
The Steelers performed poorly in the grades in both years they were released. They had the 28th-best overall grade in 2025, with head coach Mike Tomlin receiving high praise.
NASCAR lovers, rejoice — the 2026 season kicks off Sunday with the iconic Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
The Daytona 500 is a race steeped in history, having featured many of the best drivers in the sport. From Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough to Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Sr., NASCAR truly thrives in Daytona.
This year's race has the opportunity to make more history, as William Byron will be driving for an unprecedented three-peat. Kyle Larson, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney are amongst the other names to look out for on the track.
Be sure to tune in for this legendary race.
Here's everything you need to know about the Daytona 500, including TV channel and streaming options for the iconic event.
Fans can tune into the Daytona 500 live on Fox, where Mike Joy will have the call with analysis from Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick, or live stream the race 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 the Daytona 500 start?
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15
Time: 2:13 p.m. ET
The Daytona 500 will air on February 15, with the race officially listed as beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET — an hour earlier than originally scheduled due to rain in the forecast.
The green flag is expected to drop at 2:13 p.m. ET.
Fans can listen to the Daytona 500 live on SiriusXM on channel 90, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, which will carry every race all season.
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.
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 19: Perry the Pylon, the College Football Playoff mascot, during the Indiana Hoosiers versus the Miami Hurricanes College Football Playoff National Championship Game Presented by AT&T on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Recently an internal Big Ten document showed what a 24-team College Football Playoff would have looked like using the rankings from the 2025 season.
It’s not surprising the monsters in charge of college athletics would be considering something as heinous as expansion of the College Football Playoff. There is no reason for the playoff to expand to 16, or even 24 teams.
If anything, the playoff would be perfectly fine at just eight teams, but at this point the genie isn’t going back in the bottle.
NEW: An internal Big Ten document explores a 24-team College Football Playoff. It offers a peek at what that model could look like, as another off-season of CFP discussion is set to unfold. Details here: https://t.co/on2sqej1H8pic.twitter.com/j6twmdqyFp
Look at the first two years of the 12-team College Football Playoff. Just how many memorable first round games were there? About the only thing that stands out about the eight games played on campus in the playoff over the last two years was the Buckeyes jumping out to a 21-0 first quarter lead against Tennessee and cracking Nico Iamaleava’s helmet so hard that he ended up at UCLA before the beginning of the 2025 season.
It felt like this year’s first round games were even tougher to watch. Miami and Texas A&M battled to see who could miss more field goals in the first game on Saturday, while Ole Miss and Oregon received glorified byes.
We already saw the Rebels beat down Tulane once during the regular season, I don’t know why we needed to see a sequel. Had Oregon not pulled their starters with the game well in hand, the final score against James Madison wouldn’t look nearly as respectable as it did.
Under the Big Ten’s proposed plan, the top-eight ranked teams would receive a bye into the second round of the playoff. For example, Ohio State would play the winner of Utah and Michigan, who were ranked 15th and 18th, respectively.
Anybody who watched The Game in late November knows the Wolverines weren’t a playoff team. Not that I’m against seeing two editions of the rivalry within a month, I just don’t think the result would have been much different in the second meeting.
Nothing against Utah, but I find it hard to believe they would have advanced past the second round had there been a 24-team playoff in 2025. The Utes were 11-2 during the season, with their losses coming to Texas Tech and BYU.
Do you remember anything about Utah football in 2025 aside from Kyle Whittingham is now Michigan’s head coach? There has to be a cutoff at some point.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some interesting first round games when it comes to television and gambling content. Miami/Iowa would have been an interesting culture clash. USC/Arizona would have been a throwback to the Pac-12 days.
Imagine 10 years ago telling someone that in the future Vanderbilt/Virginia would be a College Football Playoff game. They would have had you fitted for a straightjacket and a padded room.
Of course an empty suit like athletic director Ross Bjork would love the idea of a 24-team College Football Playoff. I’m sure he’s already planning watch parties at The 1922 Club for mega donors, where it will cost at least $1,000 to get in the door for the festivities.
I’m sure I’m being harsh when it comes to Bjork, I just feel like he’s programmed like The Terminator in a way, except his internal computer is deciphering how much money he can squeeze out of people.
If the College Football Playoff is going to double in size, when will the season begin? Are there still going to be conference championship games? You just know the conferences aren’t going to want to give up their conference title game cash grabs.
Before you know it, college football teams are playing just as many games as NFL teams are. At least now college football players are at least getting paid for putting their bodies on the line on the field, so expansion doesn’t feel quite as dirty as it would have 10-15 years ago.
This is the same argument as the one when it comes to expansion of the NCAA Tournament in college basketball. After the brackets are revealed, nobody is out there saying “I thought <insert the 74th best team in the country> had a real shot at winning it all this year!”
I know that the transfer portal and NIL have introduced some parity into college athletics, but it’s not like we are going to have a Cinderella story like Leicester City rising up to win it all.
Bigger isn’t always better. In a way, I wish we were back in the BCS days since at least we only had to rely on computers then and not a committee. At least it felt like the computers got things right more often than not.
Now those in charge of college football and college basketball are too worried about money and keeping their television partners happy.
No matter what happens, at least I’ve come to terms that when it comes to expansion of the College Football Playoff and NCAA Tournament, it’s all downhill from here.
The Germans can also clinch the title on a tiebreaker if they beat the Americans in regulation.
Winning the title is important because the three group winners and the best second-place team earn a bye to the quarterfinals, meaning one less game played and another day of rest.
Canada has won Group A and Slovakia has won Group B. The USA is 2-0 after beating Latvia and Denmark. Germany is 1-1. Considering that 2-1 Finland has a goal differential of plus-11, the USA (currently plus-7) would drop to the qualifying round if it loses in regulation and finishes 2-1.
Who will win Sunday's USA-Germany showdown? USA TODAY Network staffers offer their predictions:
Mike Brehm, USA TODAY
USA 6, Germany 3: Germany has top-end talent that can put up goals, but the all-NHL USA is deeper and showed in its first two games that it can overcome adversity. The Americans will do so again.
Jace Evans, USA TODAY
USA 7, Germany 2: Slow starts have been a problem for Team USA so far in these Games, so you’d think entering its third contest it will make starting on time a point of emphasis. I expect the Americans to come out flying as they fight to get that quarterfinal bye and Germany just doesn’t have enough talent to keep up.
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press
USA 5, Germany 1: The Americans shouldn't have any problems handling the Germans, who, while they won, were outplayed by the Danes in their first game and lost to Latvia in their second game. It's the most talented Group C team the U.S. faces, what with Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle and Moritz Seider, but the U.S. will ride to victory having much more NHL depth.
Kyle Busch will lead a field of 41 drivers to the green flag on Sunday in the Daytona 500. Busch has never won NASCAR's biggest crown jewel in 20 previous attempts, and his pole position is the first in his career at the Daytona 500.
William Byron has a chance to make history as the first driver to win three consecutive Daytona 500s, but he'll be starting at the back of the pack after being involved in an crash in Thursday's Duel races.
Chevrolet will have a numerical advantage on the other manufacturers, with 19 Chevys in the field compared to 11 Fords and 11 Toyotas - which could give Chevy an advantage during green-flag pit stops if the teams can work together. Sunday's race will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Here's the full starting order and paint scheme guide for the 2026 Daytona 500:
This year, many members of the San Antonio Spurs have been recognized for All-Star weekend, as they continue to prove themselves as one of the NBA's best young teams.
Head coach Mitch Johnson earned the opportunity to coach in the All-Star game, while Victor Wembanyama will make his second All-Star appearance.
Stephon Castle was selected in the Rising Stars Challenge as well.
That said, all eyes were on San Antonio's rookie Carter Bryant Saturday night, as he was one of four participants in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Bryant got off to a hot start in round one, earning a spot in the finals and posting the first and only 50-point dunk of the evening.
However, things fell of the rails for Bryant with his final dunk attempt of the night. Heading into his last dunk, Bryant needed 47.5 points or more from the judges to clinch the competition.
But, Bryant missed his through the legs alley-oop dunk multiple times before pivoting to a much simpler dunk as time was expiring.
Bryant was given a 43 as a result, just missing out on the Slam Dunk title to Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat. Following the performance, Bryant spoke about his final round.
"That's probably the dunk I've made the most out of all the dunks I did today in my life. I've been doing that dunk since I've been 14. Just didn't get the ball. Didn't roll my way," said Bryant.
Either way, despite the second-place performance, Bryant still put on a show for the fans, converting on difficult dunks.
Following the break, Bryant and the Spurs will return to action Feb. 19 against the Phoenix Suns.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenley Jansen walks towards bullpen for practice during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Beyond all the talk of splitters, sweepers, seam-shifted changeups, and the like, the best pitch in baseball remains the most elusive. The riding cutter, most famously the pitch that carried Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, remains one of the hardest pitches to pick up for pitchers, and one of the toughest to handle for hitters. With all-time great closer Kenley Jansen now in the fold, though in the later stages of his career, let’s take a look at his money making cut fastball.
The term “cutter” has been bastardized somewhat over the last 15 years or so, coming to refer to all kinds of pitches that are really just hard sliders. A cutter really does move gloveside without much drop, but an actual cut fastball is really a fourseam fastball with plenty of ride, but set with enough offset in either grip pressure or seam alignment, that it actually breaks late to the pitcher’s gloveside as well. Not too many pitchers, at least since these things started being tracked, have ever managed to throw a pitch like this.
Jansen got 18.8 inches of induced vertical break on the cutter in 2025. That’s better ride than most fourseam fastballs. It has enough backspin to drop 18.8 inches less than it should based on gravity alone. It also moves an average of 2.4 inches to his gloveside, making it a true cut fastball as opposed to just a straight riding fourseam fastball. That one pitch, averaging 92.8 mph, albeit with plus extension, and topping out at 96.7 mph, accounted for 81.4 percent of Jansen’s pitches in 2025. Even in it’s somewhat diminished form from his prime years, it still carried him to a 2.59 ERA last year, though his peripheral numbers were more worrisome.
Jansen will throw his slider here and there, and even less often, mix in a sinker against left-handed hitters as a change of pace, but for the most part you’re going to see cut fastball after cut fastball. That’s how he’s worked for most of his major league career, and he’s never really needed anything else.
He’s aided by crazy high spin rates for what is still essentially a fastball. He averaged 2610 rpms in 2025, which is absolutely elite by fourseamer standards. There aren’t enough pitchers capable of throwing a true cut fastball for there to even be a standard, but one of the great high spin fourseam pitchers of all time is now in-house as well in the form of Justin Verlander. The highest average fourseam spin rate Verlander has produced in the Statcast era was 2618 rpms back in 2018. Back in the days when the Tigers ace was routinely pumping 99-100+ late in games, no doubt he was averaging even higher rates, but spin wasn’t measured at the time.
The difficulty in throwing a true cut fastball is what makes it such a rarity. Casey Mize tried it early in his career, but struggled to control it. Even then, it didn’t really ride much, it mostly just had a bit of late cut. With a slider, sweeper, or curveball, all of which might move gloveside, you can hang on tighter and rip around or even on top of the ball in the case of a 12-6 curve. A cutter like Mariano or Kenley’s requires the fore and middle fingers to stay underneath the ball, while still throwing it hard and with as much spin as the top fourseam fastballs. That’s pretty hard to control. There aren’t even so many truly great riding fourseamers in the game, let alone having the wrist and finger dexterity to hold the ball slightly off-center and throwing it essentially the same way.
The true cut fastball always seems to come with a story. Mariano Rivera just started accidentally throwing the pitch in a catch session with teammate Ramiro Mendoza when he was still just a young reliever back in 1997. Rivera just throwing with his fourseam grip, but suddenly started producing a riding pitch that suddenly veered gloveside as Mendoza tried to catch it. They knew immediately that something strange was going on, but Rivera actually fought it because he was trying to throw a normal fourseamer and couldn’t stop getting that gloveside bite at the end. It took manager Joe Girardi to encourage him to just start throwing it, and the rest was history.
Jansen’s cut fastball has its own story, but it’s not too dissimilar. Jansen was signed out of Curacao by the Dodgers as an international free agent when he was 17 years old. He was a catcher at the time, even starting for Team Netherlands in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and continued catching until well into his years in the minor leagues. Eventually, he just wasn’t hitting well enough, but his arm strength from behind the dish was impressive and the Dodgers encouraged him to convert to pitching late in the 2009 season. They saw enough to add him to the 40-man roster as a pitcher that winter, and he made his major league debut in July of 2010, only a year after his conversion. Now, 476 saves later, he’s a Detroit Tiger.
He stumbled upon the cut fastball in the same way Rivera did. In practice, his fourseam fastball was cutting late and he couldn’t figure out how to prevent it. Instead, Dodgers bullpen Mike Borzello recognized what was happening and put a stop to any attempts to straighten the fourseamer out. They began a process of refining the pitch instead, trying to tune his mechanics to maximize the spin, ride, and velocity of the pitch.
Like Rivera, Jansen doesn’t really know how he does it, and as he’s said repeatedly in interviews, it’s better not to try and understand it. He mentions that perhaps his long fingers might play a role, but clearly doesn’t want to unpack it. Guys who can do this, and it’s a small group, all seem to either want to keep it a secret, or simply don’t know why the pitch cuts. They all say they’re just trying to throw a fourseamer, and it just started cutting. Jansen mentions trying to finish through the pitch by just slightly getting around the side of it a bit more in the clip below, but earlier in his career he was still basically just shrugging and saying he didn’t know. High speed cameras and tons of data available have explained it a little, but even now I can’t really find another pitcher in the league who can do this. Plenty of guys have tried to throw this, and for the most part they just end up with a hard cutter that doesn’t ride.
I might theorize that trying to straighten out throws to second base as a catcher, rather than watching them tail back into the runner, may have something to do with his ability to do this so naturally. Still, it’s nowhere near that simple. A whole combination of elements from arm angle, finger shape and length, grip and release, to natural spin rate all come together to create a unicorn of a pitch, mastered by few. Add typically good command, a deceptive delivery, and tons of high leverage experience, and you have the ingredients of a future Hall of Famer.
Here are a few examples from the 2025 season below. Jansen will move the cutter up and down in the zone, so he’s not just trying to go up and away from right-handed hitters. The pitch doesn’t get same the amount of whiffs it did when he was sitting 94-95 mph with it, but despite the fact that he’s throwing it more than 80 percent of the time, it just doesn’t get barrelled up very often. Hitters know it’s coming,but it’s difficult to anticipate that explosive combination of ride and late, gloveside cut well enough to crush it. Opponents batted just .159 against the cutter in 2025. They also slugged a truly meager .293, though for once, his expected slugging percentage against the pitch was quite a bit higher, at .443.
Hard cutters aren’t so scarce anymore. Several teams, like the Cubs and the Brewers, are trying to teach this to guys who have the traits to potentially throw it well. But there are quite a few guys around the league who are already using a mid-90’s or faster cutter. Yet these are all just regular cutters. They’re good pitches, especially thrown with that kind of velocity, but they’re still distinct from Jansen’s in that they don’t having that induced vertical break.
Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase is the most obvious recent example of a really hard cutter for Tigers fans. But his cutter doesn’t ride either, it just cuts. That’s a really tough pitch at 98-100 mph, but it’s just a different beast than what I’m terming the true “cut fastball” that rides as well as it cuts. Corbin Burnes, now with the Orioles, developed his version with the Brewers, and they’ve worked with Brandon Woodruff on trying to throw it too. Neither has anywhere near the strange ride that Jansen produces. Former Giants closer and now Yankee, Camilo Doval, Carmen Mlodzinski, Graham Ashcraft, and Ryan Helsley are some other examples of hard cutters that are good pitches, but still don’t have that strange ride that Jansen, and formerly Rivera, had available.
The top spot on the Statcast leaderboard for vertical movement on a cutter goes to Jansen at 18.8 inches, Wander Suero of the Braves at 17.2 inches and averaging 92.1 mph and league average extension, is second and that’s really it. No one else has a cutter with more than 15.2 inches of induced vertical break. You just don’t see many outlier pitches like this in baseball.
If there was a candidate to try and develop this pitch on the Tigers, it probably would be Justin Verlander, or perhaps Troy Melton. They’re natural supinators with relatively high arm slots and high spin rate fourseamers with ride. But it just doesn’t seem teachable. They could throw a more straightforward cutter, and that could be useful instead. But trying to learn to throw one that rides would just screw up everything else they do. They have the velo, spin, and ride on their fourseam fastballs to get it done, but asking them to adjust finger pressure to push around the side of the ball a bit at release is too big and too subtle an ask at the same time. Learning to command it would take a long time if it even worked out, and in the meantime they’d potentially be a complete mess.
What the Tigers like about adding Jansen, on top of his experience and stellar track record of success, is just the fact that this is such a unique look. Like a lot of teams, the Tigers have been trying to diversify their bullpen with different arm angles and pitch types, so that opposing hitters in a series rarely see similar stuff from the pen, no matter who is on the mound. There aren’t many more unique pitchers than Kenley Jansen.
Jansen was good for the Angels last year other than a few rough outings early in the season, and with Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan in house, he doesn’t necessarily have to be the guy in the ninth inning. A.J. Hinch will probably use him to close most nights as long as it’s working. The trick is still playing matchups where applicable, and not riding Jansen too hard either. As long as his cut fastball remains intact, he should be fun to watch and a good addition to the Tigers pen.
The Tennessee Titans have unveiled a brand-new logo, and it has sparked debate among NFL fans.
The redesigned logo leaked on Saturday and quickly went viral. The alteration ditches the flames that have been attached to the logo since the team was renamed from the Oilers in the 1990s, which were included because the Greek Titan Prometheus is associated with fire.
The logo also forgoes the navy blue that has become associated with the franchise in favor of Columbia blue, the original blue used by the Oilers before the franchise moved to Tennessee, and replaces the red stars inside the logo with white stars.
BREAKING: The Titans’ new logo has been leaked and confirmed as the rebrand for the 2026 season 🚨
The Titans will be releasing the full uniform in the near future, but the helmets have already been unveiled.
Fans have so far had a mixed reaction to the new logo. Some fans are enjoying the sleek design and the way the logo's color scheme harkens back to the franchise's days as the Oilers. Meanwhile, other fans have shunned the logo, calling its minimalist design lazy and unimpressed with the new aesthetic.
While the logo has been unveiled, any uniform redesign set to accompany it has not been released yet – though plenty of folks on the internet have already overlaid the logo onto the team's helmets and made mock-ups of what new uniforms might look like. Check out a few of the internet's reactions to the logo below, and be sure to let us know how you're feeling about the new design as well.
Okay, so I've rolled my eyes over all the love that going back to the Oilers colors gets and the new logo is a bit underwhelming, but dang it looks pretty great on this helmet 👀#Titans#TitanUppic.twitter.com/0EMOVGbVpR
🚨 3pm line-ups: Belghali, Amorim, Djuric and Strefezza updates
Extremely important day in the fight for survival. At 3 PM, two clashes take place that offer crucial points for those who do not want to be relegated.
In Cremona, the home team hosts De Rossi's Genoa: the gray and reds are in a deep crisis, with zero victories in the last ten outings. The rossoblù, on the other hand, are coming off two defeats against Lazio and Napoli, both due to penalties awarded in full stoppage time.
In Parma, Cuesta's men host Verona. For Hellas - last in the standings - every match from now until the end will be a final: the safety zone is currently 6 points away. It's a different story for the Emilians, who with the victory in the derby against Bologna have moved to +5 from Lecce in 18th place.
Jul 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) loses his bat during the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
If you’re a Guardians fan, you have probably collected some Guardians memorabilia.
Whether it’s baseball cards, baseballs, bats, gloves, hats, shirts, jerseys or something completely different… we want to hear about it!
Personally, I rank my autographed José Ramírez bat first in my collection. Then, I have an autographed photo of Mike Hargrove from the day he told me I should propose to my girlfriend (now-wife). And an autographed picture of my dog by Bob Wickman whom I named her after. Finally, I pulled an autographed photo of Corey Kluber from a random drawing.
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus – Serie A Refereeing Director Apologises For Error In Red Card For French Defender
Gianluca Rocchi, Serie A’s refereeing director, has publicly addressed the controversy over the red card shown by La Penna to Pierre Kalulu in Inter Milan’s 3-2 win over Juventus.
In the first half, Kalulu was sent off after a second yellow for a supposed foul on Inter star Alessandro Bastoni.
However, replays showed minimal contact.
Therefore, there has been a lot of controversy over whether the card should have been given.
Inter 3-2 Juventus – Serie A Ref Chief Rocchi: ‘Kalulu Red Was Wrong, La Penna Is Mortified’
“La Penna is mortified and we are supporting him. But I have to be honest, he was not the only one to make a mistake. Yesterday there was a clear simulation. The latest in a long series in a championship where players try in every way to deceive us.”
Rocchi’s admission reinforces the view that the red card for Kalulu, which had major consequences in the match, was unjustified.
Meanwhile also highlighting the challenges referees face when players exaggerate contact to influence decisions.
Official | Medhi Benatia resigns from role as Marseille sporting director
Medhi Benatia has resigned from his role as sporting director of Olympique de Marseille, he has confirmed through a post on Instagram. His exit follows that of Roberto De Zerbi earlier this week.
De Zerbi left Marseille by mutual consent in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Benatia had previously tied his future to that of De Zerbi and the Italian’s departure had raised significant questions regarding Benatia’s continuation at the club.
RMC Sport had reported that the Moroccan had offered his resignation earlier in the week, however, he remained in his post, with that tendered resignation refused by the club’s executives. However, following a 2-2 draw to RC Strasbourg Alsace on Saturday, marked by fan protests, he has now exited the scene, stating that the resignation was not “offered” but instead “fixed”.
Benatia states that his decision to leave OM came on Monday, 9th February, hours before De Zerbi’s exit. He added, “I leave with the feeling of having done my maximum on a professional level, but the regret of having failed to calm the atmosphere around the squad, a squad that, for me, is clearly able to meet the requested objectives.”
OM are therefore now in the market for a new manager and a new sporting director. Former Stade Rennais Habib Beye is the outstanding favourite for the vacant managerial position.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 13: Edwin Diaz #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers participates in a pitching drill during spring training workouts at Camelback Ranch on February 13, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s here! It’s finally here! The Dodgers will be playing baseball in less than a week’s time.
As the team begins to regroup at Camelback Ranch, old faces and new alike make their way into the clubhouse, and among the new faces to the Dodgers is Edwin Díaz.
Díaz was the first major signing this offseason for the Dodgers, as he inked a three-year, $69 million deal to become the new closer during the winter meetings. The Dodgers still have relievers who at one point in their careers have done well closing games, such as Evan Phillips, Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen, but Díaz will now be the guy called upon with a close lead in the ninth inning.
While Dodgers fans anticipate the blaring of trumpets with his first entrance, fans of the New York Mets are left with the memories of Díaz’s tenure, illustrated by both frustration and triumph. With Mets fans wondering why Díaz chose greener pastures in Los Angeles, the right-hander explained his decision to join the Dodgers, noting that their recruitment process played a huge role in him abandoning New York, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
“I was a free agent, so I got the chance to talk with everyone,” Díaz said Saturday from Dodgers camp in Glendale, Ariz. “And I think the Dodgers did a great job recruiting me. At the end of the day, I chose to be here. I have a lot of respect for the Mets organization, players, staff, ownership. They treated me really good. I don’t have anything bad to say about them. But at the end of the day, I’m here. This is a new journey for me and I’m happy to be with the Dodgers, so let’s see how it goes.”
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Brusdar Graterol has not thrown off of a big league mound since the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees. After undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum, Graterol, just like many young Dodgers arms, had his 2025 season dashed before it could begin.
Although Graterol has had a full offseason to recover and ramp up, his velocity is not up to par with where the Dodgers want it to be, and that might delay Graterol’s return until after opening day, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
“It’s still kind of the velocity’s not near where it’s going to be,” Roberts said. “So I think that it’s a slow progression. I just don’t know where that puts us. But it’s a slow process for Brusdar.”
Last season, Yoshinobu Yamamoto showed baseball fans why he received a 12-year, $325 million deal from the Dodgers without ever throwing a major league pitch, finishing third in NL Cy Young voting and being named the World Series MVP.
Yamamoto’s trophy mantle already boasts some serious hardware from his time in both the NPB and MLB, but his sights are set on a new challenge this upcoming season; winning the Cy Young award, notes Chen.
“He’s just such a good competitor. He takes care of himself, but he wants to be great,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He wants to win a Cy Young. He hasn’t done that yet, so that’s a carrot. But I think he prides himself on being consistent and being really good.”
Team Japan will only get one half of the Shohei Ohtani experience during the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but Dodgers fans will finally get the full experience in his third year with the team. While a Cy Young award is something that Ohtani does dream of receiving, the goal for two-way superstar this season is simply to stay healthy on the mound, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.
“Getting a Cy Young means being able to throw more innings and being able to pitch throughout the whole season, so if that’s the end result, that’s a good sign for me. What I’m more focused on is just being healthy the whole year.”
More than 200 athletes will represent the U.S. at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The roster features 98 returning Olympians and 33 Olympic medalists, including veterans like figure skater Evan Bates, snowboarder Nick Baumgartner and hockey player Hilary Knight. There is a wide range of athletes in terms of age, from 15-year-old freeskier Abby Winterberger to 54-year-old curler Rich Ruohonen.
Team USA has won 330 total medals at the Winter Olympics, putting the Americans second on the all-time list behind Norway. Can this year's group finish atop the medal table?
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Winter Olympics, including the daily schedule of events.
USA Olympics schedule today
(The schedule below includes only live broadcasts, unless noted.)
If you have a traditional cable or satellite package, you can watch the 2026 Winter Olympics on national channels like NBC, USA Network and CNBC. Peacock will carry every event of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics live.
The NBC-owned streaming service's sports programming features live coverage of NFL Sunday Night Football, the NBA, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Premier League soccer, Big Ten football and basketball, Notre Dame football, Big East and Big 12 basketball, PGA Tour golf and more.
USA Winter Olympics schedule 2026
(The schedule below includes only live broadcasts, unless noted.)
Leonard, 38, has been with the Raiders since 2023, initially serving as defensive line coach before adding run game coordinator duties. He worked closely with standout pass rusher Maxx Crosby and helped anchor a run defense that ranked fourth in the NFL last season, allowing just 3.9 yards per carry.
The move provides continuity under new head coach Klint Kubiak, who was hired earlier this month to lead the franchise.
Before Las Vegas, Leonard spent time as outside linebackers coach with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 and as linebackers and assistant defensive line coach with the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021. He began his NFL coaching career with the New York Giants, serving as an assistant from 2013 to 2018, including roles focused on defensive line and outside linebackers.
The promotion follows the departure of former defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, another ex-Giant.
There was a time not too long ago when Austin Reaves was an undrafted rookie who was trying to find his way in the NBA. As a first-year player, he averaged 7.3 points in 23.2 minutes a game, but his potential was clear, and he started to tap into that potential the following season.
Learning the ropes, both on and off the court, as a young player in the NBA is difficult. But it helps considerably when such a player has at least one grizzled veteran as a teammate he can learn from. In a recent interview with SLAM Magazine, Reaves said that Rajon Rondo was the veteran who helped him out as a rookie.
"Rondo was probably the first one," Reaves said. "Frank [Vogel] pulled me to the side and was like, Anything you have a question for, if you don’t feel comfortable talking to the staff or whatever, talk to him. Because everybody knows his IQ for the game. He studies the game unlike anybody else. So, I sat by him on the plane. We would have a game one night, and the next morning Rondo would ask me, Hey, what happened at 5:45 in the first quarter? And if I didn’t know, it wasn’t good. He definitely taught me to watch film and do all the little things. So, he was probably the first one. And then obviously Bron was someone else that was super helpful—every year, but really that first year. Anything that he could help me with, he was willing to do."
Rondo helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA championship as a second-year player in 2008, and after making four straight All-Star teams, he played a key role in the Lakers winning it all during the 2019-20 season. He returned to L.A. for the 2021-22 season, which was Reaves' rookie campaign, and while it was a very dismal year for the team, as it failed to reach the play-in tournament, Reaves gave it a glimmer of hope.
This season, the Arkansas native is averaging 25.4 points, five rebounds and six assists a game while shooting 50.8% from the field. He's expected to opt out of his contract this summer and receive a big payday in the area of $30-$40 million a year, and the Lakers are hoping he will come to terms with them on a new deal and help them hang another championship banner.
The world knows NBA star Jaylen Brown can shoot and guard – but do those abilities apply to other sports? How about combat sports?
On Saturday, the Boston Celtics star Brown told reporters at NBA All Star Media Day he plans on fighting before all is said and done.
"To be honest, I've toyed with this," Brown said. "I've talked to some people. Maybe post part of my career, I'd love to partake in something like UFC or even boxing."
It didn't sound like a throwaway line either. Brown said he's already consulted UFC CEO (and big Celtics fan) Dana White, though he did not elaborate as to what those discussions consisted of.
"I've talked to Dana White about some stuff but we'll see as things go on," Brown said. "We'll see."
Brown, 29, is listed at 6-foot-6 and weighs 223 pounds. That means he'd be housed in the heavyweight division in the UFC, unless he was able to cut the 17 pounds necessary to be a light heavyweight.
Jaylen Brown: "Maybe post part of my career, I would love to partake in something like UFC or even boxing. I've talked to Dana White about some stuff but will see as things go on" pic.twitter.com/Mn6ClQrnVT
Is it just for clicks and buzz, or does one of the NBA's best players actually want to throw punches, kicks, and elbows? Time will only tell, and the world might not know until the Celtics win another championship (or two).
The 2026 NBA All-Star weekend is here. The three-day festivities highlight the league's best player as teams take a collective rest before the stretch run of the 2025-26 regular season. Los Angeles is this year's host at the brand-new Intuit Dome, which houses the LA Clippers.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is now a three-team, round-robin style tournament. There will be two Team USA squads filled with American players and one Team World squad filled with international players. All three teams will play each other once in 12-minute games.
The finals will be between the two squads at the top of the standings. The two Team USA teams are called USA Stripes and USA Stars. The former is filled with older players, while the latter is filled with younger players.
Mitch Johnson will coach Team USA Stripes, JB Bickerstaff will coach Team USA Stars and Darko Rajakovic will coach Team World. Let's look at every player who was named a 2026 NBA All-Star player ahead of Sunday's game:
Texas A&M has been buzzing this winter with multiple programs in full swing, and things are only going to get busier this spring as Aggie volleyball returns to the court for its slate of spring matches.
The Aggies are coming off a historic national championship season, one in which they dominated the NCAA Tournament and swept their final two opponents behind a relentless, high‑tempo attack and a veteran core. It was a storybook ending for the seniors who chose to stay after the hiring of head coach Jamie Morrison, and their loyalty paid off.
In just three seasons, Morrison took a team that missed the NCAA Tournament the year before his arrival and turned it into a national champion.
The celebration didn’t stop there. Four Aggies signed professional contracts following the season, and the City of College Station officially declared January 22 as Texas A&M Women’s Volleyball Day—a fitting tribute to a team that delivered one of the greatest seasons in program history.
Now, the focus shifts to what comes next. Texas A&M will have to replace significant production from its championship roster, and Morrison’s new‑look squad will take its first steps this spring. The Aggies will play eight matches from early March through April 18, with four at Reed Arena and four on the road.
Below is the full spring schedule.
Our spring schedule is set 🤩
We’ve got a pair of home doubleheaders March 28th and April 11th 👍
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.
By the end of NBA All-Star Weekend this Sunday, we will have the customary NBA All-Star Game finale.
But the path we're taking to get there is a bit different this year.
For one, there are two USA teams and one World team that, you guessed it, is comprised entirely of international players. Each team has eight active players. Yes, there were West and East starters designated beforehand, but that honor is more ceremonial than ever. The three mentioned teams will participate in a round-robin tournament featuring four separate games. Team A will play Team B in Game 1. Then, the winning team from Game 1 will play Team C in Game. After that, the losing team from Game 1 will also take on Team C.
At the conclusion of Game 3, the two teams with the best records will advance to the fourth and final game, the de facto All-Star Game. Point differential will be used as a tiebreaker, if necessary.
Here are all three rosters participating in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Jaloni Cambridge #22 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball against Oluchi Okananwa #7 of the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on January 11, 2026 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Jan. 11, 2026, Ohio State women’s basketball was the No. 19 team in the country when it traveled to College Park, Maryland to face the then No. 8 ranked Maryland Terrapins.
Now, on Feb. 15, 2026, the No. 20 ranked Terps travel to Columbus to face the No. 8 Buckeyes.
The rankings and results flipped over the few weeks that followed the Buckeyes’ 89-76 win over the Terrapins, but Sunday pits the Big Ten rivals against each other with similar momentum.
What has changed for Maryland since their home loss, and who benefited the most from the week off for Ohio State?
Since January
It looked like Ohio State was in trouble in the first quarter of that eventual win over Maryland. The Buckeyes were down 12 and struggled to slow down head coach Brenda Frese’s Terrapins. After Ohio State surged ahead over the next three quarters to a comfortable victory, head coach Kevin McGuff’s side used that momentum to win seven of the next eight games, with a lone lopsided loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes stuffed in the middle.
For Maryland it was a different story with four losses in the last eight games. The Terps defeated the USC Trojans after that loss to Ohio State but then went on a four-game losing streak against some of the best teams in the conference.
Maryland had their turn losing to the UCLA Bruins, like everyone else in the conference this season, and followed it up with a loss to the same Hawkeyes.
Then Maryland lost two home games to the Washington Huskies and Oregon Ducks, a flipped result of Ohio State’s last two games that featured two Buckeye wins in the Pacific Northwest. Since then, the Terps flipped a switch and head to Columbus with three straight victories, and none of them were particularly close.
The Terps won their last three games by 17.6 points per game. One of those came in a 19-point victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions, in College Park, but before that a trip to Nebraska and then Michigan ended with more impressive wins.
The usual suspects for coach Frese led the way with guard Oluchi Okananwa’s 17.3 points, 4.7 assists and 3.7 steals per game in the last three victories. Senior guards Saylor Poffenbarger and Yarden Garzon also showed their veteran leadership. Poffenbarger averaged nearly a double-double with 10.3 points and 9.3 rebounds and Garzon led the team with 15.3 points per game.
For Ohio State, Maryland brings the same strengths that it had in January. Okananwa’s speed is also a major threat, which the Buckeyes were slightly guarded from in College Park due to foul trouble that allowed her to only play 30 minutes.
Also, Garzon will shoot the three. The former Indiana Hoosier Garzon went 5-for-10 against Ohio State, which is not something the Buckeyes can afford to repeat and expect the same final result.
Also, the Terrapins are a group of guards with size, although interior presence on offense is not as strong it means a likely negative rebounding margin. Frese’s side is second in the Big Ten with 42.5 rebounds per game, only slightly less than UCLA Bruins’ 42.8 boards.
That is impressive and not at all surprising for Maryland, who does not have a 6-foot-7 center named Lauren Betts.
In January, Ohio State matched Maryland on the boards that day with 39 apiece, but Sunday will not have a fully healthy Kylee Kitts.
Kylee Kitts
After a quick stop in Newark, New Jersey to face the Big 12’s TCU Horned Frogs on Jan. 19, the Buckeyes returned to Big Ten play without forward Kylee Kitts. The redshirt forward hurt her shoulder in that win over TCU and only just returned a week ago in Ohio State’s win over the Oregon Ducks.
Kitts did not look up to game speed after she missed five conference games. The forward had eight minutes off the bench and had four fouls and a team high six turnovers.
This week off for the Buckeyes benefited Kitts more than anyone. It gave the forward time to get back to game speed in team practice, an environment that reflects the speed that fans see on the court. Ohio State will need the big too because one of the reasons why the Buckeyes kept up with Maryland’s rebounds was the eight that Kitts grabbed in the win in College Park.
Against Maryland, Kitts hurt the Terps more than on the boards. She was second on the team with 18 points that included a 3-for-5 shooting afternoon from beyond the arc. If Kitts’ condition requires another limited performance like in Oregon, a smaller group of Buckeye guards will have to play close to mistake-free basketball to contend with a Maryland team that is not easy to beat twice in the same season.
Ohio State will start slowly against Maryland for a second time, but it will not mean a double-digit first quarter deficit. The Buckeyes will stay close to the Terps for four quarters.
Point guard Jaloni Cambridge will be the difference but Elsa Lemmilä will have a bigger game to continue her recent stretch of strong performances inside. Nobody on the Terps roster will be able to completely stop the 6-foot-6 Finnish big.
LGHL Score Prediction: 77-76 Ohio State
How to Watch
How to Watch
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026 Time: 2:00 p.m. ET Where: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio Television: FS1 Stream: FOX Sports App
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton enjoys seeing his assistant coaches getting opportunities to advance their careers, but he does have one complaint about the NFL's current hiring process.
NFL clubs that miss the playoffs and fire their coaches are allowed to interview head coach candidates from teams that are participating in the postseason. The Broncos had several assistant coaches interview for head coach openings during the playoffs, including Vance Joseph, Davis Webb and Darren Rizzi.
“It's part of the deal," Payton said during his end-of-season press conference last month. "You're supportive. Here's the difficult part. The difficult part is sitting on that competition committee staff, and what's difficult is when it's taking place while you're still playing.
"I think our guys have done a good job handling that, but it's still difficult because preparing for one of those interviews requires time, like quite a bit of time. Then preparing for an opponent in the playoffs requires every waking minute. I don't know that I have the solution, but I think it's a challenge that we battle as a league."
One solution would be to not allow interviews until after the Super Bowl, but that would slow teams down as they build coaching staffs and look to jump right into the NFL offseason. For now, it does not appear that any change is imminent.
"I think he makes a lot of sense for teams that need speed. Some names that come to mind for not $30 million a year. The Buffalo Bills might be interested in someone like Rashid Shaheed to pair off opposite Keon Coleman," said Wilson. "The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs are two other teams that could be in the market for speedy wide receivers to help diversify their wide receiver rooms. I think there's going to be a real market for him."
Shaheed finished the 2025 season with 59 receptions for 687 yards and two touchdowns, split between the Seahawks and New Orleans Saints. He had a touchdown punt return and a kick return during his tenure with Seattle, showing his versatility as a special-teams threat.
The Chiefs' offense prefers speedy wide receivers, so the potential addition of Shaheed makes sense for the upcoming season.
The Boston Celtics have had players suiting up in a total of 68 different jersey numbers (and have three others not part of any numerical series) since their founding at the dawn of the Basketball Association of America (BAA – the league that would become today's NBA), worn by well over 500 players in the course of Celtics history.
To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Celtics Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.
With 25 of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Celtics to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.
And for today's article, we will continue with the third of four to wear the No. 77, forward alum Lamar Stevens. After ending his college career at Penn State, Stevens went unselected in the 2020 NBA Draft, instead signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native played the first three seasons of his pro career with the Cavs, coming to an end when he signed with Boston in 2023. His stay with the team lasted until he was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2024.
During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Stevens wore only jersey No. 77 and put up 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
TULIAN Ramiro of Argentina and BISIWU Jesse of Belgium are in action during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 Group D match between Argentina and Belgium in Doha, Qatar, on November 3, 2025 (Photo by Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images). | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Deco is reported to have jetted over to Belgium this winter in a bid to try and secure an agreement for the teenager to move to Camp Nou this summer.
Marthi has been asked about the speculation and admit the Catalan giants are keen on the 18-year-old.
“It’s true that Barcelona is closely monitoring Jesse and is one of the clubs actively following his situation. However, we are managing the situation calmly, step by step,” he told Eram News.
“Given the player’s talent, it’s perfectly normal that there are official communications with several clubs, including big clubs like Barcelona.”
Canada flexed its muscles in its first two preliminary round games of the Winter Olympics, dominating Czechia and Switzerland by a combined score of 10-1.
As a result, Canada has already clinched first place in Group A, giving the team a bye and sending it automatically to the quarterfinal round. So far, Canada is one of just two undefeated teams in the tournament, with the United States unsurprisingly also perfect so far.
Canada will close out its preliminary round against France, who has struggled mightily in its two games. The French lost both of their games to Switzerland and Czechia by a combined score of 10-3, putting the team in position to finish last in Group A play.
Therefore, the final preliminary round game is largely just to fill out the standings and play-out the group stage ahead of the knockout rounds. While Canada will get the bye, France is guaranteed to be playing on Tuesday in the qualification playoffs.
The Sporting News is tracking live scores, updates and highlights from the Olympic men's ice hockey matchup between Canada and France. Follow along for full updates from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Canada vs. France updates, highlights from 2026 Olympic men's hockey game
12:59 p.m.: Things have gotten chippy as Canada is not happy with France's big hits. MacKinnon heads to the box next after retaliation.
12:54 p.m.: Wilson gets into a fight with Crinon, who hit MacKinnon high earlier. Both players get seven minutes of penalties, which will end their games.
Canada 10, France 2
12:51 p.m.: GOAL! Canada reaches double digits with a 10th goal, coming on a Celebrini shot that Horvat might've tipped.
12:47 p.m.: Nathan MacKinnon takes a big hit that leads to an interference call on France.
Canada 9, France 2
12:46 p.m.: GOAL! Brandon hagel becomes the ninth Canadian to score as he finished another odd-man rush chance.
Canada 8, France 2
12:36 p.m.: GOAL! A strong Canada shift ends with a Bo Horvat goal for the fourth line.
Canada 7, France 2
12:31 p.m.: GOAL! France answers right back for its second goal past Binnington, as Treille gets the score.
Canada 7, France 1
12:29 p.m.: GOAL! Connor McDavid scores immediately scores on the new goalie Keller for Canada's 7th goal.
12:28 p.m.: We are back with the third period, as Canada is 20 minutes away from an undefeated preliminary round. France has made a goalie change in the break.
End of second period: Canada 6, France 1
12:10 p.m.: The period ends with Canada's continued pressure, taking a five-goal lead into the break.
Canada 6, France 1
12:07 p.m.: GOAL! Now Crosby scores as Canada is pouring it on.
Canada 5, France 1
12:06 p.m.: GOAL! Celebrini puts one past Junca on the penalty shot, his third goal of the Olympics.
12:05 p.m.: Celebrini is taken down on a breakaway, so he will be rewarded a penalty shot.
12:01 p.m.: Canada keeps getting chances, as this game could be an even bigger blowout.
Canada 4, France 1
11:54 a.m.: GOAL! Cale Makar scores 15 seconds into the power play, extending the lead to 4-1.
11:53 a.m.: Another France penalty leads to Canada's third power play of the game.
11:48 a.m.: Junca saves a great chance from Harley, then Hagel hits the post. Canada's pressure is strong here as the shot total increases to 23-6.
11:44 a.m.: France kills off the penalty despite pressure from Canada's power play. The lead remains at two.
11:41 a.m.: Canada is headed to another power play after France takes a hooking call.
11:35 a.m.: France gets a few looks but can't score on the advantage.
11:34 a.m.: The second period is underway, with France hoping to capitalize on a power play.
End of first period: Canada 3, France 1
11:15 a.m.: GOAL! Mark Stone produces a shorthanded goal just three seconds before the period ends. France will start the second period with time left on the power play.
11:13 a.m.: With 1:11 left in the period, Canada is called for a penalty. France will get its first man advantage.
11:10 a.m.: Canada gets another chance on a breakaway, but Junca stops Mark Stone to keep the deficit at one.
11:05 a.m.: Shots are 13-4 in favor of Canada so far, as France hasn't been able to have any sustained possessions.
Canada 2, France 1
10:57 a.m.: GOAL! The scoring barrage continues, with Devon Toews scoring on a two-on-one pass from Sidney Crosby.
Canada 1, France 1
10:55 a.m.: GOAL! France answers right back, as Douay scores on a rebound of his own.
Canada 1, France 0
10:54 a.m.: GOAL! Wilson buries the rebounder to open the scoring.
10:53 a.m.: Canada has a couple of really good looks on the power play, but is unable to cash in as Junca stands strong.
10:49 a.m.: Canada gets the first power play of the game as France is called for holding.
10:47 a.m.: The play is a little tentative early, with both sides felling each other out a bit.
10:43 a.m.: A strong start for Canada, who controls play early and gets the first four shots on goal of the game.
10:40 a.m.: We are underway in Milan-Cortina! Canada looks to clinch the best record in the preliminary rounds.
10:33 a.m.: Canada has the goal differential lead over the U.S., which is notable in case those teams both finish undefeated after today.
Next 2 games today in Milan are fascinating. First place overall (and likely avoiding Sweden in QF) up for grabs.
Assuming Canada and the U.S beat their opponents (France and Germany), goal differential will settle #1 seed.
9:10 a.m.: The Group A standings are set regardless of this game's result, as Canada will finish first and France will finish last. Canada is still playing to clinch the No. 1 overall seed, though.
Dean Kukan with his first Olympic goal to win it in overtime for Switzerland.
Final Group A standings, regardless of what happens in CAN/FRA: 1-Canada 2-Switzerland 3-Czechia 4-France
CBC will have coverage of the Canada vs. France game in Canada, while CNBC will have the game in the United States. Additionally, the game can be live streamed on CBC Gem or Peacock.
Hey now. The players are in camp, except for a couple, who (as far as I know) are still having visa trouble. They’ll actually play a competitive game this week.
I don’t know about you, but I’m studio-tanned, restless, and ready-to-wear. I’m in the best shape of my life (round) except for my hand, which is going to take a month or so to heal, so playing guitar is out, typing is, um, interesting, and my wallet, which is soon to be $150 thinner when MLB.TV renews.
But those are small things. Baseball is back. I’m of the coterie that believes next year is toast so, from my perspective, there’s much more at stake and I shall be especially attentive. That makes the window of contention 2026 unless that toast lands butter-side-up, and I have little faith in Bruce Meyer and no faith whatsoever in Rob Manfred getting that done.
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Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): PCA, Bregman tout stacked Team USA. “I mean, how can you put together a better roster than what we’ve got?” Crow-Armstrong said.
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INGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 14: Keshad Johnson #16 of the Miami Heat raises the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest trophy after the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest as part of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Arizona men’s basketball alum and current Miami Heat Keshad Johnson outlasted fellow former Wildcat and current San Antonio Spur Carter Bryant to win the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Johnson marks the first NBA Wildcat to win the contest after four players before him did not win. On their first dunk attempt, Johnson received a 47.4 and Bryant received a 45.6.
Bryant earned a spot in the championship first after scoring a 49.2, and Johnson followed with a 45.4 on his dunk.
In the championship round, Johnson was the first to go and received a 49.6. He was upstaged by Bryant who received a perfect 50 score on his first dunk.
CARTER BRYANT WITH A 50 🔥
He needs a 47.5 on his final attempt to win @ATT Slam Dunk!
After another impressive and athletic dunk, Johnson got a 47.8 on his second dunk which put all the pressure on Bryant to win. Unable to complete his complicated final dunk, Bryant had to settle for a regular dunk and did not earn enough points to beat Johnson.
Finishing with a final score of 97.4 in the championship round, Johnson won the competition over Bryant, as well as Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson and Los Angeles Lakers forward Jaxson Hayes.
"Everybody's journey is different… to all the kids out there, keep dreaming!"@kj_showtime0 with a message to the next generation of hoopers after being crowned the 2026 @ATT Slam Dunk Champ 🏆💥 pic.twitter.com/UrNe1OVST8
Even though it was a second place finish for Bryant in the dunk contest, he did not leave the NBA all-star weekend empty handed.
Bryant was a part of the Rising Stars championship team. Playing for Team Vince, who was coached by NBA hall of famer Vince Carter, he scored nine points between the two games he played.
Johnson and Bryant added to the list of former Wildcats to participate in the dunk contest, putting the overall total at six players and an overall total of appearances at eight.
Aaron Gordon was the last Wildcat to participate in 2020. He has also previously participated in the 2016 and 2017 competitions.
The first former Arizona player to participate was Richard Jefferson in 2003. In between Gordon and Jefferson were Andre Iguodala in 2006 and Chase Budinger in 2012.
Gordon, Iguodala, and Budinger all had second place finishes, with Gordon being the only former Arizona player to have two second place finishes.
Given the performance both Johnson and Bryant put on this year, perhaps both will be called back for next year’s competition.
Al-Diriyah unwilling to allow head coach to leave to join Anderlecht
Anderlecht’s head coach search is not going well. After being rejected by Jon Dahl Tomasson and Paul Simonis, the third name on their shot list may also be staying where he is. According to HLN, Saudi-Arabian second tier side Al-Diriyah are unwilling to allow former Club Brugge and Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder to leave the club. While Anderlecht had been hoping to not have to pay to take a head coach from another club, it had been understood that they would be willing to do so for Schreuder.
While it appears that Schreuder is willing to make the move, Anderlecht and Al-Diriyah have not been able to reach an agreement to release the Dutch manager from his current position. Al-Diriyah are currently involved in a promotion battle for the Saudi Pro League and it is understandable that they would rather not lose their head coach under these circumstances.
In the meantime, Jeremy Taravel will continue as interim head coach at Anderlecht. He got off to the best possible start, with Anderlecht beating Antwerp 3-0 in the cup semi-final to return to the cup final. The side looked much improved on recent weeks, playing with an energy that had not been there under Besnik Hasi. The small sample size has led some to call on the club to stick with Taravel until the end of the season.
LAKELAND, FLORIDA - AUGUST 26: A general overall view of Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, the spring training home of the Detroit Tigers and the regular-season home of the minor league affiliates Lakeland Flying Tigers and Gulf Coast Tigers on August 26, 2025 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Maybe you’re a regular at Detroit Tigers spring training camp. Maybe you’ve made the pilgrimage once, like myself. And maybe your best spring training memory came from a story or from watching Grapefruit League action on television.
I went down once, long before the whole Lakeland complex was completely renovated, before I even started writing about baseball. One of these years, I’ll get back to check it all out, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen this year.
Still, there are a lot of fun memories even just from the last 5-10 years. I look back fondly but also with sorrow at a certain Matt Manning appearance in 2020 spring camp before COVID sent everyone home. For a brief moment, there was the Tigers pitching prospect looking more built than ever before, firing 97-99 mph fastballs past Yankees hitters. Sadly, that was kind of a high point in his development, and we rarely saw that velocity ever again. My dreams of a second Noah Snydergaard lie in ruin.
My favorite recent memory though, was from that same 2020 camp, and also against the Yankees, when Miguel Cabrera took Gerrit Cole deep twice for two monstrous home runs in a Grapefruit League matchup. That felt like the last time we saw the real Miguel Cabrera before age finally took their toll. Sorry I’m in a bittersweet mood this weekend apparently.
Check these bombs out. The first one looked like it carried 470 feet downwind out to left center field. The second was off the batter’s eye in straightaway center.
So how about you? What memories come to mind when you think spring training and Lakeland?
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts during the 2026 BBWAA Awards Dinner at New York Hilton Midtown on Saturday, January 24, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are going into the season with a lot of hype as Paul Skenes and Konnor Griffin highlight the team’s bright future.
ESPN is projecting that the Pirates should win close to 80 games this season, which would mark the team’s best record since the 2018 campaign.
“The starting rotation should rank in the top 10, a great building block for any rising team, and could crack elite status if Bubba Chandler takes a leap to become Robin to Paul Skenes’ Batman. The staff should strike out a lot of batters, which helps. Still, playoff teams tend to turn balls in play into outs, and the Pirates’ positional alignment seems to put too many regulars in tension with their ideal slot on the defensive spectrum,“ ESPN analyst Bradford Doolittle wrote.
“At the same time, projecting team defensive rankings is an inexact science, to say the least, so maybe skipper Don Kelly can make it work. A quick ascension by Konnor Griffin at shortstop would surely help.”
The Pirates have had seven consecutive losing seasons, two of which saw the team drop a hundred games or more. In 2020, had the season been 162 games like a normal campaign, the Pirates would have been well on pace for another hundred lost season.
The Pirates have gone through the trials and tribulations of this rebuild, and it looks like things could be improving for the franchise. Skenes is the tip of the iceberg, and several other players are coming to help improve the team around him. If they can live up to expectations, the Pirates should be much better in 2026.
Jaylen Brown has revealed he has seriously considered stepping into the UFC one day, and he has already spoken to Dana White about the possibility.
The Boston Celtics star is known for his intensity on the court, but his competitive edge may not be limited to basketball.
Brown has now confirmed that mixed martial arts, or even boxing, could feature in his future once his NBA career reaches its later stages.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Jaylen Brown discusses UFC ambition
Speculation around Jaylen Brown and the UFC grew after he openly addressed the idea during NBA All-Star media day, shared by Legion Hoops on X.
“To be honest, I’ve toyed with this and I’ve talked to some people, you know, maybe post part of my career, I’d love to partake in some UFC or even boxing,” the Celtics star said.
That was not framed as a joke. Brown made it clear that the idea has moved beyond casual thinking and into real conversations.
For an athlete in his prime, even acknowledging long-term interest in combat sports signals a level of seriousness.
Basketball players rarely cross over into professional fighting, given the physical risk and contractual implications. Brown, however, has built a reputation for embracing challenges that sit outside the traditional NBA pathway.
Jaylen Brown reveals Dana White talks
The conversation becomes even more significant when Dana White’s name is involved. Brown confirmed that dialogue has already taken place regarding a potential UFC future.
“I’ve talked to Dana White about some stuff, but we will see as things go on. We will see,” Brown added.
Those words suggest exploratory discussions rather than a firm commitment. Still, speaking directly with the UFC president moves the idea from fantasy to something more tangible.
For now, Brown remains fully focused on basketball. Yet his willingness to publicly discuss fighting and to admit conversations with Dana White ensures this story will not fade quickly.
If he ever does enter the octagon, it will not be a spontaneous decision but the result of years of consideration.
When Luke Altmyer returned for another year at Illinois, he had opportunities to leave. But as he told On3, he made an “unselfish decision” to stay with the Fighting Illini, which resulted in a career year.
That was also Altmyer’s message for athletes while navigating NIL. He cited the need to avoid “ego” and stay humble as they go through the space.
Altmyer reiterated the team aspect of football as he encouraged athletes not to get too caught up in the social media age or focus too much on themselves. With that mindset, he said there’s a better chance everything off the field will work out.
“It’s so easy to be selfish, I think, and play around with a big ego, to self-promote,” Altmyer said on behalf of U.S. Cellular. “We forget that football’s the greatest team sport in the land. Without the team, without the people around you, you’re pretty broken. It’s easy with the media to be able to flaunt and self-promote and put yourself out there and have a big ego. I think eliminating that, eliminating the ego, is the No. 1 priority in this land, in this realm of college football today. So eliminating the ego.
“Humility is such a big key of that. Learning the big habits of humility. Waking up always doing the right thing, no matter how difficult, how easy it is. Always doing the right thing and always being your best. Wanting to achieve as high as you can using the gifts that God’s given you to be your best. Eliminating the ego, humility, doing the right thing always and being your best. I think those things, knock them out, you’ll be in a good spot.”
Altmyer put up the best numbers of his career in 2025 as he completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,007 yards and 22 touchdowns. As he previously told On3 before the year, he had the chance to leave and go somewhere else to end his college career after opting not to declare for the NFL Draft.
But Luke Altmyer said it’s part of the current landscape in the era of player movement. As a result, he chose to focus on the program rather than what was best for him.
“With the dollars that are in place now and all the cultures and traditions that are trying to get you to come play for them,” Altmyer said. “It was crazy. I was blessed to be in a position to be able to live in that, but man, I wanted to be a part of a program that was bigger than myself.”
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 7: Von Miller #24 of the Washington Commanders runs around the edge during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This is the storybook picture that every fan in Broncos Country wants to see. Von Miller, the prodigal edg,e returns home to Denver and rides off to retirement when he’s ready to hang them up after winning another Super Bowl championship.
Von Miller’s role would be very different in Denver. He’d be a rotational pass rusher instead of a full-time starter. He’d help elevate the play of the other young outside linebackers, giving them insights that only a player like him could share.
At 36, you’d think he’d be washed, but he had 9 sacks for the Washington Commanders in 2025 and still can impact the game in a big way.
OverTheCap projects his salary to be in the $6M range
Why the Broncos should sign
The main reason to sign Von Miller would be for vibes. Von Miller coming home would be a story. He would inspire this team, and I’m absolutely positive Vance Joseph could get use out of him as a rotational pass rusher.
Miller absolutely has stuff still in the tank, and doing the DeMarcus Ware thing late in his career makes a ton of sense.
Why the Broncos shouldn’t sign
The Broncos don’t need Von Miller, is the simple statement. Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper are fantastic edge starters. Jonah Ellis, Que Robinson, and Dondrea Tillman are all playmakers in their own right who are doing the rotational work in this defense, and there is no huge drop-off in play when they are on the field.
Miller has been about making his money and is going to want to get paid. When a team has a room as stacked as the Broncos do, it just doesn’t make sense to pay a mercenary for a season when you have young guys who are already doing the job at a cheaper rate. Let’s add in that if you want to sign Miller, you take up a valuable roster spot.
Final thoughts
I absolutely treasure Von Miller. He’s the key reason we won a ring in 2015. He’s a forever Bronco in my mind.
When the Broncos initially let him head out to free agency, I agreed with the move. The Broncos are going to pass on Miller in 2026, and I will agree with that decision as well.
If they do sign him, it is going to be because he comes cheap and they are trading away one of their young outside linebackers for a draft pick. That’s the only real scenario I see that makes any amount of sense.
But I can’t help but think it would be cool to see Von Miller back in the orange and blue in 2026.
Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) is pushed out of bounds by Houston Texans cornerback Ja'marcus Ingram (42) during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
With the draft approaching, this series has been about stripping away hype and getting back to what actually translates on Sundays. Quarterback and running back evaluations get most of the attention, but wide receiver is the position where casual scouting often falls apart the fastest. Too many prospects get labeled as “NFL-ready” because they’re fast, put up big numbers, or dominate weaker college competition. In reality, receiver is one of the most technical and mentally demanding positions in football, and the gap between looking good on Saturdays and winning consistently on Sundays is enormous.
At the college level, many receivers thrive on scheme advantages, free releases, and mismatches against overmatched defensive backs. They’re often the best athlete on the field and rarely have to win with precision. In the NFL, that disappears. Corners are faster, stronger, smarter, and coached just as well. Windows are smaller. Timing is tighter. Separation has to be earned. Routes have to be exact. And toughness matters far more than most fans realize.
For this installment, the goal is simple: break down what actually makes a receiver valuable at the next level. Not highlight plays. Not box score production. Traits. Habits. Patterns that show up over and over on film. The same things coaches and scouts look for when they’re deciding whether a player is a future starter, a role player, or someone who will struggle to stick.
This framework comes from conversations with people who evaluate players for a living, combined with experience studying and coaching the position at the high school and college levels. It’s built to be practical. Something you can use while watching live games, cutting clips, or reviewing prospects in depth. If you want to understand why some receivers transition smoothly and others disappear, this is where to start.
Catching Ability
Natural hands. Plucks the ball instead of letting it hit his chest.
Wins off-frame. Catches above, below, and outside his body.
Strong in traffic. Secures the ball through contact.
Minimal double catches. Clean transitions from catch to run.
Low drop rate. Mistakes are rare, not routine.
Separation & Route Running
Explodes in and out of breaks. Maintains speed through cuts.
No wasted steps. Efficient footwork creates separation.
Sharp square cuts. Outs, digs, comebacks are precise.
Diverse releases. Speed, split, foot-fire, hesitation, swipe.
Beats press. Handles physical corners without panic.
Controls depth. Rarely drifts or rounds routes.
Full route tree. Not limited to slants and go’s.
Gets open consistently. Tape shows space, not constant coverage.
Speed & Deep Threat Ability
Vertical juice. Can stack corners downfield.
Takes the top off. Forces safeties to widen.
Wins on posts and corners. Not just straight fades.
Sustains speed. Doesn’t slow late in routes.
Creates explosive plays. Production matches speed.
Quickness & Agility
Fast off the line. Immediate burst out of stance.
Sudden laterally. Sharp side-to-side movement.
Short-area weapon. Wins in tight windows.
Separates underneath. Dangerous on option routes.
Slot-capable. Can thrive inside like Welker/Edelman/Downs.
Ball Tracking & Body Control
Finds the ball early. Tracks without losing speed.
Adjusts smoothly. Changes stride and angle naturally.
Stays in bounds. Elite awareness near sidelines.
High-points well. Times jumps properly.
Shields defenders. Uses body to protect catches.
YAC Ability
Creates after the catch. Turns short throws into gains.
Breaks tackles. Runs through arm tackles.
Falls forward. Maximizes every touch.
Screen threat. Reliable yards built-in.
Trusted in space. Coaches design touches for him.
Plays in Traffic & Toughness
Attacks the football. Doesn’t wait for it.
Takes hits. Holds onto the ball through contact.
Bounces back. No fear after big collisions.
Wins contested catches. Reliable in 50/50 moments.
Mental toughness. Doesn’t disappear after mistakes.
Blocking
Engages defenders. Doesn’t avoid contact.
Sustains blocks. Finishes through whistle.
Proper hand placement. Inside and controlled.
Drives feet. Creates movement.
Run-game value. Team runs to his side.
Football IQ & Spatial Awareness
Finds soft spots. Sits in zone windows.
Understands sticks. Knows first-down markers.
Situational awareness. Manages clock and sidelines.
Adjusts routes. Reads coverage pre-snap.
Works with QB. Consistent timing and spacing.
Special Teams Value (For Non-Elite Prospects)
Gunner ability. Speed and toughness.
Tackling effort. Willing in coverage.
Block shedding. Physical enough to fight through.
Motor. High-effort on reps.
Team-first mindset. Accepts role without ego.
In the end, receiver scouting comes down to separation and dependability. Speed gets attention. Production gets headlines. But scouts care about something simpler: can he get open, can he catch it cleanly, and can he be trusted when the ball is in the air on third down? If you evaluate with that lens, the tape becomes much clearer. Look for consistent separation, strong hands in traffic, body control down the field, and effort in the run game. The flashy plays matter, but the repeatable habits matter more. When you stack receivers using this framework, you start to see who will survive against NFL corners and who was simply winning on Saturdays.
Jordan Stolz has become one of the faces of Team USA during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, and his performances on the ice are surprisingly drawing comparisons to an NFL superstar.
During these Winter Olympics, Stolz has won multiple gold medals, including taking home the top prize during the men’s 1,000-meter speed skating competition.
The Team USA standout has gone viral throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics though not only for his on-ice showings but also for his monster quads.
That prompted social media to start comparing ‘Quadzilla’ to another athletic talent in Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. The Philadelphia RB has been known throughout his NFL career for making defenders miss tackles.
Meanwhile, Jordan Stolz continues to show off his incredible speed on the ice in Milan-Cortina at only 21 years old.
The 2026 Winter Olympics mark Stolz’s second trip to the Olympics as he competes in six different events. Team USA has immediately benefitted from his speed skating abilities with wins in the 500 and 1,000-meter disciplines.
Medalists Jenning de Boo, Jordan Stolz of the United States and Laurent Dubreuil on the podium after the men’s speed skating 500m during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters via Imagn Images
Stolz set an Olympic record in the 500 meter event with a time of 33.77 seconds, and the young Team USA star now has more opportunities to build on his success in Milan.
The Wisconsin native might not be winning Super Bowls like Barkley, but his fame is quickly rising in Italy as the Winter Olympics heat up.
Over the past two years, Collin Morikawa and Scottie Scheffler have moved in very different directions.
Since Morikawa’s last PGA Tour victory in October 2023, Scheffler has collected 14 wins, three of them majors.
Scheffler’s total tally now sits at 20 PGA Tour wins and four majors, while Morikawa remains on six wins, two of which are majors.
The pair share a friendship off the course but compete fiercely when playing. Right now, though, there is a clear gap between them.
Scheffler’s exceptional golf performance at The Open Championship in July left both Morikawa and his caddie stunned.
The 2021 Open champion missed the cut that week and struggled throughout much of the 2025 season.
But this week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – a title he won back in his heyday – he seems to be showing signs that he might be getting back to form.
Collin Morikawa claims he can still beat Scottie Scheffler
Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images
Morikawa delivered a superb 10-under-par 62 during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Saturday.
It was a performance that felt much closer to what we saw from him in his best years.
Speaking after his third round at Pebble Beach, the 29-year-old was asked whether he enters each tournament aiming for the win or if he is focused on consistent play and seeing where that takes him.
Morikawa replied: “I’m more talking about those results I think where there’s a lot of positives to take I think from a top-10 finish.
“No matter what week, no matter what tournament, I can take a lot of positives out of those weeks.
“And they’re heartbreaking sometimes, but you live and you learn and you go on and you keep pushing.
“It’s when you feel like I’m putting in my absolute everything, I’m missing the cut or I’m finishing 30th, and you’re like man, what’s going on?”
Morikawa also stated that he truly believes he can still beat Scheffler, even when the world number one is ‘playing great’.
“I know deep down inside me, like, I’m a competitor, I feel like I can play against the top players in the world.
“Even a guy like Scottie Scheffler when he’s playing great. Like, you know, I believe that and until the day I don’t, I’m going to keep going head on.
“It’s a very, very fine line to say, OK, you’re a couple shots away from a great week or you really got to dig deep to figure it out.”
Is Collin Morikawa really ready to challenge Scottie Scheffler?
One thing working in Morikawa’s favour is his experience. He is not new to the big stage, having already proven himself more than once in the game’s biggest moments.
Many believe that if he can finally break through with a win, more could follow quickly.
The final round at Pebble Beach will give us a clearer picture of where he stands.
Has there been real progress, or was his Saturday 62 just an isolated hot streak?
Time will tell, but there were positive signs. Gaining 6.453 strokes on approach shots during day three was a strong indicator that his game may be returning to form.
Morikawa needs to start producing now. Going over two years without a win is far too long for someone of his ability.
Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin were World Rally Championship runners-up in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025 [Getty Images]
Elfyn Evans leads the World Rally Championship (WRC) after two rounds, following victory at Rally Sweden.
The Welsh driver finished 14.3 seconds ahead of Toyota team-mate Takamoto Katsuta to win for the second successive year in the snow-bound forests of Vasterbotten, 600km north of Stockholm.
Finland's Sami Pajari completed an all-Gazoo Racing podium.
Jon Armstrong continued his encouraging WRC debut season with eighth place, just ahead of M-Sport Ford team-mate and fellow Irishman Josh McErlean.
Evans led for the majority of the four-day event in Sweden - and including 9 Sunday bonuses leads the championship by 13 points from round one winner Oliver Solberg who placed fourth this weekend.
"Pretty chuffed and relieved now," said 37-year-old Evans.
"It was difficult with all the tyre management but happy with the time in the end and happy with this result... a Toyota 1-2-3-4 feels amazing.
"It's always an amazing atmosphere in Sweden and it's a special rally for many reasons."
In his first season as a full-time Rally1 driver, Solberg took Thursday's opening stage in Umea before the 24-year-old Swede lost time - and the lead to Toyota team-mate Evans - on Friday's stage two.
Katsuta and his Irish co-driver Aaron Johnston briefly edged ahead over the final two stages of day two, but a commanding drive over Saturday saw the Welshman establish control of the rally.
Frenchman Ogier was once again absent in Sweden this weekend as the nine-time world champion continues his part-time approach to the calendar.
Round three sees a complete change in conditions for the drivers from 12-15 March with the Safari Rally Kenya, an event where Evans also took victory in 2025.
After storming to his fourth gold medal of the Milano Cortina Games on Sunday, Norwegian cross-country skiing sensation Johannes Hosflot Klaebo has officially reached the summit of Winter Olympic history. Norway won the team cross-country skiing relay on Sunday, allowing Klaebo to win a record ninth gold medal, the most in Winter Olympics history.
That mean that he surpassed compatriots Bjorn Daehlie, Marit Bjron, and Ole Einar Bjorndalen on the all-time list. With two events still remaining on his 2026 schedule Klaebo can extend his lead among Winter Olympians on the gold-medal list.
Here's how Klaebo can extend the record in the upcoming events.
There is a four-way tie for the most gold medals in Winter Olympics history.
Following his victory in the 10km interval start, Klaebo secured his eighth career gold medal, joining three other legendary Norwegian athletes at the top of the all-time list.
Gold Medals
Athlete
Country
Sport
Years
Status
9
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo
Norway
Cross-country skiing
2018–2026
Active
8
Bjorn Daehlie
Norway
Cross-country skiing
1992–1998
Retired
8
Ole Einar Bjoerndalen
Norway
Biathlon
1998–2014
Retired
8
Marit Bjoergen
Norway
Cross-country skiing
2010–2018
Retired
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (Norway)
Klaebo is the youngest member of this elite club and the only one still actively competing. He officially reached 9 gold medals on February 14, 2026, after winning the team cross-country skiing relay at the Milano Cortina Games.
Klaebo has redefined cross-country skiing with his ability to dominate both short sprints and grueling distance races. Since he still has two events left in the current Olympics, he can add to his record for most Winter gold medals in history before the closing ceremony.
Marit Bjoergen (Norway)
Often referred to as "Iron Marit," Bjoergen retired in 2018 as the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time with 15 total medals (8 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze). Her career spanned five Olympic Games, beginning as a sprint specialist and evolving into a dominant distance skier. Her longevity and consistency are legendary; she famously won five medals at the 2018 PyeongChang Games at age 37, including a gold in the final 30km mass start—the final race of her Olympic career.
Ole Einar Bjoerndalen (Norway)
Bjoerndalen amassed 13 total medals, including 8 golds, across six Olympic appearances. His most iconic performance came at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, where he achieved a perfect clean sweep by winning gold in every single men’s biathlon event (sprint, pursuit, individual, and relay). He remained competitive well into his 40s, winning his final Olympic gold in the mixed relay at the 2014 Sochi Games at age 40.
Bjorn Daehlie (Norway)
The original king of the Winter Games, Daehlie was the first athlete to reach the 8-gold milestone, a record that stood for 16 years until Bjoerndalen tied it in 2014. Dominating the 1990s, he won 12 total medals over just three Olympics (1992, 1994, and 1998). Daehlie was famous for his incredible aerobic capacity and his "never-say-die" attitude, exemplified by his final gold in the 50km race at the 1998 Nagano Games, where he collapsed in exhaustion after skiing for over two hours to win by just eight seconds.
Phelps holds the absolute record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympic Games. He won 8 gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, surpassing the previous record of seven set by Mark Spitz in 1972.
Winter records are generally lower because there are fewer events and team relays per sport compared to the Summer Games. Eric Heiden’s feat is especially rare, as he swept all five individual speed skating distances in a single year.
Rank
Athlete
Nation
Sport
Games
Gold Medals
1
Eric Heiden
United States
Speed skating
Lake Placid 1980
5
2
Lidiya Skoblikova
Soviet Union
Speed skating
Innsbruck 1964
4
2
Ole Einar Bjoerndalen
Norway
Biathlon
Salt Lake City 2002
4
2
Johannes Thingnes Bo
Norway
Biathlon
Beijing 2022
4
Currently, Klaebo is the only active athlete with a chance to challenge this list during the 2026 Games.
Summer Olympics
legendary Summer performances are dominated by swimmers who leveraged multiple events and relays to reach high gold counts. Phelps' perfect eight-for-eight run in Beijing remains the absolute pinnacle of Olympic dominance.
The Jaguars do not have a first-round pick in this year's draft; however, the opportunity for GM James Gladstone to add some immediate impact help exists with Jacksonville having four picks in the top 100.
Having double-digit picks also gives Gladstone the flexibility to load up on prospects in this year's draft or to move around the draft board, which he did a lot of last April.
Now, let's break down the Jaguars' picks in this latest mock from Alec Elijah of PFN.
The board and prospect evals dictate the selections, but picking an offensive tackle and a wide receiver in the top 100, those selections could have been utilized elsewhere. The Jaguars' starters at offensive tackle and key depth options are all returning. At wideout, Jacksonville has Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, and Travis Hunter.
At cornerback, this will reportedly be Hunter's main position in 2026, but depth is needed with at least one of Montaric Brown and/or Greg Newsome not returning.
Orange could provide a needed boost at defensive tackle. Listed at 6-4 - 325 pounds, Orange has played 1,575 defensive snaps over the last four seasons. Over the previous three years, he's logged 45 total pressures and one sack. He's graded out quite well against the run by PFF's metrics.
Pick 117: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
Pick 162: Trey Zuhn, C, Texas A&M
Pick 164: Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor
Not to dismiss the needs on offense, but none of these selections help the Jaguars much in 2026 -- or even 2027. The best case for all three of these players is that they would be the third option at their respective position groups.
While the draft is about planning ahead and development, I don't think that running back, center, and quarterback rise to the level of need of having to be a mid-round pick, given the depth on the roster at those positions already.
Pick 195: Vinny Anthony, WR, Wisconsin
Pick 233: Market Bell, OT, Miami
Pick 245: J'Mond Tapp, DE, Southern Miss
Out of all the picks made on offense in this mock, none were at tight end, which may be the biggest need on this side of the ball. Also, not addressing defensive end until Round 7, in a draft with a lot of defensive end talent, would feel like a huge miss.
Manchester United to rival Liverpool for £50m Premier League star
Liverpool Begin Talks for Wolves Prospect
Liverpool have moved early in a developing transfer situation involving Wolves midfielder Mateus Mane, one of England’s most highly rated young talents. According to the original report from Fichajes.net, “Liverpool has already taken the first step in the race for one of the great promises of English football,” after holding face-to-face meetings to present their sporting project.
At 18, Mane has progressed rapidly at Wolves, earning attention for his composure in tight spaces and his ability to advance possession through midfield. Wolves are believed to value him at around £50 million, a substantial fee for a teenager but reflective of his potential and the current transfer climate.
Recruitment at Anfield under Arne Slot has leaned towards adaptable midfielders capable of operating across multiple zones. With Liverpool continuing to shape their squad following structural changes in recent seasons, Mane is seen internally as a long-term investment rather than a short-term fix.
Manchester Utd Tracking Mateus Mane Situation
Liverpool’s interest has inevitably alerted Manchester Utd, who are monitoring developments and weighing their own options. Fichajes.net reported that “Manchester United has also been linked with the attacking midfielder… Old Trafford closely monitors his progress and does not rule out entering strongly into the operation.”
United’s midfield rebuild under Ruben Amorim has prioritised athleticism and technical security, traits Mane appears to possess. His capacity to carry the ball through pressure and contribute creatively makes him a profile that fits United’s emerging structure.
Competition between Liverpool and Manchester Utd for domestic talent is rarely straightforward. Wolves are under no pressure to sell and could benefit from a bidding process, particularly if other clubs show interest as expected.
Profile Matches Slot Midfield Vision
From Liverpool’s perspective, Mane’s style suits the tactical demands Slot has introduced since arriving in 2024. Midfielders in his system must maintain positional discipline, circulate possession quickly and contribute defensively in transitions — areas where Mane has impressed.
Observers at Wolves have highlighted his maturity, with Fichajes.net describing him as “combining offensive imbalance with tactical maturity uncommon in players of his age.” That balance between flair and structure is key for Liverpool, whose midfield rotations often require players to alternate between creative and controlling roles.
Mane’s progressive passing numbers and ability to carry into the final third could complement Alexis Mac Allister’s distribution and Dominik Szoboszlai’s forward movement, while adding depth behind Harvey Elliott. For a side seeking continuity across multiple competitions, depth with high upside remains essential.
Summer Window Could Define Outcome
Negotiations remain at an early stage, but the coming summer is expected to be decisive. Wolves know interest from Liverpool and Manchester Utd could raise the price, and both clubs are likely to assess financial priorities before committing.
As Fichajes.net noted, “the summer could turn into a real showdown among powerhouses,” reflecting the demand for young Premier League-proven talent. Liverpool will emphasise pathway and development under Slot’s project, while Manchester Utd may highlight opportunity within Amorim’s evolving squad.
Transfer history suggests early engagement does not guarantee success, but it often shapes momentum. Liverpool’s recruitment team have frequently identified targets well before deals materialise, while United’s interest indicates Mane’s reputation is spreading quickly.
For Mateus Mane, the choice may ultimately rest on environment and opportunity. For Liverpool and Manchester Utd, it is another example of Premier League rivals competing for players capable of shaping the next era.
As Fichajes.net concluded, “young talent is in demand, and the top clubs do not want to be left behind.” In a market defined by foresight and investment, Mateus Mane has quickly become one of its central figures.
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus – Legendary Former AC Milan Coach Backs Scudetto Importance Of Derby Win But ‘Highlights Weaknesses’
Former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi believes Inter’s 3-2 Derby d’Italia win over Juventus FC could prove decisive in the Scudetto race, but warns that clear weaknesses remain.
Writing in La Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInter1908, Sacchi described the victory as typical Inter: hard-fought and full of pride.
He underlined its importance in the title race, especially with Inter holding an eight-point advantage over second-placed Milan, albeit with a game in hand.
However, he stressed that Cristian Chivu must address recurring defensive lapses, particularly with Champions League fixtures ahead.
Inter 3-2 Juventus – Sacchi: ‘Scudetto Favourites Inter The Strongest In Italy’
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Francesco Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Sacchi argued that Inter are the strongest side in Italy from a technical and physical standpoint. Yet he pointed to worrying “blackouts” during matches.
In the first half, he preferred Juventus’ organization and clarity of ideas. He also praised Luciano Spalletti for deploying Weston McKennie effectively.
According to Sacchi, Inter took the lead through a fortunate episode but failed to control the game afterward.
Juventus deserved their equaliser, which exposed poor positioning and defensive inattentiveness, particularly questioning Luis Henrique’s awareness on the play.
The second yellow card shown to Pierre Kalulu shifted the momentum. From that point, Inter dominated possession.
Sacchi praised Francesco Pio Esposito as a major asset for both club and Italy’s national team.
He described Piotr Zieliński’s winner as a moment of liberation, noting Chivu’s emotional celebration on the touchline.
In conclusion, Sacchi sees Inter as firm Scudetto favourites after this statement win.
Still, he insists that unless they eliminate their defensive lapses, those flaws could undermine their ambitions on bigger European nights.
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus – Chivu Celebration ‘Significant’ As Nerazzurri Coach Overcomes Direct Match Curse
Head coach Cristian Chivu and his post-goal celebration in Inter Milan’s 3-2 Derby d’Italia win over Juventus was a clear sign of relief and significance.
DAZN reporter Federica Zille described the reactions from the bench and on-field, via FCInter1908, as Piotr Zielinski scored a late goal to give Inter all three points.
Indeed, highlighting the psychological weight of direct clashes that had troubled the Nerazzurri earlier in the season.
Inter 3-2 Juventus – Chivu Erupts As Club Win Direct Clash
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Cristian Chivu, head coach of Inter, reacts during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
According to Zille, Chivu emphasized in interviews that his team had been physically and mentally “blocked” in previous big matches against direct rivals.
The decisive goal by Zielinski triggered a spontaneous explosion of joy on the bench, with Chivu running to embrace his players near the Curva Nord.
The celebration underlined the importance of finally breaking the pattern in these high-stakes encounters, a hurdle that had been a recurring challenge for Inter this season.
Chivu’s visible relief and passion illustrated both personal and collective triumph over that psychological barrier.
Fans call for Bastoni to be dropped from Italy squad after Inter 3-2 Juventus dive
Some supporters feel that Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni should be dropped from the Italy national team squad as a result of his dive that resulted in the sending off of Juventus’s Pierre Kalulu during the Derby d’Italia in Serie A on Saturday night.
Angry fans want Bastoni dropped from Italy national team
Bastoni woke up as a divisive figure in Italy on Sunday morning after being at the centre of controversy during Inter’s 3-2 victory over Juventus in San Siro the night before.
Bastoni went down under the challenge of Kalulu in the 42nd minute, but it was evident that the Nerazzurri centre-back had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. Kalulu was already carrying a yellow card and as this incident was not a direct red card call, VAR could not intervene or overturn the decision.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being sent off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
This has led to a series of accusations and apologies from Juventus and Serie A officials, while newspapers in Italy on Sunday claimed that the derby was ‘ruined’ as a result of the refereeing error.
Some reporters and supporters online have gone as far as suggesting that Bastoni does not deserve to be called up to the Italy national team squad as a result of his actions on Saturday evening.
REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
TMW’s Luca Calamai questioned on Sunday whether ‘a player like that’ deserves to represent Italy on the global stage, and has urged Gennaro Gattuso and Gabriele Gravina to consider dropping him from the squad.
Milan pundit Alessandro Jacobone wrote on X: “Gattuso seriously needs to consider leaving him at home, the anti-sportsmanship shown by Bastoni does not align with Azzurri values.”
Another supporter wrote: “We’re watching the Olympics, which are bringing pride to the nation. Characters and attitudes like this ruin all the good we’re doing elsewhere. I’d gladly give up on the World Cup, I don’t want to go there feeling ashamed.”
-Una federazione seria interviene.-Una federazione seria impedisce a #Bastoni di andare in nazionale.-Una federazione seria chiede scusa e fa partire una indagine SERIA su questo club.
Per il bene del calcio italiano, tutto questo deve finire.Basta #InterJuve pic.twitter.com/cT1PBv8AmL
Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, has recommended a change to the NBA season.
Injuries have become a serious issue for the league recently, with star players regularly missing games.
The conversation resurfaced ahead of the All-Star Game, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Stephen Curry pulling out.
Obama has now told NBA owners to consider a different schedule to prevent so many injuries.
Barack Obama wants fewer games in NBA regular season
Obama acknowledged in a press conference at the NBA’s All-Star weekend that the league is more intense than in previous eras.
“The average NBA player today is so much more athletic, more talented, more skilled, in the way the game is played,” he explained.
“You watch those old hardwood classics, guys aren’t running that hard. Everybody’s kind of dribbling, and everybody is going in the paint, and they’re all sitting there.
“You watch now, particularly if you go to live games, people are playing so hard because you have to close out at the three-point line, and the amount of running and the strain on the body, et cetera, it’s remarkable.”
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
With that in mind, Obama believes it would be a sensible idea to reduce the schedule from 82 games to 72.
“I think the game has evolved, and it continues to get better,” Obama continued.
“Now, since we have some owners here, I would say consider knocking ten games off the regular season, just because I don’t know that the body, that physically, you can prevent injuries at this pace.
“They are playing a much faster pace than they did 20 years ago. So it was easier to play 82 games or 75 games back then than it is today.”
Barack Obama highlights three rising NBA stars
Obama also highlighted three future NBA superstars who have impressed him this season.
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus – Referee La Penna Faces ‘Lengthy Suspension’ After Dramatic Derby D’Italia Red Card
Referee Federico La Penna could face a lengthy suspension after the controversial second yellow card shown to Pierre Kalulu during Inter Milan’s 3-2 win over Juventus.
The incident, which heavily influenced the Derby d’Italia, sparked immediate protests.
La Penna booked Kalulu for a challenge on Alessandro Bastoni, despite replays suggesting minimal contact.
Kalulu reacted furiously and gestured for a VAR review, but current regulations do not allow VAR to intervene on second yellow cards.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInter1908, the mistake became even clearer on replay, with the newspaper arguing that Kalulu was wrongly punished.
Inter 3-2 Juventus – La Penna Error Marred Impressive Victory
FERRARA, ITALY – OCTOBER 27: Referee Federico La Penna gestures during the Serie A match between SPAL and SSC Napoli at Stadio Paolo Mazza on October 27, 2019 in Ferrara, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
The controversy continued in the tunnel at halftime, where protests followed the decision.
The case has reignited debate over VAR protocol.
During a recent meeting in London on January 20, International Football Association Board (IFAB) discussed allowing video officials to review second yellow cards that result in dismissals.
Under the proposed change, VAR could recommend overturning a clearly erroneous second booking, though it would not have authority to suggest one.
Had the rule already been in force, La Penna could have conducted an on-field review.
The yellow card for Kalulu might have been rescinded, with Bastoni instead facing punishment for simulation, which would have resulted in his own dismissal.
Towel affair at AFCON 2025: Hervé Renard reveals the story behind the controversy
Hervé Renard revisits the towel controversy at AFCON 2025
Towel affair at AFCON 2025: Hervé Renard reveals the story behind the controversy
Hervé Renard, former coach of Morocco, has lifted the veil on the towel incident that captured attention during the AFCON 2025 final between Morocco and Senegal.
Four weeks after the AFCON 2025 final, the towel affair is still making headlines. Former Morocco boss Hervé Renard has tried to shed light on the controversy. Speaking on the Colinterview podcast, the Frenchman—who has managed Ghana, Zambia, Angola, Ivory Coast, and USM Alger—explained that the attempts to steal the equipment of Edouard Mendy, the Senegalese goalkeeper, were far from trivial.
According to Renard, these actions are rooted in beliefs that the towel holds mystical powers. "People who don’t know Africa simply can’t understand the real reason behind the towel. There’s something special about it. If someone tried to take it, it was to disrupt things. People in Europe don’t get it. But there’s meaning behind the towel. (…) Was it blessed? (…) In the end, these are beliefs, and they matter in Africa. Everyone sees it their own way, but I’ll say it: it wasn’t just about taking a towel." he said.
Serie A Preview: Napoli vs Roma – Team News, Lineups & Prediction
Stadio Diego Maradona forms the backdrop for the latest edition of the famous Derby del Sole between Napoli and Roma. A place in the top four is on the line, with only three points separating the teams ahead of kickoff.
Napoli overturned an early deficit to beat bottom-half Genoa last weekend, as Rasmus Hojlund’s 95th-minute penalty inspired them to a last-gasp 3-2 victory at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Fresh off winning back-to-back league games for the first time in 2026, Antonio Conte’s men will seek a statement win to strengthen their position in the standings.
Sitting third, Napoli are already out of the Scudetto race, with runaway leaders Inter now 12 points clear following a 3-2 home win over Juventus last night. Therefore, the Partenopei cannot afford a slip-up here if they’re to maintain their faint hopes of defending their title alive, although the task ahead is nothing short of arduous.
Trailing their upcoming rivals by three points, Roma bounced back from consecutive Serie A matches without a win (D1, L1) with a 2-0 home victory over Cagliari last time out. And with Juventus dropping points yesterday, Gian Piero Gasperini’s charges could put daylight between them and the record-time Italian champions with a rare derby triumph.
Indeed, Roma have only won one of their last 12 meetings with Napoli (D4, L7), slipping to a frustrating 1-0 defeat in November’s reverse fixture at the Stadio Olimpico. Keen to avoid another disappointing result, the Giallorossi will be desperate to address their travel sickness, having failed to win their last two competitive outings on the road (D1, L1).
Match Preview
Napoli
In addition to their dominant recent record in this matchup, Napoli have gone unbeaten in their last seven home clashes against Roma (W4, D3), including a narrow 1-0 victory in the corresponding fixture in the 2024/25 season. The Maradona Stadium has been a fortress this term, with the reigning holders still one of only two sides yet to lose a home Serie A game (W8, D3).
Furthermore, Napoli have not lost any of their last 22 home league outings (W16, D6), so it’s impossible to put it past them to claim bragging rights today. However, two defeats from their last three home matches across all competitions (W1) have cast doubt on the Maradona Stadium’s once-impregnable stronghold status.
That said, Napoli are boasting the longest unbeaten home streak in the top flight since 1988. With that in mind, Conte should feel confident about extending his formidable run against Roma that has seen him avoid defeat in his last nine clashes against the club from the capital in Serie A (W5, D4).
Roma
Seeking their first top-four finish since the 2017/18 season, Roma cannot settle for anything less than a win here if they’re to bolster their Champions League claim. Interestingly, that campaign eight years ago was the last time they bettered their current 46-point haul after 24 games, testifying to Gasperini’s impressive work at the Olimpico.
A rare downside of Gasperini’s early regime is Roma’s notorious inability to perform in high-stakes fixtures. Indeed, they are still waiting for their first league triumph against fellow top-five rivals this season (D1, L4). For context, no other Serie A side has fared worse in these high-profile encounters.
While many had expected Roma to play attractive football under Gasperini, especially after his remarkable stint at Atalanta, that has not been the case. Roma’s league matches this term have averaged the division-low of 1.79 goals per game, highlighting the potential for a low-scoring affair.
Team News
Napoli will be without long-term absentees Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa and Billy Gilmour, alongside captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Furthermore, veteran center-back Juan Jesus must serve a one-game ban for the red card he picked up against Genoa. On the bright side, star midfielder Scott McTominay should be at Conte’s disposal, along with Romelu Lukaku and Leonardo Spinazzola.
On the other hand, Roma boss Gasperini cannot call upon several first-team stars, including starting center-forward Artem Dovbyk and midfield cornerstone Manu Kone. Experienced defender Mario Hermoso is also out with a hip injury. The same applies to Stephan El Shaarawy and Evan Ferguson, though Paulo Dybala has reportedly overcome a minor fitness issue.
Given the high-stakes nature of this contest, it’s hard to expect either side to take unnecessary risks, which could pave the way for a tense and cagey affair at the Maradona Stadium. With so much on the line in the top-four race, we anticipate the spoils to be shared in a hard-fought draw.
Justin (left) and Anthony (right) Mosca put on an unbroken 124 to guide Italy to a 10-wicket win over Nepal on Thursday [Getty Images]
Life has taken a remarkable turn for the Mosca brothers in the past few weeks.
After messages of good luck from football legends Andrea Pirlo and Christian Vieri beforehand, Anthony and Justin are representing Italy at their first T20 World Cup.
"In our prep before coming here we were in Dubai and actually bumped into Mario Balotelli and Paolo Maldini at the airport," Justin, the younger of the brothers at 31, told BBC Sport.
"I know Christian Vieri is aware of cricket, and just to even be in any of their company has been amazing."
He is currently growing his hair to resemble the great Maldini's lustrous locks.
While not all of the Azzurri's footballing greats have cricket on their radar, Italy's thumping 10-wicket victory over Nepal on Thursday propelled the sport into the consciousness of a sport-loving nation, even with the ongoing Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The iconic Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport described it as "a result that enters the anthology of our sport".
In Mumbai, the team, who play England in Kolkata on Monday, celebrated by singing Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli - and his collaboration with Ed Sheeran for Perfect Symphony - on the team bus.
"Obviously, Ed Sheeran's a legend and then when the Italian version came on, into that second verse, it was like 'wow, this is amazing'," Anthony, 34, says.
"I'm pretty sure Andrea Bocelli follows cricket so if he does I might have to send him a message just asking for a couple of tickets!"
It is not lost on either brother how significant victories at this tournament might be for growing the profile of the sport in Italy, where there is still no grass cricket pitch.
"[The win is] obviously something small that can increase Italy's cricket community and getting onto a bigger stage," Anthony, who works as a carpenter, says.
"Like I've said many times before, Italy is such a passionate country with everything they do so with a bit more eyes on the game hopefully it expands a bit more for us."
There has been occasional criticism directed towards the Italian side, with accusations of a link to Italy itself lacking in the side.
But five of the 15-man squad live and have grown up in Italy, and the remainder qualify by virtue of Italian family, such as the Moscas who were born in Sydney.
It is worth remembering that England have fielded three players raised in Barbados in this World Cup in batters Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell and fast bowler Jofra Archer.
"On our street there was a lot of Italians there and we always had a lot of functions," Anthony says.
"Our cousins would come over and we'd be watching the football. We'd walk around with Italian jerseys and we'd go to Italian restaurants and have coffees.
"On the other end we would be having a VB [Victoria Bitter beer] or we'd be watching cricket and the Boxing Day Test.
"I reckon 99% of us use our hands a lot when we talk. If we're having a disagreement with each other or something, then there are hands waving everywhere."
Justin, himself a teacher, acknowledges the flak, but says it won't affect the side.
"A lot of the boys that live there have sacrificed so much for a better life and they've grown there - they've learnt their trade through Italy," he says.
"That doesn't seem to get highlighted as much but at the end of the day in our circle we know our heritage, our culture, we know where we're from so that's all that matters."
The Phillies have known Crawford is coming. The son of the former Rays All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin is also fast, athletic and talented.
He's been a high-ranking prospect for a few years now, and it looks like he's got a chance to break camp with Philadelphia.
"It’s largely expected that the younger Crawford will break camp as the Phillies’ starting center fielder," writes MLB.com's Jared Greenspan in a new article on Saturday.
Crawford is an electric hitter who may have a bit more power than his dad.
The key to him sticking around and making his peak impact could be his defense, which isn't as good as you might expect from a speedster.
Crawford did put in work this offseason to improve on that side of the game.
"It’s worth watching how Crawford looks in center field, where a lot will be expected of him," Greenspan writes. "Crawford often uses his elite speed to make up for subpar jumps, though he’s worked this offseason to improve his routes and first step alongside three-time Gold Glove Award winner Eric Davis."
Definitely not many guys better to learn from in the outfield than Davis.
The Phillies didn't get enough from Brandon Marsh in center in 2025, and after it looked like Marsh might be their long-term star out there, it no longer seems that way.
Crawford is next up, as soon as he's ready, and it'll be up to him to prove he belongs.
All season, it seemed as if the narrative around the Texas Tech basketball team has been they're just sort of there.
In a long season such as this, when the college basketball is as good as ever, there are more great teams than ever and so much attention is given to the star-studded freshman class, players like JT Toppin and teams like the Red Raiders can go under the radar.
That shouldn't be the case after the team's latest triumph over one of the presumed No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament. Beating Arizona 78-75 in overtime on the Wildcats' home floor may be a shock to some, but it's merely more of what can be expected of Grant McCasland's team.
You just have to be paying attention long enough to understand that.
Granted, the Red Raiders have taken their lumps this season. There's no erasing that 30-point drubbing at the hands of Purdue in November. Losing to UCF in Orlando also wasn't great — Kansas did it too, but they didn't have Darryn Peterson, so it can be forgiven, to some extent.
Winning against Duke in Madison Square Garden got some deserved attention, though that didn't last long. Having that win come just before Christmas made some forget about Tech being the only team (until last week) to hand the Blue Devils an L.
Even when Texas Tech's gotten the better of Houston (nobody beats Houston in Big 12 play) and BYU, the focus coming out of those games was that the Red Raiders are really tough at home and most of the attention went to Kingston Flemings doing well and AJ Dybantsa not doing so well.
Some of that will follow Texas Tech again after this victory. Arizona's own star freshman Koa Peat left the game with an injury and did not return. That certainly changed how the Wildcats were able to operate. That, too, will be a big talking point that will detract from what was achieved by the Red Raiders.
Shame, since the Red Raiders didn't get that same benefit of the doubt when Christian Anderson missed the Kansas game. Sure, that was mentioned (briefly) before it became the, 'Did you see what Darryn Peterson did?' news cycle.
All of these freshmen are terrific. No doubt about it. Surefire lottery picks in the 2026 NBA draft. The issue at hand, though, is college is not the pros, and what those freshmen are doing isn't anywhere near what Toppin has done this season, and he showed once again why any conversation around the Big 12 player of the year and first team All-America honors can't continue without Toppin being at or near the top.
Toppin went for 31 points on 13-of-22 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds, seven coming on the offensive glass against a much lengthier and physical Arizona frontline, with or without Peat. These are run-of-the-mill numbers for Toppin at this point, so commonplace they can be taken for granted.
It wasn't just another manimal-like performance from Toppin, it was historic. He's just the second player in the past 30 years to total 30 points and 10 rebounds in a road win against the No. 1 team in the country. It was just fourth similar stat line against nationally ranked teams this season, which is the most for any player of the past 20 years.
The two biggest plays of the night by Toppin didn't involve him looking for a bucket. The first came with 2:05 left in overtime, when Toppin kicked it out to Donovan Atwell for what was a crucial 3-pointer.
And in the final seconds of the game, he collected an offensive rebound and got it to LeJuan Watts, who hit the free throw to make it a three-point game with four seconds left.
This Texas Tech team isn't perfect, not by any stretch. But knocking off the Arizonas and Dukes and Houstons of the world is what this team is capable of on any given night. They probably won't win every game the rest of the way (road trips to Iowa State and BYU await), but don't forget the Red Raiders when filling out your March Madness bracket.
And in the meantime, remember the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year is also the player most deserving of the award again this season.
Kingsley Enagbare has provided the Green Bay Packers with value as a rotational edge defender in his four years with the team and is now set to be a free agent as his rookie contract expires.
Should the Packers look to keep Enagbare around into 2026 and beyond? Here is what the numbers say about what he brings to the table, based on his play in Green Bay so far:
Strengths
There is only one area that Enagbare has consistently been a high-level performer compared to the rest of the NFL, and that is his tackle production in the run game.
Since entering the league in 2022, Enagbare ranks in the 74th percentile among qualified edge defenders in tackles per run defense snap. Over the last three years, his ranking improves to the 87th percentile, and he was actually fourth overall among EDGEs this past season.
Enagbare has made some important plays in the run game for the Packers and has generally been reliable in that phase. He has also ranked above the average (50th percentile) in stop rate, which are tackles resulting in a failure for the offense, and missed tackle rate since 2022.
Weaknesses
He is, however, not a special pass rusher by any stretch, ranking in just the 27th percentile in sacks per pass rush snap since 2022.
Even when facing true pass sets, which removes things like screens, play action, roll outs or quick throws, Enagbare has not had a sizable impact. These are situations which are supposed to be advantageous for defenders, but Enagbare only ranks in the 24th percentile in PFF's pass rush productivity metric (PRP) against true pass sets.
It is not like Enagbare should be worn out either, as he has been in the 23rd percentile in pass rush snaps per game compared to his positional peers.
He has also been one of the more penalized edge defenders in the league over the years, ranking in the 24th percentile from when he entered the league in penalties per snap.
Areas of growth
During his time in Green Bay, Enagbare has grown into one of the better down-to-down run defenders in the league from the edge.
His tackle rate has always been a strength, but it even improved in the last couple of years, with Enagbare ranking in the 93rd percentile league wide since 2024, compared to the 67th percentile in 2022 and 2023 combined.
But more than just getting the ball carrier down, Enagbare’s tackles have become more impactful over time. He hit a career high ranking in the 88th percentile in stop rate last season.
Enagbare’s average depth of tackle jumped from the 28th percentile between 2023 and 2024 to the 60th percentile in 2025.
Areas of regression
The former fifth-round pick has seen his role against the pass expand bit by bit throughout his time in Green Bay, averaging a ranking in the 20th percentile for pass rush snaps per game in 2022 and 2023, with this climbing to the 29th percentile in the last two years.
But as he has played more, Enagbare’s snap-to-snap production as a pass rusher has sharply declined. He was just below an average pass rusher on balance in his first two years but has fallen into the bottom third of the league since then.
Enagbare dropped from the 46th percentile in quarterback hurries per snap between 2022 and 2023 to the 29th percentile from 2024 to 2025. His ranking for hurries against true pass sets has dropped each year from the 57th percentile, to the 26th and eventually to just the 13th in 2025.
The story is similar with QB hits. Enagbare was all the way up at the 77th percentile in his first two years, but has been down in the 34th percentile since 2024. Against true pass sets, his average ranking dropped from the 65th percentile between 2022 and 2023 to the 16th since then.
Similarly, his standing in PFF's PRP metric has fallen from the 40th percentile to the 26th between his first two and last two seasons. His pass rush win rate ranking dropped from the 50th percentile to the 28th during that timeframe as well.
Overall
Enagbare is an example of a late-round draft pick well spent. As a former fifth rounder, he has contributed valuable snaps to the Packers defense, but the stats suggest it is probably time to let him go and allow another team to pay him.
He has never been even an average pass rusher compared to his positional peers, and is trending the wrong way. It is the opposite story for his run defense, but is that worth paying for?
A contract extension for Enagbare would be affordable, but every dollar matters for Green Bay right now, and his presence could mean it is more difficult for younger players with more upside to get on the field and develop.
£40m summer signing continues to shine for Liverpool
Kerkez Form Surges as Liverpool Reap Rewards of Summer Investment
Liverpool’s season under Arne Slot has often been discussed through tactical nuance, midfield balance and forward-line rotation, but quietly another narrative has been gathering pace. Milos Kerkez’s form has begun to justify both expectation and expense, offering fresh evidence that Liverpool’s £40 million investment in the Hungarian international was made with the long term in mind.
Against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup, Kerkez produced arguably his most complete display for Liverpool. As Dan Sheldon noted in his match analysis for The Athletic, watching Kerkez in that performance was “a reminder of why Liverpool paid £40million to sign him from Bournemouth last summer”. It was not simply about assists or overlaps; it was about composure, maturity and a growing understanding of Slot’s positional demands.
London, England, 4th January 2026. Milos Kerkez of Liverpool puts Timothy Castagne of Fulham under pressure during the Fulham vs Liverpool Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. Picture credit should read: Paul Terry / Sportimage EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. SPI_013_PT_Fulham_Liverpool SPI-4430-0013
Kerkez Form Improvement Sparks Tactical Confidence
Kerkez’s early months at Liverpool were uneven. There were rash tackles, mistimed presses and moments of indecision in defensive transition. That was not entirely surprising. Slot’s system, with its high defensive line and positional rotation, places unusual stress on full-backs, who must become both auxiliary midfielders and emergency centre-halves.
Recently, however, Kerkez has looked calmer and more deliberate. Against Brighton he combined defensive assurance with attacking ambition, repeatedly offering width while still tracking runners. His first-time cross for Curtis Jones’ goal demonstrated the decision-making that Liverpool’s staff believed he possessed.
In his past three matches, Kerkez has registered two assists, already exceeding his previous attacking return across his first 30 Liverpool appearances. That uptick matters because Liverpool’s system relies heavily on full-back creativity. Under Slot, full-backs often initiate overloads, and Kerkez’s improved timing has helped restore balance on the left flank.
Liverpool Recruitment Strategy Vindicated
Liverpool’s recruitment department, working under Slot’s guidance, viewed Kerkez as a developmental signing rather than a finished product. His performances at Bournemouth showed energy and aggression, but Liverpool wanted to refine those instincts into discipline.
The Athletic’s report highlighted how Kerkez looked “at his Bournemouth best… a steady presence in defence and a constant threat on the overlap”. That duality is precisely what Liverpool need. Andy Robertson, now into his thirties, cannot play every match, and Liverpool required succession planning without sacrificing intensity.
Kerkez’s improvement also fits Liverpool’s broader squad-building philosophy. Players such as Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones took time to establish themselves, but Slot has consistently emphasised patience. Kerkez appears to be following a similar trajectory.
Brighton Performance Signals Turning Point
Brighton, coached by Fabian Hürzeler, are not an easy opponent. Their positional play demands concentration, and their wide forwards test defensive awareness. Kerkez passed that examination.
He won key duels, kept his positioning tight and still found the composure to deliver quality in the final third. Sheldon’s observation that it may have been Kerkez’s best 45 minutes for Liverpool reflects not only a strong half but a sense of progression.
Liverpool’s analysts will have been pleased with his defensive numbers: fewer fouls conceded, improved recovery runs and smarter pressing triggers. For a side occasionally criticised this season for being “cut through” in midfield, reliable full-back positioning is crucial.
Slot System Demands Patience and Precision
Slot’s tactical blueprint is complex. Full-backs must tuck into midfield during build-up and sprint into wide channels during transition. Mistakes are inevitable early in adaptation.
Kerkez now looks more comfortable reading cues. He holds his line longer, commits later in tackles and chooses his moments to overlap. That growth suggests coaching staff confidence in his ability to anchor Liverpool’s left flank in coming seasons.
For Liverpool supporters and analysts alike, Kerkez’s form is a reminder that development rarely follows a straight line. His recent displays hint at a player ready to play a decisive role as Liverpool pursue trophies on multiple fronts, including a resurgent FA Cup run.
Kortrijk look set for immediate return to the Belgian Pro League alongside Beveren
Kortrijk made huge strides towards an immediate return to the Belgian Pro League this weekend. The side, who suffered relegation from the top flight last season, faced another side who joined them in going down last season in Beerschot. With the game tied at 0-0, Brian Plat scored an unfortunate own goal to gift Kortrijk all three points and open up a seven point gap between the sides.
Beveren are closing on in mathematically confirming their return to the top flight. The side are currently top of the table, unbeaten all season and enjoying a gap of 16 points to Beerschot. The side also have two games in hand on those below them.
Kortrijk will be hoping to join them and the seven points they have over Beerschot should be enough to guarantee their return. Not many sides have been able to bounce back immediately following relegation in recent years. There is a big disparity between the income clubs receive from the being in the Pro League compared to being in the Challenger Pro League. Many sides have to spend beyond their means, meaning an extended run in the second tier for those hoping to gain promotion can really impact club finances.
With Beveren almost certainly up, and Kortrijk looking set to join them, all eyes will now turn to see who will make the play-offs. Sides that finish between third and sixth face off in a traditional play off format. The winner of the final then faces that side that finish bottom of the Pro League this season. Rarely does the team from the second tier win this two legged affair, but Beerschot, Patro Eisden, Lommel and RFC Liege will be hoping they can do so.
Of the other teams hoping to make it, Eupen have the best chance. The side are in their second season in the Challenger Pro League following relegation from the top flight. However, they are currently six points behind RFC Liege in sixth, but do have a game in hand.
National team boss drops Real Madrid hint about Liverpool midfielder
Fresh comments from Hungary national team manager Marco Rossi have raised new questions about Dominik Szoboszlai’s long-term Liverpool future despite the midfielder scoring in our 3-0 FA Cup win over Brighton at Anfield.
The 25-year-old Hungarian captain produced another influential performance as Arne Slot’s side progressed, yet attention quickly shifted away from the pitch after remarks published by Marca about a long-standing ambition involving Real Madrid.
Rossi, speaking about the midfielder he has worked with since childhood, admitted: “He always had one dream: to play for Real Madrid.”
The Hungary coach did also acknowledge the present situation at Anfield and the reality of contracts, adding that any move would depend on both the player and Liverpool.
What Marco Rossi actually said about Szoboszlai
Image via @MLSZhivatalos on X
Rossi made clear that the statement was not a transfer announcement but rather an insight into a childhood aspiration.
He explained his close relationship with the Hungarian international and said Real Madrid had “always been his dream”, though he stressed there are no guarantees any transfer would ever happen.
Importantly for us, Rossi added he does not rule out the midfielder staying at Liverpool long term and even signing a new deal, highlighting how highly valued he is inside the club structure.
That context matters because this is admiration rather than active negotiations, but the timing inevitably creates noise given Szoboszlai’s importance to our current project under Slot.
Why Szoboszlai is vital to Liverpool right now
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
The debate feels uncomfortable because Szoboszlai has arguably been Liverpool’s most consistent performer this season.
His Brighton display again showed his influence (stats via Sofascore).
Those numbers underline how much he drives tempo, presses aggressively and contributes in both halves of the pitch.
That combination of elite work-rate and tactical flexibility is exactly why speculation appears whenever major European clubs are mentioned.
Rossi himself emphasised the present reality, noting the player is a key figure and leader at Liverpool and that remaining at Anfield is a very real possibility.
For now there is no suggestion of a concrete bid or talks, only a reminder that elite players often carry childhood ambitions alongside professional commitments, and in Szoboszlai’s case that dream happens to involve one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Zaragoza ready to replace Soule in Roma’s XI vs Napoli
On the eve of Napoli-Roma, the most debated topic around Trigoria is the presence of Matias Soulé.
The Argentine, struggling with groin pain, is doubtful for the big match at the Maradona stadium: Bryan Zaragoza is reportedly ready to start.
However, Gian Piero Gasperini has asked for more time and has not released the squad list for this match, allowing him to evaluate the number 18 until the final moments.
This is the only doubt regarding the lineup, according to Il Tempo.
Daniele Ghilardi is still ready to replace Mario Hermoso in defense, alongside Bryan Cristante, pending Manu Koné’s return next week. Niccolò Pisilli will be confirmed.
If Soulé isn’t able to start the match, Bryan Zaragoza will warm up. Lorenzo Pellegrini is ready to play behind Donyell Malen, and the Spaniard would be willing to adapt to the right side to get some playing time. Gasp spoke about the new arrival on the eve of the match.
Liverpool’s right-back solution speaks after 3-0 Brighton win
Liverpool’s FA Cup win over Brighton was convincing on the scoreboard, but the more interesting detail was how we got there, because Arne Slot’s latest right-back solution ended up setting the tone.
Curtis Jones opened the scoring in the 42nd minute and then spoke afterwards (via Liverpoolfc.com) about performance levels, adaptability, and why the squad believes it can still “kick on” in the second half of the campaign.
Jones summed up the night simply, with the midfielder stressing both ends of the pitch after a 3-0 victory and another clean sheet.
“I thought it was a good game. We scored three very good goals and a clean sheet as well, that’s all you can ask for.”
There was extra significance in Jones starting at right-back, given how thin we have been in that area this season, with injuries and enforced changes repeatedly disrupting any rhythm.
The selection was not entirely unexpected either, with Phil Thompson saying before kick-off that he would start Jones at right-back rather than risk Joe Gomez because of the current injury situation.
The Scouser’s response was very much in character.
“I say it all the time: I’m a footballer… if the manager needs me in the team and needs me to go and play as a centre-half, a full-back, a striker, I’ll go and do it and I’ll try my best.”
That attitude showed up in the numbers as well, with Sofascore rating Jones at 8.1 after a performance featuring defensive contributions alongside his goal.
Jones performance vs Brighton backed up by numbers
Jones did more than pop up in the box, because the defensive side of the job mattered against a Brighton team that had moments and chances.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the Sofascore output from the 3-0 win:
That blend is why Slot can get away with unusual solutions when the squad is stretched, and it helps explain why our head coach trusted Jones in a role that demands positioning discipline as much as it demands technical security.
Jones also spoke about how his own priorities have shifted towards consistency and influence, not just highlights.
“I just want to play well, I want to be in the team, I want to help the team as much as I can… The more times I can score – and I’ll try – the better.”
There was also a wider point about cohesion, with Jones insisting the group has not been as far away as the league narrative suggests.
“I think that we’ve clicked for a while… It has obviously taken time but I think the team has gelled and the important thing is that off the pitch there is a good bond there as well.”
That mention of Florian Wirtz finding his feet felt telling, because it was a reminder that integration takes time even when the talent is obvious.
The other encouraging part for us is the FA Cup now looks like a realistic route to silverware, and Jones did not hide the ambition.
“If you don’t win them… then there’s another two we can go and win… We’re obviously in the Champions League still and the FA Cup as well.”
With back-to-back clean sheets and a right-back performance that solved a problem rather than creating one, this felt like another step towards stability, even if the bigger tests are still to come.
AC Milan is challenging Arsenal for Real Madrid graduate
Arsenal have been monitoring Victor Valdepenas since his time in the Real Madrid youth teams, and his debut for the senior side strengthened the club’s belief that they had identified a player of genuine promise. The defender has been tipped to develop into a top performer and has continued to progress impressively at Madrid.
His steady improvement has not gone unnoticed, and he could leave at the end of this season as interest in his services grows. Arsenal are keen on a potential move as they look to strengthen their squad further and secure long-term defensive options. A transfer to the Emirates would reportedly appeal to the player, with Arsenal widely regarded as an attractive destination for emerging talent seeking to compete at the highest level.
Growing Interest Across Europe
Interest in Valdepenas is not limited to North London. According to Team Talk, AC Milan is also eager to add the defender to their ranks. The Italian side reportedly views him as one of the finest young players in the country and is prepared to challenge Arsenal in the race for his signature.
The prospect of competition from AC Milan could complicate matters for the Gunners, who will need to present a compelling sporting project to secure the deal. Both clubs are understood to be monitoring developments closely ahead of the summer transfer window.
Victor Valdepenas (Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Determination
Despite the growing competition, Arsenal are not expected to abandon their pursuit. The club remain determined to secure Valdepenas, even while recognising that AC Milan could ultimately prevail. The defender’s decision may hinge on the assurance of regular playing time.
Arsenal currently possess a settled and stable back four capable of competing for major honours this term, which may limit immediate opportunities. As a result, Valdepenas is likely to prioritise a club where he can feature consistently and continue his development at a senior level.
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“Marc Cucurella is hoping to return in 3-4 weeks having had a scan on his hamstring.
“As he has explained, Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior is generally cautious about putting time-frames on injuries to avoid putting pressure on players when going through their recovery.”
If the time frame is correct Cucurella is set to miss the next three league games against Burnley, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
What will Chelsea do with Spain international in the summer?
Whilst Cucurella is one of Chelsea’s most important players, the Blues face a big decision at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old will have two years left on his contract, and under this ownership that’s the point where a new deal is signed or the player is sold.
He signed improved terms last year, but the contract length remained the same, and it will be interesting to see what Chelsea decide to do this summer.
Chiellini urges Rocchi to step aside after ‘unacceptable’ Derby d’Italia error: “He wasn’t even at the stadium”
Juventus Director of Football Strategy Giorgio Chiellini suggested that AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi should take responsibility and vacate his post following the Derby d’Italia debacle.
In the lead-up to the showdown, many fans and observers voiced their concern over the appointment of Federico La Penna as the match official, arguing that the latter isn’t an adequate choice for one of the biggest fixtures in Italian football.
These concerns proved legitimate since La Penna ended up ruining the contest (as Luciano Spalletti bluntly told him to his face) by sending off Pierre Kalulu for a non-existent tug on Alessandro Bastoni, who clearly simulated.
Juventus impeded by the referee’s decision against Inter
This episode proved decisive, as despite Juve’s best efforts, Inter went on to claim the winthanks to Piotr Zielinski’s late winner.
Chiellini, alongside other Juventus top officials, vented at the referee during the interval. After the contest, the legendary defender spoke to the media alongside the club’s CEO Damien Comolli.
The 42-year-old insisted that these mistakes can no longer be tolerated at this level, while calling for a major reform.
“After what happened today, it becomes difficult to talk about football. Something unacceptable happened,” said Chiellini in his post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia via IlBianconero.
“The latest episode, since the start of the season, involving us. The VAR will probably change as well. It’s unacceptable to ruin a match like this; we’ve been saying from the outset that there isn’t an adequate standard for a game of this magnitude.
Manuel Locatelli (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“This is the spectacle we show to the world. Change is needed immediately, not the constant procrastination we see in Italian football.
“Since the beginning of the season, everyone has pointed out that there is no structure adequate for Serie A: recurring incidents week after week. We tried to be constructive, but it can’t go on like this. Every week, a different team is complaining.
“There isn’t an adequate level — it can’t continue like this. You can’t decide the Derby d’Italia with this kind of carelessness. You can’t talk about football after a match like this.”
Chiellini tells Gianluca Rocchi to quit his role
Chiellini then turned his attention to Rocchi, the former match official, who currently acts as the league’s referee designator.
“Rocchi? It’s obvious: there’s a group that isn’t working. Whoever has to take responsibility and say they’ll step aside should do so — we’ll see what happens.
“Today, he wasn’t even at the stadium for a match like this. We’ll see what happens in the future. The protocol has to change — tonight was proof of that — but there are other ways to avoid mistakes like these, rushed decisions like the one tonight.
“Daniele De Rossi spoke, then Gian Piero Gasperini, then Antonio Conte. Something clearly isn’t working in the protocol.
Chiellini was asked if the Derby d’Italia required a more competent referee than La Penna, and his answer, although diplomatic, was clear enough.
“Speaking now would be wrong — that’s not my decision. It’s disappointing: they’re young guys like us, but it’s evident that the level wasn’t adequate for a match like this.”
Caicedo does so much of the dirty work in midfield and covers a lot of ground which at times does go unnoticed.
Caicedo has once again impressed for Chelsea this season. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Whilst he might not be the biggest player, he certainly knows how to use his body to great effect, and Valencia claimed Caicedo is the strongest player in football when speaking to Benja Annun on Tiktok.
The former Premier League star was asked to pick the best player based on several different qualities, including speed and strength.
Caicedo has made 34 appearances this season, and has scored five goals so far this campaign, including a brilliant strike against Liverpool.
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Chelsea looking for new midfielder in the summer
Whilst Caicedo continues to impress, Chelsea are believed to be in the market for another midfielder this summer.
It’s been reported the Blues are looking to ease the burden on the 24-year-old and Enzo Fernandez, which hasn’t been possible this season due to injuries suffered by Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo.
It’s unclear if Chelsea are looking for a starting quality player or just better squad depth, but it will be interesting to see who the Blues decide to sign.
Report: Chelsea one of three Champions League clubs interested in 18 goal striker
Chelsea are among the clubs who remain keen on Brentford’s Igor Thiago despite the striker signing a new contract according to reports.
The Blues signed two strikers last summer in Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, whilst they have another arriving this summer in Emmanuel Emegha.
Pedro has impressed with ten league goals so far this campaign, but it’s been a struggle for Delap who’s managed just two goals in 24 appearances, with just one in the league.
Chelsea keen on Brentford striker Igor Thiago
Chelsea also have youngster Marc Guiu on their books, and despite the imminent arrival of Emegha the Blues are believed to be in the market for another attacker.
Thiago is reportedly attracting interest from Chelsea and Manchester City. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
However, TEAMtalk have reported the Blues are among the clubs interested in Thiago, along with Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
The report adds Thiago signed a new deal on Friday keeping him at Brentford until 2031, but that could be in order to protect the value of their asset.
Thiago has been in brilliant form this season with 17 league goals, second only to Erling Haaland, and it will be interesting to see if anyone makes a move for the Brazilian this summer.
Emegha scored 14 goals in Ligue 1 last season under Rosenior, and will add a different dimension to the Chelsea attack given his 6ft 5′ frame.
The Dutchman is expected to go straight into the first team squad and compete for minutes with the likes of Pedro and Delap, and it will be interesting to see what impact he makes next season.
Ally McCoist has his say on whether Arsenal can bottle the league title
Ally McCoist has expressed confidence that Arsenal will still secure the Premier League title this season, despite their recent setback. The Gunners were held to a draw by Brentford in a fixture many had expected them to win, particularly after Manchester City claimed victory in their own match the previous day.
Brentford proved formidable opponents on home soil, demonstrating why they have been so difficult to overcome. Nevertheless, any side with ambitions of lifting the league trophy must navigate challenging fixtures and respond positively to dropped points. Arsenal are aware of that reality and will be determined to regain momentum. However, some supporters have begun to voice concerns that the team could be entering a difficult spell, potentially allowing Manchester City to close the gap.
City’s Resurgence Raises Questions
Manchester City remain a significant threat to Arsenal’s aspirations. The reigning champions appear to be enjoying one of their strongest runs of form since the campaign began. Should they maintain a consistent winning streak, they could overtake Arsenal and reassert themselves in the title race.
Despite this, McCoist is unconvinced that City are currently performing at the level required to reclaim the crown. As quoted by Talk Sport, he said, “No, I don’t think they will.
“I mean, City, a couple of great results, particularly the one at Anfield. But I’m not sure City are playing that well.
“It was a brilliant result against Liverpool, of course it was but if you look at it, I actually think Liverpool played as well as they’ve played in a long time in the second half.
“The important thing, as we all know, is the three points and you’re right, City got them. I still think Arsenal will be okay.
“In the grand scheme of things, is a draw at Brentford, who are absolutely flying at the moment, a bad result? Not really.”
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Backing Arsenal to Prevail
McCoist’s assessment underlines his belief that Arsenal possess the resilience to withstand pressure. While the title race remains finely balanced, he maintains that the Gunners will ultimately emerge as champions when the season concludes.
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Portsmouth 0-1 Sheffield United: Brooks Wins it Late On For Blades
Sheffield United left it late to steal all three points against Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday afternoon.
While it was a back-and-forth game, it was starved of real quality until the 90th minute when substitute Tyrese Campbell latched onto a ball at the byline and he drilled a low ball into the six-yard box which found Andre Brooks at the far post who tapped home into an empty net.
It was the hosts who fashioned the first opportunity of the afternoon. Ebou Adams rose highest inside the penalty area but could only guide his header over the bar, setting the tone for a lively opening spell.
The Blades responded swiftly and almost broke the deadlock through Gustavo Hamer. The midfielder struck a low effort from a tight angle that beat the goalkeeper but cannoned off the outside of the post, much to the relief of the home support.
On 22 minutes, Michael Cooper was called into action. Millenic Alli drove at goal from a narrow angle, forcing the Blades’ stopper into a sharp save to preserve parity.
Moments later, Pompey thought they had taken the lead when Colby Bishop fired a low shot into the net. Celebrations were cut short, however, as the referee spotted a foul on Femi Seriki in the build-up and awarded Sheffield United a free-kick instead.
Portsmouth continued to probe before the interval, with Adrian Segecic and Zak Swanson both testing Cooper as the first half closed with the scores level.
Second Half
PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14: John Swift of Portsmouth looks to get past Kalvin Phillips of Sheffield United during the Sky Bet Championship match between Portsmouth and Sheffield United at Fratton Park on February 14, 2026 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
The home side came within a whisker of the opener six minutes after the restart. A cleverly worked corner routine saw Segecic drill a low pass to Swift on the edge of the area, and his curling strike drifted agonisingly wide of the post.
Sheffield United gradually began to find their rhythm. On 64 minutes, Hamer saw a long-range effort flash just wide, before substitute Sydie Peck delivered a teasing cross that found the head of Tyler Bindon, whose effort was comfortably held.
Brooks then sent another attempt off target following impressive build-up play from Harrison Burrows, as Chris Wilder’s men started to assert themselves.
Just when the contest appeared destined for a stalemate, the decisive moment arrived in the 90th minute. Tyrese Campbell showed determination to keep the ball alive on the left flank, squeezing a cross towards the back post. Arriving at precisely the right time, Andre Brooks applied the finishing touch to seal a hard-earned victory for the Blades and their first win at Fratton Park since 2003.
Slot says one player showed exactly what the team needed
Liverpool’s FA Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion saw Arne Slot praise Mo Salah’s overall contribution after the final whistle at Anfield, with the head coach focusing as much on the winger’s work-rate as his goal and assist.
Curtis Jones opened the scoring shortly before half-time, Dominik Szoboszlai doubled the lead after the break and Salah added a penalty to secure a 3-0 victory which sends us into the fifth round.
The Egyptian forward delivered one of his most complete displays of the season and Slot was keen to underline why.
Speaking in his post-match press conference via Liverpoolfc.com, the Dutchman said: “It’s very nice to have him on the scoresheet again and him having an assist.
“But I think what I like the most at the moment, that he’s scoring goals is something you can almost expect, but he also helps the team a lot defensively.
“That is something very positive – what the team also needs.”
Salah performance vs Brighton shows growing Liverpool intensity
Slot linked the display to a wider improvement in our team rhythm after a difficult early campaign period.
The Liverpool manager added: “More and more players are now capable of playing at this intensity level every three days. That is where we struggled a lot in the beginning of the season.”
That context matters because Salah’s contribution was not just attacking quality but physical output.
As per Sofascore, the Egyptian recorded an 8.6 match rating, scored once, provided an assist, created four chances and won a penalty while also completing 27 of 32 passes and winning six ground duels.
After the game, Salah himself spoke about Szoboszlai’s importance and described the Hungarian as one of the best players in the world, which reflects how our attacking players are increasingly functioning as a unit rather than individuals.
Arne Slot sees positive signs for Liverpool going forward
Slot believes recent performances show the squad is adapting physically and tactically to his demands.
He continued: “Now we’re able to do so, we see more and more the quality we have. That’s why I’ve said so many times already that the future looks really bright for this club with these players.”
Earlier in the season there had been discussion around Salah’s numbers compared with previous campaigns, with seven goals and eight assists in 27 appearances – he is respectable but not at his usual elite level.
However, his recent return of two goals and four assists in six matches suggests the forward’s output is rising again as the team stabilises.
Liverpool’s right-side threat also influenced the match tempo, with Brighton repeatedly forced backwards whenever Salah carried the ball, while he also tracked runners and pressed in defensive phases – a part of his game Slot clearly values.
The manager’s comments therefore were less about the penalty and more about the complete performance, signalling that for us the winger’s all-round impact may now be just as important as his finishing.
With back-to-back clean sheets and two consecutive victories following the Sunderland win, Slot’s side now appears to be building momentum at a key stage of the season.
“You ruined our game” – Spalletti lashes out on referee as chaos erupts in the tunnel – (Video)
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti raged at match official Federico La Penna, accusing him of ruining the team’s chances in the Derby d’Italia against Inter.
The Bianconeri were already hampered by misfortune, as the Nerazzurri took the lead from a fortuitous goal, as Michele Di Gregorio was wrongfooted by an Andrea Cambiaso deflection that gifted the Nerazzurri the lead.
Cambiaso himself restored parity later in the first half, but Pierre Kalulu was unfairly sent off for a second booking just before the interval, leaving Juventus with a man down.
Luciano Spalletti vented at Federico La Penna
Replays clearly show that the French defender hardly touched Alessandro Bastoni, who mischievously dived before wildly celebrating his opponent’s dismissal.
Since this was the 25-year-old’s second yellow card, the VAR could not intervene, so Juventus played with a man down for the remainder of the fixture, and ended up losing 2-3 following a valiant effort.
Following this episode, a circulating video on social media showed Spalletti and top Juventus officials lashing out at the referee, as shown by a circulating video on social media.
“You ruined the match for us,” the Juventus manager was heard saying after confronting La Penna in the tunnel.
Chiellini, Comolli & Modesto also got involved in heated Derby d’Italia spat
Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini also interfered: “You can’t do something like this, it doesn’t exist anywhere in the world.”
Even Juventus CEO Damien Comolli got involved. The Frenchman was heard shouting, “F***ing disgrace,” before being hauled off by Spalletti.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via IlBianconero), the incident also involved a heated spat between the Bianconeri and the Nerazzurri officials.
Marco Ottolini with Damien Comolli and Francois Modesto (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The main protagonists in this row were Inter’s first-team club manager Riccardo Ferri and Juventus technical director Francois Modesto.
All in all, it was another controversial Derby d’Italia that sent shockwaves throughout Italian football. We can expect the debate to rage for several days and weeks.
Francesco Pio Esposito is the latest young talent to enhance his reputation at Inter Milan, with the 20-year-old widely regarded as a player destined for the highest level. The striker has delivered consistently impressive performances over recent seasons, underlining his reliability and reinforcing the belief that he can thrive on bigger stages.
Arsenal have been closely monitoring several of the most promising forwards available, and Esposito is understood to be among those highly rated by the club’s recruitment team. His rapid rise within Italian football has attracted significant attention, and the Gunners are expected to continue tracking his progress as long as reports on his development remain positive.
Emerging Force in Italian Football
Esposito’s trajectory has been particularly notable given his exposure at the international level. He has already made his debut for the Italy national team, a milestone that reflects the esteem in which he is held. Should Italy qualify for the forthcoming World Cup, he could potentially play a leading role in their attacking line, further elevating his standing within the game.
His development at Inter Milan has been strengthened by the influence of Lautaro Martinez, whose mentorship is seen as a valuable asset in refining the younger striker’s tactical awareness and composure in front of goal. Working alongside an established forward has allowed Esposito to mature both technically and mentally.
(Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Long-Term Ambition
Arsenal’s continued progress on the pitch could strengthen their position in the transfer market. If they secure silverware this term, it may provide the platform to further enhance their squad with emerging stars capable of sustaining long-term success in English football.
According to Give Me Sport, Esposito is among the players under consideration as Arsenal look to build for the future. The report indicates that he is viewed as a high-calibre prospect with the attributes required to succeed at the highest level, making him a name to watch in the coming transfer windows.
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Sarri Insists Lazio Deserved More Against Atalanta, Has ‘Great Respect’ for Protesting Fans
Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri was pleased with the team’s performance against Atalanta, arguing that the final result doesn’t reflect the Aquile’s effort.
Lazio Suffer Defeat Against Atalanta
La Dea prevailed in the Italian capital thanks to two unanswered goals. Ederson broke the deadlock from a spot-kick, as Danilo Cataldi was unlucky to have the ball hit his arm from close range. Nicola Zalewski then made it 2-0, while Lazio were unfortunate on several occasions in front of goal, including two attempts from Kenneth Taylor and Petar Ratkov that hit the posts.
Maurizio Sarri Commended Lazio Performance vs Atalanta
In his post-match press conference (via Il Messaggero), Sarri insisted that Lazio were much better than the result suggested, while Atalanta were simply more clinical in front of goal.
The scoreline is misleading. We had 18 shots and, until a month ago, that would never have happened. We just lacked a bit of luck.
Even in the Coppa Italia against Juventus, Atalanta had three shots and won 3–0. But I watched my team play, create chances and concede very little. We can’t be disappointed: we played good football and showed belief right to the end.
Did Lazio Warrant a Spot-Kick Against Atalanta?
Sarri also argued that Lazio should have been given a penalty for the handball on Davide Zappacosta. The VAR decided that Nuno Tavares was in an offside position, but the head coach insists that Sead Kolasinac’s touch had started a new play.
The penalty at the start of the second half could have given us a lift; Kolasinac’s deflection wasn’t accidental, in my view he played Tavares back onside. But I’m pleased with the performance and the mentality.
Player Ratings: Lazio 0-2 Atalanta – Tenacious Taylor Not Enough for Sarri
Sarri on Nuno Tavares & Tijjani Noslin
The 67-year-old brought Tavares and Tijjani Noslin back to the starting lineup, but he urges them to improve their decision-making.
In terms of decision-making, they’re two players who sometimes get it wrong. They have strong qualities, which is probably why they’re here, but at times make questionable choices.
If Nuno were more rational, he’d be outstanding. But he played well. I really like it when he carries the ball inside, because these teams go man-to-man and losing possession centrally can be dangerous.
Sarri Sides with Lazio Fans
Sarri admitted that the Lazio supporters have a valid reason to protest against Claudio Lotito and the hierarchy, but he once again urged them to return to the Stadio Olimpico to offer their support to the players.
I think Marusic, on behalf of the team, has already asked the fans to be there for the Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta. It would mean the world to us. I see the protest as an act of love: if people came to the stadium out of habit alone, they wouldn’t make such decisions.
Our supporters don’t strike me as demanding victories at all costs — they just want us to be competitive. If the fans come back, the players are happy and I’m the happiest of all. I have great respect for the supporters’ choices.
Lazio’s Remaining Objectives
The defeat against Atalanta left Lazio nine points adrift from the Top Six, and the deficit could widen if Como earn a win over AC Milan on Wednesday. Nevertheless, Sarri still expects his men to give their all in the remaining league fixtures.
The Coppa Italia is all that’s left for us? No, The team will fight like this for the rest of the season. In this run-in we’ll see whether the team’s mentality can give us something for the future. We mustn’t give up.
The Lazio of the past month is something more. This week Lazio played three serious matches against Bologna, Juventus and Atalanta. If you can hold your own in games like that, it means you’re growing.
Mario Gila Set to Undergo Tests
Finally, Sarri ruled out playing Ratkov as a left winger, while confirming that Mario Gila will undergo medical tests after suffering a new knee problem.
I didn’t know the lad (Ratkov) before, but that’s fine. In my view, he’s a striker, though I’ve only known him for a short time.”
I don’t know yet (about Gila). He has knee pain without having taken a knock. We’ll investigate and see what the scans show.
As expected Liam Rosenior made a number of changes to the team, and Garnacho was named in the starting line-up.
The Argentine wasted a good chance in the first half, and whilst he didn’t register a goal contribution, he put in a better level of performance than he has been recently.
Garnacho has struggled for consistency this season. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
“I think Garnacho was the only one who didn’t quite shine tonight, but I think other than that, Liam Delap, we talked about he would have loved his goal, but three assists, a top night for him,” he told TNT Sports.
Garnacho has struggled for consistency since joining from Manchester United for £40m last summer, and has scored six goals in 29 appearances in all competitions.
Geovany Quenda arriving in the summer
Garnacho needs to pick his form up if he’s going to get more regular opportunities over the remainder of the season.
The competition for places is already fierce, and that’s set to increase in the summer with the arrival of Geovany Quenda from Sporting Lisbon.
Former middleweight champion Sean Strickland headlines Saturday's UFC Fight Night 267 fight card in Houston, Texas against No. 4 ranked Antony "Fluffy" Hernandez. It's a match that will either see a former titleholder stay in contention, or a rising star continue his ascension to the top of the division.
Former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has been in the octagon with Strickland for 25 minutes and emerged victorious. "Stillknocks" weighed in on this weekend's main event matchup and gave his prediction.
"I'm so excited for that fight. Hernandez is one of those guys that I saw come up. We actually were scheduled to fight and you know, circumstances with the fight, didn't happen. But I mean, as of late, and always, his fight style is just crazy. He just goes and goes and goes. HIs gas tank is crazy, especially with the way he fights," du Plessis told Fight Forecast.
"He strikes, he gets in there, he makes it ugly, and he just breaks his opponents. He just breaks them mentally and physically just with the pure pace," du Plessis continued. "And then you have Strickland, keeping that guy on the ground is, you know, I speak from experience, keeping that guy on the ground, it's another task. And then breaking him physically and mentally, that is not an easy task."
Considering the fighting styles of the two, du Plessis believes the fight will go the distance at Toyota Center on Saturday and hesitantly picked a winner.
"I don't see a finish in this fight. I can almost guarantee that this fight is not going to finish," predicted du Plessis. "You have two guys with great gas tanks. Strickland, he's tough. You're not just going to knock him out. I mean, you can. You can. Hernandez doesn't really have that power and that's not his style."
"This could go either way, but if I had to put money on it I'm probably going to go Strickland. I'm probably going to go with Strickland," he said.
Nebraska was able to beat the Northwestern Wildcats by a score of 68-49 on Saturday. The Huskers started slow but were able to storm back for the victory.
This was not exactly the cleanest game from Nebraska, but they still managed to get the job done. They had 18 turnovers but led at the half by 28-27 margin.
Nebraska stepped it up in the second half and outscored the Wildcats by a 40-22 margin. Pryce Sandfort led all scorers with 29 points. Rienk Mast led all rebounders with nine, as he continues to get healthy. Sam Hoiberg was the playmaker in this game, recording five assists.
It was the second win of the season against the Wildcats, and was an important victory as the program enters the back half of the schedule. Nebraska fans were excited about the victory on social media, and we picked some of the best reactions.
Nebraska hits the road to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes on Tuesday night. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT on the Big Ten Network.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
Who is François Letexier, the referee for the Benfica vs Real Madrid match?
François Letexier to officiate Benfica vs Real Madrid
François Letexier / @xx.com/ActuFoutreOff
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has appointed French referee François Letexier to take charge of the match between Benfica and Real Madrid, which serves as the first leg of the Champions League playoff round for a spot in the Round of 16.
The match will be played on Tuesday night at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, kicking off at 20:00 GMT.
This clash comes as part of the playoff phase after the Madrid side failed to secure direct qualification from the group stage, following a 4-2 defeat on the final day at the hands of the team managed by Portuguese coach José Mourinho.
Who is François Letexier?
François Letexier is a French international referee, born on April 23, 1989.
He has been a FIFA referee since 2017 and is part of UEFA's elite group of referees.
During the 2025-2026 season, he has officiated 20 matches across all competitions, both domestically and in Europe.
This season in the Champions League, he has refereed seven matches, including Atlético Madrid vs Inter Milan, Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal vs Olympiakos, and Liverpool vs Eintracht Frankfurt.
In terms of discipline, the French official has handed out 88 yellow cards, averaging 4.4 bookings per match, along with six red cards.
He has also whistled for 461 fouls, averaging around 23 fouls per game.
Letexier's track record with Real Madrid
Letexier has already overseen five Real Madrid matches in the Champions League, with the following results:
Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal (2024-2025 quarter-final, second leg)
Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid (Matchday 5, 2024-2025 league phase)
Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City (2023-2024 quarter-final, first leg)
Real Madrid 4-2 Napoli (Matchday 5, 2023-2024 group stage)
Serie A: Udinese vs. Sassuolo – Confirmed line-ups and updates
Nicolo Zaniolo is called back into the Udinese starting line-up to face an almost unchanged Sassuolo side in Serie A, as both teams look to bounce back after disappointing defeats in the league last weekend.
Both sides are hoping to bounce back after defeats in the league last weekend. Udinese were defeated 2-1 away against Lecce, while Sassuolo were on the receiving end of a 5-0 thrashing by runaway league leaders, Inter.
Those results leave Udinese sitting in ninth place on 32 points ahead of kick-off, while Sassuolo with two positions below them in the table on 29 points.
LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Oumar Solet of Udinese Calcio scores his team’s equalizing goal with penalty during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Via del Mare on February 08, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Pre-match reports claim that Kosta Runjaic has gone with a change of shape on Sunday, swapping to a 4-4-2 in stead of the 3-4-2-1 system he used last weekend. Zaniolo is back in the starting XI and is selected to lead the attack alongside Vakoun Bayo.
Despite the 5-0 hammering by Inter last weekend, Fabio Grosso has opted to make just one change his Neroverdi starting line-up. That is an enforced change as well, as Nemanja Matic is suspended and is replaced by Luca Lipani in midfield.
Kick-off is due at 11.30 GMT.
Udinese vs. Sassuolo: Confirmed line-ups
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Fabio Grosso, Head Coach of Sassuolo, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus – Italian Media Claim Poland Star’s Goal ‘Could Be The Poster For The Scudetto’ In Dramatic Victory
Italian media hail Piotr Zielinski as the hero of Inter Milan’s dramatic 3-2 win over Juventus FC, claiming his decisive strike “could become the poster for the Scudetto.”
As La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote, via FCInterNews, in “a match no one will forget,” the Polish midfielder carved out his own chapter in Derby d’Italia history.
His low, skidding left-footed effort from distance secured three priceless points for Inter Milan in a crucial title showdown.
The newspaper described the goal as a “razor shot across the grass” that delivered “solid gold” points and finally gave Inter a statement victory in a direct clash.
Inter 3-2 Juventus – Zielinski Goal Boosts Inter Scudetto Credentials
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 26: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale looks on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Internazionale Milano and RB Leipzig at Stadio San Siro on November 26, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The result also pushed back city rivals AC Milan in the Scudetto race.
According to the Rome-based daily, Zielinski’s strike may define Inter’s season.
It could become the Nerazzurri’s “Scudetto postcard” if the title race ends in their favor.
The goal also carried personal significance.
After an injury-hit and underwhelming first season under Simone Inzaghi, Zielinski has flourished this campaign under Cristian Chivu.
This season, he has shown versatility and confidence, operating as both mezzala and playmaker.
On Sunday, he returned to a more advanced interior role following the introduction of Hakan Çalhanoğlu. From there, he unleashed what many are calling the goal of the season.
Now fully established in his preferred role, Zielinski looks set to remain central to Inter’s push for the Scudetto.
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus – Nerazzurri Coach Defends Under-Fire Italy Defender After Controversial Decision In Derby Victory
Cristian Chivu leapt to the defence of Alessandro Bastoni after controversy surrounded Inter’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Juventus at San Siro.
Speaking to DAZN after the final whistle, via FCInterNews, the Inter coach first reflected on what he described as a psychological hurdle his team had to overcome.
“I’m thinking about my players and the mental block that was present in this match,” Chivu began.
“Maybe the two years without winning a direct clash against Milan, Juve or Napoli weighed on us. Today I saw a blocked team, but one that then showed heart and quality to take it home. We should have managed it better at 2-1 and in the second half, but I’ll take the positives because today it was important to win.”
Chivu also addressed the incident involving Pierre Kalulu.
“For me it’s a light touch,” he explained.
“But at the same time, I say that a player who is already booked must avoid gestures that can put the referee in difficulty. I experienced this with my own team against Liverpool when we conceded a half-penalty situation, I was angry with my defender. The same principle applies here. Kalulu, knowing he was on a yellow, could have avoided putting his hand on our player.”
Inter 3-2 Juventus – Chivu Defends Bastoni
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Alessandro Bastoni of Internazionale looks on during the warm up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Despite the debate, Chivu insisted the result should not alter Inter’s long-term focus.
“What boost can this give us? Zero percent, as I said after Sassuolo. There are still 13 matches left and the league is long.”
Chivu then firmly defended Bastoni, who faced criticism following the controversial decision.
“He’s a national team player. You can’t question whether he felt the punch on his arm or chest. It’s a light touch, but I teach my players not to put the referee in a position to make decisions.”
He continued: “Ale felt the blow. He was about to launch a counterattack and something important could have developed. Now people are questioning a player who doesn’t dive.
“I’ve seen many situations in this league where players fall without being touched. He felt the hit, and it prevented him from going into transition.”
For Chivu, the debate should not overshadow the broader picture.
Inter broke a negative streak in direct clashes.
They showed resilience under pressure, and demonstrated renewed belief in decisive moments.
Whether this derby marks a genuine turning point will depend on the coming weeks.
However, the coach made one thing clear: his trust in Bastoni, and in his team’s character, remains absolute.
Feb 14, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats center Malachi Moreno (24) dunks the ball over Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) during the second half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
The Kentucky Wildcats fell on the road to the Florida Gators by a final score of 92-83. In a game of runs, the Cats found themselves down 15 at one point, and cut it to two early in the second half. The Gators’ big men gave the Wildcats some problems, but Mark Pope’s team held strong, especially Malachi Moreno.
Playing against arguably the best frontcourt in America — Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, and Rueben Chinyelu — Moreno really held his own in the paint. The Kentucky native finished up Saturday’s game with a hard-fought double-double: 11 points, 11 rebounds, and a perfect 3-3 from the charity stripe for Moreno.
Playing just 21 minutes due to foul trouble, Moreno really showed out against a group of NBA-level big men. Moreno and the Wildcats’ big men kept Condon, Haugh, and Chinyelu in check for the most part on Saturday, despite being -8 in the rebounding margin.
Moreno recorded his third double-double of the season and has been a major bright spot for the Wildcats this season. Playing a major role and contributing heavily, Moreno has been popping up all over draft boards due to his knack for rebounds and fundamental play.
The Wildcats fall to 17-8 on the season and currently 8-4 in SEC play. They’ll be back in action on Tuesday night against the Georgia Bulldogs. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus – Media Praise Italy Youngster For ‘First Great Goal’ In Derby D’Italia Victory
Italian media praised Francesco Pio Esposito after Inter Milan’s dramatic 3-2 win over Juventus FC, describing his strike as the “first great goal” of his career.
La Gazzetta dello Sport rated Inter Milan 6.5, noting that it was not their best performance of the season.
The paper described the Nerazzurri as tense and overly elaborate early on. However, it stressed that winning such a direct clash could reshape the title race.
The Swiss shot-stopper made several key saves and redeemed himself after a poor display in the reverse fixture. According to the report, he could do little about the goals conceded but handled everything else confidently.
Inter 3-2 Juventus – Zielinski MVP As Pio Esposito Scores ‘First Great Goal’
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale is challenged by Jurgen Ekkelenkamp of Udinese Calcio during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Match-winner Piotr Zieliński also earned a 7 along with the MVP award.
Esposito matched that rating after gifting himself what the paper called his first “big” goal at senior level.
Federico Dimarco received a 6.5.
Though less explosive in the first half, he still delivered his 14th assist of the season. Hakan Çalhanoğlu earned the same score after returning from injury and threatening from distance.
Among the starters, Manuel Akanji, Yann Bisseck, Petar Sučić, and Marcus Thuram secured passing marks. Substitutes Carlos Augusto, Moussa Diouf, and Ange-Yoan Bonny did the same.
Captain Lautaro Martínez disappointed and received a 5, with the paper calling him a shadow of his usual self against Juventus.
Luis Henrique also earned a 5 despite scoring the opener, which the report attributed partly to luck. Nicolò Barella managed a 5.5 on his return from injury.
The paper criticized his early booking and his role in the controversial red card shown to Pierre Kalulu, noting that he was substituted at halftime to avoid further risks.
Serie A: Napoli vs. Roma – Probable line-ups and where to watch on TV
Napoli are without Scott McTominay, while Roma will have to do without Paulo Dybala for Sunday’s Serie A clash between the sides, which could have major implications on the race for the Champions League positions.
Napoli sit in third place in the Serie A table ahead of kick-off, three points in front of the fifth-placed Roma.
Napoli, hosting this evening at the Stadio Maradona, have won their last two matches in Serie A, but have more recently been eliminated from the Coppa Italia after a 1-1 draw against Como in the quarter-finals, resulting in a 7-6 defeat on penalties.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Antonio Vergara of SSC Napoli celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal 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)
McTominay misses out on Sunday with a tendon issue. Antonio Conte is also without Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour in midfield, so Eljif Elmas is expected to keep his place alongside Stanislav Lobotka.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Eljif Elmas of Napoli (right) sprays his teammate Scott McTominay’s right ankle during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Juan Jesus is suspended, which means that Sam Beukema is expected to return to the back three alongside Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno.
David Neres and Giovanni Di Lorenzo are also unavailable through injury.
Roma, meanwhile, are likely to be without Dybala and Matias Soule remains a doubt as well. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Donyell Malen are expected to keep their places in the Giallorossi attack.
Gian Piero Gasperini is also without key players in Manu Kone, Mario Hermoso, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Robinio Vaz and Stephan El Shaarawy.
Kick-off is due at 19.45 GMT.
Napoli vs. Roma: Probable line-ups
UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Donyell Malen of Roma during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on February 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Tonight’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and online through DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+. The game will be shown on DAZN in Italy.
Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Kalulu red card could lead to major VAR rule change in time for 2026 World Cup
Reports in Italy suggest that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will move to change a major VAR rule in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America following the controversial scenes during Saturday evening’s Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus.
Could VAR rules change after Inter 3-2 Juventus controversy?
Inter claimed a 3-2 victory in the derby thanks to an own goal from Andrea Cambiaso and individual efforts from Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski, but their victory has been somewhat overshadowed by the refereeing controversy that led to the first-half sending off of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu.
Kalulu was sent off in the 42nd minute for two bookable offences. There have been suggestions that his original yellow, for a foul on Nicolo Barella, was slightly harsh, but the second has been deemed ‘non-existent’ and ‘absurd’ by newspapers in Italy on Sunday.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being sent off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
That is because Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni was deemed to have dived in an attempt to get Kalulu sent off. Referee Federico La Penna did not hesitate in his decision to show Kalulu his second yellow, and as this was not a straight red card incident, VAR could not intervene.
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the IFAB, the body responsible for managing and updating the laws of the game, will review whether or not VAR should be allowed to intervene on second yellow card offences at its next annual assembly.
FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 4: Federico La Penna referee reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and US Cremonese at Artemio Franchi on January 4, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
This is a topic that was already raised during a recent IFAB meeting on January 20, and will be reviewed at the annual assembly in Cardiff, Wales on February 28.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the signals indicate towards IFAB voting in favour of allowing VAR to intervene on second yellow card offences, and that this new change in rules could come into effect in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Newspapers give damning verdict on La Penna after Inter 3-2 Juventus controversy
Newspapers in Italy have not looked too kindly on referee Federico La Penna, who was at the centre of controversy after sending off Pierre Kalulu for a questionable second bookable offence during the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus on Sunday night.
An own goal from Andrea Cambiaso plus individual efforts from Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski gave the Nerazzurri all three points in an eventual 3-2 victory in San Siro on Saturday evening, despite Bianconeri goals from Cambiaso and Manuel Locatelli.
The biggest talking point of the game, however, was La Penna’s decision to show a second yellow card to Kalulu for a supposed foul on Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being sent off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Kalulu had already been shown a soft yellow card in the first half, and was then sent off in controversial circumstances after it became clear that Bastoni had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. Juventus were then made to play the entirety of the second half with 10 men.
As Kalulu was dismissed for two yellow card offences, VAR was not able to intervene despite La Penna’s error.
How Italian media reacted to Kalulu sending off in Inter 3-2 Juventus
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
La Gazzetta dello Sport gave referee La Penna a rating of 4/10 immediately after full-time. The Pink Paper also highlighted the pressing need to review VAR protocols and allow the video assistants to step in for second yellow card offences, not just for incidents surrounding straight reds.
Corriere dello Sport rated La Penna at 4.5/10, noting that had VAR been able to intervene on the Kalulu-Bastoni incident, the referee would have been ‘saved’. They also pointed to the fact that Bastoni was also on a yellow card at the time of the incident, which could have led to his own dismissal.
Unsurprisingly, Turin-based outlet Tuttosport have taken an even harsher stance on the matter, rating La Penna’s performance at 3/10. They write that the Kalulu sending off should not have required assistance from VAR had an ‘attentive’ referee been on the pitch.
Prior to joining Olympique Lyonnais in the summer, Tyler Morton played a part in England U21s triumph at the Euro. The Liverpool academy product came off the bench as England lifted the trophy and then swiftly completed a move to the Groupama Stadium, where he has kicked on.
Morton found game time hard to come by at Anfield, but since completing a move to OL, he has been a centrepiece of Paulo Fonseca’s side. The midfielder has already played 29 games this season and has received plaudits for his performances.
Morton inspired by Scott’s call-up
He is part of a high-flying Lyon side that currently sit on the podium and who are therefore in contention to secure UEFA Champions League football for next season, whilst this season, the UEFA Europa League title is a realistic objective, given that they finished top of the standings in the ‘League Phase’.
And Morton has now revealed another objective. “A place in the England squad for the World Cup? It isn’t something that I’m obsessing about on a daily basis, but it is an objective to play for my country. With the U21 side, we won the Euros and it was incredible, so to play for the first team would be incredible,” said Morton in a press conference this week.
He added, “I am thinking about the present, and I know that if I’m focused on playing at my best level, it will come. Alex Scott is a player with whom I was close, and seeing him called up gives me a lot of confidence going forward. It would be incredible for my family and me if it happened. But for that, I have to continue to work and improve.”
Barcelona receive major injury boost as star attacker cleared to play vs Girona
Barcelona are desperately looking to return to winning ways as they take on Girona on Monday, failing which could see them relinquish top spot in the league table.
The Catalans are already second in the league table following Real Madrid’s win over Real Sociedad on Saturday. Securing all three points on Monday, therefore, could be paramount.
Barcelona are heading into this game on the back of a 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, a game that saw the absence of talismanic Brazilian Raphinha.
But as Barcelona approach the Catalan derby on Monday, the club have been handed a major relief.
Raphinha cleared to play vs Girona
According to Diario SPORT, Raphinha should receive the medical clearance to play against Girona on Monday after making big strides in recent training sessions.
Yesterday, the Brazilian resumed training with the group for the third consecutive session and did not show any signs of weakness, in terms of fitness or fatigue.
Raphinha’s return will be a major boost for Barcelona. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
This will come as a relief for Barcelona, having missed out on Raphinha’s services for the past few matches owing to a hamstring injury.
Raphinha’s absence has already impacted Barcelona heavily this season, and the club would ideally like to have the former Leeds United star back in action as soon as possible.
Although Raphinha is likely to be a part of the squad for the Girona match, it remains unclear whether or not he will be able to start on Monday.
Barcelona, after all, might want to take some precaution, knowing the Brazilian will have ample time to recover in time for the next league game against Levante, which is scheduled for Sunday.
Video: Spalletti and Comolli angrily confront referee in tunnel after Inter 3-2 Juventus
Luciano Spalletti and Juventus CEO Damien Comolli were seen furiously arguing with referee Federico La Penna in the tunnel after the controversial sending off of Pierre Kalulu during Saturday night’s Derby d’Italia.
The table-topping Inter claimed all three points in a controversial derby in San Siro thanks to an own goal from Andrea Cambiaso and individual efforts from Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski, the latter in the 90th minute. Cambiaso and Manuel Locatelli provided the goals for the Bianconeri.
However, some newspapers in Italy have claimed that the derby was ‘ruined’ after referee La Penna took the decision to send off Kalulu for a second bookable offence in the 42nd minute.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Pierre Kalulu of Juventus reacts as he walks off after being sent off by Referee Federico La Penna (not pictured) for a second yellow card offence during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Juventus felt that the first yellow card shown to the Frenchman was soft, and that the second was ‘absurd’, after replays showed that Alessandro Bastoni had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. As this incident was ‘only’ a yellow card offence, VAR could not intervene.
Bianconeri chiefs have already come out with a strong condemnation of the decision to send off Kalulu, claiming the decision was “unacceptable and embarrassing.”
Spalletti and Comolli go crazy at referee after Inter 3-2 Juventus
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Video footage has since emerged online of the Juventus delegation’s immediate post-match reaction. Juve head coach Spalletti and CEO Comolli were seen furiously arguing with referee La Penna as he tried to make his way down the San Siro tunnel.
At one point, Spalletti can be seen shoving Comolli away from the incident, and goalkeeper Mattia Perin attempting to hold back his head coach.
Spalletti, Comolli e Chiellini infuriati (a fine primo tempo) all’ingresso del tunnel contro La Penna 🔥😱
Inter 3-2 Juventus: Three things you didn’t see on TV
Juventus’ second-choice goalkeeper Mattia Perin confronted Cristian Chivu’s assistant, Aleksandar Kolarov, at full-time last night, while Inter star Nicolò Barella rushed onto the pitch to celebrate with his teammates.
Juventus’ complaints over Pierre Kalulu’s red dominate media coverage the morning after, and Football Italia takes you back to the Stadio Meazza with three details you may have missed on TV. We were among the accredited press at San Siro last night: here’s what didn’t make it onto your screen.
Juventus’ protests
Referee Federico La Penna didn’t have his best night as he showed two debatable yellow cards to Kalulu in the opening 45 minutes. The second one, and the resulting red card, was given just minutes before the break, so tempers flared as the teams headed down the tunnel to the dressing rooms for the half-time break. Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli continued to protest to La Penna while walking towards the tunnel as coach Spalletti waited on the sidelines. The Italian tactician warmly hugged Inter captain Lautaro Martinez as the Argentine left the field and then walked down the stairs just in front of La Penna, while Bianconeri directors Damien Comolli and Giorgio Chiellini waited for the match official inside the tunnel to voice their discontent.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus is challenged by Yann Aurel Bisseck of FC Internazionale Milano during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Support for Di Gregorio
Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso experienced a rollercoaster first half, finding the net at both ends. His own goal handed Inter the advantage, though the ball also slipped in after a delayed reaction from Bianconeri keeper Michele Di Gregorio.
Moments after drawing Juventus level, Di Gregorio was applauded afar by third-choice keeper Carlo Pinsoglio, who stepped out of the technical area on the touchline to wave his encouragement as the Bianconeri fought their way back into the contest.
Tension at full-time
As soon as the referee blew the final whistle, Inter star Barella rushed onto the pitch to celebrate with his teammates. The Italy international had been subbed off earlier in the second half. Barella ran onto the pitch with a leap and a spin, twirling around himself. Inevitably, tension skyrocketed on the other side. As soon as the referee signalled full-time, Juventus’ Mattia Perin walked towards the Inter bench to confront some members of the Nerazzurri’s staff, especially Kolarov, Chivu’s assistant and a former Nerazzurri and Roma defender. The confrontation didn’t last long as the pair quickly cleared the air. The Old Lady’s protests continued in the dressing room with directors Comolli and Chiellini urging referee designator Gianluca Rocchi to resign.
Today’s Papers: Inter beat Juventus in Derby d’Italia, referee trouble, absurd red
La Gazzetta dello Sport
Inter break through, Juventus fury
Nerazzurri at +8 over Milan, but Kalulu’s red card was an error
Referee La Penna makes a mistake at 1-1: A non-existent second yellow to the Bianconeri defender. Zielinski scored the winner for 3-2 in the 90th minute. Chiellini and Coolli: ‘Embarrassing’. Chivu: ‘Should keep their hands to themselves’
Atalanta push for Europe, Fiorentina victory in Como
Serie A: 25th round
Hojlund-Malen (and not only). The calls for the Champions League
Napoli-Roma at 19.45
Corriere dello Sport
The damage
Kalulu, absurd red. Inter beat Juve. Comolli: ‘Injustice’
Derby ruined
La Penna blunder: Chivu wins 3-2 in the 90th minute. Spalletti and Chiellini, what a fight with the referee
Own goal and equaliser from Cambiaso. Bastoni dive and a second yellow to the Frenchman: VAR could not intervene. Esposito and Locateli score. Zielinski decides it. Eight-point lead over Milan
Bove returns to the pitch after 440 days: ‘Indescribable feeling’
Lazio stopped by the pole
Empty Olimpico: La Dea win 2-0
Taylor and Ratkov hit the woodwork. Penalty from Ederson. Goal from Zielinski. Revenge in the Cup
Conte-Gasp uphill battle
Fighting without McTominay and Dybala (19.45)
Scott doesn’t recover: Inflammation of the tendon. But, the agent is meeting with Napoli over a renewal. Paulo still out, Roma entrust Malen
Fagioli and Kean freeze Fabregas
Viola victory: 2-1 in Como
Tuttosport
It’s easy like that!
3-2
Inter beat Juve through Zielinski in the 90th, but the sending off of Kalulu in the 42nd, while at 1-1, distorts the game. Bastoni simulates a non-existent foul which results in a second yellow card from the inadequate La Penna: VAR could not intervene. What a tear-up in the tunnel: Spalletti. Chiellini and Comolli target the referee. ‘Unacceptable, the umpteenth injustice against us: We can’t talk about football’.
Supporters still out for the love of Toro
Bologna and protests at 17.00
Protests against Cairo’s management continue: The stadium remains half empty. Baroni: ‘I understand it’s passion. The first step is up to us’
The Georgia Bulldogs have 10 players invited to the 2026 NFL combine. Two Georgia transfers are also invited to the predraft event.
Former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who led the Miami Hurricanes to the national championship, is invited to the combine, as expected. Beck is a mid-round quarterback prospect with six years of college experience that could help ease his transition to the NFL game.
Beck's 2025 season featured a magical College Football Playoff run that included a game-winning rushing touchdown against the Ole Miss Rebels in the semifinals. Beck's season ended in heartbreak with an interception in the nation championship.
Beck finished the 2025 season with 3,813 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He showed good mobility in the playoff, but will need to clean up some of the interceptions to succeed in the NFL.
In addition to Beck, Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Xavian Sorey also received a combine invitation. Sorey projects as a late-round linebacker prospect and had some productive years at Arkansas after starting his career at UGA.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker has good measurables and speed. Sorey was part of an Arkansas defense that really struggled in 2025, but he still has NFL draft hopes. As a senior, Sorey posted 81 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, three pass deflections, a forced fumble and an interception for the Razorbacks.
Sorey will look to join his former Georgia teammate, linebacker CJ Allen, in being drafted. Part of the reason why Sorey transferred was because of Allen's strong freshman season in 2023.
Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more college football coverage!
Jeremiah Azu (left) registered a season's best whilst Abigail Pawlett marked a personal best with their victories in Birmingham [Getty Images]
Wales pair Jeremiah Azu and Abigail Pawlett retained their titles British indoor athletics titles in Birmingham.
Azu, 24, defended the 60m title he won in 2024 with a season's best time of 6.56 seconds.
The European and World indoor champion was typically quick out of the blocks to put daylight between himself and the rest of the pack.
The Welshman staved off competition from Romell Galve, who took silver with 6.62 and Jody Smith who finished with bronze at 6.63.
Despite his victory, Azu described it as a "dress rehearsal" for next month's World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, where he will be hoping to retain another title.
He said: "It is never easy to defend these titles and not something I take for granted.
"I will be going to world indoors to go and defend my title. This was a dress rehearsal. I actually wanted to run quicker, well I always want to run quicker.
"The emotions of running in competition always have an impact. Training can't do that. So, getting through this today gives me confidence going into world indoors."
Pawlett rounded up an impressive day in the midlands by defending her 60m hurdles title with a time of 8.05secs.
The 23-year-old beat her personal best twice and saved the best till last with a commanding run.
Having been the stand-out performer through the qualifying rounds, including setting a personal best of 8.06 in the semi-finals, Pawlett went one hundreths of a second better in the final to retain the title she first won in 2025.
In the pole vault, Wrexham's Thomas Walley won bronze with a best mark of 5.25m, going over at the third attempt.
The Team Canada men’s hockey team entered the 2026 Winter Olympics as favorites to win gold, coming in slightly ahead of rival Team USA in the eyes of the oddsmakers.
Team Canada is loaded with talent, thanks to the return of NHL players for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games, 12 years ago.
Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby has been named captain for Team Canada, and he will have a lot of support.
Crosby is joined by the likes of Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid, who is Team Canada’s alternate captain, and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche.
Feb 13, 2026; Milan, Italy; Connor McDavid of Canada celebrates after scoring their first goal against Switzerland in men’s ice hockey group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Canada is competing in Group A, alongside the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and France.
Who is wearing the Canadian sweater in the Milan-Cortina Games?
A full look at the Team Canada roster can be seen below.
Feb 13, 2026; Milan, Italy; Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson of Canada celebrate after the match against Switzerland in men’s ice hockey group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marton Monus/Reuters via Imagn Images
FORWARDS (14)
9 – Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers* 17 – Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks 87 – Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins (C) 38 – Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning 14 – Bo Horvat, New York Islanders 24 – Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes** 29 – Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche 63 – Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers 93 – Mitch Marner, Vegas Golden Knights 97 – Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers (A) 13 – Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers 61 – Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights 10 – Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens 43 – Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals
DEFENSEMEN (8)
89 – Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings 20 – Thomas Harley, Dallas Stars 8 – Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche (A) 44 – Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets 55 – Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues 6 – Travis Sanheim, Philadelphia Flyers 27 – Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights 7 – Devon Toews, Colorado Avalanche
GOALIES (3)
50 – Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues 35 – Darcy Kuemper, Los Angeles Kings 48 – Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals
* injury replacement for Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning; ** injury replacement for Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning
Q: If everyone is healthy, will Kel’el Ware start when the Heat get back to playing? – Steve.
A: Everyone healthy? At this point, that still seems like an abstract. But, OK, I’ll bite. I’d likely lean toward not, simply because when the Heat have been closer to whole in the weeks before the All-Star break, the choices to start ahead of Kel’el Ware have been Pelle Larsson, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell. So if you’re talking about having Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Davion Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins, I’m not sure that Kel’el would slip in as an alternative fifth factor, considering that five doesn’t also include Pelle Larsson. Then again, we still don’t know where things stand with Tyler.
Q: Ira, thoughts on Norman Powell missing two games and then going to All-Star Weekend? – Dell.
A: Considering all the games that Norman Powell was listed on the Heat injury report and then played through, he assuredly has earned any benefit of the doubt. He only lasted one round in Saturday’s 3-point contest and it’s not as if he is going to be overworked during the All-Star competition. As long as he is good to go on Friday in Atlanta, no issue here.
Q: Ira, while we’re on the topic of contracts, are we taken care of with Pelle Larsson? Suddenly, he’s one of our most valuable players. – Len.
A: This is one of the advantages of having second-round picks, is being able to seize long-term control with minimum risk at the outset. With Pelle Larsson it meant a three-year deal when signed after going in the 2024 second round out of Arizona that includes next season as a team option, then to become a restricted free agent in the 2027 offseason if not extended. So amid all the uncertainty with potential extensions of Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, the Heat are at least converted with Pelle.
Ligue 1: Endrick named player of the month for January
First individual trophy for Endrick with OL in Ligue 1
Ligue 1: Endrick named player of the month for January
It's official! Endrick has been named Ligue 1 Player of the Month.
The battle between OL and OM isn't just about the fight for the podium in the league. It also played out in the UNFP Player of the Month awards for December and January. Endrick went head-to-head with England's Mason Greenwood (OM) and his own teammate Pavel Šulc (OL). This direct duel between Lyon and Marseille ultimately tipped in favor of the Real Madrid player.
Kalyani: The J&K team has created a stir this time by making their maiden Ranji Trophy semifinal, in which they will play Bengal at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani from Sunday.
They have already established their credentials by defeating former champions Rajasthan, Delhi, Hyderabad in group stage and Madhya Pradesh in the quarters.
Led by veteran Paras Dogra, J&K will look to lift their first domestic title while Bengal will be in hot pursuit of their third crown after ending up as runners-up twice in the last five seasons.
Both the unbeaten sides look well balanced and in good rhythm. “There’s little difference between the sides which make this stage (semis),” Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla stated.
On a lively Kalyani track, the teams are expected to bank on their speed guns. While Bengal possess arguably the country’s best pace attack in Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, all eyes will be on J&K’s Auqib Nabi who played a leading role in dismantling MP with a match haul of 12 for 110.
The in-form pacer from Baramulla, who has the ability to move the ball both ways, has already taken 46 wickets in this Ranji taking his tally to 97 first-class wickets since the start of the 2024-25 Ranji season. “I feel if there are good bowlers on either side, then it’s the team which bats better holds the edge,” Bengal skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran said.
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh expressed strong admiration for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs during a recent appearance on the Mike Francesa Podcast, signaling the top prospect could be a prime target with the team's No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Harbaugh, known for his success developing elite safeties like Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore, said he was a "big fan" of Downs when asked about the possibility of selecting the highly regarded defender.
"Big fan," he said. "We favor Hall of Fame safeties. So, if we have a chance to draft a potential future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me."
Harbaugh cautioned that take by suggesting the Giants will take the best player available at No. 5, but that may work out perfectly if Downs is still available.
"We'll take the best player. You know, when you draft that high, you take the best player. It's not a need pick. It's the best player pick because you're going for the guy that's going to be that kind of player," Harbaugh said. "You're talking about a guy that you would like to see someday wearing a gold jacket if possible. That's what the goal is with that pick.
"So, this would be the highest pick for me ever as a coach, you know, as a head coach. I think the only pick this high as an assistant coach was Donovan McNabb with Andy in Andy's first year. So, this is pretty exciting to have a pick this high. And, yeah, that guy (Downs) would be just fine with me. I'd take him in a second."
Downs, a 6-foot, 205-pound junior from Ohio State (previously Alabama), has earned praise from scouts as a disruptive presence near the line with a twitchy change-of-direction, instincts against misdirection, explosive closing burst, and coverage versatility in man or zone schemes.
Many analysts view Downs as the top overall talent in the draft class, making him a frequent mock draft projection to the Giants at No. 5. Harbaugh's comments underscore the intrigue surrounding a potential splash selection to bolster the secondary.
The moved-up start time should help the likelihood of a full race completed on time.
The rain uncertainty will play a role in strategy during the race, as race teams keep an eye on the radar. The race is official after halfway, at 100 laps.
Thus, it is unlikely the Daytona 500 is postponed if the current forecast holds up. But if the rain arrives by mid-afternoon, NASCAR has a decision to make.
The moved-up start time should help the likelihood of a full race completed on time.
The rain uncertainty will play a role in strategy during the race, as race teams keep an eye on the radar. The race is official after halfway, at 100 laps.
Thus, it is unlikely the Daytona 500 is postponed if the current forecast holds up. But if the rain arrives by mid-afternoon, NASCAR has a decision to make.
The league again has changed the format for the All-Star Game, with three teams playing in a round-robin style tournament. And there's another difference from last year's All-Star game to this year's version: The 2026 game will not feature any Grizzlies players.
Jaren Jackson Jr. was an All-Star in 2025, but he didn't make it in 2026. Jackson, of course, was traded from the Grizzlies to the Jazz ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, a two-time All-Star, has battled injuries throughout this season and wasn't on the All-Star radar.
INGLEWOOD, CA. — NBA All-Star Saturday came in facing some internal and external criticism about the overall state of the weekend and its viability for the future.
Between Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard winning the 3-Point Contest amid his recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon and Keshad Johnson bringing infectious energy in the Slam Dunk Contest, there were certainly positive moments to be drawn from the night.
There were, however, plenty of points that deserve a more thorough examination.
But how did the All-Star Saturday fare on the whole?
Here are the winners and losers from Saturday of the 2026 NBA All-Star weekend.
WINNERS
Damian Lillard and his remarkable achievement
I don’t want this to be lost on the casual fan: Damian Lillard is nine-and-a-half months removed from a ruptured Achilles tendon. He’s 35. He had already won the 3-Point Contest two times, but his recovery and rehab had been so monotonous and removed him so far from basketball that he felt he needed to do it.
So he proceeded to score 56 points across both rounds, including 29 in the final round, tying Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players in history to win the 3-Point Contest three times.
“I think this was necessary and was needed for the fans,” Lillard told reporters after the event. “… I wanted to be out there because that's all I can do right now. It was an easy call.”
Keshad Johnson
He danced, he expressed joy and he delivered consistency in what was, frankly, an underwhelming event. But winning the Slam Dunk Contest is still a significant accomplishment, and it can act as a boost to a young player’s career.
Johnson has appeared in 21 games for the Heat and is averaging 3.1 points per game across 7.6 minutes per contest. Winning the event will not convince Erik Spoelstra and the Heat staff to play him more, nor should it. But it will raise Johnson’s profile. All to say: it presents an opportunity that he can seize if he continues to work on his game and improve his all-around skill set.
LOSERS
The Slam Dunk Contest
This is not meant to take away from the accomplishment of Johnson, who brought infectious energy and high-level difficulty dunks to his routine. And no disrespect intended to the field, overall, but fans have been deprived of the game’s biggest stars and most prolific dunkers from competing in this event.
Possibly, many tuning in across the country had never heard of most of the field, if not all four participants. The NBA, of course, cannot force players to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest, but it needs to increase the incentives so the league’s top dunkers are pushed to participate.
The last great Dunk Contest was already 10 years ago, in the battle between Aaron Gordon and eventual champion Zach LaVine.
Perhaps we simply have unrealistic expectations of Dunk Contests and we should be okay accepting that not every contest is going to be legendary. That might help some of the angst surrounding this event.
But, at a minimum, fans are entitled to creativity and should want to see things that push the expectations of what dunks can be. That shouldn’t be compromised.
Shooting Stars
It seems the NBA is trying to find a long-term replacement for the Skills Challenge, and this may be a case where less is more. The Slam Dunk Contest and 3-Point Contest are the marquee events of NBA All-Star Saturday, and that feels like it should be enough.
The Shooting Stars contest was actually pretty close and it did provide some mild excitement late, but, if we’re going to lean in on shooting challenges, I wonder if some form of H.O.R.S.E. might appeal more to the nostalgia fans have.
‘It is what it is at this point’
The messaging to come from some of the game’s brightest stars Saturday during NBA All-Star media day, frankly, was disappointing. And, yes, we acknowledge that All-Star exhibitions across all major North American sports are in peril of teetering toward irrelevance as athletes, understandably, tend to prefer time off and leisure during the middle of seasons that can be intense grinds.
But hearing Anthony Edwards, one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the world, essentially shrug his shoulders when asked about effort isn’t exactly the optics the NBA will want tied to the premier event of the weekend.
"Are yall gonna give more effort this year or is it kind of like it is what it is at this point?"
He wasn’t alone, and honesty in press conferences is very much appreciated. But it raises questions about whether there are better ways to honor All-Star players that keep and grow fan engagement.
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: General view inside the stadium prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Birmingham City and Leeds United on February 15, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Sally Rawlins - WSL/WSL Football via Getty Images) | WSL Football via Getty Images
Chelsea Women have done well in finding balance again in the Women’s Super League by beating city rivals Tottenham last weekend. But to really be back in usual business we need to string along some well needed wins, beginning with Liverpool at Kingsmeadow today.
We did beat the Reds 9-1 at their turf a while ago in the Women’s League Cup. However their manager Gareth Taylor didn’t get the manager of the month trophy last month just cause. They want to start turning around their fortunes, and they love the chance of doing so against the title defenders.
Texas A&M (17-8, 7-5 SEC) has now lost four in a row after falling to No. 19 Vanderbilt 82-69, and while losing on the road won't necessarily hurt the Aggies heading into the new week, four straight defeats aren't great, and Wednesday's last-second home loss to Missouri included one of the worst second-half shooting performances, which seeped into Saturday's loss.
However, the Aggie defense, which once ranked No. 1 in the SEC, has been utterly dreadful over the past four games, allowing 100, 86, 86, and 82 points. Combined with poor shooting against Florida and Vanderbilt, losing by 19 and 13 points was essentially guaranteed, given the way first-year coach Bucky McMillan's operates.
Why Texas A&M is playing so poorly on both sides of the court is confusing, and while some believe that the Aggies may have "peaked" early, allowing teams to study and disrupt their fast-paced play, getting to face one of the worst teams in the SEC, Ole Miss, on Wednesday night, could, and should, get this team back on track.
Around the rest of the SEC this week/weekend, Florida continues to look like the best team in the conference, winning its fifth consecutive game, while the Georgia Bulldogs, Texas A&M's last win in SEC play, have not lost back-to-back games by 20 and 16 points against Florida and Oklahoma.
The Texas Longhorns, who the Aggies will host later this month, earned a key road win over Missouri, helping their NCAA chances.
Heading into the new week, here are the latest SEC basketball standings before Texas A&M hosts Ole Miss on Wednesday night.
Updated SEC basketball standings
No. 14 Florida (19-6, 10-2 SEC)
No. 21 Arkansas (19-6, 9-3 SEC)
No. 19 Vanderbilt (21-4, 8-4 SEC)
Tennessee (18-7, 8-4 SEC)
Alabama (18-7, 8-4 SEC)
No. 25 Kentucky (17-8, 8-4 SEC)
Missouri (17-8, 7-5 SEC)
Texas A&M (17-8, 7-5 SEC)
Texas (16-9, 7-5 SEC)
Georgia (17-8, 5-7 SEC)
Auburn (14-11, 5-7 SEC)
Mississippi State (12-13, 4-8 SEC)
Oklahoma (13-12, 3-9 SEC)
Ole Miss (11-14, 3-9 SEC)
LSU (14-11, 2-10 SEC)
South Carolina (11-14, 2-10 SEC)
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
The USA men's ice hockey team has shaken off a couple slow starts to defeat Denmark and Latvia in Olympic pool play in Milan, Italy.
The US closes pool play with a matchup against Germany at 3:10 p.m. Germany is looking to rebound after falling to Latvia, 4-3, on Saturday.
Massachusetts is well represented on Team USA. Noah Hanafin (Norwood) and Matt Boldy (Milford) both tallied goals in Saturday's win over Denmark. Head coach Mike Sullivan hails from Marshfield. His daughter, Kiley, is married to Boston Bruin and USA defenseman Charlie McAvoy.
How to watch Winter Olympics, men's hockey
To watch it on television, the Winter Olympics are being broadcast on NBC Sports.
It’s difficult to encapsulate the full scope of Dale Earnhardt’s legacy in stockcar racing. In life, he transcended the sport, steering its popularity to new heights. In death, he transformed it.
Nearly 25 years ago this weekend — on Feb. 18, 2001 — Earnhardt, the seven-time Winston Cup champion, died after crashing on the final lap of the Daytona 500.
Fans today are still mourning the loss of the man they called the Intimidator. Go to any NASCAR track and you’ll still see countless shirts, jackets, flags and hats sporting his iconic No. 3.
In addition to winning a whole lot of races, Earnhardt elevated NASCAR and brought in a new wave of fans with visionary merchandising and marketing strategies. The driver that some folks called “the Man in Black” or “One Tough Customer” was on Wheaties boxes, the covers of Sports Illustrated and TV Guide, and on Coca-Cola vending machines. He was in commercials for McDonald’s and Burger King. He went on David Letterman’s show and made cameos in Hollywood movies. The ninth-grade dropout turned racing legend flipped his fame and success on the track into a business. In 1996, he sold his merchandising company Sports Image to Action Performance for a reported $30 million.
In the same way Michael Jordan is to the NBA, Earnhardt was synonymous with NASCAR. Some fans adored him, some hated him — but everyone knew the mustached man wearing aviators from Kannapolis, North Carolina was one of the best drivers to get behind the wheel.
“His character was bigger than life,” NASCAR vice chairman Mike Helton once said of Earnhardt in an ESPN documentary. “It’s like trying to explain John Wayne or Neil Armstrong.”
While Earnhardt impacted the sport in a tremendous way while he was dominating tracks of all kinds from 1979 to 2001, his death changed it in a monumental way for the better.
Earnhardt always knew the risks associated with racing. One of the qualities that made him great was that he never feared them. Above all else, he wanted to win. Of the dangers of stockcar racing, Earnhardt said in 1980, “I ain’t never wanted to do anything else.”
How did Dale Earnhardt die?
By the time the green flag waved at the 2001 Daytona 500, Earnhardt — while still driving the No. 3 for Richard Childress Racing — had started his own Cup Series team: Dale Earnhardt Inc. Among his drivers were his son — Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 8 Budweiser car — and his friend Michael Waltrip driving the No. 15 NAPA Auto Parts machine.
When the race was nearing its finish, the three of them were running in the top three at the top of the pack: Waltrip in first, Junior in second, and Senior in third. It seemed obvious that Earnhardt was trying to ensure a victory for one of his DEI drivers and went into defense mode, attempting to block others drivers from catching up to Waltrip and Junior.
On turn four of the final lap, as Junior pushed Waltrip toward the finish line, Earnhardt received some contact, lost control of his No. 3 car and slammed head first into the concrete wall.
Folks watching from home could feel the mood change from the broadcast booth, where former champion Darrell Waltrip quickly went from celebrating his brother in one moment to worrying about Earnhardt in the very next: “I just hope Dale’s okay. I guess he’s alright, isn’t he?”
“You got the sense that something wasn’t right,” Helton told ESPN.
Less than three hours after the race ended, Helton returned to the press room at Daytona International Speedway to deliver the somber and shocking news: “We’ve lost Dale Earnhardt.”
Earnhardt died about two months shy of his 50th birthday. The cause of death was determined as a basilar skull fracture, suffered during his head-on collision with the wall at Daytona. Earnhardt was at least the ninth NASCAR driver to die of this injury since 1990.
He is also the last.
How did Dale Earnhardt's death change NASCAR?
The death of Earnhardt was the catalyst for multiple safety reforms in NASCAR.
“One of the greatest drivers to ever sit in a race car is gone. When a star disappears, then people pay attention,” Kyle Petty, whose son Adam died of a basilar skull fracture in a crash at New Hampshire in 2000, told ESPN.
By October of 2001, NASCAR began mandating the use of the HANS (head and neck support) device, a restraint designed to keep the head and shoulders of a driver in place on a frontal impact. It sits on top of a driver’s shoulders and attaches to the helmet. This device, and others like it, were available to drivers before Earnhardt’s death, but not mandated by NASCAR.
In addition to requiring all drivers to use the HANS device, NASCAR in 2003 also implemented the SAFER (steel and foam energy reduction) barrier at all of its tracks. Added to the walls around speedways, these barriers reduce G-forces by 30 to 80%, soaking up the impact of crashes and reducing injuries to drivers.
NASCAR also made design improvements in seats, belts, helmets and cockpits, and began collecting crash data to continue to make innovations in safety.
What happened to NASCAR because of Earnhardt’s death is as much a part of his legacy as his wins and triumphs on the track. Since Earnhardt’s tragic and fatal crash at Daytona, no driver in any of NASCAR’s top-three touring circuits has been killed in competition.
Dale Earnhardt career highlights
The son of the dominant short-track racer Ralph, Dale Earnhardt ran his first full season in NASCAR’s Winston Cup Series in 1979.
Driving the No. 2 blue-and-yellow Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Rod Osterlund Racing, Earnhardt won his first race at Bristol and notched 10 other top-five finishes in 1979, winning Rookie of the Year honors. The next season he won five races and captured his first championship.
In 1984, Earnhardt began driving the No. 3 — first with the blue-and-yellow paint scheme with a Wrangler sponsorship before switching the signature black-and-red GM Goodwrench look in 1988 — full time for Richard Childress Racing and would win six more championships: 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994. He is tied with Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson for the most Cup Series championships in NASCAR history.
Earnhardt took victories in all of NASCAR’s majors, winning the Southern 500 at Darlington and the World 600 at Charlotte three times each, taking the checkered flag at the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1995, and finally winning the Daytona 500 in 1998.
He’s eighth all-time in Cup Series victories with 76. Earnhardt is the all-time Cup Series wins leader at Talladega with 10 and Atlanta with nine.
While he only won the Daytona 500 once, he has 34 victories at Daytona International Speedway across all competitions, the most by any driver ever.
He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998, and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in its inaugural class in 2010.
The Badgers now boast three wins over top-10 opponents: at No. 2 Michigan on Jan. 10, at No. 8 Illinois last Tuesday and now vs. No. 10 Michigan State. Those triumphs, which are part of an extended stretch of nine wins in 11 games, have bolstered a resume that looked shaky following nonconference play. As has been the case many times under Greg Gard, the Badgers have only improved as the season has progressed. Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo praised exactly that while meeting with the media following Friday's matchup.
Wisconsin is still three games back of first place in the Big Ten standings and isn't challenging for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, the team is in top form at the perfect time, and should be a dangerous matchup for any top-seeded opponent in their region.
For more on where the team now stands, here is where it stands in the NCAA NET Rankings after Friday's big win.
Wisconsin basketball's updated NCAA NET ranking after Michigan State win
Ranking: No. 34 overall (up three spots)
Resume: 18-7 overall, 3-6 vs. Quad 1, 6-1 vs. Quad 2, 2-0 vs. Quad 3, 7-0 vs. Quad 4
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The Michigan State women's basketball had a successful road trip when they faced rival Michigan in Ann Arbor last season.
The Spartans, who recorded an 88-58 win over the Wolverines in their last visit to Crisler Center, will try to duplicate that feeling as they make their latest visit to Ann Arbor on Sunday, Feb. 15.
No. 13-ranked MSU will try to earn a regular-season split with No. 7-ranked U-M after suffering a 94-91 home loss in overtime on Sunday, Feb. 1
The Spartans enter the matchup with a 20-5 record and 9-5 mark in Big Ten play. MSU is coming off a home loss to UCLA on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Michigan is 21-4 and 12-2 in the Big Ten and earned an 80-58 road win over Northwestern on Thursday, Feb. 12.
Both the Spartans and Wolverines are in position to host the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament and were included in the first top 16 reveal unveiled by the selection committee on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Inter vs. Juventus: passion and iconic moments from a night to remember
Inter secured a 3-2 win over Juventus in the big showdown of matchday 25 of Serie A. It was a dramatic night at San Siro. Inter took the lead thanks to an own goal by Andrea Cambiaso, who was quick to redeem himself with the equaliser to make it 1-1. In the 41st minute, Juventus went down to ten men after Pierre Kalulu was sent off.
The clash had it all: Pio Esposito putting the Nerazzurri ahead at 2-1, Locatelli equalising again, and Piotr Zielinski scoring the winning goal at the death for the hosts.
It was a breathtaking game that brought alive all Interisti at San Siro.
The Atlanta Falcons took a big swing by trading up for edge rusher James Pearce Jr. in last year's draft, and while the gamble initially paid off, it came back to bite them last weekend. Pearce was arrested last Saturday and is facing five felony charges.
Not only is Pearce's career potentially in danger, but the Falcons will enter the 2026 NFL Draft without a first-round pick. Plus, they now have a huge hole at the edge rusher position. The team also has a need for a starting-caliber wide receiver and could stand to upgrade the overall roster depth at several positions.
Pro Football Sports Network released a new seven-round mock draft which has the Falcons addressing both positions, starting with a new receiver in Round 2. Let's check out each of the team's projected picks in PFSN's mock draft.
Round 2, Pick No. 48: WR Chris Bell, Louisville
"Chris Bell offers an enticing combination of size and speed at 6-foot-2 with 32-inch arms, making him a physical mismatch at the wide receiver position," wrote PFSN Analyst Alec Elijah. "Bell’s upside comes with a caveat: he tore his ACL late in the 2025 season. While he won’t participate in pre-draft testing and his early-season availability may be limited, if he remains on track for a full recovery, Bell has legitimate Top 50 potential."
PFSN projected four more players to Atlanta in its latest mock, but since they only broke down Rounds 1-2, we've provided our own analysis for the remaining picks below.
Round 3, Pick No. 79: OC Sam Hecht, Kansas State
The Falcons were projected to take Kansas State center Sam Hecht in the third round of PFSN's mock. Ryan Neuzil played well last season after Drew Dalman left for Chicago. Still, it would make sense to add a developmental option at center since Neuzil is entering the final year of his contract.
Round 4, Pick No. 114: CB Tacario Davis, Washington
In Round 4, the Falcons were projected to take Washington cornerback Tacario Davis at pick No. 114. Last season, Davis had two interceptions and allowed a passer rating of just 50.6. The Huskies standout primarily played on the outside over the last three seasons.
Round 6, Pick No. 196: Guard Anez Cooper, Miami
Atlanta finds more offensive line help in Round 6. This time, the Falcons were projected to take Miami guard Anez Cooper with the 196th overall pick. Anez is solid as a pass protector but needs to improve as a zone blocker. It would make sense to add some depth behind Chris Lindstrom and Matthew Bergeron.
To close out PFSN's mock draft, the Falcons land some running back depth in Oregon's Noah Whittington. Last season, he rushed for 829 yards and six touchdowns on 6.4 yards per attempt. With Tyler Allgeier set to become a free agent, the Falcons should look at adding another late-round running back in 2026.
The Kansas City Chiefs are revamping their offense after the return of Eric Bieniemy this offseason.
During a recent interview with Jason Anderson, host of "The Zone" on Sports Radio 810 WHB in Kansas City. ESPN analyst and former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky shared his thoughts on Patrick Mahomes' 2025 season and the load he must carry on offense.
"It's like a slow fade with Patrick in Kansas City, where over the past two-and-a-half years, he has been asked to do more and more," said Orlovsky. "It's easy to say, 'You're Patrick Mahomes, you can do it,' but just because he can doesn't mean he should carry that load for most of an 18-game season and playoffs."
Dan Orlovsky evaluates Patrick Mahomes and the #Chiefs offense.
The Chiefs are moving on from Matt Nagy back to Bieniemy heading into the 2026 season. The goal is to return the unit to more explosive plays.
"I've been outspoken that there are a lot of scheme things that I still think are lacking. Go under center more, put bigger bodies in. I still think he's going to be at the highest. He just doesn't have to do it 45 snaps a game, and I think it helps everybody else," said Orlovsky, "Patrick (Mahomes) is still the most talented player at that position. Are guys playing better than him this past year? Yes, but that doesn't mean they are; it's just maybe they're in a slightly healthier situation where they're not asked to do as much. I'll be interested to see with EB (Eric Bieniemy) coming back, how they evolve."
The two-time league MVP finished the 2025 season with 22 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in 14 games before the knee injury. He also rushed for 422 yards and five touchdowns.
Real Madrid: Alvaro Arbeloa reassures about Kylian Mbappé
Alvaro Arbeloa not worried about Kylian Mbappé after Real Sociedad clash
Real Madrid: Alvaro Arbeloa reassures about Kylian Mbappé
After Real Madrid's impressive victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday night, Alvaro Arbeloa offered reassuring words regarding French star Kylian Mbappé.
While he started on the bench Saturday evening due to a sore knee, Kylian Mbappé did not take part in Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga. However, Merengue coach Alvaro Arbeloa was quick to ease any concerns about the French international's health.
"Mbappé has been feeling some discomfort for a while now. Every time he steps on the pitch, he pushes himself hard, and for this match, we chose to take no risks with Tuesday in mind. I believe he'll be ready," the Spanish coach told the media.
Barcelona duo running the risk of suspension ahead of Girona clash
Barcelona are set to lock horns with Girona on Monday, in what will be a must-win encounter for Hansi Flick’s men.
The Catalans have once again fallen to second place in the league table after Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Therefore, failing to secure a win could see Barcelona relinquish the top spot for good. But as Barça approach this crucial encounter, a couple of players will have to proceed with caution.
Two players running the risk of suspension
That is because two Barcelona players are running the risk of getting suspended for the upcoming league game against Levante.
The players in question are Frenkie de Jong and Gerard Martin. Both players have picked up four yellow cards this season and are just one more booking away from a suspension.
Gerard Martin is one more booking away from a suspension. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
That means if either of them pick up a yellow card against Girona, they will be suspended for the next game against Girona.
This is something Barcelona cannot afford, considering the shallow depth of the team in both defence and midfield.
In midfield, de Jong has been an integral figure, especially amid Pedri’s injury. Although the Spaniard is expected to return soon, Flick would ideally like to have de Jong available against Levante.
Meanwhile, Martin has been an excellent stopgap solution in central defence and an ideal alternative to Eric Garcia in the left-sided centre-back role.
His absence for the Levante game will put additional pressure on the existing options, including Pau Cubarsi, Garcia and Ronald Araujo.
Both players, therefore, will look to approach this game with caution and ideally avoid a booking as Barcelona enter a crucial juncture of the season.
Barcelona new signing poised to make his debut for youth team today
Among the various reinforcements that joined Barça Atletic during the winter transfer window, Jewensley Onstein stands out as the only player for whom the club made a direct financial investment.
The 18-year-old Dutch centre-back represents a significant bet by the sporting management led by Deco, as his profile perfectly matches the club’s defensive requirements.
Standing at nearly 1.90 meters, Onstein is noted for being a fast and powerful left-footed defender who is exceptionally strong in individual duels.
Barcelona’s roadmap for Onstein
Despite his physical advantages, the defender arrives following a period of significant inactivity, having not played a match since October.
To address this, the club have implemented a specific roadmap designed to help him recover his competitive rhythm through a logical and gradual process, reports Diario SPORT.
After training first on his own and then joining Juliano Belletti’s reserve team sessions, the next step in his development has officially been decided.
Flick will also monitor Onstein’s development closely. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
Jewensley Onstein is set to make his debut in a Barcelona shirt today as part of Pol Planas’ Juvenil A squad.
He has been included in the list for the match against Sant Cugat at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, where he is expected to play his first minutes.
While his debut is highly anticipated, the technical staff will make the final decision on his participation based on the specific flow of the game.
The club hold high hopes for the youngster, whose background at Ajax helps him adapt quickly to Barcelona’s distinct philosophy.
Having previously belonged to Genk before this move, Onstein is viewed as a long-term prospect who could be ready for Barça Atletic in just a couple of weeks.
For now, today’s youth fixture serves as the essential first step in integrating this powerful bet into the Blaugrana ecosystem.
Liverpool dealt bitter blow by their star's Real Madrid 'dream'
Dominik Szoboszlai's dream
Possible the most difficult talks Liverpool are currently involved in are with Dominik Szoboszlai. The midfielder has been the Reds' best player this season - not just because of his performances but because of his ability to play just about anywhere.
That particular skill has held the squad together in a difficult campaign. But with a contract that runs until 2028, Liverpool are eager to reward Szoboszlai before things get tricky.
However, there are questions over what he's actually worth. Is Szoboszlai actually Liverpool's best player? Or is he merely the best in a bad season?
Because one commands an awful lot more money than the other.
Making things even more difficult is Szoboszlai's apparent desire to play elsewhere. Hungary boss Marco Rossi has publicly stated that his captain 'dreams' of playing for Real Madrid.
The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are off and running with 16 sports taking over 25 different venues. Here's a look at the TV schedule for Sunday, Feb. 15 and how to watch all the action. The games are exclusively airing across NBC's suite of networks with many events airing live on its streaming service, Peacock, which you can sign up for here .
USA TODAY Sports has a team of more than a dozen journalists on the ground in Italy to bring you behind the scenes with Team USA and keep you up to date with every medal win, big moment and triumphant finish. Get our Chasing Gold newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.
All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at 2:02 p.m.
Feb. 15 Winter Olympics TV Schedule
1:00 AM - PRIMETIME IN MILAN (REPLAY) Cross-Country Skiing, Alpine Skiing, Speed Skating NBC, PEACOCK
1:00 AM - BIATHLON (REPLAY) (Medal Event) Women's 7.5km Sprint USA NETWORK
2:00 AM - SPEED SKATING (REPLAY) (Medal Event) Men's 500m USA NETWORK
2:45 AM - FREESTYLE SKIING (REPLAY) (Medal Event) Women's Dual Moguls Final USA NETWORK
3:30 AM - ALPINE SKIING (REPLAY) (Medal Event) Men's Giant Slalom: Run 2 Final USA NETWORK
4:00 AM - ALPINE SKIING (LIVE) Women's Giant Slalom: Run 1 USA NETWORK, PEACOCK
4:30 AM - FREESTYLE SKIING (LIVE) (Medal Event) Men's Dual Moguls Final USA NETWORK, PEACOCK
6:00 AM - CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING (LIVE) (Medal Event) Men's 4x7.5km Relay USA NETWORK, PEACOCK
6:10 AM - ICE HOCKEY: Switzerland vs Czechia (LIVE) Men's Preliminary Round CNBC, PEACOCK
The stars will be out Sunday night on NBC's "Primetime in Milan" show, with Mikaela Shiffrin, Erin Jackson and figure skating set to take center stage.
Every day of the Winter Games, The Sporting News will let you know what's coming on that night's primetime broadcasts — without spoilers — so you can plan your evening viewing if you can't watch all the action live.
After missing out a medal in the team combined, Shiffrin will try to break out of her Olympics slump Sunday in the giant slalom, an event she won eight years ago in Pyeongchang. In speed skating, Jackson will try to repeat as the 500m gold medalist after missing the podium in the 1000m, while figure skating also will be back in the spotlight with the pairs short program.
Beyond NBC, fans can watch replays of curling and Canada vs. France men's hockey on CNBC along with U.S. vs. Germany men's hockey, men's and women's biathlon and more on USA Network.
See below for the full broadcast schedule tonight and enjoy all the memorable moments from Milan Cortina.
NBC Olympics schedule tonight: Spoiler-free primetime TV lineup for Sunday
Primetime in Milan will air live on NBC every night, with host Mike Tirico presenting a package of competition from earlier in the day, highlights and interviews.
Primetime in Milan and the rest of the delayed broadcasts on USA Network and CNBC can be streamed live via DIRECTV, which offers a free trial so new subscribers can try before they buy.
Catch Every Game – Try DIRECTV FREE Today! Stream live Soccer, MLB, and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.
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MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 11: The team of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates the second goal during the DFB Cup Quarter Final match between FC Bayern München and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 11, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by S. Mellar/FC Bayern via Getty Images) | FC Bayern via Getty Images
Per a release from Fox, the media giant has inked a multi-year deal for broadcast rights for DFL competitions in Mexico and Central America:
FOX Latin America announces a landmark media rights agreement with DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, consolidating FOX as the home of the Bundesliga in Mexico and Central America for a five-year period, spanning from the 2026–27 season through the 2030–31 season, in response to the growing demand for German football across the Americas.
The multi-year agreement includes a comprehensive rights package that will allow fans to access 309 matches per season, delivering more than 600 hours of live content, including every Bundesliga matchday, as well as the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup and promotion/relegation play-offs, with broadcasts in Spanish and English across FOX’s entire ecosystem: FOX (pay TV), FOX ONE (SVOD) and FOX on tubi (AVOD), in Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
This multiplatform, multi-language distribution model is complemented by a strong focus on local production and storytelling, driven by the Bundesliga Americas Studio in Guadalajara, which opened in February 2025 and develops original content, local voices and formats specifically designed for Spanish-speaking audiences.
The announcement of the multi-year agreement between FOX and the Bundesliga adds to the Bundesliga’s sustained growth across the Americas and represents its second media rights deal in the region, following the start of its collaboration with Relevent, signed in Brazil in November 2025.
For FOX, this agreement with the Bundesliga solidifies its position as the benchmark for international football in Mexico and Central America, adding one of the world’s most prestigious leagues to an unprecedented offering. With the broadest portfolio of international competitions, the most recognized talent, and a multiplatform strategy that maximizes reach and impact, FOX reaffirms its leadership in the region and its commitment to delivering the best football in the world to audiences like never before.
Luis Maldonado, Executive Director of Acquisitions and Marketing at FOX Latin America, said the move will strengthen Fox’s football platform.
“This agreement with the Bundesliga reinforces our vision of offering one of the strongest and most relevant international football portfolios in the market,” said Maldonado.
The Bundesliga Americas Studio, comprised of a 14-person team, will work closely with FOX to develop tailored content that strengthens fan engagement and underscores the Bundesliga’s relevance across the region.
“By combining our content studio in Guadalajara and the great platform FOX provides, the Bundesliga is speaking directly to Mexican fans every day: in their language, in their football culture,” said Robin Austermann, Bundesliga Americas Executive Vice President. “As we intensify our focus on these vibrant regions through our internationalization strategy, our close collaboration with Relevent Sports and our new media partnership with FOX will ensure even broader distribution and deeper engagement.”
“It was around the corner” – Pep Guardiola assesses Phil Foden’s inconsistencies in form
Manchester City manager Pep Guardola has given his two cents on how Phil Foden can maintain his form followings ups and downs in the last 18 months.
Foden started the current season well and rediscovered the form he regularly displayed during his personal best 2023-24 PFA Players’ Player of the Year award winning campaign, wherein he led his boyhood club to a historic fourth successive Premier League title. However, he hasn’t been first-choice in attack in recent weeks.
The 25-year-old underwent a downturn in form in the 2024-25 season and admitted to physical and mental struggles derailing him from building on the preceding term as Manchester City endured their most challenging year under Guardiola.
The Blues are vying for silverware on four fronts in the coming months and speaking in the build-up to a 2-0 FA Cup fourth round win over Salford City at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, Guardiola was asked whether Foden has to earn his way back into the starting XI after having struggled for starts of late.
“I said many times, I have zero, zero, zero doubts, zero about Phil,” Guardiola said earlier this week. “He has to recover himself good and just focus on playing football and going to fish. He loves fishing and that’s it.
“When he is that, Phil is back and will be back. It’s not 20 centuries ago when he was the best player in the Premier League. It was around the corner. It was not many seasons ago.
“This is Phil Foden. Just to be relaxed his mind, the joy, the smile and happiness and play and play and play. He will play every day.
“Not all the players, me neither, I don’t like to play every single three days.He will play football every day. Every day. And when you have this gift, just be relaxed and do it.”
A sixth minute own goal from Alfie Dorrington and a second-half header from Marc Guehi helped City progress to the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday afternoon, with Guardiola giving his players some time off to rest and recuperate after a gruelling run of games of late.
On how many days off Manchester City will have after Salford, the 55-year-old added: “Few. After Newcastle we have a long week, yeah. Hopefully it can be the last one, last two. After Saturday, tomorrow, until Wednesday afternoon, everybody (will be at) home.
“When we give four days (off) between games, we are another team, with (every) three days we arrive especially with a lot of injuries, it’s almost unsustainable. Last season was a big example of that, but- it’s important to be fresh in your mind.
“I learned in this country, when you can give a day off, (give a) day off. Because the schedule is so tight. And that’s why people can travel with their families, different environment. Just change a little bit. They come back after three days, prepare the Newcastle game and after Leeds. I think it will be good for us.
“That doesn’t mean maybe we’ll go and play disaster and maybe we lose the vibe that we have right now. Maybe. I don’t know. But I think everybody needs it. Staff, backroom staff, everyone; clean the minds. It has been so demanding, always it is, especially with a lot of injuries we had in November, December. So it’s really important to have this.
“That’s why we were so happy to qualify for the Champions League (Round of 16 automatically), in the first eight. That’s the main target. But especially to have these last two weeks, we can breathe a little bit and don’t see each other. We are tired to see each other.”
On whether he has any plans himself for his period of time off, Guardiola said: “Listen, I give a day off for me! For me. Of course I have plans.”
Guardiola made wholesale changes to his lineup for the win over Salford City, with John Stones wearing the armband upon his return to the starting XI from injury and the pair of Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland missing out after being deemed “not fully fit”.
NEW DELHI: The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be played on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, but rain could spoil the big game.
Both teams have started the tournament well. India, the defending champions, beat the United States and then thrashed Namibia by 93 runs. Pakistan had a shaky start against the Netherlands but pulled off a close win and then comfortably defeated the USA.
India and Pakistan have been in the same group in many recent tournaments, including the last five T20 World Cups and the previous two ODI World Cups. India has dominated Pakistan in T20 World Cup history, winning 7 out of 8 matches. India also has a strong record in Colombo, winning most of their matches at this venue.
Weather forecasts show a high chance of rain during the day, though it may ease in the evening.
For the match to have a result, each team must play at least five overs.
What happens if rain washes out IND vs PAK T20 World Cup match?
If that doesn’t happen, the match will be abandoned and both teams will get one point each, since there is no reserve day for group-stage games.
But weather remains out of anyone’s control.
If the match is completely washed out, broadcasters will lose advertising money, and fans may get refunds on tickets, which would hurt Sri Lanka Cricket’s earnings.
A washed-out India vs Pakistan match would cause major financial losses for everyone involved.
Both sides of the Old Firm are reportedly interested in Dundee's Luke Graham while Kilmarnock's David Watson is ignoring speculation about his future.
Celtic and Rangers are both eyeing respective summer moves for highly-rated 22-year-old Dundee centre-half Luke Graham. (Football Insider)
Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson, the 21-year-old who has been linked with Aberdeen, Bolton Wanderers and Celtic and is out of contract this summer, says he is leaving his future to his agent and concentrating on his football. (The Herald)
Rangers are likely to delay contract talks with 34-year-old captain and right-back James Tavernier until the end of the Scottish Premiership season so they can focus on beating Heart of Midlothian and Celtic to the title. (Football Insider)
Danilo was "incredibly relieved" to seal a loan move to Nijmegen at the end of the January transfer window after he first had to wait until Rangers' last-minute deal to sign fellow striker Ryan Naderi. (Gelderlander.nl. via The National)
Birminghan City midfielder Marc Leonard says that fighting for the league title with Hearts was one of the main things that attracted him to moving on loan to Tynecastle in the January transfer window. (Edinburgh Evening News)
Morocco are set to enlist a secret weapon for playing Scotland in this summer's World Cup - by hiring Spanish legend Andres Iniesta as their technical director. (Glasgow Times)
Crowley converted a try and kicked a penalty in Ireland's win over Italy [Getty Images]
Former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray believes Jack Crowley should start Ireland's Six Nations trip to face England at Twickenham next Saturday (14:10 GMT).
After his introduction in the 56th minute in Saturday's 20-13 win over Italy, Crowley converted Rob Baloucoune's try and added a crucial penalty later in the game.
Sam Prendergast, who who formed a starting half-back pairing with Craig Casey, was off target with two conversions and Murray feels head coach Andy Farrell may seek a change in that area, with Crowley and Jamison Gibson-Park a viable option against England.
"I think Crowley starts the next game because he did so well when he came on.
"I don't think Jack's stats are where he has had them before, but he came on and kicked two kicks. I know one of them was very easy and you could argue that Sam's [Prendergast] kicks were gettable as well.
"We are going around a roundabout with this one and this is Jack's turn again. I am just hoping someone grabs it [the chance]. "
'Ireland scrum a concern for Twickenham' - McCarthy
For the second week, Ireland have questions to answer despite claiming an opening win in the competition and former international Mike McCarthy admits it was a "stressful finish" in Dublin.
The 19-cap forward felt a huge cause for concern was the Ireland scrum which came under pressure from the Italians and is one area which requires work before the trip to face an England side who will also have a point to prove following their Calcutta Cup defeat by Scotland.
"Ireland just got over the edge at the end, but the last five or 10 minutes was incredibly tense and for me, the big concern going into next week's game against England is the scrum," McCarthy said.
"Tadhg Furlong going up in the air, Dan Sheehan going up in the air and next week England will be licking their lips at scrum time.
"John Fogarty [Ireland scrum coach] will have a lot to do during the week but it was just the arrowhead of pressure coming from the Italian back five. Hopefully it's a one-off because they did well against France."
Izuchukwu and Baloucoune bring the 'X factor' - McCloskey
Izuchukwu and Baloucoune have both had stop-start seasons through injury [Getty Images]
Meanwhile, Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey said there is "more to come" from fellow Ulster players Cormac Izuchukwu and man of the match Baloucoune.
After a humbling 36-14 defeat by France in their opening fixture, Ireland bounced back to defeat a much-improved Italy side.
Jamie Osborne, Jack Conan and Six Nations debutant Baloucoune crossed the white line for Farrell's side, who thwarted a late flurry of chances to deny Italy a late leveller.
"He [Rob] is class and I think he has shown how good he has been when he has played this year. For Ulster, he has been world-class when he has been fit. You could say that about the last four or five years," McCloskey told the Ireland Rugby Social podcast.
"He is electric, he scores tries that other people can't and takes balls in the air that other people can't take.
"Rob and Izzy have so much X factor. I think they showed that today and there is more to come. It gives me energy when I am playing with those guys as well."
Brentford will be hoping to spoil the party on Monday night, while Wigan travel to Arsenal, whose hopes of a quadruple are still alive. The Premier League leaders will be looking to join Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle in the fifth-round hat.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the fourth-round draw.
When is the FA Cup fifth-round draw?
The fifth-round draw will take place on Monday 16 February, likely ahead of Macclesfield’s tie against Brentford which kicks off at 7:30pm GMT.
The draw will take place in the broadcast before kick-off, which starts at 6:30pm, with the draw set to start at around 6:35pm GMT.
FA Cup draw ball numbers
The ball numbers for the fifth-round draw have not been confirmed but will be announced in due course.
FA Cup fourth-round fixtures
Friday 13 February
Hull City 0-4 Chelsea
Wrexham 1-0 Ipswich Town
Saturday 14 February
Burton Albion 0-1 West Ham (a.e.t)
Burnley 1-2 Mansfield Town
Manchester City 2-0 Salford City
Norwich City 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
Port Vale v Bristol City
Southampton 2-1 Leicester City (a.e.t)
Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle United
Liverpool 3-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Sunday 15 February
12pm: Birmingham City v Leeds United - TNT Sports 3 and discovery+
1.30pm: Grimsby Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers - TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
2pm: Oxford United v Sunderland - discovery+
2pm: Stoke City v Fulham - discovery+
4.30pm: Arsenal v Wigan Athletic - TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
Monday 16 February
7.30pm: Macclesfield v Brentford - TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
How can I watch the FA Cup draw?
You can watch the FA Cup fifth-round draw live on TNT Sports 1, discovery+ and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
When will the FA Cup fifth round be played?
The fifth round of the FA Cup will be played around the weekend of Saturday 7 March, with games likely to run from Friday to Monday, depending on TV picks.
FA Cup matchdays in full
Here are the dates for the remaining rounds of FA Cup action.
The Silkman landed another home tie against top-tier opposition, and will play high-flying Brentford on Monday evening, shortly before the fifth-round draw.
Other TV picks include Premier League leaders Arsenal’s meeting with League One strugglers Wigan on Sunday, in a rematch of the 2013-14 semi-finals.
Here’s everything you need to know.
TV channels for every FA Cup fourth-round tie
With the exception of the five matches being played at 3pm on Saturday, every match during the FA fourth-round weekend will be available to watch on discovery+. In addition, the TV channels for this weekend’s live matches are as follows:
Sunday 15 February
12pm: Birmingham City v Leeds United - TNT Sports 3 and discovery+
1.30pm: Grimsby Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers - TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
2pm: Oxford United v Sunderland - discovery+
2pm: Stoke City v Fulham - discovery+
4.30pm: Arsenal v Wigan Athletic - TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
Monday 16 February
7.30pm: Macclesfield v Brentford - TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
When is the FA Cup fifth-round draw?
The fifth-round draw will take place on Monday 16 February, likely ahead of Macclesfield’s tie against Brentford which kicks off at 7:30pm GMT.
The draw will take place in the broadcast before kick-off, which starts at 6:30pm, with the draw set to start at around 6:35pm GMT.
How can I watch the FA Cup draw?
You can watch the FA Cup fifth-round draw live on TNT Sports 1, discovery+ and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
Kilmarnock vs Celtic – Match preview and team news
Celtic face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday in a crucial Scottish Premiership clash as the champions look to keep up the pressure in the title race.
Second-bottom Killie are battling to pull clear of the relegation places, while third-placed Celtic aim to close the gap on leaders Hearts in the closing stretch of the 2025-26 campaign.
Kilmarnock vs Celtic – Match preview and team news
Date: Sunday, 15th February.
Kick-off: 2pm BST.
Venue: The BBSP Arena, Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock team news
Full-back Dominic Thompson is available again after serving a one-match suspension for the red card he collected in that heavy defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, having sat out the win over St Mirren.
McCann is not expected to make many changes from the side that edged St Mirren, with Bruce Anderson partnering John‑Jules again in attack after both impressed in midweek.
Kilmarnock remain without several players: Kyle Magennis (knee), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) are all sidelined and will miss the Celtic game.
Those absences continue a long-running theme of injuries for Killie, with Magennis and Daniels in particular having been out for an extended spell that stretches back to earlier phases of the season.
Celtic team news
Arne Engels, who limped off during the victory against Livingston, is a doubt for the trip to Kilmarnock, potentially opening the door for Oxlade‑Chamberlain or Reo Hatate to start in midfield.
Celtic are already without long-term absentees Cameron Carter‑Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring), all of whom remain on the sidelines.
Martin O’Neill previously explained in November that Johnston is expected to be out for “four or five months” and Osmand for “five months” following their hamstring surgeries, while confirming that Jota will not return before the end of the season.
Form
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock’s rollercoaster run includes league defeats to Rangers and Motherwell, a Scottish Cup exit to Dundee, league wins over Aberdeen and St Mirren, and a draw at Livingston.
Under Neil McCann, Killie’s points return has improved markedly, with their average jumping from around 0.62 points per game before his arrival to roughly 1.4 points per game over the last five outings, helped by an upturn in goalscoring.
Celtic
Celtic have put together four straight wins in all competitions since back-to-back draws against Bologna and Hearts in late January, with victories over Utrecht, Falkirk, Dundee and Livingston.
O’Neill’s side sit third with 51 points from 25 league matches, six points behind leaders Hearts but with a game in hand. The Irishman boasts an eye-catching 82.3% win rate this season (14 wins from 17 matches).
Atletico Madrid XI vs Rayo Vallecano – Predicted lineup and team news
Atletico Madrid travel to the Estadio de Vallecas on Sunday to take on Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, with the two clubs separated by a large gap in the standings. Atletico sit third on 45 points after 23 games, while Rayo are battling near the bottom.
Diego Simeone’s side comes into this match full of confidence after a stunning 4-0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Thursday, a tie they effectively took control of by scoring all four goals before half-time.
Atletico Madrid team news
Simeone must now carefully manage his squad, as Atletico face a busy run of fixtures and need to balance their league ambitions with their cup commitments. Some changes to the starting XI are likely.
Atletico will be without a couple of important names. Midfielder Pablo Barrios is out after suffering a muscle injury in his right thigh during the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Real Betis and is not expected to return until late February.
American midfielder Johnny Cardoso is also unavailable because of a muscle issue, adding to the list of recent physical setbacks the former Real Betis player has had to deal with.
There is better news in attack, where new signing Ademola Lookman is fit and in outstanding form; the Nigerian winger has hit the ground running at Atletico.
Lookman was decisive in the 4-0 victory over Barcelona, registering both a goal and an assist and underlining the speed and invention that made him such a dangerous forward during his time in Serie A.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup
Possible Atletico Madrid starting XI: Musso; Molina, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 3:15pm BST on Sunday, 15th February.
How to watch Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid?
Supporters in the United Kingdom can follow the action live on Premier Sports 2.
Rangers vs Hearts – Predicted lineup and team news
Rangers and Hearts face off at Ibrox on Sunday in a huge Scottish Premiership showdown, with just five points between them at the top of the table and 11 league games left to play.
Rangers head into the match after a disappointing 1-1 draw away to 10-man Motherwell, a result that stopped them from eating further into Hearts’ advantage in the title race.
Over the season as a whole, Rangers have drawn 10 of their 26 Premiership fixtures, the most stalemates among the contenders, but they remain second with 14 wins, 10 draws and only two losses, giving them 52 points and a goal difference of +24.
Rangers team news
Head coach Danny Rohl has stayed tight-lipped about his selection plans, explaining that he has “learned not to talk about availability too early” following criticism of his team choices for that 1-1 result at Fir Park.
Max Aarons sat out the Motherwell game, while longer-term injuries continue to keep Connor Barron and Derek Cornelius on the sidelines, and midfielder Bailey Rice is also unavailable.
Even with those absences, Rangers are expected to set up positively as they try to reduce Hearts’ lead, with Jack Butland likely to start in goal, James Tavernier continuing at right-back, and attacking threats such as Mohamed Diomande, Mikey Moore and Bojan Miovski in line to feature from the outset.
Rohl has underlined how important this fixture is, noting that turning a 13-point deficit when he arrived into the possibility of trimming it to just two represents a “significant opportunity” and insisting that a victory over Hearts would be “huge” for Rangers’ campaign.
Rangers and Hearts meet in a potentially title-shaping Scottish Premiership clash at Ibrox on Sunday, with just five points separating the sides at the top of the table and 11 games remaining.
The visitors, chasing a first league title since 1960, arrive buoyed by a late Edinburgh derby win over Hibernian. Meanwhile, Rangers dropped points in midweek against Motherwell to lose ground in the race.
Rangers vs Hearts – Match preview and team news
Date: Sunday, 15th February.
Kick-off: 4:30pm BST.
Venue: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow.
Rangers team news
Rangers head coach Danny Röhl has kept his cards close to his chest ahead of the game, telling the media he has “learned not to talk about availability too early” after criticism around selection for the 1-1 draw with Motherwell.
Max Aarons missed that trip to Fir Park. Elsewhere, long-term absentees Connor Barron and Derek Cornelius remain sidelined. Midfielder Bailey Rice also out.
Despite that, Rangers are expected to name an attacking XI as they look to cut Hearts’ lead at the summit, with Jack Butland in goal, James Tavernier in his usual right back position, and Mohamed Diomande, Mikey Moore and Bojan Miovski likely to start.
Röhl has stressed the magnitude of the occasion, saying the chance to close the gap from 13 points when he arrived down to just two “is a significant opportunity” and describing a win over Hearts as “huge” for Rangers’ season.
Hearts team news
Derek McInnes’ side remains deprived of midfielders Cammy Devlin and Calem Nieuwenhof. Also sidelined are Finlay Pollock and top scorer Lawrence Shankland, while defender Stephen Kingsley has suffered an injury setback in January.
There is better news in defence, with centre-half Craig Halkett back from suspension to bolster a back line that already includes ever-present figures such as Frankie Kent and Harry Milne.
McInnes has praised his team’s resilience after the derby win, calling it “a beautiful sight” to see Hearts grinding out results and highlighting their mentality and togetherness as key reasons they sit top of the table.
Form
Rangers
Rangers come into this one on the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw away to 10-man Motherwell, a result that prevented them from cutting further into Hearts’ advantage at the top.
Across the broader campaign, Rangers have drawn 10 of their 26 league fixtures – more than any of their title rivals – but still sit second with 14 wins, 10 draws and only two defeats, amassing 52 points and a goal difference of +24.
Hearts
Hearts arrive in Glasgow as league leaders, with 17 wins, six draws and just three defeats from 26 Premiership matches, giving them 57 points and a +28 goal difference.
That record leaves McInnes’ men five points clear of Rangers ahead of kick-off, having extended their advantage thanks to Magnusson’s late strike against Hibs and Rangers’ stumble at Motherwell.
Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news
Rayo Vallecano hosts Atletico Madrid at Estadio de Vallecas on Sunday in a La Liga encounter that sees two sides at opposite ends of the table clash.
Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news
Date: Sunday, 15th February.
Kick-off: 3:15pm BST.
Venue: Estadio Ontime Butarque, Leganes.
Rayo Vallecano team news
Unai Lopez, who has been influential in midfield with three assists this season, is considered doubtful but could feature.
Abdul Mumin is out due to his knee injury, Pep Chavarria and Pathe Ciss are both suspended after their red cards against Real Madrid.
Jorge De Frutos, the team’s top scorer with seven goals, will be crucial to Rayo’s chances of securing a positive result.
Atletico Madrid team news
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone faces significant selection decisions as he looks to manage his squad’s fitness amid a congested fixture schedule. Following Thursday’s emphatic Copa del Rey victory over Barcelona, Simeone is expected to rotate slightly.
Though the team will miss a few players. Pablo Barrios has been ruled out with a right thigh muscle injury sustained in the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Real Betis and is expected to be back not before late February.
American midfielder Johnny Cardoso is also sidelined with a muscle problem, the latest in a series of fitness issues for the former Real Betis man.
On a positive note, new signing Ademola Lookman is available and in excellent form. Lookman scored and provided an assist in the 4-0 thrashing of Barcelona, showcasing the pace and creativity that made him one of Serie A’s most feared attackers.
However, with a crucial Champions League play-off first leg against Club Brugge looming on Wednesday, Simeone is likely to rest a few players, with goalkeeper Juan Musso and defender Matteo Ruggeri potentially expected to retain their places alongwith some other names from the game against Barcelona.
Form
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano are enduring a desperate run of form, suffering four consecutive defeats. Their most recent outing saw them lose 2-1 away to Real Madrid on February 1st, despite taking the lead. Before that, Los Franjirrojos were hammered 3-0 away at Celta Vigo on January 18th and lost 1-3 at home to Osasuna on January 24th.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico remain in third place with 45 points from 23 matches, level on points with fourth-placed Villarreal. Their most recent performance was nothing short of spectacular—a dominant 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday.
Predicted lineups
Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Felipe; Valentin, Gumbau; Akhomach, Palazon, A Garcia; De Frutos
Celtic XI vs Kilmarnock – Predicted lineup and team news
Celtic travel to Rugby Park on Sunday for a key Scottish Premiership fixture against Kilmarnok, with the reigning champions aiming to maintain pressure at the top of the table.
They come into this game on the back of four consecutive victories in all competitions, following successive draws against Bologna and Hearts at the end of January. Over that run, Celtic have beaten Utrecht, Falkirk, Dundee and Livingston.
O’Neill’s side currently sits third in the league on 51 points from 25 matches, six points adrift of leaders Hearts but holding a game in hand. The interim manager has enjoyed an impressive campaign so far, winning 14 of his 17 matches in charge for a striking 82.3% win ratio.
Celtic team news
There is some uncertainty in midfield, with Arne Engels a doubt after he was forced off during the victory over Livingston.
If he is unable to feature, that could give Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain or Reo Hatate the chance to come into the starting XI and assume greater responsibility in the centre of the pitch.
Celtic are still missing several players through long-term injuries. Cameron Carter‑Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), as well as Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring) all remain unavailable and will not be involved in the trip to Kilmarnock.
🤬Socials slam Bastoni: drop him from Italy squad, TV review looms📲
Oh, Bastoni. The Inter defender found himself in the eye of the storm in a Derby d'Italia that, without beating around the bush, was ultimately decided by his simulation.
Kalulu's touch is very light - if you can even call it a touch - and certainly doesn't lead to the Inter player’s fall. However, referee La Penna doesn't have the luxury of time and multiple camera angles and ends up makingthe mistake. As highlighted by Alessandro Del Piero in the post-match analysis on Sky Sport, the absurdity here lies in the protocol that doesn't allow for VAR review on the second yellow card, not in La Penna's decision, who, at normal speed, was deceived like everyone else at San Siro and beyond.
What no one liked - not even many Inter fans - was the celebration of the Nerazzurri defender who, knowing well that he had at least exaggerated the fall, could have avoided celebrating as if it were a goal.
🥶 The ratings are unforgiving
The newspapers are clear: the attitude of the class of '99 has been criticized by everyone. La Gazzetta dello Sport gives him a 4.5, adding words that leave little room for comments "Weighed down by the quick yellow, he doesn't redeem himself on the double post tap-in. The angel's dive on Kalulu's red does him no honor: off at halftime to avoid trouble".
For Corriere dello Sport, however, half a point more for a round 5: "Booked at the dawn of the match. Unlucky on the double post two steps from the goal. With a cunning move, he provokes the second yellow for Kalulu. Chivu takes him off at halftime".
📲 Social media frenzy: "We don't want him with Italy"
Needless to say, social media is buzzing with nothing else. In the best cases, Bastoni's act is called a farce, but most people are harsh and demand not to call up the defender for Italy: "He doesn't represent the values of the National Team". For this reason, Bastoni has likely closed the possibility of commenting under his posts on Instagram.
📺 TV review and La Penna's suspension, the point
Many have wondered if after Inter–Juventus it was possible to resort to TV review for a potential suspension of Bastoni. The answer, however, is no. Why? In the contact with Kalulu, the prerequisites provided by article 61 of the Code of Sports Justice, which would allow the Federal Prosecutor to use television images and evaluate the potential opening of proceedings upon notification by the Sports Judge, are missing.
The incident, in fact, leads to the second yellow for the Juventus defender and not a direct red. The rule allows for the intervention of the TV review only in specific cases, including direct expulsions for acts of particular seriousness. Here, such conditions do not exist.
What will most likely happen, however, is a suspension for referee La Penna. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the referee will be stopped for about a month.
We're a month away from Selection Sunday, so you may be getting that March Madness itch already.
The men's basketball conference races are heating up and the bubble is getting crowded. We'll know soon enough who is in The Big Dance.
Here's an early look at what you need to know, including key dates March Madness dates and conference tournament schedules. Here's our latest bracketology.
The 2026 NCAA tournament selection show will air on CBS, its traditional broadcast home. Streaming options include Paramount+, CBS's streaming site, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
When does March Madness start?
The first men’s game of the 2026 NCAA tournament will be on March 17 with the start of the First Four in Dayton, Ohio.
March Madness 2026 schedule
The 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament will transpire over the next three weeks, which will end with the Final Four and the national championship game in Indianapolis.
Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA Tournament:
Liverpool lead Arsenal and City in race for £95m Premier League star
Liverpool Lead Gordon Chase as Arsenal Track Newcastle Star
Liverpool Move Signals Intent in Gordon Pursuit
Liverpool have positioned themselves at the front of the queue for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City also monitoring developments ahead of the summer window.
According to reporting first detailed by CaughtOffside, Liverpool are viewed internally as “early frontrunners” for Gordon, with one source stating: “Liverpool look like the early frontrunners for Gordon. He grew up there, and his family are Liverpool fans despite him previously being at Everton.”
The 24-year-old England international has continued his steady rise under Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, delivering double-figure goal contributions this season. His pace, pressing intensity and capacity to play on either flank have made him a prime candidate for clubs seeking depth across the forward line.
At Liverpool, Arne Slot’s system has increasingly leaned on aggressive wide play and vertical transitions. Gordon’s profile aligns with that tactical approach, especially as Liverpool look to maintain title momentum while competing across competitions.
Arsenal Watch Market for Wide Options
Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, are also keeping Gordon under observation as they assess wide attacking reinforcements. Their recruitment team has prioritised Premier League-proven talent capable of rotating with existing forwards.
Sources told CaughtOffside that Liverpool’s interest is longstanding, noting: “Liverpool’s interest is strong, they’ve admired him for some time and there may already have been some informal contacts to assess the possibility of a move.”
Arsenal’s involvement reflects broader Premier League trends. Clubs competing for Champions League qualification are seeking versatile attackers capable of contributing goals, pressing effectively and adapting tactically.
Gordon’s numbers this season underline that value. His productivity across competitions has improved, while his defensive contribution from the front remains a strength. For Arsenal, who rely on structured pressing under Arteta, those attributes carry weight.
Newcastle Determined to Protect Key Assets
Newcastle’s stance will ultimately determine whether any deal progresses. Eddie Howe regards Gordon as central to his project, and the club’s ownership has shown little willingness to sell core players unless valuations are met.
One insider told CaughtOffside that Newcastle would not entertain discussions cheaply: “I don’t expect they’d even consider entering into talks unless they can receive something in the region of £85m, possibly even as high as £95m.”
That figure reflects the modern Premier League market. Younger, homegrown players with England caps and strong production command premiums. Newcastle also recognise the difficulty of replacing Gordon’s pace and creativity, particularly with European ambitions still alive.
Liverpool experienced similar resistance when exploring other Newcastle targets in recent windows, reinforcing expectations that any negotiation would be protracted.
Premier League Race Highlights Gordon Value
Gordon’s emergence illustrates the shifting landscape of Premier League recruitment. Clubs are increasingly seeking players who combine athleticism, tactical flexibility and measurable output.
Liverpool view Gordon as someone who could complement Slot’s dynamic attacking structure. Arsenal see a player capable of adding depth and competition. Newcastle see a cornerstone of Howe’s evolving side.
The festivities of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend are right around the corner.
This year's NBA All-Star Game will feature a new format. In an effort to rejuvenate the weekend, Adam Silver has selected a U.S. versus World tournament for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
In the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, three teams -- two representing the United States and one international team (the World team) -- will compete in a round-robin format consisting of four 12-minute games. Each team will comprise at least eight players.
The Sporting News has all the details on how to watch the NBA All-Star Game.
What channel is the NBA All-Star Game on?
TV channels: Sportsnet
Live streams: Sportsnet+
Sunday's NBA All-Star Games will air live on Sportsnet and can be streamed live on Sportsnet+.
NBA All-Star Game start time
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15
Time: 5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT
The first NBA All-Star mini-game will tip off at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 15, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The championship is slated to begin at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Fans can listen to the NBA All-Star Game live on SiriusXM channel 86 and the SiriusXM app.
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.
NBA All-Star Game rosters 2026
Team USA Stars
Head Coach: J.B. Bickerstaff (DET)
Position
Player
Team
F
Scottie Barnes
Raptors
G
Devin Booker
Suns
G
Cade Cunningham
Pistons
C
Jalen Duren
Pistons
G
Anthony Edwards
Timberwolves
F-C
Chet Holmgren
Thunder
F
Jalen Johnson
Hawks
G
Tyrese Maxey
76ers
Team USA Stripes
Head Coach: Mitch Johnson (Spurs)
Position
Player
Team
F
Jaylen Brown
Celtics
G
Jalen Brunson
Knicks
G
De'Aaron Fox^
Spurs
F
Kevin Durant
Rockets
F
Brandon Ingram*
Raptors
F
LeBron James
Lakers
F
Kawhi Leonard
Clippers
G
Donovan Mitchell
Cavs
^Injury replacement for Giannis Antetokounmpo *Injury replacement for Steph Curry
Igor Thiago: United learn Brentford striker’s massive asking price
Manchester United invested a small fortune in Benjamin Sesko last summer, but that has not ended their plans to improve the No. 9 position this year. The Slovenian hitman arrived at Old Trafford with a fierce reputation but has taken time to acclimatise to the rigours of the Premier League.
After a slow start to the campaign, Sesko has picked up pace since the turn of the year and now has seven goals in 23 games across competitions. However, Joshua Zirkzee continues to be linked with an exit from the Theatre of Dreams so the Red Devils are keeping their options open.
There is a belief that adding more competition to the No. 9 position will aid Sesko’s development and help share the workload should United secure European football next season. The English giants have targeted Premier League-proven quality of late and could follow the trend this summer as well.
One player who is likely to have earned admirers at Old Trafford after lighting up the top tier of European football this season is Brentford striker Igor Thiago.
One of the Premier League’s best marksmen
Brentford signed Thiago to replace Ivan Toney in the summer of 2024, but the Brazilian suffered an injury-riddled debut campaign. However, he has brushed aside his fitness woes this season and has transformed into one of the Premier League’s most lethal goalscorers.
Only Erling Haaland (22) has scored more goals than Thiago in the league this season, forcing his suitors to take note.
Thiago recently revealed that United helped grow his love for football, suggesting that he could be open to a move to the Theatre of Dreams. However, it now appears that prising him away from the Gtech Community Stadium will be no walk in the park.
Brentford want club-record fee for Thiago
According to SPORTSBOOM, Brentford will only allow their prized asset to leave for a club-record fee, more than the £71 million United paid for Bryan Mbeumo last summer. The report states: “Aston Villa were linked with the Brazilian hitman earlier this season, but the winter window passed without alarm for the Bees in terms of their top scorer.”
“League leaders Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are all understood to have discussed the in-form marksman, who has been a revelation at the GTech Community Stadium this season.”
“It is understood that only a club-record sale, surpassing Bryan Mbeumo’s £71 million, would tempt the Bees to part with the player.”
Brentford have already extended the Brazilian’s contract until 2031 and have the upper hand in any potential negotiations. The Bees are traditionally shrewd negotiators, so all signs indicate that the Red Devils will have to pay a premium fee to get their man.
Final Thoughts
United are preparing for a blockbuster summer transfer window, but their focus is likely to be on midfield, which will be weakened by the departure of Casemiro. There are several Premier League-proven candidates on their wish list, and the entire saga is likely to cost a small fortune.
As such, it is unclear if the Red Devils will have the funds available to spend on Thiago. While the Brazilian would have been a fantastic addition to the squad, United may be tempted to move for cost-effective options instead.
An "overwhelmed" Anthony Kim completed a remarkable return to golf with victory at the LIV event in Adelaide - his first tournament win after a 12-year absence during which he battled drug and alcohol addiction.
The 40-year-old disappeared from professional golf in 2012 after a string of injuries and said he suffered "very dark moments" as he fell victim to "scam artists" and "snakes" during his absence from the sport.
The American revealed last year that he had battled drug and alcohol addition, and had thought about ending his life.
Kim initially joined LIV Golf as a wildcard in 2024 and recently became part of Dustin Johnson's 4Aces team following compatriot Patrick Reed leaving the breakaway league.
The win in Adelaide is his first title since the 2010 Houston Open on the PGA Tour.
"I always believed that this day would come," said Kim. "With the support of my wife, my daughter and my mum, I knew anything was possible but for it to actually happen is incredible.
"I just wanted to take it all in. In my twenties, I wasn't able to enjoy the moment but having my daughter and my wife here has made it the best situation I could possibly ask for.
"I just want to thank all the people that have supported me when I was not playing well and I was struggling on the verge of never coming back."
'For anybody that's struggling, you can get through anything'
In 2008, Kim became the first American under the age of 25 since Tiger Woods to win two PGA Tour events in the same year.
He was the youngest member of the United States' victorious 2008 Ryder Cup side, taking two-and-a-half points from four matches at the age of 23 during Europe's defeat at Valhalla.
In Adelaide, he started the final round five shots behind overnight leaders Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.
However, Kim sank nine birdies in a round of 63 to finish top of the leaderboard on 23 under at Grange Golf Club.
Rahm ended the event with a 71, which included two birdies and a bogey, with the Spaniard three shots back on 20 under.
DeChambeau carded two birdies and four bogeys, with the American's final-round 74 leaving him on 17 under, along with compatriot Peter Uihlein (68) and England's Tyrell Hatton (67).
"It's been overwhelming," said Kim. "But I'm never not going to fight for my family.
"God gave me a talent. I was able to produce some good golf today, I knew it was coming.
"Nobody else has to believe in me, but me. And for anybody that's struggling, you can get through anything."
Hearts face a huge test of their Scottish Premiership title credentials as they travel to second-placed Rangers with the chance to increase their advantage at the top.
The Jambos go to Ibrox five points clear of Rangers at the top, and with Celtic a point further behind - although the champions have a game in hand.
Hearts have won both of their meetings with Rangers this season, including their first win at Ibrox since 2014, as they look to become the first team outside of the Old Firm to win the title since 1985.
Is Rangers v Hearts on TV?
The Premiership fixture will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. Kick-off at Ibrox is at 4:30pm.
Team news
Max Aarons is a doubt for Rangers but Emmanuel Fernandez and Dujon Sterling could return to the starting line-up named by Danny Rohl.
Craig Halkett will return from suspension for Hearts but captain Lawrence Shankland is a long-term injury absentee and Cammy Devlin remains out.
Wales face a daunting task as they welcome France to Cardiff in the second round of the Six Nations.
A heavy defeat to England represented a dispiriting opening to the campaign for Steve Tandy’s side, who were thrashed by New Zealand and South Africa in their two most recent outings at the Principality Stadium.
Things do not get any easier, either, with the championship favourites coming to town on the back of a highly-impressive showing against Ireland.
France have had plenty of time to rest and recharge after that win last Thursday, too, and may be eyeing a statement scoreline.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Wales vs France?
The Six Nations clash is due to kick off at 3.10pm GMT on Sunday 15 February at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BBC One, with coverage on the channel from 2.30pm GMT. A live stream will be available via the BBC iPlayer.
Team news
Steve Tandy makes a handful of changes to the Welsh side thrashed by England in round one. No 8 Olly Cracknell is primed for a Six Nations debut in a reshuffled back row that also includes Aaron Wainwright and Alex Mann, while a swap of props sees Rhys Carre and Tomas Francis promoted from the bench.
Joe Hawkins is preferred to Ben Thomas at 12, and will partner clubmate Eddie James. It is a five forwards to three backs bench split named by Tandy.
France are forced into a midfield rethink with all of Yoram Moefana, Nicolas Depoortere and Kalvin Gourgues ruled out of the trip to Cardiff. It is a Pau partnership paired in the centres, then, with debutant Fabien Brau-Boirie considered a top talent and alongside familiar company in Emilien Gailleton.
The rest of the starting side is unchanged, with Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard continuing in the second row despite the return of Thibaud Flament. The Toulouse lock has to be content with a place on the bench, from where he and Emmanuel Meafou, regular partner for club and country, could do plenty of damage. Noah Nene is another potential first-capper in jersey No 23.
Line-ups
Wales XV: 1 Rhys Carre, 2 Dewi Lake (capt.), 3 Tomas Francis; 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 5 Adam Beard; 6 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Alex Mann, 8 Olly Cracknell; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Dan Edwards; 11 Josh Adams, 12 Joe Hawkins, 13 Eddie James, 14 Ellis Mee; 15 Louis Rees-Zammit.
Arsenal’s pursuit of silverware on four fronts continues as Mikel Arteta’s side host League One’s Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round.
It’s the first meeting of the teams in almost 12 years, and since their FA Cup semi-final in April 2014. Arteta was one of the scorers in the shootout as Arsenal defeated holders Wigan on penalties to advance to the final, where the Gunners ended their nine-year trophy drought by coming from behind to beat Hull City at Wembley.
Wigan, who were relegated from the Premier League the season before, are currently languishing in the relegation places in League One and sacked Ryan Lowe last week, having lost four matches in a row. But they did win at Championship outfit Preston in the third round to set up a daunting trip to the Premier League leaders.
Arsenal stumbled in their pursuit of their Premier League title on Thursday night as they were held 1-1 by Brentford. With a trip to Wolves to come on Wednesday, Arteta could make several changes.
Here’s everything you need to know
Is Arsenal v Wigan on TV?
It will be shown on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+, with all the build-up following the earlier match between Grimsby Town and Wolves. Kick-off at the Emirates is 4:30pm.
What is the team news?
William Saliba is a doubt after missing the trip to Brentford due to illness. Kai Havertz was also absent, but Bukayo Saka returned to the bench. Kepa Arrizabalaga is likely to replace David Raya in goal and there could be further changes.
Both Baba Adeeko and Luke Robinson have returned to training for the Latics, though this game could come too soon for the duo, and Harry McHugh and James Carragher will also likely miss out.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori; Norgaard, Lewis-Skelly; Madueke, Eze, Martinelli; Jesus
Liverpool star sends message to Arne Slot with Brighton performance
Szoboszlai Brilliance Sends Liverpool Past Brighton In FA Cup Push
Liverpool booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round with a composed 3-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield, a performance defined by Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning strike and Arne Slot’s increasingly clear commitment to silverware in his first season on Merseyside.
According to reporting from The Athletic by James Pearce and Dan Sheldon, Liverpool reached this stage of the FA Cup for only the fourth time in 11 seasons, a reminder of how rarely the competition has been prioritised during the club’s recent Premier League-centric era. This time felt different.
Curtis Jones opened the scoring late in the first half, Szoboszlai added a remarkable team goal after the break, and Mohamed Salah sealed victory from the penalty spot. Yet the wider story was about intent, structure and opportunity for Liverpool as Slot navigates a season in which domestic cup success now carries genuine weight.
Liverpool v Brighton and Hove Albion, Liverpool, UK – 14 Feb 2026 Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool scores a goal during the Emirates FA Cup match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield, Liverpool on 14 February 2026 Liverpool Anfield Liverpool England Copyright: xHarryxCornish/PPAUKx PPA-248563
Slot Signals Intent In FA Cup Campaign
Liverpool’s line-up against Brighton told its own story. With only a couple of regular starters rested, Slot resisted the temptation to rotate heavily, unlike last season’s shock FA Cup exit against Plymouth Argyle with a shadow side.
With the Premier League title race slipping away, Liverpool’s FA Cup run suddenly looks significant. Slot has made clear in recent weeks that priorities can shift as seasons evolve, and his selection choices suggest he views this competition as a realistic chance for silverware.
There were encouraging signs beyond the scoreline. Back-to-back clean sheets — something Liverpool had struggled to produce since December — offered defensive reassurance. Salah’s goal and assist hinted at renewed sharpness following his Africa Cup of Nations return.
For a squad still adapting to Slot’s positional play system, momentum matters. This victory over Brighton under Fabian Hürzeler provided exactly that.
Szoboszlai Strike Showcases Liverpool Fluidity
Liverpool’s second goal, finished emphatically by Szoboszlai, was the highlight of the tie and perhaps one of the FA Cup weekend’s standout moments.
It began with Cody Gakpo’s awareness at halfway, Milos Kerkez overlapping to create space, and Salah producing a perfectly weighted touch into Szoboszlai’s path. The Hungarian midfielder struck first time into the top corner, leaving Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele helpless.
For Liverpool’s tactical evolution under Slot, this was instructive. The move combined positional discipline, wide overloads and central penetration — hallmarks of Slot’s philosophy at Feyenoord and now increasingly visible at Anfield.
Szoboszlai has had an uneven season by his high standards, often balancing pressing demands with creative duties. But moments like this underline why Liverpool invested heavily in his talent.
Jones And Kerkez Provide Depth Boost
Curtis Jones’ opener carried personal significance. The academy graduate, whose future has attracted speculation after interest from Inter, ended a 57-game goal drought and impressed in an unfamiliar right-back role during Liverpool’s ongoing injury crisis.
Jones linked well with Salah and drifted intelligently into midfield zones, offering the calm ball progression Slot values. With his contract running until 2027, Liverpool will want clarity soon, but performances like this strengthen his case.
Milos Kerkez also impressed. Signed for £40 million from Bournemouth, the left-back’s delivery created the opening goal and his recent run suggests he is settling into Liverpool’s tactical demands. Improved defensive composure alongside attacking intent hints at long-term value.
For Liverpool’s squad depth — something you’ve tracked closely for your LFC/FOOTY ART pieces and value-bet trackers — this matters. Rotation options who can deliver in cup ties may prove decisive if Liverpool chase FA Cup success.
Brighton Test Shows Liverpool Progress
Brighton began the second half brightly but were undone by Liverpool’s clinical edge. Their possession play under Hürzeler remains attractive, yet Liverpool’s defensive structure held firm.
From a data perspective, Liverpool controlled big chances and transitions — something worth checking against FotMob or Understat numbers for your next YouTube breakdown. Clean sheets plus efficient finishing suggest Slot’s side are rediscovering balance.
With Sunderland already beaten in midweek league action and Brighton dispatched here, Liverpool are building momentum at a crucial point in the season.
For Slot, the message is simple: cups offer opportunity. For Szoboszlai, moments like this remind everyone of his match-winning quality. For Liverpool, the FA Cup may yet define their season.
The Ivorian winger has made a name for himself during his debut Bundesliga campaign with RB Leipzig. Under contract until 2030 the 19-year-old is expected to go for around €100m (£87m) in the next transfer window.
Liverpool hold a big advantage for his signature with the wide man declaring his preference for an Anfield switch. And owing to Diaz’s Bayern form there is little to no chance of Vincent Kompany’s side contesting his signing next summer.
That will provide a major incentive for Liverpool to tie up the deal as Bayern usually make a habit of signing the best domestic talent.
Christian Falk - the trusted Bayern insider - says Red Bull’s asking price of £87m is now established and Bayern do not see the winger as the finished article as yet.
Bayern won't pay £87m for Diomande - because of Diaz
“I heard that Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool are all interested and can afford him,” Falk writes in his CF Bayern Insider column.
“Bayern Munich don’t need a “Plan A”, they need a “Plan B”; so €100m for a Plan B behind Diaz is just too much money.”
Diomande joined RB from Leganes in Spain last summer - enjoying a stunning rise in German football thus far. He is making waves on the international scene too - with his dribbling wizardry, finishing ability and searing pace marking him out as a future great.
With Bayern passing up the chance to go for Diomande it looks like Richard Hughes has been given a green light to conduct this deal.
This is the first meeting between these two clubs since the 2014 FA Cup semi-final, when Arsenal won on penalties and Mikel Arteta scored in a shootout. The Gunners went on to beat Hull City in the final.
Things have changed a lot for Wigan since then and not in a good way.
They have just sacked their manager Ryan Lowe after sliding into the League One relegation zone and it's hard to see them forcing a shootout this time, no matter how many changes Arteta makes.
Arsenal have not had much joy in the FA Cup since Arteta won it again as manager in 2019-20, a few months after taking charge.
They have not been past round four since, but they are going to make it to the last 16 this time, I'm sure of it.
In fact, they have got so much strength in depth now that, while for years Arteta has not been able to win anything at all, he could feasibly win four trophies this season.
Is the quadruple on? That could be the question we are asking in the final few months of the season.
With the offseason in full swing and mock drafts flowing out of media outlets, it is honestly hard to keep track. Fortunately for the Tennessee Titans, many of the outlets appear to be on the same page, with either David Bailey or Reuben Bain penciled in for them at fourth overall.
Both of those players make sense, marrying talent to a definite need on the roster. However, every once in a while a new mock hits the street that has a new face penciled in, and that is the case with this one. Draft analyst Rob Rang of Fox Sports released his first mock of the season and has the Titans landing a linebacker.
4. Tennessee Titans (3-14): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Speaking of the NFC West and immediate impact rookies, Styles’ fit as the centerpiece of Robert Saleh’s defense in Tennessee is a fascinating one. Like former teammate Arvell Reese, Styles is an athletic phenom who's steadily improved over his college career and has easy traits to project to the next level. It isn’t a hard argument to make that plugging him into a defense that already boasts All-Pro Jeffery Simmons is the quickest way for the Titans to advance in the AFC South.
There is no doubt that Styles is a quality player and could be a dynamic impact player, but does his value outweigh the needs at cornerback, edge, and wide receiver? At this point in the offseason before free agency, it’s hard not to focus on need, but that could change with a few signings.
NFL free agency is less than one month away, and one NFL insider thinks the Washington Commanders could be capable of "fireworks" next month.
"And now you have where the Commanders are this year, and they still have a lot of cap space, coming off a really disappointing season," Ian Rapoport said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if there were some fireworks here, knowing how important it is, how much space they have and the window they have with a good, young quarterback. The time to spend is now."
The Commanders have money to spend and ways to create more. But they also have a lot of holes. Washington is mostly set on offense, but still needs a wide receiver or two, including a starter, a pass-catching tight end, and a running back. Defensively, the Commanders need multiple starters. One position of interest is linebacker. Bobby Wagner will be 36 in 2026. While he's been excellent for Washington in his two seasons, teams often exposed Wagner in coverage last season.
Wagner is a free agent. He hasn't said whether or not he plans to continue playing next season, but judging by GM Adam Peters' comments about needing to get "younger and faster," it's safe to assume the Commanders will likely move on from the future Hall of Famer.
The top available free-agent linebacker, Devin Lloyd of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is coming off a career year and is 27 years old. The Jaguars are not expected to place the franchise tag on Lloyd, as it will be around $27.5 million in 2026. Jacksonville is currently $11 million in the hole. So, while the Jags want to keep Lloyd, it makes the most sense to get a long-term deal done.
What does Lloyd want?
"I want to be where God wants me to be," Lloyd said recently, via Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "For me, being back in Jacksonville, my mom lives out there. You know, obviously, my lady is out there. You know, there are a lot of pros to being out there. And so, for me, it's just about being in the right spot. Ultimately, that's the No. 1 most important thing, being in the right spot."
It would make sense for Lloyd to want to remain in Jacksonville. The Jaguars are an ascending team under rising second-year coach Liam Coen. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is a rising star and helped Lloyd reach his potential in 2025. But it's worth noting that the Jags did decline Lloyd's fifth-year option last year. At the time, it made sense. But Lloyd did his part.
If the two sides can't reach a deal before the legal tampering period opens on March 10, Lloyd will be one of the top players available in free agency. It's unknown if Washington will spend big on a linebacker, but if it does, Lloyd would be the ideal target for new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones to build his defense around.
Here is the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics competition schedule for Sunday, Feb. 15. The games are exclusively airing across NBC's suite of networks with many competitions airing live on its streaming service, Peacock, which you can sign up for here .
USA TODAY Sports has a team of more than a dozen journalists on the ground in Italy to bring you behind the scenes with Team USA and keep you up to date with every medal win, big moment and triumphant finish. Get our Chasing Gold newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.
Feb. 15 Winter Olympics events
All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at 2:02 p.m.
3 a.m. - Nordic Combined: Large Hill Official Training 2, Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium (Val di Fiemme)
3:05 a.m. - Curling: Men's Round Robin - USA vs. SWE, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d'Ampezzo)
3:05 a.m. - Curling: Men's Round Robin - GER vs. GBR, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d'Ampezzo)
3:05 a.m. - Curling: Men's Round Robin - NOR vs. ITA, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d'Ampezzo)
4 a.m. - Alpine Skiing: Women's Giant Slalom Run 1 & 2 (Medal Event), Stelvio Ski Centre (Bormio, Valtellina)
Notre Dame women's basketball has just two home games remaining. The one today is a big one if they want to solidify their case for the NCAA Tournament.
The Irish (15-9, 7-6 ACC) welcome NC State (17-7, 10-3 ACC) to Purcell Pavilion Sunday for a 4 p.m. tip-off on ESPN. It's the start of a five-game stretch for the Irish that will show a lot of people ― like the NCAA Tournament selection committee ― exactly what this group is made of for better or worse.
The Wolfpack beat the Irish in a double overtime contest last season, which snapped then-No. 1 Notre Dame's 19-game win streak. However, the Irish hold a 10-6 advantage in the all-time series and are 3-2 when facing NC State in South Bend.
As of Friday, Feb. 13, the Wolfpack are 23rd in the NCAA NET rankings while Notre Dame is 29th. The Irish hold a 7-5 record against common opponents this season while NC State is 8-4 in those games.
Here is everything you need to know about Notre Dame's annual Pink Game, where the Irish raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
What channel is Notre Dame vs. NC State on Sunday?
TV Channel: ESPN
The Irish's home tilt against the Wolfpack will be nationally broadcast on ESPN, which can be viewed via all cable television plans, satellite, YouTube TV, Hulu, Fubo and more streaming services that include live TV services.
Notre Dame vs. NC State game details
Date: Sunday, February 15
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Place: Purcell Pavilion, South Bend, Indiana
The Irish host the Wolfpack in their second-to-last home game of the season. The last time Notre Dame played NC State at Purcell Pavilion was a 59-43 loss two years ago to the date of this meeting. Tip-off Sunday, Feb. 15 is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
Notre Dame's remaining schedule
Here is a look at the Irish's final four games of the 2025-26 regular season.
Thursday, Feb. 19: at Wake Forest, 6 p.m. ET
Sunday, Feb. 22: at Southern Methodist (SMU), 6 p.m. ET
Thursday, Feb. 26: vs. Syracuse, 7 p.m. ET
Sunday, March 1: at No. 9 Louisville, 4 p.m. ET
NC State's remaining schedule
Here is a look at the Wolfpack's final four games of the 2025-26 regular season.
Thursday, Feb. 19: at No. 15 Duke, 7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Feb. 22: vs. Syracuse, 2 p.m. ET
Thursday, Feb. 26: vs. Wake Forest, 7 p.m. ET
Sunday, March 1: at Pittsburgh, 2 p.m. ET
Kyle Smedley is a sports reporter at the South Bend Tribune. Contact him via email at ksmedley@usatodayco.com or follow him on X @KyleMSmedley.
The United States is among eight Olympic men’s hockey teams in action on Sunday, Feb. 15 at the Milano Cortina Winter Games as the groups complete preliminary round play.
Draisaitl scored 23 seconds into the game and the Ottawa Senators’ Tim Stutzle scored twice in the second period in Germany’s 3-1 opening win over Denmark.
Team USA and Germany will be playing back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday.
How does the Winter Olympics men's hockey tournament work?
Teams play one game each against the other three teams in their group. Countries get three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime win, one for an overtime/shootout loss and zero for a regulation loss.
Group winners and best second-place teams get a bye to the quarterfinals. Teams 5-12 play in a qualifying round on Feb. 17, with the winners going to the Feb. 18 quarterfinals.
What's the Winter Olympics hockey schedule for Feb. 15?
6:10 a.m. ET: Men’s Preliminary | Switzerland vs. Czech Republic | Milan Santaguilia Ice Hockey Arena
10:40 a.m. ET: Men’s Preliminary | Canada vs. France | Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
1:10 p.m. ET: Men’s Preliminary | Denmark vs. Latvia | Milan Rho Ice Hockey Arena
3:10 p.m. ET: Men’s Preliminary | USA vs. Germany | Milan Santaguilia Ice Hockey Arena
It's time to vote for The Tuscaloosa News Girls Athlete of the Week from Feb. 7-13.
Last round's winner was Fayette County girls basketball’s Payton Savage, who earned 53.08% of the vote (5,398) for scoring 13 points and grabbing six rebounds in a 48-33 win against Gordo.
Nominees for Athlete of the Week come from our top performers list the week before. Any sport in the Tuscaloosa area can nominate for the top performers list and, in turn, our Athlete of the Week. Coaches and team stat keepers can send in stats to nominate players to sports@tuscaloosanews.com by 10:30 p.m. the night of their game.
Here are our nominees for our Girls Athlete of the Week. Voting will last until noon Thursday, Feb. 19.
Tuscaloosa News Girls Athlete of the Week nominees
Brookwood's Madelyn Morris scored four goals in a 4-1 match against Holt.
Central's Haven Saxon won the 126-pound sectional title at the AHSAA 6A/7A South girls championships.
Fayette County's Payton Savage doubled her output with 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 59-46 loss to Haleyville in an area championship game.
Northside's Payton Church scored all five of the goals in the game in a 5-0 win against Holt.
Southern Academy's Abby Sluder dominated on offense and defense, scoring 33 points and pulling down 29 rebounds in a 54-49 overtime win against Fort Dale in the AISA Class AA girls elite eight.
Vote for Tuscaloosa News Girls Athlete of the Week, Feb. 7-13
Georgia women's basketball (19-6, 5-6 SEC) is back in Stegeman Coliseum with another tough matchup against a top 10-ranked opponent in No. 5 Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt toppled No. 4 Texas on Feb. 13 with a 16-point win in Nashville (86-70), continuing to dominate the SEC with the same record as South Carolina.
Meanwhile, The Lady Bulldogs will take on the Commodores (24-2, 10-2) on Sunday at noon on the SEC Network. They're coming in after falling with almost an identical score to Vanderbilt-Texas, falling 85-71 at Mississippi State on Feb. 12.
Here's what you need to know about the Georgia-Vanderbilt women's basketball game Sunday:
Georgia vs Vanderbilt women's basketball live updates
This section will be updated when the game begins.
1Q
2Q
3Q
4Q
TOTAL
Vanderbilt
Georgia
Georgia vs. Vanderbilt women's basketball starters
Georgia: TBD
Vanderbilt: TBD
What channel is Georgia vs Vanderbilt women's basketball on today?
Georgia vs. Vanderbilt women's basketball is available to watch on SEC Network via ESPN. If you don't have that and you want to follow along live, you can go to the Georgia Athletics website and tune in to their game audio radiocast.
Georgia vs Vanderbilt women's basketball time today
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15
Tipoff: Noon ET
Georgia vs. Vanderbilt women's basketball tips off at Noon ET from Stegeman Coliseum on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Georgia vs Vanderbilt women's basketball history
Series record: Georgia leads, 41-31
Georgia's last win: Feb. 5, 2023; 79-61
Vanderbilt's last win: Jan. 2, 2025; 108-82
Georgia women's basketball schedule 2025-26
Record: 19-6 overall, 5-6 SEC
November
Nov. 3:Georgia 73, Alabama State 44
Nov. 6:Georgia 91, Furman 45
Nov. 10:Georgia 78, USC Upstate 44
Nov. 13: Georgia 85, South Carolina State 49
Nov. 16:Georgia 76, Jacksonville State 51
Nov. 20: Georgia 92, North Florida 46
Nov. 23: Georgia 87, Georgia Tech 59
Nov. 28: Georgia 68, Kansas 62
Nov. 29: Georgia 80, Butler 54
December
Dec. 3: Georgia 80, Florida State 60
Dec. 15: Georgia 77, North Carolina A&T 49
Dec. 19:Georgia 72, VCU 53
Dec. 21:Georgia 82, Coppin State 55
Dec. 29: Georgia 97, Charleston Southern 52
January
Jan. 1: Ole Miss 79, Georgia 62
Jan. 4: Georgia 64, Texas A&M 56 (OT)
Jan. 8: LSU 80, Georgia 59
Jan. 11: South Carolina 65, Georgia 43
Jan. 18:Georgia 82, Ole Miss 59
Jan. 22: Georgia 76, Arkansas 66
Jan. 24: Georgia 72, Kentucky 67
Jan. 29: Alabama 68, Georgia 53
February
Feb. 5: Tennessee 82, Georgia 77 (OT)
Feb. 8:Georgia 85, Missouri 66
Feb. 12: Mississippi State 85, Georgia 71
Feb. 15: Vanderbilt, noon (SEC Network)
Feb. 19: Oklahoma, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Feb. 23: at Auburn, 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Feb. 26: at Texas, 10 p.m. (SEC Network)
March
March 1: Florida, 3 p.m. (SEC Network+)
March 4-8: SEC Women's Basketball Tournament — Greenville, S.C.
March 15: NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Selection Sunday
March 18-19: NCAA Women's First Four
March 20-21:NCAA Women's First Round
March 22-23: NCAA Women's Second Round
March 27-28: NCAA Women's Sweet 16
March 30-31: NCAA Women's Elite Eight
April
April 3: NCAA Women's Final Four — Phoenix, Ariz.
April 5: NCAA Women's Championship — Phoenix, Ariz.
Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen speeds down the course en route to winning gold in the men's giant slalom at the Winter Olympics on Saturday. (John Locher / Associated Press)
Freezing cold speed suits, sleek airbags and cut-resistent underwear. There’s more to Olympic ski racing than meets the eye.
A look at some of the procedures, methods and equipment you might not know about when you tune in:
What are those blue lines on the course?
U.S. skier Breezy Johnson competes in Alpine downhill at the Milan-Cortina Olympics on Feb. 8. Johnson won gold in the event. (Christophe Pallot / Agence Zoom / Getty Images)
Those blue dye lines were introduced in 2001 on the World Cup tour to help racers — particularly in the speed events of downhill and super-G — navigate courses at high speed, especially in poor visibility. The skier has no obligation to stay within the blue borders, but the markings help them determine the best line down the hill.
If you’ve ever skied in the afternoon light, when it’s difficult to see any articulation in the slope, just white everywhere you look, you can understand how having those points of reference would be helpful.
“Any little bit of extra perception you’ve got about a bump, or the track, or a piece of terrain, then you can move over it much more confidently,” said Nina O’Brien, a member of Team USA.
It isn’t used much in slalom, but it shows up in the speed events and giant slalom. Not everyone loves the dye, however, because the chemical sprayed on the snow can be a little warmer if it’s fresh and might slow a racer by milliseconds if he or she skis over it. On the whole, though, competitors say it’s more helpful than not.
Why do slalom skiers intentionally hit the sticks?
U.S. skier AJ Hurt competes in the women's team combined slalom on Feb. 10. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Those poles that delineate the course — not just in slalom but all races — are called “gates,” and they are hinged at the base so they can bend down completely when hit by a racer and then snap back into a vertical position. They are typically screwed or hammered into the snow and often cemented in by water that turns to ice.
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and racers aim to take the shortest and most direct route to the finish line.
In downhill, super-G and giant slalom, the gates are two poles with a nylon panel stretched between them. While they try to take the optimal line, racers don’t intentionally hit those. We saw what happened to Lindsey Vonn when she accidentally hooked her arm on one and that apparently contributed to her violent crash.
In slalom, racers typically knock down gates with their arms or shins, which are protected by plastic shin guards. Sometimes, those gates can snap back and deliver a parting gift – a smack on the backside.
Is the snow soft for racers?
Switzerland's Marco Odermatt competes in giant slalom at the Olympics on Saturday. (John Locher / Associated Press)
Not unless you consider an ice rink soft. A week or two before a race, a team of workers uses hoses to spray down the entire course with the intent of it freezing over by morning. Another method is to use injection-spray bars to create thousands of small holes on a course, using nozzles that force water into the snow. Whatever the method, it winds up a big sheet of ice, which makes it far more challenging and faster.
In the technical events of slalom and giant slalom, that requires razor-sharp edges. In the speed events, the racers spend more time on the bases of their skis.
“Even our coaches don’t go down where we ski; they ski down the side,” downhill racer Sam Morse said. “A recreational skier would just wind up in the nets.”
And what about those nets that line the course?
There are two varieties of fencing: A-net and B-net.
A-net is more rigid, often permanent, and used to prevent racers from flying off the course and into dangerous areas, off cliffs, into rocks and the like.
B-net is temporary and closer to webbing that’s aimed at absorbing the kinetic energy of a falling skier. Frequently, there are multiple layers of B-net with space in between that combined to act as a catcher’s mitt.
“They put nets where you have really big fall zones and high-speed sections, places where you need that extra level of protection,” Morse said.
It isn’t like tumbling into a pit of foam blocks, though.
"The A-net is much more like hitting a trampoline,” Morse said. “The B-net is designed to come out of the ground and wrap you like a blanket. ... When you go into the nets, your boot buckles, your bindings, your skis, they all get tangled in the webbing.”
So what does it feel like when you’re going 70-80 mph?
“Terrible,” he said. “It’s like you’re in a washing machine getting hit with sticks.”
Do racers wear any protective gear that we don’t see?
U.S. skier Breezy Johnson soars during her gold-medal winning dowhill run at the Milan-Cortina Games on Feb. 8. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Absolutely. Beneath those skin-tight speed suits, racers wear vests that automatically inflate almost instantly during high-speed crashes to protect the neck, back and chest. An algorithm — relying on accelerometers and GPS — analyzes movements 1,000 times per second to detect any potentially catastrophic falls.
In her crash last Sunday, Vonn’s airbag deployed.
Those vests were made mandatory for downhill and super-G on the World Cup circuit in 2024.
“There was quite a bit of disgruntlement among older athletes, because chest trauma isn’t a super high-occurring injury,” said Morse, who doesn’t mind the vests. “I’d love to see something that protects the knees, because that’s an injury you see a lot of.”
Anything else in terms of hidden protection?
Yes, cut-resistent underwear. That’s right, the racers are required to wear leggings that cannot be sliced through by skis with edges sharp as Cuisinart blades. That was added as a requirement last year.
The leggings are made of an advanced polymer — a distant cousin to a plastic milk jug — with fibers that are incredibly strong and durable.
“It’s not like chain mail or armor,” said Victor Wiacek, founder of VIX Protection, among the companies that make the leggings. “It doesn’t just stop a blade. It spreads the kinetic energy across the fabric. The yards can work almost like a conveyor belt, preventing energy from concentrating at a single point.”
Are those speed suits warm?
Nope. Ask any of the racers. On cold days, they will keep their jackets on as long as possible, before “stripping” — yes, they call it that — in the starter’s hut before they race.
When they cross the finish line, they quickly bundle up again.
Just more incentive to get down the hill as quickly as possible.
Christopher Mies has explained his unfortunate collision with a kangaroo during the opening stages of the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour, which the Ford driver survived unscathed.
Mies, who was sharing the #64 HRT Ford Mustang GT3 with reigning Supercars champion Broc Feeney and 2019 Intercontinental GT champion Dennis Olsen, hit a kangaroo at 250km/h on the Conrod Straight at Mount Panorama Circuit, with the incident ripping off the windshield of the Ford Mustang GT3.
There was initial concern. The two-time race winner was visibly shaken and took several minutes to collect himself.
"Yeah, I'm glad I'm standing here right now talking to you. Obviously, it was a very, very big impact at a very high speed, so yeah, I'm just glad standing here right now," the 36-year-old said in his initial reaction.
He went on to praise the safety features of the Ford, which raced for the final time in its pre-Evo configuration at Bathurst: "I think that was probably the first big hit for Mustang GT3 and I'm really happy that they built such a safe race car at Ford Racing and Multimatic, so thank you for that.”
The impact caught Mies completely off guard: “The moment I saw the kangaroo, that was the moment I hit it, so there was no pre-warning, I didn't see any flags or so, so I think it might just have woken up and started to run and yeah, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Confirmation that the Mustang hit a kangaroo on Conrod Straight. Mies appears shaken - as you would be - but ok.
Kangaroo inside the cockpit “doesn't smell very nice”
The severity of the crash was highlighted by the rather grim fact that the remains of the kangaroo found their way into the cockpit, covering the German's helmet and racing suit, and thus creating an extreme mess.
Mies confirmed that his entire gear is no longer usable: "Yeah, I mean, it's all in the trash. I mean, it's not usable anymore. I can tell one thing, a kangaroo from the inside doesn't smell very nice, so yeah, but I'm just gutted for the team at HRT and Ford Racing that we couldn't do the full race distance today."
Despite the shock, his love for Australia remains unbroken. Mies already announced his intention to return to Mount Panorama next year. However, he plans to change his choice of souvenirs for home after this experience.
"My son asked me to bring him a little toy, a kangaroo toy. I will not do that, I will buy him a koala or a wombat or whatever, but no kangaroo," he joked. "I still love Australia, I will still come back."
Maxime Martin, Maro Engel and Mikael Grenier have won a dramatic – and dramatically shortened – Bathurst 12 Hour race.
Their Team GMR entry started from 29th on the grid after a series of problems during practice and qualifying, but the trio showed excellent pace throughout the race and when Martin was presented with the lead late in the race, he grabbed the opportunity and did not put a wheel wrong, winning by 1.0386s.
The race for the win was set up in the final hour, when the two Mercedes-AMGs of Chaz Mostert (STM) and Jayden Ojeda (Tigani) clashed at the exit of Turn 2. Both were out, and under safety car the leaders chose to pit over consecutive laps.
But the WRT BMW of Kelvin van der Linde did not, taking the lead about one metre ahead of the 75 Express Racing Mercedes-AMG of Jules Gounon. When the green flag flew the leaders clashed at the very first corner, losing ground and letting Martin through to the lead, giving all three drivers their first win down under.
“Starting the weekend I don’t think we expected to win. It was just patience,” said Martin after the race.
“We knew we would be in the game but we never expected that!” Grenier added. “We had something with the engine in qualifying but we had great strategy in the race.”
After so many attempts, Engel commented: “I have waited a long time for this and it is every bit as special as I thought it would be! Not as we planned, but in the end, we won the race.”
Second place went to Porsche, but possibly not the one that many observers might have fancied pre-race. From even further back on the grid in 30th, High Class Racing got some solid driving from Bronze driver Kerong Li, and co-drivers Dorian Boccolacci and Anders Fjordbach ran just behind the leading group, taking track position and holding it to the flag.
There was an epic battle for the final podium position, with 2025 winners WRT emerging from the struggle, Augusto Farfus, Raffaele Marciello and Valentino Rossi taking third, ahead of the Jamec Audi R8 GT3 Evo of former Supercars champion Will Brown/Christopher Haase/Brad Schumacher.
Valentino Rossi, Team WRT
Valentino Rossi, Team WRT
It was a great comeback from the WRT team, as the M4 was tagged by another car, damaging its left-front at the first corner of the race; it broke later in the race, prompting a black flag.
In fifth place was the second-best of the BMWs, the Team KRC M4 GT3 of Max Hesse, Maxime Oosten and Bronze driver Cunfan Ruan ahead of the Absolute Racing Porsche of Matt Campbell/Bastian Buus/Alessio Picariello. Gounon and co-drivers Luca Stolz and Kenny Habul took seventh from Ricardo Feller/Klaus Bachler/Lauren Heinrich in the Earl Bamber Motorsport Porsche.
The race was red-flagged for almost 56 minutes after Johannes Zelger, who had just been waved past the safety car, hit the wall at MacPhillamy Park, and then the Tsunami RT Porsche spun at Forrests Elbow after a tap from Kai Allen. Ralf Aron hit him at full speed in the race-leading Craft Bamboo Mercedes-AMG and the track was almost completely blocked, forcing the officials to interrupt the race.
The polesitting Mercedes-AMG was in contention until the seventh hour, when Thomas Randle made contact with another car and struck a wall, losing three laps. Mostert and Cam Waters hauled the car back into contention until the clash with Ojeda.
Not long afterwards Christopher Mies emerged shaken but unhurt after his HRT Racing Ford Mustang had a fully-grown kangaroo come through its windscreen at 250km/h, wrecking the car and showering its cabin – and Mies – with mashed marsupial. Mies was unhurt but had to take two showers to remove the remains of the animal.
After a steady build-up to the race, another contender, the Johor Motor Racing Chevrolet Corvette of Earl Bamber/Nicky Catsburg/Alexander Sims, climbed to the lead mid-race. In the 10th hour Bamber hit the wall at The Dipper when the suspension broke, and retired on the spot.
Track action at sunset
Track action at sunset
The Pro Am Class winner was the GMR Mercedes-AMG of Dylan O’Keeffe, Brett Hobson and Garth Walden, in 13th outright.
The 111 Racing IRC GT of Darren Currie/Axle Donaldson/Daniel Studdert took Invitational Class honours (and 25th outright), while the sole GT4 starter, the Steven Aghakhani/Adrian Kunzle/Kevin Madsen Method Motorsport McLaren, took class honours (26th outright).
The Silver Class winner was the Volante Rosso McLaren of Marcos Flack/Ryan Gray/Bayley Hall/Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer, despite a spin by Gray. They finished 33rd.
The next round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge is the Nurburgring 24 Hours on 14-17 May.
Fireworks illuminated around Olympic Rings at San Siro Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano-Cortina 2026. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Olympic organizers have promised new supplies of free condoms for athletes at the Milan/Cortina Winter Games after they ran out.
"We can confirm that the supply of condoms in the Olympic villages was temporarily exhausted because demand was higher than expected," the organizing committee told dpa.
"They will be continuously replenished until the end of the Games to ensure that they are always available."
Italian paper La Stampa reported earlier in the week that supplies had run out in the athletes village in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
The Milan/Cortina Games run until February 22. Free condoms at the Games were introduced in 1988, and around 300,000 were made available at the last summer edition 2024, with the condoms also a popular souvenir for athletes.
According to International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams, the Milan/Cortina figure is much lower.
"I think 10,000 have been used, 2,800 athletes — you can go figure, as they say," he said on Saturday, adding "It clearly shows that Valentine’s Day is in full swing in the village."
Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen in action during the second run of the Men's Alpine Skiing Giant Slalom competition at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. Sergio Bisi/LiveMedia-IPA/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva led the way as Brazil saluted skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen who won the nation's first ever medal, a gold, at the Winter Olympics.
Lula said on X that Braathen's giant slalom triumph in Bormio, which also marked a first medal for the whole of South America, "will forever be part of Brazilian sporting history.
"This unprecedented result shows that Brazilian sport has no limits. It reflects talent, dedication and continuous work to strengthen sport in all its dimensions," he said.
Finance minister Fernando Haddad said "Go Brazil" and surfer Gabriel Medina, who gained worldwide fame at the Paris 2024 Games through an iconic photo, said: "Congratulations Lucas! Proud of Brazil."
Sao Paulo football club named the medal "historic", sports portal Ge Globo stated "what emotions" and daily Meia Hora said that Braathen "broke a paradigm and giving hope for the advancement of winter sports in Brazil."
Braathen, 25, has a Norwegian father and a Brazilian mother. He originally raced for Norway and retired in 2023 over a marketing rights row with the Norwegian federation. He returned a year later, now competing for Brazil.
Braathen has another chance to win silverware on Monday in the Olympic slalom.
During his time as a tight end at Colorado, Christian Fauria won a national championship and was named first-team All-Conference before becoming a second-round draft pick and playing 13 NFL seasons. But while Fauria has fond memories of getting his start at Colorado, he no longer supports the program.
Fauria told USA Today he still wants Colorado to win but thought head coach Deion Sanders retiring the number of his son, Shedeur Sanders, showed that the program is now dedicated to serving Sanders' ego.
“I don't want Colorado to fail — I want them to succeed!” Fauria said in an email. “But I find the head coach's priorities off-putting. I officially tapped out in April 2025, when athletic director Rick George allowed the University of Colorado to retire Shedeur Sanders' No. 2 jersey.”
Fauria said he has nothing against Shedeur but doesn't think he earned his jersey retirement.
“Believe me, I can root for Shedeur as a player while still calling his jersey retirement what it was: a vanity project driven by his father,” Fauria said. “It's this strange, twisted loyalty from Sanders die-hards — now spilling over into the NFL — that I want no part of. So I hold my nose and move on.”
Fauria's son played at Colorado but transferred to Delaware shortly after Deion Sanders got the job. Fauria rejects any question about whether he has personal animosity toward Sanders for that or anything else.
"What I find comical is that any criticism of Deion Sanders gets labeled as 'hate,'" Fauria said. "Apparently, only blind loyalty is acceptable — no matter how self-serving or self-promoting his personality comes across. Those traits are ones I personally don't value and never will. Ask anyone who knows me or anyone I played with at any level.”
Although Sanders has improved Colorado from the disastrous 1-11 team he inherited, his overall record at Colorado is just 16-21. He needs to win more games, or else he's going to find that more people tap out on supporting his program.
Akshay Bhatia hits his tee shot on Saturday on the 18th hole at Pebble Beach.Getty Images
The fourth round of the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am begins Sunday morning at historic Pebble Beach in California. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the tournament on Sunday, including full AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am TV coverage, streaming information and Round 4 tee times.
How to watch AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Sunday
On Sunday, you can watch the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. And the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am will be watching the weather.
Storms are expected — according to weather.com on Saturday night, the Pebble Beach area is expected to get rain and steady 20 mph winds — and who handles them best will likely be your winner. Entering Sunday’s final round, Akshay Bhatia is the leader by two over Collin Morikawa, Sepp Straka and Jake Knapp.
“I’m not saying it’s enjoyable,” Tommy Fleetwood said, “but you have to accept the conditions for what they are and you have to look forward to playing in it and make the most of it really. It’s just the mindset that you’re going to have.
“We’ll see what the conditions bring. It sounds like it’s going to be rough, but who knows — the weather’s been wrong plenty of times. Yeah, that’s just how I think you have to handle it. Whether you play well or not or whether things go your way is a different story. But go in there with the right mindset.”
You can watch the fourth round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on TV via CBS and Golf Channel, with Golf Channel beginning the coverage at 1 p.m. ET. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive streaming coverage starting at 10:45 a.m. ET on Sunday, as well as featured group and featured hole coverage throughout the day. Paramount+ will provide a simulcast of CBS’ broadcast.
Below you will find everything you need to know to watch the third round of the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Get ESPN+
With an ESPN+ subscription, you gain access to PGA Tour Live, where you can stream the best PGA Tour events live from wherever you want.
CBS and Golf Channel will provide fourth-round TV coverage of the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Sunday. Golf Channel opens the coverage from 1-3 p.m. ET, followed by CBS’ broadcast from 3-6:30 p.m. ET.
How to stream online Sunday
You can stream the fourth round of the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, which will offer streaming coverage beginning at 10:45 a.m. ET on Sunday in addition to featured group and hole coverage. You can stream CBS’ broadcast online via Paramount+.
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2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Round 4 tee times (ET)
Tee No. 1
10:22 a.m. — Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Pierceson Coody 10:33 a.m. — Tony Finau, Russell Henley, Sami Valimaki 10:44 a.m. — Patrick Cantlay, Alex Smalley, Ryan Gerard 10:55 a.m. — Jason Day, Harry Hall, J.T. Poston 11:06 a.m. — Nick Taylor, Chris Gotterup, Keegan Bradley 11:17 a.m. — Ryan Fox, Harris English, Max Greyserman 11:28 a.m. — Scottie Scheffler, Max McGreevy, Robert MacIntyre 11:39 a.m. — Alex Noren, Matt Fitzpatrick, Brian Harman 11:50 a.m. — Tom Hoge, Rickie Fowler, Ryo Hisatsune 12:01 p.m. — Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele, Shane Lowry 12:12 p.m. — Min Woo Lee, Ben Griffin, Nico Echavarria 12:23 p.m. — Tommy Fleetwood, Sam Burns, Maverick McNealy 12:34 p.m. — Jake Knapp, Jacob Bridgeman, Hideki Matsuyama 12:45 p.m. — Akshay Bhatia, Collin Morikawa, Sepp Straka
Tee No. 10
10:22 a.m. — Bud Cauley, Patrick Rodgers, Chris Kirk 10:33 — Cameron Young, Mackenzie Hughes, Michael Kim 10:44 — Kurt Kitayama, Sam Stevens, Taylor Pendrith 10:55 — Viktor Hovland, Wyndham Clark, Emilliano Grillo 11:06 — Billy Horschel, J.J. Spaun, Ludvig Aberg 11:17 a.m. — Andrew Novak, Denny McCarthy, Sahith Theegala 11:28 a.m. — Keith Mitchell, Aldrich Potgeiter, Kevin Yu 11:39 a.m. — Si Woo Kim, Marco Penge, Garrick Higgo 11:50 a.m. — Rico Hoey, Lucas Glover, Steven Fisk 12:01 p.m. — Stephan Jaeger, Matt McCarty, Brian Campbell 12:12 p.m. — Michael Thorbjornsen, Joe Highsmith, Correy Conners 12:23 p.m. — Aaron Rai, Daniel Berger, Matti Schmid 12:34 p.m. — Jhonnathan Vegas, Adam Schenk
Cormac Izuchukwu said his Six Nations debut in the 20-13 win over Italy was "unbelievable" amidst an injury-hit season for the Ulster lock.
The 25-year-old has had a stop-start campaign due to injury and illness, starting just four games for Ulster and missing Ireland's November games.
He played 59 minutes in the victory against Italy in his first game since 2 January, a relief for Izuchukwu after fearing he would need surgery earlier in the season which would rule him out of the rest of the campaign.
"Obviously I've been injured for the whole season, played like four or five games, haven't played since early January I think," he said.
"I met a surgeon recently and I was supposed to get surgery and stuff, and said I'd give it one more shot and then all of a sudden you're playing again, so it's class.
"It's unbelievable. I was delighted."
Izuchukwu, who has now won five Ireland caps, admitted he was caught by surprise at the magnitude of the Six Nations in the build-up to the Italy game.
"It's mental because for me at the France game, such a big stage and I had a taste of it from sitting on the bench as the 24th man, but then I treat every Ireland game just like an Ireland game," he added.
"They're all so special to me, whether it's Portugal or Fiji or Georgia or whatever, they mean the world to me, but I was blown away by the response from social media, online and my family, it's such a big deal to them.
"Six Nations, maybe I didn't grasp it as much as I should have, so that was a shock, but I kind of came to terms with the last couple of days, got my head around it and then just got stuck in."
The 2025 season was one to forget for the Washington Commanders. After going 12-5 and reaching the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 33 years, the Commanders finished 5-12. Injuries were a big part of Washington's issues, including to second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels.
It was Daniels, who, in 2024, led the Commanders' revival, earning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Unfortunately, in 2025, Daniels suffered three separate injuries, which cost him 10 games. The first injury came in a Week 2 loss at Green Bay. When Daniels returned, he played his best game of the season in Week 5 in a road win over the Los Angeles Chargers, only to suffer a hamstring injury two weeks later. That cost him one game and when he returned, Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow.
So, even when Daniels played, he didn't look like his 2024 self, much of that due to his injuries and injuries to others, such as Terry McLaurin and Austin Ekeler. Marcus Mariota filled in for Daniels and played well. Washington's lack of team success wasn't the quarterback's fault, as injuries and a lack of depth were exposed early in the season.
Even Mariota was injured, which forced him to miss the final two games, paving the way for 39-year-old Josh Johnson to make his first two starts since 2021. Johnson played reasonably well, including leading the Commanders to a season-ending win over the Eagles in Philadelphia.
Nick Shook of NFL.com recently ranked all 63 quarterbacks who started a game during the 2025 season based on their performance in the regular season and the playoffs. His rankings were based solely on how each performed in 2025.
Here's where the Commanders' three quarterbacks ranked:
29. Marcus Mariota
Marcus Mariota started more games than anyone expected him to and performed admirably, producing consistent showings regardless of opponent or available weaponry. Washington would be wise to find a way to keep him in 2026.
Mariota played well. It's fair to say there aren't 32 better quarterbacks in the NFL than the 12-year veteran.
38. Jayden Daniels
It almost feels as if we never saw more than cameo appearances from Jayden Daniels. Injuries ruined his sophomore season and the Commanders' ambitions of returning to the playoffs.
Very true statement. It's almost as if Daniels' 2025 season never actually got started.
48. Josh Johnson
Josh Johnson made his first start since 2021 in Week 18, leading the Commanders to a late win on the road in Philadelphia, a triumphant moment that was long overdue for the 39-year-old. He's defined nomad in his NFL journey; why not give it another go in 2026?
If Johnson wants to play in 2026, he should absolutely be on someone's roster. Don't be surprised if he's not back with the Commanders, whether Mariota re-signs or not.
Feb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Maxx Crosby and Rachel Crosby on the red carpet before the NFL Honors show at Resorts World Theatre.
Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby’s IG stories garnered attention following the Valentine’s Day holiday on Feb. 14.
The digital tribute surfaced online when Crosby shared a photo featuring his wife, Rachel, and their daughter, Ella Rose, in matching heart-patterned pajamas. The Raiders' edge rusher captioned the post:
"Happy Valentines Day To My Queen & Princess. Yall Are My Universe.🙏🏼🖤".
Maxx Crosby: "Happy Valentines Day To My Queen & Princess. Yall Are My Universe.🙏🏼🖤". pic.twitter.com/W2FzPddhR4
Crosby seized the moment to reshare a customized digital Valentine’s Day card created by the NFL’s official social media team. The graphic, which featured a pun on his first name - "I love you to the Maxx" - was part of a league-wide holiday campaign highlighting Pro Bowl players.
The Raiders star also reshared a tribute from his wife, Rachel, featuring himself and Ella Rose in matching red tops and camouflage pants within their home.
However, the "Mad Maxx" persona remains a point of focus as Crosby navigates a disciplined rehabilitation schedule for a recently repaired meniscus. Recently, Crosby addressed the public discourse regarding his recovery on "The Herd":
"I’m getting healthy. I’m in the building every single day... before 6am and it's dark out, and I am in here until almost two o'clock," he stated. Regarding external commentary, Crosby noted: "So all the noise, it's news to me sometimes... it’s a lose/lose".
The disciplined life of Maxx Crosby
Maxx Crosby is maintaining his status as a cornerstone of the Silver and Black, celebrating the 2026 Valentine’s holiday following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season. The couple, who officially tied the knot in March 2023, have established themselves as prominent figures in the Las Vegas community while Crosby continues his reign at Allegiant Stadium, often referred to as "The Death Star".
The elite edge rusher's devotion to his family is literal; he features a prominent torso tattoo of his daughter, born during the 2022 bye week, positioned above legendary icons Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, and Kobe Bryant. Earlier in the 2026 calendar year, the family celebrated the New Year at a "Stranger Things" screening, where Rachel Crosby shared footage of Ella Rose "running into 2026" with her father.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, "The Condor" has maintained elite production despite physical adversity, recording 73 total tackles and 10.0 sacks during the 2025 campaign under head coach Klint Kubiak. This follows a 2023 season where he recorded 14.5 sacks and 23.0 tackles for loss. Crosby remains focused on his rigorous daily routine at the Intermountain Health Performance Center, where he reportedly arrives at 6:00 a.m. to ensure he is the "hardest worker on the planet".
BROMLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08: Courtney Brosnan of Everton celebrates with Rion Ishikawa after the Barclays Women's Super League match between London City Lionesses and Everton at Copperjax Community Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bromley, England. (Photo by Paul Harding - WSL/WSL Football via Getty Images) | WSL Football via Getty Images
Courtney Brosnan is under no illusion at how big a game the weekend’s Everton Women fixture against West Ham United will be, with the goalkeeper also admitting to enjoying life under new boss Scott Phelan.
The Republic of Ireland international, who this week joined teammate Honoka Hayashi in signing a new contract with Everton Women, has promised that her teammates will do everything they can to continue their mini revival which has seen the Blues win their last two games, including their first home win in the WSL.
And with the possibility of climbing to eighth in the table, Brosnan is determined to keep the momentum going at the expense of the Hammers.
“I think we know how big this game it is. West Ham are always really difficult to play against, at home or away,” she said.
“Two wins on the bounce and we are looking to continue that form and continue to do everything we can to get results and get points on the board.
“So, it will be really big to get three points this weekend.”
And on interim head coach Phelan, the 30-year-old added:
“I’ve really enjoyed working with him and I think it is really special to have someone who has been at the club for so long, who has played here and managed here.
“He really knows what it means to play for Everton and be part of Everton, and it’s great for him to be able to instil those values into the squad and so important for us to bring that positive energy into our performances.”
The Opposition
While it is highly unlikely Rita Guarino’s side will go above the Toffees even if they win at Goodison Park due to their goal difference, there will still be a lot of incentive for the Hammers to go level on points with their hosts as they look to climb away for the WSL drop zone.
Three goals in the final ten minutes completed a sensational comeback win over Brighton & Hove Albion last week, in what was only the London club’s third league win of the season.
The WSL’s leakiest defence, the Hammers will be looking to top scorer Shekiera Martinez and the rest of their attacking players, as Guarino’s team have not kept a clean sheet in the league this season and have only managed two shutouts in all competitions during this campaign.
Previous Meetings
Martinez has already found the net against Everton this season as West Ham ran out 3-1 winners in November’s meeting at Chigwell Construction Stadium, which was the team’s first win in WSL during 2025/26.
February 2024 was the last time the Blues defeated their weekend visitors, with Martina Piemonte and Aurora Galli both scoring late on to give the Toffees all three points at Walton Hall Park.
That campaign proved a to be a fruitful one for the Merseysiders, who came away from London with three points thanks to a Karen Holmgaard strike after 63 minutes.
Can Everton Women make it three league wins on the spin? They get their chance on Sunday, 10 December, at Goodison Park, with the fixture getting underway at 12pm GMT (7am ET, 4am PT).
Madrid, Spain - February 12: Joan García of FC Barcelona gestures during the Copa Del Rey match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on February 12, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Manu Reino/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images) | DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Barcelona look to bounce back from a painful defeat in the Cup when they make a short trip to face Catalan rivals Girona in a crucial La Liga match.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Monday’s battle:
Defense
Barça will finally have some relief in the schedule as they won’t have any midweek commitments for the next two weeks, so we think Flick will go with a strong team in this one to make sure of the points and then give some extra rest to his troops.
Every single player at the back struggled in the defeat to Atlético Madrid and it’s easy to call for an entire change to the defense, but we actually think the coach will give his favorite backline combination of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsí, Eric Garcia and Alejandro Balde a show of trust and start them again in this one.
Midfield
Barça’s midfield also struggled in Madrid and Frenkie de Jong had a rare off-night, but the Dutchman remains the team’s best hope for control and dominance in the middle of the park. We think he’ll start alongside Marc Bernal in this one, with Fermín López starting in the number 10 spot and Dani Olmo going to the bench.
Attack
Raphinha is expected to return to the squad but probably won’t be fit to play all 90 minutes, so we think Flick will save the Brazilian for the second half in this one and start Ferran Torres on the left, with Robert Lewandowski leading the line and Lamine Yamal starting on the right.
Possible XI: Joan; Kounde, Cubarsí, Eric, Balde; De Jong, Bernal; Yamal, Fermín, Ferran; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Girona? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!
Ruben Dias says one Manchester City teammate is “dangerous” in training
Manchester City’s Ruben Dias has pointed towards the dangers of training alongside one Etihad Stadium teammate, speaking during a new interview.
As City continue to compete on multiple fronts, the intensity at the City Football Academy remains as high as ever with Pep Guardiola’s side renowned for a demanding training sessions as players continue to be pushed to their physical limits.
For defenders, Manchester City’s approach towards retaining a high line in matches has brought about added physical demands, and training ground battles will no doubt be seen as challenging as competitive match action.
That reality has been highlighted by one of the club’s most important defensive figures, who has offered an insight into what it is like to share the pitch with one specific striker during high-intensity sessions.
Speaking during a new feature with Canal11 in Portugal, as translated and relayed by Record and Sport Witness, Ruben Dias offered some behind-the-scenes insight into his training ground activities with teammates and personal relations with others.
“Training with Erling [Haaland]? It’s dangerous,” Dias admitted, when quizzed on the Norwegian striker.
“When we train seriously, there are usually sparks flying,” he continued. “I’d classify him as one of those strikers who has to be 100 to 0… A one percent chance is enough for him to score a goal.”
One long-standing member of the City dressing room, and a fellow Portuguese international teammate, is Bernardo Silva. And speaking on the legendary midfielder, Dias said of his close relationship with the 31-year-old, “It has to do with the very similar way we both see life, even though we’re completely different people.
“Just look at how I take care of my body and how he takes care of his.”
The latest comments underline the competitive edge that exists within Pep Guardiola’s squad, where training standards are driven by elite-level individuals such as Erling Haaland, whose physicality and ruthless finishing have redefined City’s attacking threat since his arrival.
Meanwhile, Dias’ remarks about Bernardo Silva offer a glimpse into the strong personal bonds within the squad, with shared professionalism and mutual respect helping to maintain harmony in a team packed with world-class talent.
As Manchester City look to navigate a crucial business end to the ongoing campaign, such internal competition and unity could once again prove decisive, ensuring that standards remain sky-high both on the training pitch and in competitive action.
Agent of top Belgian talent confirms interest from Barcelona – “We are handling it”
Barcelona’s relentless search for the next generation of global superstars has led them directly to the doorstep of Club Brugge’s latest rising sensation, Jesse Bisiwu.
The 18-year-old winger has seen his reputation soar after being compared by prominent football experts like Vinyl Tong to the early stages of Lamine Yamal’s historic breakthrough.
The player’s representative, Mobindi Marthy, recently broke his silence to address the growing speculation regarding the youngster’s future and a potential move to La Liga.
In an interview with Erem News, Marthy confirmed that the Blaugrana are indeed a major agitator in the race for the explosive winger’s signature.
Barcelona are among the clubs tracking the progress of Bisiwu (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
“It is true that Barcelona follows Jesse very closely and is one of the clubs that actively monitors his situation,” he said (h/t Diario SPORT).
Despite Brugge’s desire to renew their star player beyond his current 2027 contract, the representative’s remarks suggest the transfer market machinery is already moving at full capacity.
When specifically questioned about the existence of formal negotiations, Marthy confirmed that high-level contact is a standard reality.
“Given the player’s talent, it is totally normal for there to be official communications with several clubs, including big clubs such as Barcelona,” he added.
While the link to the Catalan giants is undeniably significant, the agent made it clear that they are in no rush to force a premature move.
He is keen to ensure that the winger’s technical growth continues undisturbed while he gains valuable minutes with the Belgian club’s reserve team. “We are handling everything calmly, step by step,” he concluded.
MUNICH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 02: Uli Hoeness, Honorary President of FC Bayern München attends with Christoph Freund, Sporting Director of Bayern München the annual general meeting of football club FC Bayern Muenchen at BMW Park on November 02, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Few figures are as inseparable from Bayern Munich as Uli Hoeneß.
Across decades of triumphs, crises, and reinvention, Hoeneß has remained a constant presence — outspoken, emotional, and deeply invested in the club’s identity. For sporting director Christoph Freund, that influence is both unmistakable and invaluable, even as modern football continues to evolve.
“No one else represents FC Bayern like Uli Hoeneß. He always speaks his mind – internally and in public. That’s simply how he is. He always wants the best for FC Bayern and puts a lot of thought into it. We have a very good exchange and often have controversial discussions. He talks about what they used to do [in the past] and how it should be done now. But times have also changed,” Freund told Servus Nachrichten (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
Freund’s reflection captures the balance between tradition and progress that defines Bayern Munich’s leadership culture. Hoeneß embodies the club’s historical standards—competitive hunger, financial responsibility, and emotional connection to supporters. At the same time, Freund represents a newer generation tasked with navigating a faster, more globalized football landscape.
The mention of “controversial discussions” is particularly revealing. At Bayern Munich, disagreement is not viewed as division but as part of a rigorous process aimed at protecting excellence. Strong opinions, especially from someone with Hoeneß’s legacy, challenge decision-makers to justify their direction and adapt old principles to modern realities.
Ultimately, Freund’s words suggest continuity rather than conflict. Hoeneß’s voice still matters because it is rooted in unwavering commitment, while evolving leadership ensures the club does not stand still. That dialogue between past and present may be one of Bayern’s greatest competitive advantages.
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…
Juventus player ratings vs Inter Milan: Locatelli leads by example
Although they fought valiantly, 10-man Juventus suffered a heartbreaking defeat to their greatest rivals, Inter, in the Derby d’Italia.
The Bianconeri’s luck deserted them from the get-go, as Luis Henrique’s deflected play resulted in an own goal from Andrea Cambiaso. The latter redeemed himself by scoring in the right goal, but Pierre Kalulu was harshly given a second yellow card for allegedly blocking Alessandro Bastoni’s run.
Juventus played an entire half with a numerical disadvantage, so Inter eventually retook the lead through Francisco Pio Esposito. However, there were a couple of additional twists in the tale, as Manuel Locatelli restored parity with a shocking equaliser, only for Piotr Zielinski to decide the contest with a late winner.
So, here are our player ratings for Luciano Spalletti’s men, who came away empty-handed from their trip to San Siro after suffering a 2-3 defeat.
Juventus XI (4-2-3-1)
Michele Di Gregorio – 6
A mixed bag from the Juventus goalkeeper, who produced a series of miraculous saves on the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu and Yann Bisseck, but was too slow to react on the deflected opener. He also misjudged the direction of the ball on Zielinski’s winner.
Pierre Kalulu – 5
The Frenchman was unfairly given his marching orders, but he could have avoided giving the referee the opportunity to book him on both occasions.
Gleison Bremer – 7.5
A superb display from the Brazilian defender, who kept Lautaro Martinez in his pocket. He instigated the second Juventus goal by dispossessing the Inter captain and taking part in the buildup.
Lloyd Kelly – 6.5
A fine display from the Englishman, who made a string of crucial interventions, but he could have offered Locatelli some support when dealing with Esposito on the second goal.
Andrea Cambiaso – 7
The full-back was unlucky to have Inter’s opener attributed to him, but he avenged himself by scoring a true poacher’s goal at the end of the pitch. Darted forward on a glorious run early in the second half, dribbling past several players before being denied by Yann Sommer.
Manuel Locatelli – 7.5
The Juventus captain honoured the armband with a courageous display at both ends of the pitch. He was overmatched by Esposito on Inter’s second goal, and couldn’t reach Zielinski in time to prevent the winner, but he still won the majority of his duels. Brought the Bianconeri back to the game with a temporary equaliser.
Juventus players applauding the travelling supporters at San Siro (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Fabio Miretti – 5.5
The Juventus youth product was the team’s weakest link in midfield. His clumsy pass stemmed from Kalulu’s second booking.
Francisco Conceicao – 6
The Portuguese winger was enjoying some success against Federico Dimarco, but Luciano Spalletti chose to sacrifice him at the interval due to Kalulu’s dismissal.
Weston McKennie – 7
The USMNT star ran more than any other player on the pitch, and provided the assist for both Bianconeri goals.
Kenan Yildiz – 6
The Turkish star tested Sommer with a promising curler in the first half, but he hardly saw the ball when Juventus went down to 10 men.
Jonathan David – 5
The Canadian striker had a promising chance early in the match, but couldn’t bring the ball down properly. It was his clumsy control that prompted Inter’s opener.
Substitutes
Emil Holm – 6
A solid second half from the Swede, who combined well with McKennie down the right flank, and managed to thwart Dimarco on several occasions, but perhaps should have closed him down on Inter’s second goal.
Juan Cabal – 6
An energetic display from the Colombian, who reinforced the backline and tried to join the attacks as often as he could.
Teun Koopmeiners – 6
The Dutchman pulled off a last-ditch block to prevent Ange Bonny from scoring Inter’s fourth.
Jeremie Boga – 5.5
The Ivorian was a bit too wasteful on the ball while opting for an individualist approach.
Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde talked to the press after the team’s victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga. It was a solid performance and a statement win, so Valverde wanted to send a message.
“Well, I think in the end that’s what I’m telling you, the energy, the good results that come as they arrive and that the team feels good. We have had weeks where we took a lot of shit and I think that helped us grow as players, grow as people. As I was just telling you, we have been through bad times, I think well deserved. In the end, it made us change, mature as players who haven’t won anything during last year, we haven’t won anything this year. So the first thing to do is to settle down, grow as individuals, grow as players day by day. Knowing that things need to change, that they weren’t right and I think now is the time,” he said.
The midfielder was asked about the dressing room and the unity.
“The unity was always there, as I tell you, I think at least what I personally think is that also when you keep winning it helps a lot to have another kind of flow when working in training sessions, to have less anger, in the end we are 25 players. We all fight to play, 11 of us play, there are 5 substitutions, there will always be some player who is a little less happy than another because they would like to play more, but well, I think when things go like this, the way we win, players change, come in, contribute and do well, I think it helps everything to go better,” he explained.
Valverde reflected on his first season as a captain.
“Well, it was my first year as the captain and, well, it was tough obviously. If I told you it was incredible, I would be lying. One is responsible for all of this, one feels responsible. I feel responsible when things are not going well; that’s just how I am. It’s not just because I’m also the captain; whenever things aren’t going well or we don’t win, I’m always the first one to blame myself. At least I get home and try to do everything possible, watch football, the match we’ve played to be able to change attitudes among teammates and do the best I can do to be able to change all of this. It doesn’t matter if others are being booed; we as teammates have to stay strong. We know we’ve been through very bad times, as I said many times, well-deserved because of the moment we were having during the season,” he concluded.
The years have ticked by, three of them since he last kicked a ball, but every day spent grafting in the gym is one Gerard Deulofeu believes he is a step closer to a "miracle".
"One of the things I get energy from is that I know I can make history," says the 31-year-old, whose last appearance for Udinese was in January 2023.
Football is his passion, his job. It is the game that took him to Barcelona's famed La Masia academy as a child and European glory as an adult. To the FA Cup final and the unbridled pride of scoring for his country. Tying full-backs in knots from Milan to Merseyside.
Deulofeu desperately wants to feel that rush again, to complete what he feels would be the longest recovery ever.
But there was a time, the hardest time in those more than 1,100 days since his injury, where he could not walk with his kids, take the dogs out, drive the car.
What Deulofeu really missed then were the simple things.
"I lost all my personal life," he says. "That's the most hurtful thing that you can feel.
"Now I am just waiting to do a miracle to be back playing football. But I know it is so difficult to come back with that type of incapacity."
Deulofeu squeezes each hand into a fist and crunches his knuckles together to replicate his right knee. "My two bones," he grimaces. "They are shocking."
The former Spain winger had already spent two months recovering from what he did not realise was an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained before Serie A broke up for the World Cup, when his short-lived return happened.
After coming off the bench against Sampdoria some 37 months ago, he could feel the knee giving way and asked to be taken off.
"I played 15 minutes," says Deulofeu. "And there, in that 15 minutes, the ACL was completely broken. That was my last game."
Deulofeu first suffered the injury against against Napoli in November 2022 [Getty Images]
Had it just been a case of fixing his ACL - and Deulofeu stresses that is a "crazy" injury in itself, but one from which most modern footballers recover - he would have been back representing I Bianconeri more than two years ago.
Indeed, the winger successfully returned eight months after a previous ACL tear at Watford in 2020.
"You do the surgery and you change your ACL, your system, and you do a progressive recovery," he says. "But the problem was the infection."
That infection ate away at the cartilage in his knee, each scan showing it progressively deteriorating, reducing Deulofeu to the feeling of bone on bone.
"I wasn't the luckiest person," he shrugs.
He has consulted fellow Spaniard Santi Cazorla, who was sidelined for 636 days after gangrene ravaged his Achilles tendon, and takes inspiration from the former Arsenal midfielder's comeback.
"It is an amazing example," says Deulofeu. "To imagine how he suffered in these two years and a half, I can feel it now."
Deulofeu's first step was to have cell treatment in an attempt to rebuild the cartilage, but he faced a setback after attempting to run again.
"My knee needed to heal," he explains. "To train hard, first you have to heal."
Almost two years later, having continued with injections for his cell treatment, he believes he is close to trying to run once more.
It is a product of what Deulofeu says was six months of building "muscle, muscle, muscle" in the gym, working with a physio and fitness trainer for three to four hours every morning, five days a week at Udinese's Stadio Friuli.
"Let's see if I can accept impact," he says. "I am so happy because I feel the leg is really strong. The more muscle you get, the less pain you have inside the knee, so now I feel that, yes, my knee is prepared to run.
"I am feeling that I am close. If we speak about muscle, I am in the same levels of the available guys now.
"But let's see how they respond, with no cartilage and no meniscus..."
Deulofeu admits there were times he felt like quitting, but he remains remarkably upbeat and focused on his goal of returning to professional football.
"There are three really important things," he explains. "One, for sure, is family and home. To try to go ahead with this period, first of all your home has to be with peace and love every morning.
"Happiness, seeing your kids growing, with your wife, really good peace and love at home. That's really important to go to training every day with a good mood."
Deulofeu has represented Barcelona, Everton, Sevilla, AC Milan, Watford and Udinese in his career [Getty Images]
One positive Deulofeu takes from this period is that he can enjoy more time with his family than is afforded to most professional footballers.
"In those three years I am out of my work, my passion, I can see how good it is just being at home," he says.
"Just being with your family, with your kids, looking at them growing and being a father, because with football you lose a lot of good periods, good moments.
"There are a lot of games now in modern football, every three or four days you play, and your kids are growing so fast."
His three children, though, are also the main fuel for Deulofeu to want to play football again - he wants them to be able to share those memories with them.
"My big daughter is eight years old and she is playing football, and my son is five and also playing football," he explains. "Now they are telling me: 'When are you going to get back? I want to go with you to the stadium!'
"That type of history with the kids, that gives me the power to continue and to fight for being there with them, enjoy that moment with them now they are older."
The second reason Deulofeu gives is his relationship with the club and the Pozzo family, who brought him to Watford and then Udinese.
Both parties agreed to end his contract when it became clear Deulofeu would be sidelined indefinitely, but Udinese have provided him with the facilities to continue his recovery.
In return, he is passionate about wanting to represent them again.
Deulofeu scored 13 Serie A goals in his first full season at Udinese [Getty Images]
Finally, he is a self-confessed fitness obsessive. Deulofeu can be seen studying the science behind his recovery while recuperating in oxygen machines or during rest periods.
"I am really interested in everything about health," he says. "So I'm enjoying being healthy, you know?
"Being positive helps me to see life in other ways. I cannot think 'oh, it happens to me, I'm so unlucky'. OK, maybe yes, but I prefer to think in another way, my mind being clear and clean to go and suffer every morning - if not, you are completely out."
He spends his time at the club "with a smile, with my team-mates, giving them advice". He adds: "Just enjoying my recovery, seeing my improvements, I can feel more positive."
He is grateful too this layoff has come towards the back end of his career. With 350 club games spanning the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, as well as four Spain caps, he has fulfilled a goal of which most only dream.
"Imagine if that type of injury happens when you are young? You are completely gone, your career," he says.
"So I am grateful to play this career with AC Milan, Barcelona, Everton, Sevilla... I won the Europa League, I play for my national team, I score. What can you demand more?
"Let's see now if I can continue my career or just be grateful to be part of 10, 12 years in that amazing sport."
After the interview wraps up, Deulofeu has another hour and a half on the bike to complete, before switching back into father mode - the kids need picking up from school and his son has training in the evening.
He gets too nervous to watch Udinese in the stadiums at weekends, plus he must rest for another hard week of training, but loves witnessing his children playing football.
"Seriously, I am there for two hours because I am so proud," he beams. "My kids' game is my game!
"Sometimes the coaches tell me 'come here to the pitch and lend them some advice'. It's funny, it's good. How to put the foot, how to pass. It is beautiful."
Both Bloomfield boys and girls celebrate their teams win during the Class S boys and girls indoor track and field championships Friday February 14, 2026 at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven. (Jim Shannon/Hearst Connecticut Media)
NEW HAVEN-- The Bloomfield boys and girls track and field teams sprinted their way to victories in the CIAC Class S state championship meets Saturday afternoon at the Floyd Little Athletic Center.
The Warhawks took command, with both teams winning in the 4x200m, the 4x400m, the 55m hurdles, and the 1600m sprint medley.
"We didn't want the meet to be bigger than ourselves," boys head coach Garfield White said. "They did a good job just being level-headed and doing what they normally know how to do."
Bloomfield ran away with both meets, with 108 points in the boys meet, ahead of runner-up Bacon Academy (35) and third-place finisher Portland (33). The girls scored 110 with runner-up Sacred Heart Academy scoring 51 and Stonington 24.
The boys were led by Shaun Lazenby, Tacqori Jackson, and Javonni Reynolds; all three were on the first-place 4x200m. Lazenby won the 55m hurdle and Jackson was on the 1600m sprint medley team that won gold. Lazenby and Reynolds won gold in the 4x400m.
"Hard work beats talent and talent fails to work hard," Lazenby said.
The girls were led by Saphyr Brown and Vanessa Agyemang, with Brown winning two gold medals in the 4x200m and 55m and Agyemang winning three gold medals in the 55mh, 4x400m, and long jump.
Girls head coach Anne Burrows is used to seeing championship banners in Bloomfield as this is their 16th championship in a row.
"We don't want to lose and [this team] doesn't want to be the class to lose," Burrows said. "I didn't think this class would be that at all because they're very dedicated."
Lazenby, Jackson, Reynolds shine in short distance and relays
Lazenby and Jackson got the meet going in the 4x200m along with their teammates Triston Matthews and Javonni Reynolds, winning with a time of 1:33.50.
Lazenby and Reynolds were on the 4x400m team that won in 3:29.04. The two also had a photo finish in the 55m hurdles with Lazenby edging Reynolds by .01 seconds.
"We just wanted to run a good time," Reynolds said. "We already kind of knew that we were going to win, so we wanted to come in [first and second place]."
Jackson, along with his teammates Matthews, Edgar Jimenez-Torres, and Eric Gamble, won the 1600m sprint medley with a time of 3:44.82.
"We had a strong mentality that we were going to come in and win," Jackson said.
Jackson also finished in second place in the 55 meters behind Stonington's Max DeLaRosa.
Led by Agyemang, Brown, and Sardine, the girls earned gold both on the track and on the field
Agyemang won the 55m hurdles with a time of 8.33. Agyemang said that having a strong mindset before the race was the key to victory.
"This entire meet I was just trying not to be in my head, so I just said, ‘finish the race as best that you can,'" Agyemang said. "I didn't really have a game plan; it was just run, trust in my training, and that's what I did."
Agyemang also won the 4x400m with her teammates Jahniya Barclay, Soleigh Dixon, and Deanna Spears in 4:10.57. She, along with Brown, was also on the 4x200m team that featured Barclay, Spears, and D'Asia Duncan. The Warhawks won the race with a time of 1:43.85.
Agyemang and Brown also took control of the long jump, winning gold and silver respectively. Agyemang had a jump of 18-11.00 while Brown leapt 18-08.25. Brown won the 55 meters with a time of 7.13.
"I actually had a pretty bad start [in the 55 meters], but I trusted myself and ended up coming out on top," Brown said. "I'm proud of myself."
Other field standouts
Payton Sardine won the girls shot put with a score of 38-00.25, and Ethan Rowe and Jessie Singleton Jr. tied for first place in the boys high jump with scores of 6-06.00. Singleton Jr. also finished in second place in the long jump.
Khile Francis finished in second place in the boys shot put with a score of 57-07.75, with his teammate Mason Gray right behind him with a bronze medal throw of 50-02.00.
Barcelona send official complaint over referees, list five grievances
FC Barcelona have escalated its growing frustration with Spanish officiating by sending a formal letter of complaint to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), reports Diario SPORT.
Addressed to the presidency and the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), the document expresses deep concern over a perceived lack of unified criteria that the club believes has affected them very negatively across both the men’s and women’s teams.
The club’s protest outlines five specific points where they believe refereeing standards have failed to maintain consistency.
What are the five grievances?
Barça cite a “double yardstick” by comparing Frenkie de Jong’s red card in the Super Cup to a challenge by Giuliano Simeone on Alejandro Balde, which received no similar punishment.
Regarding handballs, the club find it especially worrying that an unpunished action by Aurelien Tchouameni in a previous Clasico stands in stark contrast to a penalty recently awarded against Barça for a similar situation, despite both being judged by the same official.
Barcelona are not too happy with the refereeing standards in La Liga. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Furthermore, the complaint slams an accumulation of flagrant errors that always seem to result in detriment to Barcelona, arguing that this situation directly compromises the integrity of the competition.
The club also questions the use of technology, noting that “nanometric decisions” are increasingly made against them, such as disallowed goals for Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.
They specifically highlighted the lack of transparency regarding the seven-minute VAR review of Pau Cubarsí’s disallowed goal against Atletico Madrid.
Finally, Barça noted a disparity in VAR recalls, pointing out that while Eric Garcia was sent for review during a red card incident, similar decisive fouls on Balde and Yamal were ignored.
The club clarified that while it does not question the professionalism of the referees, it demands an urgent review of the applied criteria to ensure equal treatment and preserve the prestige of RFEF competitions.
Real Madrid midfielder talks captaincy, UCL and more after win vs Sociedad – “Responsible for all this”
Federico Valverde was one of the players in focus as Real Madrid secured a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad to momentarily secure the top spot in La Liga.
The Uruguayan international, who has become a key leader in the Real Madrid dressing room, was delighted with the victory.
Speaking to the press after the match, Valverde talked about the three points as well as Real Madrid’s ambitions in the Champions League and his role as a captain, among other things.
What Valverde said after Real Madrid win over Sociedad
Reacting to the win over Sociedad, Valverde lauded the team’s effort and congratulated them for the victory.
“Happy with the victory, with the effort. We did a spectacular job, both offensively and defensively. We lacked the finishing touch at the beginning. But very happy,” he said.
Defensive resilience was a key factor in Real Madrid’s win, as highlighted by head coach Arbeloa. Valverde, too, pointed this out after the match.
“Trying to stay compact when defending. We knew they moved around a lot in our midfield. It was clear that we defended together throughout the entire match,” he said.
Talking about scopes for improvement going forward, Valverde said it is imperative that the team continues to train well.
Valverde is leading the team by example. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
“Training, working with the coaching staff. They’re always with us to keep refining our shooting. Thank God it went in. The important thing is that it went in. Whether it was pretty is secondary. The main thing is to win, to get the three points,” he stated.
The Real Madrid superstar went on to talk about the key fixture list ahead for Real Madrid, starting with midweek’s fiery Champions League contest against Benfica.
“We’ve been working for a long time for what’s coming, for the Champions League. We had long weeks where we prepared a lot. We’re going to fight for the League and the Champions League,” he said.
Speaking of Champions League, the Uruguayan international also highlighted Real Madrid’s ambitions in the UCL.
“We are Real Madrid, we always have to go for every title. If I said otherwise, it would be a disgrace on my part; it would be a disgrace as captain of this team. We have to go out and win everything, we have to work hard for it.
“It’s true that we have to work our hardest every day, arrive at training, and focus, whether it’s for two, three, or four hours. Real Madrid deserves that we are 100% focused on football, that we are 100% focused on winning and on going for every title throughout the season,” he pointed out.
Valverde is particularly happy that Real Madrid have started stringing together a series of wins and that the atmosphere has improved after the exit of Xabi Alonso.
“The energy, the good results that are coming in, and the fact that the team is finding its rhythm. We’ve had weeks where we’ve had to swallow a lot of crap, and I think that helped us grow as players and as people. We’ve gone through some bad times,” he said.
“In the end, it made us change, mature as players who didn’t win anything last year, and haven’t won anything this year.
Valverde scored a brilliant goal vs Real Sociedad. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“The first thing we have to do is settle down, grow as individuals, and grow as players day by day. We have to recognise that things need to change, that they weren’t right, and I think now is the time,” he added.
Finally, the Real Madrid star talked about captaincy and how it is difficult to lead a team like Los Blancos.
“This is my first year as captain, and it’s been tough. If I told you it was incredible, I’d be lying. You’re responsible for all of this; you feel responsible. I feel responsible when things aren’t going well. That’s just how I am.
“It’s not just because I’m captain; whenever things aren’t going well or we’re not winning, I’m always the first one to blame,” he said.
“It’s not the end of the world if others are getting booed; we, as teammates, have to stay strong. We know we’ve been through some really bad times, as I’ve said many times, well deserved given how we were playing during the season,” he concluded.
It must be remembered that with Dani Carvajal facing an uncertain future, Real Madrid have reportedly chosen Valverde as their full-time captain, especially if the Spaniard doesn’t continue beyond the end of the season.
Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson (16) and Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson (11) and San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) and Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) look on in the slam dunk competition during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The lights glitzed. The stars glamored. But All-Star weekend has lacked the Hollywood spectacle it's known for.
What once crackled with electricity now flickers like a neon sign at closing time—bright enough to see, dim enough to disappoint.
The City of Angels played host to a party where half the guests never showed, and the ones who did kept checking their watches. Not because the night was young, but because the night was over before it ever began.
Welcome to the NBA's flagship weekend, now operating on Olympic time.
The first two days arrived with a bureaucratic whisper—events compressed, creativity constrained, the whole mechanical affair squeezed into a five-hour window before curling and cross-country skiing commandeered the airwaves.
Blame greed? Blame the NBC partnership that has transformed basketball's grandest showcase into a speed-run spectacle?
The league that built its empire on star power now finds its constellation eclipsed by bobsleds and biathlons.
Day two arrived with promises of resurrection. What it delivered was redundancy.
Damian Lillard stood at the three-point line at Intuit Dome, launching pellets into Pacific air, each splash sending a ripple through a crowd that actually cared.
He hasn't played a game all season.
His Achilles spent the first half of the season in recovery mode. And still, he shot 29 in the final round—two points better than Devin Booker, who sat stunned after missing his last three money balls, frozen in the corner like a man who just watched his ride leave without him.
"I came in confident," Lillard said. "I'm fresh.
He joined Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only three-time winners of the 3-point contest.
It was a moment. A real one.
A feel-good story that would have led every sports highlight package from here to Portland—had anyone actually seen it.
But here's the thing about All-Star Saturday night: most people weren't watching.
They were somewhere else.
At parties. At dinners. At events scheduled directly against the NBA's flagship appetizer.
Because the league, handcuffed by its media partnership with NBC, is forced to cram all of the events before 5 p.m.
Why? The Winter Olympics.
Curling. Downhill skiing. Speed skating.
That's the competition. A rock sliding across ice has more network priority than the slam dunk contest.
The dunk contest.
Say it slow. Let it land.
The league that once owned Sunday night now rents Saturday afternoon.
The slam dunk contest—birthplace of legends, forge of icons—has been replaced with curling, downhill skiing and speed skating.
Dominique soared here. Jordan flew here. Vince Carter turned Toronto into Olympus, and now Olympus broadcasts actual Olympians while basketball waits in the green room.
Silicon Valley had much to be desired when ingenuity, power and artistry intersected in the slam dunk contest. Instead, we received Silicon Valley efficiency—streamlined, scheduled, soulless.
"Dunking is an art," Keshad Johnson said, the Miami Heat forward who somehow emerged as the winner. "It's kind of hard to come up with new stuff each and every way."
He's right. It is hard.
But that's the point. The difficulty is the drama.
The struggle births the spectacular. Art without ambition is craft. Craft without risk is commerce. And Saturday night, there was no spectacular.
There was no showmanship. There was no buzz.
The event that gave us Dominique's windmill, Jordan's free-throw line, Vince Carter's arm-in-the-rim mortuary slam.
The event that turned ordinary February into a myth-making machine.
That cathedral of flight, that museum of human possibility, devolved into a recital of greatest hits we've heard too many times.
The same recycled dunks we've seen over the years, stripped of narrative, stripped of nerve, stripped of the very thing that once made us lean forward in our living rooms: the unknown.
Jaxson Hayes, the Lakers' leaper, took off from the dotted line and performed an in-game, one-handed slam. It was a travesty to the event and its history—a dunk you could witness on any Tuesday in March, presented on Valentine's weekend as though it were a love letter.
The hometown crowd cheered politely. The judges scored generously. The basketball gods wept silently.
Jace Richardson, carrying his father's legacy like both armor and anchor, nearly sent himself to the ER on a failed dunk.
The son of two-time champion Jason Richardson, young Jase finished last at 88.8, his evening ending not with triumph but with near triage.
That near-miss with injury was the most exciting moment: near bodily harm masquerading as entertainment.
The arena seemed to sigh, "There was no real showmanship."
There was no real buzz or excitement. How could there be?
The answer arrived in fragments, in the spaces between the action.
Journalists and fans who have come for the parties have to choose between the All-Star events and the concurrent parties.
The NBA has engineered a conflict it cannot win—basketball competing with bass lines, dunks competing with DJ sets, the game competing with the gravitational pull of Hollywood nightlife.
When your own audience would rather network than witness, you have built an empty theater.
The final round of the dunk contest arrived like a punchline.
Johnson versus San Antonio's Carter Bryant. Two Arizona products. Two guys struggled to convince us that this sham still matters.
Bryant scored the only perfect 50 of the night—an alley-oop off the floor, through his legs, one-handed finish.
Legitimate. Deserving.
The kind of dunk that makes you lean forward. For one moment, the old electricity returned.
Then came the anticlimax.
Bryant needed only a 47.6 to win. He missed his first attempt. Then missed again.
Gift-wrapped the trophy. Hand-delivered it. Johnson won with a final-round score of 97.4, which sounds official until you realize Bryant essentially forfeited.
The trophy changed hands not through conquest but through concession.
Johnson's clinching dunk? A bounce off the floor, between the legs, baseline reverse.
Fine. Acceptable.
But not championship stuff. Not "put this in the time capsule" stuff. Competent, clean, forgotten by morning.
"Everyone make some noise," Johnson said. "It's a dream. I beat the odds. Every year I watched the dunk contest and I learned from all the people before me."
He learned. But what did he inherit?
The 6-foot-6-inch Heat forward, undrafted and G League-tested, leaped over Bay Area rapper E-40 on his first dunk and finished with a windmill jam that at least suggested joy.
"I'm from Oakland, the West Coast is home to me and I felt like the fans were with me," Johnson said.
Perhaps they were—the ones who remained, the ones who chose basketball over bass drops, the ones who still believe that Saturday night should mean something.
But belief requires nourishment. And this weekend starved its faithful.
The 3-point contest saved the night. Lillard, Booker, Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel—they shot. They competed. They gave the building something to cheer for.
Lillard's journey here is its own kind of poetry.
Torn Achilles in April. Surgery in May. Waived by Milwaukee via the stretch provision in July.
He signed a three-year, $42 million deal to return to Portland—the franchise that drafted him, the city that raised him. He hasn't played a game this season.
But Saturday, he shot like he'd been hoisting all along.
"I don't have to go out there and play 40 minutes, 35 minutes," Lillard said. "Just having this year to be away, my mind and body are just fresh."
He was serious when Michael Levine, the NBA's senior vice president of entertainment and player marketing, called him back. The conversation started as a joke, the way most honest things do. Lillard and Levine were discussing vacation plans when the nine-time All-Star offered to put his trip on hold.
"I was like, 'If y'all need somebody to shoot, I'm available to do it,'" Lillard said. "We laughed about it."
The laughter faded. The spot opened. Levine reached out.
"He was like, 'Were you serious about that?' And I was like, 'You know that I'm always serious. If there's a spot, sign me up.'"
That's the difference. Willing participants. Stars who understand what they mean to the product.
Booker, the 2018 winner in Los Angeles, pushed Lillard to the edge.
He scored 30 in the first round—one shy of the record. Then watched his final money balls rim out, clank, die.
"That'll sting me for some time," Booker said.
That's competition. That's stakes. That's what the dunk contest used to have.
Lillard is the second player to compete in the 3-point contest while rehabbing a torn Achilles. Voshon Lenard did it in 2005. Now Lillard joins that tiny fraternity, plus the Bird-Hodges three-timers club.
"It's not the injury that it used to be," Lillard said. "It's something you can come back and have another prime from."
Another prime. Another chance. Another weekend, perhaps, where the lights don't just glitz but genuinely glow.
The Shooting Stars competition returned after a 10-year absence.
Team Knicks won.
Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston. They beat Team Cameron—Duke guys Jalen Johnson, Knueppel and Corey Maggette—47-38.
Brunson, ever the pragmatist, noted: "This was cool and the game's become more and more international. Basketball is a universal language."
But universal languages require universal listeners. And too many ears were elsewhere—at parties, in traffic, watching athletes in spandex navigate snow.
The NBA is a star-driven league that has forgotten that its superstars push the game forward.
Names like Dominique, Jordan, Larry Nance, Kobe Bryant, and Carter are etched in our memory for awe-inspiring and innovative moments.
We remember not just the dunks but the daring—the way Jordan took off from the free-throw line as though physics were a suggestion, the way Carter turned the 2000 contest into a collective gasp, the way these moments transcended sport and entered mythology.
What will we remember from 2025?
The scheduling conflict? The early curtain? The between-the-legs dunks we've seen over the years, executed by players whose names we'll struggle to recall?
The structural problem remains: the NBA, due to its media partnership with NBC, is forced to cram all these events into the 5 p.m. window because the Winter Olympics require prime-time slots.
Curling requires prime windows.
Downhill skiing requires prime windows.
Speed skating requires prime windows.
Blame greed? Stones and ice and Norwegians with sleek suits have replaced the league's flagship weekend.
When the NBA's business partners vie for the time and attention of journalists and fans, the events lose—every time.
There is no real buzz. No real excitement.
How could there be when the schedule screams "secondary"?
Lillard stood at the podium afterward, talking about recovery, about belief, about a conversation that started as a joke and ended with history.
He was talking about his body. He could have been talking about the weekend.
The arena emptied. The parties raged on. And somewhere, Dominique Wilkins—judge for the evening, witness to the decline—surely remembered when flight meant transcendence, when stars didn't just glamor but genuinely gleamed, when All-Star weekend was an event rather than an obligation, a revelation rather than a recital, a dream rather than a schedule to keep.
The lights glitzed. The stars glamored. The clock struck five, and Cinderella's carriage turned back into programming blocks—curling, downhill skiing and speed skating, the new royalty of winter Sundays.
The NBA's flagship weekend has been replaced, and we are left to wonder whether it was stolen or surrendered, whether the league was conquered by Olympic scheduling or complicit in its own diminishment.
Blame greed? Blame the times? Blame the between-the-legs dunks, endless and eternal, circling back on themselves like a snake consuming its own tail?
All-Star Saturday used to be appointment viewing. Appointment arguing. Appointment remembering.
Now? It's an appetizer before the Olympics.
A placeholder before curling. A negotiation between network obligations and what the game actually needs.
The lights glitzed. The stars glamored. But Hollywood, for one February weekend, felt very far away.
Arne Slot drops worrying Curtis Jones transfer hint
Liverpool could do without the distraction that Curtis Jones’ contract situation is currently bringing.
The 25-year-old - who is out of contract in 2027 - was approached by both Tottenham and Inter Milan in the winter transfer window.
Ultimately Liverpool decided no deal would be done for Jones.
There are various accounts as to why the Premier League champions turned down the approaches.
Trusted club insiders on the Merseyside patch maintain that the Reds were not looking to weaken the squad in January and - in fact - would have been willing to sign players if the right deal was there.
In Italy however they tell a different story - that Jones was available on a loan-to-buy basis only if he agreed to pen a Liverpool contract extension.
Doing so would have kept the creative midfielder’s contract value high - otherwise he would be returning after a six-month loan spell with only a year on his contract.
No deal was done, no contract was signed and that means Jones is heading towards the end of this season shrouded in uncertainty.
Clubs encouraged to make Curtis Jones bid
A report in the Liverpool Echo now claims that suitors in January were “encouraged” by Jones’ camp to make a bid in order to capitalise on the contract chaos.
“The contact itself hints at some gentle encouragement behind the scenes from a player who is hurtling towards the final year of his deal on Merseyside,” the report reads.
Arne Slot addressed the press ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup tie against Brighton - admitting that clubs were well entitled to take advantage of Liverpool’s “model” when it comes to players with expiring contracts.
Liverpool model makes Jones sale inevitable
"I think it is perfectly normal that very good football players are in the interest of big clubs, like us, trying to extend with him and clubs wanting to sign him,” he is reported to have said.
"And if you go to the end of your contract, I think it is also normal that other big clubs think: 'Hmmm, maybe there's a deal to be done'. Because, and I am saying this every time I am standing here lately, you know our model.
"Other clubs know our model as well, so other clubs might think: 'Okay, there is no use calling them because they don't sell', we have a different model. So that could be the reason why there has been some links with other clubs."
That model saw Luis Diaz and Caoimhin Kelleher - among others - sold last summer when the countdown started on their Liverpool contracts. And just because he is a homegrown favourite don’t expect Jones’ treatment to be any different.
It’s easy to understand why the England man might be growing frustrated at his current situation. And the best solution for all involved may be a parting of the ways in summer.
An England international has made an immediate impact at Manchester City
Marc Guehi scored his first goal for Manchester City yesterday as City beat Salford City 2-0 to book a place in the fifth-round of the FA Cup. Guehi’s goal ended the resistance put up by Karl Robinson’s side yesterday at the Etihad Stadium. Since arriving at City in January from Crystal Palace, Guehi has made an immediate impact for his new club. He has provided security at the back, and his leadership has been crucial to Manchester City’s play. It is only early days in Guehi’s City career, but if he can build upon an impressive start to life at the Etihad, the England international will become a vital player for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Marc Guehi came through at a vital time for Manchester City against Salford City.
Manchester City needed a second goal to end Salford City’s stubborn resistance at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. Pep Guardiola’s side were well below their best against the League Two side. Karl Robinson also set his team up to remain in yesterday’s fourth-round FA Cup tie for as long as possible. This approach paid dividends as Salford City had their moments in the match, and until City scored a second goal, the possibility of a famous FA Cup upset was still in play.
Pep Guardiola’s side scored their second goal in the 80th minute of yesterday’s match. It was Marc Guehi who scored the goal. Guehi’s goal wasn’t a spectacular strike by any stretch, but it was a crucial one in yesterday’s match. Guehi’s goal capped off an impressive beginning to life at the Etihad for the England international.
Marc Guehi has slotted seamlessly into the Manchester City defence since arriving at the club from Crystal Palace last month. It was expected that Guehi would be an immediate contributor for Pep Guardiola’s side. With his proven quality, and Premier League experience, Guehi filled an immediate void in the City squad after Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol sustained injuries. There is an argument to be made that Guehi has exceeded expectations with his impressive start to life at Manchester City. His goal to seal Manchester City’s win yesterday capped off an impressive beginning to life at the Etihad for Marc Guehi.
James Trafford had special praise for what Marc Guehi has added to this City team.
Speaking after yesterday’s match, James Trafford spoke in glowing terns about the impact Marc Guehi has had since signing for Manchester City. Trafford knew the type of player City were signing, but he also praised Guehi’s character and what he’s added as a person the current City squad. Trafford said: “Obviously, there’s no doubt about his ability, about how good he is. He’s fit straight in. We’re a great group and we’ve got better since Marc’s come in.”
Marc Guehi has made an instant impact at Manchester City. That was to be expected once he arrived at the club from Crystal Palace last month. More than his impressive play, Guehi has added leadership and character to Pep Guardiola’s squad. James Trafford’s comments highlight this point. Guehi looks set to be a key player for City in their bid to chase honours on four fronts this season and into the future. His goal yesterday was a fine reward for his impressive beginning to life as a City player.
Keely Hodgkinson says she is aiming for a new world record after breaking the British 800m mark at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham.
The 23-year-old, who won Olympic gold in 2024, clocked 1:56.33 in the heats on Saturday to beat her own national record by almost one second.
It was the fastest time in a women's indoor 800m race in 24 years and the third-fastest in history.
Having announced beforehand that she would not compete in Sunday's final because she is due to race in France on Thursday, Hodgkinson described the run as "a personal challenge".
The event in the Midlands counts towards athletes qualifying for the World Indoor Championships in Poland from 20-22 March.
"I had to come to qualify for the Worlds and that is why I was only doing one round," she said.
"But it was a good test. It is three years since I ran indoors, so I knew I had to go out there and stay focused.
"We didn't set out to run a world lead, but I started well and just kept it going. It was a nice surprise. It was a really strong day."
'I feel like it's my record to break'
Asked about targeting Jolanda Ceplak's indoor world record of 1:55.82 set in 2002, Hodgkinson said: "I have been very vocal in the past about wanting to get it.
"I feel like it is my record to break. We'll give it a good go."
Dina Asher‑Smith was another star to deliver a stunning performance on the first day of the event in Birmingham, claiming the women's 60m title in 7.05 seconds - a tenth of a second ahead of Amy Hunt, to set a new championship record.
Speaking afterwards, the 30-year-old said she had been "feeling great for this entire indoor season", adding: "Sometimes you just have to be patient, get race-sharp and wait for the times to come."
In the men's 60m, world and European indoor champion Jeremiah Azu, 24, retained his UK title, reaching the line in a season's best of 6.56secs.
Molly Caudery reclaimed the women's pole vault crown by clearing a height of 4.65m with Owen Heard winning the men's title with an effort of 5.55m.
Lucy Hadaway won the women's long jump with a leap of 6.45m, while Tito Odunaike was victorious in the men's triple jump with a mark of 15.45m.
In the women's 60m hurdles, a personal best of 8.05secs secured victory for Abigail Pawlett, with Daniel Goriola taking the men's race in a season's best 7.78secs.
Madeline Down won the women's para 60m final with a time of 8.24secs, and Kevin Santos was the men's winner in 6.93secs.
You can watch day two of the UK Indoor Athletics Championships on Sunday, on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app from 11:20 GMT.
Thompson-Herah makes comeback
Meanwhile, five-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah finished third in a 60m race in her native Jamaica as she competed for the first time since June 2024.
The 33-year-old, who missed the 2024 Olympics in Paris because of an Achilles tendon injury, finished the race in Kingston in 7.24secs.
Thompson-Herah won the 100m and 200m gold at Rio 2016 before claiming 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay gold at Tokyo 2020.
However, she has not competed in an individual international event since the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where she took bronze in the 100m and silver in the 4x100m.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring the third goal from a penalty during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion on February 14, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) | Visionhaus/Getty Images
Liverpool’s big 3-nil win over Brighton in the FA Cup is a much needed result given Liverpool’s topsy turvy season. And while fans have certainly be within their rights to be skeptical of improvement given that the team has struggled for consistency in Premier League play, perhaps being able to beat a Premier League team – after being the first team to beat Sunderland at home in the League – might give folks a little more of the good feelings.
Good feelings, it turns out, are a lot easier to have when you score three, keep a cleansheet, and get some primetime performances from players that have maybe been underperforming for most of the season. And, in truth, there were no bad performances on the Anfield pitch. To a man, Liverpool absolutely took it Fabian Hurzeler’s charges in what felt like a truly lopsided affair.
Arne Slot’s comments after the match were quite effusive, if characteristically blunt, in relation to the match. Perhaps the most interesting set of remarks was in relation to Mohamed Salah, where the Dutchman took time to praise not just Salah’s attacking contributions, but also his willingness to support in defense.
“It’s very nice to have [Salah] on the scoresheet again and him having an assist. But I think what I like the most at the moment, that he’s scoring goals is something you can almost expect, but he also helps the team a lot defensively. That is something very positive – what the team also needs – and I think more and more players are now capable of playing at this intensity level every three days. That is where we struggled a lot in the beginning of the season, where it was sometimes hard for us to bring the intensity level once a week, let alone every three days. But now we’re able to do so, we see more and more the quality we have. That’s why I’ve said so many times already that the future looks really bright for this club with these players, and I think the recent seven, eight, nine, 10 games are showing that as well.”
It’s a tiny peek behind the curtain in that it was pretty clear that Slot’s tactical allowance of releasing Mo from some defensive duties last season was leading to some of the structural concerns during the lull in October and November. While the team isn’t fully back, the past few matches do look considerably better not only from a results perspective, but also from the eye test. Liverpool look like they have an understanding on offense and, while absolutely imperfect, have managed to not look a complete farce at the back despite what can charitably be called a crisis at right-back.
Diagnosing issues in football is difficult because the game is so fluid, with each player having an influence over many aspects of the overall game flow. So, we cannot lay all of those early season struggles on Mo. But seeing the team manage to find some semblance of control at the. back coupled with Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, and Florian Wirtz all finally finding their footing has contributed to Liverpool’s upward trajectory. In fact, the Hungarian left-back seems to have fully turned it around as he put in a Player of the Match worthy shift, which is impressive given just how good the entire squad is.
Liverpool are in a good place now but need to continue to string together some more matches like this in order to both undo the skepticism earned during their early season swoon and overcome the hole that those results have put the Reds in. Liverpool are pressing for a Champions League spot and will need to play it pretty perfect over the next two and a have months just to keep themselves in contention.
Here’s hoping that facing two relatively stubborn tests and coming out having passed will help the team finally kick into gear.
American Mikaela Shiffrin takes the Winter Olympics slopes Sunday, Feb. 15, for the women’s giant slalom following an uncharacteristic 15th-place finish last week in her team combined run.
"The work we've done, I've been so prepared for so much, for all the slaloms this year," Shiffrin said Tuesday, Feb. 10, according to our Nancy Armour. “So there's something to learn from this day and I'm going to learn it.”
As Armour reflected, it introduced a cloud of intrigue that could hover over Shiffrin's remaining events after she didn’t medal at the 2022 Beijing games.
How many World Cup ski races has Mikaela Shiffrin won?
Shiffrin, 30, has 108 World Cup wins, more than any other skier and a record, Armour says, that isn’t likely to be broken.
Shiffrin also has 15 world championship medals (eight gold). Her signature events are slalom and giant slalom, the more technical and twisty races that require skiers to zig-zag around gates or poles.
She tackles the women’s giant slalom Sunday, Feb. 15, an event that begins at 4 a.m. ET.
What events does Mikaela Shiffrin have left at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Shiffrin competed at all six Alpine skiing events during the 2022 Olympics. She's only focusing on her core slalom events in 2026.
Her U.S. team finished fourth in the women’s team combined. Shiffrin has three Olympic medals (two golds) dating back to 2014 in Sochi.
Her remaining schedule at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics:
Sunday, Feb. 15: Women's giant slalom run 1 | 4 a.m. ET | USA Network and Peacock (digital only)
Sunday, Feb. 15: Women's giant slalom run 2 | 7:30 a.m. ET | NBC and Peacock (digital only)
Wednesday, Feb. 18: Women's slalom run 1 | 4 a.m. ET | USA Network and Peacock (digital only)
Wednesday, Feb. 18: Women's slalom run 2 | 7:30 a.m. ET | USA Network and Peacock (digital only)
Contributing: Cydney Henderson, John Leuzzi, Austin Curtright
SEC women's basketball continues to heat up on Sunday as Tennessee hosts Texas for a top-25 matchup.
It's bee a rough few weeks for the Vols, who lost to Mississippi State, UConn and South Carolina within four games. They enter their matchup with the Longhorns after a massive win over Missouri, but will that be enough to upset the No. 4 team in the nation?
Of course, Texas isn't without struggle this season. After falling to LSU ad South Carolina in January, it righted the way with a victory over the Tigers and Kentucky before falling to Vanderbilt on the road. Texas is one to bounce back quickly, though, so a top seed in the upcoming SEC tournament isn't a worry.
Tennessee last beat Texas in 2021 with an overtime upset. Can the Vols stun at home?
Here's how to watch all the action with Tennessee vs. Texas women's basketball live stream and start time information.
What channel is Tennessee vs. Texas women's basketball on?
Tennessee vs. Texas women's basketball will be broadcast on ABC. Cord-cutters can live stream the game on the ESPN app.
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Tennessee vs. Texas women's basketball start time
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Tennessee hosts Texas women's basketball on Sunday, Feb. 15. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. ET from Food City Center in Knoxville, TN.
Tennessee vs. Texas women's basketball radio station
Radio channel: SiriusXM channel 190 (Tennessee), 84 (Texas)
Tune into Tennessee vs. Texas women's basketball on SiriusXM. The Vols' broadcast will be on channel 190 while the Longhorns' broadcast will be on channel 84.
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.
Tennessee women's basketball schedule 2025-26
Below is a look at the Vols' upcoming schedule.
Date
Game
Time (ET)
Sun., Feb. 15
vs. Texas
3 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 17
at Ole Miss
7 p.m.
Thurs., Feb. 19
vs. Texas A&M
6:30 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 22
at Oklahoma
2 p.m.
Thurs., feb. 26
at LSU
6 p.m.
Texas women's basketball schedule 2025-26
Below is a look at the Longhorns' upcoming schedule.
Defensive gem dumps Man City for Man United move? Talks underway
Manchester City youngster Kasen Brown has left the club and is in talks with multiple teams about a potential move.
According to a report via CaughtOffside, the 15-year-old left-back is currently in talks with Manchester United over a move. It will be interesting to see if the Red Devils can get the deal done.
The England youth international is highly rated in the country, and he has a bright future ahead of him. He could develop into an important player for Manchester United with the right guidance. They have an impressive track record in grooming young players, and they could help the youngster fulfil his potential.
The opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in the world will be exciting for Brown as well. It would be a major step in his career. Meanwhile, he is in talks with Leeds United. It will be interesting to see where he ends up. He should choose his next destination carefully. He needs to join a club with a clear pathway for his development.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will be disappointed to lose a talented young player like him. The 15-year-old is a tremendous talent with a bright future and could develop into an important player for clubs like Manchester United. Manchester United are looking to build a team for the future, and they need to invest in talented young players. Signing the young left-back could prove to be a wise decision in the long term. If they can help him develop properly, he could end up saving them millions in the transfer market.
Oliver Elphick said the Climbing Hut Shrewsbury had seen memberships increase "massively" [BBC]
Indoor climbing has become a "mainstream" sport, according to a climbing gym in Shropshire which has seen memberships "grow massively".
Oliver Elphick, centre manager at Climbing Hut Shrewsbury, said Alex Honnold's recent fete of climbing the Taipei 101 in Taiwan and the Olympics were just some factors that had given the sport "a lot of publicity".
His centre alone has seen memberships increase by about 20% in the last 12 months, with data from the the Association of British Climbing Walls supporting this trend nationwide.
Statistics taken from 2025 found the average amount of visits to a climbing gym in a year had jumped from nearly 23,000 to almost 68,000.
It also found that 26% of all indoor climbing walls in the country had opened within the last five years.
Elphick said: "A lot of the boost will come from the Olympics and with climbing being more popularised, I think more people are seeing the sport, which gets a lot of people into it.
"I think some people get sick of going to gyms and not because it's in a toxic environment by any means, but I think some people don't feel like they belong.
"It can feel more like an individualistic activity, whereas climbing gyms are more social."
Elphick said it was a "weird climate" for climbing gyms where independent centres were at risk of being swallowed up by larger chains, but that had not been the case for the Climbing Hut.
"Our numbers from last year to this year have grown more than we expected.
"A lot of independent climbing gyms, which I'd classify us as, typically get swallowed up if they move into the area.
"But for us to be doing well where we are is a very good sign."
He added: "I think [climbing] is more mainstream these days. I just think it's one of those sports that's just kind of been picked up."
'Climbing is for everyone'
Aimee O'Doherty, an indoor climbing instructor at Wyre Forest Leisure Centre, said "climbing is for everyone".
After starting the sport eight years ago, she said climbing had kept her "sane".
"I love it so much and I've never really gotten on with team sports and I think that's something a lot of people have found," she explained.
"Obviously, there's a community here, the climbing community is so wonderful, but it is yourself on the wall and you're choosing to challenge yourself.
"It's also a mental aspect to it, the problem solving."
O'Doherty added: "I'm just really glad that more people are getting into climbing, to me that's just amazing as we want as many people in the sport as possible."
Real Madrid coach confirms star player will be fit to play vs Benfica – “I think he’ll be available”
Real Madrid were able to momentarily claim the top spot in La Liga once again, thanks to a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu.
What was particularly impressive about Real Madrid’s victory is that the team was able to pull that off without the services of their top scorer Kylian Mbappe.
The Frenchman was left on the bench owing to fitness concerns after he had been struggling with an injury.
While there were expectations he would later come on as a substitute, Arbeloa opted not to play him at all, as Real Madrid cruised to a 4-1 victory.
Arbeloa’s update on Mbappe fitness
Mbappe’s lack of minutes against Sociedad led to fears that he may not be able to play much in the key game against Benfica this midweek.
Arbeloa believes Mbappe will be fit vs Benfica. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
However, in the post-match presser, coach Arbeloa has confirmed that the Frenchman confirmed he will be available against Benfica.
“Mbappé has been dealing with this discomfort for quite some time. He’s putting in a huge effort every time he goes out on the pitch, and today we decided not to take any risks ahead of Tuesday. I think he’ll be available,” he said (h/t Diario AS).
This comes as a major boost for a Real Madrid team, who were humbled by Benfica in the league phase, losing 4-2.
Mbappe’s return, therefore, should be integral as he has been undisputedly the club’s best player this season, racking up as many as 38 goals in all competitions this season.
Barcelona ready to sign 25-year-old free agent in order to strengthen reserve team – report
Barcelona were considerably busy in the January transfer window, not necessarily because of transfer action revolving the first-team, but rather, managing the reinforcements in the reserve team.
The Catalans notably roped in Egyptian prodigy Hamza Abdelkarim to strengthen Barça Atletic’s attacking unit.
However, the club have been dealt with a fresh blow with Oscar Gistau picking up an injury. This has once again forced the club to look for a new attacker for the reserve team.
Barcelona eyeing move for Jon Cabo
With the January transfer market currently shut, Barcelona are ready to enter the free market in order to reinforce the reserve team.
According to Diario SPORT, one of the players Barcelona are interested in is Jon Cabo, a former Athletic Club youth player.
Barça Atletic are in dire need of reinforcements amid the ongoing injury crisis. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Cabo is eligible to join Barça Atletic immediately as he is currently a free agent. He has been without a club since leaving CD Lugo last summer.
At 25, Cabo brings a wealth of experience in the lower tiers of Spanish football, having notably featured in 79 matches for Athletic Club’s reserve team.
A left winger by trade, Cabo can also operate on the opposite flank and even play a centre-forward, if necessary. This makes him an ideal candidate for Juliano Belletti’s side.
This is even more relevant considering the fact that Barça Atletic are suffering from numerous injury blows, including Dani Rodriguez, Aziz and Sama Nomoko, while Abdelkarim’s legal process could last a few months.
Therefore, signing Cabo on a free agent as a stop-gap solution could make sense for Barç Atletic heading into the final few months of the season.
Despite the scenario one Manchester City player is facing, he is putting his best foot forward on the pitch
Ever since Gianluigi Donnarumma signed for Manchester City, James Trafford has been reduced to being a backup keeper in Pep Guardiola’s squad. James Trafford is too good a goalkeeper to be just a backup. He has shown that every time he has started in goal for Manchester City this season. Trafford was again superb in goal yesterday as City beat Salford City 2-0 to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup. He made two crucial saves and was a steadying presence in goal for his team. It is a credit to James Trafford that he always puts his best foot forward when called upon, despite the frustrating experience he has endured this season.
Without James Trafford’s crucial saves, Manchester City may have had a tougher afternoon against Salford City.
James Trafford wasn’t expected to be busy in goal during yesterday’s match. Manchester City was expected to brush aside Salford City in their FA Cup fourth-round tie at the Etihad Stadium. After Salford City defender Alfie Dorrington put the ball into his own net in the sixth minute yesterday, it was expected that Pep Guardiola’s side would brush aside the League Two outfit. But that wasn’t what transpired throughout yesterday’s match. Salford City gave their all, and James Trafford had to make several crucial saves to keep Karl Robinson’s side out.
James Trafford’s first truly quality save came just before halftime. Manchester City held a 1-nil lead, and Salford City were pushing for an equalizer. A well-worked Salford move saw the ball cut back to a dangerous position in the City penalty area by Ryan Graydon. Ben Woodburn hit a shot that was destined for the top corner before James Trafford pulled off a stunning save. That was the first of James Trafford’s two important saves.
The second important save from James Trafford came on the hour mark yesterday. Kelly N’Mai hit a goal-bound shot from a tight angle after a sustained spell of Salford City pressure. Trafford kept the ball out with another strong save. James Trafford wasn’t busy by any stretch yesterday, but he was ready when called into action, and that proved to be crucial in Manchester City’s victory.
James Trafford spoke out after his strong performance in Manchester City’s win at the Etihad.
Speaking after yesterday’s match, James Trafford said he knew he wouldn’t be busy in goal for Manchester City yesterday. He added that when he was called into action, he had to do what was required. Trafford did exactly that. The young goalkeeper also acknowledged the frustrating experience he has endured this season. He explained: “I knew I wasn’t going to have too much to do but, when I was called upon, I had to do well. It was nice, it wasn’t what I expected coming into the season. I tried to guard against it. It’s the reality and I have to give it my best shot. It’s the situation I’m in. We train every day but making saves, it’s good fun.”
“It’s one of them, it’s a knockout competition. We won and we have a week until the next game. We have to keep going.”
James Trafford has put his best foot forward every time he has been called upon to start for Manchester City this season. It is a credit to him that he has performed so well. This season has been a frustrating experience for the young goalkeeper. It would be even more frustrating for Trafford given how ambitious, determined, and confident he is. But despite the frustration Trafford has endured, he is playing an important role for his team. Without him, City may have had a tougher time yesterday and against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final tie. So Trafford has more than earned his flowers for a series of important performances in goal recently.
Tom Banton thinks he is older, wiser and, quite simply, better these days.
It is coming up to seven years since the England batter first caught the eye as a 19-year-old by hitting a stunning 71 from 37 balls to help Somerset chase 204 against Surrey in the T20 Blast.
If the pure numbers from that day were not enough, one reverse flick for six off Sam Curran - now an England team-mate - made some smart judges take note.
The following winter Banton was picked by England for their tour of New Zealand.
He kept his place the next summer, in Twenty20 and 50-over cricket, picked as the fresh face to help take the 2019 World Cup winners on into a new era.
Banton made 58 against Ireland and 71 in a T20 against Pakistan, but they were his only scores above 50 in 15 matches.
Another five caps came and went in 2022, making this current run the 27-year-old's third go at international level.
His match-winning 63 not out in England's five-wicket win against Scotland on Saturday, with his side's T20 World Cup hopes on the line, may not have been his highest score, but it was his best knock for his country - a breakout innings in which he finally delivered on all of those talents by truly defining a match on the biggest stage.
"I think just a bit, obviously older, more mature, got a better understanding of my game," Banton said, asked what he is doing differently this time.
"When I came onto the scene, I remember at the start of that summer I was just about scraping into Somerset's second team.
"Then six months later, I was playing for England and traveling all over the world, which was great, but I've got more of an understanding.
"I have kind of, I don't know, just grown. I've learned a lot about myself. Not even anything to do with cricket."
Banton's recall came at the start of last year with this World Cup in mind.
Despite largely playing as an opener for his county and in The Hundred, he was picked by England to bat in the middle order because of his ability to attack spin - the style of bowling which dominates the middle overs of T20 internationals at the venues of World Cup co-hosts India and Sri Lanka.
At that time, only India's Abhishek Sharma, the number one-ranked batter in the world, was scoring faster against spinners than Banton. Banton's average of 44.1 against slow bowling was the best of any English batter.
Scoring 54 not out to secure a T20 series win in Sri Lanka before this tournament hinted at what was to come. The Scotland innings was a bright spark amid the uncertainty around how good England actually are.
"It's [batting at number four] is different, I won't lie," he said.
"You come in probably against spin, or towards the end of the powerplay, depending how we go.
"The biggest one is like adapting to the scenario or the wicket.
"I found Wankhede [the Mumbai stadium, venue for England's win over Nepal and defeat by West Indies] a bit hard.
"Today [Saturday], I feel like it was a pretty good wicket."
Banton is disarmingly human - a welcome trait within the current set-up.
He was one of those most guilty of what captain Harry Brook's described as being "too careful" against West Indies, having been out tentatively chipping a catch.
He speaks openly and will admit his doubts, which were there with that innings following another low score against Nepal.
"As any human would do, there's obviously those doubts but I think Baz [coach Brendon McCullum], Brooky, the coaches and everyone in the team backs everyone.
"It's T20 cricket, people are going to go up and down, that's just how T20 cricket is sometimes.
"You've just got to keep backing yourself, keep training hard, keep working hard on your game and luckily it came off for me today."
But against Scotland, Banton's innings perfectly encapsulated his growing maturity. His first nine deliveries were all from pace bowlers, and he scored only five runs.
When facing spin for the first time, he took one single and then hit his first boundary from the next delivery.
It was notable how Banton (left wagon wheel) played straighter than his England team-mates against Scotland (right wagon wheel) and was rewarded with the highest score of the match [BBC]
When Scotland's left-arm spinner Mark Watt entered the attack, Banton hit the first two balls for sixes over long-off and the fourth over mid-wicket.
It was a batter clearly playing to his strengths, even if he insists it was not premeditated.
"It's just reading the game and adapting - that's the biggest word at the moment in our changing room," he said.
"On a flat wicket, we're one of the best teams in the world but if we want to win the World Cup, especially if we're going to Sri Lanka, you're only going to have to adapt.
"Sometimes it's just about winning and winning ugly."
In total, Banton took 28 runs from 10 balls delivered by Watt. He eased 35 from 31 deliveries bowled by the rest of Scotland's attack.
Across the match six dismissals when batters were attempting sweeps across the match - the bounce of the Kolkata pitch bringing danger.
Rather than following suit, Banton put away his trademark shot - he tried it once to Watt early on, but never again - and instead targeted straight boundaries.
"Everyone sets up the field [square to defend Banton's sweeps] straight away now and on a wicket like that it was probably perfect, because I wasn't even trying," he said.
"That wasn't even in my mind to try and hit it there.
"You've got to keep evolving as about and keep learning and keep trying to hit it in different areas."
Carl Spencer has created his first ball that will be used for the Royal Shrovetide Football event [Mark Spencer]
Since Royal Shrovetide Football began in the 12th Century, hundreds of balls have been made, carried across fields and fought over in rivers.
For the first time, Carl Spencer has stitched and crafted one of the balls that will be used in the game, which has taken place in his hometown of Ashbourne in Derbyshire every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday since at least 1667.
Spencer's ball will be touched by thousands of players on Wednesday - in teams called the Up'Ards and Down'Ards - who compete to move the ball to opposite ends of the town.
"Having the honour to create the Wednesday ball is brilliant, and the entire family are all over the moon", said the 36-year-old.
For many years, the balls for Royal Shrovetide have been made by Terry Brown, but Spencer said he had now been brought in as a new addition to the ranks of ball makers.
Spencer has made two balls - the darker ball is being used in the game and the lighter ball is a "second" back up [Carl Spencer]
"I wanted to play my part in it [the game], and I'm interested in how things are made, so I just approached the Shrovetide committee to see if I could get involved in making them.
"The committee had a meeting where they decided that the ball makers need to go down to the next generation to keep the game going.
"They had a vote on it, and Terry Brown, who took me under his wing, has taught me how to make them.
"I'm immensely proud to be making the Wednesday ball."
This year, Brown has made the ball for Shrove Tuesday's game and Spencer has made the ball for Ash Wednesday's battle.
Spencer said he had made "tester and presentation" balls previously, but this is the first ball he has made that will be used during the game.
The balls have been made in the same way for "hundreds of years", he said.
"The ball still consists of leather, in three panels. Two round panels and one band that runs all the way around.
"It can vary in different thicknesses and vary in different weights and sizes.
After finishing the ball, Spencer said they were approved for use by the committee and then passed over to the "ball painters" for decoration.
Tuesday's ball has been painted by Up'Ard Simon Hellaby and Wednesday's ball has been painted by Down'Ard Tim Baker.
Thousands of players are set to take part in the Royal Shrovetide Football in Ashbourne [Reuters]
Spencer said some of his family were split between Up'Ards and Down'Ards due to his grandmother giving birth to his father and uncle in different places.
"My father was born in Clifton, on the south side of the river, and my uncle was born north side of the river on Union Street, so he's an Up'Ard," he said.
"All the Spencer side of the family are all Up'Ards, but my dad became a Down'Ard and he has stayed as one ever since.
"Me and my brother have followed suit and the rest of our own family have gone on our side."
As a proud Down'Ard, Spencer said he would try and "cradle" his ball back to Clifton on the south side of the river.
"To me there is no significance until they (the balls) are played with, then when they are used they are a prized possession.
"It's nice to have a Down'Ard ball maker, a Down'Ard ball painter and a Down'Ard turner upper for Wednesday's game.
Anthony Kim cemented LIV Golf’s biggest story in its four-year timeline when the popular Californian completed his inconceivable comeback from drug, alcohol and mental health struggles with a resounding victory in Australia.
Before shooting a bogey-free 63 to win LIV Golf Adelaide by three shots over Jon Rahm on Sunday, it had been 5,795 days since Kim’s most recent victory worldwide. That was his third PGA Tour title, at the 2010 Shell Houston Open.
In that time, the Los Angeles native had walked away from pro golf for 12 years, due to injuries, and almost totally disappeared from public life. He would talk later about battling mental health issues and addiction. But by 2021, Kim had turned his life around, became a husband and father, and began practicing his golf game in private. In 2024, he was invited to play LIV Golf as a wildcard player.
Kim, now 40, was relegated from LIV in 2025 only to earn one of three cards through its qualifying school last month. By Saturday night, though, he had played his way into the final group at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide.
He was five shots behind 54-hole leaders Bryson DeChambeau and Rahm at the outset of the fourth round, and Kim’s win probability was 0.1 percent, according to LIV’s TV analysts.
But statistics can’t account for the unlikely romance of sporting stories like Kim’s. Without doubt it is the biggest and most compelling narrative produced on LIV Golf since the league’s creation in 2022.
In front of enormous Australian crowds, Kim wound the clock back to the firebrand talent he was when he made a Masters record 11 birdies in a single round at Augusta National in 2009. He played on the U.S. Presidents Cup team that year after he won his first two PGA Tour events in ’08.
In Adelaide, the second event of LIV’s new 72-hole format, Kim made birdies at Nos. 4 and 5 before two more at Nos. 7 and 9. Two-time U.S. Open winner DeChambeau, meanwhile, crumbled with four bogeys in his opening seven holes. Rahm, also a two-time major champion, struggled with his swing and laboured to keep up after the turn. Rahm shot 71 to finish runner up at 20 under. DeChambeau (74) was T-3 at 17 under.
When Kim hit his tee shot to 17 feet at the Party Hole par-3 12th, his subsequent fifth birdie of the round began a two-hour period plenty of golf fans will long remember. Four consecutive birdies began with a greenside bunker save at the par-5 13th, and by the time Kim birdied the par-4 15th, he led by three.
Rahm stayed within two shots before Kim pulled away again with another birdie from 15 feet at the par-4 17th. When Kim, up by three, wielded a long iron into the fairway for his tee shot on the 18th, it was all over.
“I’m nearly in tears,” former DP World Tour stalwart and Ryder Cupper-turned commentator Nicolas Colsaerts said on the commentary.
Standing over a two-foot par putt on 18, Kim urged the crowd to make some noise before tapping in for a bogey-free 63. His daughter and wife ran onto the green to celebrate Kim’s first worldwide win in nearly 16 years. Or 5,795 days.
His family embrace was fitting, as Kim was asked how he maintained belief during his comeback from the doldrums.
“My family; I don't really know what to say right now,” Kim said, choking back tears. “It's been overwhelming. But I'm never not going to fight for my family.
“God gave me a talent. I was able to produce some good golf today. I knew it was coming. Nobody else has to believe in me but me, and for anybody that's struggling, you can get through anything.”
Kim is currently ranked 847th on the Official World Golf Ranking and since LIV’s inclusion this season, he should receive almost 23 points for his victory. He also received $4 million for his triumph.
“I don't really know how to put it into words; I knew this was going to happen, but for it actually happen is pretty insane,” he said. “I just want to thank all the people that have supported me, including you [speaking to commentator Jerry Foltz], who when I was not playing well and I was struggling on the verge of never coming back to LIV, always supported me. Thank you to everyone that's been in my corner. I'm going to keep doing it.”
If he keeps winning, the golf world will keep watching.
🎥 Scuffle at the Derby d'Italia: Juve boss and Chiellini in the thick of it
The Derby d'Italia between Juventus and Inter last night had it all - spectacular goals, curious decisions, and two emotional teams. Unfortunately, it also had some unpleasant scenes.
After Juve player Pierre Kalulu was sent off with a yellow-red card, a heated discussion broke out with referee Federico La Penna during halftime. This even led to a scuffle on the stairway to the catacombs.
Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti and Italian legend Giorgio Chiellini, now the Director of Football Strategy at the Bianconeri, were highly emotional. The trigger was what they considered a major wrong decision regarding the sending off.
Kalulu, already warned, had lightly brushed against Inter's Bastoni during a counterattack attempt and received a second yellow card. A tough decision, but not reviewable by VAR due to the rules.
"This is unacceptable, it's hard for us to talk about football. We are here to say that what happened today is unacceptable. The spectacle of an Italian football match is ruined by such an incident. There is a protocol that is not right, but we were four on the field. It's a system that doesn't work, we've reached the point of no return," Chiellini said at the press conference afterward.
However, he downplayed the incident in the catacombs: "There was no discussion, but such a decision is unacceptable. Everyone understood it, probably even they themselves," the 41-year-old stated.
According to 'Tuttosport', the heated affair continued even after the end of the video clip, and some Juventus delegates had to be held back from the referee by security personnel.
Over halfway through the Winter Olympics, Mikaela Shiffrin hasn't had the opportunity to earn an individual medal.
That will change on Sunday, as Shiffrin will compete in the Women's Gianl Slalom, her second event of the Olympics thus far. Shiffrin previously teamed up with Breezy Johnson in the Albine Skiing Team Combined, but this is the first time she will be on her own.
Shiffrin has a strong history in the Giant Slolum even, winning a gold medal in 2018 and finishing 5th in 2014. However, in 2022, Shiffrin didn't finish her first run, which was one of multiple DNF's that she had in Beijing.
Shiffrin is looking to bounce back strong in the Giant Slolum, as she is set to go third in the event on Sunday morning. Shiffrin is one of four Americans competing in the event, as 76 skiiers overall are scheduled to participate.
The Sporting News is tracking like results, updates and highlights from Mikaela Shiffrin's run in the Women's Giant Slolum event. Follow along for full updates from Milan-Cortina.
Mikaela Shiffrin live updates, highlights from 2026 Olympic women's skiing finals
*This section will be updated*
Women's giant slalom start time
Date: Sunday, February 15
Time: 4:00 a.m. ET (Run 1), 7:30 a.m. ET (Run 2)
The women's giant slalom medal event will begin at 4:00 a.m. ET, 10:00 a.m. local time in Milan-Cortina, with the first run for each participant. Then, the second run will take place at 7:30 a.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. local time, to decide who will medal in the event.
The Women's Giant Slolum first run will be aired on USA, while the second run will move to NBC. Additionally, the entire event can be live streamed on Peacock throughout the morning.
How many medals has Mikaela Shiffrin won?
Shifftin has not yet medaled in the 2026 Olympics, although she only, participated in one event thus far.Shiffring was part of the United States team, along with Breezy Johnson, that finished fourth in the combined team event, but she still has two more events left to try and earn a medal.
Shiffrin will compete in the giant slolum event on Sunday before participating in the slalom medal event on Wednesday.
Why Barcelona were not able to set a higher release clause for youth prodigy ahead of PSG move
The recent departure of youth prodigy Dro to Paris Saint-Germain has left a bitter taste in Barcelona, particularly regarding the financial terms of the deal.
While the clubs eventually settled on a fee of €8.2 million, the player’s exit was facilitated by a release clause of just €6 million, which now seems unremarkable.
The reason Barcelona were unable to secure a higher protection for the Galician talent boils down to a matter of unfortunate timing and a previous contractual standard that has since been overhauled.
How Dro passed the €6 million threshold
As reported by Diario SPORT, Dro signed his extension for the youth stage prior to the summer of 2024, a period during which the club typically set standard €6 million release clauses for all players committing to a three-year youth period.
However, the landscape of La Masia contract negotiations changed drastically following Chelsea’s move for Marc Guiu in 2024.
Hansi Flick was devastated after losing Dro to PSG. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
It was only after losing Guiu for a similarly low fee that the administration began implementing new policies where clauses increase exponentially as players achieve milestones such as debuting for the reserve side or the first team.
Had these modern safeguards been applied to Dro’s contract, his release clause would have likely ballooned to over €20-25 million following his breakthrough into the senior squad.
Moving forward, the club has finalised these graduated clauses for all new renewals to ensure that future gems of La Masia are protected from being poached at undervalued prices.
As for Dro himself, the youngster has so far featured in two matches since joining PSG in a permanent deal in January. He is still adjusting to life in the French capital, under the leadership of former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique.
A period of rest has come at the right time for Manchester City after their performance against Salford City
Manchester City did what they had to do to beat Salford City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. Pep Guardiola’s side had to fight their way into the fifth-round of the FA Cup. Karl Robinson’s determined Salford side made City work for their victory and also had their moments throughout the game. If not for two vital James Trafford saves, City would have had a bigger fight on their hands against the League Two outfit. Coming out of yesterday’s match, you could not help but feel that this City side will benefit from a period of rest. Pep Guardiola’s side will have that this week, and it has come at precisely the right time.
Manchester City were below their best against Salford City yesterday.
After Rayan Ait-Nouri set up Manchester City’s opening goal, which came via an own goal from Salford City defender Alfie Dorrington in the sixth minute of yesterday’s match, it seemed that the scene was set for Pep Guardiola’s side to run riot at the Etihad. City looked eager to put the visitors to the sword based on their performance in the opening 10 minutes yesterday. But that wasn’t how the game transpired. Salford City dug in defensively and were determined not to be beaten 8-nil like they were by City last season.
Karl Robinson’s side dug in and had their moments in yesterday’s match. If not for two big saves from James Trafford in each half, City could have been staring down the barrel of a famous cup upset. Marc Guehi scored in the 81st minute to seal Manchester City’s win yesterday. All told, City’s performance was lethargic and flat.
It did seem yesterday that a busy schedule had caught up to Pep Guardiola’s side. There was a lack of intent and energy in Manchester City’s possession play. Players such as Phil Foden, Omar Marmoush, and Tijjani Reijnders were well below their best. They were not alone in that boat. Nearly every City player on the pitch seemed off besides James Trafford. City now have a week before their next Premier League fixture against Newcastle United. Based on Manchester City’s flat performance yesterday, a week between games has come at exactly the right time for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Pep Guardiola acknowledged that his team didn’t perform well yesterday.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was far from happy with his team’s performance against Salford City yesterday. He said the biggest positive to come from the match was that his team won. Besides that, Guardiola said that his team didn’t play with the right tempo to expose the gulf in quality between his team and Karl Robinson’s side. Speaking on Manchester City’s performance yesterday, Pep Guardiola told the media: “We didn’t read the spaces where they were. Always the spaces we attack depends on where the defend and we didn’t read it.”
“We have to spend a lot of time to make the process quicker and better. The only good news is we go through. Would be nice to say that mentally we’re exhausted but this is our job and we have to do what we have to do. We didn’t read the spaces, that’s why everything was flat and slow and it was not good.”
Pep Guardiola added that his team has faced a busy schedule since November, he added: “It has been tough but not just this two weeks, since November it’s been every three days and that’s a lot.”
Manchester City simply did what they had to do yesterday to beat Salford City at the Etihad, nothing more. It was far from a vintage display from Pep Guardiola’s side. At the final whistle you did sense that the upcoming period of rest for City has come at exactly the right time. A week between games is rare for Manchester City and hopefully it does this City squad the world of good considering what lies ahead of them for the remainder of this season.
England’s narrow midfield defence gave Scotland a three-player overlap and led to Jamie Ritchie scoring the hosts’ second try - Stu Forster/Getty Images
In the opening minute of England’s limp loss to Scotland, Maro Itoje rose to take a line-out inside the English half. England virtually drove Scotland’s forwards from their own 10-metre line to the hosts’. Alex Mitchell box-kicked, Henry Arundell did well to tap the ball back – in one of the wing’s few positive involvements in the fixture – but the bounce cruelly and unfortunately evaded the English support and Sione Tuipulotu came away with the ball. Scotland’s captain hacked upfield, Mitchell scurried back but under pressure from Huw Jones and Kyle Steyn the scrum-half’s clearance kick was skewed.
After that maul, for 20 minutes, nothing went right for England.
Until Arundell crossed for the visitors’ opening try after 21 minutes, just before he received his marching orders for a dangerous aerial collision, Scotland had already accrued a 17-point buffer. Ben White’s try minutes later would cancel out Arundell’s score anyway. It was an insurmountable lead. Steve Borthwick admitted as much after the match: England gave Scotland “too much of a head start”. The England head coach pointed to how his side had trailed 12-0 in the victory against New Zealand last autumn and how they had “reeled the All Blacks in,” but there was no such luck at Murrayfield. Playing for 30 of the first 50 minutes with only 14 players did not help but, in truth, bar the scrum England were second best in almost all areas.
Here is England’s nightmare 20 minutes dissected:
Defensive inaccuracies
According to Oval, England missed 20 tackles to Scotland’s nine in the first half. Only three players – George Ford, Joe Heyes and Tom Roebuck – did not miss one, while Sam Underhill, who was hooked at half-time for Tom Curry, missed three and six other players missed two. Underhill was also marched over by Zander Fagerson with Scotland on an early, dynamic attack, as England were struggling to stem the flow.
In the first half, Scotland had 10 clean breaks and beat 20 defenders. For what it’s worth, England managed just three and nine respectively.
But it was not just missed tackles. There were misreads, misalignments, and disciplinary issues. Roebuck might not have missed a tackle but he gambled by racing off the defensive line for Scotland’s opening try; Finn Russell played the matador, luring the English bull before flicking the ball on to Jones to score. With no one outside him, Itoje was helpless in stopping the outside centre.
Luke Cowan-Dickie’s no-arms tackle then gave Scotland an easy exit, and from the resulting field position, Jamie Ritchie eventually crossed. That is two tries in three minutes and they virtually put the game to bed.
At the set-play leading to Ritchie’s try, after Cowan-Dickie’s indiscretion, look at how narrow England’s midfield defence is. Admittedly, Scotland are astute in targeting Arundell’s vacant wing, but given Tuipulotu’s ability on the pull-back and Russell’s distribution, it is ill-advised to leave an entire half of the field defended by one sole player while the hosts have a three-player overlap. One phase later, after another Steyn burst, Ritchie is steaming over. England were caught out.
England were at sixes and sevens earlier, too, with their customary system of the scrum-half defending on the wing. Mitchell, to his credit, identifies that England are outnumbered and, as you can see below, pleads with his team-mates to work their way across in support.
But England are slow to act on Mitchell’s pleas. The less said about the scrum-half’s attempted tackle on Steyn, who offloads out of the tackle and sets Scotland off on another territory-gobbling attack, the better.
Aerial woes
Scotland kicked to compete in this period, feeding a perceived area of strength for England, but the hosts came out on top. Steyn beating Freddie Steward to this box-kick provided the field position from where Scotland launched for Jones’s opener. Steyn, one of Scotland’s stand-outs, actually starts off the pitch and almost in a three-point stance, replicating a sprinter. This is how much of a micro-science kick-chasing has become in the modern game.
Steward failed to collect two high balls in the first 11 minutes – albeit one was pulled back for Cowan-Dickie’s infringement – and on both occasions credit must go to the quality of White’s kicking. The Scotland scrum-half, against the country of his birth, had an afternoon to remember at Murrayfield. Conversely, England’s kicking was more wayward than what we saw against Wales and the chasers failed to capitalise like their Scottish counterparts.
Lack of jackal threat
England have made much of the fact that their back row consists of, in essence, three opensides (who, admittedly, fit slightly different moulds). Yet, in those opening 20 minutes, not one won a jackal penalty or turnover and the English back row was ineffective at stalling Scottish momentum.
The only turnover that England won in the whole first half was a (tremendously skilful) one-handed intercept by Ollie Chessum. The visitors themselves coughed up the ball eight times. England did not win one jackal penalty nor turnover in the first half and Scotland’s average ruck speed in England’s 22 was less than three seconds – which is fast. Scotland blew England away.
Guy Pepper, in fairness, did look to have won a turnover early in the first half but was harshly penalised by referee Nika Amashukeli – the penalty which led to Russell opening the scoring for Scotland. Equally, Arundell’s first yellow card was a debatable call which went the way of Scotland.
Ireland are the visitors to the Allianz Stadium next Saturday in what promises to be a seminal match in the championship. The loser, effectively, will no longer be able to win the title. The Irish have their own issues but will at least arrive in south-west London on the back of victory; England do not have that luxury – and have plenty of wrongs to right.
Arbeloa talks Trent, Vinicius, Mbappe and more after Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad
Real Madrid continued their solid momentum in La Liga by securing a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu.
It was an impressive display from Los Blancos, especially on a night where most key players, including Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, were missing in action, although the former was available on the bench.
Vinicius Jr. notably scored a brace while Federico Valverde and Gonzalo Garcia chipped in with goals.
Speaking to the press after the match, Real Madrid coach Arbeloa talked about Real Madrid’s performance, and the impressive display of Trent Alexander-Arnold, among other things.
What Arbeloa said after Real Sociedad win
First and foremost, the Real Madrid coach was asked about implementing a 4-4-2 formation against Real Sociedad.
“Defensively, it’s a structure that closes down the midfield corridor, where more players are positioned, and allows us to be more compact. With the type of players we have, if we want to counter-attack, it also allows us to do so.
“We have a lot of room for improvement. I’m very happy because, beyond the systems, the key is effort, mentality, and teamwork, and we’re doing that,” he explained.
He went on to talk about the performance of Vinicius Jr., who was a live wire on the pitch and scored two goals through penalties he won himself.
“I’ve been seeing a great Vinicius for a month now, not just in this one game. He’s been playing at a very high level, being a real game-changer.
“For me, he’s a player who goes beyond the numbers, capable of turning matches around. He’s a guy with a huge heart and a great teammate. We’re lucky to have him,” he said, praising the Brazilian.
Arbeloa was also asked about the state of the Real Madrid defence, which performed significantly better against Real Sociedad, notably conceding just one shot on target throughout the ninety minutes.
“Today we played a great game defensively, but in the first half we also looked more fluid in the opposition’s half, with greater mobility, able to move the ball around more quickly. It’s worth noting that we’ve worked very well during the week.
“Real Sociedad came into the game in a situation we sometimes find ourselves in, having played a midweek match, while our opponents hadn’t. We’ve had a week of focused training, and I think that showed from the start,” he added.
The Real Madrid coach also offered an update on the fitness of Mbappe, who was a mere spectator from the bench due to his niggle.
“Mbappé has been dealing with this discomfort for quite some time. He’s putting in a huge effort every time he goes out on the pitch, and today we decided not to take any risks ahead of Tuesday. I think he’ll be available,” he said.
Kylian Mbappe was a spectator against Real Sociedad. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
One of the big takeaways from Real Madrid’s win over Sociedad was the performance of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who most notably supplied an assist for Garcia’s opening goal.
Speaking from a perspective of a right-back, Arbeloa hailed the performance of the former Liverpool star.
“I won’t say he surprised me, but he seems like a very intelligent lad who understands the game very well and quickly grasps what we want from him. He’s not your typical full-back who’s always going to be wide; he can also play centrally.
“We’re lucky to have a player like that. With Gonzalo in the box, he could look for crosses. He’s a great player. I’m happy that he continues to get playing time, find his rhythm, and keep getting back to his best form,” he said.
The Real Madrid coach also talked about Dani Carvajal and whether or not we can see him get regular game-time in the coming matches.
“He took the first step today. It was a very good 30 minutes; I liked the ovation from the stadium, he deserves it. We have many matches ahead. He and Trent are coming off a period of injury and can’t play 90 minutes every three days. My goal is to have them both at 100%,” he said.
Arbeloa was asked about Dean Huijsen as well, whose rash tackle saw Real Madrid concede a penalty that allowed Sociedad to get back into the game.
“The Real Sociedad player did very well on the penalty, and that’s the nature of being a defender: you can play brilliantly for 90 minutes and then lose a game with one mistake, but that wasn’t the case for him.
“We have to remember that he’s only 20 years old, it’s his first season at Real Madrid, and it’s very difficult to be a defender here,” he said, defending the youngster.
Finally, the Real Madrid coach explained how this victory will be critical going into the midweek Champions League clash against Benfica, which will serve as one of the four finals for Arbeloa in a 11-day stretch.
“I love these kinds of victories because I see the Bernabéu crowd enjoying themselves, and the players too. I wish every match could be like this, I really do.
“I’m happy with how we worked and prepared this week. Big teams hadn’t been able to beat this Real Sociedad side, who were undefeated,” he said.
“I hope history doesn’t repeat itself. We’re prepared for what awaits us there on Tuesday. It’s a two-legged tie. We have to go out there and play a great game and win,” he concluded.
Manchester United management believes that he is the perfect profile of midfielder they are looking for, and it remains to be seen whether they can get the deal done.
The player is currently in talks with Napoli to extend his contract, and it will be interesting to see if he is willing to return to his former club in the summer. According to a report from Fichajes, the player is not ruling out a return to the Premier League.
Scott McTominay celebrates Napoli’s goal. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Manchester United need more goals and creativity in the middle of the park, and McTominay could be ideal. He is a hard-working midfielder who will add drive to the team. He knows the club and the league well, and he should be able to make an immediate impact.
The 29-year-old already has 10 goals and four assists to his name in all competitions this season. Manchester United have been overly dependent on Bruno Fernandes for goals and assists from the middle of the park, and they need more support in that area of the pitch. Bringing their former academy graduate back to the club would be a wise decision.
He has a contract with Napoli until 2028, and if he does not renew his deal soon, the Italian club could explore a potential sale. It will be interesting to see if the two clubs can agree on a reasonable deal.
Most people have a favorite fighter including the greatest fighter of all time. Former two-division UFC champion Jon Jones named his favorite fighter of all time and his favorite currently active mixed martial artist in a recent interview with Helen Yee Sports.
"My favorite fighter to watch, it's always been Anderson Silva," Jones said. "He's unbelievable."
Silva held the undisputed UFC middleweight championship for 2,457 days, the longest title reign in UFC history. He defended the middleweight belt a record 10 consecutive times . He was inducted in the UFC Hall of Fame in the Pioneer Wing in 2023 and in the Fight Wing in 2024. Silva name is always mentioned in the greatest of all time debate and continues to compete in boxing at 50-years-old. He last fought in December, knocking out former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua undercard.
While Silva is Jones' favorite fighter of all time to watch, "Bones" revealed his favorite active fighter as well.
"Right now, I would say Ilia [Topuria]. He really gets me excited," said Jones. "He's just dynamite."
Topuria, like Jones, is a two-division UFC titleholder. He captured the 145-pound championship by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024. He defended the title once, knocking out former champion Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October of 2024.
"El Mator" relinquished his 145-pound championship to move up to the lightweight division seeking a second UFC divisional belt. He'd become a member of the two-division champion club by knocking out former lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 last June.
In November, Topuria announced that he was taking an extended break from fighting to deal with divorce. It was unknown how long the champion would be sidelined but he indicated that he would not be fighting in the first quarter of 2026. In his absence, the fight promotion opted to crown an interim titleholder.
Former interim champion Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett fought for the interim crown in the UFC 325 main event on Jan. 24. Gaethje defeated “The Baddy” to become two-time interim champion and earned a title unification bout against Topuria. The two are expected to fight later this year.
There has been some speculation that LeBron James could look to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers when his current contract with the Los Angeles Lakers expires after the current campaign.
James began his career in Cleveland after the Cavs selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 Draft, and as an Ohio native, it would be a fitting place for James to end his career.
Donovan Mitchell would be open to playing with LeBron James in Cleveland
If James did return to Cleveland, it would mean teaming up with Cavs star guard Donovan Mitchell – a possibility that Mitchell was asked about during a media session at All-Star weekend.
While Mitchell acknowledged that he would appreciate the opportunity to play with James, he stressed that it wasn't a top focus of his at this point in time with the Cavaliers potentially poised for a deep playoff run this season.
"As a Bron fan, being a teammate would be special," Mitchell said. 'But that's not in my control. There's always going to be reports, that's natural, it's gonna be a thing. At the end of the day, my focus is trying to get this championship. Whatever happens, happens."
"It’s LeBron James, right?"
Here’s Donovan Mitchell’s thoughts on the rumors that LeBron could finish his career in Cleveland@TermineRadio | @Jumpshot8
James and Mitchell could potentially form a pretty potent duo together. At this point in their careers, Mitchell could theoretically serve as the top option while James played more of a secondary role.
This is all just hypothetical, though. At least for now. We don't know what James will decide to do beyond the current season. There's certainly no guarantee that he'll go back to Cleveland. But, it's still fun to speculate about.
Martin Zubimendi has scored six goals for Arsenal this season [Getty Images]
Mikel Arteta recently hinted that Arsenal's "best player" is somebody who has only been with the club a matter of months - summer signing Martin Zubimendi.
It may have gone unnoticed at the time but, speaking after the Gunners' tight 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in October, manager Arteta lavished praise on the £60m midfield man - saying Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta had been tasked with defending Arsenal's "best player".
It is for good reason that Arteta rates one of his more recent signings so highly. Zubimendi has been justifying his manager's comments since signing from boyhood club Real Sociedad in July 2025.
The 27-year-old has played the most minutes of any of Arsenal's outfield players and has been chipping in with goals too.
And that goal return may have come as a surprise, with Zubimendi signed primarily as a defensive midfielder but now having scored six times in 34 appearances - the most he has registered during any campaign in his career.
Arsenal and Arteta made a big play to recruit Zubimendi and started the work to try to sign him 12 months before he arrived at the club, initially discussing the possibility when they were completing a deal for his Sociedad team-mate Mikel Merino in the summer of 2024.
Zubimendi was brought in to be a crucial component of the Arsenal squad, with his passing ability, on-pitch intelligence and history of winning important trophies.
Indeed, the Spain international played an important role in his country beating England in the Euro 2024 final.
His signing has also given midfield team-mate Declan Rice the licence to take his attacking game to the next level.
How does Zubimendi fit in?
Arteta has spoken previously about how chaos and attacking more directly were effective ways for Arsenal to create chances when Zubimendi's influence was blunted by being man-marked.
And from this we can infer that Zubimendi - Arsenal's "best player" - is most important when it comes to breaking down teams in the manner Arteta prefers, with measured, sustained possession.
Zubimendi was pursued by Liverpool in 2024 and Reds boss Arne Slot made no secret of his desire for a defensive midfielder who is able to receive the ball behind strikers pressing his defenders, rather than coming to get the ball. Zubimendi excels at this.
And the former Sociedad man's ability to sprint at the right time in order to show for the ball before progressing play - whether through a first-time pass, a timely dribble or a punchy pass through the line - has elevated Arsenal's build-up this season.
Meanwhile, aerially, Zubimendi directs headers with a level of finesse, finding team-mates rather than simply looking to head the ball away.
Zubimendi sprints to find separation from his marker before receiving a pass from goalkeeper David Raya in a more dangerous, but more promising, position compared to the central defenders. His first-time pass finds the left centre-back free [BBC]
Build-up play and the ability to break up attacks is to be expected of a £60m defensive midfielder but the way Arteta has used Zubimendi as an attacking tool has stood out, suggesting this is an area where marginal gains can be found in football going forward.
Zubimendi, Rice and Martin Odegaard's positions on paper may seem obvious but they show flexibility, built upon the versatility of all three players and their understanding of when to move - similar to the Paris St-Germain midfield that won the Champions League last season.
Odegaard drops deep, splitting the centre-backs to aid in build-up. Bukayo Saka drops deep from the right wing with Zubimendi and Rice in central midfield positions [BBC]William Saliba plays a one-two with Saka and Zubimendi runs into a right-wing position vacated by Saka before finding Viktor Gyokeres. With Saka and Zubimendi swapping positions, the team's balance is maintained [BBC]
Arsenal's players rotate positions to make it difficult for opponents to pick them up. They aim to maintain the balance of the side while playing in this fluid manner. Zubimendi, like the others, vacates his position based on the movements of team-mates.
By dropping into a deep position against Chelsea, Bukayo Saka opened up space on the right flank to allow Zubimendi to push into this area. Rice, the far-side midfielder, filled in at defensive midfield, ensuring Arsenal's shape remained similar, only with different players arriving in each zone.
It is unusual to see a defensive midfielder make such adventurous runs off the ball but it appears to be the next step on from the more popular use of roaming full-backs, such as Riccardo Calafiori, Nuno Mendes and Marc Cucurella.
The logic is that the players often tasked with marking defensive players are unlikely to defend them as closely. Finding defensive players who possess attacking quality to contribute in the final third is a rarity but Zubimendi has the skillset to punish teams in this way.
Defences set up in a low block will often drop even deeper when faced with a winger or forward trying to run in-behind. It leads to space opening up in front of the defence, rather than in the box.
Arsenal spend large parts of the game looking to unlock deep defences. This allows Zubimendi to arrive into a position to receive a pass, without being picked up, before executing on the idea he has in his head immediately. This could be a precise through ball or a dinked chip over the top - riskier passes that pose new questions for deep defences.
Alternatively, when Zubimendi sits at the base of midfield, Rice is free to push up and rotate with the attackers, knowing there is protection behind him.
And the England man will likely feel safe to play freely after seeing his 5ft 9in team-mate beat 6ft 6in Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade to a header earlier this season.
Meanwhile, Zubimendi's willingness to shoot from distance provided Arsenal with the much-needed opening goal against Nottingham Forest and Sunderland, after which more space opened up for the Gunners with their opposition forced to play more adventurously.
Arteta said "if the space is not in one place, it will be somewhere else" - and against deep defences, long shots have become an increasingly viable tactic this season.
Signing Zubimendi, therefore, could not have been more timely.
In yellow, Calafiori and Rice run into the box from left-back and left central midfield respectively, bringing Sunderland's defenders with them. This creates time and space for Zubimendi, who scores with a long-range shot [BBC]
Arteta heaps praise on 'impressive' Zubimendi
Arteta has never been shy in praising Zubimendi.
The midfielder's six goals this season also match the tally he scored for Real Sociedad in his last two seasons at the club (six goals in 93 games).
Zubimendi got the opening goals against Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Sunderland, while he also scored Arsenal's third in the 3-2 win over Chelsea in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
"I think when we talk about Zubi, what else can he do? He can do whatever he wants. It's a bit similar to Declan's qualities," Arteta said, speaking after that match.
"We just have to keep unlocking that in his system, in his brain, because he's so good at occupying different spaces, he's carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels, and he has a talent when he gets into the final third and into the box. He's so composed. He sees the picture very clear.
"The picture actually is clear sometimes that I know the parts of the pitch and what he's done today. I think it's phenomenal, not only the ball but the performance as well."
The midfielder is tasked with stopping opponents' attacks and starting Arsenal's, and with the final part of the season approaching and trophies on the line, he could be more important than ever.
The 40-year-old won LIV Golf Adelaide on Sunday, topping Jon Rahm by three shots for his first win in almost 16 years. The victory caps off one of the sport's best comebacks, and he did it in stellar fashion, shooting 9-under 63 in the final round to finish at 23 under for the week.
And with the win, Kim takes home the top prize of $4 million.
Here's how much money each LIV Golf player and team earned this week in Adelaide:
The Winnipeg Jets may be idle until Feb. 25, but hockey action returned to Manitoba on Saturday as their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, opened play after the break with an afternoon matinee against the Calgary Wranglers.
Entering the layoff, Manitoba had won just two of its previous six games. One of those victories, however, was an eye opener against the league leading Grand Rapids Griffins. Looking to build on that momentum and start strong out of the break, the Moose did exactly that.
Manitoba exploded for three first period goals to seize early control. Samuel Fagemo opened the scoring with his 12th goal of the season, continuing his steady offensive production. Jets prospects Danny Zhilkin and Brayden Yager also found the back of the net, giving the Moose a commanding 3-0 lead after 20 minutes. Fagemo stayed hot in the second period, striking again for his second goal of the game and 13th of the season to extend the advantage to 4-0.
The Wranglers finally broke through in the third period when former hardest shot competition winner Martin Frk beat Manitoba netminder Thomas Milic. Any thought of a comeback was quickly erased when Walker Duehr restored the four goal cushion with a shorthanded marker, making it 5-1 with plenty of time remaining. That would stand as the final score, as the Moose closed out an impressive 5-1 victory.
Here are the highlights from today's #MBMOOSE WIN!!!!!
Goaltending has been one of Manitoba’s biggest strengths this season, thanks to the young tandem of Milic and Domenic DiVincentiis. Milic earned the start Saturday after representing the team at the AHL All-Star Classic earlier in the week and delivered another strong performance. He turned aside 23 of 24 shots, including a pair of highlight reel saves, to improve his record to 11-6-2 on the season.
Through 20 appearances, Milic now holds a 2.36 goals against average and a .909 save percentage, continuing to provide stability between the pipes.
The Moose will look to keep rolling on Monday when they host Calgary again in another afternoon matchup as part of the club’s Family Day celebration.
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Juventus' Italian midfielder #5 Manuel Locatelli reacts at the end of the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Juventus at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, on February 14, 2026. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Peak Performance,” Jean-Luc Picard reminds Lt. Commander Data, “It is possible to commit no mistakes, and still lose. That is not weakness, that is life!“
Juventus wasn’t completely mistake-free on Saturday night against Inter Milan. That much was clear after (another) Andrea Cambiaso own goal that gave Inter the early lead in the Derby d’Italia. But for the most part, Juve were again standing well against the league leaders. Through 42 minutes, with the score tied 1-1, they were arguably the better squad.
Then the game took a left turn at Albuquerque thanks to two atrocious decisions by referee Federico La Penna, who showed Pierre Kalulu two yellow cards in the space of 10 minutes, neither of which were correct calls — particularly the second, when Alessandro Bastoni dove so blatantly that it really should’ve been him given his marching orders for simulation.
But the red card changed the game, turning it from advantage Juve to an affair that was controlled by the home side for much of the second half. Juve endured for more than half an hour before a perfect combination of cross and header gave Inter the lead back — only for Juve to even things up again with Manuel Locatelli scored a cracking equalizer. But the numbers game proved decisive a few minutes later when Piotr Zielinski fired through a sea of legs to clinch a 3-2 victory for the leaders.
It left Juve livid, and all observers wondering just how the game would’ve gone if it had been officiated competently and had gone 11 vs. 11 the entire match.
Luciano Spalletti got unwelcome news the day before the big game, when Khéphren Thuram suffered a bone bruise in training and joined Dusan Vlahovic in the treatment room. With the Frenchman’s presence in the midfield gone, Spalletti decided to compensate by beefing up the numbers in the middle of the park, deploying a 4-3-3 for the first time since taking over in Turin. Michele Di Gregorio stood between the posts, behind the back four of Kalulu, Bremer, Lloyd Kelly, and Cambiaso. Weston McKennie and Fabio Miretti flanked Locatelli in midfield, while Francisco Conceição and Kenan Yildiz started on the wings up front, supporting Jonathan David in the striker spot.
Inter manager Christian Chivu also had a relatively healthy squad. Nicoló Barella and Hakan Çalhanoglu were back from injury, leaving only Denzel Dumfries on the shelf. Chivu’s 3-5-2 was anchored by Yann Sommer in goal. Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji, and Bastoni formed up the back three, with Luis Henrique and Federico Dimarco at the wing-back spots. Barella, Zielinski, and Petar Sucic were in midfield, with the dangerous strike pair of Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez up front.
The game started intense, with Inter fouling Yildiz within five seconds of kickoff. But it was also a cagey affair—so much so that Inter got their noses in front in the 17th minute without actually taking a shot.
It was another disaster in his own box for Cambiaso, who was covering Henrique when he tried to block the Brazilian’s attempt to find Thuram with a cross. The ball deflected off of the accident-prone full-back and instead skittered toward the net. Di Gregorio was moving toward the far post to follow the pass attempt, and was completely wrong-footed by the deflection. He tried to get his feet out from under him but took a weird stab at it with his outside foot, and was only able to glance the ball as it rolled past him.
The game’s first shot came three minutes after the breakthrough, and it really should have been an immediate response after Kalulu found McKennie with an excellent cross in the box, but he put his header right at Sommer for an easy catch. But Juve kept on pushing, and it wasn’t long before their reaction bore fruit. McKennie was the provider this time, sending a cross into the box that was missed by David, but Cambiaso made up for his latest howler by sneaking around a passive Henrique, who was trying to settle the ball to play it somewhere until Cambiaso stuck his foot in and stabbed it in past an incredulous Sommer.
Yildiz came into the game as a man to watch, having scored three times in his last three Derbys, including one of many outrageous long-range shots by both sides when the two teams first met in September. He nearly had another to his tally on the half-hour, but Sommer flew to parry his patented far-post curler from the left channel.
A moment later La Penna’s collapse into infamy began, as he showed a yellow card to Kalulu for a collision with Barella that, while certainly a simple foul, should never have been worthy of a card. Thuram’s incredible back-heel flick was chipped over Di Gregorio by Zielinski, but Bremer came around the back to clear it out.
The sequence that changed the game started with an Inter corner. Thuram rose for a powerful free header that was parried away by Di Gregorio right into the path of Bastoni, whose follow-up was glanced by Locatelli off the inside of the near post … and then off the inside of the other post as it traveled along the goal line. Juve started moving the ball the other way, but Miretti’s attempt to find Kalulu was poor, leaving it for an easy Bastoni interception. The two defenders barely came together, and Bastoni, who had been booked in the ninth minute, threw himself theatrically to the ground. La Penna fell for it, and didn’t wait to brandish a second yellow to Kalulu, sending him to the showers when it was Bastoni who truly deserved to be sent off for his blatant dive. It was a truly horrific call that completely changed the match.
Juventus directors, including Damien Comolli and Giorgio Chiellini, were spotted at halftime screaming at La Penna in the tunnel as the teams went in for halftime. Spalletti had held out the few minutes until the break to make the necessary adjustments to the lineup, sending on Emil Holm in place of Conceição, while Chivu, perhaps sensing how lucky Bastoni had been at the end of the first half, yanked him for Carlos Augusto.
Juve were actually the aggressors early in the second period, and five minutes in they forced Sommer into three saves in the space of 11 seconds. Cambiaso ended a mazy dribble with a fierce shot high to the near post. The rebound fell to McKennie, who had every opportunity to blast it into the net but instead decided to try to square it to David. The Canadian was admittedly wide open, but McKennie mishit the ball and looped it over his head. Augusto’s attempt at a clearance only went as far as Miretti, who ran onto the ball and one-timed it just too close to Sommer, who might’ve seen it late but was able to get his legs out for a kick save. That rebound came all the way back out to Miretti, who settled it down for McKennie, who finally took his shot only to put it right at the Swiss international keeper to finally hold.
After that Inter started clamping down, finally making their extra man pay while Juve settled into a block to try to keep them out. They held their shape well, and neither team registered a shot for more than 15 minutes, when Çalhanoglu, who came on for Barella, collected the clearance on a corner and blasted the ball from the top of the box, but Di Gregorio flew to parry it away from the upper 90. Francesco Pio Esposito, also off the bench, had a header diverted by Di Gregorio in the 68th minute.
But, eight minutes later, the 20-year-old wouldn’t be denied. Dimarco put a beautiful ball into the penalty area — the kind you get mad at because it was such a good play by a player on a team you hate — and Esposito evaded the attention of Locatelli and Kelly to flick it on to the far post, putting it in the perfect place to avoid another sprawling effort by Di Gregorio.
But that lead only lasted seven minutes. In an immense display of resolve, Juve were able to launch an attack off a tackle by Bremer, who stayed with the attack as he, Locatelli, and McKennie advanced upfield. He took a pass from Locatelli and turned it wide to McKennie, who squared the ball back toward Locatelli, who had wandered into a pocket of free space 16 yards from goal. His first-time shot was perfect, going between two defenders and past the outstretched hand of Sommer to improbably tie the score.
It felt like that would be the end result, but the Derby always has a twist in store, and this time it was Juve on the receiving end of a shot just before the end. After Di Gregorio denied Bisseck with a diving save off a powerful header, Inter came back for another attack, and Locatelli was perhaps a step too late in closing down Zielinski, who took one touch and blasted the ball through a sea of legs. It was impossible for Di Gregorio to see the ball until it was much too late, and he stayed rooted to his spot as the ball snapped the net with seven seconds left in regular time.
Even then, Juve made one last attempt to shock Inter again, but Teun Koopmeiners could only loop a header to Sommer; in fairness to the Dutchman the ball had been put in a tough place to get any power on it. After one last launch forward on a free kick was eventually claimed by Sommer, La Penna whistled for the end of the game—one that would focus the post-match discourse on him and how poorly he had performed. The decisive moment of the game was his mistake, not Juve’s—but it was Juve who had to lose.
The strides taken by one Manchester City player has given great versatility to Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Ever since he burst onto the scene late last season, Nico O’Reilly has risen from a talented young player to become a vital player for Manchester City. O’Reilly firmly established himself as a left-back for City, as his size and ability to get forward added a new dimension to City’s play. Nico O’Reilly impressed so much at left-back that he is now an England international and very much the favourite to start at left-back for England at the upcoming World Cup. Recently, Nico O’Reilly has shifted into midfield where he has shone. O’Reilly’s play in midfield has been strong, and with his versatility and talent, he is now a vital cog in the Manchester City machine.
Shifting Nico O’Reilly into midfield has given Manchester City another dynamic in the engine room.
In recent weeks, Nico O’Reilly has shifted into midfield. His past two performances against Liverpool and Fulham have shown why Pep Guardiola moved the England international into midfield. O’Reilly played a key role in two crucial Manchester City wins, albeit in a different manner in each match.
Against Liverpool in Manchester City’s 2-1 win at Anfield, Nico O’Reilly, alongside Bernardo Silva and Rodri helped City dominate the first half at Anfield. O’Reilly helped City dominate the midfield battle against Arne Slot’s side. He knew exactly where to be in possession and out of possession. O’Reilly’s ability to win duels, and his strength and physicality, greatly aided his team’s cause. As the second half unfolded and Arne Slot’s side got on top, O’Reilly did all of the midfield dirty work to keep his team in the game. Alongside Rodri and Bernardo, Nico O’Reilly helped his team stay in the game before they fought back spectacularly to claim a massive victory.
The attacking side of Nico O’Reilly’s game caught the eye against Fulham.
Manchester City followed their massive win over Liverpool with a routine 3-0 win over Fulham at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s side blew Marco Silva’s side away with 40 minutes of sublime all-around football. Every City player did their bit in that spell of the match. For Nico O’Reilly, he got to display his attacking prowess in that stage of the match. O’Reilly scored City’s second goal of the night with a superb finish. He combined superbly with Erling Haaland first of all, and then Antoine Semenyo to score his team’s second goal of the match. Nico O’Reilly rose through the ranks at City as an attacking midfielder. That was on full display against Fulham.
Against Liverpool, the grit and determination shone through. As City dispatched Fulham, O’Reilly’s ability to get forward stood out. The England international has shown all sides of his game in midfield recently, and that makes him invaluable to Pep Guardiola’s side and system.
Nico O’Reilly’s ability to play multiple roles makes him a valuable weapon for Pep Guardiola.
Nico O’Reilly’s ability to play in midfield or at left-back makes an invaluable weapon for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola knows he has a player who has the physical attributes to make.a real difference in both positions for his team. Versatility is increasingly valuable in the modern game, where squads are expected to adapt quickly to different situations, much in the same way supporters often look for flexible ways to manage online spending, whether through prepaid options such as a Neosurf voucher UK on Eneba or other digital payment methods. O’Reilly gives Guardiola that same flexibility on the pitch, offering solutions in a variety of roles when City need them most.
Nico O’Reilly has been one of the success stories for Manchester City this season. He has taken the next step in his young career, going from a talented youngster to a key player at City. As Pep Guardiola’s side chases honors on multiple fronts this season, you can see O’Reilly playing a key role in City’s pursuit of success.
Before Christmas break, McDonogh 35 was riding a three-game win streak.
A much-needed boost for the Roneagles before their well-deserved time off for the holidays, but a phone call the day after Christmas brought their high to an instant low.
“We just didn’t see it coming. It’s not like there were some indicators that he was sick. It’s not like it was some indicators that something was going to happen so that you can be prepared”, says 35 head coach Shaun Dumas.
McDonogh 35 assistant coach Eric Winans had passed away from what is believed to be a heart attack.
“I mean, he just sent the most wonderful message to the group chat. He just spent some time with the family, dancing and having fun, so it was a beautiful thing, man. Once we got that phone call, it’s almost like, man, am I stuck in a dream? Sometimes, I still find myself wanting to look at his number and send him a text message because it still doesn’t feel real.”
Dumas struggled with the reality of having to share the news with the team.
At their first practice since Winans’ passing, they spent the first 30 minutes of practice remembering “Coach E” and embracing one another.
“It was a bunch of silence”, says senior Jason Astorga. “Everybody had their own way of grieving. It were some cries here and there but Coach was just letting us know that he was here for us, for anything that we needed. I feel like we definitely needed that day, or that practice.”
“He was a father-figure, just as well as a friend”, says senior Rico Porter. “Somebody I could talk to. We had some stubborn moments but you expect that, especially when he wanted you to get better.”
Winans’ passing has provided new purpose.
They immediately got the ball rolling on “E.W.” patches for the jerseys and warm-up shirts that read “Long Live Coach E”, a tribute for the remainder of the season.
“We wanted to make sure we commemorate just how important his impact around this building was. It wasn’t just the impact around the kids, but also the staff. When he saw or talked to people, he had real fruitful conversations with people.”
A big presence that was felt during his two-year run with the team.
Now it will be his eternal presence that’ll live forever in the Roneagles’ hearts.
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SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Graham Ike had 21 points and a season-high 15 rebounds as No. 12 Gonzaga held off Santa Clara 94-86 on Saturday night.
Graham shot 7 of 12 and had four assists to help the Bulldogs move a half-game ahead of the Broncos for first place in the West Coast Conference. It’s Graham’s seventh consecutive game with 20 points, matching a similar streak he had in 2024.
Gonzaga (25-2, 13-1) has won 25 games or more in 19 consecutive seasons under coach Mark Few. Few was recently named a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.
Adam Miller scored 20 points, Tyon Grant-Foster added 20. and Emmanuel Innocenti had 16 points and six rebounds for the Bulldogs.
As good as Graham was, the Bulldogs had to do without their star forward for three minutes late in the second half while he was in foul trouble.
Christian Hammond scored 16 points for Santa Clara (22-6, 13-2).
The Broncos forced the Bulldogs into several hurried possessions that had the sold-out crowd at Leavey Center roaring early.
Gonzaga missed seven of its first 10 shots and trailed by eight before going on a 15-7 run midway through the first half. Ike later powered his way past two defenders in the key to score and give the Bulldogs their first lead at 31-29.
After Santa Clara regained the lead briefly, Ike ran past 7-foot-1 center Bukky Oboye for a thunderous one-hand dunk to help Gonzaga to a 44-39 halftime lead.
The Bulldogs made just 3 of 18 (17%) from behind the arc, but shot 56% (36 of 64) overall, scored 66 points in the paint and outrebounded Santa Clara 41-32.
BATON ROUGE, La.— Tessa Johnson scored 21 points as No. 3 South Carolina beat No. 6 LSU 79-72 on Saturday night and extended its winning streak over the Tigers to 18 games.
Trailing 73-72, LSU had a chance to take a one-point lead with 45.5 seconds left, but Flau’jae Johnson missed two free throws.
South Carolina (25-2, 11-1 SEC) closed out the Tigers (22-4, 8-4) by scoring six straight points, including Madina Okot’s layup with 25.5 seconds left and her two free throws with 16.1 seconds remaining.
Raven Johnson added 19 for the Gamecocks, Okot had a double-double with 12 points and 17 rebounds, and Joyce Edwards scored 10 points.
Johnson led LSU with 21 points, and Mikaylah Williams added 11.
The Tigers had their chances, but wasted too many opportunities. They missed 10 layups and nine free throws.
Despite leading for only 4:09 in the first half, South Carolina flipped LSU’s 21-16 first-quarter lead into a 41-40 halftime advantage.
The Tigers led by as many as five points several times in the second quarter, but never could pull away. Despite Johnson scoring eight points, the Gamecocks countered with 5-for-9 shooting from 3-point range in the period.
Tessa Johnson and Raven Johnson combined for 19 of South Carolina’s 25 points in the second period. Tessa Johnson, the SEC’s leading 3-point shooter, scored 11 points and was 3 for 4 from long distance.
LSU opened the third quarter missing eight of its first 11 shots, including two layups. South Carolina capitalized with a 9-2 run for a 50-42 lead with 5:20 left in the period.
Tigers’ reserve forward Bella Hines and Jada Richard sparked rallies that twice cut the Gamecocks’ margin to three points. But South Carolina scored the final four points in the period for a 60-55 lead entering the final quarter.
LSU scored on layups on four straight possessions, two by Flau’Jae Johnson, forcing the Gamecocks to call a timeout with 3:44 left and clinging to a 69-68 lead. But South Carolina never lost the lead.
Manchester United are looking to add depth to the attacking unit and believes the 18-year-old could be ideal for it in the long term. Manchester United are monitoring him closely and could make a move at the end of the season.
Man United learn Mateus Mane asking price
The player is valued at £50 million as per Fichajes, and it remains to be seen whether Manchester United are prepared to pay up. It is a steep price to pay for a young player who is still largely unproven at the highest level.
Meanwhile, the player is also a target for Liverpool. They have already held talks with the player and his representatives. Manchester United need to act quickly if they want to beat their rivals to his signature. The 18-year-old is a promising young player with a bright future, and he could justify the £50 million investment in the long run.
Mateus Mane of Wolverhampton Wanderers walks over to take a corner. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
He will add explosive pace, flair, and goals in the final third. Manchester United need more depth on the flanks, and the young attacker could be the ideal fit for them. Wolves are likely to go down at the end of the season, and the 18-year-old will want to compete at a higher level. The opportunity to join Manchester United or Liverpool will be exciting for him.
Liverpool need more quality on the flanks as well, and they have already taken initial steps to sign the player. It will be interesting to see where the young attacker ends up.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Graham Ike had 21 points and a season-high 15 rebounds as No. 12 Gonzaga held off Santa Clara 94-86 on Saturday night.
Graham shot 7 of 12 and had four assists to help the Bulldogs move a half-game ahead of the Broncos for first place in the West Coast Conference. It’s Graham’s seventh consecutive game with 20 points, matching a similar streak he had in 2024.
Gonzaga (25-2, 13-1) has won 25 games or more in 19 consecutive seasons under coach Mark Few. Few was recently named a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.
Adam Miller scored 20 points, Tyon Grant-Foster added 20. and Emmanuel Innocenti had 16 points and six rebounds for the Bulldogs.
As good as Graham was, the Bulldogs had to do without their star forward for three minutes late in the second half while he was in foul trouble.
Christian Hammond scored 16 points for Santa Clara (22-6, 13-2).
The Broncos forced the Bulldogs into several hurried possessions that had the sold-out crowd at Leavey Center roaring early.
Gonzaga missed seven of its first 10 shots and trailed by eight before going on a 15-7 run midway through the first half. Ike later powered his way past two defenders in the key to score and give the Bulldogs their first lead at 31-29.
After Santa Clara regained the lead briefly, Ike ran past 7-foot-1 center Bukky Oboye for a thunderous one-hand dunk to help Gonzaga to a 44-39 halftime lead.
The Bulldogs made just 3 of 18 (17%) from behind the arc, but shot 56% (36 of 64) overall, scored 66 points in the paint and outrebounded Santa Clara 41-32.
The first fist pump came on the par-3 12th, the Watering Hole at LIV Golf Adelaide. Then came another on the 13th. And the 14th. And the 15th.
They might as well have been knockout punches. Because Anthony Kim left his opponents stunned, frazzled and dazed as he poured in putt after putt after putt.
Kim pulled off the improbable Sunday, coming from five shots behind LIV's best two players in Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to begin the final round and win LIV Golf Adelaide at The Grange Golf Club for his first professional win in 5,795 days, or nearly 16 years. And the 40-year-old did it in dominating fashion, shooting 9-under 63 in the final round to blitzkrieg Rahm, DeChambeau and the rest of the field Down Under, finishing at 23 under.
When the year began, Kim didn't have a spot on a LIV roster. In his first start as a member of 4Aces GC, he's now a LIV winner, and his comeback story is among the best in golf history.
Kim disappeared from not only golf but the public for more than a decade, dealing with surgeries and addiction before making his return in 2024 as a wildcard on LIV. In two seasons, he didn't earn a single point in the league standings. He lost his playing privileges last year after being relegated, and his comeback effort seemed all but stifled. He wasn't done. Kim earned them back finishing third in the LIV Promotions Event last month.
Last week, he placed T-22, his best finish for the league. Then before LIV Golf Adelaide, he signed with 4Aces to be on a team for the first time. Now he's a champion, doing so in dominant fashion to return to the winner's circle for the first time since the 2010 Shell Houston Open. And he did so in typical AK fashion: with plenty of flair and energy.
Kim tied Rahm's lead with a birdie on the 12th, then he took the outright lead with another circle on the 13th. But he wasn't done. He birdied 14 and 15, and all of the sudden his lead was three with three to play.
Rahm added a bit of pressure after a birdie on 16, but Kim comfortable knocked in a tester from 5 feet for par, keeping his advantage at two shots with two to play, but Kim poured in another birdie on the 17th to slam the door. He lifted his hands and putter to the air before yet another reaction, embracing the crowd almost as much as they encouraged him to the finish line.
The final margin was three over Rahm, who finished runner-up for the second straight week. With the win, Kim will move to around No. 200 in the Official World Golf Ranking, his highest spot since July 2012. He also earns $4 million in prize money, and his final-round 63 tied the course record.
LIV Golf Adelaide also became the most-attended golf event in the country's history, per premier Peter Malinauskas. More than 115,000 fans attended the four-day event at The Grange Golf Club.
LIV Golf Adelaide is now the biggest golf event Australia has ever seen.
This year’s event drew more than 115,000 fans across the week.
That’s the highest attendance of any golf event in the nation - and the largest crowd for a LIV Golf tournament anywhere in the world. pic.twitter.com/v7zpu7czTB
But the story of the week belongs to Kim, who is back in the winner's circle after disappearing from the golf world for a decade, nearly dying, overcoming addiction and not even having a job a little more than a month ago.
Fans surrounded the 18th green once Kim, Rahm and DeChambeau approached. It was a fitting celebration for one of the finest moments in the sport. Anthony Kim was a champion once again, but this time was so much different than the last.
'Another step forward. Let’s keep going' - Ronaldo returns to fire Al Nassr title bid
Cristiano Ronaldo required only 18 minutes to mark his return to Roshn Saudi League action.
The Al Nassr captain, who’d missed the past two matches in the top-flight, volleyed home Sadio Mane’s cross not long into the encounter at Al Fateh, then treated the fans in Al Ahsa to his trademark “SIU” celebration.
More importantly, Ronaldo’s cushioned effort set Al Nassr on their way to a 2-0 victory. With 13 minutes remaining, Ayman Yahya met Kingsley Coman’s cross and thundered his shot past Fernando Pacheco in the home goal.
The win, Al Nassr’s seventh successive in the RSL, moved the 2018-19 champions back into second, one point behind Riyadh rivals Al Hilal. Al Ahli slip to third, three points back.
Having helped Al Nassr keep right on Al Hilal’s coattails with the 962nd goal of his unparalleled professional career, Man of the Match Ronaldo posted on his social media: “Another step forward. Let’s keep going.”
That quest continues next Saturday, at home to Al Hazem.
Fiona encouraged fundraising efforts after her daughter, Lorna, had to pause training at the village, near Duxford [Ickleton Cricket Club]
A cricket club is aiming to get more women and young people involved after expanding its practice facilities with a fundraising drive.
Ickleton Cricket Club in Cambridgeshire raised £36,000 for equipment so that more people could practise at any given time.
Fundraising was encouraged by Fiona whose 14-year-old daughter, Lorna, had to pause training last year, despite having played youth cricket for many years alongside her brother.
Edmund Harcourt, chairman of the club, said two new all-weather practise nets and wickets were due to be installed in March, in a hope to "transform" the clubs ability to support more young players across all ages.
The club said it had secured grants last year from the England and Wales Cricket Board and Sport England, alongside donations and sponsorships.
Additional funds would be used to employ a communications officer to encourage membership, especially among girls aged 13-18.
Harcourt said there would be "a lot of groundwork involved" to install the durable nets, including adding a type of artificial grass which was "bouncy" and more similar to real wickets.
"We're keen to encourage more people to join us – especially women and girls who want to try their hand at the crease," he said.
Frank del Duca, Joshua Williamson, Boone Niederhofer and Bryce Cheek, of the United States, compete in the four-man bobsleigh race at the Bobsleigh World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria, Nov. 30, 2025. (Matthias Schrader/Associated Press)
A San Antonio native who attended Churchill High School and walked on at A&M, he had 35 catches for 327 yards as an Aggie. His lone touchdown came in 2014 against Lamar and he caught eight passes in a game that season against Mississippi State. He graduated from A&M with a degree in petroleum engineering.
Texas A&M wide receiver Boone Niederhofer warms up before the Aggies play the Missouri Tigers on Nov. 15, 2014 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Missouri Tigers won 34-27 (Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
Niederhofer, 32, worked in the oil industry before deciding in 2019 to jump into bobsledding. He made his debut at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Cup in 2021 with Team USA. He did not qualify for the 2022 Olympics, but finished fourth with the four-man team at the 2025 IBSF Bobsled World Championships. Now he's expected to compete for a U.S. Olympic team that hasn't medaled in the four-man competition in over a decade.
Texas A&M wide receiver and former Churchill Charger Boone Niederhofer. (Courtesy photo)
“Football is a blue-collar sport, and bobsled is very much that exact same way,” Niederhofer told KBTX-TV. “There’s a lot of work that goes into it. We go fast. We can crash occasionally. So, you have to be pretty tough to be in this sport to begin with.”
His role as a pusher is key in helping the sled attain top speed. Bobsledding competitions begin Monday with medals awarded in the four-man event Feb. 22.
“It’s been, honestly, pretty surreal,” Niederhofer said. “After not making the games in ’22, it’s been quite the journey to get back here and, honestly, just the Lord truly paved the way for me to get back here — from the support of my employer, to friends and family and, obviously, the support of my wife. It’s been an adventure, and I’m just truly honored to get to represent my country at the Olympics.”
Boone Niederhofer of Team United States attends the Team USA Welcome Experience on Jan. 30, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC)
Seminole High sophomore Bailey Smiley at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Piedmont Middle School eighth-grader Justice Felton at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Defensive MVP Akela Martin, a sophomore at Seminole High, at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Lawton Elementary School sixth-grader Kyzli Santiago at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) South Lake senior at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Camp MVP Daniella de Oliveira of Braden RIver High tries to get past defender Tylani Hernandez-McClean of Seminole at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Tampa Alonzo junior Mia Garcia at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Defensive MVP Akela Martin, a sophomore at Seminole High, at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Lawton Elementary School sixth-grader Kyzli Santiago at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Justice Felton tries to avoid defender Naima Clarke-Harvey at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) South Lake sophomore Leilani Ricardo at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Seminole High junior Marissa Lozano at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Defensive MVP Akela Martin, a sophomore at Seminole High, at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Sanford Seminole sophomore Tylani Hernandez-McClean at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Apopka Elementary fifth-grader Logan Myers at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Overall MVP Daniella de Oliveira of Braden RIver at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Lawton Elementary School sixth-grader Kyzli Santiago at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Tampa Alonzo junior Mia Garcia at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Seminole High senior Naima Clarke-Harvey at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Fifth-grader Ryla Lezin of Tildenville Elementary battles battles Tampa Alonzo junior Mia Garcia at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Freshman Vivian Addad at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Sanford Seminole senior Tierra Lewis at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Defensive team at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Offenisve team at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Overall MVP Daniella de Oliveira of Braden RIver at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Defensive MVP Akela Martin, a sophomore at Seminole High, at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Lawton Elementary School sixth-grader Kyzli Santiago at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Seminole High junior Marissa Lozano at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Tampa Alonzo junior Mia Garcia at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Fifth-grader Ryla Lezin of Tildenville Elementary at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Sanford Seminole senior Tierra Lewis at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Osceola Science Charter sixth-grade running backs MVP Gernee Holmes at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Sanford Seminole senior Tierra Lewis at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Sanford Seminole sophomore Tylani Hernandez-McClean at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel) Show Caption1 of 35Overall MVP Daniella de Oliveira of Braden RIver at the Girls Flag Football All-American Exposure Camp, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at West Orange High School. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)Expand
Leeds XI vs Birmingham – Predicted lineup and team news
Leeds United head to Birmingham City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday lunchtime.
Daniel Farke’s side team have pulled clear of the relegation places in the Premier League and head into this game after a spirited draw at Chelsea. Leeds recovered from two goals down to earn a point at Stamford Bridge in midweek.
The trip to St Andrews will see Leeds face a Birmingham team with big ambitions. The Blues earned promotion to the Championship in record-breaking fashion last season and are bidding for back-to-back promotions. A seven-game unbeaten run has lifted Birmingham within a point of the play-offs.
Leeds United team news
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been passed fit to feature after missing the draw at Chelsea through illness. The 28-year-old is Leeds’ top scorer this season with 10 goals in the Premier League.
Also struggling to make the trip to Birmingham is Anton Stach. The German midfielder has a hip issue and has missed the club’s last two fixtures. Defender Pascal Struijk is ruled out with a hip injury of his own.
Saturday’s Purple Rumor Mill brought theories about J.J. McCarthy, Derek Carr, and free-agent cornerback Jaylen Watson. It’s time for Sunday’s batch of Minnesota-Vikings themed rumors. You can read Saturday’s here.
Vikings rumors are stacking up fast, spanning a safety succession plan, Addison trade fodder, and growing uncertainty around McCarthy.
The rumor mill is louder than usual because free agency is just three weeks away.
Latest Nuggets in the Vikings’ Rumor Mill
All the fascinating tidbits in Minnesota’s evolving rumor mill.
Washington Commanders safety Kamren Curl (31) sprints out of the tunnel during introductions before kickoff on Oct 23, 2022, at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, as the Commanders prepared to host the Green Bay Packers. The defensive back charges toward the sideline amid pregame smoke and pageantry. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Rumor: From free agency, to possibly replace Harrison Smith, the Vikings could sign safety Kamren Curl.
Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports mapped out landing spots for the league’s Top 50 free agents next month, and when Curl’s name surfaced, Minnesota landed in the projection.
He explained, “With Harrison Smith potentially retiring, Minnesota gets his replacement in Curl, a strong-tackling safety who has done solid work with both the Commanders and the Rams. Other suitors: Rams, Jets, Bears.”
Pereles also tagged Minnesota as a potential destination for Coby Bryant (S, SEA), Bryan Cook (S, KC), Rashid Shaheed (WR, SEA), Aaron Rodgers (QB, PIT), and Cade Mays (C, CAR).
Curl stands out as a 7th-round win. Washington drafted him in 2020 — two days after the Vikings selected Justin Jefferson — and he logged four seasons in the nation’s capital on his rookie contract. He joined the Rams in the 2024 offseason and has started 33 games under Sean McVay since.
In total, Curl has appeared in 93 NFL games with 86 starts, compiling 586 tackles, 28 passes defended, 18 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, eight sacks, and five interceptions. He moves around the formation and fills multiple roles in the secondary.
Fans would rejoice at the Curl signing; it’s just unclear whether Smith will actually retire. Shouldn’t he have announced that by now?
Rumor: The Kansas City Chiefs would be a trade fit for Jordan Addison.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine ran through trade targets for every team, and when he reached the Chiefs, he connected the dots to Minnesota. He wrote, “There’s still room for a smart GM like Brett Veach to add talent to the roster that won’t hurt their cap situation. For instance, Jordan Addison is now extension-eligible, but the Vikings will have a new general manager.”
“Minnesota could be looking to move on from Addison after he was arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing. The charges were later dropped, but he’s had mutliple arrests since being draft. He could get a fresh start in Kansas City. He would only account for a $2.6 million cap hit this season.”
Kansas City stumbled to a 6-11 finish last year, a sharp dip for a franchise that had been operating in dynasty territory.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) loosens up during pregame drills on Aug. 10, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, ahead of a preseason contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 2023 first-rounder moved crisply through routes and stretches as he prepared for his second NFL season. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Despite his game-changing potential and flashes of WR1 ability, Addison’s past legal issues and failure to surpass 920 receiving yards in a season likely limit his trade value. While Vikings fans recognize his upside, his overall performance and off-field history make a first-round pick an unlikely return.
If Minnesota were to explore a trade, a more realistic expectation would be a 2nd-Roun pick plus additional assets to even out the deal. Anything less would probably discourage serious offers. Furthermore, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski has until May to decide on Addison’s fifth-year rookie option, which Minnesota is widely expected to exercise.
Generally speaking, though, Minnesota probably won’t trade Addison.
Rumor: Per ESPN, “all bets are off” regarding J.J. McCarthy’s future in Minnesota.
Kevin Seifert zoomed out on the Vikings’ offseason last week after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s firing and zeroed in on J.J. McCarthy’s suddenly murky outlook. He wrote, “The best way to put this, based on what sources have said, is that all bets are off. The general manager who drafted McCarthy No. 10 in 2024 has been fired, and the coach who was in full agreement with that decision is now under considerably more scrutiny.”
“In the big picture, McCarthy is a talented player who just turned 23 and has a total of 10 NFL starts. Few NFL teams would give up on a quarterback with that profile, and many team builders are particularly enamored with optimizing a quarterback’s rookie contract.”
McCarthy’s rookie deal remains affordable (or somewhat affordable) for up to three more seasons.
Seifert added, “Adofo-Mensah was one of them, but his departure is a reminder of the range of outcomes that approach can lead to. If anything, these events increase the chances that the Vikings will take a big swing at finding a veteran quarterback who could start in 2026,” he continued.
“The only thing more damaging than making the mistakes the Vikings made last season would be to repeat them this year.”
The bottom line: All bets are off. A new quarterback could indeed be on the way.
Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic – Predicted lineup and team news
Arsenal host Wigan Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s side remain in contention for four trophies this season. The North Londoners lead the Premier League by four points, while Arsenal will also meet Manchester City in the League Cup final in March. Now, the Gunners focus on FA Cup action and the visit of Wigan to the Emirates Stadium.
The Latics are 22nd in League One amid a tough campaign and are winless in their last eight league games.
Arsenal team news
Mikel Arteta must manage his squad with Arsenal’s absentees increasing in recent days. Kai Havertz has suffered a fresh injury setback and is set for another spell on the sidelines, where he joins Mikel Merino, who is facing five months out.
William Saliba missed the midweek draw at Brentford through illness and remains a doubt, while Martin Odegaard sustained another knee knock. Max Dowman also remains out with an ankle issue.
Expect Arsenal to rotate their side for this one. Gabriel Martinelli, who hit a hat-trick at Portsmouth in round three, will hope for another outing from the start. Fellow forward Gabriel Jesus should also come in, allowing Viktor Gyokeres a rest.
Three-time defending NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner Mac McClung skipped this year’s competition because fellow competitors reportedly threatened to skip the event if he was going to participate.
After seeing the 2026 edition of the Dunk Contest, which was incredibly underwhelming, it was obvious that the event needs a player with the creativity of McClung, who reignited the excitement surrounding what used to be All-Star Weekend’s marquee event.
In the end, Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat won the competition with a score of 97.4 in the final round, clearing Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs. Bryant had the lead with a 50 on his first dunk, but appeared to misunderstand the rules and put up a standard dunk on his second attempt to finish with a 93.
It was an anticlimactic end to the event, which left everyone wondering what could have been if McClung had been in the field.
Feb 14, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson (16) celebrates with the trophy after winning the slam dunk competition during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
After the competition, McClung shared a video compilation of the dunks he had been practicing for this year’s event, which left no doubt that the fans at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood and at home were robbed.
From a ducking behind-the-back jam to an absurd toe-tap and between-the-legs alley-oop reverse dunk, each of McClung’s dunks cleared the competition and proved why he was the three-time defending champ.
The creativity and brilliance of each of McClung’s dunks were unmatched.
It’s a shame that the dunks never made it to All-Star Weekend, but at least they will live forever on the internet.
All-Star Weekend will conclude on Sunday, February 15, with the 2026 NBA All-Star Game featuring Team USA vs. The World. The Round Robin tournament will begin at 5:00 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
On Sunday, Team USA hockey concludes its preliminary round, looking to sweep Group C and secure the top seed for the knockout stage.
As NHL players make their return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, the U.S. has one of the most talented rosters it’s ever assembled. Mike Sullivan’s team has talent, scoring depth, elite goaltending, and guys that will do the dirty work needed to go through a long stretch. Now, it’s time for the squad to prove how far U.S. hockey has come as they face their toughest test of the opening round.
The journey through the group stage ends against Germany, a team that has rapidly ascended into the global elite. Headlined by arguably the world's best passer in Leon Draisaitl and a Norris-caliber defenseman in Moritz Seider, the Germans are no longer just "scrappy underdogs." Moreover, recent history suggests this won't be easy; Germany famously upset the United States in the 2023 IIHF World Championship semifinals, a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime loss that denied the Americans a shot at gold.
For the U.S., it can ensure a direct path to the Quarterfinals and a favorable seed; for Germany, it would be another statement win to prove that their 2018 Olympic silver medal was just the beginning of a new era for German hockey.
Here’s where you can find the contest on television and streaming.
Team USA’s final group game against Germany will be broadcast nationally on USA Network. Those looking to live stream the game can do so via Peacock, which serves as the streaming home of the Games.
Peacock will carry every event of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics live. The NBC-owned streaming service’s sports programming features live coverage of NFL Sunday Night Football, the NBA, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Premier League soccer, Big Ten football and basketball, Notre Dame football, Big East and Big 12 basketball, PGA Tour golf, and more.
What time is USA vs. Germany hockey today?
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15
Time:3:10 p.m. ET
The preliminary round finale kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 3:10 p.m. ET. The game is being held at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, the centerpiece venue for the tournament.
USA Olympic men's hockey schedule
Team USA enters Group C of the 2026 Winter Olympics as a heavy favorite. All of their preliminary round games follow a consistent schedule for fans in the United States, with puck drop set for 3:10 PM ET.
Date
Opponent
Time (ET)
Venue
Broadcast
Sunday, Feb. 15
Germany
3:10 PM
Santagiulia Arena
USA Network / Peacock
If Team USA wins their group or finishes as the top second-place team, they will likely bypass the Qualification Playoff and head straight to the Quarterfinals.
Birmingham City is eyeing a Premier League scalp when Leeds United visits St. Andrew's in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Championship club, where NFL great Tom Brady is a minority owner, puts its bid for a place in the playoffs on hold to take on a Leeds side that has taken positive strides in its bid to avoid Premier League relegation over recent weeks.
Daniel Farke's side followed up a dominant 3-1 win over struggling Nottingham Forest with a superb comeback from 2-0 down at Chelsea to draw 2-2.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
Birmingham City vs. Leeds United live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this FA Cup fourth round match in the United States:
This match will be televised in the U.S. on ESPN 2, which can be streamed 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.)
The match can also be found on ESPN Select, where every game of the entire FA Cup season can be streamed.
Catch all your favorite ESPN+ action with ESPN Select! Just download the new ESPN app, sign in with your ESPN account, tap "Subscribe to ESPN Select," and you're set to stream live sports, originals, and more—all in one place.
What time does Birmingham City vs. Leeds United kick off?
This FA Cup clash takes place at St Andrew's in Birmingham, England and kicks off on Sunday, February 15 at 12:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the United States:
The New Orleans Saints are on the upward trend heading into the 2026 season. Winners of four of their last five games last year, the team looks primed for a breakout.
One analyst is taking notice. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler previewed their offseason writing on why they could and could not break out in 2026.
"The hope for a quick turnaround: Quarterback Tyler Shough showed promise as a starter, providing hope for the future. Wide receiver Chris Olave and left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. are among the young pillars on offense. And the defense overachieved, ranking in the top 10 in several defensive categories. Young players in the secondary are trending well. And, look at that, the team's cap deficit isn't pushing $80 million. Progress!
Why it might take longer than hoped: The Saints' roster has been among the league's oldest for years. It's time to get younger. That's a lengthy process. Moving on from free agent veterans such as Cam Jordan and Davis seems timely, even though they have held up well. The front seven needs at least one more quality player. On offense, the backfield needs fresh legs, as Alvin Kamara turns 31 this summer."
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (84) scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Caesars Superdome. Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
It appears Fowler hints at the Saints drafting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, if not adding another draft pick or free agent at the position. New Orleans continues to be linked to Love as we inch closer to the draft.
Equally of note is the mention of the Saints' salary cap management which has been a big contention around the team the last decade. New Orleans, of course, went "all in" toward the end of the Sean Payton, Drew Brees Era and came up empty handed. As a result, the salary cap was not kind to the team. Now, it is apparent the Saints are moving past the cap issues.
In a division in which every team finished between 6-11 and 8-9, there is a case for any member of the NFC South division to take over in 2026. The emergence of Saints quarterback Tyler Shough increases New Orleans' shot of doing so, although one might assume that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield could certainly win more than eight games next season.
New Orleans excitement is palpable and it's well within reason that the Saints build on their strong finish in 2025. They will look to complete the roster over the offseason.
Suns forward Kevin Durant is among the players slated to play in the NBA All-Star Game at 2 p.m. Sunday. (KNTV 11, KCRA 3, KSBW 8) (Jeff Chiu/Associated Press)
SUNDAY
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Men
9a Utah at Cincinnati ESPN
9a Maryland at Rutgers FS1
9a Texas-San Antonio at Charlotte ESPNU
10a Indiana at Illinois KPIX (5) KOVR (13) KION (46)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Brian Brobbey of Sunderland warms up with teammates prior to the Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at Stadium of Light on February 11, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Martin Wanless predicts…
Score prediction: Oxford 1 Sunderland 2
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Chemsdine Talbi
We’ll surely put out a strong team today, just as we did at Everton, and we’ll need to as it’ll be a tough fixture.
Given the opposition, it’s likely we’ll go back to a more attacking setup, and I fancy us to get the job done in ninety minutes.
Talbi should play — possibly from the right today — and I’m backing him to score first in a tight win for the Lads.
‘The Champion’ Malc Dugdale predicts…
Score prediction: Oxford 0 Sunderland 3
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor
I’m hoping I can see this game as I’ve come away for a winter camping break (in a caravan, not a tent — I’m not that mad) but whether I see it or not, I think we have plenty of depth compared to Oxford in order to field a strong side and get through.
Eliezer Mayenda, Wilson Isidor, Romaine Mundle, Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi are all great goal threats — especially against opponents at this level — and many lads in here have picked them to open our account, but I’m backing Isidor to start us off in what I hope is a comfy 0-3 away win for the boys.
Get through (ideally in ninety minutes), get some good work into the legs of the lads who aren’t as prolific as others, pick up no injuries and we move back to the Premier League without too much fuss.
Jack Howe-Gingell predicts…
Score prediction: Oxford 0 Sunderland 2
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor
I’m expecting us to field a fairly strong team as we’re ticking along nicely in the league and this is a great opportunity to progress in the FA Cup!
The hard part is knowing who we’ll go with on the day, as we should have too much for Oxford even with a couple of changes. I want us to approach it seriously, however, because there’s no reason we shouldn’t have a go. It could turn a great season into an incredible one, and we shouldn’t pass that up.
I think Wilson Isidor will get some minutes to give Brian Brobbey a break, and will set us on our way in a comfortable win.
Will Jones predicts…
Score prediction: Oxford 1 Sunderland 2
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Wilson Isidor
FA Cup weekend. We’ll rotate a bit but we’ll still be strong enough, and if we move the ball properly, we should have too much for them.
It feels like the sort of game Wilson Isidor starts in order to give Brian Brobbey a breather, and he’s lively enough to nick the first.
Not comfortable, but enough to get through. Haway the lads!
Matty Foster predicts…
Score prediction: Oxford 1 Sunderland 3
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Nilson Angulo
Today’s game is a chance to put our two consecutive league defeats behind us, and get back to winning ways.
I anticipate a few changes, but an overall strong squad and we should have more than enough to get ourselves into the next round.
Oxford have struggled in the league, and only find themselves in the fourth round having beaten MK Dons on penalties. Hiring Matt Bloomfield hasn’t done anything to change their fortunes, with only one win in seven matches.
I anticipate a comfortable win today, with Angulo getting both himself and Sunderland off the mark.
Anthony Gair predicts…
Score prediction: Oxford 0 Sunderland 4
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Nilson Angulo
I’m with Martin.
I think we’ll field a strong team — including those blooding into the side. Angulo will likely score and I’m tipping him to get his first goal for us this weekend!
I haven’t seen much of Oxford this season, but I am aware that they’re struggling in the Championship.
Here’s hoping we don’t embarrass ourselves!
Gary Winter predicts…
Score prediction: Oxford 0 Sunderland 2
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Eliezer Mayenda
Sadly the unbeaten home record is gone but it was incredible while it lasted. Now we have to put that firmly behind us and ensure we get through to the next round of the cup.
It was less than ten months ago that we left the Kassam Stadium having been comfortably beaten 2-0. This won’t be easy at all against a struggling Oxford side, but I think away ties benefit us in the early rounds, generating top atmospheres compared with half-empty/closed stands at home.
I’m not sure if we’ll go completely full strength, as for me some players could do with a rest and by the same token, some need an opportunity to impress. I’ll take a stab in the dark and back Mayenda to net our first.
Hopefully we can kill off the game quickly — and certainly within the ninety minutes.
Brett Lyons-Davis predicts…
Score prediction: Oxford 0 Sunderland 3
Sunderland’s first goalscorer: Romaine Mundle
Hopefully this is a game we can get some minutes in the legs to those that need it, as well as resting those niggles.
With the majority of the “bomb squad” gone, there should still be a strong enough team at Régis Le Bris’ disposal to put a team second bottom of the Championship to the sword.
Romaine Mundle could massively do with a confidence boost, so it’ll be lovely to see him grab the first goal.
Last time out…
Sadly, the challenges of Arsenal and Liverpool in close proximity was too much for the Lads and we finally lost our undefeated home record to the Scousers on Wednesday night.
It wasn’t a terrible performance but it wasn’t our best, and you have to expect games like that when you’re taking on last season’s Premier League winners a few days after the probable champions of this season.
I don’t think the referee was particularly consistent and our home atmosphere was a bit less ominous than it can be, but I have to say the Liverpool fans were a credit to their side — despite them being far from where they want to be in the league just now.
We gave them a good game; we lost to a set piece only and 0-1, and the fact they were time wasting to protect their lead said a lot about how much we were respected as an opponent.
Today, we can forget about the Premier League and have some fun in the FA Cup.
Hopefully we can secure a decent win and put the spring back into the step of the squad after a tough series of fixtures, which started before Christmas and when half the lads were at AFCON.
Last game predictions…
Only Matty got anything from last week’s Liverpool predictions as he was the only miserable sod to call a loss.
Everyone expected us to get a goal too, so no points for no scorer, but hopefully the points haul can be more substantial this time.
Predictions table and standings
Minor movements in the table with the single point being won.
Matty makes fifth place his own rather than sharing it, and no other changes in the RR Predictions League other than that.
How the points are awarded
Just a quick reminder of how we allocate points to our match-by-match predictions:
Correct score = Three points
Correct outcome (but not correct score) = One point
Correct first Sunderland goalscorer = One point (no goalscorer is a valid call)
Possible deductions for being lazy and not submitting on time = a two-point deduction.
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