The 2026 NCAA Tournament returns to our lives on Thursday, March 26, with the Sweet 16 tipping off in primetime.
Thursday night’s action includes the Arizona Wildcats, the No. 1 seed in the West Region, taking on the No. 4-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks in the CBS nightcap, along with No. 11 Texas, the only remaining double-digit seed in the tournament field, kicking things off.
It will be another fun night of March Madness, with only two wins separating teams from a trip to the Final Four in Indianapolis.
Of course, the broadcasts can impact your viewing experience on gameday, and we now know who will be calling games. CBS is rolling out teams of Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, and Allie LaForce on Thursday, while Ian Eagle, Bill Rafery, Grant Hill, and Tracy Wolfson will be on the call.
April 30, 2019; Oakland, CA, USA; TNT sideline reporter Allie LaForce after game two of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
All games throughout the Sweet 16 will be aired live on CBS, TBS, or truTV.
Who will be calling your favorite team’s game during the Sweet 16?
A full look at the announcer pairings and assignments as March Madness rolls on can be seen below.
Sweet 16 announcer pairings & schedule
Mar 26, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; General view of a NCAA March Madness logo during a practice sessions in preparation for an East Regional semifinal games at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Thursday, March 26
Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, Allie LaForce
No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas, 7:10 p.m. (CBS)
No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas, 9:45 p.m. (CBS)
Kevin Harlan, Robbie Hummel, Stan Van Gundy, Lauren Shehadi
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen got into it with a reporter ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, leading to a standoff between the driver and journalist.
Back at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked by The Guardian’s Giles Richards about his controversial crash into Mercedes’ George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen looked to hit Russell on purpose during the race, following frustration over his battle with the British driver.
As a result, he lost nine points in the title race, with the gap between Verstappen and the eventual champion, Lando Norris, just two points.
Nov 19, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) during media availabilities at Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
At the end of the season, in Abu Dhabi, Richards then asked Verstappen if he regretted the move on Russell.
“Max, you lost out to Lando by just two points. What do you think now about the incident with George Russell in Spain? Do you regret that looking back in hindsight?” Richards asked the Dutchman.
Verstappen responded with a characteristically poignant answer.
“You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come. You’re giving me a stupid grin now. I don’t know,” he said.
“Yeah, it’s part of racing at the end. You live and learn. The championship is one of 24 rounds. I’ve also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me in the second half, so you can also question that.”
Verstappen’s Japanese Grand Prix Altercation
In the build-up to the race in Japan, Verstappen asked Richards to leave before he would talk to reporters.
“One second, I’m not speaking before he’s leaving,” Verstappen said.
“You’re really, really that upset about it?” Richards asked after a back-and-forth, prompting Verstappen to continue insisting that he leave.
“Get out. Yeah. Get out,” Verstappen added.
Richards did end up leaving, but the incident has led to subsequent discussion about whether or not a driver should be allowed to expel a reporter.
“All the journalists should stand together against this nonsense Athletes shouldn’t think of themselves as dictators. They literally get paid millions to answer a few questions,” one user commented on X.
“F1 drivers or any celebrity has the right to refuse to answer a journalist’s question. They do not have the right to remove journalists from a media setting where they are doing their jobs within the rules,” another one added.
Former Florida Gators standout Jawaan Taylor is one of the more intriguing names to keep an eye out for as teams evaluate the free agent market ahead of voluntary offseason programming. A validated starter with championship experience, Taylor fuses durability with physicality — traits contending teams eye when looking to stabilize the trenches.
At 6-feet-5-inches, 320 pounds, Taylor shaped his NFL reputation as a right tackle capable of holding up against elite pass rushers. His experience in high-pressure games strengthens the appeal for teams with lofty postseason aspirations. The 2019 second-round draft pick most notably helped the Kansas City Chiefs capture Super Bowl LVIII.
Taylor is available due less to a performance decline and more to financial pragmatism for Kansas City. The cap-clearing move mirrored a wave of others that dispersed former Chiefs across the league as the franchise looks to pen a new chapter following a dismal 2025 season.
Here are a few logical destinations for the one-time All-SEC lineman.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears emerge as a likely suitor for Taylor's services as protecting superstar quarterback and franchise cornerstone Caleb Williams is the priority in the Windy City. Adding depth and experience at right guard alongside Jonah Jackson and an already elite unit would be a heady play for Ryan Poles and company.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have both cap space and a clear need for players with Taylor's ability. The team's struggles to field respectable offensive line play were exposed in their blowout Super Bowl loss and throughout their postseason run. Taylor allowed just three sacks and 20 pressures in 2025, the marks the sort of consistency the Patriots need to protect NFL MVP runner-up Drake Maye.
Cincinnati Bengals
With Joe Burrow's injury history, breakdowns in protection must be mitigated for the Cincinnati Bengals. Keeping the franchise face upright bodes well for their chances in a stacked AFC North division. Cincinnati has shuffled through names for the duration of Burrow's tenure without securing a long-term solution at the position. With the team paying their top player over $90 million, getting Taylor at a mid-tier cap hit would be ideal.
Houston Texans
Currently, the Houston Texans are banking on developmental pieces to fill their hole at right tackle. A cost-controlled veteran option like Taylor might be a perfect plug-and-play solution that stabilizes the unit while young talent continues to grow. If the Texans can protect Stroud with a bridge piece like Taylor, their ceiling immediately rises.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
In his first season with the Red Sox, Garrett Crochet was nothing short of brilliant, turning in an 18-5 campaign with a 2.59 ERA and 255 strikeouts. As he prepares for his second consecutive Opening Day start with Boston, he finds himself on a collision course with a familiar face from the franchise's past.
The Red Sox will open the 2026 season with a matchup against the Reds and former Boston manager Terry Francona. The man who ended the franchise's 86-year championship drought is now tasked with finding a way to solve Crochet.
Both teams have plenty of firepower. Roman Anthony leads the way for the Red Sox after a strong showing at the World Baseball Classic. Crochet will face a Reds lineup that is headlined by All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz.
Follow along for live updates as Crochet and the Red Sox take the field for Opening Day.
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Red Sox vs. Reds live updates, highlights from 2026 Opening Day game
3:49 p.m.: Crochet’s 2025 season was a statistical masterpiece, as he led the entire major leagues with 255 strikeouts and finished second in the AL Cy Young voting. In his first year with Boston, he became the first pitcher since 2019 to record over 250 strikeouts with an ERA below 2.75, anchoring the rotation with a career-high 205.1 innings pitched.
His dominance was so immediate that the Red Sox locked him up with a massive six-year, $170 million extension before the 2026 season even began.
3:32 p.m.: Here is the Red Sox lineup for Game 1. Leading off is Roman Anthony, fresh off a World Baseball Classic where he hit home runs against Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
He's followed by Trevor Story, Jarren Duren and Willson Contreras, who was traded to Boston in the offseason.
3:26 p.m.: Happy Opening Day, Boston,.Your Red Sox play baseball today.
After a breakout 2025 campaign where he established himself as one of the most feared left-handers in the game, Garrett Crochet takes the mound today to lead a new-look Red Sox rotation against the Reds. The hard-throwing southpaw, who led the American League in strikeout rate last season, faces a Cincinnati lineup anchored by Elly De La Cruz in a cross-league Opening Day clash at Fenway Park.
With his triple-digit fastball and a devastating cutter, Crochet looks to prove he can anchor a Boston staff that underwent a massive philosophy shift over the winter to prioritize high-velocity arms.
How to watch Red Sox vs. Reds today: TV channel, live stream
Red Sox vs. Reds will air locally on NESN. Those looking to stream the game can watch on NESN 360 or 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-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Red Sox vs. Reds start time
Date: Thursday, March 26
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Red Sox vs. Reds is scheduled to start at 4:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 26. The game will be played at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
Red Sox regular season schedule 2026
Here are Boston's first 10 games of the 2026 regular season:
Mar. 26—MOSES LAKE — Though March Madness has wrapped up for Washington college teams, there are still plenty of teams in the state competing in spring athletics ahead of their break. See where your favorite team is heading this week.
BBCC
Baseball (7-11)
March 28 @ Wenatchee Valley, 1 p.m., 4 p.m.
April 1 vs Spokane, 1 p.m., 4 p.m.
Softball (4-9)
March 27 vs Blue Mountain, 2 p.m., 4 p.m.
March 28 vs Treasure Valley, noon, 2 p.m.
CWU
Baseball (9-15)
March 27 vs Northwest Nazarene, noon, 3 p.m.
March 28 vs Northwest Nazarene, noon, 3 pm.
Softball (7-19)
March 27 @ Western Washington, noon, 2 p.m.
March 28 @ Western Washington, noon, 2 p.m.
EWU
Tennis (8-6)
March 28 @ Northern Arizona University, 10 a.m.
Men's Golf
March 30-31 @ Seattle U Redhawk Invitational, Chambers Bay Golf Course
Gonzaga
Baseball (9-12)
March 27 @ Pacific, 6 p.m.
March 28 @ Pacific, 3 p.m.
March 29 @ Pacific, 1 p.m.
March 30 vs Nevada, 1 p.m.
April 2 vs Pepperdine, 6 p.m.
Men's Golf
March 30-31 @ Seattle U Redhawk Invitational, Chambers Bay Golf Course
Rowing
March 28-29 @ San Diego Crew Classic, Mission Bay, CA
Men's Tennis (6-5)
March 27 vs Santa Clara, 2 p.m.
March 29 vs San Diego, 11 a.m.
Women's Tennis (8-7)
March 28 @ Pacific, 10 a.m.
March 29 @ Saint Mary's, 10:30 a.m.
UW
Baseball (10-14)
March 27 vs Northwestern, 7 p.m.
March 28 vs Northwestern, 7 p.m.
March 29 vs Northwestern, 1 p.m.
March 31 @ Oregon State, 6 p.m.
April 2 vs Valparaiso, 7 p.m.
Softball (27-6)
March 27 @ Iowa, 4 p.m.
March 28 @ Iowa, 11 a.m.
March 29 @ Iowa, 10 a.m.
April 2 @ Saint Mary's, 2 p.m.
April 2 @ Stanford, 5 p.m.
Men's Golf
March 26-28 @ The Goodwin, Stanford CA
Rowing
March 27-28 @ Sarasota, FL
Gymnastics
April 2 @ NCAA Regionals, Corvallis, OR, 2 p.m.
Men's Tennis (7-10)
March 27 @ Nebraska, 3 p.m.
March 29 @ Wisconsin, 11 a.m.
Women's Tennis (13-1)
March 27 vs Northwestern, 4 p.m.
March 29 vs Illinois, noon
Track and Field
March 28 @ Peyton-Shotwell Invitational, 11 a.m.
April 2 @ Texas Relays, Austin, TX
WSU
Baseball (10-12)
March 27 vs Nevada, 4 p.m.
March 28 vs Nevada, 2 p.m.
March 29 vs Nevada, noon
March 31 @ Seattle U, 4 p.m.
April 2 @ San Jose State, 6 p.m.
Men's Golf
March 26-28 @ The Goodwin, Stanford, CA
Women's Golf
March 29-31 @ Silicon Valley Showcase, Millbrae, CA
Rowing
March 28 @ San Diego Crew Classic, 10 a.m.
March 29 @ San Diego Crew Classic, 9:20 a.m.
Women's Tennis (9-6)
March 28 @ Saint Mary's, 10:30 a.m.
March 29 @ Pacific, 11 a.m.
Track and Field
April 2 @ Mike Fanelli Invitational, San Francisco, CA
Report: Everton star could make controversial Liverpool switch
Liverpool Eye Iliman Ndiaye in Bold Merseyside Shift
Liverpool’s search for life after Mohamed Salah has already begun to take on a fascinating shape, with fresh reporting from TEAMtalk pointing towards a potentially historic move across Stanley Park. The idea that Liverpool could target Iliman Ndiaye from Everton is enough to raise eyebrows, but it also reflects a club preparing for a decisive tactical reset.
Salah Exit Sparks Recruitment Acceleration
“It was confirmed on Tuesday night that Salah would depart Anfield at the end of the season,” a moment that reshapes Liverpool’s attacking identity. Few players have defined an era quite like Salah, and replacing him is less about replication and more about reinvention.
Photo: IMAGO
Liverpool’s recruitment team appear to have anticipated this shift early. Plans “have effectively been in place from virtually the very moment he signed his record-breaking new deal at the club in April 2025.” That foresight now feels crucial, with the club moving swiftly through an evolving shortlist.
Names such as Francisco Conceicao and RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande underline a preference for dynamism and flexibility, yet it is Ndiaye who introduces a more provocative narrative.
Ndiaye Emerges as Intriguing Candidate
Ndiaye’s appeal lies in his adaptability. As noted, “The 26-year-old’s ability to operate across the frontline, combined with his effectiveness from the right, has made him an increasingly attractive option.”
Six goals and three assists during Everton’s campaign at the Hill Dickinson Stadium hint at a player growing into his role, while his directness offers a stylistic contrast to Salah’s precision. Ndiaye plays with a looseness, an improvisational quality that could refresh Liverpool’s attack.
There is also a practical element. Liverpool’s pursuit of Michael Olise and PSG pair Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola has been rebuffed, with “not for sale” responses forcing a recalibration. Ndiaye represents a more attainable solution, albeit one loaded with emotional and political weight.
Cross City Dynamics Add Tension
Transfers between Liverpool and Everton are rare, almost taboo. The report makes it clear that “any move would need to be hugely significant,” and Everton’s stance is equally firm.
“We’ve also had it made clear to us that the Toffees have absoluely no intention of allowing their star attraction to depart and particularly not to their cross-city rivals.”
That resistance is understandable. Ndiaye is under contract until 2029, and Everton are even considering improved terms. Liverpool’s interest, however, introduces pressure, not just financial but symbolic.
Wider Market Competition Builds
Liverpool are not alone. Manchester United are also monitoring Ndiaye, viewing him as a “versatile forward” option as they reshape their attack.
Meanwhile, Juventus remain attentive, though their financial limitations may restrict their involvement. This convergence of interest elevates Ndiaye’s profile and complicates Liverpool’s pursuit.
What emerges is a club navigating the delicate balance between ambition and realism. Ndiaye may not carry Salah’s global stature, but he offers something different, something perhaps necessary as Liverpool enter a new phase.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report lands somewhere between intriguing and slightly uneasy. Replacing Salah is not about finding another Salah, it is about redefining how Liverpool attack. Ndiaye feels like a stylistic pivot rather than a direct successor.
There is a clear logic in targeting a player already proven in the Premier League. Ndiaye’s ability to carry the ball, commit defenders and operate across the frontline fits a squad that has sometimes looked predictable in possession. A more chaotic attacking presence could actually benefit players around him.
However, the Everton angle complicates everything. Even if the deal were financially possible, the emotional fallout would be significant. Supporters on both sides would scrutinise every touch, every missed chance, every moment of brilliance. It adds pressure that Liverpool do not necessarily need during a transitional period.
There is also the question of ceiling. Ndiaye is performing well, but does he project as a player capable of leading Liverpool’s attack in the Champions League knockout stages or in title defining matches? That remains uncertain.
Ultimately, this feels like one option among many rather than a definitive solution. Liverpool’s recruitment team will need to get this decision right, because replacing a figure like Salah shapes not just a season, but an entire era.
Mar. 26—MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Vikings (8-12) split their home doubleheader against Wenatchee Valley in the first game of conference play for the season. The Vikings fell 3-8 in the first game but came back to win 7-5 in the second.
"It was nice to see the response in game two," said Vikings Head Coach Chase Tunstall. "Karter Wilson came out and gave us his best outing of the year so far."
In the first game, the Vikings got on the board in the first inning, scoring off a single from Isaiah Aliksa, sending Ricardo Leon Guerrero II and Kevin Garcia home. Big Bend increased their lead in the second quarter when Leon Guerrero hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Rylan Osjornsen to lead 3-0 at the top of the third.
Wenatchee Valley chipped away at the Vikings' lead in the third and fourth inning, scoring two runs to put the score at 3-2. The Vikings maintained their lead until the top of the eighth when Wenatchee scored six runs to put the game at 3-8. BBCC was unable to respond in the final two at-bats and Wenatchee Valley claimed victory.
Chase Fleming pitched seven innings for the Vikings, throwing seven strikeouts, followed by Cole McKinnon and Dayton Shimatsu, who threw one strikeout.
"We started off hot the first couple innings, had a phenomenal outing from Chase Fleming; we had the lead in the top of the eighth and ran into some good hitting by Wenatchee," said Tunstall. "We kind of gave it away toward the end there and they beat us."
BBCC was slower to start in the second game as Wenatchee Valley was first on the board with a run in the second inning. The Vikings began to gain offensive momentum in the fourth inning as Alex Hirai walked with bases loaded, scoring Ryley Doig and Jaime Ruelas grounded out to score Isaiah Aliksa to gain a 2-1 lead.
Wenatchee Valley evened the score in the top of the sixth, but the Vikings regained the lead with a walk from Kevin Garcia that scored Kaiden Weakley. Wenatchee gained the lead in the top of the eighth 4-3, but in the bottom of the eighth Big Bend had their best scoring inning with runs from Jaime Ruelas, Joseph Valenzuela, Garcia and Doig.
One more run was scored in the top of the ninth as Wenatchee's Malikhi Emery-Henderson homered, but the Vikings put the game away for a 7-5 victory.
Karter Wilson pitched five innings for the Vikings with four strike outs followed by Nelson Ahumada who pitched two innings, Alex Hirai who pitched one inning with two strike outs and Leon Guerrero who pitched one inning with two strike outs.
The coach said game two's victory game from timely hitting from the Vikings and having players like Leon Guerrero, who stepped up to close the door at the end of the day.
"Good things in game two to build off of game one and hopefully we'll keep it rolling into game three and four on Saturday," he said.
A key takeaway from this game as the Vikings enter conference play is the knowledge that anyone can beat any other team any given day, said Tunstall. With that the key to victory all comes down to which team can show up and play all nine innings.
This lesson was learned from game one Wednesday afternoon as they came in hot and then allowed the opposition to catch up and overtake them late in the game, said the coach.
This season he said that the Vikings have been focused on setting goals for the present.
"Obviously everybody shoots for the same thing; they shoot for the (Northwest Athletic Conference) championship, the east title and everything," said Tunstall. "I think sometimes it's more important to set short term goals to reach that long term goal and I think our biggest goal moving forward is just trying to go 1-0 in the first game and taking it one game at a time."
This season, the Vikings roster is made up of the usual 50/50 split of freshmen and sophomores with 16 returning sophomores. The coach said everyone on the team has been stepping up when necessary this season and expects that to continue as the season progresses.
"I think this team has the capability of being really good, but we just have to put it all together and continue to move forward and play the pitch," said Tunstall.
The Vikings head on the road to face Wenatchee Valley again in another doubleheader Saturday, with the first game starting at 1 p.m.
The next opportunity to see Clark Lea's Vanderbilt ahead of the 2026 college football season is set.
Vanderbilt football's Black and Gold spring game will be held at 1 p.m. on April 18 at FirstBank Stadium, the school announced on March 26.
Tickets will be available for free at VUCommodores.com, starting at 10 a.m. on April 2. Seating will be general admission within the lower bowl at FirstBank Stadium, while premium seating options are available for purchase in the South End Zone Commodore Club.
It will be the first chance for fans to see freshman quarterback Jared Curtis suit up in a Commodores jersey, with many eagerly anticipating the debut of the nation's No. 2-ranked quarterback recruit in the class of 2026.
Curtis became the highest-ranked recruit in Vanderbilt history when he made a shocking flip from Georgia ahead of signing day on Dec. 3, 2025. He was the No. 1 recruit in the country when he signed and finished as the No. 4 overall recruit after the final rankings were released.
After getting battered last season, Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson added boxing to his offseason training program. Jackson is looking to rebound after an injury-filled 2025 season, and boxing work is a good way to enhance hand-eye coordination, explosive power, and cardiovascular endurance while offering a low-impact alternative for offseason conditioning. Jackson's work has continued off the field as well, with his Forever Dreams Foundation constantly providing resources to the community in his home state of Florida.
Jackson's work was recently recognized when Palm Beach County, Florida, officially declared March 21 'Lamar Jackson Day,' honoring the Ravens quarterback and local icon for his impact on and off the field. Every July, Jackson hosts his annual "Fun-Day with LJ" event in South Florida, which he puts on through his "Forhttps://foreverdreamers.org/ever Dreamers" foundation.
March 21st is officially “Lamar Jackson Day” in Palm Beach County, Florida! @Lj_era8
— Forever Dreamers Foundation (@forever8dreamer) March 26, 2026
After a near-MVP season in 2024, Jackson was battered and missed four games, going 192-302 passing (63.6 completion percentage) for 2,549 yards (196.1 per game), 21 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 103.8 passer rating. He'll work with Declan Doyle to take his game to another level in 2026.
PHILADELPHIA -- As the Philadelphia 76ers continue with their push for the playoffs, there will be some things that must be addressed down the stretch of the season.
One of them will be reintegrating Paul George and Joel Embiid back into the fold. The two of them had big nights in Wednesday's win over the Chicago Bulls as Embiid scored 35 points and George scored 23 in the second half on his way to 28 for the game.
The gravity that they both possess made life easier for rookie guard VJ Edgecombe to get going as he took full advantage of his opportunities. Playing on the perimeter, Edgecombe was able to take advantage of the Bulls paying a lot of attention to George--who has grown to be a close friend of his.
"Man, it's amazing," Edgecombe said of George. "He’s helped me a lot. He helped me a lot. Me and P talk a lot off the court. On the court, he's helping me work on my game, how I can be better at certain areas. It's great to see him on the floor. It's been a long time. It's been almost two months. It's been a long time. I know he was itching to get back on the floor."
However, the Sixers must also make sure that Edgecombe remains involved in the offense. The rookie remained aggressive in Wednesday's win over the Chicago Bulls when he scored 22 points on an insanely efficient 7-for-9 shooting night. That has to be a priority down the stretch of the season.
"I'll be honest, I'm staying the same. I'm still gonna be aggressive," Edgecombe proclaimed. "Still be the same person all the time. It's gonna be a little easier, if you think about it, with Joel being on the floor, because he requires so much gravity and so much attention, but I'm just trying to make the right play. I'm just trying to make the right play."
Making the right play helps, for sure, but the Sixers will need an aggressive Edgecombe the rest of the way. He is going to be a huge part of their success and he will look to be that guy for this group. Especially, as a perimeter scorer next to George and Embiid while Tyrese Maxey continues to heal up.
Therefore, in order for the Sixers to overtake the Raptors in the standings, they will need the rookie to continue to keep going strong and be that guy for this group on a nightly basis. That's how important Edgecombe has become in this offensive ecosystem.
LSU has fired fourth-year coach Matt McMahon and has reached an agreement to rehire former Tigers coach Will Wade from N.C. State.
“This was not an easy decision,” Wade wrote in a social media post in which he thanked N.C. State for the opportunity to coach the Wolfpack. “But the opportunity to return to Louisiana State University is deeply personal. It’s a chance to go home — to a place that means a great deal to me and my family.”
While LSU had yet to formally announce the coaching change, a person with knowledge of the development confirmed it to The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the official announcement still was pending.
The topic of Wade’s potential return to LSU had been churning for weeks, enough so that Wade was ready with a response when asked about it after the Wolfpack’s loss to Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. That included noting that the job at the time wasn’t open, with McMahon — the permanent successor after Wade’s ouster — still in place.
“I was hired at NC State to do a job. This wasn’t going to take one year,” Wade said, then motioned toward Wolfpack athletic director Boo Corrigan at the back of the news-conference room. “I’ve already met with our administration about next year and some of the changes that we need to make and some of the things that we need to do to put this program where it deserves long-term.”
Exactly two weeks later, Wade was gone. The buyout in Wade’s six-year deal at N.C. State is for $5 million, but was scheduled to drop to $3 million after April 1 — barring a negotiated settlement in the interim.
Wade’s return to LSU comes four years after his firing there over allegations of money-fueled recruiting violations, which came amid a federal corruption investigation into the sport. Wade rebuilt his career with a two-year stint at McNeese that included 50 wins and two trips to March Madness.
Wade’s lone season in Raleigh started with the coach confidently predicting a “reckoning” for the ACC and college basketball at his introductory news conference, coming a year ago Wednesday. He promised the Wolfpack would be in the top part of the ACC standings and reach the NCAA Tournament.
The Wolfpack accomplished the latter in a season that started with promise but faded badly. Notably, N.C. State stood at 18-6 overall and 9-2 in the ACC as of Feb. 7 before losing six of seven to close the regular season, including a 41-point loss at Louisville, a 29-point loss at Virginia and another 29-point loss at home to Duke.
Along the way, Wade’s postgame comments could range from a defiant and expletive-dotted defense on top transfer addition Darrion Williams to frustrated analyses of the performances and shortcomings of the overhauled roster he put together.
N.C. State, which finished seventh in the 18-team league, ended up in the First Four and lost to Texas on a last-second shot for its eighth loss in 10 games.
McMahon was hired at LSU in 2022 by then-athletic director Scott Woodward, who resigned under pressure from Gov. Jeff Landry last October in the wake of the firing of former Tigers football coach Brian Kelly.
Soon after, the LSU Board of Supervisors hired former McNeese State President Wade Rousse as LSU system president. This week, LSU lured McNeese State athletic director Heath Schroyer to a senior role as deputy athletics director overseeing men’s basketball. Schroyer, a former college basketball coach himself, was the first to hire Wade as the coach’s one-year suspension by the NCAA ended.
The Louisiana governor appoints 15 of the 16 members of the LSU Board of Supervisors to staggered six-year terms. Landry has appointed seven so far and the terms of four other board members expire in June, giving the governor considerable influence over the leadership in LSU’s athletic department.
Wade was exceedingly popular with LSU’s fan base, which was raucous in its support of Wade during pre-game introductions at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center even after accusations of his NCAA violations became public.
Wade went 105-51 at LSU. He led LSU to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2019, 2021 and 2022. His 2020 team appeared to be a virtual lock for March Madness before the tournament was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When LSU fired Wade, then-university President William F. Tate and Woodward said Wade’s tenure and the allegations that followed him placed the men’s basketball program “under an exhausting shroud of negativity.”
LSU received a formal notice of allegations from the NCAA’s Complex Case unit, including multiple charges alleging Wade’s personal involvement in — or awareness of — Level I misconduct.
Level I violations can include a head coach’s lack of oversight on compliance matters; failure to cooperate in an NCAA investigation; unethical or dishonest conduct; or prohibited cash or similar benefits provided to recruits.
However, virtually everything of which Wade was accused is now not only legal, but widely seen as critical to success during a new era of college sports in which player payments — both from endorsements and directly from university athletic departments — are permitted.
LSU has not been to March Madness since Wade left.
McMahon — saddled during his first two seasons by NCAA-approved, self-imposed scholarship reductions stemming from the Wade allegations, went 60-70 at LSU. This season, LSU went 15-17, posting a last-place 3-15 record in the SEC.
Following Thursday’s scrimmage, sixth-year head coach Josh Heupel recapped Tennessee’s performance.
“Today, scrimmage day, seven days in, a lot of really good work,” Heupel said. “I thought defensively, played extremely well, created a couple turnovers, but played assignment sound, fit the run game pretty well and didn't give up a lot of big plays, so good day.
“Through the first seven days, those guys have really continued to grow and build, and master what we're doing on that side of the football, and offensively there's some real positives too. Couple penalties that we got to play smarter in as we continue to learn how to play smart football, but all in all a really good day of work and got some special teams work in as well.”
Tennessee will conclude spring practices with its Orange & White Game at Neyland Stadium on April 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT.
Flags in football are typically seen as a nuisance that is a source of constant controversy. In flag football, they are a necessary accessory attached to each player's hip.
The 2028 Summer Olympics will see the introduction of flag football as an event for the first time, but it remains to be seen who will get the nod for Team USA. The Fanatics Flag Football Classic gave fans a glimpse into the sport when NFL players and flag football professionals clashed on the miniature gridiron.
It was the flag football stars who got the better of the tackle football pros in that event, but there remains plenty of interest from all parties to secure a spot for the upcoming Olympic Games.
One of those interested players is Robert Griffin III, who announced on social media on March 21 that he would be joining the quest for gold.
Proud and Honored to announce that I will be going for Gold in Flag Football with the USA National Team in 2028. The journey starts now and there is no greater honor than wearing USA across your chest and representing something more than yourself. USA! USA! USA! pic.twitter.com/TWJocbBbnG
The former quarterback last played in 2020 for the Baltimore Ravens, his seventh and final season in the NFL. In the years since, he has worked for ESPN and Fox Sports as an NFL and college football analyst.
On March 26, Griffin was revealed to be one of the 24 players on Team USA's men's flag football roster. Griffin and the other 23 will attend training camp with the hopes of securing a spot on the 12-man roster for the 2026 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag Football World Championship in Düsseldorf, Germany.
God’s plan 🙏🏾 The work is just getting started. Excited to work with my new teammates 🫡 USA! USA! USA! pic.twitter.com/X9BHwTwLGW
JON SCHEYER: Yeah, mainly I just want to say what an honor for us to be here to be playing against a really good St. John's team. A ton of respect for Coach Pitino, everything he's done as a coach, what he's accomplished. Then most importantly the team that they have. They have a terrific team that is playing the best they've played all season.
For us, we're very excited about the challenge, very hungry to keep this thing going.
Q.What stands out to you most about the St. John's team? What threats do they pose? Zuby has been playing great. With Coach Pitino, do you have any specific history or memories of interacting with him?
JON SCHEYER: Really it's just admiration and respect for him, what he's done. You look at the variety of his coaching, right, the different levels of college basketball, NBA, Europe, which I'm well aware what he did over there. A little after I played over there, but...
I think you just have to have a ton of respect for that, right? The success he's had every step of the way no matter where he is.
As far as their team goes, I think it's a reflection of him as a coach. Other teams he's had, coached against some of his Louisville teams. Known him a long time obviously. They're hard-nosed, they're tough. They make it incredibly difficult for you to get comfortable on offense.
For their offense, they put a lot of pressure on the rim. They do it a variety of ways. They have good depth. They're playing so well together. I think the best thing that they do, they play with great confidence. They're just relentless. They're just relentless, which is for us going to be a key thing not to relax at all.
Q.Can you update us on Caleb and Pat?
JON SCHEYER: It's been a different experience, right, with both these guys. Pat responded well. You never know how that's going to go. He's on track to play again tomorrow, which is a really big deal for us.
Then Caleb, I just go back to when he got hurt, he told me, Look, if I do this and work every day, you got to promise me you'll let me put this uniform on again with our guys.
He's in a position where he's going to try to do that tomorrow night. He had a good day of practice yesterday, doing a little bit. We have to see how he feels today. Hopefully he progresses well enough tomorrow where. Again, it's not like there's a lot of practice time, but we have to make sure he's in position before the game, more of a game-time decision.
He's going to give it everything he has to go tomorrow night.
Q.The physicality of St. John's is pronounced. You guys are a physical team. How have you embraced this opportunity to go into the trenches against another team?
JON SCHEYER: It's a combination of having a lot of respect for who they are and how they play, the job they've done, understanding they are very physical, they make it tough on you on both ends in the paint. At the same time that's been our strength. We don't want to get away from who we've been.
You think about the schedule we've played, I think it's prepared us to be in moments like this, to understand what it takes. Now it's a matter of trusting that, going ahead and executing that, then just being true to who we are.
Hopefully the depth, Pat and Caleb again are in position, that can give us also where there's not the pacing, there's just the effort in a game like this you have to have every possession. It's harder to play longer minutes. That's something for us that's going to be a key thing.
Q.Coach Pitino talked about the advantage of historic blue bloods kind of disappearing. You've been able to preserve that at Duke. Do you agree with the sentiment it's flattened out, or if there is an advantage to being a legacy program?
JON SCHEYER: Yeah, I think the biggest thing I would say is it changes so rapidly, so you have to make sure that you're -- it can go quickly is guess is what I'm saying.
I think with us, even the transition, the succession plan, you just want to make sure you establish right away that you're not going anywhere. I think of all things that's something that's been a big focus of mine, then everybody around me, our entire athletic department, our staff, our coaches, starting with Coach K when it initially happened.
But yeah, that's talked about less in the recruiting process now. When you think about when I was recruited, history, tradition, those things are very valuable. Now not that it doesn't mean anything. I think playing at our place means a lot still.
You have to find the right people and you have to understand that's not the only part of the equation anymore. I think that's something we've adjusted to, want to continue to adapt as we go forward, as well.
Q.There was this prevailing thought that NIL and the transfer portal might ruin college sports. The NCAA tournament saw its best ratings ever. Why do you think those doom and gloom predictions don't seem to be coming to fruition?
JON SCHEYER: There's a couple things at play. One, more talent in the game means there's higher level of competition. I think you look at there's been a lot of great coaches that have stepped down the last few years. I think we're seeing a resurgence of really good coaches getting in the college space, as well.
Then the fact of when you combine the talent and just I think the style of play, especially the last couple years, I think it's exciting. That's a good thing.
Again, I think we have to be smart about who is eligible, who isn't. There's a lot of questions we have to answer still. End of the day I think we should like the fact there's really good players that are in college basketball that are exciting to watch. I think that's what's made our game even better.
Q.You played under Mike Krzyzewski. He played and built something that had lasting power. What did you take from him in that regard? If you were to be offered opportunities down the road, what did you take about the way he went about considering the opportunities that arose?
JON SCHEYER: I haven't even thought about that, to be honest. I just think the biggest thing is to be incredibly present and grateful for the place you're in, right?
When I first fell in love with college basketball, it was actually watching Duke-Kentucky in '92. To think here you are in the Sweet 16 coaching do, what a blessing that is.
We talked about his opportunity with the Lakers and other places. Again, down the road that's something you cross that bridge when you get there. For me, it's 100% being at Duke, the place I want to be. We have unfinished business. That's what this is all about for me.
Q.Obviously you're focused on tomorrow night. How the calendar works now, is there a period you and your staff are focused on player retention, having continuity?
JON SCHEYER: Yes, unfortunately you have to do two things at once. I've made the decision the last two tournaments to be 100% with our current team. I really try to do the job of preparing ahead of time, making sure. That's why my staff is so valuable and they're so good with what they do. To be in position where we understand what's happening when the season ends. We're not going to miss out or be behind, as long as we're on top of those conversations and anticipate what's going to happen.
But the thing we focused on more than anything the last two years, that's not going to change this year, is retention. It's effort and attention you're giving the guys in the locker room, focusing with them where they know you're there with them. I think that's the best thing you can do.
For me it's all about this team. I'm not doing other stuff. I'm focused on our group right now.
Q.When you look at the level of coaches that are here, the teams, what are your impressions of this grouping?
JON SCHEYER: Yeah, it's a high-level group. I think there's no question about it.
At the same time I don't think you can anticipate being in a Sweet 16 game and not going against great coaching and great teams.
I think the fact of the consistent success, I'm talking about the three other programs, have had, they're all great coaches that have done it at the highest level. A ton of respect for each coach and their programs.
I think that's what makes it exciting, right? It's going to be an exciting atmosphere, high-level basketball, high-level coaching for sure. I just keep going back, it's the same thing of having great respect and admiration, at the same time having great confidence when you step on the floor.
That's what I want our players to have, too.
Q.Along the lines of the diminishing sort of built-in advantages for blue bloods now, what are some of the levers that are still there to pull, still have juice in the brand name?
JON SCHEYER: Well, I think from our perspective part of reason we played the schedule we did this year, I think you want to be in big-time environments where the games matter that you play.
You look at the amount of TV games, the ratings that we've had this season. Last season you get a chance to show your skill to millions of people. I think that matters, right? I think it matters the environment that you're in when you go to college to develop. I think that's one of the biggest strengths that we've had and we've continued to develop when you come here.
It's not just the one game, it's every day in practice, it's every day being around like-minded people that you compete against, that push you, that are thinking along the same lines. I think there's such value in that.
To me, those are two key things. The fact that being at a place where basketball is valued. You don't necessarily find that everywhere, most places.
Our leadership, Nina King, President Price, they value basketball. Basketball's a priority, which you can't take for granted. That's something that at Duke hopefully never changes, will be prioritized that way.
Q.If I'm doing my math right, you were probably about five in 1992.
JON SCHEYER: That's right.
Q.Not to imply that you don't belong, but Rick was the coach at Kentucky. Do you ever sit back and think as you're sitting here, it's kind of a little surreal to be on the other side of all of this?
JON SCHEYER: I mean, I'm well aware that I was five. Like I said, Coach Pitino, national championship, all the wins, everything, national championships, everything he's done.
At the same time I feel confident I'm right where I'm supposed to be. I think it's a good balance of confidence and humility. I don't want that to change for me.
Again, you have great respect for each of the coaches, programs that are here. I also think with what we've been able to do, when I was watching Duke play when I was five years old, everything in between, has got me ready for moments like this.
Q.You have to reconstitute a team every year now. Was there a moment where you felt you got this team's frequency? Can you tell me when this moment might have been, whether it was in a game or in the locker room?
JON SCHEYER: I think it was, this was a team that was great from the get-go. I don't think we hit our stride until we lost to North Carolina, we played at Pitt and won, but just didn't feel like we played great connected basketball.
Right before we played Clemson, I credit Caleb Foster. He came to me and basically said he didn't love the mojo of this group. He felt like we needed to do something.
We had a team meeting that day before the Clemson game. I thought that was the moment that we really came together in a different way, just understood this is a precious moment we have in front of us. We talked about, I'm going to keep some things private that was said in there. Basically what we had to do, I think everything ever since that moment, the connection we've had, the joy these guys have had every day practicing and playing, then just the understanding of what we control and our purpose every day for how we're going to play. I think that I was a pivot.
Clemson we played great. I think we really took off from there, if you look at statistically, if you look at just watching our guys connect, coach on the floor. I think that was a big difference.
I credit Caleb with getting that started.
Q.You added Jayson Tatum as the chief basketball officer before the season. You've had Carlos Boozer sitting right on the sideline. What is the impact of having that this time of year?
JON SCHEYER: Yeah, it's meant a lot, just all the four players, their support, their texts. I just feel like our place is unique with how can we continue to have continuity and have our guys feel connected to it. All those things are precious.
Jayson has been great just supporting all year. I want him to really focus on his comeback. He's got more important things in his own personal career. Nonetheless, he texts after every game helping our guys. That's been a really special thing.
Carlos from a former player's perspective, just coaches guys. It's been awesome to see that connection, but also he's just been dad, which has been just a special thing.
Q.You're kind of the youngster of this group of coaches. What do you think about the success Coach Pitino has, coaches into their 70s? Do you think we'll see that thing as commonly in the future?
JON SCHEYER: I don't think so (smiling). I don't think so. I'm sure they could tell you better stories because they've lived it.
I mean, I know from Coach K, initially when you start coaching, you have months, all right, you finish the season, your players aren't going anywhere, you go to the beach, you go wherever you want for a few months, you come back in the fall and you're ready to roll. That's just not the world we're in. As you all know, it's right to recruiting mode the next day, as soon as the season ends.
But I think it's incredible what Coach Pitino, what coaches have done. You think about adapting, you think about staying true to their values in terms of how they coach and how they communicate.
I think I would assume both of them would say you're coaching different players now, different people than they used to. You look at the reflection of both there are teams. They still have the identity of how they've always coached: the toughness, the defense, all those things, but they've done it a different way.
I admire that. I think it says a lot about both of them as coaches. They're two of the best coaches ever.
Q.From talking to some of the other coaches and players, it sounds like Evan (Bradds) was a factor in the late-game offensive stuff. How much of a role has he played in that? Sounds like he's one of the driving forces for guys having more movement in those situations?
JON SCHEYER: Evan has been incredibly helpful for me. When we were talking even before he was hired, I was very transparent with what I was trying to accomplish. So I've enjoyed some of the early mornings, late nights just bouncing stuff off of him, talking to the staff, figuring out how we can put our guys in the best position to execute late in games.
He's got a great mind. He's been around a lot of great players, a lot of great coaches. I think that experience has been helpful.
He's creative. So for us as we're talking, we're able to throw some different stuff at the wall and see what sticks at times and experiment.
I think it's led to great confidence in our guys in understanding what we're looking for, what adjustments we can make, then trusting and executing that plan.
But he's been awesome for us.
Q.How do you feel about a universal ball in college basketball?
JON SCHEYER: Good way to bring it home. That makes sense. I think that's pretty easy to say that makes sense, right? You tell me how we're going to do that.
Q.(No microphone.)
JON SCHEYER: I don't know either, but I'm for it.
Right now, we'll play with the ball that they give us. Thank you, guys.
After Iowa women's basketball signee McKenna Woliczko closed out her Archbishop Mitty High School career on March 15, the 6-foot-2 forward's remarkable comeback story from a nearly year-long ACL and meniscus recovery was highlighted in a recent in-depth feature story by NBC Sports California's 49ers Cal-Hi Sports.
Woliczko, who had been among the nation's top junior prospects at the time of her injury on Jan. 4, 2025, saw her path back to the court face numerous challenges through physical therapy, intense rehabilitation and strength training, and work with basketball coaches to regain the ability to perform at her elite level of play.
In the 18-minute feature story, Woliczko's recovery, college decision, and 21 games played in her senior season following a Jan. 2 return were covered as the San Bruno, Calif., native propelled her Monarchs squad to a fourth-consecutive CIF Open Division State Finals appearance.
Although Woliczko and Archbishop Mitty wound up falling short of claiming the state title, her tremendous work ethic, dedication to the game, and passion on the court will transition to the start of her collegiate career at Iowa this fall.
Woliczko will arrive at Iowa as its highest-ranked signee since Caitlin Clark in 2020, checking in as the nation's No. 6 player, the No. 2 power forward, and the No. 2 player from California, per 247Sports. Given the high national rankings, there is no doubt that Woliczko will be a key cog in the Hawkeyes' lineup next fall and for years to come.
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
NORTH PORT, FLORIDA - MARCH 24: Manager Kevin Cash #16 of the Tampa Bay Rays walks back to the dugout after relieving Garrett Cleavinger (not pictured) in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves during a Grapefruit League spring training game at CoolToday Park on March 24, 2026 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With a couple minutes remaining, Luke Ertel checked out of Saturday's game at Harrison on Jan. 31, donning his black and gold Mt. Vernon uniform just a few miles away from where he'll wear similar colors as a college freshman next season.
Ertel walked off the floor in May Gymnasium with a smile, high fiving teammates as he settled into a seat on the bench to watch backups put the finishing touches on another Marauders victory.
It was one of several masterpieces in a masterful senior season that'll surely lead to Ertel being named IndyStar Mr. Basketball. Ertel exited with 24 points, 13 assists, and 9 rebounds, just shy of a triple-double in a year where he has three others, including last week's Class 4A south semistate championship win over New Albany and one on Dec. 23 against Crown Point.
While a future with Purdue basketball awaits, Ertel has pushed that out of his mind as much as he can in hopes the Marauders would be playing in Gainbridge Fieldhouse this weekend.
Driven by a semistate loss last season, Ertel wouldn't allow himself to think of being a Boilermaker until he was done being a Marauder. That day is Saturday.
"We have aspirations of winning a state championship," Ertel said nearly two months ago. "We know what it takes to get there, and we know what it’s like to come up short. So that’s the goal. That’s the expectation."
Of course, as much as Ertel focuses on what's left of high school, he can't escape what's ahead.
Fans, especially at road games, showed up more than usual to get a glimpse of Ertel, deemed by some as the heir apparent to Braden Smith in Purdue's backcourt. After games, he's hounded for photos or to engage in brief conversation.
But quickly, he'll shift back to the current moment.
Mt. Vernon has never won a state championship in boys basketball. Last season seemed like the Marauders' best chance, but a 63-59 loss to eventual state champion Jeffersonville ended their shot of playing in the season's final game one weekend short.
Here's the thing about Ertel: perhaps one of the major draws for Purdue coaches is his ability to elevate his level of play and bring everyone else on his side along with him.
"It’s almost like, how does he keep getting better?" Mt. Vernon junior Max Vise said. "You think he’s at his potential, but he just keeps getting better."
And with just two returning varsity players - Ertel and Vise - Mt. Vernon is better, too.
"A year ago, things changed. Luke just got command of the game," Mt. Vernon coach Joe Bradburn said. "His skill was always there, but how he controlled games.
"We went into the sectional last year, and from that point on, he just has a presence about him, a poise about him that is hard to explain unless you see it every night. I see it every day in practice. He has a joy about him. He comes in with a passion to compete and play every day. That makes every day in practice competitive, and every day we get better because we don’t have down days."
Ertel rarely has down days in practice or on game day.
He's averaging 24.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.8 steals this season.
On national signing day, Painter's first opportunity to publicly comment on Purdue's 2026 recruiting class, the Boilermaker coach said he wasn't sure he'd ever signed a high school player "with more intestinal fortitude," lauding Ertel's toughness and overall development.
Ask Ertel about that quote, and he'll smile. Humble as he is, he can't deny a compliment like that coming from his future head coach, one who doesn't just say things to say things.
Why would Painter say that?
"I don’t quit," Ertel smiles, then admits. "I’m a pretty tough player."
And he's a pretty talented player. When Ertel committed to the Boilermakers in August 2024, he was just starting to surface on recruitment radars nationally.
It seemed like Painter and Purdue had performed another heist, taking a lesser-known name out of its home state and hoping to develop him into the Big Ten's newest superstar.
Only Ertel accelerated that jump. By the time he signed with Purdue in November, Ertel was rated as the No. 41 overall recruit in the 2026 class by 247Sports and 47th by On3, the two most prominent college basketball recruiting services.
In a season where Purdue fans impatiently await Ertel's arrival to college, he's been showered, as was the case on Jan. 31 at Harrison, with cheers even for road games.
On Saturday, those cheers won't be coming in a high school gymnasium, but in an NBA arena.
Because Ertel put his sole focus on leading Mt. Vernon to its first state title. And now the Marauders are 32 minutes away.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
Jannik Sinner advanced to his fourth Miami Open semifinal with a straight-sets win over American Frances Tiafoe on Thursday in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo by Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., March 26 (UPI) -- Jannik Sinner was a steaming howitzer, spraying fuzzy felt shells across an Oasis blue court, as an exhausted Frances Tiafoe struggled to find his footing in a dominant quarterfinal victory Thursday at the 2026 Miami Open.
The Italian tennis sensation, who missed the tournament last year because of a doping ban, roared into his fourth Miami Open semifinal with the 6-2, 6-2 triumph at Hard Rock Stadium. He needed just 71 minutes to dispatched the American.
"I know that he might be slightly tired, so I tried to make it as physical as possible," Sinner said in his on-court interview.
With the victory, Sinner, who won the 2024 Miami Open title, also inched closer to becoming just the eighth man to achieve a sunshine double. Roger Federer was the last to accomplish the feat -- winning consecutive-titles at Indian Wells and Miami in the same year -- when he did so in 2017.
Sinner won each of his first four 2026 Miami Open matches in straight sets, extending his record of 30 consecutive set victories.
The world's No. 2 player will take on No. 19 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina or No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany for a ticket to the men's singles semifinals.
The Italian fired 33 winners and 15 unforced errors. He also converted 4 of 7 break point opportunities. Tiafoe, who will could from No. 20 to 19 in the ATP rankings due to his performance in Miami, logged seven winners and 16 unforced errors.
"From the first time I came here I've always felt very comfortable and the court suits my game style," Sinner said.
Cerundolo will play Zverev in the last men's singles quarterfinal of the 2026 Miami Open on Thursday night in Miami Gardens. Sinner will meet Zverev or Cerundolo in second semifinal Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium.
The winner of that match will take on No. 31 Arthur Fils of France or No. 22 Jiri Lehecka of Czechia on Sunday in the men's singles final.
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 12: NC State Wolfpack head coach Will Wade during the ACC Men's basketball tournament between the NC State Wolf Pack and the Virginia Cavaliers on March 12, 2026 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LSU fired Wade in March 2022, after the NCAA served a formal notice of allegations around recruiting violations. And since then, the coach led McNeese to two NCAA Tournaments, and then North Carolina State to a First Four trip this year.
But even before the Wolfpack made the tournament field, the rumors about Wade’s return to LSU were already out in the open.
Messy Process
Even without the baggage of Wade’s previous dismissal from LSU, the Tigers reportedly did not inform coach Matt McMahon of his future with the program before bringing Wade back. McMahone had signed a seven-year deal with LSU in 2022.
While McMahon’s job security was in question given four straight seasons without an NCAA Tournament berth (and three losing campaigns), he was still the sitting head coach while the school outwardly courted his replacement. The fact that McMahon’s replacement is his fired predecessor further muddies the process.
And though the environments around recruiting, NCAA enforcement and player compensation have changed significantly since Wade was first fired in 2022, it doesn’t change the fact that McMahon ran a relatively clean program in his four years at the helm.
This is also just the latest messy coaching situation for LSU, just months after the football program hired Lane Kiffin away from conference rival Ole Miss.
Not Unlike The Lane Kiffin Hire
LSU’s plain-sight negotiations with Wade hold some similarities with the way the school also handled its pursuit of Kiffin after moving on from Brian Kelly in November 2025.
Before the end of the regular season, LSU was quickly tied to Kiffin as a possible landing spot. While Kiffin was still employed by Ole Miss – who was in the middle of a push toward the College Football Playoff – the school worked with a booster to send a private plane to fly the coach and his family to the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, La.
Though Kiffin was not hired before Kelly was informed of his future (since he was fired already), the announcement was still preceded by rampant speculation that it was a done deal before the hire was finally confirmed.
Some of that comes from Kiffin’s side – he claimed interest in coaching the team in the postseason and wanted to retain much of his staff on the way to LSU. Kiffin himself has also found a way to court some controversy already via NIL tampering claims.
But more than most power conference schools in recent years, the Tigers appear to be conducting business in the loudest and most expensive way possible. And it creates larger questions around the state of the entire athletic program.
Money To Burn?
Of course, LSU wouldn’t be able to get into these situations with high-profile coaches without the backing of athletic boosters and the millions of dollars required to compete in conferences like today’s SEC.
Before even getting into NIL budgets, the amount LSU is paying in coaching contracts and buyouts is already a staggering number.
Kiffin will make $91 million over seven years. Wade’s deal will pay between $4 and $5 million per year. They’ll be paying McMahon an $8 million buyout, and his staff over $1 million. LSU will also pay Ole Miss $3 million to hire Kiffin. And Kelly’s buyout was $54 million.
Again, this is all before standard program operating and NIL budgets are also accounted for, along with the various other salaries LSU pays across the rest of athletics.
For instance, women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey makes over $3.2 million per year and baseball coach Jay Johnson makes over $3 million per year as well. Kiffin, Mulkey and Johnson are among the highest paid coaches in each of their respective sports.
LSU Athletics spent a little over $219 million during the 2025 fiscal year, and that number is seemingly going up, despite what was just $3.8 million in surplus.
This would be where the boosters come in, yes. But that level of financial investment would also potentially come with results.
Despite the astronomical salaries, LSU football has finished ranked just twice in the last five seasons since winning the 2019 national title. Men’s basketball has only won a single tournament game since 2020. And women’s basketball has just one Final Four appearance (a national championship win in 2023) since Mulkey’s hire.
Baseball is the exception here, since Johnson’s teams have made and won two of the last three College World Series.
Still, if football and men’s basketball drive the bus in a conference like the SEC, those sports will be called upon to produce results commensurate with investment. And that task gets increasingly difficult in an expensive, 16-team SEC that is still a College Football Playoff fixture and received a record 14 invites to the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
LSU is not out of its depth at all. However, the athletic department is in a new reality where its headlines and financial outlays are outpacing wins. Recent months have shown a willingness for risk. Now they’ll have to pay off quickly – or a real reckoning could be coming for LSU.
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys haven’t been afraid to swing a blockbuster trade or two. It’s why the Cowboys have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Picking at 12 and 20, many draft experts predict the Cowboys to add multiple defenders in the first round. Yet, what if the Cowboys use their extra draft capital to trade up for a potential superstar prospect? For Dallas, anything is possible.
Recently, The Athletic‘s Vic Tafur put together a fresh mock draft in which he had the Cowboys do just that, by pulling off a blockbuster trade. Tafur’s idea was for the Cowboys to package picks No. 12 and 20 to move all the way up to No. 3, where they’d select star running back prospect Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame.
The Cardinals have the No. 3 pick, and as a team with no defined starting quarterback and several other holes, Arizona has a lot of needs. Trading down could be a great way for the Cardinals to strengthen their whole roster, rather than just getting one blue-chip prospect.
As for the Cowboys? An aggressive move for Love could take an already good offense and make it elite. Love not only can become one of the NFL’s leading rushers, but he’ll also be able to help Dallas on all three downs, making an impact as a pass-catcher too.
While running backs are not typically viewed as a position that is worth a top-three selection, Love is a special talent. Some regard him as the most talented player in the draft class. For Dallas, two first-round picks may be a price worth paying.
Yuki Yoza‘s rise in ONE has been defined by precision, composure, and a string of elite victories that have quickly positioned him among the best on the planet.
Now, that ascent has brought him to the biggest moment of his career. The former K-1 Champion challenges Jonathan “The General” Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE Samurai 1 on Wednesday, April 29, inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
Yet even as Yoza prepares for a career-defining opportunity, one unusual detail continues to set him apart from every other elite striker in the division.
It first caught the attention of global fans during his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 109 in May 2025. After earning a unanimous decision over Elbrus “The Samurai” Osmanov, the Japanese star returned to his corner and casually removed his gloves, revealing he had fought without hand wraps.
The moment sparked immediate curiosity. In a sport where hand protection is considered fundamental, the choice stood out instantly. When Mitch Chilson asked about it in the ring, Yoza brushed it off with a grin, calling himself “crazy.” But behind that lighthearted answer was a more deliberate reason.
The 28-year-old said:
“I think I stopped using hand wraps in fights around my last four fights in K-1. I think it was when I fought Kongnapa [Weerasakreck].
“Originally, I didn’t use wraps in training anyway. Without them, I could use my wrist much more freely. How can I explain it? My wrist joint felt more flexible. But when I wrapped them for fights, I couldn’t move it the same way. I’d tense up.”
Rather than a spur-of-the-moment gamble, the decision grew naturally from his training habits. What felt normal in the gym began to feel restrictive under fight conditions, forcing him to reconsider what actually worked best for his body.
That realization led to a simple but bold experiment, one that would become a defining part of his identity as a fighter:
“So on a whim, I asked for permission to try fighting without them. And it felt incredibly natural. Since then, I’ve believed it’s better not to use them. So I don’t wrap my hands anymore.”
As Yoza refined his approach, he discovered that the absence of wraps was not just about comfort. It directly impacted the quality of his striking.
That technical edge has translated into results on the global stage. Following his debut win over Osmanov, Yoza defeated former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchtanong Petchfergus and reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Kicking Machine” Superlek, extending his overall winning streak to 13 fights.
He said:
“For example, when I throw a body shot, in training this part of my wrist moves freely, so I can turn it over and land the punch cleanly with the knuckles. But when it’s wrapped all the way here – for me at least – the wrist gets locked. Then sometimes this part hits instead. The same goes for hooks. I can’t land them effectively.
“But when I tried fighting without wraps, my wrist could turn properly again. And I’ve even scored knockdowns in fights without them. For me, this wrist movement is the key point. So the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages.”
Yuki Yoza’s no-wrap approach may raise eyebrows among fans and fighters alike, but those closest to him see it very differently.
To them, it is simply part of who he is. That ease and familiarity with his methods have created a quiet confidence that extends beyond technique and into his overall mindset.
His relationship with hand wraps is so distant it borders on unintentional.
Yoza said:
“Actually, I can’t even wrap them myself. I don’t even know how to wrap hand bandages, even in training. I mostly just hit the mitts. I don’t do any specific training to strengthen my wrists or my knuckles.
“Not just my hands, but after fights I usually don’t have any injuries. My fists are probably fine because I trained in Kyokushin Karate, where we fight bare-knuckle. So it’s not a problem for me.”
Surrounded by elite strikers such as former three-division K-1 Champion Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa and former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri, Yoza has built a reputation that removes doubt from the equation.
Among his coaches and teammates, there is no concern, only the expectation that he will emerge as he always does: unscathed and in control.
He said:
“Using hand wraps? No, I think it doesn’t matter either way. Personally, I don’t think it’s something you need to worry about that much.
“Whether you wrap your hands or not, you should just go with whatever feels best for you.”
Germany and Switzerland allowed up to 11 substitutions in Friday friendly
The German Football Association has confirmed that a new FIFA rule will be applied in Friday’s friendly between Germany and Switzerland, allowing coaches to make up to 11 substitutions.
At the end of February, it was decided to increase the number of substitutions in official international friendlies from six to eight. However, if both teams agree, that limit can be extended to 11 – provided changes are made within three designated substitution windows plus halftime.
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin has indicated he intends to use the full quota on Friday to test different players ahead of the World Cup – a request the DFB has approved. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, however, is less enthusiastic.
“The request came from Switzerland. We agreed to it,” Nagelsmann said at a press conference on Thursday.
“I’m not a big fan of it. I assume we won’t make 11 substitutions,” he added, stressing his desire to “build cohesion” rather than experiment extensively ahead of the World Cup.
At the tournament this summer, standard competitive match rules will apply, allowing up to five substitutions, with a sixth permitted in extra time.
Nagelsmann has called up 25 players, including potential debutant Lennart Karl.
The Detroit Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot injury isn’t as alarming as it is annoying.
“I don’t know if he tweaked something yesterday, but he would be day to day,” Detroit coach Todd Mclellan said. “We think it’s minor, but it’s minor enough that he didn’t skate today, so we’ll have to figure that part out.”
Goalie coach Michael Leighton, a former NHL goalie, filled in for Talbot in practice.
John Gibson is the team’s clear No. 1 goalie, expected to carry the load down the stretch in the Red Wings’ playoff drive. But if there was a spot in the remaining schedule where coach Todd McLellan might consider giving Gibson a break it might be this weekend.
The Red Wings have a road game Friday in Buffalo and then come home to play the Philadelphia Flyers at home 24 hours later.
The timing of the injury the annoying aspect. McLellan said the Red Wings will likely call up a goalie from Grand Rapids.
“We’ll have to talk about it. . . ,” McLellan said. “We have to deal with Talbs a little bit right now. He was getting some things looked at this morning. It’s all happened fast. . .I can guarantee you we’ll have two goalies tomorrow.”
Presumably, the call-up would be Sebastian Cossa. Depending upon how Talbert feels, the call-up could dress for two games.
If it is Cossa, do you play him Saturday against the Flyers to see what he can do? Or, are these games way too important to use Cossa when Gibson is healthy?
It should be noted Cossa has played one NHL game. it was in a relief effort and he won it against the Buffalo Sabres.
Ferdi Kadioglu (R) scored the winning goal to keep Turkey's World Cup hopes alive (YASIN AKGUL)
Turkey kept their hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 2002 alive as Ferdi Kadioglu scored a second-half winner in a 1-0 victory over Romania in their play-off semi-final on Thursday.
Vincenzo Montella's Turkey will face either Slovakia or Kosovo, who meet later Thursday, away from home on Tuesday for a ticket to the expanded 48-team finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Brighton left-back Kadioglu netted the crucial goal in the 53rd minute and Romania, who last played at the World Cup in 1998, could not find an equaliser in Istanbul despite a late rally.
Turkey, quarter-finalists at Euro 2024, are bidding to reach the showpiece tournament for the first time since finishing third in South Korea and Japan 24 years ago.
"We knew it would be a tough match," said Turkey skipper Hakan Calhanoglu.
"In the first half, we could have made better runs in behind. In the second half, Ferdi scored with a ball in behind... From then, it was ours."
The home side dominated the ball early but struggled to break down their hard-working opponents, with a Calhanoglu free-kick which flew over the crossbar the closest they came to scoring in the opening 45 minutes.
Romania captain Ianis Hagi had a shot deflected over as his team looked to hit Turkey on the break.
Turkey took the lead, though, eight minutes into the second half as Arda Guler unlocked the Romania defence with a long, raking pass.
Kadioglu took an excellent first touch before calmly slotting a side-footed volley past onrushing goalkeeper Ionut Radu.
Turkey sensed a second goal with the crowd firmly behind them and Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz crashed an excellent strike from outside the box off the top of the bar.
Romania managed to stay in the game, with Radu making a fine diving save to tip away a curling Guler effort.
The visitors almost made Turkey pay for those missed chances, as substitute Nicolae Stanciu curled a shot which bounced off the inside of the post and rolled agonisingly across the face of goal with 11 minutes left.
But that was the closest Romania came to forcing extra time as Turkey moved within one match of qualifying for only a second World Cup in 72 years.
Colombian sensation Jordan “Panda Kick” Estupinan will square off against unbeaten Uzbek destroyer Aslamjon Ortikov in a flyweight Muay Thai bout, while Japanese veteran Hiroba Minowa will meet undefeated Armenian promotional newcomer Karen Ghazaryan in a strawweight MMA clash.
The event will broadcast live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, April 10, and it promises to be electric.
Estupinan enters the flyweight Muay Thai contest with a 9-1 career record and a 2-1 promotional slate.
Known for his aggressive and flashy style, the 23-year-old Colombian southpaw made an impressive ONE debut against Freddie Haggerty, younger brother of ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty, in January 2025.
“Panda Kick” claimed a unanimous decision that evening, snapping the Englishman’s winning streak and announcing his arrival on the global stage. Months later, he added another victory to his resume by defeating Russian striker Ali Saldoev.
However, Estupinan’s momentum hit a roadblock when he faced Japanese sensation Hyu Iwata last September, as he suffered the first blemish of his professional career. The Colombian looks to return to winning ways at ONE Fight Night 42, but that will be easier said than done.
Standing across from him is the perfect challenge.
The 23-year-old Ortikov, who represents TC Muaythai and Sport Club Shakhriyor in Uzbekistan, holds a flawless 23-0 career record. He has maintained that perfection through his ONE Championship campaign, registering nine victories in the world’s largest martial arts organization including four finishes.
Ortikov is a well-rounded striker who has proven his ability to defeat opponents by decision or knockout, demonstrating the versatility that makes him one of the flyweight Muay Thai division’s most dangerous contenders.
A victory over Estupinan would extend his streak and could position him for future ONE World Title opportunities.
Before that, Minowa will attempt to return to the win column in one of the promotion’s busiest mixed martial arts divisions.
Minowa, a former Shooto Strawweight Champion, began his ONE tenure impressively with huge victories over Filipino phenom Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang and former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva, establishing him as a legitimate threat to the gold.
However, following those statement wins, the 27-year-old Japanese grappler went through a rough phase that’s tested his resolve. Now, he seeks to recapture the form that made him such a top-flight competitor early in his ONE career.
But his opponent, Ghazaryan, enters the tilt on an incredible run.
The 24-year-old hails from Gavar, Armenia, representing Shahmuradyan Fight Club with a pristine 5-0 career record. More impressively, all five victories have come via stoppage, where he showcased his finishing power against every opponent he has ever faced.
Ghazaryan’s perfect record and 100 percent finishing rate make him one of the strawweight MMA division’s most dangerous undefeated newcomers, and he’ll look to maintain that status against experienced opposition.
Mar 25, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (17) celebrates his second goal of the game with teammates during the third period against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Timothy T. Ludwig/Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Josh Norris’ father never had steered him wrong before. And yet the Sabres forward somewhat was skeptical of just how passionate Buffalo was as a hockey market upon his arrival in a trade from Ottawa a year ago.
Sidelined by an injury, Norris would sit in the press box staring out at a half-empty arena, and hearing a chorus of boos and derogatory chants directed at the team and now former general manager Kevyn Adams, who was fired in December and replaced by Jarmo Kekalainen.
This wasn’t the rollicking atmosphere his dad, Dwayne Norris, recalled of Buffalo during his brief NHL playing days in the mid-1990s, before spending 11 more seasons in Germany.
“I knew he wasn’t lying,” Norris said of his father’s recollections, which suddenly have been realized by a Sabres team enjoying a remarkable turnaround that’s unmistakably revived the hockey buzz in Buffalo this season.
“I feel like they’re getting let out of a cage in a sense — and I mean that in the best way possible,” Norris said of an energized fanbase that’s filling the 19,000-plus seat KeyBank Center, and bringing back memorable chants such as, “Ooh! Ahh! Sabres on the warpath.”
“Now that we’re in this spot, I think it’s hard to miss,” he added. “It’s right in front of you. And it’s incredible to be a part of.”
Winning has a way of flipping the script for a franchise mired in an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought.
In the span of three-plus months, the Sabres have gone from sitting last in the Eastern Conference standings to sharing top spot with Carolina following their 4-3 overtime loss to Boston. The Sabres are riding a 33-6-4 run that’s all but assured them of clinching their first playoff berth since 2011.
And the fans are coming back in hordes.
A season after selling out just five of 40 home games (not including an NHL Global Series outing in Europe), the Sabres have enjoyed 17 sellouts this year, including their past 11 straight.
“You can’t beat it. It’s unbelievable. We have some of the best fans in the league and they deserve the success,” said forward Alex Tuch, who was a Sabres fan growing up in Syracuse, New York.
Now 29, Tuch was 14 the last time the Sabres qualified for the playoffs, and had just turned 11 the last time Buffalo won a playoff series in 2007.
“It’s pretty cool, honestly,” Tuch said of what his younger self might think. “I’d be pretty proud of myself right now. But like I’ve said, job not done.”
The Sabres, to a man, have taken a stay-the-course approach in avoiding getting caught up in the wave of excitement they’ve generated. Past frustrations and collapses are still too recent to allow players and coach Lindy Ruff to be drawn into a sense of overconfidence.
Though there are enough comparisons to the team’s last heydays in 2005-07, when Buffalo twice reached and lost in the East finals, Ruff has kept the focus firmly on the present.
“You guys are going to get tired of this,” he said, referring to reporters, “but we’re focusing on the next game.”
And yet Ruff, now in the second season of his second stint in Buffalo, can appreciate how the atmosphere has changed during home games — reminiscent of his first tenure coaching the team from 1997-2013.
“The energy in the building has really been great for our group. I mean, it’s probably the first time they’ve experienced it,” Ruff said. “So embrace it but know there’s a lot of work to do.”
With 10 games left, Buffalo’s magic number to clinch a playoff berth is 10 points.
Leading scorer Tage Thompson only had known frustration during his previous seven seasons in Buffalo.
“I think everyone in the room has a big level of pride for where we’ve gotten ourselves up to this point. It’s been an extremely hard road to get here,” Thompson said. “I think that gives you a little bit more appreciation for where you’re at. And I think it makes you not want to take it for granted.”
Inter Milan keeping an eye on Moussa Diaby if Mohamed Salah were to join Al Ittihad
Inter Milan are reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation regarding Moussa Diaby (26), according to Corriere dello Sport.
Having already come close to joining the Nerazzurri – with whom he had reached an agreement last winter – the French international, who has 11 caps to his name, could therefore find himself at the centre of discussions once again in the coming weeks.
Although under contract with Al Ittihad until 2029, the former Paris Saint-Germain player could nevertheless find himself sidelined by the potential imminent arrival of Mohamed Salah (33) at the Tigers, who are reportedly already in talks to secure the Egyptian legend, who recently announced his departure from Liverpool at the end of the season.
Al Qadsiah and Al Hilal, both rivals of Al Ittihad, are also said to have set their sights on the Pharaoh, but are reportedly less advanced in their pursuit than the current sixth-placed side in the Saudi Pro League.
An opportunity for Inter Milan, who could capitalise on the club’s need to make room for Salah to sign Diaby, whose desire to return to Europe is growing ever stronger. Having made 35 appearances across all competitions, the 26-year-old has scored four goals and provided 13 assists this season.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JUNE 13: General Manager Brandon Beane of the Buffalo Bills looks on during Buffalo Bills mandatory mini camp on June 13, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bills fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We’re back with another installment of Reacts, which means more questions for readers of Buffalo Rumblings! The main surge of NFL free agency is behind us, with the Bills taking a moderate approach in prioritizing needs without breaking the bank. Perhaps most importantly, Buffalo was able to re-sign center Connor McGovern to a new deal. Yet before free agency had even begun, One Bills Drive pulled of a trade with the Chicago Bears to pair wide receiver DJ Moore with quarterback Josh Allen.
Note: RFAs are players whose contracts are up but the team holds the right to offer them a “qualifying offer.” If another team offers them a contract, the Bills can match the offer or the Bills could receive compensation in the form of a draft pick.
In considering Buffalo’s moves in free agency thus far, and the addition of Moore, where do you believe the Bills should focus attention with their first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft? Is that first pick at 26, or would you prefer to see Buffalo be aggressive in trying to trade up for a specific prospect?
This week, we have two questions for you on both of those topics, so be sure to vote below!
After letting go of Ben Hammer after three seasons and back-to-back regional semifinal appearances in December, the Trojans announced the hiring of Liberty Christian (Texas) assistant Dan Nieboer on Thursday afternoon, March 26.
"Lely High School looks forward to the energy, experience, and leadership Coach Nieboer brings to the football program and anticipates an exciting new chapter for Trojan football," Lely interim activities coordinator Pete Seitz said in a statement.
Nieboer joins Lely from Liberty Christian, located in Argyle, Texas, where he served as defensive line coach and was part of their state championship team in 2024. With more than 25 years of coaching experience, Nieboer has built a reputation for excellence, player development, and competitive success.
Nieboer has coached a handful of prospects to the Power Four level, including players who went to Miami, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, among others.
Nieboer played college football at Ohio Northern University and the University of Rochester. He earned his undergraduate degree in Spanish and holds a master’s degree in Sport Management from Liberty University, combining academic achievement with a deep understanding of athletic leadership.
“I am extremely honored to be joining the Lely family and to bring my own family to be a part of such an awesome community,” Nieboer said in a statement. “I can’t wait to get there and get started building lifelong relationships within our school and athletics programs.”
Hammer was let go after compiling a 20-14 record, two district titles, and two playoff appearances. The Trojans had a solid 2025 season in Hammer's final year, finishing 8-4 with a district title and a regional semifinal appearance.
The Brooklyn Nets looked like they were on their way to winning their first game since Mar. 9 when they led the Golden State Warriors by nine points in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn had one of those games where they played well for the majority of the game just to let go of the rope in the end. Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez gave his take on the loss.
"We couldn't find the sprays [to the three-point line]. I think that we could have shot a little bit [more threes] and, once again, the free-throw disparity, they shot 15 more free-throws than us," Fernandez said after Wednesday's 109-106 loss at the Warriors. Brooklyn finished the game shooting a great 48.1% from the field against Golden State, but the fourth quarter is where the young Nets struggled once again.
"Is it a matter of us being young? I don't know, but I keep seeing it over and over and over again, and it can be frustrating," Fernandez continued. "So, it's something that I have to figure it out... I'm not complaining about their free-throws. I'm complaining about us only getting 21, that's what I'm complaining about. it is what it is, [we] gotta move on, gotta be better."
The Nets led the Warriors 82-70 with 2:03 left to play in the third quarter, but by the time the fourth quarter came around, Brooklyn wasn't able to execute the way they did through the first three quarters. Over the last 12 minutes of the game, the Nets shot just 8-of-20 (40.0%) from the field while the Warriors shot a blistering 10-of-16 (62.5%) from the floor while generating 12 free-throw attempts.
Brooklyn has made it clear that the portion of the season following their elimination from contending for the postseason is about developing/evaluating the younger players on the roster. That was shown by forward Ziaire Williams, forward Terance Mann, and center Nic Claxton not playing in the fourth quarter. With that being said, the Nets made progress against the Warriors, but the inexperience doomed them towards the end of the game.
The two core tenants of the Cyclones offense are perimeter cutting actions and inside-out actions. Both will get clamped, as the Vols defend them at a 98th percentile level.
Iowa State’s defense smothers the things that Tennessee relies on the most in the halfcourt. Post-ups, which make up 20% of the Vols' offense, are defended by ISU at the 99th percentile.
I’d play the Under down to 134.
COVERS INTEL: Iowa State allowed the second-highest rate of threes in the Big 12 this season, but Tennessee doesn’t shoot them. They finished the year ranked 330th in 3-point rate.
Tennessee vs Iowa State same-game parlay
Milan Momcilovic is the player who's received the biggest usage increase in the wake of Jefferson’s absence, so I’ll take a shot on him dropping at least one dime. He’s done so in both games without Jefferson and will be involved in significantly more ball screens without him on the floor.
I’ve ridden Ja’Kobi Gillespie Over 2.5 rebounds throughout the tournament, and it’s treated me well. It certainly helps that we should see an increase in 3-point shots (and longer rebounds) if Jefferson is unable to go.
Tennessee vs Iowa State SGP
Milan Momcilovic Over 0.5 assists
Ja’Kobi Gillespie Over 2.5 rebounds
Iowa State moneyline
Our Big Dance SGP: Heise holds his own
More long rebounds means more rebound opportunities to guards, and, given that I’m expecting both teams to struggle to score, I expect a lot of rebound opportunities in general. I like Nate Heise to get to four or more boards.
I'll finish this off with Nate Ament Under 15.5 points. The Cyclones are exceptionally good at shutting off the main offensive valve for a team, and for the Vols, that’s unquestionably Ament.
Tennessee vs Iowa State SGP
Under 140.5
Milan Momcilovic Over 0.5 assists
Ja’Kobi Gillespie Over 2.5 rebounds
Nate Heise Over 3.5 rebounds
Nate Ament Under 15.5 points
Tennessee vs Iowa State odds
Spread: Tennessee +3.5 | Iowa State -3.5
Moneyline: Tennessee +170 | Iowa State -200
Over/Under: Over 140.5 | Under 140.5
Tennessee vs Iowa State betting trend to know
Iowa State have covered the Spread in 13 of their last 18 games (+7.50 Units / 38% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Tennessee vs. Iowa State.
How to watch Tennessee vs Iowa State
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Friday, March 27, 2026
Tip-off
10:10 p.m. ET
TV
TBS
Tennessee vs Iowa State key injuries
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It's Opening Day for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and this season the back-to-back World Series champions will look to secure a third consecutive title.
Here are few things you need to know before the big game:
The Dodgers season will start with a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Game 1 kicks off at 5:30 p.m. but fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 4:45 p.m. for the Opening Day ceremony.
Stadium gates and the Dodgers team store will both open at 2:30 p.m.
Food from outside the stadium is allowed as long as it's in a clear bag. You can also check out the stadium's concession lineup for the new season.
With opening day at Dodger Stadium just a day away, fans can expect more than the usual ballpark bites when they take their seats.
As for transportation to the big game, Metro's Dodger Stadium Express is free for all ticket holders. It will start operating three hours before first pitch.
Fans can also use public transit to connect to the Dodger Stadium Express at Union Station and Harbor Gateway Transit Center.
Uber, the Dodgers' official rideshare program, is also an option to get to the ballpark. The rideshare service will enter through Gate B just off of Stadium Way to pick up and drop off riders in Lot 1.
Parking is available for $35 in advance or $40 at the door.
If you haven't purchased a ticket to the game yet, some are still available online.
Changes this season
Opening Day 2026 will be the first in 18 seasons where there won't be a locker in the Dodger's clubhouse for pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who hung up his cleats last year. This year, he will transition into the role of broadcaster.
Still, the Boys in Blue will try to get another World Series championship, and they've lined up some new powerhouses on the roaster to help.
The Dodgers secured one of the best closers in the game: former Met Edwin Diaz.
"He gives this team a closer where Dave Robverts doesn't have to wonder 'what am I going to do at the bottom of the 9th inning?'," said Doug McKain, host of "Dodgers Doughout."
If you thought signing the best relief pitcher on the market was enough, you'd be wrong wrong. The Dodgers also grabbed the best bat available.
A line-up that already boasts three former MVPs added prized outfielder Kyle Tucker.
CHICAGO, IL. — Yaxel Lendeborg will have a little extra motivation against Alabama in the Sweet 16.
Lendeborg played for the University of Alabama-Birmingham for two years in 2023-24 and 2024-25 before entering the NCAA Transfer Portal at the conclusion of last season. When he entered, he had hoped to stay in-state to play for Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide.
"When I entered the transfer portal out of UAB, I was hoping to get recruited by Alabama. And when I didn't, it kind of hurt me a little bit. Not in a way that I can say 'I hate them.' It just bothered me a little."
Unfortunately for Lendeborg (or fortunately, depending on whether you root for Michigan or Alabama), the call from Alabama never came, so he eventually picked Dusty May and the Wolverines. Now the two programs will square off on Friday, March 26, in the Sweet 16 from the United Center.
UAB's Bartow Arena is about 57 miles from Alabama's Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Lendeborg added that he is excited for Alabama and considers it a second home.
"There's going to be juice for sure," Lendeborg said of playing Alabama. "I know I'm going to try my best to be the best player on the floor tomorrow for sure. All it is extra motivation for sure, just not in the sense where I'm like, 'this is what you guys missed on,' but like you guys could have called at least, or something like that."
Oats refuted that the Crimson Tide "never" recruited Lendeborg, but he did admit that the team was not as aggressive in its pitch.
"We did make a call," Oats said. "It never got very deep. I think there were some programs that were in a little deeper with a lot more money at the time. It's one of those, you kind of call, see where the situation is at. Probably wasn't something we were going to be able to do, so we didn't spend a lot of time on it.
"... It wasn't a lack of thinking he wasn't a very good player. He was the best player in the portal."
Lendeborg averaged 17.7 points per game for the Blazers during the 2024-25 season, to go along with 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. He's averaged 14.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals for the Wolverines in 2025-26.
May said he will not get in the way of Lendeborg's "revenge" game against Alabama.
"I think we've had several subplots this year and he seems to be performing well up to this point," May said. "So whatever irritates him, I'm going to ride with that and support him.
"Nate and I being friends, we talked through that process. And don't tell Yax, but they did try to recruit him."
Opening Day is here, and the Baltimore Orioles are ready to have a bounce-back season after last year’s disastrous one. They overhauled their roster, but they didn’t really get a star pitcher to upgrade their rotation, and went for middle-of-the-road guys.
With that in mind, FanSided’s Austin Owens predicts they will get one more by signing All-Star and former Cy Young candidate, Nestor Cortes, who has the ability to be a star if he has a comeback season.
“A former MLB all-star who is just 31 years old does not sound like someone who would be job searching at the end of March. This is the exact situation left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes has found himself in. Cortes spent time with both the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres last season and only recorded 26 innings of work. With Cortes' young age and big gap between big league experience, he has the makings of someone who could make a major comeback…The Orioles are rolling with a starting staff that one could argue lacks a true ace but is loaded with starters who have proven they have the ability to keep their teams in ball games. As talented as the Baltimore offense is, this is really all they can ask for out of their starters. Taking a chance on Nestor Cortes makes sense for the O's,” Owens wrote.
Cortes’ last fully healthy season was in 2024, where he posted a 9-10 record, a 3.77 ERA, 162 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.153 over 174 innings pitched. If he can pitch to at least those numbers and a bit better record, he’d make a fine end-of-rotation pitcher.
Cortes’ market value projects a three-year, $36 million deal, and for a team like the O’s, that’s a perfect contract. If they can stick on a club option for the third year, all the better.
Hopefully, the O’s realize this would be a smart move, and get to work on getting Cortes on their roster ASAP by the time they would need his slot to start.
Gigantic Richard Hughes transfer fumble will cost Liverpool £86m to fix
Liverpool and Mohamed Salah are parting ways at the end of the season.
The Egyptian King announced earlier this week that he would be leaving the club - despite his contract running until 2027. Sporting director Richard Hughes will therefore allow Liverpool’s highest-paid player to walk out the door for nothing.
That was exactly the kind of scenario the club feared - prompting a mammoth two-year contract extension towards the back end of last season.
With Salah leading the club to the Premier League title - and sweeping the board for individual honours - the decision was made to tie him down.
If Salah was firing on all cylinders this deal would have made some kind of sense. But the fact of the matter is whether due to a lack of form - or misuse from Arne Slot - Salah isn’t the player he was.
The writing has been on the wall for his Liverpool career for quite some time. Insiders indicate that the row with Arne Slot in December at Elland Road as the point of no return.
Liverpool stuck with Salah in January
But the Premier League champions declined to offload Salah in January - when Saudi clubs were thinking it would take £100m to sign him.
So Liverpool go into the market with a profound need for a starting right winger - and they won’t have any Salah-cash to fund a deal.
All of which makes the decision to stay out of the race for Rayan in January all the more baffling. The Brazilian, 19, was heavily linked with Liverpool after emerging with Vasco da Gama in 2023.
One of the most promising South American talents of his generation Rayan moved from Vasco to Bournemouth in the winter for a fee of around £26m before bonuses.
He has taken to life in the Premier League with relish - scoring twice and adding an assist in his first three games. Rayan - and Bournemouth as a whole - have been a little off the boil since then but it hasn’t quelled transfer speculation.
The forward is reported to have a clause worth €100m (£86m) in his Cherries’ contract and looks set to move on long before his contract expiry of 2031.
And just a couple of months on from his arrival in England Liverpool have now been linked once again - alongside interest from most of Europe's elite.
Richard Hughes - former technical director at Bournemouth - will surely have known about Rayan. Liverpool and FSG surely knew that the relationship with Salah was untenable and therefore a new winger would be needed.
Where is the logic in staying out of the chase for Rayan only to be linked with a deal for three times the price two months later?
It was reported at the time that Rayan preferred Bournemouth as there was an accessible route to the first team. But that would also have been true at Liverpool given their Salah problems.
There is no doubt that Rayan is going to be big. He has all the ingredients necessary to thrive in the top flight and European football in general.
He could have shared duties with Salah until the end of the season, bedding in without much pressure, and take crucial steps when next season kicks off. This looks like a transfer error that will cost Liverpool a lot of money to fix.
O’Neill focus on Northern Ireland ‘running power’ to cause Italy problems
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill explains how he aims to ‘cause Italy problems’ in tonight’s World Cup play-off, trying to rely on their ‘running power and athleticism.’
It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
The winner will be decided tonight after 90 minutes, extra time, or even a penalty shoot-out.
Whoever goes through can then face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final on Tuesday March 31.
O’Neill had Northern Ireland injury problems
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – OCTOBER 13: Michael O’Neill, Head Coach of Northern Ireland, gestures during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Germany at Windsor Park on October 13, 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Liverpool defender Conor Bradley is out with a knee injury and they lost Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard too.
“With the players that we have unavailable to us, I think the most important thing was to put as much running power and athleticism in the team, so that is what we tried to do,” O’Neill told BBC Sport.
“With Pierce coming back in, and obviously Brody Spencer coming in on the left hand side, Justin playing in the midfield area too.”
Midfielder Ali McCann has also been left out after the Preston midfielder failed a late fitness test.
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – NOVEMBER 17: Michael O’Neill, Head Coach of Northern Ireland, looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Luxembourg at Windsor Park on November 17, 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
“We knew earlier in the week it was a long shot, so it was disappointing when he came in, but he did everything possible to be fit and unfortunately didn’t make it,” noted O’Neill.
“We’re young, but I think this team is ready for the occasion. I wanted to put as much athleticism on the pitch as I could.”
Jamie Donley is confirmed upfront for Northern Ireland after scoring his first international goal against Luxembourg.
“He played well against Luxembourg, he’s a different proposition from the other strikers that we have, he can drop into areas, and it might be difficult for them to play against him with a back three.
“His link-up play is good, a young player with high potential.”
How do Northern Ireland feel they can cause Italy difficulties as underdogs in this match?
“We know what type of game it is, and obviously we’re going to have to be very disciplined, but we can cause them problems, especially on transitions, we’ve got the running power particularly in the midfield four and the wide areas to get up the pitch and retain the ball in transition with players who can cause them problems,” added O’Neill.
“It’s not difficult to give players a message for a game like this. We’re obviously delighted to be here at this stage of the competition, but we want to go to the next step. The players have been brilliant all week, there’s a steely determination in them, confidence as well, a belief.
“This is a young team with everything to gain, and hopefully we can take that next step.”
🗣️ "We can always cause them problems"
Can Northern Ireland get the job done in Bergamo?
Watch, listen and follow live across BBC One NI, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app 📺🎙️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/RFrwwIPDQv
FORT WORTH, TX The Vanderbilt vs. Notre Dame Sweet 16 matchup won't be the first time Mikayla Blakes and Hannah Hidalgo have faced each other.
Blakes, the SEC Player of the Year, and Hidalgo, the ACC Player of the Year, are both from New Jersey. The two faced each other in high school and in AAU. Hidalgo said that she remembers winning both matchups against Blakes back then. The two have also played on the same team before as members of the FIBA AmeriCup team that won the gold medal last summer.
This matchup will have the highest stakes, though. The No. 2 seed Commodores (29-4) will face the No. 6 seed Fighting Irish (24-10) with a spot in the Elite 8 on the line at Dickies Arena on March 26 (1:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).
"Just her ability to do so many different things," Hidalgo said of Blakes on March 26. "Especially on the defensive end, her ability to pick up full court and get stops was really fun, and it was different to see because I know her so well, her being a scoring guard."
The ball-handling skills of Blakes and Aubrey Galvan will be especially tested as Hidalgo leads the country with 5.56 steals per game, nearly a steal and a half per game more than the next-closest player. Blakes herself is 23rd with 2.88 steals per game.
"We're just going to have to use ball fakes as well," Blakes said. "She's really good at reading passing lanes."
Blakes isn't the only one who has a history with Hidalgo. Justine Pissott, who is also from New Jersey, also faced Hidalgo in AAU.
"She's one of the best players in the country," Pissott said. "She knows how to put the ball in the basket, she knows how to defend. She also plays with a bunch of grit and determination, and I think that just goes to show the people that New Jersey has."
Blakes and Hidalgo aren't overly focused on facing each other. For Blakes, the ultimate goal has always been winning, not individual awards or matchups. But it will likely be the matchup that defines which of the two teams gets to the Elite 8.
When Jacob Misiorowski takes the mound on Thursday for Opening Day, the Milwaukee Brewers' ace won't just be chasing a victory.
He'll be seeking an $100,000 charity donation from Pat McAfee. All he has to do is throw really, really fast -- 104 miles per hour, to be specific.
Misiorowski joined McAfee's show earlier in the week, and the former NFL punter told Misiorowski that he'd donate $100,000 to charity if the young hurler reached that immense velocity with his fastball.
Emma Raducanu has opted to begin her clay court season rather than represent Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup.
Sonay Kartal, Harriet Dart, Jodie Burrage and 17-year-old Mika Stojsavljevic are set to fly to Australia for the tie scheduled for April 10-11.
Instead of joining the squad in Brisbane, Raducanu will feature at the Linz Open as she looks to recover from an injury that forced her out of Miami.
Keothavong responds to Raducanu’s BJK Cup decision
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
It’s been a while since Emma Raducanu last featured in a Billie Jean King Cup tie, but her captain Anne Keothavong says she understands why the player has chosen to skip this one.
This year’s tie is taking place in Australia, which isn’t ideal for players who are usually in Europe preparing for the clay court season at this time of year. It makes sense that some have decided not to make the trip.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Keothavong said: “It’s a difficult time of year to be going back to Australia. It’s the start of the clay-court season for most of the players.”
“I know most of the players take huge pride in representing Great Britain in this competition, but they also have to make choices for their own tennis and for their own health.”
The 2021 US Open winner has a strong 6/1 record in BJK Cup ties, so it’s no surprise there are those disappointed she won’t be involved again.
Britain face an Australian side made up of Maya Joint, Talia Gibson, Kimberly Birrell, Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez – all talented players.
Emma Raducanu chooses Linz Open over Billie Jean King Cup
Choosing to skip the Billie Jean King Cup wasn’t an easy call for Raducanu, but she wasn’t the only one to make that decision this year.
Katie Boulter and Fran Jones also opted out of the trip to Australia, and with a favourable draw at the Linz Open, Raducanu’s choice becomes more understandable.
She enters the tournament as the sixth seed and showed at the Transylvania Open that she’s more than capable of going deep in a WTA 250 event.
The field also includes Emma Navarro and Ekaterina Alexandrova, both struggling for form lately, alongside Jelena Ostapenko and Sorana Cirstea.
If Raducanu can come through and win in Austria, it would be a strong response to her critics – and it’s within reach given her current level.
A title in Linz would be her first since that remarkable US Open run back in 2021.
As expected, the official news on Thomas Chabot's injury isn't good.
Senators head coach Travis Green announced on Thursday that Chabot has a broken arm that required surgery, and he'll be lost to the Senators for four to eight weeks.
Chabot was injured on a cross-check by Rangers captain J.T. Miller on Monday night.
The play went unpenalized, and while some Sens fans hoped there might be some supplemental NHL discipline for Miller for breaking a guy's arm with his stick, the league didn't see it that way. In fairness, that kind of cross-check happens twenty times every night in every game. This one happened to strike a vulnerable spot at just the wrong time.
Chabot had his surgery today on "his forearm or something," as head coach Travis Green described it, and if the 29-year-old defenseman misses four weeks, that takes us to April 26, or eight days into the first round of the playoffs. If he misses the max, eight weeks, then his return would be sometime during the Conference Final.
But while the Senators have just arrived in a playoff position, they're a long way from clinching one. And with Chabot out for the rest of the regular season, the Sens could use some reinforcements to stay in this spot.
So on Thursday morning, as you might expect, Green was peppered with media questions about his four recently injured defencemen.
Jake Sanderson?
"He's skating, so that's a good sign. He'll come with us on the road trip, so that's another good sign."
Thomas Chabot"
"He'll be out for a while... I'm not sure; four, six, eight (weeks)."
Dennis Gilbert?
"He'll be out probably another three weeks... two to three weeks."
Lassi Thomson?
"Lassi skated today. I don't want to say day-to-day, but I don't think he'll be too long."
Green admitted that Thomson's prognosis is better than originally expected. After Monday's game in New York, Green originally said that both Chabot and Thomson would be "out for a while."
Nick Jensen underwent knee surgery (meniscus) last week, and it sounds like his recovery timeline resembles Chabot's.
For the time being, as the Senators get ready for another big game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night at CTC, they'll line it up just as they did in Detroit, where Carter Yakemchuk and Jorian Donovan made their NHL debuts.
Sens projected defencemen vs Pittsburgh (listed by ice time in Detroit)
After so many people left them for dead, the Senators clawing their way back into the playoff mix is an outstanding accomplishment. But staying there with a patchwork blue line will be just as impressive.
Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:
Florida’s Boogie Fland was driving to the basket with 1:10 remaining and a three-point lead over Iowa when Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch stepped into the lane, swatted at the ball and it sailed out of bounds. Officials ruled it Florida’s ball.
Iowa coach Ben McCollum quickly consulted video coordinator Jace Smith, who checked his iPad and nodded yes — go for it.
“I had a very clear view,” Smith said. “Once I saw it, I felt pretty confident, so it was an instant yes. That was a big moment.”
McCollum challenged the call and won; Fland had touched it last. Iowa took possession and outscored Florida 5-1 in the final minute to oust the defending champion and 1-seeded Gators with a 73-72 win and advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.
That the tournament’s biggest thriller so far was set up in part by a coach’s challenge is something that wouldn’t have been possible in years past. This season is the first where coaches are allowed to challenge certain calls by officiating crews. The rule change was approved in June, and eight months later, it’s still an adjustment for even the most experienced staffs.
When used correctly, a challenge can flip a game in seconds. But the Gators already knew that.
A new seat on the bench
Florida’s chances of winning a mid-January game at Vanderbilt were slipping when video coordinator Nolan Crist spotted an on-court tangle. He checked the iPad, sideline discussions commenced and what followed changed the game. Coach Todd Golden’s challenge revealed a hook-and-hold, which led to a seven-point swing and boosted Florida’s win probability by roughly 30%. The Gators went on to beat Vanderbilt by four.
Like Iowa, Florida turned to its video coordinator when challenges were introduced. Crist, like all the others, has seconds to make a recommendation.
NCAA men’s teams get one challenge per game and must have a timeout to use it. If the call is overturned, the timeout is retained and the team gets one other challenge. If the call stands, the timeout is lost and no further challenges are allowed. Challenges aren’t used in the women’s game, but coaches can appeal calls. There is no limit on the number of appeals, but a failed one can cost a team a timeout if available. An unsuccessful appeal without an available timeout results in a technical foul and two free throws and possession for the opponent.
For Florida, when a potentially challenge-worthy play unfolds on the court all eyes turn to Crist.
“When a play happens, and every coach turns around and looks at Nolan, he understands it’s his time to shine and figure out what we need to do,” Golden said.
A similar process is followed at N.C. State, where assistant general manager Patrick Stacy runs the system for the men’s team. Stacy keeps a tablet running next to him – sometimes on the floor next to his bench seat, other times leaning against the scorer’s table – while tracking play calls and lineups during the game.
“On any close play, I don’t wait for the call, I just instantly look down and watch the replay and then start clicking rewind,” Stacy said. “If I hear the call went our direction, I’ll obviously put the iPad down and stop reviewing it. If it didn’t, then my clock of that 10 to 15 seconds has started, and we’ve got to make a decision on if it’s the best option or to challenge or not.”
If it passes his review, all information is presented to N.C. State coach Will Wade for the final decision.
“It’s not just a one-person decision. Usually, you’ll hear from the bench what they think… Then coach will look at it and we kind of come to a consensus,” Stacy said.
A complex dynamic with officials
The introduction of challenges has changed dynamics beyond the bench. Video replays are now inaccessible to officials until the final two minutes of the game, meaning the bench has unseen angles at its disposal.
“It’s very easy for us to get the call right when we’re able to stare at the iPad right after, and these guys don’t have the luxury to do that,” Golden said. “It makes it a little bit of a ‘gotcha’ game, and I think it’s a little unfair for the refs that way.”
Several conferences told The Associated Press they do not track challenges. But in 243 men’s basketball games at home arenas in the Southeastern Conference this season, there were 128 total challenges; 85 were reversed and 43 calls stood, a 2-to-1 ratio.
“It’s a little more accurate in how it’s officiated,” Stacy said. “If you can switch to one or two calls a game to get them right, relative to ones that would be wrong in prior years, it rings truer to what the outcome should be.”
The strategy behind the challenge
As coaches grow more accustomed to challenges, teams are developing strategies to maximize them.
Stacy said teams often buy extra time while deciding whether to challenge by sending a substitute to the scorer’s table. Aside from egregious errors, most staffs save challenges for higher-leverage moments later in games.
McCollum’s staff knows not to pull the trigger unless there’s absolute confidence that the call will be overturned.
“We’ve got a really good video guy, got a really good staff, and so they pay attention to it,” McCollum said. “They know to only challenge if you’re a 100% certain. I don’t want 90%. I want a 100%.”
Were they sure against the Gators with 70 seconds left in the game?
“Yeah, he was 100% sure,” McCollum said. “And I didn’t even look at him. He called out to me. He said, ‘Challenge that one, coach.’”
It’s a strategy that has fared well for the Hawkeyes; 9 of 10 challenges have been overturned in Iowa’s favor this year, according to KenPom.com.
The Gators have had similar success, winning 10 of 12 challenges this season by KenPom.com’s count. Golden credits his staff’s detailed preparation as the key to turning a challenge into an advantage. Those efforts included the creation of a challenge chart specific to in-game scenarios.
“It’s just something that we’re organized on, and I think that’s why we’ve been relatively successful with it,” Golden said. “You’re not going to be perfect, but it has been a huge part of our success.”
And as the Gators learned, a challenge can make or break a season.
DraftKings on Wednesday launched a new way for its Oregon customers to play, allowing wagers on the outcomes of historical baseball games with DK Replay.
Key Takeaways
The experience is effectively micro-betting, only with anonymous known outcomes.
Customers will only know the skill level of pitchers and batters, not their identities.
DraftKings is moving toward combining nearly all of its product offerings into one “super app.”
DraftKings’ new innovation brings the constant action of micro-betting out of the live context and applies it to historical matchups across the league.
DK Replay is available only for Oregon sports betting customers. Users can access the feature by downloading the latest version of the DraftKings mobile betting app, which is the only authorized online betting platform in the state.
“DK Replay offers a new experience for our customers, allowing them to tap into the excitement of pitch-by-pitch betting in a unique historical environment,” DraftKings chief product officer Corey Gottlieb said in a statement. “With DK Replay, we’re able to offer an experience that will allow customers to enjoy their favorite sports no matter the time of year.”
DK Replay Users will be presented with a totally random and anonymous pitcher-versus-batter matchup. Players will be rated bronze, silver, or gold based on their stats from the game the plate appearance was drawn. That includes batting average, slugging percentage, ERA, and strikeouts.
Users are given an allotted amount of time to choose if they believe the next pitch will be a ball/HBP (hit by pitch), strike/foul, or put in play. Each outcome will have corresponding odds, leading to different possible payouts based on the pitch count and the ratings of the batter and pitcher.
The outcome of a pitch will be revealed once the user’s bet is placed or the pitch clock expires. The complete details of the plate appearance will be revealed once it is completed, or a user does not place any more wagers.
New ways to experience gaming
DraftKings confirmed it is looking to add the new Replay feature to more states, pending regulatory approval.
While wagering on old baseball games is new to the sports betting industry, it draws on the framework of historical horse race betting. “Instant racing” is a form of betting that involves electronic gaming machines similar to slot machines that anonymize previous races and allow customers to predict which horse will win.
Hard Rock Bet drew on the model last year, introducing “Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing” in Florida in October. The feature allows customers to play games similar to slot machines that were linked to previous NASCAR races.
While Hard Rock Bet’s product was designed to closely represent casino-style gaming, DK Replay is geared toward micro-betting.
The release comes as the company plans to combine the majority of its product offerings into one “super app.” That includes its sportsbook, online casino, prediction app, and lottery offerings.
The goal of the app is to increase cross-pollination between its product lines, leading to an increase in overall engagement.
Another high school boys basketball season is in the books.
With that came one of the most memorable seasons in the Muskingum Valley. Two Muskingum Valley League teams reached the state tournament, while Rosecrans produced an 18-win season and Zanesville won double-digit games for the first time since 2018.
There were also some outstanding individual seasons. We are honoring those with your chance to vote for the Times Recorder Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Polls close on April 1.
Stehl Bates, John Glenn — Averaged 20.4 points, 5.1 assists and 3.4 steals per game and shot 53% from the field, including 43% on 3-pointers. Second-team All-Ohio in D-IV.
Tyler Bernett, Rosecrans — Averaged 18.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.0 assists in earning 1st-team All-Ohio in D-VII. Two-time All-Ohio pick and 1st-team All-MSL-Cardinal.
Ryan Lamonica, Tri-Valley — Averaged 21.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3rd-team All-Ohio in D-III, 1st team All-East District and All-MVL.
Gator Nichols, Maysville — Averaged 23.6 points, 3.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds while shooting 45% on 3s and 77% at the FT line. Named D-IV Player of the Year and 1st-team All-Ohio for second straight season and was East District's Mr. Basketball candidate.
Kyle Porter, West Muskingum — Averaged 16.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and shot 47% on 3-pointers on team that reached first state tournament in school history. Special mention All-Ohio in D-V.
Lucca Wood, Zanesville — Averaged 17.0 points., 4 rebounds, 2 assists. Named special mention All-Ohio in D-III, 1st-team All-East District and Licking County League.
Former WWE star and Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson has signed a multi-match deal with Real American Freestyle Wrestling.
Steveson won gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in heavyweight freestyle wrestling, signing a WWE NIL deal that same year, after carving a collegiate wrestling career yielding two gold, one silver, and one bronze in the NCAA Division I Championships – winning in 2021 and 2022, finishing third in his freshman year of 2019, and returning to compete and claim silver in 2025 following his WWE departure in 2024.
And having spent his post-WWE career notching a 3-0 record in MMA and a 1-0 record in Jon Jones' Dirty Boxing, Jones being a close friend and mentor to him, there had been some questions as to what his next steps would be.
Eric Bischoff's Real American Freestyle then announced that Steveson had signed on to compete at RAF 09 in Dallas, Texas, on May 30. Ariel Helwani reported that Steveson had signed a multi-match deal with RAF and while his first opponent is yet to be determined, the promotion is targeting some big names to face him.
— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) March 25, 2026
Wyatt Hendrickson, the reigning RAF Heavyweight Champion, was actually the man to end the 70-match winning streak of Steveson in the NCAA Championship final in 2025. RAF was initially scheduled to be Bahrain, but moved closer to home with the ongoing conflict within the Middle-East. As of the time of writing, nothing is further known about the RAF card and who will be involved.
Blackpool boss Ian Evatt has bemoaned the absences of goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and midfielder Karoy Anderson for his side's important clash against fellow League One strugglers Burton Albion on Saturday.
The pair are away on international duty, with Peacock-Farrell named among the Northern Ireland substitutes for their World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final against Italy on Thursday, while Anderson is with Jamaica as the Reggae Boys face New Caledonia in their qualifying semi-final on Friday [03:00 GMT].
As EFL rules state there has to be a minimum of three players on international duty on either side for a match to be rearranged, the Seasiders will have to do without two of their likely starters for Saturday's match which is expected to be in front of a near-capacity crowd at Bloomfield Road.
A victory against Burton would take Blackpool to within one point of the 18th-placed Brewers, with the chance to climb out of the bottom four on offer if other results go their way, but Evatt has been left frustrated with the loss of his players.
"It's hard, it's harsh, at a crucial point of the season," Evatt told BBC Radio Lancashire.
He continued: "I understand these competitions [World Cup qualifiers] need to be played at some point, but we're the ones that are paying these players' salaries and have done consistently all season.
"When you lose two key members of your team for a crucial game it becomes hard to take, and a little bit lop-sided, in my view.
"Maybe some special dispensation or awareness from the powers that be to see the affect that it would have on us and the game that we have scheduled with Burton."
Evatt said he had sympathy for his opponents who could also have players missing.
"I know they have got one, or maybe two [players] away as well, so it isn't ideal for them," he said.
"We are where we are. Perhaps in the future we can just look at how we resolve the issue. But it's next man up. Another opportunity for somebody else, and we have to make sure that they are ready to go."
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe can etch himself into Major League Baseball history with one more powerful swing against the New York Mets on Thursday.
Heading into the top of the sixth on Opening Day, Lowe is 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBIs. His very first swing of the year produced a two-run homer off Mets starter Freddy Peralta, landing in the first few rows over the right field wall.
Lowe tagged Peralta again in the third, sending a 92.8 mph fastball 401 feet into the Mets' bullpen for a solo shot.
A three-team trade sent Lowe, a two-time All-Star, from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Pirates in December. His 39 homers in 2021 are a career high.
Lowe seeking third HR of Opening Day
If Lowe connects for a third home run on Thursday, he will become just the fifth player in Major League history to hit three homers on Opening Day.
Here are the four other hitters to do so:
Matt Davidson -- Chicago White Sox (March 29, 2018)
Dmitri Young -- Detroit Tigers (April 4, 2005)
Tuffy Rhodes -- Chicago Cubs (April 4, 1994)
George Bell -- Toronto Blue Jays (April 4, 1988)
In all likelihood, Lowe has two more trips to the plate, unless Pittsburgh's offense can rally and put guys on base at a high clip.
The Kings are 0-0-2 on their road trip so far, and they play their final road game of this 3-game trip tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. The Kings are coming into this game after a 3-2 shootout loss against the Calgary Flames. The Kings are currently on a 2-game point streak, having lost to Utah and Calgary in overtime. The Canucks, on the other hand, are coming into this game having lost 5-3 against the Anaheim Ducks.
Kings Projected Lines
Here are the projected lines for the Kings tonight:
King's defenseman Drew Doughty did take part in the optional skate this morning and is expected to play after he missed practice for maintenance on Wednesday. Adrian Kempe is also expected to play today after he missed practice on Wednesday.
The Kings are likely to start Darcy Kuemper for the 2nd straight game, and the Canucks are likely to start Kevin Lankinen, who is also set to play his 2nd straight game.
Key Factors
With the Kings sitting 3 points back of the final wildcard spot, this is a must-win game for them as they cannot afford to lose any points. The Kings have to get depth scoring from their bottom 6. Recently, Artemi Panarin has been the consistent offensive threat for the Kings in the last couple of games, and while that is a major positive, the other forwards have to step up as well if they want to make the playoffs.
The Kings and Flames game was another example of the Kings failing to hold a lead when it mattered. Against a team like the Flames, if the Kings end up missing the playoffs by a point or 2, this game will be one that Kings fans look back on.
The Kings cannot take the Canucks lightly; just because they are 32nd in the NHL does not mean they will roll over and let the Kings win. The Kings need their goaltending to be more consistent, and their defence needs to return to the form it showed throughout the season.
Overall, the Kings need to win this game to stay within a game of the playoff race. My prediction for tonight's game is a 4-1 Kings win.
Yesterday — 26 March 2026Yahoo! Sports - News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games
Captain Nicola Docherty insists Rangers won't rely on past success as they head into Sunday's SWPL Cup final.
Rangers are bidding to win the trophy for the fourth consecutive season, but face a tough task against current SWPL leaders Glasgow City.
The sides met last weekend in the league, with Rangers edging victory thanks to a late penalty from Katie Wilkinson to set up a mouthwatering rematch at Fir Park.
"It's not ours until we win it," said Docherty.
"We've obviously won it a number of years and it's been great over the years this trophy, but we know that it's going to be a difficult test on Sunday.
"It's the league leaders at the moment, who are at the top on merit, and so we need to make sure that we are we're on it but we're focusing on us as well."
Now 33, the Rangers captain is one of the more experienced figures in Leanne Crichton's squad.
While Docherty believes there is "no pressure" on the younger players, she admits representing Rangers brings its own expectations.
"I love that about them, their attitudes are excellent week in, week out at training," she said.
"There's no pressure on them because I think us as a group and the togetherness we've got in the squad, we always make sure that everyone feels confident and ready for the game.
"When you represent a club like Rangers there's pressure on you straight away to win silverware.
"I know that myself, I was a fan growing up as a young kid. I always want the men to be winning as many trophies as possible as well and we're trying to emulate that on the women's side."
A three-time winner of this competition, Docherty believes there won't be much to separate the sides on Sunday.
"I just think we've obviously been working hard behind the scenes to make sure that we're relentless in both boxes and it really does come down to the small margins in cup finals," she said.
"It comes down to who wants it more, who turns up on the day, and so it'll be a really close game but hopefully we're the ones that come out on top."
With Opening Day here, here's the final update to the preseason Top 300. I will be continuing on with a weekly updated in-season Top 300 on Mondays. Players are ranked for 5x5 mixed leagues using a one-catcher format. I include the mixed-league disclaimer because I do reward upside, particularly past the top 200 or so.
⚾️ Coming soon: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.
I was, of course, very high on Crews for fantasy purposes this year, not so much because I expected him to emerge as a star (at .747, he had the second lowest projected OPS of my top 60 position players ahead of only Pete Crow Armstrong), but because I thought he'd make a run at 40 steals on a bad Nationals team. I probably should have factored into my expectations that said bad Nationals team can retain him for an extra year by keeping him in the minors for seven weeks or so. And after his demotion on Friday, it sure looks like that's what they'll do.
Crews was in the midst of a poor spring. I didn't care about that, and I don't think the Nationals really did, either. After all, the prospect likely replacing him on the roster, Christian Franklin, is hitting .241/.267/.241 with a 10/1 K/BB in 30 plate appearances. I still expect that Crews will come back and be pretty useful in mixed leagues starting in June, but even if he goes on a tear right away and the Nationals offense is as poor as seems likely, he's probably not returning until those seven weeks are up. He comes in at No. 199 for now.
- That's the day's only change to the top 300. The Twins' decision to release Liam Hendriks got Cole Sands moved up some in my projections, but not enough to crack the list. It's kind of hard to imagine a bullpen with less upside than the one Minnesota is going to running out there. Like, it's not going to be as bad as Washington's, but at least the Nationals have a couple of guys who are interesting. My favorite Twins reliever is probably Cody Laweryson, who the team DFA'd over the winter and who later wound up getting released by the Angels before making his way back to Minnesota. And he still might not make the club.
March 19 Notes
Falling off: Lars Nootbaar (285th), Zebby Matthews (295th)
- We're short on major changes this week, which is great, because major changes are usually the result of injuries. I did drop Joe Musgrove once again, though it still looks like he might return from his Tommy John setback before the end of April. Trey Yesavage fell from 50th to 62nd among starters after the Jays finally came clean about the reason they were slowplaying him this spring. Still, the shoulder impingement doesn't sound like a disaster; he was able to pitch in a minor league game earlier this week.
- Moving up on the pitching side of things was Nathan Eovaldi, who has looked strong after missing the final five weeks of last season with a shoulder injury. I've also moved Zac Gallen back into the top 300 after dropping him following his late re-signing with the Diamondbacks. Gallen has averaged 94.7 mph with his fastball in his three spring starts. He averaged 93.5 mph last year, and his career-high there is 94.1 mph from 2022. There's no guarantee the boost will stick around, but if it does, one imagines he'll bounce back in the strikeout department; he finished with a 21.5% K rate last year after never coming in below 25% previously.
- On the offensive side, I couldn't help but give Daulton Varsho another boost. I put little stock in spring numbers for veteran bats, but five homers and two strikeouts in 47 plate appearances is absurd. Chandler Simpson (up 12 spots to No. 211) and Kevin McGonigle (up 18 spots to No. 224) also climbed while getting projected for a little more playing time.
- Falling off: Sean Manaea (277th), Brandon Pfaadt (295th), Ryne Nelson (298th)
- Sorry, no notes right now. Working on my annual "undervalued players" column. Expect another update here early in the week.
March 9 Notes
- Falling off: Jurickson Profar (239th), Jordan Walker (299th), Dominic Canzone (300th)
- Aside from Profar's 162-game PED ban, it was a pretty quiet week. Profar's exit from the heart of Atlanta's lineup moved up a couple of the players who were due to hit behind him. Mike Yastrzemski still didn't crack the list, though; he's a nice player, but not one with a lot of fantasy potential.
- Hunter Greene's elbow problem has dropped him some while waiting for the official word about the source of his stiffness. He said his UCL is just fine, and if that's the case, he hopefully won't be looking at any sort of lengthy absence. He's tumbled from 49th to 74th for now.
- Pitching for his country did nothing for Carlos Estévez's velocity woes Monday, as his fastball was still down five mph from last year's norm. Maybe he gets it back, but he was far from one of my favorite relievers in the first place. He drops to No. 210 for now, and Lucas Erceg joins the top 300 at No. 282.
- Kevin McGonigle is another debut this week, as Detroit's No. 1 prospect comes in at No. 260. As of this point, I still think he's a little bit of a long shot to make the team; he'd be a defensive downgrade at short, and the Tigers entered the spring pretty well set with their 13 position players. But he might well be one of the club's better hitters already. When it comes to fantasy potential, I'm not sure he's ready to hit more than 20 homers yet, and he probably wouldn't be a big factor in steals (he was 10-for-17 stealing base in 88 minor league games last year after going 22-for-24 in A ball in 2024). He'd be a mixed-league guy playing regularly, but I don't think he'd offer top-100 potential as a rookie.
March 2 Notes
- Falling off: Pablo López (205th), Zac Gallen (244th), Jake McCarthy (297th), Max Scherzer (299th), Jac Caglianone (300th)
- This was longer between updates than I wanted to go, but things will definitely be better this month. One big change this update is that relievers have been pushed up. There's just aren't as many good bets for saves as usual this year, and the third- and fourth-tier closers are going earlier as a result. So, Kenley Jansen, for instance, jumping from No. 174 to No. 146 isn't the result of a projections change. It's just more the price that needs to be paid to get a mid-range closer.
- Many of the position player changes are a result of new lineup projections. Jo Adell was hit particularly hard there; I had him as the Angels' likely cleanup hitter entering the spring, but it's starting to look like he'll hit sixth behind Yoán Moncada and Jorge Soler. I had already dropped the Reds' Noelvi Marte some because of doubts over whether he'd continue to bat second, but now it looks like he might hit as low as eighth initially. On the other hand, Matt McLain has moved up some, since he's the likeliest choice to replace Marte.
- That Kyle Tucker is likely to bat second for the Dodgers moved him up from 13th to 10th. Fernando Tatis Jr. lost a little ground with the Padres seemingly dropping him from the leadoff spot, but not quite enough to push him below Nick Kurtz in the rankings, since there was a significant gap there initially.
- Yordan Alvarez is down a few spots because the Astros' self-inflicted logjam will put him back into the outfield at least occasionally. I was really hoping for 150 games from him as a DH this year. It's now pretty clear that neither Christian Walker nor Isaac Paredes is getting traded prior to Opening Day, so Paredes is down to No. 171 and Walker fell about 30 spots to No. 261. Paredes would be about 40 spots higher if assured regular playing time, and he really ought to be, given that he's probably Houston's second-best hitter.
- Konnor Griffin's three early homers helped get him a 20-spot bump in the rankings to No. 193, but I'm still projecting him to open up in the minors. If the Pirates announced tomorrow that he'd be their starting shortstop, I'd have him around 110th or so. He'd probably be good for 30-40 steals, but his ability to hit for average would be in some question, and while he already has above average major league power, he'll be playing half of his games in a ballpark that's as tough for right-handers to homer in as any in the league.
- The Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is looking increasingly likely to land a starting job at second base. I'm not quite sure that would make him an asset in shallow leagues, in part because the Cardinals just don't have a very good lineup. He might make a run at 15 homers and 15 steals, but the run and RBI numbers probably won't be there, especially if he's batting in the bottom half of the order early on. He checks in at No. 264 for now.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Jeremy Peña #3 of the Houston Astros warms up prior to a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 28, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There is now a timeline on CL Josh Hader, according to Astros GM Dana Brown:
Astros GM Dan Brown said Josh Hader will throw another bullpen tomorrow and will face batters in “mid-April.”
More on the timeline expected for Jeremy Pena from Chandler Rome:
Reading between the lines, Jeremy Peña has progressed enough not to need a full 10 days on the injured list, but is not ready to play in a major-league game yet. https://t.co/QzGT3gXF14
UT Brice Matthews has clearly been coached up by Crash Davis (Kevin Costner’s character in Bull Durham) and has been working on his cliches before his first Opening Day:
#Astros GM Dana Brown on the role of Isaac Paredes when the team is at full strength: “He’s going to play multiple positions. First, third, second, designated hitter.” pic.twitter.com/R1j3q8sIDV
Matt Kawahara has 10 stats for the Astros to return to the postseason:
Happy opening day. Here's a thread of some Astros preview stories to get you ready for today's 3:10 p.m. first pitch … Ten numbers that will determine if Houston Astros' 2026 season will be a success (by @matthewkawahara) https://t.co/k15yS58y1C via @houstonchron
Lost in everything that happened with the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 season was just how much better starting left tackle Broderick Jones played before his neck injury. Pittsburgh's offensive line got banged up pretty bad and when starting left guard Isaac Seumalo went down, Jones stepped up.
But now, with the 2026 NFL draft less than a month away, Jones' health is the topic of discussion and it isn't good. Steelers team beat writer Bob Labriola talked about the draft and Jones' injury and definitely gave the impression the team is worried about Jones being ready to go this season and that the team could address tackle via the draft because of it.
“If it was up to me, my ‘concern’ wouldn’t be first-round pick concern, but based on the latest medical information on the eve of the draft, it might become late Day 2 pick concern," Labriola said.
With the Steelers picking No. 21 overall, they are in no man's land when it comes to blue-chip prospects. But there's a real possibility that a top offensive tackle slips through the cracks with the rise of Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling. But removing that exception, we agree that Pittsburgh could go with a different position in the first round and circle back to offensive tackle in the second.
If the Steelers do go for an offensive tackle early on Day Two, Clemson's Blake Miller makes the most sense, and if Pittsburgh chooses to use one of their third-round picks on the position, keep an eye on Northwestern's Caleb Tiernan, who can start at either tackle spot.
The Milwaukee Brewers are experiencing a $20-million loss by going away from a regional sports network for their television deal and bringing everything in-house as part of MLB Advanced Media.
Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio for the first time publicly acknowledged during a wide-ranging interview prior to opening day March 26 the financial impact for 2026 after the team switched the production of their own broadcasts to MLB, but he said the revenue loss did not impact payroll.
“It actually didn’t [impact] us this year,” Attanasio said. “It probably shouldn't have been a surprise, but it was late breaking news. So we budgeted otherwise, but we were already in the process of doing things. We have a lot of flexibility in our balance sheet. We manage the club that way. Sometimes your greatest strength is your biggest weakness. Everybody is, ‘Payroll, payroll, payroll,’ but we have a very strong financial position. And so when surprises come up like that – and that was about a $20-million surprise – it does not affect how we plan for the offseason.”
The $20-million difference, Attanasio said, is between lost revenue and higher expenses to produce games in-house.
The Brewers were not impacted greatly in terms of 2026 payroll, which took a slight bump year-over-year, because of their organizational finances, which effectively boil down to value of the team and revenue versus debt, Attanasio added.
“It's a pretty big one off. We don't like $20 million negative surprises,” he said. “When we talk about this strength financial position card, I was talking about balance sheet, but the strength of our fan base, our sponsorship group that comes to support us, makes a big difference. And our investor group, we're a very strong, well-heeled investor group, so I also know if we need extra capital for, I guess you just used to call it a rainy day. We don't have too many rainy days here. We’ve got a roof.”
The Brewers enter 2026 with an estimated $129 payroll, up from $123 last year, according to FanGraphs. That’s a 4.8% increase, whereas the average returning League Championship Series club has averaged a 9% payroll bump the season following their ALCS or NLCS appearances the past 15 years.
The Brewers had one of the highest year-over-year increases of any of those teams back in 2019 when they upped payroll by 34.7% after reaching Game 7 of the NLCS. Attanasio was asked about the disparity between that increase and this year’s.
“There’s definitely a correlation between money and success,” he said. “That said, I think we were 23rd in payroll last year and we had the most wins. What we’ve done every year is looked at our roster and how things fit. With the youth of the team and where everybody is in the arc of their career, there really weren’t a lot of spots to fill.”
Attanasio talks about potential salary cap
Attanasio, who confirmed he is one of select owners on the labor committee responsible for negotiating the next collective bargaining agreement with the MLB Player’s Association, spoke on the impending off-season negotiations, which are expected to be fierce, and a potential salary cap.
“I’ve said it a lot of times,” Attanasio said. “We’re going to compete whatever the system is. We are. We’re competing right now. We’ve been to the playoffs seven of eight years. If there’s a cap, we’ll compete as well. That will have its own challenges. Nothing is easy. It’s not like, ‘Oh, you’re a small market, you’ll compete better in that system.’ You have to run the team properly. Pat Murphy all the way down to the coaches in the Dominican complex and Matt Arnold and his group, we’re set up to compete.”
But would he support a cap?
Attanasio walked a middle line in his answer, but also didn’t turn down seeing potential benefits to it.
“A cap and floor system is a revenue sharing system. That’s what it is,” Attanasio said. “You reallocate revenues among clubs and you reallocate revenues to players. A club like ours, depending on where the midpoint is and what the floor is, we have to spend more money to get to a floor. So that has its challenges, but it also has opportunities because at the top end teams have to spend less. Either way, we have to compete. I don’t get way beyond [that]. They haven’t even had the first meeting yet with players. It’s not only early innings, it’s pregame.”
What about Matt Arnold’s contract?
When the Brewers announced the promotion of Matt Arnold to president of baseball operations following the conclusion of last season, he declined to comment on whether the bump in title came with an extension.
Attanasio, commenting on it for the first time, did the same in his press conference March 26.
“I’d say that, just stepping back rather than making it individual to any one person, we really look to have stability across the board,” Attanasio said. “Stability allowed us to, when we had a manager and president of baseball opening, to just promote within. It starts with that. Matt and Murph had been here for nine years at the times of those promotions. Murph has been the manager of the year twice. It speaks for itself, the record.
“Sure, we absolutely felt it was critical to extend [Murphy]. Also richly deserved. I believe in rewarding people for a job well done and nobody in the National League has done a better job than Pat Murphy the last two years. He knows how to develop young players, and you can see it.
“Matt, also as the executive of the year the last two years, that speaks for itself – and that’s for all of baseball. Relative to contracts, whether it’s for Matt or [president of business operations] Rick Schlesinger or [chief operating officer] Marti Wronski, we don’t talk about those.”
The Milwaukee Brewers are experiencing a $20-million loss by going away from a regional sports network for their television deal and bringing everything in-house as part of MLB Advanced Media.
Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio for the first time publicly acknowledged during a wide-ranging interview prior to opening day March 26 the financial impact for 2026 after the team switched the production of their own broadcasts to MLB, but he said the revenue loss did not impact payroll.
“It actually didn’t [impact] us this year,” Attanasio said. “It probably shouldn't have been a surprise, but it was late breaking news. So we budgeted otherwise, but we were already in the process of doing things. We have a lot of flexibility in our balance sheet. We manage the club that way. Sometimes your greatest strength is your biggest weakness. Everybody is, ‘Payroll, payroll, payroll,’ but we have a very strong financial position. And so when surprises come up like that – and that was about a $20-million surprise – it does not affect how we plan for the offseason.”
The $20-million difference, Attanasio said, is between lost revenue and higher expenses to produce games in-house.
The Brewers were not impacted greatly in terms of 2026 payroll, which took a slight bump year-over-year, because of their organizational finances, which effectively boil down to value of the team and revenue versus debt, Attanasio added.
“It's a pretty big one off. We don't like $20 million negative surprises,” he said. “When we talk about this strength financial position card, I was talking about balance sheet, but the strength of our fan base, our sponsorship group that comes to support us, makes a big difference. And our investor group, we're a very strong, well-heeled investor group, so I also know if we need extra capital for, I guess you just used to call it a rainy day. We don't have too many rainy days here. We’ve got a roof.”
The Brewers enter 2026 with an estimated $129 payroll, up from $123 last year, according to FanGraphs. That’s a 4.8% increase, whereas the average returning League Championship Series club has averaged a 9% payroll bump the season following their ALCS or NLCS appearances the past 15 years.
The Brewers had one of the highest year-over-year increases of any of those teams back in 2019 when they upped payroll by 34.7% after reaching Game 7 of the NLCS. Attanasio was asked about the disparity between that increase and this year’s.
“There’s definitely a correlation between money and success,” he said. “That said, I think we were 23rd in payroll last year and we had the most wins. What we’ve done every year is looked at our roster and how things fit. With the youth of the team and where everybody is in the arc of their career, there really weren’t a lot of spots to fill.”
Attanasio talks about potential salary cap
Attanasio, who confirmed he is one of select owners on the labor committee responsible for negotiating the next collective bargaining agreement with the MLB Player’s Association, spoke on the impending off-season negotiations, which are expected to be fierce, and a potential salary cap.
“I’ve said it a lot of times,” Attanasio said. “We’re going to compete whatever the system is. We are. We’re competing right now. We’ve been to the playoffs seven of eight years. If there’s a cap, we’ll compete as well. That will have its own challenges. Nothing is easy. It’s not like, ‘Oh, you’re a small market, you’ll compete better in that system.’ You have to run the team properly. Pat Murphy all the way down to the coaches in the Dominican complex and Matt Arnold and his group, we’re set up to compete.”
But would he support a cap?
Attanasio walked a middle line in his answer, but also didn’t turn down seeing potential benefits to it.
“A cap and floor system is a revenue sharing system. That’s what it is,” Attanasio said. “You reallocate revenues among clubs and you reallocate revenues to players. A club like ours, depending on where the midpoint is and what the floor is, we have to spend more money to get to a floor. So that has its challenges, but it also has opportunities because at the top end teams have to spend less. Either way, we have to compete. I don’t get way beyond [that]. They haven’t even had the first meeting yet with players. It’s not only early innings, it’s pregame.”
What about Matt Arnold’s contract?
When the Brewers announced the promotion of Matt Arnold to president of baseball operations following the conclusion of last season, he declined to comment on whether the bump in title came with an extension.
Attanasio, commenting on it for the first time, did the same in his press conference March 26.
“I’d say that, just stepping back rather than making it individual to any one person, we really look to have stability across the board,” Attanasio said. “Stability allowed us to, when we had a manager and president of baseball opening, to just promote within. It starts with that. Matt and Murph had been here for nine years at the times of those promotions. Murph has been the manager of the year twice. It speaks for itself, the record.
“Sure, we absolutely felt it was critical to extend [Murphy]. Also richly deserved. I believe in rewarding people for a job well done and nobody in the National League has done a better job than Pat Murphy the last two years. He knows how to develop young players, and you can see it.
“Matt, also as the executive of the year the last two years, that speaks for itself – and that’s for all of baseball. Relative to contracts, whether it’s for Matt or [president of business operations] Rick Schlesinger or [chief operating officer] Marti Wronski, we don’t talk about those.”
NEW YORK − The Mets' new lineup in 2026 is built to grind opposing pitching, and reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes learned that the hard way on Opening Day at Citi Field.
The Mets ran Skenes from the game in the first inning as they sent up all nine members of their lineup, scoring five earned runs on four hits and two walks against the 23-year-old ace and leaving him with a 67.50 ERA before his second start of the season.
Brett Baty struck the biggest blow, shooting a three-run double over the head of Oneil Cruz in center field to move the Mets ahead, 4-2, with one out. Marcus Semien also added his first RBI in a Mets uniform when Cruz lost a high fly ball in the sun, allowing Baty to score.
Francisco Lindor drew a seven-pitch walk to open the inning, and Juan Soto fought off a 97-mph sinker on the inside of the zone to loop in a single. In his new run-scoring slot in the lineup, Bo Bichette looped a sacrifice fly down the right field line.
The wild inning helped out Freddy Peralta, who had to endure some early adversity in his Mets debut.
In the top of the first, after the Pirates' Cruz flicked in a single on the seventh pitch of the opening at-bat, Brandon Lowe pulled a first-pitch curveball into the first row of right-field seats to move the Pirates ahead, 2-0.
Peralta responded by sending down the next three Pirates batters on strikeouts. He induced five whiffs in the opening frame, with two of his strikeouts coming on his curveball.
You’re probably here for one reason: to see whether someone on the internet was bold — or reckless — enough to pick against an undefeated UConn team led by potential No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd and Sporting News National Player of the Year Sarah Strong. The answer is yes. I did it. And before Huskies fans close the tab in disgust, just know they won’t be the only ones mad at me.
Because while the anti-UConn pick is the headline-grabber, the real letdown for chaos lovers is this: I mostly went chalk in my 2026 Women's March Madness bracket. Sorry to the bracket sickos hoping for a 12-over-5 manifesto and a Final Four full of double-digit seeds. That’s not really where this is going. The top teams are top teams for a reason, and most of my picks reflect that, even if one giant swing sits right at the center of the bracket.
And LSU fans, you may want to brace yourselves, too. Flau’jae Johnson and the Tigers are good enough to make noise, good enough to scare people and absolutely good enough to make this prediction look stupid. But in this version of March Madness, their run ends before the Elite Eight.
So yes, there are takes here, and some of them might annoy you. But I’m not here to hurt feelings — I’m here to be right.
If UConn gets Vanderbilt in the Elite Eight, I’m taking the Huskies because this feels like one of those superstar vs. superstar matchups where the better team around the star wins it. The headline is obvious: Sarah Strong vs. Mikayla Blakes, the Sporting News Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year against the player she edged out for it. Blakes has been outrageous, leading Division I in scoring at 27.1 points per game with 12 30-point games, so this isn’t about pretending she can be shut off. She’s too good for that. But Strong is the kind of all-around problem who changes every part of a game, averaging 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 135 assists, 111 steals and 53 blocks while doing a little bit of everything for an unbeaten UConn team.
That’s why I’d still lean UConn. The Huskies just have more bodies to throw at Blakes and more ways to survive the stretches when she starts cooking. Between Strong, KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade, UConn has enough length, activity and defensive discipline on the perimeter to make Blakes work for everything. Arnold has 93 steals, Shade has 61, and UConn as a team is holding opponents to just 50.4 points per game, 33.3% shooting overall and 27.4% from three. That doesn’t mean Blakes won’t get hers. It means Vanderbilt probably won’t get enough easy offense around her to win the game. And that’s usually where UConn breaks teams — not by stopping the star completely, but by making everybody else come up with more than they have.
Region 2 — Sacramento picks
SN
FIRST ROUND
1 UCLA over 16 Cal Baptist
8 Oklahoma State over 9 Princeton
5 Ole Miss over 12 Gonzaga
4 Minnesota over 13 Green Bay
11 Nebraska/Richmond over 6 Baylor
3 Duke over 14 Charleston
7 Texas Tech over 10 Villanova
2 LSU over 15 Jacksonville
SECOND ROUND
1 UCLA over 8 Oklahoma State
5 Ole Miss over 4 Minnesota
3 Duke over 11 Nebraska/Richmond
2 LSU over 7 Texas Tech
SWEET 16
1 UCLA over 5 Ole Miss
3 Duke over 2 LSU
ELITE EIGHT
1 UCLA over 3 Duke
If UCLA gets Duke, I’m taking the Bruins because at some point, too much talent becomes the whole analysis. UCLA has looked like one of the most complete teams in the country all season, going 31-1, carrying a 25-game winning streak into the tournament and blasting Iowa by 51 points in the Big Ten title game. That’s not just talent on paper — that’s a team that has clearly clicked. Kiki Rice runs things, Gabriela Jaquez and Gianna Kneepkens give them real scoring balance, and the whole group feels connected in a way that makes them hard to speed up or knock off rhythm.
And then there’s Lauren Betts, which is really where this matchup tilts for me. Betts is averaging 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and shooting 56.2% from the field, and she’s the kind of interior force who can bend an entire game plan around her. Duke has a star of its own in Toby Fournier, who has been terrific at 17.3 points and 8.2 rebounds a night, but Betts is still the bigger problem in this specific matchup. Fournier is a bucket, but asking her to deal with Betts on both ends for 40 minutes feels like too much.
Duke is good enough to make this ugly, and its defense will absolutely have a say. But UCLA just has more answers. More size, more balance, more lineup versatility — and when the game gets tight, the Bruins feel like the team that can get to the cleaner shots. That’s usually what wins an Elite Eight game.
Region 3 — Fort Worth picks
SN
1 Texas over 16 Missouri St/SF Austin
9 Virginia Tech over 8 Oregon
5 Kentucky over 12 James Madison
4 West Virginia over 13 Miami (OH)
6 Alabama over 11 Rhode Island
3 Louisville over 14 Vermont
7 NC State over 10 Tennessee
2 Michigan over 15 Holy Cross
SECOND ROUND
1 Texas over 9 Virginia Tech
5 Kentucky over 4 West Virginia
3 Louisville over 6 Alabama
2 Michigan over 7 NC State
SWEET 16
1 Texas over 5 Kentucky
2 Michigan over 3 Louisville
ELITE EIGHT
1 Texas over 2 Michigan
If Texas gets Michigan in the Elite Eight, I’m taking the Longhorns because this feels like the kind of game they love to turn ugly early and then control from there. Texas’ pressure defense is the whole story. This is a team that led the SEC in turnovers forced at 24.1 per game and was allowing just 53.0 points per game when Rori Harmon and Madison Booker were named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year watch list. That hasn’t gone away. In the SEC Tournament, Texas forced 14 turnovers against Ole Miss, then forced 14 more and turned them into 16 points in the title-game win over South Carolina.
The other reason I like Texas is how often it punches first. Through its first 34 games, Texas outscored opponents 743-451 in the first quarter, which is a ridiculous margin and basically the stat version of good luck chasing them all night. That fast-start habit is a big deal against a Michigan team that can absolutely score — led by Olivia Olson (19.6), Syla Swords (14.6) and Mila Holloway (12.6) — but they were also averaging 15.0 turnovers per game. That is exactly the kind of number Texas sees and starts licking its chops.
Michigan is talented enough to make this fun, especially if Olson gets loose. But Texas has the better point guard to settle the game, the more disruptive defense and a real habit of building a lead before teams can get comfortable. In an Elite Eight game, that usually matters.
Region 4 — Sacramento picks
SN
1 South Carolina over 16 Southern/Samford
9 USC over 8 Clemson
12 Colorado State over 5 Michigan State
4 Oklahoma over 13 Idaho
6 Washington over 11 South Dakota State
3 TCU over 14 UC San Diego
7 Georgia over 10 Virginia/Arizona State
2 Iowa over 15 Fairleigh Dickinson
SECOND ROUND
1 South Carolina over 9 USC
4 Oklahoma over 12 Colorado State
3 TCU over 6 Washington
2 Iowa vs. 7 Georgia
SWEET 16
1 South Carolina over 4 Oklahoma
3 TCU over 2 Iowa
ELITE EIGHT
1 South Carolina over 3 TCU
If South Carolina gets TCU in the Elite Eight, I actually think the SEC title game loss ends up being a blessing in disguise. Not because South Carolina ever wants to lose, obviously, but because it sharpens the focus and drops the unbeatable talk right before the games really matter. Dawn Staley’s group still heads into March at 31-3, with an SEC regular-season title already locked up, and now gets a path that feels a little more tailored to what the Gamecocks do best: defend, switch, throw bodies at stars and make you work for every clean touch.
That’s why I like them against TCU. The whole matchup starts with Olivia Miles, who has been fantastic for the Horned Frogs at 19.6 points, 6.9 assists and 3.8 turnovers per game. She can absolutely control a game when she’s comfortable. The problem is South Carolina is built to make lead guards uncomfortable. The Gamecocks have the tournament experience, the depth and enough rangy defenders to throw fresh looks at Miles all night, crowd her driving lanes and turn every decision into a tougher one than usual. Miles is too good to completely erase, but South Carolina has the profile to make her look messy.
And if Miles starts coughing it up even a little, I’m not sure TCU has enough offense around that to survive. South Carolina has been here before. It knows how to win ugly, how to win late and how to make a star feel like she has to do everything herself. In an Elite Eight game, that usually ends with the more seasoned team moving on.
If UCLA is the team that finally ends UConn’s run, it’ll feel less like a shock and more like a team cashing in on everything it learned the hard way a year ago. The Bruins are 31-1, just won a second straight Big Ten tournament title, and they’re coming off the kind of statement that makes you look at them differently — a 96-45 demolition of Iowa in the league title game that pushed their winning streak to 25. Last season’s hurt is still sitting there, too. UCLA reached its first NCAA Final Four in 2025 and got flattened 85-51 by UConn, a loss Cori Close openly framed as pain the Bruins needed to learn from.
That’s why I’d buy UCLA finally finishing the job. Lauren Betts is the biggest matchup problem on the floor, and if this is the title game, I think she gets the better of Sarah Strong this time. UCLA has more than enough around her with Kiki Rice and a roster that feels deeper, cleaner and more connected than it did a year ago.
And honestly, the unbeaten thing matters. UConn is 34-0, finished the regular season undefeated and is chasing back-to-back national titles after winning its record 12th championship in 2025. That usually sounds like a reason to trust the Huskies. But in a one-game final, I think the pressure of keeping perfection alive finally shows up at the worst possible time. UCLA has already lived the heartbreak. UConn would be carrying the weight. That’s why I’d take the Bruins to break the streak, deny the repeat and win the whole thing.
SAN JOSE, CA -- Purdue men's basketball may not know until tipoff today against Texas whether it will have starting guard C.J. Cox for the Sweet 16.
The Boilermakers listed Cox as questionable on the official NCAA availability report. Teaxs placed the same designation on starting guard Jordan Pope.
Cox injured his right knee while going up for a layup three mintues into the second half of a Round of 32 win over Miami. He classified it as a hyperextension. Prior to Wednesday's practice, he rode a stationary bike in the locker room while telling reporters he was taking the injury "one step at a time."
Cox did participate in the 15 minutes of practice media members were allowed to watch Wednesday. He said he had not participated in contact portions of Tuesday's practice.
Cox has started every game this season, averaging 8.5 points and 2.6 rebounds. He typically receives the toughest perimeter defensive assignment. He also can be a streaky scorer, as evidenced by the three 3-pointers he hit in the final two minutes of the first half against Miami.
An absent or limited Cox would mean additional minutes for Gicarri Harris and probably Omer Mayer as well. Harris has been the primary backup for Cox. His defensive play in the second half helped complete the win over Miami.
Pope suffered a "lower leg injury" in the final minutes of 11 seed Texas' Round of 32 win over 3 seed Gonzaga. Longhorns coach Sean Miller said Wednesday he was "hopeful" Pope would play against Purdue.
However, don't expect the seventh-year Crimson Tide coach to jump to the Tar Heels opening, or any other one, for that matter. Oats candidly answered questions about his future with Alabama on Thursday, March 26, one day before the Crimson Tide takes on No. 1 Michigan in the Sweet 16 from the United Center.
"As a young high school coach, I didn't think I'd ever be in this spot not too long ago. I'm not a guy that's always trying to jump around," Oats said. "The grass isn't always greener. I love Alabama. My girls love Alabama."
"I'm not looking to leave," Oats added
Oats has led the Crimson Tide to four NCAA Tournament Sweet 16s, including a run to the Final Four during the 2023-24 season — the first Final Four appearance for Alabama in program history.
The program has reached the NCAA Tournament for six straight seasons, tying the longest mark in program history. Oats is not satisfied.
"I'd love to be the first coach to bring us a national championship," Oats said.
North Carolina fired Hubert Davis on Tuesday, March 24, following a first-round exit loss to No. 11 VCU. He finished with a 125-54 record over five seasons in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, including an appearance in the 2022 national championship game.
Oats signed an extension with Alabama in March 2024, ahead of the Crimson Tide's Final Four run. The team made the Elite Eight last season and is back in the Sweet 16. However, that does not mean Oats — who is making $5.5 million this season and under contract through 2031 — is necessarily looking for another contract extension.
"I still can't believe I am getting paid this much. I'm coaching basketball guys," Oats said of his current contract with Alabama. "I did this thing for free at Maranatha [Baptist] for three years. ... For the first 16 years I coached basketball, [I made] less than $500,000 total.
"My salary goes up half a million every year. I am a glorified P.E. teacher making too much money right now. So, I'm not going to complain."
Opening Day is finally here after the Astros’ longest offseason in nearly a decade. Following a disappointing 2025 season that ended after Game 162, the Astros remade a significant portion of their roster and coaching staff in an effort to reclaim their spot atop the American League West. Here are the four biggest questions I have as they head into the first of 162 games.
Can they make their infield logjam work?
The Astros have five infielders who have made All-Star teams, earn significant salaries, and expect to play every day. The problem is, you can only start four on any given day. That means someone who believes they belong in the lineup will be left out every single day. Managing those expectations—while keeping everyone sharp—may be Joe Espada’s toughest challenge of 2026.
Some of that could sort itself out. Jeremy Peña suffered a finger injury during the lead-up to the World Baseball Classic and won’t be ready for Opening Day. Carlos Correa played more than 140 games last season for the first time since 2021, so it’s reasonable to expect he’ll miss a little time during his age-31 campaign. And, of course, the Astros could always trade from their infield surplus.
But what if everyone stays healthy? And what if no trade materializes? Things could get uncomfortable.
Did Dana Brown bring in the right starting pitchers?
The Astros remade their starting rotation after missing the playoffs in 2006. Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens departed, and then-GM Tim Purpura tried to replace them by trading for Jason Jennings and signing Woody Williams in free agency. Both moves were disasters, and Purpura was fired before the 2007 season ended.
This past winter, Dana Brown watched Framber Valdez leave and replaced him by trading for Mike Burrows and signing Tatsuya Imai in free agency. Both have had terrific springs, but joining the Astros is a major adjustment. Burrows is coming from Pittsburgh, where expectations and pressure were minimal, while Imai is transitioning from Japan to the United States—an adjustment that can be challenging both on and off the field.
The Astros gave up two prospects from a barren system to acquire Burrows, who is under team control for five seasons. They need him to be good not just in 2026, but well beyond. Imai signed a three-year, $54 million deal that includes opt-outs after the first two seasons. If he’s good, he’ll likely opt out and pitch elsewhere next year. If he struggles, he becomes another burdensome contract for a team that can’t afford many more.
Is the bullpen good enough behind Josh Hader and Bryan Abreu?
With Hader and Abreu slated for the eighth and ninth innings, the Astros have one of the best one-two bullpen punches in Major League Baseball. But do they have the depth behind them to get through the season?
That depth is already being tested, with Hader set to begin the year on the IL, along with Bennett Sousa, who authored a brilliant 2025 before getting hurt. The Astros will need Bryan King and Steven Okert to replicate last season’s success in roles known for volatility, while also hoping that pitchers like Roddery Muñoz, Kai-Wei Teng, Ryan Weiss, and Christian Roa emerge as reliable options, at least early in the season.
Is Cam Smith still the future of the team?
Late last February, I sat in Dana Brown’s West Palm Beach office and asked him who had impressed through the first two weeks of spring training. I think Brown said Smith’s name before I could even finish the question.
I’ve rarely heard a GM talk about a prospect the way Brown talked about Smith, whom he acquired in the Kyle Tucker trade. General managers usually try to temper expectations for young players, but Brown seemed to raise them every chance he got.
Smith made the Astros’ Opening Day roster out of spring last season despite having played just 35 games in the minors with the Cubs in 2024. That only heightened expectations. It looked like he might meet them after raising his OPS to .805 during the Astros’ 18–1 win at Dodger Stadium on July 4, but over his final 60 games, Smith slashed just .155/.248/.232 and found himself on the bench for much of September.
Brown said early in the offseason that Smith would have to earn a spot on the 2026 Opening Day roster, and he responded with an impressive spring. Smith, who turns 23 on Friday, remains under team control for another five seasons. And with no other impactful position-player prospects in the upper levels of the Astros’ system, they need him to live up to the billing.
Head Coach Curt Cignetti at Indiana University football practice on Thursday, July 31, 2025. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Indiana football’s first two teams under head coach Curt Cignetti were afforded the tremendous luxury of several upperclassmen who had experience with his programs either at James Madison or in his first season in Bloomington.
That’s less true for this group, something Cignetti has been mindful of as the Hoosiers get started with spring practices.
“I feel like we probably have more work to do with this group than the first two teams, simply because there’s so many that we don’t have a one-to-three-year relationship with, whereas even the first year there were quite a few we knew very well,” Cignetti said during a press conference on Thursday.
The Hoosiers lost three running backs including starters Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, their two top receivers in Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., top tight ends Riley Nowakowski and Holden Staes, two starting offensive linemen in Pat Coogan and Kahlil Benson, the bulk of their edge rotation, starting linebacker Aiden Fisher and, last but not least, several starters in the defensive secondary including top cornerback D’Angelo Ponds and safety Louis Moore.
Needless to say, that’s a fair amount of roster attrition. Indiana has plenty of experience coming back with multiple top signings in the transfer portal and several true freshmen, but all of those pieces need to jel and that starts now.
Cignetti and the rest of Indiana’s staff were helped greatly in that process with leaders like Fisher, Ponds, Sarratt and others helping to set a cultural foundation for previous new signings and holdovers from Tom Allen’s last few teams. There’s simply less of those guys this year, necessitating more work for the staff.
Indiana has plenty of time for all of that jelling to take place, practice just started, but Cignetti has as good of a track record for making that happen as anyone in the sport. If there’s anyone to trust with getting a culture to set in, it’s him.
Game 1 out of 162 always feels a little different than the rest.
Opening Day is special. It feels like a sign of spring and of hope. And that's where the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves on Thursday afternoon when they match up in a game televised nationally on NBC.
Hope springs eternal on Opening Day. Anything is possible, even for a team like the Mets that collapsed down the stretch last season, or a team like the Pirates that hasn't done nearly enough winning lately.
Much of the optimism will stem for both teams from the guys on the mound on Thursday.
- Ryan O'Hearn hits an opposite field home run to left field over the head of Juan Soto. A solo shot. Mets lead 9-5.
Fifth inning
- Nick Gonzales singles, then on the next pitch, Henry Davis hits an RBI double into the left field corner. Mets lead trimmed to 6-4.
- Freddy Peralta snapped off a good curveball for a strikeout to strand a runner at third and escape further damage. Likely his last pitch of the game.
- In his MLB debut, Carson Benge reaches base on a walk after striking out his first two times.
- The Mets loaded the bases, and Juan Soto singled to left to bring in a run. They remain loaded, and Mets lead 7-4.
- Jorge Polanco walks with the bases loaded on four pitches. Mets lead 8-4.
- Luis Robert Jr. hit a check-swing infield single for an RBI. Mets lead 9-4.
- Brett Baty flies out to stop the damage from going further and end the fifth inning.
Fourth inning
- A 1-2-3 top of the fourth worked by Freddy Peralta, who has been just fine when not facing Brandon Lowe.
- Two runners reached with two outs, and then Luis Robert Jr. came through. The new centerfielder yanked a single through the left side to bring home Francisco Lindor. 6-3 Mets.
- Brett Baty takes a called strike three on a breaking ball to end the chance of further damage in the fourth.
Third inning
- Brandon Lowe homered, again. This one was crushed to right-center with two outs and no one. Mets lead reduced to 5-3.
- A nice catch in center by Luis Robert Jr. ends top three.
- Marcus Semien reached on an infield dribbler, but that was it in bottom three, a scoreless frame for the Mets.
Second inning
- A 1-2-3 top of the second, capped off with a great play by catcher Francisco Alvarez on a dribbler to get the out at first.
- Pirates work around a two-out walk for a scoreless frame.
First inning
- Oneil Cruz leads off the game with a single, reaching out for an offspeed pitch almost in the dirt to toss it into shallow centerfield.
- On the first pitch Brandon Lowe sees as a Pirate, he leaves the yard. Two-run home run to right field. 2-0 Pirates.
- Freddy Peralta strikes out the side after the home run.
- Francisco Lindor leads off bottom one with a walk. Juan Soto follows with a single. Bo Bichette hits a sac fly to right field. 2-1 Pirates as Mets get one back.
- The Mets have now loaded the bases with one out. Skenes has already thrown 29 pitches.
- Brett Baty crushes a bases-clearing triple to centerfield. Oneil Cruz started in, and the ball then beat him to the fence. 4-2 Mets.
- On the very next pitch, Oneil Cruz lost a ball in the sun. Marcus Semien's popup dropped, Baty scored. 5-2 Mets.
- Skenes hit Francisco Alvarez with two outs and has been pulled after 37 pitches with two on and two outs.
- Lindor flew out to end the first.
Pregame
- Lineups are out for both teams. The Pirates go with Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe, Bryan Reynolds, Marcell Ozuna, Ryan O'Hearn, Jared Triolo, Spencer Horwitz, Nick Gonzales and Henry Davis. The Mets counter with Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., Brett Baty, Marcus Semien, Carson Benge and Francisco Alvarez.
- It's an MLB debut for Carson Benge, the Mets' talented outfielder who will start in right field.
- The Mets made news away from the field this morning, signing veteran Tommy Pham to a minor league contract.
- The Mets are making history by starting Bo Bichette at third base and Jorge Polanco at first base. You can read more here about something not done since Jackie Robinson.
- It's worth noting that the game may not start right on time. Opening Day festivities are always a wild card.
- The lineups have been introduced. It's almost time for baseball.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 04: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates breaking the NFL single-season sack record during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“Would Myles Garrett fit in the San Francisco 49ers’ new defense under Raheem Morris?” That’s a question that should never be uttered involving one of the most dominant players during the past decade of the NFL.
That player may have just become more accessible. On Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns reworked Myles Garrett’s contract. On the surface, it looks like a typical restructure that kicks the can down the road. But it’s the offseason. And what we do in the offseason is speculate.
Garrett was set to receive a $16.5 million. option bonus. He will now wait close to the regular season to receive that. Additionally, the reworked deal gives any inquiring teams added cap flexibility in a deal that goes through 2030–something you’d want for a player set to be 31.
Free agency has all but passed. The Browns have roughly $9 million in effective cap space. Sure, they’ll need money to sign their draft class, but the timing makes it valid to speculate. This is also the same team that proposed a rule change allowing teams to use draft picks for up to 5 years instead of 3.
If the Browns are doing their part to press the restart button and facilitate a trade, would the 49ers be interested? The answer is 31 teams should be interested. The last thing you want to do is sit idle and watch the Rams, Seahawks, or Eagles use draft picks and add a player of Garrett’s caliber. Garrett has a no-trade clause, likely limiting any potential deal to playoff teams.
Talk about a team that is always trying to get better and isn’t afraid to make big decisions, the Niners are always in play for big moves, have a roster that is getting older and needs to win now, plus Kyle Shanahan is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL. Adding Garrett after adding veteran WR Mike Evans this offseason could put San Fran in a position to leapfrog the defending Super Bowl champions in their division, the Seattle Seahawks.
The 49ers would go from contenders to Super Bowl favorites with Garrett. Worried about Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams getting off to slow starts after recovering from serious season-ending knee injuries? Garrett would quell any worries. Once Bosa regains his form, Williams would be put into a dream situation playing alongside Bosa, Garrett, and Osa Odighizuwa.
Of course, this is nothing more than conjecture after seeing a team rework a contract. The asking price would be sky-high. Still, so long as you keep your 2027 1st-round pick, it would be difficult to say no when you’re getting back Myles Garrett.
The Tennessee Titans' 2026 season will be the team's final season playing home games at the current Nissan Stadium. The New Nissan Stadium is slated to be finished in early to mid-2027, and the Titans will host games at the new stadium beginning next year.
Earlier this week, a handful of Titans representatives toured the new stadium while it is still under construction, and ESPN Insider Turron Davenport shared several videos on his X page.
A look at the lower bowl of the new Nissan Stadium. The area where I zoomed in is where the stage will be for concerts. The stage is the size of the Ryman Auditorium. The mosh pit for #Titans superfans will be the field level area under the stage. pic.twitter.com/EQdI5p5iGa
The new stadium will feature 60,000 seats, which is slightly smaller than the current stadium's 69,000 seats, but the new stadium focuses on proximity to the field and sightlines. The seats will be closer to the field, with no "nosebleed" section, and views will be improved. It will offer expanded exterior terraces and viewing areas for fans to connect with the city of Nashville.
Fans will experience easier access to upper levels with 44 escalators and 30 elevators, concessions will be easier to access, and there will be more of them, and there will be an increased number of restrooms for better guest experiences. The focus on the fans doesn't end there, though; the stadium seats will also feature padding, a clear upgrade.
The new stadium is fully enclosed with a translucent roof so that events can be held year-round without weather concerns, and the stage is the same size as Ryman Auditorium, which houses 2,362 seats and a 180 square foot stage. The Titans' locker room will be roughly 50 percent bigger with plans for 68 dedicated, fixed lockers, separate dedicated spaces for team meetings, training facilities, and even a dedicated space for the family of players, including a nanny service on event days.
With high-tech materials in use, the latest technology employed, and a focus on the guest experience, the new stadium is poised to be a major attraction in Nashville.
The Detroit Tigers open their 2026 season on Thursday with a 4:10 p.m. first pitch against the Padres at Petco Park in San Diego. Follow the action here with live updates throughout the game by Detroit News contributor Kameron Goodwill.
How to watch the Tigers vs. Padres opener
All three games of the Tigers' season-opening series against the Padres – Thursday, Friday and Saturday – are on Detroit SportsNet, which is being delivered through MLB Media.
Pittsburgh Pirates ace pitcher Paul Skenes is one of the most talented baseball players in the world but had an unfortunate start to the 2026 season.
Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, took the mound against the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday morning to begin his third MLB campaign. While he came into the bottom of the first inning with a 2-0 lead, the comfort did not last long.
The two-time All-Star allowed five earned runs, four hits and one walk and threw just 37 pitches before the Pirates called to the bullpen. He will come into his second start with an absurd 67.5 ERA.
For five straight seasons starting with the 2019-20 campaign, his second in the league, Luka Doncic was voted onto the All-NBA First Team. Last season, however, he didn't make the cut, presumably because he only appeared in 50 games.
Last season is seen as something of a down year for Doncic. But this season, he has been playing as well as ever, and he has elevated the Los Angeles Lakers to third place in the Western Conference and 13 wins in their last 15 games. He has won the last two Western Conference Player of the Week awards, and he could be entering the MVP conversation.
But Doncic still has some hurdles to overcome when it comes to receiving the postseason awards he may deserve. Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett said on a recent episode of his podcast, "KG Certified," that he feels Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham, but not Doncic, deserve to be on this year's All-NBA First Team.
Garnett's reasoning? The old narrative that Doncic doesn't play defense (h/t Heavy Sports).
“Jaylen Brown and Cade Cunningham are having better years of all-around basketball than (Doncic). I’m not a Luka hater, I’m a Luke fan. Hey, he’s killing. I didn’t say we are ignoring it. Listen – you got real candidates over here. And (Doncic’s) got two other killers on his team.
These men been doing it with just one and the cast. Showing up more consistency every night on both sides of the ball. (Doncic) only plays one side of the ball, bro. I love Luka but I’m looking at the game from the whole 360.”
It is true that in past seasons, Doncic was lacking on the defensive end. But this season, he has shown improvement on that end of the floor, not just in terms of team defense but also in the area of individual defense. He currently ranks seventh in the NBA with 1.6 steals per game, and he's doing a better job of staying in front of his man, especially in iso situations.
Overall, he's averaging 33.6 points on 47.4% overall shooting and 36.4% from 3-point range, 7.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists a game. He's leading the NBA in scoring average, and he just became the first player in nearly 40 years to average 40 points a game over a span of six road games.
In the month of March, he's putting up 36.9 points per contest. Right now, it's hard to argue that five players in basketball are better than him.
Brazil and France meet in Boston on Thursday in arguably the biggest friendly matchup of the March international break.
Carlo Ancelotti's Selecao will face Les Bleus at Gillette Stadium in one of the last games involving these teams before their final World Cup 2026 rosters will have to be announced. That could make this game hugely important to those players hoping to make the cut.
These teams have had some famous meetings down the years, including in the final of the 1998 World Cup, when France won their home tournament. A year before then, Roberto Carlos scored arguably the most famous free-kick in history in a friendly meeting (see below).
The hope is this latest contest offers similar levels of excitement.
Tem coisa que não se explica… se admira.
Em 1997, contra a França, Roberto Carlos não cobrou uma falta, ele fez história e transformou um gol em obra de arte.
Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA, United States) Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. (USA)
Predicted lineups:
Brazil (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ederson (GK) — Wesley, Ibanez, Leo Pereira, Douglas Santos — Casemiro, Andrey Santos — Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Jr — Gabriel Martinelli
France (4-3-3, right to left): Maignan (GK) — Gusto, Konate, Upamecano, T. Hernandez — Tchouameni, Rabiot, Cherki — Olise, Mbappe, Dembele
Brazil vs. France off time
The match kicks off at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough at 4 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
Date
Kickoff time
USA/Canada
Thu, Mar. 26
4 p.m. ET
USA/Canada
Thu, Mar. 26
1 p.m. PT
UK
Thu, Mar. 26
8 p.m. GMT
Australia
Fri, Mar. 28
7 a.m. AEDT
India
Fri, Mar. 28
1:30 a.m. IST
Brazil vs. France pre-match stats
Brazil have won the previous two friendly meetings with France by a 6-1 aggregate score (3-0, 3-1).
In 16 matches dating back to 1930, these teams have averaged nearly three goals per game whenever they meet (they've scored 47 times in those 16 previous clashes).
Pele is the top goal-scorer in this particular fixture. He scored a hat-trick against Les Bleus in the 1958 World Cup semifinals.
Brazil vs. France team news
Brazil team news
Neymar was not called up for this international window and is not involved here.
Gabriel Martinelli has been tipped to lead the attack as he attempts to nail down a place in Ancelotti's final World Cup squad.
Arsenal's Gabriel withdrew due to injury, with Ibanez and Leo Pereira expected to start in central defence. Marquinhos has hip pain and will be kept back for the game with Croatia next week.
Ever since tearing his ACL during a 2023 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, Neymar has dreamed of a return to the fold with the Brazil national team.
There feels like no better stage for such an occasion than the FIFA World Cup, but the window is quickly closing for the Santos star to prove his worth for that dream to come true.
As the summer tournament nears and Brazil continues its preparations for the coming competition, Neymar's chances of being in the squad have faded considerably.
The Sporting News explains why Neymar is not involved with Brazil as they face France and Croatia in March, and why it's starting to feel as if he won't be part of their World Cup campaign.
Neymar was left off the Brazil roster for March friendlies against France and Croatia.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti considered including Neymar, but in the end decided that he would not be involved as the team heads to the United States for a pair of games against European opposition.
Ancelotti explained that Neymar's exclusion was because he was not convinced the player could offer full fitness to the national team.
"Why is he not on this list now? Because he is not 100%," Ancelotti said upon the release of the Brazil roster. "We need players at 100% right now."
The Italian would not rule out Neymar for the World Cup, indicating that as long as he proved he is fully fit, he would be considered.
"As I said, for the final list, the conversation is different. Neymar has to keep working and playing, showing his qualities in a good physical condition."
Will Neymar play for Brazil at the World Cup?
After being excluded from the Brazil roster for the March friendlies, it feels unlikely that Neymar will be part of the Brazil team to play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beyond his failure to make the squad for the final international break before the World Cup arrives, there are multiple reports from Brazil that suggest discord between the national team setup and the country's all-time leading scorer.
First off, Neymar disputed Ancelotti's claim that he is not fully fit. In a video posted to his social media, Neymar is shown on a treatment table saying, "Hey Ancelotti, what about me?"
"We were not called up," he says shortly after. "I’m sad, obviously. I’ll always root for the national team, right? Everything is fine. Now, it’s time to keep working. Keep improving."
Santos head coach Cuca also questioned Ancelotti's claim, saying that Neymar's absence from a recent Santos match — which Ancelotti attended hoping to see Neymar play — was due to load management, with three games in a seven-day stretch.
Reports from Brazil claimed the lead-up to this decision has created a rift between Neymar and Ancelotti. From the Italian's perspective, he is selecting players to perform at the World Cup, where games will routinely be three or four days apart.
According to CNN Brasil, as cited by WorldSoccerTalk, Neymar's public claim that he is fully fit has been received as insubordinate by the national team, and his absence from the match Ancelotti attended also harmed the relationship.
The chances of Neymar suiting up for a sensational return to the national team at the World Cup are becoming slimmer with every passing absence.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines is guarded by C.J. Cox #0 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship at the United Center on March 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Don’t look now, but the NCAA Tournament is already 78 percent of the way over, as 52 of the 68 teams have been eliminated. With that in mind, it’s certainly not too early to look at how each conference has performed in the tournament. We know the Big Ten has dominated the tournament so far, but what about everyone else?
Let’s rank the conferences by performance as of now. Note that we only ranked multi-bid conferences.
1. Big Ten, 13-3, 6 teams remaining
With the Big Ten representing six of the final 16 teams remaining, they easily get the top spot. Michigan, Purdue, Michigan State and Illinois were expected to still be here, but Nebraska and Iowa are both surprise participants in the Sweet Sixteen. Is this the year the Big Ten breaks the national championship drought?
2. SEC, 13-6, 4 teams remaining
The SEC put up a very respectable 13-6 record the first weekend of March Madness. Texas and Tennessee were not expected to have advanced as far as they have, but Florida’s early upset was a major stain on the SEC’s record this year. All four remaining SEC schools are underdogs in the Sweet Sixteen. How many, if any, can break through to the Elite Eight?
3. Big 12, 9-5, 3 teams remaining
The middle part of the Big 12’s NCAA Tournament contingent largely disappointed this year. However, the top three teams are all set up very well. Arizona could be the tournament favorite given Duke’s struggles. Houston saw Florida bow out early, leaving it as the favorite in the South. Lastly, Iowa State is shooting as hot as anyone. There’s a world where three Big 12 teams make the Final Four.
4. Big East, 4-1, 2 teams remaining
The Big East was wildly disappointing in the regular season, with just three teams making the tournament. However, two of those three are still playing, as UConn faces off with Michigan State and St. John’s gets a crack at Duke. As both teams are in the East, only one could possibly make the Final Four, but it’s still been a successful NCAA Tournament so far for the Big East.
5. Atlantic 10, 2-2, 0 teams remaining
The A-10 only got two teams in this year, but both won a game, with 9-seed Saint Louis knocking off 8-seed Georgia, and 11-seed VCU capping off the comeback over 6-seed North Carolina. Sadly, neither team made it past the Round of 32, as Michigan and Illinois quickly squashed their dreams. It was a down year in the A-10, but its showing in the tournament wasn’t disastrous.
6. ACC, 5-7, 1 team remaining
We now step into the disastrous category. The ACC imploded in the NCAA Tournament with only one of its eight representatives making it out of the first weekend. Even that one team, Duke, hasn’t exactly looked that great. Many knew this wasn’t a vintage ACC type of year during the regular season, but we may have underestimated how bad the conference was.
7. WCC, 1-3, 0 teams remaining
The West Coast Conference typically goes as Gonzaga goes, and that was no exception this year. Saint Mary’s and Santa Clara both lost in the first round, and 3-seed Gonzaga lost to 11-seed Texas in the Round of 32. For a program like Gonzaga, that’s incredibly disappointing. For a conference like the WCC, not having any teams in the Sweet Sixteen is also incredibly disappointing.
8. MAC, 1-2, 0 teams remaining
I do feel bad putting the Mid-American Conference here, as it isn’t normally a two-bid league. The MAC got two teams in this season, but neither team lasted long. Miami (OH) did win a First Four game before falling to 6-seed Tennessee in the Round of 64. Likewise, 12-seed Akron couldn’t get out of the first round and got blown out by No. 5-seed Texas Tech. Unlike the ACC and WCC above, we can still call this a successful season for the MAC.
Yesterday we kicked things off with the first two installments of our top prospect series. Today we’re back with the next tier up
16. Silvano Hechavarria, RHP, Age 22 (DOB: 3/18/2003), Grade 40, 2025: NR
Signed out of Cuba in June of 2024, Hechavarria was older than the typical International Free Agent and he cruised through the DSL that summer before making his way stateside in 2025. There, he had similarly little trouble with the complex and the Florida State League, by late summer earning a promotion to a somewhat more age appropriate league with A+ Vancouver. Overall last season, he pitched 86.2 innings across the three levels, with an 82:23 strikeout to walk ratio and a 2.28 ERA.
Hechavarria looks the part of a starting pitcher, standing 6’4” and weighing 200lbs. He has a fairly short and tall delivery, releasing from a high three quarters arm slot to generate downward plane. The velocity on his fastballs varies from 89-97, mostly averaging 93-94. He mostly throws a four seamer, which has solid carry and above average arm side run, mixing in a sinker that’s got plus run and a little drop. Overall they look like solid average pitches.
His best pitch, and the most commonly thrown if you separate the fastballs, is a cutter-y slider in the upper 80s that projects as above average. He rounds out the arsenal with a change-up with splitter style movement that is his least refined offering but that flashes as a second 55 grade weapon.
It’s not the prettiest delivery, but Hechavarria has a loose athleticism and he repeats it well, with command of all four offerings that’s probably MLB average right now and has a chance to get to plus. The overall package is a potential #4 starter who lacks a true dominating out pitch but who gets through a lot of innings with a deep repertoire and by limiting base runners. 2026 will be about continuing to stretch out his workload after his year off while defecting and seeing how well his stuff plays against upper minors bats.
15. Blaine Bullard, OF, Age 19 (DOB: 8/16/2006), Grade 40, 2025: High School
Acquiring Bullard was a combination of luck and smart negotiating for the Jays. He was a big riser later in the 2025 draft process, with teams believing he was a top three round pick on talent. The word was that his commitment to attend Texas A&M was firm, though, and teams didn’t want to risk forfeiting top 10 round bonus pool money if he proved un-signable. The jays had managed to save up some money, though, and were in a position to dare him to turn down $1.7 million in the 12th round. It proved irresistible, and they got their player.
What they got for their money is a 70 grade athlete who has sky high upside but also remaining work to refine his game. Bullard is a switch hitter, although his left handed swing is by far the more polished of the two right now. He has the twitchiness and hand eye coordination scouts look for in future above average contact hitters, but he has some work to do to get to breaking balls. His approach is reported to be solid. He doesn’t have much present power, and while there’s room for him to add muscle on his frame he’ll probably always have below average raw. Combined with a swing that’s more geared for line drives, he looks more like an average/OBP type than a slugger. He’s a plus runner, and he looks to be an above average centre fielder who can do some damage on the bases.
The most likely outcome is a slap and dash fourth outfielder, but even a little power development and he has the potential to be a leadoff hitting, plus glove every day centre fielder.
14. Victor Arias, C, Age 22 (DOB: 8/24/2003), Grade 40, 2025: 24th
Arias is a long time Jays farmhand, having signed back in August of 2019 out of his native Venezuela. After the scrubbed 2020 minor league season, he climbed the ladder slowly, spending two full years in the Dominican Summer League, one at the complex, and another at A Dunedin. Throughout, he consistently posted solid batting lines, balancing strong walk rates with tolerable strikeouts and a modicum of power. Things finally accelerated a bit in 2025, as he got his first extended run at A+ Vancouver (after a late cup of coffee in 2024), continued to produce, and earned a bump to AA New Hampshire for the last 36 games of the season. He scuffled a bit at the top level, but overall slashed .272/.353/.403 on the season, racking up 33 extra base hits in 102 games and swiping 18 bags in 23 tries.
Another diminutive Jays prospect with surprising power, Arias stands 5’9” and is listed at 175lbs, but this season he saw a jump in his raw power and now posts above average to plus exit velocities. His 54% hard hit rate was the best in the system. His swing produces a lot of ground balls, which limits his over the fence power production, but he hits his hardest balls in the air and a tweak could unlock above average home run production. He has fringe average contact ability and plate discipline, but again there are flashes of an average hit tool.
He’s a plus runner, sometimes recording 70 grade home to first times, with an above average arm. His routes in centre field need refinement, so right now he’s a fringe average defender there in spite of his tools.
The story with Arias is a player with uncommon upside for a 22 year old five seasons and six years into his pro career, who’s held his own in the mid minors already. If the adjustments don’t come, he profiles as a fifth outfielder/pinch run specialist. Fully unlocking his tools would require multiple significant adjustments, but if he were to pull it off the ceiling would be high.
13. Yohendrick Pinango, Age 23 (DOB: 5/7/2002), Grade 40, 2025: NR
The return for Nate Pearson at the 2024 deadline didn’t look like much at the time. Pinango signed with the Cubs out of Venezuela in 2018, and while he lit up the DSL the next summer he was pretty unremarkable over the three minor league seasons following the pandemic. A torrid first month of the 2024 season at A+ popped him onto the radar and probably lead to the trade. He bombed in his first 33 games in the Jays system, posting a .518 OPS at AA New Hampshire. It all came together in 2025, though. Pinango torched the Eastern league to the tune of .298/.406/.522, earning a promotion to AAA Buffalo. He cooled down there, but still posted a roughly average line with lots of walks, solid K numbers, and some pop.
Pinango has always been a solid contact hitter, but his breakout was fueled by trading an aggressive approach for a very selective one. He now watches more strikes than would be ideal, but he rarely chases and waits on pitches he can hammer. As for the hammering part, his max exit velocity in Buffalo was over 115mph. Only 30 major leaguers last year could say the same. his 91.9mph average exit velocity and 47.6% hard hit rate were both comfortably plus. The lone offensive knock on him is that while he hits enough fly balls, his best power comes a low angles, producing line drives and hard grounders instead of home runs. If he can fix that, he could be a cleanup calibre hitter, and even if he can’t the combination of patience, contact and strength is enough for a viable offensive profile.
There’s a lot of pressure on the bat, as Pinango is a below average runner whose ugly routes and iffy arm make him a liability even in left field. If it comes together offensively he can be a regular regardless, but anything short and he’s likely a bench bat or not an MLB player.
The Los Angeles Chargers announced it signed five-year veteran guard Kayode Awosika on Wednesday. Awosika is joining Los Angeles after spending the last four seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions.
Before playing with the Lions, Awosika signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 as an undrafted free agent out of the University at Buffalo. He played the first season of his NFL career with the Eagles then the Lions signed him off Philadelphia’s practice squad in 2022.
With the Lions, Awosika contributed to one of best offenses in the NFL. He helped three different running backs (Jamaal Williams in 2022, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023) rush 1,000 yards or more in a season and allowed quarterback Jared Goff to throw for at least 4,000 yards in each season.
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) defends against Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson (98) during the second half at Ford Field on Nov. 17, 2024. Photo Credit: David Reginek
Throughout five seasons in the NFL, Awosika has made 50 career appearances and 11 starts. He has also played in four playoff games and started in the Lions’ NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season.
Awosika is expected to compete with Trevor Penning for the starting left guard spot during training camp.
How Have the Chargers Bolstered the Offensive Line This Offseason?
In addition to signing Awosika, the Chargers signed former Miami Dolphins guard Cole Strange and former Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz this offseason.
Los Angeles will also be getting Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back from injuries next season. Slater missed the entire 2025 season with a ruptured patellar tendon he suffered in training camp. Meanwhile, Alt missed multiple games with a high ankle sprain before ultimately sustaining a season-ending ankle sprain in Week 9.
The offensive line was a big weakness for the Chargers last season. But with the new additions and return of key players, Los Angeles is hopeful that the offensive line will be stronger in 2026.
When the Colorado Avalanche shook the foundation of their core by trading Mikko Rantanen for Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and picks, we should have felt a sense of de ja vu, but we didn’t. Intuition lost on many Avalanche fans and reporters alike (myself included).
Mikko Rantanen of all people should have at least been afforded till March to negotiate.
CMac saw Necas as the return and panicked thinking he couldn’t get a deal done and wouldn’t get a better return down the road. pic.twitter.com/VHAduBjvqL
The Rantanen deal wasn’t the first time we’ve seen a team trade a superstar and attempt to “make up for it in the aggregate,” as Chris MacFarland famously said following the deal.
This management philosophy really started with the trade of Nomar Garciaparra by General Manager Theo Epstein, who, armed with analytics and a plush pocketbook, used analytics and ‘team-building’ methodology to reverse The Curse of the Great Bambino finally.
The idea that leveraging a beloved superstar for multiple undervalued isn’t new around here. The Lindros trade, the Duchene deal, and now the Rantanen trade.
What’s different this time around?
The Avalanche might have landed a player much closer to the capabilities and level of production that they sent on as Martin Necas sits just 12 points shy of 100 on the season, a marker that stands as a true line in the sand between really good and superstar. That reality could effectively frame the deal as a superstar swap with a Jack Drury sweater.
The question now becomes, can he do it?
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Will Martin Necas be a 100-points scorer this season?
First, we must consider if there’s still enough runway for Marty’s 100-point season to take flight. With Necas currently finding his cruising altitude at ~1.31 PPG and 12 games to get 12 points, it’s not unreasonable to wonder if he does it with a game or two to spare. Add to that Marty has 7 points in his last three appearances, and I think we can make a strong case for optimism.
Martin Necas post Olympic Break has been a mad man. Goals, points, forechecking, backchecking,
A more detailed look at the competition reveals even more evidence. Necas has historically (full career) scored a career average of 0.77 points per game against the teams left on the schedule. When you filter for Necas’ more recent years, he’s clipping at a more impressive ~1.05 points per game against teams on the remaining schedule.
The Avalanche will get the Stars one last time before season’s end, and Necas has 7 points in the three meetings so far this season, and 11 points over the last three seasons’ worth of matchups. He has made minced meat of the Kraken as well, the last few seasons, with 11 points in those six meetings. Guess who he logged his 30th goal of the season against?
The numbers are on Necas’s side, but he’ll have to see them through in a time frame when his Avalanche squad is trying to solidify itself as regular-season and Central Division Champs.
SPIN THAT WHEEL!
Martin Necas has had a multiple-point night 28 times this season. That means Necas has had a multi-point game in roughly 42% of the games he’s played in. In the spirit of visiting Vegas during this final stretch run, let’s call multi-point games a ‘bonus.‘
Say Marty slightly deviates negatively from that trend and only has a multi-point night every third game, Necas should hit the bonus four times before the year’s end.
Now we spin the wheel for the Mini, Minor, or Grand Prize.
The Mini prize is just the two-point night.
Necas has scored three or more points in a single game nine times this season, with three of such occasions coming against Vegas and Dallas, so let’s call that the Minor Prize.
For the Grand Prize, we set aside the elusive but achievable (and achieved against Dallas) four-point night, which Necas has realized twice this season, as recently as the beginning of March.
Ten kluk se zbláznil! 🤯
Martin Nečas gólem a třemi asistencemi nejdřív Coloradu pomohl srovnat na 4:4 proti Dallasu, aby skóroval i při samostatných nájezdech a potvrdil tak neskutečný obrat Avalanche! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wqwmAJmDgW
Triggering the ‘bonus’ will prove paramount for Necas’ quest to 100 points, and depending on the level of the prize, the mark could be reached sooner than we even anticipate.
Martin Necas isn’t just a part of the Mikko Rantanen deal. He could be a 40-goal-scoring and 100-point-getting winger in 2025-26.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes remains under contract until 2028, but discussions for a new deal might be around the corner—if he’s not outright sold to Manchester United or Real Madrid, as widely reported, this summer.
According to Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder, however, Bruno’s contract talks will not focus on the Brazil international becoming the club’s top earner, as that’s not what the midfielder has in mind, nor will he push for it if he signs a new deal with the Magpies.
Ryder reported that Bruno and his representatives are focused on securing a deal that suits the player, rather than specifically targeting the highest salary at St James’ Park.
“It is thought that Bruno and his representatives are only keen to discuss a deal that suits their client, and he will negotiate on his own terms, suggesting that becoming the highest-paid player won’t be a motivation during talks,” Ryder wrote.
Bruno’s current contract arrangement has remained unchanged since his 2023 extension, which still has two years left to run. However, the report notes that since that deal was agreed, other players, such as forward Nick Woltemade, have climbed higher on the club’s top earners list, placing them above Bruno in the salary ranks.
Ryder made it clear that some new signings have surpassed established players in terms of salary, raising questions about Newcastle’s wage structure, and that could lead to trouble in Tyneside—seemingly not when it comes to Bruno, though.
It remains unclear which players signed for big-money deals, and whether or not the likes of Anthony Gordon or Sandro Tonali are part of that Woltemade-led group of big earners.
At the end of the day, it seems like the broader concern, according to Ryder’s report, is that failing to qualify for any European competition by the end of the season is what will inevitably influence future negotiations with current players and force Newcastle’s hand into sanctioning sales if they don’t want to find themselves in another Isak-like situation this summer.
Mar 11, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Tayton Conerway (6) scores on Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images
Indiana men’s basketball’s first season under Darian DeVries came to an end when the Hoosiers didn’t receive a bid for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers finished 18-14 overall and 9-11 in Big Ten play, with a late collapse ending their March Madness hopes.
We’ll be recapping and analyzing DeVries’ first season in a few different ways from individual players to other lineups and trends.
Initially in the starting lineup beside fellow point guard, Conor Enright, Conerway brought athleticism and speed to Indiana’s backcourt that it desperately needed. Even by the end of the season, with his starting spot having been taken, Conerway ended with the second highest-usage rate on the team, behind only Lamar Wilkerson.
While Conerway dealt with some injuries that kept him out of a few games, he seemed to be on a shorter leash when he returned to the rotation. Over the last ten games of Indiana’s season, he saw more than 10 minutes just five times.
This limited role is hard to square with Conerway’s advanced analytics. Per BartTorvik, he had the fifth highest efficiency rating, scoring higher on defense than DeVries’ preferred point guard, Enright. He also had the highest assist rate on the team, beating out Enright by about 6%.
Tayton Conerway FG
3PT
Midrange
Paint
Rim
% of FG
34.5%
1.7%
16.1%
47.8%
FG%
29%
33.3%
55.2%
76.7%
Given his production in limited minutes and the fact that he had a skillset that his teammates lacked, it’s hard to see why Conerway didn’t play more given everything we’re seeing.
Regardless, Conerway’s inability to stay on the floor cost Indiana. He wasn’t a perfect player, but Wilkerson was the only one on Indiana’s roster even approaching perfection, and everyone besides Conerway was allowed to play through their mistakes.
The Hoosiers had extremely slim margins of error down the stretch, and it hurt the team to not have his quick burst and passing ability in the offense. Once the Hoosiers fell a win or two short of the NCAA Tournament, Conerway’s role and minutes emerged as one of the bigger puzzles of the 2025-26 Indiana team.
ONE Championship has decided to shutter the entire women’s strawweight division including reigning champion Xiong Jing Nan, who has been released by the promotion.
Promotion officials confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Thursday following an initial report from the Bangkok Post.
The move officially eliminates the women’s strawweight division, though many of the top fighters from the weight class had already moved down to atomweight in recent years. In ONE, due to the organization’s weight-cutting rules, strawweight constitutes fighters competing at 125 pounds while atomweight sits at 115 pounds.
Xiong claimed the inaugural ONE women’s strawweight title back in 2018 and went onto defend the belt seven times. Her only loss in the promotion came back in 2019 when she dropped to atomweight and was submitted via rear-naked choke by then-ONE champion Angela Lee.
She had previously defeated Lee at strawweight and then beat her again in the rubber match in 2022, which served as Xiong’s final defense of the ONE title.
Xiong fought one more time under MMA rules in 2025 where she scored a win over Meng Bo via unanimous decision, but she failed to make weight for the fight.
Now the 38-year-old veteran is a free agent with ONE deciding to close the doors on her division.
In recent years, ONE has promoted less MMA fights while adding Muay Thai, kickboxing and grappling divisions to the roster. Former ONE flyweight champion Adriano Moraes also recently secured his release and is now scheduled to face Muhammad Mokaev at the upcoming Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card on May 16.
Opinion – Reflecting on the Carabao Cup final loss
Well, now that the dust has settled down, I thought it would be worth reflecting on what was a very disappointing day.
Let’s start with the squad and how it affected the match.
When one takes out Eze, Odegaard and Merino, then the creativity is gone, and there is no backup.
Despite this, the first half should have seen us at least one goal to the good, and we went into half-time the stronger of the two sides.
Two factors from those first forty-five minutes were:
1. The booking, which completely altered the way our LB played.
2. The inability of the referee to protect Saka from consistent fouls, one of which saw him being hauled down, manhandled and no foul given.
At half-time, it seemed sensible to make substitutions and counter City’s ploy of standing four men outside the penalty area, to stop us using our normal system of building up from the back.
Neither of these options happened, and it was inevitable that City would score. They outplayed us from the very first minute of the second half, controlled the midfield with impunity and deserved everything they got.
(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Out thought, Out manoeuvred
There is no doubt in my mind that Mikel was out-thought, outmanoeuvred, and reacted far too slowly to events on the field.
I have always been hesitant to agree that Pep is the best ever, as there have been many brilliant coaches/managers before him, but watching how he completely dominated the way the game was to be played out was, in all honesty, a revelation.
Mikel, for all his excellent work these last four years, is way behind Pep’s tactical brain, and the fact that no halftime changes were made is a simple example of that fact.
Any Positives
Were there any positives from our point of view?
The way we took care of Haaland, who hardly did anything, is one important positive.
Another is the way Ben White played and reacted – I made him our MOTM.
Our fans were incredible from outside Wembley right up until the 90-minute mark, when all was lost, and they started leaving.
The other negatives?
Reading the “I told you so” remarks regarding Kepa’s mistake. Is there any keeper who hasn’t?
The thought that the season has come to an end with this defeat, our fourth all season and despite leading the PL, quarter finals of the FA cup and last eight of the CL.
No excuses, we were beaten by the better team on the day, the better tactician and the lack of creativity when losing Eze, Odegaard and Merino.
Let’s hope we can get players back for the rest of the season, and I have this feeling that the action of some city players will be used as motivation when we play them in the PL.
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 15: A general view as Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners hits a home run during the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game three of the American League Championship Series at T-Mobile Park on October 15, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Look, we know why you’re here: you want to know how to get your mitts on one of those souvenir ferry boats. Or maybe you want to have a cute date (gay panic voice: orisitadate?). Or maybe family is visiting and you’ve been tasked with entertaining everyone because you are the only one with a) executive functioning skills who b) everyone still speaks to. Read on, for we have planned some perfect scenarios for you for whatever you’re looking to get out of your visit to T-Mobile Park.
(Let’s get this out of the way early. Ferry Boat tips: Get to the park early on Opening Day. Like 2 PM early. Proceed directly to the concessions where they are sold – list here, we recommend sidewinder fries at section 329 if you care intensely about the boat and not so much about what goes in it and crab nachos at 187 if you care about taste and are independently wealthy. Step three: get your ferry boat and guard it with your life.)
General tips:
Getting there:
If at all possible, do not drive. If it is a weekend game or a game against the Yankees or Red Sox, absolutely do not drive. Take light rail, the bus, walk on to a ferry, park and ride, bike, go by unicycle if you have to, but parking around the stadium is miserable and expensive and the only thing worse than the cost of getting into your parking spot is trying to leave it at the same time 30,000 other people are trying to do the exact same thing. If you have to drive, go as early as you can and check the side streets south of the stadium – Utah Street is a popular one. Also, in a pinch, you can park in the International District where rates are lower and walk over, cutting through the Lumen parking lot, and as a bonus get something yummy to eat on your way.
If you’re part of the light rail horde, consider this. For northbound travelers, get on the southbound train, hop off at Sodo, then hop on the next northbound train. You’ll get a seat and avoid the crush. You can do the inverse for southbound travel. It’s not the most efficient, obviously, but it can be helpful if you really want to avoid the crush.
King County Metro (a.ka. The light rail and all King County buses) now take credit card taps and Apple Pay! You do not need to buy a ticket, have an ORCA Card, or cash anymore! You can just show up and tap, and it lasts like a normal transfer (2 hours). And the dang 2-line train will be connected all season to boot starting Saturday. (JT)
If the weather is tolerable and you’re an avid or even mediocre bike rider living somewhere in the greater Seattle area, I absolutely recommend riding your bike to a game. It’s glorious, honestly. And you get to taunt death a little bit on they way ducking cars and pedestrians who wander into bike paths. But, wear your helmet, use common sense, and you’ll make it in one piece. The best part besides getting some cardio? You can park your bike for free right in the very front of the TMO parking garage and just walk across the street to either the right field of home plate gate. I think they lock up the bike cage like an hour after the game ends, so you can’t just leave it there while you hit a bar or something, but if you hate traffic, paying for parking, and/or don’t like the sardine crush of the light rail going home, then riding a bike is truly a great choice. (ES)
Pregame:
On a nice day, hitting up the beer garden at Hatback directly across the street is a great way to kill time while you’re waiting for gates to open. For danker days, Hooverville south of the stadium will serve you a city special, or next door you can grab a beer and some pizza over at Fast Fashion. Vinason, right next to the King 5 building, is your home for delicious pho or banh mis if you need to fuel up before the game.
We are always advocates here for starting your game day experience in the International District for a variety of delicious food – dumplings at Dough Zone! Hood Famous! Crispy pork from Ton Kiang in a plastic clamshell you can bring into the park!
Coming from the south, Hooverville and Fast Fashion all day. Coming from downtown, Collin’s Pub forever. (ES)
Boring details:
Remember the clear bag policy, don’t try to bring in metal water bottles, etc., don’t slow everyone down in the bag check line because you didn’t look at the rules. Make sure you don’t have aerosol sunscreen, that’s an annoying one to have taken away on a July day game.
Giveaway Day Guide:
There’s really only one tip and it’s this: get there early. However early you think you need to be, add an hour. Media gates open for a 6:40 game at 1:30ish and it’s not uncommon for me to see people already lined up when I walk in on the really hot giveaway item days (Ichiro plaque, anything Cal-related). Bring someone with you to hold your place in line so one of you can go get coffee, pizza, whatever, bring a book, bring your patience.
For regular giveaways, like the hydro socks or whatever, showing up around an hour early should be fine. As for which gates are stocked and which run out, it’s kind of a crapshoot, but the right field gate tends to be a little less busy. Terrace Club seems like it would be a sure thing because there’s a dedicated stock of giveaways for that, press club, suites, etc., but don’t get complacent; you still need to be there early, because they will run out of the good stuff by game time. Alternately, you could skip the hassle and pay the upcharge on eBay, but I’ve always enjoyed hunting my own food, speaking metaphorically and metaphorically only. (KP)
Bobblehead nights can be tricky, but for the random Monday nights, I’ve had success at 6pm for a 6:40 start. I’ve never quite cracked the code for which gate to go to, from the special T-Mobile line in LF to the Terrace Club entrance. If it’s a big time special giveaways, as Kate mentioned above, I’d say two hours should be plenty. (GB)
The center field gates are usually my go-to entrance for giveaways and non-giveaways alike, and the Stadium light rail station drops you off a five-minute walk away, though I’ve noticed in recent seasons the secret is out. I echo Kate’s sentiment of getting there early. (CD)
Family Outing:
I cannot stress this enough: You can bring food into T-Mobile Park! Any food! From chipotle to full charcuterie; from Peeps to pho; avocado toast to arancini. Obviously, the stadium food is fun and good but there is also an abject joy to unpacking a full meal that cost less than two ballpark beers and doesn’t necessarily make your gut gurgle or feel like grease is oozing from your pores (IM)
Plan for some extra time. It’s baseball. Even with the pitch clock, the game cannot be rushed and neither should you be. If you’ve got kiddos, the 3rd level behind home plate and down the third base line is a playground for youth and adults alike. There are batting cages, beautiful views, and space enough for energetic youths to have a catch or simply frolic. (JT)
The elevators behind home plate are there for a reason. If you’ve got folks with impaired mobility, give them a break. It’s how Dipoto and Hollander get around, you never know who you might meet! (JT)
For anyone who hasn’t been to a game before, stop by the guest services desk on the main level and get a “my first game” certificate. It’s a free, adorable memento that’s fun for kids and grown folks alike. (KP)
The child play area in center field gets full and overwhelming quickly on busy days; the play area on the 300 level over the home plate gate allows for more runaround room, but for the best tire-them-out-so-they’ll-sleep running, hit up the ramps behind right field, where your tiny terrors can run from the 100 level to the 300 level as long as their legs will hold with minimal interruption. (KP)
With two kids between 5 to 9 years old, I recommend sitting either in the LF bleachers or up in the 300s closer to the foul poles on either side just because it’s usually less crammed and the kids can move around a bit in your row without pissing off some childless person with no empathy. Also, just prepare to hand the Mariners your credit card on the way in, close out on your way out. Don’t forget or you’ll have to do a walk of shame the next morning. (Taking a family of 4 to games is way too expensive now) (ES)
Date Night:
For a first date: Don’t. Okay, okay, okay, maybe this isn’t universally true – especially with the pitch clock – but do still proceed with caution. They could be a batting average person. They could believe that Barry Bonds doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame. They could like the Yankees! It’s dangerous out there. (IM)
For something more than a first date:
Get two separate trays of garlic fries. Don’t fall for “we’ll split it.” You’re always gonna want more than they leave you and after they see you scoop the leftover garlic into your mouth like Oliver Twist you won’t be able to look them in the eye. Get two separate trays so you can both quietly go feral next to each other. That’s romantic in a way.[JP]
Try to plan around a wearable giveaway that way you can wear little matching outfits. Shirts/jackets are ideal for this but hats work too. [JP]
Date Night, Gay Panic! Edition: Basically the same as above, but you must resist the urge to screenshot every message you exchange with the person and poll your friends “is this flirting y/n”. Don’t get popcorn (salty sheen on lips, stuck in teeth); get the $3 Red Rope (fun, eat Lady-and-the-Tramp style if feeling frisky). Stick to the 300 level, where it’s a little easier to hear each other and store away all those comments you’ll want to dissect later on. Important: do not do this in the moment! Watch the baseball. Ask what their favorite building in the skyline is. Around the fifth, suggest a stroll on the little faux boardwalk that got plucked out of a Regency novel and put in T-Mobile Park for exactly this purpose. Look at the water. Look at the buildings. Look at the person. Breathe. You’ve got this. (KP)
Work Outing:
Pregaming is so important for this one. Find your most fun coworker, sneak out of the office early, and hit up either the Central Saloon or Merchant’s Café in Pioneer Square for some pregame drinks and Seattle history, since statistically speaking your coworker is probably not from Seattle. The Central is excellent if your coworker is enamored with stories of Seattle’s early grunge days; Merchant’s has an amazing downstairs that reportedly a) used to be a brothel and b) is haunted. Pass some time gossiping about office drama and drinking in Seattle history (literally and figuratively). The work-friendly sober alternative: hit up Hood Famous in the ID first and get fun coffee drinks and walk over to the stadium together from there; the gossiping is non-negotiable.
If you’re a Baseball Person, and you are because you’re reading literally this website, this is your chance to shine. You’ve been training for this your whole life. Don’t dominate the conversation, but fill in the blanks for your less baseball-savvy coworkers: provide fun context about players, explain rules when prompted, direct people’s attention at certain key moments. Remember: be a tour guide, not a textbook. (KP)
Hood Famous rules, get yourself an ubbe latte and a cookie. Honestly throw a rock in the CID and you’ll hit a lovely restaurant or cafe to get a pre-game meal or snack (do not actually throw a rock, obviously). (ES)
A sleepy, gray Tuesday night against the A’s with your person (romantic or platonic or something vaguely and distressingly in between):
It’s gonna be cold, so I recommend either the curry katsu or the Ivar’s clam chowder. Nothing like cupping a bowl of chowder in both hands while wearing fingerless gloves to welcome the return of baseball. Also don’t sit on the first base side in the 300 level on cold nights because the wind whips around in there and will give you a nasty chill. (JP)
This is your person, and the ballpark is empty. Have no fear and get the garlic fries, or the most grease-laden slice of pizza (all of them, it’s all of them), indulge in the specific joy of food attentively made when the lines are short and getting to enjoy it with someone you’re not afraid will judge you for an oil stain on the front of your shirt. Also, sit somewhere nice. Life is short, there’s really not that much difference between paying fifteen dollars for a 300 level seat and thirty dollars for the comfort of Terrace Club. (KP)
Baseballin’ on a budget:
Purchase the cheapest tickets you can find on the resale site of your choice (I’ve liked GameTime, but we’re beefing right now so I don’t fully endorse). Think: A Monday night against the White Sox. No giveaways, no bells, no whistles. Bonus if the weather is godawful.
If you’re a nerd like me (and you ARE reading this site), keep score! Especially if you’re going by yourself keeping score can be a fun way to create a little memento of the game. People around you will think you’re very cool and will ask stuff like “was that a fly out or a line out” and “oh man Logan is dealing! How many strikeouts is that” and you’ll have the answer. Keep score, and you can always have the answers. (JP)
Bus/train and walk over to Cone & Steiner. I’m loath to tell more people about this spot, but I love y’all (and am burying it in the middle of this tome). It’s a bougie general store, with an assortment of snacks and grab and go food. They have a reasonable beer/wine tap list with a happy hour that runs regardless of whether it’s a game day, and they also have a nice selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic goodies that you can purchase and open there. Get a beverage of your choosing and chatter away about roster construction in the relative quiet. Bonus if you get a bag of Tim’s to add to the mix too – then it’s like your very own aperitivo hour!
@ Mariners: If you’re reading this, please know that I would immediately and enthusiastically buy tickets for a Team Italia Night, particularly if it came with a pregame aperitivo hour. Aperol Spritz and some salty snacks on the Trident Deck? [Ryan] Bliss. (IM)
There are two spots for 8 dollar pints, or at least there were last year. The first is tucked away in the Mariners Hall of Fame on the main concourse. The second is on the 300 level, in the green cargo container behind the batting cages directly above the home plate entrance. Take a sip and peer out at the cranes in the dockyard. They offer a lager, a pilsner, and for all you hops freaks they got an IPA. (JP)
Eat before you go, pregame at happy hour – if you do the one in the ‘pen, at least buy two beers at once so you’re maximizing your time, and get the good beers at the bar by where ROOT Sports used to be where the lines are shorter – and bring in your own snacks. If you have to buy a snack, the Value Menu offerings will scratch that itch but not fill you up (unless you get the hot dog, but one can only eat so many hot dogs); the mindless carbs of the soft pretzel is the cheapest way to do that. (KP)
When your friend is visiting from out of town and they don’t really care about baseball but it’s a perfect Tuesday evening in July and tickets are $12:
First of all, great call. Get seats in the 300 level of the first base line (or just buy get-in-the-door tickets and seat yourself there once you’re in) and take in one of the most beautiful views Seattle has to offer.
Get some food and happy hour drinks wherever your home base is, as that will be cheaper and likely better than whatever is around the stadium. Then bus/train in so that you arrive 3-20 minutes after first pitch and walk right in. On the ride, share a curated assortment of Mariners information with them, depending on what they’re drawn to. It’s important to have rooting interests, even (especially!) if they’re not about the wins and losses.
Upon entering the stadium, you’re going to walk the 100 level concourse until you reach one of two things: First Base Vine or that one beer stand back by the Mariners history display that sells all the value beers. Depending on your visitor, you either double up on the Bale Breaker and/or Métier or you buy a bottle of middling Chateau Ste Michelle that becomes infinitely more palatable in its plastic Mariners carafe. Take the super escalator by First Base Vine to the 300 level.
Having literally never had the ferry boat concession giveaway, I feel like it’s a must-have with visitors who don’t know baseball. Embrace your inner Derek Shepherd! (GB)
Before going to “your” seats, detour to the panoramic overlook that looks out on the Sound and ferries. Take at least one photograph of your visitor in the ever-flattering PNW summer evening light.
Proceed to seats – the further from other people, the more it feels like a private event. By now it’s the third inning, which does not matter at all, but you will still be in time to see the Salmon Run, which does matter to your visitor.
Watch the sun set over the skyline, toast your visitor, cheer/heckle/yell as the spirit moves you (IM)
If you’re in West Seattle, suck it up and take the water taxi there or home, vastly impractical as a mode of transport but so, so picturesque. I saw salmon literally leaping out of the water on one crossing. (I am pretty sure. Do not fact check me.) (KP)
$12 tickets??? When and where? (ES)
If you want to eat the best food possible while avoiding mid-game concourse time:
Get to Moto Pizza well before first pitch. If you head up into the nether regions of right field, you’ll find the trendiest pizza place for miles. Moto may be pricey, but it’s certainly worth trying and I know I’ll find myself there multiple times this season. The lines tend to be crazy about 30 minutes ‘til first pitch all the way through the third inning or so, and even then it’s a bit dicey. I’ve had success going there first thing when I enter, and mid-game; as long as you prepare yourself mentally for long lines, you’ll never be disappointed. (GB)
What Grant said, but with Tamari Bar instead. (KP)
Okay I lied. The onigiri or Trident Roll in the Walk-Off Market is really the fastest, best food you can get during a game. If the lines at these other places are nuts, try there. (KP)
I also back Moto Pizza if you are there somewhat early. It’s worth the wait and money because it’s a ton of pizza and you won’t feel the need to eat anything else while you’re there. (ES)
What are your best T-Mobile Park scenarios? Share them in the comments below, and happy Opening Day to all who celebrate
Craig Carton has gone hard at Puka Nacua after fresh legal allegations brought the Rams star back into the spotlight, with the radio host framing the issue as bigger than one off-field mistake.
The case is sensitive and still unresolved, but it has reignited scrutiny around Nacua because the new claims arrived not long after a separate anti-Semitism-related controversy.
That wider context is what turned Carton’s reaction from criticism into a full-scale rant. It also means the story is no longer being judged in isolation.
Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images
Craig Carton unloads on Puka Nacua after fresh legal allegations
“If you uttered the words, ‘I hate all effing Jews,’ and there’s a witness to it, and you bit the witness, you got yourself a problem.
“Now, can you have a career? Yes you can. Can a team hire you? Yes, they can,” Carton said.
Carton’s point was not framed around whether Nacua can still play in the NFL. It was about how serious the allegations would be if proven, especially given the nature of the language involved and the physical accusation attached to it.
That is why the reaction landed with such force, because the claim touches both conduct and antisemitism at the same time.
Puka Nacua’s antisemitism scrutiny grew after a livestream apology and now faces fresh allegations
Nacua is currently facing civil allegations from Madison Atiabi, who accuses him of making an antisemitic remark during a New Year’s Eve outing and later biting her shoulder; Nacua’s attorney has denied the allegations, called them false, and said he intends to countersue for defamation.
A judge also temporarily denied Atiabi’s restraining-order request pending a later hearing, which means the underlying claims remain disputed and unresolved.
“Will the NFL suspend you? Maybe, maybe not. They may not get involved at all. But he’s also a dingbat. He’s a dumb jock. That’s all he is, and now he might be anti-semitic too,” Carton further stated.
The allegations also land in the shadow of a separate December 2025 controversy, when Nacua apologized after performing what he described as an antisemitic gesture on a livestream and said he “had no idea” what it meant.
That earlier episode is part of why this latest case has been judged so harshly in public, even though the current legal claims are still contested.
Liam Rosenior has two weeks to fix Chelsea – but the problems are too big for that
This is a syndicated version of this story, originally featured on the BBC Sport website.
After a fourth defeat in a row, Liam Rosenior said that this international break had arrived at a good time for his players. It’s easy to see why.
The group look exhausted, bereft of confidence and reeling like a punch drunk boxer. They can’t get any worse, so a brief pause can only do them good.
Even the most reliable players in the team are at their limit or beyond it – Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah injured, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez totally physically spent, Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer struggling for anything their usual influence in games.
The two weeks to take a breath should help, but there are downsides too. The rising wave of criticism of Rosenior reached a frenzy after the capitulation against Everton on Saturday, and it now has a fortnight to soak in. It’s a football truism that you want to go into these international windows on a high – going into them after four damaging defeats with largely terrible performances is a disaster.
Rosenior and staff may struggle for quick fixes in two week break
Following the Everton game, the manager spoke about how he and his staff would be spending the time without games working on analysing what’s gone wrong. That’s all well and good – the problem is that it feels likely that their conclusions about the problems this team has are going to need solutions far bigger than those they can provide in a short period.
They can’t fix the fact they have two bad goalkeepers, no elite central defenders, an exhausted midfield and an erratic attack in a few training sessions next week. Nor can they undo years of misguided squad building. They might think up some tweaks that helps the team improve, but it will likely be too little, too late for Champions League qualification in any case.
A season that started with real promise has quickly turned as sour as any in recent memory.
Madison Chock & Evan Bates Are Welcoming a New EraHearst Owned
It’s one week after the Olympics when I chat with Madison Chock and Evan Bates. In a time where most athletes would slow down, look back at their journey, and figure out their next steps, the husband and wife ice dance duo are ramping things up. They tell me that they have a premiere later that night, followed by some other NYC stops before they head to L.A. for the Oscars. After that, they’re taking a quick trip to Japan where they’ll perform on the Stars on Ice Tour before returning to the States to travel around the country for the U.S. version of the tour. It’s not their first time getting to do all of this. With this being their fourth Olympics together, they’re total pros. But there’s certainly an extra set of eyes on them—and the sport of figure skating—after the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina.
Before the current season even started, Madison and Evan were considered the favorites to win it all. However, a surprise came in March 2025, when France’s Guillaume Cizeron announced a new partnership with Canada’s Laurence Fournier Beaudry, setting up an obvious rivalry. (There’s also additional controversy surrounding the partnership due to their individual relationships with their former partners. Guillaume won gold in the 2022 Olympics with a different partner.)
After the team portion of the figure skating competition was complete (Team USA took gold), the two duos faced off in the individual discipline portion. Shockwaves shook more than just the figure skating world when Madison and Evan were scored eight points lower by a French judge in the free dance than Laurence and Guillaume, who placed first despite very obvious mistakes. Madison and Evan would win the silver medal, but it felt like the whole world was asking for an investigation. There was even hope for a rematch between the two teams before the season’s official end.
It won’t happen at the World Figure Skating Championships, which is taking place this weekend in Prague. The husband and wife duo posted on Instagram after their final Olympic skate with a statement writing, “We left it all on the ice in Milan. Our season feels complete with those four performances where we delivered our best.”
Off the ice, the couple have also made very distinct moves in recent years. Evan was voted by Team USA as the male flag bearer at the closing ceremonies for the 2026 Olympics, an honor for the skater, who has also become a mentor and leader for his fellow athletes over the years. Madison has been creating costumes not only for herself and her husband but also for other teams, including some of her own competitors.
It all feels like a natural and poignant stopping point for the three-time World champions, three-time Grand Prix Final champions, four-time Four Continents champions, and nine-time Grand Prix gold medalists. Oh, and they also won U.S. Nationals a record-breaking seven times.
But that doesn’t mean the questions have stopped: What are they doing next? Are they retiring? Is this the end of “Bock” as we know it?
Madison Chock and Evan Bates reveal to Cosmopolitan their hopes for the future, why it isn’t the last time you’ll see them at the rink, and the secret behind their relationship both on and off the ice.
We have to start with the very obvious question. You haven’t used the word “retirement,” so what is the future looking like for Chock and Bates?
Madison: I don’t think retirement is the word, because we’re definitely still gonna continue and be involved in skating. I think maybe we’re just transitioning to a different phase of our skating career. We decided to pull out of Worlds. We were really happy with how we performed at the Olympics and wanted to leave on that feeling. It felt like we had our four greatest performances at the Olympics, and we feel just complete with that experience.
What has it been like to navigate this experience because to me, as a fan who follows the sport every single year, it does become this phenomenon every Olympic year?
Evan: I think the mindset around the increased attention is just gratitude for interest in what we do. We put so much work into those four minutes on the ice, and knowing that there are future Olympians watching—little kids at home who maybe have never skated—that might see and connect with us and want to try skating or want to get into their own journey is really inspiring. I remember being a kid and watching the Olympics and hoping one day to be there. So I think that’s the magic of it. It unites the world and inspires the next generation.
Hearst OwnedHearst Owned
There was a lot of talk online after the ice dance event of hopefully getting an investigation going after you came in silver. What was it like to hear all that support for you as a team?
Evan: Certainly the support was incredible. We were disappointed, honestly, in one regard, and that was about the result, but we were so fulfilled with the performance and with everything that we did leading up to it. When you attach yourself so much to the outcome, and then the outcome doesn’t go your way, it can be devastating. We’ve worked really hard to distance ourselves from the identity of ourselves only as figure skaters.
Based on what we heard from so many people, that resonated also, and I think there’s a real silver lining in the inspiration and example that you can set for other people in difficult, challenging times. I hesitate to say difficult times because we won a silver medal at the Olympic Games. That is something that we are so proud of and we shouldn’t overlook or downplay the magnitude of that accomplishment. We’re super proud. Three-time Olympic medalists. The way we skated, that is the biggest victory of all. We couldn’t have asked for more. And that also played into the decision to want to finish this season on that note.
Does it feel like because so many fans just tune in during the Olympics, some of your other accolades get erased sometimes?
Madison: Certainly for many people in the sport, and die-hard fans, nothing is really erased, but that’s just the nature of sport. It’s so fleeting. There’s always going to be that next young athlete coming up, that next young team. We’re really fortunate to have had the longevity that we’ve had. But people will move on to the next exciting skater and I hope that they do, because that’s what keeps the sport alive. So we’ll be right there cheering with everyone else for those young athletes coming up.
Evan: Even if we had won double gold, it goes away. People move on. We move on. Skating isn’t going to last forever, obviously. And now we’re going to take it and apply it to whatever’s next.
I do want to go back to the team event because—remembering what happened back in the 2022 Olympic Games with the Russian doping scandal and having to wait until 2024 to get your gold medals—it was a highlight getting to see you receive those medals as any other athlete would.
Madison: I think that event in particular, too, will go down in history as one of the most exciting. We’ve done a lot of team events before, and it’s never come down to the wire like that: just one point separating gold and silver. It all came down to the last few performances. I felt like we were living a movie. Japan just brought their A-game, and we had to just bring our A-plus game. I was so proud of everybody.
Evan: It really was a true team effort and a team event in every sense of the word. Every performance mattered, every point mattered. It was thrilling.
And Evan, for you, getting to cap that all off with being the flag bearer at the closing ceremonies, which is not only voted on by your fellow Olympians, but also feels very poignant considering how much you also have advocated for your fellow skaters over the years.
Evan: That was such an incredible honor. I was not expecting that. It’s hard to put into words kind of what that means. Madi and I both just value being good people and treating others well. We’ve learned through sport the kind of character that we want to uphold and what we want to represent. It’s a natural extension to take people under our wings, to see these young skaters who, frankly, we love. They keep the world so fresh.
I remember my first Olympics, the older skaters who I looked up to being nice to me, hanging out with me, and making me feel welcomed. I’ll never forget that. I think that’s where it started. I want to pay it forward and treat other people well. Even if we’re not in the Olympics in four years, we’ll be there cheering everybody on and will always continue to be part of this community.
Madi, you’ve also gotten to flex your other skills with your costume designs this season. I feel like you’re giving Lisa McKinnon a run for her money.
Madison: Thank you! I love it! The creative process, especially for costumes, is my favorite time of the season. I love diving into our story or other skater stories, and working together in collaboration to come up with something that will make them feel good. I think that’s so important to look your best and feel your best, so that’s my goal: to encapsulate the story that they’re going for and the essence of who they are as a person, so they feel comfortable and confident when they take the ice.
In ice dance, it’s really funny because people are always trying to guess everyone’s dating history with one another.
Evan: I love that people are like,We need to know if they’re dating, married, or divorced or exes.
Yes, and y’all have stood the test of time together as both ice dance partners and romantic partners. What is the secret?
Evan: I think just liking each other. Spending so much time together and always still enjoying each other’s company. The fact that we are very different people is helpful to us. We always have had a lot of contrast on the ice and then off the ice as well, in different interests, points of view. That’s what makes us unique and special as a team. I wouldn’t want it any other way than to be with somebody who challenges me. I think we’ve really rubbed off on each other pretty nicely.
Madison: I think we both also share that growth mindset. When we approach anything, it’s with the intention of how can we be better people, better partners and we share the love of just growing together. That’s a really strong foundation for any relationship.
Evan: The creativity is maybe our favorite part, you know, coming together at the beginning of the season and having autonomy and creative choice over what we want to do. Ultimately, I think that’s the greatest gift that we’ve been given by our coaches and our creative team over the last eight years or so, and I think, I hope, I wish that for all young artists is to take control of your art and find your voice and the ability to express yourself through your medium. I think that is what we love, and the fact that we get to do it with each other and that we love each other and what we do…it just multiplies it and makes it even more special.
Madison: I don’t think there’s any other competitive sport in the world that you can really have that type of ownership, creativity, and storytelling in an athletic performance. That’s what’s so special about skating, and what really draws people in is that artistic side, the creation. You see people putting their heart and soul into their program and picking something, hopefully, that’s really true to who they are.
Madi, you’ve also been a huge part of this recent rise in women who are unafraid of showing how skating can be hot. We saw it with Ashley Wagner and now we’re seeing it with you. It’s very refreshing to see.
Madison: I feel so empowered by figure skating. There’s nothing better than the feeling of gliding across the ice and being in the hands of my partner and it being my husband allows for so much freedom and self-expression as a performer. When the music comes on, it’s really fun to just slip into that role and be whatever character the music calls for. Skating can be traditional and beautiful, but there’s also a rawness to it. It’s fun to let that shine through and not try to be so perfect every time. When you let go, there’s more room to play, more freedom. And with that comes a sensuality, a confidence and I’m feeling so in my zone. I have no inhibitions.
There is a joke going around that fewer teams will be participating next year as it will be the first time in six years that the rhythm dance is going back to an actual rhythm pattern: the golden waltz. Did you have a preference between the general themes of the past few years to the dance patterns?
Evan: I think the challenge is it can be really hard to be creative when the technical rules are really demanding, especially in a rhythm dance. It’s just jam-packed with elements, and you might have just a few seconds to connect things together. It becomes just a really technical program. I get it. It’s a sport, and we need those kinds of criteria to establish the fact that we’re a sport and not just a show. But the creativity is the most beautiful thing about figure skating and ice dance in particular.
You also have those programs that feel like watching a different team, especially with your exhibitions that are much more in the moment.
Madison: When we have the freedom that an exhibition program gives us, it’s really more open, and it’s about the performance, and the emotions and the feeling that you create on the ice.
Hearst OwnedHearst Owned
You’re gearing up for Stars on Ice right now. It does feel significantly different this time thanks to a new hype around figure skating.
Madison: I agree, and it’s so exciting. I think skaters have long awaited this renaissance of figure skating to come about, and I’m so happy that it that it has, because there’s so much talent right now. Especially within Team USA, this is probably one of the best teams that we’ve ever had, as far as accolades and individuality, creativity, personality. That’s why our our sport is thriving so much. There are a lot of skaters just truly being their authentic selves when they step on the ice and feel that freedom. That energy is contagious.
Evan: I think it’s also going to be a celebration. That post-Olympics tour is always a huge release from all the stress and the pressure that every skater is under during that quad and building up to that Olympic moment. It really does take so much of your mental, physical, emotional bandwidth to really execute it and do it. And Team USA was great and came through strong. I know it was a roller coaster. It was hard to watch some performances. Some performances were storybook. Coming together, we’re going to do almost 30 shows and going to be on a tour bus together. We’re going to get lots of times to bond and just spend time together and celebrate everything that everyone has accomplished.
Speaking of the quad, it feels like after every Olympics, we say goodbye to so many greats. But this time, if this is your last time on competition ice, it feels like the end of an era for ice dance.
Madison: I think we’ve been feeling that for the past few years. Every time we go to competitions early in the seasons, we’re like, Oh, my goodness.
Evan: Particularly the Grand Prix and Nationals. You go to the final, you go to Worlds, you’re like, Okay, there’s a couple other people who are over 30.
Madison: It does feel like the transition has happened and we maybe are the last of that changing of the guard. We see that the people we used to compete against are now on the other side of the boards coaching our competitors and so that’s really where it’s all coming full circle. Now we’re taking a step back and going to the other side of the boards to help these young skaters as well. It’s been really lovely to have that kind of integration of our competitors as coaches, because we have worked with some of them. We’ve worked with Madison Hubble, we’ve worked with Jean-Luc Baker, and we feel their knowledge and point of view from them going from competing to transitioning into their coaching roles, and it’s been really fulfilling for us to be able to share that experience with them and bond in that new way as like coach and student in a way. But we’re friends. We grew up together. Sharing the sport in a new lens with them is really, really beautiful. That’s what sportsmanship is all about—it is to have that kind of relationship with your competitors where you can turn to them for advice at a certain point. To be able to experience that has been really lovely, and hopefully we’ll be able to give back to the younger skaters in that way as well.
What do you see the future of ice dance being like?
Madison: I hope people keep challenging themselves and pushing the creative boundaries. This is gonna sound cheesy, but if you can dream it, you can do it. I would love to see more risks being taken with creative choices and maybe the use of technology in our sport for judging to help take some subjectivity out of things. Skating is subjective, and that’s what’s beautiful about it. Maybe for the technical aspects, we can utilize AI or the tech that we have to kind of offload how much of the score is being reliant on the subjectivity of judges.
Hearst OwnedHearst Owned
Speaking of the future, so many of us have been so inspired by this new generation of skaters, especially Alysa Liu. How have they inspired you?
Madison: I personally feel so inspired by Alysa. I think her take has been so refreshing, and we have had the privilege to witness her from her beginning, retirement—which is crazy to say—and then her big splash right back into the skating world. Just seeing her love and her intrinsic motivation for doing it for herself, because she wants to, because she loves it, because that’s her creative outlet, also rekindled something in us.
At one point we just fell in love with skating and wanted to be the best at it. It’s really so special when you find a passion like that and you’re able to pursue it and enjoy the journey. It’s not going to be fun every day. But if you show up and do the work and and learn to trust the process, you’ll always come up on top.
Final question: No audience, just the two of you on the ice, what would be the program you would skate to again to end everything on?
Evan: I would probably say just to do Chopin again, our first free dance.
Madison: Maybe we should do a show program to Chopin…
Evan: To close the circle and come back to it would be really fun.
Dawn Plitzuweit. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
From the summer to the fall of 2018, Lindsay Whalen went from point guard of the Minnesota Lynx to head coach of the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team.
She retired having played the final nine seasons of her 15-year WNBA career as a Lynx, and it was no surprise that the Hutchinson, MN native wanted to immediately pursue coaching her alma mater back to the glory she achieved when she was a player and led the Golden Gophers to their lone Final Four in 2004.
Lindsay Whalen made history as @GopherWBB’s first 3x All-American 🏀
She led the Gophers to their first Final Four appearance in 2004 before graduating as the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,285 career points 👏#WomensHistoryMonthpic.twitter.com/ShgGkigmX9
— Big Ten Women's Basketball (@B1Gwbball) March 25, 2026
One of the greatest floor generals and winners in WNBA history, Whalen had the mind for the job, and was expected to succeed. It would have been a great, feel-good story had it worked out. But the Gophers just missed out on the NCAA Tournament in Whalen’s first year at the helm after rising as high as No. 12 in the AP poll. The next year, they went 5-13 in the Big Ten, coming nowhere near living up to their preseason No. 23 ranking. Three losing seasons later, Whalen was out and Dawn Plitzuweit was in.
It wasn’t all bad, as Plitzuweit was a big-name hire, having led mid-major South Dakota to the Sweet 16 in 2022. The optimism surrounding the program was similarly high to when Whalen was hired.
This time, it’s panning out. All Minnesotans, including Whalen, now an assistant for the highly successful Lynx, can rejoice that their team is back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005.
— Minnesota Women's Basketball (@GopherWBB) March 22, 2026
This is already one of the best seasons in program history, as the Gophers earned their second-highest Big Dance seeding ever at No. 4 (they were a No. 3-seed in 2005). Their current winning percentage (.750) is their third-best and their conference winning percentage (.722) is tied for fourth-best.
It’s been a quick build and a thrilling 2026 tourney for the Golden Gophers
Plitzuweit came in tasked with bringing the Gophers back to the relevance they enjoyed over their stretch of seven tournaments in eight years from 2002 to 2009.
In her first year (2024), the team notched a 20-win season, a winning percentage of .556 and a six-game improvement over 2023. In 2025, they improved by five more games to 25-11 and by three games in the Big Ten to 8-10. They were ranked as high as No. 23 but missed the tournament, although they actually won the WBIT.
This year, Plitzuweit has taken a team that was unranked in the preseason to the Sweet 16. They are making their first appearance in the Big Dance since 2018.
These young ladies have been Orchestrating Excellence day by day! Super proud of this crew for their dedication to development and their commitment to building each other up continuously! Love their selfless JOY! https://t.co/e0iIcc7wcf
Their coming out party came on Dec. 7 when they led then-No. 7 Maryland by 15 late in the first half. The Terrapins forced double overtime, where the Gophers would lead by nine with 54 seconds remaining.
Quite the accomplishment for a team that wasn’t expected to make too much noise this year. Yes, they blew the lead in epic fashion, losing 100-99 to the Terps, but their ability to hang with a team in the national conversation was the sign of a great season to come.
Now, they’ve advanced further than Maryland.
Nothing embarrassing has happened since their Dec. 7 collapse. They’ve only lost to good teams, have beaten who they were supposed to beat and defeated No. 2-seed-in-the-Dance Iowa and No. 3-seed Ohio State during a nine-game winning streak from Jan. 21 to Feb. 18. For all this, they were awarded hosting privileges.
— Minnesota Women's Basketball (@GopherWBB) March 23, 2026
In front of over 10,000 fans for both games at Williams Arena (“The Barn”), Minnesota defeated No. 13-seed Green Bay in the first round and No. 5-seed Ole Miss, a feared SEC team that was favored by many, in the second round.
In Viking territory, the team from the same city as Lambeau Field gave the Gophers a scare, hanging close well into the second half. But Minnesota reversed their poor late-game execution from the Maryland contest, playing near-perfect basketball down the stretch to pull away by 17. Against the Rebels, The Barn erupted when Amaya Battle hit the game-winning shot, a contested mid-ranger, while falling down along the right baseline with 0.8 seconds to go.
— Minnesota Women's Basketball (@GopherWBB) March 23, 2026
Just like that, the pain of the Whalen years not working out was erased, and the Gophers found themselves dancing beyond the Round of 32 for just the fourth time in program history.
They are now one of just three teams still dancing from the vaunted Big Ten. UCLA and Michigan were expected to be here, but there were also six other teams receiving more votes than Minnesota in the preseason (Maryland, USC, Iowa, Michigan State, Washington and Ohio State) that are now home while the Gophers have the chance to keep going.
Loyal Minnesotans lead the way to the Sweet 16
Of the Gophers’ five core contributors, four—Battle, Tori McKinney, Mara Braun and Sophie Hart—are from Minnesota, and four—Battle, McKinney, Braun and Grace Grocholski—have played their entire careers with the program. So there’s plenty of North Star State pride to go around.
Battle, a senior guard, and Braun, a redshirt junior guard, have been the top performers in the tournament thus far, with Battle averaging 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and four assists, and Braun going for 16.5 points (7-for-10 from 3). Braun has played all 80 minutes, while Battle is second on the team with 76.
McKinney, a sophomore guard, leads the team in scoring on the season with 12.9 points per game, but all five average between 11 and 13 points, so they spread the wealth. Battle impressively leads with 7.5 boards per contest, despite being only 5-foot-11; she also paces the squad with 3.6 assists. Grocholski, a junior guard/forward with 68 made 3s at 42 percent, and Braun (59 makes at 35.5 percent) are the two snipers. Hart, a 6-foot-5 graduate center who is in her third season in the Twin Cities after transferring from NC State, is the team’s main post presence.
The Gophers’ success adds to Minnesota’s basketball craze
No. 1-seed UCLA is next on the schedule in Sacramento with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line. Minnesota faces the Bruins on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
When UCLA won 76-58 on Jan. 14, Battle (16 points, seven boards, five helpers and three steals) and Braun (15 points on 3-for-6 from downtown) were the best players for the Gophers in defeat. Perhaps they will continue their Big Dance hot streaks and once again be the top weapons on Friday. But Minnesota will also be looking for a big game from McKinney, who was absent on Jan. 14 with concussion symptoms.
An 18-point loss to the Bruins actually isn’t that bad, especially considering your leading scorer was missing. And UCLA looked the most vulnerable of all the No. 1-seeds in the Round of 32.
— Minnesota Women's Basketball (@GopherWBB) March 25, 2026
It would be unwise to count Minnesota out.
They certainly have enough good vibes going for them.
The state has known a lot of basketball greatness with the Lynx of course being one of the best WNBA franchises ever. Plus, Paige Bueckers was a high school teammate of Battle’s at Hopkins High en route to becoming the No. 1 college recruit, a National Player of the Year, national champion and WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Amaya Battle & Paige Bueckers was one of the best high school backcourts of all time
At the college level, too, Minnesotans have left a legacy, with greats like Whalen, Rachel Banham, Janel McCarville, Carol Ann Shudlick and Amanda Zahui B. But it’s a legacy of only 11 total tournament appearances that pales in comparison to that of the Lynx. The fanbase is hungry for more.
They hope Battle’s game-winner is just the beginning.
Mar 11, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Justin Mullins (20) defends Indiana Hoosiers guard Lamar Wilkerson (3) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images
Indiana men’s basketball’s first season under Darian DeVries came to an end when the Hoosiers didn’t receive a bid for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers finished 18-14 overall and 9-11 in Big Ten play, with a late collapse ending their March Madness hopes.
We’ll be recapping and analyzing DeVries’ first season in a few different ways from individual players to other lineups and trends.
If there was one unequivocal positive to Indiana’s 2025-26 season, it was the play of Lamar Wilkerson. He was a big get from the portal, as DeVries had to fend off Kentucky for his services, but ended up being worth every penny and more for the Hoosiers.
As expected given his past performances, Wilkerson had the greenest of green lights from 3-point range and took full advantage. He attempted 8.6 3s per game, hitting 37.8% of them to be Indiana’s most consistent perimeter scoring threat.
When he caught fire, as he did a few times this year, there was seemingly no stopping him. Wilkerson hit 10 threes as part of a 44-point performance against Penn State. He scored 41 points against Oregon on six made threes, with both games ending as blowout wins for Indiana.
As the season went on, Wilkerson also demonstrated an ability to drive and score at the rim. He did so as a pure shooting guard, looking to create shots for himself rather than teammates, but used his driving ability to be a productive scorer when the shots didn’t fall from deep.
Lamar WilkersonFG
3PT
Midrange
Paint
Rim
% of FGA
56.1%
9.6%
13.3%
21%
FG%
37.8%
42.6%
46.2%
70.9%
Wilkerson converted above the D-I average % from every single area on the floor.
Probably the best example of Wilkerson’s versatility as a scorer was Indiana’s 2OT win over UCLA. Down both point guards early in the first overtime, Wilkerson took over the offense, scoring 10 of his 24 points that game on layups and free throws he earned by driving hard to the rim.
His production should have lifted Indiana to more wins with better pieces around him, but Wilkerson’s play this year would have been a boost for any program in men’s Division I basketball. He left his mark on the program in his short time in Bloomington and hopefully can serve as a model for future scorers considering Indiana under DeVries.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 21: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns runs on field during warm ups prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Cowboys need help at pass rusher. We all know this.
Myles Garrett is an amazing pass rusher. Maybe the best in the NFL. We all know this.
You can never count the Dallas Cowboys out of anything, particularly a rumor, in the NFL.
We all certainly know this.
Myles Garrett is suddenly less impossible for the Cowboys
Something interesting happened this week that flew a little bit under the radar. Blame it on Opening Day happening across the sports calendar, or the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 getting set to happen this weekend.
Or maybe blame the fact that it had to do with the Cleveland Browns as they hardly move the national needle. Wherever you want to place responsibility, it was reported by ESPN late on Wednesday that the Browns applied some front office magic to the contract of Myles Garrett.
The two sides have agreed to move the date that Garrett will be paid his option bonus from the 15th day of the league year to a week before the regular season’s first game. That covers 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Garrett agreed to have $8 million of his base salary converted into a roster bonus in 2029 and 2030.
The change means that the Browns will have some additional flexibility to create cap space in each of the next five years.
Garrett will now get some of his money earlier in the year in 2029 and 2030.
The reason all of this is relevant to the Cowboys (and 30 other NFL teams) is the suspicion that has accompanied what the Browns did as one takeaway from these flicks of the pen is that Garrett is suddenly more trade-able from a contract standpoint.
What could Dallas even give up for Myles Garrett?
Part of the reason that the Cowboys make sense for a hypothetical Myles Garrett trade is that they were in the mix for the last pass rusher who was on the trade market in Maxx Crosby. That obviously did not happen, but the fact that the Cowboys were willing to part with serious assets shows that they may be willing to do so here.
Earlier this week ESPN also reported what the Cowboys offered (there were 3 different offers as talks progressed) before the Raiders made a deal for Crosby with the Ravens (that was obviously rescinded).
According to ESPN the Cowboys offered:
Initially: Their second first-round pick (20 overall) and Osa Odighizuwa
And then: Their higher first-round pick (12 overall) and a third-round pick
Ultimately: Number 12 overall and a second-round pick
Now obviously Osa Odighizuwa was since dealt away to the San Francisco 49ers which netted the Cowboys a third-round pick this year (number 92 overall). In total the Cowboys have 8 picks at the moment for this year’s draft.
2026 Dallas Cowboys Draft Picks:
1: 12 overall
1: 20 overall (from Packers)
3: 92 overall (from 49ers)
4: 112 overall
5: 152 overall
5: 177 overall [comp pick]
5: 180 overall [comp pick]
7: 218 overall (from Titans)
It would stand to reason that any trade for Garrett would have to involve both first-round picks this year and likely future capital as well. It should be noted that Dallas cannot technically trade either of their first-round picks next year as the better of them (which is a matter that is to be determined) belongs to the New York Jets by way of the Quinnen Williams trade, but they could do something like a second-round pick that becomes a first-round pick if a condition is met, and it would obviously be a slam-dunk condition to appease the hypothetical trade.
Even something like 3 first-round picks feels low given Garrett’s career accomplishments, but it makes sense that the conversation would start there. A move like this would be a true all-in proposition from the Cowboys and despite the national narrative that surrounds them we haven’t really seen them do anything like that in some time.
For what it’s worth… Garrett has a unique history with the Cowboys. You will recall that he literally begged them to draft him ahead of the 2017 NFL Draft where Cleveland took him number one overall. He even noted that the Cowboys could use Tony Romo (who would soon retire) as a trade piece to try and get him.
“I’m speaking to you, Jerry,” Garrett says on the video. “Mr. [Jason] Garrett, make it happen. Dak Prescott is leading our team right now. I need you to take Tony Romo, take a couple picks, and give them to Cleveland so you can pick me up, please. I’d love to play in Dallas. Let’s make it happen.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers begin their quest for a third straight World Series title, led by two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and a roster full of elite talent.
Jun 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
How to Watch Los Angeles Dodgers 2026 MLB Regular Season
Opening Day: Thursday, March 26, 2026
TV Channel: Spectrum SportsNet LA (local); MLB.TV (out-of-market)
Live Stream: DIRECTV – local (try for free); ESPN Unlimited – out-of-market (watch now)
You can catch the Dodgers all season long locally on Spectrum SportsNet with DIRECTV as well as out-of-market on MLB.TV with ESPN Unlimited. If you are in the Los Angeles area, DIRECTV is the right option for you, and the best part is that you can test the service today for free.
The enter the 2026 season as the clear team to beat after winning back-to-back World Series titles, cementing their place as the league’s dominant force. Their 2025 campaign was another elite run, combining top-tier offense, deep pitching, and postseason execution to repeat as champions once again.
At the center of it all is Shohei Ohtani, who continues to redefine what’s possible in MLB with his impact both at the plate and on the mound. His presence gives the Dodgers a unique advantage, as he remains one of the most dangerous and versatile players in the game.
Beyond Ohtani, they are powered by a stacked core that includes the new addition Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, giving them elite production all around. Betts and Freeman continue to anchor the lineup with consistency, while Tucker adds another dynamic middle-of-the-order bat. Yamamoto leads a deep rotation, reinforcing why this roster remains one of the most complete and dangerous in baseball.
Heading into 2026, the expectation is simple: a third straight title push. With Ohtani leading a loaded charge, the Dodgers aren’t just contenders, they’re chasing a dynasty.
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First, the Mets loaded the bases after pulling within 2-1. That's when Brett Baty hit a flyball deep to centerfield.
Cruz came multiple steps in, then realized he had made a mistake.
He raced back on the ball that was over his head, but he had already lost too much ground. The baseball landed near the fence, and when all was said and done, Baty had a bases-clearing triple to put the Mets up 4-2.
The next hitter was Marcus Semien, and it got worse for Cruz.
Semien lofted a harmless popup to center, but Cruz lost it in the sun. Semien ran hard and got a double, and Baty scored for a 5-2 lead.
Skenes ended up being pulled after hitting a batter, and the Pirates got out of it with flyout induced by the bullpen. That flyball was to left, though.
Cruz will have to be better. It's a brutal start to the season for him in center.
According to an official press release from IMG Academy on Thursday afternoon, the program has parted ways with Sean McAloon as the national boys basketball coach.
“IMG Academy Basketball has parted ways with national team head coach Sean McAloon,” the press release statement says. “We are thankful for the leadership and contributions he made to our basketball program, including the growth of our national team and securing the program’s first-ever national championship in 2019.”
IMG Academy will begin an immediate search for the next leader of our national basketball team. We firmly believe this is the premier high school basketball head coaching opportunity in the country, and we are committed to identifying a coach who will continue to build on our strong foundation of developing champions both on and off the court.”
The Ascenders ended this past season with a 21-11 record and finishing at No. 6 in the final 2025 Florida High School Boys Basketball Massey Rankings and No. 47 nationally, according to the Rivals National 2025 High School Boys Basketball Composite Rankings.
More about IMG Academy
Established in 1978, with a pioneering concept known as the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, IMG Academy has since grown to become a global phenomenon. Today, IMG Academy is the world’s leading sports education brand, providing access and opportunity for student-athletes with an innovative suite of on-campus and online programming. IMG Academy is the only education brand directly responsible for filling one-quarter of all college roster spots on an annual basis. In 2021 alone, IMG Academy helped place 30,000 kids into college.
How to Follow Florida High School Boys Basketball
For Florida high school boys basketball fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the high school hops action throughout the season. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the hardwood excitement across the state.
ESPN NFL draft writer Jordan Reid has a new two-round mock draft out for the 2026 NFL draft. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, they will go into the draft in less than a month on their home turf and hope
to score big on these first two picks. Let's take a look at the moves Reid made for the Steelers and break down the options.
First round - WR Jordyn Tyson - Arizona State
Tyson was on pace to be the top receiver in the draft but an injury sidelined him for a chunk of the season and kept him out of offseason workouts. He has a scheduled individual pro day coming and he is supposed to be healthy and ready to go. If he is healthy, this pick becomes a bargain and would give the Steelers an elite trio.
Second round - CB Keionte Scott - Miami
Reid noted how scrappy Scott is and that is definitely a nice trait for a Steelers cornerback but we just don't see this as the team's second-round need. With the health of starting left tackle Broderick Jones in question, landing a player who could come in and start this season in his place makes more sense. Northwestern's Caleb Tiernan stands out as a guy Jordan has coming off the board just after the Steelers pick who represents better value.
Sandhagen (18-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC) has called out former bantamweight champion O'Malley (19-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) several times, but O'Malley insists the UFC never offered him the fight.
O'Malley meets Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House, a fight Sandhagen thought should have been his. He criticized O'Malley's mentality and accused him of taking the easy road.
"Sean as a person, I'm not going to carry any hatred toward him or jealousy or anything like that. I like Sean as a person," Sandhagen said in an interview with Daniel Cormier. "As a fan, I don't think the way that type of character or whatever is interesting or inspiring at all. One of the biggest gifts that we have as athletes to give to people is inspiration to like go do something cool with your life, too. That means stepping up to the plate, taking big risks like I have in my entire career.
"I do it for me, but I also do it because inspiring and giving back. That's one of the few ways I get to do that in this sport is by inspiring people. 'Why would you take a fight against Umar? He's down in the rankings.' Because if I win, I get to inspire a bunch of people. If I go out and beat Merab (Dvalishvili) or I beat (Petr) Yan, I get to inspire a bunch of people because I know I took the hard road to get here. O'Malley is not about that life, so I can't be a fan of that dude in that way."
"It's the only fight that makes sense for both of us," Sandhagen said. "Two, I like the fight. I know that I'll beat O'Malley. I know a lot of people are like, 'Cory is going to take him down. He's going to wrestle.' I'll outstrike O'Malley, too. We've got egos. I know I'm better than him. I want to go beat him, and I want to prove that I'm the better striker, I'm the better fighter just all around in general."
The New York Mets' 2026 season could have had a better start, to say the least; that applies both on and off the field.
In their first game of the year, the Mets fell behind 2-0 in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day, with Brandon Lowe hitting a two-run home run before New York struck right back. But even before the game, the organization had a bit of an embarrassing moment.
National anthem singer Chris Jackson botched his performance before Mets vs. Pirates at Citi Field, completely leaving out a line of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Here's a look at the video from Jackson's mistake in his national anthem performance.
For the first game of MLB's Opening Day, Pirates vs. Mets, Jackson got through a few lines of the national anthem fine. But after he sang "through the perilous fight," he began switching up the lines.
He moved back to the "what so proudly we hailed" line, confusing fans at Citi Field and watching from home as he entirely skipped over "o'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming."
Jackson, who performed the national anthem at Thursday's Mets game, portrayed George Washington in the original cast of the musical "Hamilton."
Jackson, 50, is an actor and singer who made his Broadway debut in 1997, appearing in musicals including "The Lion King" and "In the Heights." Jackson has also starred on CBS drama "Bull" and had TV roles on the shows "Fringe," "Gossip Girl," "Nurse Jackie" and more.
National anthem lyrics
O say can you see, by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Eagles center Cam Jurgens suffered a back injury late in the 2024 season that affected him for the club’s postseason run to winning the Super Bowl and required surgery. That, in turn, caused him some issues in 2025.
But the two-time Pro Bowler has now undergone another procedure that has him feeling better as the offseason program start date draws closer.
In an interview on the Bussin with the Boys podcast, Jurgens said his back is “getting better every day” after undergoing a stem cell treatment in Colombia earlier this offseason. He added that he’s “noticing a difference” since getting back home.
While Jurgens received an epidural to play in Super Bowl LIX — which the Eagles won over the Chiefs — then underwent surgery to fix the disc in his back that, he said, had broken off before the playoffs and “wrapped around” his sciatic nerve.
“It was hard to walk,” Jurgens said. “I don’t know how I was playing. It was easily the worst month of my life, but also the best month of my life because we won the Super Bowl.”
But now, Jurgens said, he’s in a position to be more like himself on the field.
“It takes a good year to come back from that,” Jurgens said of his first back procedure. “I’m starting to feel really good.”
Earlier this month, United States President Donald Trump hosted the “Saving College Sports” roundtable at the White House. NCAA president Charlie Baker, numerous conference commissioners, and several collegiate coaches attended the event.
Just weeks later, Trump has formed five separate committees to cover legislation, rules, NCAA reform, media, and player issues. Per CBS Sports, meetings are expected to begin next week.
The committees are made up of former players, University Athletic Directors and Presidents, figures from in and around professional sports, and more. A few of the most notable names include former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, and 15-time Majors Champion Tiger Woods.
All five committees, and the list of their members, are below.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Hannah Hidalgo is, perhaps surprisingly, not a Naismith Award finalist.
There are four finalists for the Jersey Mike's Naismith Women's College Basketball Player Of The Year award, and none are from Notre Dame. The finalists are Lauren Betts from UCLA, Mikayla Blakes from Vanderbilt and Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, both from Connecticut.
Hidalgo's 2025-2026 stat line reads like this: 25.2 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, 5.2 assists per game and 5.6 steals per game.
No disrespect to any of the finalists, but those numbers seem like they should be enough to qualify Hidalgo as a finalist.
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Tobias Harris (left hip soreness) is questionable. New Orleans also could be down a key starter, as Trey Murphy III is questionable. Marcus Sasser (right hip strain) is probable to return from a three-game absence. Caris LeVert (left knee sorenss) is out.
Here's how and what to watch for in tonight's Pistons vs. Pelicans game, including the TV channel, streaming link, the lineups, injury report and betting odds.
Is Cade Cunningham playing today?
No. The Pistons' superstar remains out after suffering a collapsed lung and is set to be reevaluated in about a week.
Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press: Despite being firmly outside of the play-in race, the Pelicans have incentive to win after trading their 2026 first-round pick to the Hawks last offseason. And they're better than their record, after getting Dejounte Murray back from injury 11 games ago. The Pistons have had a tendency to bounce back from tough losses this season, and their lockdown defense should be able to wear the Pelicans down over 48 minutes. The pick: Pistons 117, Pelicans 114.
Tobias Harris (left hip soreness) is questionable. New Orleans also could be down a key starter, as Trey Murphy III is questionable. Marcus Sasser (right hip strain) is probable to return from a three-game absence. Caris LeVert (left knee sorenss) is out.
Here's how and what to watch for in tonight's Pistons vs. Pelicans game, including the TV channel, streaming link, the lineups, injury report and betting odds.
Is Cade Cunningham playing today?
No. The Pistons' superstar remains out after suffering a collapsed lung and is set to be reevaluated in about a week.
Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press: Despite being firmly outside of the play-in race, the Pelicans have incentive to win after trading their 2026 first-round pick to the Hawks last offseason. And they're better than their record, after getting Dejounte Murray back from injury 11 games ago. The Pistons have had a tendency to bounce back from tough losses this season, and their lockdown defense should be able to wear the Pelicans down over 48 minutes. The pick: Pistons 117, Pelicans 114.
Texas A&M junior wide receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman left practice early on Thursday afternoon after taking a collision on a downfield catch.
Bethel-Roman entered Texas A&M as a 4-star recruit by all three recruiting services and was ranked 207th by ESPN. After taking a year to redshirt, he became a key part of a lethal Texas A&M receiving core last season, finishing third on the team in receptions (24), receiving yards (503), and receiving touchdowns (5).
With KC Concepcion heading to the NFL draft, the Aggie offense has a potential question mark in the WR room. Mario Craver will presumably fill the lead receiving role, but Craver’s unique skill set is best weaponized in shorter, RAC-friendly routes.
This leaves Bethel-Roman and his top-tier speed as the likely option to be Texas A&M’s deep threat. With the increased opportunity and a quality offense to support him, Bethel-Roman could be primed for a breakout season.
Bethel-Roman left practice after he hit the ground hard on a deep route. The team gave no update, but he did not return to practice, per Carter Karels of GigEm247.
Texas A&M receiver Ashton Bethel-Roman exited practice today with an injury after getting tangled up from behind on a deep route during 1-on-1s and hitting the ground hard. No update on his status, but he didn’t return.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Sam on X:@Smallred25
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars started their Pakistan Super League with a comprehensive 69-run win over new side Hyderabad Kingsmen.
After opting to bat first, Qalandars posted 199-6, built on an opening stand of 84 between Fakhar Zaman (53 off 39) and Mohammad Naeem (30 off 19).
They were both dismissed by Hassan Khan, either side of Abdullah Shafique being run out, as Qalandars slipped to 94-3 but Haseebullah Khan made an unbeaten 40 and Sikandar Raza hit 24 off 10 balls to help them up to a defendable total.
Kingsmen, who are one of two new sides in the biggest edition of the PSL, struggled in reply and fell to 65-5 after nine overs, with captain Marnus Labuschagne top-scoring with 26 off 22 balls.
He was caught and bowled by Raza, who also picked up the wicket of Sri Lanka's Kusal Perera, as Kingsmen were bowled out for 130 off the final ball.
NEW DELHI: Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed attention during a PSL 2026 captains’ presser on Wednesday when he avoided a question about Pakistan’s struggling national team.
As a journalist brought up the team’s recent poor performances and asked questions to Pakistani players present in the presser individually, Afridi stepped in and told him to focus only on the Pakistan Super League.
The moment quickly went viral, especially since Pakistan cricket has been under heavy criticism after recent losses.
Watch:
— sarkarstix (@sarkarstix)
During the interaction, Afridi made it clear he didn’t want to address bigger issues, saying questions should stick to the league.
In the viral clip, he is heard telling the reporter, “Don’t ask about Pakistan. We are currently playing the Pakistan Super League (PSL), so ask questions on PSL only. When we will be playing for Pakistan, then you can ask questions about Pakistan, and we will answer those questions.”
His response came as fans continue to question the form of key players and the overall state of Pakistan cricket.
Amid the controversy, attention is now on the upcoming PSL season.
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars are aiming for a strong start in the opening match on Thursday.
Pakistan were knocked out of the 2026 T20 World Cup Super 8 stage despite beating Sri Lanka, as their net run rate was too low compared to New Zealand and England.
They needed a much bigger win to qualify but fell short. This marks their fourth straight ICC tournament without reaching the semi-finals, highlighting ongoing struggles in crucial moments.
LSU has fired fourth-year coach Matt McMahon and is finalizing an agreement to rehire former Tigers coach Will Wade from N.C. State, a person with knowledge of the development told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there has been no formal announcement from LSU or N.C. State.
Multiple reports of Wade’s impending return to LSU have been published.
The topic of Wade’s potential return to LSU had been churning for weeks, enough so that Wade was ready with a response when asked about it after the Wolfpack’s loss to Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. That included noting that the job at the time wasn’t open, with McMahon — the permanent successor after Wade’s ouster — still in place.
“I was hired at NC State to do a job. This wasn’t going to take one year,” Wade said, then motioned toward Wolfpack athletic director Boo Corrigan at the back of the news-conference room. “I’ve already met with our administration about next year and some of the changes that we need to make and some of the things that we need to do to put this program where it deserves long-term.”
Exactly two weeks later, Wade was gone. The buyout in Wade’s six-year deal at N.C. State has a $5 million buyout that drops to $3 million after April 1.
Wade’s return to LSU would come four years after his firing there over allegations of money-fueled recruiting violations, which came amid a federal corruption investigation into the sport. Wade rebuilt his career with a two-year stint at McNeese that included 50 wins and two trips to March Madness.
The Detroit Tigershave officially unveiled their 2026 Opening Day starting lineup ahead of Thursday’s matchup against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
With ace Tarik Skubal on the mound, Detroit is rolling out a lineup that blends power, youth, and versatility to kick off the new season.
Full Tigers Opening Day Lineup
Here’s how the Tigers will line up for Game 1 of the 2026 season:
RF – Kerry Carpenter
2B – Gleyber Torres
DH – Colt Keith
LF – Riley Greene
1B – Spencer Torkelson
3B – Kevin McGonigle
C – Dillon Dingler
CF – Parker Meadows
SS – Javier Báez
SP – Tarik Skubal
Rookie Spotlight
All eyes will be on McGonigle, who is making his MLB debut after an impressive spring. The 21-year-old will hit sixth and start at third base, a clear sign of the organization’s confidence in one of baseball’s top prospects.
Middle of the Order Power
Detroit’s lineup features a strong middle group with Greene and Torkelson expected to drive in runs, while Keith slots into the DH role in the three-hole.
The addition of Torres near the top of the lineup adds another experienced bat and on-base presence.
Opening Day Energy
With Skubal leading the rotation and a lineup filled with both proven contributors and rising talent, the Tigers enter the 2026 season with momentum and expectations.
Now, it’s time to see how it all comes together when the first pitch is thrown in San Diego.
Jessica Pegula was frustrated after her 6-2, 3-6, 4-6 loss to Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open.
Pegula thought it was too early in the tournament to face Rybakina, especially since they met in the quarterfinals.
The third seed came out on top again, beating Pegula after a two-hour and 15-minute contest that kept fans entertained throughout.
Rybakina, who currently holds the Australian Open title, will now take on world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals.
Pegula was clearly frustrated with herself after falling short against Rybakina for another time.
Jessica Pegula disappointed after winning more points but losing to Elena Rybakina
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
Pegula spoke about her Miami Open exit, saying: “It sucks when you feel… you win more points and you lose the match.
“Like, what do you really tell yourself? When you look at ‘What can I do differently?
“Obviously, there’s some things I think I can still do differently, but… I almost rather, like, just get killed… 2 and 2… instead of being like ‘Oh, you played great. And you served well, and you won more points, but you lost, and that’s just frustrating’.”
The American will be disappointed not to have held onto her early advantage. Still, Rybakina deserves plenty of credit for how she battled back into the match.
And as she mentioned after the match, Pegula (100) finished with more points than Rybakina (98), yet it still wasn’t enough to secure a win.
Elena Rybakina praises Jessica Pegula after beating her in Miami
It was by no means a perfect performance from Rybakina, who admitted to being lucky at times throughout the match.
But she was grateful to come out on top, saying afterwards: “I feel every game was important, and of course, I made a lot of unforced errors, and as I said in the first set I was rushing a little bit and quite many mistakes.
“Also Jessica, she played really well in the conditions. I need to get used to a little bit since the previous match I played late.
“Her game also is fast and the ball stays low so I’m happy overall that I found the way. I was not rushing as much in the second set and won these important games.”
Rybakina will now be looking to enjoy the same outcome against top seed Sabalenka, who also beat an American, Hailey Baptiste, to reach the last four.
It leaves Coco Gauff as the last American remaining at the Miami Open, with the home favorite meeting Karolina Muchova in the other semifinal.
She boasts a superb 5-0 head-to-head record over the Czech, while Sabalenka leads Rybakina 9-7 in their head-to-head.
DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 17: Head coach Will Wade of the NC State Wolfpack looks on against the Texas Longhorns during the first half in the First Four game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 17, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, this is a surprise – not. Will Wade is bailing on NC State after one season to return to LSU, the school he worked for when the program got caught up in the FBI/Adidas scandal.
LSU will now employ Wade, Lane Kiffin, and Kim Mulkey, which, objectively, is hilarious. It reminds one of Jess Helms’s old joke about the North Carolina Zoo: “we don’t need one. We can just put a fence around Chapel Hill.”
You have to feel a little bad for State fans, but only a little. They knew when they pushed A.D. Boo Corrigan to hire Wade that they were opting for a con man, the Music Man, the Harold Hill of college basketball.
Well, now he’s leaving town with their hopes to return to the Big Time packed away in his steamer trunk.
One hopes this time around that Corrigan will not give in to booster and fan pressure to buy the shiniest object on the coaching shelf and instead, finds someone who sees the potential in that job and who really wants to be in Raleigh.
If it were us, we’d start the search with Tennessee assistant and former State guard Justin Gainey.
Otherwise?
Takayo Siddle deserves a call. He’s done an amazing job at UNCW. Travis Steele should get some consideration for what he did at Miami this past season. UConn assistants Luke Murray and Kimani Young are probably solid candidates. Josh Schertz just signed an extension at St. Louis, but that never stopped anyone who really wanted to move from moving. Tony Skinn at George Mason, Brooks Savage at ETSU, Matt Brauer at Stephen Freakin’ Austin, Chris Gerlufsen at San Francisco
And the funniest move they could make, but one that would blow the lid off the Triangle?
Hubert Davis. The Revenge Tour starts now.
We should all start the rumor just to drive people nuts.
Chicho Lorenzo has said that Marc Marquez could be forced to retire from MotoGP earlier than expected due to his injury record.
Marquez hasn’t picked up a Grand Prix win in the opening two rounds of the 2026 season, though he has looked good in the Sprint Races. He finished second and first in Sprints at Thailand and Brazil, but didn’t finish the main race in Thailand before coming fourth in Brazil.
This start has led some to believe 2026 could be his last season, especially given how often he’s dealt with injuries over the past few years.
No agreement has been reached yet for Marquez to race in 2027, when new regulations come into effect. Reports suggest Marquez is only interested in signing a one-year deal, which Ducati isn’t keen on.
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images
Chicho Lorenzo believes Marc Marquez may be forced into early retirement
Speaking to Motosan, Chicho Lorenzo shared his thoughts on Marquez’s future and suggested that recent injuries might push the Ducati rider towards an earlier-than-expected retirement.
Lorenzo thinks Marquez will eventually face a decision that won’t sit well with his fans, feeling he could be pushed out of the sport by the shoulder injury he picked up late in the 2025 season.
“Last year he dominated. What’s changed from last year to this year? Aprilia has taken a huge step forward. And Márquez’s shoulder isn’t right, and he’s a year older,” Lorenzo said. “Sooner or later, there’s going to be a moment – he says so himself, something his fans don’t accept. He says that in the end, all athletes are forced to retire, that they don’t last forever.”
“What I do believe is that after that title last year, after proving to himself that he was capable of winning again, after doing it the way he did, he had a dip in form. Perhaps that’s when he was in the worst possible position at that moment, and he still hasn’t recovered. But he’s the one who has to say about the decline.”
Can Marquez bounce back in Texas?
This weekend’s MotoGP action shifts to the Circuit of the Americas, a track where Marc Marquez has an incredible history, especially during his peak years.
The Spaniard picked up seven wins at COTA between 2013 and 2021 but hasn’t stood on the top step there since that final victory three years ago.
Last year, Marquez won the Sprint Race in Texas but crashed out while leading the main event, opening the door for Francesco Bagnaia to claim his first Grand Prix win at the circuit.
“I would never underestimate Marquez. In my opinion, he’s managing himself, both physically and mentally, and above all, he doesn’t want to make mistakes”, Petrucci said after being asked if Marquez is currently in crisis.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Tom Brady #12 of the Founders FFC warms up during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS) | Getty Images for OBB Media - FAN
We all know Tom Brady is a player at heart.
No matter than he has been retired for four seasons, no matter than he’s a top Fox broadcaster and no matter he is a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The best quarterback ever to live will always be a player.
So this latest bit of news is no shock. Brady told Alex Sherman of CNBC that he has inquired about returning to the playing field since he began part of the Raiders” ownership team, but the NFL doesn’t like the idea.
Tom Brady told @sherman4949 that he asked the NFL about potentially returning as a player while still being a minority owner of the #Raiders.
“I actually have inquired, and they don't like that idea very much. We explored a lot of different things, and I’m very happily retired.” pic.twitter.com/MSiWwbGbGz
Brady, 48, didn’t say exactly when he asked if he could play again, but he did become an official part of the Raiders in the fall of 2024. So, it wasn’t that long ago.
The NFL, of course, has a rule that owners can’t play, so this wasn’t going to happen and we have heard such rumors in the past.
In the big picture, there isn’t much to see here. Yet, it’s another reminder that Brady will always have the heart of a player.
Butler, a 6-foot, 180-pound defensive back/athlete, picked the Vols in a live announcement on social media. His other offers included Vanderbilt, Duke, Indiana, Arkansas and Kentucky.
Butler is the No. 23 player in Tennessee and No. 36 athlete nationally from the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was in to see Butler in-person at Haywood back in January, along with co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter.
Butler earned Region 8-4A MVP in 2025 and was a TSWA All-State selection with 58 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and four interceptions. On offense, he accounted for over 1,000 total yards, 17 touchdowns and 14 two-point conversions.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
Orlando Pride midfielder Mikayla Cluff (16) follows a play during an NWSL Challenge Cup soccer match against the Washington Spirit, Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Orlando, Fla.
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Phelan M. Ebenhack, Associated Press
Mikayla Cluff is one of the most accomplished soccer players to ever take the field at BYU.
Now, she’ll assist the next generation of Cougar soccer talents in reaching their own heights.
Cluff has rejoined BYU’s program as director of player development, the school announced Thursday morning.
“We are so excited to welcome Mikayla back to the BYU Soccer family,” BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood said in a statement.
“She left an incredible legacy as a player, and now after years of competing at the professional level she returns to continue building on that foundation. Her wealth of experience and knowledge of the game will be an enormous benefit to our current roster and the next generation of Cougar players.”
During her playing career at BYU, Cluff was a four-time All-American selection and two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year. As a senior in 2021, she was named Top Drawer Soccer’s Player of the Year and led the Cougars to their first-ever national championship game appearance.
Cluff ranks second at BYU all-time in both goals (53) and assists (39). Following graduation, she played five seasons in the NWSL for the Orlando Pride, Utah Royals and Seattle Reign FC, having been selected No. 14 overall by Orlando in the league’s 2022 draft.
Cluff’s husband, Jackson, a former BYU baseball standout, currently plays in the New York Mets organization.
Despite finishing eighth in the conference standings this past season, Rockwood’s BYU squad scored a number of upset victories to capture the Big 12 tournament championship and reach the NCAA tournament’s round of 16.
📹 From Abidjan to football’s biggest stages: Yan Diomande’s story
Yellow dust, the heat of Abidjan, and the rhythmic sound of a ball bouncing on hard asphalt: on the streets of Sicogi, football is the only language everyone understands. It was there, between hope and hardship, that Yan Diomande’s extraordinary journey began.
Long before becoming one of the most sought-after young talents, he was fighting for an opportunity on the streets of West Africa — often without proper boots, but always with a clear goal in mind.
“In Ivory Coast, we didn’t play with boots,” he recalls, thinking back to the days when his talent seemed like his only way out.
Watch (original in English):
From a childhood dream to a professional debut
To get a real pair of boots, you needed money — and at the time, neither Yan nor his family had any. Driven by his dream, he made a difficult decision at a young age: to leave home and join a football academy, dedicating himself completely to the sport.
There, he found a key figure in his mentor, Bamba, who looked after the boys and made sure they had the equipment they needed. It was at that point that football stopped being just a hobby and became something much more serious.
“I wanted to show them: this is my passion, and I can build something from it,” says the 19-year-old, reflecting on the determination that already defined him back then.
USA: An intense life lesson
His exceptional talent took him to DME Academy in Florida. It was a leap into a completely different world, far from the heat and far from home. “It’s not easy to go so far away from your family,” he says, remembering the loneliness of those first months — made even harder by the time difference.
Without speaking a word of English, he persevered and taught himself the language using an app. In Florida, he not only developed as a player but also matured quickly as a person. “Now I feel like I could live on my own forever,” he says about that formative period.
Success came soon after. The first trophy he won in the United States is still something he deeply cherishes to this day.
Spain: Tragedy and triumph
In January 2025, his big dream finally seemed within reach. A move to Spanish top-flight club Leganés was about to happen. But then tragedy struck: shortly before signing his contract, his younger sister passed away.
Even so, he decided to turn the darkest moment of his life into a source of inspiration. Since then, his sister has remained constantly present in his thoughts: “I think about her a lot, because today I have everything and I can’t share it with her.”
Carrying that emotional burden, he soon found himself facing some of the biggest names in world football in La Liga. Before his first professional match against Real Madrid, he barely slept, torn between nerves and grief. Suddenly, the boy from Africa was on the same pitch as his idols. A dream had come true — but his story was far from over.
When he scored his first professional goal against Espanyol that spring, the emotion overflowed. The tears he shed on the pitch were for his sister. “My dream was to make her happy and proud,” he says today.
In that moment, the football world realized something important: Yan does not play only for points. He plays for a promise that will never fade.
Leipzig: A pillar for his family
Now, Yan has arrived in Leipzig — a move he says he did not need to think twice about, so certain was he that it was the right step. He is deeply grateful for the development the club can offer him, because it also allows him to fulfill what matters most off the pitch.
“Not everyone gets an opportunity like this. I thank God for being so blessed,” he says. For him, the greatest achievement is being able, even at a young age, to be an example and a source of support for his family.
The journey that began on the dusty streets of Abidjan is still far from over. And Yan knows exactly who he is playing for every time he steps onto the pitch.
Alabama prospect Ty Simpson continues to turn heads ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. The quarterback became the No. 2 quarterback in this year’s class after Dante Moore decided to return to Oregon for one more season.
Simpson has made the most of every opportunity he’s had to showcase his talents. He drew attention during the combine last month, and his Pro Day was another opportunity to show NFL teams that he is ready to compete at the highest level.
Speaking on his readiness for the league, Simpson made a confident statement, saying he was a lock to the first round.
“Absolutely,” Simpson said. “I feel like I’ve done everything I can, but it’s not up to me. I just know that wherever I go, I’m going to give it my all and make sure I’ll put my best foot forward.
“There’s going to be a lot of questions around my name. I know what I’m capable of, and I know whoever gets me is going to get a good player and a guy who loves football and a guy who loves the team and loves being a part of something bigger than himself.”
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) looks to pass against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Simpson unlocked his potential in 2025. He completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns. During his duel with Fernando Mendoza at the CFP, he left Alabama’s 38-3 blowout loss with a rib injury.
Dan Orlovsky says Ty Simpson is better than Fernando Mendoza
During Monday’s edition of ESPN’s “Get Up,” former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky said that Ty Simpson would enter the league as a better player than Fernando Mendoza, widely considered this year’s QB1.
“I think Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this class. I think when you look at the body of work and what was asked of these two quarterbacks, you have to start with the question, who needed to do more to carry their football team to play well? Ty Simpson, and it’s not close. Between those two quarterbacks who took more games over throughout the course of the season? Ty Simpson, it’s not even close.”
Simpson added more to that notion during his Pro Day, but as things stand right now, the Las Vegas Raiders will go with Mendoza with the No. 1 pick next month.
The Atlanta Falcons have added another running back, officially signing veteran Tyler Goodson to the roster on Thursday afternoon. Goodson, a former undrafted free agent, has spent the last three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
The 25-year-old has appeared in 33 games since entering the league in 2023. For his career, Goodson has rushed for 264 yards while adding 19 receptions for 103 receiving yards and two total touchdowns.
Not only will the Georgia native provide depth behind Bijan Robinson, but he has experience as a kick return specialist. Goodson has racked up 297 return yards on 11 career kick return attempts.
The Falcons did not re-sign Tyler Allgeier in free agency but have reportedly agreed to terms with former Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr.
Check out the team's updated roster below (free-agent additions in bold).
2026 has been a big opportunity for the New Orleans Saints, as they have finally found some cap space to work with, allowing them to bring in some crucial free agents. This has applied heavily to the offense so far, and the defense has been somewhat quiet, with Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor on their way out.
One of the biggest changes of the entire offseason, though, happened on special teams, with the Saints finally bringing in a veteran punter who has proven experience at the NFL level, rather than just repeatedly supplementing it with undrafted free agents. This is a huge positive for New Orleans, as two of its four special teams positions have undergone a change since 2025.
Here is how things currently stack up with their special teams starters, based on how the roster is constructed pre-draft.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates a three point shot during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
INDIANAPOLIS — The ball left his right hand before the building could fully exhale.
Caitlin Clark, a credentialed photographer for the night, had come to document greatness. As she crouched along the baseline with her camera raised, she found herself bearing witness to something that looked like something plucked from a fever dream.
Luka Dončić had the ball at the top of the arc. The shot clock, a suggestion; the defense, a formality.
He rose, released, and the net barely moved.
21 points in the first quarter; 43 for the night, and the Los Angeles Lakers — tired, short-handed, the sting of a nine-game winning streak still snapped two nights earlier in Detroit, still lingered — had just put the Indiana Pacers in a blender and pressed puree.
The final score read 137-130.
But, again. Numbers lie.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team finding its spine on a six-game, nine-day road trip that had no business ending this well.
At the helm, a 27-year-old Slovenian who has decided that 40-point nights, now, are simply part of his routine — his 60th career 40-point game, tying Damian Lillard for 15th most all-time, his 14th such night this season alone.
This was about a 40-year-old who moves through basketball like a Thelonious Monk, a jazz musician who has memorized every solo ever played and still finds new notes.
And this transformation is about a locker room that has stopped making excuses.
The Lakers scored the first 10 points of the game––they never trailed.
By the time the first quarter ended, they hung 45 on Indiana's home floor–– Dončić had 21 of them.
In the NBA, it's a luxury to have a starter like Dončić who can get early leads and sustain the spark throughout the game. He's unstoppable in a one-on-one situation, with range, savvy, and capabilities that many defenders aren't accustomed to seeing.
Dončić finished 15 of 30 from the field, 9 of 10 from the line. He has 11 straight games with at least 30 points.
11 straight.
The man has been a Laker for 13 months, and he's already stacking his name next to the franchise's most prolific scorers with a casualness that borders on absurd.
With ice packs already strapped to various joints, Dončić sat at the mic postgame.
"I think we did a great job," Dončić said. "You know, even the game we lost, we could have won. I think just not giving up. You know, we're numerous times, teams running and run, and we didn't give up and just get back in the game."
That nonchalance — that "we could have won" about a game they actually lost — is the quiet confidence that has permeated this roster.
They have won 13 of 15. They went 5-1 on a road trip that included Miami, Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Orlando, Detroit and Indiana.
They have done it with injuries, with rotations in flux, with a third-string center playing like a starter, and even Bronny James played as if he belonged.
LeBron James scored 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. One rebound and one assist shy of another triple-double, which has become its own form of routine for him.
But the numbers don't capture what happened Wednesday night. Not really.
JJ Redick, the pansophical coach who has reshaped this team's identity from the ground up, put it simply:
"I used the word patience the other night," Redick said. "I think that's the biggest thing is just having patience — having patience with the flow of the game, having patience with me, having patience with his shots. But again, we saw the other night when he was 0 for 4, 0 for 5 in the first half, he still had five or six assists. He ends up with nine assists tonight. He gets out in transition. We gave him a clear sort of — and a lot of it was collaborative. A lot of it was the conversation that him and I had a couple weeks ago about what his role could look like that would impact winning at a really high level."
In Year 23, James spoke with Redick about his role. And then he simply executed the four things they agreed upon.
That's the part that should terrify the Western Conference.
"He was 23, nine and nine," Redick said. "He just does what he does."
Jaxson Hayes grew up an hour and a half from Gainbridge Fieldhouse. His family was in the building.
His parents, now empty nesters after his younger siblings moved to college, drove up with him from Cincinnati after a night at home. His mother made him breakfast. His father spent the day with him. They had dinner together.
"I mean, I live, I grew up an hour and a half away, so my whole family was here," Hayes said. "I'm going to have the energy there for sure."
He had 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting, 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Hayes caught lobs from everyone — Dončić, James, Austin Reaves, all of them treating the rim like a carnival game and Hayes like the prize. He had the first double-double of his season, season highs in points and rebounds, and he did it in front of the people who taught him how to play.
"Obviously, he's a lob threat," Dončić said. "Plays hard. It's fun. It's good to see him out there having fun as well."
And then there was Bronny.
The moment arrived in the fourth quarter: LeBron and Bronny checking in at the same time. Father and son, on an NBA floor together, contributing to a win.
The younger James played meaningful minutes, made one of the biggest shots of the night — a pull-up jumper that pushed the lead back to 15 when Indiana was threatening to make things interesting.
"He made one of the biggest shots of the night with the pull-up to — I think we were up 13 at the time or something," Dončić said. "Got it to 15. He just needs reps. That's it. He played hard. Did what he was supposed to do. I was really happy for him."
Redick was more expansive, as he usually is.
"It's gotten significantly better," Redick said. "I know our staff has a lot of confidence in him. Felt like this was a game we really needed him. It was a game that his athleticism, his defense — he had two really good defensive possessions, individual defense in the first half. I think the biggest thing with him is he's got a lot of confidence right now. I know he didn't make his three tonight, but he's got a lot of confidence in his shot right now. He's having a fantastic season with South Bay. He's been arguably the best player for like the last three or four weeks in our stay-ready games, every single time. He just has a bounce to his step right now."
That bounce. That confidence. That development.
Redick called Bronny a test case earlier this season — a proof of concept for how the organization could develop young talent.
Wednesday night, the test case delivered.
Los Angeles forced 18 turnovers. They scored 29 points off those turnovers. They had 15 steals as a team.
Jake LaRavia, who didn't crack double figures in scoring, had four steals and a handful of deflections that never made the box score but changed the game anyway.
It may not show up in the stat sheet in terms of his points or his production, but those are the types of plays that require minimal skill or talent, that travel on the road.
Defense is a mindset.
It's a willingness to put your body in harm's way and not be a guy who's worrying about who gets the credit. You just want to win.
Redick has built something in Los Angeles.
It's not just the offense — though the offense has been humming, with four players scoring 20 or more points Wednesday night, with 40 points in the paint in the first half alone.
It's the accountability. It's the culture.
There's been a laundry list of reasons why the Lakers haven't been as successful.
That's changed.
Redick has created a locker room culture where nobody on that team wants to be the one guy who didn't rotate on defense and knows that's going to get talked about on film.
No one wants to be the one guy who offensively didn't move the ball when he was supposed to move it because they know that they're going to get held accountable for those things.
That has raised the level of what this team has been able to sustain night in and night out.
There are no names on the banners that teams hang in the arena.
Just the team. The year. The record.
"We're obviously in that playoff race right now," Hayes said. "Everything we do right now is building us up and just building character towards the playoffs and building our foundation of how we want to play for the playoffs. We really needed this trip, and I feel like it was good for us."
The Pacers made it interesting at the end. They always do. That's who they are.
They cut the lead to 131-124 with 45 seconds left. James hit two free throws. Jarace Walker hit a 3 to make it 133-127. But the Lakers did what they set out to accomplish.
5-1 on a six-game road trip; 13 wins in their last 15 games.
They sit in third place in the Western Conference with nine games remaining.
Their plane ride home will feel a lot lighter than the one that brought them here.
Before the flight, Redick was asked about the trip. He talked about Luka scoring a lot of buckets. He talked about losing a golf hole to Dončić the day before — "I made triple bogey from 136 in the middle of the fairway" — and how he let him win, or maybe he didn't, but that's between them.
Then he was asked about the defense, about the mindset, about everything that has made this stretch possible.
"Really good trip for us," Redick said. "You know, there was a couple games that you sort of look at — the Miami game and this game where we get in late at Miami and it's probably one of three or four teams that would be like the worst-case scenario just in terms of how fast they play and how they make you guard on every possession. And then to end the trip, it's sort of the same situation with how Indiana plays. They just play with so much pace, both in the full court and in the half court."
He paused.
"For what we had talked about this morning and pregame, our guys really did a lot of great things."
They did.
Dončić did what Dončić does; LeBron did what LeBron does.
The bench did what the bench has learned to do.
And a team that could have folded after a nine-game winning streak snapped, on the final night of a grueling road trip, with three key players in street clothes, simply refused to lose.
The ball left Luka's hand before the building could fully exhale.
Caitlin Clark caught it with her camera.
The Lakers caught it with their season.
And somewhere in the calculus of what this team is becoming, the numbers stopped mattering, and the feeling of being a team took over.
There's exciting news for soccer fans still waiting to get their hands on World Cup tickets.
FIFA announced tickets will be available to the general public on April 1st, beginning at 11am.
This is the final phase of ticket sales for all 104 games played across the three host countries, including six matches here in Philadelphia.
They will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis through the end of the tournament.
Fans will be able to immediately see the matches and categories for which tickets are available, select specific seats, proceed with the purchase and receive confirmation once payment is completed.
To select specific seats, fans can choose directly from the seat map option, or they can use the "Book the best seat" feature.
ON OPENING DAY: Since 1876, the first year of the National League, the Cubs have opened the season against 28 different teams. This will be their second against the Nationals. They lost to them at home, 2-1, on April 5, 2012. When the Nationals were the Montreal Expos, the Cubs were 1-2 against them in openers, winning in 1973 and losing in 1983 and 2001. All games were at Wrigley Field. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
IN MARCH: The Cubs are 10-13 in games played in March. Their first such game was in 1998. They played two in 2000, then one each in 2003, 2008 and 2014. Starting in 2018, they have played 17: three in 2018 and 2019, one in 2023, three in 2024 and seven last year. The Cubs have been the home team for only five of the 23 games, and three of those were in Tokyo, against the Mets in 2000 and against the Dodgers last year. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
IN MARCH AT WRIGLEY FIELD: The team’s only two previous games in March at Wrigley Field were against the Brewers. On March 31, 2008, Kosuke Fukudome, in his first game, hit a home run with two men on base and nobody out in the ninth inning to tie the score at 3. Craig Counsell doubled leading off the Brewers’ 10th and scored on a bunt, hit by pitch and sacrifice fly. The Cubs went down in order and lost, 4-3. On March 30, 2023, the Cubs won, 4-0, as Marcus Stroman and three relievers combined to allow four hits, walk five and strike out 12. The Cubs scored all their runs in the third inning on three singles, two walks and an error. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
LAST YEAR’S HOME OPENER: In 2025, the Cubs had played nine games before they opened at Wrigley Field, including two “home” games in the Tokyo Dome. They had a 5-4 record when they faced the Padres on April 4, 2025. The Cubs won the game 3-1, getting 7.1 strong innings from Shōta Imanaga.
Matthew Boyd had an excellent 2025, making the NL All-Star team, though he did run out of gas late in the season.
After being hit hard in Game 1 of the division series against the Brewers, he recovered to have an outstanding outing in Game 4.
Against the Nationals last year, Boyd made two starts, allowing 11 hits, one walk and four runs in 14.2 innings (2.45 ERA).
Boyd was particularly effective at Wrigley Field last year, posting a 2.51 ERA and 0.903 WHIP in 15 starts at home. The Cubs went 13-2 in those 15 games.
This will be his third Opening Day start (also 2020 and 2021 with the Tigers).
Cade Cavalli was the Nats’ first round pick in 2020 (22nd overall), taken six picks after the Cubs took Ed Howard and three picks after Pete Crow-Armstrong went to the Mets.
He was a Top 100 prospect three years in a row (2021-23), then missed the entire 2023 season with Tommy John surgery. He made 10 starts for the Nats last year and the results were okay: 4.25 ERA, 1.479 WHIP. He has never faced the Cubs or anyone on the Cubs’ active roster.
Please visit our SB Nation Nationals site Federal Baseball. If you do go there to interact with Nationals fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
The scars on Jason Pridmore’s lower legs invite questions on the golf course. Pridmore guesses he has broken his legs four or five times in his life. He lost his spleen and has suffered the occasional shoulder, collarbone, hand or wrist injury but despite all that, Pridmore, 56, is checking in at a +1.8 handicap as he begins a second life in sport.
Needless to say, Pridmore brings a vastly different background to high-level senior amateur golf than most competitors. The Ventura, California, native raced motorcycles professionally for more than 20 years and his decorated career included 21 American Motorcycle Association national titles. He spent two seasons riding for the Michael Jordan Motorsports team (yes, that Michael Jordan) and then, as a swan song, spent the final six years of his active racing career competing in endurance championships across the globe.
Pridmore now works as an expert analyst for the MotoAmerica SuperBike Championship, which is considered the premier motorcycle road racing series in the U.S, but is diving deeper and deeper into senior amateur golf. He qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur in 2025 and is currently gushing about what a cool experience he had at the Jones Cup Senior (where, by the way, he logged one of the lowest final-round scores to climb 23 spots up the leaderboard and into the top 10).
He insists there are many parallels between golf and racing, even if there is a very clear difference in pace.
“My sport was always fast, it was 180 mph, 190 mph at some of the race tracks we went to,” he said. “People say, ‘Man, there can’t be two things further apart.’ I say, ‘No, I’m a lot more comfortable going fast than I am over a three-foot putt.’”
While motorcycle racing is reactionary, Pridmore notes the obvious about golf: That there's a lot more thinking time, a lot more time to prepare and also a lot more time to live with the consequences of any given shot.
“Being patient on a golf course was a lot harder for me because you go into holes thinking, this is easier, that’s harder or whatever and I’ve really learned how to adopt different ways of thinking around a golf course than obviously riding a motorcycle,” he said. “And to be fair, I’ve probably learned more about golf in the last year and half playing in tournaments with some of these guys that I’ve been able to meet than I have in the last 10 years of playing.”
Pridmore will tee it up in Golfweek’s back-to-back senior amateur events in Palm Desert, California, to end the month. The fields at the Golfweek Senior Division National Championship (March 27-29) and the Golfweek Senior Amateur (March 31-April 2) are typically some of the strongest on the calendar. They will offer Pridmore another step into the realm of competition in which he is already proving he belongs.
Pridmore has been playing golf since he was a teenager – borrowing a set of clubs one summer day in the 1980s when he and a buddy were both waiting for the top ends of their bikes to be rebuilt. From there, Pridmore was hooked.
As he barreled toward a racing career, however, Pridmore was so focused on motorcycles that competitive golf took a backseat. But before retiring from racing, Pridmore scored a breakthrough in golf by qualifying for the 2006 U.S. Amateur, to be played at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. Pridmore advanced through a 36-hole qualifier at Hacienda Country Club in Southern California.
Interestingly, Pridmore began that qualifier with a round of 4 over and trailed roughly 20 players entering the afternoon round. He snap-hooked his tee shot on the first hole of the second 18, watched it fly over a fence then ricochet back in bounds and from there, went on to post a bogey-free round of 4-under 67.
It earned him a spot in the tournament proper – only Pridmore would never make it that far.
Having flown to Minnesota to log some early practice rounds, Pridmore spent the weekend before the U.S. Am racing in Virginia. During the race, however, Pridmore broke his ankle.
“I actually got on the plane, I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m missing the U.S. Amateur,’” he said. “I got on the plane to try and go there and I couldn’t get off the plane, so I had to withdraw so that was a real shame.”
At the time, Pridmore was riding for Jordan, who was equally bummed that Pridmore didn’t get to play in the event. The incident “crushed me for like two years,” Pridmore admits, and he continued to play U.S. Amateur qualifying as his schedule and body allowed. The break to his left ankle haunted him perhaps more than any other injury, especially as he and longtime instructor Steve Holmes grooved his swing into one that relies on the ground for power.
“On good days it’s fine, but it was one of the reasons I kind of stopped trying to qualify for the U.S. Amateur was because I just couldn’t walk 36 holes, my leg wouldn’t allow it,” he said.
Pridmore has since qualified for two U.S. Mid-Amateurs (and made it to the tee unscathed in both) in addition to the Senior Amateur in the summer of 2025.
Since turning 55 in October 2024 and finishing eighth in the California Senior Amateur shortly after, Pridmore has been climbing in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and melding into the senior golf community.
“I like the camaraderie,” he said. “They’ve all got really interesting stories, a lot of them are CEOs or they played collegiate golf, which I never got the chance to do, and some of them are pros. So I find a lot of their stories very intriguing, so I really enjoy playing in them.”
Varied though the fields may be, it’s safe to say Pridmore remains one of a kind in this setting.
No. 6 seed Tennessee (24-11) will play No. 2 seed Iowa State (29-7) Friday in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
Tipoff between the Vols and Cyclones is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. EDT at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. TBS and truTV will televise the contest.
Iowa State advanced to the Sweet 16 with an, 82-63, victory over Kentucky on March 22.
Featured players for the Cyclones include: Milan Momcilovic (guard); Joshua Jefferson (forward), Tamin Lipsey (guard) and Killyan Toure (guard).
Momcilovic totaled 20 points, five rebounds, two steals and one assist in the Cyclones' victory over Kentucky. He is averaging 17.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, one assist, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks per game. Momcilovic has appeared in 36 games, including 36 starts.
Jefferson will be a game-time decision against the Vols after suffering an ankle injury in Iowa Stare's tournament opener against Tennessee State. He has appeared in 35 games, including 35 starts, and is averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.
Lipsey is averaging 13.3 points, 5.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. He recorded 26 points, 10 assists, five assists and three rebounds against Kentucky.
Toure had 10 points, four rebounds, three steals and one assist against the Wildcats. He is averaging 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.2 blocks per game.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 18: Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
As the 2025-26 season draws towards a disappointing end, the New Jersey Devils enter a summer where they will have a number of players with one year remaining on multi-year deals. This means they will be eligible to sign an extension as soon as the beginning of free agency on July 1. Today, we look at the players who are available to sign those extensions, and whether or not the Devils should be extending the offer to them. Of note, this article does not discuss anyone who is a restricted free agent this coming summer (Paul Cotter, Arseny Gritsyuk and Simon Nemec) as they are all still under team control.
Each player will be ranked as Absolutely the team will offer them a contract, Probably offered one by the Devils, Probably Not offered one by the Devils, or No Way the team should be trying to extend the player.
The Extendables
Nico Hischier – Absolutely
If the Devils don’t offer their captain a new contract this summer, I have even more concerns about the current management group than I already do. While Hischier is having a bit of a down year, who on the Devils isn’t? Hischier is still one of the most valuable Devils and is a useful player in all situations. Additionally, a lot of pundits and fans are already worried about the Devils’ center depth; could you imagine how much worse it would be without Nico? Find his price point, offer him seven years at that number, and get this done this summer to decrease every fan’s anxiety level.
Stefan Noesen – No Way
I was a big fan of the Noesen signing when it was announced last summer and Noesen’s return to New Jersey was a success with him establishing new career highs of 22 goals and 41 points. This season has been marred by injury, both before the season started and during it as well. With a steep decline of only seven points in 38 games, I think the Devils wait an see if Noesen can bounce back both in terms of health and play next season before offering him a new deal. If he doesn’t, they can cut him loose more easily.
Cody Glass – Probably
Glass has been one of the few Devils where there’s little to no complaining about his play this season. Usually responsible on the ice, Glass has also contributed a career high 15 goals in 58 appearances so far this season all while being mostly a third line center. The one knock against him is probably his injury history, but when he’s available, Glass is playing excellent hockey. With how thin the center market was last summer, the fact again that the Devils’ center depth isn’t fantastic and that Glass is still young, I would rather the Devils just offer him a contract extension this summer rather than waiting until next when he could hit unrestricted free agency.
Max Tsyplakov – No Way
Easy choice and easy justification here. Tsyplakov has contributed very little in his time as a Devil. Maybe he gets better acclimated and turns it around next season, leading to an offer down the line, but he’s not worth extending this summer. Honestly, I think there’s a better chance of a mutual contract termination than of an extension.
Nick Bjugstad – No Way
Bjugstad I could see sticking around as a big body in the Bottom Six, but I don’t see the Devils offering him an extension this summer. Much like Tsyplakov, there’s too small of a sample size here for the team to have any incentive to offer an extension beyond next season to Bjugstad. I do think he brings more in the sense of size and physicality, but with Bjugstad also having a lot of NHL miles on him, I don’t see the Devils committing beyond what they’ve already got with next season.
Brenden Dillon – Probably Not
I’ll be honest in saying that I wouldn’t be upset if Brenden Dillon was offered a one or two year extension by Devils’ management. He’s still decent enough defensively and is always standing up for teammates if he’s on the ice when something goes down. At the same time, he brings nothing offensively and does take some absolutely dumb penalties. The main thing to consider here is will there be another left handed defender such as Anton Silayev that the Devils feel they need to work in? If the team thinks he (or another lefty in the system) will be ready in two seasons even for sheltered minutes, then Dillon’s spot is the easiest to move that player into with his contract ending next summer.
Dawson Mercer – Probably
Mercer is the one player I hesitated to put on this list, as he technically has one more season as a restricted free agent where the Devils organization have control. There is a percentage of the fan base that is frustrated that he hasn’t progressed, and, if anything, has regressed offensively from his first couple of seasons, and I can understand the concern as Mercer is consistently featured in the Top Six. With the season of control, I see the Devils either offering him a new deal this summer or next; one way or another, the team isn’t going to let him walk for nothing. Absolute worst case scenario is they decide to trade Mercer this summer or next; I do think he’s worth keeping for his utility, the team just needs to get some other players to push Mercer a little further down the lineup.
Your Take
What are your thoughts on the players that the Devils have available for contract extensions this summer? Do you think Hischier is the only sure fire one to be offered a deal? Do you want to see new deals extended to Glass and Mercer as I do? Is there a chance Brenden Dillon is offered more years in red and black? Is your opinion different for anyone in the No Way tier? Leave any and all comments down below and thanks as always for reading!
Feb 14, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Washington State third baseman Ollie Obenour takes a throw but can’t catch Alabama base runner Brennan Holt (4) who steals third at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Alabama played a double header against Washington State Saturday to escape Sunday’s forecast rain. | Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Coming off a tough midweek result against Gonzaga, Washington State looks to continue their strong start to the home slate against one of the top teams in the Mountain West.
Last weekend, WSU completed a three-game sweep of Grand Canyon in their return to the Palouse. WSU started the season with a 7-12 road trip, which is currently ranked as the 20th toughest non-conference strength of schedule in the country. The Warren Nolan RPI is the most widely available ranking system in college baseball, and with live results, the rankings are constantly moving. As the teams WSU played on the road continue to have better or worse results, the rankings will reflect that accordingly. But as of right now, the Cougs have played one of the hardest schedules in the country to start the season.
A 3-0 home start is an extremely welcome sight, especially on the pitching side of things. Winning the contests against GCU 7-3, 6-5, and 6-2, the Cougs got consistent offense all weekend. But more promising was the pitching. WSU got three quality starts against Grand Canyon, something that was rare on their 19-game road trip. Nick Lewis turned in a six-inning, three-run performance on Friday, Griffin Smith made it into the 7th only allowing one earned run on Saturday, and Luke Meyers produced a six-inning shutout on Sunday. On both Saturday and Sunday, the bullpen faltered, forcing the Cougar offense to come to the rescue for an extra-inning win in game 2 and to conjure a four-spot in the 8th of the finale. Nonetheless, there were positive signs for the Cougs in Mountain West play, a hitter-friendly conference, and for their home slate.
Unfortunately, that pitching did not make the trip to Spokane on Wednesday night. The Cougar pitching staff allowed 9 runs in the 7th, resulting in a run-rule loss. The Cougs fell down 4-0 in the first behind a rough second outing from Brock Blatter, who is returning from injury. The offense traveled, coming back to tie the game at 6-6 behind a two-home-run game from Matt Priest. Eight runs weren’t enough, however, as the Zags took a 10-8 lead into the stretch and pulled away late. Gonzaga is 59th in the RPI, so it’s not a loss that significantly hurts the Cougs, but the pitching struggles are concerning.
WSU comes home from Spokane to take on the preseason favorite in the Mountain West, the Nevada Wolfpack. Nevada is 13-8 overall and shares the same conference record as WSU at 4-2. They currently rank 98th in the RPI (WSU is 72nd). While the metrics really love WSU’s profile, an at-large bid to the tournament seems unlikely. Barring a great run in conference play, which is feasible, the Cougs would have to win the conference to make the postseason. For those not familiar with the Mountain West Baseball tournament (I was not either), the top 6 seeds will face off in a double-elimination tournament, with the top two seeds getting a bye. While the metrics don’t put an at-large bid out of the question, frankly, I don’t think this team can be consistent enough to put together that kind of record. However, finishing at the top of the conference would be a welcome sign for third-year head coach Nathan Choate. You can’t be too picky about progress.
This weekend is the first step in that journey, as the Cougs can separate themselves atop the pack (no pun intended). Washington State will take on Nevada this Friday at 4:05 p.m., Saturday at 2:05 p.m., and Sunday at noon, all streaming on the Mountain West Network.
If you want to hear more about Cougar baseball, check out my podcast! Longtime WSU faculty member and baseball superfan Brandon “Chappy” Chapman and I sat down and talked about the Cougars’ road trip before the home opener last weekend.
Ludvig Åberg has spoken about his decision to reject LIV Golf when the opportunity to join the breakaway league emerged before he started playing on the PGA Tour.
While LIV continues to divide opinion, there is no question that the league has done an excellent job of convincing young players to turn their back on the pathway that could lead to the PGA Tour.
The likes of David Puig, Caleb Surratt, Josele Ballester, and Michael La Sasso have all signed with LIV rather than try to establish themselves on the PGA Tour.
Others, including Ludvig Åberg, have opted to turn down the chance to join LIV.
Ludvig Åberg says why he rejected the chance to join LIV Golf
Åberg enjoyed a meteoric rise following his decision to turn professional in the summer of 2023. He was picked to play in the Ryder Cup before he had even played in a major.
He also won on both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour before 2024 arrived.
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Speaking on the Fore Play Podcast, Åberg confirmed that he received interest from LIV before he burst onto the scene. However, he had no intention of accepting their approaches.
“Yeah, I think so [LIV were interested]. I got some offers when I was still in school. But I was with [agent] Butler [Melnyk] at the time still, but I was pretty straightforward and honest from the start that I wasn’t really interested. I love the history of the game, so to me that just wasn’t in that lane. That wasn’t even an option,” he said.
“Obviously golf, there’s so many little stories to it. If you’re watching a tournament, there’s all these little stories about previous tournaments, or just making the cut on Friday, that’s a big deal. There’s so many different storylines you can follow. I think that’s what makes it cool.”
A Cold War between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s best youngsters is underway
It is going to be fascinating to see which pathway benefits younger players more in the years to come.
Åberg is someone you would not be at all surprised to see contend at The Masters in a few weeks. He finished second on his debut at Augusta National back in 2024.
But there are players such as Luke Clanton and Nick Dunlap who have really struggled after making incredibly bright starts to their PGA Tour careers.
LIV players will argue that playing against the likes of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau in every single tournament is only going to benefit them in the long run.
However, it is true that the only player to secure their first professional win at a LIV Golf event is Eugenio Chacarra back in 2022. Chacarra no longer even plays on LIV.
Some may argue that highlights just how much quality there is on LIV. But at some stage, these younger players are going to have to be able to break out of the shadow of the superstars of the league.
You could certainly see Puig or Ballester doing that at some stage. However, they all have some catching up to do before they can compete with Åberg.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 03: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers during a game at Raymond James Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the most active teams in free agency thus far, adding 11 free agents, with wide receiver Mike Evans leading the charge as the top signee.
Heading into the offseason, the 49ers were in a great spot financially, even with Trent Williams holding a $38.8 million cap hit (which has since increased to over $47 million). That allowed them to target their needs, as they added a top wide receiver, traded for a starting defensive tackle, and got depth at left tackle, left guard, wideout, linebacker, and cornerback.
There are still a few more holes to address, such as defensive end following the retirement of Bryce Huff, but the 49ers are in no rush to sign free agents and could wait until the compensatory formula is no longer a factor.
So far, where do the 49ers rank amongst the most improved rosters in the NFL?
ESPN’s Ben Solak recently did a ranking of the most improved rosters in the NFL, taking into account the following factors:
The value they got for the money they spent
The flexibility of their roster approaching the draft
The contract details that provide them leverage
How they manipulated the compensatory pick formula
What they could have done but didn’t do
He also looked into key departures, while grading on the following factors more than those who just spent the most money.
With that said, Solak had the 49ers at No. 2 on the most improved list, trailing only the Pittsburgh Steelers. What did he like the most?
“The Evans deal. This was one of the most team-friendly signings in this free agency period,” Solak wrote. “With only $14 million guaranteed at signing and most of his 2027 and 2028 money tied into option bonuses, the 49ers are committed to Evans for only one season, which would be important should he look completely unplayable in his age-33 season. Far more likely, Evans should fill a valuable role of vertical specialist, third-down stick mover and red zone matchup nightmare.
“Remember the short-yardage issues that the Niners endured against the Seahawks’ stifling run defense? Evans is the answer to that. If he’s even 75% of his prime self, the 49ers got an enormous deal on a ring-chasing veteran leader.”
Additionally, there wasn’t a move Solak didn’t like, citing the trade for Osa Odighizuwa and the signing of Christian Kirk as key moves.
“The Odighizuwa trade was an enormous boon,” Solak continued. “A third-round pick for a rising 28-year-old with three years of team control at a premium position of massive need? Home run! And the fliers on Hobbs and Greenlaw should be exactly the shot in the arm this defense needs. At worst, they will play rotational roles; at best, they could return to starting form.
“I had WR depth questions, too, but in comes Kirk. If the 49ers can just keep Trent Williams in the building for one more year and get full recoveries from Mykel Williams (knee) and Nick Bosa (knee), I’ll be a full believer.”
At No. 2, the 49ers ranked well above the rest of the NFC West. The Los Angeles Rams came in at No. 12, with Solak pointing out the team’s fearlessness in the trade for Trent McDuffie and the signing of Jaylen Watson. But, they got dinged for not having a WR3 yet.
The Arizona Cardinals came in at No. 16, thanks to solid value on deals for guard Isaac Seumalo and Tyler Allgeier, while they got dinged for their lack of plan at quarterback. The Seattle Seahawks, meanwhile, were all the way at No. 25, due to the amount of talent that left the building.
The 49ers still have a lot of room to add to their roster with cap space remaining and six draft picks still left in the 2026 NFL Draft. But they’re off to a good start in the offseason.
Opening Day sets the stage as the Milwaukee Brewers visit the Chicago White Sox to begin the 2026 Major League Baseball season, with both clubs entering the year in very different competitive positions but looking to start strong.
Oct 16, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) reacts after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) for the last out of the third inning of game three of the NLCS during the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Brewers come into 2026 with playoff expectations once again, built around a proven formula of elite pitching, strong defense, and timely offense. After remaining a consistent contender in recent seasons, Milwaukee’s focus is on winning a competitive division and proving they can carry regular-season success into a deeper postseason run. Games like Opening Day matter for setting the tone, especially for a team that wins by consistency and execution.
The Chicago White Sox, meanwhile, are in a development and rebound phase after recent struggles, with expectations centered more on progress than immediate contention. The emphasis is on improving overall roster stability, evaluating young talent, and building toward future competitiveness. A strong Opening Day showing at home would be an early step in establishing confidence and direction for a team looking to climb back into relevance.
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Jamie Carragher’s horrible prediction for Chelsea’s key players is every fan’s nightmare
Jamie Carragher has been speaking about Enzo Fernandez’s quotes, and has pointed out the harsh truth to Chelsea fans.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE
Sky Sports’ The Overlap this week has come to our rescue during this international break with some good content.
Jamie Carragher gave a reaction to Enzo Fernandez’s flirtation with leaving the club which sadly is just what we’ve been thinking all along:
“I can’t believe the Enzo Fernandez stuff. I think Chelsea have got five or six really brilliant players, really good. Reece James, [Moises] Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, [Cole] Palmer, Joao Pedro up front. But eventually they will go, ‘what the f**k is this, I should be playing for a team going for the Champions League’.”
“You can’t keep ‘building’ – building for what?”
You can see their discussion in the clip embedded here:
Enzo departure could trigger major exodus
This is what we’ve said all along. It’s one thing to lose Enzo – and we think we could survive that, and maybe even improve if we get a load of money and spend it well.
But that’s not the point. The point is that if Enzo jumps ship, that means others are thinking the same. Not only that – if he goes, it only makes things seem worse for those others left behind.
In other news…
One recent big departure from Chelsea is not having everything his own way at his new home.
Brighton are chasing the same winger target as Chelsea, and have a unique advantage in their chase for the Bundesliga star.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Corey Seager and the Texas Rangers begin the 2026 MLB season looking to get back to the postseason, two years removed from winning a World Series title.
Sep 12, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) pitches against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
How to Watch Texas Rangers 2026 MLB Regular Season
Opening Day: Thursday, March 26, 2026
TV Channel: Rangers Sports Network (local); MLB.TV (out-of-market)
You can catch the Rangers all season long with a subscription to Fubo. Regular-season games will be broadcast live locally on Rangers Sports Network and out-of-market on MLB.TV, both of which you can live stream with Fubo. The best part is that you can test out the services today for free.
The Rangers enter the 2026 season coming off a .500 2025 campaign (81–81) in which they finished third in the AL West and missed the playoffs for a second straight year, a step back from their 2023 World Series title window. Despite flashes of strong pitching and overall competitiveness, inconsistency down the stretch again kept them out of October baseball.
A major focal point remains Corey Seager, who was still the offensive engine when healthy in 2025, posting .271/.373/.487 with 21 home runs and a 151 OPS+ in just 102 games. Even in an injury-limited season, the Rangers went 55–47 in games he started, showing just how central he is to their lineup production.
Heading into 2026, Texas is trying to stabilize around its core and turn talent into sustained winning again. If Seager can stay on the field and the offense improves its consistency, the Rangers still have the type of star-driven foundation capable of returning to postseason contention in a tightly competitive AL West.
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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS
Gianni Infantino briefly turned IShowSpeed into “FIFA president” during one of the most surreal moments of the 2025 Club World Cup opener.
The clip quickly took off because it mixed FIFA’s most powerful official with one of the internet’s loudest personalities, and the result was exactly as chaotic as expected.
It also came on a night built around spectacle, with the revamped tournament opening in Miami and drawing huge attention beyond the pitch.
That is why the moment stuck, not just because it was funny, but because it happened on one of FIFA’s biggest new stages.
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Gianni Infantino made IShowSpeed FIFA president for one minute at the Club World Cup opener
The clip showed the exchange as Gianni Infantino jokingly offered IShowSpeed a one-minute spell as FIFA president during the opening game.
“Do you want to be [FIFA] president for one minute? You want to be FIFA president?” Infantino offered.
Infantino then swapped seats with him and handed over a blazer carrying the FIFA logo, which turned the joke into a full on-camera bit. Speed embraced it instantly and leaned straight into his usual Ronaldo obsession once he was “in charge.”
“I’m the FIFA president now. Ronaldo is winning the World Cup. Penalty [to] Ronaldo, let’s go! How you’all doing? I’m really the president right now. I could do anything right now,” the YouTube streamer said.
IShowSpeed FIFA president moment happened at Inter Miami vs Al Ahly
The moment took place during the opening match of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, when Inter Miami faced Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 14, 2025.
Coverage of the moment also linked it specifically to that opening-night setting, with Infantino seated alongside major football figures before jokingly letting Speed take over for a minute.
Reports and follow-up coverage described it as one of the standout off-pitch moments from the first game of the new-format competition.
That context makes the clip more than a random viral crossover. It was FIFA using one of football’s newest global events to create a moment built for internet culture, and Speed was the obvious person to place in the middle of it.
Switzerland's head coach Murat Yakin speaks during a press conference at St. Jakob-Park Stadium ahead of Friday's International Friendly soccer match against Germany. Christian Charisius/dpa
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin believes Germany were guilty of becoming too distracted by politics in recent times and focused too little on football.
However, ahead of their friendly meeting in Basel on Friday, he still sees Julian Nagelsmann's side among the favourites for the World Cup in North America in June and July.
"They have outstanding quality. If you let them play, they are outstanding players," former Bundesliga player Yakin told a news conference on Thursday.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Germany had been too concerned with "side issues," he said. The Germans wanted captain Manuel Neuer to wear a rainbow armband to promote diversity in the Gulf nation, where homosexuality is illegal. FIFA banned the move.
Switzerland have better concentrated on football matters, Yakin said, but he now thinks the current Germany squad have shifted back towards focusing on sport despite the difficult global political situation.
"That’s why you always have to reckon with Germany," the Swiss coach said. Germany remained a "tournament team."
The 51-year-old has big goals for the Swiss at the World Cup. They meet co-hosts Canada, Qatar and a play-off winner as they look to go further than their best previous finish of the quarter-finals.
"We want to play our best World Cup of all time," he announced.
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka wants to extend his unbeaten run against Germany to five matches in his home city of Basel.
"The Germans offer something different, they give you a mentality," he said.
German National soccer team coach Julian Nagelsmann speaks during a press conference on the squad announcement. Florian Wiegand/dpa
They opened with state power Farmington Hills Mercy and current Alabama pitcher Kaitlyn Pallozzi, then the No. 1-ranked recruit in Michigan. Northville’s Mary Gugala outdueled Pallozzi in a 1-0 semifinal win to send the Mustangs to the final against South Lyon, which had reached the state semifinal the year before. The Lions, without former Gatorade Player of the Year Ava Bradshaw, who had graduated and was at Duke, pulled off the 3-0 upset and went on to finish as state runner-up.
Northville then graduated current St. Bonaventure catcher Colleen Schrems and outfielder Ella Tomlinson, while two other starters did not sign up for the team this spring.
So the Mustangs are focused on the present. There’s no sense dwelling on what-ifs or what the roster could have looked like this spring.
They’re focused on the 15 players on the roster, chasing a third straight league title and a trip to the final four in June at Michigan State, with five underclassmen expected to play key innings.
That starts with leadership from seniors Abby Parrinello, Alyssa Spencer, Kendall Heron and Gugala, along with veteran juniors Kennedi Adams, an Ohio State commit, and Olivia Smith.
“Our senior leaders have truly been leaders in the offseason, bringing everybody in,” coach Scott DeBoer said between 15-0 and 15-0 wins over rival Novi on March 25. “They make the younger girls feel not like a sophomore or freshman but like one of them. Yeah, there’s a grade by your name, but we’re just one team, knowing we have the heart and are united as one, and that’s a credit to girls like Mary and Abby, our No. 1 culture builders here.”
The Mustangs will lean on Gugala in the circle, especially in KLAA-West games against top pitchers like Salem senior Shannon McAuliffe, a Murray State signee, and in a challenging nonconference schedule.
Northville will play 13 games against teams that appeared in the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association preseason top-10 rankings.
“We’re fortunate to have Mary Gugala because when you can control the circle like her, it makes any team better,” DeBoer said. “We’re fortunate right now to play the schedule we can at this level. If you don’t have the circle, you can’t do that. And to help our girls become the very best, we hope that’ll help, and we know what we’ve got ahead of us.”
Gugala struck out seven straight, walked one and hit a one-run triple to left in only three innings against Novi.
Backing her up is Smith, who struck out eight in four innings in Game 2, when she’s not in the infield.
Other contributors include juniors Lucy Jewett, Brooke Mitchell, Carolyn Rys and Ella Ross, sophomores Avay Yaldou, Gabby Ornekian and Jocelyn Burns and freshmen Kendall Kohler and Mia Petrovski.
“It’s been a good mesh, especially with the four seniors as leaders,” DeBoer said. “The culture is good, and they’ve set the standard, the expectation of what we do here. We have each other’s back.”
DeBoer has implemented a buddy system, pairing an upperclassman with an underclassman during practice.
Only time will tell how the younger Mustangs respond as the schedule toughens. They face challenging nonconference opponents South Lyon, Hudsonville and Saline, while matchups with Howell, Plymouth and Salem will likely decide the KLAA-West.
They are unranked for now, despite their success the past two seasons. But with players like Gugala and Adams, a few wins over top teams could push them into the rankings and provide momentum for a postseason run.
Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life. Follow him on his new X.com account at @folsomwrites.
The UCLA Bruins, Kentucky Wildcats, North Carolina Tar Heels and Kansas Jayhawks have combined for 29 NCAA men’s college basketball national championships.
They rank first, second, tied for third and seventh, respectively, among all men’s college basketball programs.
And the total number of titles for those blue-blood programs will remain unchanged through the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The four legendary programs qualified for the NCAA Tournament this season. But only Kansas held a seed high enough to be a favorite to advance to the Sweet 16. The Jayhawks entered as a No. 4 seed but fell to the No. 5-seeded St. John’s Red Storm in the Round of 32.
The Tar Heels lost to the No. 11-seeded VCU Rams as a No. 6 seed in the Round of 64. Meanwhile, the Bruins and Wildcats were No. 7 seeds and lost in the Round of 32. The No. 2-seeded UConn Huskies and Iowa State Cyclones defeated them, respectively.
UCLA leads all men’s college basketball programs with 11 titles, including seven straight from 1967-73. Kentucky ranks second with eight crowns, while North Carolina is tied with UConn at six championships. Kansas stands alone in seventh place with four titles.
The Sweet 16 begins on Thursday, March 26, with the following games:
7:10 p.m.: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas (West), CBS
Is James Tavernier Rangers' "greatest modern player"?
The 34-year-old captain and right-back is out of contract at the end of the season after 11 years at Ibrox.
He has racked up more than 500 appearances and over 100 goals but his time at Ibrox could be coming to an end.
Coach and analyst John Walker, a Rangers fan, thinks Tavernier has been an incredible servant and says his future could hinge on whether Danny Rohl's side win the title this season.
"I think he's our greatest modern player. I think nobody can speak to James Tavernier and what he has had to do at Rangers.
"People like Barry Ferguson, who has been our greatest captain of my generation, they didn't experience what Tavernier did. He hasn't experienced coming from the Championship and being expected to win a title the minute he was back in the league.
"Tavernier's experience of going from that to European finals is amazing. His leadership role is really important, he's been the captain for so long he integrates players. From what I hear he's great with everyone and everyone loves him inside the club.
"But if you don't win the title again, what experience is that for the club? Because you've got fans saying this is a captain that's seen us through our worst spell in the top flight.
"I don't attribute that to Tavernier but there is a cleaning house element of do we need something fresh? Do we need new blood around so fans can stop this obsession with Tavernier taking every set-piece when he doesn't?"
The Los Angeles Dodgers made a bold decision by selling off the naming rights to their home field for the first time in 64 years.
The Dodgers inked a massive deal with Japanese clothing company Uniqlo, which will see Dodger Stadium retain its name, but with the clothing brand plastered on signage everywhere.
The official terms of the deal will be released at a later date. Uniqlo opened its first store in Southern California in 2014, and it has since expanded.
On Wednesday, MLB’s official Opening Day, and the day before the Dodgers start their chase for a third straight title, the team and Uniqulo unveiled the stadium’s new presentation as part of the partnership.
Oct 16, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; A general view of the outfield after game three of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
On the grass between third base and home, white lettering with the words “Uniqlo Field” is written, while notable parts of the lettering all over the stadium read “Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium.
Additionally, a new sponsorship sign featuring Uniqlo’s logo has been installed, cementing its status as the stadium’s and team’s premier partner.
The field’s naming rights have been shopped since 2022, and with the arrival of three major Japanese stars in Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the franchise’s brand has grown exponentially in the Asian market, leading to the Uniqlo deal.
During the presentation, company founder Tadashi Yanai said as much through a translator.
“Every one of us has become fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers because of the outstanding performances of Japanese players,” he said.
The reception to the naming changes around the ballpark has been mixed, with some welcoming the additional revenue that will come to the organization and thus be reinvested in players.
While Uniqlo is certainly looking forward to its continued partnership, the company is well aware of the attachment to the stadium’s name, but it hopes fans will grow to embrace the change.
“Dodger Stadium has been loved by the fans over many decades, so we have to respect that history while expressing our partnership together with the Dodgers,” Koji Yanai said.
“This UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium name may be very new for everyone, but I hope in the near future, the fans will like it and will love it.”
Uniqlo announced that they will host an event at Dodger Stadium with giveaways of the company’s clothing, along with a dedicated part of their stores in the LA area for the Dodgers.
Additionally, the team and the company are developing initiatives to benefit local communities in Los Angeles.
“Fusing diverse perspectives and values that would constitute your power and strengths,” Tadashi Yanai said.
“That’s exactly [what] the Dodgers and Los Angeles have, and we are so excited to join this family to explore endless possibilities and opportunities to make this world a better place.”
Starting on Thursday for Opening Day and for the rest of the foreseeable future, the field that the Dodgers play on will carry the new name — Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium.
Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle will bat sixth and play third base in manager AJ Hinch's lineup for the team's season-opening game at San Diego on Thursday.
A new 3,200-seat stand will be constructed as part of Edgbaston Stadium's redevelopment [KKA Architecture]
Stadium bosses have appointed a contractor for the £46m revamp of one of Birmingham's largest sporting venues.
The Raglan and Priory stands at Edgbaston Stadium are set to be redeveloped into a new 3,200-seat stand and 146-bed hotel after plans were approved in February 2025.
The two stands were demolished after work at the site began in November and Warwickshire County Cricket Club, which plays home games at the stadium, said it had since chosen contractor Sisk to construct the new stand and hotel.
It is hoped the project will be completed in time for the men's Ashes Test in summer 2027.
Stuart Cain, chief executive of the cricket club, said: "The next stage of our masterplan project will help cement our city as a world class sporting and tourism hub."
The club previously said the hotel was expected to attract 60,000 guests every year once opened.
It estimated that 134 permanent jobs would be created, while the stadium's contribution to the local economy would increase to about £40m per year, rising to £70m during a Cricket World Cup.
Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) reacts after a call during the second half against Queens University of Charlotte Royals forward Carson Schwieger (22) during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
It’s strength on strength on Thursday at the SAP Center in San Jose as the No. 2 seed Purdue Boilermakers face off against the No. 11 seed Texas Longhorns, pitting the nation’s No. 1 offense in adjusted efficiency against an offensive attack that ranked among the best in the country, took a late-season nose dive, but recovered over the last two NCAA Tournament games.
But if head coach Sean Miller’s team achieved its late-season elite status in some unconventional ways, the Boilermakers are the best because of a record-setting senior point guard who helped notch the fourth-best assist rate nationally, a low turnover rate, shooting efficiency inside and outside the arc, and strong offensive rebounding.
In the first-round matchup against Queens University, Purdue point guard Braden Smith broke the all-time assists record held by Duke’s Bobby Hurley since 1993 and is now playing in his 24th postseason game, including Big Ten Tournaments.
Hurley played in 20 NCAA Tournament games in his storied career, leading the Blue Devils to a runner-up finish and two national titles before Duke bowed out in the second round in 1993.
“There’s a reason that that record has stood the test of time. You go and break that record, I think that says everything about his ability to pass, play make, how he makes his teammates better. He’s one of the best in the game, and a big, big part of why Purdue is so great offensively,” Miller said on Monday.
Leading the country in assists, Smith ranks second in assists per game at 9.0, a career high for the in-state product who only held offers from Appalachian State, Toledo, and Montana in the 2022 recruiting class. Purdue’s offer, which prompted an immediate commitment from the son of two basketball coaches, pre-empted interest from Gonzaga, Indiana, Oregon, and Villanova.
“He’s the ultimate point guard who makes everybody around him better. He made Zach Edey better. He makes [Fletcher] Loyer better. He makes players on his team better just because of his incredible understanding of the game, passing and scoring,” Miller said on Wednesday.
Just don’t expect Texas to get out of its drop coverage against Smith and the Boilermakers, at least according to sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis in San Jose.
“We’re just going to play the same defensive roles the same way we always are in pick-and-roll. He’s a very good passer so we will just try to limit his ability to pass to big guys and just play like we always do,” Vokitaitis said.
One basketball analyst noted that Purdue is poor in the pick-and-roll when the ball handler is forced to finish at the rim, an outcome drop coverage is designed to force.
Listed at 5’10 in high school and 6’0 in West Lafayette, Smith is undersized for major college basketball, which hasn’t severely impacted his ability as a distributor, but has definitely impacted his ability to convert close shots, where takes just 30 percent of his overall attempts, making them an extremely average 61.3 percent, preferring to take mid-range shots instead, where he’s efficient at 45.5 percent.
One of Smith’s backcourt mates, 6’4 sharpshooter Fletcher Loyer, hits 62.5 percent around the rim on 13.8 percent of his attempts, instead firing from distance, where he takes over two thirds of his shots and hits at 43.3 percent.
No matter who takes the shots or where they come from, a point of emphasis for the Horns heading into the game is to limit the offensive rebounding of the Boilermakers, who rank 19th nationally in offensive rebounding rate, bolstered by the frontcourt of forward Trey Kaufman-Renn and centers Oscar Cluff and Daniel Jacobsen.
“I don’t think there’s a more important aspect to the game that when Purdue misses, we can’t let them kill us on the glass. They really are good in that area, almost great in that area,” Miller said.
With how well the Boilermakers shoot — sixth in three-point percentage and 18th in two-point percentage — allowing extra possessions to Purdue is crushing when also factoring in their ability to protect the ball well and play at one of the most deliberate paces in the country.
As good as Smith is as a playmaker, however, he’s also affected by bigger defenders, which contributed to a season-high eight turnovers in the Round of 32 win over Miami and 3-of-12 shooting from the field.
“I felt like I was kind of out of character and just not playing how I should, and obviously I was frustrated with myself because I’ve got to be better, especially in a game like that,” Smith said on Wednesday.
”Just being simple and making the right reads I think is what I’ve got to do because obviously every team is going to put, I’d assume, their best defender and length-wise and all that. For me, it’s just to make the right reads, make the smart plays, and keep it simple.“
Expect Texas to use 6’5 graduate guard Tramon Mark against Smith to put length on him or senior guard Chendall Weaver to smother Smith with athleticism.
Texas does have inside insight into Purdue from a scouting standpoint, courtesy of junior forward Cam Heide, who departed the Boilermakers last offseason after two seasons under head coach Matt Painter.
“He knows a lot of what they do, so he’s been helping us, coaching us up on the things that they do and just being a big-time guy for us in our scouting and everything we do in our scouting, practice. He’s been big,” Mark said of Heide.
Beyond pre-game scouting, the Horns are hoping to keep up with the offensive prowess of the Boilers by getting some timely three-point shooting of Heide, who came off a long stretch on the bench in the second half to hit a huge three against the Bulldogs with 14 seconds remaining to seal the Round of 32 win.
One of the more remarkable aspects of the NCAA Tournament run for Texas is the fact that the team was able to escape the First Four without a strong performance from junior wing Dailyn Swain, the team’s most important player. The Xavier transfer finished 2-of-9 shooting and did a poor job of identifying the collapsing NC State defense, turning the ball over five times.
Over the last two games, Swain has been more efficient as a scorer and distributor, hitting 11-of-19 shots (57.9 percent) and posting a 12-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
“My teammates always hit shots. I think I’m just doing a better job finding them whenever I’m getting downhill. I know defenses are collapsing on me around this time of year. They do a really good job scouting and they know I like to get downhill, so kicking it out and then depending on those guys to hit shots,” Swain said.
Texas will need that playmaking to keep up its assist rate from the victory of Gonzaga, when the Longhorns dished out 20 assists on 31 made baskets, an assist rate of 64.5 percent that was more than 20 percentage points higher than the team’s season average that ranks 346th nationally.
The need for better-than-average ball movement for Miller’s group is exacerbated by the health status of senior guard Jordan Pope, who is listed as questionable on the NCAA’s initial availability report after spraining his ankle late in the win over Gonzaga and serves as one of the team’s primary shot creators.
SAN DIEGO – Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch had to make two decisions about top prospect Kevin McGonigle when filling out the lineup card for 2026 Opening Day.
The first: Where to play him in the field?
The second: Where to put him in the lineup?
For Opening Day on Thursday, March 26 (4:10 p.m., Detroit SportsNet), McGonigle is playing third base and batting sixth for the Tigers in his MLB debut against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, facing right-hander Nick Pivetta. The 21-year-old is the consensus No. 2 prospect in baseball.
SAN DIEGO – Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch had to make two decisions about top prospect Kevin McGonigle when filling out the lineup card for 2026 Opening Day.
The first: Where to play him in the field?
The second: Where to put him in the lineup?
For Opening Day on Thursday, March 26 (4:10 p.m., Detroit SportsNet), McGonigle is playing third base and batting sixth for the Tigers in his MLB debut against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, facing right-hander Nick Pivetta. The 21-year-old is the consensus No. 2 prospect in baseball.
PHILADELPHIA -- When Joel Embiid went down with a right oblique strain on Feb. 26 and had to miss 13 games in a row, the Philadelphia 76ers could have faltered. Throw in Tyrese Maxey going down with a right finger tendon strain on March 7 while Paul George remain suspended, and the Sixers really could have sunk out of the play-in.
Instead, they rallied together, went 13-12 in the 25 games George missed--with Embiid missing those aforementioned final 13 games of that time--and it was due to the strong play of rookie VJ Edgecombe who continues to show he is wise beyond his years.
Edgecombe averaged 17.8 points and 6.3 rebounds along with 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 22 of those 25 games. If it weren't for Edgecombe, who knows where the Sixers would be at the moment? He even scored 22 points in Wednesday's win over the Chicago Bulls despite Embiid and George returning.
"VJ has been great," said Embiid after the win. "Obviously, everybody being out. He's the main reason—I mean, I feel like everybody in this locker room has done a great job of keeping things afloat, starting with him. Obviously, good first game. Kind of faded away a little bit after that, and then it feels like he's in better rhythm. Tonight, doesn't matter who's in and out. Keep attacking. Keep being aggressive. Get your shots up. Play defense."
The Sixers are now just half a game back of the Toronto Raptors for the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with nine games left. Philadelphia owns the tiebreaker over the Raptors and is in a good spot to get things rolling in the right direction and go on a run heading into the postseason.
That is due to the play of guys like Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Quentin Grimes, Adem Bona, and others for holding down the fort until the main stars return.
"It’s good," said Embiid. "We did that at the beginning of the year. So, you know, you get your opportunity. You earn it. You go out and play well, and that's why, you know, some of these guys are getting minutes. So, they took advantage of it, kept us afloat, thankful."
The Sixers will begin a 3-game road trip on Saturday when they take on the Charlotte Hornets.
NFL free agency is in full effect, with teams signing many of the major free agents and taking them off the market early, adding to their respective rosters as quickly as possible. The New Orleans Saints have been among that group, improving their offense and special teams immensely over these few weeks, and working to retain a few pieces as well.
With that in mind, their defense has somewhat fallen to the wayside in terms of focus, as Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor both move on, and Cameron Jordan remains on the open market. The team's starting lineup on defense looks immensely different compared to 2025 at this juncture, but they still have time to sign pieces and focus on a few positional needs in the draft as well. Here is how things stand with the defensive unit at the moment.
Journalist: Why FSG shelved multi-club plans and what it could mean for Michael Edwards’ future
Journalist Miguel Delaney has explained why Fenway Sports Group (FSG) abandoned their plans to pursue a multi-club ownership (MCO) model, and what it could mean for the firm’s CEO of Football Michael Edwards.
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The Boston-based firm’s intentions to expand their footballing portfolio were reported to be crucial in enticing Liverpool’s former director of football to take up his current role two years ago, although it emerged last week that John Henry and co have now parked those plans for the foreseeable future.
Where that leaves Edwards has been the subject of speculation in recent days, with Richard Keys being told by his sources that the 46-year-old could vacate his position with FSG.
Why have FSG abandoned their MCO plans?
In a video on his Inside Football YouTube channel, Delaney outlined that the finances involved in acquiring football clubs ultimately prompted a change on tack as to FSG’s plans to pursue an MCO model.
He explained: “Edwards’ position is an interesting one because this new role he has, he essentially returned to Liverpool where he was supposed to be spearheading Fenway Sports Group’s project, basically to make this a multi-club ownership structure.
“They looked at over 30 clubs, from what I’m told. They wanted one in Europe, but ultimately they found the valuations were absurd. They thought they were way too high for where football is now and especially I suppose the lack of money in European football compared to England, so they didn’t feel like they’d get the same value.
“It’s been reported since that FSG have decided to go in a different direction, so certainly that raises obvious questions about Edwards’ role at Liverpool and amid a lot of feeling that he could well leave again.”
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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What does this now mean for Edwards’ role at Liverpool and FSG?
The Athletic‘s James Pearce has reported that Edwards was privately left ‘frustrated’ by the impasse regarding FSG’s plans to establish an MCO model, with his and his team’s efforts in travelling around Europe for the past two years to assess potential clubs to acquire now being left futile.
While a multi-club structure could’ve opened certain doors for Liverpool in terms of player recruitment and a loan pathway for young prospects, many Reds supporters will probably be relieved that the club’s owners have abandoned those plans.
MCO has become a thorny issue in European football (just as Crystal Palace fans about it), and such models threaten to strip clubs with decades of tradition of their identity as they instead become incorporated into a network which generally serves the benefit of one overarching club.
If FSG felt that there wasn’t sufficient value to be found from pursuing multi-club plans, then they’re right to bail on the idea, even if it means risking the wrath of Edwards, whose previous work as LFC’s sporting director was exceptional.
Will Liverpool’s owners revisit the possibility at a later stage? Possibly, but we’re certainly not sorry to see it being shelved for the foreseeable future.
The only slight surprise in the Red Sox's starting nine is Isiah Kiner-Falefa getting the nod over Marcelo Mayer.
The latter is expected to serve as Boston's primary second baseman to begin the year, but manager Alex Cora also recently said that Mayer will occasionally sit against lefties.
Mayer is a left-handed batter, while Kiner-Falefa bats from the right side, making Thursday's decision vs. Abbott not all that shocking.
Other highlights in the Red Sox's lineup include leadoff hitter Roman Anthony, who's received plenty of MVP buzz leading up to Opening Day, and the team's trio of Venezuelan bats in catcher Carlos Narvaez, Gold Glove outfielder Wilyer Abreu and three-time All-Star first baseman and offseason trade acquisition Willson Contreras.
First pitch from Great American Ballpark is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET.
Will Power’s opening three races with Andretti Global has been a rollercoaster.
The 45-year-old Aussie has shown flashes of brilliant pace at times and gone over the limit on others, with four incidents combined through practice sessions or in the race, including crashing out while leading at Phoenix Raceway earlier this month. However, his latest result, a third-place finish in the Grand Prix of Arlington on March 15, was the most complete race weekend to date with his new team and provided optimism that things are beginning to click.
After the previous 17 years with Team Penske, which included two IndyCar titles and winning the 2018 Indianapolis 500, the switch to Andretti Global - where he wasn’t contractually allowed to start until January 1 - has been steeper than many expected.
What's different?
On the surface, the IndyCar Series is a spec-formula and the most obvious change for Power comes from getting used to a different powerband going from Chevrolet to Honda. However, it’s deeper rooted than that, and no one understands Power and the challenges he’s facing more than Ron Ruzewski, Andretti Global’s team principal and his longtime race strategist that also came over this off-season following a 21-year run at Team Penske.
“Yeah, so obviously there's lots of subtleties about the cars,” Ruzewski told Motorsport.com.
“Yes, it is a spec series. And it's crazy to see how tight some of the events are with 25 cars on track; everybody's separated by just less than tenths of a second, right? But there's 25 different philosophies out there as far as how the cars are set up.
“First and foremost, he's driving a different engine. The Honda engine has a slightly different characteristic than the Chevrolet engine. And getting used to that is one part of it.”
The other challenge comes in trying to understand the dampers, the one area in IndyCar that has become a major focal point of continued development by teams.
“The setup philosophy and the damping philosophy and the way that they have designed and developed the dampers at Penske versus Andretti is different,” Ruzewski said.
For trade secret reasons, Ruzewski couldn’t get into specifics for either team on the philosophy, but did provide generic subtleties in what is different for Power.
Will Power, Andretti Global
Will Power, Andretti Global
“It can provide a different feel,” Ruzewski continued. “The driver has different sensory points on the car that feed to his senses and how the car pitches and yaws, how the car heaves.
“All of that is basically how the feel from the tire transmits through the suspension. It all has to go through the dampers. And there's a lot of things that can be done internally to either filter, amplify, or change how his sensory provisions are from the car.
“So it's not that one is better or worse. It's just different. And understanding what that is, having driven something for 17 years, it's no different than if you drive a pickup truck every day and then all of a sudden you get in a Corvette. It feels different.
“Everything feels just a little different, but after you drive it a little bit, it's fine.
“It doesn't really bother you. You adapt. So it's just that same process for him.”
Next up in Power’s Andretti adaptation tour is this weekend’s round at Barber Motorsports Park, a place where he has captured two wins, five podiums and sat on the front row nine times, including four poles, in 15 starts.
“It's certainly a flowy track, very different to what we just came from, very different to, like, St. Pete,” Power said.
“It's going to be an interesting weekend for me. It's the first time I've driven this thing on a road course, like a fast-flowing road course. I'm very interested to see where we stack up, if there's any work to be done. Every year you come back, it's more competitive. We kind of know that.
“Yeah, it is a track I really enjoy. It's a track I've had a ton of success at. Always expect to be the pointy end there.”
The Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) first baseman Nolan Schanuel (18) and center fielder Jorge Soler (12) celebrate three runs scored during a Spring Training Game against The Los Angeles Dodgers, March 22nd, 2026 in Anaheim, California.
Two of the greatest words in baseball, Opening Day, has finally come. For the Los Angeles Angels, those words bring an excitement for a fresh start and a new campaign.
The Angels head to Daikin Park in Houston for a four-game set against the Houston Astros to open the 2026 season. First-year Angels manager Kurt Suzuki will be making his managerial debut in a division clash to jumpstart the year.
Below, you can find the team previews, including where to watch, game details, injury reports, and odds.
TEAM PREVIEWS:
Angels (0-0): It is finally time for a fresh slate. It’s what the Los Angeles Angels have been waiting for, and something that really never hurts.
The Angels’ roster is essentially between a rock and a hard place. They consist of a youth movement combined with a plethora of seasoned veterans.
Of those names, Mike Trout remains the biggest fish in terms of a star-studded status. He has looked sharp throughout the spring, while embracing a full-time right fielder role for the first time and looking very efficient defensively.
The lineup consists of multiple threats that hold the potential to piece together a well-rounded batting order. Shortstop Zach Neto is expected by many to have his breakout campaign, posting a 3.1 fWAR season last year with 26 home runs. Outfielders Jo Adell and Jorge Soler have both had strong spring showings and are capable of hitting a hefty amount of homers.
Hitting has always had its inconsistencies. But none have been greater than their pitching arms.
The bullpen has always been the team’s weakest point, and the Angels gave the most money to relievers this past offseason in hopes to aid that. They signed veteran arms Jordan Romano, Kirby Yates, Drew Pomeranz, Brent Suter and most recently Joey Lucchesi.
Suzuki named José Soriano as the Angels’ opening day starter, earning the nod for the first time in his career and is coming off the best season of his young career. Yusei Kikuchi, the team’s lone All-Star from last season, will follow suit on Friday night in a nationally televised game.
Rounding out the Angels’ starters against the Astros will be Reid Detmers on Saturday and Jack Kochanowicz on Sunday. Kochanowicz delivered a strong scoreless outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his final tune-up of the spring. Ryan Johnson earned himself the last spot in the rotation after pitching his way through an excellent March.
Thursday’s opening day marks the fourth consecutive year the Angels will open their season on the road. The Angels have also lost their previous four season-openers, their last Opening Day win being in 2021.
Astros (0-0): After nearly a decade of reigning the AL West, the Houston Astros are coming off a season in which their talent was denied by the budding Seattle Mariners, who took the division crown in the final week of the 2025 season and ended the Astros’ stretch of four consecutive division titles.
The ever-so-formidable Astros return a roster that does not differentiate much from last season’s team that missed the postseason for the first time since 2016. Instead, they feature a different look on the mound, while their lineup holds strong.
They return a familiar lineup, consisting of an infield with franchise legends Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, both of which are still productive but have seen diminishment in their talent that once was. Jeremy Pena, the team’s starting shortstop, is set to return in the leadoff spot, while fellow consistent righty bats Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes return to the lineup.
Starting pitching has always been a consistent constant for Houston, but they enter this season with more of a new look than anticipated after losing ace Framber Valdez to the Detroit Tigers in free agency.
Houston has tabbed Hunter Brown to make his first Opening Day start, who is fresh of a stellar season in which he finished 3rd in the AL Cy Young race.
Following him will be Mike Burrows, who will be making his Astros debut as he was traded to the team from the Pittsburgh Pirates, as he was part of a three-team deal in December. Longtime Astro Christian Javier will follow, and newly-signed Tatsuya Imai out of Japan will make his Major League debut in Sunday’s series finale.
The Astros no longer have the same chokehold on the AL West that it used to, but they have given the Angels problems in recent memory. Houston has a 17-9 record against the Angels over the last two seasons.
Venue:
Daikin Park
Game 1 Date:
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Time:
1:10 PM PDT
Probable Pitchers:
LAA: José Soriano (0-0, -.-- ERA)
HOU: Hunter Brown (0-0, -.-- ERA)
Where to watch:
LAA: FanDuel Sports Network West
HOU: Space City Home Network
Where to listen:
LAA: KLAA 830
HOU: KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, KLTN-TUDN 102.9 FM
Game 2 Date:
Friday, March 27, 2026
Time:
5:15 PM PDT
Probable Pitchers:
LAA: Yusei Kikuchi (0-0, -.-- ERA)
HOU: Mike Burrows (0-0, -.-- ERA)
Where to watch:
National: Apple TV
Where to listen:
LAA: KLAA 830
HOU: KTRH 740 AM/99.1 FM HD-2, KLTN-TUDN 102.9 FM
Game 3 Date:
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time:
4:10 PM PDT
Probable Pitchers:
LAA: Reid Detmers (0-0, -.-- ERA)
HOU: Christian Javier (0-0, -.-- ERA)
Where to watch:
LAA: FanDuel Sports Network West
HOU: Space City Home Network
Where to listen:
LAA: KLAA 830
HOU: KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, KLTN-TUDN 102.9 FM
Game 4 Date:
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Time:
11:10 AM PDT
Probable Pitchers:
LAA: Jack Kochanowicz (0-0, -.-- ERA)
HOU: Tatsuya Imai (0-0, -.-- ERA)
Where to watch:
LAA: KLAA 830
HOU: KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, KLTN-TUDN 102.9 FM
Where to listen:
LAA: FanDuel Sports Network West
HOU: Space City Home Network
INJURY REPORT
LAA: RP Kirby Yates (TBD), INF Vaughn Grissom (10-day IL), SP Grayson Rodriguez (15-day IL), SP Alek Manoah (15-day IL), RP Ben Joyce (15-day IL), RP Robert Stephenson (TBD), 3B Anthony Rendon (TBD)
HOU: IF/OF Zach Dezenzo (TBD), RP Josh Hader (15-day IL), RP Enyel De Los Santos (15-day IL), RP Bennett Sousa (15-day IL), RP Nate Pearson (15-day IL), SP Ronel Blanco (15-day IL), SP Hayden Wesneski (15-day IL), SP Brandon Walter (60-day IL)
One of the Indianapolis Colts' current free agents is "expected" to sign elsewhere for the 2026 NFL season.
According to Aaron Wilson, running back Tyler Goodson is visiting with the Atlanta Falcons. Wilson added that Goodson is expected to sign a one-year deal, pending a physical.
Goodson has spent the last three seasons with the Colts. During that span, his role has been relatively small as he's, at various points, competed for a roster spot and the backup running back role behind Jonathan Taylor.
During his Colts tenure, Goodson has carried the ball 54 times for 264 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt with a touchdown. He's also caught 19 passes for 103 yards with another score, according to PFF.
Last season, Goodson appeared in 11 games, missing some time due to injury. Ameer Abdullah emerged as the top secondary option at running back as the season went on.
Without Goodson in the mix, the Colts' running back depth needs a boost. Currently on the roster behind Taylor are DJ Giddens and Ulysses Bentley -- two second-year players with minimal NFL experience.
The stadium has been a fixture of Chicago for more than a century, drawing baseball fans from across Illinois and Indiana through sunshine, rain and strong winds.
As a result, it's no surprise that Wrigley ranked among the best MLB stadiums in the country, according to a self-proclaimed subjective list by USA TODAY's sports site For The Win. The site ranked all 30 MLB stadiums based on general atmosphere, design, location, amenities, food and character.
Wrigley Field ranks among best MLB stadiums
Wrigley Field ranked fourth on the list, only behind San Diego's Petco Park, San Francisco's Oracle Park and Pittsburgh's PNC Park.
For The Win described a trip to Wrigley as "something that every sports fan should try to experience at least once," applauding the recent large-scale renovation while admitting the room for growth in the food selection.
"The Cubs officially completed their massive, multi-phase renovation in 2019, and I think it was done in a perfect way that brought in modern amenities while still respecting Wrigley Field’s old-school charm," the site said. "The food selection could be a bit better from a variety standpoint, but, I mean, you’re at Wrigley. Just enjoy it."
How did White Sox stadium rank?
On the opposite side of the spectrum, the White Sox's Rate Field landed near the bottom of the list, mainly for its lack of a skyline view.
For The Win ranked Rate Field No. 27 out of 30, above only Phoenix's Chase Field, Sacramento's Sutter Health Park and Tampa's Tropicana Field.
"I’ve mentioned it before, but I can’t get over how the stadium could’ve had an epic skyline view if it was flipped around," the site said. "Instead we’re left with a view of nothing. The team is eyeing a new stadium, though, that would have the view. I am glad they dropped the 'Guaranteed' from the name, so there's that."
With three official visits lined up for June, Chandler (Ariz.) Basha receiver Jaden Baldwin is using the next couple of weeks to take a couple of unofficial visits.
The first one took him to Colorado for an unofficial.
And the Buffs made a major move with Baldwin.
The Colorado coaching staff wowed Baldwin with their conversations.
“Versatility and being a Swiss Army knife really stood out to me,” said Baldwin. “If I go to Colorado, they want me to learn multiple positions and play right away, which meant a lot.”
An experienced coaching staff also resonated with Baldwin.
“I really liked the receiver coaches,” said Baldwin. “They have nearly 40 years of combined experience and coach (Brennan) Marion’s offense lets you showcase your athleticism.”
Seeing the practice brought a common feeling for him.
“I also liked how competitive their practices are,” said Baldwin. “It’s very similar to what we do at Basha.”
Baldwin said he felt like a priority the entire time.
“I can tell I’m really liked and wanted there, which stands out a lot,” said Baldwin.
And that has the Buffs in a great spot for him.
“They’re definitely one of my top schools right now,” said Baldwin. “We’ll see how everything plays out, but I was very pleased with my visit.”
Next up for Baldwin is an unofficial visit to Penn State on April 4.
Then in June, he’ll take three official visits, with a trip set to UNLV on June 5-7, a return to Boulder to visit Colorado officially on June 12-14 and then a trip the following week to Iowa State on June 19-21.
It's opening day for the New York Mets as they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field Thursday afternoon.
The Mets will be looking to shake off a disappointing end to last season, turning to a mix of familiar faces and new additions to make it happen.
It follows an unbelievably disappointing end to the 2025 season. The team went from having the best record in baseball early in the year to missing the playoffs entirely.
Team owner Steve Cohen and President of Baseball Operations David Stearns had a busy offseason, retooling most of the lineup. Fan favorites Edwin Diaz, Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo are all gone.
Fans will have new names to root for, including the man on the mound today, Freddy Peralta. The Mets traded for the ace during the offseason.
The team will also feature several new infielders, including Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco and Marcus Semien.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke to reporters Wednesday, saying he was excited to see the team take the field this year.
The Mets actually hold the best opening day record in all of baseball, but they face a tough challenge Thursday. They are set to take on reigning Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes. First pitch is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. at Citi Field.
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“The New York Mets, losers of six straight, are down 6-0 and facing Jacob deGrom. Since starting 45-24 and owning the best record in MLB, the Mets are 31-47, better than only the Rockies, Twins and Nationals. This isn't a collapse. It's a disintegration,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan posted.
The Mets have had a strong offseason to ensure that kind of collapse doesn’t happen again. They made several major moves over the winter and added another on Opening Day by signing Tommy Pham.
“Outfielder Tommy Pham, one of the best remaining free agents, officially signs a one-year, minor league deal with the Mets that will pay him $2.25 million when he reaches the big leagues. He has an April 25 opt-out,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.
Pham is getting a late start, so he will have about a month to work his way onto the big league roster unless he opts out. He could also serve as a potential replacement for Carson Benge if the youngster struggles early.
“Now back with the Mets, he’ll ramp up in Triple-A in hopes of hitting his way onto the big league roster. The Mets broke camp with top prospect Carson Benge as their starting right fielder, and the hope is that he’ll hit the ground running, but one of New York’s top fallback plans, Mike Tauchman, is out for the foreseeable future after suffering a meniscus tear at the very end of spring training. Pham gives the Mets another veteran option to consider in the event that Benge, who’ll make his big league debut with only 116 professional games under his belt, is overmatched against big league pitching early in the year,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams wrote.
The Mets are doing whatever it takes to ensure they return to the playoffs. If the team struggles again, manager Carlos Mendoza could find himself on the hot seat.
New York has the talent to make a deep run this season, and adding Pham only strengthens the roster. The key will be getting him consistent at-bats once he is fully comfortable at the plate in the minors.
The Milwaukee Brewers open the season at 1:10 p.m. Thursday, March 26 against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field. Follow our live coverage here.
The Boston Celtics pulled out arguably their biggest win of the 2025-26 campaign, as they handed the Oklahoma City Thunder a 119-109 defeat on Wednesday night. While Jaylen Brown led the way for the C's, Jayson Tatum also turned in another all-around performance.
Tatum has been shaking off the rust after missing 10 months of action while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. While he's made a big impact in several areas of the game for Boston, he has struggled to find his shot to this point. Some folks have begun to get concerned, but NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN made it clear that there's no reason to panic about Tatum right now.
"Stop sweating small sample-size shooting numbers from a dude fresh off a frickin' 10-month Achilles rehab," MacMahon bluntly said on "Get Up." "They don't need Jayson Tatum at his best, or close to it, in March. They need that guy in May ... Don't worry about what he looks like right now. He is ramping up. If he's close to himself come playoff time, the Celtics are the clear favorites in the Eastern Conference."
In his first nine games, Tatum is averaging 19.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Sure, his shooting splits could be better (39.1% from the field, 30.9% from three), but those figures will improve over time. Tatum has made an immediate impact as a rebounder, and teams are already sending a ton of attention his way on offense.
The gravity Tatum draws is opening things up for his teammates, so even if he isn't hitting all of his shots, he's still making the lives of every player he shares the court with easier. Boston will look to keep up the positive momentum when it squares off against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
Apr 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; The Baltimore Orioles mascot signs autographs for fans before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Even for a dogged Orioles pessimist like me, Opening Day is a time for optimism. The team’s record is a blank slate and anything could happen this year. Maybe a lot of those things will even be good. The O’s aren’t starting off the season at full strength thanks to Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg’s injuries, but they’ve got an almost entirely new starting rotation from last year’s disaster and they’ve added two 30+ home run threats in the aftermath of last year’s unfortunate home run outage.
It’s going to be a tough slog to get through what’s expected to be a challenging AL East to make it back into the postseason. Nothing that can be done about that now but for the Orioles to play the best they can over their 162 games, starting with the first one today.
In an Opening Day special episode of the podcast, I’m trying to find something to be optimistic about every player on the Opening Day roster (and injured list). Some are easier than others. You can listen below and see how I did:
This is my weekly podcast about whatever is going on lately with the Orioles. If you enjoyed the Opening Day episode, please make sure to subscribe. You can get the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other places where people get their podcasts.
What are YOU feeling optimistic about as this 2026 season begins?
Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark showed off yet another of her talents on Wednesday night: photography.
Clark snapped photos of this week's Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers game at Gainbridge FIeldhouse, including some really sharp images of Lakers superstar LeBron James.
For a professional athlete giving professional photography a try, these pictures are pretty darn good. Honestly, if we were grading for a college photography course, we'd give her an A for these photos alone.
While Clark might not trade a basketball for a camera any time soon for her main gig, she's got a new hobby to master in her spare time!
Rucker Adds Music Star Power to Legacy Motor ClubTerry Wyatt - Getty Images
The musical component of the Legacy Motor Club racing team just got a lot better.
The Jimmie Johnson-owned NASCAR team confirmed Wednesday that singer Darius Rucker, who has had success in both rock and country music circles, has joined the team as an investor. Rucker revealed the new association on the Dan Patrick Show Wednesday.
Rucker had early career success in music as frontman of the Hootie & the Blowfish rock group and later moved into country music, where he has built a fan base as a solo artist.
“Darius is someone who understands the power of connection—with fans, with communities and through storytelling,” Johnson said. “What he’s built in music, the authenticity he brings to everything he does aligns directly with who we are as a club.”
Rucker told Patrick of his long-time love of motorsports. “It’s cool,” he said. “You know how much I love motorsports. You know how much I’ve loved NASCAR for years, so this is pretty cool for me.”
The team said it expects to announce additional investors.
“From day one, this has been about building a club that people want to be a part of,” Johnson said. “Darius brings a different lens, a creative mindset, and a passion for people that will help us continue to grow in new ways.”
The Toyota team fields cars for Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek in the Cup Series. Johnson, a seven-time series champion, also races occasionally in team cars.
Through six races this season, Jones is 24th in points and Nemechek is 25th.
Report: Arsenal ready to sell star with five replacements being considered
Arsenal Transfer News: Ben White Exit Opens Door to Defensive Overhaul
Arsenal’s summer planning is beginning to reveal a more complex picture than first anticipated. As reported by TeamTalk, Ben White has emerged as a player attracting serious interest, with the club now reluctantly prepared to consider offers amid a shifting defensive hierarchy.
This is not a decision driven by urgency. Instead, it reflects a broader recalibration within a squad that continues to evolve under increasing expectations.
Squad Role Shift Raises Questions
White’s standing has been reinforced by his return to the England setup, a reminder of his quality and consistency at the highest level. Yet his role at Arsenal has subtly changed.
Photo IMAGO
The report outlines that the defender has found himself behind Jurrien Timber in recent months. For a player approaching his peak years, that dynamic introduces a tension between contribution and opportunity.
Photo IMAGO
Internally, Arsenal are described as keen to retain White. However, there is recognition that “a prolonged spell on the bench is far from ideal for a player of his quality and experience.”
That acknowledgement appears to have shaped the club’s stance. They will “reluctantly open the doors to his exit this summer if a sizeable fee comes their way.”
Premier League Rivals Monitor Situation
Interest in White is both extensive and credible. Manchester City and Everton are noted as long term admirers, with City viewing him as a valuable addition to their defensive options.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are also monitoring developments closely. This breadth of interest reflects White’s adaptability, capable of operating at right back or centrally, a trait increasingly valued in modern defensive systems.
Photo IMAGO
There is also attention from clubs in Germany, Italy and Spain, indicating that his appeal extends beyond domestic competition.
As one might interpret, “this is a player whose availability shifts multiple markets at once.”
Replacement Strategy Already Underway
Arsenal’s response has been proactive. Recruitment staff have begun detailed groundwork on potential successors, identifying five players who could fill the void should White depart.
Ivan Fresneda remains a long standing target. Described as one of the fastest defenders in the Champions League, his profile aligns with Arsenal’s preference for athletic, progressive full backs.
Photo IMAGO
Wesley Franca has also emerged strongly following his performances with Roma. His blend of attacking output and defensive maturity has caught the attention of multiple clubs, with Arsenal among those closely monitoring his development.
The shortlist extends further. Tino Livramento, Nnamdi Collins and Vanderson are all under consideration, each offering different attributes suited to varying tactical demands.
Photo IMAGO
This breadth of options suggests a club preparing for multiple scenarios rather than reacting to a single outcome.
Strategic Balance Defines Summer Window
At the centre of this situation lies a familiar dilemma. Arsenal must balance retention of quality with the need to maintain player satisfaction and squad progression.
White’s versatility and experience make him a valuable asset. Yet if his role continues to diminish, the rationale for a transfer becomes clearer.
The report’s suggestion that he could be among the first names to depart as part of a wider “fire sale” adds another layer of intrigue. Whether that characterisation proves accurate will depend on how Arsenal manage the broader composition of their squad.
For now, the club remain in control. They are assessing options, monitoring interest and positioning themselves to act decisively.
As one might summarise, “this is not about losing a player, it is about shaping a squad.”
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
For Arsenal supporters, this report will land with mixed emotions. White has been a reliable and intelligent presence, a player who has adapted to multiple roles without complaint.
There is a sense of unease at the idea of losing him to direct rivals. Strengthening competitors such as Manchester City or Liverpool carries an obvious risk, particularly given White’s understanding of elite level football.
At the same time, fans recognise the realities of squad evolution. If Timber has established himself as the preferred option, then difficult decisions follow. Keeping a high calibre player on the bench rarely benefits anyone.
The replacement list offers reassurance. Fresneda, Wesley and the others represent a forward looking approach, targeting players with scope to develop within the system.
Supporters will hope that any departure is matched by clarity in recruitment. Selling White must be part of a defined plan rather than an isolated decision.
There is also a broader question around depth. Arsenal are competing on multiple fronts, and reducing experienced options can carry consequences across a long season.
Ultimately, this situation reflects ambition. The club are no longer holding players simply because they can. They are making calculated decisions about who fits, who plays and who progresses the team.
Whether that leads to White’s exit remains to be seen, but the direction of travel is clear.
FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON - MARCH 28: Josh Liendo of the Florida Gators competes in the 100 yard butterfly final during the Division I Men's Swimming and Diving Championship held at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center on March 28, 2025 in Federal Way, Washington. (Photo by Mollie Handkins/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Mollie Handkins via Getty Images
A record that was once looked at as "unbreakable" has fallen...in prelims.
Florida senior Josh Liendo woke up this morning on a mission, taking down Caeleb Dressel's 42.80 NCAA record in the 100 butterfly. Dressel, a former gator, broke 43 seconds back in 2018, when it once seemed impossible.
Liendo's new record marks a defining moment in collegiate swimming. Dressel’s time of 42.80 seconds, set during his legendary career at Florida, had long been considered one of the most untouchable records in the sport. Dressel, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist, had one of the most explosive starts the NCAA had ever seen. His underwater were elite and his race strategy was bold. Dressel established a benchmark that stood as the gold standard for nearly a decade.
Now, a fellow Gator has dethroned Dressel as the king of the 100 butterfly, not only passing his time, but cutting almost three tenths of a second off of the fastest time in history. His swim showcased a near-perfect balance of power and efficiency. Liendo has always demonstrated exceptional control, particularly on the fourth 25, but this time he put together a near perfect swim to post a 42.54.
🚨 NEW NCAA RECORD 🚨
JOSH LIENDO. 42.54 100 FLY.
After YEARS with Caeleb Dressel's 100 fly NCAA record at his fingertips, Josh Liendo just COOKED it in prelims at NCAAs. pic.twitter.com/CDb8hkQDu8
The swim is significant and now redefines what was once thought possible in the event. Beyond the time itself, the achievement solidifying Liendo as one of the best to ever compete in the NCAA. With Liendo taking down the 100 butterly, Dressel only has one record still standing, his iconic 50 freestyle from 2018 when his stopped the clock in 17.63 seconds.
With Liendo leading the field, this year's 100 butterfly is looking like the greatest field of all time. Not only did Liendo break the NCAA record, but Texas senior Hubert Kos threw down a massive 42.97 to qualify second and become the third swimmer in history to break 43 seconds.
The fastest in history and now the third fastest performer will duke it out for an NCAA title with the deepest field to follow. Get your popcorn ready, finals in the men's 100 butterfly should be a historic race.
This is one of the most ridiculous A-finals in the history of college swimming. No debate. pic.twitter.com/xBYqwWDMin
How on Earth were the UCLA Bruins not giving Aday Mara minutes last year? The 7’3” center got just 13.0 minutes per game for UCLA last year, left for the Michigan Wolverines in the transfer portal, and has helped lead Michigan to the Sweet 16.
Mara and the Wolverines will face Alabama on Friday for a spot in the Elite Eight. Mara won the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 2.7 blocks and 6.9 rebounds per game this season. He’s provided for the Michigan offense too, putting up 12.0 points per game on 67.4% shooting from the field.
Even with the success in the starting lineup this year, Mara has still averaged just 23.1 minutes per game. With Mara likely headed to the NBA in the future, perhaps it’s wise for the abnormally tall center to play moderate fewer minutes than you might expect.
After Michigan picked up NCAA tournament wins over Howard and Saint Louis, Mara was named as the No. 5 transfer in the tournament by the USA TODAY’s Austin Cartwright.
“Former UCLA center Aday Mara has been a huge playmaker for the Wolverines alongside Lendeborg in 2025-26,” Cartwright said. “The 7-foot-3 big man is surprisingly skilled for his size, averaging 2.5 assists per game this season along with 12 points and 6.9 rebounds on 67.5% shooting percentage. Mara mostly came off the bench for UCLA in his two seasons there, showing the transfer was well worth it as he projects to be an NBA first-round pick in 2026.”
Bryn Ward has signed his first senior contract with Ulster after impressing as an academy player this season.
The back row forward made his Ulster debut in an October URC defeat by the Lions in South Africa and has delivered some eye-catching performances since, picking up player of the match awards against Munster and Stade Francais in January.
Ward was called up to the Ireland senior squad for the recent Six Nations campaign having initially been named as a training panellist and represented Ireland XV against England 'A' at Thomond Park in February.
The 21-year-old joins older brother Zac as a full-time Ulster player.
"I am very happy to sign my first senior contract with Ulster Rugby; it's always been a dream of mine to wear the jersey and I've managed to fulfil that this season," Ward said.
"I'm taking everything in my stride and enjoying the pressure that comes with playing at this level. I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead and feel driven to keep improving my game as a senior player next year."
Ulster's General Manager Rory Best paid tribute to Ward's "strong mentality" despite being a relative newcomer to the Ulster senior squad.
"Bryn's standout performances have been a fantastic success story for us this season," Best said.
"Credit goes to Bryn for taking his opportunities and the coaching staff within our academy system and senior team who have prepared him to perform at professional level.
"He has shown in a short space of time that he is a player with so much potential, especially around his ball-carrying ability. For a young player, he also has a strong mentality which has allowed him to settle in quickly.
"We are as excited as our supporters to see him continue to develop as an Ulster player in the future."
NEW DELHI: Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has raised a key concern for Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2026, warning that one of their frontline pacers may no longer possess the same edge that once made him a match-winner.
Despite Mumbai Indians boasting a star-studded squad, ABD believes there could be a vulnerability that opposition teams might look to exploit. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he pointed out that while the team looks well-balanced on paper, there are subtle signs of decline in one of their experienced bowlers.
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“They don't need more all-rounders than what they already have. But the one worry for me is Trent Boult. It's similar to Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar] situation, where he has lost a yard. He is not as spicy as he was from 2018, 2019 and 2020, even earlier 2015,” de Villiers said, suggesting a noticeable dip in pace and effectiveness.
ABD elaborated on how the bowler’s strengths have slightly waned over time. “He was clocking in low 140s, really swinging it late because of that fiery wrist he got, but he's maybe pulled back like a yard and he seems to be more expensive over the last while that I have watched him play over at SA20,” he added.
The former RCB star cautioned that this perceived dip could give a “false sense of security” to the franchise. “Maybe that's an area where they feel they have a lot of insurance there, but I feel maybe it's a false sense of security. It could be an area some of the opposition batters will target,” he warned.
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Meanwhile, former India batter Abhinav Mukund struck a more optimistic note, highlighting the depth and balance in the Mumbai Indians squad. “They've got a lot of players in form, which is what makes them scary. De Kock will relish being in Mumbai, playing at the Wankhede Stadium,” he said, backing the team’s overall strength.
Mukund also questioned the need for additional options, noting the presence of multiple established bowlers. “They've got plenty of options and look very good on paper,” he added.
While Mumbai Indians appear primed for another title push, ABD’s assessment serves as a reminder that even the most formidable squads can have underlying concerns.
Hashtag United play in the seventh tier of the football pyramid, which is also known as step three [BBC Essex Sport]
Hashtag United have asked to be relegated from the Isthmian Premier League for the 2026-27 season, due to what it describes as "unsustainable" finances.
YouTuber Spencer Owen founded the Essex club as an exhibition team in 2016, filming and uploading their matches online.
In a post on social media, Owen said he wanted to sign the "best players", but "not at the cost of our staff's jobs".
The club sit 18th in the table and a point above the relegation zone.
An Isthmian League spokesperson said the Football Association (FA) would decide whether Hashtag could drop to the Isthmian League North Division.
Teams in the division below usually do not have to spent as much money on travel, hospitality and player wages.
Hashtag United chief executive Joe Gorman and founder Spencer Owen spoke to the BBC in November [Warren Muggleton/BBC]
Owen criticised a lack of governance in non-league football.
"The finances are unsustainable at almost every level," he said, writing on X.
"Moving to step four (Isthmian League North Division) will mean significant budgetary savings that will be reinvested into other key parts of the business at a crucial time, including employing more people while we significantly invest in building home attendances at our new ground."
The Tags share Parkside with Aveley FC but plan to share with Redbridge FC in east London from next season.
In his statement, he also pointed to the "unprecedented spending" of some non-league teams, referencing Wrexham, who have soared to the Championship after the investment by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The FA was contacted for comment.
Different sphere
Hashtag have enjoyed three promotions in eight seasons since joining the football pyramid.
But they appear to be eyeing a return to their roots, as BBC Essex sports reporter Warren Muggleton suggests.
"They boast over two million followers across all social media channels, competing with Premier League sides for exposure," said Muggleton.
"Having set up their All Stars team earlier this year, featuring influencers such as Sidemen member Bezhinga, this move to drop out of the Isthmian Premier suggests the Tags have intentions to compete in a different sphere."
Elena Rybakina kept her good form going on Wednesday, coming from behind to beat Jessica Pegula in the Miami Open quarter-finals.
Rybakina didn’t start well and dropped the opening set. She then went down a break early in the second set but managed to turn it around after that. The Kazakh eventually pulled away to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 and now moves on to face Aryna Sabalenka in the last four.
With that win, Rybakina became the first player on the WTA Tour to defeat Pegula five times in a row.
Elena Rybakina looks ahead to Aryna Sabalenka clash
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
During an interview on the Tennis Channel, host Steve Weissman asked the world number two whether she would like ‘revenge’ for her Indian Wells final loss.
Rybakina responded, “Well, not necessarily. I want to play of course any top player straight away. Aryna of course – I would prefer maybe to play in the final if she wins.”
She went on to say that her motivation isn’t about getting back at Sabalenka for that loss, but rather about learning from their matches and taking any positives she can from their battles.
“But for me honestly, it’s not really about revenge. I had a lot of opportunities [Indian Wells] and it was in the third set kind of a roulette in Indian Wells and of course I just know we push each other and can learn from these matches,” Rybakina continued.
“But I want to come out from the match, no matter the result, and be happy with what happened on the court, what worked, maybe some little improvements.
“It’s already a plus and hopefully we’ll play many more times.”
How to Watch Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina: Start times and broadcast Info
In the UK, fans might have a tough time catching Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina live, with the match scheduled for a 12:30 am GMT start.
Fans on the US East Coast can tune in at 8:30 pm Eastern Standard Time.
Over in Kazakhstan, where Rybakina has plenty of support, coverage begins at 5:30 am local time on Friday.
Meanwhile, viewers in Belarus can catch the action from 3:30 am on Friday morning.
Back-to-back 1-2 finishes to open the season, with George Russell winning in Melbourne and the young superstar Kimi Antonelli taking his maiden victory in Shanghai. That has put Mercedes in a class of their own early in this campaign. There’s no compelling reason to think Suzuka changes that narrative. So here’s how this one plays out.
Yes, he’s 18 years old. No, that doesn’t matter anymore.
What Antonelli did in China wasn’t just impressive for a rookie — it was impressive period. He managed tire pressure, race pace, and pressure from his teammate with a composure that would make veterans twice his age look uncomfortable. The kid is legitimate, and Suzuka, with its premium on rhythm and commitment through high-speed sequences like the S Curves and 130R, should suit his style.
Kimi Antonelli is off to an identical start as his idol Ayrton Senna 🤯
• Both had 3 podiums in their rookie season • Both got their maiden win & pole in 2nd race of their 2nd season • Both used #12 for their maiden win • Both got hat tricks in their maiden win pic.twitter.com/ZXxvV2OQUC
Mercedes has collected the most points of any constructor through the opening rounds and Antonelli goes to Japan as the points leader after Shanghai. That’s not something to take lightly. If he can build on the confidence of that maiden win, there’s no reason he doesn’t stand on the top step again when the checkered flag falls Sunday.
2. George Russell | Mercedes
Credit: F1
Russell’s season so far has been almost too clean. Won in Australia, ran a controlled second in China, and he’ll arrive at Suzuka knowing exactly what his car can do. He’s already publicly flagged awareness of threats to Mercedes’ dominance heading into Japan, which tells you he’s not taking anything for granted — a quality that’s made him one of the most consistent drivers on the grid.
The interesting subplot here is the internal battle. Russell and Antonelli are genuinely competitive with each other, and there will come a point this season where that dynamic gets uncomfortable. For now, expect them to occupy P1 and P2 in some order. Russell’s experience at Suzuka edges him ahead of his teammate in qualifying, but Antonelli’s race pace may tell a different story once the lights go out.
3. Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari
Credit: Scuderia Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton is a five-time winner of the Japanese Grand Prix, and he’s coming off his first podium for Ferrari in Shanghai. That combination — historical dominance at this circuit plus a confidence shot from China — makes him a genuine threat for the final step of the podium.
This isn’t about sentiment. Hamilton has always been one of the great Suzuka drivers, and while the Ferrari has some ground to make up on the Mercedes package, Hamilton’s ability to extract the maximum from a car around this track is well-documented. If Ferrari has made even incremental progress, he’ll be in the mix.
Possible Spoiler: Charles Leclerc | Ferrari
Credit: F1
Ferrari has pushed Mercedes hard through the opening rounds and Charles Leclerc shouldn’t be underestimated just because Hamilton is getting the podium spotlight right now. Leclerc tends to be exceptional in qualifying, and if he plants the Scuderia on the front row, race strategy becomes the variable. Don’t be surprised if he finds himself in podium contention come Sunday afternoon. He won’t be winning this one, but a third-place finish is within reach if Hamilton has an off day.
The Bottom Line
Credit: F1
Mercedes is the class of the field right now, and nothing about Suzuka changes that assessment. Antonelli on top, Russell just behind, Hamilton making it a multi-team podium for the second straight race. The real storyline is whether Ferrari can chip away enough to make it genuinely close and whether Leclerc can remind everyone that Hamilton isn’t the only weapon in Maranello’s arsenal.
Suzuka has a way of producing drama when you least expect it. But right now, expecting Mercedes to dominate isn’t drama. It’s just math.
ESPN's Matt Miller highlighted a non-first round NFL draft prospect that could fill a big need for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In a recent article from ESPN, Michael DiRocco listed defensive tackle, edge rusher, and linebacker as the Jaguars top three needs at the moment. Miller then selected Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan as a player outside of Round 1 who could fill one one of those needs.
"With three picks in the third round, the Jaguars will have ample opportunity to fill their need at defensive tackle," wrote Miller. "At 6-foot-4, 313 pounds, McClellan has fantastic quickness off the snap and can use his massive, strong hands to control offensive linemen."
McClellan is listed at 6-4, 323 pounds, and has played over 1,000 defensive snaps the last two years. He's had steady pass rush production, recording 18 pressures in 2024 and 21 pressures in 2025.
Although those pressure numbers won't jump off the stat sheet, McClellan ranked 37th out of 169 eligible defensive tackles last season in PFF's pass-rush win rate metric, showcasing his ability to win his one-on-one matchups. He also ranked tied for 21st in run-stop rate as well.
Defensive tackle is arguably the Jaguars' biggest need. For one, they need more depth and competition with only five tackles currently under contract. But in addition to that, while Jacksonville's defense was very good against the run, this defensive front needs a more consistent pass rush from the interior.
Senegalese Footballer Federation president Abdoulaye Fall (centre) and his legal team conducted a confrontational media conference in Paris [Reuters]
Senegal plan to parade the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before their game against Peru in Paris on Saturday, with the head of the country's Football Federation vowing a "crusade" against the decision to strip the team of the title.
The Lions of Teranga claimed their second Afcon title on 18 January when they beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a final which ended in chaotic scenes when the Senegal players walked off the pitch after their opponents were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.
But last week the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned that result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.
On Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) confirmed receipt of Senegal's appeal against that decision, promising to rule "as swiftly as possible".
"Faced with what amounts to the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) refuses to accept this as inevitable," FSF president Abdoulaye Fall said at a media conference in the French capital.
Shortly before making his comments, FSF social media posted a timetable for events around Saturday's friendly at the Stade de France which included a trophy parade.
"Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values," added Fall. "Our fight now transcends the football pitch."
Following the controversial final in Rabat - in which Morocco and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz missed a Panenka penalty to win the match in the 114th minute - the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) immediately lodged a complaint with Caf and Fifa, claiming that Senegal leaving the field of play "greatly affected the normal course of the match and the players' morale".
Caf's disciplinary committee initially rejected that appeal, instead issuing sanctions against both sides, including a five-match ban for Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, on 29 January.
The FRMF said those original penalties did not "reflect the seriousness of the incidents", and Caf's appeal board agreed, releasing a statement on 17 March which said Senegal had contravened articles 82 and 84 of competition regulations.
Article 82 states that if a team "leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee", they are eliminated.
Senegal's government responded by calling for an investigation into "suspected corruption" at Caf, a claim rebuffed by the governing body's president, Patrice Motsepe, who has been at pains to point out the appeal board's independence.
"It is important that the decisions of our Caf disciplinary board and the Caf appeals board are viewed with respect and integrity," he said.
The final decision on who claims the 2025 Afcon title now rests with Cas, sport's highest judicial authority.
"To wage this moral and legal crusade, we have appointed a team of seasoned professionals with undeniable expertise," Fall announced in Paris, flanked by members of the FSF legal team.
One of them, lawyer Seydou Diagne, called the decision to strip Senegal of their title "so blatant, so absurd, so irrational".
"The decision of the appeals jury cannot even be considered a true decision of sporting justice," he added.
"It is an unacceptable and intolerable attack on the fundamental rights of our national Football Federation."
Fellow lawyer Juan Perez said: "A match that was over, whose result had been decided by the referee, now being re-refereed, administratively - that's unprecedented. You haven't seen anything like it. It could change the world of football."
Caf recently updated the Afcon 2025 review on its website to list Morocco as winners, although that page now appears to have been taken down.
With Senegal refusing to relinquish the trophy, and with Saturday's planned parade a sign of their contempt, the battle to be crowned African champions is far from over.
PSG handed advantage over Liverpool after Ligue 1 approves fixture postponement ahead of Champions League tie
The Ligue de Football Professionnel Board of directors have postponed the Ligue 1 fixture between RC Lens and Paris Saint-Germain, according to RMC Sport.
PSG had asked for the fixture to be postponed, giving them more time to prepare for their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Liverpool at Anfield.
Lens, who are one point adrift of PSG at the top of the standings, had opposed the postponement of the clash from its initial April 11 date.
Lens President Xavier Bertrand has reacted angrily to the decision, describing it as unfair.
PSG will host Liverpool at the Parc des Princes on April 8, before travelling to Anfield for the second leg on April 14.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have no rest advantage before any of their two meetings with the French giants.
Arne Slot’s side face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup quarter-final before their trip to Parc des Princes, while hosting Fulham in the Premier League before the return fixture.
While it remains to be seen whether the extra recovery period can benefit PSG, Liverpool would have also appreciated the same advantage.
Liverpool lost to PSG on penalties in last season’s Champions League round of 16 and will be aiming to exact revenge this time around.
PSG head into the tie as favourites, having beaten the Reds last time out and being the competition’s defending champions.
Reports this week suggested Romero's deal in North London had a release clause of €60m (£51.8m), a fee available only to Spanish giants Real Madrid,Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that no such clause exists in the Argentine's contract. However, the expectation is that Romero will leave Spurs in the summer, regardless of whether the club avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The 27-year-old has been vocal in his unhappiness with the club's board, calling the lack of investment in January "unbelievable" and "disgraceful" as Spurs battled an injury crisis.
Following the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in February, he posted on Instagram. “Great effort from all my teammates yesterday, they were all incredible.
"I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially as we had only 11 players available – unbelievable but true and disgraceful.”
It is understood that the defender did have a 'gentleman's agreement' to leave Spurs should the club receive a significant offer from Spain, but no fee was fixed.
The agreement was also with Daniel Levy, who stepped down from his role as Executive Chairman after nearly 25 years in September.
Despite that, there is an expectation that the club captain will move on at the end of the campaign.
The World Cup winner has made 157 appearances for Spurs since his arrival from Atalanta and is attracting interest from clubs inLa Liga and the .
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 24: Jackson Chourio #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers up to bat during the exhibition game against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field on March 24, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
John Fisher via Getty Images
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio will begin the 2026 MLB season on the 10-day injured list with a broken left hand, the team announced on Thursday.
Chourio suffered what was described as a bruised left hand after being hit by a pitch during a Venezuela exhibition game against the Washington Nationals ahead of the World Baseball Classic earlier this month. He would go on to play five games in the tournament, including the final.
Chourio’s placement on the IL is retroactive to March 25, so the earliest he would be available is in time for the Brewers' first road trip in early April starting in Kansas City. But MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy reports that early estimates have the young Venezuelan star possibly missing between 2-4 weeks.
Milwaukee opens the season with a six-game homestand beginning Thursday against the Chicago White Sox.
The 22-year-old Chourio is entering his third season with the Brewers. In 2025, he batted .270 with 21 home runs and 78 RBI in 131 games.
Ann Arbor – On American military bases, Reveille, a bugle call, is played over loudspeakers in the early morning to signal the start of the day.
In the Michigan football building these days, under new head coach Kyle Whittingham, when meetings begin, an air horn sounds.
“It means we have already started our meetings,” safety Rod Moore, a graduate student, said this week. “The past two years, we would start the meeting at 2:30. Now we start meetings at 2:25, but it’s really a 2:30 meeting starting five minutes early.”
This is reminiscent of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr (1995-2007), who borrowed from legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi and would tell his players, “If you are five minutes early, you are already 10 minutes late.”
This is all about discipline and setting a tone for a program. Whittingham was hired last December, 16 days after Sherrone Moore was fired for having an inappropriate relationship with his executive assistant. Moore was head coach for two seasons, and a handful of players who spoke with reporters Wednesday described the Whittingham Era as focused on punctuality and accountability, responsibility and reliability.
“There’s a lot more accountability,” Moore said. “The little things that make a team great. Not just the big broad things that everyone else sees.”
Players can no longer nonchalantly show up late for meetings.
“You need to be 10 minutes early to everything,” running back Jordan Marshall said. “Guys would roll in whenever they really wanted to. And (this new approach is) something that I really like.”
Players have to attend class. If not, they won’t practice, Marshall said. As he sees it, it’s about doing things the right way, because that pays dividends in terms of team bonding and, ultimately, on-field performance. He spoke about the team being in “alignment.”
“That’s something that needs to be done, so that we're all on the same page, and everybody trusts each other,” Marshall said, referring to the players having to attend classes. “Because if I can trust you to go to class, if I can trust you to do things maybe you don't want to do, then I can trust you on the field when it's the fourth quarter and we have one minute left in the game.”
Whittingham has overhauled the staff, including in the weight room. The players worked all winter with Doug Elisaia, director of sports performance at Michigan, and defensive lineman Trey Pierce said how the team conditions is very different. They have more days off from the weight room, but they have more lifts.
“A lot more morning workouts,” Pierce said. “It introduces that factor of toughness, like we’ve been through this at 6 a.m., 6:15 a.m. all these days in the grind together. It improves team bonding and puts you in the headspace of we’ve done harder stuff than this and nothing can break us.”
Rod Moore said that overall, things are “more strict” under Whittingham, and training with Elisaia has been a “night and day” difference than the last two years.
“We feel a lot stronger, a lot more progress,” Moore said.
Practices are being run differently, as well. They last two hours and the time is used efficiently. Marshall said they are up-tempo and high paced.
“We're working,” Marshall said. “I don't stop moving at practice. We're always doing something, and that's not only going to help with us competing with teams, but our conditioning. Practicing that fast for two hours, we're not out there just standing around. We're out there moving 24/7, and that's going to put us in the position to be conditioned when we're in the fourth quarter, in the third quarter, and the other team's tired. We've done all these gassers at the end of practice to put us in the position to be ready to go and ready to strike.”
The Detroit Tigers are set to open the season on the road Thursday, March 26, the fourth consecutive year they've started on the road, and the second straight year they've been on the West Coast.
In the matchup on Thursday, March 26, the Tigers begin the season at the San Diego Padres, playing 10 of their first 13 games on the road.
Earlier this year, the team ended its partnership with the parent company of FanDuel Sports Network, moving all non-national TV Tigers games to be broadcast on Detroit Sports Net through MLB Media.
For fans wondering how to watch, here's what to know:
What channel is Tigers vs Padres on?
All three games of the Tigers' upcoming series against the Padres will be broadcast locally on Detroit Sports Net, here's what to know:
Barry Bonds came close to becoming a Yankee, and the story behind why it didn’t happen is wild. The baseball legend opened up during Opening Night on Netflix, sharing details about his 1992 free agency and how a phone call from George Steinbrenner ended any chance of him suiting up in pinstripes.
Bonds was appearing on the broadcast for the New York Yankees–San Francisco Giants matchup when he finally talked about how real those negotiations were. After back-to-back MVP seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bonds was the biggest name on the market.
The Yankees wanted him, and Steinbrenner was ready to make him the highest-paid player in MLB at the time. But then came the catch.
“George isn’t here anymore, so I can tell the truth, right?” Bonds said. “I would’ve been the Yankees, but Steinbrenner got on the phone, and they called us, and they told me, ‘Barry, we’re gonna give you the money, highest paid player at that time. But you have to sign the contract by 2:00 this afternoon,’ and I said, ‘Excuse me?’ and I just hung the phone up.”
That ultimatum did not sit right with Bonds. The tight deadline felt more like pressure than a negotiation, and he was not about to rush into a decision that big. His agent, Dennis Gilbert, called him right after to make sure he understood what he’d just walked away from.
Bonds did not care. He was not interested in being forced into anything, no matter how much money was on the table.
“By the time I walked down the street to go get lunch. I said, ‘Let me just think about this.’ Then the Giants called me, and I said, ‘I’m going home,'” Barry added.
Barry Bonds watches warmups for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors before the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
So instead of heading to New York, Bonds went back to the Bay Area. That choice defined his career. He spent 15 seasons with the San Francisco Giants, won four more MVP awards, and broke the all-time home run record.
But it is tough not to think about what could have been if he’d signed that afternoon. Bonds in Yankee Stadium with that short porch in right field is a fun what-if that’ll never stop floating around.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio is expected to miss the first two to four weeks of the season after fracturing his left hand in an exhibition game three weeks ago.
The Brewers placed Chourio on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Wednesday. The move was announced hours before their season opener against the Chicago White Sox.
The injury occurred March 4 while playing for Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic team in an exhibition game with the Washington Nationals at West Palm Beach, Florida. Chourio was hit by a pitch from Washington’s Clayton Beeter.
After Chourio had experienced discomfort recently, an MRI revealed a small hairline fracture at the base of the third metacarpal.
Chourio, 22, is coming off a 2025 season in which he batted .270 with a .308 on-base percentage, 21 homers, 78 RBIs and 21 steals in 131 games. He has recorded over 20 homers and 20 steals in each of his two seasons in the majors since signing an eight-year, $82 million contract in December 2023, which represented the most money guaranteed to a player with no major league experience.
He has batted .341 with a 1.044 OPS, four homers and 11 RBIs in 12 career postseason games.
After a highly competitive second round, which included hard-fought games and buzzer-beaters, the 2026 NCAA tournament will continue with the Sweet 16 round. 32 teams remain in competition, and they want to get one step closer to the Final Four.
While some arrive as clear favorites, viral dog Air Corgi made a couple of surprise predictions for the round. For starters, it has No. 11 Texas upsetting No. 2 Purdue in the first game. No. 4 Nebraska continues its run with a win over No. 9 Iowa, No. 1 Arizona takes care of No. Arkansas, and No. 2 Houston moves past No. 3 Illinois in Thursday’s games.
Things get interesting in Friday’s game. Rick Pitino’s St. John’s beat No. 1 Duke, No. 4 Alabama ends No. 1 Michigan’s remarkable run, while No. 2 UConn gets closer to reclaiming its throne with a win over Michigan State. Last but not least, Iowa State continues its solid run with a win over No. 6 Tennessee.
Mar 19, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; The March Madness logo during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
After a four-day rest period between the second round and the Sweet 16, the NCAA tournament will go straight to the Elite Eight. Four teams will clash on Saturday, while four more will do the same on Sunday.
Then, the Final Four will take place on Saturday, April 4. The national championship game will take place on Monday, April 6.
Some teams are looking strong, such as Michigan, St. John’s, Iowa State and Houston. The competition should only get better now.
A pitchers’ duel is on tap at Citi Field as the New York Mets host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day.
With two aces on the mound, I’m backing the Under in my Pirates vs. Mets predictions below.
Keep reading to see the full analysis of this matchup and get my free MLB picks for Thursday, March 26.
Pirates vs Mets predictions
Pirates vs Mets best bet: Under 7 (-105)
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a generational talent to build around in ace Paul Skenes, who went 10-10 with a 1.97 ERA in 2025.
Unfortunately, Pittsburgh put absolutely no offensive talent on the field last season, scoring a league-low 3.60 runs per game with a putrid .655 OPS.
While Pittsburgh has tried to improve its lineup, the New York Mets have a new ace on the mound in Freddy Peralta (17-6, 2.70 ERA), who led the NL in wins and surrendered three or fewer runs in 29 of his 33 starts.
I don’t have confidence in either of these new-look lineups generating much offense against this pitching, so I’m taking the Under this afternoon.
COVERS INTEL: Peralta was 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA in three starts against the Pirates last season, striking out 18 batters in 15 1/3 innings.
Pirates vs Mets same-game parlay (SGP)
Along with taking the Under this afternoon, I also like both starters to hit their strikeout totals in this game. Peralta struck out at least six batters in 23 of 33 starts last year, while Skenes recorded at least seven in 18 of 32. With both offenses still working their way into the season, I feel good about taking the Over on both starters.
Pirates vs Mets SGP
Under 7
Paul Skenes Over 6.5 strikeouts
Freddy Peralta Over 5.5 strikeouts
Pirates vs Mets home run pick: Juan Soto (+350)
While Juan Soto got off to a slow start last year, he finished with a career-high 43 home runs. That follows a general trend for the superstar, who has back-to-back 40+ homer years and has a slugging percentage of .519+ in three straight. While Skenes is a tough matchup for any hitter, Soto comes in off hitting two homers in the World Baseball Classic and has a great shot to continue that momentum into the regular season.
Pirates vs Mets odds
Moneyline: Pittsburgh -1.5 (+160) | New York +1.5 (-194)
Run line: Pittsburgh +100 | New York -118
Over/Under: Over 7 (-122) | Under 7 (+100)
Pirates vs Mets trend
The Pirates have played to totals of seven runs or fewer in 13 of Skenes’ last 16 starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Pirates vs. Mets.
How to watch Pirates vs Mets and game info
Location
Citi Field, Flushing, NY
Date
Thursday, March 26, 2026
First pitch
1:15 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Pirates starting pitcher
Paul Skenes (2025: 10-10, 1.97 ERA)
Mets starting pitcher
Freddy Peralta (2025: 17-6, 2.70 ERA)
Pirates vs Mets latest injuries
Pirates vs Mets weather
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.
MADRID (AP) — Carolina Marín, one of the greatest ever badminton players, retired on Thursday after the Spaniard couldn't fully recover from a third serious knee injury.
Marín, 32, said in a social media post that “my journey in professional badminton has come to an end.”
Marín is the only woman from outside Asia to win the Olympic singles when she won gold at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. She was also the first woman to win three world championships, was ranked No. 1 for a record 66 weeks, and took a record seven European championships.
She has not competed since the 2024 Paris Olympics when she tore the ACL in her right knee for a second time during the semifinals. She was winning that match until she collapsed in agony on the court. Marin tried a knee brace but lasted only two more points. She was too injured to play the bronze medal match.
“I actually did go out while on the court, in Paris in 2024, but we just didn’t know it at that time,” Marín said on Thursday.
She first tore the ACL in her right knee in 2019. She recovered but ruptured the ACL in her left knee and was unable to defend her Olympic title at Tokyo in 2021.
Marin came from behind to beat Olympic champion Li Xuerui in the final of the 2014 worlds, retained the title in 2015 and achieved an unprecedented third crown in 2018. She wasn't match until last year by Akane Yamaguchi.
Marín made the retirement announcement before the European championship to be held in her hometown of Huelva, Spain, next month.
“I wanted us to see each other for one last time on the court," she said, “but not if it meant putting my body at risk.”
Rodri has made 28 appearances for Manchester City this season [Getty Images]
Manchester City midfielder Rodri does not believe being a former Atletico Madrid player rules him out of joining Real Madrid and has said "you can't turn down the best clubs in the world".
The 29-year-old Spain midfielder, who has made 293 appearances for City since joining from La Liga club Atletico in 2019, will be out of contract next summer.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner says he "needs to sit down and talk" with City but added he would one day "like to come back" to Spain.
Despite making 47 appearances for Atletico, Rodri said he would consider joining city rivals Real.
"There have been many players who've gone down that path," Rodri told Spanish media.
"Not immediately, but over time. For me, you can't turn down the best clubs in the world."
Players who have featured for both Real and Atletico include Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Spain forward Alvaro Morata - both of whom played for Chelsea between their spells at the Madrid clubs.
Rodri has won 12 major trophies with Pep Guardiola's side, including four Premier League titles and one Champions League.
He has featured in 18 Premier League games this season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in 2024.
When asked what he thought of Real president Florentino Perez's reported admiration for him as a footballer, Rodri replied: "I don't know - they don't talk to me directly. They'd talk to my agent."
Rodri has been named in Luis de la Fuente's Spain squad for upcoming friendlies against Serbia and Egypt as he targets a spot for this summer's World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada.
Rodri has made 59 appearances for his country and won the European Championships in 2024 and the Nations League the year before.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Kayode Awosika #74 of the Detroit Lions blocks during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on November 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Chargers came into the offseason needing reinforcements up front along the interior of the offensive line. They’ve added former Washington center Tyler Biadasz and offensive guard Cole Strange thus far, the latter of which played under Mike McDaniel in Miami during the 2025 season.
Now, the Bolts have added former Lions offensive guard Kayode Awosika to the room, grabbing a lesser-known blocker who started 11 games for Detroit over four seasons with the team. He most recently started four games for the Lions this past season while playing in 13 total contests.
In all, the 27-year old has played in 50 total career games since entering the NFL and even has a start in the NFC Championship Game to his name. Awosika is a feel-good success story as a former undrafted free agent out of Buffalo who signed with the Eagles after going undrafted in 2021.
Awosika has most of his NFL snaps played at left guard, meaning he’s most likely going to compete with Trevor Penning for that starting spot in camp, barring the Chargers adding zero new left guards during this year’s draft.
DraftKings filed its response to the NCAA trademark infringement lawsuit Wednesday and claimed its use of “March Madness” and affiliated terms are protected under the First Amendment, according to ESPN via the Associated Press. The popular sports gambling company argued the NCAA’s landmark trademark lawsuit will fail on its merits in a Wednesday filing in the Southern District of Indiana.
The NCAA announced its lawsuit against DraftKings last Friday citing trademark infringement for its use of the organizations’ federally-registered “March Madness,” “Final Four,” “Elite Eight,” “Sweet Sixteen,” and all variations, and is seeking an emergency temporary restraining order (TRO) to immediately prevent the sports betting service from further using those terms to promote its business.
But in its response, DraftKings argued those terms are “universally recognized names for the tournaments and their rounds, used by millions of college basketball fans, journalists, and participants in the sports-betting eco-system” as well as other online sportsbooks not currently being sued by the NCAA, per the AP.
“No trademark gives any organization the right to monopolize the language fans, players, journalists, and sportsbooks use every day to accurately refer to college basketball tournaments,” DraftKings said in a statement.
DraftKings also argued the NCAA’s request for a TRO is “based on a contrived and manufactured ’emergency'” while also citing its partnership with Genius Sports, the NCAA’s exclusive distributor of official NCAA data to various sportsbooks through 2032.
In a statement Friday, the NCAA said use of such trademarks goes against one of the association’s core values about separating sports betting from NCAA championships. It also cited protection of its student-athletes as a reason for filing the lawsuit.
“The NCAA makes clear in the complaint and its motion that every day that DraftKings continues to use these marks, millions of sports fans – and, critically, college students and young adults who are particularly susceptible to gambling harm – are exposed to the false suggestion that the Association has authorized or endorsed DraftKings’ gambling platform,” the NCAA statement read Friday. “This causes confusion among NCAA members and student-athletes that the Association is involved with and/or endorsing sports betting, which is in direct contradiction to its robust education, integrity monitoring, anti-harassment and advocacy efforts to end risky prop bets.
“The NCAA does not have any commercial relationships with any sportsbooks of any kind and continues to uphold a strict prohibition on advertising and sponsorships associated with betting. The NCAA says filing this complaint is a crucial step in furthering its mission to protect the integrity of competition and student-athlete well-being from the harms of sports betting.”
The 2026 NCAA Tournament enters its second weekend of action tonight, with Sweet Sixteen games running Thursday and Friday, and the Elite Eight round held Saturday and Sunday. The organization had initially requested an emergency TRO hearing be held prior to the start of Sweet Sixteen games Thursday.
The Will Wade era at LSU was a bizarre one. The Will Wade era at NC State was far shorter.
Wade is officially set to leave NC State for an LSU return after one season, CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reports, heading back to Baton Rouge four years after an unceremonious firing.
Wade reached the NCAA Tournament twice with the Tigers, but he never actually coached in the tournament. A suspension kept him off the sidelines in 2019, and LSU, having had enough of NCAA investigations, fired him before the tournament began in 2022.
Now, Wade is back in familiar territory. Here's what you need to know.
Recruiting scandals derailed Wade's first stint at LSU, but those types of scandals are far less common nowadays because players are allowed to be paid. That doesn't mean Wade is necessarily absolved of past NCAA violations, but the embarrassment he caused the Tigers the first time around is virtually impossible in today's climate.
LSU has a new athletic administration and is more desperate to win than it was in 2022. The Tigers earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament in Wade's final season but haven't made it back to the tournament since and are just 17-55 in SEC play over the last four seasons.
In an era in which resources matter most, LSU has plenty of resources. Wade has proven he knows how to use resources when they are available to him, particularly now that they can legally be used. LSU is also hiring McNeese's Heath Schroyer to its athletic administration, giving Wade a close ally who will have his back this time around.
While NC State provided Wade with plenty of resources to build a roster last season, Wade is ultra familiar with the Louisiana recruiting environment and knows what kind of fit he will be.
What happened with Will Wade at LSU?
Wade was embroiled in recruiting scandals for much of his five seasons at LSU. He was suspended by the program ahead of the NCAA Tournament in 2019 when an FBI wiretap found him discussing a "strong-a—" offer to a player, but he avoided losing his job when LSU reinstated him following the season. The Tigers reached the Sweet 16 with Wade away from the team.
An NCAA investigation into Wade continued, and he was fired the day before Selection Sunday in 2022 when LSU was served a notice of allegations from the NCAA.
After a year off, Wade returned to the coaching ranks at McNeese and found immediate success with back-to-back Southland Conference titles before leaving for NC State in 2025.
Manchester United enquire about defender after Barcelona open door to exit
Barcelona are sure to be busy during this summer’s transfer window, as they seek to reinforce Hansi Flick’s squad ahead of the 2026-27 season. The plan is for numerous signings to be made, but these could be offset by significant departures – especially if more funds are needed in order for the Catalans to return to La Liga’s 1:1 rule.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is a certainty to leave, while one of Robert Lewandowski or Ferran Torres is also expected to depart in order to allow a new striker to come in. There may also be movement in defence, particularly in the full-back department where doubts have arisen regarding starting pair Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde.
In Balde’s case, Barcelona are prepared to hear offers from interested clubs. This stance has attracted the interest of Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa, all of whom have enquired about the 22-year-old’s situation, as per MD.
Balde’s profile as an explosive full-back is appreciated in the Premier League, which is why he has a number of suitors there. Were he to leave Barcelona, the likelihood is that a move to England would be most likely.
Barcelona’s contract situation opens door to move
It must be remembered that Balde’s contract as a Barcelona player only runs until 2028. At this stage, no move has been made to offer a renewal, and with just over two years remaining until it ends, this summer would be the ideal time for the Catalans to get peak value for his services.
Barcelona may well consider letting Balde go in the summer, but the player himself has absolutely no plans to leave the Spotify Camp Nou. In this regard, he’s unlikely to move in 2026, but were he not to sign a new contract before the end of next season, the door could be opened wider in 2027.
Roma or Everton at risk of European exclusion in 2026-27
There is a growing possibility that both Roma and Premier League side Everton end up qualifying for the same European competition at the end of the 2025-26 season, which could result in one of them being excluded due to the fact that both sides are under the same ownership.
Roma and Everton at ‘risk’ of qualifying for the same competition
As things stand, both sides are competing for a spot in UEFA competitions for 2026-27 in their respective domestic leagues. Roma are currently sixth in Serie A, which would be enough for a Europa League finish, but are still hoping for a Champions League spot, and currently sit just three points behind Como in fourth.
Everton, meanwhile, are eighth in the Premier League, level on points with Brentford in seventh. Like Roma, they are also three points away from a Champions League spot, given that the Premier League is expected to receive five UCL places again in 2026-27.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: David Moyes, Manager of Everton, celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
However, under UEFA regulations, no individual or legal entity is permitted to have a decisive influence over more than one club competing in its competitions.
That means that if both Roma and Everton were to qualify for the same European competition next season, whether that be the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League, one team would either be demoted to a lower-ranking competition, or potentially excluded altogether.
Just last season, Premier League side Crystal Palace had qualified for the Europa League as a result of their FA Cup win, but were then demoted to the Conference League given that they were under the same ownership as Ligue 1 side Lyon, who had already qualified for the Europa League.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
If Roma and Everton were to qualify for the same competition, UEFA would be expected to give preference to the side that finished highest in its respective national league. If there is no difference, the place should be awarded to the club whose federation ranks highest on the UEFA access list.
Jackson Chourio's World Baseball Classic appearance has come with a cost.
The Milwaukee Brewers placed the outfielder on the 10-day injured list Thusday, March 26 with a fractured left hand suffered when he was hit by a pitch in a March 4 game while playing for eventual WBC champion Team Venezuela.
Chourio finished out the tournament and then played four Cactus League games with the Brewers, but a subsequent MRI exam revealed a hairline fracture at the base of the third metacarpal on his left hand after he had experienced recent discomfort.
The Brewers estimate Chourio will miss two to four weeks.
Outfielder Blake Perkins was recalled from Class AAA Nashville to take Chourio's spot on the 26-man roster.
Check back later for updates. Chourio, president of baseball operations Matt Arnold and manager Pat Murphy are all scheduled to speak with the media later this morning.
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 18: AJ Surace #10 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights practices passing before the game against the Oregon Ducks at SHI Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Rutgers is set to begin springs practices on Friday and there is plenty to keep an eye on.
After a five-win season, and 2-7 record in the Big Ten, the Scarlet Knights made changes to the roster and coaching staff. This is the first chance to see how the team looks on the field.
This year, practice will be all fans have. The spring season will not end with the Scarlet-White Game, which has become a tradition for Rutgers. Head coach Greg Schiano previously announced that this game will not be played this year.
Despite the lack of a spring game, this is an important time for Rutgers ad these three storylines will be at the forefront.
New-look quarterback battle
Athan Kaliakmanis has moved on. While the two-year starter chases his goals at the NFL level, Rutgers will be looking for a new starter and there will be an intriguing battle.
AJ Surace returns for his third year in the program. The Scarlet Knights also hit the transfer portal to add Boston College’s Dylan Lonergan.
Surace has played sparingly during his career, but many believe he has great potential. He has become known for not just his physical intangibles, but for his intelligence as well.
Lonergan began his career at Alabama with Nick Saban before landing at Boston College as a transfer. He now comes to Rutgers with two years of eligibility remaining. Lonergan appeared in 10 games for the Eagles last year, making nine starts. He completed 66.9% of his passes and finished with 2,025 passing yards and 12 touchdowns with five interceptions.
This feels like it will be a legitimate quarterback battle. In typical Schiano fashion, we might not get an answer on a starter for a long time. Maybe we’ll get that answer before the day of the season opener.
KJ Duff & who?
Rutgers had two wide receivers emerge last season and were able to retain a big fish.
KJ Duff announced at a basketball game that he would return to Piscataway next season. This was major news as Duff led Rutgers with 60 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025. Ian Strong entered the transfer portal and eventually landed at Cal. With DT Sheffield moving on as well, the Scarlet Knights will be in search of that all-important No. 2 receiver next to Duff.
The good news is, there are some options. The semi-bad news, Rutgers will be looking at options that dealt with injuries last year.
Famah Toure is a receiver with a high ceiling. He missed the entirety of the year after an injury in the spring game. Vernon Allen and Jourdin Houston will also get a chance to step up after dealing with injuries last year.
Ben Black played last season and caught eight passes for 119 yards and a touchdown.
Travis Johansen takes over defense
The Robb Smith-Zach Sparber experiment did not work. Is anyone surprised?
Rutgers allowed a Big Ten-worst 432.8 yards per game last season. It also gave up 31.8 points per game. Schiano made a quick change and brought in South Dakota’s Travis Johansen to be the new defensive coordinator.
Johansen filled his staff well and completed the overhaul on the sideline. Not only will the coaching staff look different, Rutgers added 10 defensive players in the transfer portal.
We can breakdown each player on the defensive side of the ball, and we will when the time comes, but the picture as a whole is what is important. It will be a new-look system with a new group of players and after 2025, that is good news.
Two years ago, the NFL seized on a quirk in the calendar that allowed the league to televise a Friday night game, Friday Night Lights be damned. With Friday a Week 1 option only when it's the first Friday in September, the league can't do it in 2026, when Week 1 coincides with the second full weekend of the month.
Enter Wednesday-Thursday.
The NFL has announced that, this year, the Seahawks will host the opening game on Wednesday, September 9, with the 49ers and the Rams playing on Thursday, September 10 in Australia.
That's likely the new formula, for the years when Thursday-Friday doesn't work because of the league's broadcast antitrust exemption.
Wednesday-Thursday will be the likely plan in 2027 and 2028, with the Super Bowl champion hosting the Wednesday game and an international contest happening on Thursday. In 2029, Friday will be in play. Ditto for 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033.
Of course, none of that matters if/when the league expands to 18 games and two byes. At that point, Week 1 likely would be moved to Labor Day weekend, which the NFL abandoned after 2001.
Here's the other catch. If the current approach continues, with no NFL football on Labor Day weekend, the league's effort to find more ways to cram cheese into the pizza would entail not a Thursday-Friday two-pack of games but a Wednesday-Thursday-Friday trifecta.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 4: Sebastian Fundora, left, the WBC Super Welterweight World Champion, and Keith Thurman, right, face off with promoter Tom Brown standing in between them after a news conference at AVALON Hollywood on February 4, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. The bout will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, March 28, 2026. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Previously slated to meet in October before “Towering Inferno” injured his back, Sebastian Fundora and Keith Thurman now helm an Amazon Prime PPV this coming Saturday at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.
Bad Left Hook will have LIVE coverage of the card starting at 8:00 pm ET.
Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KO) put the screws to Tim Tszyu in their rematch last July, extending his winning streak to three since a shocking upset loss to Brian Mendoza in 2023. Thurman (31-1, 23 KO) has fought just once in the last four years, a three-round thumping of Brock Jarvis in hostile territory last March.
Can “One Time” defy the odds once again, or will Fundora once again prove himself the man to beat at 154?
Who will win Fundora vs Thurman?
Cliche though it may be, this honestly does boil down to how much Thurman has left in the tank, because as far as I can see, his style is perfectly suited for chopping down Fundora.
As much as he’s improved, Fundora still bears a number of shortcomings that his offensive prowess has to compensate for. Some of these are physiological; you can’t expect someone built like Manute Bol to move like Fred Astaire. Others, though, point to some lingering complacency. He brings his hands back low, confident that his height will keep him out of trouble, but simultaneously gets sloppy with his distance management. While we mostly remember Tszyu saying “no mas” in their rematch, it’s worth noting that he hit Fundora with some absolute bombs despite a nine-inch height difference and nearly 10-inch reach difference.
Thurman is actually taller than Tszyu by an inch and gives up just one additional inch of reach, but more than that, he’s clever enough to safely create the sorts of openings that Tszyu had to bleed for. Forcing Fundora to chase, waiting for those stilt legs of his to get out of position, and cracking him over the top is the sort of gameplan a prime Thurman could reliably execute even with the size difference.
Problem is, it’s anyone’s guess how much of “prime Thurman” remains. He was shaky in the early going against Jarvis, leaving himself open to counters with some uncharacteristically ugly lunges, and though he managed to find his sea legs and drop the hammer, Jarvis isn’t half the puzzle Fundora is.
As much as I want to call the upset and genuinely believe that Thurman will give him fits, I just can’t bring myself to pull the trigger with so many lingering questions around Thurman’s condition. Without the sort of concussive power necessary to put Fundora on the defensive, Thurman will need to lean on his legs all night, and that’s a lot of responsibility to put on 37-year-old limbs. He’ll do well when they’re both fresh, but somewhere around the halfway point, Fundora’s sheer physicality will bail him out and wear Thurman down to a competitive but clear decision win.
Prediction: Sebastian Fundora by unanimous decision
The Punta Mita Invitational, already over a decade old, has proven its formula — access, location and fun — works wonders.GOLF
The Punta Mita Invitational isn’t trying to be just another pro-am. Now in its 11th year, the event has turned into one of golf’s most unique experiences — an intersection of high-level competition and luxury accommodations at one of the most gorgeous destinations in the the sport.
The event, founded in 2014, brings together passionate amateurs, Tour winners and industry leaders. The most recent playing wrapped up in January. Here’s what you should know about it and, better yet, how you can get involved next time.
A dynamite field
Punta Mita is different from a traditional pro-am due to its accessibility of the professional field. The 2026 lineup featured major champions, Tour winners and international standouts. They weren’t distant celebrities but teammates, dinner companions and, at some moments, beachside storytellers.
Michael Campbell, the 2005 U.S. Open champion, served as event host, anchoring a field that included Players champ Fred Funk and pros like Stuart Appleby, Chris DiMarco, Heath Slocum, John Rollins, Ricky Barnes, Notah Begay III and Esteban Toledo. The invitational rotates pros with amateurs daily, so all three rounds are played with a different star.
Teams of three amateurs (and their rotating pro) compete over three rounds for the title. But this isn’t high-stress and mega pressure — think more like a high-end member-guest. There’s drinks and there’s laughs — but there’s also competition, like the annual shootout, where pros split into two teams for a four-hole match. Better yet, it’s played in front of guests, homeowners and resort members. It’s also a blast.
An overhead view of some of the off-course fun.Courtesy Photo
A destination worth visiting
The location itself is a star. Once a quiet peninsula for surfers and fishermen, Punta Mita was transformed by developer DINE into a private luxury enclave featuring world-class real estate, curated amenities and two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses.
The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita opened in 1999, and today Punta Mita is home to four elite hotel properties: Four Seasons, St. Regis Punta Mita, Montage Punta Mita and Pendry Punta Mita. There’s also 20 residential (and private) communities. The St. Regis Punta Mita plays as event host, and here guests enjoy five nights of luxury accommodations, beach access and spa experiences. There’s also nightly social events.
The golf, of course, is good too. The most famous hole might be the Pacifico Course’s “Tail of the Whale” island green. It appears and disappears with the tides — so it can only be played when accessible — and is truly a bucket-list experience. (As long as the tide’s on your side.)
The Tail of the Whale, hole 3B, at the Pacifico Course.Evan Schiller
Outside the ropes
If the days belong to golf, the nights belong to Punta Mita.
Evenings unfold with sunset happy hours, beachside gatherings and standout dining experiences — including a memorable night at Hector’s Kitchen, recently named one of Mexico’s Top 100 Restaurants for 2026 by renowned critic Marco Beteta.
This is where the Invitational separates itself. As pros linger over mezcal and amateurs trade stories, genuine connections form and business relationships soften into friendships. Clients become playing partners. And the line between competitor and companion disappears.
“The idea from the beginning was never just great golf,” says Derek Oakey, the event founder. “When Carl Emberson and I started this in 2014, we wanted it to feel different, something that truly embraced the vibe of Punta Mita. Over the years it’s grown into an experience that’s just as much about the people and the place as it is the competition.”
The ideal environment has also morphed into an intriguing location to host high-value clients and prospects, as access like this can’t be replicated in a traditional hospitality tent.
The future
The 2026 Punta Mita Invitational was the second edition of a new partnership with 8AM Golf, which is focused on growing the game and elevating the golfer experience. With deep relationships across professional golf, media, instruction and equipment, 8AM Golf brings credibility, access and operational excellence, helping take an already special event to an entirely new level.
And 11 years in, the Punta Mita Invitational has become something increasingly rare in modern golf: an event that feels exclusive without feeling inaccessible, and competitive without losing its soul.
Paradise doesn’t just surround the golf — it becomes a part of it. To learn more, click here.
The Milwaukee Brewers begin the 2026 MLB season against the Chicago White Sox in Milwaukee, but there is going to be a very notable absence for the home team, and it's not Freddy Peralta.
On Opening Day, just a few hours before the game, the Brewers announced that Jackson Chourio is going on the injured list with a fracture in his left hand. This is a brutal blow for the Brewers, as they now need to adjust the outfield before the season's even started.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, Brewers manager Pat Murphy revealed that Christian Yelich might move back to the outfield to begin the year with this unfortunate Chourio injury.
Brewers have new Christian Yelich plan amid Jackson Chourio's injury
"Pat Murphy on MLBNetwork moments ago, speaking on Christian Yelich's role after the Chourio injury: '(Yelich) wants to play the outfield, and I think he will,'" Morosi reports.
Yelich playing in the outfield is not something that the Brewers have done much with Yelich lately. He played in 122 games as an outfielder in 2023, but the last two years, he's been a designated hitter primarily.
He played just 48 games in the outfield in 2024 compared to 26 at designated hitter. Then in 2025, he played 131 games as the DH compared to just 19 as an outfielder.
But if there were ever a time for Yelich to return to the outfield for an extended period of time, it would be now.
Chourio is going to miss a few weeks, and with the Brewers clearly lacking in the outfield without him, Yelich returning there makes a ton of sense.
This plan from Pat Murphy isn't a shocking one, as Yelich can still play in the outfield. But, compared to the initial plan to keep him as the designated hitter, this is a big change, as Yelich will be back in the field for more of the season with Chourio out for a while.
Moses Itauma (left) and Jermaine Franklin Jr (right) with promoter Frank Warren during the Magnificent 7 press launch at the Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Monday November 17, 2025. (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
It took a bit longer than expected, but Moses Itauma and Jermaine Franklin will finally share the ring this Saturday as the chief attraction of Queensberry’s latest Manchester show.
Bad Left Hook will have LIVE coverage of the card starting at 1:00 pm ET.
Itauma (13-0, 11 KO) has dispatched his last nine opponents in under two rounds apiece, including a 1:59 demolition job of Dillian Whyte last October. Franklin (24-2, 15 KO) dropped back-to-back bouts to Whyte and Anthony Joshua, but enters the ring on the heels of an upset decision over two-time Olympic bronze medalist Ivan Dychko.
Can Franklin snatch his second consecutive “0,” or will boxing’s best heavyweight prospect claim another quick finish?
Who will win Itauma vs Franklin?
With all due respect to Franklin, I just don’t see how he wins unless Itauma has some massive Achilles’ heel that flares up at the worst possible moment.
The key issue here is speed. Itauma is blindingly quick for his size and adept at keeping things at his preferred mid- to long-range. The only times he’s looked even mildly uncomfortable came when opponents bullied their way into the pocket and forced him to clinch, but as we saw against Mike Balogun, forcing Itauma into a phone booth is significantly easier said than done.
While Franklin is hypothetically durable enough to withstand some of Itauma’s broadsides, he moves like he left his parking brake on. Watching him plod around against Devin Vargas, giving up huge chunks of real estate to a man in his early 40s, it’s hard to fathom how he deals with the in-and-out movement of Itauma. Franklin basically has to hope that Itauma wears himself out within the first few rounds, which is a lot to ask when Franklin lacks the footwork or spoiling skills to throw Itauma off his game.
That just leaves the puncher’s chance, which Franklin doesn’t really have. Vargas had been finished seven times before and the best Franklin could manage was a stoppage between rounds, which marked just his second win inside the distance in the last eight years. Itauma’s not going down unless he sprints face-first into a wound-up bomb, and even then I’d give the young gun decent odds of getting back up.
Too slow and too light a puncher to knock Itauma out of his comfort zone, it’s really just a question of how long Franklin can hold out. He’s got a chin on him, but I’m feeling the early finish. Sadly, I’m not currently at my rhetorical best, so just imagine a suitably florid description of Franklin’s inevitable hiding.
Transgender women athletes will no longer be allowed to compete in Olympic women’s events under a new eligibility policy, the International Olympic Committee announced Thursday.
The rule will take effect in time for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
“For all disciplines on the sports programme of an IOC event, including the Olympic Games and for both individual and team sports, eligibility for any female category is limited to biological females,” the IOC said, adding that the classification will be determined through a one‑time gene screening program.
The Olympic governing body said the policy is intended to “ensure fairness, and to protect safety, particularly in contact sports,” and is a shift from its previous approach of leaving eligibility decisions to individual federations.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the rule is based on scientific and medical guidance.
“At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat,” Coventry, who began leading the organization last year, said in a statement. “It would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category.”
The move aligns with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports and follows a similar policy adopted by the U.S. Olympic Committee last year.
The Trump administration cheered the IOC’s move, with the White House’s rapid response X account highlighting the decision and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt crediting Trump for the change.
“President Trump's Executive Order protecting women's sports made this happen!” Leavitt wrote on X.
🙄Criticism rains down: Nacional's harsh blow against Cruz Azul
What was supposed to be a tune-up match to keep up the rhythm ended up becoming a headache for Atlético Nacional. The Verdolaga side was thrashed 3-0 by Mexico’s Cruz Azul at PayPal Park in San José, United States. After a scoreless first half, the “Cement Machine” imposed its superiority in the second half with goals from Nicolás Ibáñez, Luka Romero, and Mateo Levy, unleashing the fury of the Colombian fans.
Criticism over the lack of attitude
Despite being leaders in Liga BetPlay, the fans did not forgive the image left in California. On social media, supporters lashed out at the squad, pointing to a worrying lack of intensity and authority. The criticism also reached coach Diego Arias, whose management is once again being questioned by a section of the stands demanding an immediate change of direction.
Return and key clash against Pasto
With no time for regrets, the team returns to Colombia to prepare for Sunday’s match against Deportivo Pasto. This clash will be vital, as both teams are level on points at the top of the table. Atlético Nacional need a convincing victory to calm the waters and reaffirm their credentials as contenders for the domestic title.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Sal Stewart #27 of the Cincinnati Reds runs towards first base during a Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on March 12, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When was the last time the Cincinnati Reds rolled into a season on such an upswing?
They made the playoffs last year. Even after they did that, they didn’t immediately lose half their roster to free agency, or have their minuscule budget force them to trade away key stars.
They’ve got a Hall of Fame manager at the helm, a starting rotation whose depth is the envy of the entire league, and a bona fide star in the making as their shortstop. They even brought back the world’s greatest gum-bubble blower.
Today the Cincinnati Reds will take on the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on Opening Day as the 2026 season officially gets under way. With that in mind, here are Five Dumb Predictions for the upcoming Reds season – some of which I truly hope are woefully inaccurate.
Matt McLain swipes 35 bags
All the way back in 2023, McLain swiped 14 bases in just 89 games as part of his ‘breakout’ before shoulder and oblique issues set back his entire career. Then, in 2025, he stole another 18 in 147 games despite barely keeping his OBP at the .300 level.
Now, though, he looks to be fully healthy once again, and I’m banking on him actually getting on base at a respectable clip for a full season – and that will provide him with ample opportunity to do more swiping. I also anticipate him swiping with more proclivity than ever before, and thus this here prediction.
It’s going to be a big, big year for Matt.
Sal Stewart leads the Reds in OPS
The Reds spent big (for them) this winter to sign veteran slugger Eugenio Suárez, who once posted a .930 OPS during his 49-homer campaign with them in 2019. The Reds also boast one Elly De La Cruz, a superstar in the making who has all the chops of a guy who could swap 50 homers with the flick of a wrist.
Still, there’s something about the approach of Cincinnati’s rookie 1B that just screams that he’ll be the battleship of their offense, a guy who once walked as much as he struck out in the minors in an homage to the guy who just gifted the franchise a Verdin clock after his own Hall of Fame career with them.
I think Sal’s patient approach pays off big time for him in 2026, with ample power shoved in there as well. The end result? A .290/.360/.490 season that sees him swat 25 homers and lead the Reds in OPS at season’s end.
We’re all sleeping on Tyler Stephenson
Contract years have ways of bringing out the absolute best in players, and Cincinnati catcher Tyler Stephenson just so happens to be in one of them in 2026. The former 1st round pick didn’t pick up a contract extension from the Reds (despite Jose Trevino getting one upon being dealt to the club), and top prospect Alfredo Duno looms large as he approaches the upper minors.
The writing, as they say, is very much on the wall for ol’ Ty Steves. His time with the Reds appears to be dwindling.
Injuries have set him back in most every year, as they are wont to do for catchers, but I think things truly begin to come together for him in a platform 2026. That won’t mean the Reds will jump to sign him long-term, but it will put him in a great spot to land a big deal with someone else when next winter rolls around after he mashes his way into free agency.
I see a 23 homer season for him in ‘26, which will set a new career best before he heads off to free agency and is paid to be a professional baseball player by another team.
Ke’Bryan Hayes hits a homer
Maybe even two. I’ll go out on a limb and say he hits four.
The Reds valiantly miss the playoffs
It’s tough out there, folks. It’s especially tough out in the rough and tumble land of the National League Central division, where the Milwaukee Brewers have perfected their own art of player development and the Chicago Cubs have finally leaned-in to their ability to outspend their peers.
Heck, even the Pittsburgh Pirates have figured out the whole ‘draft good players’ angle to the game.
I think the 2026 Reds end up doing a lot of the same things they did just one year ago when they won 83 games and snuck into the playoffs as the New York Mets collapsed. I just worry that won’t be good enough to sneak into the postseason again in 2026, as the rest of the National League tide has risen faster than they have.
I see another 83 wins – maybe even 84! – but I don’t think that’s going to be good enough for them to make the playoffs, as Hunter Greene’s absence across the first half of the season ends up being the single most deciding factor for this club in the history books.
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Will Wade of the LSU Tigers signals to his players during a consultation college basketball game at the Maui Invitational against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 22, 2017 in Lahaina, Hawaii. The Golden Eagles won 94-84. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Getty Images
They say you can’t go home again.
Apparently that’s not the case for Will Wade.
Wade, 43, is reportedly returning to be the head men’s basketball at LSU after just one season at N.C. State. He coached at the SEC school from 2017-22 with three NCAA Tournament appearances before being fired.
The school is buying out current coach Matt McMahon and hiring Wade, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports first reported.
The two buyouts total to $11 million, and the school is spending close to $200 million on football and basketball buyouts, salaries and NIL. That does not include NIL for next year’s basketball team.
LSU fired Wade four years ago after receiving a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA.
ESPN reported the Notice of Allegations charges LSU with eight Level 1 violations, considered the most serious, including seven connected to the basketball program. One Level 1 violation included a “failure to exercise institutional control and monitor ...its football and men’s basketball programs.”
In taped calls depicted in the two-hour HBO documentary “The Scheme,” Wade discussed with Christian Dawkins, a runner in the basketball world and want-to-be-agent, in colorful language the recruitment of players Naz Reid, Nassir Little and Javonte Smart.
“I went to him with a [expletive] strong-ass offer about a month ago,” Wade said in the call, first reported March 7, 2019, referring to Smart. “[Expletive] strong. It was a helluva [expletive] offer.”
Wade was hired by McNeese State ahead of the 2023-24 season and went 50-9 in two seasons with two NCAA Tournament appearances.
However, during last year’s tournament, he openly admitted his agents were talking to N.C. State and he accepted that job while McNeese was still playing.
The Wolfpack went 20-14 and reached the NCAA Tournament, losing in the First Four to Texas.
Just recently, Wade was asked about the LSU job.
“No, is the job open there? Huh?…," he told reporters. "Let me be very clear. I’m excited at NC State. I was hired at NC State to do a job. This wasn’t gonna take one year...”
With the recent firing of Hubert Davis at North Carolina, both the North Carolina and N.C. State jobs are open.
Data analytics in football: Why your favourite club cannot win without It
Data analytics in football now generates 1.4 million data points in a single match, capturing every pass, sprint, and tactical decision on the pitch.
This transformation has changed how clubs operate, from scouting players in distant countries to making up-to-the-minute tactical adjustments during matches. Football performance analysis has evolved from simple statistics to sophisticated systems that predict outcomes and identify weaknesses opponents don’t even know they have. I’ll show you in this piece why traditional methods no longer work, the core areas where football data analytics brings success, and the competitive disadvantage your club faces without it.
Why traditional football methods are no longer enough
Traditional scouting in football relies on subjective opinions and gut feelings that create the biggest problems. Research shows scouts have low agreement on player rankings and make inconsistent selection decisions when using only their experience as qualification criteria. The methods that worked decades ago cannot handle the complexity of modern football.
The financial cost alone makes traditional approaches unsustainable. Scouts travel to observe players in person, which limits the number of athletes they can assess within any given timeframe. This geographical constraint means clubs miss talent in markets they cannot reach.
More troubling is the lack of standardisation in the industry. Few studies have analysed the procedures, criteria and tools scouts use. Scouting departments overrely on outdated information and overlook relevant evidence because they lack explicit key performance indicators. This creates an environment where expensive signings become coin tosses rather than calculated investments.
Studies on football scouting revealed something unexpected: scientists found no evidence that observing players in games hurt or helped validity. They could not prove watching players mattered at all. The feedback loop remains too long for scouts to learn which cues predict professional success.
Football performance analysis has since moved beyond these limitations.
The contrast becomes even clearer in esports, where live information is built into how fans and bettors follow the action. A best-of-three series does not unfold like a static prediction from before kick-off. It keeps re-pricing itself through map wins, side changes, kill tempo, economy pressure, and tactical adjustments. That is what makes In-play betting on major matches more meaningful in esports than a simple pre-match wager, because betting decisions can be based on visible in-game developments rather than broad assumptions alone. Platforms like Betmaster reflect this structure by offering live markets that move with map-level performance and in-game events, rather than relying only on fixed pre-match odds
Core areas where data analytics drives football success
Football clubs now analyse performance in four distinct domains: technical skill development, tactical execution, physical conditioning and psychological readiness. Each area generates applicable information that directly influences match outcomes.
Tactical analysis has become especially sophisticated through metrics like expected goals (xG), which measures shot quality based on location, angle and defensive positioning. Heat maps and player movement tracking reveal positioning patterns. Coaches use these patterns to adjust formations, pressing systems and counter-attacking strategies. Teams can identify opponent vulnerabilities before stepping onto the pitch with these capabilities.
Opposition analysis combines video footage with statistical databases from companies like Opta, Wyscout and StatsBomb. Analysts get into how opponents attack, defend and transition between phases. Some clubs use internal models to select which matches to review. This ensures they study games that represent opponent tactics against similar teams accurately.
Set-pieces represent a critical application. Research shows dead-ball situations account for up to 30% of goals. FC Midtjylland created 20-25 distinct routines based on analysing thousands of free-kicks and corners. This resulted in 49% of their goals coming from set-pieces during their 2014-15 title-winning season.
Injury prevention relies on monitoring training loads, movement patterns and physical stress through wearable devices and GPS trackers. AI systems like Zone7 showed they can forecast increased injury risk one to seven days before 72.4% of actual injuries (306 out of 423 cases).
The competitive disadvantage of playing without analytics
Almost every Premier League team employs someone with ‘analytics’ in their title, but most have very little effect on decision-making. Teams hire analysts because it would look bad if they didn’t, not because they intend to use the insights. This superficial adoption creates a dangerous illusion of progress. Competitors gain real advantages.
The problem runs deeper than just hiring. Tony Khan, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Senior Vice President of Technology and Analytics, identified the biggest problem: “There are a lot of sceptics, and that’s probably on the analysts and the statisticians. You have to be able to explain it to the football people in their terms’. Coaches reject data not because it’s inaccurate. They don’t understand or believe the results.”
Many clubs have data scientists but don’t know what to do with them. The strongest voices at the club drive decisions, whether scouts, board members, or agents, without clear decision-making structures. Data becomes part of power games rather than objective guidance.
Smaller clubs face additional barriers. Limited resources prevent investment in data specialists or advanced AI tools. Clubs that ignore football data analytics risk falling behind. Competitors deploy advanced features. Poor data quality undermines strategic decisions and leads to mis-investment.
Conclusion
Football data analytics isn’t optional anymore. It’s the difference between winning and mediocrity. Clubs that hire analysts for appearance will continue losing to teams that weave insights into decision-making. Your favourite club faces a choice: adopt analytics in scouting and tactics, or watch competitors pull further ahead. The gap widens with each passing season. Clubs that act now will dominate tomorrow’s game.
Redcar Athletic beat Matlock Town 4-2 on Wednesday to secure promotion [Redcar Athletic]
A non-league football club has been promoted to its highest level in its 33-year history.
Northern Premier League East Division Redcar Athletic guaranteed promotion on Wednesday night to the seventh level of the English football league system.
The club's director John Wilberforce told BBC Radio Tees he will never forget the feeling of winning promotion as the team beat Matlock Town 4-2.
He said. "We'll be welcoming some big teams next season. I expect [Wrexham co-owner] Ryan Reynolds to be knocking on our door anytime soon."
Wilberforce said the Matlock match was "brilliant" and revealed: "It was a party last night.
"I could remember it when there were barely anybody going and there was a tiny little stand.
"The club grows and grows."
He said one of the best things with non-league football was its affordability.
"It's a community, we all enjoy each other's company," he said.
"It's a more affordable treat for a family."
The ambitious director said he thought the team could seek promotion again.
Mar. 26—SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Ten years ago today, I sat in a hotel room in Cincinnati and had an idea.
With the unpredictability of the NCAA men's hockey tournament, I wondered if I could even predict the results better than a coin. The answer was a resounding no.
In Year 1, the coin correctly predicted UND would win the NCAA national title. I did not. The battle was on.
I've now beaten the coin five years in a row. But an NCAA rules change last summer allowed Canadian Hockey League players to retain their NCAA eligibility, and it has led to even more parity this season in college hockey and a deep tournament field.
We'll see what 2026 brings.
Schlossman's picks: Michigan State over UConn. Dartmouth over Wisconsin. Michigan State over Dartmouth.
Comments: Michigan State has just about everything you want in a team — high-end skill, tenacity, scoring ability, tough defending, elite goaltending and a good mix of younger/older players. Although UConn is playing well, that's going to be a tough matchup. Dartmouth is coming into the tournament hot; Wisconsin is not. We'll see if that matters. Beware of Dartmouth's Hayden Stavroff. He has one of the best releases in the country. The Badgers, meanwhile, need their goaltenders to play better to make a run.
The coin's picks: Michigan State over UConn. Wisconsin over Dartmouth. Wisconsin over Michigan State.
Schlossman's picks: North Dakota over Merrimack. Providence over Quinnipiac. North Dakota over Providence.
Comments: Like Michigan State, North Dakota has just about everything you want in a playoff hockey team. This is a hard, direct team. When the Fighting Hawks are at their best, they're an extremely difficult out. They've lost one regulation game in two months, two in the last four months. Providence isn't flashy, but when NHL teams are trying to sign your fourth-line center, you know you've got impressive depth up the middle.
The coin's picks: North Dakota over Merrimack. Quinnipiac over Providence. Quinnipiac over North Dakota.
Schlossman's picks: Minnesota State over Western Michigan. Denver over Cornell. Denver over Minnesota State.
Comments: There will not be many goals scored in this regional. All four teams are impressive on the defensive end. Whoever comes out of this regional will be battle-tested. Western Michigan is a contender to win back-to-back NCAA titles, but losing defensemen Joona Väisänen and Cole Crusberg-Roseen to season-ending injuries hurts big-time. In 17 of the last 19 NCAA tournaments, at least one No. 4 seed has beaten a No. 1 seed. So, I've got to pick at least one. Denver, meanwhile, is red hot with Johnny Hicks in net.
The coin's picks: Western Michigan over Minnesota State. Cornell over Denver. Western Michigan over Cornell.
Schlossman's picks: Michigan over Bentley. Minnesota Duluth over Penn State. Minnesota Duluth over Michigan.
Comments: This regional features an interesting contrast in styles. Michigan and Penn State are high-flying offensively. Bentley and Minnesota Duluth will counter with structured defensive teams. The Bulldogs could give a lot of fits to the Big Ten squads, especially if Adam Gajan is at the top of his game. Penn State and Michigan rank 1-3 in most penalty minutes per game. Minnesota Duluth has the No. 2 power play in the country. The Plante brothers will feast if Penn State is undisciplined.
The coin's picks: Bentley over Michigan. Penn State over Minnesota Duluth. Penn State over Bentley.
Schlossman's picks: Michigan State over North Dakota. Denver over Minnesota Duluth. Michigan State over Denver.
Comments: Michigan State was our preseason pick to win it all, and we don't feel there's any reason to change that. The Spartans were the last Big Ten team to win an NCAA title 19 years ago in St. Louis. Could they end the Big Ten drought in Las Vegas?
The coin's picks: Wisconsin over Quinnipiac. Western Michigan over Penn State. Wisconsin over Western Michigan.
PSG won their first Champions League title last season [Getty Images]
Paris St-Germain's French league match against Lens, which was set to take place between the two legs of their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool, has been postponed.
The decision has been taken so the defending champions can "prepare in the best conditions" for the tie.
Ligue One leaders PSG were scheduled to visit second-placed Lens on Saturday, 11 April - three days after hosting Liverpool and three days before the second leg at Anfield.
RC Strasbourg's Ligue 1 match at Stade Brestois on 12 April has also been moved to 13 May because of the French club's Conference League quarter-final tie with Mainz.
The first leg is due to take place at Mainz on 9 April with the second leg at Strasbourg on 16 April.
"At the request of Paris St-Germain and RC Strasbourg in order to prepare in the best conditions for their respective quarter-finals, the board of directors of the LFP has unanimously decided, apart from the clubs concerned, to postpone the matches," the LFP said.
The LFP added that the decision was in line with its "strategic direction" to "enable France to retain its fifth place in the Uefa coefficient".
The performances of clubs in European competitions largely determines how many qualification places a league receives for Europe in future seasons, with France currently holding four Champions League spots.
When PSG made the request to postpone the match Lens, who are one point behind the French champions in Ligue One, said they were strongly against the idea and that the French league is in danger of being reduced to "an adjustment variable at the whim of the European imperatives of some".
The LFP has also asked Lens to move their home game against Nantes on 9 May forward by one day if PSG qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League.
As we head into the fantasy basketball playoffs semifinal weekend, the goal is to maximize every transaction. Friday has 10 games on the slate, which is exactly why you should avoid selecting players who play that day. Instead, utilize the schedule to your advantage by targeting players who will play on Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Below is a more in-depth look at how I’m planning out the rest of Week 22.
Week 22 Strategy
Target the New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings — they each play three games (Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday), giving you a crucial edge over teams that either play two or fewer games this weekend or play on Friday’s 10-game slate. The Detroit Pistons are also a solid option, with two games on Thursday and Saturday. Prioritizing these teams maximizes your streaming potential for the weekend. The Magic and Knicks play on Thursday and Sunday, but they don’t tend to have many streaming options (more on them later).
Plan out the rest of the week to avoid using roster spots for players who play on Friday’s big slate. There’s nothing worse than picking up a player you can’t fit into your lineup. Instead, pick up a player from the Hornets, Pelicans or Kings on Thursday to get three games out of one add, giving you more value than single-game streamers. The goal is to get the most out of your transactions.
Teams to Fade
Fringe players from the Cavaliers, Mavericks and Lakers can be cut. Unless they’re going to fit into your lineup on Friday, there’s no point in holding because they won’t play another game after Friday in Week 22.
Streaming Options
Shallow leagues (under 35% rostered)
Daniss Jenkins — PG/SG, Detroit Pistons (35%)
Cade Cunningham is out indefinitely with a collapsed lung and Jenkins is the direct beneficiary. Without Cade this season, Jenkins is posting 16.6 points, 8.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 34-plus minutes. The Pistons play Thursday and Saturday — two games in the thinnest part of the slate. Add him now if you see him on waivers.
Malik Monk - PG/SG, Sacramento Kings (28%)
Monk is back in the rotation because of so many injuries in the Kings’ backcourt. He dished out 14 assists on Tuesday and fantasy managers can expect he’ll bounce back from his 3-for-13 shooting night against a struggling Orlando Magic team on Thursday. The schedule and opportunity are far too good to pass up for the remainder of the week.
Herbert Jones - SG/SF/PF -New Orleans Pelicans (27%)
Armed with a three-game schedule on the best days heading into the weekend, Jones is far too versatile to be left on waivers. He’s been in double figures in three straight games, hitting 3s and racking up stocks to help fantasy managers defensively. Herb’s been a top-100 player the past two weeks in 9-cat.
Deep leagues (under 15% rostered)
Devin Carter - PG, Sacramento Kings (9%)
Similar to Monk, Carter will benefit from all of the injuries in Sacramento. He’s put together a couple of strong performances in his last two outings, averaging 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal in 30-plus minutes. Being available in 93% of leagues is criminal.
Jeremiah Fears - PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans (16%)
I’d consider Fears for points leagues where his inefficiency won’t hurt you too much. The favorable schedule and counting stats in points, assists and 3s are really what you’re chasing.
Karlo Matkovic - PF/C, New Orleans Pelicans (3%)
A name to know in the deepest formats. The Pelicans are giving him run as they build toward next season, and three games in the lightest part of the window make him worth a flier if you're desperate for big-man stats (FG% and stocks).
Yves Missi — C, New Orleans Pelicans (15%)
Missi had been playing very well before Wednesday’s 2-4-2 line with zero stocks in 17 minutes. Still, he had blocked at least one shot in seven consecutive games, with several nights with more than 10 rebounds. I’d hold given the schedule and consider Wednesday an off night.
Dylan Cardwell — PF/C Sacramento Kings (10%)
If you’re looking for a rebounding specialist, Cardwell is your guy. Now that he’s back playing anywhere from 15-24 minutes, that's more than enough time for him to help fantasy managers in a few areas. The schedule is on his side, though be cautious if he pops up on the injury report before the Saturday-Sunday back-to-back.
Ryan Kalkbrenner - C, Charlotte Hornets (10%)
Another block and FG% play, the Hornets don’t have much to pull from outside of their rookie big man. I’d only consider him in deeper formats, needing defensive help with a high FG% and low turnover rate. At least you know he’s a lock to fit into your lineups on Thursday and Saturday.
"I feel I can only make the wrong choice" – Mio Backhaus on choosing between Germany and Japan
Born in Germany to a German father and Japanese mother, Werder Bremen goalkeeper Mio Backhaus faces a difficult choice over which country to represent at senior level.
After initially playing for Japan at U15 level, the 21-year-old has since represented Germany at all youth levels and is currently a German U21 international.
Who he will choose to play for at senior level remains uncertain.
“I unfortunately feel like I can only make the wrong choice,” Backhaus told 11Freunde, adding that when he eventually makes a final decision, he will “probably regret it anyway.”
“If I decided now against the DFB and for Japan, it would affect, I feel, 100 people who have cared for me lovingly and wonderfully over the years. I wonder if they would then think: ‘What was all that for?’”
For the moment, however, Backhaus is postponing the decision.
“As long as I’m nominated for the U21s, I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I’m in no rush regarding the senior national team,” he said.
🏟️ El Monumental under scrutiny: pitch hit by AC/DC invasion
The Mâs Monumental Stadium has swapped football boots for electric guitars during this FIFA international break. After the first of AC/DC’s three concerts, River Plate’s pitch is already showing the first signs of wear and tear. Images of the damaged and discolored grass after the March 23 show have raised alarm bells in Núñez.
A tight and demanding schedule
With two more concerts scheduled for March 27 and 31, the club’s leadership assumes the pitch will be “battered” for the match against Belgrano on April 5. The stage setup and the impact of thousands of fans will force winter maintenance work to begin earlier, a process that is usually carried out in May but has been moved up this year due to the pre-World Cup schedule.
Focus on the Copa Libertadores and the Superclásico
The recovery plan is aimed at ensuring Eduardo Coudet’s team can enjoy a pitch in top condition for their Copa Libertadores opener against Carabobo on April 15. However, the top priority is the weekend of April 19, when River will host Boca Juniors in a Superclásico where the condition of the grass will be crucial.
Feb 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Not the news that Milwaukee Brewers fans wanted on what is supposed to be the most joyful morning of the baseball calendar: Jackson Chourio has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a fracture in his hand. Blake Perkins will replace him on the Opening Day roster.
Chourio was hit by a on his left hand by a pitch while playing for Venezuela. He played throughout the rest of the tournament and when he rejoined the Brewers after it ended, but he was having some pain when checking swings, according to Pat Murphy, who appeared on MLB Network’s MLB Central this morning. The team performed an MRI (it must have been in the last day-and-a-half, given that Chourio played in the exhibition games at American Family Field on both Monday and Tuesday) and discovered what was described as a “hairline fracture.”
The injury has already begun to heal, according to Murphy, but needs another 2-4 weeks to heal all the way, setting Chourio up for a season debut sometime in mid-to-late April.
Meanwhile, the Brewers will make do with what they have. That could mean more appearances in left field for Christian Yelich (per Murphy) and, presumably, Jake Bauers. A defensive alignment of Brandon Lockridge-Blake Perkins-Sal Frelick would catch everything, but let’s try to never see that as long as the Brewers aren’t already ahead.
If you followed USC women's basketball this past season, you know that Jazzy Davidson and Kara Dunn were the Trojans' leading scorers. Kennedy Smith's numbers usually didn't jump off the stat sheet. Yet, if you follow this program, you also know Kennedy Smith is not a box score player. Translated: Her value and importance go far beyond numbers and raw statistical averages.
USC often went into games knowing that if defenses took away one of Jazzy Davidson or Kara Dunn, the other of the two would have great chances to score and create offense. That's one reason Kennedy Smith didn't dominate at the offensive end of the floor for the Trojans. Yet, the reality of Smith's place on this team in 2026 is a lot more layered and complicated than that.
Kennedy Smith -- as USC women's basketball analyst Cece Clay often says -- is the "connector" of this offense. She will make the unselfish pass, set screens, and perform the non-box-score-based tasks which create fluid, crisp halfcourt possessions. She will pick her spots on offense but is not the elite perimeter shooter who should be looking to launch every time she has the ball. Jazzy and Kara were better options in that regard this season. Smith showed good discipline in not taking too many shots, especially 3-pointers, on most occasions. She reminds us that basketball impact goes far beyond points scored.
The 2026 season was a headache and challenge for Kennedy Smith for a lot of reasons. This next one is the most underappreciated: Smith was on an island relative to the other players on the roster, in the sense that she was the only main player on the USC team who had a year of experience in Lindsay Gottlieb's system.
Jazzy was a freshman. Kara was a transfer. The frontcourt was transfer-based or recruit-based. Londynn Jones was a transfer. Malia Samuels was a returning player but is never looked to as a primary scorer. Kennedy Smith was on her own. She knew the nuances of the USC offense, but virtually no one else on the team did entering the season in November. Not having JuJu Watkins on the floor severely limited not only what the team could achieve, but what Kennedy herself could do on offense.
Yes, Kennedy Smith's defense and rebounding are world-class. She is arguably the best defensive player in women's basketball. Yet, the massive churn on the USC roster this past season left Kennedy Smith in a virtually impossible position. She had to exist within an offense Jazzy Davidson and Kara Dunn were learning how to play. She had to be an unselfish teammate yet find ways to be a leader and mentor on a roster which was largely new to Gottlieb's scheme and concepts.
Kennedy Smith endured a more difficult season than just about anyone in women's college basketball. That USC was able to make the NCAA Tournament and win a March Madness game shows how well she adjusted to a ton of difficult, complicated circumstances.
New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (R) scores against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
March 26 (UPI) -- The New York Yankees still have "a lot to prove" after their MLB season-opening shutout of the San Francisco Giants, manager Aaron Boone said.
Boone made the comments in his postgame news conference after the 7-0 triumph Wednesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The Yankees outhit the Giants 10-3. Reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge was the only Yankees player who failed to collect a hit.
"We've got a lot to prove, and look, we're confident," Boone told reporters. "I know they're confident in their ability to have good at-bats and put up runs. We're one game into this thing and we've still got a long ways to go to prove that. I think we have a chance to do that."
Boone called ace Max Fried "effectively wild." The left-handed pitcher allowed the first three Giants he faced to reach base. He then settled in, allowing just one more hit and tossing four strikeouts over the next six innings.
"To give us 6 1/3 after the way the first inning started was big," Boone said of Fried. "That's what an ace looks like when he's grinding. What a tone he set for us."
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone heads to the dugout after introductions before playing the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
Shortstop Jose Caballero brought in the first run of the MLB season with an RBI single in the second. Third baseman Ryan McMahon roped another single off Giants ace Logan Webb in the next at-bat, bringing in two more runs for the Yankees.
Center fielder Trent Grisham ripped a two-run triple to right field for a 5-0 lead two at-bats later. The Yankees plated the final two runs of the night in the fifth inning off an RBI single from designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton and a throwing error from Giants shortstop Willy Adames.
New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried throws against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
Yankees relief pitchers Jake Bird, Brent Headrick and Camilo Doval combined to allow just one hit, with two strikeouts and a walk, over the final 2 2/3 innings.
Stanton and Yankees catcher Austin Wells recorded two hits apiece. Wells, who also drew a walk, was the only player to reach base three times. McMahon and first baseman Ben Rice also reached base multiple times in the victory.
New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero (R) scores against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
Judge went 0 for 5 with four strikeouts. All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez was the only Giants player to reach base more than once. He went 1 for 3 with a walk.
Webb surrendered nine hits and seven runs, including six earned, with seven strikeouts and a walk over five innings.
New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (R) fouls off a pitch against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
The Giants (0-1) will host the Yankees (1-0) in the second game of the series at 4:35 p.m. EDT Friday in San Francisco. Left-handed Robbie Ray is slated to start for the Giants. The Yankees are expected to start right-handed Cam Schlittler.
Five Post-Crescent-area players were named to the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association all-state first team this week.
Appleton North's Grant Hardy (Division 1), Kaukauna's Andrew Jensen (D1), Freedom's Donovan Davis (D3), Seymour's Kyler Marks (D3) and Xavier's Logan Ramczyk (D3) received all-state honors in their respective divisions.
Hardy, a 6-foot-4 senior guard, helped lead Appleton North to the WIAA Division 1 state semifinals. He averaged 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in leading the Lightning to a share of the Fox Valley Association title.
Jensen, a 6-10 senior forward, was the Fox Valley Association's player of the year for Kaukauna as the Ghosts shared the FVA title with Appleton North. He averaged 17.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.
Davis, a 6-8 junior forward, was a repeat WBCA all-state pick from last season and helped the Irish win the North Eastern Conference. He averaged 21.7 points, 12 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.3 steals.
Marks, a 6-4 forward/center, helped Seymour reach the WIAA Division 3 state final. He was the Bay Conference player of the year and averaged 20.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
Ramczyk, a 6-2 junior guard, averaged 23.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.4 steals for Xavier.
Nathan Ramus of Appleton North and Tyler Schwalbach of Kaukauna received honorable mention in Division 1. Joseph Daly of New London was honorable mention in Division 2.
WBCA Division 1 all-state
Grant Hardy, sr., Appleton North; Andrew Jensen, sr., Kaukauna; Yusef Gray Jr., sr., West Allis Central; Amare Hereford, sr., Beloit Memorial; Cahlil Jones, sr., Germantown; Kager Knueppel, jr., Wisconsin Lutheran; Will Krueger, jr., De Pere; Bryce Ott, sr., Oshkosh North; Chris Pohl, sr., Marshfield; Zavier Zens, sr., Wisconsin Lutheran.
Honorable mention: Nathan Ramus, sr., Appleton North; Tyler Schwalbach, so., Kaukauna; Andrew Braun, sr., Madison Memorial; Jackson Guerrero, sr., Middleton; Max Jones, jr., West Allis Central; Jace Mataczynski, sr., Hudson; Anthony Miller, sr., Madison Memorial; Jacob Misslich, sr., Franklin; TJ Platz, sr., Brookfield East; Trey Resch, jr., Arrowhead.
WBCA Division 2 all-state
Jalen Brown, jr., Wauwatosa West; Zavier Castillo, sr., Greendale; Rashaad Davis, sr., Nicolet; Henry Gruetzmacher, sr., Brookfield Central; Caden Gustafson, sr., Waterford; Matthew Kloskey, sr., Wauwatosa West; Jack Kohnen, jr., Slinger; Joey Kohnen, so., Slinger; Eli Krueger, jr., McFarland; Cal Loose, sr., Port Washington; Josh Manchester, sr., Mount Horeb; Kayden Schultz, sr., Plymouth.
Honorable mention: Joseph Daly, sr., New London; Xavier Allen, sr., Milwaukee Lutheran; Jayce Cook, jr., New Berlin West; Garrett Crull, jr., McFarland; Devon Feck, sr., Rhinelander; Colin Julien, jr., Whitefish Bay; Evan Kern, sr., New Berlin West; Ian Kowal, sr., Onalaska; Tyson Labus, sr., West Salem; Drew McConkey, jr., West Salem; EJ Salettel, sr., Beaver Dam; Gabe Servais, jr., La Crosse Central; Jakari Smith, sr., Milwaukee Bradley Tech.
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 14: Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) reacts after making a shot and being fouled during the ACC Men's basketball tournament finals between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Duke Blue Devils on March 14, 2026 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A field that began with 68 teams has been narrowed to 16.
And by the time this weekend draws to a close, a Final Four will be set.
After a thrilling opening weekend of the men’s NCAA basketball tournament, 16 teams remain alive for a shot at a national championship. Those teams include Duke, the top overall seed in the field, as well as Texas, the No. 11 seed in the West Region and the latest First Four team to reach the Sweet 16.
We’ll have you covered throughout the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight here at SB Nation, but for now here is the latest bracket as well as the schedule for Thursday and Friday. Scores will be updated as games go final. Until then we have you covered with a ranking of all 16 teams remaining, a ranking of all 16 coaches remaining, and our basketball expert Ricky O’Donnell has his predictions.
Sweet 16 schedule for Thursday
West Region
No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas, 7:10 p.m. Eastern, CBS No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas, 9:45 p.m. Eastern, CBS
Parking for Phillies games is cashless. Methods of payment include credit/debit cards and mobile payment (Apple Pay and Google Pay). To expedite entry, pre-paid parking passes may also be purchased prior to the game.
Tailgating lots (A-H, M, N & O) will open at 11:00 a.m.; all other lots will open at 1:00 p.m.
Weather forecast
We soar to the 70s for the Phillies home opener. A cold front approaches later in the evening bringing a round of rain overnight into Friday morning.
HELLO 70S! Just in time for the Phillies home opener we have a surge of warm air moving into the region. Enjoy it while it lasts. Temps crash from the 70s into the 50s on Friday. Then just 40s on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/PfyxDdbD7y
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Elmer King from King Swings shows us the new playground for kids inside the first base gates at Citizens Bank Park.
Opening Day roster
The Phillies have finalized their Opening Day roster for the 2026 regular season. The 26-man roster includes 13 pitchers (six left-handers and seven right-handers), two catchers, six infielders, four outfielders and one designated hitter.
Pitchers (13):
Left-handers - José Alvarado, Kyle Backhus, Tanner Banks, Jesús Luzardo, Tim Mayza and Cristopher Sánchez. Right-handers - Jonathan Bowlan, Jhoan Duran, Brad Keller, Aaron Nola, Andrew Painter, Zach Pop and Taijuan Walker.
Justin Crawford, Adolis García, Otto Kemp and Brandon Marsh.
Designated Hitter (1):
Kyle Schwarber.
The Phillies selected the contracts of Crawford and infielder Christian Cairo, and optioned Cairo to triple-A Lehigh Valley. Catcher Garrett Stubbs was designated for assignment.
Additionally, the Phillies placed right-handed pitchers Orion Kerkering (right hamstring strain), Max Lazar (left oblique strain) and Zack Wheeler (right shoulder surgery) on the 15-day injured list, all retroactive to March 22.
MLB Senior Manager of Global Events Rob Field talks about all the fun coming to Philadelphia for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in June.
Opening Day Fan Lineup
9:00 a.m -- Newly renovated New Era Phillies Team Store opens.
1:25 p.m. -- Phillies batting practice.
1:45 p.m. -- All gates open. All fans receive a 2025 NL East Champions Pennant, courtesy of Nemours Children's Health.
2:25 p.m. -- Rangers batting practice.
3:30 p.m. -- Opening Day ceremonies begin.
Who's singing the national anthem?
It will be performed by Kane Kalas, son of the late Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas, at his father's statue behind Section 141. The 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard (also known as the Jersey Devils) will perform a flyover following the national anthem.
Ceremonial first pitch
The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by 10-year-old Lucas Bibro, a Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware patient, alongside his cardiologist Dr. Mark Cartoski, caught by Phillies shortstop Trea Turner.
Plus, 1976 and 1996 Phillies All-Star alumni Larry Bowa, Greg "The Bull" Luzinski, Mike Schmidt and Ricky Bottalico will throw a ceremonial first pitch to current Phillies All-Stars.
New Food Options
Sánchez Sliders
It features a duo of honey-stung chicken tenders tossed in a house-made hot spice blend and served on potato rolls with Grillo's Pickles, garlic aioli and Mike's Hot Honey. (Coca-Cola Corner - Left Field Plaza & Cadillac Hall of Fame Club)
A portion of the proceeds benefits Clínica de Familia, a nonprofit community healthcare clinic in Sánchez's hometown of La Romana.
Sánchez Sliders Phillies / Aramark
Schwarbomb Sundae
It features a shareable-sized sundae worthy of a Kyle Schwarber moonshot, featuring Richman's soft-serve topped with a funnel-cake-fried strawberry Uncrustable, fresh strawberry sauce and fruity cereal pieces - all served in a 2026 MLB All-Star Game batting helmet. (Coca-Cola Corner Treats - Left Field Plaza)
A portion of the proceeds benefits Schwarber's Neighborhood Heroes, which directly supports first responders, military personnel and their families.
Schwarbomb Sundae Phillies / Aramark
The Sweeper
A ribeye steak smothered in pizza sauce and topped with provolone cheese and pepperoni. A portion of the proceeds from each sandwich sold will be donated to The Luzardo Family Foundation, directly benefitting children's health and wellness and underserved community programs. (Campo's - Ashburn Alley)
New food vendors also include Freddy's Frozen Custard (Home Plate - Section 126) and LaScala's Fire (Philadelphia Insurance Club).
Other new creations and enhancements include the following:
1883 Burger Co Smash Burger
A reinvented ode to the Phillies inception, now composed of two Pat LaFrieda signature blend patties with yellow American cheese, Grillo's Pickles and sweet heat sauce served on a Liscio's Bakery potato roll. (Sections 109, 207 & 323)
1883 Burger Co Smash Burger Phillies / Aramark
Bull's BBQ Sampler Platter
A perfect option for the fan who wants it all. Generous tasting portions of Bull's signature pulled pork, burnt ends and smoked turkey are paired with baked beans and creamy coleslaw, served with classic white bread. (Left Field Plaza)
Bull's BBQ Sampler Platter Phillies / Aramark
Hatfield Phootlong Dog
A jumbo version of the classic Phillies Frank, served on a Liscio's Bakery potato roll. (Sections 114, 129 & 314 - Hatfield Classics Grill)
Wilt's Chocolate Smothered Berries
A viral sensation that was brought to Reading Terminal Market now arrives at Citizens Bank Park. Fresh strawberries are piled high and smothered in a proprietary milk chocolate blend right before fans' eyes. The perfect treat for summer! (Section 111 & Cadillac HOF Club)
The Seahawks are understandably assessing all options at running back. They lost Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL during the playoffs, leaving his status and effectiveness in doubt for 2026.
As of now, the Seahawks essentially have Emanuel Wilson and George Holani at running back. That's probably the worst backfield in the entire NFL. Luckily for John Schneider, the 2026 NFL draft has yet to happen. The Seahawks are expected to draft a running back highly, with top prospects Jadarian Price, Emmett Johnson, and Jonah Coleman among the options.
An achilles injury is often a kiss of death to a running back's career. Harris appeared in just three contests with the Chargers in 2025 before suffering the devastating setback. Even though Harris rushed for four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, his effectiveness and efficiency has always been questionable. He's a career 3.9 yards per carry rusher.
If healthy, Harris would probably represent an upgrade on Holani and Wilson while offering Schneider flexibility at the position, especially in relation to Charbonnet's recovery. The Seahawks should still draft a running back rather highly. If Harris leaves Seattle without a contract, he'll visit the Las Vegas Raiders next.
Combined with the brilliance of Andrew Thomas, Eluemunor’s work gave the Giants the best pair of pass-blocking offensive line bookends in the NFL.
Another measure of how good Thomas and Eluemunor were protecting Giants’ quarterbacks? Thomas was second in the NFL among all tackles in pass-blocking efficiency with a 98.3 efficiency rating. Eluemunor was sixth at 98.0.
Thomas is still just 27, and health-permitting should have a number of high-quality seasons in front of him.
Eluemunor is 31 and coming off his best season. There is the “can he do it again?” question. Still, there is no to believe he can’t, since his career arc has been going up for the last three or four seasons. Considering how many offensive linemen in the NFL are continuing to play well into their mid-30s, Eluemunor should be able to give the Giants high-quality play during the duration of his three-year, $39 million contract.
The Giants have questions on the interior. Thomas and Eluemunor, though, provide a pretty good place to begin building an offensive line.
The Chicago Bears are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with plenty of needs to address, most notably on defense. Luckily, they have four picks in the top 89 selections, including the additional second-round pick after trading wide receiver DJ Moore earlier this offseason.
There are a lot of different directions Chicago could go with their first-round pick, but it could very well come down to the best available at one of their top positions of need -- defensive tackle, defensive end and safety. While addressing the pass rush is important, the Bears still have a starting job to fill at safety after signing Coby Bryant in free agency, and that could very well be the selection at 25th overall.
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks revealed his latest mock draft, where he has the Bears addressing a big need on defense with safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, filling that starting safety job opposite newcomer Bryant after the departures of Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker.
"Kevin Byard's departure creates a huge void in the middle of the Bears' secondary," wrote Brooks. "McNeil-Warren is an enticing safety prospect with a rare combination of skills as a center fielder and box-area bandit."
Last season with Toledo, McNeil-Warren totaled 77 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, two interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), five pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recovering in 13 games.
McNeil-Warren would be a plug-and-play starter, where his physicality, size, ballhawking ability and run support would make him a great asset for this Dennis Allen defense.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 28: Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs watches from the sideline prior to the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Arrowhead Stadium on August 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took the NFL news cycle by storm after sharing a video via social media of himself on the field and throwing. The league’s biggest star has largely been out of the public eye since tearing multiple knee ligaments late in the 2025 season.
Later on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport discussed the clip on NFL Network’s “The Insiders.” Rapoport reiterated that while the news is encouraging, the team remains far from certain when Mahomes will actually return to action. He also confirmed earlier reports that Mahomes has been in the facility for up to seven hours daily to complete his rehab.
“This is good news,” said Rapoport. “That said, there is still some uncertainty. There’s a lot of uncertainty because he is just three months out from a nine-to-twelve-month recovery. It is not just an ACL tear. It is also an LCL tear. It included surgery right away just to accelerate the rehab. It also is the kind of thing that can take a little bit longer. The knee can be a little stiff.”
Rapoport compared Mahomes’ injury to that of one of his former backups. Carson Wentz — now with the Minnesota Vikings — also tore his ACL and LCL late in the 2017 season while with the Philadelphia Eagles. Ultimately, Wentz missed the first two games in 2018 before retaking the field.
“If Patrick Mahomes is not ready in September,” declared Rapoport, “he is just not going to be on the field. This is a conservative and very good medical staff. That is why they traded for Justin Fields — who has plenty of starter experience — even if it’s just for the first couple of games of the season.”
⚾️ Yankees 7, Giants 0: New York hammered San Francisco on Opening Night in a game that featured the first ABS challenge in MLB history, a dominant start from Max Fried (6.1 IP, 4 K, 2 H) and a golden sombrero (4 strikeouts) for Aaron Judge, who was the only Yankee not to record a hit (0-for-5).
🏀 A comebackfor the ages: The Timberwolves completed an unprecedented comeback on Wednesday night in Minneapolis, erasing a 13-point deficit in overtime to stun the Rockets and maintain their slight edge over them in the standings.
🏈 "Tush push" lives on: The "tush push" will not be discussed at next week's NFL owner's meetings, meaning it will live to see at least one more season. The controversial play has drawn plenty of criticism, and multiple attempts to ban it, in recent years.
🏀 NBA expansion update: The NBA's Board of Governors voted in favor of exploring expansion opportunities in Las Vegas and Seattle, though commissioner Adam Silver did acknowledge that "there are some" owners who don't see a need to expand to 32 teams.
AL East: Three different teams have won this perennially-deep division in the past three years, and such volatility should be expected again this summer with four teams in the top eight of our power rankings and all five projected by FanGraphs to win at least 80 games. The Yankees lead the way (85-77), just barely ahead of the Red Sox (84-78), Blue Jays (84-78), Orioles (82-80) and Rays (81-81), in their return to Tropicana Field.
Cream of the crop: There's a decent chance the AL MVP comes from this division, which features six of the top 11 favorites at BetMGM. Three-time winner Aaron Judge leads the way (+200), but don't overlook Orioles SS Gunnar Henderson (+1600), Red Sox RF Roman Anthony (+1600), Blue Jays 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+1600), Rays 3B Junior Caminero (+2500) and Orioles 1B Pete Alonso (+2500).
(Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports)
AL Central: The Tigers are projected to win this division (83-79), but don't be surprised if the Royals (81-81) make a run at it behind generational talent Bobby Witt Jr. and one of the league's best rotations. The Twins (80-82) have more of an eye toward the future than present, the Guardians (77-85) will try to beat expectations again, and the White Sox (71-91), well, won't be very good… But Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami should be fun to watch!
Cy Young three-peat? Detroit's Tarik Skubal already became the first AL pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards since Pedro Martínez (1999-2000). He's the favorite to win again (+300), and would join Greg Maddux (1992-95) and Randy Johnson (1999-2002) as the only pitchers in either league to win three in a row.
(Davis Long/Yahoo Sports)
AL West: There's a new sheriff in town, with the Mariners — who came within a win last season of reaching their first-ever World Series — projected as heavy favorites (87-75) in a division that used to be ruled by the Astros (81-81). The Rangers (82-80) will probably be in the mix all year, the Athletics (78-84) should be a sneaky fun team and the Angels (73-89) are a near-lock to extend their 11-year postseason drought.
Catching up with the A's: As a reminder, the Athletics are moving to Las Vegas in 2028. Until then, they'll play at Sacramento's hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park — a boon for an excellent young offense that includes last year's top-two ROY finishers in Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson. They will also make one brief stop in Sin City this June for six "home" games at Las Vegas Ballpark, where their Triple-A affiliate plays.
NL East:The Mets, hoping to put last season's epic collapse in the rearview, signed a host of free agents including ace Freddy Peralta, infielder Bo Bichette and closer Devin Williams. And with a projected record of 87-75 they should be locked in a three-way battle with the Braves (87-75) — looking to rebound after last year's 76-win faceplant — and defending division champion Phillies (86-76). The Marlins (78-84) and Nationals (72-90) remain at the bottom.
Spending chasm: No division represents MLB's spending gap more than the NL East, which has two of the four biggest spenders in the Mets ($368M) and Phillies ($310M) and by far the most frugal team in the Marlins, whose $77M tax payroll is $20M less than any other team. Miami's highest-paid player, closer Pete Fairbanks ($13M), would be the 10th highest-paid Met.
(Amy Monks/Yahoo Sports)
NL Central: The Cubs, who lost Kyle Tucker but added Alex Bregman, are projected as slight favorites (85-77) over the Brewers (83-79), who have won three straight division titles. But don't count out the potentially frisky Pirates (83-79) or the talented Reds (79-83), who snuck into the wild card last year. It could be a long summer for the Cardinals (76-86), who are still in rebuild mode.
Buccos rising? The Pirates' 10-year playoff drought is the longest in the NL, but they're a popular dark-horse pick to make the postseason. They added some veteran talent on offense, boast the top prospect in baseball (SS Konnor Griffin), and Paul Skenes (career 1.96 ERA!) should continue mowing down the opposition every fifth day.
(Bruno Rouby/Yahoo Sports)
NL West: The two-time defending champion Dodgers (94-68) got even better this offseason, so it would be an upset of epic proportions if the Diamondbacks (83-79), Giants (81-81) or Padres (81-81) finished ahead of them. Perhaps equally as shocking: if one of those teams finished below the Rockies (67-95), who were one of the worst teams in MLB history last year.
SF's new skipper: While nine MLB teams named new managers this offseason, no hire stood out more than the Giants' choice of Tony Vitello. The former Tennessee coach made history last night, becoming the first manager to make the leap from college to MLB without any prior experience at the pro level (coaching or playing).
Replacing a legendary coach has been one of the most difficult, drama-filled dynamics in the history of college sports. Duke and Jon Scheyer have made it look easy. Is it the best coaching transition ever?
From Yahoo Sports' Dan Wolken:
As college basketball heads toward the Final Four next week, much of the sport's focus will be on the simmering uncertainty at several of the sport's blue bloods.
North Carolina's transition plan from Roy Williams to Hubert Davis went bust. Kansas could be facing just its second coaching search since 1988, caught between cross-pressures to elevate current assistant and alum Jacque Vaughn or cast a wider net if Bill Self leaves.
And Kentuckys discontent after 15 years of John Calipari has put Mark Pope, another alum, on the hot seat headed into next year.
Meanwhile, four years after the retirement of Mike Krzyzewski, Duke is in its third straight Sweet 16, has won 83.7% of its games under Jon Scheyer and seems poised to continue contending for national titles as far as the eye can see.
Over the history of college sports, few tasks have been more vexing for schools and administrators than keeping things both successful and sane around a prominent program once their forever coach leaves.
Duke has made it look easy. It might even be the most well-executed coaching handoff there's ever been from legend to successor.
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off exactly four weeks from today (April 23-25). To celebrate, here's our latest Big Board, courtesy of Nate Tice and Charles Robinson.
Last night's appetizer gave way to today's main course, with an 11-game slate kicking off the 2026 MLB season in earnest.
Game of the Day: The Mets, who open the season with the third-best title odds (+1200 at BetMGM), host the Pirates (1:15pm ET, NBC), who are clearly on the rise in the NL Central. On the bump: Reigning Cy Young Paul Skenes and Mets newcomer Freddy Peralta in one of the day's many excellent starting pitching matchups.
🏀 Sweet 16
The men's Sweet 16 tips off today in San Jose and Houston, where four teams will book their spots in the Elite Eight.
Houston: No. 4 Nebraska and No. 9 Iowa get things started (7:30pm, TBS) in a matchup between Big Ten rivals and two of the top corn-producing states. Then No. 2 Houston, back in the Sweet 16 for the seventh straight tournament, plays what is effectively a home game against No. 3 Illinois (10:05pm, TBS).
San Jose: No. 2 Purdue is a 7.5-point favorite against No. 11 Texas (7:10pm, CBS), who will try to become the first team to go from the First Four to the Elite Eight since UCLA in 2021. No. 1 Arizona is equally favored against No. 4 Arkansas (9:45pm, CBS), who will need another big night from freshman sensation Darius Acuff Jr. (60 points through two games).
🎾 Miami Open
Today's slate features two of the top three men's players in the world, and three of the top four women.
Men's QF: No. 2 Jannik Sinner vs. No. 19 Francis Tiafoe (1pm); No. 3 Alexander Zverev vs. No. 18 Francisco Cerúndolo (7pm) … Winners will join No. 21 Jiri Lehecka and No. 28 Arthur Fils in the semifinals.
Women's SF: No. 4 Coco Gauff vs. No. 13 Karolína Muchová (3pm); No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. No. 3 Elena Rybakina (8:30pm).
More to watch:
🏀 NBA: Knicks at Hornets (7pm, NBA) … New York (48-25) has won seven straight and Charlotte (38-34) has won four straight.
🏒 NHL: Wild at Panthers (7pm, ESPN); Oilers at Golden Knights (9:30pm, ESPN) … Connor McDavid just became the third-fastest player to reach 1,200 points (784 games).
🏒 NCAA Hockey Tournament: No. 3 Michigan State vs. UConn (1:30pm, ESPN2); Dartmouth vs. Wisconsin (5pm, ESPNU); Providence vs. Quinnipiac (5pm, ESPN+); No. 2 North Dakota vs. Merrimack (8:30pm, ESPN2) … Regional semifinals.
⛳️ PGA: Houston Open (8:15am, ESPN+; 3pm, Golf) … Min Woo Lee is favored to win (+1200) after Scottie Scheffler withdrew due to the impending birth of his second child.
⚽️ World Cup Playoffs: Wales vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (3:45pm, FS1); Poland vs. Albania (3:45pm, FS2); Bolivia vs. Suriname (6pm, FS1); New Caledonia vs. Jamaica (10pm, FS1) … Six spots are up for grabs in this summer's World Cup. Who ya got?
Got plans tonight? Gametime is the best place to score last-minute tickets to the events in your city. Get tickets now!
FINAL FOUR TRIVIA
(Davis Long/Yahoo Sports)
Question: With 16 teams still alive in the men's NCAA tournament, how many potential Final Four combinations are there?
A) 64
B) 128
C) 256
D) 512
Answer at the bottom.
NEED AN OPENING DAY HOMER? CALL TYLER
(Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
When Tyler O'Neill takes the field for the Orioles this afternoon, he'll try to extend one of the wildest streaks in sports with yet another Opening Day home run.
Six in a row: The 30-year-old outfielder has hit a homer on six straight Opening Days, which is (obviously) an MLB record. He'll go for lucky number seven today in Baltimore.
As the Chicago Blackhawks’ road trip rolls into Philadelphia for a matchup with the Flyers on Thursday, there’s a chance that another one of GM Kyle Davidson’s first-round picks makes his NHL debut.
After signing his entry-level contract on Mar. 16, Sacha Boisvert could finally receive his first look with the Blackhawks now that his visa situation has been resolved. Make sure to be on the lookout for Chicago Hockey Now’s Game Day Preview later today for all the information ahead of the 6:00 p.m. CT puck drop at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Also in Blackhawks news, another prospect is coming over to North America from Europe after signing a professional tryout contract with the Rockford IceHogs. The 2026 NCAA Tournament is also set to begin on Thursday night, with the Regional Semifinals getting underway.
Around the league, Victor Hedman is taking a leave of absence from Tampa Bay, David Pastrnak extended his point streak in a Bruins win, plus the NHL’s Gen Z takeover.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Trade Rumors
Chicago Hockey Now: After Anton Frondell, the third overall pick this past summer, made his NHL debut in Long Island, fellow first-round pick Sacha Boisvert could do the same just two days later against the Philadelphia Flyers. Boisvert finally received his work visa on Tuesday, meaning he’s been cleared to participate with his new team.
More CHN: ICYMI, Frondell tallied a primary assist in his first look with the Blackhawks, but Nick Lardis and Arvid Soderblom stole the show in the 4-3 win over the Islanders on Tuesday. The youth movement was on full display in the first game of the road trip.
More CHN: Just like Frondell, another prospect is coming to North America following the conclusion of his season while playing pro hockey in Europe. Jiri Felcman, a 2023 third-round selection, signed a PTO with the Rockford IceHogs on Wednesday. With all the depth in the Blackhawks’ prospect pool, Felcman has been somewhat of a forgotten man.
More CHN: The road to the Frozen Four in Las Vegas begins on Thursday. Here are the three Blackhawks’ prospects whose programs received a bid into the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, and Matthew Schaefer, all younger than 21 years old, are proving it’s a new era in the NHL these days. Dan Robson dives into the league’s Gen Z takeover, with the game having a different feel around it. Call it the Aura Shift.
ESPN: Former Blackhawks’ assistant coach Don Granato has been selected to serve as the United States’ head coach for the 2026 IIHF World Championships this summer. Granato, 58, has been an assistant coach at the Worlds three times in his career.
Boston Hockey Now: David Pastrnak extended his point streak to 11 games with a three-point night, as the Boston Bruins defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in overtime on Wednesday. Pavel Zacha netted the game-winning goal less than one minute into 3-on-3 play.
NHL.com: The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to be without their best defenseman once again. The Bolts announced on Wednesday that two-time Stanley Cup champion Victor Hedman is taking a leave of absence from the team.
Florida Hockey Now: Believe it or not, the Florida Panthers had another key player suffer an injury recently. Anton Lundell is now expected to miss multiple weeks. Florida is currently the ninth-worst team in the NHL standings, which isn’t good news for the Blackhawks, who hold their top-10 protected first-round pick in 2026.
Philadelphia Hockey Now: Philadelphia Flyers young winger Nikita Grebenkin wasn’t on the ice for the team’s must-win game against Columbus on Tuesday. William James provides the latest update on Grebenkin ahead of the matchup with the Blackhawks.
Detroit Hockey Now: Jacob Bernard-Docker has made steady improvements throughout his first season in the Motor City, so the Detroit Red Wings rewarded him with a two-year contract extension on Wednesday.
Carolina Hockey Now: The Carolina Hurricanes will be returning to Helsinki. For the first time since 2017, the Canes are heading to Finland to take part in the 2026 NHL Global Series and will play two games against the Seattle Kraken next November.
Mar. 26—The calendar just flipped to spring, but the Washington State football team is already thinking about the fall.
For the first time under coach Kirby Moore, the Cougars will hit the practice field and engage in traditional football activities just about an hour after sunrise today for the first of 15 spring football practices.
Today's practice begins at 7:45 a.m., as will the eight practices to follow on Tuesdays and Thursdays and one Friday.
WSU's Saturday practices will take place at 11:45 a.m. with some notable exceptions, including the annual Crimson and Gray Game at 2 p.m. April 25 at Gesa Field, which will be open to fans.
The Cougars will also hit the road for two satellite practices. The first one will be this Saturday in Pasco, Wash., and the other will be the following weekend in Spokane. Both will be open to the public.
Entering his first spring camp as a head coach at any level, Moore said that he is excited to begin this stage of his debut season.
"That's why you get into this. We're teachers first," Moore said in a Wednesday video call with reporters. "Really excited about getting on the field, in between the lines with our guys tomorrow (and) seeing what it looks like. There's gonna be some good, there's gonna be some learning moments and (I) can't wait to see where we're at when we're at the end of this thing."
Who will be the Cougars' QB?
WSU once again has a quarterback question and Moore confirmed it will be a three-way battle between UC Davis transfer Caden Pinnick, redshirt freshman Owen Eshelman and sophomore Julian Dugger.
Pinnick earned Big Sky Freshman of the Year honors this past season and was the runner-up for the Jerry Rice Award, recognizing the best player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
At UC Davis, Pinnick completed 240-of-345 passes for 3,206 yards, with 32 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. He made opposing defenses pay on the ground, too, running the ball 125 times for 437 yards and three TDs.
Eshelman, one of former coach Jimmy Rogers' recruits, redshirted last year.
In an appearance on the Puck Sports podcast, Moore praised Eshelman's accuracy and said that he was dicing up WSU's No. 1 defense when Moore visited leading up to the team's bowl game.
Dugger was the Cougars' backup/gadget QB for all of last year, being brought into the game to run the football. He was rarely asked to pass and did not complete a pass until the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, but broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run in that same game.
The three will rotate between WSU's No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 offenses and receive plenty of opportunities to show what they can do, Moore said.
"The best way to figure out how to get better at quarterback is to play," Moore said.
The QBs will each be learning and implementing a new offensive system on top of sharpening their fundamentals and building chemistry with their teammates.
Moore said that, between seven-on-seven, mixed-group drills and situational exercises, the QBs will learn to play under pressure.
"It really comes down to production," the former Missouri offensive coordinator said. "The two things we can control every play are our feet and our eyes and we've got to make sure that those are confident and then it comes back to completion percentage and taking care of the football."
Moore said that his staff will pay attention to how many explosive plays — generally defined as passes or runs of 20-or-more yards — that each QB creates against the No. 1 defense as opposed to what they do against the No. 2 defense.
Similar to previous seasons, when Jaxon Potter and Zevi Eckhaus competed last year and Eckhaus and John Mateer contended for the job before that, WSU likely won't pick a starter until well into fall camp in August.
Moore declined to specify an exact timeline.
"I think the quarterback competitions — they decide themselves by what's going on on the field," Moore said. "And I am in no hurry for that to happen."
Who's on the team?
There are a fair number of new faces in the Cougar football locker room, but not nearly as many as the 75 newcomers from last season.
Moore said his staff retained 11 of the 14 Potato Bowl starters who had eligibility.
With some of the marquee defenders, such as defensive end Isaac "Bobby" Terrell and Bryson Lamb following Rogers to Iowa State, Moore and his staff recruited 38 new players to Pullman who are on campus this semester via the transfer portal and high school recruiting. Additional true freshmen will join the team over the summer.
WSU's retention turned heads among vocal fans on social media, with guys such as linebacker Keith Brown, wide receiver Tony Freeman (590 receiving yards and 415 punt return yards in 2025) and the Cougars' top three running backs with eligibility — Kirby Vorhees, Maxwell Woods and Leo Pulalasi — returning to WSU.
The Cougars also retained the bulk of their offensive line, with three regular starters from last year returning in left tackle Ashton Tripp, left guard Jonny Lester and right guard Noah Dunham.
Returning tackle Jaylin Caldwell, who started a handful of games before a season-ending injury, and center Kyle Martin, who started the Potato Bowl, are also back.
Standout transfers include sixth-year offensive tackle Maximus McCree (6-foot-6, 296-pound former Washington Husky), senior defensive end Linus Zunk (6-6, 262 Vanderbilt transfer from Berlin, Germany) and sophomore safety Jaylen Thomas (San Jose State).
There are sure to be plenty more players who will emerge over the course of camp.
When can fans watch the Cougars this spring?
The first of WSU's two satellite practices will be at 11:45 a.m. Saturday at Edgar Brown Memorial Stadium in Pasco, Wash., close to Prosser, where Moore grew up.
The second roving practice will be at 11 a.m. April 4 at Union Stadium in Spokane.
Player and coach-led kids clinics will follow both practices.
Moore said his staff is still working through what exactly fans will see at the end of April during the spring scrimmage.
However, Moore said that he would like the first two quarters "to be a true game," with a running clock. The specifics and structure, such as whether it's an offense-versus-defense set up or a split squad arrangement where either side has an offensive and defensive unit, will be finalized later in camp.
Taylor can be reached at 208-848-2260, staylor@lmtribune.com, or on X or Instagram @Sam_C_Taylor.
When the Boston Celtics lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder by two points two weeks ago on the road, they didn't have Jayson Tatum, who received his first game off since returning from his Achilles injury.
The Celtics did have Tatum for Wednesday's rematch against the Thunder at TD Garden, and it made a massive difference, especially during crunch time. Whereas Boston fell short in the fourth quarter two weeks ago, it was able to hold on for the win this time around.
After the game, Oklahoma City head coach Mark Daignault praised Tatum's impact on the Celtics, even if he still isn't 100 percent yet.
"He's a great player and their ceiling is significantly higher when he's out there ... he's not in full form right off the bat, and he'll just get better and better as he gets more reps and minutes," Daignault said during his postgame press conference.
Mark Daignault on Jayson Tatum playing in 2nd OKC game: "He's a great player and their ceiling is significantly higher when he's out there ... he's not in full form right off the bat, and he'll just get better and better as he gets more reps and minutes." @CLNSMediapic.twitter.com/wHNm9qXoJa
Tatum proved that on Wednesday, delivering one of his best games of the season. He broke out of his shooting slump with a big double-double, notching 19 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block.
While he's been up and down since returning from a 10-month absence, Tatum has shown flashes of greatness and has still had a positive impact on Boston despite his shooting woes. The Celtics are 7-2 in his nine games so far, and one of the losses came after Jaylen Brown was ejected in the second quarter.
Even when he's not at his best, Tatum is still a great player capable of making a big impact. He should only keep getting better over the next few weeks and throughout the playoffs as he continues to get more comfortable, too.
If the Thunder face Boston down the road in the NBA Finals, Tatum could be a massive problem for them.
Eddie Hall is reportedly set to return to combat sports on 13 June. The former ‘World’s Strongest Man’ hasn’t fought since knocking out Mariusz Pudzianowski in his MMA debut last April, but it appears he’s getting back in the ring.
His next fight will mark a return to boxing, having not competed under that code since losing a decision to Hafþór Björnsson back in March 2022.
Eddie Hall to face Tommy Fury in Misfits Main Event
Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images
talkSPORT reports that Eddie Hall is set to face Tommy Fury this summer. The bout will headline a Misfits Boxing pay-per-view card at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.
Fury holds an 11-0 professional record and is coming off notable wins against Jake Paul and KSI.
He has fought just once since October 2023, after recovering from a hand injury. ‘TNT’ usually fights at 175lbs but will be moving up to heavyweight for this matchup.
Hall, who once weighed 443lbs during his strongman career, has trimmed down significantly in recent years.
For his last fight against Pudzianowski, Hall came in at 334lbs and is expected to have a weight advantage of over 100lbs on fight night against Fury.
Eddie Hall hinted at Misfits appearance before fight announcement
Even before his opponent was confirmed, Eddie Hall had already shared plans for his upcoming Misfits debut.
“I’ve got a fight coming up, June 13 in Manchester,” he said on Saturday. “That’ll be announced very, very soon.”
“I want to get in there, of course [as soon as possible]. I’ve got a big fight coming up. It will be on Misfits…”
Hall also mentioned the ongoing talks around a possible matchup with Dillon Danis.
“I’ve been told the Dillon Danis fight will happen before the end of the year, so let’s make it happen.”
When the Florida State Seminoles went searching for a new head basketball coach in March of 2025, the job they were advertising did not come with a long line of suitors. The man who got the job, Luke Isaac Rhoad Loucks, a former Sacramento Kings defensive coordinator and FSU alumnus with zero head coaching experience at any level, proceeded to produce one of the most improbable first seasons in the history of Florida State basketball.
The man he replaced left behind a legacy so enormous that comparing anyone to Leonard Hamilton in Tallahassee is, by definition, an exercise in humility. Yet, through one season, the numbers tell a story Hamilton himself would likely appreciate: his successor, his former player, is in fact ahead of schedule.
Where It All Started for Hamilton
The program Hamilton inherited ahead of the 2002-03 season had suffered four straight losing seasons. Hamilton's first year produced a 14-15 overall record and a 4-12 mark in the ACC — a result that reflected both the depth of the rebuilding task and the nine-team conference he was navigating.
The Seminoles did not reach the NCAA Tournament until the 2008-09 season, Hamilton's seventh at the helm, when the program finished 25-10 with a 10-6 ACC record and earned a No. 5 seed in the East Region.
Where Loucks Started and Where He Ended Up
On March 9, 2025, Loucks was appointed head coach of the Florida State Seminoles men's basketball team, returning to his alma mater, where he had played from 2008 to 2012. The expectation in Tallahassee was patience, process, and an extended rebuild. Nobody expected what actually happened.
The Seminoles' 2025-26 season ended with an 18-15 record, including a 10-8 mark in the ACC that stands as the school record for the most ACC wins by a first-year head coach. Florida State won 10 of its last 13 games in the regular season, won its opening-round ACC Tournament game against Cal, before going toe-to-toe with No. 1-ranked Duke in the quarterfinals.
The gap between the two first-year marks is not subtle. Loucks produced four more wins overall and six more ACC victories than Hamilton did in Year 1, in a league that has grown from nine to 18 teams in the two decades separating their arrivals.
Context That Protects Hamilton's Legacy
The year-one comparison favors Loucks clearly, but the context surrounding it does not diminish Hamilton's achievement, it complicates the comparison in ways that are worth understanding. When Hamilton arrived in Tallahassee in March of 2002, asking if FSU could win the ACC in basketball sounded simply preposterous.
He was working without the transfer portal, without NIL, and without the professional model that now defines college basketball roster construction. Building from scratch meant recruiting high school players and developing them across multiple seasons. Loucks assembled his 2025-26 roster in weeks, not years.
Hamilton's best stretch came from 2017-21, guiding the Seminoles to three Sweet 16 appearances and an Elite Eight run in 2018. He sent 20 players to the NBA draft, including nine first-round picks, and won 200 regular-season ACC games, becoming just the fourth coach in conference history to do so.
The Next Chapter of FSU Basketball
Florida State has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2021, when the Seminoles reached the Sweet 16 with Scottie Barnes, RaiQuan Gray, and Balsa Koprivica. That five-year drought, which began under Hamilton and has now carried into Loucks' tenure, remains the program's most pressing challenge.
What the full Loucks era will look like, whether it traces toward Hamilton's 23-year legacy or falls short of it, remains the story of the years to come. However, the foundation, as Loucks himself said after the Duke loss, is in place moving forward.
Follow us @FSUWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions.
Bruno Fernandes: Galatasaray make transfer decision on Man United star
Manchester United improved dramatically in attack during the summer and also strengthened by bringing in Senne Lammens to replace Andre Onana.
The Red Devils also have big plans this summer to remodel their midfield and take the next step towards competing in the Champions League and for the Premier League title.
Bruno Fernandes
Michael Carrick’s side are currently third in the table, and one of the main reasons for this has been the form of Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese captain has scored eight goals and provided 17 assists in all competitions this season for the Red Devils.
Whilst United would love to keep their star player, there have been persistent rumours that Fernandes may decide to depart after this season.
Last summer
The 31-year-old has admitted that he was close to leaving Old Trafford last summer, but he ultimately decided to stay in Manchester.
Nonetheless, there have been reports that he may reconsider his position this summer, and United have reportedly made contingency plans to sign Morgan Gibbs-White should their star leave.
Galatasaray interest
As a result of these rumours, Bayern Munich have been linked with a move for United’s creative fulcrum.
Nonetheless, Turkish outlet Fanatik has reported that Galatasaray will make an audacious swoop for Fernandes in the summer.
The report states that Galatasaray are interested in Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva but have also “set their sights on Silva’s Portuguese national team partner, Bruno Fernandes.”
They claim that, “Bayern Munich may also be persistent in their pursuit, but Galatasaray is ready to negotiate with the Portuguese superstar and present their own terms, regardless of their rivals.”
With a World Cup looming and a huge summer of investment on the cards, United will want to sort out the future of their talismanic captain as soon as possible.
Bruno Fernandes season stats
Source: transfermarkt.comFeatured image Ryan Pierse via Getty Images
Major League Baseball's Opening Day is almost here and while peanuts and Cracker Jacks will always be a nostalgic ballpark staple, innovative culinary teams across the MLB have knocked it out of the park with new food and beverage offerings for fans this season.
As players prepare to take the field on Thursday, March 26, ABC News tapped MLB and its vendors to reveal some of the best new ballpark bites and bring fans an early taste of what's on deck this season.
CitiField/Mets - PHOTO: The new 9-9-9 box of nine mini Nathan's hot dogs and nine beers.
"Opening Day is the ultimate opportunity to showcase culinary creativity as we strike a perfect balance between nostalgia and innovation," Lou Bastian, SVP of culinary for Levy which serves as the restaurant partner for eight ballparks from coast to coast, told ABC News.
MLB Opening Day: Ballparks debut new food and drinks for 2026 season
With 30 MLB stadiums around the country, culinary development teams create local delicacies and over-the-top offerings alike.
Oliver Hamlin/Seattle Mariners - PHOTO: A souvenir ferry boat with fish and chips served at T-Mobile Park for the 2026 Seattle Mariners season.
From a souvenir ferry boat filled with fish and chips to ice cream in the shape of a chicken drumstick, here's a first look at the bold, indulgent and unexpected food lineup across the MLB.
New York Mets
Citi Field is living up to its reputation as a top culinary destination -- having won the USA Today Best Baseball Stadium Food again in 2025 -- and adding to its roster of beloved local chef-driven fare.
CitiField/Mets - PHOTO: A table full of what's new in 2026 at CitiField from tacos and cheeseburger spring rolls to chopped cheese Jamaican patties
Judy Joo's Korean street food from Seoul Bird is joining the lineup with NY Bulgogi Cheesesteak Spring Rolls, marinated beef, kimchi, sharp cheddar, and pickled jalapeños, served with a creamy spicy gochujang-sriracha mayo.
Shake Shack created a new Home Run Apple Pie Shake with the signature vanilla frozen custard, apple pie filling, topped with blue and orange sprinkles.
And there's a new 9 x 9 x 9 Challenge -- which will also be available at Citizens Bank Park, Coors Field, Daikin Park, Kauffman Stadium and Oracle Park -- which includes nine mini hotdogs and nine mini beers for nine innings.
The 9-9-9 Challenge is back and will be available at even more ballparks in 2026 👀
Where will you be attempting the challenge? 🌭 New York Mets - Citi Field Philadelphia Phillies - Citizens Bank Park Colorado Rockies - Coors Field Houston Astros - Daikin Park Kansas City Royals… pic.twitter.com/GYn32rRRT8
The beer and hot dog challenge will cost approximately $55-60, which may vary based on the ballpark.
Seattle Mariners
T-Mobile Park is another highly regarded stadium food destination, and this year will serve a collectible Washington State Ferry Boat Souvenir Vessel, for an $8 upgrade to the food, which can be filled with fan favorite seafood options like crab-topped nachos, crab dips, fish and chips -- or chicken fingers.
MLB - PHOTO: A souvenir ferry boat with chicken fingers served at T-Mobile Park for the 2026 Seattle Mariners season.
Texas Rangers
Globe Life Field is taking the famed idea of a 10-gallon hat to the next level and will serve a Wearable Nacho Cowboy Hat, which is exactly as it sounds.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Levy - PHOTO: Charred sui pork loaded fries being served at the ballpark for the 2026 MLB season.
A few standout items are being added to Dodger Stadium, home of the defending World Series champions, including a new house-braised Cochinita Pibil Bone Marrow Taco topped with pickled onions and fresh cilantro on warm blue corn tortillas; Char Siu Pork Loaded Fries served with sriracha mayo; a Loco Moco Bowl, which is a Hawaiian comfort classic made with a seared beef patty, steamed rice and smothered in savory brown gravy topped with a sunny-side-up egg.
To wash it all down, for 21 and up fans, the new Watermelon Habanero Margarita shakes up a balance of sweet and heat, served over ice with a Tajín-dusted rim.
Baltimore Orioles
Brick & Whistle Food Co., the hospitality team by Levy for Camden Yards, has three new inventive additions.
"You can’t beat Maryland blue crab and over the past few seasons, we’ve honed a recipe at Oriole Park for some of the best crab cakes you’ll find anywhere," executive chef Dan Doyle told ABC News. "We created the Crab Smash Tacos this season as a unique spin on our homemade crab cakes in the form of a birria-style taco, a dish which has become extremely popular around the country. It feels both unique and familiar at the same time, and it's incredibly delicious."
Brick & Whistle Food Co. - PHOTO: The big scrap burger being served at the ballpark for the 2026 MLB season.
The Big Scrap Burgeris a Maryland take on a classic ballpark burger with two smashed beef patties topped with American cheese, crispy fried scrapple, lettuce, onions, pickles, and house-made Brick Sauce.
Last but not least, the B’MORE Yak, a local street food classic of stir-fried udon noodles with grilled shrimp, onions, and hot dog slices in a dark soy sauce gravy, garnished with green onions and a hard-boiled egg.
Chicago Cubs
Levy - PHOTO: Chicken and churros being served at the ballpark for the 2026 MLB season.
Wrigley Field and Levy have three tasty new savory dishes including Chicken & Churros-- a riff on chicken and waffles -- fried chicken thighs served with fresh churros, ancho syrup and fresh strawberries; the Bao Wow Dog, a chargrilled Vienna Beef hot dog inside a soft bao bun with mustard slaw and crispy tempura sport peppers; theTostada Stack, a crispy layered tostada with Hatch green chili beef, refried beans, queso fresco, fresh Pico de Gallo and crema, topped with a fried egg.
Miami Marlins
LoanDepot Park is leaning into its local Hispanic cuisine and roots.
Levy - PHOTO: Machete being served at the ballpark for the 2026 MLB season.
The "Machete,"is a new two-foot homemade flour tortilla griddled on the flat top with melted mozzarella and Oaxaca cheeses, house-marinated carne asada, smoky guajillo pepper sauce, salsa verde and cilantro, served in a custom carrying case.
Two new beverages include the Cafecito Martini with vodka and coffee liqueur shaken with fresh Cuban espresso and ice, topped with three coffee beans, and theMarlins Mule, which is vodka, fresh lime juice and sweet guava syrup, topped with crisp ginger beer and finished with a lime wheel garnish.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays will return to Tropicana Field after a temporary move last season to take care of extensive roof repairs from Hurricane Milton with three new standout concessions.
Levy - PHOTO: Sweet pretzel bites being served at the ballpark for the 2026 MLB season.
The Pretzel Dogmade with a half-pound Nathan’s all-beef hot dog, wrapped in a house-made, freshly baked pretzel is served with key lime pineapple mustard; Sweet Pretzel Bites dusted in cinnamon sugar are served warm in a baseball glove-shaped bowl and finished with rich caramel and vanilla icing drizzle; an Oreo Brownie Milkshake made with chocolate soft-serve comes with an Oreo-rimmed cup, topped with a mini-ice cream cone and a brownie wedge.
Washington Nationals
Nationals Park will serve up a few new specialty bites this year.
The Bases Loaded Footlong Dog is an all-beef footlong hot dog topped with roasted peppers, crispy fried onions, butter pickle chips, fried potatoes, smoky bacon jam, chili, guacamole, fresh Pico de Gallo and cheese sauce.
Fans can also try the new Capitol Slugger, a half-smoke sausage topped with chili, crispy fried jalapeños and golden fried onions, served with warm cheese sauce for dipping.
Levy - PHOTO: DC Monument chicken tower being served at the ballpark for the 2026 MLB season.
Finally, the DC Monument Chicken Tower, a stacked sandwich inspired by the towering landmark made with grilled chicken, smoked bacon, mixed greens, creamy chipotle ranch and Gruyère cheese on a soft pretzel bun.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Chase Field's new food lineup for D-Backs fans includes a Footlong Elote Corn Dog, crispy battered corn dog drizzled with chipotle aioli, fire-roasted corn, crumbly Cotija cheese, Tajín and fresh cilantro.
The stadium is also tapping into the energy drink trend with the new Golden Hour Vibe, a mocktail that blends mango and strawberry purée with peach-flavored Celsius, topped with fluffy whipped cream, gold sprinkles and a peach candy slice.
Levy - PHOTO: Take Me Out to the Ballgame shake being served at the ballpark for the 2026 MLB season.
The Take Me Out To The Ballgame Shake is made with everything fans know and love from their first ballpark visit in milkshake form -- a salted caramel shake, whipped cream, peanut butter sandwich cookies, Kit Kat Bars, and Cracker Jacks.
Chicago White Sox
The new Turkey In The Slaw at Wrigley Field is made with Roasted turkey, crispy bacon and sharp cheddar piled with coleslaw and Louis dressing, tucked between thick slices of challah bread.
And last but not least, the Settling A Beef sandwich, which layers Vienna corned beef with melty Swiss cheese, sharp Düsseldorf mustard and coleslaw on toasted seeded rye bread, served with a dill pickle spear.
The win sets up a game on April 2nd at Hinkle Fieldhouse versus Illinois State. Auburn used a big first half and had four players score in double figures to secure the win.
For Auburn, it was not just one player who stood out. It was an entire team effort. The win also closes the season for Neville Arena, and the Tigers made sure the final home game was a win. They end the 2025-26 season with a 14-4 home record.
Here are five takeaways from Auburn basketball's NIT win over Nevada on Wednesday.
Filip Jovic big night
Freshman Filip Jovic picked the final Auburn home game to have his best performance of the season. Jovic scored 18 points in the game and also added 9 rebounds. That was big with Nevada having more of a frontcourt presence than Auburn's previous opponents, South Alabama and Seattle U. He played well early and often on Wednesday night, and had 12 points at halftime.
Full 40 from Elyjah Freeman
The Auburn Tigers needed everything from Elyjah Freeman to defeat Nevada to advance to the NIT semifinals. Freeman did not leave the floor and played the full 40 minutes. He was efficient while on the floor, scoring 15 points. He was 5 of 11 from the floor and connected on all four of his free throw attempts. He helped out with four rebounds and two assists.
Pettiford and Hall combine for 30
For most of the season, if Tahaad Pettiford and Keyshawn Hall played well, the Tigers were going to win. While the two have had some offensive struggles in the first two games, guard Kevin Overton was able to pick up the slack. Well, Overton only scored seven versus Nevada, and the big stars came to play. Pettiford scored 16 points off 5 of 13 shooting and got his teammates involved with six assists. For Hall, he scored 14 points on Wednesday on six of nine shooting and connected on two three-point shots. He had a solid night on the boards with six rebounds and added two assists.
Turnover battle
In any tournament, each game can be decided on who takes care of the basketball. Auburn won that battle on the stat sheet Wednesday night, forcing 12 turnovers for the Wolfpack and only committing seven. Those turnovers resulted in 11 points for the Tigers. Nine of those turnovers were due to steals from Auburn. Pettiford and Sebastian Williams-Adams led the way in that department with two each.
Big first half for the Tigers
Auburn outscored Nevada 38-26 in the first half and led for 96% of the game. Auburn built a 30-14 lead with 7:22 until halftime when Freeman connected on a 25-foot three-pointer. Auburn scored on 60.7% of its first-half possessions and capitalized to score 11 second-chance points. Turns out the big first half was needed with Nevada outscoring Auburn 43-37 in the second half.
Winning in MLB on a daily basis is one of the toughest challenges in sports. With 162 games, constant lineup changes, pitching matchups, and the unpredictable nature of baseball, picking winners isn’t about guessing—it’s about analyzing matchups and picking up on patterns. Every day presents a new slate, new opportunities, and new value. From analyzing starting pitchers and bullpen usage to identifying hot lineups and favorable matchups, success comes from staying consistent and trusting the process over the long haul. Here are today’s MLB predictions for final scores and the winners around the league.
Sep 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Pitching Matchup: Paul Skenes vs. Freddy Peralta
Score Prediction: 4-3
Winner: Mets
White Sox at Brewers
Pitching Matchup: Shane Smith vs. Jacob Misiorowski
Score Prediction: 6-3
Winner: Brewers
Nationals at Cubs
Pitching Matchup: Cade Cavali vs. Matthew Boyd
Score Prediction: 7-2
Winner: Cubs
Twins at Orioles
Sep 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan (41) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Pitching Matchup: Joe Ryan vs. Trevor Rogers
Score Prediction: 4-1
Winner: Orioles
Red Sox at Reds
Pitching Matchup: Garrett Crochet vs. Andrew Abbott
Score Prediction: 8-5
Winner: Red Sox
Tigers at Padres
Pitching Matchup: Tarik Skubal vs. Nick Pivetta
Score Prediction: 5-4
Winner: Padres
Angels at Astros
Sep 24, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown (58) delivers a pitch against the Athletics in the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Pitching Matchup: Jose Soriano vs. Hunter Brown
Score Prediction: 7-5
Winner: Astros
Rays at Cardinals
Pitching Matchup: Drew Rasmussen vs. Matthew Liberatore
Score Prediction: 6-4
Winner: Rays
Rangers at Phillies
Pitching Matchup: Nathan Eovaldi vs. Christopher Sanchez
Score Prediction: 3-2
Winner: Phillies
Diamondbacks at Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning during game two of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Pitching Matchup: Zac Gallen vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Outside hitter and former BYU Cougar Alexa Gray attacks the ball during a match for LOVB Salt Lake against LOVB Austin on Feb. 25, 2026.
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LOVB
Former NFL players Terrence C. Murphy Sr. and Reggie Bush’s Synergy Sports Capital acquired the operating rights for Utah’s women’s professional volleyball team LOVB Salt Lake, the league announced Thursday.
League One Volleyball, or LOVB, started as a network of club volleyball teams and expanded to professional teams in January 2025. Each of its six inaugural teams, including LOVB Salt Lake, was initially owned by the league.
Synergy Sports Capital, founded by Murphy, is now the latest ownership group to join the LOVB family.
The acquisition is part of the private equity fund’s inaugural fund and has been in the works for the last three or four years, Murphy told the Deseret News.
Terrence Murphy Sr., a former NFL player and star at Texas A&M, is the founder and managing partner of Synergy Sports Capital, which recently acquired the operating rights of LOVB Salt Lake.
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Brenner Sherrard, LOVB
“As I started evaluating the different teams and opportunities, Salt Lake, the way that the team played, the culture — everything about it just felt like it was the right team for me to acquire through my fund, Synergy Sports Capital,” Murphy said.
Bush was a star running back at USC who won two national championships and the Heisman Trophy. He was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2006 NFL Draft.
For Murphy, the decision to invest in the team can be traced back to his athletic roots — and to his oldest daughter.
Murphy, a former Texas A&M wide receiver and second-round pick by the Green Bay Packers, had “been around sports my entire life,” he said, whether through his own athletic career, his siblings’ and now his children.
His sister played volleyball, but Murphy didn’t gain a true appreciation for the sport until he watched his daughter play for LOVB’s Houston Skyline The Woodlands.
“I became a volleyball dad, and that’s really where I realized how much I enjoyed watching the game, how quick it was,” he said. “ … Going to those tournaments is where I started seeing the game and seeing the crowds and seeing how there was a new movement in volleyball. There was a recreated passion, and now in 2026, it’s the fastest-growing women’s sport under 18.”
What Murphy, Bush and Synergy bring to LOVB Salt Lake
Setter Jordyn Poulter sets the ball in a match for LOVB Salt Lake against LOVB Atlanta on Jan. 31, 2026.
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LOVB
A severe neck injury Murphy sustained in his rookie season led to his early NFL retirement in 2007. He’s been investing ever since in venture capital, real estate and private equity, and for the last five years, he’s been “tracking the emerging leagues and teams” he could invest in.
Enter LOVB Salt Lake.
Murphy said he looked at investing in other LOVB teams, but Salt Lake had “the most upside.”
LOVB Salt Lake has dominated in its second season, going on a 7-1 run to start the season, and with three matches left before the playoffs, the club tied for second place in this year’s standings.
“Just the way they play and (Jordyn) Poulter, the setter, the libero — that core team, we want to keep together as long as possible and just keep adding more talent,” he said.
In addition to the financial investment, Murphy said he and Bush bring their athletic backgrounds to the team, which will help them as owners.
“We understand what it takes to be a pro athlete, and I think you see some of the best coaches are ones that were athletes themselves. And if you look at the head coach of LOVB (Salt Lake, Tama Miyashiro), she was an Olympian herself. So she’s going to understand them better than most, and when you look into ownership groups, we’re going to understand the athletes, the culture, the fan base better than most,” he said.
LOVB Pro commissioner Sandra Idehen noted the experience that the former NFL players bring to the league and LOVB Salt Lake in her statement in the press release announcing the news.
“Terrence, Reggie and the Synergy team understand the journey of elite athletes, the cultural power of sports, and how to build businesses that last. Their investment in LOVB and leadership of the Salt Lake team strengthens our foundation as we build the next great professional league in America,” Idehen said.
Murphy and Bush are the latest former men’s professional athletes to invest in women’s sports teams, joining the likes of Tom Brady, a minority owner of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, and Magic Johnson, a co-owner of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and a member of the ownership group of the NWSL’s Washington Spirit.
The Houston Rockets’ Kevin Durant was one of the initial investors in the league alongside Candace Parker and Lindsey Vonn, according to The Associated Press.
“I think the opportunity is just, it’s a natural transition for us. But I think being able to, like I said, be more involved and not just be passive stakes, but be active stakes, I think that’s where women’s sports has the most upside. And right now, it’s just a movement, right? You see a lot of the young ladies now that want to be playing volleyball,” Murphy said.
Murphy has big ideas for LOVB Salt Lake, including its facilities and its place in Utah’s sports ecosystem. He wants to partner with Salt Lake City; Park City, where he resides part-time; and the state of Utah because he wants LOVB Salt Lake “to be a statewide team.”
“We’re looking to partner with developers and city municipalities to create a stadium district, practice facilities, and all those things. So, we want to be an ownership group that is completely immersed in the market, from the youth to the real estate to the practice facility to our pro team and the fan base and the universities,” he said.
Murphy wants to help LOVB Salt Lake create an atmosphere that’s hard for visiting teams to play in, like he experienced while playing at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field and Green Bay’s Lambeau Field.
“I only played for one college team and then only played for one NFL team, and I plan on only owning one volleyball team. So my goal is that when you come play us at our home stadium is that it’s an atmosphere that’s rowdy, it’s exciting and it’s a hard place to play. And we’re going to play with that energy, and you know you’re going to have to play us hard no matter what,” he said.
Murphy added that LOVB Salt Lake already embodies the energy he mentioned.
“Now, it’s just me helping them drive that forward, create a vision, and continue to serve the athletes and the fan base and just create a special organization,” he said.
Opinions about former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson have run the gamut from those who have called him the best quarterback in this year's draft class to those who question whether he's worthy of being a first-round pick.
Simpson made it clear where he stands on Wednesday. Simpson said he "absolutely" should go in the first round next month while speaking to reporters at Alabama's Pro Day and explained what he believes he brings to the table beyond his on-field ability.
"When I go into a program, I'm program-changing," Simpson said, via Kennington Smith III of the Associated Press. "I don't just make myself better, I make other people better. If you draft me, and you want me to be your franchise quarterback, I'm not just coming in to look after myself. I'm looking after the whole team and making sure I leave it better than I left it."
Simpson may not convince every team that he's capable of making that kind of impact on their franchise, but it will just take one in order for him to be a first-round pick and have a chance to prove that he's as good as he's advertised himself to be.
The NFL’s annual league meeting will begin Sunday, and Florida attorney general James Uthmeier has one demand for the league: That it suspend the Rooney Rule.
In a video Wednesday, Uthmeier called for the rule to be suspended, saying it violates Florida law by “requiring race-based considerations in hiring.” Uthmeier threatened “enforcement actions against the league for race-based discrimination.”
Professional sports are a visible example of a merit-based system, but through the Rooney Rule, the NFL requires its teams to use race-based hiring practices.
We are putting Commissioner Roger Goodell on notice: the Rooney Rule violates Florida law, and it must stop. pic.twitter.com/g8La6TzUZw
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) March 25, 2026
The Rooney Rule, which was instituted by the league in 2003, requires teams to “interview at least one or more diverse candidates before making a new hire.” The policy initially only applied to head-coaching job, though has expanded to other roles since its introduction. Since 2009, both “general manager and primary football executive jobs” require NFL teams to interview two minority candidates, per the NFL’s website.
Uthmeier sent a letter to the league urging it to stop applying the Rooney Rule to NFL teams in Florida — which include the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If the league does not comply, Uthmeier threatened that he would consider “a civil rights enforcement action.” Uthmeier did not specify exactly what that would entail.
The NFL’s annual league meeting will begin Sunday, March 29, and run through Wednesday, April 1. At the meeting, teams and owners typically discuss league business, including possible rule changes for the upcoming season. This year, owners will also vote on the site of Super Bowl LXIII, though it’s expected that will be awarded to Las Vegas.
Prior to Wednesday, the Rooney Rule was not among the items reported to be on the docket during the annual league meeting. It’s unclear whether Uthmeier’s demand or threats will change the NFL’s agenda.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell typically takes part in a press conference during the annual league meeting. If Goodell doesn’t respond to Uthmeier’s demand before that presser, the commissioner will almost certainly address the issue while speaking with the media.
Can the Mets get back to the playoffs and finally get over the hump in October this year with their new-look roster?
Will a severe roster overhaul overseen by president of baseball operations David Stearns be the secret to success?
Will the chemistry — something that proved to be a deadly domino in last year’s epic collapse — click with a combination of veterans and fresh faces?
To answer these questions, I did what anyone would do in 2026 — I asked AI.
Here’s what they told us:
After inputting the Mets’ Opening Day roster, ChatGPT predicted the Mets will finish this season with a final record of 93-69, winning the National League East for the first time since 2015.
In the playoffs, the AI simulation projected that the Mets would defeat the division rival Phillies in the Division Series, upset the Dodgers in the Championship Series and then lose to the Astros in the World Series in six games.
Here’s a recap of the Mets’ simulated season from ChatGPT, with some specific updates along the way:
AI’s prediction has the Mets roaring out of the gates to begin the year. Juan Soto starts the year playing at an MVP level, swatting six home runs in April, while Freddy Peralta pitches like an ace (1.95 ERA) over the first month of the season.
April record: 16-11 (first place)
The Mets are hit with their first significant injury blow of the season in May, losing Kodai Senga for over a month to a shoulder strain. Meanwhile, Luis Robert Jr. goes on a home run tear, hitting 10 long balls in May.
Record by June 1: 32-23 (first place)
Regression and turbulence arrive in June. Bo Bichette slumps, Brett Baty struggles against lefties and Jorge Polanco lands on the injured list with a hamstring strain. With Nolan McLean hitting a “rookie wall” and David Peterson unable to stay consistent, the rotation is a liability and the Mets drop into second place.
June record: 13-14 (second place)
The Mets end the first half on a high note as Francisco Alvarez has a power surge and Senga returns from the IL strong. Closer Devin Williams is nearly perfect in June, lowering his ERA to below 2.00.
Record at All-Star break: 54-42
Mets All-Stars: Juan Soto (starter), Francisco Lindor, Freddy Peralta
At the trade deadline, AI predicts that the Mets will acquire a mid-rotation starter, a veteran with a 3.80 ERA. That stabilizes the rotation behind Peralta and Senga while pushing Clay Holmes into a swing role.
Come August, Soto “goes nuclear” with a .330 average and nine homers in the month. Luis Robert Jr. lands on the injured list with an oblique issue.
August record: 19-9 (take back first place)
To close out the season, the Mets win a critical series in the final week to hold off a late push from the Braves in the division race.
Soto wins National League MVP with Lindor finishing in the top five and Peralta finishing in the top five in the Cy Young Award race. AI has Alvarez as the Mets’ breakout player this year.
Again, the simulation has the Mets advancing to the World Series but falling to the Astros in six games. The rotation depth cracked and the offense, outside of Soto and Lindor, cooled in the Fall Classic.
ChatGPT’s simulation singled out rotation depth, injuries and inconsistency on offense (other than Lindor and Soto) as the three biggest flaws that hold the Mets back.
“Bottom line, this version of the New York Mets is a legitimate pennant-winning team — but just short of a championship," the simulation wrote. “They can win it all—but in this simulation, they get hot, make a real run and run into a slightly more complete team at the end."
Jauan Jennings is, more than likely, not returning to the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. Many reports have indicated this, and the 49ers' decision to add Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in free agency also signaled a mutual parting of ways with Jennings.
Jennings still hasn't signed this offseason, though, so it's still technically possible he comes back to the 49ers. But while Bleacher Report NFL analyst Gary Davenport writes that Jennings should stay on the West Coast, he would be instead be a "perfect fit" with the Los Angeles Chargers.
L.A. needs a reliable boundary target—a sure-handed chain-mover [quarterback Justin] Herbert can rely on. A replacement for longtime Charger Keenan Allen.
Enter sixth-year veteran Jauan Jennings.
His 2025 season in San Francisco wasn't especially impressive: 55 catches for 643 yards. But he hauled in a career-high nine touchdowns, and he reeled in 77 passes for 975 yards and six scores the year before.
The longer the 28-year-old stays on the open market, the more his asking price comes down. And the more that price tag decreases, the more sense it makes for the Chargers to reunite Jennings with former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
The pairing makes a lot of sense from what Davenport pointed out. The McDaniel connection is a big one, as well as the Chargers' clear need for a possession receiver. Jennings isn't a star-studded No. 1 pass-catching option, but he proved over the past two years that he can put together WR1 numbers when a team needs one.
It's unclear what is holding Jennings back from signing a deal, but the Chargers certainly have the cap space to pull it off if that's the direction they want to go down this offseason.
And if this happens, the 49ers will get to see Jennings on the road when San Francisco plays the Chargers in Los Angeles this season.
The Nets spent Wednesday night at Chase Center doing just about everything that usually wins games and still walked out with another loss.
Brooklyn forced a season-high 26 turnovers, set a season high with 17 steals and got a massive lift from its bench. None of it was enough. The Nets fell to the Golden State Warriors 109-106, dropped to 17-56 and lost their ninth straight despite an incredibly active defensive performance. The loss also pushed Brooklyn into second place in the NBA draft lottery standings, per Tankathon, one game behind the Indiana Pacers for the worst record in the league.
Ziaire Williams led the Nets with 19 points and a career-high six steals, continuing what’s been a tear lately. Jalen Wilson scored 15 points; Malachi Smith had 12 in the first game of his second 10-day contract and Chaney Johnson added 11 before fouling out with 55 seconds left. Brooklyn’s bench outscored Golden State’s 51-18, but possessions didn’t go the Nets’ way late.
Gui Santos carried the Warriors with 31 points on 11-for-16 shooting. Golden State played without Stephen Curry for the 22nd straight game. Brooklyn was missing Michael Porter Jr., Noah Clowney, Nolan Traoré, Egor Dëmin, Day’Ron Sharpe and Danny Wolf.
The game had a strange feel from the opening tip. Golden State scored efficiently, shooting 52.9% in the first quarter, but couldn’t hold onto the ball. Brooklyn turned 10 Warriors turnovers into eight extra points in the first, which is how the Nets carried a 30-25 lead into the second quarter even while the Warriors were making shots. Williams and Josh Minott had two steals apiece, and Williams, back in his home state of California, set the early tone by living at the line and scoring nine first-quarter points to lead all scorers.
As the Warriors kept giving it away, Brooklyn’s lead grew. The Nets went up 13 with 5:11 left in the half after Johnson knocked down his first 3-pointer of the night. Golden State chipped away at the line and Brandon Podziemski’s 7-footer cut it to four with 54.4 seconds left, but Minott answered with his second 3 of the half. After Kristaps Porzingis split a pair at the stripe, Smith raced coast to coast, finished at the rim and beat the buzzer, sending Brooklyn into halftime up 58-50.
The Nets shot 52.6% and made seven 3-pointers in the first half. They also forced 15 turnovers while committing nine. They were also getting crushed on the glass, 22-12, but they had built an eight-point cushion anyway.
Then things got tight.
With 8:04 left in the third, Podziemski found Gary Payton II for a transition lob that cut Brooklyn’s lead to four, and Jordi Fernández burned his first timeout of the half. The Nets re-established control with back-to-back 3s from Drake Powell, but the third quarter still turned into a shootout where one matchup mattered more than the turnovers. Santos poured in 15 points in the period and Golden State kept finding him. Brooklyn narrowly won the quarter 28-27, and the Warriors still turned it over nine more times, which the Nets converted into 13 points. That was enough for Brooklyn to take an 86-77 lead into the fourth.
Then Golden State erased it almost instantly. A heavy dose of Podziemski buckets and free throws made it a two-point game with 9:57 left. Payton laid it in with 8:10 remaining to tie it, forcing another Fernández timeout.
The game turned into a possession-by-possession test, and Smith kept bailing Brooklyn out when it needed a shot. He drilled a huge 3 at the 4:08 mark to break a 97-97 tie, then hit an impossible one-legged 20-footer at 3:15 to put the Nets up 102-100. Then it was Ben Saraf’s moment, throwing down a left-handed slam over Draymond Green with 46 seconds left to tie it at 106.
And then it ended poorly for Brooklyn. Jalen Wilson fouled De’Anthony Melton with 24.5 seconds left, and Melton split a pair. Saraf missed a go-ahead layup. Green hit two free throws to make it a three-point game. The Nets never got a tying attempt because Minott threw an errant full-court pass for a turnover.
Williams didn’t play in the final frame.
Brooklyn closes its road trip Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
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Ferrari have put forward a proposal to the FIA for a joint in-season test at Monza, aiming to make use of the gap in the 2026 calendar created by the cancellations of F1’s races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
The F1 calendar has a one-month break scheduled after this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, with teams set to return for the Miami GP from May 1-3. The races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were both called off due to ongoing concerns in the Middle East.
Instead, Ferrari have suggested an alternative: holding an in-season test during that period.
The team believes this window is perfect for examining ways to improve energy recovery management under the new regulations, which have placed added emphasis on energy usage this season.
Ferrari facing opposition from Mercedes over in-season test proposal
But Nextgen-Auto reports that Ferrari are facing resistance from several other teams who aren’t on board with the idea. The FIA is expected to make a decision soon.
Aston Martin, McLaren, Mercedes, and Williams are all reportedly hesitant to back any form of in-season testing this year.
The cancellations of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have not impacted the cost cap, so teams do have the financial flexibility for additional running. Yet Ferrari’s proposal has met resistance from both ends of the competitive spectrum.
If their request is denied, Ferrari could still organise a filming day at Monza. However, these sessions are limited to 200km per day, whereas an official test would allow for unlimited mileage.
Mercedes have started strong under the 2026 regulations and currently lead the championship. Their advantage seems to be energy management, with their power unit showing fewer issues than others early on.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have struggled to keep pace with Mercedes drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli over longer runs. The W17 has also proven easier on tyres compared to Ferrari’s SF-26.
This context helps explain why Mercedes may be pushing back against Ferrari’s test proposal. Additional running at a track like Monza, known for its high-energy demands, could help other teams close the gap more quickly.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Transgender women athletes are now excluded from the Olympics after the IOC agreed to a new eligibility policy on Thursday which aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order on women's sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females,” the International Olympic Committee said, “determined on the basis of a one‑time SRY gene screening.”
It is unclear how many, if any, transgender women are competing at an Olympic level. No woman who transitioned from being born male competed at the 2024 Paris Summer Games.
The eligibility policy that will apply from the LA Olympics in July 2028 “protects fairness, safety and integrity in the female category,” the IOC said.
“It is not retroactive and does not apply to any grassroots or recreational sports programs,” said the IOC, whose Olympic Charter states that access to play sport is a human right.
After an executive board meeting, the International Olympic Committee published a 10-page policy document which also restricts female athletes such as two-time Olympic champion runner Caster Semenya with medical conditions known as differences in sex development, or DSD.
The IOC and its president, Kirsty Coventry, have wanted a clear policy instead of continuing to advise sports’ governing bodies who previously have drafted their own rules.
Coventry set up a review of “protecting the female category” as one of her first big decisions last June as the first woman to lead the Olympic body in its 132-year history.
Female eligibility was a strong theme in a seven-candidate IOC election last year when Coventry’s main rivals pledged a stronger policy to leading on the issue.
Before the 2024 Paris Olympics, three top-tier sports — track and field, swimming and cycling — already passed rules excluding transgender women who had been through male puberty.
The IOC document details its research that being born male gives physical advantages that are retained.
"Males experience three significant testosterone peaks: in utero, in mini-puberty of infancy and beginning in adolescent puberty through adulthood," the document said.
It added this gives males “individual sex-based performance advantages in sports and events that rely on strength, power and/or endurance.”
Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly on the radar of Manchester United ahead of the summer
Manchester United are monitoring the situation of Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly as they look to sign a new left-back this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Danyal Khan. The Gunners academy graduate has told Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta of his frustration for not playing regularly at the Emirates Stadium club. Man United want to strengthen at left-back and will look to bring a younger option to the Old Trafford club in the coming months. The Red Devils have already been linked with Newcastle United full-back Lewis Hall and his Eintracht Frankfurt counterpart Nathaniel Brown.
Lewis-Skelly, who signed a five-year deal at Arsenal last summer, has also emerged as a target but it remains to be seen whether the North London club will be open to a deal. The 19-year-old is behind Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori in the pecking order for the left-back spot and has started just one Premier League game this term. The Gunners are expected to make major sales this term to balance the books and selling Lewis-Skelly could appeal to them if he insists he wants out.
He can also feature in midfield, which could appeal to Man United as they look to replace Casemiro.
The Arsenal star was in the plans of England manager Thomas Tuchel last term, making six appearances for the Three Lions last year.
PORTLAND, OR - SEPTEMBER 30: Forward Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a studio portrait during the Trail Blazers Media Day on September 30, 2002 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. 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 NBAE 2002 (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Thursday everyone. We’ve almost made it through another week.
Here’s your open thread for March 26. It’s a place to sound off and interact with fellow readers out there in ManiaLand. I’ll be around, too. Here’s some stuff I’d like to discuss:
MMA ADJACENT
DJ seems to be having fun these days.
Some free Muay Thai from Rajadamnern.
TOTALLY OFF TOPIC
I’m a sucker for sports docs. What are your faves?
I’ll watch anything with Rebecca Ferguson in it.
GAME TIME
What’s your music knowledge like?
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Why Max?: Holloway calls out McGregor… snore — FULL STORY
Bones to BKFC: Never gonna fight there, though — FULL STORY
Are you ready for the Minnesota Vikings to draft a dynamic young running back for the first time in eons? The club took a step in the right direction this week, meeting with rookie tailback Jonah Coleman.
The Vikings keep doing homework on this deep 2026 running back class, and that is excellent.
Coleman is considered the third- or fourth-best running back in this year’s class, and there’s a small chance that he transfers his purple uniform from Washington to Minnesota.
Coleman Fits Minnesota’s Search for Backfield Juice
Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) carries the ball through the defense, working upfield against Maryland on Oct. 4, 2025, at SECU Stadium in College Park as the Huskies leaned on their rushing attack during a competitive road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images.
Vikings Meet with Coleman
In all likelihood, the Vikings will draft a halfback somewhere in April’s draft, and the franchise now has a meeting with Coleman on record.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz wrote this week, “The Vikings will host Coleman on a Top 30 visit, per Arye Pulli. The former Arizona and Washington standout has recorded over 1,100 yards from scrimmage in each of the last three seasons and scored 27 touchdowns in 25 games for the Huskies.”
“He’s been an efficient college runner who can also catch the ball (87 career receptions) and pass protect. There’s a lot to like about Coleman, but he’s also undersized at 5’9″ and isn’t particularly explosive.”
At the moment, Coleman is projected as a 3rd-Round pick, and Minnesota has two of those in the chamber.
A Superb Landing Spot
In Minnesota — if the Vikings press the button on Coleman — he’ll strut into a wonderful situation, not oozing with the pressure of an immediate RB1. The Vikings have Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones back in 2026, and they figure to take the bulk of rushing attempts next year if healthy.
With a man like Coleman, he can mature for a season as the RB3, be promoted to RB2 if an injury emerges — it probably will — or win the RB1 job outright if he’s that damn effective at training camp and in the preseason.
Coleman will also have offensive teammates as weapons, including Kyler Murray, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and the aforementioned running backs. The spot is ideal for Coleman, and he might be ideal for the Vikings.
The Green Bay Packers could give Coleman a peek, as well.
Zone Coverage‘s Mitch Widmeier on Coleman to Green Bay: “A true three-down back with the Huskies, Coleman could be an every-down back if he reaches his ceiling in the NFL. For Green Bay specifically, two things stand out. Coleman had a grand total of two fumbles in 551 career rushing attempts. That covers two years with Arizona and another two with Washington. Coleman protects the football as well as any college running back has in the last four years.”
“If you want to play running back in Green Bay, you need to protect the rock, have some capability to pass block, and possess a certain level of character. Check, check, and check. Coleman could be selected as early as Round 2, or he could fall into Round 4. If nobody selects him in the second round, he will be an awfully tempting option for Green Bay.
Coleman’s Scouting Report
Coleman is 5’8″, 220 pounds, has 4.5 speed, and has a style similar to Ray Rice from the Baltimore Ravens (without the spotty reputation) 15 years ago. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, and he scored 27 touchdowns at Washington in the last two years.
NFL Draft Buzzon Coleman’s rookie profile: “Coleman is not going to test his way into a higher draft slot, and his game does not need him to. His vision between the tackles finds creases before they fully develop, and his patience within zone schemes lets linemen finish their work before he commits.”
“He averaged over five yards per carry in 2024 behind an offensive line ranked 105th nationally in run-blocking grade, which speaks louder than any combine drill. Zone-heavy offenses are the natural fit. Where Coleman separates from other power backs in this class is ball security paired with receiving ability. One fumble across 396 career touches keeps you on the field in December.”
Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) heads toward the locker room after the final whistle, leaving the field following a win over UC Davis on Sep. 6, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle as Washington wrapped up its opening-week victory. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.
Power backs who can act as receivers are somewhat rare.
NDB added, “He caught 31 passes for 354 yards in 2025 and looked comfortable on underneath routes, giving coordinators the option of leaving him in on passing downs. Pass protection needs refinement; he brings effort against blitzers but his technique is still developing.”
“His floor is a reliable early-down grinder who handles 15 to 20 touches and controls tempo without putting the ball on the ground. His ceiling is a three-down back in a system that values patience over home-run speed.”
The Alternatives
Assume the Vikings want a rookie running back, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love isn’t available, and a different team picks Coleman. These would be the options before the end of Round 5:
Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas)
Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)
Nick Singleton (Penn State)
Kaytron Allen (Penn State)
Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest)
Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) takes a handoff and pushes forward during first-quarter action, attacking the defense against UC Davis on Sep. 6, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle as Washington established its ground game early. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.
The City skipper again demonstrated his eye for goal and superb vision by executing a memorable finish in the 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.
Latching onto a reverse pass from Omar Marmoush, there seemed little immediate danger as the Portuguese midfielder advanced down the Hammers left channel on the edge of the box.
Bernardo’s effort is one of eight contenders for March’s Goal of the Month award.
He is up against Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White who has been nominated twice for efforts against Brighton and City, Alex Iwobi (Fulham v Spurs), Elliot Anderson (City v Nottingham Forest), William Osula (Newcastle v Manchester United), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton v Chelsea) and John McGinn (Aston Villa v West Ham).
You can vote for Bernardo here with voting open until 12.00 UK on Monday, March 30.
The winner will be announced at 13.00 (UK) on Friday, April 3.
BBC Scotland's Edinburgh football reporter Brian McLauchlin has been answering some of your questions on Hibs.
Kieran asked: Do you think we've reached our maximum potential with David Gray? I personally feel we are underachieving with this squad, three wins against top-six sides this season, consistently boring football to watch.
Scott asked: What would be your view on Hibs bringing in an experienced coach to assist Gray with his game management for next season?
Brian answered: Any manager at any club in any league is only ever as good as the recruitment. And while Hibernian have invested heavily in recent years it's fair to say, other than one or two players, this has been underwhelming.
Sometimes a supporter's view of being successful can differ from those running the club. The fans may have been disappointed to see Kieron Bowie leave in January as he was still to reach his potential.
However, when a significant offer lands - about 10 times the fee Hibs originally paid - it makes complete sense to accept.
The use of data now has become a key component in recruitment and if there is an increase in investment at the club then this is where it should happen.
As for having an experienced coach working alongside Gray, I am not sure this would add much to the backroom team already assembled.
In Eddie May he has someone with vast experience at first team and youth level to lean upon for advice. He also has Liam Craig and Craig Samson.
That trio know just about all there is to know about the Scottish game and, along with Gray, are as competent a management team as you will find in Scotland.
Aidan asked: Is this the start of a season-by-season decline? No progression in Europe, out of cup competitions early and lower-table finishes.
Callum asked: Why have Hibernian not progressed from last season given they made some positive signings? Fans feel the current manager has taken this team as far as he can, is it now time for change?
Brian answered: I certainly don't feel this is the start of a decline by the team. Two years ago Hibs finished eighth in the Premiership with 46 points. The outlook was bleak and there was little for fans to cheer.
Last season, after a very difficult start, the team finished third and would have been guaranteed European football through to Christmas were it not for a surprise win for Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup.
Few would have anticipated Hearts having a run like they have this season and there is no doubt this has hurt Hibs.
You also have to remember Gray's side only lost out narrowly and late in Europe to Midtjylland, a Champions League team in recent years, and Legia Warsaw. The brilliant victory in Belgrade in the most hostile of atmospheres provided memories to last a lifetime.
European football for next season is still a distinct possibility and although there is ground to be made up on Motherwell the gap is not unsurmountable.
So, yes, there have been disappointments this season but I don't see a steady decline. This summer's transfer window will be crucial to ensure a good start to next season.
As for getting rid of Gray, I would guard against this. Changing manager, as Hibs have found out, doesn't always work. It's 10 years this summer since Neil Lennon joined the club. Since then Paul Heckingbottom, Jack Ross, Shaun Maloney, Lee Johnson and Nick Montgomery have all come and gone.
Gray's appointment in 2024 has brought stability and given time I'm sure the success will follow.
The head of Senegal’s football governing body has pledged to mount a “crusade” against a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip the country’s African Cup of Nations title, as its legal team warned the case could reshape the world of football and undermine the principle that refereeing decisions are final.
“This decision cannot even be considered a true sporting justice ruling – it is so crude, so absurd, so irrational,” lawyer Juan de Dios Crespo Perez, representing Senegal’s ruling body, told a news conference on Thursday.
“It openly violates the laws of the game and the principle that refereeing decisions are final.”
“In the face of this administrative robbery, the FSF refuses fatality. We will fight a moral and legal crusade,” Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), said.
The FSF lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday against the decision to overturn the result.
Senegal were ruled to have forfeited the final in Rabat on January 18 after walking off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco.They returned and scored a goal in extra time to win the game 1-0.
Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegalese football federation with lawyers Seydou Diagne, Juan de Dios Crespo-Perez and Pierre Olivier Sur during the news conference [Abdul Saboor/Reuters]
Lawyer Seydou Diagne said Senegal suffered a “betrayal” and has gathered international lawyers from Switzerland, Spain, France and Senegal to plead the case.
Senegal’s legal team said the country still considers itself the champion of Africa despite the CAF’s ruling.
“If CAS let this situation happen, the winner of the next World Cup could be decided within a lawyers’ firm,” Diagne said.
Senegal, who have qualified for this year’s World Cup, face Peru in a friendly in Paris on Saturday.
Serge Vittoz, part of a six-lawyer legal team in Paris, said they were asking CAS to speed up the process.
“Such a procedure usually lasts nine to 12 months, but we want it to go faster. However, all parties must agree to it,” Vittoz said.
Asked whether the trophy would be presented to their fans at the Stade de France on Saturday, Fall said: “I’ll see you at the Stade de France on March 28.”
Vittoz argued that the decision of CAF’s appeal board to overturn the result of the final had not been explained.
“To be valid, a decision must be explained. It has not been, so Senegal are still African champions,” Vittoz said.
CAF’s South African president Patrice Motsepe insisted last week that “not a single country in Africa will be treated in a manner that is more preferential, or more advantageous, or more favourable than any other.”
An appeal to CAS can typically take months to schedule a hearing, then weeks or months more to announce a verdict.
Every March Madness it happens. A player steps to the line, takes the shot and misses. And just like that, there goes your perfect bracket.
These are elite players. The player has made that shot thousands of times before. So what went wrong this time?
Research from my lab has found that the difference between making and missing a shot may come down to stability not only in how you move but how you think.
Measuring brain activity
My team wanted to understand how people build their skill at shooting hoops. So we examined the early phase of learning this particular skill – when coordination between your brain and body is still being formed rather than taken for granted.
Decades of research on the performance of elite athletes suggest that their sport-specific movements are consistent and their brains appear to be optimized for the task. In other words, they show less unnecessary brain activity and more focused processing on executing a specific activity. But it is not known whether these brain states are exclusive to elite performance or whether they can begin early in the learning process.
To investigate this question, my team recorded both the body movement and brain activity of novice and intermediate basketball players as they shot hoops. Specifically, we used motion capture technology to analyze their movement mechanics and electroencephalography to analyze their neural activity. After a brief practice and familiarization phase, each player took 50 shots. We then compared the shots that went in with those that did not.
What we found was telling.
Successful shots are linked to stability and consistency in mind and body.
AP Photo/Ronda Churchill
Successful shots for all players were associated with more consistent movement patterns. The feet and lower body were positioned to provide a stable base of support, improving balance and enabling more effective transfer of force to the ball. Joint motion across the body was more coordinated, and variability was reduced in key segments of the movement, particularly at the wrist and elbow.
Unsuccessful shots, by contrast, were much more inconsistent, showing small fluctuations throughout the movement. This suggests the players were continuously correcting their movements mid-execution. Similarly, brain activity during missed shots appeared to reflect a system still trying to figure things out, continuously evaluating, adjusting and correcting.
This trial-by-trial variability and adjustment is exactly what’s expected in early skill acquisition. According to a classic model of learning, beginners rely more heavily on effortful processing of verbal, visual and spatial information as they learn to coordinate perception and action. In other words, they are consciously and actively thinking through the movement. Learning requires exploration, error detection and correction as the brain and body are searching for a solution.
Even within this messy process of learning, successful attempts already showed signs of greater control. Making a shot was not simply about whether the brain was more or less active, but about how consistently it operated. Successful shots were marked by a more stable, less variable brain state, along with activity patterns suggesting the brain was better tuned to the demands of the task.
Mind over matter
But here’s the catch: The processes that help you learn can hurt you when you perform.
Elite athletes are not consciously micromanaging each action. Rather, they rely on systems that have been finely tuned through repetition. As skill develops, performance becomes less about effort and more about consistency. Variability decreases as neural processing becomes more efficient.
Under pressure, however, that stability is exactly what can break down. A college player may be very talented, but they are still developing physically and mentally. In high-stakes, high-pressure moments – especially like those in March Madness, which they haven’t experienced in practice – pressure can push the athlete back into their own heads. They may begin to monitor and control their movements more consciously and explicitly. This reintroduction of conscious processing can disrupt the automatic coordination they have built through practice, inadvertently increasing the variability of their movements and thoughts and therefore reducing performance.
Making a shot during competition is not quite the same as making a shot during practice.
AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh
Training that focuses not only on the mechanics of the sport but also the mental side of performance could help athletes enter, maintain or return to the mental state that supports consistent performance, even under pressure. My lab is investigating biofeedback and neurofeedback tools to help make these invisible states and metrics visible to aid in training. If athletes can learn how their brains and bodies react under pressure and practice returning to a more stable state, that may be one path toward more consistent performance.
The goal is not just to learn the right movement, but also to learn when and how to stop trying to control it.
David Van den Heever does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Super Bowl champion Reggie Bush is ready to ace ownership.
On Thursday, League One Volleyball (LOVB) announced that Synergy Sports Capital, a $150 million private equity fund led by former NFL players Terrence C. Murphy Sr. and Reggie Bush, has acquired the rights of LOVB Salt Lake.
“When we look for owners, we look for leaders who see what this league can become, not just what it is today,” Sandra Idehen, Commissioner of LOVB Pro, said in a statement shared with USA TODAY Sports. “Terrence, Reggie and the Synergy team understand the journey of elite athletes, the cultural power of sports, and how to build businesses that last. Their investment in LOVB and leadership of the Salt Lake team strengthens our foundation as we build the next great professional league in America.”
LOVB Salt Lake is in its second season in the professional women's volleyball league and its roster includes two-time Olympic medalists Jordyn Poulter, Haleigh Washington and former Texas A&M middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, who helped the Aggies women's volleyball's win its first national title in program history in December.
Terrence C. Murphy Sr, who played collegiate football for Texas A&M before being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2005, said "Salt Lake has everything you want in a winning organization."
"A talented team with great chemistry, a passionate and growing sports market, and a culture that values grit and competitiveness,” Murphy, founder and managing partner of Synergy Sports Capital, said in a sentence. “As a volleyball dad, this sport means a lot to me personally, and the opportunity to help build something special here made this the right fit. Our goal is to create one of the toughest home-court environments in the league.”
LOVB Salt Lake is currently tied for second place with a 9-8 record.
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 15: Mansoor Delane #4 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after an interception against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Ella Hall/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)
In the first wave of free agency, the Commanders did a great job of filling roster holes and raising the talent floor. But they couldn’t fix everything. Heading into the draft, the team still has major weakness to shore up at wide receiver, center and cornerback among other position groups.
With no obvious starter to line up across from Trey Amos on opening day, it should come as no surprise if Adam Peters uses the seventh overall pick on a cornerback. But if he decides to go another direction at 7, or trades back to acquire more picks, there are multiple potential first-year starters who should be available later in the first and second rounds. They lead a deep CB draft class, providing options to build depth at the position right through the end of Day 3.
For this round-up I used advanced statistics from Pro Football Focus to identify cornerbacks with outstanding productivity at the college level who are good fits to the defensive scheme that Daronte Jones is expected to run, following his prior experience working for Brian Flores in Minnesota.
As the Vikings’ Passing Game Coordinator, Jones coordinated the back end of an ultra-aggressive, blitz-heavy defensive scheme. A key departure from traditional defenses is that high pressure looks were often supported by zone coverage, instead of man. Daronte’s “position agnostic” secondary made use of five, interchangeable defensive backs, running heavy doses of Cover 2 and Cover 0 (no safety help) to support different pressure packages. But the DBs were also required to play man coverage in certain looks when linebackers are brought forward to force fast decisions.
If that’s the scheme we are getting, the Commanders will need cornerbacks who are comfortable living in zone coverage, but with the versatility to match up man to man when required and to play multiple positions in the backfield. And they will most likely need more starting-level players in the secondary than they currently have on the roster.
Advanced Performance Metrics
High performing CB prospects were identified for further consideration and ranked using three primary advanced metrics. To help weed out small school prospects with amazing stats who probably won’t be drafted, I limited the pool to the 59 consensus-ranked CBs among the 676 players in the Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board.
Rate of Yardage Allowed – Yards/Coverage Snap
The pass defense stats that get the most air time are Interceptions (INT) and pass breakups (PD/PBU). These are high impact plays that deserve attention, but only happen less than once per game on average. They don’t tell us much about coverage performance on a down to down basis.
Since receivers are ranked based on yardage production, it makes sense to rank the players who cover them based on yardage containment. The most granular receiving productivity metric is Yards/Route Run (Y/RR). Yards/Coverage Snap is simply the flipside of Y/RR for coverage defenders. It is less direct than Y/RR, but it still provides a good indication of how well a coverage defender did at preventing receiving productivity on a down-to-down basis over the course of a season. Adjusting for routes run makes it directly comparable between players despite differences in playing time.
The following table summarizes key benchmarks for consensus-ranked prospects in the 2026 CB draft class:
Interception Rate – Percentage of Targets Intercepted
Interceptions can be game changing plays. But they are rare events, which complicates comparisons across players. To see who the best ballhawks really were, rather than who got the most playing time, we need to correct for number of opportunities. Interception Rate is simply the percentage of targets that a CB picked off. It allows us to separate a player who allowed a small number of targets and picked them off at a high rate – who we want to draft – from a player who allowed a lot of targets and intercepted them at a lower rate – who we might want to avoid.
In 2025, 21 of 59 consensus-ranked CBs did not record interceptions.
Run Stop Rate
Being good in run support is a good addition to a CB’s skillset. But it is more of a “nice to have” than an essential criterion. It would be unwise to pass on a future All-Pro lockdown corner because he makes a few too many “business decisions”. Nevertheless, run support might be more highly valued in Daronte’s position agnositic backfield than more traditional coverage schemes.
CBs who excel in run support were identified using PFF’s Run Stop Rate, which is the percentage of rushing downs on which a defender made a tackle which constituted a failure for the offense. A stop is recorded when the defender holds the runner to less than 40% of the yards to gain on first down, 50% on second down, or prevents a conversion on third or fourth down.
First Round Prospects
Players are listed in order of their consensus ranks, not necessarily preference. Notable figures (best in conference, best in class) are indicated in bold font.
After three years at Virginia Tech, Silver Spring native Delane transferred to LSU in 2025, where he emerged as the premiere lockdown corner in college football despite battling a core injury all season.
As a senior, Delane was LSU’s primary boundary CB. Receivers in his coverage were targeted just 3.2 times per game, and caught 14 passes (40%) for 165 yds and no TDs (31.3 opposing Passer Rating). Delane allowed 0 receptions against Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Southeast Louisiana. He allowed fewer than 30 yds in every other game aside from a 41 yd outing against Ole Miss.
It is somewhat surprising that he made 2 interceptions, given how little his receivers were targeted. His 5.7% Interception Rate placed him at the 81st percentile of consensus-ranked CBs.
Delane is at his best in press/man coverage, but has the quick processing, awareness and closing speed to excel in zone as well.
He projects as an early starter at outside CB who can take away an opponent’s number one receiver in match coverage, or take away half of the field in zone. He contests the catch point aggressively, and is a good wrap-up tackler. But he is not much of a force against the run, with a Run Stop Rate just below the 25th percentile of consensus-ranked CBs.
One lingering concern is that he gave up 570 yds in coverage with the Hokies in 2024. However, that season is an outlier in his career. He was under 0.75 Y/Cov Snap every other year.
Terrell is the brother of NFL CB A.J. Terrell, and has a similar play style in coverage. In 2025, he was the first CB below median in Rate of Yardage Allowed. But it was the worst of his three college seasons. He was well above average in coverage as a sophomore and freshman.
Despite having a slim build, he is aggressive at the catch point, and stripping the ball after the catch. He led the ACC in forced fumbles in 2025. He is also effective in run support and on corner blitzes. He ranked within the top 25% of consensus-ranked CBs in Run Stop Rate, and led the CB draft class in sacks.
Terrell is unlikely to be in consideration by the Commanders, unless they find themselves picking later in the first round via a trade. In that event, he might appeal to Daronte Jones as a versatile weapon with value beyond just playing in coverage.
Hood is a physical press-man corner, with good discipline and explosive speed to break on the ball in zone coverage. He is aggressive at the catch point and plays with the physicality of a safety against the run. The advanced stats place him right on the 75th percentile of the CB class in both phases.
The INT rate placed him at the median of the CB class. But he made his INTs count with a pick-6 in 2025, and 2 INT returns for 105 yds in 2024.
Hood would be a good option for the Commanders in a trade back scenario.
If the Commanders miss out on Mansoor Delane and find themselves picking in the second round, Johnson is better than a consolation prize.
Johnson is a scheme-versatile CB with the ability to play outside or inside, making him a perfect fit for a position-agnostic coverage scheme. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein comps him to Byron Murphy, who played for Daronte Jones in Minnesota.
What makes Johnson stand out is the rare combination of shut-down coverage and ball production. The numbers place him at the 90th percentile in Rate of Yardage Allowed and top 3 in Interception Rate among consensus-ranked CBs. He was also well above average at stopping the run.
For a physical corner, he is exceptionally disciplined, with only 2 penalties in 349 coverage snaps last season. He was also in the top 25% of the CB class at stopping the run.
While there might be some niggling doubts about the level of competition he faced in the MWC, the only real issue I can find with Johnson is that he is likely to fall between the Commanders’ first and third round picks.
Abney played outside for the Sun Devils, but probably suits a move inside at the next level. He is a high IQ player who plays physically with impressive coverage instincts and recognition, but has size and top end speed limitations.
His ideal fit is in a zone match coverage system, like Daronte Jones ran with the Vikings, where his competitive demeanor and ballskills will let him make plays on the ball in underneath coverage.
It is still too early to give up on Mike Sainristil, despite his shocking season in outside coverage last year. But the Commanders could benefit from better depth and competition at the nickel corner position. That could put Abney in play at the Commanders’ third round pick.
Stukes came to Arizona as a walk on and worked his way up to team captain and leader of the defense in 6 seasons with the Wildcats.
Stukes played predominantly in the slot in college, with a fair amount of time in the box. He profiles as a big nickel and split safety for the Commanders. He is a film room junkie with advanced play recognition, ball tracking and catch timing leading to the second highest Interception Rate in the CB class (highest among players likely to be drafted) and a high rate of pass breakups.
He is also strong in run support, with an above average Run Stop Rate.
Stukes is the type of player who could earn a Commanders’ tag. If the Commanders can look past his advanced age – he is as old as FA acquisition Nick Cross – he could be a chess piece in Daronte Jones’ defense, with the ability to handle bigger receivers in coverage, make plays against the run, and possibly even blitz occasionally.
Igbinosun is a younger prospect with the build and physical demeanor in press coverage which will appeal to the front office and head coach. He was in the top 25% of the CB draft class in Rate of Yardage Allowed and Interception Rate and was in the top 10% in Run Stop Rate.
Igbinosun has some limitations in movement skills and route recognition, which will make him best suited to zone-heavy schemes, like we are expecting to see in Washington. He has upside to develop with better technique. If he lands in the right situation, his best football is probably still ahead of him.
Muhammad had the fourth lowest Rate of Yardage Allowed in the CB class and was at the 83rd percentile in Interception Rate. He is a slender player who wins with vision, recognition, timing and fluid movement skills. He can get outmuscled by bigger receivers and is not much of a force against the run. But there is a lot to be said for a CB who can blanket receivers in coverage and generate interceptions.
Davis is a big corner who played predominantly on the outside for Washington. His senior season was cut short by rib and hamstring injuries, but he was fully recovered by the Combine.
Davis was efficient in coverage and making plays on the ball in limited opportunities. He plays with great range and uses his length and quality ball skills to create challenges for receivers. His route matching skills need work and he would probably benefit from a switch to zone coverage or to free safety.
He is difficult to throw over and picked off targets at the 7th highest rate in the CB class.
His Run Stop Rate was at median for the CB class, but he had the fifth lowest Missed Tackle Rate in the class (5.0%). He has the tools to develop run defense as a strength with coaching.
Davis is a high-upside prospect who could be great value to develop as a back end defender in Daronte Jones’ secondary, if he falls to the Commanders’ fifth round pick.
Don’t be fooled by the skinny frame. Masses was a top 25% run stopper in the CB class.
He is also disruptive in press coverage and is one of the premiere ballhawks in the CB class, with exceptional timing to arrive at the catch point and make plays on the ball. His Interception Rate was the 6th highest in the CB class. He does tend to get grabby, leading to penalties.
Masses has technique issues to clean up, but has pass defense skills and upside to develop into a starter. He is on the Commanders’ radar and could be great value if he’s available to them on Day 3. He is rising quickly up the consensus board.
Canady had the second lowest Rate of Yardage Allowed among consensus-ranked CB prospects. He is a sticky slot corner, with elite anticipation and movement skills to erase receivers in underneath coverage and good burst to break on balls at the catch point. Despite his size, he achieved an above average Run Stop Rate.
Canady is a potential sleeper whose projection aligns with the Commanders’ current 5th and 6th round picks, although he has been rising up draft boards. At the very least, he would provide needed depth at slot CB. But he has the coverage skills to potentially stick outside.
Marshall played outside corner for the Wolfpack for two years after transferring from Vilanova. He has improved every season in college and emerged as a quality coverage corner in his senior season. Marshall plays physical, and fast with easy change of direction to stay in phase and harass receivers at the catch point. He led the FBS in pass breakups in 2025, and placed around the 75th percentile in Rate of Yardage Allowed and the 64th percentile in INT Rate.
Adam Peters’ draft evaluations place emphasis on matchups against top rated opponents. Marshall’s big game against Florida State’s Duce Robinson might have put him on the Commanders’ radar.
Devon Marshall vs. Duce Robinson and Florida State:
Marshall was a Combine snub, and his athletic testing numbers are unkown. He stood out in Shrine Bowl practices, where he gained attention from NFL scouts, including the Commanders’. He has room for improvement, with some technique refinements, and good upside to develop. He also gets good reports for character and work ethic from coaches, which should appeal to Adam Peters.
He would be a good late round depth addition right away. His coverage skills give him a pathway to earn playing time early, with potential to become a regular contributor in the future. He is a rapid riser in the draft process.
There is a big mismatch between Domani’s advanced stats and his consensus rank, which could make him a potential steal. He has the prototypical build and physical tools that teams covet for the position, but has a reputation for not having played to his potential.
There seem to be two strikes against him. First are reports are reports about inconsistent effort, which could be serious. The second is a shortage of big play production, which might be a case of focusing on the wrong metrics.
While Jackson only produced 2 interceptions in his college career, in his final two seasons, he was very efficient in coverage. In 2025, he held receivers to the third lowest rate of yardage gained in the CB class. He has also always been a quality run defender. He might not ever be a ballhawk, but he can be very effective at containing offensive production.
Jackson’s skillset suits zone-heavy coverage schemes. If the Commanders coaching staff can motivate him to play to his potential, he could be a steal in the 6th or 7th round.
2025 Stats: 13 games | 24 Comb Tkl | 9 Stops | 2 INT | 1 INT TD | 4 PD | 194 Yds Allowed | 2 TD
Y/Cov Snap: 0.55 (353 snaps)
INT Rate: 4.4%
Run Stop Rate: 0.9%
Consensus Rank: 248
Commanders’ Meetings: None reported
Pride started at outside CB for four years with Clemson and Missouri. He had an outstanding season in coverage for the Tigers against SEC competition, yet managed to fly completely under the radar. The reason why is probably that he lacks ideal size for the position. The standard take will be that he’ll need to move inside at the next level. But I wouldn’t be so sure.
Pride finished just outside the 90th percentile in Rate of Yardage Allowed in coverage. He allowed fewer than 20 receiving yards against Auburn, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and shut out three other opponents. He has had consistent ball production in college with pick-sixes in 2025 and 2024. His Interception Rate placed in the top 25% of the 2026 CB class. He is willing in run support, but can struggle to bring down bigger ball carriers.
Pride’s coverage and ball skills give him a chance to stick on the outside at the pro level. At the very least, he could provide needed depth to back up the boundary and slot positions, and should be an early contributor on special teams coverage units. He has risen more than 100 places up the consensus board in the week since I started work on this roundup.
Fuller is another bigger CB, who suits Cover 2 and deep zone coverages and could make the switch to safety. His Rate of Yardage Allowed in Coverage placed him in the top 25% of the 2026 CB class, while his Run Stop Rate placed him in the top 10%. He had little to no ball production until his senior season, when he stepped it up.
Fuller is on the Commanders’ radar and might be a value selection as secondary depth near the end of the draft. His experience in special teams’ coverage provides an early avenue to earn playing time.
Harvey is a versatile corner whose best fit will be in inside zone coverage. Tight hips might limit his play in man coverage. But he has good vision and read-and-react skills to be effective in zone. In 2025 his coverage was within the 75th percentile in Rate of Yardage Allowed.
Despite being on the smaller side, he is an aggressive run defender. His 3.4% Run Stop Rate was the third highest among ranked CB prospects.
Ahmari could be a good depth addition late in the draft or afterward, with the ability to rotate in in underneath coverage and stay on the field on running downs.
Left Out
Some CBs frequently mocked to Washington but were not included for various reasons:
Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) – Missed 2025 season with a torn ACL, 2024 Y/Cov Snap figures would rank below average in this year’s CB class
Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) – great athletic profile, and tremendous run defender, but has poor coverage instincts and gave up a high rate of yardage in 2025
Daylen Everette (GA) & Will Lee (Texas A&M) – gave up high rates of yardage throughout their college careers
Ephesians Prysock (Washington) – love the name, but better options are available in his projected range
Keionte Scott (Miami) – great player, Top 30 Visit, but played safety, not CB
After getting off to a somewhat slow start, USC’s 2027 recruiting class is beginning to heat up. Earlier this month, the Trojanslanded five-star athlete Honor Fa’alave-Johnson, who is expected to play defensive back in college. Now, they have added another highly-touted DB to the class.
On Wednesday, USC picked up a commitment from four-star cornerback Danny Lang. Per Rivals’s industry ranking, Lang is the No. 75 overall player and the No. 10 cornerback in the class of 2027. He chose USC over Oregon and Ohio State.
Lang comes to the Trojans from noted USC pipeline program Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. Other notable players to come to USC from Mater Dei include Matt Leinart, Matt Barkley, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. In addition, Aaryn Washington—another USC cornerback commit in the 2027 cycle—also played at Mater Dei (although he will be transferring to IMG Academy in Florida for his final season of high school football).
Following the commitment of Lang, USC’s 2027 recruiting class now sits at No. 6 nationally in the Rivals team rankings for the class of 2027. Given the track record of general manager Chad Bowden and head coach Lincoln Riley, it would not be at all surprising to see the Trojans move into the top five soon.
While moving kickoffs and postponing matches isn’t uncommon across the top European football leagues, at least outside the English Premier League where lucrative broadcast deals and the television rights holders paying them exercise outsized influence and have always blocked any such attempts, typically both clubs involved in a postponement would have to agree with it.
Not so in France. There, despite the rules governing Ligue 1 setting out that both Lens and Paris Saint-Germain would have to be on board with postponing a match between the two set to be played between the legs of PSG’s Champions League quarter final tie with Liverpool, the Ligue de Football Professionnel governing body has chosen to delay the match over Lens’ objections.
PSG are currently just a single point ahead of Lens in the Ligue 1 title race, something few would have bet on at the start of the season for a side that has won the top flight just once in their 120 year history, back in 1998. For anyone watching the league without a vested interest in PSG’s success, it’s a feel good underdog story—or could be, if Lens can do the unthinkable and win the title.
Lens, as one might expect, have fewer resources and a thinner and less star-studded squad than PSG. For them, playing the match as scheduled and perhaps forcing PSG to make rotational choices that would leave them a little weaker when the two sides play a potentially title-defining match would have been a good thing. As such, they made it very clear they didn’t want it moved.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel, though, it would seem have a vested interest less in the sporting integrity of Ligue 1 and so have handed a gift to their competition’s sportswashing front for a human rights abusing pretrostate. PSG wanted was a match postponement and so PSG have got have now got because obviously money matters more than sporting integrity. So it goes.
The overwhelming expectation is that the Las Vegas Raiders are going to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. That doesn't mean the Raiders won't go through all of the official steps in the pre-draft process. A big one was reported on Wednesday evening.
The Raiders will host Mendoza on a Top 30 visit in roughly two weeks, Ian Rapoport reported. Indiana's pro day will take place on April 1st. The Raiders will send a massive contingent to Bloomington for that showcase. Shortly after that, Mendoza will take his official in-person visit to Vegas.
The #Raiders, holding the No. 1 overall pick, will host #Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza on a Top 30 visit in two weeks, I'm told.
The presumptive first selection will take part in IU's Pro Day on Apr. 1, paving the way for his all-important visit to Las Vegas the next week. pic.twitter.com/4RGS4jAGX9
The Raiders held a formal interview at the NFL Combine with Mendoza. Choosing a player with the No. 1 overall selection represents a massive personal and financial investment. The Raiders are simply doing their due diligence, even though the entire league knows they plan to draft Mendoza.
Mendoza didn't throw the football at the NFL Combine, so there's value in attending his pro day. The follow-up in-person visit is an excellent opportunity to bring Mendoza to the facility, show him around, and assess how he interacts with different employees in the building.
The Raiders are taking advantage of the pre-draft process to get to know Mendoza as thoroughly as possible.
No. 6 seed Tennessee (24-11) will play No. 2 seed Iowa State (29-7) Friday in the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Tipoff between the Vols and Cyclones is slated for 10:10 p.m. EDT at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. TBS and truTV will televise the contest.
Iowa State has qualified for the NCAA Tournament 25 times, including five consecutive appearances.
The 2025-26 season marks the Cyclones' first Sweet 16 appearance for the first time since 2024. Iowa State has reached the Sweet 16 eight times in program history (1986, 1997, 2000, 2014, 2016, 2022, 2024, 2026).
The Cyclones first appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 1944, making their lone Final Four appearance. Iowa State advanced to the Elite Eight on two occasions in 1944 and 2000.
The Cyclones appeared in the NCAA Man's Basketball Tournament in 1944, 1985-86, 1988-89, 1992-93, 1995-97. 2000-01, 2005, 2012-17, 2019 and 2022-26.
The Oklahoma Sooners are in a great spot in the 2027 recruiting cycle as they begin spring ball. They have 19 players committed and the No. 1 recruiting class and aren't anywhere close to finished. On Wednesday, Greg Biggins of Rivals projected the Oklahoma Sooners to land a commitment from three-star defensive tackle Sione Felila out of California.
The Sooners made an impression on Felila during his visit in early March. Felila told Biggins he was tempted to commit to the Sooners during the Future Freaks weekend at the beginning of the month, when Oklahoma had a historic run of commitments. Felila said he wants to honor his commitment to the schools he's planned official visits with. He'll go to Cal on June 5, Kansas on June 12, and BYU on June 19, and intends to return to Norman for an official visit.
Felila has 18 offers at the moment, including 12 from Power Four schools with heavy hitters like Oklahoma, Oregon, and Notre Dame in the mix.
Only rated a three-star prospect at the moment, Felila looks the part of a legit SEC nose tackle. He displays the play strength to not just hold up at the point of attack, but also reset the line of scrimmage by knocking his opponent back. That strength allows him to be scheme-versatile. He can play two-gap responsibilities with his power, but also has the quickness to penetrate in a one-gap scheme.
He's a talented prospect that has a chance to see his recruiting stock rise significantly over the next nine months and the Oklahoma Sooners look to be in a great spot to earn a commitment from Felila.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
The New York Giants' defensive struggles in 2025 were starkly highlighted by advanced metrics involving cornerback Deonte Banks.
Based on on/off splits recently shared by Justin Penik of Talkin' Giants, the team's EPA per play was eight times worse when Banks was on the field compared to when he was off it. This dramatic disparity shifted the Giants from an average defensive ranking around 18th in EPA per play without him to the league's worst at 32nd with him on the field.
Deonte Banks on/off the field splits. Giants EPA/Play was 8 times worst when Banks was on the field versus off the field. It's the difference between the Giants being 18th in EPA/Play and 32nd. Average defense when he's off the field. Worst defense in the league when he's on. pic.twitter.com/ipAMlEIMZj
Banks, a first-round pick in 2023, saw limited starting opportunities last season, appearing in 16 games with just six starts as the Giants leaned on Paulson Adebo and Cor'Dale Flott in the secondary. His coverage issues persisted, contributing to poor overall defensive efficiency during his snaps.
Pro Football Focus data further highlights his challenges, marking him with the league's worst grade among qualifying cornerbacks across his three NFL seasons and a high passer rating allowed when targeted.
As the Giants enter a pivotal 2026 campaign under new head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, Banks faces an uncertain future. Once viewed as a building block, he now requires significant development to contribute meaningfully, amid calls (and efforts) for roster upgrades at cornerback.
While retired Giants great Carl Banks expressed optimism about his namesake's potential productivity moving forward, the 2025 numbers paint a challenging picture for the young defender's role in New York's secondary.
After back-to-back seasons of defensive disappointment, the Pittsburgh Steelers could once again look to use their first round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on defense.
Ohio State Buckeye Kayden McDonald, one of the top d-tackles of his draft class, could be the final piece in Pittsburgh's defensive-line rebuild.
Here is a look at McDonald's scouting report, which contains his bio, strengths, concerns, stats, and highlights.
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Height: 6 feet 2 inches
Weight: 326 pounds
40-yard dash: N/A (did not test)
Projection: Mid-to-late first
Strengths
Rare blend of quick feet and insane power
Amazing anchor
Great pop on his hands
Incredible against the run
Concerns
Gets too narrow in his base
Effort on passing downs
Below-average arm length
Stats
2023: 1 combined tackle, 1.5 tackles for loss, zero sacks, zero forced fumbles
2024: 19 combined tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, zero sacks, zero forced fumbles
2025: 65 combined tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles
Highlights
It is very possible when the Bears are on the clock in the 1st round next April the highest graded player on their board is OSU NT Kayden McDonald
He isn't going to fix their pass rush problems but he can be a force against the run pic.twitter.com/Ya7jkAyfzz
North Carolina star forward Caleb Wilson has been recognized by ESPN analyst Dick Vitale as a first-team All-Diaper Dandy and second-team All-Rolls Royce selection.
While Vitale did not clearly explain the difference between the two honors, Wilson was one of the best basketball players in the country before his season-ending injury. He was UNC’s leading scorer at 19.8 points per game and leading rebounder at 9.4 per game. He also averaged 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks, both still team highs. Wilson recorded 11 double-doubles, tied for the second most by a freshman in program history.
Wilson rewrote the Tar Heels’ record book for scoring, rebounding, 20-point games and double-doubles by a freshman.
This is what Vitale said about Caleb Wilson in his All-Royce teams section:
Wilson, who the Tar Heels clearly missed after successfully undergoing season-ending thumb surgery, anchored his team with his versatility. The do-it-all forward had polish beyond his years -- terrific touch, great feel and a stat sheet stuffer for North Carolina. Wilson averaged just shy of a double-double at 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds while guarding multiple positions.
This is what Vitale said about Caleb Wilson in his All-Diaper Dandy teams section:
Wilson was the Tar Heels' do-it-all maestro, a long, fluid forward who made them look like a million bucks. He filled the stat sheet with hustle plays, savvy post work and silky jumpers. When they needed a spark, Wilson was almost always the guy who provided it. His December tear was the stuff of legend, making the Chapel Hill faithful roar with delight.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Recently, New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo made comments stating he believed CTE to be "fake" or "an excuse." The comment was immediately received poorly, and Skattebo put out a statement apologizing but now former players are sharing their thoughts on the comments.
One specifically took issue due to what he has experienced with former teammates.
Bucs legend Gerald McCoy took issue with the comments as he thought about several of his former teammates who have passed away due to what are believed to be issues that arose during their playing days. While on Underdog's The Arena, McCoy spoke out and used his former teammates as a reference.
"I have teammates that passed away. Vincent Jackson...Doug Martin, anybody who knows Doug knows that wasn't Doug. Let's be careful on the things we are saying because you never know who it affects."
The football world has seen firsthand what damage CTE can do to some of its favorites and their loved ones. While the comments were made in a joking manner, the real-world impact cannot be denied. McCoy, using his platform, is the flip side of what Skattebo displayed, as players can also use these shows to defend and lift up those who cannot do it on their own, in one way or another.
However, after trading their first-round pick for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, the visit with Concepcion (a first-round prospect) was canceled, according to the Denver Post's Luca Evans. Denver's still looking at other receivers.
The Broncos hosted Indiana receiver Omar Cooper earlier this month (before the Waddle trade), and they have shown interest in Iowa receiver Jacob Gill, according to KPRC-TV's Aaron Wilson. Cooper (6-0, 199 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds at the NFL combine, and he's projected as a late first-round prospect.
Gill (6-0, 185 pounds) totaled 59 receptions for 689 yards and three scores in two seasons (26 games) with the Hawkeyes following three seasons at Northwestern. He appears to be a late-round or undrafted free agent prospect.
The race to an NCAA championship continues on March 26 with several teams tipping off in the Sweet 16 . Tommy Lloyd's Arizona Wildcats (34-2) will square off against the Arkansas Razorbacks (28-8) at 6:45 p.m. at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
It will mark the 22nd appearance in the Sweet 16 for Arizona, which has advanced to this round in four of Lloyd's five seasons. He is the third coach in NCAA history to make the Sweet 16 in four of his first five seasons as head coach, joining Steve Lavin, who did so at UCLA, and Steve Fisher, who accomplished that at Michigan.
Arkansas leads the all-time series with Arizona, 6-2, but the Wildcats won the most recent meeting in 1995. The Razorbacks beat Arizona twice in the postseason — in the 1994 Final Four and in the 1949 district playoff.
Let's take a closer look at the matchup.
How they got there
Arizona, which won both the Big 12 regular season title and the tournament title, advanced with a 92-58 first-round win over Long Island University and a 78-66 victory over Utah State.
Arkansas defeated Hawaii 97-78 and High Point 94-88. The Razorbacks finished tied for second in the SEC in the regular season with Alabama and behind Florida. Arkansas lost the SEC championship game to Vanderbilt 86-75.
Key players
Brayden Burries, freshman, guard, Arizona: Burries garnered Honorable Mention All-American accolades from USBWA and AP. He has scored 576 points this season, tied for third-most by a freshman in Arizona history (Ayton - 704; Bayless - 592). In the two tournament games, Burries has scored 34 points and snagged 14 rebounds. He is 11-for-17 from the field, including a 7-for-8 from long distance.
Jaden Bradley, senior, guard, Arizona: Bradley was named the Player of the Year in the Big 12, which says a lot. While his scoring average of 13.3 ppg looks rather pedestrian, he has a knack for knocking down clutch shots. Look no further than the semifinal Big 12 tournament win over Iowa State when he hit a game-winner at the buzzer. He is in his third year at the school after starting his career at Alabama.
Darius Acuff Jr., freshman, guard, Arkansas: The 6-foot-3 standout was named SEC Player of the Year. He has scored a combined 60 points in the two NCAA Tournament games. He also had 30 in the SEC tournament championship game against Vanderbilt. On the season, he is averaging 23.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.54 assists, and shooting 48.6% from the field.
Maleek Thomas, freshman, guard, Arkansas: The 6-foot-5 guard has been the backcourt complement to Acuff. He averages 15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists and shoots 43.4% fron the field and 85% from the line. In two tournament games, he has scored 40 points with nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals. His season best of 30 points came against Missouri.
Coaches
Tommy Lloyd, Arizona (fifth year, 146-35): Lloyd, 51, was named head coach April 14, 2021. He was an assistant coach at Gonzaga for 22 seasons before taking over in Tucson. His head coaching career got off to a record-breaking start, compiling a 61-11 mark in his first two years, setting an NCAA record for most wins by a coach in their first two seasons. His 88-20 mark through three seasons was the second-most wins in NCAA history for a coach in his first three seasons, and the most by a coach in a power conference. Lloyd is also the first power conference coach to win his conference tournament in his first two seasons after capturing the 2022 and 2023 Pac-12 Tournament titles in Las Vegas.
John Calipari, Arkansas (second year, 50-22, 905-285 overall in 34 years). With the overtime win at Missouri in the regular-season finale, Calipari recorded his 900th on-court win as head coach at an NCAADivision I program. With three wins in the SEC Tournament and reaching the Sweet 16, he sits at 905 career wins for fourth on the career list. The other four coaches to have at least 900 on-court wins as head coaches while at NCAA Division I programs: Mike Krzyzewski (1,202); Jim Boeheim (1,116); Rick Pitino (913), and Roy Williams (903).
Who will win and why
Arizona 78, Arkansas 71: Few teams have played the level of competition Arizona has faced throughout the season, so the Wildcats are battle-tested. The team also has physical and mental toughness that some of its teams in the past have lacked. Lloyd's squad is versatile and has shown the ability to win with various styles of play, although the rugged inside game is its strength.
Photo by ESTEBAN VEGA LA-ROTTA / AFP via Getty Images
Lionel Messi could soon face a familiar challenge in MLS as Inter Miami’s biggest rivals look to strengthen significantly.
The Florida Derby has grown into one of the league’s fiercest matchups, with Orlando City determined to close the gap.
Their latest transfer target suggests a clear statement of intent ahead of the summer window.
It also raises the prospect of Messi renewing an old on-pitch rivalry.
Orlando City eye Casemiro move ahead of summer window
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Orlando City are reportedly interested in signing Casemiro following his decision to leave Manchester United at the end of the season.
The Brazilian midfielder is set to depart Old Trafford when his contract expires after announcing his exit earlier this year.
Casemiro would bring elite experience to Orlando, having won multiple Champions League titles and established himself as one of the game’s top defensive midfielders.
His history with Messi adds intrigue to the potential move.
The two clashed frequently during El Clasico, as well as in international matches between Brazil and Argentina and a Champions League meeting between PSG and Real Madrid.
Casemiro often had the infamous mission of guarding Messi, but performed really well on many occasions.
Across 20 meetings, both players have won eight times each, with four draws.
Orlando City show ambition with Antoine Griezmann addition
Orlando City are already pushing hard in the market to compete with Inter Miami.
They have confirmed the signing of Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman will join the club next July.
Griezmann arrives with a decorated career that includes World Cup success with France and major honours in Spain.
He has also been one of Europe’s most consistent forwards over the past decade.
Messi and Inter Miami may soon face a significantly stronger rival in their own state.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: Davante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams completes a catch against Renardo Green #0 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Los Angeles Rams game against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia has been set as the Rams and 49ers will both look to start off 2026 strong with a NFC West game. This should be a tough matchup and the winner will have a significantly larger head start towards the postseason than the loser.
Of course, it will only be one game but expect fans on both sides to have some strong takes after this contest.
We’re close to the weekend, baseball has begun and the NFL Draft will be here before we know it. Thank you for checking out Turf Show Times and comment on whatever you want!
“The time and date for Australia’s first-ever regular season NFL game has been set, with the National Football League announcing today the Los Angeles Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers on Friday, September 11 at approximately 10:35 AM AEST at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, in partnership with the Victorian State Government and Visit Victoria. The game will air live in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 10 at approximately 5:35 PM PT. Details about how fans can watch the game will be announced at a later date.”
“The Los Angeles Rams don’t make a lot of noise in the pre-draft process, rarely publicly meeting with prospects and refusing to hold Top-30 visits ahead of the NFL Draft every year. However, they do still send contingents of scouts around the country to pay attention to numerous Pro Days. With the roster mostly set before the NFL Draft, it’s time to put eyes on the future of the team.“
Random Ramsdom Fandom:
“I think outside CB is still in play at pick #13. If Watson or McDuffie get injured then all of sudden CB is thin again. Or maybe it’s more likely in the 2nd or 3rd round?
If they took a CB in the first then you could play the rookie and Watson outside with McDuffie in the slot in nickel packages and then even in dime packages you could have Lake and McDuffie in the slot.
Although that would most likely send McCollough to the bench for most of the time and also significantly reduce Kinchens’ snaps depending on how they want to deploy the ILBs. Not sure if Lake at Safety full time is the best move either.“ -holtfan
Espanyol is pushing for European qualification in La Liga only two years after promotion.
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Twelve months ago, Espanyol were fighting for their La Liga lives. They survived the 2024-25 season by two points, scraping safety on the final day. This season they sit 11th with 37 points and nine games to play, comfortably clear of trouble and level on points with Osasuna in tenth. It is not a title race. But for a club that came up through the Segunda play-offs in 2024 and then spent much of last season near the bottom, it is a meaningful shift.
Velocity Sports Partners, which completed its takeover of RCD Espanyol in 2025, is making the case that the shift is not accidental. “Our goal is to return Espanyol to the status of a self-sufficient and stable club,” explains Brad Spiby, Chief Operations Officer, “and return the club to the upper echelons of Spanish soccer”.
The sports investment arm of ALK Capital led by American businessman Alan Pace, completed its majority acquisition of RCD Espanyol in October 2025 in a deal reported by Yahoo Sports to be worth up to €200 million ($230.6 million). The move ended Chinese conglomerate Rastar Group’s nine-year ownership of the club, after a prolonged period of looking to sell the club, and added Espanyol to a portfolio that already includes Burnley, where Pace has served as chairman since 2020.
Pace was careful to frame the takeover as an expansion of a model rather than an imposition of one. “Football has always belonged to its people,” he said at the time. “Our role is not to replace legacy, but to build upon it.”
Both clubs are run independently under the arrangement, with separate leadership structures and decision-making, though the data and commercial frameworks developed at Burnley are being applied in Cornellà de Llobregat. They run from transfer recruitment through to commercial strategy and fan engagement. The results on the pitch are starting to show. The work off it is just beginning.
Data as one input, not an absolute truth
Unai Ezkurra, Espanyol’s Director of Sporting Processes and Big Data, is careful about how he frames what data actually does. “Data is not a decision maker,” he says. “It’s like having parents, sometimes mom is right, sometimes dad is right, you have to have a bit of both. We have senior scouts who know our club culture and supporters, what our manager likes, all this intangible context that we put together with data to find opportunities. When everything ties in, that means we are close to reducing the uncertainty of the decision we’re making.”
That framing matters. The clubs that have stumbled with analytics-driven recruitment have often treated data as a replacement for judgment rather than a check on it. At Espanyol, the model keeps human context in the loop, which is partly why a signing like that of English winger Tyrhys Dolan made sense.
Dolan joined from Blackburn Rovers in the summer, a move that required him to trade the Championship for La Liga and relocate to Barcelona. “Espanyol came up late in the window for me, it was nerve-wracking,” he admits. “There were quite a few clubs coming to the table. I had options to play in England and abroad, but when Espanyol came, I looked into the club and it just felt right.”
The winger has settled quickly. “There’s so much that goes into the way we play and approach games,” he explained. “Going into games we know exactly what we’re heading into and the coaches show us how the data backs up the way we are playing, a lot more than what I'd experienced in the past. The more information you get, the better you can become as a player.”
Tyrhys Dolan has made 30 appearances since joining from Blackburn Rovers in summer of 2025.
Getty Images
Sustainable growth fuelled by homegrown talent
If recruitment is one application of the data model, the academy is where Espanyol’s longer-term thinking is most concentrated. “We are constantly developing our use of data in the academy,” Ezkurra reveals. “We really believe in the academy here at Espanyol and have a strategic plan to demonstrate a clear path from the academy into the first team. We are using stronger tools to scout internally, rather than focusing on outside competitions, and we are very lucky because we have much more data about our own players.”
The project is two years in. “We’re now moving into the next phase of identifying who the next Javi Puado, Jofre Carreras, or so on is from our academy,” he adds. “I would say it’s our biggest project we are working on.”
For a club that cannot outspend Barcelona, Real Madrid, or even the mid-table sides backed by sovereign wealth funds, developing and retaining talent from within is both a commercial and a sporting necessity. Players produced by the academy carry no transfer fee on the balance sheet, and La Liga’s financial control system, which Spiby describes as “forward-looking” and different from the model he knows from England, makes that kind of cost discipline particularly valuable.
“The LALIGA system makes for a much more sustainable model moving forward and reduces uncertainty for us as owners,” Spiby elaborates. “We like it. It’s a challenge but one we are enjoying.”
Competing in Barcelona’s shadow
Espanyol's location on the outskirts of Barcelona is both an asset and a constraint. The city draws tourists, raises the club's international profile, and makes it easier to attract players who want to live in a major European city. It also means competing for attention, sponsorship, and supporters against one of the most recognised clubs in the world.
Velocity’s response has been the same as at Burnley, where the club operates in close proximity to Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City. “For us, it’s about catering to our own fans first and foremost — those who are with us today and who have been with us through more difficult times — making them endorsers for a wider audience,” Spiby explains.
Dolan noticed that dynamic immediately after signing. “As a player coming in, there was a survivors’ mentality, and one thing I noticed was that the supporters were really behind us with everything we were doing,” he said. “Barcelona is so big in the city, so everyone who is rocking with Espanyol is so loyal to us. As a player, you know that the supporters have your backs.”
That loyalty is an asset the club is now trying to convert into commercial value. Espanyol’s stadium occupancy rate has been among the lowest in La Liga in recent seasons, and sponsorship positioning still reflects years of mid-table or lower-division soccer rather than where the club now stands. “The club hasn’t been a mid-table club in the last five years, but our sponsorship position is,” Spiby acknowledged at a La Liga roundtable. “Our starting point is a good one.”
Alan Pace was named President of Espanyol after Velocity Sports Partners acquired the club in 2025.
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Building commercial infrastructure
The off-field ambition runs in parallel with the sporting one. Spiby is focused on closing the gap between what Espanyol can offer commercially and what the market currently values them at.
“What we need to start doing is providing tailor-made assets and utilising our tech stack to help sponsors to activate, which other teams in this kind of position aren’t always able to do,” he said. On revenue more broadly, Spiby was direct about the approach. “Soccer has existed at this club for 125 years when we came in, we aren’t going to pretend to be the geniuses to invent new revenue streams. We can do a better job in maximising the fixed assets we have.”
The longer-term investment is in data infrastructure. “Our industry needs to move in a direction of owning our fan data and providing better experiences — and monetising that, particularly where it’s owned by third parties like on the media side,” Spiby said.“So we’re investing in our tech stack. That will allow us to create new revenue streams as and when they become available.”
The pieces are taking shape. A second consecutive season in La Liga, a stable mid-table position, an academy data project two years into construction, and a commercial base that Spiby believes is undervalued relative to where the club actually sits. None of it is dramatic. That, for Espanyol under Velocity Sports, appears to be the point.
As countries all around the world hope to be amongst the 48 nations participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the final spots in the tournament field are being filled.
Now that the World Cup draw has been completed and 42 of the 48 nations have cemented their places at the final tournament, there are just the six playoff participants yet to be determined to fill out the field.
Those places will be filled by the UEFA and intercontinental playoffs, which take place just three months before the World Cup commences in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Sporting News details all you need to know about the playoffs, including who will participate, how they qualified, and the format by which the competition will be contested.
The World Cup playoffs are two mini-tournaments that offer certain teams another route into the finals if they failed to qualify automatically.
There are two different World Cup playoffs: one for European (UEFA) teams, and another comprising nations from different confederations (the intercontinental playoffs).
Since UEFA gets 16 spots at the newly expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup, they have their own playoff tournament for the last of those four places. The rest of the world, meanwhile, contests an inter-confederation playoff to determine the final two participants at the tournament.
The winners of the six different playoff pathways were assigned to Pot 4 for the World Cup group-stage draw in December, meaning they can expect to face a more difficult tournament than if they had qualified automatically.
UEFA playoffs
In UEFA World Cup qualifying for 2026, there were 54 participants hoping to secure one of Europe's 16 places at the competition.
Those 54 nations were spread out between 12 groups. While the group winner advanced to the World Cup automatically, the runners-up were placed in a knockout bracket along with a few UEFA Nations League qualifiers to determine four more participants.
FIFA intercontinental playoffs
The intercontinental playoffs, officially known as either the inter-confederation playoffs or the World Cup playoff tournament, is the final pathway for teams hoping to qualify for the World Cup.
Started in 1998 as a one-off matchup between an Asian and Oceania qualifier, it has grown gradually into the six-team tournament it is today. The 2026 edition comprises one nation from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC confederations, and two from CONCACAF.
Each four-year cycle, as the format of World Cup qualification shifts with the times, the intercontinental playoffs also change slightly to fit the back-end of the qualifying system.
How do the playoffs work?
The UEFA and intercontinental editions have different entry methods, and the European version has a larger field, but each is essentially the same format: a single-elimination tournament in which teams will compete to reach a final, the winners of which will qualify for the World Cup.
2026 UEFA playoffs format
The second-place teams in each of the 16 UEFA qualifying groups advance to the playoffs, along with the four best-ranked group winners from the latest UEFA Nations League who failed to qualify automatically for the World Cup.
The teams are split into four pathways, each with four teams, contesting a four-team mini-bracket to determine the final qualifiers.
Both semifinals and finals are single-elimination matches, with extra time and penalties used if necessary to determine a winner. The host of each path's final was chosen by a random draw. The seeded teams play their semifinals at home.
Pathway 1
Semifinal
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 26
2:45 p.m.
Italy vs. Northern Ireland
New Balance Arena (Bergamo, Italy)
March 26
2:45 p.m.
Wales vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff, Wales)
Final
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 31
2:45 p.m.
Wales/Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Italy/N. Ireland
TBD (Wales/Bosnia & Herzegovina winner host)
Pathway 2
Semifinal
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 26
2:45 p.m.
Ukraine vs. Sweden
Estadi Ciutat de Valencia (Valencia, Spain)
March 26
2:45 p.m.
Poland vs. Albania
PGE Narodowy (Warsaw, Poland)
Final
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 31
2:45 p.m.
Ukraine/Sweden vs. Poland/Albania
TBD (Ukraine/Sweden winner host)
Pathway 3
Semifinal
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 26
12 p.m.
Turkey vs. Romania
Besiktas Stadyumu (Istanbul, Turkey)
March 26
2:45 p.m.
Slovakia vs. Kosovo
Tehelne pole (Bratislava, Slovakia)
Final
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 31
2:45 p.m.
Slovakia/Kosovo vs. Turkey/Romania
TBD (Slovakia/Kosovo winner host)
Pathway 4
Semifinal
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 26
2:45 p.m.
Denmark vs. North Macedonia
Parken (Copenhagen, Denmark)
March 26
2:45 p.m.
Czechia vs. Rep. of Ireland
Fortuna Arena (Prague-Vrsovice, Czechia)
Final
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 31
2:45 p.m.
Czechia/Rep. of Ireland vs. Denmark/N. Macedonia
TBD (Czechia/Rep. of Ireland winner host)
2026 intercontinental playoffs format
The six participants were broken into two three-team brackets, with each bracket producing one qualifier.
The brackets were filled out by the draw, which took place on November 20 at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
Teams were seeded based on FIFA ranking, with the top two seeds earning a bye to their bracket's final, while the other four teams contest the semifinals.
Pathway 1
Semifinal
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 26
7 p.m.
New Caledonia vs. Jamaica
Estadio Akron (Guadalajara)
Final
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 31
2 p.m.
DR Congo vs. Semifinal winner
Estadio Akron (Guadalajara)
Pathway 2
Semifinal
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 26
1 p.m.
Bolivia vs. Suriname
Estadio BBVA (Monterrey)
Final
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
March 31
8 p.m.
Iraq vs. Semifinal winner
Estadio BBVA (Monterrey)
Which teams are playing in the World Cup playoffs?
Six teams will contest the 2026 FIFA intercontinental playoff, producing the final two World Cup participants. In the UEFA edition, 16 teams will compete for another two spots in the tournament proper.
Teams in UEFA playoffs
In the UEFA playoffs, the 12 group runners-up are joined by four qualifiers from the UEFA Nations League.
First up are the highest-ranked group winners yet to qualify, from League A all the way down to League D. If there are fewer than four of those remaining yet to qualify, they move to the highest-ranked group runners-up from the Nations League.
Nation
Qualified via
FIFA rank
Slovakia
Group A runner-up
44
Kosovo
Group B runner-up
79
Denmark
Group C runner-up
21
Ukraine
Group D runner-up
30
Turkey
Group E runner-up
25
Rep. of Ireland
Group F runner-up
59
Poland
Group G runner-up
34
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Group H runner-up
71
Italy
Group I runner-up
13
Wales
Group J runner-up
35
Albania
Group K runner-up
63
Czechia
Group L runner-up
43
Romania
UEFA Nations League
49
Sweden
UEFA Nations League
42
Northern Ireland
UEFA Nations League
69
North Macedonia
UEFA Nations League
65
Teams in intercontinental playoffs
Each confederation will produce one participant, while CONCACAF will have two. The below table details how they qualified for this phase.
Nation
Confederation
Qualified via
FIFA rank
Iraq
AFC
AFC playoff winner
58
DR Congo
CAF
CAF playoff winner
48
Jamaica
CONCACAF
Highest-ranking group runner-up
70
Suriname
CONCACAF
Second highest-ranking group runner-up
123
Bolivia
CONMEBOL
Seventh-place finisher
76
New Caledonia
OFC
Qualifying tournament runner-up
150
When are the World Cup playoffs?
Both the UEFA and intercontinental playoffs will be contested in the March FIFA international window.
All semifinals are on March 26, with the finals on March 31.
At the conclusion of these events, all 48 World Cup participants for the 2026 tournament will be confirmed.
Where are the World Cup playoffs played?
In the UEFA playoffs, the seeded teams play their semifinals at home. The home teams for the finalists are determined by a draw conducted in advance.
This is different to how the inter-confederation playoffs are staged.
Traditionally, the FIFA intercontinental playoffs are hosted by the same host nation that the coming World Cup will be contested in.
With the 2026 World Cup set to be played across three countries (USA, Canada, and Mexico), FIFA confirmed what the governor of Mexican province Nuevo Leon, Samuel Garcia gave away a month prior — that the intercontinental playoffs will be held in Mexico.
Two venues will hold two matches each — Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
Where will the playoff winners be drawn at the World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw on December 6, 2025 set the matchups for the 2026 tournament.
With the playoff participants not yet known at the time of the draw, all playoff winners were entered into Pot 4 and drawn accordingly.
The UEFA playoff winners were drawn into groups A, B, D, and F. The intercontinental playoff winners were drawn into groups I and K.
Group A table
Pos
Team
PTS
GP
W
L
D
GF
GA
GD
1.
Mexico
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2.
South Africa
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3.
South Korea
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.
UEFA Playoff D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
The UEFA Playoff D qualifier will be either Czechia, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, or North Macedonia
The UEFA Playoff B qualifier will be either Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania
Group F fixtures
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
Sun, Jun. 14
4 p.m.
Netherlands vs. Japan
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Sun, Jun. 14
10 p.m.
UEFA Playoff B Winner vs. Tunisia
Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, MEX)
Sat, Jun. 20
1 p.m.
Tunisia vs. Japan
Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, MEX)
Sat, Jun. 20
12 a.m.
Netherlands vs. UEFA Playoff B Winner
NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Thu, Jun. 25
7 p.m.
Tunisia vs. Netherlands
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Thu, Jun. 25
7 p.m.
Japan vs. UEFA Playoff B Winner
Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Group I table
Pos
Team
PTS
GP
W
L
D
GF
GA
GD
1.
France
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2.
Senegal
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3.
FIFA Playoff 2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.
Norway
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
The FIFA Intercontinental Playoff 2 qualifier will be either Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname.
Group I fixtures
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
Tue, Jun. 16
3 p.m.
France vs. Senegal
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Tue, Jun. 16
6 p.m.
FIFA Playoff 2 Winner vs. Norway
Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
Mon, Jun. 22
5 p.m.
France vs. Playoff 2 Winner
Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
Mon, Jun. 22
8 p.m.
Norway vs. Senegal
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Fri, Jun. 26
3 p.m.
Norway vs. France
Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
Fri, Jun. 26
3 p.m.
Senegal vs. FIFA Playoff 2 Winner
BMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Group K table
Pos
Team
PTS
GP
W
L
D
GF
GA
GD
1.
Portugal
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2.
FIFA Playoff 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3.
Uzbekistan
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.
Colombia
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
The FIFA Intercontinental Playoff 1 qualifier will be either DR Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia.
Group K fixtures
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
Fri, Jun. 17
1 p.m.
Portugal vs. TBD
NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Fri, Jun. 17
10 p.m.
Uzbekistan vs. Colombia
Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Tue, Jun. 23
1 p.m.
Portugal vs. Uzbekistan
NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Tue, Jun. 23
10 p.m.
Colombia vs. TBD
Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, MEX)
Sat, Jun. 27
7:30 p.m.
Colombia vs. Portugal
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Sat, Jun. 27
7:30 p.m.
TBD vs. Uzbekistan
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
World Cup playoff history, past results
UEFA playoffs
UEFA has been using a playoff system since 2010, when they were removed from contention at the intercontinental playoff and broken off into their own system.
In the first iteration of the UEFA playoff, eight teams qualified and were matched up by random draw in four two-legged pairings to determine the four qualifiers. It remained this way until the 2022 cycle when it was changed to the current format.
While there were only three playoff qualifiers at in 2022, that has been moved to four with the expansion to 48 teams for the 2026 competition.
Year
Qualifier
Defeated in Final
2010
France
Rep. of Ireland
Portugal
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Greece
Ukraine
Slovenia
Russia
2014
Portugal
Sweden
France
Ukraine
Greece
Romania
Croatia
Iceland
2018
Switzerland
Northern Ireland
Croatia
Greece
Denmark
Rep. of Ireland
Sweden
Italy
2022
Wales
Ukraine
Poland
Sweden
Portugal
North Macedonia
Intercontinental playoffs
This is the first year that six teams will participate in the intercontinental playoff.
The first edition of the intercontinental playoff was just two teams, as Iran and Australia matched up for a two-legged playoff to determine the final World Cup participant.
From 2002 all the way until 2022, the intercontinental playoff saw four teams participate, pushing for two qualifying spots.
Year
Qualifier
Confederation
1998
Iran*
AFC
2002
Rep. of Ireland
UEFA
Uruguay
CONMEBOL
2006
Trinidad & Tobago
CONCACAF
Australia
OFC
2010
New Zealand
OFC
Uruguay
CONMEBOL
2014
Uruguay
CONMEBOL
Mexico
CONCACAF
2018
Australia
AFC
Peru
CONMEBOL
2022
Australia
AFC
Costa Rica
CONCACAF
* Progressed via away goals rule after 3-3 aggregate draw
Man City 115 charges verdict latest: Points deduction, Easter and summer timelines, punishment hints
Man City are faced with over 115 charges for breaches of Premier League financial rules
The club could be struck with a significant fine and/or points deduction
An independent panel could come to a verdict this summer
The long-running battle between Manchester City and the Premier League over alleged financial breaches continues to cloud the club’s on-field commitments, with reports continuing to emerge over a potential verdict date.
While the blue half of Manchester recently celebrated the 0-2 Carabao Cup Final victory over Arsenal, the shadow of the 115 charges and the investigation into the matter remains a primary talking point off the pitch.
With the 2026 March international break providing a brief hiatus from Premier League and domestic cup action, the focus has shifted back to the independent panel’s deliberations and the potentially season-defining, and perhaps history-defining, punishments that could follow.
Manchester United hold Manchester City belief around 115 charges – Verdict timeframe revealed
Despite a 12-week hearing concluding nearly 18 months ago, silence has largely surrounded proceedings. Although fresh insights suggest the football may be approaching the endgame of a saga that has gripped the English game since February 2023.
The conflicting verdict timelines
According to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, speaking on the ‘Libero’ podcast, the expected arrival of a verdict has fluctuated.
While initial whispers suggested an outcome could be delivered during the Easter 2026 period, the latest understanding is that the timeline may have slipped back into the summer of the same year.
This follows a report from The Athletic in mid-March, which claimed that anonymous sources from both the Premier League and Manchester City have received zero official updates from the independent panel.
For now, both the club’s hierarchy – spearheaded by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano – and Manchester City fans remain in a state of prolonged uncertainty.
A ’60-point deduction’ and the Chelsea precedent
If Manchester City are found guilty of the infractions – which some believe to total closer to 130 breaches rather than the original 115 – the potential sanctions could be unprecedented.
Football finance specialist Kieran Maguire has previously mooted a points deduction ranging from 40 to 60 points – a penalty that would almost certainly relegate the club regardless of their on-field performances.
Manchester City fans, as well as those within the game, have recently looked towards Chelsea as a comparative study:
Chelsea’s co-operation: The Stamford Bridge club recently received a £10 million fine after the new ownership model proactively self-reported illicit payments from the Roman Abramovich era.
Manchester City’s alleged non-cooperation: The Premier League specifically alleges that City failed to provide documents in ‘utmost good faith’ – a factor that could strip them of any leniency if charges are proven.
However, Miguel Delaney has noted that Manchester City’s legal team may be “licking their lips” at certain legal precedences set during Chelsea’s three-year investigation, potentially finding loopholes that could mitigate a points-based disaster.
What have former Man City players said?
Former Manchester City captain Richard Dunne recently hit out at the timing of the investigation, labelling the threat of a mid-season 60-point slap as “stupid.”
Speaking via Goal, Dunne argued that the Premier League is actively sabotaging its own product by allowing the case to drag into a high-stakes title race.
“They’ve come to a conclusion a long time ago, so why it’s taken so long to get around to giving out their results is stupid,” Dunne stated. “They’re ruining their own competition if they come out and start making decisions now. It’s best left until the summer.”
Richard Dunne also expressed frustration that the club’s incredible footballing output – including the rise of stars like Nico O’Reilly and the tactical evolution under Pep Guardiola – is constantly overshadowed by “the negative side” of FFP talk.
“Out of order” personal criticism of key Chelsea figured called out by Neville and Carragher
Liam Rosenior got some harsh criticism from an old teammate this week – and other pundits then reacted to it.
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One of the most scathing takedowns of Liam Rosenior we’ve seen so far came in the last few days from Kevin Kilbane, a former teammate of the new Chelsea manager.
“You see the way he is now, to me, he’s unrecognisable to the player and the person I knew. It’s like he’s swallowed a psychologist’s manual or a sporting mentor’s memoir. To me, everything he says is waffle, drivel, nothing,” Kilbane said of his former teammate.
Pundits defend Liam Rosenior from personal attacks
That has now generated a reaction of its own from other pundits. Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright and Gary Neville all agreed on “Stick to Football” that it was excessive criticism.
“Kevin has obviously played with Liam, he said I just can’t recognise this individual. It was almost a massive takedown of him,” Neville said.
“It was so mean,” added Wright. “Needless. He did a whole bit saying it was an act, he was talking about his clothes. Why? If you want to criticise his methods, notes, but to dig him out like that?”
“That was out of order that, wasn’t it? I didn’t like that,” concluded Carragher.
“He said he’s completely different, bit harsh wasn’t it?”
In other news…
Things are moving quickly in a Graham Potter direction under Rosenior, with the new coach struggling to find a way to turn things around.
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Showing sensitivity, remembrance, and respect towards the 11 victims of the stampede tragedy in Bengaluru on June 4 last year during RCB’s maiden title celebrations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to skip the traditional opening ceremony for IPL 2026. As a result, there will be no celebrations before the opening match of IPL 2026 between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday night at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
However, the BCCI and its IPL Governing Council are planning a grand closing ceremony for 19th season of IPL on the day of the final, May 31, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI.
"Due to last year's tragic incident on June 4 last year, there will be no formal function on the day of the start of IPL-2026 (in Bengaluru). The BCCI is not organizing any cultural or entertainment show at the start of IPL-19 as a mark of respect to the departed souls due to that tragedy on June 4, 2025. However, the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council are planning a grand entertainment function at the closing of the IPL, on the day of the final (May 31)," Saikia told to TOI.
Last year, a grand opening ceremony was held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, featuring performances by superstar Shah Rukh Khan, singers Shreya Ghoshal and Karan Aujla, along with a dance performance by actress Disha Patani.
In 2019, following the Pulwama attack that claimed the lives of around 40 CRPF personnel, the BCCI then run by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) had also scrapped the opening ceremony of IPL 12 and donated the allocated funds to the families of the victims. Saikia had earlier stated that the BCCI will announce the schedule for the remaining matches of the IPL “very soon.”
The IPL 2026 season will begin on March 28, with Sunrisers Hyderabad taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Andy Woodman joined Bromley five years ago after leaving his position as a goalkeeping coach at Arsenal [Getty Images]
Bromley manager Andy Woodman has revealed his side's extraordinary unbeaten run has led him to upgrade 'Project 73' to 'Project Champions'.
The League Two leaders are closing in on promotion on the back of a 21-match undefeated streak, having already eclipsed their 73-point target for the season.
As they prepare to travel to bottom-of-the-table Barrow on Saturday, Woodman has told his squad they should not settle for anything less than the title now.
"I do that not with just the team but with the whole football club - the chefs, everyone. Make them all a part of it. We called it 'Project 73' and we told no one outside the building. It was kept quiet.
"But once we got close to 73 and we had a lot of games left, I started calling it 'Project Champions' in-house."
Bromley climbed to the summit with a 3-1 win at Crawley on 29 December and have not relinquished top spot in the three months since.
"We're top of the table, why are we going to take every game as it comes?" Woodman added. "We want to be champions. If we fall short of that, then we still have had a great season but I want the guys to buy into it.
"I set a little challenge last week. We had three games in a week and I laid it down to the players - 'if you really are serious about being champions, you have to win these next three games'. And the boys churned out three 1-0s and credit to them.
"We've got another block of games coming up. We know what we've got to hit in this next block and we're going to keep playing through until we get there."
After finishing mid-table in their first season in the EFL in 2024-25, this campaign was widely expected to be another one of consolidation but the Ravens have confounded pre-season predictions.
They have not been beaten in almost four months since a 3-1 defeat at then-leaders Walsall on 29 November, winning 14 and drawing seven of their 21 games since.
"It's a great place to be in," Woodman added. "It's fantastic for us. I mean we shouldn't really be anywhere near it on paper so really, in that respect, there's no pressure on us, only the pressure we've got on ourselves.
"And we have put pressure on ourselves because we know we're close and it will be quite an achievement for Bromley Football Club to be in League One for sure."
Woodman, meanwhile, rejected criticism of Bromley's direct style, pointing to the fact that only three clubs have scored more goals in League Two this season.
"We've got the smallest budget in the league, or one of the smallest budgets, so we can only attract a certain sort of player," he added.
"And the player we attract, I want to take all the complications away from them - 'you've got to play out from the back, get it off the keeper' etc, etc.
"We play a certain way. It's not quite as direct as everyone thinks, but it's effective. We make sure we put crosses in the box - every opportunity the ball goes in the box - and it's effective."
Brace yourselves, college basketball fans. March Madness has finally arrived.
The 2026 edition of the NCAA Tournament will begin with First Four games on March 17 and 18, and it will conclude with the national championship game on April 6.
Arizona, Duke, Florida and Michigan are just a few of the contenders hoping to end the 2025-26 season with a celebration. Which squad will cut down the nets in Indianapolis?
Here is everything you need to know about this year's NCAA Tournament bracket, including key dates and TV and streaming options for each round.
NCAA Tournament games will air on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Viewers can also stream March Madness games on DIRECTV (CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV), Fubo (CBS) and Paramount+ (CBS).
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With the dust having settled on free agency, full attention now turns to the NFL draft, and with that, Pro Football Network has recently put together a full seven-round mock draft. So, who did the Indianapolis Colts select?
It's been an active few weeks for the Colts. GM Chris Ballard has re-signed several of the team's own free agents and made nine outside additions.
However, despite the number of moves, there are still a number of needs that the Colts have to address, including finding some immediate help at defensive end and linebacker, along with bolstering the depth at safety, the offensive line, and wide receiver.
With a modest seven draft picks, including just two in the top 100, Ballard will have to make each selection count. The margin for error with the Colts is quite slim.
Let's break down the Colts' selections in TJ Randall's mock for PFSN.
Pick 47: Zion Young, DE, Missouri
Listed at 6-5 - 262, Young had a breakout year in 2025, recording 56 pressures and eight sacks. Out of 100 eligible defensive ends, Young ranked 19th in pass rush win rate. He also graded out as one of PFF's better run defenders among his position group.
Pick 78: Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt
Louis has been very effective as a blitzer, recording 50 pressures over the last two seasons. In coverage, he's logged five pass breakups and six interceptions the last two years, while holding pass catchers to 8.4 yards per catch.
Pick 113: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
Thompson had a breakout season in 2025, catching 57 of his 87 targets, while eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark. He was a big play threat, averaging a hefty 18.5 yards per catch, while hauling in six touchdowns.
Pick 156: Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
Most of Bowry's snaps came at left tackle. He would rank 73rd in pass-blocking efficiency out of 323 tackles and 82nd in PFF's run-blocking grade.
Pick 214: Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
Nwankpa has ample experience playing both free safety and lining up in the box. In 2025, he allowed a completion rate of just 58% but did give up 13.1 yards per catch. He recorded one interception, no pass breakups, and made 84 of his 96 tackle attempts.
Pick 249: David Gusta, IDL, Kentucky
Listed at 6-3, 317 pounds, Gusta graded out well as a run defender. His pass production dipped this year compared to last, but he was asked to fill a more run-first role on defense, which included a lot more snaps from the A-gap.
Pick 254: Quintayvious Hutchins, DE, Boston College
Hutchins has recorded 25 pressures in each of the last two seasons, filling a rotational role at Boston College. By PFF's metrics, he improved as a run defender this past year as well, which includes fewer missed tackles.
Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone (left) with owner Shad Khan against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It’s official; the Jacksonville Jaguars fanbase would like to see their team trade up into the first round of the NFL Draft this April. Following a strong first season for Liam Coen and James Gladstone, there is a feeling that the Jags are just one or two key pieces away from controlling the AFC South and becoming an annual participant in the postseason.
The Jags’ move for Travis Hunter last year means they are currently without any day 1 draft capital, forcing the front office would need to be aggressive once again if they intend to land a blue chip prospect. But any team looking to trade up needs a willing dance partner. With that in mind, which franchises may be in the market to move back in the draft in return for more picks? Let’s look at some options:
Dallas Cowboys (#12, #20)
Stephen Jones said the Cowboys are open to trading one of their first round picks. pic.twitter.com/2cum2FZg5e
With two selections in the first round, the Cowboys could very well be of interest to any team looking to move into the middle of day one for a specific target. Dallas has a defense that finished dead last in EPA allowed per play in 2025, alluding to the number of holes they have to fill this offseason. They’ve been fairly active in free agency, bringing in the likes of Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant as well as swinging a trade with the Green Bay Packers for Rashan Gary, but with plenty of work to be done, could they look to collect more picks?
Gladstone hasn’t been shy in sending future picks to other teams, a tactic he brought with him from the Los Angeles Rams. #12 would cost a lot, but if a pass rusher of Akheem Mesidor or Keldrick Faulk’s stature was still there at #20, the Jags could be persuaded to pull the trigger.
Detroit Lions (#17)
Brad Holmes explained why the Lions mainly went for more affordable, one-year deals in free agency this year.
“I don’t want you guys to ever think that, or anybody to ever think that we have a lot of money – that we have it, we don’t want to spend it," Holmes told the Lions… pic.twitter.com/L6UG3JnRIu
— Detroit Lions News Podcast (@DLNPodcast) March 25, 2026
After becoming the team to beat in the NFC North for two years, the Lions suffered a noticeable drop-off last year with the departures of both coordinators. An explosive offense was somewhat restricted by a deteriorating offensive line, and moves for Cade Mays (Panthers) and Larry Borom (Dolphins) are likely more for depth than to replace the likes of Graham Glasgow and Taylor Decker. With other key starters such as Alex Anzalone, David Montgomery and Amik Robertson also departing, could GM Brad Holmes be looking to acquire more picks on day 2?
A similar scenario to the one above, the late teens may be where we see just one of the elite pass rushers in this draft class remaining. If edge really is the position the Jaguars want to make a splash at, then it might well be worth making a phone call to Detroit.
Heading into the draft with one of the fewest total number of selections, the Vikings have plenty of reasons to move out of day 1. An aging, expensive roster has hamstrung Minnesota’s ability to be active in free agency, relying on one-year prove-it deals for players looking to rebound whilst seeing stars like Harrison Smith, Javon Hargrave and Jalen Nailor exit. With plenty of holes to fill and not much money to do so, interim GM Rob Brzezinski may go for volume at a lower price, particularly when you consider his history as a salary cap specialist.
The Vikings sit just ahead of the Panthers, Cowboys and Steelers, at least two of which may be in the market for a defensive tackle. If that’s a position of interest, #18 may allow the Jaguars to jump ahead of the competition and get their pick of the prospects available, with Peter Woods (Clemson), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech) and Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) all expected to be in play.
Buffalo Bills (#26)
Bills 2026 draft picks with trades officially completed:
The trade for DJ Moore means that the Bills’ only selection on day 2 of the draft is #91. Buffalo saw some attrition in free agency and have particular issues across their defense, where they need an injection of talent at edge rusher, safety and defensive tackle. The catch? They don’t have much money to play with, currently sitting just $12m under the cap. In order to address all these needs, there’s a very real chance Brandon Beane looks to stockpile day 2 picks and sacrifice their first round selection.
#26 is an ideal spot for a lot of teams looking to trade back into the first round, so if Jacksonville are interested they will need to be wary of aggressive competitors like the Philadelphia Eagles employing a similar tactic. The popularity of picks in the late-twenties is usually reliant on talent falling down the board, so this will likely be a draft day decision as real-time events dictate strategy. If Gladstone was able to swing a deal with Beane, it could potentially allow the Jags to gazump division rivals Houston, who are on the clock two selections later.
Nikola Jokic has delivered another statistical feat that underlines his unique dominance in the modern NBA.
The Denver Nuggets star continues to redefine what a centre can do, blending elite playmaking with relentless rebounding output.
His latest numbers place him in territory no other player has reached since the NBA merged with the ABA in 1976.
Nikola Jokic repeats historic NBA-ABA merger feat
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Jokic has led the NBA in both rebounds and assists across March, recording 167 rebounds and 147 assists before the game against Dallas Mavericks, according to Opta.
That combination has not been achieved in a single month by any player since the merger.
The only exception was Jokic himself in February 2023, making this the second time he has completed the feat.
He reached the milestone after a 125-123 win over the Phoenix Suns.
Jokic recorded 23 points, 17 assists and 17 rebounds in that game.
Denver currently sit fourth in the Western Conference standings.
Jokic remains firmly in the MVP race, although competition is fierce this season, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama and Cade Cunningham are all producing standout campaigns.
Nikola Jokic maintains dominance in latest Nuggets win
Jokic sustained his remarkable form in Denver’s latest 142-135 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Serbian delivered another all-around performance that mirrored his monthly consistency.
He finished with 23 points, 21 rebounds and a season-high 19 assists.
Those numbers, once again, reinforced his control across every statistical category.
This offseason, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko and his coaching staff landed 17 commitments from the transfer portal, including Northwestern edge Anto Saka, who, among the NFL scouting community, is considered a future first-round pick despite average statistics in his final season with the Wildcats.
Still, even the average football fan just has to look at Saka, who stands an imposing 6'4" and 255 pounds, built like a track star with the muscular physique that landed him on Bruce Feldman's annual "Freaks List" before the 2025 season, but due to his misuse on defense, the Baltimore native only registered 13 tackles and three sacks in nine appearances.
However, thanks to college football analyst Landon Tengwell's breakdown of Anto Saka's performances, it was clear that the Wildcats failed to take advantage of Saka's strength as an outside pass rusher, who can wreak havoc against tackles one-on-one with just a simple bull rush.
Why he chose the Aggies over several blue blood suitors wasn't completely clear after Texas A&M's first padded practice on Tuesday afternoon, and during his recent sit-down with TexAgs, the former four-star prospect stated that watching Mike Elko's defensive scheme last season, resulting in unanimous All-American Cashius Howell leading the country with 11.5 sacks and 30-plus pressures, sealed the deal once he entered the portal.
"I found myself watching Texas A&M highlights like, man, these dudes get off the rock, get sacks and are disruptive. I wanted to be apart of that."
Per Pro Football Focus, Saka earned an impressive 82.5 PFF pass rush grade during the 2025 season and recorded 12 sacks during his Northwestern career. As Tengwell notes in his recent breakdown, Saka thrives off the edge as a power rusher, given his lower body strength and ability to consistently push the pocket with a simple bull rush.
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.
Nebraska defeated Vanderbilt 74-72 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Iowa advanced after beating the defending national champion, the Florida Gators, 73-72.
CBS Sports reporter Isaac Trotter broke down Thursday's Sweet 16 matchup. Trotter started by looking at the two previous matchups in this series.
These teams have played twice. Iowa won at home in a 57-52 rockfight. Nebraska returned the favor by winning at home, 84-75 in overtime, in another to-the-death brawl.
It's no secret that Nebraska's defense caused significant problems for the Iowa offense in the second game, and if the Hawkeyes are going to win the rubber match, Trotter believes that turnovers will be the key.
There are no secrets in the rubber match. Nebraska's no-middle defense has given Iowa real problems both times. The Hawkeyes turned it over 20% of the time in Game 1 and 26% of the time in Game 2. That can't happen in the third encounter.
CBS Sports believes that Iowa has the best player on the floor in Bennett Stirtz, but Trotter also believes that Nebraska's defense is just too much in the end for Iowa.
Iowa has the best player on the floor, Bennett Stirtz, and can hurt Nebraska on the glass, but the Huskers get the nod because of this pick-and-roll defense. You have to be able to guard ball screens effectively to shut down Iowa, and Nebraska has been an elite pick-and-roll defense, rating in the 99th percentile nationally, per Synergy.
In the end, Trotter selected Nebraska as his pick. Should the Huskers advance to the Elite Eight, Nebraska would play the winner of the Illinois-Houston game. Nebraska-Iowa play in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. CT on TBS.
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One of the biggest catalysts behind the Illinois men's college basketball team's run to the Sweet 16 has been Andrej Stojaković. A first-year transfer from California, Stojaković has helped pace the Illini with 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. If Illinois is to eventually make a Final Four run, Stojaković will undoubtedly play a huge role in such success.
As it turns out, excelling at high-level basketball runs in the family. Because of course it does.
Stojaković is actually the son of former NBA All-Star Peja Stojaković. The senior Stojaković played 13 seasons in the NBA, made a few All-Star teams, and won the 2011 NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks, his final year in the league. Throughout his professional playing days, he made a name for himself as a career 40 percent 3-point shooter at a high volume. His son hasn't shown he's the same sort of sharpshooter, to be clear, but he does appear to have a similar quality of game sense.
The Illini are certainly very lucky to have the Stojaković's around.
After hosting a recent football camp in Mexico, Denver running back J.K. Dobbins did an interview with NFL Network's Steve Wyche and Ian Rapoport, and he was asked if the Broncos are set to play a game in Mexico in 2026.
“I don’t know anything. I plead the Fifth. I don’t know anything,” Dobbins said with a laugh.
Rapoport's retort: "That's exactly what you would say if you do know something, but don't want to tell us."
"We got an embarrassment of riches with talent on this team."#Broncos RB JK Dobbins joins The Insiders on @NFLNetwork to talk about re-signing in Denver, his road back to the field, and his team's newest addition. pic.twitter.com/5DBauauB4x
Mexico is Denver's designated international market, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the Broncos play there eventually. However, ESPN's Maico Pasquel has reported that the Niners will not host Denver in Mexico this season.
The Broncos will be required to "host" an international game by the 2028 season, and they will have a ninth home game in 2027, so next season would be a logical year to expect the team to play abroad. It's still possible that Denver could play as a "road" team in 2026. The NFL will announce the finalized international schedule later this spring.
The Purdue Boilermakers face Texas at the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 this week, here's how to watch. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Jamie Squire via Getty Images
No. 11 seed Texas has the distinction of being the lowest-ranked team to make it to the men's March Madness Sweet 16. They survived against both BYU and Gonzaga in the first and second round, but will they be the Cinderella story we're looking for at this year's tournament? We'll have to see what happens when they face the team that might be their toughest foe yet, No. 2 seed Purdue. Their Sweet 16 game will tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET and it will air on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
The Texas vs. Purdue game is this Thursday, March 26. Tipoff is at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Where to watch the Texas vs. Purdue game:
Thursday's Texas vs. Purdue game airs on CBS.
Where to stream March Madness games without cable:
Thursday's Texas vs. Purdue game will stream live on Paramount+ Premium. You'll also be able to access every men's March Madness game on live TV services like DirecTV and YouTube TV.
Which teams are competing in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament?
The following is a breakdown of every Sweet 16 game schedule including who's playing and how to watch.
All times Eastern
Thursday, March 26
7:10 p.m.: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas (CBS)
7:30 p.m: No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Iowa (TBS/truTV)
9:45 p.m.: No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas (CBS)
10:05 pm.: No. 2 Houston vs. No. 3 Illinois (TBS/truTV)
Friday, March 27
7:10 p.m.: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 St. John's (CBS)
7:35 p.m.: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama (TBS/truTV)
9:45 p.m.: No. 2 UConn vs. No. 6 Michigan State (CBS)
10:10 p.m.: No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 6 Tennessee (TBS/truTV)
2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament schedule:
The schedule and locations for the men's tournament:
Selection Sunday: 6 p.m. ET Sunday, March 15 on CBS
First Four: Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18
First round: Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20
Second round: Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22
Sweet 16: Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27
Elite Eight: Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29
Final Four: Saturday, April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
NCAA championship game: Monday, April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
PSG’s game against Lens postponed to aid Liverpool preparation
As was expected, Paris Saint-Germain’s game against RC Lens, initially scheduled to take place on 11th April, has been postponed.
PSG had requested that the game against Lens, a potential title decider, be postponed until a later date in order to allow them to better prepare their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool. The first leg will take place on 8th April and the second leg on 14th April. The Administration Council of the LFP unanimously voted in favour of the postponement, despite Lens’ vocal opposition. Les Sang et Or are just one point behind PSG in Ligue 1, although the latter have one game in hand, having had their game against FC Nantes earlier this month postponed, too. That was to aid the reigning European champions’ preparation for their games against Chelsea.
RC Strasbourg Alsace also requested that their game, against Stade Brestois, be suspended. That is in order to aid their preparations for a two-legged UEFA Europa Conference League tie against Mainz. That too has been approved by the LFP. Both Lens-PSG and Brest-Strasbourg will now take place in the final week of the season, sandwiched between the penultimate and final gameweek of the Ligue 1 season.
Juventus defender close to sealing permanent transfer to Spain
Juventus loaned-out defender Facundo Gonzalez is reportedly destined to complete a transfer to Racing Santander.
The 22-year-old has been on the Bianconeri’s books since the summer of 2023. Former Juventus director Giovanni Manna poached his services from Valencia for less than €2 milllion after monitoring him during Uruguay’s triumphant U20 World Cup campaign.
However, the Montevideo native will apparently leave the Serie A giants without making a single competitive appearance for the club.
Racing Santander planning to buy Facundo Gonzalez
Shortly after signing for Juventus in the summer of 2023, Gonzalez was loaned out to Sampdoria, allowing him to learn the ropes in Italian football while playing in Serie B.
Last season, he spent his campaign at Feyenoord, but couldn’t cement himself as a regular starter, so the Dutch giants opted against buying him.
The Uruguayan made his return to Spain last summer, signing for Racing Santander on loan with an option to buy for €2.5 million.
The centre-back has established himself as a regular starter at the Spanish club, making 24 appearances in LaLiga 2, scoring a single goal in the process.
According to TuttoJuvejournalist Mirko Di Natale, Gonzalez has managed to convince Racing, who intend to exercise their option to buy him at the end of the season.
Juventus set to earn a small profit
Racing currently lead the standings of Spain’s second division, amassing 59 points from 31 fixtures. They have a four-point advantage over Deportivo and Almeria, who currently lie second and third, respectively.
Therefore, they’re on the right track to earn a promotion to the top flight, which would be a major sporting and financial boost for the club, and it would certainly facilitate the defender’s permanent transfer.
For their part, Juventus will have to collect a marginal capital gain by selling a player who has already become an afterthought at the club.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Chase Bisontis #OL05 of Texas A&M participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 1, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Tennessee Titans may enter the 2026 NFL Draft needing an instant starter at right guard. Key word, may. General manager Mike Borgonzi possesses roughly a month to address the position before the draft. Tennessee’s 2025 starter Kevin Zeitler remains available in free agency. As does veteran guard Greg Van Roten, who played for new Titans coordinator Brian Daboll and offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo last year.
If the Titans enter the draft without having signed Zeitler or Van Roten, Borgonzi may need to utilize a top-100 selection (35, 66, 101?) on a guard. The 2026 NFL Draft features a strong crop of guard prospects. We’ve identified and scouted our five favorite interior blockers.
Vega Ioane, Penn State
The Titans aren’t selecting Penn State guard Vega Ioane unless they trade down significantly from No. 4 overall. Ioane is the consensus top guard in the class with rare, overwhelming power at the point of attack. Scouts consider the Nittany Lions standout a likely top-20 pick.
Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
The Titans would probably have to target Texas A&M blocker Chase Bisontis at No. 35. Bisontis is an excellent prospect who possesses a high-level understanding of leverage, concepts, and blocking angles. He’s plug-and-play at guard.
Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon is a fringe first-round pick and top-50 overall prospect. Pregnon plays with physicality and is the definition of a people mover in the run game. The Ducks blocker is massive with NFL-ready power (knock-back power).
Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge had a formal interview at the NFL Combine with the Titans, per Nick Suss. Bricillo was involved in that meeting. Rutledge is a tough, nasty, physical, mean blocker. His on-field showings deserve all of your favorite buzz words for an offensive linemen.
Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
Kentucky blocker Jalen Farmer possesses 34-inch arms and a stout lower half. The Covington, Georgia native utilizes his natural gifts to displace defenders in the run game. In pass protection, Farmer shows off a strong anchor with 9.25-inch heavy hands.
HERZOGENAURACH, GERMANY - MARCH 24: Joshua Kimmich of Team Germany talks to the media during a press conference at adidas Homeground on March 24, 2026 in Herzogenaurach, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The FIFA World Cup is now less than three months away from kicking off in the United States, Canada, and Mexico and the March international break is serving as one of the last chances for many managers to see players they might be on the fence about bringing to the tournament. Only a few spots remain to be determined through the European and intercontinental playoffs to fill out the newly expanded field for the group stages.
Right now, Spain, France, Argentina are England are the odds-on favorites to go on and win the whole tournament in the latest betting power ranking (ESPN), but Germany will also be looking to get back on the world footballing pedestal that’s evaded them ever since Brazil 2014.
With Die Mannschaft’s run in Euro 2024 on home soil, a nation is believing in the team once again under Julian Nagelsmann and a solid World Cup qualifying campaign for this summer has carried that belief into the build to this summer’s main event.
In the Germany camp ahead of the friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich spoke about how this World Cup is going to be different than the last two Germany has been a part of. He also feels that they’re not quite considered to be favorites to lift the Cup in New Jersey come mid-July, but sees that as a sort of a fresh slate. “Of course as captain, I have a different role to the one I had in 2022 or 2018. It’s true that the past two World Cups were disappointing for us, but that doesn’t change anything for the next one. We’re probably not one of the top favourites because we didn’t deliver at the last tournament, but when the World Cup kicks off, then what happened in the past is not interesting anymore. It’s only about the next game. It’s important to start with a win in the first game. But we’re still in March, that’s irrelevant right now. Nevertheless we want to play a very good tournament,” the Germany captain and Bayern’s number 6 explained (via @iMiaSanMia).
On a personal level, there’s also the matter of Kimmich playing right back for Nagelsmann and Germany, switching gears from playing midfield for Bayern. It’s a transition he’s grown accustomed to for the national team, but it still doesn’t make the switch any easier, especially with the fact that Bayern is currently still gunning for another treble. There’s long been intense debate as to whether or not Kimmich is better used in midfield or at right back, but Nagelsmann has already confirmed that he plans to have Kimmich at right back this summer with Bayern teammates Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlović at the heart of his midfield.
The 36-year-old has won five major championships and only four non-major events which is a distinctive resume. It’s a record which is completely unique in the history of the PGA Tour.
Koepka is as good as anyone in the game at peaking at the right time. He rounds into top form four times per year to put himself in a position to snatch golf’s biggest prizes from the hands of players who perform consistently well all season.
But that hasn’t been the case in recent seasons. After he joined LIV Golf, his form deteriorated, and he was completely uncompetitive at majors last season. Since returning to the PGA Tour he’s refound form, however, and he’s feeling great about his game going into The Masters.
Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images
Brooks Koepka says his game feels like it did in 2018/19
So, is Koepka back to his best? He certainly thinks so. He told SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio that he’s feeling like he did back in 2018, when Koepka was stacking up the major championships.
He said, “Game feels really good. Ball striking it really well, and each week I’m feeling more and more comfortable with my changes in putting. Feel a lot more confident with the putter. Game feels like it’s rounding into form very nicely, right in time for Augusta, so very happy with it.
“I still feel like there are a couple of things where I could be a lot better. I found out my driver was a little cracked last week so that might have been a little of the sprays off the tee and the spin rate wasn’t right.
“So just I put a new head on it this week and hopefully I drive it a little better. I think that’s kind of the missing piece for me, because I feel like it’s cost me a few shots. But if I can hit it in the fairway the way I’ve been hitting my irons, just feels like 2018/2019.”
That’s an ominous sign for everyone else in the field. If Koepka is well and truly back, then he’s a contender for every major of the season.
How Brooks Koepka’s current form compares to 2019
2019 was arguably the best season of Koepka’s career. He won twice on the PGA Tour, and won the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black. So how does the start of 2026 compare to that year?
Koepka mentioned his iron play, and he’s right to. At the start of this season, his approach play has been better than at any other point in his career. He’s gaining 1.18 strokes on approach in 2026, compared to 0.77 in 2019.
He’s comparable in every other statistical category except one, his putting. Koepka was an average putter in 2019, gaining 0.28 strokes on the greens, but this year it’s been the only area where he loses strokes to the field.
However, after a run of dismal performances with his putting, Koepka changed to a mallet putter to tremendous effect. Last week at the Valspar Championship, he gained half a stroke with his putting.
If that continues and he combines that with his elite iron play, then he’s set to have an even better season than 2019. Major number six could well be on the way.
Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Patrick Mahomes has stunned the NFL world by returning to throwing drills just around 100 days after tearing his ACL, but not everyone is impressed.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was seen moving comfortably and throwing the football in a recent clip, sparking debate about both his recovery and the reaction to it.
While the moment was framed as remarkable, the response has been far from unanimous.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Patrick Mahomes returns to throwing just 100 days after ACL tear
The NFL shared the clip showing Mahomes back on the field and throwing passes during recovery.
“More proof that Mahomes is superhuman,” the tweet read.
The moment carries weight because ACL injuries typically require long recovery timelines, often stretching well beyond this stage before full football activity resumes.
Mahomes’ ability to move and throw so soon highlights both modern rehab progress and his own physical resilience.
NFL fans unimpressed despite Patrick Mahomes’ recovery progress
The reaction online quickly shifted from praise to skepticism, with many fans downplaying the significance of the clip.
Some pointed out, “What did he do? Throw the ball?” while another added, “My 9-year-old son just did this same thing in the back yard.”
Others questioned the attention around it, saying, “The league is glazing a non-playoff QB. The NFL season is closer than we realize.”
The tone continued with remarks like “Just throwing a ball.” and “Half of guys could do this what? He’s throwing a football and walking backwards a little bit.”
The split reaction shows how even impressive recovery timelines can be interpreted differently depending on expectations and context.
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Just six spots remain in the 2026 World Cup. Today, Italy and Northern Ireland will face off at New Balance Arena in Bergamo to keep their chances alive.
The Azzurri are looking to end a 12-year absence from soccer’s biggest tournament, and Northern Ireland are hoping for their first entry since 1986. The winner will play either Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina on Tuesday to secure a berth in the World Cup.
At a Glance: How to Watch Italy vs. Northern Ireland Soccer Match
Italy, 13th in FIFA rankings, is the favorite to advance. Northern Ireland is ranked 69th. The squads also met in a 2022 World Cup qualifier that saw Italy win 2-0.
How to Watch Italy vs. Northern Ireland World Cup Qualifier Match: U.S. TV, Streaming, VPN
The Italy vs. Northern Ireland World Cup qualifier is not airing on any TV channel in the U.S., but will be available to stream on Paramount+. If you have a VPN, you can also stream Italy vs. Northern Ireland for free by connecting to the U.K.’s BBC iPlayer. Here’s a breakdown of these two options:
1. Stream Italy vs. Northern Ireland on Paramount+
Paramount+ will offer an Italy vs. Northern Ireland livestream for U.S. viewers. The streaming service offers a seven-day free trial, and plans normally start at $8.99 a month after that. However, right now, Paramount+ is running a massive sale: Now through March 31, you can get either Paramount+ plan for just $2.99/month for your first two months.
2. Stream Italy vs. Northern Ireland on BBC iPlayer with a VPN
Another way to watch the Italy vs. Northern Ireland World Cup qualifier in the U.S. is with a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN service will let you connect to the U.K.’s BBC iPlayer and access the free Italy vs. Northern Ireland livestream offered to fans in Britain. If you don’t already have a VPN, it’s a good idea to get one for more World Cup coverage this year. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are two of our favorites, starting at less than $4 a month. Plus, both services offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Jourdan Grant #5 of the UMBC Retrievers attempts a shot against Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers in 2018; Angel Reese in 2023; Chris Webber calling a timeout in 1993 Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty; Maddie Meyer/Getty; David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated via Getty
Few sporting events produce the drama of March Madness.
Every spring, the NCAA Division I basketball tournament churns out buzzer beaters, Cinderella runs and dominant displays of athleticism as teams vie for their "one shining moment." But alongside the unforgettable highlights, the tournament has also produced its share of moments that ignited debate long after the final whistle. From questionable plays to institutional scandals, controversy has become an inevitable part of the spectacle.
In 1993, the University of Michigan's Chris Webber made an infamous blunder, calling a timeout in the final few seconds of the National Championship — when Michigan had no timeouts left. More recently, controversy ensued after Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese met in the 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship, where Reese gestured toward Clark with John Cena's popular “you can’t see me” hand motion, which Clark had done earlier in the tournament.
Here's everything to know about five March Madness controversies that still impact the game today.
01 of 05
Chris Webber’s costly timeout (1993)
Chris Webber (4) upset after calling timeout; Chris Webber (4) calling timeout during game Credit: Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated via Getty; David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated via Getty
Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson — a.k.a. University of Michigan's Fab Five — were at the height of their popularity in 1993. The highly prized recruiting class changed basketball culture in the early 1990s with their famously baggy shorts, black socks and shaved heads, paired with loads of swagger and trash talk, per NPR. The only thing missing from their impressive resume was a national championship title — the team had previously reached the game in 1992, only to fall to a dominant Duke team led by Christian Laettner. So, when they took the court at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans to face the University of North Carolina the following year, Michigan was looking for redemption.
The two powerhouses spent much of the night entangled in a heated battle that came all the way down to the final 20 seconds of the game. With the Wolverines trailing the Tar Heels by two points, Webber brought the ball up the court, chased by two of Carolina’s top defenders. As the seconds ticked away and Webber was pinned in the corner, he called a timeout. The only problem was that Michigan had zero timeouts left.
“We all knew we were — at least those of us on the floor certainly knew we were. We had addressed that in the huddle when we’d used our last timeout, so what I felt was just, it was denial,” Rose told ESPN in November 2017. “We should have never been in that situation anyway. We were off all night, but we were still going to win and were going to win because of Chris. Then we weren't.”
The ensuing technical foul and subsequent free throws effectively sealed the win for North Carolina, and the timeout remains one of the biggest blunders in tournament history.
02 of 05
Louisville’s vacated championship (2013)
Head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals holds up the National Championship trophy as he celebrates with his players Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty
The University of Louisville Cardinal men’s basketball team, led by legendary coach Rick Pitino, capped off a successful season with a National Championship in 2013, including a memorable comeback against the Michigan Wolverines in the title game. However, that victory would be wiped from the record books.
Following a bombshell investigation in 2015, the NCAA discovered that the team provided improper benefits to recruits and student athletes, including paying strippers to dance for them and prostitutes to have sex with them, per ESPN. Additionally, the NCAA found that Pitino "violated NCAA head coach responsibility rules when he did not monitor the activities of his former operations director," Andre McGee, per a June 2017 release.
McGee ultimately resigned from his role as an assistant coach with Missouri-Kansas City, calling the allegations "false" in a statement, per Fox Sports. Pitino denied having any knowledge of the parties, telling ESPN, "I don't know if any of this is true or not," adding that McGee is the "one person who knows the truth."
As part of the sanctions for the violations, the school was forced to vacate its record from 2011 to 2015 in February 2018, including the 2012 Final Four appearance and 2013 NCAA National Championship, per a release. This made Louisville the first NCAA basketball team to vacate a national championship title in the Final Four era.
Pitino was ultimately suspended from the first five Atlantic Coast Conference games of the 2017-18. McGee was given a 10-year "show-cause order," which meant that any NCAA program that hired him would have to show cause as to why it should not be sanctioned.
A grand jury declined to return an indictment against McGee in May 2017, per ESPN.
03 of 05
UMBC becomes the first No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 (2018)
Jourdan Grant #5 and teammate Arkel Lamar #33 of the UMBC Retrievers react after a score against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty
Entering the 2018 NCAA men’s tournament, a No. 16 seed had never before defeated a No. 1 seed. However, that all changed when the Retrievers from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) steamrolled the University of Virginia Cavaliers, who had previously been widely projected to cut down the nets at the Alamodome in San Antonio that year.
After holding Virginia to 21 points at halftime, UMBC outscored the top seed 53-33 in the second half, ultimately winning 74-54 and etching their place in sports history.
04 of 05
Sedona Prince calls out facilities inequality (2021)
Sedona Prince in 2021 Credit: Soobum Im/Getty
During the 2021 women’s tournament in San Antonio, then-Oregon Ducks center Sedona Prince made a post on social media that sparked one of the most recent NCAA tournament controversies.
The players were competing inside a pandemic-era bubble when Prince shared a behind-the-scenes video that showed the stark contrast between the training facilities for the men’s and women’s tournaments. While the men were provided a fully equipped weight room, the women were left with what amounted to a small rack of dumbbells. The TikTok video quickly went viral, highlighting gender inequities in the NCAA. Even NBA star Steph Curry weighed in by reposting the video and commenting, “wow-come on now! @marchmadness @NCAA yall trippin trippin.”
NCAA president Mark Emmert subsequently apologized and commissioned an external gender equity review, per The New York Times. It ultimately led to wider reform, including comparable resources, budgets and swag bags, plus the use of the "March Madness" branding, which was previously exclusive to the men’s tournament.
Angel Reese reacts towards Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the fourth quarter during the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship Credit: Maddie Meyer/Getty
Before they became WNBA stars, Clark and Reese faced off the 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship game in Dallas. Despite Clark, the National Player of the Year, scoring 30 points, the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers went on to defeat the Iowa Hawkeyes 102-85. This was the first national championship title in the LSU women’s basketball program’s history, and Reese was voted the Most Outstanding Player. But the victory was overshadowed by a late-game incident.
As the final seconds ticked away, Reese repeatedly gestured toward Clark with the “you can’t see me” hand motion, which was popularized by Cena, and pointed to her ring finger to signal the imminent championship.
The moment lit up social media, with some commentators and fans criticizing Reese’s actions as unsportsmanlike. However, others noted that Clark had used a similar gesture in an earlier game against Louisville to get to the Final Four.
In the post-game presser, Clark said she didn’t know Reese was taunting her and was more focused on getting to the handshake line. “I was just trying to spend the last few moments on the court with especially the five people that I’ve started 93 games with, and relishing every second of that,” she said.
Meanwhile in her postgame press conference, Reese said, "I'm too hood, I'm too ghetto. You told me that all year. But when other people do it, y'all don't say nothing."
She continued, "So this is for the girls that look like me, that want to speak up on what they believe in. It's unapologetically you. It was bigger than me tonight. I'm happy. I felt I helped grow women's basketball."
College football media has never been louder, faster, or more personality-driven than it is today. With round-the-clock coverage across television, radio, podcasts, and social media, analysts and commentators have become just as recognizable as the players and coaches they discuss. That visibility, however, comes with a trade-off: the more exposure a personality gets, the more polarizing they tend to become. What one fan sees as entertaining and insightful, another might view as overbearing, biased, or simply exhausting.
This list of the “most annoying” figures in college football media isn’t necessarily a reflection of incompetence or lack of knowledge—far from it. In many cases, these individuals are highly successful precisely because they provoke reactions, drive conversations, and keep audiences engaged. The frustration often stems from stylistic choices: overly dramatic delivery, perceived conference bias, repetitive takes, or a tendency to prioritize hot takes over nuanced analysis. In a sport as regional and emotionally charged as college football, even small perceived slights can snowball into lasting reputations.
It’s also important to recognize that annoyance is inherently subjective. A personality that energizes one fanbase might irritate another depending on team loyalties, expectations, and preferred analysis style. Ultimately, this list reflects a combination of fan sentiment, media presence, and recurring criticisms that have surfaced over time. Love them or hate them, these voices are undeniably shaping how college football is discussed—and that influence is exactly why they remain impossible to ignore.
1. Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee on the Pat McAfee Show set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
McAfee’s high-energy, bombastic style is a major draw—but also a major turnoff for some viewers. His tendency to lean into loud reactions, hot takes, and entertainment-first analysis can feel over-the-top compared to more traditional broadcasters. Critics argue that his show sometimes prioritizes spectacle over substance. For fans who prefer measured, tactical breakdowns, his approach can come across as exhausting.
2. Paul Finebaum
Paul Finebaum in attendance of the Mississippi Rebels against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Finebaum has built a career on stirring debate, especially within the SEC ecosystem. His call-in show format often amplifies extreme fan opinions, which some feel perpetuates drama over insight. Detractors say he leans too heavily into SEC bias, marginalizing other conferences. His deliberate provocations can feel repetitive to longtime viewers.
3. Robert Griffin III
ESPN college football and NFL analyst Robert Griffin III reacts on the sidelines before a 2024 AFC divisional round game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
RGIII brings enthusiasm and personality, but his commentary can sometimes veer into forced humor or overly theatrical phrasing. Some fans feel his analysis lacks depth compared to more seasoned analysts. His attempts to brand himself with catchphrases and viral moments don’t always land with traditional audiences. As a result, he can feel more like a performer than a technician.
Kanell is known for strong, often contrarian opinions, especially on playoff formats and conference bias. While that makes him engaging, critics argue he can come off as dismissive or overly rigid. His frequent pushback against popular narratives sometimes feels more argumentative than insightful. This tone can wear on viewers who prefer balanced discussion.
5. Joel Klatt
Fox Sports broadcaster Joel Klatt emcees the Holiday Bowl trophy presentation at Snapdragon Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Klatt is respected for detailed analysis, but some fans find his delivery overly polished or self-assured. He often speaks with strong conviction, which can come across as condescending to certain audiences. His frequent defense of specific conferences or playoff viewpoints can feel repetitive. For critics, it’s less about content and more about tone.
6. RJ Young
RJ Young is highly opinionated and active across multiple platforms, which increases both his reach and criticism. Some viewers feel his takes are overly influenced by personal biases, particularly regarding certain teams. His confident delivery can sometimes be interpreted as dismissive of opposing viewpoints. This combination makes him polarizing in fan circles.
7. Dave Portnoy
Dave Portnoy poses with solders before the between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at Commanders Field. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Portnoy’s unapologetically brash style resonates with some fans but alienates others. His involvement in college football often blends fandom, gambling, and controversy, which not everyone appreciates. Critics argue he injects unnecessary drama into discussions. His persona can overshadow the sport itself for viewers seeking traditional coverage.
8. Kirk Herbstreit
ESPN College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit speaks to fans at fan fest in the Miami Beach Convention Center before the College Football National Championship between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes in Miami Florida. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Herbstreit is widely respected, but his prominence also makes him a frequent target of criticism. Some fans perceive bias in his rankings or commentary, especially during playoff debates. His attempts to remain balanced can occasionally come across as noncommittal or scripted. Overexposure is another factor—being everywhere can lead to fatigue among viewers.
Desmond Howard on the ESPN College Gameday set during the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Howard’s predictions and on-air personality have made him a lightning rod for criticism. His confident picks—especially when they miss—are often revisited by fans. Some viewers feel his analysis lacks consistency or depth compared to peers. His expressive style, while entertaining, can feel exaggerated to certain audiences.
Quinn is generally measured, but some fans find his commentary overly cautious or generic. His analysis can sometimes feel predictable, lacking bold or distinctive viewpoints. Compared to more dynamic personalities, he may come across as less engaging. For critics, the issue is less annoyance and more a lack of standout presence.
Conclusion
ESPN broadcaster Paul Finebaum during media day at Philips Arena. Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
At the end of the day, being labeled “annoying” in sports media often means you’re doing something right—capturing attention in a crowded landscape. These personalities thrive because they spark debate, even if that debate comes with criticism. In college football, where passion runs deep, the most talked-about voices are rarely the quiet ones.
Asked about the possibility of him leaving the club, he replied: “No, to be honest, I haven’t heard anything about that, and I haven’t read anything about it either.
“I feel right at home at Arsenal, I feel everyone there is also very, very happy with me.
“Sure, it wasn’t a very easy season, but I definitely see my future at Arsenal, in London.
“I think, of course, we have a lot of games left in the league. We’re still in three competitions.
“Personally, I know I was out for the first six months of the season, so I am going to give my all for the club over the last two or three months now in the hope of heading to the World Cup with a great deal of confidence.”
The 26-year-old also says he is feeling completely fit again after missing most of the season with a knee injury.
“I now feel completely fit,” he said. “I need the one or other game from the start to reach 100 percent but I feel fit to start lasting over 90 minutes.”
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Amazon Prime Video is giving hockey fans a one-stop shop on Thursday nights during the 2025-26 NHL season.
"NHL Coast to Coast," a weekly whiparound show from the streaming service, will offer analysis and highlights of every NHL game. In addition to weekly game coverage, "NHL Coast to Coast" will feature interviews with top players and coaches.
The show is taking the "NFL RedZone" blueprint and applying it to the NHL, allowing viewers to keep up with all of the action. With the combination of "Prime Monday Night Hockey" and "NHL Coast to Coast," Prime members will be living in hockey heaven this season.
Here is everything you need to know about watching "NHL Coast to Coast" on Amazon Prime Video.
NHL Coast to Coast schedule tonight: Start times for games
Here is the full slate of games for Thursday, March 26:
Start time: Thursday nights beginning at 7 p.m. ET
Region: Available to Prime members in Canada
Cost: Included with Prime membership at no additional charge
"NHL Coast to Coast" will air on Thursday nights in Canada throughout the 2025-26 season. The show will start at 7 p.m. ET.
If you want to watch "NHL Coast to Coast" all season long, you will need to sign up for a Prime membership. Amazon Prime Video is currently offering a free trial, giving new users access to its full library of content.
Is NHL Coast to Coast already included with an Amazon Prime membership?
The series is available free to Prime members in Canada. You can find the stream for "NHL Coast to Coast" on the Amazon Prime Video homepage, sports page or "Live and Upcoming Events" page.
NHL Coast to Coast hosts, analysts
The show is hosted by Andi Petrillo, one of Canada's most respected hockey broadcasters. A rotating cast of analysts will join Petrillo throughout the season. The group includes:
The third edition of the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament is here, with the top women's teams that don't make the NCAA field shooting to end their season with a trophy.
Thirty-two teams begin the journey to the semifinals and final, which will be played at Wichita State University this year for the first time.
Though the tournament's history is brief, the Big Ten is 2 for 2 in producing WBIT champions. Illinois won the inaugural event in 2024 and Minnesota took home the title last year.
Coaches hope a successful WBIT showing can be a springboard for the following season, and that has been the case for the Illini and Gophers, who each achieved better records and an NCAA bid the season after taking the WBIT title.
Who will be next to lift the trophy? Here's everything you need to know to follow this year's WBIT.
WBIT bracket 2026
The bracket for this year's WBIT has been revealed. See the full game schedule below.
NCAA.com
Where to watch WBIT 2026: TV channels, live streams
TV channels: ESPNU (semifinals), ESPN2 (championship)
Every game of the 2026 WBIT can be streamed live via the ESPN app, with the first three rounds set to be broadcast by ESPN+, the semifinals on ESPNU and the championship game on ESPN2.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the new ESPN app.
Last week, the Minnesota Vikings signed former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray for the league minimum of around $1.3 million. This week, they resigned their backup QB, Carson Wentz, for a reported $3 million (fully guaranteed). And they already have J.J. McCarthy under contract for around $6 million in 2026 (fully guaranteed). So, that comes to three “veteran” QBs for around $10.5 million. On paper, that appears to be some pretty good ROI.
If it all works.
But for now, during the offseason, the Wentz signing raises a number of questions. Certainly, it makes sense for Wentz (on the back nine of his career) to resign with the team he grew up following and rooting for. But what does it mean for the Vikings—and in particular one third-year QB names J.J. McCarthy? There are those who believe his days are numbered in Minnesota (we, here, are not among them).
Some have speculated that this is the Vikings course correcting for last season’s mistake of handing the keys to J.J. without a solid backup plan behind him. They chose not to resign Sam Darnold (defending Super Bowl champion Sam Darnold, that is) and then swung and missed on Daniel Jones, ultimately scrambling to get Wentz in the room behind McCarthy. All this reportedly led to the team’s former GM getting the ax, and the Vikings brass are dead-set against repeating last season’s QB situation and are determined to create a better QB room in 2026.
Well, did they? Only time will tell. Unless you want to hear the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com, and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com—speculate on it all. Tune in and check it all out. Skol!
Listen to Vikings Territory Breakdown Podcast here or on your favorite podcast network.
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - MARCH 8: Head coach Ben McCollum of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Tavion Banks #6 talk during a break in the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena on March 8, 2026 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 9-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes (23-12, 10-10) are set to take on the 4-seeded Nebraska Cornhuskers (28-6, 15-5) in Houston, TX for the first slot in the Elite 8. After the ups and downs of college basketball, it’s genuinely hilarious and a little bit frustrating for the biggest basketball game either of these programs have played in a good long while to take place against each other.
For both teams, it’s been a storybook season – the Huskers rode the nation’s longest winning streak after winning The Crown postseason tournament last year to a top 10 ranking before reality caught up to them. Their 9-0 conference start was stifled by Michigan, which kicked off a 2-4 run. They rebounded in the regular season to finish 15-5 but fell after the double bye in their first game of the conference tournament to eventual champion Purdue. They’re here after smoking Troy for their first NCAA Tournament win and followed it up with their own game-winner on a last second field goal against Vanderbilt.
The Hawks “book” was one we had seen before… until the twist at the end. Iowa ran out of gas in the conference season and finished 10-10 after an 2-6 finish. They split their games in the conference tournament. Coming into March Madness, this definitely had a “rerun” quality to it. 8/9 game before taking on a behemoth. See you next year? Yet the Hawks did the unthinkable by taking it right to SEC champion Florida and winning on an Alvaro Folgueiras 3-pointer. Wow.
So yeah, maybe in different circumstances, there would be a “happy to be here” mentality from both teams experiencing things which haven’t happened in a long time…or ever. But now that we’re here, the basest instincts take hold: WE HAVE TO WIN. Both sides are thinking it and whomever comes out on top will remind the other fanbase for years and years about what happened.
Can Iowa’s impressive finishing in the tournament carry over against a conference foe?
One area the Hawks had a huge advantage heading into matchups against Clemson & Florida was uncertainty. Neither opponent really knew what they were getting in the Hawkeyes: an undersized bunch who’s been through the wringer of the Big Ten and lived to tell the tale. Against Florida, they were able to spread them out, get looks at the cup, and force them into foul trouble. The Hawks were 70% from 2 despite Florida’s size & 50% vs Clemson. Both were above their averages, but the difference with Florida was stark as they allowed just 45% from 2.
If there’s a weakness in Nebraska’s defense, it’s 2-point defense. They allow 50.3% from inside the arc which rates 108th according to KenPom. But they counteract that by not allowing that many shots from 2. The way they use help to pack the paint has opponents kicking out and shooting 50.0% of their shots from 3, one of the highest in the country. From there, Nebraska uses excellent guard & wing length to contest shots and limit opponents to just 30.1% from 3.
Iowa improved shooting the ball from matchup 1 in Carver-Hawkeye to the return trip in Lincoln:
Date
2-pointers
3-ponters
2/17/2026
11/28 (39.3%)
6/23 (26.1%)
3/8/2026
16/26 (61.5%)
11/30 (36.7%)
In game 1, Iowa was able to get into the lane more but struggled with efficiency everywhere. The Hawks were better from deep despite shooting more in line with how Nebraska would prefer them to shoot. If Iowa can continue hammering the lane for layup attempts, they’ll have to manage 6’10” Berke Buyuktuncel and his 5.8% block rate which ranks in the top 150 nationally. However, he’s got just 2 in the last 5 games which may mean there’s a better chance for Iowa to have success there.
Do the Hawkeyes prevent the Pryce Sandfort heater?
The former Hawk has been awesome through two games in Oklahoma City Lincoln South. He’s 10/18 from deep, which includes a stretch where he turned the Troy game into a laugher during the first half, scoring 15 points on 5/6 shooting from deep in about 6 minutes of game play. There will be stretches, including in the return trip at Nebraska, where Fred Hoiberg dials up 3 or 4 plays for him in quick succession, forcing teams to navigate tons of baseline screens for an open look by him or a roller at the rim. His gravity is INSANE.
But Iowa kept him relatively on the rails during the regular season with 4/13 shooting from deep and 8/20 overall. That’s about as good as you can ask for there.
Nebraska is relentless from deep though, just like they force opponents to take a ton of 3s, that is their preferred offense. The gravity of Sandfort opens up so much for them along the perimeter and with 4 other players who shoot 34% or more from deep, anybody can catch fire (including Cale Jacobsen who had a career high 15 points).
If the Hawks can hold off the Huskers barrage of 3-point shooting, it will put into focus two things: rim protection and rebounding. Nebraska is good from 2 with all the shooters they have spacing the floor. They make 58.1% of their shots from 2 with 71% of them tallied as layups or dunks according to Bart Torvik. That is Iowa’s weakness.
For rebounding, if the 3s are missing then Nebraska may have to adjust their standard in terms of crashing the glass. They rank 311th in the country with a 26.4% offensive rebounding rate. In their close win against Vandy, they did not zag away from this strategy and gathered just 20.8% of their misses though it helps to make 56% of your shots. In both games against Nebraska, the Hawks held them to rates of 16.7% and 7.4%.
Iowa/Nebraska in a win or go home setting. Nebraska has been here before, with Iowa ending their football season twice when they had chances to go to bowl games (2023 & 2019).
Robbie Neilson says Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has "taken a gamble" by calling out his players just two games into his tenure.
Having begun with a draw at Falkirk, Robinson revealed he delivered "home truths" in the dressing room after the 4-1 weekend defeat by Rangers at Ibrox.
The relegation-threatened Dons, who occupy ninth place, are just three points above St Mirren and Kilmarnock before a trip to Paisley to face the Buddies following the international break.
Former Hearts and Dundee United boss Neilson says such heavy criticism from a new manager can backfire, citing the example of Russell Martin, who lambasted his Rangers players just three games after taking charge and was sacked two months later.
"It's very, very difficult because Stephen's teams have always been built on that aggression and the battle right to the end," Neilson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"Straight after the game he's probably super frustrated with what he's seen, he's maybe taken that into the interview after it but he felt it needed to be called out.
"He's made a decision. It's a gamble in my opinion because, do the players come with you or do they throw the toys out the pram?
"The only way we'll find out is when they go down to St Mirren and see if they can fight, but they haven't proved this season they can do that.
"It was a big call to come out and hammer them. We saw it with Russell Martin at the start of this season. He made the gamble to go after the players and it didn't work. He eventually moved on but you have to do something."
Tom Hooper has played eight Prem games and three matches in the European Challenge Cup this season [Getty Images]
Australia flanker Tom Hooper says he would extend his time at Exeter if he continues to grow as a player.
The 25-year-old agreed a move to Sandy Park on a two-year deal last year, having been a key part of the Wallabies side in the Rugby Championship and featuring against the British & Irish Lions.
"I'm loving my rugby here," Hooper said. "I didn't just come over here for one reason, I came over here because a few of the stars really aligned for me.
"It was that time where I'd kind of hit my ceiling in Australia, I needed a new challenge.
"But if I'm over here and I still feel like I'm being challenged as an athlete and as a person and I'm still growing in those areas, then this is the best place for me.
"So if I see that this environment is indicative of that then I'll definitely be staying in Devon because that's what's best for me."
With a home World Cup coming up for Australia later in 2026, Hooper knows he must perform well in Europe if he is to make the Wallabies squad.
While Australia are happy to pick overseas players, they will give priority to home-based options if there is little to choose between the options.
Hooper says the improvements he is making in Europe and his ambitions to make the World Cup are driving him in his first season in the northern hemisphere.
"When I came over here I knew full well there was a possibility I wasn't going to be playing for the Wallabies any more," he said.
"But my manager and I sat down face to face and I said 'do you back me?' He said 'yes', and then I said 'awesome, I'll back myself'.
"I had a phone call with Joe Schmidt [Australia head coach] and basically he said 'I'm going to favour picking guys from home soil, but if you're the clear standout then I'll pick you'.
"On that phone call, I just said 'all right, well, it's a pretty clear objective for me, I'm just going to make sure that I make you pick me'.
"So it was a gamble, but also all the power kind of lies in my court and I'm just going to make sure if I keep playing good rugby then I'll keep getting picked for the teams that I want to be picked [for].
"That's obviously Exeter Chiefs first and foremost, that's where my priority is right now, performing for this team, and off the back of that I know I'll get picked for the gold jersey.
"That's one of my greatest desires, just being in that jersey and performing well at a home World Cup."
'We know how to live in dark places'
Tom Hooper started three of Australia's four Autumn Internationals [Getty Images]
Saturday's victory over Sale pushed Exeter back into the Prem play-off places.
It marks a huge turnaround for the Chiefs, who finished second-from-bottom last season, with Friday night's opponents Newcastle the only side below them.
Hooper says Exeter's travails last season - when they won just four matches in the league - have stood them in good stead for the current campaign as he targets a play-off tie in June.
"I think we've got the squad depth to do it, we've got the experience to do it," he told BBC Sport.
"When I say experience I'm not just talking about the dinosaurs of Jack Yeandle, Henry Slade and Scotty Sio, I'm talking about the experience of last year and the boys that went through that tough period.
"We know how to live in dark places and when it comes to play-off periods and really tight-knit games you've got to have a group that's willing to take it to a dark place, live there and come out the other side - and I think we've got a group that's definitely willing to do that."
The March Madness brand belongs to basketball, but the NCAA men's hockey tournament is just as wild and unpredictable.
Sixteen teams are set to vie for a national title over a pair of weekends, and if recent editions are any indication, it truly is anyone's to take. Two of the four national seeds last year lost in the first round, and only one — No. 4 seed and eventual champion Western Michigan — made it to the Frozen Four.
The Broncos are back as the fourth seed to try and defend their title in a season that has seen the balance of power tilt heavily toward the Great Lakes State. Michigan is the top overall seed after winning the Big Ten title, and Michigan State enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed.
Looking for a potential Cinderella story? That would be Merrimack, which won the Hockey East tournament as the No. 8 seed, beating the top three teams in the conference in Providence, UMass and UConn along the way.
Who will hoist the national championship trophy in Las Vegas the second weekend in April? Here's how to follow along with all the action.
NCAA hockey tournament bracket 2026
The 2026 NCAA men's hockey bracket has been revealed. The four national seeds — Michigan, North Dakota, Michigan State and Western Michigan — will each lead a four-team regional. See the full game schedule below.
NCAA hockey tournament games will air on a variety of ESPN platforms, and every game can be streamed live with the ESPN app. All games airing on ESPN broadcast networks can be streamed via Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the new ESPN app.
With a barn-burner of a motorcycle behind Aprilia, Ducati's MotoGP manager said they can't "always rely" on superstar Marc Marquez to make up for the team's apparent shortcomings.
Aprilia's MotoGP entrant this season is, well, a rocketship. With Marco Bezzecchi behind the bars, you might as well be trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. It's just not doable. That is, unless you're the wunderkind that is Ducati's Marc Marquez, who, despite being on a worse motorcycle, is still at the front of the pack.
That sorta happens when you're a 9-time world champion. Even when you're presented with something trash, you still make it onto the podium.
But Ducati is getting real about its apparent deficit this season, and saying things likely other teams wouldn't say about their own machines. Chief among them, it's not as good as they wanted it to be, and more importantly, they can't only rely on Marc Marquez being Marc Marquez, i.e., a superhuman speed machine. And that's honestly refreshing.
"Right now, we also have Marc, who isn’t 100% physically, though that’s no excuse since the other Ducatis are also behind," Davide Tardozzi told our siblings at Motorsport, adding, "We can’t always rely on Marc’s talent to make up for our shortcomings. Marc isn't at 100%, but like all great champions, he doesn't dwell on it and just works hard to try to bring home the best possible results."
And Marquez has done that, putting the Ducati routinely in the points and currently sitting fifth in the championship points just behind Pedro Acosta and Fabio Di Giannantonio. The leaders, however, are those of the Aprilias of Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin.
We've already covered the wild aerodynamic development that Aprilia came up with for the 2026 season, in that it resembles an old Formula 1 design. But I don't think anyone would've put the team as the frontrunners going into the season given Ducati's dominance in recent years. The team has been nigh unstoppable, and everyone pegged Marquez as being the favorite to take another championship ahead of the rules change next year, and beating Valentino Rossi's record once and for all.
That hasn't occurred, and Ducati seems to point the blame not at its riders, which is usually the case, but at itself. As for a fix, Tardozzi relayed, "We know the problem and are looking for a way to solve it."
How that will be solved is anyone's guess, as it's no easy feat to replicate Aprilia's trick aerodynamics. Luckily, it won't fall onto Marquez's shoulders this time.
Influence in Major League Baseball has never been confined to the batter’s box or the pitcher’s mound. In today’s game, it is a layered ecosystem—where transcendent talent, executive authority, labor leadership, and market visibility all converge to shape the sport’s trajectory. The individuals on this list represent that full spectrum. Some, like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, redefine excellence on the field while simultaneously serving as global ambassadors for the game. Others, such as Rob Manfred and Bruce Meyer, operate behind the scenes, shaping the rules, economics, and labor structures that govern the sport’s future.
What makes this particular moment compelling is how interconnected these influences have become. A generational star like Juan Soto doesn’t just impact wins and losses—he affects franchise valuations, media narratives, and free agency strategy. Meanwhile, emerging figures like Paul Skenes signal where the game is headed, not just in performance, but in development pipelines and scouting priorities. Even established leaders such as Bryce Harper and Francisco Lindor continue to shape clubhouse culture and fan engagement in ways that extend far beyond traditional metrics.
This list ultimately reflects a league in transition—balancing tradition with innovation, individual brilliance with institutional control. These ten figures are not merely participants in MLB’s present; they are architects of its near future, each exerting influence in distinct but deeply consequential ways.
1. Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) on the mound during in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Shohei Ohtani continues to redefine what is possible in modern baseball, operating as both an elite hitter and pitcher in a way not seen since the early 20th century. His global appeal has expanded MLB’s reach, particularly across Asia, while his on-field dominance reshapes roster construction philosophies. Beyond statistics, Ohtani represents a commercial and cultural force, influencing how teams evaluate two-way talent. His presence alone alters competitive balance and viewership dynamics league-wide.
2. Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers)
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) looks on from the dugout during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Tarik Skubal has emerged as a prototype for the modern ace—efficient, analytically refined, and overpowering. As Detroit builds around young pitching, Skubal symbolizes the resurgence of a franchise and the importance of homegrown arms. His development underscores the league-wide emphasis on pitch design and biomechanics. In many ways, he represents the future of pitching evolution in MLB.
3. Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) smiles during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Aaron Judge is more than just the face of the Yankees—he is one of the defining figures of the sport itself. His combination of historic power, leadership, and marketability anchors MLB’s most recognizable franchise. Judge’s performances in marquee moments help sustain baseball’s relevance in major media markets. His influence extends into how superstar branding is cultivated in the modern era.
New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) looks on from inside the dugout against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Juan Soto represents a generational shift in how hitters approach the game, blending elite plate discipline with power and charisma. His high-profile move to the Mets reflects the growing importance of superstar transactions in shaping competitive landscapes. Soto’s presence in New York amplifies media attention and intensifies divisional rivalries. He is both a statistical outlier and a marketing cornerstone.
5. Francisco Lindor (New York Mets)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) poses for a photo during media day at Clover Park. Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Francisco Lindor’s impact lies in his dual role as a premier shortstop and a clubhouse leader. His defensive excellence and consistency at a premium position highlight the enduring value of all-around players. Lindor also serves as a cultural ambassador for the game, particularly among Latin American audiences. His influence is as much about presence and leadership as it is about production.
6. Rob Manfred (MLB Commissioner)
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks with the media during the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings at Signia by Hilton Hotel. Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Rob Manfred holds perhaps the most structural influence over the sport, shaping its rules, economics, and long-term direction. From pace-of-play initiatives to labor negotiations, his decisions directly affect how the game is played and consumed. Under his leadership, MLB has pursued modernization efforts aimed at attracting younger audiences. His influence is systemic, extending far beyond the field.
Bruce Meyer operates at the intersection of labor power and player advocacy, representing the interests of MLB athletes. His role is critical in collective bargaining negotiations, where the balance between ownership and players is constantly recalibrated. Meyer’s influence shapes salary structures, free agency dynamics, and working conditions across the league. In many respects, he is a counterweight to ownership authority.
8. Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) throws a pitch in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at CoolToday Park. Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Paul Skenes embodies the next wave of elite pitching talent, arriving with unprecedented hype and expectation. His combination of velocity, command, and physical profile has already made him a focal point for player development discussions. Skenes also highlights the increasing importance of collegiate pipelines in producing MLB-ready stars. His trajectory could influence how teams scout and fast-track pitching prospects.
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) looks on during the third inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Bryce Harper remains one of baseball’s most visible and polarizing figures, blending elite performance with unmistakable personality. His postseason heroics and leadership have elevated the Phillies into perennial contenders. Harper’s long-term contract and public persona exemplify the modern superstar model—both on and off the field. He continues to shape how players engage with fans and media.
10. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) smiles against the Philadelphia Phillies at TD Ballpark. Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. represents both lineage and evolution, carrying a legendary name while forging his own identity as a premier hitter. His offensive upside and consistency make him central to Toronto’s competitive ambitions. Guerrero’s appeal spans generations, connecting longtime fans with newer audiences. He is a cornerstone figure in MLB’s effort to market young, dynamic talent.
Conclusion
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Taken together, these ten individuals illustrate how influence in MLB now operates across multiple dimensions—performance, leadership, economics, and global reach. Their decisions and achievements will not only shape the 2026 season but also leave lasting imprints on how the game evolves. In a sport defined by history, they are the ones actively writing its next chapter.
The Girona B faces a new opportunity this Sunday to almost definitively secure their survival. The red-and-white team will host SD Ibiza at 12:00 PM in Vidreres with the aim of taking a step forward after the setback in the last matchday.
The Girona team comes into the match after a 0-1 loss against Alcoyano in a game marked by balance and a lack of precision in the final third. Despite the defeat, the team has shown a competitive edge in recent weeks, which has allowed them to stay out of the most precarious positions in the standings.
However, the margin is not yet definitive. A victory against SD Ibiza would practically seal their survival and allow Girona's reserve team to approach the final stretch of the season with much more peace of mind and the possibility of aiming for Playoff positions. The team is aware that keeping Vidreres as their stronghold is key, especially in these types of direct matches.
They will face an SD Ibiza side in a similar situation to Girona's reserve team, which will demand the best version of Quique Álvarez's squad. The Balearic team stands out for their solidity and ability to compete in any scenario, which will require the locals to maintain a high level of intensity and focus.In the pre-match comments, Oriol Comas stated: "Our goal is to earn three points this weekend because it would practically seal our survival, but if we don't, we’ll have to look down. That's why Sunday's match is practically a final for us."
With the support of the fans and the goal within reach, Girona B knows that this Sunday could be a turning point. Three points that mean much more than just a victory: they could practically ensure their survival.
Report – Just Two Inter Milan Stars Deemed ‘Non-Transferable’ Ahead Of Summer Transfer Window
Inter Milan have identified just two untouchable players ahead of the summer, with Lautaro Martínez and Francesco Pio Esposito considered non-transferable.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInter1908, the Nerazzurri have deemed all other first-team stars dispensable.
Cristian Chivu is preparing for a transitional summer, with numerous veteran stars expected to leave San Siro.
Indeed, Matteo Darmian, Stefan de Vrij, Francesco Acerbi, and Yann Sommer will all be out of contract in June.
Although the same applies to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the Armenian midfielder could still secure a short-term extension soon.
However, the Serie A leaders could make several high-profile sales.
Inter Milan View Lautaro Martinez & Pio Esposito as Non-Transferable
Marcus Thuram’s long-term future at San Siro is in jeopardy after a disappointing season.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are vying for Alessandro Bastoni, who may end his nine-year association with the club.
Furthermore, Hakan Calhanoglu and Davide Frattesi are also facing uncertain futures.
However, the San Siro giants will not entertain offers for Francesco Pio Esposito.
Indeed, the Italian starlet has positioned himself as a cornerstone of Inter’s project for the future.
Needless to say, Lautaro is central to Chivu’s plan to rebuild the squad. Therefore, Inter will not negotiate the Argentine striker’s sale.
Full Germany squad in training ahead of Switzerland match
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann should have 25 players available for Friday’s friendly against Switzerland in Basel.
All players in the 25-man squad participated in Thursday’s final training session, including Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown, who trained with some limitations after recent calf issues.
However, Nagelsmann will be without Bayern’s Aleksandar Pavlovic, Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha and Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling, who all had to withdraw from the initial squad.
To provide cover, Stuttgart duo Angelo Stiller and Chris Führich have been called up.
The German squad will travel to Basel on Thursday afternoon ahead of Friday’s match.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Islam Makhachev of Russia enters the Octagon in the UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 322 event at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Islam Makhachev won’t be fighting over International Fight Week, according to UFC CEO Dana White.
Makhachev’s manager was on TMZ Sports yesterday discussing the No. 1 pound for pound fighter and welterweight champion’s next move. He implied a July fight was ‘a done deal,’ but that’s apparently not the case. White came out on social media to correct the record.
“Not true,” White wrote in an Instagram comment. “It’s August.”
We shouldn’t feel too surprised by this in retrospect because July’s UFC 327 looks like it will be headlined by the return of Conor McGregor, so the UFC doesn’t need to deploy Islam Makhachev at the same time. Pushing him back to headline an August card makes a lot of business sense, even if that marks nine long months since the top ranked fighter has competed.
🚨| Dana White confirms reports suggesting Islam Makhachev will return in July are false, and says he will be fighting again in August. 👀👑 pic.twitter.com/kb6PkbY71X
There’s been no official word on who Makhachev might fight but reports coming out of Las Vegas have Ian Machado Garry as the frontrunner to fight Islam. The rankings back it up: Garry is No. 2 ranked at welterweight with the only fighter above him being Jack Della Maddalena, whom Makhachev trounced to take the title.
Is Garry the man to stay upright and give some trouble to Makhachev, who seemed perfectly content to take Della Maddalena down and grind him into dust over 25 minutes? We wouldn’t bet on it, but then again we didn’t expect Garry to hold his own against Shavkat Rakhmonov and he did better than anyone expected there.
Don’t expect an official announcement from the UFC any time soon on Makhachev’s return. The UFC still has to announce their big International Fight Week card for July before any thought towards making their August event official will happen. But we’ll keep you dialed into the backroom chatter as this story develops.
This Thursday, PSG and RC Lens were awaiting the LFP’s decision regarding the postponement of the title-race clash between the two teams.
The verdict has come down: according to information from L'Équipe and RMC Sport, the League’s board of directors decided to approve the postponement of the match originally scheduled for April 11, despite fierce opposition from RC Lens.
This decision was made to allow PSG to prepare as best as possible for their Champions League quarter-finals against Liverpool.
However, this choice by the League is likely to cause quite a stir, as RC Lens and various voices in the media had expressed their disagreement over the postponement of this match.
It is worth noting that Strasbourg also obtained the postponement of its league match against Brest to prepare for its Conference League quarter-finals.
What do you think of this decision? Tell us everything in the comments.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 25: The Detroit Lions are on the clock during Day 1 of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2024 at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI. (Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
If you’ve been following our weekly Detroit Lions mock draft roundups, you know that pairing the team with an offensive tackle in the first round has been the most common selection for well over a month.
It makes sense, obviously. Detroit parted ways with left tackle Taylor Decker after the veteran offensive lineman requested his release. And while the Lions have signed Larry Borom, who comes to Detroit with 38 starts, including 11 last year for the Dolphins, he has been mostly a swing tackle for his entire five-year career. The Lions’ only options beyond Borom are Giovanni Manu and Devin Cochran.
Beyond just need, it also seems to match up nicely with what players may be available for the Lions’ 17th pick. There could be up to seven offensive tackles taken in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and players like Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, Georgia’s Monroe Freeling, and Clemson’s Blake Miller all project to go off the board right around Detroit’s pick.
So today’s Question of the Day is:
Do the Lions need to take a tackle in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
My answer: Need is a strong word, but at this point, I would be highly disappointed if they didn’t.
I know Lions general manager Brad Holmes doesn’t like to chase needs in the draft, but his offseason moves have put him in a tough spot. This offseason, the team talked about how important it is to maintain and upgrade the offensive line. While you could certainly argue they’ve gotten better at center with the addition of Cade Mays, and they’ve added some interior offensive line competition, they’ve inarguably gotten worse at tackle. Decker to Borom is a clear downgrade, and beyond that, there simply aren’t any clear long-term options at tackle. If this team was serious about upgrading the offensive line room this offseason, it requires an early investment at tackle in the draft.
Detroit could theoretically wait until the second round, but the hit rate at tackle beyond Day 1 is not historically very good, and if there is an early run on tackle—as many are projecting—the Lions would be sacrificing a couple tiers of talent if they wait until Pick 50.
So while I wouldn’t quite say the Lions need to draft an offensive tackle with their first-round pick, I don’t think they will have succeeded at upgrading the offensive line this offseason if they don’t.
What do you think about the Lions’ need at tackle? Is it less pressing than I believe, or are you in agreement? Scroll down to the comment section and let us know!
Former England captain Wayne Rooney believes Thomas Tuchel’s established reputation as a "winner" could prove pivotal for England at the World Cup, after Gareth Southgate’s tenure of near-misses.
England reached the final of the last two European Championships and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, consistently falling just short, highlighting Southgate’s reign as a case of being so close yet so far.
Tuchel will take charge of England for this summer’s World Cup after succeeding Southgate. The decision to appoint the German initially surprised Rooney, who had favoured a homegrown coach.
However, Rooney now acknowledges Tuchel’s impressive CV, which includes a Champions League triumph with Chelsea and a domestic treble at Paris St Germain, could be invaluable in the tournament’s latter stages.
"Over the last few years they’ve done really well in the competitions and just fell short," Rooney told the Press Association. "Thomas Tuchel’s come in and looks like he’s doing a really good job.
Tuchel has an impressive CV that includes winning the Champions League with Chelsea (PA Wire)
"I’ve worked with Gareth briefly with England, I’ve never worked with Tuchel. But I think the difference is Tuchel is a winner, he’s won big trophies before.
"Sometimes when you get to a certain stage of competitions, that experience really does help. Hopefully he can take us to that next level.
"I hope England get to the last four. If they get to the last four then anything can happen. With the experience of Thomas Tuchel and some of the players in the squad who have been there before, it will hopefully help us get over the line."
Rooney also expressed admiration for Tuchel’s approach to player selection, prioritising current form over established names, exemplified by Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers being preferred to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
"He’s done what was expected in terms of getting England to the World Cup," Rooney said. "There’s been good signs.
"You look at Morgan Rogers, for instance, coming into the squad then you’ve got the likes of Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer all fighting to try to be in the team and at the minute, you’d probably say that’s Morgan Rogers’ spot with the way he’s been playing.
"It’s quite refreshing to see that he’s playing people on their form and how they perform for him."
Rooney has praised Tuchel for picking in-form players, including Morgan Rogers (PA Wire)
Rooney, who will once again don the England whites for Soccer Aid, an annual charity match that raises money for UNICEF, on May 31, also issued a caution to Tuchel’s squad regarding their upcoming trip to North America.
England are scheduled to play all three group stage matches in the United States, a country where Rooney, the former Manchester United and England captain, concluded his decorated professional career with DC United.
"It will be difficult with the heat and humidity – I’ve experienced that first-hand, playing over in the States," Rooney said.
"The big thing I found playing over there was where your body normally recovers in a couple of days, sometimes it can take three or four days for your body to recover and then that’s leading into your preparation for your next game.
"I know they’ll be preparing for that and hopefully they’ll get their preparations right."
Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on May 31 at the London Stadium. Adult tickets start from £20 and juniors from £10. See socceraid.org.uk
Report: Mohamed Salah could return to former side after Liverpool exit
Mohamed Salah Exit Sparks Roma Dream as Liverpool Era Nears Emotional End
There is something fittingly cinematic about the way Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool story appears to be closing. After nine seasons of relentless output, silverware, and records, the Egyptian forward has confirmed he will leave at the end of the campaign—drawing a definitive line under one of the Premier League’s most productive attacking eras.
At 33, Salah departs not as a fading force but as a player still capable of decisive contributions. Even in a season where his numbers have dipped slightly by his own elite standards, his influence remains unmistakable. Three PFA Player of the Year awards and four Premier League Golden Boots underline his legacy, but the real imprint lies in how he reshaped Liverpool’s attacking identity.
According to SportsBoom, Salah’s decision has triggered a scramble among potential suitors, with uncertainty surrounding his next destination. His agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, has made it clear that no final decision has been taken, stating that the player himself “doesn’t know where he will be playing his football next season.” That ambiguity has only intensified speculation across Europe and beyond.
Liverpool, England, 18th March 2026. Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring to make it 4-0
Roma reunion offers emotional pull
Among the various possibilities, a return to Roma carries a narrative weight few alternatives can match. Before his ascent at Liverpool, Salah flourished in Serie A, helping Roma to a second-place finish and establishing himself as one of Europe’s most devastating wide forwards.
Now, with Roma searching for a statement signing to reignite their ambitions, the idea of bringing Salah back feels both romantic and strategic. It is 25 years since they last lifted the league title, and while their 2022 Europa Conference League triumph offered some respite, the club’s hierarchy is eager for a more sustained return to prominence.
SportsBoom reports that Roma view Salah as exactly that kind of transformative figure—a player whose presence alone signals intent. For Salah, the move would offer familiarity, tactical suitability, and perhaps a final European chapter before considering more lucrative options later in his career.
Saudi and MLS options remain in play
Of course, Roma are not alone in their interest. Salah has long been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al Ittihad previously positioned as frontrunners. However, geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East has reportedly cooled that trajectory, at least in the short term.
Meanwhile, Major League Soccer has emerged as another viable landing spot. San Diego FC are said to be leading the chase in the United States, offering a different kind of appeal—lifestyle, marketability, and the chance to grow the game in a developing football landscape.
Yet, there is a sense that Salah may not be ready to step away from elite European competition just yet. Even as a free agent, he remains a player capable of influencing title races and European campaigns. That reality strengthens Roma’s hand, particularly if they can present a compelling sporting project.
Legacy at Liverpool shapes next move
Any discussion about Salah’s future inevitably circles back to what he leaves behind at Liverpool. Signed from Roma in 2017 for £34 million, he evolved from a promising winger into a global icon. His goals powered Liverpool to Premier League and Champions League glory, while his consistency set new benchmarks for attacking players in England.
This is not merely a transfer story—it is the closing act of a defining football journey. Salah’s next move will be shaped as much by legacy as by opportunity. Whether he chooses the familiarity of Roma, the financial allure of Saudi Arabia, or the fresh challenge of MLS, the decision will carry symbolic weight.
As SportsBoom highlights, “Salah could still make vital contributions to a top club,” a reminder that despite his age, his competitive edge remains intact. The coming months will determine whether that edge is sharpened once more in Serie A or redirected elsewhere.
For now, the focus remains on a farewell season at Liverpool—one last run, one last chance to add to a glittering career before the next chapter begins.
Hamburg’s Luka Vuskovic (19) attracting interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea
Bildreports that Hamburg defender Luka Vuskovic is attracting interest from other Premier League clubs.
The 19-year-old has been HSV’s best player this season as they look to retain their Bundesliga status, and despite saying he would like to play with his brother Mario, who will re-join Hamburg when his doping ban ends, it is looking unlikely that they will be able to keep him.
Hamburg’s chances of keeping Vuskovic are reducing:
First, it is up to his parent club, Tottenham, to decide if they want to give Vuskovic a chance in the first team next season. However, the defender is unhappy with the lack of trust the North London side put into him in the summer, and instead of giving him a chance then, they sent him out on loan.
Then, there is also interest from some of the biggest clubs on the continent. Barcelona’s interest in Vuskovic has been known before. Now, Liverpool could consider the Croatian an option if Ibrahima Konate decides to leave the club upon the expiry of his contract, while Chelsea are also interested.
Real Madrid under fire for management of Kylian Mbappé and Eduardo Camavinga injuries
All eyes are currently on Real Madrid’s medical department. The management of Kylian Mbappé’s knee injury has been the subject of scrutiny after RMC Sport reported that the La Liga giants did tests on the wrong knee.
Mbappé began having issues back in December and it is only now in March, months later and following treatment in Paris earlier this month, that the issue has been resolved. Mbappé has denied that Real Madrid did tests on the wrong leg, although he has confirmed that he felt “frustration, anger, and worry” regarding the issue.
L’Équipe report that, following treatment in Paris, Mbappé called Florention Perez to inform him that he would no longer be treated by Real Madrid’s medical staff, but instead by Christophe Baudot, who treated him in Paris, and whom he knows from his time at PSG. The publication also reports an underlying lack of trust on behalf of the Real Madrid players towards Real Madrid’s medical department. This has been the case for several years.
In addition, L’Équipe understands that a similar mistake was made with Eduardo Camavinga. The Frenchman suffered an ankle injury at the start of December. The MRI was done on the wrong leg. As a result, he was back on the bench just days later, before then being ruled out for a further two weeks.
The Swede has claimed he deserves to play more at Barça and that he is not 100% happy at the club, amid a lack of game time.
Since joining from FC Copenhagen last summer, Bardghji has featured in just over 600 minutes of competitive action. His role in the team has dissipated as the season progressed.
Barcelona not happy with Bardghji’s comments
According to SPORT, Bardghji’s recent comments about his game time have not gone down well at Barcelona.
The Catalans do not understand why the young attacker is complaining about his game time, despite knowing that the competition is immense.
Barcelona maintain that it was communicated to Bardghij last summer that earning game time will be tough, as he will be directly competing with the likes of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
Bardghji has fallen out of favour at Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The Catalans have tried their best to offer Bardghji as much game time as possible. But as we approach the final phase of the season, coach Hansi Flick has largely relied on his trusted stars, and for good reason.
Summer exit ruled out
The report adds that despite Bardghji’s recent comments, they are not considering selling him or even loaning him in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The club believe the Swede is an investment for the future and will try to hand him as much game time as possible.
If Bardghji wants to leave, however, he will have to inform the club or publicly make his intent known.
Man City star Rodri opens up on his future at the club
Manchester City midfielder Rodri admits he would like to return to Spain before he retires.
The Spaniard’s contract at City runs until the end of next season, and discussing his future in an interview with radio station Onda Cero, he says a return to Spain is something he would like.
“I’d like to return (to Spain), obviously,” he said. “For me, La Liga is where I started. I still follow it, it’s true not as much as before, but I still follow it.
“And I have to admit that the Premier League is my weakness. I think it’s a thrilling league but at the same time very demanding, meaning it pushes you to the limit. I’ve been there for seven years now, and I’m noticing the passage of time, but for the moment I’m very happy there.”
Asked about the possibility of joining Real Madrid, Rodri says his former spell at rivals Atletico Madrid does not mean he would not move to Real.
“No, I mean, there have been many players who have gone down that path, right? And especially not directly, but over time,” he said.
“For me, you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world,” he said. “They have a fanbase that really goes all out for them, and for me, the Bernabeu is always incredible, a stadium that’s very imposing.
“I have one year left on my contract, there will come a point when we’ll have to sit down and talk.
“I’m currently recovering from an injury, and what worries me right now is my feeling, my level, how to get back to my previous level. Not the contract issue, that will come, especially with a World Cup coming up, which is crucial for reaching my level.”
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‘Looks so short of confidence’ – Liverpool regular accused of ‘complacency’ amid tough season
One regular starter for Liverpool has been accused of ‘complacency’ amid a ‘desperately poor’ season for him and the team as a whole.
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Competiton for places on the left-hand side of attack was lessened by the sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich last summer, with Cody Gakpo duly becoming a near-constant presence in the Reds’ starting XI.
In a Q&A for the Liverpool Echo, Paul Gorst was asked why the 26-year-old continues to be selected despite his mediocre form this season.
The journalist replied: ‘Cody Gakpo has had a desperately poor season and looks so short of confidence and belief, but you also have to question if the Netherlands winger became complacent due to the lack of competition for a spot on that left side of the attack?
‘Only Rio Ngumoha is a serious option for that position and having a relatively untried 17-year-old as your main deputy might naturally lead to that sort of complacency setting in.’
Gorst has also cautiously made the case for Ngumoha to see more game-time in the final few weeks of the season, saying: ‘As the campaign has wore on, it’s become clear that Ngumoha would provide an extra injection of speed and trickery that Gakpo simply hasn’t been able to this season.
‘I’d expect a few more outings for Ngumoha between now and the end of the season but Liverpool need to be careful not to overburden someone who doesn’t turn 18 until the end of August.’
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Gakpo can’t feel guaranted of a starting berth at Liverpool
Gakpo might’ve begun the campaign as the Reds’ obvious first-choice on the left flank, but his poor scoring return – allied with the eye-catching effervesence of Ngumoha – means that he should no longer feel guaranteed of his place in the starting XI.
Accusing a footballer of not giving 100% ought not to be done lightly, and we don’t believe for a second that the Dutchman isn’t trying on the pitch or that his heart isn’t it. Rather, he looks bereft of confidence and is too predictable in his play, being all too easily snuffed out by opposition defenders.
The 26-year-old has started every Premier League match since the 2-2 draw at Fulham in early January, but after scoring what had looked like a stoppage-time winner that day until Harrison Reed’s last-gasp leveller, he’s netted just once more in the top flight (against West Ham last month).
Had Diaz still been at Liverpool, it seems almost certain that Gakpo wouldn’t have enjoyed such a prolonged run of starts with such a meagre goal return, but Ngumoha’s excellent displays have intensified the competition for places once again.
The Netherlands international really needs a strong finish to the season to fend off some of the criticism which has been levelled at him, but he’s shown in the past that he’s capable of enjoying hot scoring streaks. Another one after Easter would be most welcome.
Iowa basketball is searching for its first Elite Eight appearance since 1987. To get there, the Hawkeyes will need to take down Nebraska on Thursday night in the Sweet 16 of March Madness.
Ben McCollum's team has surpassed expectations, busting brackets everywhere with its last-second victory over top-seed Florida in the Round of 32. But can they keep that momentum rolling on Thursday night?
Here are three reasons why Iowa will beat the Cornhuskers.
The first-year Iowa head coach may be a new name for casual basketball fans, but die-hards around the nation know his resume well. During his 15-season tenure at Division II Northwest Missouri State, he led the program to 12 NCAA Tournaments and four national titles.
In his lone season at Drake, he guided the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament and pulled off an upset of 6-seed Missouri in the opening round before exiting the tournament with a loss to Texas Tech in the Round of 32.
This is the biggest stage McCollum has ever coached on, with a chance to take Iowa to the Elite Eight, but throughout his career he has shown time and again that regardless of the stakes, he keeps his cool and leads his team to victories. That is no better summed up than the Hawkeyes' monumental upset of the Gators in the Round of 32 last weekend.
For the majority of the season, it has been the Bennett Stirtz show in big moments for Iowa. There's a good reason for that, as Stirtz, who started his career with McCollum at NW Missouri State, has been phenomenal. But in the rare off night for Stritz, it was tough for Iowa to get consistent production from its other players throughout the roster. That seems to be changing now.
In the second round win over Florida, Stirtz played far from his best game. He posted just 13 points in 40 minutes of play while shooting 5-for-16 from the field and 0-for-9 from deep. Stritz didn't lead Iowa in any statistical category other than minutes played in the win.
Meanwhile, Tavion Banks led the way with 20 points, Alvaro Folgueiras (14 points) came clutch by getting Florida into foul trouble and, of course, drilling the game-winning 3-pointer with under five seconds remaining. Cooper Koch hit some momentum-swinging 3-pointers and tallied 12 points and three boards.
The biggest reason why Iowa can take down Nebraska is that, well, it's already done it once this season. The Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers have played twice so far this season, with each team claiming a victory on its own home floor.
On Feb. 17 in Iowa City, McCollum's crew took down Nebraska, 57-52, thanks to a big night from Stirtz (25 points). With the supporting cast rolling along now, that should give the Hawkeyes confidence that they can take down their Big Ten foe for a second time.
In the loss Iowa suffered to Nebraska, it's not like it was a demoralizing blowout, either. The Cornhuskers won, 84-75, in an overtime thriller. The Hawkeyes came back from an 11-point deficit to force overtime and, for large chunks of the game, outplayed the Huskers.
Iowa vs Nebraska prediction: March Madness Sweet 16
The Huskers and Hawkeyes split the season series, with each of them winning on thier home floors. This game, though, clearly has a lot more at stake than just a regular season Big Ten victory. Both games were very tight, with Nebraska's win earlier this month in Lincoln going to overtime with a big Iowa comeback.
This game could really go either way, and regardless of the result, it would be historic. A win would earn Iowa its first trip to the Elite Eight since 1987. A victory for Nebraska would keep this historic March Madness run alive. Either way, the winner of this one will be just three wins away from a national title.
Artificial intelligence has come a long way in the last few years. But the "intelligence" in question can occasionally have its limits.
USA TODAY Sports put Alphabet Inc.'s AI product – Google Gemini – to the test by having the language-learning model put together its own mock draft.
In its mock, Google Gemini made some no-brainer moves near the top of the board. Near the bottom, the LLM went for a couple of reaches on lower-rated prospects.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, as almost every expert predicts, went to the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick. Ohio State LB/edge rusher Arvell Reese went to the New York Jets with the No. 2 overall pick, once again in line with most expert predictions.
Further down in the draft order, Google's LLM continued to make rational draft picks that aligned with teams' needs.
Outside of needing a slight course correction – Gemini at first did not account for the Rams' and Broncos' trades of first-round picks for Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Waddle, respectively – the biggest shocks were the aforementioned reaches for prospects. A few players outside of the top 32 players on USA TODAY Sports' Ayrton Ostly's big board snuck into the back end of the first round in the Google AI mock draft.
Here's a complete look at the AI's picks in a 2026 NFL mock draft, paired with a USA TODAY Sports writer's thoughts on each selection:
An easy, no-brainer pick here from Gemini. Mendoza is widely considered the top quarterback prospect in the 2026 class and a lock for the Raiders at No. 1.
Once again, a non-controversial pick by the Google-sponsored LLM. Reese is the No. 1 player on USA TODAY Sports' 2026 big board, and the Jets could use the help on the edge after trading away Jermaine Johnson II.
The Cardinals are a team in need of help in the trenches on both sides of the ball. As a result, many experts have either gone with the top edge rusher or top offensive tackle available at No. 3 overall in mock drafts. Gemini opted for the top edge rusher left on the board after Reese went to the Jets at No. 2, which is hard to argue with. Bailey had 81 pressures, 15 sacks and 23 quarterback hits in 2025.
Since the NFL combine, Love to the Titans has been a common pairing. The Notre Dame product ran a 4.36-second 40 in Indianapolis with excellent work in field drills to match the strong résumé he put on tape during his collegiate career. USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz deviated slightly in his latest mock draft, having Tennessee opt for the other NFL combine standout in linebacker Sonny Styles (more on him later). Gemini, an artificial intelligence machine that gathers its intelligence from the takes put forth by humans, stuck with the status quo, pairing Love with second-year quarterback Cam Ward in the backfield in Nashville.
Much like Love, Styles rocketed up draft boards after a stellar performance at the combine. His measurements, testing numbers and on-field drill work established that Styles is something of a freak athlete. It firmly placed him in the top-five conversation in the 2026 draft class despite playing a position not considered to be "premium" in the modern NFL. Gemini once again went with the status quo, following dozens of mock drafts since the combine that have sent Styles to New York at No. 5.
The Browns need help on the offensive line. Cleveland has emerged as a popular landing spot for OT1 – whoever draft experts feel that is – in mock drafts, presuming Arizona goes Bailey/best edge rusher available at No. 3. Google's LLM sent Miami's right tackle to Cleveland. Perhaps that was in order to give second-year lefty quarterback Dillon Gabriel a blind-side blocker or perhaps because the Browns need all the help they can get, wherever they can get it on the O-line.
Gemini has WR1 come off the board at No. 7. The Commanders have been a popular landing spot for the draft's top wide receiver for many draft experts, as well as for Tate's teammate, safety Caleb Downs. According to Google's artificial intelligence, Washington should opt to enhance its receiving corps with Deebo Samuel hitting free agency and Terry McLaurin hampered by injuries last year.
And now CB1 is off the board. Delane is the top-rated cornerback on Ostly's big board for his excellent play in pass coverage during his collegiate career. After Kool-Aid McKinstry's 2025 breakout, the Saints let Alontae Taylor walk in free agency this offseason. Gemini strayed from the more common choice for New Orleans to draft a wide receiver at No. 9 to replace Taylor with another starting cornerback.
With the No. 9 overall pick, Google Gemini had the Chiefs select one of the best athletes in the class. Downs is not expected to be a top-five pick because of the position he plays, but the No. 7-10 range has been a common landing spot. With Downs, the Chiefs would get their replacement for Bryan Cook and bolster a secondary that also lost cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
Arm length be damned. Despite the concerns about how Bain's shorter-than-average arms could influence his play at the pro level, the physicality and power he brings to his position have kept him in the top-10 range of most mock drafts. Here, Gemini gets the Bengals their replacement for edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who left for the Ravens on a multi-year deal in free agency.
Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has stripped down the entire roster, including cutting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, before trading away wideout Jaylen Waddle. Now, Sullivan has to rebuild the roster. The AI's first step in simulating that rebuild is drafting a consistent wide receiver that new quarterback Malik Willis should be able to trust – Lemon had just two drops on 108 targets in 2025.
Dallas' defense was clearly the weak link in 2025. While the Cowboys have already signed Cobie Durant and Corey Ballentine in free agency, cornerback remains a position of need. Gemini agreed with that sentiment in its mock draft selection, sending a tremendous athlete to Dallas at No. 12. Did Google's AI consider the injury concerns with McCoy, who did not play in 2025 with an ACL tear? Unlikely, given its propensity for copying the work of other draft experts as an LLM, but it's still something worth noting.
Los Angeles proved how close it is to Super Bowl contention with its playoff run to the NFC championship game last year. As a result – and after filling their biggest need by trading for cornerback Trent McDuffie – the Rams can focus on filling in depth at key positions to plan for the future. In this case, Gemini's Tyson selection gives the NFC runners-up an excellent third wide receiver that can eventually replace veteran Davante Adams – and more immediately give the Rams the league's best one-two-three punch at wideout.
No more Tyler Linderbaum in the interior of the Ravens' offensive line. He signed with the Raiders in free agency. Google Gemini gave Baltimore a reinforcement in Linderbaum's absence with the top guard in the draft class.
Tampa Bay ranked 11th in pass-rush win rate, per ESPN, but its defense finished in the bottom half of the league in sacks. Gemini's pick of Faulk at No. 15 is higher than the consensus of other mock draft experts, but it does fill a position of need for the Buccaneers and gives them more size in the defensive front seven.
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis): QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Draft experts have started to say that there is more of an indication that Simpson could hear his name called on Day 1 of the draft. Gemini had the Jets improve their defense at a premium position with the No. 2 overall pick, and now the AI has Gang Green fill its most important offensive position with the Alabama quarterback. It's unclear what the AI tool's plans are for Simpson – whether he'll start immediately or take over from veteran Geno Smith, whom the Jets just re-acquired in a trade.
As the first round reaches its second half, Gemini continues to hit on picks that fill positions of need. The Lions need major help on the O-line with Taylor Decker's release, and Proctor can fill in immediately as a big-bodied lineman whom Detroit could choose to slide into a guard spot as well.
No risks for Google Gemini at pick No. 18. Minnesota has been a very popular landing spot for Thieneman after the Vikings let veteran safety Harrison Smith hit free agency at age 37.
The Panthers filled several positions of need with excellent players in free agency: offensive tackle Rasheed Walker, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. So Google Gemini must have figured, "Let's get quarterback Bryce Young another excellent pass-catcher, one who can also be a willing blocker in the run game and easily the top tight end in the class." Hard to argue with that logic.
Dallas drafts to double down on defense. Besides being a tongue twister, it's a sound strategy for Gemini to follow for the Cowboys. Like McCoy, Gemini's earlier pick for the Cowboys, there are concerns with Mesidor. Namely, his age – he'll be a 25-year-old rookie – and history of foot injuries. Looking past that, Dallas could benefit from adding a productive pass-rusher in the wake of last year's Micah Parsons trade.
A bit of a head-scratcher here from Gemini, but still a pick that could have sound logic. Offensive line feels like it should be a bigger priority for the Steelers in this draft. Keeping whoever starts at quarterback (Aaron Rodgers?) upright is key, and Pittsburgh could use a replacement for Pro Bowl guard Isaac Seumalo, who departed in free agency. The Steelers addressed their wide receiver need by trading for and extending Michael Pittman Jr., but Boston brings some younger depth to the Steelers' receiving room.
This is not the best pick for the Chargers. Starting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater will be back from their injuries in 2026, and Los Angeles has some pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball, namely at edge rusher. But Fano gives the Bolts valuable depth as a potential swing tackle, or maybe Gemini envisioned Fano starting on the interior. We concede it makes sense for the Chargers to add offensive line help after last year's disaster. If Fano falls this far, Los Angeles should probably pounce after so many edge rushers came off the board early in this mock.
Would have thought edge rusher would be a higher priority for the Eagles after their shortcomings rushing the passer in 2025. But like the Chargers before them, perhaps Gemini sees Philadelphia as pressured into seeking help elsewhere on the roster after several top edge rushers came off the board early. McNeil-Warren gives the Eagles a secondary defender to replace Reed Blankenship after his free agency departure.
This is arguably the most shocking pick by Gemini in its mock draft. Brazzell ranks 49th on Ayrton Ostly's 2026 big board and sits behind three other wide receiver prospects still on the board at this point in the mock draft. Even after his 4.37-second 40 at the NFL combine, Brazzell has largely been left out of other experts' first-round mock drafts. While Cleveland does need help at wide receiver, it's unclear why Gemini pulled up Brazzell into the first round. It's a reach, given that Texas A&M's KC Concepcion and Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr. are still available.
Chicago could really use more help in the secondary – where it let five players walk in free agency – or on the edge after ranking 31st in pass-rush win rate, per ESPN. McDonald could develop more pass-rush skills in the future, but he helps the Bears' need for a run stopper more immediately. With edge rushers T.J. Parker (Clemson) and Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) still available, it would have been nice to see Gemini opt for one of them here instead.
On one hand, it's important the Bills keep reinforcing their pass-rush attack – even after signing Bradley Chubb – after struggling last year. On the other hand, Thomas is still not the best edge rusher available at this point in the draft. His smaller frame might mean he projects better as a rotational, depth piece and pass-rush specialist rather than a bona fide, three-down contributor and first-round pick.
One of the better picks of the back half of this mock draft so far. Lomu is a prospect still in need of further development, which makes him a perfect match for a 49ers team with a talented, aging veteran in Trent Williams that Lomu could learn from and replace one day.
Secondary is the No. 1 area of strength for the Texans, so this pick does not make much sense. Houston strengthened its defensive backs situation already by signing safety Reed Blankenship, and its cornerbacks room is already loaded. Terrell is a very good player, but he does not fit here.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Rams): Edge Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
It would be a bold strategy for the Chiefs to draft a player who is already in the NFL. The Panthers drafted Scourton in the second round last year, so this selection is letting some of the cracks show in the AI's logic.
Not a perfect second selection for the Dolphins, a team that could really use some help on the edge after releasing Bradley Chubb. But even though Miami signed four cornerbacks in free agency, all of them are on one-year deals. Hood would bring a blend of strong pass coverage and willing run tackling to the Dolphins' secondary, elevating the position group as a whole.
Gemini flagged this selection as the steal of the draft if things pan out this way, and it's understandable. Woods ranks as the 17th overall prospect on Ayrton Ostly's big board for his athleticism and abilities as a pass-rusher on the interior. Pairing a player like that with Milton Williams on the Patriots' defensive line would be a scary sight for opposing offensive linemen.
This would have been a good spot for another running back to replace Kenneth Walker in the backfield or a cornerback to replace Riq Woolen in the secondary. Concepcion's abilities as a dynamic receiver and returner would be valuable for a lot of teams, but they seem to clash with Seattle incumbent Rashid Shaheed, whom the Seahawks just re-signed.
“My Bible study today was run toward things that you're worried about or you're concerned about. And I was concerned about pick-and-roll defense today,” Schaefer said. “But I thought we ran to it today.”
Texas crushed Oregon, 100-58. The Longhorns snatched 13 steals and scored 23 points off turnovers. After the Ducks shot 9-of-11 from the field in the first quarter, the Longhorns held them to a combined 12 field goals on 30% shooting over the next three quarters.
The reason Schaefer was so concerned about pick-and-roll defense, he later told USA TODAY, was because of a 2019 game against the Ducks when he was the head coach at Mississippi State.
Schaefer’s Bulldogs were coming off consecutive national runner-up finishes in 2017 and 2018 and seemed primed to return to the championship game in 2019 when they earned a No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament. But Mississippi State lost by four points in an Elite Eight game, played in Portland, to second-seeded Oregon and point guard Sabrina Ionescu.
“That was my best team,” Schaefer said. “That team was better than the two previous teams that played in the national championship game. If we’d have beat them, we’d have won the national championship, no question. But we got unlucky, we got sent to Oregon, we had to play in front of 13,000 Ducks and we got beat 88-84 because we couldn’t guard the pick-and-roll. Ionescu crushed me with pick-and-roll.”
Schaefer chasing elusive national title with fifth Sweet 16 with Longhorns
Schaefer frequently talks about coaching against “ghosts,” referring to hypothetical situations that could incapacitate his teams. But the past is also a stubborn poltergeist with disturbances that can be harder to shake.
In his sixth season at Texas, Schaefer is a semifinalist for Naismith Coach of the Year after he guided the Longhorns to the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship title in their debut season in the conference and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. Texas went to the Final Four in 2025 and on Sunday booked its ticket to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time under Schaefer.
At Texas and Mississippi State, Schaefer has a combined career record of 398-101. He is one of two active coaches to take two different programs to the Final Four, the other being Kim Mulkey (LSU and Baylor).
Through Schaefer’s illustrious 21-season career as a head coach, which also includes seven seasons at Sam Houston State, one accomplishment has eluded him: Winning a national championship.
“You get evaluated more on this time of year as a coach than any other time during the season,” Schaefer said. “You can win the championship, the conference championship, the tournament championship, but this is the time of year when you got to earn your keep. With this team, how special they are, they're good enough. I keep telling 'em, they're good enough.”
Schaefer has the requisite experience to say that. He was an assistant on legendary coach Gary Blair’s Texas A&M staff when the Aggies won the national title in 2011. That’s where Schaefer learned many tricks of the trade that he still employs and are part of what makes him, him.
Consistency, evolution and 'generational talent' spur Texas basketball
Schaefer is a fan of consistency. When he finds something that works, he sticks with it. His teams all deploy the same suffocating style of pressure defense. His season-long practice plans rarely deviate year to year; practices in February 2026 look very similar to practices in February 2025 and February 2024, and so on.
That doesn’t mean it’s all cut-and-paste, said Texas associate head coach Elena Lovato, who spent four seasons on Schaefer’s staff at Mississippi State.
“I think he’s evolved a lot as an offensive coach,” Lovato said. “At Mississippi State, we were primarily dribble drive. We’d have a few sets here and there to get us into some high-low stuff. I think here, we’ve really evolved and grown our playbook. And we have better players, you know, like we have five stars, so we’re utilizing their skill sets and I think (Schaefer) has done a really good job of making it really hard for people to guard us.”
Schaefer is also a fan of backup plans and being overprepared. He’ll install a secondary defense hours before a game, just in case. During games he keeps two play cards in his pocket; the smaller of the two has 50 different plays on it.
Many of the plays are for Texas junior sensation Madison Booker, whom Schaefer called a “generational talent” after she dropped 40 points on Oregon in the Longhorns' second-round victory.
“I think Coach Schaefer has really just pushed me into taking just a bigger role, just being aggressive on the offensive end, finding my shot, hunting my shot,” Booker said after the game. “That's all he says in practice is hunting my shot. I think my coach did a great job just drawing up plays and putting me in the right position just to score the ball easily.”
In her five seasons at Texas, senior point guard Rori Harmon has become increasingly convinced that she and Schaefer are cut from the same cloth. They’re so connected on the court that Lovato calls Harmon “a mini Vic.”
“I think when it comes to the game of basketball, it’s one of those things where you hate losing more than you love winning, and I think that’s what we share a lot,” Harmon said. “A lot of some phrases or words he would say while he recruited me or throughout my whole career here, it matches what I think when it comes to being competitive, being passionate, honoring the game, being disciplined, all that stuff. It truly does match me, and I think that’s why it works so well.”
Not just generational talent: generations of Schaefers fixed on a title
Harmon, Booker and their Longhorns teammates are well-versed in Schaefer’s history. Blair Schaefer, Vic’s daughter and former point guard on his 2014-2018 Mississippi State teams, is now a Texas assistant coach. Another Texas assistant coach, Sydney Carter, was a standout player for Schaefer at Texas A&M.
The Longhorns are used to watching clips of plays that Schaefer ran at his previous stops and hearing tales about his former teams – whatever he thinks can help them improve.
“I just feel like the lesson that we kind of got from his stories and his words were just basically like it's one game at a time, that preparation is key right now,” Booker said. “That's why our practices right now are very crucial to how we play in this tournament and how we play throughout really the whole season, and how crucial it is just for this moment because it's basically like a win-or-go-home game. Just kind of be present where your feet are, don't get too far ahead.”
Staying in the present is sometimes easier said than done.
Every team is different, Schaefer contends. And winning a national title takes luck, not just talent. But standing outside the Longhorns’ locker room after his team throttled Oregon and with another Sweet 16 on the horizon, Schaefer couldn’t help but think that this year could be the year.
With Sunday’s win, Texas improved its record to 33-3 in a season that began by inserting three new players into the starting lineup, two of them sophomores. Three players – Booker, sophomore guard Jordan Lee and senior center Kyla Oldacre – average double-figure scoring. The Longhorns’ center duo of Breya Cunningham and Oldacre dominate the interior, Booker is virtually unstoppable from anywhere on the court, and Harmon sets the tone on defense.
“This team, offensively, when they go out there and make shots, when you’ve got a difference-maker player like Madison Booker and they create their own shot, and then we’ve got the two-headed monster inside – they may not score a lot, but man they take up a lot of room down there,” Schaefer said. “It just makes for a really special team.”
Lovato has that same feeling.
“I won’t be surprised if it happens because I know how much work goes in behind the scenes from a player perspective, from a staff perspective, from Coach Schaefer losing sleep, sleeping in the office,” she said. “I think all of those things, we’d just kind of finally be rewarded for all the fruits of our labor.”
Texas’ lone women’s basketball national championship was in 1986. Forty years later, Schaefer is attempting to deliver a second. The Longhorns know how much a championship would mean for the program and for their head coach.
“I think he wants it, too,” Harmon said. “To get one while we’re both here would mean a lot, because I have been here for a really long time and I’ve witnessed the growth of every team, every year that he’s been here from the start. So I think doing it for him is another reason why we go so hard.”
Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Daylen Everette has scheduled visits with several different NFL teams ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. Everette is reportedly expected to visit with the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders.
Everette is a big, physical cornerback with excellent athleticism. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound cornerback put on a show at the 2026 NFL combine and posted a 4.38 time in the 40-yard dash.
Everette would make sense as a second- or third-round pick for the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks. His combination of size, speed and experience against a high level of competition is exactly what Seattle likes in a cornerback. The Seahawks prefer to draft big, athletic cornerbacks and have built one of the best defenses in the NFL under head coach Mike Macdonald, who graduated from Georgia.
Seattle may be looking for a cornerback in the draft to improve their depth at the position. The Seahawks return cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe from their Super Bowl-winning team, but Seattle lost Riq Woolen in free agency this offseason. Everette could help fill Seattle's void at outside cornerback.
During the 2025 season, Everette recorded 49 tackles, eight pass deflections, one interception and a memorable 47-yard fumble return for a touchdown in Georgia's Sugar Bowl loss to Ole Miss. Everette still has room to improve, but his athleticism offers upside for the NFL team that is willing to take a chance on him in the draft.
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Not to get overly hyperbolic right off the bat (ahem ...), but the 2026 MLB season is shaping up to be a banner one for rookies.
This year's crop of first-year, full-season players has a chance to be among the best in baseball history. For both its high-end upside and its amazing depth.
Several members of the Class of '26 have already experienced life in the majors to a lesser extent, while others will play in their first big-league games on opening day.
It's an exiting mix of hitters and pitchers whose names will become quite familiar to baseball fans − if they aren't already.
Top MLB rookies to watch in 2026
1. SP Nolan McLean, New York Mets
Already battle-tested through 48 innings last season (50 is the limit to retain rookie eligibility) and his two starts in the World Baseball Classic, McLean, 24, begins the 2026 campaign with a spot in the Mets rotation and a fully stocked six-pitch arsenal. He was a two-way player when he was drafted in 2023 out of Oklahoma State, so he's only scratching the surface of his pitching talent.
2. 2B JJ Wetherholt, St. Louis Cardinals
The rebuilding Cardinals have every reason to have their top prospect and 2024 first-round pick (7th overall) in the everyday lineup. Wetherholt, 23, played mostly shortstop in the minors, but will move to second base with Gold Glover Masyn Winn already in place. He won't hit for a ton of power initially, but he does make good contact and could potentially lead off.
3. 1B Sal Stewart, Cincinnati Reds
The power-hitting corner infielder slugged .545 in 55 major league at-bats last season at age 21. Coming off an equally impressive spring, Stewart has been penciled in as the Reds' cleanup hitter behind star shortstop Elly De La Cruz. He frequently hits the ball hard and in the air, which is an excellent combination in Cincinnati's Great American Smallpark.
4. OF Carson Benge, New York Mets
Just announced as the Mets' opening day starter in right field, Benge (like teammate McLean, an Oklahoma State alum) soared up prospect rankings in his first full professional season. He slashed .281/.385/.472 over three minor league levels, but did hit a wall after a late promotion to Class AAA. However, a strong spring was a good indication the 23-year-old is ready for the majors.
5. SS Kevin McGonigle, Detroit Tigers
Perhaps the best pure hitter in the minors, McGonigle was the MVP of the Arizona Fall League and has posted a .923 OPS in 52 plate appearances this spring. On Tuesday, the Tigers officially announced that he's won a spot on their opening day roster at the tender age of 21. He has excellent plate discipline and could hit near the top of the lineup. Defensively, he can also play third base if the Tigers want to put veteran Javier Baez at short.
While those players comprise our top five rookies, they're by no means the only exciting prospects to keep an eye on this season.
USA TODAY Sports' 2025 Minor League Player of the Year, Konnor Griffin of the Pirates, was just sent to the minors for a bit more seasoning. The 19-year-old − he turns 20 on April 24 − only reached Class AA last year so while his skills are fully apparent (.941 OPS, 21 HR, 65 SB over three levels) he did struggle at times during spring training. Once he shows he can master Triple-A, he should be up soon afterward.
Justin Crawford, son of former MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, should be the Phillies' everyday center fielder. He's a speed burner who makes excellent contact.
At least three other rookies are slated to begin the year in their MLB teams' starting rotations, with Toronto right-hander Trey Yesavage (shoulder) joining them after what's expected to be a brief stint on the injured list.
Honorable mention: SS Konnor Griffin and SP Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates; SP Chase Burns, Cincinnati Reds; SP Trey Yesavage, Toronto Blue Jays; OF Justin Crawford and SP Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies; C/DH Samuel Basallo, Baltimore Orioles; OF Chase DeLauter, Cleveland Guardians.
Pegula, the 32-year-old American who is having the latest and greatest blossoming of an already late-blooming career, keeps making it to the end of the biggest tournaments and running into the barricade that Elena Rybakina, the world No. 2, and Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, have set up at the top of the sport,
Every time she had a chance, either to surge ahead in the second set or to reel her opponent in during the third, Rybakina slammed the door shut — just like she did on two more really big stages: the semifinals of January’s Australian Open and November’s WTA Tour Finals. at the Australian Open in January and the semis of the WTA Tour Finals in November.
Sabalenka beat her in the semifinals of the U.S. Open, and at the Tour Finals as well, though Pegula snuck out a win between those two in at the Wuhan Open in China.
“I can’t be upset that I’m losing to like the two best players in the world,” Pegula said after the 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 loss before heading out for a doubles match. “People may rag on, ‘Oh, what do you have to do to beat them,’ or, you know, ‘Why haven’t you beaten them?’ But at the same time … I don’t know.’”
Not many people beat them these days. Rybakina is now 21-4 this season. Sabalenka is 20-1 after beating Hailey Baptiste, the aggressive and rising American with a sweet game laced with variety, 6-4, 6-4.
Baptiste matched Sabalenka until crunch time arrived, along with the errors and the double faults, and that was that. Sabalenka did what she has done all year except in the Australian Open final against, of course, Rybakina, who beat Baptiste in three sets earlier this month at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
“She didn’t give me much at all in her service games, and when she got the opportunities in my service games, she took them and she went after them,” Baptiste said of Sabalenka. “That’s why she’s where she is.”
On Thursday, Sabalenka and Rybakina will do something that might not happen for a while: They will play a semifinal. The Miami Open held its women’s singles draw March 15, the day of the Indian Wells final and one day before Rybakina officially took the world No. 2 ranking from Iga Świątek, the dominant player of the past four years.
Rybakina’s name emerged on Sabalenka’s side of the draw, giving Coco Gauff and Karolína Muchová what could be their last chance for a while to get to the final of a big tournament without facing either of them, and to win it by only beating one.
Rybakina and Sabalenka aren’t Sinner and Alcaraz yet, and Świątek and Gauff will likely ensure that they never get that far, but they have not been far off the past six months.
They split the past two Grand Slams and the two other most important tournaments, the WTA Tour Finals and Indian Wells, where they faced each other in the final on both occasions.
Pegula has thoughts on why this dynamic has emerged.
“On big pressure points, the amount of times they go for big second serves or they go for big returns or, they hit a big 1-2 punch, serve first ball, or rip a winner on a break point,” she said of Sabalenka and Rybakina. “It takes a lot of confidence to do that.”
For Rybakina, that confidence works like a snowball rolling down a hill. She’s played a lot of close matches in the past six months, with a lot of big moments.
“My coaches always tell me about these moments, when I need to push myself more, when I need to put this extra energy on the serve, stay more intense in these rallies,” she said in a news conference. “And I think that for now, when I listen and when I’m able to show it, of course it works.”
Sabalenka said that for her, the key to her supremacy has been doing something like the opposite of that. For her, success has come from not thinking about her matches in terms of big moments. Each moment is just as big or small as every other one.
“Focus on the game plan, not take it like too, too far, like too emotional,” she said. “That’s why I’m able to pull out really great tennis on the key moments, just because I don’t think about those moments as the key moments.”
For Pegula and the rest of the field it all adds up to a pile of frustration, especially on a day like Wednesday, when the score sheet said she played just as well or maybe even better than Rybakina on the whole. Rybakina’s 15 aces went a long way toward putting her away.
All she and the rest of the tour can do is keep swinging, and keep trying to match the standard.
“I’ve elevated my game,” she said. “I’ve gotten better. I’ve become a better player. I think that I am definitely challenging them, both of them, and that’s kind of all I can kind of ask of myself, and then hopefully, you know, some of the wins will come along.”
Today in Boston Celtics history, the Celtics drafted Hall of Fame forward John Havlicek.
Chosen seventh overall out of Ohio State, where he won an NCAA championship in 1960, the Martins Ferry native enjoyed a distinguished sixteen-season career with the Celtics. During his time with the team, he secured eight NBA championships, participated in 13 All-Star games, and was named to eight All-NBA Defensive Teams, among numerous other accolades. He concluded his career with averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game for the Celtics.
He would never play for another club in the league, spending his entire career in Boston.
Historic milestones
The Celtics beat the Sacramento Kings 94-86 on this date in 2010 behind 22 points and 8 boards from Pierce. Most importantly Rajon Rondo logged a career-high 18 assists in the victory. "He affects the game in so many different ways," Garnett said via the Associated Press at the time. "You want your point guard setting the tone every night. You want your point guard leading us. I’m telling you, man, he’s just growing up in front of us. It’s great to watch."
Ray Allen added 20 points and Garnett 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are on a 12-game winning streak.Photograph: Gerald Leong/AP
Winter is over, though perhaps most NBA fans feel as if it’s just beginning. After a midseason slump, the Oklahoma City Thunder have won 12 of their last 13 games They’re clinging to a slim but steady three-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs atop the otherwise chaotic Western Conference. (The Lakers are good now? The Nuggets can’t find their footing? The Rockets can’t even stand up?) The Thunder’s flirtation with vulnerability was fun, but the defending champions look as invincible now as they did during their 24-1 run to begin the season. So, now as then, with nothing to criticize in the Thunder’s basketball, we are compelled to discuss their character and vibes.
Reviews are usually poor. I myself celebrated the Spurs when they recorded a hat-trick of wins over the Thunder in December, simply for injecting intrigue into a season that already seemed decided. The Defector podcast Nothing But Respect recently featured a series of anti-Thunder guests; after discussing the idea that artists don’t like OKC with musician Will Anderson, a host announced, “next week, we will have a real, actual Thunder expert to defend his team’s values”. Most of the comments on that episode seemed unconvinced by Ringer staff writer Tyler Parker’s arguments.
Nitpicking a player or team who has pulled away from the pack is one of sports’ greatest pleasures. But, at the risk of antagonizing fellow artists, I have caught myself feeling endeared by members of the Thunder lately.
It started with their star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He is a somewhat mechanically brilliant player, deadly in the count-on-it consistency of his midrange jumper. But this season, he has added a step-back three-pointer to his arsenal, with which he produces more viscerally awesome moments than ever before. In a neck-and-neck game on 9 March against the Nuggets, whose Nikola Jokić is arguably the only player in the world better than Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP hit one such three with 14 seconds left to seemingly ice the game. His teammate Jaylin Williams committed a foolish foul as Jokić answered with a three of his own, letting the Nuggets tie the game. In one universe, that play would make its way into basketball fail compilations, the beginning of a Thunder choke. In this universe, Gilgeous-Alexander simply drained one more three-pointer and put the game to bed for real.
A reporter later asked Gilgeous-Alexander if he knew what he was going to do before shooting those marvelous three-pointers. “I have answers to the test, I just have to see the questions first,” he responded.
Highlights of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 9 March game against the Nuggets
As Harry Krinsky pointed out on Nothing But Respect, Gilgeous-Alexander has an unfortunate habit of talking in Instagram captions. Still, some transparent aura-farming after authoring one of the brightest highlights of the season is hardly unrelatable. (I regret to say that if in the same situation, the words “in the zone” probably would have passed through my lips.) Another of Gilgeous-Alexander’s most salient personality traits is his love for fashion; he has arrived for games wearing a mustard-colored leather suit and, more recently, a fur coat encircling his head. And Gilgeous-Alexander is hardly the only goofball on the Thunder. OKC frequently do their on-court interviews in groups, as if any given player needs a buddy at all times.
This is, undeniably, quite cringeworthy. And yet it feels something like refreshing for male athletes to bear their authentic selves and show a truth that is merely awkward and not ugly.
Next to Bryce Harper doing a military salute after hitting a home run at the World Baseball Classic, against Venezuela, clothes are a lovely discussion topic. The Thunder recently declined a visit to the White House – not in the strongest terms, citing a “timing issue”, but they did decline it, unlike the US men’s hockey team. (They also didn’t laugh at a quip about their female counterparts on a call with the president.)
And it’s not like no other top NBA teams grate. The Boston Celtics are the best story in the league right now, but do not let the romance of Jayson Tatum’s comeback make you forget that, at their best, the Celtics make an agonizing parody of analytics in how much they rely on the three-pointer. Jokić has made a habit lately of lying atop opposing players and squashing them to the ground. Victor Wembanyama can be a little too sanctimonious in his rose-tinted view of how the Spurs play basketball. The Detroit Pistons play defense as physically as the Thunder, or any other team in the league. The Lakers are the Lakers.
So it’s hardly the worst thing in the world that the best basketball team is a little bland and corny off the court and a little bloodless on it. There are things to admire, too. Gilgeous-Alexander gifted his teammates Rolex watches after winning MVP last year. The fuel for the Thunder’s vaunted defense is little more than trying incredibly hard, amusingly seen recently when Alex Caruso tried to block a shot with his shoe. (Refs rewarded his creativity with a tech. Cowards.) It is a nice thought that with such common currency as authenticity and effort, the rest of us could excel similarly. Oklahoma City’s quirks will continue to feed animosity for as long as they remain great, but when winter comes for them in earnest, I bet they’ll feel the warmth of more fans.
Mauricio Pochettino’s US team is set to face Belgium and Portugal in their final friendlies before the World Cup roster is set.Photograph: Jeff Chiu/AP
When the US men’s national team booked Belgium and Portugal for the final pair of friendlies before the 2026 World Cup roster is named, it looked like a couple solid tests against European teams who will expect to reach this World Cup’s business end. They should be worthy tests of the US’s readiness for big matchups that could await if they advance from Group D. Oddly, they are also a pair of foes from the US’s 2014 World Cup campaign.
This will hardly resemble a 12-year reunion, though. Belgium arrives without Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois, two of the few remaining members from that round-of-16 clash that ended the United States’ tournament. Portugal arrives without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, slightly dulling the demand for what might have been a hot ticket in Atlanta.
. All that’s left, then, is sorting some final questions about Mauricio Pochettino’s impending 26-man roster.
Starting at goalkeeper, No 1: Matt ____
Throughout his tenure, Pochettino has stopped short of naming a definitive No 1 goalkeeper. This coyness can only continue so long.
Pochettino used the 2025 Gold Cup to give Matt Freese a trial by fire, starting the New York City FC goalkeeper all the way through the final. It wasn’t due to a lack of alternatives: unlike many of his fellow starters from the 2022 World Cup, Matt Turner was selected and available throughout. Pochettino wanted to ensure he had a second option in net with big-game readiness, which Freese accrued in fine fashion by outlasting the Costa Rican great Keylor Navas in a quarter-final shootout.
Since his first match as manager on 12 October 2024, Pochettino has given Turner seven starts, most recently in the final pre-Gold Cup friendly last June (a disheartening 4-0 loss to Switzerland). Freese has started 13 of the US’s last 14 games, having only debuted in the first Gold Cup tuneup, a 2-1 loss to Turkey. It’s certainly the sort of runout most coaches only afford an inevitable World Cup starter.
The stakes here are simple. If Freese starts against Belgium and Portugal, he’ll fill Tony Meola’s cleats and gloves as the USMNT goalkeeper at a home World Cup. If Turner gets a start, however, it may be evidence of some late indecision.
Beyond the spotlight lies a concluding battle to be third on the goalkeeper depth chart. Patrick Schulte appears to have the inside track after starting at the 2024 Olympics and winning MLS Cup in 2023 – considerable big-game seasoning despite having just turned 25. At 22, Chris Brady is one to track for 2030 and beyond, but is still more raw all-around than the rest.
Which full-back leaves their post?
In September, Pochettino adapted to his team’s relatively lean defensive corps by adding an extra body along the backline. The performances during that window helped establish a bedrock for the US’s style of play, which has since evolved with replicable patterns and off-ball movement whether he picks two center backs or three.
That latter evolution was especially vital given the program’s relative dearth of center-backs. Chris Richards has established himself as a worthy anchor with the necessary movement, marking and mentality to serve as lead. While he often paired with Tim Ream, including at 2024 Copa América, Ream’s waning mobility has raised questions about whether the 38-year-old should start regularly at a World Cup.
Mark McKenzie has remained in fine form with Toulouse, and his ball-playing profile could complement Richards nicely. Miles Robinson isn’t as savvy a line-breaking passer and has struggled as much as the rest of FC Cincinnati in recent weeks, but he is a strong aerial presence and has come through for the USMNT in Concacaf competitions. Auston Trusty rounds out this camp’s center-backs, bringing considerable experience against low-block opponents from his shifts at Celtic but just five caps to his name at age 27.
The September modification that makes the system sing is Pochettino’s willingness to let one of his full-backs progress upfield to help with buildup while the opposite side slots in as a third center-back in possession. The utilization is en vogue across Europe, but this is one of the first committed trials of the role (once coined as an “elbow-back”) for a US national team of any gender.
It’s tempting to assume Antonee Robinson would serve as that more advanced option, but there’s reason to wonder if the team would flow best if he served as auxiliary left center-back in buildup. Robinson offers considerable crossing chops, but hasn’t featured under Pochettino since November 2024, leaving him untested in the team’s current structure. Additionally, leaving Robinson further back would ask Christian Pulisic to track back less often, which is generally advisable given his vital role in the US attack.
Conversely, the right side is staffed to capably execute elbows and overlaps. Tim Weah is no stranger to two-way roles after recent seasons with Juventus and Marseille, and he adds another scoring threat when cutting toward the box. Villarreal fans haven’t yet seen much of Alex Freeman, but the 21-year-old played this hybrid role to great success with Orlando City in 2025.
No matter the calibration, keeping a base back four would be especially useful considering how much deeper the pool is in midfield.
A finely tuned engine room
Pochettino will have some welcome selection headaches as he calibrates his midfield, most likely selecting three for his lineup to link the backline with a frontline involving Pulisic, Weah and Folarin Balogun. While last cycle’s success saw Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams form the impactful “MMA” troika, Musah hasn’t made one of Pochettino’s squads since March 2025.
Pochettino almost certainly can’t rehearse his first-choice midfield this camp. Tyler Adams is out as he rehabs an issue with his quadricep, although Bournemouth projects that he’ll be ready to play soon after this window. Cristian Roldan has a chance to cement himself as defensive midfield deputy, a role that just might include at least one start in the group stage given Adams’s injury-riddled career to date. Roldan has rebuilt himself since the 2022 World Cup, becoming one of MLS’s best defensive midfielders after largely filling box-to-box roles in Seattle before last season.
There are fiercer competitions left unresolved in the heart of the park. McKennie is among this program’s most important players. His on-ball game has come a long way since Qatar, and he could excel as the most advanced midfielder of a trio. He has the positional awareness to drift into ceded territory as his teammates make their moves.
That could leave Sebastian Berhalter, who was uncapped this time last year, as the third starter. Through his star turn with the Vancouver Whitecaps as well as his nine caps under Pochettino, the 24-year-old has proved capable at regularly breaking lines with his distribution. In the young MLS season, he’s also roaming laterally more often to forge impromptu passing triangles across the field, a sign of further improvement in his high-level reading of the game.
But wait, there’s more! Aidan Morris, Tanner Tessmann and Johnny Cardoso will all hope to round out the roster’s midfield fleet. Morris is a vital and consistent all-rounder at Middlesbrough, able to fill a few different roles with his impressive passing and defensive initiative. Tessmann captained the Olympic team and is comfortable garnering a high share of touches with Lyon, also providing an aerial threat. Cardoso has steadied into form in his first season with Atlético Madrid, but faces an uphill battle to impress Pochettino after several shaky shifts last summer before and during the Gold Cup.
If McKennie does play the more advanced midfield spot, it could cut into minutes for Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna. Tillman was among the best players at last year’s Gold Cup but hasn’t always delivered when he can’t play his preferred position as a true No 10. Reyna’s move to Borussia Mönchengladbach hasn’t gone as planned, having played just 26 minutes this calendar year.
Nonetheless, the 23-year-old isn’t just in camp because Diego Luna isn’t at 100%. Reyna is the latest in a line of players who look freed with his national team, with the big-game mentality to go toe-to-toe with any opponent regardless of his recent involvement. Tack on his singular proficiency at dribbling in tight areas and unpicking defenses with nimble passing, and he’ll have two more friendlies to show Pochettino why he should make the squad.
Lineup projections
What I’d like to see against Belgium: Freese; A. Robinson - McKenzie - Richards – Freeman; Morris - Roldan; Pulisic - Reyna - Weah; Balogun
Projected best XI for the World Cup: Freese; A. Robinson - McKenzie - Richards -Freeman; Berhalter - Adams; Pulisic - McKennie - Weah; Balogun
LONDON (AP) — The London Marathon could become a two-day event in 2027 so more people can take part.
Organizers say they are “continually exploring innovative ways” to make the event bigger “while delivering positive benefits for London.”
“We are looking at the intention for the London Marathon to take place across two days,” organizers said. “No approval has been given at this stage.”
British newspaper The Guardian reported the men’s and women’s elite races could be held across the weekend, and a total of 100,000 runners taking part.
More than 1.1 million people applied through the public ballot to run in this year's race on April 26. That’s a 36% year-on-year increase and nearly doubles the application pool from 2024.
The 2025 event raised around 87 million pounds ($116 million), with 56,640 runners crossing the line.
The London mayor’s office said it would work with London Marathon partners “to consider if it might be possible to host an event that will run across two days next year.”
On the 'Chiefs Wire Podcast Interview Series', we showcase new players, celebrities, and prominent NFL players with unique takes and stories about the Kansas City Chiefs.
Listen as Senior Writer Ed Easton Jr. speaks with Stephanie Kwok, the Vice President and head of Flag Football. She discusses the impact of the Chiefs and the rest of the league on the ongoing NFL FLAG In-School Program and the NFL FLAG Championships.
"I think it's really to the culmination of a lot of the grassroots efforts that we've been seeing by all of the NFL clubs, by NFL itself, by all of the organizations in the community," said Kwok, "just continuing to build flag football, continuing to build especially opportunities for girls to play in high school, for them to go then go on and play in college, so now you're seeing that momentum. With over 30 states offering high school programs for girls, more than 100 colleges have either varsity or club teams. So that's a snapshot of all the growth we saw in the U.S., not even mentioned globally."
NFL FLAG-In-School is a critical entry point for millions of students to get moving in school. By providing schools with free flag football equipment and a standards-based curriculum, the program empowers educators to motivate students through a fun, inclusive activity suitable for all skill levels.
Check out the articles from Easton Jr.'s interview with Kwok on Chiefs Wire.
Despite receiving zero offers to play Division I basketball, Bennett Stirtz is currently sitting in the Round of 16 with the Iowa Hawkeyes. After a journey that began playing Division II basketball for Northwest Missouri State, Stirtz has finally received the national recognition he sought after since the beginning of his collegiate basketball career.
After two years at Northwest Missouri, Stirtz followed head coach Ben McCollum to Drake University. Stirtz and McCollum led the Bulldogs to a 31-4 season along with a Round of 64 upset against No. 6 Missouri. But the dynamic duo wasn't done just yet.
The point guard and coach then moved to join the Hawkeyes to begin the 2025-2026 season, and now they're set to play the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Sweet 16. This is Iowa's first time reaching the Sweet 16 since 1999. Wherever Stirtz and McCollum go, they clearly bring success with them.
Let's take a look at who Bennett Stirtz is and why he followed McCollum across the midwest.
Stirtz is the starting point guard for Iowa. He is 6-foot-4 and is 22 years old, born on Oct. 3, 2003 in Liberty, Mo. He is currently in his senior year of college.
Stirtz has played two years of Division II basketball and two years of Division I basketball. In Division II, he played for Ben McCollum at Northwest Missouri State. McCollum then took a job to coach the Drake Bulldogs ahead of the 2024-2025 season. After a 31-4 season and a Round of 64 upset against No. 6 Missouri in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, McCollum took the Iowa Hawkeyes job, and Stirtz followed his coach once more.
Before joining the Hawkeyes for his senior year, Stirtz was a part of the Drake Bulldogs team for the 2024-2025 season. There, he averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 steals, while shooting 49.8% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc.
Prior to following McCollum to join the Bulldogs, Stirtz was a part of his teams at Northwest Missouri State in Division II. Stirtz played his freshman and sophomore seasons there, where he averaged 13.9 points, 3.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, and shot 53.9% from the field along with 37.7% from downtown.
Stirtz decided to follow McCollum because he knew how the coach ran his teams, where the point guard flourished. The coach and player duo worked their way up the ranks, from a Division II team, to a mid-major Division I program, and finally to a major conference in the Big Ten.
Across four years of NCAA basketball, Stirtz has only played two years of Division I basketball. He played Division II basketball for Northwest Missouri State before transferring to Drake. After a season there, he followed coach Ben McCollum to join Iowa.
Here are his stats from his four years of collegiate basketball.
Team
Season
Points
Assists
Rebounds
Steals
FG%
3P%
Northwest Missouri State (DII)
2022-23
12.6
3.4
3.9
1.9
60.1%
43.8%
Northwest Missouri State (DII)
2023-24
15.2
3.5
3.5
1.4
51%
32.7%
Drake
2024-25
19.2
5.7
4.3
2.1
49.8%
39.5%
Iowa
2025-26
19.7
4.5
2.7
1.5
47.8%
35.9%
TOTAL/Avg
16.7
4.3
3.6
1.7
52.2%
38%
Where is Bennett Stirtz from?
Stirtz was born in Liberty, Mo. The Missouri native attended Northwest Missouri State in DII for two years before attending Drake.
After one year with the Bulldogs, Stirtz transferred again, this time to become an Iowa Hawkeye. He is 22 years old and playing in his senior year with the Hawkeyes.
After an aggressive winter that saw chief baseball officer Craig Breslow pivot to a pursuit of elite talent, Red Sox fans are looking at an Opening Day roster that blends returning stars with new names.
At the heart of the transformation is a lineup anchored by Roman Anthony and boosted by offseason acquisition Willson Contreras. The pitching rotation features lefty ace Garrett Crochet, who led the league with 255 strikeouts last season.
Can manager Alex Cora put all of the pieces in the right places and turn this team into a true contender?
Here's the complete Red Sox roster, from the elite starting rotation to the promising lineup.
Red Sox Opening Day roster 2026
Pitchers
Player
Role
Throw
Garrett Crochet
Starting Pitcher
L
Sonny Gray
Starting Pitcher
R
Connelly Early
Starting Pitcher
L
Brayan Bello
Starting Pitcher
R
Ranger Suarez
Starting Pitcher
L
Aroldis Chapman
Closer
L
Garrett Whitlock
Setup
R
Justin Slaten
Setup
R
Johan Oviedo
Relief
R
Danny Coulombe
Relief
L
Jovani Moran
Relief
L
Greg Weissert
Relief
R
Ryan Watson
Relief
R
Batters
Player
Position
Carlos Narvaez
C
Connor Wong
C
Willson Contreras
1B
Marcelo Mayer
2B
Trevor Story
SS
Caleb Durbin
3B
Andruw Monasterio
INF
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
UTIL
Roman Anthony
LF
Ceddanne Rafaela
CF
Wilyer Abreu
RF
Jarren Duran
OF
Masataka Yoshida
DH
Red Sox batting order
The Red Sox's batting order to begin the season will be anchored by Roman Anthony and Jarren Duran. The starting lineup has a new look after the departures of two veterans in Rafael Devers (traded to Giants) and Alex Bregman (signed with Cubs).
Player
Position
Bats
1
Roman Anthony
DH
L
2
Trevor Story
SS
R
3
Jarren Duran
LF
L
4
Willson Contreras
1B
R
5
Wilyer Abreu
RF
L
6
Caleb Durbin
3B
R
7
Marcelo Mayer
2B
L
8
Ceddanne Rafaela
CF
R
9
Carlos Narvaez
C
R
Red Sox pitching rotation
Crochet is the unquestioned No. 1 starter. He joins Brayan Bello and Connelly Early as familiar faces to go along with two new acquisitions in Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray.
Pitcher
Throw
Garrett Crochet
L
Sonny Gray
R
Connelly Early
L
Brayan Bello
R
Ranger Suarez
L
Red Sox bullpen
Player
Throw
Aroldis Chapman
L
Garrett Whitlock
R
Justin Slaten
R
Johan Oviedo
R
Danny Coulombe
L
Jovani Moran
L
Greg Weissert
R
Ryan Watson
R
Key bench players and top prospects
Player
Role
Bats
Connor Wong
C
R
Masataka Yoshida
DH
L
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
UTIL
R
Andruw Monasterio
INF
R
After hitting .375/.444/.813 for Team Japan at the World Baseball Classic, Masataka Yoshida has been too hot to stay on the bench. He could find himself in the middle of trade rumors because of the outfield logjam. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is coming off a split season between the Pirates and Blue Jays in which he hit .262 with 40 RBIs.
On the prospect side, Boston has seen some of its best already graduate from the system, but it still has plenty of talent.
Rank
Player
Position
1
Payton Tolle
LHP
2
Franklin Arias
SS
3
Connelly Early
LHP
4
Kyson Witherspoon
RHP
5
Juan Valera
RHP
6
Justin Gonzales
OF
7
Jake Bennett
LHP
8
Dorian Soto
SS
9
Marcus Phillips
RHP
10
Anthony Eyanson
RHP
The rankings are headlined by Payton Tolle, a 6-6 pitcher who will start the season in Triple A. Tolle started 18 games in the minors in 2025, posting a 3.04 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. Franklin Arias is right behind Tolle, but don't expect him to have significant time with the Red Sox.
Connelly Early made Boston's Opening Day roster after appearing in four games during the regular season and one game in the playoffs.
Wales host Bosnia & Herzegovina on Thursday in a World Cup playoff semifinal.
The winner of this fixture in Cardiff will progress to the Path A final and face either Italy or Northern Ireland for a place in the 2026 World Cup this year.
Wales finished second to Belgium in Group J qualifying in the UEFA section, but their performances were largely strong and they concluded that campaign with a 7-1 thrashing of North Macedonia.
Bosnia & Herzegovina were edged out by Austria in Group H and will represent a stern challenge for Craig Bellamy's side. Their 2-1 home loss to Austria last September was their only defeat in 2025.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
Wales vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this World Cup playoff match in the U.S.:
TV channel: FS1 Live stream: Fubo, ViX, Fox Sports app
This game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports, while a streaming option will be available via 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 Wales vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina kick off?
This World Cup playoff semifinal clash takes place at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales and kicks off on Thursday, March 26 at 7:45 p.m. local time.
The Miami Hurricanes have some of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Chicago Bears were in attendance to see those players perform at Miami’s Pro Day.
Ryan Poles made it a priority to add interior defensive linemen in free agency, but the Bears’ general manager is still looking at some top-end talent in the 2026 draft. (This one is about McDonald as well).
There are 5 quarterbacks who should be taken in the top 25 this year. Because that helps the Bears get better non-QB draft value, or allows us to trade down. OK, there’s one… POSSIBLY two… players that should be that high, but let’s start promoting these other guys!
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CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 25: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the first half against the Miami Heat at Rocket Arena on March 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CLEVELAND — For the first time in five games, the Cleveland Cavaliers weren’t bailed out by their offense as they fell to the Miami Heat 120-103.
“If you want to win in the league, you have to commit to defense,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said before the game. “Point blank, you’re not going to win in the playoffs if you can’t defend. … You need that mentality first. Personnel definitely contributes to that. And schemes are a third.”
Right now, the Cavs are missing parts of all three of those ingredients, leading to another poor defensive performance.
Let’s break those elements down in the order Spoelstra laid out.
The defensive mentality just isn’t there for the Cavs. Good defenses aren’t just sometimes making the correct rotations; they do so every time to the point that there’s a sadistic joy in how they’re able to constantly beat their opponent to the spot they want to be, no matter how much effort it takes.
That just isn’t a priority for the Cavs right now. They’ll have a possession where there’s some extra effort, or an individual player might be hustling, but all five guys aren’t on a string like they need to be great.
You can hide bad defensive players. You just can’t hide ones that aren’t competing on that end. The Cavs have too many guys that fall into that latter bucket to be effective right now.
Second, the Cavs don’t have the personnel to be a dominant defense without Jarrett Allen (knee) and Dean Wade (ankle). There isn’t enough resistance at the point of attack to be good. That’s what happens when you have Donovan Mitchell and James Harden in your starting backcourt.
That issue is exaggerated by the lack of wing defense as well. Wade is a good defender, but his injury history and inconsistent offense make it difficult to fully trust him in the playoffs. And there aren’t many good options outside of that. Neither Max Strus, Jaylon Tyson, nor Keon Ellis has the size to handle bigger threes. That, inherently, limits how effective they can be at the point of attack when they’re guarding up a position.
The entire foundation of this defense is based on the idea that Evan Mobley and Allen can clean everything up. They’ve shown they can do so with the Darius Garland and Mitchell backcourt — they just haven’t been on the floor long enough to prove they can with this iteration.
Lastly, the scheme just doesn’t make sense.
The Cavs are overcompensating for their poor point-of-attack defense by collapsing too much into the paint on drives. They’re doing so even when the primary defender is in a good guarding position. This unnecessary help allows for clean three-point looks that are just an easy pass away.
Here are nine examples of the Cavs giving up clean three-point looks because of overhelping.
There’s sound logic to wanting to lock down the paint. However, when it’s taken too far — and the execution falls short — it can lead to disastrous results.
“It’d be great if we sat here and said, ‘Yeah, we have no flaws,’ but no team has no flaws,” Donovan Mitchell said postgame.
It isn’t difficult to figure out that defense is this team’s major issue. However, he’s also right to point out that every team has weaknesses — including the top championship contenders. The teams that are best at hiding their shortcomings are the ones that will separate themselves in what is a wide-open playoff field.
The question is whether the Cavs can mask this issue in a way that isn’t just as simple as scoring 125 points on the other end. That’s what they’re going to be using the last nine games to figure out.
“That’s going to be our entire focus, how can we get to the level defensively that we’ve shown at times this year?” Sam Merrill said.
Despite what NBA coaches say, offense is more important in the postseason.
Coaches never have to get their team to try offensively, but that’s a common issue on the other end. That lends to this being a consistent point of emphasis. At the same time, it’s also fair to wonder how much the defense is going to limit their playoff ceiling, given how elite the offense has been — this game notwithstanding.
The Cavs have been fourth in offensive rating since Harden’s debut. They’ve done so with a much more diverse offensive profile than last year’s team, which isn’t solely built around the three-ball. This version of the Cavs has been elite at generating cleaner looks at all three levels and getting to the line in a way last year’s team wasn’t.
It’s also worth pointing out that defense always gets better in the playoffs. The amount of game planning you can do, combined with the increased physicality, naturally lends itself to better defensive play. Offense is what truly separates teams, and what has led to the Cavs’ downfall in their last three playoff runs. And they still will have two elite rim protectors in Allen and Mobley to help mitigate some of the issues we’re seeing.
Even though the on-court product hasn’t been great, the Cavs are confident that they can turn things around before the games really start to matter.
“I have no doubt that everyone in this locker room is ready,” Mitchell said of the playoffs. “We have some things that we can clean up and fix. We have time to fix it, and we’re going to continue to build upon that. … We have a group that’s ready, that’s hungry, and I think we’ll be ready to go.”
What shall we expect of the Islanders tonight? With every point crucial in a crowded playoff race, they are in a run where they 1) played aimlessly against Ottawa yet still had at least a point on the table until the final 11 seconds, 2) gave up a gazillion goals to the Habs, 3) played a solid game against Columbus but still needed a Ilya Sorokin shutout, and 4) fell asleep for 10 minutes to lose to the Blackhawks.
That’s not good, not at all, and as a result they sit outside the playoff spots with 10 games to go.
Tonight a Cup contending team visits, though the Dallas Stars are on a three-game losing streak as they begin a four-game eastern trip.
The Isles, meanwhile, acre accumulating blueline injury issues, forcing Matthew Schaefer to break the record for ice time by a teenager in Tuesday’s loss to the Hawks. That game saw Tony DeAngelo leave injured in the first period, while Ryan Pulock sat out another one.
We’ll learn today from the morning skate if Isaiah George, called up before that last game, will get his first NHL action since a two-game stint in January. (On that note, Alex Romanov’s season-ender, Mikko Rantanen, has been out hurt but is apparently on this trip.)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 25: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on while batting in the second inning during the game between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The 2026 season has begun, and the Yankees started their year off with a big 7-0 win over the Giants in San Francisco. The game was in their hands nearly the entire way, with a first inning jam being the only threat to Max Fried’s day before the offense jumped Logan Webb for five runs in the second inning. They tacked on two more runs in the fifth, one of them unearned, before Webb’s day came to a close; meanwhile, Max Fried shoved despite not getting much swing and miss action and exited after retiring the first batter of the seventh inning.
All in all, it was a pretty good day for New York. Now they’ll have a day off to reset before wrapping up the series with two more games in San Fran, and while they’re taking a breather there will be plenty of breakdowns coming analyzing that opening romp (some of them coming from this very site). What there will also be plenty of, and probably enough to drown out anything else productive, are overreactions to the Opening Day result. So, why not have a little fun and play into them ahead of time? Go ahead and give us your hot take on what a particular result from Game 1 of 162 means.
There are certainly plenty of narratives you can run with from this game. Starting on the offense’s end, much was made of the team’s decision to “run it back” in 2026 with largely the same roster as last year. Well, last year’s offense led the league in offensive production, and they got off to a fantastic start already this year as well. Is Brian Cashman vindicated? Was running it back the right call? Of course it’s too early to actually say so, but you know that start has got to feel good for the Yankee general manager.
One bat that didn’t shine in the effort, however, was Aaron Judge. The captain had a brutal opener, going 0-for-5 with four straight strikeouts followed by a groundout in the ninth inning. Coming off the heel of the World Baseball Classic finale where Judge didn’t show up (though to be fair, neither did most of that star-laden team) the spotlight was on the superstar outfielder to shake things off, and the opposite happened. Is Judge in store for a rough start to the year like he played in 2024? That season did, of course, lead to him going nuclear for the rest of the year and winning the AL MVP award, but people had their pitchforks out for how poorly he played in that opening month or so and they could reappear at a moment’s notice.
And how about Max Fried, the star of the night on Wednesday? The ace pitched a brilliant game despite clearly being rusty, striking out just four batters but pitching into the seventh before handing the ball off to the mop-up crew in the bullpen. There’s a lot of expectations on Fried’s shoulders after he stepped up last year with no Gerrit Cole around, and if he could surpass them again in his second season in the Bronx something truly magical could unfold. He just narrowly missed out on getting a podium finish in the Cy Young race last year, finishing fourth, but could he leapfrog a spot or two this year? Could he even win the whole thing if that’s how good he looks while still being off? The race is hardly won in a day, but it doesn’t hurt to start off with a 0.00 ERA. What caught your eye from Opening Day, and what has you irrationally excited or disappointed from the night?
Today on the site, Josh leads off with some thoughts on the strange bedfellows MLB has partnered with this year in light of the gambling scandal with Emmanuel Clase still playing out right in front of us. Then Nick wishes one-time Yankee José Vizcaíno a happy birthday before coming back later in the afternoon with the Rotation Depth Inventory for March, and Andrés looks more closely at how Max Fried executed without his top command last night.
Oct 4, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell before a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Myers-Imagn Images | Robert Myers-Imagn Images
Recruiting
Florida State football hosted quarterback Israel Abrams on Wednesday, with the four-star prospect offering high praise for the Seminoles:
@Seminoles did not disappoint. Thank you to the entire @FSUFootball staff for showing me and my family love. @Coach_Norvell passion and energy is real and unmatched. Thank you @CoachTuckerQB for taking the time to talk ball and watch film. I’m looking forward to getting back to… pic.twitter.com/eaOOhkq0lq
Which coach has the most to prove in 2026? ESPN’s Andrea Adelson says it’s Mike Norvell, with her colleagues offering up Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, LSU’s Lane Kiffin, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, South Carolina’s Shane Beamer and Louisville’s Jeff Brohm:
Nothing has gone right since the CFP snub following a 13-0 ACC championship season in 2023. Since then, Florida State has won only seven games in two years. Despite all that, the school’s administration opted to retain Norvell for a seventh season, but there is little doubt the Seminoles have to get back to the postseason. Norvell and everyone associated with the program know the past two seasons have not been acceptable. Florida State made structural changes to its personnel department and went heavy into the portal again to try to win now.
FSU’s weekly Academic All-Stars have been revealed:
The 200 medley relay team of senior Max Wilson, sophomore Michel Arkhangelsky, senior Tommaso Baravelli and sophomore Logan Robinson finished 15th with a time of 1:22.80, marking the third-fastest time in program history. With the result, the Seminoles secured All-America honors, awarded to the top 16 finishers.
Following the medley relay, the Seminoles competed in the 800 freestyle relay. Juniors Gustav Olsson and Andrew Rich, senior Utku Kurtdere and Robinson made up the quartet, touching in 6:12.88 to place 18th overall. The swim marked the final NCAA race of Kurtdere’s collegiate career.
Florida State is represented by eight student-athletes at the 2026 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships from March 18-21. Competition will continue Thursday, with swimming prelims at 10 a.m. ET. Arkhangelsky and Robinson will both compete in individual events while also swimming in the 200 freestyle relay alongside Wilson and Olsson.
The top eight finishers in every event will advance to finals and will determine places 1-8 through the A-final. Athletes who finish 9-16 will not compete in a B-final; their final placement and point totals will be determined based on their preliminary rankings. Relays are timed finals and will all take place during finals sessions.
The Florida State track and field teams will open its outdoor season with two days of competition March 26 and 27 at the Terry Long FSU Relays. The relays are the first of two home meets this season and admission and parking is free to all spectators.
The meet will begin for the Seminoles on Thursday, starting with Cooper Crowell in the men’s hammer at 3:00 p.m., followed by Lorelai Filosa in the women’s high jump.
The women’s 4×100-meter will begin the evening session for the running events at 6:05 p.m. The first day will conclude with the 5,000 meters at 7:00 p.m. On the women’s side, Maggie Bartlow, Ava Povich, and Lily Guinn are set to compete. Representing the men will be Kaden Levings, Finn Thomas, Gino Palazzolo, and Garrett Stickley.
Last year’s edition of the meet saw the Seminoles record eight first-place finishes and six top 10 all-time performances in Florida State history, highlighted by Micahi Danzy, who is set to compete in the men’s 4×100 and 4×400 relays this weekend. Danzy went on to capture his first ACC gold medal in the men’s 400 at the 2025 ACC Outdoor Championship.
Florida State beach volleyball is now ranked at No. 5 in the nation per the AVCA’s rankings after defeating No. 10 Arizona State:
Florida State Splatoon (Esports) defeated Utah Tech on Monday 4-0, and will play for the Collegiate Cephalopod Association D7 Group 3 championship on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. The Goldies are currently undefeated at 4-0, and will face the also undefeated Houston Cougars. The winner takes the group and will secure a playoff berth.
The Goldies had previously defeated Team Bnuuy, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and Savannah College of Art & Design, 4-0, 4-0, and 4-1, respectively, in a best-of-seven series. Florida State Splatoon won the National Championship in 2023 and will have the opportunity to compete for another should they clinch a playoff berth.
For more than 75 years, Florida State University has been proudly connected to the Seminole name. The relationship has evolved far beyond athletics into a decades-long collaborative partnership with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, built on consultation and mutual respect. As FSU… pic.twitter.com/clt6SVdpPr
— Florida State University (@FloridaState) March 25, 2026
The UConn men and women have created countless memories through the madness of March and onto the championships won in April. Each day between now and the men’s and women’s Final Fours next month, The Courant will look back through our archives and highlight a memorable men’s and/or women’s game that occurred on that date. Today:
Men
March 26, 2006: No. 11 George Mason 86, No. 1 UConn 84 (OT)
Maybe you want to look away for this one, Huskies fans. This may be one of the low points in UConn’s March Madness History, though it’ll always be remembered as one of the most exhilarating upsets in the history of the tournament.
The 2006 Huskies rolled through the regular season on cruise control, going 30-4 with a tremendously talented roster that included Rudy Gay, Josh Boone, Marcus Williams, Rashad Anderson, Denham Brown, Hilton Armstong and Jeff Adrien, among others. They advanced to the Elite Eight, where it looked like they had caught a break with No. 11 seed George Mason out of the Colonial Athletic Association, staring back at them.
The Patriots, led by coach Jim Larranaga, point guard Tony Skinn and big man Jai Lewis, upset Michigan State, North Carolina and Wichita State to get there. They were massive underdogs against UConn, but caught fire in the second half to erase a double-digit Huskies lead. A curious carrying call on Marcus Williams late in the game doomed the Huskies– and a last-ditch 3 by Denham Brown rimmed out, leaving play-by-play announcer Verne Lundquist to scream: “By George, the dream is alive!” Mason players jumped on the scorer’s table and celebrated the first mid-major run to the Final Four in the modern era.
Also on this date: UConn men defeat Arizona in Elite Eight to reach 2011 Final Four. It was part of the 11 straight wins from the Big East Tournament right through the NCAAs, spearheaded by Kemba Walker.
Our readers weigh in
1964, Perno steals the ball: “UConn is in the Sweet 16 playing for an Elite 8 spot for the first time in program history against a powerful Princeton team led by Bill Bradley. With seconds left on the clock and the score 52-50 in favor of UConn, Princeton has the ball and is marching toward the goal with the ball in the hands of Bradley, hoping to score and tie the game. Outstanding UConn defender Dom Perno steals the ball from Bradley as the clock runs out to preserve a UConn victory, sending UConn to the Elite 8, where they eventually were beaten by Duke, 101-54. I watched both games as a UConn student via closed circuit TV.”
— James B. Seger, Colchester (UConn Class of 1966)
Share a memory
What’s your favorite UConn March Madness memory? Whether you were in the stands or on your couch, tell us the Husky hoops story that you’re always sharing with your friends and family. We’ll take a look at our responses and run some of the best in print and online. Remember, brevity is always best, so keep it short and sweet. Send your thoughts to sports@courant.com and be sure to include your name and town.
Italian giants Juventus have scouted 1. FC Köln defender David Fürst on more than once occasion, according to Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.
Scouts from the Bianconeri watched Fürst as recently as Sunday, during their 3-2 defeat against Wolfsburg in the DFB Junioren Pokal in which the German scored a spectacular goal to put his side in the lead, before losing in extra-time.
With a contract that expires in the summer, KSA report that the player’s future remains uncertain. He impressed against FC Midtjylland and Inter Milan in this season’s UEFA Youth League, and was also awarded a place in Köln’s matchday squad against VfB Stuttgart, although he didn’t feature.
The 18-year-old has since represented the FC Köln II in the Regionalliga (fourth tier), playing the full 90 minutes against Rhein rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Additionally, KSA note that Fürst’s path to the first team is a difficult one with Sebastian Sebulonsen, Jan Thielmann, Tom Kraus, Alessio Castro-Montes and Cenny Neumann all ahead of the youngster at right-back – and so his future could be away from the RheinEnergieStadion.
Mar 21, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) dunks the ball in the second half against the Saint Louis Billikens during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Earlier this week, we asked fans if they believe Michigan will make the Final Four. And now the results are in.
A whooping 92% of voters believe Michigan will make the Final Four.
N0. 1-seed Michigan takes on No. 4-seed Alabama on Friday in the Sweet 16. If Michigan beats Alabama, they’ll play either No. 2-seed Iowa State or No. 6-seed Tennessee in the Elite Eight.
Per FanDuel Sportsbook, Michigan currently has the third-best odds of winning the national championship at +300. The only teams with better odds are Arizona +370 and Duke +430.
How did you vote this week? Let us know in the comments, and come back next week for another edition of SB Nation Reacts.
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 25: Alexia Putellas of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring her team's sixth goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 25, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images
Last session of the week – FC Barcelona With 15 players away on international duty and others out injured or busy doing recovery work, there are only four first team members training as normal this week at the Ciutat Esportiva: Szczesny, Gavi, Marc Casadó and Gerard Martín.
Barça, leaders from corners too – FC Barcelona The Blaugranes have scored more goals, 11 in total, than anyone other team in La Liga, showing the danger Hansi Flick’s team pose from set pieces.
While Missouri has already surpassed their win total from last season, there’s still a long way to go for Kerrick Jackson’s club t0 be competitive.
A 1-5 start to SEC play doesn’t get any easier with a ranked Texas A&M team coming to Columbia Friday through Sunday. The Tigers swept the Aggies in College Station last season, but Mizzou will still be looking for their first SEC win (at home) since the 2024 season.
In other Mizzou Baseball news, today is MLB’s Opening Day — and former Tiger and Rock Bridge alum Spencer Miles will be on the Blue Jays’ roster, joining Max Scherzer.
Former Mizzou Baseball Tiger and Rockbridge Bruin Spencer Miles is going to The Show!! ⚾️ 🐻 🐯 He will join fellow #MizzouMade Max Scherzer on the Toronto Blue Jays https://t.co/AYwfZ52fK8
Santana Banner is the clear headliner among the returners and enters the post-spring depth chart as a presumed starter. After transferring in from Northern Illinois, he steadily earned more playing time throughout 2025 and by November had taken over a starting role, absorbing many of Jalen Catalon’s snaps.
Santana Banner highlights Mizzou’s secondary position. Look for him to have a big year.
“This environment here, with all it really shows the Mizzou fan base, like you can see more people from around this area instead of just Columbia. But it was awesome. And getting that hit felt really good, knowing that you’re helping the team win. That’s my main goal.”
A good non-conference win for Mizzou Baseball. Always good to get Braggin’ Rights, especially in St. Louis.
When asked what he learned about the team based on its performance on Saturday, Shannon said, “What this tells me is we’re really good. We’re definitely competitive. We just got to be a little more consistent across the board, right? We can’t have a 49.0 on beam like we did.”
Mizzou Gymnastics heads to the NCAA Regionals with high hopes, but there’s room to improve off of Saturday’s performance at the SEC Championships.
Get ready, Tiger fans, the two-day Raleigh Relays are here, and Mizzou athletes will face a stacked field with a lot of action. The meet will run from Thursday, March 26, through Friday, March 27, at the Paul H. Derr Track Facility in Raleigh, NC.
Read up on the latest track and field updates from Sophie as the team prepares for the Raleigh Relays.
Annual Reminder: Over at RockM+ we'll have all your Mizzou Hoops portal needs. Including, but certainly not limited to, an insanely thorough tracking of player possibilities. We usually see an uptick in new members each spring, and the vast majority stick around all year! pic.twitter.com/UNCGUVJu3H
Rock M Radio’s Dive Cuts with Sam Snelling and Matthew Harrs: Mizzou Basketball falls flat to end the season
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BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 29: Manager John Schneider #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on during the third inning in game one of a split doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 29, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The Toronto Blue Jays suffered a brutal disappointment in the World Series last year, but the front office seems dedicated to pursuing better results next season.
Shortly after the team’s playoff run ended, it acquired several veteran players with a clear focus on improving run prevention. The team added new pitchers while welcoming some talented arms back to the staff as well.
But it might be some addition by subtraction that makes the biggest difference for the team’s defense.
Toronto Blue Jays Complete Infield Transformation Without Bo Bichette
“The Blue Jays have put a premium on run prevention for years now, ever since their defensive shortcomings were so glaringly exposed in an ugly playoff collapse against the Seattle Mariners in their 2022 wild-card series,” Mike Wilner wrote for the Toronto Star. “The departure of Bo Bichette via free agency this winter has finally completed the transformation, as Andres Gimenez moves across the second-base bag to take over at shortstop and Ernie Clement gets the everyday job at second.”
With Gimenez, a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, taking over Bichette’s position, the Blue Jays can deploy a number of upgrades to their middle defense, a key part of the field that could become a black hole for opposing hitters.
Toronto Blue Jays’ John Schneider Praises Defensive Alignment Without Bo Bichette
“We’re talking about elite, elite defenders at those positions,” manager John Schneider said of the up-the-middle defensive alignment with Bichette gone, per Wilner. “I am so excited to see (Gimenez) and Ernie up the middle this year and what they can do working together on a pretty consistent basis without Ernie bouncing around as much as he has in the past.”
Bichette, who agreed to a new contract with the New York Mets after spending his entire career at shortstop for the Blue Jays, was more revered for his offensive capabilities than he was for his defense. In seven years at the position, he has a career .966 fielding percentage, which is below the league average mark.
“In 2025, he rated as baseball’s weakest defensive shortstop, per Statcast metrics,” Mike Petriello wrote for MLB.com. “It’s not a one-year thing, as he’s been consistently below average there, to the point that over the last five seasons, his -23 Fielding Run Value is second weakest among shortstops.”
While the Blue Jays will miss Bichette’s bat in the lineup, perhaps they can make up for any offensive dropoff by fortifying the key area of the diamond. Meanwhile, the former shortstop is set to move to third base for the Mets, which should be an easier position for him to handle.
ENGLEWOOD , CO - FEBRUARY 6: Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton field questions during an introductory press conference at team headquarters in Englewood, Colorado on Monday, February 6, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) | Denver Post via Getty Images
Good morning, Broncos Country. As the end of March nears, the 2026 NFL Draft inches ever so closer. The Denver Broncos scouting department is making stops across the country at Pro Days getting their final information run done before the team begins finalizing its draft board.
Back at Dove Valley, the Broncos’ brass is bringing in prospects for their 30 visits. While not particularly indicative of who they truly covet, it’s a valuable opportunity to interview and evaluate those prospects for the things that matter outside of what’s on tape.
In just about four weeks, we will know who the franchise has tabbed to be their next top-picked player. That decision will be the culmination of a long and lengthy process that started back at the kickoff of the 2025 collegiate season. Just who will that prospect be? I can’t wait to find out.
Launching soon at Mile High Report will be our annual draft interest tracker cooked up by Scotty Payne for you to get an in-depth look of every prospect Denver has talked to and at what point during the pre-draft circuit.
Over the past several drafts, the Broncos have been able to find productive players in the second round with Nik Bonitto, Marvin Mims Jr., and RJ Harvey. That’s one reason I have faith in General Manager George Payton, as well as Head Coach Sean Payton to come up with a quality list of players on their draft board that can help the team compete for a Super Bowl run in 2026.
A little over a week ago, the Broncos made their big splash trading for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. His addition to the wide receiver corps will give Bo Nix some much needed help as he prepares to make another jump in Year 3. Could the Broncos opt to add another offensive playmaker into the mix, perhaps at running back or tight end with their top pick to surround Nix with more weapons?
Last year, Denver’s defense was one of the tops in the National Football League. Nobody was better at rushing the passer and their secondary remains strong returning every key starter from last season. Though several of those players are in the last year of their deals.
It makes me wonder if Denver could surprise us all and opt to make a defensive back their top selection in April. I’m not so sure Broncos Country is ready for that sort of curveball, especially after taking Jadhae Barron who barely played last season. Stranger things have happened—and we all know how much Paton loves drafting defensive backs.
But I’m sure you all wouldn’t mind them snagging a top-notch linebacker to eventually take over for Alex Singleton when the time comes. That seems to be a popular opinion based on your commentary in some of our recent draft profiles. Or perhaps Denver opts to add to their defensive trenches, bringing in another talented prospect to compete for playing time and snaps to alleviate the loss of John Franklin-Myers?
It’s the final countdown, friends. Who knows what the Broncos are cooking up for their draft strategy. If the past few years is any indicator of potential success, I think they’ll wind up finding a good one when they make their top pick.
I hope all our readers are enjoying our draft coverage and profiles thus far. Continue to be on the lookout for those, as well as anything else about the draft with April around the corner. As always, thank you for reading. Here is today’s slate of articles for Horse Tracks.
In baseball, the NCAA calls the second phase of its tournament a “Super Regional.” No such moniker exists for March Madness, but it would be apt for the men’s basketball drama about to unfold in Washington this weekend.
UConn vs. Michigan State, Duke vs. St. John’s on Friday, the winners play for the East Regional’s portal to the Final Four on Sunday. It doesn’t get much bigger, or better, than this.
“It’s pretty brutal on Twitter,” said UConn coach Dan Hurley, who favors the graphic analogy, after the matchups were set. “And socials between (UConn and St. John’s) fan bases, but I think we have to try to come together Friday night against our opponents so we can have a blood bath on Sunday.”
If these four teams were in different regionals, they might all be gathering in Indianapolis next week for the Final Four without busting too many brackets, but the metrics dictated this grouping as far as the selection process went. It put St. John’s and UConn, the two best teams in the Big East, already having met three times, in the same bracket. Duke, the No. 1 seed, and Michigan State, No. 3, will have their say in this, but it’s safe to say this quadrant of the country is itching for Coach-a-mania IV between Hurley and Rick Pitino.
In a way, it is vindication for the Big East, which got only three teams in the Field of 68, largely because of out-of-conference performances four months ago. UConn assembled a tough schedule and went 5-1 against nonconference opponents, positioning itself for a No. 2 seed. The Johnnies did not fair well out of conference, but dominated the league, won two of three against the Huskies and were put on the No. 5 line.
“I think it speaks to the quality of what us and St. John’s are this year,” Hurley said. “I think they’re a great team. I think we’re a great team. I think it was much needed. I think with coming off of a three-bid year, obviously, Seton Hall was close. They did their part in the nonconference. Seton Hall got hurt by the overall league this year. I just think us and St. John’s are two of the best teams in the country.”
UConn, after beating Furman and UCLA in its subregional in Philadelphia, and St. John’s, which survived the second round in San Diego with a dramatic, high-degree-of-difficulty winning shot from Dylan Darling to beat Kansas, have major obstacles still separating them. Michigan State, the only program ever to deny UConn at a Final Four, in 2009, have a Hall of Fame coach in Tom Izzo and come out of the formidable Big Ten. Duke, ultimate ACC blue blood and, one might argue, the one school UConn fans love to hate more than any conference rival, stands in Pitino’s way.
St. John’s, despite their seeding, are one of the “it” teams in the field. Pitino, 73, also in the Hall of Fame, has taken Providence, Kentucky and Louisville to Final Fours, winning championships with the latter two, and has few demons left to wrestle. But Duke is one. In 1992, he was knocked out of the Final Four on a game-winning shot by Christian Laettner, two years after Laettner broke UConn’s heart in the school’s first Elite Eight. UConn eventually slayed Duke on the way to championships in 1999 and 2004. So UConn and St. John’s have common ground, hating on Laettner … but then again, didn’t everybody?
Hurley will join Pitino and Izzo in the Hall of Fame one day, as virtually every coach with at least two championships is inducted eventually. This third trip in four years to the Round of 16 only adds to his body of work, but he’s aiming for select company in his quest for three championships, as is captain Alex Karaban, the remaining starter from the 2023 and ’24 champions.
“I definitely don’t want my career to end so doing everything in my power to help lead this team to make sure that happens and get the win,” Karaban said, after scoring his career high 27 points vs. UCLA. “Do anything possible to make sure I get the win. … I don’t go into a game thinking what if we lose? That’s the worst mentality to have. Think about winning nonstop, and just helping this team out.”
So let’s make the large leap and assume it comes down to UConn vs. St. John’s.
Here’s the storyline: What teams can you remember playing three times in a season with such wildly different results? St. John’s won handily at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 6, and even more handily in the Big East final on March 14, with star center Zuby Ejiofor dominating the Huskies both times. In between, Ejiofor was a nonfactor as UConn won by 32 in Hartford on Feb. 25. Anyone who tries to predict what would happen Sunday, what new wrinkle Pitino might pull out of the sleeve of his fancy suit, what adjustment Hurley and his staff might use to counter the last game, is giving you a snow job. If that’s where we land, let it play out and enjoy it.
The only thing that could make this super regional even more epic would be if Duke were still coached by Mike Krzyzewski, but his replacement, Jon Scheyer, has not gone the way of others who replace such legends. He’s kept Duke, top overall seed, in the national conversation. But no matter how hot St. John’s is, losing to a No.5 won’t sit well in Durham, N.C.
What we’re about to see are clashes of college basketball’s titans, colorful personalities, personal rivalries, traditional rivalries, conference rivalries, storied programs, drama, pressure, intensity and intrigue — was somebody looking to prevent two Big East teams reaching the Final Four? — and all in one place. It would’ve made a hell of a Final Four, and it’s no garden variety regional. It is, indeed, the super regional.
“It stinks a little bit that they threw us both in the same region,” Hurley said. “It feels like the combination of St. John’s being underseeded, as well as putting us both in same region. It’s probably a little bit early, but obviously, I think we’ve got to … support each other.”
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Head coach Mark Pope of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts against the Santa Clara Broncos during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
During his recent radio show, Pope offered a sobering reality check regarding the timeline for the rest of his staff overhaul.
“We’re going through a little bit of a hiring process that will be ongoing—probably for the next six weeks,” Pope explained. “We could have some closure on some things quickly, but I can’t really talk in detail about anything until it gets through the whole HR process.”
In a vacuum, a six-week HR timeline is standard corporate procedure. But in the modern landscape of college basketball, that timeline is a massive hurdle because of the newly accelerated Transfer Portal window instituted by the NCAA.
The 15-Day Transfer Portal window
Players cannot officially enter their names into the Transfer Portal until April 7th. However, anyone paying attention knows that backdoor deals are already being orchestrated, and agents are prematurely announcing their clients’ intentions to leave. It is an unregulated mess, but it is the reality of the sport.
That April 7th opening is the first major date to circle on your calendar.
Once the portal opens, it remains active for exactly 15 days. When that window slams shut, no new names can enter. There are no graduate exemptions or special loopholes for late decisions. If a player plans on transferring, they must formally notify their current school before that 15-day window expires on April 21st at 11:59 PM. If they miss the deadline, they are stuck.
Mark Pope has to have his staff aligned, his evaluations complete, and his recruiting pitches perfected before that window opens. It is indeed a very short clock as the coaching staff looks to change drastically.
A rare summer sneak peek
Once the dust from the transfer portal finally settles, the new-look Wildcats will quickly hit the floor.
Official mid-June practices will tip off the summer schedule, but Pope recently hinted that an international offseason trip is currently in the works. Per NCAA rules, college basketball programs are only allowed to take these foreign exhibition tours once every four years.
If the trip gets finalized, BBN will get a highly anticipated, early look at this brand-new roster competing against actual opponents long before Big Blue Madness in the fall.
Needless to say, it is going to be an incredibly busy, high-stakes few months in Lexington.
Any guesses on where Pope and company plan on going? And do you like the new Transfer Portal window?
Alan Shearer thinks Chelsea are implementing plan which won’t ever be successful
Chelsea are trying to implement a plan which will simply never work according to Premier League legend Alan Shearer.
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The Blues have spent vast sums of money following the takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, which has seen a major shift in transfer strategy.
Chelsea now target talented youngsters and put them on long term contracts, and have moved away from signing proven players with quality.
Alan Shearer claims Chelsea’s plan won’t work
The Blues have got some deals right with the likes of Cole Palmer, Andrey Santos and Estevao all impressing, and they can be stars of the future.
There’s also excitement surrounding Mike Penders and Geovany Quenda, but if Chelsea are to succeed they need to add some experience and proven quality to help guide and complement the young talent.
So far the Blues seem reluctant to do that, and once again they face another crucial summer where they must address their issues.
Fans have little to no faith in the ownership and sporting directors, and Shearer believes their plan won’t ever work.
“Yeah, absolutely, yeah. I think what Chelsea’s model is and has been for a long time now is Champions League football,” he told Premier League Productions.
“I think that’s the minimum that they would expect. And I think he probably knows that, he’s signed up for that.
“He knows the pressures that he’s under at a big football club who want it very differently to what anyone else or how anyone else runs their football club in terms of buying young, trying to develop them and then perhaps sell them for big money, giving them long contracts.
“I’m not a huge fan of that, but they believe they’ll get success that way. I don’t. I think it’s such a difficult ask for any manager under those circumstances.
“But the reason he was hired, I think, is to get Champions League football.”
The Blues have lost four games in a row, and have failed to score in their last three, with the pressure growing on Rosenior.
Chelsea reportedly plan to review Rosenior in summer 2027, but we’ve heard this before with previous managers, and ultimately it’s a results based business.
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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 2: Arturs Silovs #37 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save against Drake Batherson #19 of the Ottawa Senators at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 2, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
With both teams desperate for points in their fight for playoff positioning, tonight’s game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators should have a playoff feel when the teams hit the ice. Right now, the Penguins are holding onto third place in the Metro division while the Senators cling to the second and final wild card spot by virtue of holding the tiebreaker over the New York Islanders. Both the Penguins and Senators will have only 10 games left after tonight’s contest, so expect both sides to leave it all on the ice tonight in Canada’s capital.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00PM EST and will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh.
Pens Points…
While a few of the upper tier teams in the Eastern Conference have created separation and are in a comfortable playoff position, that is not the case for the rest as the battle to make the Stanley Cup playoffs is going to come down right to the wire with razor thin margins separating the contenders. [Pensburgh]
After some recent struggles, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins righted the ship a bit last weekend, taking two of three games on a road trip through Canada and clinched a playoff spot in the process. With nine games left on the schedule, the goal is now to lock down a first round bye. [Pensburgh]
Another key injury appears to have hit the Penguins lineup at the worst possible moment. Forward Anthony Mantha, who has already set a new career high in goals this season, did not practice on Wednesday and is considered day-to-day but will be on the plane to Ottawa with the team. [Trib Live]
Like Mantha, Just Brazeau has already set a new career high in goals this season with the Penguins but the well has dried up as of late. He had a goal taken off the board against Colorado on Tuesday, but Brazeau knows the opportunities will come if he just keeps playing his game. [Trib Live]
There’s a strong case to be made for Kyle Dubas as the top general manager in hockey this season as his series of moves over the past year have perfectly positioned this Penguins team break their postseason drought after many considered them a likely basement dweller rather than a playoff contender. [Daily Faceoff]
Another testament to the work Dubas has done since joining the Penguins organization is the way the he has slowly but surely replenished the prospect pool that was near the bottom of the league before he arrived. Now they sit somewhere around the middle of the pack with that stock likely to keep rising. [The Athletic $$]
NHL News and Notes…
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman and team captain Victor Hedman will be taking a temporary leave of absence from the team, citing personal reasons. No other reason was given for his departure nor did the team release any kind of timetable for his return to action. [ESPN]
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 21: Josip Stanisic of FC Bayern München looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on March 21, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When people talk about Bayern Munich’s season, the spotlight naturally falls on the stars—goalscorers, headline signings, and the players filling highlight reels week after week. But every successful Bayern side is built on more than just star power. It’s the “unsung heroes” who often provide the consistency, balance, and tactical glue that keep everything running smoothly.
So, who deserves that label this season?
One strong candidate is Konrad Laimer. Playing almost exclusively as a right-back, Laimer has been the definition of reliability. His energy, pressing, and tactical discipline allow Bayern Munich’s more attacking players to thrive. He’s rarely the man of the match — but he’s often the reason Bayern Munich controls games.
Another name worth highlighting is Raphaël Guerreiro. Injuries may have disrupted parts of his campaign, but when available, his technical quality and versatility have been invaluable. Able to operate in midfield or at left-back, Guerreiro provides creativity from deeper areas and helps Bayern maintain fluidity in possession—something that often goes unnoticed unless it’s missing.
Defensively, Dayot Upamecano has quietly put together a strong run. While he’s had his critics in the past, his athleticism and ability to step into midfield with the ball have been crucial in Bayern Munich’s build-up play. He doesn’t always get credit unless something goes wrong, but his overall contribution this season has been far more stable than the narrative suggests.
Then there’s Aleksandar Pavlović, who has emerged as a surprising but important figure. The young midfielder has shown composure beyond his years, offering smart positioning and clean distribution. In a squad filled with established names, stepping in and not looking out of place is no small feat—and that alone puts him in the unsung hero conversation.
You could also make a case for Josip Stanišić, especially given his versatility and defensive intelligence. Whether starting or coming off the bench, he provides dependable cover across the backline and rarely puts a foot wrong.
What makes an “unsung hero” at Bayern Munich is consistency without constant recognition. It’s about doing the dirty work, filling gaps, and elevating teammates without dominating headlines. This season, Bayern has had several players who fit that mold—and depending on what you value most (defensive stability, tactical flexibility, or quiet consistency), your answer might differ.
So, what do you think? Who has been Bayern Munich’s most overlooked contributor this season? Remember, you are not limited to the suggestions above. Tell us in the comments below!
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Italy probable lineup vs Northern Ireland: Locatelli links up with Tonali
Manuel Locatelli is expected to be the solitary Juventus representative in the Italy starting lineup against Northern Ireland.
After finishing second in their qualifying group, the Azzurri will have to negotiate their way to the World Cup through the playoffs.
Based on their previous two experiences in the stage, the entire nation has been dreading a third straight catastrophic failure for Italian football.
How Italy will line up against Northern Ireland
After months of ominous anticipation, the World Cup playoffs are finally upon us. On Thursday, Italy will host Northern Ireland in the semi-final. Whoever prevails this evening in Bergamo will book its place in the final against either Wales or Bosnia on Tuesday.
Gennaro Gattuso, the man entrusted with this delicate mission, has reportedly decided to field a 3-5-2 formation for this evening’s clash.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Gianluigi Donnarumma will naturally start between the sticks, with Gianluca Mancini, Alessandro Bastoni, and Riccardo Calafiori ahead of him.
Nevertheless, Bastoni has been out of action in recent weeks, and only returned to full training on Wednesday. Therefore, his availability isn’t fully confirmed.
If the Inter stalwart fails to pass a late athletic test, he could be replaced by either Napoli’s Alessandro Buongiorno or Juve’s Federico Gatti.
In the wing-back slots, Federico Dimarco was always guaranteed a starting role over Andrea Cambiaso, while Matteo Politano has reportedly prevailed in his ballot against Marco Palestra on the right side.
Locatelli expected to start, Cambiaso & Gatti on the bench
Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli will operate as a deep-lying playmaker, with Nicolo Barella and Sandro Tonali occupying the box-to-box slots. The Newcastle star also had to overcome a slight injury problem to make himself available.
Finally, Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui are the favourites to keep their starting roles up front, but the in-form Francesco Pio Esposito is pushing for a spot.
New coach John Harbaugh has made clear he wants to make the playoffs in his first year with Big Blue, and the roster is certainly improved with the arrival of players like tight end Isaiah Likely, who followed Harbaugh north from Baltimore. Likely will be a reliable weapon for Jaxson Dart and Darnell Mooney should stretch the field. Tremaine Edmunds and Greg Newsome II should upgrade the defense and the makeover of special teams with kicker Jason Sanders and punter Jordan Stout is welcome news for a team that suffered from a lack of consistency there. The Giants probably need more on the offensive line, but there was already talent on the New York roster. Harbaugh’s hiring was one of the most significant offseason moves in the entire league. Contending for a playoff spot would not be a surprise.
The Giants had enough talent to compete most weeks. A stat compiled by NFL analyst Warren Sharp revealed the Giants held the lead for 377 snaps, more than 15 other teams, including Dallas, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, and John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens.
With a new coaching staff, improvements on defense, upgrades up and down the roster, and a dedication to things such as conditioning and depth, the Giants can easily be one of those teams that make a significant turnaround in the standings this year.
The Giants signed three players to replicate Wan’Dale Robinson’s production. Cue the Brad Pitt line in “Moneyball” about replacing Jason Giambi: “I told you, we can’t do it. Now, what we might be able to do is recreate him in the aggregate.’’
26. New York Giants. I loved: The first half of the linebacker plan. Moving on from Bobby Okereke and using that cap relief (and then a little extra) to grab Edmunds is good business. Edmunds is younger, has far greater range and should bounce back after an injury-riddled 2025. But he needs a running mate, as the Giants had a Micah McFadden issue before he suffered a major foot injury in Week 1 of last season. Once I see the Sonny Styles pick at No. 5 in April, I’ll really love the plan.
I didn’t love: The redundancy at wide receiver. The Giants added Calvin Austin III and Mooney to a depth chart featuring Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton. I’m not sure what these additions accomplish. Mooney and Slayton are both drop-prone field stretchers. Austin fills some of the Wan’Dale Robinson role, but was the slot role in desperate need of help with Nabers serving as a wonderful slot option and flex tight end Likely also spending time there?
The lack of investment (to this point) in the trenches is a reflection of an overall commitment to staying disciplined in free agency. The Giants didn’t want to overspend on any player, which is easier said than done in a system that features B-level players consistently getting A-level money.
It’s too soon to say whether the restrained approach is the right one. Having quarterback Jaxson Dart on a rookie contract provides a window that could have justified more aggressive spending on the rest of the roster, but free agency is littered with regrettable overpays. That won’t be the case for the Giants, as none of the contracts they handed out over the past two weeks will create a cap crunch in the future.
Favorite Move: T Jermaine Eluemunor. Eluemunor put together the best season of his career with the Giants in 2025. He gave up pressure on just 3.3% of pass plays, which led all right tackles. The Giants were able to sign him to a three-year contract worth $39 million, which makes him just the 13th-highest-paid right tackle in the league.
Least Favorite Move: LB Tremaine Edmunds. While Edmunds enjoyed a breakout 2022 season with the Bills in a contract year (81.9 PFF overall grade), he failed to replicate that throughout his time in Chicago. His best season came in his last year with the Bears, but even then, he ranked just 35th with a 66.0 PFF overall grade and 48th with a 52.9 PFF coverage grade. It was slightly surprising that the Giants made him the 11th-highest-paid linebacker in the NFL.
Yes, the analytics/stats backup how the Giants defense was with Tae Banks on the field last year
Deonte Banks on/off the field splits. Giants EPA/Play was 8 times worst when Banks was on the field versus off the field. It's the difference between the Giants being 18th in EPA/Play and 32nd. Average defense when he's off the field. Worst defense in the league when he's on. pic.twitter.com/ipAMlEIMZj
Sonny Styles has missed three tackles in two years while starring in the middle of the Ohio State defense, emerging as one of the best players in the 2026 NFL Draft with a stat line that only tells part of his impressive story.
“Just watching him around the other prospects here this week – and right now they haven’t even stepped on the field – he’s the one you notice,” one NFL scout told NorthJersey.com and The Record. “The vibe he gives off is just, ‘I’m the leader, follow me.'”
Harbaugh is currently the betting favorite to win the NFL Coach of the Year award, with +500 odds. Given that track record of Giants coaches, Harbaugh might win Coach of the Year if he goes 9-8.
After Harbaugh, the coach with the next-best odds to win Coach of the Year is his successor in Baltimore, Jesse Minter, at +800. He’s followed by Titans coach Robert Saleh at +1000, Saints coach Kellen Moore at +1200, Bills coach Joe Brady at +1200 and Steelers coach Mike McCarthy at +1200.
Tom Coughlin to be honored for his charity work
We are honored to share that Coach Coughlin and Keli Coughlin Joyce are receiving the President’s Medallion at the One Jax Humanitarian Awards on Thursday, April 30, at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.
Expectation: After coming so close to winning it all last year, the Jays leveled up with offseason acquisitions Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Max Scherzer, Eric Lauer, and Tyler Rogers to pitch alongside Kazuma Okamoto and Jesús Sánchez on the offensive side.
Though they lost Bo Bichette to free agency, they are a markedly better team than they were (and they were already really good).
But the biggest hope for Toronto fans is an expectation for a monster season from superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr., propelling them towards a return to the postseason.
Concern: The Jays are in the AL East, which is arguably the most cutthroat division in the Junior Circuit–maybe in all of MLB. They’ve made plenty of offseason moves but the question of if they can follow up their Cinderella story from 2025 remains to be seen.
New York Yankees
Expectation: After Opening Night, Yanks fans have to be feeling good. They put on a show against San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb, after a 5-run 2nd inning propelled them to a 7-0 win.
Max Fried pitched 6 ⅓ innings of shutout ball, limiting Giants batters to two hits. Aaron Judge will pick up after an historically bad game, striking out four times as the reigning AL MVP.
Concern: New York has been content to run it back, not bringing on any new additions apart from bringing back Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Trent Grisham.
They’re coming off consecutive 94-win seasons and could do so again, but in the bloodthirsty AL East, can they stay afloat?
Boston Red Sox
Expectation: The Sox bolstered their pitching by adding top free agent Ranger Suarez while trading for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo.
They have one of the most complete starting rotations in baseball, with envious depth. Payton Tolle will not be in the starting five, but Connelly Early will fill out the back end well.
Concern: The departure of Alex Bregman hurts. Can Caleb Durbin replace the production of Bregman? Probably not, but he’s a great young up-and-comer and fills out third base well for Boston. But if he can build on his stellar 2025 rookie campaign, Boston will be a lot closer to returning to playoff glory.
Baltimore Orioles
Expectation: The O’s, after an incredibly disappointing 2025, made a swath of moves this offseason. That disappointment largely came due to incredibly bad pitching.
They signed Chris Bassitt and Zack Eflin out of free agency, and traded for Shane Baz and Andrew Kittredge. Despite giving up prospect Grayson Rodriguez, these moves should bring them closer to their 101-win season from 2023.
Concern: Like with most of the teams on this list, can they stay afloat in the East? The Birds have done plenty to try to keep pace with the Yanks, Jays, and Sox, but whether or not they can do so will be seen under new manager Craig Albernaz’s leadership.
Their offense looks a whole lot better with Pete Alonso at first base, but their ‘25 was incredibly disappointing after poor seasons from young stars Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman but if they can return to form the O’s will be set.
Tampa Bay Rays
Expectation: There’s not a lot to expect from this Rays team outside of Junior Caminero following up with another incredible year after slugging 36 home runs last season. After his dominant World Baseball Classic run, he’ll be the lone superstar in a Tampa Bay that is seriously lacking.
Concern: Who is going to take the mound? Shane McClanahan is returning from injury, but they traded Shane Baz and only added Nick Martinez. The Rays will not be contending in the AL East this year, but they can at least expect good performances from Caminero and Chandler Simpson.
UConn guards Caroline Ducharme (33) and Azzi Fudd (35) walk off the court at the end the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Syracuse, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This month, the University of Connecticut’s athletics department employees have been busy working, planning, organizing and attending events across the U.S. No one is complaining about the hectic schedule. Instead, UConn is in a unique position: the only school to have its men’s and women’s basketball and hockey programs selected for the NCAA tournament.
On Thursday afternoon, the UConn men’s hockey team opens NCAA play against Michigan State in Worcester, Mass. The next night, the Huskies and Spartans meet again in the men’s basketball Sweet 16 in Washington, D.C., while the UConn women’s basketball team faces North Carolina in the Sweet 16 in Forth Worth, Texas. This comes after the Huskies’ women’s hockey team lost to Penn State on March 10 in the NCAA quarterfinals.
“That’s very cool,” UConn forward Alex Karaban said. “I know a lot of people talk about UConn as a basketball school, but it’s an everything school.”
Karaban, a four-year starter and the winningest player in program history, said the men’s and women’s basketball players are close and attend each other’s home games when possible. The teams share a practice facility and interact every day when on campus.
“We’re rooting for each others’ success,” Karaban said. “We just have so much pride with each other. We see how hard they work, and they see how hard we work. It’s just a mutual respect.”
UConn Aims For More National Titles In Basketball
The UConn women’s basketball team has 12 national titles, the most of any school. The Huskies are the reigning NCAA champions and are heavily favored to repeat. They have been No. 1 in the Associated Press poll all season and are 36-0, the only undefeated team in the nation. They lead the Division I in scoring defense (50.3 points allowed per game) and are second in scoring (89.1 points per game). And they have two first team AP All-Americans in sophomore forward Sarah Strong, who leads the team with 18.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 1.6 blocks per game, and senior guard Azzi Fudd, who is averaging 17.8 points and shooting 45.4% on 6.9 3-poimt attempts per game.
In the first two rounds, the Huskies won their games by 38 points and 53 points, respectively, over UTSA and Syracuse. They are the No. 1 seed in the Fort Worth Regional 1 and should face a tougher test Thursday against No. 4 seed North Carolina (28-7), which is No. 15 in the AP poll and has won 15 of its past 17 games. Still, UConn has won all but one of its games by at least 13 points and 30 games by at least 30 points. If the Huskies defeat UNC, they will play the winner of Friday’s game between No. 2 seed Vanderbilt and No. 6 seed Notre Dame.
The UConn men’s basketball team, meanwhile, has won six national championships, all since 1999, including in 2023 and 2024. A year ago, the Huskies lost in the second round of the NCAAs by two points to Florida, which won the title.
This season, the Huskies (31-5) are the No. 2 seed in the East Region and have rebounded from a 20-point loss to St. John’s in the Big East tournament championship game. If UConn defeats Michigan State Friday, the Huskies could face St. John’s for the fourth time this season in the Elite Eight Sunday. St. John’s, the No. 5 seed in the East Region, faces No. 1 seed Duke Friday.
UConn had three players selected as first team All-Big East in Karaban (13.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game), forward Tarris Reed Jr. (14.2 points and 8.9 rebounds) and point guard Silas Demary Jr. (10.6 points and 6.1 assists). Reed had 31 points and 27 rebounds in last Friday’s first round NCAA victory over Furman, while Karaban scored a career-high 27 points in the second round win over UCLA. Demary Jr. missed the Furman game with an ankle injury but returned to play 22 minutes off the bench against UCLA. He is still not 100% healthy, but he will likely play this weekend.
UConn Hockey Programs Are On The Rise
While UConn’s basketball teams have a long tradition of winning, the hockey programs are on the rise. The women’s team launched in 2000 and made the NCAAs for the first time in 2024 when the Huskies won their first Hockey East title. This season, they won the Hockey East tournament again with a double overtime victory over Northeastern, clinching a spot in the NCAAs, where they won their first game over Princeton before losing in the quarterfinals. UConn won a school-record 28 games this season, while goalie Tia Chan became the second player in program history to be named a first team All-American.
The men’s hockey team, which began play in 1960, made the NCAAs for the first time last season, losing to Penn State in overtime in the regional final. This season, they lost in the Hockey East championship game but received an at-large berth to the NCAAs and will face Michigan State, which is the overall No. 3 seed and top seed in the Worcester regional. UConn’s leading scorers are forwards Ryan Tattle (13 goals and 19 assists) and Joey Muldowney (17 goals and 11 assists), both of whom were second team All-Hockey East selections.
The common thread between the basketball and hockey programs? Coaching continuity. At a time when coaches often switch jobs or get fired, UConn has been able to hold on to its coaches longer than most schools.
Geno Auriemma, who has been UConn’s women’s basketball coach since 1985, has a Division I record 1,286 victories, 11 national titles and 24 Final Four appearances. Dan Hurley, the men’s basketball coach since 2018 who turned down the Los Angeles Lakers’ job two years ago, has won more than 72% of his games and is one of three active coaches (along with Bill Self at Kansas and Rick Pitino at St. John’s) with multiple national titles. On the hockey side, men’s coach Mike Cavanaugh and women’s coach Chris Mackenzie have been at UConn since 2013.
UConn Receives University’s Support For Athletics
While the basketball teams are in the Big East and the hockey programs are in the Hockey East, UConn’s football program is one of only two independent teams (along with Notre Dame) in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Huskies have traditionally struggled in football, but they won nine games in each of the past two seasons under coach Jim Mora, who left last November to take over at Colorado State. UConn hired Toledo coach Jason Candle as Mora’s replacement and signed him to a six-year contract.
UConn has invested heavily in sports, with the athletics department receiving $32.3 million from the University and nearly $5.2 million in student fees during the 2024-25 fiscal year, the latest available data, according to CT Insider, a leading media company covering the state. The athletics department had $67.2 million in self-generated revenue, which excludes University support and student fees, a $4.9 million increase from the previous fiscal year. That means about 57% of the department’s revenue is self-generated.
Besides the history of success, consistency in coaching and financial support, Karaban said UConn’s basketball and hockey programs benefit from the school’s rural location in Storrs, Conn., about 25 miles east of Hartford. Not only do the state’s residents view UConn as the local professional franchise, the players don’t have as many distractions in Storrs.
“I think it helps a lot,” Karaban said. “You can’t be pulled in different directions compared to a big city. We really are in the middle of nowhere, so there’s not much to do besides hang out with teammates, go work out and go to class. I think that’s what’s made UConn so successful and what’s made everyone who’s come to UConn really thrive.”
Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger attends press conference at the Etihad Stadium, ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match against Manchester City. Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa
Antonio Rüdiger has said he accepts his new role as challenger in the German national team but is convinced that his time will come at the World Cup in summer.
Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck have established themselves as the new top pairing in central defence of Julian Nagelsmann's team while Rüdiger is back in the squad after missing the last four games due to injury.
"I will be there if Julian needs me - regardless whether as a starter or off the bench to preserve the result," the Real Madrid defender told Thursday's edition of Kicker sports magazine.
"Jona and Nico are playing strongly this season and especially very consistent. Central defence is the position in the squad where we have the best options, including depth."
Rüdiger has 81 caps, a mark only surpassed in the squad by captain Joshua Kimmich, who has 106 going into World Cup tune-ups on Friday in Basel against Switzerland and three days later in Stuttgart against Ghana.
He said he is confident that he will play at the June 11-July 19 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, where Germany face Curacao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in the group stage.
"We need more than 11 players at a World Cup, especially this summer: The conditions will be very challenging, and also the travelling and the slightly higher number of games," he said.
The World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams, with a new round of 32 introduced after the group stage. Rüdiger knows about the vast distances in the US from last year's Club World Cup with Real.
Rüdiger has caused controversy in the past but he is held in very high esteem by Nagelsmann.
"What I can say is that Antonio commits himself in an unbelievable way when it comes to the national team. He is someone who extremely protects the national team family and does everything so that we have success," Nagelsmann said recently.
BRADENTON, FLORIDA - MARCH 21, 2026: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during the first inning of a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at LECOM Park on March 21, 2026 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Leah King/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
With the MLB 2026 regular season upon us, here are your staff predictions from the Bucs Dugout crew:
Ethan Coulehan
I think the pirates will win 82 games this season. Pittsburgh has upgraded their bats, which really struggled last season. Additions like Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, and Marcel ozuna will help the offense. The pitching will also be a bright spot for this team headlined by plays skenes. I think the pirates can do exactly what the reds did in 2025 which was sneak into the playoffs with around 82 wins.
Jaiman White
I think the Pirates with the offseason moves they’ve made to improve the lineup and with the stellar pitching staff they have assembled will finish just north of .500 this year. I think their lack of defense could hold them back and may be the difference maker in the games that matter the most down the stretch. Still though, the Pirates will have their most successful season under Ben Cherington and will finish with 84 wins.
Jeremy Brener
The Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves with higher expectations compared to last season. The team is coming off a 71-91 campaign, which was five victories less than 2023 and 2024. In order to take a step in the right direction this season, the Pirates need to have a better offense. They should have that with their free agency acquisitions over the offseason: Marcel Ozuna, Brennan Lowe, and Ryan O’Hearn. They should also challenge some of the best rotations in the league with Paul Skenes leading the way. Their pitching should be enough to keep them in a lot of games, but their hitting is what will turn some of those 2025 losses into 2026 wins.
There should be an improvement from the Pirates, but it remains to be seen how much better the team will actually be. A playoff berth is not totally out of the question, considering the fact that the Cincinnati Reds were a wild card team with just 83 victories last season. That would require a 12-win boost from the Pirates, which would be significant. I imagine the Pirates will get close to that number, but they won’t quite get there. 79 wins.
Darren Yuvan
There’s no doubt that the Bucs are improved from last year. The only question that remains is how much? The starting pitching should once again be a team strength, and Pittsburgh’s cast of new hitters should improve things offensively. I do think the bullpen is a potential struggle point, and I agree with Jaiman that team defense is another. Still, the top-notch pitching staff and more offense should be good for 10ish more wins, so let’s call this a .500 ball club. The Bucs finish with 81 wins. They miss the playoffs, but the road back to becoming a winning team starts this season.
It may feel like a lifetime ago when Yoshinobu Yamamoto fired a splitter to Alejandro Kirk, who rolled a ground ball to Mookie Betts with the bases loaded, Betts simply stepping on second and tossing to first and ending a World Series, just like that.
Yet here we are, Opening Day upon us and real baseball, coast-to-coast and nearly around the clock a daily reality. Does the world seem any different since Nov. 1, when the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays played one of the greatest Game 7s of all time, to end one of the greatest World Series of all time?
A lot can happen in 145 days. Especially in the baseball industry. With that, USA TODAY Sports gets you back up to speed on what you missed since the Dodgers claimed their second consecutive World Series championship:
The Blue Jays reinvented themselves – for the most part
We’ll start on that Rogers Centre turf, where the disconsolate Blue Jays filed back to a clubhouse where the tears flowed as easily as the champagne in the opposing room a few hundred yards away.
It’s really hard to repeat as champions in baseball, as the Dodgers learned. So wouldn’t it seem equally hard to get back to the Fall Classic after losing Game 7?
(Remember, 145 days can fly by, too).
With that, the Blue Jays took a wise hybrid approach to their offseason – not replicating the roster that fell just short but augmenting and future-proofing it.
Say hello to new starting pitchers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, the former a supreme bat-misser and the latter whose spring performance justified his $30 million commitment to arrive from Japan. Kazuma Okamoto is the new third baseman. Bo Bichette is gone.
Yet the guts of the club still remain, even 41-year-old Max Scherzer, looking incredibly spry this spring and probably much healthier than last year. And let's not forget that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. begins the first of his 14 years of contractual bliss, over which time Toronto will pay him $500 million. He’s already worth it – even moreso if the Jays can win one more game than they did last year.
The Dodgers are only further reviled
Don’t weep for the boys in blue: More than 4 million people flocked through the gates to see them play last year. They get plenty of California love.
Yet they just can’t help themselves when it comes to seismic signings that rock the industry.
Here’s where $60 million man Kyle Tucker comes in (or, $57 million man Kyle Tucker when taking deferrals into account). This wasn’t an epic free agent class this past winter but the vacuum of trade rumors and signings must be filled and Tucker became the Hope Diamond.
Great player. Not quite a franchise player. Yet after he chose the Dodgers’ front-loaded and opt-out friendly deal, manager Dave Roberts will have a hard act to follow.
After all, he relished that the Dodgers “ruined baseball” in the postgame celebration following their NLCS vanquishing of the Brewers. A third straight World Series appearance and the club might be taking the rap for climate change and mayonnaise, too.
ABS system: ‘Robots’ have arrived
Sometimes a colloquialism gets out of control. So it is with “robot umpires.”
The phrase gained steam as pitch-tracking technology got better and more widespread and the average modern fan posited that we’d be better off with robots calling balls and strikes.
And here we are. Kind of.
The ABS Challenge System enables batters, pitchers and catchers to tap their head should they immediately determine they’ve possibly been wronged. They can do it twice a game and then, if they fail, they must live with human error.
It’s a bit of a half-measure to keep the so-called human element fairly alive and well while providing a fairly sturdy guardrail against egregious crimes against the strike zone.
Thank goodness it only takes 30 seconds or so to render a verdict, keeping the game watchable. And perhaps more enjoyable if your team is the one benefiting.
It actually began before the World Series when Philadelphia Phillies president Dave Dombrowski opined in the club’s postseason postmortem that Harper wasn’t an “elite” player anymore.
It picked up steam when Harper, now a prolific TikToker, donned a shirt he said someone gave him bearing Dombrowski’s damning phrase. Just workout gear, he said.
Silly? Hey, the Narrative Factory never closes, and this is fodder either way, whether Harper falls into a 2-for-30 hole or claims his third MVP award at 33.
They still have 2024 Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale, and Reynaldo Lopez is kinda nice, and maybe Bryce Elder can recapture his 2023 first half magic that sent him to the All-Star Game.
Other than that? The Atlanta Braves have an entire pitching rotation on the injured list.
It’s no way for a recent power to erase the sting of a fourth-place finish. They lost Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep to bone chip surgery in late February. Joey Wentz to a torn ACL once Grapefruit League play began.
And they couldn’t break camp without Spencer Strider tweaking an oblique. Throw in AJ Smith-Shawver’s Tommy John surgery from last June, and that’s a quintet’s worth of innings lost.
Those that remain hopefully won’t step on any banana peels.
‘Nuclear winter’ drew a little closer
Looking forward to Opening Day, eh? Shame if something happened to it.
Kind of an apt marketing slogan for Major League Baseball, eh? Lest we forget, Opening Day 2027 is far from a given with labor storm clouds forming and commissioner Rob Manfred telegraphing a lockout that will end all baseball business Dec. 1 until a new collective bargaining agreement is struck.
In the meantime, the union is down a man, with executive director Tony Clark’s startling resignation in February coming with just enough time to regroup before negotiations begin. (Yes, talks could have commenced any time in the last year, but that’s just not how they do it).
So enjoy the sunshine and displays of talent and hopefully a nice W for your team of choice. Next year this time could be a lot different.
Then again, plenty can happen from the final pitch of one season to the first one of the next.
Liverpool have raised ticket prices for the 2026-27 season.
Adult general admission ticket prices will rise between £1.25 and £1.75 per ticket, while adult season tickets will increase by between £21.50 and £27.
The last rise was before the 23-24 campaign after eight consecutive seasons of price freezes.
A statement from the club read: "Any pricing changes will be in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) annual inflation rate from January of that year. This means that the inflation rate used for 2026-27 pricing changes will be based on the 12-month CPI rate to January 2026, which was 3%. There will also be a cap placed on the level of pricing increases related to CPI to be applied annually over the next three seasons, up to a maximum of 5%.
"The Supporters Board has been clear from the outset that its wish was for a ticket price freeze for two seasons, in line with the Football Supporters' Association campaign against ticket price increases.
"However, after careful consideration across several meetings, the club decided this was not considered viable in the highly competitive environment it operates within, as it continues to invest on and off the pitch, and rising costs across the club that are outside of its control."
Under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley in 2025, the defense of the New Orleans Saints rebounded to finish ninth overall and fourth against the pass. A major reason for that was a young secondary that broke in four new starters. Second-year cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry joined rookie corner Quincy Riley, rookie safety Jonas Sanker, and free-agent addition Justin Reid to clamp down on opposing receivers. Only McKinstry and the versatile Alontae Taylor had even been with the Saints the previous year. With Taylor gone in free agency, many have pegged Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs as his successor for the Saints in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Downs is one of four Buckeyes and three Ohio State defensive players that are projected to be drafted in the top ten. While the New Orleans Saints have more pressing needs, Downs could bolster not just the secondary as a replacement for Taylor, but the entire defensive unit.
Caleb Downs bio
Position: Safety
College: Ohio State Buckeyes
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 206 pounds
A standout in football, basketball, and baseball at Mill Creek High School in Georgia, Downs' collegiate choice was the Alabama Crimson Tide on the heels of winning the All American Bowl MVP. As a freshman in 2023, Downs led the SEC with 70 solo tackles while adding 2 interceptions and 3.5 stops for loss. He was the 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year and a 2nd Team All-American, but transferred to Ohio State at the end of the year after the retirement of head coach Nick Saban.
Downs also made an instant for a Buckeyes squad that won the national title in 2024. He had 7.5 tackles for loss and a half sack among 82 total stops, intercepting 2 passes and breaking up 7 others. That earned him both 1st Team All-Big Ten and unanimous All-American honors. Downs saw his tackle numbers dip (68 total, 45 solo) last season, but still had 5 tackles for loss and a sack. He'd also add 2 interceptions on his way to a second consecutive 1st Team All-Big Ten and unanimous All-American honor. Downs concluded his collegiate career by winning the Lott Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award.
Strengths
Offers versatility in man or zone coverage, slot, deep safety, or in the box
Creates havoc around the line of scrimmage
Processes offenses quickly
Good recognition and reaction in off-ball coverage
Mirrors receivers well in man coverage
Plays with the physicality of a linebacker
Excellent agility, change-of-direction, and closing speed
Weaknesses
Partially torn meniscus
Aggressiveness can be used against him with fakes and misdirection
Average ball skills in coverage
Can struggle against bigger tight ends that match his athleticism
Caleb Downs 2026 draft outlook
A torn meniscus revealed at the NFL Scouting Combine is a bit of a concern. However, rumors of a degenerative ACL have been denied by Downs and his representatives. Medicals through the rest of the pre-draft process will be watched closely. If they check out, there is little doubt that he'll be a top-10 selection and probably the first defensive back drafted.
Losing Alontae Taylor creates a hole in the New Orleans secondary. The need is more at corner and in the slot, but Taylor played a vital versatile role. It's something that Caleb Downs is capable of doing. The Saints have Reid, Sanker, and Julian Blackmon at safety. However, Downs is the type of player that you find a spot for. If the Saints draft Downs at number eight overall (if still on the board), he would likely fill many of the same duties that Taylor did for the team.
Wide receiver looks like a deep position in the 2026 NFL draft. This is welcome news for the New Orleans Saints and a handful of other teams. New Orleans is poised to sign wide receiver Chris Olave to a lucrative contract extension, but outside of largely unproven players like Devaughn Vele and Ja'Lynn Polk needs more weapons at the position. Wideout Elijah Sarratt of the national champion Indiana Hoosiers might be one of several targets on their radar.
There are projected to be as many as a dozen receivers or more drafted within the first two days. While Sarratt may not be at the top of the list, he's very likely among that group who will hear their name called before the start of Day 3 of the draft.
A star first at Colonial Forge High School in Virginia, then Saint Frances Academy in Maryland, Sarratt initially committed to the St. Francis (Pa) Red Flash. He'd pull in 42 receptions for 700 yards and score 13 touchdowns as a freshman in 2022 for the Red Flash, earning 1st Team All-NEC recognition. Sarratt would transfer to the James Madison Dukes following that season. In 2023 with James Madison, Sarratt was the team's leading receiver with 82 catches for 1,191 yards and 8 scores. He'd be named 1st Team All-Sun Belt conference for that production, but would transfer to the Indiana Hoosiers after one season with the Dukes.
Sarratt led the 2024 Hoosiers in receiving, catching 53 passes for 957 yards and scoring 8 times. In 2025, he continued to be a vital part of an undefeated 16-0 Hoosiers squad. Teammate Omar Cooper led Indiana in receiving, but Sarratt was close behind with 65 receptions and 830 yards. Sarratt's 15 receiving scores led all NCAA players, as he concluded his collegiate career with a national championship and 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors.
Strengths
Physical and reliable possession target
Plays even bigger than his size
Very disciplined route runner
Gets separation with crisp breaks
Uses frame and strength to win most contested balls
Elite body control in traffic and along sidelines
Sure hands
Tough runner after the catch
Weaknesses
Lacks separation gear
Struggles to get free downfield
May be silenced by press corners who match his physicality
Long-strider that may allow off-ball coverage to jump his routes
Elijah Sarratt 2026 draft outlook
Elijah Sarratt is projected to be a mid-late Day 2 choice, perhaps slipping down further. If that holds true, he could be one of the major steals of this year's draft. This is a receiver accustomed to a heavy target load and had some of his best performances against his team's top opponents.
Yes, Sarratt lacks top-end speed that could affect his downfield effectiveness. Aside from that, he has prototype size, strength, and route skills with ultra reliable hands. His ability to convert contested throws and red-zone skills could make him a quarterback's best friend early on. The Saints need a reliable intermediate target. Sarratt's route precision and ability to win most 50/50 balls would also open up downfield opportunities for the other New Orleans pass catchers, improving the entire receiving corps.
Report: Arsenal offered the chance to hijack move for Real Madrid midfielder
Arsenal Offered Chance to Sign Liverpool Target Camavinga
Arsenal’s summer recruitment drive has taken an intriguing turn, with fresh developments suggesting the club have been presented with an opportunity to sign Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. As reported by Caught Offside, the France international has emerged as a potential market option, though the situation remains layered with strategic considerations.
Photo IMAGO
Champions League Factor Shapes Transfer Race
The context around Camavinga’s availability adds immediate weight to Arsenal’s position. According to the report, “it’s clear-cut that Camavinga will only move to a club playing in the Champions League.” That stipulation significantly narrows the field.
Liverpool’s interest is described as the most advanced, with two rounds of talks already held with the player’s entourage. Yet that progress comes with caveats, as there is no guarantee negotiations with Real Madrid will follow. Chelsea face similar uncertainty, while Manchester United’s involvement is described as possible but complicated.
For Arsenal, this creates a window of opportunity, albeit one that demands careful judgement rather than urgency.
Strategic Shift Influences Arsenal Decision
What stands out most is Arsenal’s evolving recruitment philosophy. The report notes, “Arsenal are keen to move away from a model they used in the past where they’d sign players because of availability or relationships with key agents or intermediaries.”
That line offers a revealing insight into the club’s current thinking. Even with a player of Camavinga’s pedigree becoming available at around €50m, Arsenal are not inclined to act unless the move aligns with their broader plan.
Photo: IMAGO
“They’ve been offered Camavinga but they’ll only go for it if they’re convinced it’s right for them. For now, they have other preferred targets,” the source added.
This measured stance reflects a club that has learned from past windows, prioritising fit over opportunism.
Real Madrid Relationship Could Open Door
There is also a familiar backdrop to these discussions. Arsenal’s working relationship with Real Madrid has previously delivered positive outcomes, most notably through the loan deals for Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard, the latter becoming a cornerstone of the current squad.
Photo IMAGO
While a permanent transfer for Camavinga is not yet in motion, the possibility of a loan arrangement cannot be discounted. It would align with past dealings and offer a lower-risk route into a high-ceiling signing.
Timing will be crucial. Arsenal’s pursuit of alternative targets could dictate whether this opportunity develops or fades.
Market Opportunity Requires Conviction
Camavinga’s situation reflects the fluid nature of elite transfers. Players of his calibre do not often become accessible at this stage of their careers, yet availability alone does not guarantee a move.
Photo IMAGO
From Arsenal’s perspective, the decision hinges on conviction. The club are no longer reacting to the market, they are attempting to shape it.
As one might interpret from the developments, this is less about whether Arsenal can sign Camavinga and more about whether they truly believe they should.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
Camavinga is the type of player who instantly elevates a midfield. His athleticism, composure and versatility would suit the Premier League, and at €50m, there is a sense of long term value.
However, the hesitation outlined in the report will resonate with fans who have seen the club evolve in recent years. Recruitment has become more targeted, more deliberate. There is a clear preference for players who fit a defined system rather than those who are simply available.
Supporters may ask whether passing on a talent like Camavinga could be a missed opportunity. Equally, there is trust in the current structure to prioritise balance over impulse. The mention of alternative targets suggests Arsenal are working towards a specific midfield profile, possibly one more tailored to immediate needs.
There is also the Champions League angle. If qualification is secured, Arsenal strengthen their hand significantly, not just for Camavinga but across the market. That context cannot be ignored.
Ultimately, this feels like a situation where Arsenal hold control. They have been offered a chance, not forced into a decision. For a fanbase that has endured reactive transfer windows in the past, that alone represents progress.
David Ornstein reveals Liverpool’s plan for Arne Slot amid sack rumours
Liverpool maintain backing for Slot amid Alonso speculation
Noise around managerial change has become part of the modern football cycle, particularly when results wobble. Yet inside Liverpool, the messaging is strikingly calm. Despite mounting speculation linking Xabi Alonso with a return, the club’s leadership appears intent on holding its nerve and continuing to back Arne Slot.
According to insight from David Ornstein, there is no appetite for a midstream shift. That stance is notable given the context: a faltering title defence and a campaign that has drifted below expectation. Still, the club’s internal calculus is not being driven by short-term turbulence but by a longer strategic horizon.
Ornstein’s update cuts through the rumour mill with clarity. He said: “All our information, despite reports to the contrary, is that Liverpool are sticking with Arne Slot.
“There’s no thought to changing coach. They are planning with him and their priority is to give him the profile of squad to succeed.”
In an era where managerial tenure can feel increasingly fragile, that level of institutional backing is significant. It suggests Liverpool view Slot not as a temporary custodian but as a central figure in their next phase.
Photo: @LFC on X
Results pressure shaping narrative
That is not to say the pressure has evaporated. Liverpool’s league form has been inconsistent, with a tally of defeats that has undermined any sustained title push. Sitting fifth and chasing a Champions League place, the margins are narrowing.
Performance trends matter in elite football, and supporters are acutely aware of the standards set in previous seasons. The gap between expectation and delivery has inevitably fuelled speculation, particularly when a figure like Alonso — tactically progressive and symbolically tied to the club — is available.
Yet context is everything. Transitional seasons often carry volatility, particularly when tactical identities are still bedding in. Slot’s approach, built on structured pressing and positional fluidity, requires both time and specific player profiles. Liverpool’s hierarchy appears to recognise that reality, opting for continuity rather than disruption.
Alonso links continue to linger
The mention of Alonso is not incidental. Reports of contact, as highlighted in the original source, have added a layer of intrigue to the situation. His credentials, both as a former player and an emerging elite coach, make him a natural candidate in any speculative conversation about Liverpool’s future.
However, the distinction lies in timing. Interest and admiration do not necessarily equate to imminent change. Ornstein’s intervention underscores that the current plan remains firmly aligned with Slot.
That does not eliminate the narrative tension. As long as results remain uneven and Alonso’s availability persists, the comparison will linger. Football thrives on such parallel storylines — the present under scrutiny, the alternative waiting in the wings.
Season run-in key to future clarity
Ultimately, Liverpool’s position may be tested not by rumours but by outcomes. The closing stretch of the season carries significant weight. Qualification for the Champions League would reinforce the club’s decision to continue backing Slot, validating the emphasis on stability.
Conversely, failure to secure a top-four finish could intensify scrutiny. Financial implications, squad planning and competitive standing would all come into sharper focus. Even so, the current messaging suggests any decisive evaluation will come at the natural break point of the season, not as a reactionary measure.
For now, the narrative is one of controlled patience. Liverpool are resisting the churn that defines much of the modern game, choosing instead to invest trust in their manager. Whether that backing yields the desired trajectory will be determined on the pitch, where performances — not speculation — ultimately carry the decisive weight.
Manny Iyogun started the game on the bench when Northampton beat Saracens 43-31 at home in October [Getty Images]
Northampton Saints will treat playing Saracens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as if it was a cup final, according to prop Manny Iyogun.
Saturday's Prem fixture will be the second part of a women and men's double header, titled Showdown VI, at the 62,850-capacity stadium.
Last week Saracens reported that 40,000 tickets had already been sold for an event which will also see Dizzee Rascal perform live between the two games.
"It's got a bit of a finals vibe to it and games like this prep you for finals in knockout rugby and that's exactly how we're approaching it," Iyogun told BBC Radio Northampton's Saints Show.
Saints are two points clear at the top of the Prem table following their narrow, below-their-best win over Newcastle Red Bulls - and have already beaten Saracens twice this season in league and cup.
Sarries, meanwhile, returned to Prem action last Friday with a heavy 62-point defeat at Bath, leaving them in sixth place, eight points outside the play-off spots.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was opened in 2019 [Getty Images]
Iyogun's team-mate Tom Lockett believes they will be playing at the "best new stadium in the UK".
"To get a chance to play in it is pretty cool, something we're all pretty excited for but ultimately we've still got to perform as if it's the Gardens or any stadium," second row Lockett said.
"We'll go down on Friday and get a feel for the stadium and then hopefully put that to the back of our mind and go and do the job.
"We've got better at that over the years, playing in big environments and finding out what works and what doesn't work and how we get back on script when things aren't going to plan.
"Obviously we want to be involved in as many big games as possible so it can only be a good thing [to play there]."
England lock Alex Coles could again be absent because of injury suffered on Six Nations duty so 23-year-old Lockett may again inherit the key role as line-out routines caller.
"Colesy is huge for us not only in terms of how he plays but also how he leads that line-out area," Lockett added.
"I've taken so much from him over the past five or six years. I like to think I'm in a good position now where I've got enough experience to take that mantle from him."
Asked how many different routines Saints have, he replied: "It's basically a language and you have to be fluent in that language to know all the different moves you could run.
"If you put a number on it, it would be well into the thousands. Colesy's coming up with new stuff all the time."
So, are there any Tottenham supporters in the Saints dressing room? Not according to Iyogun.
"It's a very tough time [to be a Spurs fan] and playing at Tottenham probably wouldn't be the best experience [if you were]," he said.
"I'm Chelsea fan so me and [strength and conditioning coach] Tommy Buller - he's a Man City fan - have a bit of a natter about it. There's a lot of football fans, Colesy's an Arsenal fan, so there's a bit of rivalry."
The Arizona Wildcats have made a run to the Sweet 16 this season as one of the best teams across college basketball.
Tommy Lloyd's unit lost just two games in the regular season, coasting to a No. 1 seed in March Madness thanks to star names like Koa Peat and Brayden Burries. The Wildcats, however, also have a big name that hasn't been on the court in 2025-26.
Guard Bryce James, the son of NBA legend and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, has been on Arizona's team this season, but hasn't played.
Here's what to know about James' time at Arizona so far, why he hasn't made an appearance and more.
James attends the University of Arizona, to which he committed to in January 2025. His first season with the Wildcats came in 2025-26, but he has not appeared in a game.
James decided to use a redshirt for the 2025-26 season in February. He had yet to appear in a game for Arizona at the time, officially making the choice to protect his future eligibility.
“The redshirting decision was just a long play, to give Bryce the most options in his career as his career unfolds,” Lloyd told the Big 12 Network of James' redshirt, per NBA.com. “I have real strong belief that Bryce will be a contributor at Arizona in the near future. He’s really shown a lot of progress, not only learning our system but just physically maturing.”
Bryce James gets shots up at practice ahead of Arizona's first-round matchup with LIU in the NCAA Tournament on Friday. pic.twitter.com/1bd2mhE2Vd
James, listed at 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds by Arizona, was considered a solid college prospect, but not in any way elite. He's expected to become a contributor to the Wildcats in the future, but he also wasn't on the same level as top-ranked recruits like Burries and Peat, who have been immediate stars for Arizona.
James, a guard, is considered to have strong physical tools by scouts, including his size. 247Sports' Adam Finkelstein wrote in his 2023 evaluation of James that he "may not be the dynamic athlete or playmaker some expect at first, but he is a fundamentally sound player with solid perimeter size and a good early skill-set."
James is considered to have strong potential as a spot-up shooter, but has also been viewed as more of a project than other players from his recruiting class.
For now, it's hard to tell what kind of player James can be at the college level, as he and Arizona are focused on his long-term development.
Bryce James stats
James has yet to post any college stats, as he hasn't appeared in a game. However, he did play four years at Sierra Canyon High School, averaging eight points and four rebounds per game as a senior, per his Arizona page.
In the Spalding Hoophall Classic, James had 16 points, five rebounds and four steals to earn MVP honors, and at the Nike EYBL circuit with Strive For Greatness in 2024, he averaged 6.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and shot 36% from the 3-point line over 14 games.
According to the 247Sports Composite, which uses consensus rankings, James was a three-star prospect in the Class of 2025. He was ranked as the No. 324 overall player, the No. 55 shooting guard and the No. 28 player from California in the class.
James was considering offers from Arizona, Ohio State and Duquesne during his recruiting, with the Buckeyes and Dukes having closer roots to the James family's beginnings in Akron, Ohio.
However, James announced in January 2025 that he was joining the Wildcats under Tommy Lloyd.
Shin Yamada – Poster Bhoy for Celtic’s Recruitment Shambles
Shin Yamada is yet another example of Celtic’s substandard recruitment system under Michael Nicholson and his boss Dermot Desmond…
Shin Yamada, the Japanese striker signed in the summer from J league side Kawasaki Frontale for a reported fee of £1.5 million is the latest in a long list of uninspiring recruits to have come through the doors of Celtic Park.
Shin who was described as technically gifted striker who boasted more natural pace than Daizen Maeda, was the only striker that our tight fisted board parted any cash for in the summer, despite being linked with the likes of Kasper Dolberg, David Strelec, and Mathias Kvistgaarden.
The Japanese striker failed to impress, making ten appearances in total, starting just one game, and was unsurprisingly sent out on loan during the January window, with German Bundesliga 2 side SC Preuben Munster his destination.
Lo and behold, Shin has also struggled for game time in the German second tier, making just four appearances and failing to find the back of the net as Munster sit rock bottom in the league standings.
It came as no surprise to learn that Shin is reportedly on his way back to Glasgow after falling out of favour with the German side, with the recent dismissal of their manager Alexander Ende not helping his cause.
The signing of Shin is yet another damning indictment of the way our club is being run, and he now joins the likes of questionable January recruits Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu, and Joel Mvuka in a uninspiring Celtic squad.
Joel Mvuka at Ibrox. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Although unlike the January acquisitions, Shin was a permanent signing and still has three years to run on his current deal, and with the player reportedly on £8,000 a week, that equates to yet more wasted resources that would have been best utilised elsewhere.
Our club is littered with failed ‘projects’ with Shin just one of several examples of our incompetence on the recruitment front.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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Alejandro Balde’s stance on Barcelona exit amid “firm interest” from United
Manchester United are among the clubs interested in signing Barcelona full-back Alejandro Balde.
The two clubs remain in contact to find a consensus over Marcus Rashford‘s permanent move to Barcelona. The Blaugrana want to turn the Englishman’s loan into a permanent deal, having been impressed with his goalscoring prowess.
The La Liga giants are reluctant to trigger the already agreed-upon £26 million buy option clause due to their financial predicament. As such, more discussions are expected to take place to resolve Rashford’s future.
United appear to be using the open line of communication to explore the possibility of bringing in Balde to Old Trafford.
Manchester United initiate contact for Alejandro Balde
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), Alejandro Balde has “firm interest” from the Premier League, with Manchester United, Manchester City, and Aston Villa all keen on securing his services.
It is claimed the trio have already made approaches to enquire about the Spaniard’s situation at Camp Nou.
A product of La Masia, the left-back is highly admired in La Liga for his explosive pace and exceptional ball progression. However, the 22-year-old has struggled with persistent injury issues over the last three seasons.
The likes of United are seemingly willing to offer Balde a change of scenario. Still, it is understood that the Barca youngster has no desire to change clubs.
Barcelona’s present stance is also to keep hold of him. However, the La Liga leaders could reportedly change their position if there is a “substantial offer”, provided the full-back is also open to a move.
Manchester United also monitoring Fulham left-back
It remains unclear how much, if at all, United would push to convince Balde to join their project, especially as the Spain international is not the only name on their shortlist of left-back targets.
United are looking to add genuine competition for the ageing Luke Shaw, with Tyrell Malacia set to be allowed to leave on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.
On Wednesday, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming United are interested in Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson. It was suggested that the Mancunians’ chances of signing the USMNT star have improved following Liverpool’s decision to drop out of the race for his signature.
Brazil predicted XI v France: Joao Pedro to start, Marquinhos out
Brazil must contend with several absentees as they prepare to face France in a friendly ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos will miss this fixture due to a minor injury, as already confirmed by Carlo Ancelotti. He is not the only defender that the Italian will have to do without, with Gabriel also missing out. AS Monaco duo Caio Henrique and Vanderson are both regulars for the Selecao, but both are also out with injuries. The latter is in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup.
Olympique Lyonnais forward Endrick has been recalled to the Brazil squad, but he is not expected to lead the line against France. That job is expected to fall to Chelsea’s Joao Pedro.
Brazil likely line-up v France
Ederson; Douglas Santos, Leo Pereira, Gleison Bremer, Wesley; Andrey Santos, Casemiro, Vinicius Jr., Matheus Cunha, Raphinha; Joao Pedro. (L’Éq)
Charlie Mulgrew Names Three Man Shortlist for Celtic Job
Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew has revealed a three-man shortlist he believes should be considered for the club’s managerial position…
Mulgrew suggested that Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou, Wales manager Craig Bellamy, and Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen are all his ideal candidates who deserve discussions ahead of the expected summer vacancy. He also outlined his reasoning behind each recommendation.
At the same time, Mulgrew ruled out potential moves for Robbie Keane and Roberto Martinez, stating that they would not be his preferred choices for the role.
Speaking on The Breakdown, he said: “So I spoke to Joe Ledley the other day and he put a name in my head: Craig Bellamy. And he spoke really highly of him and it made sense.”
“So mine would be Berthel Askou, Craig Bellamy. I’d like to see the Bodo/Glimt manager spoken to. I don’t know how realistic that is.”
When asked about whether Keane was a viable option, Mulgrew responded: “Robbie Keane wouldn’t be in mine, and not because I’ve got anything bad to say about him, just because I don’t know enough about him. He’s been at Ferencvaros, he’s done a good job, aye. But my three would be Berthel Askou, Craig Bellamy, and the Bodo/Glimt manager if you could speak to him.”
When questioned over whether his suggested candidates would carry sufficient appeal among the Celtic support, he responded: “Well, I don’t know if they are right, but if they’re not, then I would, my question would be ‘who do you think realistically we can get?”
“Because if you think that we’re going to get somebody with an established name, it’s unrealistic. Like now, Celtic’s a huge club and anyone that comes loves it, but realistically, it needs to be a chance for them to get into the big time.”
“I don’t know anybody in the category of Brendan Rodgers when they got him at that time. Is there anybody in that sort of category right now? Martinez was mentioned. I don’t fancy Martinez for me.”
Conor Spence
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St Mirren are reportedly poised to keep caretaker Craig McLeish in charge for the rest of the season as two Rangers centre-backs are linked with Ibrox exits this summer.
St Mirren caretaker manager Craig McLeish is poised to remain in post for the last seven games of the season, with former Dundee manager Tony Docherty assisting, after target Carl Robinson was not in a position to take the job immediately. (Daily Record)
Gennaro Gattuso's former team-mate, Marco Materazzi, believes the Italy head coach will manage Rangers one day because of the former Ibrox midfielder's love for the club. (Hajper)
Ferencvaros chief executive Pal Orosz has said head coach Robbie Keane, who has been linked with Celtic, would go with the club's blessing - if he got the Tottenham Hotspur job. (The National)
Ferencvaros head coach Robbie Keane has been installed as the new favourite to be the Celtic manager ahead of Motherwell's Jens Berthel Askou by a leading UK bookmaker. (Football Insider)
Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou says that, after shortlived spells with Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, he will only accept a managerial role if it allows him to come on board at the start of pre-season. (Glasgow Times)
With Rangers unwilling to pay Wolverhampton Wanderers' £8 buyout clause for on-loan centre-half Nasser Djiga, there is little chance of the 23-year-old remaining at Ibrox and former club Red Star Belgrade are plotting to re-sign him in the summer. (Sport Klub)
Rangers could bank a record fee for Emmanuel Fernandez this summer with the 24-year-old attracting interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, West Ham United, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. (TeamTalk)
Bournemouth are happy to sell Julian Araujo, the 24-year-old right-back on loan to Celtic, this summer. (Football Insider)
Fares Ghedjemis' agent says Frosinone could be prepared to sell the 23-year-old forward, who was pursued by Celtic in January, this summer despite planning to take up an option to extend his contract (TuttoMercatoWeb via Daily Record)
Wolves are well-placed to beat Celtic and Rangers to the signing of 21-year-old Hacken midfielder Silas Andersen this summer. (Football Insider)
Nathan Patterson is putting talks on his Everton future with manager David Moyes on hold and concentrating on securing a place in Scotland's World Cup squad despite the 24-year-old right-back struggling for game time with the Premier League club. (The Scotsman)
Dundee United midfielder Emmanuel Agyei, who is being monitored by Ghana head coach Otto Addo, has revealed he had trials with Nottingham Forest while the 21-year-old was with Dreams in his homeland before joining Ashdod. (The Courier)
Heart of Midlothian are bracing themselves to lose one of their brightest young talents, with Arsenal and Manchester City leading Premier League interest in highly-rated 17-year-old defender Alfie Osborne. (TeamTalk)
Brazil legends Romario and Ronaldo have criticised legendary head coach Carlo Ancelotti for snubbing veteran forward Neymar in the lead up to playing Scotland in the World Cup. (The National)
Moldova head coach Lilian Popescu says in-form Dundee United centre-half Iurie Iovu is not in his latest squad because he did not shine in previous matches. (The Courier)
Japan forward Daizen Maeda admits he cannot wait to face his Celtic teammates at Hampden this week on international duty against Scotland. (The National)
Andy Gould has become the second senior member of the Scottish FA's youth strategy team to quit his post, the chief football officer ending 30 years with the governing body to become a high performance specialist with Fifa. (The Herald)
Plans have been unveiled for a statue of Celtic legend Jim Craig in the Govan area of Glasgow. (Glasgow Times)
Rangers are prepared to spend more on VAR technology if it means a general driving up of refereeing standards in the country. (Scottish Sun)
KOLKATA: In a unique gesture, the Kolkata Knight Riders retired their jersey No. 12 which used to be worn by Andre Russell. The West Indies cricketer announced his retirement from the IPL last November after playing for KKR for 11 seasons. Although Russell made his IPL debut playing for Delhi Daredevils in 2012 and 2013, he made a mark in the tournament playing for KKR from 2014 to 2025, except for missing the 2017 season.
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The Jamaican played 140 matches in the IPL, of which 133 came for KKR, scoring 2,651 runs at a strike rate of 174.18. He also took 123 wickets during his KKR playing days. He was part of KKR’s IPL title-winning sides in 2014 and 2024 along with the Champions League T20 side in 2014-15.
The allrounder turned emotional while watching a tribute video. “It has been over a decade of amazing achievements with this franchise and I got a bit emotional watching the video. To be a part of two championship-winning teams and to see what it means to everyone, that’s an amazing feeling. When you win a World Cup, that feels special, but when you win the IPL, it’s something different. I just want to say thanks to this franchise for making this journey so special for me,” he stated.
Russell’s journey with KKR will continue as he has joined the coaching staff as ‘power coach’ for the upcoming season.
Today’s Papers – Italy can’t fail, Barcelona push for Bastoni
La Gazzetta dello Sport
Play-off: Italy’s World Cup at stake
Make them dream
In Bergamo (20:45), to beat Northern Ireland. Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday. A generation has never seen the Azzurri in the World Cup.
Gattuso: ‘We must return where we deserve after 12 years.’
Kean and Retegui: strike partnership. Penalty-kick takers decided too.
Inter: Transfer shake, Barcelona want Bastoni
Corriere dello Sport
Italy play-off
Do it for us
There’s Northern Ireland at 20:45 in Bergamo: entire generations have never seen the Azzurri at the World Cup. We’ve been missing since 2014.
Gattuso: ‘I have the country on my shoulders.’
After two incredible failures, the third one would not be acceptable. The CT’s charge: ‘It’s the most important game of my career.’ Kean to partner with Retegui. Three-man defence: Bastoni, Mancini and Calafiori. If we go to the Final, we’ll face Wales or Bosnia on Tuesday, 31.
Tuttosport
Bergamo, 20:45: Play-off semifinal with Northern Ireland. We can’t fail. The World Cup is waiting for us.
You are Italy
Everyone with the Azzurri urged to show their superiority against the Britons. Gattuso: ‘I feel the country on my shoulders. People have been stopping me in the streets for seven months, saying, ‘Take us to the World Cup. It was shocking not to qualify for the last two. They know how to do a few things, but very well.’ Retegui: ‘It’s the most important week of the year; it’s special for me. The stadium will drag us.’ Baston recovers, Politano favourite over Palestra: if we win, we’ll play for America against Wales or Bosnia.
Alisson, Rudiger, Pellegrini: Lucio calls the pretorians
Spalletti pushes to have the defender and the defender coached at Roma. The coach appreciates the midfielder. The new curse will begin from departures too: an entire team is up for sale.
Revolution on the wings: Barbieri is on Toro’s list too.
The 2026 World Cup came close to matching a scenario that has only happened once before.
After England booked their place with a flawless campaign and Scotland qualified for their first World Cup in 28 years, Wales and Northern Ireland went into the play-offs.
However a home nations clean sweep at the finals is not going to happen again this year, because Wales and Northern Ireland nations have been drawn in the same European qualifying pathway.
That means that even if they both win their semi-finals, they will face each other for the same spot at the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Northern Ireland have been drawn away to Italy in their semi-final, while Wales host Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place in the Group A final.
So, when was the last time all four home nations qualified for the same men's World Cup?
When was the last time all home nations played at same World Cup?
Scotland qualified for their first World Cup in 28 years with a dramatic win over Denmark at Hampden Park [Getty Images]
The 1958 World Cup in Sweden was the last and in fact only time all home nations have played at the same World Cup.
Qualifying was a much more simple process back then, with nine automatic qualification spots up for grabs for the 27 European nations competing.
Scotland, Northern Ireland and England all topped their groups, but Wales qualified in unusual fashion after finishing second in qualifying but then being selected at random to compete in a play-off against Israel.
Wales advanced with a 4-0 aggregate victory over two legs to book their place at their first World Cup.
The tournament did not go to plan for England and Scotland though.
England, who were in a group with the Soviet Union, Austria and eventual winners Brazil, failed to make it to the knockout stage, while Scotland fared little better.
The Tartan Army were also eliminated at the first hurdle following defeats to France and Paraguay, and a draw against Yugoslavia.
However, Wales and Northern Ireland performed comparatively better. Both made it to the quarter-finals, with Northern Ireland eventually knocked out by France and Wales eliminated by a Brazil squad that included 17-year-old Pele.
Brazil beat hosts Sweden 5-2 in the final, with Pele scoring a brace to mark his emergence on the world stage.
France's Just Fontaine scored 13 goals across the competition - a record that still stands today.
Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales have never all appeared in the same Women's World Cup tournament.
England have appeared in 19 World Cups, their crowning glory coming when they won the Jules Rimet trophy on home soil in 1966.
Scotland have previously qualified for 10 World Cup finals, but only appeared at nine. After finishing as runners-up in the 1950 British Home Championships, Scotland earned a place at that year's tournament in Brazil, but the Scottish Football Association declined after they previously declared that the nation would only attend as British champions. That decision was taken despite huge opposition from the players.
The Scots have never progressed beyond the group stages at a World Cup finals, winning only four of their 23 matches.
After making it to the quarter-finals in 1958, Wales had to wait until 2022 in Qatar to reach their second, where they finished bottom of their group.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland have qualified for three World Cup finals – in 1958, 1982 and 1986. In 1982, Billy Bingham's team achieved a massive upset by beating hosts Spain 1-0 in their final group game to make it to the knockout stages. They failed to make it past the group stages at the tournament four years later and have not qualified since.
Which groups are the home nations in?
Thomas Tuchel's England will open their tournament in Dallas on Wednesday, 17 June, before also facing Ghana and Panama in Group L.
Scotland's first match at the men's World Cup for 28 years will be against Haiti on Saturday, 13 June in Boston or New York, followed by matches against Morocco and Brazil in Group C.
Should they qualify through the play-offs, Wales or Northern Ireland would join Canada, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Lewis Hamilton said he finished a recent morning training run and returned to his hotel sweating after his workout to find a few fellow Formula 1 drivers just getting up.
“I know that none of the drivers I’m racing against have trained as hard as I have and given it what I have, especially at my age as well," the 41-year-old Hamilton said Thursday at the Suzuka Formula 1 circuit in central Japan, site of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.
“I love that — that I still have that drive to push myself," he added.
Not that he needed a boost. Hamilton is Formula 1's most decorated driver. He's won the most races (105), claimed the most poles (104) and has been on the podium 207 times.
And the British driver is tied at seven with Michael Schumacher for season championships.
But if he needed extra motivation he found it last year in his first season racing with F1's most storied team — Ferrari — after record-setting seasons with Mercedes.
By Hamilton's standards, it was abysmal. He didn't win a single race and didn't make a single podium. He finished four times in fourth place.
Hamilton was suddenly an also-ran, an uncomfortable spot for the sport's most high-profile driver and its most familiar face for two decades.
It's early in the season, but Hamilton seems to have found a remedy. He has a competitive car, finished third two weeks ago in the Chinese Grand Prix and he's tuned out critics.
“Just not letting all the (words) coming out of people’s mouths get in the way of knowing actually who I am and what I’m able to do," he said. “I've not lost what I had."
Mercedes has won the first two races — one each for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli — with Ferrari the other team that has fared well under this season's sweeping new rules.
F1 cars are using hybrid power units that are divided 50-50 between electric power and internal combustion power. Adding to the changes are lighter, more nimble chassis.
Some drivers have chafed under the new rules, and the most outspoken has been four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull. He and others have called the racing “yo-yo racing” with cars pulling ahead, only to be overtaken as power seems to ebb and flow.
“It's making the racing better, but at times it's artificial,” Verstappen's teammate Isack Hadjar said Thursday.
Added Hamilton: “I think a lot of the drivers are not enjoying it, I’m just personally enjoying it.”
For Hamilton, that comes down to having a car this season “that can fight for wins," he said. He also said being battered last season by bad results has increased his drive, though he repeated several times he'd never lost his confidence.
“It’s a natural part of a process as an athlete,” he said. "You’ll go through seasons like that and (in) some of the most trying times — one of the most important things is getting back up and that’s what I’ve done this year.”
Lewis Hamilton believes Formula 1’s new regulations have delivered “what racing should be” so far in 2026 – a very different stance to Max Verstappen’s.
Verstappen has been perhaps F1’s most vocal critic this year, likening the energy management aspect to “Formula E on steroids” as lift-and-coast becomes preponderant.
“It’s terrible, if someone likes this, then you really don't know what racing is about,” the Red Bull driver said at the Chinese Grand Prix. “It’s not fun at all. It’s playing Mario Kart. This is not racing.
“You are boosting past, then you run out of battery the next straight, they boost past you again. For me, it's just a joke.”
Hamilton suggested Verstappen was struggling to appreciate the new regulations due to Red Bull dropping down the pecking order and insisted the ‘yo-yo’ style of racing that has been on display so far – with many more overtakes, including numerous lead changes – was far more enjoyable.
“If you go back to karting, it's the same thing,” the Ferrari driver argued. “People are going back and forth, back and forth, you can never pull away. No one ever has ever referred to go-karting as yo-yo racing. It's the best form of racing.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
“And Formula 1 has not been the best form of racing in a long, long time. Out of all the cars that I've driven in 20 years, this is the only car that you can actually follow through high-speed [corners] and not completely lose everything that you have. You can stay behind.
“We had the DRS before, which I think was a bit of a band-aid for that issue that you can't get close enough through the corners. Now we have the power difference [Overtake Mode], but it's so small, the power difference.
“But when you get ahead and the car behind can keep up with you, I personally find it much more fun because that's the most overtaking and best battle I've had maybe since Bahrain, years and years ago with Nico,” he added, referring to a now legendary battle for victory in the 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix with Mercedes team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg.
“That's how racing should be. It should be back and forth, back and forth. It shouldn't be like one move is done and that's it.
“So I personally like that sort of racing. We just need all the rest of the teams to close up so we have more of those battles amongst the teams."
Hamilton did clarify that he didn’t actually love every aspect of the 2026 rules.
“It's definitely a lot different,” he commented. “I think a lot of the drivers are not enjoying it, but I don't really know. I'm just personally enjoying it. It's a lighter car. It's a bit more nimble, a bit more bizarre, more fun to drive.
“Do I love the power of deployment? Absolutely not. I'm actually really disappointed. Do I love the SM [straight mode with active aero]? Not particularly. But as a whole, I think it's exciting for the sport.”
Going into this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka was expected to be a suboptimal track in terms of energy management, so the FIA has reduced the maximum energy recharge for qualifying – meaning there will be less of an incentive for the likes of super clipping, which is early energy harvesting by the MGU-K.
“Coming into the weekend, we were going to have to do a ton of lift-and-coast which is really, really not enjoyable to do for a qualifying lap. So we've changed that,” Hamilton commented.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Additionally, active aerodynamics’ straight mode will be used in just two sections, which might play in Ferrari’s favour, according to the seven-time world champion: “Maybe that's a positive for us, because every time Mercedes open up their SM, they get away. So maybe there's less chance for them to do that here – maybe. I don't know. And maybe we can keep up with them more through the high-speed section, potentially.”
Regardless, Hamilton hopes the 2026 event will do justice to Suzuka, where the racing has often been more professional than on most other tracks, on a layout featuring many high-speed corners and few straights.
“This has always been one of the favourite driver circuits, but not necessarily great racing, because there's a struggle to [overtake],” he said. “So I'm hoping it changes that and really highlights just how incredible this circuit is to drive. And if we have racing on top of that, then it will be the best track in the world.”
Opening Day is always a special way to begin the MLB season, and this year's Opening Day features a special streak at stake.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tyler O'Neill is the MLB leader for most consecutive Opening Days with a home run. He will look to extend that streak when the Orioles open the season against the Minnesota Twins. O'Neill has dealt with injury issues over the course of his career, but he has pretty much always been available for the first game of the year.
O'Neill's search to extend his Opening Day homer streak is one of many storylines to open the MLB season this week. Here's a breakdown of O'Neill's Opening Day success.
Tyler O'Neill has hit a home run in six-straight Opening Days, the longest streak in MLB history. The streak has lasted through three teams, as O'Neill hit four of those home runs with the St. Louis Cardinals, one with the Boston Red Sox and one with the Orioles.
Since then, O'Neill extended his streak in 2025, when he hit a home run on Opening Day with the Orioles, making the active and all-time record six-straight Opening Days.
SIX CONSECUTIVE OPENING DAY HOMERS FOR TYLER O'NEILL! 💥
The question in 2026 is whether O'Neill will be in the lineup on Opening Day against the Twins. Minnesota is starting righty Joe Ryan, making it so Baltimore may want to counter with a more lefty-heavy lineup.
The Orioles have a crowded outfield room that features O'Neill, Colton Cowser, Taylor Ward, Heston Kjerstad and Leody Tavares. Add in designated hitter, which could be O'Neill, Ryan Mountcastle or Samuel Basallo, so O'Neill's spot in the Opening Day lineup isn't a guarantee.
That being said, O'Neill and the Orioles are fully aware of O'Neill's success on Opening Day, so the team will likely give him a chance to extend the streak to seven.
"It's an elephant in the room," O’Neill said, via MLB.com. "Pressure's off, obviously. I don't really have to prove anything in that regard. But yeah, it's on my mind. Would it be great to push it to seven? Yeah. Of course, it would be. And if I get the opportunity to do that, great. But if not, no big deal."
Joe Ryan is a tough draw, as the Twins ace had a 3.42 ERA last year and is one of the better pitchers in the American League. Ryan did allow 26 home runs in 31 games last year while also making his first All-Star game.
Before O'Neill, three different players were tied for the most consecutive seasons with an Opening Day home run. Catchers Yogi Berra, Gary Carter and Todd Hundley all had four-straight Opening Day home runs in their careers.
The record for most home runs on Opening Day is tied between Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Robinson, who each totaled eight Opening Day home runs in their careers.
O'Neill currently has six career home runs on Opening Day, so he still needs two more to tie the all-time record.
The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats have steamrolled their way to the Sweet 16 for the third straight season, and this time, they're doing it in the most dominating way.
Tommy Lloyd's team won both the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles, then beat No. 16 LIU and No. 9 Utah State in commanding fashion in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. But, Arizona's next matchup might be its toughest test yet: John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks, led by freshman Darius Acuff Jr.
There might be no player hotter in the country than Acuff, a projected NBA lottery pick who is fresh off a 36-point performance to catapult Arkansas to its second consecutive Sweet 16. The SEC Player of the Year is currently rewriting the record books. By sweeping both the Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors, Acuff has entered rarefied air, joining Anthony Davis (2012) and Brandon Miller (2023) as the third player in conference history to win both awards in the same season.
Acuff's impact on the court is even more historic: He is the first player since Pete Maravich in 1969-70 to lead the SEC in both scoring and assists. Averaging 23.3 points and 6.5 assists per game, the Detroit native has been a high-volume nightmare for opposing coaches, particularly in SEC play where he averaged nearly 25 points a night. With No. 5 leading the way, Arkansas can knock off any team in its path.
Arizona has a star point guard in its own right in Big 12 Player of the Year in Jaden Bradley, along with two prolific freshmen in Brayden Burries and Koa Peat; combined with Motiejus Krivas, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell'Orso and Ivan Karchenkov, and the Wildcats have every ounce of a national championship contender.
Something will have to give in one of the most-anticipated Sweet 16 matchups. Will Arizona take one step closer to its first Final Four since 2001 or will Acuff and Arkansas continue the historic run?
Here's what you need to know about Thursday's matchup between Arizona and Arkansas, including broadcast information and start time.
What time is Arizona vs. Arkansas today?
Date: Thursday, March 26
Time: 9:45 p.m. ET | 8:45 p.m. CT | 6:45 p.m. PT
The NCAA tournament game between Arizona and Arkansas is set to tip off at 9:45 p.m. ET from the SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, California.
Arizona is looking to return to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years while looking for its first national championship since 1997. Arkansas has made the Sweet 16 for the second time in two years under Calipari, seeking its first title since 1993; Calipari has won one national championship while at Kentucky in 2012.
No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas will be aired nationally on CBS, with Brian Anderson and Jim Jackson on the call and Allie LaForce on the sidelines. It is the second of two games in San Jose, the first being No. 11 Texas vs. No. 2 Purdue.
Fans can stream the game live on Fubo, which 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.)
Paramount+ is another streaming option for all CBS games in the tournament.
Arizona vs. Arkansas can be found on the SiriusXM app or on channel 201 in vehicles.
Listen to every game of the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament live on SiriusXM.
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The 2026 Men's Final Four is set for April 4 and 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The semifinals will be played Saturday night and the national championship game is set for Monday night.
The home of the Indianapolis Colts previously hosted the event in 2010, 2015 and 2021 and is set to host again in 2029. Indianapolis previously hosted the Final Four at other facilities in 1980, 1991, 1997, 2000 and 2006.
Only Kansas City has been home to the Final Four more often (10 times), but the last one held there was in 1988.
March Madness tournament schedule 2026
Here is the round-by-round schedule for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament:
Liverpool add Juventus winger to post-Salah shortlist – Report
Liverpool have reportedly identified Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao as one of the profiles to replace Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian has been plying his trade at Anfield Road since 2017, and has already cemented his place as one of the greatest players in the club’s history. He helped the club win a Champions League trophy as well as two Premier League titles.
However, the 33-year-old has been enduring his most miserable campaign in Merseyside. His season has been marred by a dip in form and a public altercation with his manager, Arne Slot.
Liverpool pinpoint Francisco Conceicao as potential Mo Salah heir
Earlier this week, Liverpool announced that Salah will bring his elusive stint at the club to a close at the end of the season.
With the ‘Egyptian King’ heading to the exit door, the Premier League giants are searching the market for a replacement.
According to French sources relayed by the Empire of the Kop, Liverpool have added Conceicao to the shortlist.
Michael Olise is considered the club’s dream target, but Bayern Munich are highly unlikely to relinquish one of their most important stars.
Liverpool are also among a host of suitors tracking RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old sensation, Yan Diomande. Nevertheless, the Ivorian is a right-footed winger, so he might not be a like-for-like Salah replacement.
On the other hand, the left-footed Conceicao would seamlessly fit as an inverted right wing, which is the role he currently occupies at Juventus.
Would Juventus consider selling Conceicao?
The Portuguese international isn’t considered a finished article just yet, as he still has some improvements to make to his game, including the final execution, which would improve his stats.
This season, he contributed with four goals and three assists, which doesn’t fully reflect his potential and overall impact on the team.
Nevertheless, the 23-year-old is already a regular starter at Juventus, and is also a staple in the Portuguese national team.
Between an expensive loan in the summer of 2024 and his permanent purchase a year later, Juventus splashed circa €40 million to recruit Conceicao from Porto, and they’re unlikely to entertain offers for the speed demon, unless it includes irresistible offers.
“The way they’re not carrying out instructions, how they’re not really recovering from anything tells you they don’t actually believe in the way they’re being asked to play.”
However, we’ve heard this before with Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Enzo Maresca, with football ultimately a results based business, and if those don’t improve Rosenior will be facing big problems.
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Real Madrid believe superstar forward has fixed the weakness that held him back
Vinicius Jr. is once again at the centre of attention at Real Madrid, but this time, it is not about his attacking brilliance.
According to recent internal assessments from MARCA, it has come to light that the Brazilian forward has made significant strides in an area that has long been used to criticise him – his work off the ball.
For years, Vinicius carried a reputation of being heavily attack-focused, with critics pointing towards a perceived lack of pressing intensity and defensive contribution.
That part gained more traction during the tenure of Xabi Alonso, when tactical demands required him to increase his off-the-ball effort.
The idea that he “didn’t run enough” became a widely accepted talking point.
However, that perception is now being firmly challenged from within Valdebebas.
The club is impressed
Using advanced tracking technology, Real Madrid’s coaching staff has access to detailed physical data from both matches and training sessions.
These metrics, including distance covered, sprint frequency, and high-intensity runs, explain Brazilian’s contribution.
Vinicius Jr. does run a lot (Picture credit: MARCA)
In fact, while summarising their findings, those within the club say, “He runs A lot.”
This statement is not based on observation alone, but on hard data collected through performance trackers that monitor every movement on the pitch.
In modern football, where every sprint and positional adjustment is recorded, there is little room for perception to override reality.
While Vinicius continues to shine offensively, his defensive involvement has reached the level demanded by the coaching staff.
The results speak for themselves. Under Alvaro Arbeloa, the Brazilian has rediscovered top form, playing a decisive role in Real Madrid’s recent run of success.
Overall, his season tally now stands at 17 goals, nine assists, and seven penalties won.
While these kind of numbers are expected from a forward, the fact that those within the club are beginning to see his overall contribution is a big win for Vinicius.
HERZOGENAURACH, GERMANY - MARCH 24: Julian Nagelsmann, head coach of Team Germany looks on during a training session at adidas Homeground on March 24, 2026 in Herzogenaurach, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This international break is one of the last chances Julian Nagelsmann will have to get different looks at different players in the Germany squad before it comes time to think about narrowing down his final roster for this summer’s World Cup. At the end of May and beginning of June, Germany will also have friendlies against Finland and the United States, but by that point, it will be more about fine-tuning an already established squad as opposed to looking at some different, more fringe players.
After Nagelsmann had announced his initial roster for this month’s pair of friendlies, there has been a fair amount of movement in terms of squad withdrawals and fresh callups. As expected, there was once again a heavy Bayern Munich contingent called up in Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Jonathan Tah, Lennart Karl and Jonas Urbig. Midfielder Aleksandar Pavlović was also called up, but withdrew from the squad to hip problems he’s currently experiencing.
In addition to Pavlović, VfB Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling and Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha have also pulled out of the squad due to respective injury problems. Jamal Musiala’s current injury recovery has experienced some setbacks as well and he missed out on being in the squad altogether.
To fill open slots, Nagelsmann called up Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller and Chris Führich, both of whom are having a solid season with the Swabians. While there was no direct replacement for Nmecha, there’s still 25 players in the squad for right now, though that could change if any fresh injury concerns appear between now and before the second of the two friendlies (vs. Ghana in Stuttgart).
With the squad adjustments, the DFB have re-released the full squad list along with all of the squad numbers ahead of the two friendlies. Of course, these numbers are subject to change both during this break and ahead of the World Cup itself.
The original squad:
Unser Kader für die anstehenden Länderspiele gegen die Schweiz und Ghana 🤝
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However, the outlet assures that despite the growing admiration within the club, any potential move will be extremely complicated.
The young winger, who has recently earned recognition at the national level with a call-up to the Spain national football team, has impressed Barcelona’s sporting department with his performances.
Yet, while the interest is genuine, the operation itself is far from straightforward.
What’s the problem?
One of the biggest obstacles lies in the player’s ownership structure.
This is because Real Madrid still hold 50% of Munoz’s rights, giving them significant control over his future.
This alone complicates any potential negotiations, particularly given the rivalry between the two clubs.
Barcelona are interested in Victor Munoz. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Additionally, Osasuna are in a strong negotiating position, as they have no intention of selling the player unless his €40 million release clause is met.
The situation becomes even more complex when considering Madrid’s existing buyback clause.
As confirmed by Osasuna’s sporting director Braulio Vazquez, Real Madrid retain the option to re-sign Munoz within a three-year window, with the fee increasing progressively from €8 million to €10 million.
A former Cule himself
Despite attracting interest from several European clubs, particularly from the Premier League, Munoz appears to be in no rush to leave.
The player has indicated that he is open to continuing his development at Osasuna, where he is enjoying consistent playing time and growth, scoring six goals and five assists.
Interestingly, his story comes full circle. Born in Barcelona, Munoz spent three years in Barcelona’s youth academy before making the switch to Real Madrid’s setup in 2021.
Sammy Lee shares emotional memory ahead of Klopp’s Anfield return
As the Liverpool Legends prepare to return to Anfield this weekend, Sammy Lee has offered a reminder of why these matches mean so much to those involved.
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Speaking via The Football Historian on Instagram, the former midfielder reflected on both what’s to come against Borussia Dortmund and what he experienced in the last outing.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the former Red made it clear just how special the occasion is set to be.
“it’s going to be a great occasion… Dortmund against Liverpool… Klopp and Dalglish there… it’s going to be wonderful… it’s a fantastic day.”
The presence of Jurgen Klopp alongside Sir Kenny Dalglish only adds to that feeling, with the German returning to the Anfield dugout for a fixture that continues to grow in stature every year.
Lee also had a simple message for supporters.
“Honestly, get along… you’ve got Jürgen as manager… you’ve got Kenny Dalglish as manager… they’re playing Dortmund.”
Even with tickets now sold out, the wider point still stands, this is one of the biggest community-driven events the club hosts and donations can still be made to the foundation before and during the game.
Lee recalls proud Chelsea victory in previous legends game
Picture via liverpoolfc.com
The 67-year-old also looked back on the previous Legends match away at Chelsea, and his words underline just how competitive these fixtures can be.
“We went down… and we didn’t have the numbers and they had numbers… Chelsea had loads… and do you know what, we got a 1-0 win.”
What stood out most was how much that result meant to him personally.
“It was one of the most pleasing times as a coach… because against all odds our team… upset the Chelsea players… it was incredible… unbelievable, 1-0.”
That victory, secured by Ryan Babel, came in front of a packed Stamford Bridge, but Lee was quick to point out that Anfield is always different.
The atmosphere, the turnout and the purpose behind the match all elevate it beyond a typical exhibition.
John Aldridge has already explained how these games generate around £1 million for the LFC Foundation and Forever Reds, supporting both former players and community projects across the city.
Transfer insider: Premier League duo among 8-player shortlist of prospective Salah replacements
Liverpool are now faced with the enormous task of recruiting an elite successor to Mo Salah, with the Egyptian confirming this week that he’ll be leaving Anfield at the end of the season.
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The 33-year-old will depart with one of the greatest legacies of any player to have represented the Merseyside club, for whom he’s scored 255 goals over the past nine years and played a leading role during an era of domestic and European success.
He’s set standards which’ll be virtually impossible to match, but alas LFC will need to identify and recruit a replacement who they think would be capable of filling the massive void on the right flank.
Liverpool identify shortlist of prospective Salah successors
Transfer insider Dean Jones has claimed (via TEAMtalk) that Liverpool have a seven-player shortlist of prospective successors to Salah.
It includes two Bundesliga wingers in Yan Diomande and Michael Olise, Paris Saint-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams and two Premier League players in Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon.
TEAMtalk sources cited another forward from the English top flight as someone under consideration at Anfield – Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye.
Which one is likeliest to end up at Liverpool?
Of those eight shortlisted options, who’d realistically be the most attainable for Liverpool as a successor to Salah?
It’s not unknown for players to switch directly between Merseyside rivals (remember Nick Barmby?), but such transfers are rare and it’d be hard to envisage Ndiaye making the move across town. Similarly, given the tempestuous nature of Alexander Isak’s transfer from Newcastle last summer, enticing Gordon could be tough.
It’s also difficult to imagine Barcola or Doue wanting to leave Champions League holders PSG when they’re enjoying plenty of game-time in the French capital.
(Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Williams and Bowen might be more attainable, especially the latter if West Ham are relegated, although the two standout candidates would appear to be the Bundesliga duo.
Diomande has been a revelation for RB Leipzig this season, contributing 11 goals and eight assists, and Liverpool have a positive working relationship with the Red Bull-owned outfit from the purchases of Naby Keita, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Olise would be the dream signing, with the Frenchman racking up 16 goals and 27 assists this term, although persuading Bayern Munich to sell him could be difficult, and the Bavarian giants would reportedly demand as much as £120m for the ex-Crystal Palace maestro.
Whoever might arrive at Anfield as Salah’s replacement, they’ll have an extremely hard act to follow, and it’s no exagerration to state that this is among the biggest recruitment decisions that LFC have faced in modern times.
🌍 World on edge, race for final World Cup spots starts today 🏆
The road to the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada is entering its most tense phase. This Thursday, March 26, twenty national teams are fighting for survival in knockout matches, chasing the six remaining spots that will complete the 48-team field.
🇪🇺 Clash of giants and stars in Europe
The UEFA playoffs are not just about tactics; they are the stage where the world’s best become heroes or tragic legends. This Thursday, the spotlight falls on three stadiums where individual talent will be the last line of defense against failure.
🇮🇹 Donnarumma, Bergamo, and the pressure of an entire country
For the Azzurra, the match against Northern Ireland is not just a playoff tie; it is a desperate fight for the forgiveness of an entire country. After the traumatic failures of 2018 and 2022, a whole generation of Italian children has grown up without seeing their national team at the big tournament, and the pressure on Gatusso’s players is almost inhuman.
At the center of this emotional hurricane stands Gianluigi Donnarumma. The goalkeeper, who already knows what it is to be both hero and villain, takes on the role of national shield today. Every save he makes will be a sigh of relief for millions of fans holding their breath, fearing that the “ghost of absence” will appear once again.
🇹🇷 Arda Güler, the leader of Turkey’s new generation
In Istanbul, the atmosphere will be boiling as Romania comes to town. Turkey has not appeared at a World Cup since that historic third-place finish in 2002, and it feels this is its ultimate opportunity.
All eyes are on Arda Güler. The Real Madrid player has gone from being a promising talent to the team’s undisputed compass. Alongside Kenan Yıldız, Güler represents a bold, technical new era looking to put the Turks back on football’s biggest map.
🇵🇱 Robert Lewandowski’s last dance?
For Robert Lewandowski, the match against Albania in Warsaw has an “now or never” feel to it. At 37, Poland’s all-time leading scorer and FC Barcelona’s star knows this is probably his last chance to lead his country at a World Cup
🇸🇪 Sweden and Ukraine: A duel of firepower
We also cannot overlook the clash between Ukraine and Sweden. The standout name here is Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish striker, who has terrorized defenses in the Premier League with Arsenal, is the main threat to a resilient Ukraine side that will rely on the talent of Oleksandr Zinchenko to control the tempo of the match.
🌎 A high-stakes international playoff
While Europe defines its paths, on World Cup territory (Monterrey and Guadalajara) the semifinals for the final two global spots will be played.
🇧🇴 Bolivia’s dream of returning more than three decades later
In Monterrey, Bolivia is looking to return to the World Cup after 32 years. To do so, it must take the first step today by beating a Suriname side that arrives after surprising many in the CONCACAF qualifiers. The winner of this tie will face Iraq next Tuesday for a place in the brutally tough Group I (France, Senegal, Norway).
🇯🇲 Jamaica up against the surprise package from the Antipodes
A clash of styles awaits in Guadalajara. Jamaica, led by its Premier League stars, starts as the favorite against Oceania’s surprise side. The winner of this matchup will face the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a place in Group K (Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan).
🔚 What comes next: The Finals
Today’s winners will have no time to celebrate. On Tuesday, March 31, the decisive finals will be played. Only that day’s winners will be able to say they will be present at the next FIFA World Cup 2026.
All of today’s matches will be single-leg ties. If the score is level after 90 minutes, there will be extra time and, if still tied, a penalty shootout.
📆 Today’s match schedule
18:00: Turkey vs Romania (Istanbul)
20:45: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland (Prague)
20:45: Denmark vs North Macedonia (Copenhagen)
20:45: Italy vs Northern Ireland (Bergamo)
20:45: Poland vs Albania (Warsaw)
20:45: Slovakia vs Kosovo (Bratislava)
20:45: Ukraine vs Sweden (Valencia, Spain)
20:45: Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (Cardiff)
23:00: Bolivia v Suriname (Guadalajara, Mexico)
04:00: New Caledonia vs Jamaica (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Harry Maguire says his Manchester United future "should get sorted pretty soon" but stressed he does not want to remain at the club for "sentimental" reasons.
Maguire has played every game since Michael Carrick took charge of the Red Devils in January, earning a recall to the England squad with his impressive performances.
"I think there have been talks," Maguire said. "I think we'll reach an agreement where it's best for the club and myself.
"What that agreement is, I'm sure you'll find out over the next few weeks.
"But, yeah, I think it'll get sorted sooner rather than later, whether I stay or leave. But I think it will - it should - get sorted pretty soon.
"I love this club. But it's got to be right for myself, it's got to be right for the club as well.
"I don't want to be staying on a sentimental value. I want to be staying because I want to be there and the club want me to drive the club forward still, and they feel like I've got a big part to play in it.
"And if that's the case, then I'm sure we'll sit down and reach something."
Despite a difficult period under previous boss Rubem Amorim, Maguire believes the Portuguese laid ground work for United to be successful.
"I don't really have much bad to say about Ruben," he added.
"I really like Ruben, I think he's got great ideas. The ideas just didn't work at Manchester United.
"I do believe he'll go on and have an amazing career and his next club he'll probably go and win many, many football matches.
"It just didn't click or work and I think us as players have got to take a lot of responsibility for that as well.
"But I think he has led the club in a direction - and I do think he deserves a lot of credit for that - where he's built a good, solid squad."
Are the first signs of Arsenal's reliance on Bukayo Saka starting to show?
Saka captained Arsenal for the Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City and his performance, along with his recent form, has been called into question by supporters and pundits as the Gunners missed out on their first piece of silverware since 2020.
"That pressure to win trophies can tally up and make it difficult," former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney said when speaking about Saka's form.
"I think he has struggled this season. He has played a lot of games in his career already. I think we all know there is more there."
Part of the reason that Saka's form has been called into question is because of the high standards and impressive performances expected from the Arsenal winger.
The 24-year-old signed a new five-year deal with his boyhood club in February as they moved to secure his future for the prime years of his career.
Saka's importance to Arsenal cannot be underestimated. His story, connection with the fans and academy, and his importance to his team cannot be replaced.
[BBC]
However, the England international has only two goals since the turn of the year. He has played 17 games and missed three matches with a hip injury.
And, before his goal in the 2-2 draw against Wolves last month, when Saka played as a number 10, he had not found the net for 15 games in all competitions. He has scored six league goals in 27 appearances this season.
Saka has played a lot of football in his career. The appearance against City in the final was his 305th for Arsenal in all competitions.
But that is exactly what his manager Mikel Arteta wants from him: reliability.
In 2022, when asked about giving Saka a rest, the Arsenal boss pointed at the number of games the elite players in football play.
"Look at the top players in the world. They play 70 matches - every three days - and make the difference and win the game," he said.
"You want to be at the top, you have to be able to do that."
As the disgruntled Chelsea faithful trudged out of Hill Dickinson Stadium with 20 minutes left, the Everton fans serenaded their players for 20 minutes post-match. The Toffees were excellent against Arsenal last week at Emirates Stadium, but this was even better.
The temptation is to pick out a few players, but that would miss the point. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a Chelsea reject, Beto and Thierno Barry would have been considered far too low grade to be viable by their opponents.
All the way through the squad, with just a few notable exceptions, on paper and certainly on the balance sheet, Chelsea should be streets ahead of Everton. But they were not on the day and with only seven games left there are only two points separating them.
At the match, it was hard not to put this down to the effect of an experienced manager who knows how to get the best out of his charges. He also knows how to build a team spirit and is clearly liked and respected by those working for him.
Europe is now a real possibility for Everton and for once they are even looking forward to Liverpool visiting in a few weeks' time.
Following his long knee injury, Hjulmand immediately reinstated Flekken as goalkeeper. This came after the strong performance of his replacement, Janis Blaswich, against Arsenal.
Hjulmand's decision was perceived within the team and communicated externally as a means of deviating from the principle of merit-based selection typically employed by the coach.
This situation weakens the position of the Dane, who even raised eyebrows among some players in the early months of the year, regularly starting Jonas Hofmann as a right wing-back.
When Hofmann was also substituted on as a left wing-back in the 4-0 victory against FC St. Pauli, this approach raised further questions within the team.
Conversely, some players felt they weren't getting enough playing time. A situation that can occur under any coach. However, in conjunction with the recent decision against Blaswich, it does not strengthen Hjulmand's standing within the team; quite the opposite.
The fact that the incomprehension surrounding Blaswich's demotion to the bench has now leaked out from within the team is a clear indication that Hjulmand's position is weakened not only due to the recent lack of progress, but disappointing results in the Bundesliga.
“He’s a wonderful man, he’s a top coach,” Italian striker praises former Celtic manager
Al-Qadsiah forward Mateo Retegui has praised former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, describing him as a “wonderful man” ahead of Italy’s World Cup play-off clash with Northern Ireland…
The Argentine-born striker has been playing under Rodgers since the ex-Hoops boss made the switch to Saudi Arabia in December.
Brendan Rodgers, new manager at Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah. Photo Al Qadsiah FC
Since Rodgers’ arrival, the 53-year-old has enjoyed a stunning start to life in the Saudi Pro League, remaining unbeaten and guiding Al-Qadsiah into fourth place in the league table.
Speaking via BBC Sport, Retegui – who played against Celtic in the Champions League last season for Atalanta in Bergamo – said: “I’ve only got good things to say about him. Ever since Brendan came to the club, I don’t think we’ve lost a game; we’ve won 14 and drawn three. I speak a great deal with him, and I have a wonderful rapport with Brendan.”
“He’s wished me the best of luck, but we speak about other things. He’s a wonderful man, he’s a top coach, and he’s already proven that at all of the clubs he’s worked for in the past.”
“I have a great rapport with Brendan Rodgers, and when I go back, we’ll have another chat.”
Meanwhile, former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has admitted he was “disgusted” by his old club’s 2-0 defeat to Dundee United last weekend.
The 66-year-old was in Glasgow with Jim Craig and Peter Grant to support a campaign calling for the legendary Craig to be honoured with a statue in his native Govan.
Reflecting on the defeat at Tannadice, McAvennie made no attempt to hide his frustration at the manner of the performance, as Martin O’Neill’s side slipped to their eighth league loss of the campaign.
“If Celtic are going to lose the title, they can’t lose it like they did last week,” McAvennie told STV.
“I was disgusted by the way the players just rolled over and got their bellies rubbed. It was terrible. I know the pitch was terrible, but both teams had to play on it. That’s the worst I’ve seen it at Tannadice, which is normally quite good.”
Conor Spence
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Virat Kohli smashed a quickfire 45 off just 19 balls in RCB’s second intra-squad match in Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2026. The veteran batter’s intent and form were praised by RCB’s mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) shared a video on social media after their second practice game on Wednesday, where Karthik lauded Kohli’s performance in the warm-up match.
“Good game today. The class of Virat came through quite nicely up front, played some lovely shots. The greatness about Virat is that every year he comes up with a certain plan and intent. You saw how he’s really upped what he wants to do. I feel this year he’ll try to get even better. That tells a lot about the person he is. He’s always trying to push his boundaries. And also what he brings in terms of energy to the crowd and the meetings, those are big things, and that’s a big part of Virat’s personality,” Karthik said.
— RCBTweets (@RCBTweets)
Kohli helped Salt
Earlier, Kohli was also seen in the video bowling to his opening partner Phil Salt, who is going through a rough patch in T20 cricket. Despite Salt’s struggles in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he scored just 130 runs in eight innings, Kohli has shown strong support for his teammate. Kohli’s intent ahead of the new season is clear, and with his experience and current form, he is expected to play a crucial role for the defending champions.
RCB had earlier played their first intra-squad match on Monday. In that game, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma scored a 37-ball 81, while skipper Rajat Patidar smashed a blistering 74 off 25 balls. Kohli also contributed with a quick 29 off 12 balls.
Batting first, the team led by Venkatesh Iyer posted 234/7, with contributions from Jitesh (81 off 37), Tim David (36 off 14), Iyer (30 off 16), and Kohli (29 off 12). In response, the side led by Krunal Pandya scored 247, with Rajat Patidar (74 off 25), Devdutt Padikkal (63 off 33), and Krunal (58 off 33) delivering standout performances.
The IPL 2026 season will begin on March 28, with Sunrisers Hyderabad taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Austin Schlabach’s basketball origin story is probably not all that different from a lot of kids Indiana: A boy and a basketball, shooting on a hoop in the backyard.
Schlabach did not have dreams of playing for his high school team, however. He did not know if he would even attend high school. Schlabach was raised in an Amish family near Shipshewana, a community of 850 residents in Northern Indiana that is home to the third-largest Amish population in the country.
In the Amish tradition, children go to school through eighth grade and then go to work. Mark Schlabach, Austin’s father, grew up in an Amish family a few miles away, near Middlebury and Northridge High School. Mark was a good player. Really good. He played three or four nights a week in pickup games and Amish leagues.
But he quit school after sixth grade. He was home schooled the next two years while he started a business building pony carts.
“I was a Northridge fan growing up,” Mark Schlabach said. “We would go to the Northridge-Westview game every year. I wasn’t allowed to go to high school, though. I tried my hardest, but I wasn’t allowed.”
At Westview, roughly half of the students are Amish. According to the Department of Education enrollment numbers for the 2024-25 school year, there were 142 seventh-graders and 171 eighth-graders, but the high school classes were between 80 and 86 students.
Austin assumed that would probably be his journey, too. His older sister, Nora, did not go to high school. She went to work at her father’s business, Shipshe Trailers. But when Austin was about 10 or 11 years old, Mark and his wife, Linda, decided to leave the Amish community.
“To start with it’s a little scary,” Mark said. “Because you don’t know what is on the other side. There’s a decent amount of difference. You have electric in the house and you aren’t driving a horse and buggy anymore. It’s a different way of life. Not faith changes. But it’s just different.”
Mark said the Amish have been more lenient about children attending high school in recent years than they were when he was going through school. But he said their decision to move away from the Amish lifestyle was not about Austin’s basketball future.
“Austin was young at the time,” Mark said. “I’m a business owner and just kind of put my head down and work. But at some point, it wasn’t the way of life we wanted. We weren’t really thinking about high school when we did it.”
Austin played Warrior Youth basketball in elementary school. But even after moving from Amish to “English,” Austin said he was not sure if high school basketball would be in the cards.
“I didn’t fully know if I was going through high school,” he said. “Usually Amish people stop after eighth grade and go to work. I was just going to go to work and start making money for the future. But I just kind of picked it up and started going with it.”
Mark and Linda said they would support Austin’s decision to attend high school if that was his choice. There have been some Amish previously to play basketball at Westview. Dennis Wingard, a tough defensive guard on the 2018-19 team, grew up Amish. Norman Miller, a 2017 Westview graduate, worked at a local furniture company for two years before returning to school and later becoming a Butler student manager.
“Either way, they would have supported me,” Austin said of his parents. “If I go work at a job and get money, they would be happy with that, or go through and play basketball. My dad just wanted me to focus on one.”
It appears, considering Schlabach’s ascension as one of the top junior players in the state, that he made the right choice. The 6-1 guard is averaging 19.7 points, 5.6 assists and 5.4 rebounds for Class 2A state finals-bound Westview, which is 27-1 and ranked No. 3 in the state going into the state finals on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against No. 4 Parke Heritage (26-4).
Schlabach has been on a remarkable tear through the Warriors’ tournament run. He scored 33 points in Westview’s 63-59 win over No. 7 Gary 21st Century in the regional, then put up a combined 50 points in semistate wins over Lapel and Fort Wayne Bishop Luers.
Chandler Prible has had a front-row seat to watch Schlabach’s progression. He averaged 15.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists as a sophomore, but has improved his efficiency numbers (61.2% field goals, 39.5% 3-point shooter) across the board as a junior.
“Honestly, it was all down to him,” said Prible, in his fourth year at Westview. “The sky is the limit because he can score at all three levels and he’s typically the best athlete of his matchup at the guard spot. It’s pretty exciting to see him get the results from all the work he’s put in. The guy is in the gym all the time. He deserves it and he’s earning it every single day.”
Westview has a 1-2 punch few other 2A teams can replicate with Schlabach and 6-4 senior Kaden Grau, who averages 18.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists and shoots an eye-popping 51.1% from the 3-point line.
“They feed off each other,” Prible said of Schlabach and Grau. “When we practice, they are usually going against each other so they get to compete against another high-level guard.”
The relationship between Westview and basketball is deep. Rob Yoder, who played at Westview and coached the Warriors for 18 seasons, said once said: “This is probably one of those places where you could go the games in the ‘70s and ‘80s and come back now and it feels like home. You won’t see a whole lot different.”
The school, a consolidation of Shipshewana-Scott and Topeka in 1966-67, has two dozen sectional titles, seven regional championships and two state titles – Class 2A in 1999 and 2000 – to its credit. At home games, the Amish fans fill the top half of the bleachers after tying their buggies to the fence outside the gym.
“They’re all about it,” Prible said. “They really, really support us. I’ll have people stop me when I go into a store somewhere and say, ‘Oh, you are the basketball coach,’ and want to come over and talk basketball. It’s awesome. The whole community seems to have the same passion and same love for it. It’s pretty special.”
There is, of course, “The Westview Whistler.” Dan Byler, a Westview graduate, has been performing the pregame whistling routine at games – home and road – since the early 1980s. He sticks his thumbs in his mouth and whistles loudly as the crowd claps in unison and belts out, “Beat ‘em up, beat ‘em up, rah, rah, rah!”
“It’s awesome,” Grau said.
Schlabach said the decision to attend high school could not have worked out better. Part of his motivation is for his father, who did not have the chance to play in high school.
“I think that’s what it’s so special,” he said. “I do it for him because he never got the opportunity.”
Can only make the wrong choice: Germany's next gem has doubts
Could the next young talent turn his back on the DFB? In Mio Backhaus’ case, it is at least not out of the question. The goalkeeper is eligible to play for both Germany and Japan. For years, the Japanese federation has therefore been courting the Werder keeper.
National coach Hajime Moriyasu visited him in Bremen when he was just 17, Backhaus reported in an interview with '11Freunde'. The coach told him that he could see him joining the senior national team in the foreseeable future.
"At that point, I wasn’t playing any role for the first team (at Werder; editor’s note) at all," says Backhaus. He said it impressed him that the national coach had still made the trip to speak with him.
So far, however, he has not made a decision, and he also does not want to make it dependent on the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Since both are wonderful countries, he said, "I feel like I can only make the wrong decision."
For the current international break, the goalkeeper has been called up to the Germany U21 national team. Antonio Di Salvo’s side will face Northern Ireland and Greece in the European Championship qualifiers. Before the U21s, Backhaus had progressed through Germany’s youth national teams since the U15 level. Because they had taken good care of him, he has a good relationship with the DFB, he explained.
"If I were to decide against the DFB and for Japan now, then it would feel like it affects 100 people who have lovingly and wonderfully looked after me over all these years. I do wonder whether they would then think: What did we actually do all this for?" the 21-year-old explained, describing his inner conflict.
He has not yet met Nagelsmann, but for now his focus is on the U21s, since that is the team he has been called up for. "With players like Noah Atubolu, you’ve seen how quickly things can move. And as long as I keep getting called up for the U21s, I’m not overthinking it or putting myself under pressure," Backhaus concluded.
Mahmoud Dahoud set for Eintracht Frankfurt farewell
Florian Plettenbergreports that Eintracht Frankfurt will not extend the contract of Mahmoud Dahoud (30) beyond the summer, meaning he will be available on a free transfer when his current deal expires with the player already receiving enquiries from ‘several clubs’.
Dahoud, who joined Eintracht on a free transfer from Brighton in 2024, has made 17 appearances across all competitions for die Adler this season, but has played only three from a possible seven under Albert Riera – starting once.
The Syrian wasn’t named in the squad for their Matchday 27 game against Mainz, and was also an unused substitute for games against Freiburg, St. Pauli and Heidenheim.
For Frankfurt, it’s set to be a summer of upheaval. Their defeat against Mainz leaves the Hessen club eight points adrift of sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen with seven games remaining.
‘Didn’t work’ – Harry Maguire breaks silence on former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim
Harry Maguire has shared his view on Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United.
In an interview to The Guardian, the England international said the Portuguese boss had great ideas but they ‘didn’t work’ at United.
Maguire harbours no ill will towards Amorim, insisting he deserves credit for leading the club in the right direction.
He said: “I don’t really have much bad to say about Ruben. I really like Ruben, I think he’s got great ideas. The ideas just didn’t work at Manchester United.
“But I think he has led the club in a direction, and I do think he deserves a lot of credit for that, where he’s built a good, solid squad and I do believe that he deserves credit for that.”
United endured their worst Premier League campaign last season, finishing 15th in the table. They also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
The club’s hierarchy still backed Amorim well in the summer transfer window, but he failed to unlock the potential of the squad.
Back in the IPL after a year, the Delhi Capitals batter seems calmer, more focused, mentally stronger. He says he has learnt from the excesses of the past, which led to the quick crumbling of a once-promising career.
MUMBAI: Wearing the Delhi Capitals jersey at the Ferozeshah Kotla makes Prithvi Shaw feel most at home. Ahead of the IPL season, it’s clear the once-promising batter from Mumbai has shed a few kilograms. His thought process too seems to have acquired a fresh outlook. ‘Axed’ from the IPL last year, he says the break did him a world of good.
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A flashy engagement ring on his finger seems emblematic of the change.
“I went to a couple of places to refresh my mind. It (the IPL snub) was a good break for me. I’ve enjoyed my life a lot. I can’t say that I took a step back,” Prithvi said about going unsold last season.
“The break allowed me to strengthen myself mentally. When I came back, it was the same routine. I trained and worked hard. Whatever I used to do earlier, I started doing it three times more,” he said before the Delhi Capitals got busy with their intra-squad practice match here on Wednesday evening.
It wasn’t just the IPL axe. Shaw was compelled to move from Mumbai to Maharashtra after the selectors dropped him in the previous season. For a cricket association which had hyped him as a prodigy since he was 13, the axe must have felt like a punch in the gut.
“When I was dropped from the Mumbai team for a year, I felt the reason given to me was not a valid one. Even then I just smiled and left. I didn’t speak to the selectors or the president of the association. A lot of offers from other states started coming my way but I chose Maharashtra because it was closer to Mumbai,” he said.
Gossip and unwanted headlines have followed Prithvi for a while. He has seen the glitzy highs of cricketing fame and also endured much embarrassment off the field. Now, at 26, will he be able to turn a different corner?
“I didn’t write anything about myself. The media did,” he said of all the early hype about his talent. “I’m a human being. I will make mistakes. It’s been many years. I must have made some mistakes in my life,” he stated.
As his career started to unravel around four years ago, incessant controversies started to take a toll. Shaw says he has fallen back on a tight circle of associates to be at peace with himself.
“Whatever is written outside, people know only the half of it. My family and friends know me. I have kept only as many friends in my life as my fingers. I only train with my childhood coach. I don’t reach out to anyone. If anybody wants to reach out to me, I don’t mind. I was very young, obviously. Whenever there were good or bad things on social media and in newspapers, it started to affect me. Now, I have stopped seeing those things. Now, I believe in myself,” he said.
“I know where I come from and how hard I have worked to reach here. Humans make mistakes but that’s history. I feel I am very happy mentally. This (cricket) is my passion. No one can take this away from me. I think sometimes we take ourselves too seriously,” he said with a smile.
So is he still nurturing comeback plans? “It will be wrong if I say I’m not thinking about a comeback. I’m playing for that. Who doesn’t want to play for India?” As he was going back to the dressing room for the practice match, Prithvi was asked how he calms his mind. “Nothing. No rituals. No yoga or meditation. Just the engagement ring,” he said, smiling.
Expert opinion: New Caledonia or Jamaica, which opponent would be more manageable for DR Congo?
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New Caledonia or Jamaica, which opponent would be more manageable for DR Congo?
Expert opinion: New Caledonia or Jamaica, which opponent would be more manageable for DR Congo?
DR Congo has a date with history on Tuesday, March 31, as they face off in the final of the intercontinental play-offs for a spot at the 2026 World Cup, against the winner of the New Caledonia vs. Jamaica clash.
To discuss which opponent would be more approachable for DR Congo in this intercontinental play-off final, Foot Africa gathered insights from Congolese journalist Juscar Mukazo. Here’s his analysis.
On paper, Jamaica are clear favorites over New Caledonia in the semi-final of the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 World Cup. If we look at the FIFA rankings, Jamaica sits around 70th place, while New Caledonia is much further down. This gap clearly shows the Jamaicans' advantage.Looking at the squads, Jamaica boasts a quality group, with several players competing in England, whether in the Premier League or the Championship. That brings experience and a certain familiarity with big occasions. For these reasons, I see Jamaica advancing from this round.That said, I wouldn’t rule out a surprise from New Caledonia. In football, it’s not about what’s on paper, it’s about what happens on the pitch. This team won’t come as mere underdogs—they’ll give it everything. Anything is possible, even if I estimate Jamaica’s chances at around 60%.As for DR Congo, we don’t really have a preference for our opponent. Our squad is made up of competitors. In recent months, the team has shown great things, including victories over Cameroon and Nigeria, which has boosted the group’s confidence.It’s been over 50 years since DR Congo last featured at a World Cup. Now, the entire country faces a major opportunity. We’ve stumbled before, notably against Tunisia, Morocco, and Senegal.This time, it’s a chance we must seize. Even if the match will be played far from home, we have the quality needed to make the difference.No matter the opponent, DR Congo is ready. Whether it’s New Caledonia or Jamaica, the objective is clear: to qualify for the World Cup.We absolutely must not underestimate the opponent. Qualification will require tough, intense, and suspenseful matches.But we’re ready to rise to this challenge. The players understand what’s at stake and are working hard to achieve this goal.We are confident. This time could be the one. Despite the early exit from the last AFCON, there is hope. The squad is strong and believes in its chances. After 52 years of waiting, DR Congo wants to return to the World Cup and will do everything to make it happen.
The "Leopards" are aiming for a historic World Cup qualification, after a long drought of more than half a century.
SAN FRANCISCO – Here was the best result, despite a rough opener for Aaron Judge.
Wasn’t this 7-0 victory against the Giants a valuable example of the Yankees’ ability to wear down pitching, even when their MVP captain goes 0-for-5, with four Ks?
“We feel like we can (score runs) in some different ways, and tonight was one of those,’’ said manager Aaron Boone, who also cautioned that “we’re one game’’ into a marathon season.
“We’ve still got a long way to go to prove that,’’ Boone said of his team’s versatile offensive potential. “I think we have a chance to do that.’’
Without a home run Wednesday evening at Oracle Park, the Yankees – fueled by a five-run, five-hit second inning against Logan Webb – gave their fans an encouraging sample.
This largely familiar, run-it-back 2026 lineup – one that led MLB in runs, homers and OPS last year – is paced by Judge, but can it still thrive without him?
That requires more consistent contact, and forcing teams into errors with smart, aggressive baserunning, like Jose Caballero did with his hustling RBI double in the second.
“Trust in each other, and keep the line moving,’’ was Caballero’s description, which played out with Ryan McMahon’s well-placed, two-run ground single and Trent Grisham’s two-run triple.
Max Fried gets a boost from the Yankees' offense
Immediately, Max Fried – after grinding his way through a scoreless first inning – was able to throw more strikes without fear, on the way to 6.1 scoreless innings.
Those early runs allowed him to “take a deep breath’’ and pitch “more aggressively in the zone,’’ in leading the Yankees to their fifth straight Opening Day win.
That Yankee fifth contained “a lot of good, pressurized at-bats,’’ said Boone, starting with the first of Giancarlo Stanton’s two singles.
“It happened fast,’’ said No. 9 hitter Austin Wells, who singled twice and walked.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. was hit by a pitch and the speedy Caballero legged out a double to left that nearly scored a second run.
If an errant throw from left field hadn’t nailed Caballero in the foot, it would’ve skipped away.
“Putting good at-bat after good at-bat together,’’ said Grisham, resulted in six straight Yankees reaching base, capped by his triple to the right-center field gap.
In the Yanks’ two-run fifth, Chisholm beat Willy Adames’ rushed relay throw to first after a force out, allowing a run to score on the shortstop’s error.
The most positive takeaway of the Yankees' opener?
Meanwhile, Judge struck out in each of his first four at-bats – three times by Webb, who lasted five innings – and grounded out on the first pitch in his last time up.
Twice, Judge went down looking at 2-and-2 pitches (changeup, fastball), and the only Yankee hitter to register a challenge via the new ABS system was Caballero (unsuccessfully).
Boone’s club didn’t do much offensively after the fifth, but nothing else was required.
As the manager cautioned earlier this week, this is “the overreaction week of the season,’’ when small things are blown up and big things are MVP-sized.
Just as it’s tough to judge results in spring training, this is one game.
Opening Day.
Judge, off the criticism of Team USA’s World Baseball Classic loss to Venezuela – if you regard that as worthy of serious critique – had a rough Wednesday night.
His team found a way to an easy win, and that might be the most promising takeaway from game one.
En route to the locker room following Minnesota’s dramatic overtime win over Houston, at least one Timberwolves player reportedly could be heard saying “That (stuff) didn’t work, Scott Foster.”
Foster was the crew chief of the officiating crew for a Wolves-Rockets tilt that featured its share of officiating controversy re: calls that were and were not made.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said his players “were certainly frustrated,” adding the overtime affair “should’ve ended at regulation.”
He said Julius Randle “clearly” was fouled on his gather during his move to the bucket in the closing seconds of the knotted contest. Finch noted Minnesota attempted 63 shots in the paint, yet received only 10 free-throw attempts to Houston’s 25.
The Rockets, meanwhile, received key whistles in the final five seconds of both regulation and overtime that afforded them the opportunity to tie the game at the free-throw line. However, Durant missed the first attempt of a trip to the stripe with three seconds to play in the extra session with the Rockets trailing by two.
Finch said he’s “never seen” a call like the flagrant whistled on Randle for running through a screener with three minutes to play in regulation.
“They said he sought him out to run him over,” Finch said. “I’ve never seen a flagrant like that. He goes through a screen, they call a foul, fine. That’s clearly a foul. Play on. But a flagrant? I don’t know.”
The call opened the door for a four-point Rockets possession that helped Houston lower its deficit from nine to five.
“Randle was deemed to have run through the screen with force making no attempt to avoid the contact, which was deemed unnecessary,” Foster said in a postgame interview with a pool reporter.
In overtime, Minnesota challenged an offensive foul call against Reid in which Alperen Sengun appeared to still be moving laterally when Reid connected with him, with Reid’s foot also landing on that of the Rockets’ center.
Yet the call stood on the floor, which didn’t surprise Finch – “that one was close … I didn’t think we were going to win it,” he said. But immediately after the replay ruling, the ESPN broadcast appears to show Reid simply saying “he was moving” in regards to Sengun, which induced a quick technical foul call from Foster, which resulted in an ejection.
Foster said Reid “made a statement that questioned the integrity of the crew.”
It wasn’t Foster’s first controversial encounter with the Timberwolves this season. The referee also ejected Anthony Edwards in overtime of Minnesota’s Christmas night loss to Denver.
Yet Finch and the Wolves players were proud of how any gripes with the whistle didn’t affect the team’s approach on the floor. They continued to attack the rack on offense while playing a physical brand of defense.
“Just try to believe in the basketball gods,” Wolves center Rudy Gobert said. “Just keep trying to compete, play winning basketball and control what you can control.”
“Just not worry about the refs, just going to play,” Jaden McDaniels said. “You see, we weren’t worried about them in overtime and came back and won.”
Players have given up: Why Chelsea fans are seeing Graham Potter repeated in Liam Rosenior
Liam Rosenior’s players already look to have given up on him, and Chelsea could be about to face a horrific end to the season.
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There is an eerie similarity at Chelsea right now to the end of the 2022/2023 season.
Things were bad then, and they’re bad now. Thomas Tuchel was sacked and a nice, BlueCo friendly coach was brought in. Graham Potter got some good results, but when things turned against him, his lack of experience, gravitas, grit and personality made it impossible to turn things around.
Good results only delayed the inevitable. A disaffected squad lost interest and waited for the coach to get the chop.
Potter repeats in a new form under Rosenior
It looks like we’re seeing the same things now. Enzo Maresca was flawed, but had the team at a certain level. Liam Rosenior is like Potter – an ambitious choice who lacks the most essential ability at a top team – to stop bad results turning into a death spiral, and to keep the trust and belief of the players through difficult times.
Those appointing managers learned nothing from their Potter experiment of a couple of years ago. A managers ceiling is much less important than their floor when your main aim is to get a group with a high wage bill to finish in the top 5.
The way the players performed on Saturday looked like a group who no longer believe in their aims, or their manager.
Enzo isn’t the only one who hasn’t been looking happy in recent weeks.
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Formula 1 has announced a multi-year partnership renewal with leading sim racing hardware company, Fanatec, ahead of the F1 Sim Racing World Championship 2026.
The extended partnership will result in the addition of Fanatec simulators at all F1 grand prix events within the Fan Zones, as well as a new generation of officially licensed F1 products, including advanced steering wheels.
For teams, the partnership will see all F1 Sim Racing teams and drivers across the 2026 season provided with the professional-grade simulators.
"Fanatec has helped elevate the competitive standard of our F1 Sim Racing ecosystem, and this extension is an exciting step forward in our long and successful relationship," Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer at F1, said.
"This state-of-the-art hardware brings fans and racers even closer to the technology used in Formula 1, giving our audience a more authentic and accessible way to experience the sport.
"With Fanatec supporting the F1 Sim Racing World Championship and powering fan experiences at all our grands prix, we’re strengthening the connection between virtual and real-world racing and opening up even more opportunities for fans to engage with our sport."
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Thi La, CORSAIR CEO, said: "Sim racing has become a vital part of the wider motorsport culture, and Formula 1 has been instrumental in that progression. The Fanatec and F1 partnership means we can keep raising standards for competitive play and fan engagement, bringing officially licensed F1 products to more players and more events around the world."
The F1 Sim Racing Championship will begin at DreamHack, Birmingham, from 27-29 March. The remainder of the 12-round calendar will take place in F1's Media and Technology Centre at Biggin Hill.
Photos from Japanese GP - Thursday
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
Mercedes W17 front wing
Mercedes W17 front wing
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Fans
Fans
Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
A team member of Aston Martin F1 Team poses for a photo with fans
A team member of Aston Martin F1 Team poses for a photo with fans
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Mattia Binotto, Audi F1 Team
Mattia Binotto, Audi F1 Team
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Jayce Illman / Getty Images
Track detail
Track detail
Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Mercedes W17
Mercedes W17
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Jayce Illman / Getty Images
Fans
Fans
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fan of Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Fan of Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Fan detail
Fan detail
Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Front wing of Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Front wing of Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Marcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
Clive Mason / Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Clive Mason / Getty Images
Godzilla in the Haas F1 garage
Godzilla in the Haas F1 garage
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac F1 Team Team Principal
Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac F1 Team Team Principal
Clive Mason / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Marcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Fans
Fans
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Philip Fong / AFP via Getty Images
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Marcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fans
Fans
Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Jenson Button, Aston Martin F1 Team Ambassador
Jenson Button, Aston Martin F1 Team Ambassador
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fans
Fans
Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Front wing of Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Front wing of Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Marcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Clive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
Clive Mason / Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Lars Baron / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Ben McCollum’s first season with Iowa has been a remarkable success, as he’s led the Hawkeyes to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.
McCollum has had a ton of success as a head coach, winning four Division II tournament titles with Northwest Missouri State. He then left Division II to coach Drake last year, where he led the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament in his only season at the helm.
When McCollum took the Iowa job, it became clear he wanted to hit the transfer portal to build his team. The 44-year-old relied on landing a few of his players from Drake, which became the nucleus of his team in Des Moines this season.
Here’s how McCollum built the 2025-26 Iowa Hawkeyes.
Ben McCollum completely overhauled Iowa’s roster this season, as just two players on this year’s team also played for the Hawkeyes last year. Those players are Cooper Koch and Jacob Koch, and both were largely depth pieces in 2024-25.
Cooper Koch played in 10 games last year, averaging 13.6 minutes per game, and has taken a huge step forward this season, starting 35 games while averaging 27.9 minutes per game. Jacob Koch, who is not related to Cooper, played in seven games last year and has appeared in five games this year.
The rest of the roster is new to Des Moines, either as transfers or freshmen. McCollum’s three key freshman recruits were Trey Thompson, Trevin Jrak and Tate Sage, and both Jrak and Sage have been part of Iowa’s reserve unit this season.
Ben McCollum’s son, Peyton, is also a freshman but is out for the season after suffering a foot injury in January.
McCollum relied on the transfer portal to bring in several players from the 2024-25 Drake roster. Bennett Stirtz, Isaia Howard, Kael Combs, Cam Manyawu and Tavion Banks all played for the Bulldogs last year and were key pieces in Drake’s NCAA tournament appearance.
Four members of Iowa’s current starting lineup played for Drake last year, with Howard coming off the bench in a key role for the Hawkeyes. While McCollum is in his first year with Iowa, he was able to bring over players with continuity from his lone season at Drake.
Stirtz is the most important player on the team, which was also the case at Drake last year. He has now played in 70 games for McCollum since 2024, averaging more than 19 points and over 38 minutes per game during that span.
While Stirtz is the engine, the other four former Drake players are also very important. Banks and Manyawu have played in 69 and 70 games, respectively, over the last two years, while Howard has appeared in a combined 65 games. All three are being used in similar roles at Iowa as they were at Drake.
Combs, meanwhile, has taken a step forward with the Hawkeyes. After averaging 12.9 minutes per game in 31 appearances last year, all off the bench, he has started 31 of 35 games with Iowa, averaging 26.1 minutes per game. Matteoni, meanwhile, was redshirted last year at Drake and has played in 11 games this season.
McCollum also landed two other players in the transfer portal before the season, most notably Alvaro Folgueiras. The forward transferred from Robert Morris, played in 35 games this year and hit the game-winning three-pointer to upset No. 1 Florida in the Round of 32..
Additionally, Brendan Hausen joined the Hawkeyes from Kansas State and has played in 21 games this season as a backup to Stirtz.
Real Madrid accused of repeating the ‘Mbappe mistake’ with key midfielder
Concerns around Real Madrid’s medical department continue to grow, as fresh reports suggest that the club may have made yet another costly error – this time involving Eduardo Camavinga.
The situation comes shortly after the recent controversy surrounding Kylian Mbappe’s knee issue, which the forward himself strongly denied.
While Mbappe has dismissed the claims of misdiagnosis, a new report from L’Equipe has brought another worrying case into the spotlight, and this time, the details are difficult to ignore.
What’s the story?
According to the report, Camavinga originally sustained an injury to his left ankle on December 3rd.
However, in what appears to be a serious oversight, Real Madrid’s medical team reportedly conducted MRI scans on his right ankle instead.
Based on those results, the midfielder was declared fit and subsequently made available for selection.
This decision had immediate consequences, as just four days later, Camavinga was included in the squad to face Celta de Vigo, despite not being fully recovered.
The premature return appears to have aggravated the issue, leading to a longer spell on the sidelines.
Camavinga was also misdiagnosed. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Looking at his match involvement during that period, the timeline raises further questions.
This is because Camavinga featured for 69 minutes against Athletic Club, but shortly after, he was benched in the following game against Celta de Vigo.
His condition then worsened, forcing him to miss several key fixtures.
The French midfielder was sidelined for approximately two weeks, missing crucial matches against Manchester City, Alaves, and Talavera.
When he eventually returned, it was only in a limited capacity, featuring for just 18 minutes against Sevilla.
This sequence of events paints a troubling picture.
While clubs often manage player fitness carefully during congested schedules, such an apparent diagnostic error, if confirmed, could point to deeper issues within the medical setup.
Barcelona set for crucial contract talks with key figure next month
According to recent reports from Mundo Deportivo, Hansi Flick’s agent, Pini Zahavi, is preparing to travel to Barcelona next month for what could be a decisive round of negotiations with the club over a potential renewal.
As things stand, there is a shared willingness from both sides to continue the partnership.
Flick has established himself as a central figure in Barcelona’s ongoing rebuild, bringing structure, intensity, and a clear tactical identity to the team.
Meanwhile, the club views him as the right man to lead them into a new competitive cycle.
However, despite this mutual understanding, several contractual details still need to be finalised.
These discussions are expected to take centre stage when Zahavi arrives in the Catalan capital.
Crucial talks scheduled
As per the outlet, the agent is set to travel from London and will combine business with football, as he plans to attend the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou on April 8.
Flick’s agent will visit Barcelona next month. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
This visit presents an ideal opportunity to sit down with club officials and push forward negotiations.
One of the key aspects of the renewal revolves around the contract length, as Flick has traditionally preferred shorter deals.
In line with that approach, the proposed extension is expected to keep him at the club until 2028.
With Barcelona still competing strongly in both La Liga and the Champions League, the German is prioritising results and leaving contractual matters in the hands of his trusted agent.
There is also a sense of clarity regarding his intentions, as Flick reportedly sees his future at Barcelona and is not actively exploring other opportunities.
Instead, he is waiting for the right moment to formalise his commitment.
Mo Salah's heir is already here, Liverpool have extraordinary regen
A spectacular winger is Mo Salah's regen and he's already at Liverpool.
The Egyptian King is going to be moving on this summer. Liverpool have agreed an extraordinary parting of ways that will see Salah depart for pastures new.
Where? Who knows. Not even Salah himself will be fully aware of his plans at this stage. He deserves to continue to play at the highest level - so he could easily stay in Europe for a little bit longer.
Salah is an icon at Anfield and he's still one of the best players in the world. Replacing him is never going to be easy. In fact, it's going to be impossible.
There just isn't anyone in world football who can fill his boots. Not Michael Olise, not Yan Diomande. In the years to come they may come close but not right now.
However, Liverpool may not even have to look that far.
There is already an ideal successor coming through the ranks, who joined the Reds' first-team earlier this year in order to showcase his talents to Arne Slot at just 15-years-old.
Crucially, he plays in a very similar style to Salah, making him his perfect heir.
It's very rare that Liverpool give teenagers an opportunity to train with the first-team. It's even rarer that they give that opportunity to a 15-year-old.
Even the likes of Rio Ngumoha and Trent Alexander-Arnold 'only' trained with the first-team after they had turned 16-years-old.
Perhaps the only player who had trained with the first-team at a similar age was Raheem Sterling, who was an incredible talent during his time at the academy.
It is those footsteps that young Joshua Abe is following in. The youngster trained twice in two weeks with the club's first-team back in February.
This was an opportunity for Slot to get a closer look at Abe, and there is an expectation that he will be involved in more training sessions in the future - although for now he is ruled out of the season with an injury.
Pre-season though could be an opportunity for him to make his mark - especially in Salah's absence.
Liverpool have regarded him as one of the brightest young talents in the academy for a while now. Abe has been at the club since pre-academy days.
During the last-year or so, fans have been very keen to get a closer look at him after his heroics on England U15 duty. Now it looks like Abe is finally here and we may be seeing clips of him in those first-team training videos very soon.
For those who want to see more of him, he's been on fire in the U18 side this season.
Abe has played eight matches for the academy and he has eight goals, three assists and one penalty won, averaging a goal or assist every 58 minutes on the pitch.
Those are remarkable numbers for a player at this level, let alone someone who is not even a first-year scholar yet.
But a GST spokesperson has now confirmed: “While Mr Johnson has been clear that the $500k was a reimbursement and not a payment, to avoid disruption and continue moving forward he and Winners Alliance have agreed to fund the $500k to the plan so that all creditors can benefit and receive a greater distribution in connection with the company's reorganisation and efforts to resurrect the league.”
As reported by the BBC, a spokesperson for Johnson also said: “Michael has asserted defences to the claim, including that this was a partial reimbursement of over $2m (£1.5m) of expenses advances by Michael for the benefit of the athletes.”
The inaugural season of GST lasted just three events – in Kingston, Miami and Philadelphia – before the fourth meet in Los Angeles was cancelled when the league ran out of money. A key sponsor, Eldridge Industries, pulled out its major funding and GST filed for bankruptcy in December.
It left GST owing several major athletes – including Britain’s Josh Kerr, significant sums – mainly in prize money and appearance fees. And Winners Alliance, GST’s primary funder, is reportedly owed more than $15m.
Speaking at the World Indoor Athletics Championships earlier this month, Kerr said: “Of course I’m frustrated. I’m owed a lot of money, so in any business anyone’s going to be frustrated. I don’t particularly know right now where to push those frustrations and where they should sit.
“I’ve had conversations with Michael, I’ve had information given to me by my agents on this stuff. I don’t think these are bad people. I think this is a horrible situation.”
Meanwhile, Johnson will not work on BBC Sport’s athletics coverage this year. His spokesperson said in a statement: “Michael wishes to clarify that it was his decision not to continue with the BBC after the Paris 2024 Games. With his contract up for renewal after the Olympics, and Grand Slam Track launching soon after, he chose to focus fully on the project.
“The BBC understood his decision, and he remains grateful for their support and his longstanding relationship with the broadcaster.”
NEWBURGH — Pat Lockyear can pinpoint the exact moment his worry subsided.
He was conducting offseason hitting workouts when a line drive went straight back to him. The Castle High School softball coach was admittedly startled. Anyone would be with a 70 or 80-mile-per-hour projectile aimed at you. But truthfully speaking, his real reaction was one of pleasant surprise.
There was no denying it any longer. Emma Bruggenschmidt was 100% back.
"Up to that point," Lockyear said. "She was taking it a little bit easy. It's been a while since she surprised me like that."
The Indiana University recruit begins her final high school season this week, the culmination of an already record-breaking career with the Knights. There's not much, if anything, truly left to prove. Expect perhaps to herself following the events of last summer.
Castle's season opener in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on March 27 comes six months after Bruggenschmit underwent hip surgery.
"I'm amped to get back out there," she said. "I honestly love high school season. Whenever we got the chance (to be cleared), I wanted to stay and finish it out."
When the exact injury occurred is up for debate. Bruggenschmidt thinks last summer, or even before her junior high school season. The only consensus being it progressively got worse over time. It was diagnosed as a torn hip labrum – damage to the cartilage ring lining the hip socket. Similar to a tear in the shoulder.
The senior gutted through 28 games in the spring before cutting travel season short in July. She attempted to rest because of the opportunity to play volleyball in the fall. Bruggenschmidt went seven sets during an opening weekend tournament – she couldn't go any further.
Surgery was scheduled for mid-September with a typical recovery window of 4-6 months. She sat on the bench, walking slowly with a single crutch, as the Knights advanced to the Class 4A volleyball semi-state.
"That was the hardest," Bruggenschmidt said. "I love volleyball and softball about the same. Being out my senior season…watching my friends step in and do really well made me really happy."
Once informed of the injury, Lockyear's initial worry was her volleyball season. Then it turned to recovery once that was ruled out. Elite players like Bruggenschmidt train year-round in some form. Would she be ready by March, or would it be better to go to Bloomington a semester early? Castle went through the former last offseason with an injury to pitcher Sadie Winsett.
Bruggenschmidt shut down, leaving pretty quickly. She gradually progressed to alleviating the other question. The senior shortstop was hitting off a tee by December before taking soft toss swings. Bruggenschmidt estimates she was close to 100% by the four-month mark.
"I didn't know much about the recovery time but looked it up pretty quick," Lockyear said. "I was concerned about how much she’d be able to work in the offseason. She’s been able to get back and enough time in to be comfortable. I could tell the day she hit a line drive back at me."
Bruggenschmidt has already left a mark on the Castle softball program. She ranks first in career runs scored (116), second in career hits (152) and fifth in runs batted in (103) with another season left. The Knights are also back-to-back sectional champions with a regional title in 2024. The senior was a First Team All-State pick last year after batting .477 with 12 doubles, four home runs and 25 RBI – while playing with a possible hip injury too.
The Knights enter the season as Southern Indiana Athletic Conference and sectional contenders once again. Lockyear knows what to expect from his leadoff hitter and captain. His personal goal for Bruggenschmidt doesn't concern any statistic or championship.
"I just hope she has fun," Lockyear said. "This season is important for her now because of the injury to get ready for her career at IU. The fact that she’s coming back even before the injury – we’ve had people in our area go early. I wouldn’t have doubted it if she decided to do that. It’s hard your senior year. There’s a lot going on. I just want her to enjoy it."
Bruggenschmidt shared the same sentiment. Big Ten softball will be here soon, but first is finishing up a dynamic career in Newburgh. Year Four begins this week with a clear mind and a hip injury officially in the rearview mirror.
"I want to make it as far as we can," she said. "Also, have fun with my teammates. It’s my last season here. I want to leave it all out on the field."
Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at kyle.sokeland@courierpress.com.
Would the Washington Commanders turn down Jeremiyah Love at No. 7 in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Well, first of all, none of us knows what will happen. GM Adam Peters is not going to begin appearing on Washington radio, posting on X (Twitter) with his thoughts on the upcoming draft and the Commanders' needs. But it is always entertaining listening to analysts offering their opinions on the draft as it approaches.
"He's (Jeremiyah Love) a different player than Ashton Jeanty. But you can definitely put him qualitatively in the same range, and I think a little bit above that. (Jeanty was drafted No. 6 in 2025)."
"There's a dearth of blue chippers at the top of the draft We know where Jeanty went and this draft is not as good. We can definitely make the argument that Jeremiyah Love is a little better. So for me, in this specific draft class, top five is certainly in play."
"I tend to view Washington as the last stop in the train for Jeremiyah Love...I cannot see that Washington would turn him down...So I do think Love is in play for Washington, but I would definitely put my money on he will not be available at seven, if you gave me even money on that."
"Carnell Tate would definitely be on my list there for Washington...and Caleb Downs would certainly be."
"Mansoor Delane is absolutely worth the seventh slot in this draft. As you guys know, Washington desperately needs a boundary corner back as well...I think that is a name we have to add to the short list for Washington at No. 7."
"For Washington, I would go Delane over Downs at No. 7. He plays the more important position...I just like Delane more as a prospect. Last season he erased one side of the field with LSU. You could not throw to the side of the field that Mansoor Delane was on."
In summation, Nystrom saw the Commanders likely going Mansoor Delane or Caleb Downs at No.7. If David Bailey were to fall to No. 7, Nystrom feels the Commanders might take him. In the third round (71), Nystrom sees the Commanders able to still get a very capable receiver.
Just think, an entire month of speculating before the day of the draft ...
Before our winter All-Scholastic teams are released, we need the readers' input.
You will have a say in who wins South Shore Players of the Year honors in all winter sports. We trimmed the list of potential All-Scholastics down to only include the very best of the best (which wasn't easy). Note: Each school is limited to a maximum of one candidate.
Vote for the South Shore, Brockton-area Gymnast of the Year. Reader votes make up 20% of the overall tally, and our four staff reporters (Chris McDaniel, Eric McHugh, Ryan Vermette and Jason Snow) will make up the rest.
Voting ends on Thursday, April 2.
Natalie Frank, Hanover/Duxbury
Senior from Hanover was named the Patriot League's Senior Gymnast of the Year. ... League All-Star on beam also placed seventh in All-Around at the league meet. ... Three-time Patriot League Scholar Athlete award recipient posted career-bests on vault (8.7), beam (9.0) and floor (9.0).
Maya Overton, Marshfield
Senior qualified for the state individual championships on uneven bars (8.7), balance beam (9.3125) and floor exercise (9.1). ... Two-time All-Scholastic. ... Was named one of two Patriot League All-Around All-Stars this winter, joining Whitman-Hanson's Millie Mahoney.
Millie Mahoney, Whitman-Hanson
Sophomore was a Patriot League All-Star in the All-Around, placing top 10 in all four events (fourth on vault, fourth on beam, fifth on floor and ninth on bars). ... Qualified for individual state championship and placed 11th out of 40 in the All-Around. ... Two-time All-Scholastic. ... Said coach Alison Vance, "Millie improved all of her skills this year and had the top All-Around score in almost every meet this season."
Ciara Thomas, Cardinal Spellman
Junior was the state champion on uneven bars and finished first place in the All-Around at the Cranberry League Championship. ... Scored a 9.7 on floor at the league championship meet. ... Qualified for the New England Championships on bars. ... Said coach Noelle St. Louis, "Ciara leads by example, demonstrating focus, determination and composure in every competition."
Grace Whiting, Hingham/Hull
Sophomore was voted Patriot League MVP and finished first in All-Around at the league championship meet. ... Finished 21 in All-Around at State Individual Competition. ... Qualified to compete in All-Around and on vault at the New England Championship Meet. ... Two-time Patriot League All-Star guided the co-op to its second straight league title and first-ever South Sectional Championship berth. ... Said coach Alexandra Boyd, "Grace has been an incredible part of the Hingham/Hull gymnastics team for the past two years. ... "She is humble, kind, hardworking and takes setbacks in stride."
Lindsay Woodbury, Bridgewater-Raynham
Junior placed third in All-Around at the Cranberry League Championships and was a state individual qualifier. ... Placed eighth in All-Around at state championship (36.025). ... Finished first in All-Around, sixth in vault, seventh in floor. ... Three-time league All-Star in All-Around. ... Said coach Stephen Cudworth, " “Lindsay is a hard-working, team-oriented and outstanding athlete. Competing in the All-Around in all 11 meets this season is an incredible feat and a true testament to her consistency, dedication and leadership.”
The 2026 NFL Draft is one month away, and the Tennessee Titans will be picking 4th overall after selecting quarterback Cam Ward with the 1st overall pick last year. After a promising rookie season in which Ward progressed with more experience, the Titans are confident their young QB is the franchise leader they have been searching for since Steve McNair left.
With QB not being a need heading into this year's draft, the team can prioritize other positions of need to better support Ward. That reality places the Titans in a good position to leap forward next season. However, the team's fanbase wasn't in agreement with their decision last season because of a projected loaded QB class in this year's draft. That loaded class didn't come into fruition, meaning the Titans were wise to select their franchise QB last year.
Leading up to last year's NFL Draft, Titans fans debated on X (formerly known as Twitter) whether the team should trade back from the #1 pick for additional draft capital or select Cam Ward. There were rumors that the team received trade offers for the #1 pick before ultimately declining.
Ward was the best QB prospect in what was considered a weak QB class, so trading back to plug other holes on the roster and selecting a QB in this year's draft felt intriguing at the time. However, this year's QB class is shaping up to be exactly how last year's was, with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza as the top QB prospect and Alabama's Ty Simpson as the only other QB with a projection to be drafted in the first round.
That sounds similar to last year's draft, which saw Jaxson Dart become the only other QB to be drafted in the first round after Cam Ward. Many of the QB prospects that were projected to be at the top of this year's class have either had their stock dropped or remained in school for the same reason.
All of this proves that if a team believes in a player, they should take him as the Titans did with Cam Ward. There is too much uncertainty about the future of not only draft prospects but also the position the team will be in over the next few years to select a top prospect. The Titans got their guy and are now in a position to improve around him rather than the other way around.
On Saturday, March 21, Hoosier Hysteria was alive and well in Muncie.
For the first time since 1999, the historic Muncie Fieldhouse served as an IHSAA semi-state site, hosting the Class 2A North bracket featuring Oak Hill vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Luers and Westview vs. Lapel. Large crowds from each of the four fanbases descended upon Walnut Street and created a raucous environment inside the Fieldhouse for all four games.
With Delta playing in Logansport, I was unable to attend the first-round action, but with losses by the Eagles and by Monroe Central in Lafayette, I suddenly found my evening free from game coverage. After writing my story on Delta's loss to New Haven, I called up two of my closest friends and made plans for us to attend that night's semi-state championship game between Bishop Luers and Westview at the Fieldhouse.
Since I wasn't covering either of the teams that were playing, I chose to enjoy the game as a fan as much as possible, breaking away from my usual sportswriter habits of keeping stats or taking photos and videos. Instead, I looked around and soaked it all in.
Ever since I arrived in Muncie to cover the local sports scene, I have heard stories of the Fieldhouse's glory days in which fans filled the bleachers all the way up to the ceiling to create an unmatched environment. While it has been filled on occasion in recent years — including last year's sectional championship between Luke Ertel-led Mt. Vernon and Braylon Mullins-led Greenfield-Central — Saturday was my first opportunity to witness a packed Fieldhouse, and boy, it did not disappoint.
When I arrived, Westview's fanbase had a line out the door that nearly stretched around the building. Despite having one of the longest drives to their semi-state site, Westview fans covered an entire half of the Fieldhouse and were deafeningly loud. The iconic "Westview Whistler" was in attendance, his signature whistle echoing throughout the building — something that normally would have bothered me but only added to the experience this time. Some of the younger fans in attendance climbed all the way up to the Fieldhouse's upper corners to run around and imitate the players on the court — at least until an angry mom told them to settle down before someone fell and got hurt.
The game itself was not particularly exciting, as Westview cruised to a 69-48 victory over Bishop Luers, but the environment created by Warriors fans was unlike anything I had seen. After the victory, Westview coach Chandler Prible reflected on his significant accomplishment in a significant building.
"I am learning more and more about the history of this place," Prible said. "I was telling somebody before the game — I think this is all something that's going to hit me later on, just how cool it is that we get to experience this."
Westview players were also in awe of the Fieldhouse. Warriors junior Austin Schlabach, who led the team with 27 points, told me after the game that he had never played in a gym like that.
"It's a really big arena, and I love it," Schlabach said. "The floors are nice, they're bouncy, and I really like the rims, they're soft. It's definitely a blessing. There's not a lot of people who get to play in front of a crowd like that, so our whole team is blessed. We don't take it for granted."
Everything I saw and heard reminded me of the Fieldhouse's "good old days" that I have heard so much about but was never here to witness. It got me thinking — why in the world did it take 27 years for a semi-state to return to the Muncie Fieldhouse?
This place has everything. It's the fourth largest in the state by seating capacity, and the top two have both been semi-state sites for multiple years in a row — New Castle for four years and Seymour for 24. Recent renovations have added new bleachers on the floor and new scoreboards. Geographically, it's fairly central in terms of the state of Indiana and only about an hour away from both Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, give or take.
You'd also be hard pressed to find a high school gym in the state with more historical significance. While they haven't gotten one since 1988, Muncie Central's eight state championships are still tied with Marion for the most in state history. Coupled with multiple state championships for volleyball and the Spirit of Muncie marching band, the banners that line the ceiling of the Fieldhouse only add to the building's aura. The Fieldhouse's memorabilia room — while currently undergoing its own renovations — also provides a nice glimpse into the history of one of the state's winningest programs.
The Muncie Fieldhouse is also a symbol of resilience. After a tornado caused significant damages to the building in 2017, its future was called into question. Thanks to a $1.7 million renovation, the Fieldhouse was reopened in 2019 and is alive and well — and ready for more environments like the one it had on Saturday.
Muncie Central athletic director and boys basketball coach Jeff Holloway knows the Fieldhouse better than most. In addition to his two stints as the Bearcats' coach, Holloway is a 1994 Central graduate and a former Bearcat player. As Westview celebrated their victory, Holloway fondly recalled his own days playing in front of packed crowds at the Fieldhouse and expressed a desire to keep semi-state in Muncie for the foreseeable future.
"I'm hoping that we did a good enough job that they think about us to host this thing every year," Holloway said. "It's a great place to play. Everybody that came in, from fans to players to coaches, came in to see this place and they loved it. People that's never been here kind of fell in love with it. It's a great place for a basketball game, and when it's full, it's even better, so hopefully we can keep it here."
Holloway admitted that he may be a little biased, but he's also right. The Muncie Fieldhouse is a perfect site for the state's biggest games, whether it be sectional, regional or semi-state championships.
The IHSAA made a great decision in choosing Muncie Central as a semi-state host. It can make an even better decision by making that choice permanent.
Check out the ASWA's first top 10 rankings for baseball and softball teams in through all seven AHSAA classifications, and the top five AISA baseball and softball teams.
Second ASWA Baseball Rankings
Class 7A Baseball
1. Enterprise (19-2)
2. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (15-5)
3. Tuscaloosa Co. (14-5)
4. Hewitt-Trussville (14-3)
5. Prattville (20-3)
6. Hoover (15-6)
7. Thompson (14-10)
8. Vestavia Hills (12-7)
9. Bob Jones (12-11)
10. Auburn (12-7)
Others nominated: Austin (15-12), Central-Phenix City (12-8), Fairhope (12-7), Florence (15-6), Huntsville (11-10), James Clemens (11-10), Oak Mountain (11-7), Opelika (14-10), Sparkman (11-10).
Class 6A Baseball
1. Homewood (17-3)
2. Hartselle (11-8)
3. Hazel Green (21-5)
4. Oxford (14-7)
5. Northridge (16-2)
6. Mountain Brook (17-4)
7. Wetumpka (10-2)
8. Fort Payne (12-5)
9. Rehobeth (16-4)
10. Cullman (10-3)
Other nominations: Athens (12-6), Benjamin Russell (13-4), Chelsea (11-10), Hueytown (13-12), McGill-Toolen (13-6), Mortimer Jordan (16-5), Pelham (11-6), Pell City (7-8), Pike Road (17-3), Saraland (12-5), Southside-Gadsden (9-8), Spain Park (14-6).
Class 5A Baseball
1. St. Paul’s (10-3)
2. American Christian (17-7)
3. Faith Academy (9-5)
4. Shelby Co. (14-3)
5. Northside (11-3)
6. Briarwood Christian (12-6)
7. Moody (12-3)
8. Madison Academy (12-6)
9. Andalusia (13-3)
10. UMS-Wright (12-5)
Other nominations: Boaz (12-6), Central-Clay Co. (8-4), Charles Henderson (10-6), Corner (10-6), Demopolis (11-4), East Limestone (11-5), Hayden (14-2), Headland (10-6), Leeds (13-9), Mobile Christian (10-6), Sardis (11-3), West Point (13-6).
Class 4A Baseball
1. Deshler (15-5)
2. Madison Co. (15-3)
3. Brooks (13-5)
4. Hamilton (11-6)
5. Alexandria (10-8)
6. Westbrook Christian (8-6)
7. Opp (12-4)
8. St. Michael (12-7)
9. Bibb Co. (9-5)
10. Montgomery Catholic (12-4)
Other nominations: Central-Florence (10-7), Cherokee Co. (7-9), Cordova (8-5), Fultondale (10-3), Houston Academy (9-7), New Hope (7-9), Oak Grove (11-8), Oneonta (8-7), Plainview (9-5), Pleasant Grove (12-8), Randolph (8-4), Satsuma (11-6), St. John Paul II (7-8), Trinity (6-4), Wilson (13-7).
Class 3A Baseball
1. Glenwood (15-5)
2. Collinsville (15-1)
3. Piedmont (12-4)
4. Gordo (9-6)
5. Lee-Scott (12-6)
6. Fyffe (12-2)
7. Lauderdale Co. (10-7)
8. Prattville Christian (7-6)
9. Wicksburg (8-5)
10. Excel (14-3)
Others nominated: Altamont (7-5), Cottage Hill (9-5), Elkmont (13-5), Flomaton (10-5), Geraldine (10-7), Phil Campbell (10-7), Thorsby (11-6), T.R. Miller (4-6), Winfield (11-5).
Class 2A Baseball
1. Mars Hill Bible (12-3)
2. Lindsay Lane (16-5)
3. G.W. Long (13-6)
4. Ariton (14-5)
5. Ranburne (13-4-1)
6. Vincent (8-7)
7. Pike Liberal Arts (10-8)
8. North Sand Mountain (8-6)
9. Red Bay (9-4)
10. Reeltown (8-7)
Other nominations: Highland Home (8-3), Horseshoe Bend (8-4), Pleasant Valley (9-5), Southeastern (8-5), Tuscaloosa Academy (7-5), Westminster-Oak Mountain (7-5).
Class 1A Baseball
1. Leroy (14-4)
2. Appalachian (11-2)
3. Hackleburg (12-5)
4. Athens Bible (9-5)
5. Brantley (7-1)
6. Ider (11-4)
7. Florala (9-3)
8. Addison (8-5)
9. Lynn (8-4)
10. Hubbertville (6-4)
Others nominated: Gaylesville (3-5), Kinston (9-6), Skyline (7-2), South Lamar (7-2), Spring Garden (6-8).
AISA Baseball
1. Lakeside (32-5)
2. Southern Academy (21-2)
3. Macon-East (16-11)
4. Clarke Prep (15-7)
5. South Choctaw Academy (12-7)
Others nominated: Chambers Academy (16-7), Edgewood (8-5), Hope-Oxford (9-6).
Second ASWA Softball Rankings
Class 7A Softball
1. Thompson (24-0-2)
2. Daphne (17-5)
3. Vestavia Hills (20-2)
4. Hewitt-Trussville (21-4)
5. Enterprise (17-3-1)
6. Fairhope (14-4)
7. Auburn (11-4)
8. Huntsville (15-7)
9. Prattville (16-6)
10. Hoover (13-8)
Others nominated: Austin (16-11), Baker (11-9-1), Central-Phenix City (9-9), Dothan (15-9), Grissom (15-13), James Clemens (15-9-1), Opelika (15-11), Sparkman (8-4), Tuscaloosa Co. (13-11).
Class 6A Softball
1. Hartselle (16-3-1)
2. Saraland (18-3-1)
3. Spanish Fort (21-5)
4. Wetumpka (20-2)
5. Helena (12-6)
6. Athens (11-6-1)
7. Hazel Green (21-9-1)
8. Gardendale (17-9)
9. Cullman (20-4)
10. McAdory (17-6-2)
Others nominated: Baldwin Co. (14-8), Brookwood (17-5-1), Chelsea (13-6-2), Chilton Co. (9-11-1), Fort Payne (5-3), Oxford (11-2), Pell City (9-6-2), Pike Road (13-5), Rehobeth (12-11), Spain Park (14-10).
Class 5A Softball
1. Houston Academy (14-5)
2. Boaz (15-3)
3. Northside (18-5-1)
4. Lawrence Co. (15-3-1)
5. Springville (8-3-1)
6. Corner (15-6)
7. Beauregard (15-7)
8. Moody (8-9)
9. Ardmore (12-9-1)
10. Faith Academy (14-8)
Others nominated: Andalusia (11-3-1), East Limestone (12-7), Hayden (14-11), Scottsboro (10-10), Shelby Co. (7-2), St. Clair Co. (10-11-1).
Class 4A Softball
1. Orange Beach (16-0)
2. West Limestone (12-0)
3. Madison Co. (20-4)
4. Plainview (14-1)
5. Deshler (17-3)
6. Alexandria (12-7)
7. White Plains (16-9)
8. Curry (17-6-1)
9. Prattville Christian (12-4)
10. Central-Florence (19-3)
Others nominated: American Christian (12-8), Ashville (9-5), Cherokee Co. (9-8), Etowah (14-6), Handley (7-7), Hokes Bluff (9-8), Munford (18-6), North Jackson (9-4), Satsuma (12-10), Straughn (15-4-1), Tallassee (12-6).
Class 3A Softball
1. Saint James (14-3-1)
2. Colbert Co. (15-3)
3. Wicksburg (13-8)
4. Glenwood (15-7)
5. Colbert Heights (12-1)
6. Cottage Hill (11-7)
7. Ohatchee (13-5)
8. Slocomb (10-6-1)
9. Childersburg (17-9)
10. Madison Academy (3-2)
Others nominated: Dadeville (6-1), Geraldine (8-7), Mobile Christian (5-7), Randolph Co. (8-4).
Class 2A Softball
1. Lamar Co. (14-5)
2. J.U. Blacksher (16-5)
3. West End (8-3)
4. Pike Liberal Arts (10-2-1)
5. Sand Rock (10-4)
6. Southeastern (13-5)
7. Pisgah (9-6)
8. Washington Co. (10-7)
9. G.W. Long (10-8-1)
10. Lindsay Lane (7-4)
Others nominated: Horseshoe Bend (5-5), Luverne (8-5), North Sand Mountain (5-4-1), Pleasant Valley (7-11), Sumiton Christian (8-6-1).
Others nominated: Abbeville Christian (9-10), Edgewood (10-10).
Jaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12, or reach him at JDay@montgome.gannett.com.
👀 Rodri flirts with Real Madrid: I’m not closing the door
The transfer market always brings surprises, some like Rodri Hernández’s recent nod to Real Madrid. In an interview with Radioestadio Noche on Onda Cero, the Manchester City midfielder spoke about his future and, to the surprise of many, did not rule out wearing white despite his past with Atlético.
The Spanish international was unequivocal when asked about the club from Concha Espina. "Even though I played for Atleti, Madrid is not a closed door for me," the player said. Rodri stressed that, in professional football, "you cannot turn down the best clubs," placing the Madrid side at the top of his future options.
Despite this verbal openness, the Madrid-born player is keeping his feet on the ground regarding his situation in England. He currently has one year left on his contract with Pep Guardiola’s team, so he admitted that he will soon have to sit down with City to decide whether to renew or seek a new challenge in his career.
Respect and admiration for Vinicius Jr.
Besides his future, Rodri also wanted to put an end to the controversy surrounding his relationship with Vinicius Júnior. After the debates sparked over the Ballon d’Or, the midfielder confessed to feeling "deep admiration" for the Brazilian, denying any kind of personal hostility with the Real Madrid star.
The mats are rolled, the singlets are turned in ― it was another great wrestling season for area teams.
Here is a handy collection of our girls and boys All-Area package from the Courier News, Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.
The area includes teams from Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and area Union counties (Governor Livingston, New Providence, Plainfield, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Westfield).
Detroit News sports writers Bob Wojnowski, John Niyo, Chris McCosky and Tony Paul make their predictions for the Detroit Tigers in 2026:
▶Bob Wojnowski: The Tigers have posted similar back-to-back seasons ― 87 and 86 wins, advancing one playoff round each time ― and now eye the next step. Scott Harris and AJ Hinch certainly bolstered the pitching with Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander and reliever Kenley Jansen. But they kept the everyday lineup intact, counting on internal improvement from players entering their primes. It’s a leap of faith, expecting Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson and Kerry Carpenter to straighten out their streakiness and cut down on the all-or-nothing swings. There’s no way the Tigers are collapsing and finishing behind the Guardians again in the Central, right? Right. In a weak division, the Royals might be the primary threat. The Tigers’ rotation should be top five in baseball, and they do still have a guy by the name of Tarik Skubal, for now. They best use their time and their arms wisely. Pick: 88-74, first in AL Central
▶John Niyo: The Tigers should be the defending AL Central champs if not for a late-summer meltdown that coincided with Cleveland going on a heater last year. That won’t happen again, though, because Detroit boasts a top-five MLB rotation with the addition of Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander. AJ Hinch also will have better bullpen depth to work with, and there’s enough upside and positional versatility in the lineup ― particularly with Colt Keith and the arrival of Kevin McGonigle ― to cover for some obvious regression candidates. The Tigers also have the benefit of a mediocre division, with the Guardians’ offense still a glaring weakness, the Twins in the midst of another teardown and the White Sox coming off a third straight season of 100-plus losses. Watch out for the Royals, who might have the best lineup in the Central. But the Tigers have invested too much in this roster not to do whatever’s necessary in July to finish the job. Pick: 89-63, first in AL Central
▶Chris McCosky: Do they have the most talent in the American League? No. The Yankees, Mariners and Blue Jays probably win that debate. But are they the best "team" in the American League? You can make case for that. You might be tired of hearing it, but the sum-of-its-parts element for the Tigers is real. It's their life blood. They beat you with 13-plus position players galvanized by two straight runs to Game 5 of the ALDS. This season, they can beat you with an elite pitching staff bolstered by high-end additions Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander in the rotation and Kenley Jansen, Drew Anderson and Kyle Finnegan (re-signed) in the bullpen. Roster depth has also been fortified. Tangibly, in terms of talent and depth; intangibly, in terms of leadership, experience, will and work ethic, the Tigers seem poised for a special run in 2026. Pick: 90-72, first in AL Central
▶Tony Paul: Of course, it's hard not to like the look of the Tigers' pitching staff, the rotation and bullpen. If they are mostly healthy on that front, that's going to be tough for any team in the AL Central to beat. I have three main questions: One, how will the Tigers handle the pressure of being the division favorite from the get-go this season? When the pressure ramped up late in 2025, things didn't go swimmingly. Two, how will Kevin McGonigle handle the inevitable ebbs and flows that come with being a young starting position player in the major leagues? And three, can they get enough production out of Matt Vierling and Parker Meadows (both injured much of 2025) to make up for the lack of offensive upgrades? Certainly, I like the team's chances to win its first division title since 2014. Doing more than that ― and that's certainly the goal, with one last year of Tarik Skubal ― will hinge on the answers to those questions. Pick: 91-71, first in AL Central
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The area consists of Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and parts of Union counties (Governor Livingston, New Providence, Plainfield, Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Westfield).
Please note that the votes don't always show up immediately. There are lags for the votes to register and a winner isn't declared until hours after the poll closes.
Our All-Scholastic teams for the winter sports season are coming out soon.
But before we get there, we need help from our readers.
Much like we did for the fall sports season, our readers will have a say in who our Players of the Year are in all the winter sports. We've cut down the list of the best of the best into an even more elite group (no easy task). We limited each school to a maximum of one candidate.
Vote for our Patriot Ledger High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Reader votes will make up 20% of the tally, with our four staff reporters (Eric McHugh, Jason Snow, Ryan Vermette and Chris McDaniel) making up the rest of the vote.
Voting will conclude on Thursday, April 2.
The poll
The candidates
Addy Andrews, Cohasset
Senior captain was the South Shore League Tobin Division Player of the Year. ... Four-year varsity player averaged 17 points per game. ... Reached the 1,000-point mark in a Division 4 Round of 16 win over Wahconah. ... She scored 29 points en route to the milestone. ... Standout lacrosse player. ... Will play basketball and lacrosse at Union College next year.
Gabby Davis, Quincy
The freshman led the Patriot League Fisher Division in scoring at 15.6 points per game. ... Guard led the Presidents with 8.4 rebounds per game. ... Scored double digits in all but two games this winter. ... League all-star scored a career-high 28 points against Framingham. ... Helped Presidents finish 14-8 and win a Div. 1 state tournament game. ... "She is a tenacious rebounder and fearless finisher near the rim," said Quincy coach Sarah Conlon.
Victoria Fish, Milton
Senior forward led Wildcats to their first state tournament appearance since 2018. ... Averaged 13.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. ... Three-sport athlete will play softball at Holy Cross next year. .... Also averaged a double-double as a junior. ... Scored 16 points to lead Milton to a tourney win over Dohery. ... "Her competitive drive helped push the team to achievements not seen in years," said Milton coach Charlie Drane.
Senior captain averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds per game. ... Patriot League Fisher Division MVP was a four-time league all-star. ... Finished second all-time in program history with over 1,100 points. ... Also grabed over 500 rebounds in her career. ... Will play basketball at Endicott College next year. ... "Alissa is a tremendous student, leader and basketball player," said Pembroke coach Tim Lopes.
Senior point guard helped rebuild Braintree back into a winner. ... Coach Kelley Macdonald calls her the best defensive guard in the state. ... Point guard was second on the team in the scoring with 265 points. ... Bay State Conference All-Star scored 27 points to hand Natick its first loss of the season. ... Will play basketball at Connecticut College next year. ... "She has turned this team into a consistent winning program competing with the top 10 teams in the state," said MacDonald.
Tabby McDonough, North Quincy
Junior forward averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game. ... Two-time Patriot League All-Star scored in double digits in 14 of the Raiders' 21 games. ... Led North Quincy to the Patriot League Fisher Division title and a trip to the Div. 2 Sweet 16. ... "Tough players change games and Tabby is a player that has changed the standard," said North Quincy coach Liana Cunningham.
Sarah Michel, Blue Hills
Sophomore captain was the Mayflower League MVP. ... Center from Randolph led the team in points (20 per game), 3-pointers (7 total), rebounds (12.3 per game), steals (71 total), blocks (45 total) and assists (55 total). ... Already had 874 points in her career. ... "She’s unselfish and a great team player who served as our captain, leading the team both on and off the court," said Blue Hills coach Nicole Flynn.
Jenna Mishou, Archbishop Williams
Senior forward averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. ... Scored her 1,000th career point in February. ... Finished with 36 points and 16 rebounds in a win over Longmeadow in the Div. 2 Round of 32. ... Will play basketball at Division 1 Merrimack next winter. ... "Jenna can do it all out there -- take the ball rim to rim to score it -- or run someone down and block it," said Archies coach Sarah Behn.
Cassidy Mullin, Thayer Academy
Senior guard averaged 16.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 3.8 assists per game. ... Three-time NEPSAC Class A All-Star. ... Two-time Class A Defensive Player of the Year finalist. ... All-ISL First Team honoree this year. ... Quincy native was the lone senior on the Tigers, who graduated four senior starters from the year prior. ... "She has always been a defensive nightmare for opposing coaches, but her offense really improved this year," said Thayer coach Billy O'Dwyer.
Elle Orlando, Notre Dame Academy
Senior guard averaged 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3.5 assists per game this winter. ... She drained 73 3-pointers to bring her career tally to 288. ... Finishes second all-time in program history with 1,869 points. ... Will play basketball at Bentley next year, joining her sister Ava. ... Led Cougars to two Elite Eight appearances and four Catholic Conference titles. ... Also captains the lacrosse and volleyball teams. ... "She continues to be one of the best shooters in the MIAA and spaces the floor for us," said NDA coach Nickie Orlando (Elle's mom).
It's brilliant! Liverpool's genius move to replace Andy Robertson
is coming to the end of his time at Liverpool and the Reds may have a genius plan on how to replace him.
The Scotman's future was pretty much spelled out by how the club handled the January window.
Liverpool were clearly open to letting him go to Tottenham, which tells you everything about where things stand.
The only reason the deal didn’t happen was because injuries piled up and they couldn’t bring Kostas Tsimikas back in, so they had to keep Robertson around.
If Liverpool really wanted to keep him, they wouldn’t have even thought about selling him. Now he’s got less than six months left on his contract, and it just feels inevitable that he’ll leave on a free.
He’ll have plenty of options. He may be discarded by Liverpool, but someone with his experience and quality won’t be short of offers, and let’s be honest - he can probably do better than Spurs right now.
Atlético Madrid have been linked before, and there’s always that idea of a return to Celtic.
For Liverpool though, replacing him won’t be easy, especially since Tsimikas doesn’t look like part of the long-term plan either.
If Tsimikas goes, Liverpool will have just one left-back remaining in Milos Kerkez. Someone will need to come in and replace Robertson as a back-up.
To do this, Liverpool could enter the market? But Richard Hughes has so many other priorities. He needs new centre-backs, midfielders and wingers.
It would be much easier to look at a replacement from within, and it looks like that is what Liverpool are lining up in a genius move.
Luke Chambers has been struggling with a few injuries over the last year or so, which is a shame because he was making a real breakthrough prior to Arne Slot's arrival in the Liverpool first-team.
Chambers played three games in the Europa League under Jurgen Klopp and then enjoyed a successful loan spell with Wigan Athletic in League One.
At the time, Chambers was even linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen, who were managed by Xabi Alonso back then.
Since Slot's been in charge, Chambers hasn't really had the opportunity to make his mark but he was sent out on loan to Charlton Athletic in the January window, where he is getting his career back on track and showing he may just be ready to return and play a role at Liverpool.
Chambers has immediately slotted into Charlton's starting line-up and has started 11 of 12 possible matches so far, playing well in almost all of them.
Overall, he is is winning 61.7% of his 6.28 defensive duels per 90 minutes, which is a really solid return. He's proven to be an extremely valuable player in the build-up for Charlton, constantly looking to play the ball forward.
He completes 1.5 long passes per 90 minutes, and averages 8.5 forward passes, with 32% of his passes being vertical, which is an impressive rate.
At 21-years-old, he's still really young and his profile is ideal to have as a back-up because he offers something different to Kerkez but also because he is very versatile.
The women's football championship was created in 2024, and initially involved only 80 players (Hassan Ali ELMI)
Hundreds of Somali spectators cheered as they watched two teams of young women play football in a Mogadishu stadium -- an unimaginable scene in the conservative, conflict-hit country just a few years ago.
Such events were heavily threatened until recently in Somalia's capital by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group Al-Shabaab, which frowns on entertainment like football, especially when played by women.
But while Al-Shabaab still has a powerful grip behind the scenes in Mogadishu, the security situation has markedly improved.
At Tuesday's match, the main stand was mostly segregated but nonetheless included some men and women sitting together.
The Ilays women's team ultimately crushed their opponents Nasiib 5-0, but that did not dampen the mood.
"If you were in Mogadishu a couple of years ago, an occasion like this, with two girls' football clubs playing, would not have been possible... but with time, things are improving," said Ali Muhidin, one of the spectators.
The women's football championship was created in 2024, and initially involved only 80 players. But barely two years later, 600 are participating across 10 teams -- mostly from Mogadishu, but also other parts of the country.
"No one could have imagined that one day Somali women would play football in their country, where even men were forbidden to play by fighters who had declared football 'un-Islamic'," said Ali Abdi Mohamed, president of the Somali Football Federation.
"But something we couldn't even dream of has become a reality," he told AFP.
Not everyone in the largely conservative Muslim country allows their daughters to play, he conceded, but they have faced no serious complaints.
Somalis have long been passionate fans of European football, but local teams have been neglected. Somalia is currently ranked 200th in the FIFA men's rankings, ahead of only a handful of microstates.
Its women's team, which played its first friendly match in October in Djibouti, is not listed by the international federation.
But this should change soon, as the "Ocean Queens" are preparing for their first-ever international tournament -- an under-17s event in May in Tanzania.
"For women to play football is not shameful or taboo," said Ramas Abdi Salah, midfielder for the Ocean Queens, who, like her teammates, wears thick tights and a long-sleeved shirt under her sports kit, as well as a black headscarf to cover her hair.
"As you can see, I'm fully covered except for my face and my hands. I haven't received any bad comments," said the 17-year-old, who added she has her family's approval.
Goalkeeper Najma Ali Ahmed had a rough game on Tuesday, letting in five goals.
But it will take a lot more than that to lose the love of the game.
"I'm sending a message to female footballers to work toward the dream of joining the national team," she said.
Maya Le Tissier: United Women star rues costly errors in tie
In spite of a brave effort, Manchester United Women fell to defeat in the first leg of their Champions League tie.
The Red Devils fought back twice but finally succumbed to a 2-3 defeat to Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.
Maya Le Tissier and Swede Hanna Lundkvist both managed to score for United, but it was not enough to secure a draw in the tie.
United’s captain and goalscorer spoke to the club’s media after the match.
Early goal
After conceding after just two minutes, Le Tissier reflected, “yeah, of course. It’s not ideal to concede so early on. I thought we started the game really well and had a lot of the ball in the first couple of minutes. In that first defensive phase, we missed the press and allowed a run in behind me—so that’s on me as well. But to come back from behind twice shows the mentality in the squad, and we’ll definitely need that going forward.”
Le Tissier agreed that her side showed great character to come back against a side like Bayern twice, but was still caught up on how United conceded their goals.
She explained, “yeah, I felt really involved in the game tonight. But honestly, I think we could’ve defended the goals much better. We got too stretched by their rotations and weren’t compact enough or covering each other properly.”
The defender added, “that’s something we’ll need to look at. Of course, whenever I can score or help the team score, I’ll always try—but my main focus should be defending.”
She admitted that her side were disappointed at full-time, but reminded the interviewer that “we have to remember there’s a second leg. That’s really important—we’ve got another chance to put things right and get the result.”
Lea Schuller
United’s German January signing, Schuller, came up against her former side Bayern Munich.
Reflecting on the experience, she added, “yeah, of course we respect Munich—they’re a great team. But we know we’re a great team too. I think we performed very well today.”
Commenting on playing at Old Trafford, she answered, “yeah, of course. It’s a great pitch and an amazing stadium—it’s hard not to enjoy it.”
She explained, “but there’s no time to rest. We’re back here on Saturday against Manchester City, which is another big game.”
Lea Schuller stats vs Bayern Munich
Source: SofascoreFeatured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images
Per site tradition, we make our picks and lay them bare for all to see. And this year, 10 of us took on the challenge. Here are our section-by-section picks, which we’ll revisit and tabulate in October to reveal the best and worst. And by all means, feel free to listen on four of our writers discussing their picks in our Sox Populi podcast, found on The Feed here on site:
By all means, praise and chide in the comments — and feel free to chip in with your own prognostications, tough guys and gals.
The Tigers and Mariners are clear division favorites in the AL, with a much tougher fight in the AL East. Over in the NL, it’s the Brewers, Mets and Dodgers looking fine in our eyes.
And yes, trust us, dear readers, site suspensions of at least a full week have been discussed for Hannah Filippo, David James and Joe Kiang-Resis. We’ll let you figure out why.
The race for the AL’s best seems quite a fight, at least opposed to the NL. In the case of league worsts, there is fight between two teams in both leagues — and in the AL, no one picked the White Sox! Novel.
And yes, trust us, dear readers, a site suspension of at least a full year has been discussed for Hannah Filippo. We’ll let you figure out why.
Most of us have learned our MVP lessons and are meekly prognosticating repeats wins for Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. It looks like a two-arm race for AL Cy Young, with the NL looking like a runaway for Paul Skenes.
As for the White Sox-specific picks, our wins total ranges from 66 to 80, and for once it is not Brett Ballantini as the most dour pick. It seems an absolute runaway for team MVP and best pitcher, and frankly for Best Rookie as well. And is the usual super-fun contradiction, Hannah Filippo picks Luisangel Acuña as best rookie, while David James has Acuña as the team’s worst player. Most likely, he won’t be either extreme — but that’s why we play the games!
The formatting of our final “tiebreaker” categories (mostly just an excuse to goof off with topical takes of the moment) is a little too difficult to fit onto the page here, but the questions for us all to consider were:
Do the White Sox have a winning record at any point after Tax Day? Do the White Sox select Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 pick? Will Justin Ishiba become owner by December 31? Will the White Sox trade Andrew Benintendi? Will the Birmingham Barons Win a Third Straight Southern League Title? Will the White Sox extend Munetaka Murakami?
Fool me once? Shame on you. Fool me twice with a near-carbon copy pass in-behind to Bayern Munich Women’s top goalscorer, this season’s second-top scorer in the Champions League…?
For a long period in United’s 2-3 quarter-final first-leg defeat to Bayern Munich, Manchester United seemed capable of defying the inevitable answer. Twice, they rallied, centre-back Maya Le Tissier’s converted penalty restoring parity after Bayern striker Pernille Harder’s opening goal after 98 seconds, and full-back Hanna Lundkvist heading home a second equaliser five minutes after Harder restored Bayern Munich’s lead in the 71st minute with another ball in behind United’s backline.
But once is hard, twice is Harder and third is Japan forward Momoko Tanikawa with a third sneaking into goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s far corner because Jess Park wasn’t looking over her shoulder and Ziggioti Olme was too late to clock her run into the box. So Bayern return home with a goal-advantage and the away fans are singing “football’s coming home” in Old Trafford’s away section.
How you square this depends on your United orientation.
This was not a tactical masterclass, but it was not a disaster-class either. United looked best when they relied on short passing and tight connections, as was the case when Leah Schuller won United’s penalty following a short, sharp sequence between Park and Hinata Miyazawa. A few times United used Bayern’s shape to regain possession. Once Melvine Malard put Bayern’s defence on their backside after United realised Miyazawa couldn’t be the only outlet for attack.
Yet, multiple times United’s defensive line was pulled apart because Harder ran one way, then another. The fullbacks kept forgetting space is left when they vacate it. Of United’s 46% possession, they registered 15 touches in Bayern’s box compared to Bayern’s 24 in theirs. For the third successive match, the final third became a Bermuda Triangle for decision-making. At full-time, Bayern head coach Jose Barcala described United’s possession as a time that his side didn’t “suffer”. “We were still comfortable in the uncomfortable,” he said.
Twice, though, United recovered. Despite defensive naivety. Despite Harder. That resilience – not least after 98 seconds – deserves lauding.
But here is where your orientation of United is required: Whether you see United as an ongoing rendering of resilience, an underdog in a new ecosystem keeping the heartbeat of a precarious tie still very much beating.
Or Manchester United, the Gary Neville-voiced version. The version that doesn’t win just one of seven matches against their top four Women’s Super League (WSL) rivals in all competitions this season (three of 16 if stretched to last). The version that should not keep finding itself on the wrong side of the Big Game Margins.
Champions League quarter-finals are all about margins and in them Bayern were simply more. More robust, more physical, more savvy, more secure. Bayern have graced this stage before. Eight times in fact, seven more times than United for those counting. At which point the time arrives to mention the default qualifier: That the last time there was a Champions League quarter-final at Old Trafford (the men’s tie against Barcelona in April 2019), United Women were in their first season of existence since their 2005 disbandment, rampaging through England’s second-tier. Bayern Munich were in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Harder was scoring 31 goals for Wolfsburg, reaching a Champions League quarter-final and winning the Fraun-Bundesliga.
And yet, there comes the gnawing. Because it’s difficult to keep making excuses. To keep reminding oneself of the distance travelled when, in the quiet spaces between, lurks the inkling that perhaps even greater lengths might have been travelled if there’d been just a little more investment, a little more care, a little more time to be on this stage and not forget that Harder — a two-time UEFA Player of the Year and 2019-20 Champions League Forward of the Season — is good at running in behind and making you bleed. Just a little more more from the people capable of providing it.
Instead, for successive seasons, United are staring down a defining juncture with a squad at breaking point. Defender Dominique Janssen and January signing Ellen Wangerheim joined full-back Anna Sandberg, forward Leah Galton and midfielder Ella Toone on the sidelines this week. So winger Fridolina Rolfo is playing left-back. Lisa Naalsund is trying to cover midfield. Miyazawa, who returned to Manchester after lifting the Asia Cup with Japan in Australia (a 24-hour flight and an 11-hour time difference) on Tuesday, is waltzing back into the starting XI the next day. Striker Elisabeth Terland, the only real attacking option on United’s bench, is unavailable because she’s exhausted and league leaders City await on Saturday in a match that could see United’s one-point lead over third-place Chelsea in the WSL table wiped out.
All of which beckons memories of the final weeks of last season, when United – still in the running for a second-place finish in the league and an FA Cup trophy – failed to win any of their last five matches and slipped to third in the league, starting with a goalless league draw away to West Ham before unravelling into 0-1 to Chelsea, 2-2 against City and 3-4 to Arsenal in the league and 0-3 to Chelsea at Wembley.
“The second leg will take us to the depths,” said United head coach Marc Skinner in Wednesday’s post-match press conference. “But if there’s anything I know about this team, it’s that that’s almost where we’ve had to live this year.”
There are congratulations in order for making it this far. A first-ever quarter-final in a debut European season. A tie that is still very much alive against one of Europe’s best. Still second in the WSL. But what is the plan to ensure United make it here next season? And further after that? Or, maybe, just to not have the team living in those depths perennially?
“I love this team, but we also are progressing at a speed where we’ve got to keep catching teams that have already had many years on us,” said Skinner. “I honestly think we aren’t too far away. I know the plan. We’ve talked about it internally. We have to recruit the right players to make sure we have the depth in these areas to go toe-toe with the best in Europe.
“City, Chelsea, Arsenal won’t stop. So if you pause for a second, you lose ground. We know that’s the way forward is to recruit better players for more experience. It’s the experience they get you over the line.”
The next two matches will be critical in doing so.
Moses Itauma is ranked in the top three of the WBA, WBO and WBC's heavyweight rankings [Getty Images]
Moses Itauma has been lauded as the future of the division, which he might very well be. But right now, and where he is at in his career, he is not ready to take on the world's best heavyweights.
And any talk of him fighting Oleksandr Usyk or Fabio Wardley for a world title is just a ridiculous conversation.
I've seen so many instances where young prospects, especially heavyweights, have been called the "second coming of X" - you can fill in the gap - and then they fall short.
Because if you actually look at it in the cold light of day, what is there in Itauma's 13 wins that could lead anybody to think that as of today, he could fight any of the top guys?
In the future, he might knock them all out.
The good thing is the kid doesn't buy into all of it. He just gets on with business. He doesn't buy into the hype and he knows how good he is.
Itauma's record is perfectly acceptable for a guy who's had 13 fights and is only 21 years of age.
On Saturday, he has a real test against Jermaine Franklin – a perfect piece of matchmaking.
And as I say, in 18 months to two-and-a-half years, he might have taken care of everybody in the division.
The schoolboy legend & Tyson record
Boxing loves a nice cliche. Every single Mexican fighter was supposedly one of 17 brothers and had been a shoeshine boy since he was six.
Then there's the female fighter who had to pretend to be a boy because she wasn't allowed to fight as a girl - Caroline Dubois seems to have done that, and Katie Taylor most definitely did.
With Itauma, the stories are about the established pros he'd sparred as a teenager.
I like the idea that he was still a schoolboy wearing his shorts and his sandals, although I think that's ripping the proverbial out of it.
But testimony from different gyms and fighters suggests that yes, he did show up after school to spar with guys while he was still wearing his uniform.
I personally first became aware of Itauma when he was about 16.
He was on his way to winning junior and youth titles as an unbeaten amateur, still wearing a headguard. There were rumours circulating about this kid.
The way Itauma has been pushed, promoted and sold as a professional is not like any other heavyweight. And it has brought him a lot of attention.
There was all that talk of him beating Mike Tyson's record of becoming the youngest ever heavyweight world champion, which has since passed.
I don't think the Mike Tyson comparisons hurt Itauma in any way, because they weren't being made by him.
He wasn't walking around with a T-shirt saying "I'm going to beat Mike Tyson's record".
And when it became quite clear - maybe six months or eight months or a year before - that it wasn't going to happen, he told me in an interview we did on BBC Radio 5 Live that he was relieved.
It wasn't a burden as such, but an unnecessary weight of expectation.
Why Franklin is a solid next test
Less than two years ago, Itauma went the six-round distance with the unknown Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko (9-12-1) and Kevin Nicolas Espindola (7-7). Those were not great performances.
Since then, he's been a lot sharper with his finishing. He looks far more dangerous when he's fighting men.
The improvements we want to see now are the ones we don't know about yet.
We don't know what happens if he's under pressure. We don't know what happens when a guy doesn't fall over the first time he clips them.
And we don't know what happens in round six or seven - or if he's cut, or if he gets hurt and stunned.
In his last fight, he took on an experienced Dillian Whyte and did brilliant business with him. Now he has the perfect opponent in Franklin.
Franklin, at 32, is still relatively young in boxing years. His only two defeats have been quality losses on points - one to a much better Whyte than the man Itauma faced, and the other to Anthony Joshua.
In Franklin's last fight he stopped the previously unbeaten Ivan Dychko (15-0). So if Itauma beats him on points, that would be phenomenal.
But if Itauma stops him, that would be one of the finest wins of his career so far - and exactly what he needs.
Then another big test like that - another big, old, solid guy. Someone like Jarrell 'Big Baby' Miller who won't fold in a round or two.
And then we can have another conversation about whether or not he's ready for the likes of Wardley.
Steve Bunce was speaking to BBC Sport's Kal Sajad.
The Red Sox will begin the 2026 MLB regular season with a road game against the Reds.
Boston ace Garrett Crochet will take the mound on Opening Day. The runner-up for the 2025 AL Cy Young Award will look to build on an outstanding season in which he posted a 2.59 ERA and struck out 255 batters.
Left-hander Andrew Abbott will be the starter for the Reds. Cincinnati will try to clinch another playoff berth after reaching the wild-card round last year.
Here is everything you need to know about Red Sox vs. Reds, including TV and streaming options for Thursday's season opener.
How to watch Red Sox vs. Reds today: TV channel, live stream
Red Sox vs. Reds will air locally on NESN. The game can also be streamed on NESN 360 and 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-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Red Sox vs. Reds start time
Date: Thursday, March 26
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Red Sox vs. Reds is scheduled to start at 4:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 26. The game will be played at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
Argentina were forced into a hasty rescheduling of their plans for the March international break.
Lionel Messi and co. were set to face Spain in the latest edition of FIFA's Finalissima showdown between the champions of South America and Europe.
However, the game was scheduled to take place in Qatar, and the Middle Eastern nation was unable to provide security assurances. The United States and Israel's bombing campaign against Iran prompted retaliatory strikes, with Qatar among the countries targeted.
Aside from playing Spain, Argentina were due to play Qatar at Lusail Stadium, a match that is obviously also unable to take place.
On March 17, Argentina initially revealed that they had scheduled a friendly against Guatemala, with the match to be played on March 31 at La Bombonera, the home of Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires.
However, that match was quickly nixed due to FIFA rules, which stipulate that national teams cannot play matches on two different continents in the same international window. With Guatemala set to play another friendly on March 27 against Algeria in Italy, they were not allowed to travel across the Atlantic Ocean for this game.
Step forward Mauritania and Zambia, who will face La Albiceleste at La Bombonera on March 27 and March 31, respectively. Zambia are former African champions, but less is known about Argentina's initial opponents.
Mauritania is situated in northwest Africa and has a western coastline with the Atlantic Ocean. It is officially know as the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Although it is the 11th biggest country in Africa and 28th in the world in terms of land, 90% of its territory is the Sahara Desert.
Mauritania has a population of 4.3 million people.
Mauritania football team FIFA ranking, World Cup history
Mauritania is currently ranked 115th in the world by FIFA, between Kazakhstan and The Gambia. The Lions of Chinguetti achieved their highest FIFA ranking of 81st in July 2017, having been as low as 206th in January 2013.
The African nation has never qualified for either the World Cup finals or the Olympic Games.
They contested three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments between 2019 and 2023. In the first two of those tournaments Mauritania departed winless after the group stage but, in 2023, a famous win over Algeria helped them to reach the Round of 16, where they were beaten 1-0 by Cape Verde.
The March 27 match in Buenos Aires will be Mauritania's first match against three-time world champions Argentina.
The Frozen Four is coming to Sin City in 2026, marking the first time college hockey's biggest stage will shine under the neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip. For the 16 teams entering the field, the tournament represents the ultimate crossroads — a high-stakes showcase for the next generation of NHL talent and a final shot at immortality for the seniors playing their last competitive minutes.
While every player’s path to this point is different, they all share a singular ambition: to etch their name into the sport’s history. In a tournament defined by single-elimination chaos, a single weekend of brilliance is all it takes to turn a season into a legacy, culminating in a battle for the national title at T-Mobile Arena.
Western Michigan enters as the reigning champion after capturing its first national title in 2025. Denver remains a looming threat after winning in 2024 and 2022, while programs like Quinnipiac and UMass — champions in 2023 and 2021, respectively — are once again back in the hunt.
The top seed in the tournament is the Michigan Wolverines, who put together a dominant 29-7-1 season to claim the No. 1 overall spot. North Dakota, Michigan State, and Western Michigan round out the top four seeds, each aiming to navigate their respective regions to punch their ticket to Las Vegas.
By mid-April, one team will be remembered forever in college hockey lore.
The Sporting News has all the details on how to watch the 2026 NCAA hockey regionals.
Fans can watch the 2026 NCAA hockey regionals on ESPN2 and ESPNU, with six of the eight games being aired nationally on the platform, with the other two exclusively on the ESPN App. See the full game schedule below.
The final, which is on April 11, will be broadcast on ESPN. Those looking to live stream the games can via the ESPN App.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere — only in the ESPN app.
Michigan earned the No. 1 overall seed after posting a 29-7-1 record throughout the season. North Dakota, Michigan State and Western Michigan earned the two, three and four seeds, respectively.
Here's a look at the bracket broken down by region:
View of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on March 25, 2026, on the eve of a friendly match between France and Brazil. (Photo by Franck FIFE / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
“We’ll have to sit down and talk” – Rodri confirms Real Madrid transfer possibility from Manchester City
Rodri is into the final 15 months of his existing contract at Manchester City
Spain international has interest from Real Madrid amid talks with City over a renewal
Ballon d’Or winner confirms he is considering a return to his hometown
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has opened the door to joining Real Madrid as he approaches the final year of his contract in England’s north-west.
The 29-year-old has established himself as one of the best midfielders in world football since joining forces with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium from Atletico Madrid in 2019.
Rodri has formed the spine of the most successful Manchester City side in the club’s history, helping the Blues win four Premier League titles and a maiden UEFA Champions League title amongst a plethora of silverware during his time in England.
However, the Spain international is into the final 15 months of his Manchester City contract and has attracted strong interest from the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of the summer transfer window.
Rodri coy on Manchester City future as Hugo Viana eyes breakthrough in contract talks
Rodri’s Man City contract situation explained
Manchester City fans would not be blamed for wondering why club officials – led by sporting director Hugo Viana – have left it this late to address the future of the club’s first-ever Ballon d’Or winner.
Rodri’s current deal at the club runs till next summer and there is no indication at present that Viana and co are holding renewal talks with the midfielder’s camp.
Having endured an injury-riddled 18 months since he suffered an ACL injury in September 2024, Rodri has only started to play regularly for the Blues since January as Manchester City eye a successful finish to a transitional season.
City executives are understood to have delayed contract talks with the Spaniard over the course of his prolonged spell on the sidelines – and are now banking on the goodwill they have earned to hopefully tie Rodri down to a fresh, long-term contract.
Real Madrid and Rodri: A love-hate relationship?
It is under 18 months ago that Real Madrid decided to boycott the 2024 Ballon d’Or award ceremony in Paris to express their grief at Rodri pipping Brazil international Vinicius Jr. to the prestigious individual honour.
However, Los Blancos have made Rodri a top target for the summer transfer window and in recent conversation with Radioestadio Noche, the midfielder has confirmed he is assessing the chance to return to the Spanish capital.
“I have one year left on my Manchester City contract,” Rodri said. “At some point, we’ll have to sit down and talk. Even though I’ve played for Atleti (Atletico Madrid), (Real) Madrid isn’t a closed door for me – you can’t turn your back on the best clubs. Playing at the Bernabéu is always incredible, it’s very intimidating.
“I hadn’t planned to play outside of Spain but Manchester City came up (as an option in 2019). I would like to return to the Spanish league, I still follow it. The Premier (League) is my weakness but it is also a very demanding league. For now, I am very happy there.”
Revealed: Manchester City’s four-man Premier League midfielder transfer shortlist
Will Rodri join Real Madrid this summer?
It is fairly likely that Rodri leaves Manchester City this summer, having flirted openly with the idea of joining Real Madrid, who recently eliminated Guardiola’s side from Europe for the third year running.
City will not allow the midfielder to run down the remainder of his current deal and leave on a free next summer and should Rodri express a firm desire for an exit, Viana will want to sell the midfielder ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Real Madrid and Manchester City have forged a bitter rivalry over the years owing largely to the regularity with which the pair have faced off in the UEFA Champions League during Guardiola’s tenure at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City fans will be dreading the prospect of losing one of their greatest-ever players to Real Madrid but the Santiago Bernabeu is the pinnacle of club football and it is easy to understand the appeal of returning to a star-studded Los Blancos side for Rodri.
Munich, Germany - March 6: David Santos Daiber of Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Borussia Mönchengladbach at Allianz Arena on March 6, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images) | DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Remember that wonderful week in which Bayern Munich’s players were all fit and ready to play? How along ago that now seems. Bayern’s first team has been hit with many injuries since then, with nearly the entire bench in the most recent Bundesliga game- at the time of writing- against Union Berlin fitting just 3 senior team players on it. It was an opportunity for multiple youngsters to make the first team squad and even for Maycon Cardozo to get on the pitch as well as see 16-year-old midfielder Erblin Osmani make his first team debut.
But if it were not for injury, Osmani would likely not have made his debut. Kerry Hau says via the Mia san vier podcast, as captured by @iMiaSanMia_GER, that another, more familiar midfielder would have played instead:
David Santos Daiber would probably have played against Union Berlin if he hadn’t been injured. Now he’s on the verge of his comeback.
Daiber had suffered a thigh muscle injury in training around mid-March and therefore could not play against the Berlin based side. Still, it sounds as if he will be back after the end of the international break and will likely get more chances to play minutes at Bundesliga level this season.
Former Chelsea defender says he loves England international linked with Chelsea
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf says he loves England international Morgan Rogers, who has been linked with Chelsea.
Rogers gets name dropped alongside Chelsea pretty much every other day really. There is always a Chelsea link there ahead of the summer transfer window. It feels like one of those transfer rumours that has some legs to it, and something could happen.
EXCLUSIVE! 6 Chelsea players have already started exploring moves away this summer, with 5 others also in doubt
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I would not be surprised to see more and more stories regarding Chelsea being interested in signing Rogers as we head towards the summer, but whether his club, Aston Villa, will entertain selling or not is another story. He also might cost a very hefty fee too.
Leboeuf rates Rogers
Morgan Rogers in action for Aston Villa. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
The former Chelsea man was speaking about Rogers ahead of the World Cup this summer, and was debating on whether he will start in Thomas Tuchel’s England side.
“I love Morgan Rogers. I think he will be very good at the World Cup because he has something special.
“When he is at his best, he’s unstoppable. So yes, he has to [start for England over Jude Bellingham].”
In other news…
Sources are sayingLiam Rosenior won’t be sacked unless there’s an “almighty collapse”, and given how disconnected the players look right now, we couldn’t rule that out.
Gus Poyet has also been speaking about Rosenior’s future, and he hasless confidence than these sources. I personally think I’m with Poyet on this one more than anything else.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 06: Max Holloway poses on the scale during the UFC 326 ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 06, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
The UFC White House card was supposed to be the biggest UFC event of all time, but all eyes are on UFC 329 (aka International Fight Week).
Although nothing has officially been confirmed, it’s now widely rumored and believed that Conor McGregor will make his long-awaited return as the UFC 329 headliner. Now that a date is targeted, the natural next question is who will be his opponent? Already, there have been hints towards Ian Garry and Jorge Masvidal, but the latest report reaches all the way back to his second-ever UFC fight as a young, rising Featherweight talent.
Accord to Ariel Helwani, the current front runner to face McGregor is Max Holloway, who lost a decision to McGregor all the way back in August 2013. A whole 13 years later, “Blessed” might just be getting his shot at revenge.
Max Holloway is the front-runner to fight Conor McGregor on July 11 😳
“Max Holloway ain’t playing games,” Helwani explained of the current McGregor situation. “Front runner, Max Holloway. Conor McGregor, he’s confirming it right then and there [on social media]. There haven’t been any other rumors about his return. I think the UFC recognizes that they’ve gotta get the biggest star back. I think they’re gonna pay him better than they were talking to Jon Jones about, better than the Conor Benn number. People are going to be very excited about it, even Max said 170 [pounds].”
Helwani also added, “I saw Masvidal say the UFC wants him to come back and they have an idea who the opponent is. I saw people say, ‘Oh, he’s gotta be talking about Conor’ — he’s not talking about Conor. The Conor fight is not the one they’re talking about.”
Just recently, Holloway called for the McGregor rematch on social media, and he didn’t take a ton of damage in his recent loss to Charles Oliveira. The Hawaiian is ready to go, but is it an intriguing matchup given McGregor’s multiple years away from competition? At Welterweight, perhaps McGregor’s size advantage would help mitigate all of Holloway’s recent activity and success.
What say you Maniacs, is “Blessed” the correct foe for McGregor’s comeback?
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is entering a big 2026 season, likely at the peak of his physical powers as both a pitcher and a hitter, with a ton of major league experience.
For Ohtani’s highly anticipated upcoming season, he appears to be going back to one of his old walk-up songs, arguably the one that fits him best.
On Wednesday, the Dodgers released a full list of walk-up songs for the 2026 regular season. The announcement included the revelation that Ohtani will once again be coming out to “The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco.
This was his walk-up song for the 2024 season with the Dodgers, his first with the team, but he switched to a different tune for 2025.
Mar 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) at bat in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
As many know, Ohtani came out to “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé in 2025. The song was not well-received at first, but it grew on fans over time, especially as the dramatic piano drop in the song became synonymous with the slugger.
The news that “The Show Goes On” was returning came one day before the Dodgers’ first game of the season.
Ohtani had his name used in one of Bad Bunny’s songs, which could have worked considering the artist’s meteoric rise. Also, Adele’s “Skyfall” matches the energy of “Feeling Good,” but the Japanese star has apparently opted for an old, reliable tune.
Ohtani enters the 2026 regular season at 31 years old, and given the stress he puts on his body, he will have a narrow window to keep hitting and pitching at an elite level. That makes 2026 all the more special.
By all accounts, he is going for a Cy Young award, and manager Dave Roberts is confident that his superstar will be a finalist by the end of it.
“Oh, yeah,” Roberts said. “Because of just talent, ability, will. If he does that, he’ll be in the conversation, absolutely. I have no doubt.”
Ohtani is fully healthy and ready to both hit and pitch right at the start of the season for the first time with the Dodgers, and for his triumphant return, the baseball unicorn is playing the classics.
Liverpool are interested in a move for Francisco Conceicao this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
The Reds are preparing for the departure of Mohamed Salah and are scouring the market for replacements.
One of the names on the Liverpool shortlist is Conceicao. The Juventus winger has admirers in the sporting leadership, and they might consider a swoop for his signature.
Conceicao has bagged four goals and three assists in 34 appearances this season. He is on course to match his tally of 13 goal contributions last term.
The ‘incredibly talented’ 23-year-old will likely jump at the chance to take the reins from Salah at Anfield.
He is currently competing for game time, but at Liverpool, he will be the undisputed starter if the Reds see him as the heir to their Egyptian king.
But he is not Liverpool’s only target. The Merseyside outfit is also looking at Michael Olise and Yan Diomande to plug the hole Salah will leave behind.
It is a surprise to see Conceicao’s name on the Liverpool shortlist. For a club bracing itself for life after Salah, the expectation is a signing who can elevate the attack.
Conceicao, for all his technical tidiness and flashes of flair, does not move the needle in the way Liverpool will need him to.
The diminutive winger struggles to consistently impose himself on games, often drifting in and out without delivering decisive moments in the final third.
His numbers reflect that lack of sustained influence, and there is little to suggest he can shoulder the creative and goalscoring burden Salah has carried for years.
Replacing a talisman like Salah is about proven impact. Conceicao feels more like a rotational option than a transformative figure.
Unless the plan is for him to arrive as a back-up to a marquee signing, this is a move that does not make sense.
Fear not, K League continues this weekend throughout the international break. The second tier reaches Round 5 with plenty of intriguing match-ups.
New side Paju Frontier come into this round after back-to-back victories over Ansan Greeners and Jeonnam Dragons. Suwon FC have also started strongly with three straight wins, setting up what should be a tightly contested clash.
Suwon FC had a rest in Round 4, potentially giving Park Kun-ha's side a physical edge. They’ve scored nine and conceded three in three matches, showing solid balance at both ends. Matheus Frizzo has emerged as the key man, with Willian, Ha Jeong-woo, and Matheus Babi providing support. Their build-up play, switching smoothly between a back three and back four led by Derlan and Lee Hyeon-yong, is another strength. In Round 3 against Gimhae FC 2008, they underlined their winning mentality with a last-gasp winner.
Paju’s strength lies in their efficiency. They press with a compact defence and look to exploit gaps, a formula that has brought them consistent results. They beat Jeonnam 2-0 in Round 4 in a similar fashion. The centre back pairing of Kim Hyun-tae and Julián Bonilla has been solid, while Hong Jeong-un has impressed in midfield. Goalkeeper Kim Min-seung has also stood out with key saves, and Borja Bastón has made his presence felt in attack with goals in back-to-back games.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides. The match takes place on Sunday 29th at 2 PM at Suwon Sports Complex.
Team of the Round
Bluewings eye five straight wins
Suwon Bluewings were tipped as title contenders before the season and have lived up to expectations early on. They’ve beaten Seoul E-Land, Paju Frontier, Jeonnam Dragons, and Gimhae FC 2008 to record their first-ever four-game winning start.
Their biggest strength is stability. With eight goals scored and just one conceded in four matches, they’ve been strong at both ends. The defence, led by Hong Jeong-ho and Song Ju-hun, has been rock solid, while the midfield options, Jeong Ho-yeon, Park Hyun-bin, Ko Seung-beom, and Kim Min-woo, offer depth and control. Up front, they have a variety of attacking combinations.
That strength was on full display in the Round 4 win over Gimhae. The defence and goalkeeper Kim Jun-hong were watertight, while the midfield trio of Jeong Ho-yeon and Park Hyun-bin, later joined by substitute Ko Seung-beom, controlled the game. In attack, Reis, Kim Ji-hyun, and Bruno Silva all contributed, while substitutes Stanislav Iljucenko and Fessin added further quality. Suwon look watertight in every department, from squad depth to tactical flexibility.
They now travel to Yongin aiming for a fifth straight win on Saturday 28th at 2 PM at Yongin Mireu Stadium.
Player of the Round
Busan continue their strong start to the season with three wins and a draw. After finishing eighth last year, head coach Jo Sung-hwan’s switch to a back four looks to be an inspired decision. Busan lead the league in goals with 10 in four matches, and at the heart of it all is Cristian Renato.
A former Brazilian Serie A player, Cristian joined Busan this season and has made an immediate impact. Starting with a goal against Seongnam FC in Round 1, he has recorded attacking returns in all four matches. He already has three goals and three assists, accounting for over half of the team’s goals. Strong in the air, mobile, direct, and hardworking, he has been one of the league’s standout performers.
His influence was clear again in the Round 4 win over Daegu FC. Starting the match, he scored the winner in the 68th minute with a powerful long-range strike and registered three shots on target, underlining his clinical edge. Once again, he showed he can change a game in an instant.
Busan, chasing a fourth straight win, travel to Chungbuk Cheongju this round. Although still winless, Cheongju have drawn three straight matches since their opening-day defeat, showing resilience and clear structure in their play. The match takes place on Sunday the 29th at 2 PM at Cheongju Sports Complex.
Report: Saudi club already pushing hard to sign Mohamed Salah from Liverpool
Mohamed Salah Exit Opens Door for Saudi Move as Al Ittihad Return
Saudi Interest Rekindled
The story of Mohamed Salah continues to evolve, now entering what feels like its final, inevitable chapter at Liverpool. According to ESPN, Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad have reignited their pursuit of the Egyptian forward following confirmation that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season.
There is a sense of unfinished business here. Back in September 2023, Liverpool rejected a staggering £150 million bid, a figure that spoke less about market value and more about symbolic importance. Salah was never simply a player to be sold. He was the modern embodiment of Liverpool’s attacking identity.
Now, the circumstances have shifted. Time, form, and contract ambiguity have aligned to make departure feel less like a shock and more like a natural conclusion.
Legacy Built at Liverpool
Salah’s numbers remain extraordinary. His 255 goals in 435 appearances place him among Liverpool’s greatest, trailing only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. In the Premier League, his 191 goals put him fourth on the all-time list, a remarkable feat for a player who arrived from Roma in 2017 without the global fanfare that followed.
His contribution to eight major honours, including two league titles and a Champions League, underlines a period of sustained excellence that reshaped Liverpool’s modern history.
Timing of Departure Raises Questions
Yet, departures are rarely scripted cleanly. Salah’s recent dip in form, combined with being dropped for three consecutive matches, introduced tension into what had previously been a harmonious relationship. His claim that the club had thrown him “under the bus” hinted at fractures behind the scenes.
That Liverpool will allow him to leave on a free transfer, despite having another year remaining, feels significant. It suggests a mutual recognition that the cycle has run its course.
Saudi Arabia now offers both financial allure and narrative opportunity. Al Ittihad, seeking a new figurehead after Karim Benzema’s exit, see Salah as the perfect successor.
Saudi League Landscape Shifts
Interestingly, not every Saudi club is circling. Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and Al Ahli are reportedly not pursuing him. Only Al Qadsiah are positioned to rival Al Ittihad financially.
This narrows the field and sharpens the narrative. Salah is not merely another acquisition, he is potentially the defining face of a club’s next era.
Meanwhile, interest in Casemiro hints at a broader recruitment strategy aimed at experienced European stars, players whose reputations can elevate both performance and profile.
End of an Era Approaches
What follows now is less about speculation and more about farewell. Salah will leave a void that is statistical, emotional, and cultural. Replacing goals is one challenge, replacing aura is another entirely.
Liverpool must now confront a future without the player who has defined their attack for nearly a decade. For Salah, the move represents both an ending and a reinvention.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this situation feels layered rather than straightforward. Mohamed Salah leaving on a free transfer raises immediate debates about owing a club legend a move he wants, and the club getting money for a move.
Fans have watched Salah carry Liverpool through defining moments, delivering goals in title races and European nights. Losing that reliability, even at 33, feels significant.
Saudi interest is unsurprising. The league is targeting players with global recognition, and Salah fits that profile perfectly. For Liverpool, the challenge now is forward planning. Recruitment must be sharp, tactical identity must evolve, and the next attacking leader must emerge quickly.
Ultimately, this is not just the end of a player’s tenure, it is the closing of a defining era.
Man United shortlist Nathaniel Brown and Lewis Hall to succeed Luke Shaw
Manchester United are looking for a new left-back this summer and have eyes on Lewis Hall and Nathaniel Brown, according to Sky Sports.
Man Utd are preparing to cut Tyrell Malacia loose following a disappointing time at Old Trafford.
Patrick Dorgu is untested at left-back and enjoyed his best spell when played further forward.
First-choice left-back Luke Shaw is not getting any younger.
Man Utd desperately need a successor to the England international (34 caps) and are considering Hall and Brown for the role.
Hall has been a stellar signing for Newcastle United, impressing with his remarkable quality on and off the ball.
He has grown into a full-fledged England international, and his performances have caught the eye of clubs like Manchester United.
Hall is a complete, modern left-back who is comfortable marauding down the flanks as he is defending a winger one-v-one.
The 21-year-old has registered a goal and created four big chances while keeping three clean sheets in 24 Premier League appearances.
Meanwhile, Brown has been one of the bright spots of a very poor Eintracht Frankfurt season.
The Man United target has bagged four goals and four assists, helping to keep six clean sheets in 26 Bundesliga outings.
Between the two, Hall feels like the smarter, lower-risk investment for Manchester United.
He already understands the Premier League’s rhythm and physical demands, which is no small advantage for a side that cannot afford another adaptation project.
His ability to step into midfield and dictate phases of play can add a new layer of control for Man United, especially in the build-up phase.
Crucially, Hall is also the more reliable defender. He reads danger well, times his challenges, and holds his own in one-on-one situations against top-level wingers.
For a team like Man Utd in need of immediate stability and long-term upside, Hall simply ticks more boxes.
Chelsea “never replaced” attacker and Jackson, Delap, Garnacho were never going to cut it
Eden Hazard was a genius at Chelsea, and following the retirement of Mo Salah the Athletic took a look at what made him special.
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Can you tell it’s the international break? Chelsea have gone into this fortnight in a bad way, and it’s only natural to try and find something else to think about.
The Athletic are looking for content, and took the opportunity of Mo Salah’s retirement to look back at some of the Premier League’s best attackers.
Their words on Eden Hazard were able to bring a smile even to the most jaded Blue face.
Eden Hazard’s magic didn’t always show up in numbers
Liam Twoney saw Hazard up close a lot, and summarises what it is that made the Belgian so special, and so much more decisive (not to mention entertaining) than pure G/A would tell you:
“Hazard would not always contribute a decisive goal or assist for Chelsea,” Twomey wrote.
“He would, however, more often than not be in uncontroversially the best player on the pitch in a Premier League match, and the unequivocal focus of attention for both teams as long as he was out there.”
He added that Chelsea got £100m for his sale, but “have still never managed to replace his unique genius.”
You’re telling us. We’d do anything to see a player like that back at Stamford Bridge.
In other news…
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Al Ittihad plot blockbuster double deal for Salah and Casemiro
Al Ittihad have resumed efforts to sign Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, almost three years after their blockbuster £150 million swoop fell through, according to ESPN.
Salah has decided to leave Liverpool at the end of this season, and the Saudi Pro League side sees an opportunity to pounce for his services.
Salah can be the club’s new talisman following the departure of Karim Benzema, who joined rivals Al Hilal.
Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr are not interested in Salah, per the report.
Al Qadsiah are the only other Saudi Arabian club with the finances and ambition to rival Al Ittihad’s offer for the 33-year-old Egyptian legend.
After winning the league last season, Al Ittihad find themselves struggling in sixth place on the league table. They have barely put up a fight this term.
The team is crying out for a talismanic figure to lead them back to the top of the standings, and Salah, who has bagged 255 goals and 122 assists in 435 appearances for Liverpool, fits the bill.
Despite a serious downturn in form, Salah has registered 10 goals and nine assists in 34 appearances for the Reds this term. He will be a coup for Al Ittihad.
So will Casemiro, who is also on their summer transfer shortlist. The Brazilian defensive midfielder has announced he will leave Manchester United at the end of the season.
Unsurprisingly, a host of clubs are queueing for his signature, including Al Ittihad. His leadership, impact, and ability to anchor the midfield will bolster Sergio Conceicao’s side.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves were missing five of their top seven players for most of their record-setting overtime rally to beat the Houston Rockets.
They chose focus over frustration.
With a game-closing 15-0 run, the Timberwolves came back from 13 points down for a 110-108 victory over the Rockets. No other NBA team has overcome an overtime deficit that big since the league began logging play-by-play details with the 1997-98 season.
“They fought through a ton of adversity. We should’ve won that game in regulation. We deserved to win that game. We were the better team all night, and we gave them a chance to steal it from us, but we stole it right back,” coach Chris Finch said.
After frittering away an 11-point lead with 3 1/2 minutes left in regulation and fighting an imbalance in the foul calls all night, the Timberwolves found themselves trailing by 13 points with less than two minutes elapsed in the extra period on Wednesday.
Superstar Anthony Edwards was sidelined for a fifth straight game with knee trouble. Key backup Ayo Dosunmu was out, too, with a sore calf. Jaden McDaniels, who had 25 points and valiant defense on Rockets star Kevin Durant all night, started hobbling down the stretch of the fourth quarter and had to be pulled. Rudy Gobert, who had a steely 14 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks, fouled out.
Then early in overtime, Naz Reid was ejected after voicing his displeasure with official Scott Foster for an offensive foul call. The fans at Target Center were steadily filing out.
But after Alperen Sengun's dunk put the Rockets up 108-95, capping a stunning 26-2 run, the Timberwolves refused to punt on this pivotal game for Western Conference playoff positioning.
“You just got to take it a possession at a time. Biggest thing is be in the moment,” said Julius Randle, who shared the duty of defending Durant with Kyle Anderson after McDaniels departed.
Mike Conley, who got a rare start with Edwards and Dosunmu unavailable, swished a 3-pointer with 2:45 left. Anderson tipped in Randle's missed layup, drew a foul on Sengun and converted a three-point play. Then the Timberwolves forced an 8-second violation by keeping the Rockets from advancing past halfcourt.
Donte DiVincenzo cut in for a layup off a feed from Anderson to cut the deficit to five points. Randle grabbed Sengun's miss at the rim before blowing by him for a layup on the other end to bring the Timberwolves within 108-105 with 1:34 left.
DiVincenzo tied it with a 3-pointer. Sengun missed a jumper. Then Randle sank a pullup shot with 8.8 seconds remaining for the lead.
“We've got real competitors in here, guys who want the challenge. It’s not the first time we’ve done something like that,” said Randle, who had 24 points, all after halftime. “When it gets tough, we come together as a group. It brings the best out of us.”
The Timberwolves (45-28) with the win stayed a half-game behind Denver (46-28) for fourth place in the Western Conference. They moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Houston (43-29) and, most importantly, evened the season series at one apiece. The Wolves face the Rockets on the road on April 10.
Despite taking 63 shots in the paint and only getting 10 free throws out of it, the Timberwolves found a way to pull out a win. Even after Randle was called for a foul on Durant on his drive with 3.3 seconds left, sending him to the line with the Rockets 23 for 23 in the game at that point. He missed, then bricked the second one intentionally to try to keep possession.
“I’m so proud that we didn’t quit. We had a lot of opportunities to get very frustrated tonight,” Gobert said. “For the most part, we were able to overcome that. That’s the blueprint for us. We want to win a championship, so we know there’s going to be adversity. We know it’s going to come in a lot of ways.”
Liverpool's £241m blueprint to replace Mohamed Salah
Wirtz and Isak must now step up
Quite aside from any incoming transfers that can paper over the Salah-less cracks Liverpool will need to get the best out of the players already on the books. And that means the onus will be on both Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak to prove their value.
Wirtz, 22, cost a fee which could reach £116m when he joined from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.
Liverpool fans have been patient while the Germany international gets to grips with English football but he needs to improve and fast with no Salah alongside him from next season.
His output thus far is decent but praising Wirtz any higher would be disingenuous. Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino demonstrated exactly what it takes to make a top Liverpool forward and Wirtz right now isn’t bringing it.
His transfer was a British record at the time - bettered only by the £125m that Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes paid for Isak on deadline day.
Isak and Wirtz = £241m
And if Wirtz can be classified as adequate in his debut season then Isak must go down as abject. The Swede, 26, has scored two Premier League goals to date - spending far too much of the season on the sidelines.
While his current leg-break is a stroke of misfortune his travails throughout the autumn were largely self-inflicted. He went into self-imposed exile at Newcastle - depriving himself of a pre-season and subsequently suffering muscle injuries.
If Liverpool see any more goals this season it would be a blessing - but he has got to hit the ground running next term.
Hughes committed a total which could reach over £241m for the record-breaking pair and it’s fair to say the Premier League champions have had zero value for money.
Without Salah to mask deficiencies elsewhere the time will soon come when Wirtz and Isak need to move from the periphery to the centre of the attack.
It was the subject line that changed Erica Jarrell-Searcy's life.
The email had landed in her inbox in her first few weeks at Harvard.
Jarrell-Searcy was already many things.
She was fiercely academic. Studying molecular biology at one of the world's most prestigious universities, she was following in a family tradition.
Jarrell-Searcy's parents met over a test-tube centrifuge in a laboratory. Her grandfather - Dudley Herschbach – won a Nobel Prize in chemistry.
But her upbringing was not just among books.
"My childhood was just sort of curious I guess," Jarrell-Searcy says.
"The main trait my parents instilled in us was having a deep sense of exploration for things.
"And that ended up being very physical."
By the age of 10, helped by a precisely plotted parental diary, Jarrell-Searcy had tried gymnastics, baseball, soccer, basketball and swimming.
Equestrian, which she started aged three, was her main activity though. At the end of a high-school day, she would travel an hour to the riding stable, practise from 8pm to 10pm, return home, do her homework, grab some sleep and start again.
It paid off. Aged 17, she won team gold at the junior national championships. On one occasion, a horse flipped, fell on Jarrell-Searcy and both rider and mount bounced up uninjured.
In short, Jarrell-Searcy was a bit of a badass.
So, on seeing the subject line, she opened the email.
"At that point, I thought rugby was a weird European word for soccer, right?" she says.
"You know how you guys call soccer, football? I thought maybe some people call it football, some people call it rugby."
She was soon put right. In one of Harvard's lecture theatres, the women's rugby captain Maya Learned put on a video of a United States' match.
"They were running at each other, hitting each other, full tackle professional paid athletes," says Jarrell-Searcy.
"And I was like 'whoa, that looks awesome'.
"My brother was a wrestler. Growing up, I loved to wrestle, but girls weren't allowed to do that - it was a very vindicating experience as a little tomboy athlete.
"Our first practice started by just getting the new recruits to run at a tackle pad and seeing how we reacted.
"My team-mates still make fun of me now because I was just grinning, getting a full run up, and sprinting at this stationary girl holding a pad.
"After that, it was it was rugby or bust."
Which was fine when Jarrell-Searcy was at Harvard.
Harvard had a dedicated rugby pitch, a state-of-the-art weights room, indoor facilities and a slate of fixtures against other college sides.
Title IX – a landmark piece of legislation – stipulates that all educational institutions in the United States spend equal amounts on women's sports provision as they do on men's.
However when she graduated, the reality of life outside the college bubble bit hard.
Jarrell-Searcy would go to a public gym before 5am, work a 12-hour ambulance shift transporting non-emergency patients to hospital, before travelling to training at night under shonky floodlights.
On her days off, she would find parks and tracks to do solo speed work. At the weekends, she would gather with the few national-standard players in her state and do some contact work at a mutually inconvenient central location.
"It was almost impossible," she says. "If I wasn't obsessed, I would have just been like, 'alright, time to grow up, let's get a real job'.
"That is what it is like to be a developing player in the USA, it is total bootstrap stuff."
It is that reality which has made the PWR – the biggest domestic women's rugby league anywhere – a magnet for talented players around the world.
As soon as Jarrell-Searcy left Harvard, it was her aim. In January 2024, just before her 25th birthday, she made it, signing for Sale Sharks.
"I remember coming to Carrington [Sale's training base] and just hearing them say 'we are on pitch four' which meant there were four pitches," she says.
"Just little things like that, people here don't even think about."
The change was big, and the curve was steep.
"I was watching these girls smashing each other into the mud on and thinking I'm a United States international but I'm not actually as good as the average person here," she says.
"In my first season, it was very much like trial by fire. In my first game involvements, I was just getting smoked. I think I lost the ball in contact every other time I carried.
"But just being in a practice squad with Holly Aitchison, Courtney Knight, Morwenna Talling, Amy Cokayne, - I could list the entire team - it is iron-on-iron stuff."
At the Women's Rugby World Cup in August, England were cut apart by those sharpened skills.
From just inside the opposition half, Jarrell-Searcy shrugged off Jess Breach and scorched in for the Eagles' only try of the tournament opener.
"It was fun getting to open up," she remembers.
"Pace is something in my back pocket. It was pure fun."
Ilona Maher, the United States outside centre and rugby's social media phenomenon with 10m followers, was first to congratulate Jarrell-Searcy as she slid over.
Maher's online clout, combined with an Olympic bronze for the USA women's team at Paris 2024 and the 2025 Rugby World Cup, has turbo-charged the women's game stateside.
"It's on a very fast upshoot," says Jarrell.
"'Lo' brings in thousands and thousands of fans who have never seen rugby.
"There is so much positive energy. You meet people who have driven seven hours to be there like it is a One Direction concert."
Jarrell-Searcy's next gig is away at the 62,000-seater Tottenham Stadium, where Sale are taking on Saracens as the PWR half of the Showdown fixture, which also sees Saracens taking on Northampton in the Prem.
After playing in front of a 10,000-plus crowd – a record for a stand-alone women's game in the United States – last May and scoring against England before 42,723 fans at the Stadium of Light in August, Jarrell-Searcy has got a taste for the big stage.
"I didn't know how much I liked a crowd until this summer, and then we all met a brand-new version of me," she said.
Mercedes' peculiar straight mode activation of its front wing, which caught the attention of some of its Formula 1 rivals, was the result of a reliability issue rather than a deliberate exploit, Motorsport.com has learned.
Mercedes caught the eye of its rivals at the Chinese Grand Prix when footage emerged of maiden race winner Kimi Antonelli as his front wing appeared to close in two separate stages at the end of the straight. This raised various theories about whether or not the Brackley team was doing something sinister to gain an advantage.
Teams can only have two different front and rear wing positions between corner mode and straight mode, and as per the FIA regulations there is a 400-millisecond window to transition from one mode to the other.
Antonelli's wing appeared to change stance twice, falling outside of the window, with it understood that one unnamed F1 team raised a question about the issue to the FIA. Mercedes' main 2026 rival Ferrari denied being behind the query.
But on Thursday morning, Motorsport.com learned that the phenomenon was the result of a reliability issue, presumably related to a lack of hydraulic pressure, to revert the wing to its upwards position.
It is understood the FIA has accepted the Mercedes team's explanation, and its willingness to remedy the issue as soon as possible suggested to the governing body that the team was seeing the front wing problem as a performance drain rather than a benefit, as it upsets the car's aero balance an additional time before entering a braking zone.
Marc Skinner: “Proud” United Women boss confident of turnaround
Manchester United Women suffered a disappointing defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Story of the match
The Red Devils lost 3-2 after falling behind on three separate occasions.
Goals from Maya Le Tissier and Swedish full-back Hanna Lundkvist brought United back into the tie, but conceding a late third goal put Bayern in the driving seat.
United will now travel to Germany next week, knowing that only a win will take them into the semi-final.
After the game, head coach Marc Skinner spoke to club media about the loss.
Proud
Reflecting on how the match played out, Skinner stated, “I’m really proud of the players and how they approached the game—especially how they controlled it in possession. I felt we were the better team with the ball, but they were more ruthless with their chances.”
He did admit that he was unhappy with the manner in which his side’s defence was breached and commented, “there are a few goals we’ll need to assess—we’re not happy with them, to be honest. But that’s football. It’s halftime in the tie, and while we’re behind, there’s no need to panic.”
Skinner added that conceding so early was a wake-up call for his side, even though it was far from ideal.
Confidence
The manager also revealed that they will address the weakness of Bayern players running through the centre of the park unchallenged and asserted for the second leg, “if we can limit those central chances, I believe we’ll create enough to win the game.”
Transfers
Skinner also hinted that it has been a challenge to rotate and play so many games, with a tough match against Manchester City coming up on Sunday before the trip to Germany on Wednesday for the return leg.
He asserted, “we won’t make excuses. There are reasons, but our job is to find solutions.”
Skinner warmed, “if we want to go this deep again next season, we may need to look at squad depth.”
Rakitic is certain: This star makes the difference at Barça
FC Barcelona are still competing on three fronts this year and are once again proving that you can never count the Catalans out. But with all these stars, who is actually standing out and making the difference?
For former Croatia international Ivan Rakitic, Raphinha is currently the most important player at his former club. "If I take everything into account, he seems to me like the player who has the biggest influence on the team," Rakitic said, according to 'Mundo Deportivo', at the "Legends Trophy" in Milan.
There may be a lot of talk about Pedri and Lamine Yamal, but for Rakitic, there is "a Barça with Raphinha and a Barça without Raphinha." However, because of his teammates, Raphinha often flies under the radar. Yet since the arrival of coach Hansi Flick, he has developed into a regular starter and is now also one of the captains of the Catalan side.
"Raphinha brings so much intensity to the pitch for us, and that's exactly what we need," Flick said about his player after winning the Supercopa in January.
Liam McCracken was determined to make a full recovery after the crash [Liam McCracken]
An MMA fighter who was unable to walk after being hit by a bus has said his biggest motivation during his recovery was to be able to hold his daughter again.
Liam McCracken was building a promising career in mixed martial arts but his life changed in a split second when he was hit by a bus while out training in Huyton on Merseyside in September 2023.
The 24-year-old, from Prescot, Liverpool, suffered a broken neck, legs, ribs, pelvis and nose after being dragged 18m (60ft).
"I was getting to the point of becoming an elite athlete, and then I went from that to not being able to walk, so it was obviously very difficult," he said.
"But I had a little daughter at the time who had just turned one.
"That was like the biggest motivation as I couldn't hold my daughter for months.
"So that was my first little goal, I wanted to be able to hold her again."
The road to recovery has been long, taking McCracken two years to rebuild his health and fight again.
McCracken was hit by a bus on Pilch Lane East in Huyton [Liam McCracken]
"Physically obviously the challenges were terrible, but I had obviously a lot of doubt coming back," he said.
"My first fight back was sort of just seeing if I was going to be able to do it.
"I still feel lucky in a way because I feel like I was an inch away from either not being here or it being a lot worse.
"It's a crazy thing to happen to you but it's also even crazier to make a recovery like I have."
McCracken delivered a knockout during his latest fight [Liam Lens]
McCracken has won both his fights since returning from injury, most recently competing at FCC in Liverpool on 7 March.
He said: "When you go through something like that and you realise you can come back from being that close to dying and being able to come back in the way I have, I know how resilient I am."
Phil Turner, head coach at Aspire Combat Sports Academy, said McCracken's journey was inspiring.
"He's just an outstanding young man and obviously he's had a big setback two years ago," he said.
"It was hard watching him go through it and all his hopes and dreams he's had since a young lad almost being smashed.
"Watching him pull himself back and being an inspiration to everyone has just been inspiring for me to watch."
After the 2026 NFL combine last month, rumors surfaced that Ohio State safety and projected top-10 pick Caleb Downs had a degenerative knee issue. However, none of those concerns were verified by any of the NFL's top insiders. Additionally, Downs never missed time at Alabama or Ohio State with a knee injury.
Pat McAfee spoke to NFL sources after the combine and was told there were no issues with Downs' knee that would deter teams from drafting him. But we had yet to hear from Downs.
On Wednesday, the Ohio State Buckeyes held their annual pro day, and all 32 NFL teams were heavily represented. The Washington Commanders brought GM Adam Peters, assistant GM Lance Newmark, head coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator David Blough and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.
After the pro day, Downs spoke with the media and was asked about the knee injury. He shot down those rumors.
"Nothing," Downs said regarding the potential knee injury. "I mean, really, they already answered it. Pat McAfee put out a statement about it. That’s not what my medical says, so it is what it is. I don’t really know who gave him that information, whoever that dude is. But it is what it is. I’m just gonna continue to do me. I can’t control what people say."
Last month rumors circled that Caleb Downs has "a potentially degenerative ACL." Later reports called that false.
Today he addressed the rumors - "That's not what my medical said... I'm going to continue to do me. I can't control that or what people say."@WLWTpic.twitter.com/tFiNN0elag
Downs is a phenomenal player. He started for all three of his college seasons, one year at Alabama and two at Ohio State. Downs does everything well and can immediately be a difference-maker at the next level. He also possesses a high football IQ and will be a captain early in his career. It's safe to say if there were concerns about his knee, we'd know.
If somehow Downs does fall out of the top 10 in next month's 2026 NFL Draft, then you have to wonder if those concerns do exist. Make no mistake, there aren't 10 — there aren't five — better players in this draft class. You could make the case that Downs is the best overall player in the class, despite playing what's considered a non-premium position.
Fresh off double-digit wins over No. 15 Queens and No. 7 Miami (Fla.), No. 2 Purdue will enter its Sweet 16 matchup against No. 11 Texas playing arguably its best basketball of the season.
Led by Braden Smith, the Boilermakers are eyeing their second Final Four in three years. Despite an impressive stretch of sustained success, Matt Painter's program is still hunting for a national championship.
The Longhorns won three games in five days to advance to the Sweet 16. Under Sean Miller, Texas defeated No. 11 NC State, No. 6 BYU and No. 3 Gonzaga.
Here's what you need to know about Thursday's matchup between Purdue and Texas, including broadcast information and start time.
Listen to every game of the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament live on SiriusXM. The Purdue vs. Texas broadcast will be available on channel 201.
New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
The 2026 Men's Final Four is set for April 4 and 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The semifinals will be played Saturday night, and the national championship game is set for Monday night.
The home of the Indianapolis Colts previously hosted the event in 2010, 2015 and 2021 and is set to host again in 2029. Indianapolis previously hosted the Final Four at other facilities in 1980, 1991, 1997, 2000 and 2006.
Only Kansas City has been home to the Final Four more often (10 times), but the last one held there was in 1988.
March Madness tournament schedule 2026
Here is the round-by-round schedule for the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament:
Gujarat Titans (GT) enter IPL 2026 with a strategy of continuity, having retained 20 players from the squad that finished third in 2025. The Titans have maintained one of the most stable rosters in the league, focusing on “sharpening the edges” rather than making major overhauls.GT made their IPL debut in 2022 and won their inaugural season. Since then, they have consistently qualified for the playoffs. Last season, they reached the Eliminator, where they lost to Mumbai Indians.
Gujarat Titans entered the IPL 2026 mini-auction with a settled squad and Rs 12.9 crore in their purse. They secured five players to complete their 25-member squad: Jason Holder (Rs 7 crore), Tom Banton (Rs 2 crore), Ashok Sharma (Rs 90 lakh), Luke Wood (Rs 75 lakh), and Prithviraj Yarra (Rs 30 lakh).
With the new signings and an already strong squad, here’s how GT’s playing XI could look:
Shubman Gill (C): The captain had an exceptional season last year, forming a strong opening partnership with Sai Sudharsan. However, he experienced a dip in form in T20Is, which led to his omission from the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. GT will be hoping for his return to form this season.
Sai Sudharsan: Sai Sudharsan enjoyed a record-breaking IPL 2025 season, finishing as the highest run-scorer and winning the Orange Cap with 759 runs. At just 23, he became the youngest player to achieve this feat, surpassing Shubman Gill’s record.
Jos Buttler (WK): Jos Buttler was a vital part of GT’s top order in IPL 2025, scoring 538 runs in 14 matches after being bought for Rs 15.75 crore. He is currently going through a lean patch in T20 cricket, which could be a concern for GT, but the team will be backing him to bounce back.
Washington Sundar: Washington Sundar proved to be a valuable all-rounder in IPL 2025 after being signed for Rs 3.2 crore. He made a significant impact with the bat, and GT may look to fix his role at No. 4.
Rahul Tewatia: Tewatia has established himself as a dependable finisher for GT. In 43 innings, he has scored 591 runs at a strike rate of over 150. He will play an important role in the middle order.
Glenn Phillips: Glenn Philips who got injured last year, has regained his fitness ahead of IPL 2026 and played an important role for New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2026, however he can face tough competition form Jason Holder, based on his recent T20 World Cup performance, It will be interesting to see with whom the management decides to go with.
Shahrukh Khan: Shahrukh Khan was a regular lower-order finisher for GT in IPL 2025, scoring 179 runs in 15 matches and often making an impact in the final overs.
Rashid Khan: Rashid Khan remains GT’s leading spinner and a key wicket-taking option. The team will once again rely on his spin prowess.
Kagiso Rabada: In the 2025 IPL season, Kagiso Rabada had a fragmented campaign for Gujarat Titans (GT), marked by an early departure for personal reasons and a subsequent one-month suspension. Despite being a high-profile signing at Rs 10.75 crore, he ultimately featured in only four matches. However, he will to be available for the full season this time.
Mohammed Siraj: In the 2025 IPL season, Mohammed Siraj was a standout performer for the Gujarat Titans (GT), leading their pace attack after being acquired for Rs 12.25 crore in the mega auction. He finished the season with 16 wickets in 15 matches. He will play a crucial role alongside Rabada in the pace attack.
Sai Kishore: Sai Kishore had an excellent season last year, picking up 19 wickets in 15 matches. He will be key in controlling the middle overs.
Impact Player – Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna made a remarkable comeback in IPL 2025, winning the Purple Cap with 25 wickets in 15 matches. His pace in the powerplay makes him a strong Impact Player option for GT.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: A Tottenham Hotspur fan looks dejected after the team's defeat in the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hi, Hoddlers! Guess who remembered to schedule this thing this morning? I feel so proud and accomplished.
One of the great joys of having a cell phone is the ability to fart around on it and play games while you’re waiting to do adulting things. I confess that my phone has been a great help while I’m waiting in doctors’ offices, or at the BMV, or for the red light to change (KIDDING KIDDING KIDDING). And I have a stable of small, daily web-based games that I have come to enjoy and play almost daily.
Yeah yeah yeah, we all know about Wordle and Connections, those are fun but hardly noteworthy. Here are a few of my go-to web games that I play on the daily. Add your favorites in the comments!
Are you a geography nerd? You might like this one. You’re given a blank globe with no country lines or cities, and are given 5 cities or landmarks daily that you need to try and find. You get one tap and get points for how close you are to the actual location. It’s harder than you think, but super fun! Try it out, it’s usually the first one I play.
If you’re tired of the usual games at New York Times, try Puzzmo. It’s a daily mish-mash of short daily tap to complete games, including crosswords, tile puzzles, chess, and word games. It’s a paid site so a few are behind a paywall, but there’s a bunch of free ones you can play daily.
Another Wordle offshoot, this one comes from the Office of Economic Complexity. You’re given a series of squares that indicate a country’s export commodities, and you need to figure out which country that is. It’s surprisingly challenging!
Want something a little outside the box? Fallen London is an alternate history, moody, text-based browser RPG set in a Lovecraftian, Gothic-Victorian underworld, where an alternate-history 19th centuryLondon was stolen by bats to a subterranean realm called the Neath. It’s a game you play over the course of YEARS, not days, and it has some pretty outstanding (and weird) writing. You can buy paid content and it unlocks some options, but you certainly don’t have to pay to play.
The idea is simple: you are given a photo, and you need to guess where it was taken on a map based on context clues in the photo. It’s a bit like GeoGuessr, but it’s static. And fun. And quite challenging.
What are your favorite web games to play on your phone? Put them in the comments.
Song of the Day: “Boiling Point” by The Soundcarriers
According to MARCA (lol), Cuti Romero has a clause in his contract to go to either Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid for £60m. (This is almost certainly fake)
Fabrizio Romano suggests Spurs are considering Fulham manager Marco Silva as an option “internally.” Roberto De Zerbi won’t join until summer, if he’s interested at all.
Inter Miami and LA Galaxy line up move for Casemiro when he leaves Man United
Major League Soccer sides Inter Miami and LA Galaxy are exploring moves for Casemiro when he leaves Manchester United this summer, according to The Athletic.
The 34-year-old confirmed in January that he will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, with Man United opting against triggering a one-year extension clause in his deal.
That decision brings an end to a mixed stint in England, where Casemiro has made 155 appearances since arriving from Real Madrid for £60 million.
The Brazilian played a key role as Man United lifted both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. But now interest from the United States is concrete and growing.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are weighing up Casemiro as a potential successor to Sergio Busquets, although any deal will require financial manoeuvring to comply with MLS salary rules.
Meanwhile, LA Galaxy are also monitoring the situation closely, as they want to add another marquee name to their core alongside Marco Reus.
However, the MLS duo will not have a clear run at one of the most decorated midfielders of the 21st century.
Clubs in the Saudi Pro League are also circling, and their financial muscle might prove decisive.
With Casemiro still performing at a high level, contributing goals and leadership for both club and country this season, he is a premium target in a market where elite experience is highly valued.
Casemiro now has a choice to make as a transatlantic battle brews for one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time.
On one side, the commercial pull and lifestyle appeal of the United States, coupled with the chance to join a growing cluster of global stars in MLS.
On the other hand, the Middle East can offer lucrative contracts that European clubs cannot match, though the region’s unrest may also play a role in his decision.
Despite being sanctioned for a series of historical financial breaches, Chelsea got what many believe is a slap on the wrist.
Everton are taking legal advice, with all options currently under consideration.
Chelsea were fined £10.75 million and handed a suspended transfer ban after voluntarily disclosing £47.5 million in previously undisclosed payments to players and agents between 2011 and 2018.
Chelsea agreed to the settlement with the Premier League, but it has prompted widespread concern among rival clubs.
Everton were deducted eight points during the 2023/24 season for breaches of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).
The commission that handled that case explicitly referenced the sporting advantage gained through overspending.
No such language appeared in the Chelsea ruling, despite the west London club enjoying major success during the years in question.
That perceived inconsistency is why Everton want to challenge the decision.
Any potential challenge is likely to focus on whether the Premier League has applied its rules evenly and transparently across different cases.
Nottingham Forest, who were also docked points last season for PSR breaches, share similar reservations.
Discussions have taken place between the two clubs regarding a possible joint approach, although neither has made a formal decision.
Both sides are expected to first request a detailed explanation of the league’s reasoning and the process behind the Chelsea settlement.
Everton’s ongoing legal case also complicates the matter. The Toffees have a compensation claim from Burnley hanging over their heads.
Burnley argue they suffered relegation-related losses during a season in which Everton later breached financial rules.
Across the Premier League and the general football community, there is a growing sense that the Chelsea ruling may set a precedent for the Manchester City 115-charge case.
The Premier League reportedly justified the Chelsea ruling on the basis that their cooperation was key to establishing the breaches.
It remains to be seen whether that rationale withstands possible legal scrutiny.
Everton and Nottingham Forest coming after Chelsea in possible legal battle
Both Everton and Nottingham Forest are named as two of the clubs who might look to take action against Chelsea.
Although there are ‘several’ Premier League clubs who are also exploring taking action or at least speaking to the Premier League regarding the settlement they came to recently in the charges against Chelsea.
EXCLUSIVE! 6 Chelsea players have already started exploring moves away this summer, with 5 others also in doubt
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Chelsea were fined £10.75m and given a suspended transfer ban by the Premier League last week after reporting £47.5m of hidden payments to agents and players made over a seven‑year period.
At the time, I thought we got off lightly, and it seems that the rest of the Premier League do as well, with the punishment the rest of the top-flight clubs see as being very lenient.
Everton and Forest to take action?
Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have an awkward hello.
The Guardian are reporting that Everton are exploring a possible legal challenge against thePremier Leaguefor its handling of Chelsea’s undisclosed payments sanction. The club are understood to be preparing to write to the Premier League requesting a formal explanation for its failure to take any sporting sanctions againstChelsea, with their legal options also being considered.
They go on to say that Executives from several clubs have contacted the Premier League asking for clarity on the terms of their agreed settlement with Chelsea.
Nottingham Forest are also set to join the attack on Chelsea. They have apparently have held talks with Everton this week about joining forces to challenge the Premier League.
In other news…
Sources are sayingLiam Rosenior won’t be sacked unless there’s an “almighty collapse”, and given how disconnected the players look right now, we couldn’t rule that out.
Gus Poyet has also been speaking about Rosenior’s future, and he hasless confidence than these sources. I personally think I’m with Poyet on this one more than anything else.
If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as apreferred source on Googleto make us a favourite and see more of ourcontent.
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After one of their worst losses of the season, the Bruins responded by taking down the top team in the division a day later.
The Boston Bruins (40-24-8) went down, then rallied back in the third period and overtime to pick up a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres (44-20-8) on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center. Pavel Zacha won the game in overtime, and David Pastrnak had a three-point night and is now at 90 this season.
“So, a huge bounceback win and, you know, against a really good team. Obviously, they’re playing really well, and we had to play hard and fight for it, but we got it done.”
The Sabres are the league’s best team since Jarmo Kekalainen took over as general manager on December 15. They have posted a 30-6-4 record since the front office change, and they are miles ahead of the next best team (Columbus, 25-9-5).
“Yeah, we know how important this game was, and I think we just kept coming the whole game,” Zacha said after the game. “Especially in the third period, we just never gave up and kind of came back in the game, and we know what we have in this locker room, the resilience. We kind of went through this, you know, must win games for so many games now.”
Zacha’s 24th goal of the season is his fourth game-winner this year. It is also his ninth since the Olympic break, which is the most on the roster.
David Pastrnak set it up on a 2-on-1, playing it to his left. Zacha caught Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen moving and fired to the open side.
Pastrnak’s three points brought him to 90 on the season, the fifth time he has hit that number in his career.
“I love setting up goals,” Pastrnak said to the TNT panel after the game. “If I see a guy in a better position, it’s hard for me to take that shot. It’s definitely [something] I’m still working on, trying to make the right decision, not every time is the pass or shot. Definitely love setting up guys, but I had a couple of slumps this season, and then you kind of remember how fun is still scoring goals. You don’t take it for granted.”
His goal came in the first period, and the “kids line” all factored in on the goal.
“They’re getting more comfortable with me, and so am I,” Pastrnak said about his linemates. “It’s really fun to see them when they’re on their game like this and a pleasure to play with them.”
The second line factored into the second goal, but their night was not done there.
The Bruins carried a 2-1 lead into the third period, but watched it vanish in 33 seconds.
Mason Lohrei fumbled the puck as a Bruins’ power play was expiring. Zach Benson, like Matthew Knies on Tuesday, swooped in, picked up the puck, and scored on a breakaway.
Lohrei took a cross-checking penalty after the goal, and the Sabres took a lead on the ensuing power play.
“First of all, he knows he messed up,” Marco Sturm said about Lohrei. “But it happened twice in a row. (Tuesday) was a little bit different. They put him in a bad spot, but again, he needs to get the job done at the end of the day. And we will help him. He’s got to learn the hard way. He’s been pretty damn good all year long.”
“I think we played our best hockey today after that,” Joonas Korpisalo said after the game. “Wouldn’t give them anything after, and obviously scored the tying goal, and the boys took care of it after those couple [of] minutes there.”
Korpisalo made 22 saves and picked up his 11th win of the season, matching his total from last year. It is his second win against Buffalo this season.
The second line came through again late in the third period, and Casey Mittelstadt tied the game with exactly six minutes to play.
“Now they believe they can be the difference, and that, I think, as a player and as a line that’s huge, right?” Sturm said. “So, they think, and it’s good, and they are the difference in some of the games. And when we need them, they’re there.”
Mittelstadt was drafted eighth overall by the Sabres in 2017 and spent the first seven years of his career in Buffalo.
“A lot of friends and really good people here who took care of me when I was young. So, very grateful for them, although it does feel good to score against them for sure,” Mittelstadt added.
Now, though, the Sabres are doing something they did not do while Mittelstadt was there from 2018-24: they have a 99.97% chance at making the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.
If the playoffs started on Thursday, the Bruins and Sabres would draw each other in round one.
The Bruins sit in the first wildcard spot in the East. They are at 88 points and have a 74.4% chance at the postseason per MoneyPuck’s model.
They still play the league’s toughest remaining schedule, with only three remaining opponents outside of the playoff picture. Their gauntlet of games continues this weekend against the Minnesota Wild (40-20-12) on Saturday, then the Columbus Blue Jackets (38-22-11) on Sunday.
With captaincy talk returning around Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2026, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has backed Hardik Pandya to continue as leader, urging the franchise to avoid another change at the top.
Mumbai Indians have several experienced players in the dressing room, including Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, both of whom have led India in T20 cricket. A couple of seasons ago, the franchise replaced Rohit with Hardik as captain, ending a tenure that brought five IPL titles. The decision drew reactions from sections of fans, especially with Hardik moving from Gujarat Titans and taking charge immediately. Despite that, the team reached the playoffs last season.
With Suryakumar having recently led India to a T20 World Cup title, there has been discussion around his leadership role, with some suggesting a possible change in captaincy at Mumbai Indians.
Kaif, however, said the team should continue with Hardik, pointing to the progress made under him last season.
"I don't think that Mumbai Indians should make the same mistake again. They had a poor season after removing Rohit Sharma and bringing Hardik Pandya in. Hardik Pandya is settling in his role now. They played Qualifier 2 last year. So, Hardik Pandya did a good job as captain," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
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He also warned against frequent leadership changes based on trends, referring to the earlier shift from Rohit to Hardik and the current discussion around Suryakumar.
"Suryakumar Yadav is an option, but it should not happen like how they treated Rohit Sharma, saying now we have Hardik Pandya, who made Gujarat champions, so he will captain now. Hardik was the hot topic then, and they pushed him. Now Suryakumar Yadav is the hot topic. Next year, there will be someone else, so will you remove Surya?" he added.
Mumbai Indians will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at home on March 29.
Sky: Deadline set in stone – Man Utd decide they want to finalise deal for ‘wonderful’ PL star before World Cup
Manchester United are reportedly aiming to add Carlos Baleba to their ranks before the World Cup gets underway, according to Sky Sports.
United remain firm admirers of the Brighton and Hove Albion star and will look to officially ignite their pursuit in the coming months.
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United to revive interest in Baleba after failed 2025 move
Last year, they left it too late to facilitate a deal for Baleba, having prioritised a full attacking revamp with the additions of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.
Assuming he retains such a desire, a transfer is likely to be much more straightforward this time around, especially given he honoured his club’s wishes and stayed another 12 months rather than forcing an exit.
Baleba has previously opened door to Old Trafford switch
Baleba will actually miss out at the World Cup after Cameroon failed to qualify, meaning he and Mbeumo, as well as on-loan Red Andre Onana, are in for quiet summers watching on from home – which, by that point, for Baleba, may be in Manchester.
The 22-year-old, hailed as an ‘absolutely wonderful’ player by the Match of the Day panel last season, would likely relish the chance to play behind his compatriot and alongside such a world-class talent like Bruno Fernandes, while also continuing his own development in a partnership with Kobbie Mainoo.
Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have never qualified for the same World Cup [BBC]
The World Cup play-offs start on Thursday with four European spaces up for grabs for this summer's tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Wales host Bosnia-Herzegovina in one of eight semi-finals, while Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland play in Italy and the Czech Republic respectively.
The play-offs are comprised of 16 teams - the 12 teams who finished second in their World Cup qualifying groups and the four best-ranked Nations League group winners who missed out via qualifying.
There are four play-off paths, each containing four teams, with one-legged semi-finals and finals.
Northern Ireland could face Wales in play-off final
Northern Ireland last qualified for a World Cup in 1986, when it was held in Mexico.
If they beat Italy - which they have not done since 1958 - they could face a trip to Wales for the play-off final.
The game will be played at Atalanta's home ground in Bergamo. Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says the venue will suit his side more than playing at iconic venues such as Milan's San Siro or Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Wales host Bosnia-Herzegovina - described by their manager Craig Bellamy as a "different beast" - at Cardiff City Stadium aiming to reach a second successive World Cup, although they have not won any of their previous four meetings.
Will star-studded Sweden progress under Potter?
Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Anthony Elanga.
Sweden are not short of talent, yet they face the prospect of not reaching the World Cup.
They finished bottom of their qualifying group but reached the play-offs by finishing first in their Nations League pool.
Graham Potter's side will travel to Valencia to face Ukraine at a neutral ground because of the war in Ukraine.
After a tumultuous time managing Chelsea and West Ham, Potter has returned to the country where he first found success.
Potter managed Swedish side Ostersunds FK between 2011 and 2018, leading them to their first Swedish Cup win in 2017.
Sweden have not won since Potter took charge, losing 4-1 to Switzerland and drawing 1-1 with Slovenia.
Potter is without Isak as he recovers from a broken leg, but Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the striker could return in late March or early April.
Will Italy miss another World Cup?
It has been 12 years since Italy last reached football's global stage, and their fate this summer lies in manager Gennaro Gattuso's hands.
Italy won six of their eight World Cup qualifiers, losing twice to Norway as they finished behind the Scandinavian team in their group, and Gattuso expressed his discontent about playing two play-offs to reach the finals.
"In my day, the best runners-up went straight to the World Cup. Now the rules have changed," he said.
The former midfielder won 73 caps for Italy and was a member of their 2006 World Cup-winning side, but his reign as manager could be cut short if they lose to Northern Ireland.
Italian football journalist James Horncastle said: "It was called apocalyptic the first time they missed out. I don't know what stage of the apocalypse we are in now."
Lewandowski's World Cup farewell?
Robert Lewandowski is aiming to reach his third World Cup with Poland, who face Albania at home in their play-off semi-final.
The 37-year-old has played 163 games for Poland and is their all-time top scorer with 88 goals.
Poland are unbeaten in six games, but Albania have lost only two of their past 10 - both against England.
In his past seven appearances for Poland Lewandowski has three goals and four assists.
The Barcelona striker scored his only goal at a World Cup against Saudi Arabia in Qatar in 2022.
The winners of Poland-Albania will play away against Sweden or Ukraine.
Senegal have lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the decision to strip them of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and hand the trophy to Morocco, the Swiss-based tribunal has confirmed.
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirms receipt of an appeal by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation,” CAS said in a statement on Wednesday.
Senegal are hoping to overturn the decision by African football’s governing body to strip them of the title after several of their players walked off the pitch protesting against a penalty awarded to Morocco during the AFCON final on January 18, which the Senegalese side went on to win 1-0 in extra time.
CAF announced on March 17 that it had upheld an appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, saying Senegal had infringed tournament regulations by walking off.
As a result, it declared Senegal to have forfeited the match, turning their 1-0 victory into a 3-0 defeat, making hosts Morocco the champions.
CAS said Senegal’s appeal “seeks to set aside the CAF decision and declare the FSF winners of AFCON”.
CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb added: “We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision, and we will ensure that arbitration proceedings are conducted as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing.”
Farcical final
The final flashpoint came when Morocco were awarded a hotly contested spot-kick in injury time with the game goalless.
The penalty was given by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala right at the end of the allotted eight added minutes in normal time following a VAR check for a challenge on Brahim Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Some Senegalese supporters attempted a pitch invasion out of anger, while Senegal’s players halted the game for nearly 20 minutes to protest the penalty award.
After Senegal’s players eventually returned, having been coaxed back onto the pitch by Sadio Mane, Morocco’s Diaz took the kick, but his penalty was saved.
Pape Gueye then went on to score the goal in extra time that gave Senegal a 1-0 victory and their second continental title after their maiden triumph in 2022.
The Moroccan federation reacted to CAF’s decision to overturn the result by saying it had “never intended to contest the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition regulations”.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has said he supports the right of African countries to make appeals to CAS, saying the continent’s football governing body would “respect the decision which is taken at the highest level”.
In the immediate aftermath of the final, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who attended the match, had condemned “some Senegal players” for the “unacceptable scenes”.
Both Senegal and Morocco are in action this week, playing friendly matches as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.
Senegal play Peru at the Stadium of France in Paris on Saturday, while Morocco, who have a new coach following the recent appointment of Mohamed Ouahbi to replace Walid Regragui, face Ecuador in Madrid on Friday and then take on Paraguay in Lens, France, on March 31.
Preview: England vs Uruguay – stats, team news, line-ups
England welcome Uruguay to Wembley Stadium for an international friendly on Friday evening, with the Three Lions set to continue their preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This is one of England’s two friendly games scheduled for this month in the build-up to the World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17.
Match Preview
Expectations are sky-high for England heading into the World Cup. Anything short of securing a spot in the final would likely be seen as a massive disappointment.
The Three Lions will head into the tournament as one of the early favourites, with Tuchel’s troops fancied to go all the way this summer.
Their journey to the tournament could hardly have been smoother. England dominated their qualification group, winning all eight matches, scoring 22 goals without conceding any.
That record is hardly a reflection of their competence, considering the calibre of opponents they faced in Group K, but the flawless run was a massive morale boost nonetheless.
Recent performances have only added to the optimism, with England winning all of their last six games across all competitions.
The last time England played in a friendly was back in October 2025 when they beat Wales 3-0, courtesy of goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, and Bukayo Saka.
That victory preceded three consecutive qualifier wins against Latvia, Serbia, and Albania as the Three Lions wrapped up their campaign in style.
England will now continue their preparation for the World Cup with a series of friendlies that kicks off with Friday’s showdown against Uruguay.
Interestingly, the Three Lions have won just one of their last six games against Uruguay in all competitions (D2, L3).
They have also won just three of their 11 meetings with the South American giants (D3, L5).
After Friday’s outing, England will also face Japan, New Zealand, and Costa Rica in their four international friendlies ahead of the World Cup opener.
There is nearly as much pressure on Uruguay to perform at the World Cup as Friday’s hosts.
However, the South Americans will be determined to prove that they have what it takes to rub shoulders with the best in the world, particularly after their performance in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.
Uruguay finished fourth in one of the most gruesome qualifying campaigns, level on points with Colombia and just one behind second-placed Ecuador.
While they were miles off group winners and World Cup holders Argentina, Uruguay can take pride in the fact that they finished ahead of continental powerhouse Brazil.
Marcelo Bielsa’s troops won’t be seen as a threat in the tournament, but they’ll undoubtedly be one of the most unpredictable teams in the World Cup.
Uruguay have a history of giving the strongest sides a run for their money and will fancy their chances of maintaining that reputation on the biggest stage in football.
Their upcoming contest with England is an ideal chance to prove they have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the world’s best, although their record against the Three Lions is more than impressive.
Just three defeats across 11 games in all competitions (W5, D3) prove Uruguay can hold their own when it matters, but the upcoming friendly will allow them to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the competition.
The two-time world champions will be looking to banish the memory of their early exit in 2022 and instead replicate their fourth-place finish in 2010 and a quarter-final run in 2018.
Team News
England will be without a host of players, with Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka joining the squad for the Japan game.
That rules them out of Friday’s proceedings, leaving Tuchel short on firepower. Jarell Quansah and Eberechi Eze have also withdrawn from the squad, paving the way for Ben White and Harvey Barnes to step in.
Uruguay will be without the iconic duo of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, but still have plenty of high-profile names, including Federico Valverde and Darwin Nunez, who will be keen to make a difference against England.
England potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford; Valentino Livramento, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Lewis Hall; Kobbie Mainoo, Adam Wharton; Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford; Jarrod Bowen
Uruguay potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): Fernando Muslera; Guillermo Valera, Ronald Araujo, Jose Maria Gimenez, Matias Vina; Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte; Juan Manuel Sanabria, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Maximiliano Araujo; Darwin Nunez.
DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic have had historic games for the Denver Nuggets before, but rarely do they occur on the same night.
Wednesday was one of those rare nights for the franchise cornerstones.
Murray scored a season-high 53 points and Jokic had his 30th triple-double of the season with 23 points, 21 points and 19 assists in a 142-135 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Denver is the first team in NBA history to have one player with 50 points and another with at least 15 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in the same game.
It was reminiscent of Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Finals when both players had 30-point triple-doubles at Miami to take control of that series. Wednesday night came on the second night of a back-to-back when tipoff was 16 hours after the team landed in Denver after winning in Phoenix.
“Fifty-three from your point guard and 23, 21, 19 from your center. Just outrageous numbers from the best tandem in the NBA,” coach David Adelman said. “They really are the history book of this franchise when it comes to the longevity together, and also the playoffs and all these wars they’ve been through in a basketball sense, it’s just super special.”
Jokic’s career started in 2015-16 a year after being drafted 41st overall, and Murray broke in a year later as the seventh overall pick. They have won 400 games together over the last 10 seasons, including the playoffs, the most in the NBA as teammates.
They reached the postseason two years after first sharing the court and won the franchise’s first NBA title four years later.
Their bond has continued to grow, and Jokic is appreciative of the journey
“How we both started, the path that we had, from nobody to somebody into a championship — and still growing and still performing,” he said.
The two are leading the Nuggets back to the playoffs this year and showing what they can do when both are playing at a high level.
“I feel like our best chemistry is when we’re not (both playing well),” said Murray, who was two points shy of his career high. “Sometimes he’s having a rough day and I’ll pick up the slack, and then there’s days when I’m not doing anything and he takes over. There’s not tug-of-war with the ball; there’s no animosity of who’s shooting it.”
Match day for Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy national team, who tonight at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo against Northern Ireland want to wipe away the memories of the last two playoffs.
Still fresh in the minds of the players — and really of every Italian — is the elimination at the hands of North Macedonia, who in 2022 won at Palermo’s Barbera and plunged us back into the sporting nightmare we had experienced four years earlier at San Siro against Sweden.
A lot of time has passed since then, yet we find ourselves in the same situation, having to hope we can secure qualification that, until 2017, we always took for granted. There are plenty of reasons, however, to look at tomorrow night’s match with optimism.
💪 Italy, believe because...
First of all, the Azzurri are stronger. Of the possible opponents in this playoff, Italy have definitely drawn the easier one. Tonight we face a team ranked 69th in the FIFA rankings, whose best player — Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley — is injured;
After the two huge disappointments of the past, we can rule out even the slightest risk of underestimating the opponent. Italy go into the Bergamo match aware that they are no longer a powerhouse and therefore that they must earn qualification the hard way. Given the previous results, that’s probably for the best;
We like the squad picked by Gattuso. It’s true, there has been debate over a couple of omissions, but after years in the dark, we once again have three forwards who can really excite us. Kean and Retegui have shown they work brilliantly together, while Pio Esposito is ready to take off. And then, if we look behind them at the individuals, there is no shortage of quality: Donnarumma, Tonali and Calafiori are among the best players in the Premier League; Bastoni, Dimarco and Barella — despite some fair criticism — are a well-drilled trio, with the wing-back enjoying a dream individual season; Locatelli and Cambiaso, meanwhile, have been revitalised by the Spalletti treatment.
The choice of stadium, which the head coach confirmed he made personally, takes a lot of pressure off a group that by now seemed to suffer under the weight of playing at San Siro. Gattuso opted for the Gewiss, which in recent years has been the engine of Gasperini’s Atalanta. Whether it was the right choice or not, we will only find out tomorrow. Thinking about the psychological factor, though, it is hard to see it as a mistake.
All in all, everything suggests this could finally be the right time. Missing out on the biggest appointment for the third straight time would be unforgivable, and the head coach knows it. For him too, with his career at a difficult point before the call from the FIGC, the next five days are crucial.
Whilst the international break is upon us, winning against Newcastle allows us not only to gloat – and a lot – but also to chat about some of the other cool things going on around the city. Kevin Johnston – ward councillor for Copt Hill and a massive Lads fan – joins Gav and Andrew to chat about that brilliant derby win, and to update us on what’s happening in the city as the regeneration continues…
Nobody is sick of talking about that brilliant victory yet, are they?
There was something poetic about asserting ourselves over our nearest and dearest once more – Sunderland, both as a club and a city, has been reborn!
Lots of this stuff going on around the city will have a massive impact on the football club and the fanbase, so we pick Kev’s brains to find out more about all the cool things coming our way in the next few years
All this and more! Get subscribed to Haway The Podcast so you never miss another episode of our free daily show.
Want to get in touch with us? You can drop us an email at HawayThePodcastSAFC@Gmail.com, or you can contact us via social media – we’re @RokerReport on almost every platform. For your daily SAFC fan-written content, head over toRokerReport.SBNation.com
𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 🎙️
Sunderland is transforming, with the growth of our city going hand in hand with the growth of the football club!
Bryce Underwood still has all the talent that made him the No. 1 overall recruit in the country a year ago. His freshman season wasn't filled with as many splash plays or the kind of stats he's capable of, but everyone knows why now.
As a true freshman, Underwood dealt with issues that few college players ever have to deal with. The situation surrounding former head coach Sherrone Moore took essentially derailed Michigan's entire season and yet somehow, the Wolverines still went 9-3. With Kyle Whittingham now at the helm, and Jason Beck in charge of the offense, the sky is the limit for No. 19.
"You know, to play at this level in the Big 10 as a true freshman is really hard. So just the ability, just that he went through the whole year doing that, was impressive to be in that kind of situation," Beck said of Underwood. "You’ll absolutely have ups and downs. But to be able to do that was impressive."
With all of that nonsense behind him, Underwood is poised to break out. He now has a dedicated quarterbacks coach, a veteran head coach running the show and making sound decisions and an OC in Beck who is ready to put his talented sophomore in a position to succeed.
"You know, in terms of we just want to get him a lot of reps, a lot of work, try to build around his skill sets, and be able to see him look comfortable," Beck said. "To me, when I watch a quarterback, if their feet are moving a lot, that kind of reflects how they’re thinking, which means they’re thinking fast. They’re a little uncomfortable. They’re a little systematic, getting the reps, getting the work, so that can kind of all slow down, which will naturally happen in your second year of college football. Any time you get all those starts, you know that process is underway. But yeah, just reps, work, teach, develop, and let all that slow down and get more comfortable, especially in the pocket."
Another aspect of Underwood's game that should be improved is in the run game. At 6-4, 230 pounds, Underwood is a freaky athlete who can absolutely fly. Last year, Moore was openly scared to run the quarterback. With Beck, he's going to let Underwood do whatever he does best.
"Do what they do best," Beck said. "And so if they can run, then it’s a weapon, and they’ll be fine. If guys aren’t good runners, then they can get themselves hurt. But if guys are good runners, they’re comfortable doing that, and they excel at it, then you have good success. But that’s just part of playing the position.
"So you do have to be smart about it. You don’t want to run your quarterback 25 times unless you got a bye week or something to get him back. But it does seem to be part of Bryce’s skill set, like doing some of the QB run game. And when he pulls it down and goes, it looks pretty impressive. Now, we’re obviously not live. But we have a whole season of live film of what he did as a runner. And he did a nice job. So we’ll look to build on what he does well and utilize those talents."
And Underwood is certainly ready to do whatever he needs to do in order to move the ball and win games.
"I feel like just going into this year our mindset, whatever our team mindset is, you know, we'll take that into the season. So that's what we're gonna keep working toward," Underwood said. "Overall, for this year, my mindset is whatever my team needs — instead of, like, what do I need to do better? I feel like I'm doing whatever my team needs to be the best.
"I'm just going to use everything that I'm capable to do — everything I was blessed with from God is now going to be shown to the world."
Bryce Underwood is ready for his sophomore season.
Chinnor, who are captained by Luke Carter [front row, third from the left], are currently sixth in Champ Rugby [Getty Images]
A championship rugby club has revealed plans to build a new 5,000-seater stadium to replace its current ground.
Chinnor RFC, whose men's first team are in the second-tier of English rugby, currently play at Kingsey Road in Thame, Oxfordshire - where the capacity is mostly made up of pitchside standing.
The club announced on Tuesday that it was seeking to redevelop the site into a new covered stadium at the end of next season - subject to planning permission.
Under the proposals, the ground would become one of Oxfordshire's largest - exceeded in capacity only by Oxford United's soon-to-be-former home, the Kassam Stadium.
Chinnor's chief executive Simon Vickers explained that the proposals allowed the club to "further our ambitions to always operate at the top level of the league that we are in".
"This may possibly be the most significant infrastructure improvement the Champ has seen for many decades, particularly from a debutant side," he added.
Former England international Nick Easter is the club's director of rugby [Getty Images]
Nick Stainton, the club's chairman, said a "family benefactor" had underwritten the "whole cost" of the new stadium scheme.
He also explained that the new ground would be available for community use, alongside its rugby commitments.
"We remain committed to being a whole-community club at all levels at the club that we have developed over the last 20 years," he said.
"We are particularly proud that we are enhancing our community side to make further outreaches and overwhelmed that the community have embraced our ambitions."
The stadium announcement comes just days after the club revealed that former England international Nick Easter had re-signed as its director of rugby - a position he first took on four years ago.
Reacting to the extension, Easter said the club had "ambition", which had "shone through on and off the field".
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 10: Head Coach Lou Holtz of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (r) sends in a play with wide receiver Tim Brown #81 during an NCAA football game against the University of Michigan September 10, 1988 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Holtz coached the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 1986-1996. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are moments in Notre Dame history that don’t just mark a new season—they signal the beginning of something far greater.
Moments where hope quietly replaces uncertainty.
Moments where you don’t yet know what’s coming . . . but you feel that something is about to change.
In the fall of 1986, Notre Dame found itself searching for that kind of moment.
The Irish had opened the season with back-to-back losses to Michigan and Michigan State. Close games. Painful games. The kind that leave you wondering how far away you really are.
And standing on the sidelines of it all was a new head coach—one who believed, even then, that something better was coming.
His name was Lou Holtz.
Before the championships . . . before the iconic speeches . . . before he became a legend in South Bend . . . there was simply a coach, a team, and a program trying to find its footing again.
And sometimes, it all starts with just one win.
The Hiring of Lou Holtz
Before that first win ever happened . . . before the momentum began to build . . . Notre Dame made a decision that would shape the future of the program.
They hired a coach who believed in discipline, accountability, and doing things the right way—long before the results showed up on the scoreboard.
If you watch closely, you can see it even then.
The conviction. The clarity. The expectation.
Not of instant success—but of something earned.
Here’s a look back at the moment Lou Holtz was introduced as the head coach at Notre Dame:
Lou’s first win at Notre Dame
After back-to-back losses to Michigan and Michigan State, Lou Holtz and his Fighting Irish football squad acquired their first win of the season against the Purdue Boilermakers in front of a home crowd. Below is an excerpt from the Irish Eye, 1986 Football Review (Vol. 7, No. 1, April 25, 1987), written by Karen Croake.
Boilers Permit Irish to Salve Their Frustrations
by Karen Croake
Notre Dame was mad as heck and wasn’t going to take it anymore. After coming so close, but not quite far enough to win, in their first two games, the Fighting Irish were ready to throw a few punches. Even mild-mannered flanker Milt Jackson, who probably would offer tea and cookies to Snidely Whiplash before letting Dudley Do-right tie him to the train tracks, displayed a bit of an Irish temper.
“We were angry,” said Jackson. “We told ourselves we should have won those first two games. There was no way we were going to lose again.”
The 1986 Irish, who didn’t want to go into the record books as the first Notre Dame team to open the season with three—count ’em—three straight losses, had longtime rival Purdue against the ropes most of this sunny, sweltering September afternoon. Coach Lou Holtz’s first victory at Notre Dame came on a 41–9 decision. It also snapped a five-game losing streak that dated back to the 1985 campaign.
“I didn’t doubt that we’d get it eventually,” said the wry coach in the postgame interview. “I felt all along that if we could eliminate some mistakes, we’d be pretty competitive. It’s good to win. I’m happy for the players.”
Notre Dame, indeed, cut down on the miscues that hindered the Irish the first two weeks of the season. And Notre Dame’s running game, which seemed to have left town when Allen Pinkett did, re-emerged on solid efforts by a bevy of backs.
“I didn’t know if we had the ability to run against Purdue,” said Holtz, who watched his Irish gobble up 276 yards of turf. “Defensively, Purdue looked awfully, awfully good against Pittsburgh. That was our key. We felt we had to run inside. That’s where it all starts.”
Actually, Purdue’s demise began with the opening coin toss. The Boilermakers actually won the flip, but game captains Ron Woodson and Jeff Witter inadvertently conveyed to the game officials that they would defend a goal instead of declining the decision and letting the Irish make the choice. Purdue coach Leon Burtnett figured he was in for a long, hot afternoon in his yellow sweater.
“The official came over and told me, ‘Coach, you’re not going to believe what your kids did,’ and I knew right then that it was going to be one of those days.”
Burtnett was right. Things went from bad to worse for the Boilermakers. But the customary home crowd of 59,075 loved it.
Notre Dame turned the opening kickoff into a touchdown for a lead it never relinquished. Tailback Mark Green, who led the ground game with 73 yards on 17 carries, gained 20 on the first drive. Quarterback Steve Beuerlein hit Tim Brown and Jackson for catches of 17 and 29 yards, respectively. Fullback Pernell Taylor finally plowed over left tackle for the two-yard touchdown run.
“I was getting a little tired of hearing we couldn’t run the ball,” said Green, who also caught one pass for seven yards. “We knew we were able to run the ball today. The line came off the ball great, opened up a lot of seams and we just knocked it down their throats.”
But Purdue also choked on a couple bobbles of its own.
In the first quarter, Woodson, everybody’s All-American at cornerback, returned Dan Sorensen’s punt 43 yards to give the Boilermakers excellent field position at their own 49-yard line. But on the second play from scrimmage, tailback Jerry Chaney mishandled the exchange and outside linebacker Cedric Figaro snatched up the football on the Purdue 44.
With backup quarterback Terry Andrysiak at the controls, the Irish moved all the way to the Boilermaker one-yard line. Two consecutive clipping penalties negated an Andrysiak touchdown run and pushed Notre Dame back to the Purdue 25. The Irish had to settle for a 42-yard field goal from John Carney.
Already trailing 10–0, the Boilers handed the Irish another golden opportunity when James Medlock fumbled on his own 20. Dave Butler recovered for Notre Dame.
Four plays later, freshman fullback Anthony Johnson, who had bulldozed his way for 10 yards on the first two carries of the drive, burst through left tackle for two yards and the score. Carney’s PAT gave the Irish a 17–0 lead.
Both Holtz and Burtnett agreed that those turnovers were critical to each team’s performance.
“Those two turnovers sure set the tempo,” said Holtz. “The only thing I was worried about after that was letting them back in the game.”
But the Boilers weren’t going to play Spoilermakers before the ABC television cameras this time.
“The turnovers in the game killed us,” admitted Burtnett, whose team fell to 1–2. “We knew we couldn’t afford to do that in a game like this. They were out there so much our defensive kids were out of it.”
Purdue’s defense was on the field for 11 minutes in the first quarter.
“Our kids were beat after that,” said Burtnett.
Notre Dame upped that insurmountable advantage to 24–0 with just under five minutes left in the half. After Beuerlein scrambled for a 12-yard gain and a first down at the Purdue 35, the senior quarterback pump faked and lobbed a scoring strike to Jackson at the goal line. Jackson, who caught four passes for 107 yards against the Boilermakers, had suggested the passing route to his coach.
“It was an out and up and when I ran it before, they sat on it,” explained Jackson. “I told coach if I ran an ‘L’, I could beat them. I knew Woodson would be closing in, but I just wanted to concentrate on the ball because I had dropped one like that at Michigan State.”
Purdue threatened to put some points on the board before the intermission, but on first and 10 from the Irish 34-yard line, freshman quarterback Jeff George was intercepted by cornerback Marv Spence at the Irish 23.
“I just wish we could have had a better effort on both offense and defense,” said George, who wound up turning in the best performance of his three-game-old college career. “We just were not consistent. The fumbles in the first period hurt us, but I really can’t say who was at fault. We’ll take a look at the film and decide what caused them.”
George completed 28 of 43 passes for 241 yards and only one interception.
But even a dazzling halftime performance by the Purdue All-American Marching Band couldn’t rouse the Boilermakers’ comatose running game. Only two Purdue backs rushed for positive yardage as the Boilers mustered only 12 yards on the ground in the first 30 minutes.
“We felt if we allowed them to run the football and mix it with the pass, then they would be difficult to stop,” said Holtz.
But the only ones difficult to stop were the Irish, who kept right on coming.
Notre Dame opened the second half with three quick points. Carney kicked the second longest field goal of his career—a 49-yarder against a 15-mile-per-hour wind. He previously had booted a 51-yard field goal against SMU in the Aloha Bowl.
“We talked all week about having a chip on our shoulder,” said Carney, who had been frustrated by a couple of missed kicks against Michigan and Michigan State. “We had the chip on our shoulder today and it’s going to stay there. It’s been a tough two weeks. The whole team has been really high strung.”
Purdue avoided the whitewash on its next drive. George passed the Boilers deep into Notre Dame territory. Chaney scored on a three-yard touchdown run over right tackle, but the two-point conversion attempt fell short when linebacker Mike Kovaleski hammered Chaney before he could reach the end zone.
The Boilermakers added three more points after Taylor fumbled on the Purdue 36. Jonathan Briggs kicked a 22-yard field goal.
“I didn’t want the team to drive all that way and come up empty,” explained Burtnett. “We were pretty much out of it by then. If our defense could have stopped them, maybe we could have gotten going.”
But that was all she wrote for the Boilers as Notre Dame’s offense continued to unload its frustrations from the past two weekends.
After an onside kick backfired and gave the Irish possession on the Purdue 42, Beuerlein went to work. He hit Jackson for 17 yards along the Notre Dame sideline. On third and two from the 13, Johnson hurdled through the middle of the line, shrugged off a tackler at the five and stretched for the goal line and the touchdown.
“I know where the goal line is,” said the former all-star soccer star from John Adams High School in South Bend. “They teach us to run north and south and fall forward.”
Johnson, who spent last season as a messenger for the ushers in Notre Dame Stadium, now is delivering points and yardage. He ran eight times for 34 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“Anthony is the kind of guy who makes things happen,” said Holtz. “He just amazes me. He’s a valuable football player.
“He’s sort of bruised up. He’s the one that breaks up the wedge on kickoffs. It’s not that he’s supposed to, he just always seems to get there.”
With a 34–9 lead in his pocket, Holtz pulled out the horses and inserted his number-two offense. But Andrysiak wanted to redeem himself after his appearance in the first quarter netted only three points. The Irish moved 42 yards in five plays and scored on Green’s zig-zag run of 27 yards.
Carney’s final kick accounted for the 41–9 score.
###
Looking back now, it’s easy to focus on what came later.
The national championship. The iconic moments. The legacy that still echoes through Notre Dame today.
But every legacy has a beginning.
And sometimes, that beginning doesn’t look like dominance or greatness right away. Sometimes it looks like frustration. Like lessons learned the hard way. Like a team determined not to let another opportunity slip away.
That afternoon against Purdue wasn’t just a 41–9 win.
It was a release.
A reset.
A reminder of what Notre Dame football could be—and what it was going to become.
Lou Holtz didn’t build his legacy in a single game.
But in that first win, you could start to see it taking shape.
The discipline. The toughness. The belief.
And maybe that’s what makes this moment so special.
Because long before the banners and the headlines . . . there was just a team that was “mad as heck,” a coach who never doubted, and the first step toward something unforgettable.
Johnny Kinzinger scored the first six points for the Redbirds while Chase Walker and Boden Skunberg each added layups to give them a 10-0 lead. UD called a timeout, but Mason Klabo’s trey extended the deficit to 13-0.
UD went on a 10-4 run to cut ISU’s lead to 17-10. Malcolm Thomas’ layup got the Flyers within five, 19-14.
The Redbirds scored 12 straight points to expand it to 31-14. Dayton cut the halftime deficit to 33-23.
Illinois State increased its lead to as many as 19 points, 53-34, with 9:05 remaining. UD scored 14 straight points, capped by L’Etang’s three-pointer, to cut it to 53-48 with 2:26 to play.
It was as close as the Flyers got as the Redbirds made six free throws to help seal the game.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Aaron Judge went hitless on opening day for the first time and struck out four times for the first time since September 2024, but the New York Yankees still produced plenty of offense and beat San Francisco 7-0 Wednesday night in the debut of Giants manager Tony Vitello as the major league season began.
José Caballero drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in a five-run second and also lost the first challenge taken to Major League Baseball’s so-called robot umpire, unsuccessfully appealing a strike by Logan Webb in the fourth.
Max Fried (1-0) allowed two hits in 6 1/3 innings to became just the fifth Yankees pitcher since 1969 with at least 6 1/3 shutout innings on opening day, joining Catfish Hunter (1977), Ron Guidry (1980), Rick Rhoden (1988) and David Cone (1996). New York won an opener with a shutout on the road for the first time since 1967.
Webb (0-1) started the fourth inning with a 90.7 mph sinker on the upper, inner corner that was called a strike by Bill Miller, a major league umpire since 1997. Caballero tapped his helmet, and the 12 Hawk-Eye cameras of the Automated Ball-Strike System upheld Miller’s decision in a graphic shown on the Oracle Park scoreboard.
Caballero singled in the second and Ryan McMahon followed with a two-run single before Austin Wells’ single prompted a mound visit for Webb. Trent Grisham hit a two-run triple and was checked by medical staff after a hard slide into third.
Webb, a 15-game winner last season making his fifth start on opening day, was tagged for six earned runs — seven in all — and nine hits over five innings.
The Brooklyn Nets (17-56) have been looking to win a game for quite some time as they began their current west coast road trip on a six-game losing streak. Brooklyn went into San Francisco, California hoping to get a win over a hobbled Golden State Warriors (35-38) team that just lost Moses Moody for the season, but the Nets weren't able to take advantage of the opportunity.
The Nets lost at the Warriors on Wednesday 109-106 despite forcing Golden State to commit 26 turnovers, leading to 28 points for Brooklyn in front of a hostile Chase Center crowd. Forward Ziaire Williams once again led the way for the Nets with his 19 points and six steals while forward Jalen Wilson continued to take advantage of the extra playing time as he dropped 15 points and three rebounds.
The Nets held their own against Draymond Green and Golden State through the first three quarters, amassing as much as a 13-point lead in the game before the Warriors made their comeback in the fourth quarter. Green did his part as the veteran by stuffing the stat sheet (seven points, five rebounds, three assists) for Golden State, but Gui Santos was the star for the Warriors with his game-leading 31 points in 35 minutes.
This was yet another game where Brooklyn was being tasked with executing in the clutch (defined as a game within five points in the last five minutes) and the result was another loss. Despite the Nets shooting well on the offensive end (48.1% from the field, 36.4% from three-point land), they still have a losing streak as Golden State out-rebounded Brooklyn 43-27 and was 28-of-36 from the free-throw line.
In the end, the Nets did what they could to be in position to win on the road, especially when considering that Williams, center Nic Claxton, and forward Terance Mann did not play in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Brooklyn comes out of Wednesday's loss at the Warriors with a nine-game losing streak and the Nets will be hoping to pull off a major upset of Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
A fortnight ago, the reigning world champions suffered a disastrous Sunday in Shanghai when Norris was unable to get to the starting grid, with the team scrambling to fix what was described as an electronics issue on the power unit side. Soon after, Piastri suffered a similar looking issue while already on the grid, with the Australian's car having to be wheeled back as both drivers failed to start the grand prix.
After the race, team boss Andrea Stella said it was "quite exceptional" that McLaren suffered "two terminal problems pretty much at the same time on the same component, which in this case is on the electrical side of the power unit."
Following further investigation by McLaren's power unit provider Mercedes HPP, both Norris and Piastri were struck by battery issues of a different nature.
Motorsport.com understands Norris' battery was plagued by a software problem that bricked the battery and made it unusable, and it is believed the unit is permanently damaged and removed from Norris' component pool.
Piastri was instead understood to be struck by a hardware issue with an auxiliary component connecting the battery, and there is some optimism the Australian's battery can continue to be used after fixing the individual part.
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Norris' battery failure could have lingering side-effects further down the road for the world champion if he suffers more battery-related reliability issues, having now lost one of his three batteries for the year. Drivers are usually allowed to use just two batteries, or energy stores per season, although they are exceptionally allowed an additional example of each power unit component in 2026 to help ease teams into the all-new regulations.
"Of course, it hurt us as a team," Norris said on Thursday in Suzuka ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. "It certainly didn't make us look good to have two cars not starting a race. I think what hurt more is the fact it was out of our control.
"But with HPP, we've worked hard to figure things out, to understand how it happened, why it happened. And of course, we'll do everything we can to make sure it doesn't happen again. But you live and you learn.
"It was a tough one for all of us. None of us want to have a weekend like that and especially start a Sunday like that. So yeah, it hurt a lot. But I think at the same time, a good time for us to learn and step back and move on to this weekend."
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gui Santos scored a career-high 31 points, Draymond Green made two clutch free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining and the Golden State Warriors beat the Brooklyn Nets 109-106 on Wednesday to clinch a play-in spot.
Brandin Podziemski had 22 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Warriors (35-38), who won their first game at Chase Center since returning from a grueling 2-4 road trip.
Kristaps Porzingis added 17 points and De’Anthony Melton had 14, including a pair of free throws in the final seconds, as Golden State beat Brooklyn in San Francisco for the first time since Dec. 16, 2023.
Ziaire Williams had 19 points for the Nets, who have lost nine straight. Jalen Wilson added 15 points off the bench while Ben Saraf had 14 points and seven rebounds.
The sellout at Chase Center was the 600th consecutive sellout for the Warriors, the sixth-longest streak in NBA history.
The Nets led most of the game, trailed going into the fourth then wore down over the final 12 minutes. Brooklyn shot 8 for 20 (2 for 9 behind the arc) down the stretch.
Still without injured star Stephen Curry, the Warriors committed 15 turnovers in the first two quarters and had trouble running their offense with much consistency.
The Nets also got off to a sluggish start and missed 10 of their first 15 shots before Williams warmed up. The former first-round draft pick repeatedly attacked through the paint and scored 11 points to help Brooklyn to a 58-50 halftime lead.
Golden State pulled within 63-62 midway through the third before Powell made consecutive 3-pointers to get Brooklyn on track.
Based on his stats and perhaps even the eye test, Bronny James hasn't made any strides this season as a second-year player in the pros. He put up strong numbers in the G League last year as a rookie, but his scoring, rebounds and assists per game are down this year, and he hasn't shown much, if anything, or note when he has appeared in games at the NBA level for the Los Angeles Lakers.
But his shooting efficiency in the G League has improved, and on Wednesday, he did show a very small glimpse of what he could be capable of when the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers137-130. With veteran guard Marcus Smart out of action, he got 13 minutes of playing time and made two of four shots, giving him four points, plus one rebound, one assist, two steals and one block.
Coach JJ Redick said that James has improved lately and explained how that has been the case.
“He’s gotten significantly better,” Redick said. “I know our staff has a lot of confidence in him. I felt like this was a game we really needed him. It was a game that his athleticism, his defense… he had two really really good defensive possessions, individual defense in the first half.
“I think the biggest thing with him, he’s got a lot of confidence right now — I know he didn't make his 3 tonight, but he’s got a lot of confidence in his shot right now. He’s having a fantastic season with South Bay.
“He’s been arguably the best player for the last three or four weeks in our stay-ready games — every single time. He’s got a bounce to his step right now. I think that just comes from developing that confidence.”
Luka Doncic, who scored 43 points versus Indiana, said he has also seen improvement in the 21-year-old guard.
“Definitely a big improvement from last year,” Doncic said. “I saw him in training camp, he was doing some stuff that I was really impressed with. He did a great job today. Big game for him, that pull-up 2, it was a big bucket. It was one of the most important shots of the game.”
James has a very long way to go before he definitively proves he belongs in the rotation of an NBA team based on his own merits. But he reportedly has a solid attitude and work ethic, and combined with his athletic gifts, that attitude and work ethic could keep him in the league for quite some time.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gui Santos scored a career-high 31 points, Draymond Green made two clutch free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining and the Golden State Warriors beat the Brooklyn Nets 109-106 on Wednesday to clinch a play-in spot.
Brandin Podziemski had 22 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Warriors (35-38), who won their first game at Chase Center since returning from a grueling 2-4 road trip.
Kristaps Porzingis added 17 points and De’Anthony Melton had 14, including a pair of free throws in the final seconds, as Golden State beat Brooklyn in San Francisco for the first time since Dec. 16, 2023.
Ziaire Williams had 19 points for the Nets, who have lost nine straight. Jalen Wilson added 15 points off the bench while Ben Saraf had 14 points and seven rebounds.
The sellout at Chase Center was the 600th consecutive sellout for the Warriors, the sixth-longest streak in NBA history,
The Nets led most of the game, trailed going into the fourth then wore down over the final 12 minutes. Brooklyn shot 8 for 20 (2 for 9 behind the arc) down the stretch.
Still without injured star Stephen Curry, the Warriors committed 15 turnovers in the first two quarters and had trouble running their offense with much consistency.
The Nets also got off to a sluggish start and missed 10 of their first 15 shots before Williams warmed up. The former first-round draft pick repeatedly attacked through the paint and scored 11 points to help Brooklyn to a 58-50 halftime lead.
Golden State pulled within 63-62 midway through the third before Powell made consecutive 3-pointers to get Brooklyn on track.
Jan 13, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Ryder Frost (7) shoots against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images | Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
The bad news for the Notre Dame basketball continues as Ryder Frost will be following Garrett Sundra and Sir Mohammed into the transfer portal.
Our football-fried minds are likely trained to tune out the number “three” as something small and replaceable — especially when it comes to non-starters. This is, however, most definitely NOT football, and that is probably some of the problem.
When sophomores Sir Mohammed and Garrett Sundra and freshman Ryder Frost announced plans to enter the transfer portal, which opens April 7, it had little to do with a chance to make more money elsewhere as it did the chance to play more minutes elsewhere. Somewhere. Anywhere but here.
The three, for myriad reasons, never became key rotation players in Shrewsberry’s system. Each leave for more opportunity on the basketball court. The next three expected to exit ― Markus Burton (a Michiana native), Cole Certa (Shrewsberry’s first recruit to Notre Dame) and Jalen Haralson (the highest-rated recruit in program history) ― will depart, in large part, to deepen their bank accounts.
Noie is confident in his prediction of the departures, and anyone saying it would be a “gut punch” doesn’t know what it feels like to have your head smashed on a sticky basement floor. That is to say… the combination of those 6 departures is far worse than what you might be thinking, and even worse with the retention of Micah Shrewsberry.
Attorney General James Uthmeier Credit: James Uthmeier/x
NEED TO KNOW
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is asking the NFL to suspend its Rooney Rule
The practice was first implemented in 2003 to combat “historically low numbers of minorities in head coaching positions”
“NFL teams and their fans don’t care about the race of the coaching staff,” Uthmeier said
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is speaking out against the NFL’s Rooney Rule, asking that the hiring practice be suspended.
In a post to X on Wednesday, March 25, Uthmeier, 38, shared a video in which he referred to “race-based hiring practices” as "discrimination."
“Ahead of the annual meeting, my office is sending a letter to the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell regarding the league’s hiring practices,” Uthmeier said, referring to the league's upcoming annual meeting in Phoenix. “Specifically, the use of the so-called Rooney Rule, which requires NFL teams to interview candidates based on race.”
Professional sports are a visible example of a merit-based system, but through the Rooney Rule, the NFL requires its teams to use race-based hiring practices.
We are putting Commissioner Roger Goodell on notice: the Rooney Rule violates Florida law, and it must stop. pic.twitter.com/g8La6TzUZw
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) March 25, 2026
“The NFL’s use of the Rooney Rule violates Florida law by requiring race-based considerations in hiring. Florida law is clear. Hiring decisions cannot be based on race, and the Rooney Rule mandates race-based interviews and incentivizes race-based decisions. That’s discrimination,” he continued.
Uthmeier demanded that the NFL suspend the Rooney Rule, adding that failure to comply could “result in enforcement actions against the league.”
“NFL teams and their fans don’t care about the race of the coaching staff. They want a merit-based system that gives their team the best chance to win,” he concluded.
In his letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Uthmeier writes that the Rooney Rule violates Florida law, according to the Florida Phoenix. Uthmeier gave Goodell a May 1 deadline to confirm that the NFL would "no longer enforce the Rooney Rule or any variation or extension thereof—which requires consideration of race, sex, or any other prohibited classification—on teams in Florida," he wrote.
Florida is home to three NFL teams: the Miami Dolphins, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
PEOPLE reached out to the NFL for comment.
The Rooney Rule, which was named after late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, was first implemented by the NFL in 2003 upon the recommendation of the league’s Workplace Diversity Committee, now known as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee.
The practice was established to combat “historically low numbers of minorities in head coaching positions” by granting qualified candidates the opportunity to be considered for positions within the organization.
The rule requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates for head coach, general manager and coordinator positions. Teams are also required to interview one minority candidate for the quarterback coach position. In recent years, the rule has been expanded to include more positions within team organizations. In 2022, the Rooney Rule was later expanded to include women as part of the minority candidates following that year’s Spring League Meeting.
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Other practices implemented throughout the years include the Coach Accelerator program that was created “as a platform for clubs and owners to engage with qualified coaching candidates from diverse backgrounds.”
The accelerator program was paused in 2025, but was reportedly reinstated for 2026, ESPN reported on March 11, citing a memo sent to teams. The program will be held during the May league meetings, will include nonminority participants, and is set to shift focus to more senior-level candidates, according to ESPN.
It appears as if the wheels are once again in motion for a return to the Octagon by former UFC champion Conor McGregor.
Using social media, "Notorious" let it be known that, "The rumors are true!" in regards to his return to competition. McGregor has not fought for the UFC since a July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier.
"Mr. Confidence returns to save fighting again," McGregor posted on Instagram. "Call your grandma! Nanny we did it! Watch and pay me. (Expletive) you pay me. You fat Irish prick you don't have any money I put your brain to sleep.
"See ya's in the casinos after, the Mac loves ya's all, I got love for ya's all it's an honor it's light work it's easy."
The former two-division champion is targeted for a possible fight in July during the annual International Fight Week put on by the UFC.
"For life and eternity, it's McGregor," he wrote. "Big Money Mac Daddy McGregor. I expect fawning of the highest for life. I do this fight game easy peezy. The sound of my shots off the head go 'bing' in green dot laser form.
"Watch divine magic when I fight. Hey Paramount Plus, see you guys soon. I'm so excited. And born ready!"
Conor McGregor Not Part Of UFC White House Event
Early rumors centered around McGregor returning during the upcoming UFC White House event. However, that card has since been announced, and he is not part of it.
Instead, the Nevada Athletic Commission could determine the date of McGregor's return. During a meeting on Wednesday, the NAC approved July 11 for what would be UFC 329, lining up with the July International Fight Week plans.
McGregor competed in July in both 2015 and 2014, besting Chad Mendes for the interim featherweight title in 2015 while defeating Diego Brandao in 2014.
The Minnesota Timberwolves might have just recorded the win of the season.
The T-Wolves completed an unprecedented comeback on Wednesday, erasing a 13-point comeback in overtime to stun the Houston Rockets while short-handed. The Rockets scored the first 13 points overtime, then Minnesota scored 15 unanswered points in front of a raucous Target Center crowd.
Per Jace Frederick of the Pioneer Press, they are the first team of the NBA play-by-play era (since 1996-97) to overcome a 13-point overtime deficit.
The Rockets scored on the first six possessions of overtime to take a 108-95 lead with 3:01 remaining, then the Timberwolves scored on the next six possessions. Julius Randle capped things off with a fadeaway jumper.
JULIUS RANDLE HITS THE GO-AHEAD JUMPER!
AFTER TRAILING BY 13 POINTS IN OT, THE TIMBERWOLVES CLOSE OUT THE GAME ON A 15-0 RUN TO STORM BACK AND WIN BY 2 AT HOME 🤯 pic.twitter.com/YdmtZWEeNa
Minnesota was without star Anthony Edwards and key reserve Ayo Dosunmu to start the game. Then Jaden McDaniels exited with an apparent injury in the fourth quarter, Rudy Gobert fouled out at the end of regulation and Naz Reid got Scott Foster’d a minute into overtime.
The former Sixth Man of the Year was ejected by the notorious official for something he said about a questionable replay decision involving Alperen Şengün.
With Edwards out, McDaniels led the Timberwolves in scoring with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting, while Randle had 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Gobert and Reid combined for 27 rebounds.
It’s hard to think of a comeback more shocking than winning after being down 13 in the span of three minutes while missing five rotation players. And it’s hard to think of a loss more disheartening than what the Rockets just did, especially with the team in search of momentum in a month where they are currently 5-6.
Had the Timberwolves lost, the Rockets would have leapfrogged them for fifth place in the Western Conference and won the season series. Instead, they remain in fifth at 45-28 and can take the tiebreaker with a win in Houston on April 10.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard had 27 points, Darius Garland added 24, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Toronto Raptors 119-94 on Wednesday night.
Bennedict Mathurin had 23 off the bench and Brook Lopez scored 11 of his 14 points in the first quarter for the Clippers, who have won three in a row.
Los Angeles stayed a half-game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers for eighth in the Western Conference.
Brandon Ingram had 18 points, Sandro Mamukelashvili chipped in with 13, but the Raptors have now lost three straight.
Toronto dropped into sixth in the Eastern Conference, one game behind the Atlanta Hawks, and is a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers in seventh.
With Lopez setting the tone, the Clippers outscored the Raptors 23-9 over the final 6:10 of the first quarter to open a 14-point lead.
The Raptors found themselves trailing by 22 in the second quarter before a late 11-1 run cut the gap. However, Toronto could have cut into the advantage even more had it capitalized better on 10 offensive rebounds or from the free-throw line, where it shot 14.3% (1 for 7) in the period.
Mamukelashvili knocked down consecutive 3-pointers as the Raptors tried to make one more push late in the third quarter, only for the Clippers to pull away again, with Garland making a 35-footer at the buzzer.
Los Angeles was 19 for 24 from the free-throw line and outscored Toronto there by 15 points.
Raptors center Jakob Poeltl was briefly forced out of the game after sustaining a cut near his left eye going up for a rebound early in the second quarter and finished with 10 points.
HARRISON, N.J. — Denver Summit FC won their first match in franchise history Wednesday night over the 2025 NWSL champions, Gotham FC.
After a strong first half featuring plenty of offensive control, Denver capitalized on two massive defensive errors in the 58th and 73rd minutes, ending the historic night with a 2-0 win.
Forward Melissa Kössler beat Gotham defender Jess Carter in a foot race to find herself face-to-face with goalkeeper and fellow German international Ann-Katrin Berger. Kössler shot the ball, which slipped through Berger’s legs, as Sports Illustrated Stadium fell quiet. It was Kössler’s third goal this season, tying Orlando’s Barbra Banda for most goals scored this year.
Fifteen minutes later, Denver forward Natasha Flint won a ball that Gotham’s backline mishandled. Her aggressive press allowed her to win possession from Berger. Flint followed with a smooth finish to give Denver its second goal and her first in the NWSL.
“It’s a huge 3 points to take into the game this weekend,” Flint said after the match. “It’s what we need. It’s what we deserve. I think we can just grow from (Wednesday).”
Denver Summit will carry this momentum toward their home opener next weekend at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos. The fixture is on track to be the most-attended NWSL match in history, with more than 55,000 tickets sold.
The club has been on a steady upward trajectory. Its first match was a 2-1 loss to Bay FC, hampered by a red card that forced the team to play a player down beginning in the 27th minute. The team secured its first point last weekend after a 1-1 draw with Orlando.
Denver’s upswing was fueled by the late additions of attacking duo Delanie Sheehan and Yazmeen Ryan in a major trade with Houston Dash. The pair was at Gotham before playing in Texas, helping guide the club to its first championship in 2023.
“It’s always good to beat your old team,” Ryan told The Athletic, smiling. “It feels natural here as well, playing in the stadium, since we were here for two years. It’s always a feeling of home, still coming back here. So, we always love playing in the stadium and getting to compete against that group.”
When Sheehan and Ryan signed with Denver, they joined former Gotham teammate and goalkeeper Abby Smith, also a 2023 champion. Smith had a massive save late in the second half as Gotham tried desperately to score. Despite major depth in the New Jersey club’s attack, it has only scored one goal in three matches.
Gotham remains without some key regulars, including Bruninha, whose absence on the wing is evident, and veteran defender Mandy Freeman. Midfielder Jaedyn Shaw, whose creativity in the midfield carried Gotham to their second NWSL championship in 2025, also remains out because of a hamstring injury.
For Denver, meanwhile, bringing in Ryan and Sheehan only bolstered the expansion side’s attack. The pair was critical in helping create chances in the attacking third against Gotham. The players fit in seamlessly to head coach Nick Cushing’s system, even as late additions to the roster.
For Cushing, winning at Sports Illustrated Stadium, formerly Red Bull Arena, “felt familiar.” The former MLS head coach spent two seasons at NYCFC, with one of his last memories at the club a 5-1 win over rivals New York Red Bulls in 2024. Securing Denver’s first win over the reigning NWSL champions was special because it represented what’s next for his team.
“This is a process for us, because we’re (an) expansion (club). Of course, we are incredibly impatient and really ambitious, but we have to work through the process,” Cushing said. “We showed glimpses through preseason. We were disappointed in (the game against) Bay, showed real patches and periods of good play in the Orlando game. And, (Wednesday) to sustain that throughout, defensively and offensively, was really important for us, with the (upcoming) home opener, but also really important for us in the journey and the process.
“We know there’s going to be difficult moments. We know there’s going to be enjoyable moments. We just want to increase them. And tonight, it’s definitely one of those.”
The fourth quarter ended tied at 95 after a wild play where Rudy Gobert blocked a Kevin Durant jumper before eventually fouling out on the inbounds play.
Houston then turned the ball over, rather than getting an opportunity for a game winner. Thankfully Alpi got a game saving block on Julius Randle's fastbreak drive.
Now having to test their 1-6 record in overtime, the Rockets looked to get things handled in the next five minutes.
Minnesota continued to fall apart as Houston’s run extended to 24-2. Their 13-0 start to the extra period should’ve secured the win, but Minnesota responded with 13 unanswered points of their own.
With 55.5 seconds remaining, things were knotted at 108. Houston failed to score, allowing Julius Randle’s elbow jumper to give the Wolves the lead with 8.8 seconds left.
Durant missed Houston’s first free throw of the game with 3.3 on the game clock, forcing him to intentionally miss the second. He did just that, and the Rockets even got lucky enough to have the Wolves poke it out of bounds.
Now with one final chance to get a bucket and send it to another overtime or just walk out a winner, possibly the worst outcome possible happened. They failed to even get a shot off.
The Rockets didn't even really get the ball inbounds, as it was tipped out of play before anyone could get possession. However, with only 1.1 on the clock at the time, there was no more time left by the time the ball was called dead. Final score 110-108 with the Timberwolves coming out on top.
With Opening Night in the books, MLB's traditional Opening Day has arrived, and the Mets and Pirates will lead off a full day of baseball.
Paul Skenes will be the Opening Day starter for Pittsburgh after winning the 2025 NL Cy Young Award. Skenes, who posted a league-leading 1.97 ERA last season, is coming off a strong performance at the World Baseball Classic with Team USA.
The Mets will send offseason addition Freddy Peralta to the mound. Led by Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, New York is hoping to reach the playoffs after a disastrous 2025 campaign.
Here is everything you need to know about Pirates vs. Mets, including TV and streaming options for Thursday's game.
Mets vs. Pirates will air nationally on NBC. Matt Vasgersian will provide play-by-play alongside analysts Al Leiter and Neil Walker. The game can also be streamed on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users.
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Mets vs. Pirates start time
Date: Thursday, March 26
Time: 1:15 p.m. ET
Pirates vs. Mets is scheduled to start at 1:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 26. The game will be played at Citi Field in New York.
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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 03: Byron Buxton #25 of Team USA signs autographs prior to the 2026 World Baseball Classic exhibition game presented by Capital One between Team USA and San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Welcome one and all to Twins Opening Day! As always, we will have our game thread up this afternoon to make predictions about the rest of the season based off a single game, but for now you can read our predictions before a single game is played. All your favorite Twinkie Town writers have pitched in their thoughts. Leave yours as well!
Who will be the Twins’ best hitter in 2026?
Ben Jones: Byron Buxton this, Luke Keaschall that. How about Matt Wallner? He has major flaws but he’s also not that far away from being one of the best hitters in baseball, frankly. Wallner has his best season as pro, hits 45 dongs, and leads the team in every major offensive category including, yes, strikeouts.
Matt Monitto: Seeing a lot of buzz for a Luke Keaschall breakout, and I have to agree with it, especially if he bats leadoff ahead of Buxton: that would suggest pitchers go after him to avoid facing Buck with men on, giving him more chances to hit.
Zach Koenig: I think we may have seen the apex of Buxton in 2025. Now, slightly-regression Buxton may still be the best hitter on this squad, but I’m gonna go with Luke Keaschall. He really impressed me last year I sometimes wonder if he hadn’t gotten hurt maybe the Pohlads wouldn’t have gone scorched earth on the bit. Extremely inexperienced, I know, but that speed really plays.
James Filmore: Byron Buxton
John Foley: Byron Buxton. It’s still best to look at things for Buck on a rate basis, even after he played in 126 games last year (his most since 2017), but we shouldn’t overthink this question. Since the 2020 campaign, Buxton has solidified his place as one of the game’s premier sluggers. By isolated slugging, Buxton trails only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani over that span.
John Von Mosch (aka our good friend Imakesandwichesforaliving): Byron Buxton. He’ll carry over from last season. Maybe a 30-30 season??
Hans Hollander: Buxton continues to be a star with another fantastic season…this time earning top-10 MVP honors.
Who will be the Twins’ best pitcher in 2026?
Ben Jones: This was a more fun question back when Pablo Lopez was healthy and Bailey Ober could crack 90 MPH on his fastball. Now, the only real answer is Joe Ryan. However, I’ll add a caveat that I think there’s like a 80% chance Ryan is dealt at the deadline, leaving space for someone to catch him on overall impact. In that case, 2027 All-Star Taj Bradley is on the case.
Matt Monitto: Joe Ryan for as long as he remains a Twin.
Zach Koenig: I’m going chalk here with the Joe Ryan Experience. When he’s right, he’s a top-flight MLB starter. With Pablo out, I don’t see an obvious challenger to that mantle.
James Filmore: Joe Ryan
John Foley: Joe Ryan for the first half of the season. Again, let’s not overthink it. Who will be the best pitcher in the second half is anyone’s guess because Ryan won’t be with the Twins past the trade deadline. If the outlook going into 2027 is going to be improved over this past winter, the answer needs to be Taj Bradley and Mick Abel.
Sandwiches: Joe Ryan. I think he’s the only pitcher on the staff, isn’t he?
Hans Hollander: Joe Ryan will lead the staff…and will stay with the Twins for the entire year! And, as a unit, the rotation is tops in the division. As for the bullpen, Taylor Rogers regains the closer title and leads the team with saves.
Who will be their breakout star?
Ben Jones: I really think Brooks Lee puts it together this year. That doesn’t mean he’s suddenly a mid-order bat, but a .750 OPS and 20 home runs would unironically make him one the Twins’ three most important position players. With Kaelen Culpepper on his heels, he’ll feel the pressure to get back to his top-prospect status and it’s now or never.
Matt Monitto: I already said Keaschall, but I’m going to add another and say Eric Orze becomes a high-leverage option in the bullpen. My justification is that I had Orze as a solid relief options for several seasons in my Twins Out of the Park save, so I’m rooting for him.
Zach Koenig: A bit of a swerve here, but I’ll say manager Derek Shelton. I know from all accounts that Rocco seemed to be really good behind the scenes with player relationships. But to me, that never translated to fans. He never showed much emotion and, quite frankly, at times (too many times, by the end) didn’t seem to be having much fun at all. I’ve heard a few Shelton interviews and he seems to bring a new energy.
James Filmore: Taj Bradley because the Twins are due for a great young starter.
John Foley: Austin Martin in a nearly everyday super utility role. (Editor’s note: the heart yearns for 2024 All-Star Willi Castro)
Sandwiches: I have a feeling Luke Keaschall will tear it up this year.
Hans Hollander: Austin Martin proves he belongs in the lineup, leading off more than any other Twin.
Which top prospect will have the greatest impact in 2026?
Ben Jones: I don’t think he’s the best of the Twins’ top 100 quartet, but the answer here is probably Connor Prielipp. Minnesota’s bullpen is so vacant of impact arms that he would probably be their best reliever right now. As it stands, he’s in St. Paul working as a starter, but the Twins will likely want to lighten his load as the season wears on, giving him a chance to step in as their best reliever down the stretch.
Matt Monitto: Gabriel Gonzalez because eventually they’ll call up a right-handed-hitting outfielder.
Zach Koenig: I have to plead the fifth on this one, as I simply do not follow the minor leagues or prospects enough to have an informed opinion. As I always say, a player “becomes real” to me when he hits the majors. (Editor’s note: that makes Zach’s answer 30-year-old career minor league catcher David Bañuelos according to the TT bylaws. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.)
James Filmore: Prielipp because his name sounds kinda kinky.
John Foley: Mick Abel. His improvement in throwing strikes last year appears to have carried over into this spring. Abel has been hard to square up throughout his minor league career and generates frequent ground balls when hitters do put it in play. Avoiding free passes at a much higher rate has changed the trajectory of his outlook.
Sandwiches: I’ll have to go with Emmanuel Rodriguez. I don’t keep tabs on the prospects well enough, but I think he’s been healthy and had a great spring. He’ll get the nod at some point and impress folks.
Hans Hollander: Culpepper ends the season as the starting shortstop, starting to make Twins fans optimistic about the position.
Predict the Twins’ final record and whether or not they make the playoffs.
Ben Jones: Most projection systems have the Twins between 78-80 wins. Outside of the bullpen, I think that’s about where they stand as a team with the opportunity for more if some combination of Wallner, Larnach, Roden, Lewis, Lee, Martin, and Bell can turn into true mid-order bats. That’s about where you want to live as a team who is mid-rebuild (despite what Tom Pohlad will tell you). Bullpens are fickle and it’s just as likely that Cole Sands has the best year of his life that the entire thing implodes. I’ll be the positive one and say they finish 85-77 and sneak into the final Wild Card slot.
Matt Monitto: 64-98, but incredibly, they finish first in the Central after a string of tornadoes sweeps through opposing clubhouses and leaves them without uniforms for the entire sea— actually, no, they finish last.
Zach Koenig: No playoffs—I just don’t see even a Wild Card berth happening. I do think this squad still has enough talent to not be 92+ loss bad. At the same time, they have enough holes that unless everything comes up 21, I don’t see them all that competitive. I’ll go with 74-88—four games better than last year based on the fact that morale won’t be quite as low as August/September ’25. But also not enough to really move the needle.
James Filmore: 72-36 (wait for it…)
Marea Anderson: Somewhere around 65-97, and that’s being generous. I’m not blaming players at all; this is based purely on the ownership. I’m convinced they’re trying to recreate the movie Major League into a documentary, and are doing everything they can to make the fans and players hate it here so they can move to a larger or warmer climate.
John Foley: 74-88. I think the chances they finish below the White Sox in the standings in 2026 are higher than their chances of making the postseason.
Sandwiches: 72-90, and I sadly think I’m being optimistic. If they make the playoffs with that record, something went terribly wrong in MLB.
Hans Hollander: The Twins finish at .500 and out of the playoffs. BUT, they finish with one of the stronger Septembers in the sport and clarity on a direction for the next season.
Give me a bold prediction for this season.
Ben Jones: I don’t know how, I don’t know when, but I absolutely know that Austin Martin’s hair will cause him to make a game-losing mistake. Maybe it gets in his eyes during a crucial at-bat. Maybe his glove gets caught in it as he goes to make a leaping grab in left field. Maybe a bird takes up residence in his luscious mane, they develop an unbreakable bond, and said bird hears the high frequencies of the PitchCom device and starts whispering pitches into Martin’s ear but often gets it wrong because it’s still new to english.
There’s no way to know the specifics, but I guarantee it will happen. I can feel it my bones.
Matt Monitto: Due to a positional change forcing them to use their DH in the field, Kody Funderburk is forced to bat in a late June game and homers.
Zach Koenig: If by some chance the Twins are in contention on August 13—the Field of Dreams game—they are able to summon the ghost of Walter Johnson out of the corn. He hadn’t shown up with the 1919 bunch back in the Ray Kinsella Era because the notoriously above-board Big Train would never associate with known gamblers. Because he is, well, Walter Johnson, he immediately pitches a perfect game in Dyersville and the Twins are the new AL favorites. Because Minnesota is, well, Minnesota, he feels “a little something” in his elbow the next day and is diagnosed with a torn ACL. Because he can’t step over the chalk line of any ballpark, the surgery must be performed by Archibald “Moonlight” Graham, who of course botches it because he lived decades before Tommy John’s landmark procedure. The Twins collapse the rest of the way.
James Filmore: The Twins finish 72-36 because… the season will be canceled in August when the Twins are on the verge of clinching a #1 playoff seed, just because MLB hates YOU personally. Not Twins fans in general, just YOU. YOU know who YOU are and YOU know what YOU did.
John Foley: No fewer than five Twins finish the season with 10+ home runs and 10+ stolen bases. (They had 3 do it last year, none in 2024, and 1 in 2023).
Sandwiches: The Twims will set the record for the most innings pitched by position players in a season by a long shot, most of them by Kody Clemens, enough for him to qualify for some sort of award. Maybe best K/9 by a reliever.
Hans Hollander: T.C. Bear announces he has twin sons: Lil’ Minnie and Paulie B(ear). (Editor’s note: the notoriously litigious Disney Corporation already has a cease-and-desist in the mail, Hans. Nobody infringes upon Michael Theodore Mouse’s wife’s copyrighted name, image, or likeness. You can’t just say things like this on Al Gore’s internet!)
Sunderland manager Denis Smith and the club chairman argue with fans (left foreground, backs to the camera). A broken goal post can be seen in the background. Sunderland lost the match 2-1. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
After admitting his months-long pursuit of John Byrne was unlikely to come off before the transfer deadline, Denis Smith moved onto plan B. While a fee had been agreed with QPR and personal terms agreed with the player, Byrne’s ‘golden handshake’ to leave Loftus Road couldn’t be resolved, and Smith moved on in the transfer market.
And reinforcements were needed as Sunderland’s Third Division campaign looked to be coming off the rails a little. The lads had fallen to second place in the table, and with Walsall just three points behind, any further slips could see the team fall out of the automatic spots, albeit with a couple of games in hand.
Earlier in the week, talks had taken place to bring 24-year-old Nick Pickering back to the club, but after meeting Smith at Roker Park the former Sunderland favourite turned down the move – paving the way for the arrival of 22-year-old Welsh international Colin Pascoe from Swansea.
Pascoe’s signing came very much out of the blue – hot on the heels of the loan arrival of Celtic’s Dougie Maguire, who’d greatly impressed in the reserves and was in line to start the fixture 38 years ago today at York City’s Bootham Crescent.
Colin knows I was after a First Division player, but I have worked hard over a period of time to sign him. He knows I couldn’t afford both as I have to find more cash if I decide to sign Doug Maguire on a permanent basis.
I now know what sort of cash Celtic want and I expect to sort something out next week.
But Viv Busby and chief coach Peter Whinham have wanted me to sign Colin for some time. They have seen him play recently, but I have only seen the lad once this season.
Smith was looking forward to his hotly anticipated return to North Yorkshire, to face his former club now managed by Bobby Saxton. And, with Pascoe set to be on the bench, hopes were raised.
However, as the sound of the final whistle approached, the large, angry Sunderland contingent continued to chant ‘What a load of rubbish’ – as they had done for most of the second half.
The sentiment was justified, with the lads 2-1 down to relegation threatened York. Sunderland’s goal had come from debutant Pascoe, who replaced fellow new boy Maguire, who’d turned in a poor display, at half time – a nice finish from a clever Gates backheel. But by that point Sunderland were two down, a first half goal from striker Ian Hellawell and a second from fellow front man Dale Banton.
However as much action had taken place off the field as on it. A 5000 strong Sunderland contingent had travelled to Bootham Crescent – York, understanding the potential pay-day, had made it an all ticket game and increased the prices by £1. Back in those days it was around a 30% increase in admission, so understandably supporters weren’t happy.
And, only minutes into the game, a section of the travelling supporters next to the home fans began tearing down temporary wiring separating the two factions, while some visitors spilled onto the pitch.
Some matchgoers climbed onto structures within the ground while others attempted to get to the press box, while other supporters clashed with police.
Order was restored after play had been stopped for five minutes, during which that group of supporters were moved to an empty stand elsewhere in the ground. But the edge was never too far away – and as the game entered injury time, feelings boiled over.
Over the past few weeks in our On This Day pieces, I’ve recounted Sunderland’s frustration with referees – the team were denied points at Preston and Wigan, and at home to Blackpool and Notts County by debatable, or downright incorrect, refereeing decisions.
This time, with seconds remaining, Gordon Armstrong equalised with a header, only for the referee Paul Danson – yes, the same referee that sent off Martin Scott, Paul Stewart and Peter Reid at Highbury less than a decade later – to spot some pushing and disallow the goal.
Then, what looked like a clear foul in the penalty box on Marco Gabbiadini deep in injury time was waved away.
That decision lit the blue touch paper, and the group of fans originally moved stormed the pitch – and Sunderland fans from across the ground joined in.
A crossbar was snapped, disruption lasted for more than 10 minutes as police eventually got in control of the situation, with Denis Smith and Bob Murray entering the playing field in an attempt to calm matters down.
A furious Smith said afterwards:
I could understand being disappointed by our defeat and our poor performance but there’s no excuse for this kind of behaviour.
However, come Monday, Sunderland chairman Bob Murray was laying the blame firmly at the door of York – with some justification.
We made representation to York City, the Football League and the police over the decision to make the match all-ticket for Sunderland supporters, to charge them an extra £1 and to cage them in.
We warned them there could be possible trouble because of their actions, which can only be described as profiteering, but they refused to take any notice.
Our supporters were disgusted with the price increase and far too many were penned in like cattle. The two decisions made by the referee at the end of the match did not help either.
A supporter from Penshaw who contacted the Sunderland Echo and told the paper’s Geoff Storey.
It was potentially a Heysel Stadium disaster all over again. Supporters only climbed over the fence in fear for their own safety.
We had tickets for admission to one of eight turnstiles, but only two were open. We were told Sunderland supporters would be admitted by ticket only, yet one gate was open for them to pay at the turnstiles.
Eventually when it became clear all the supporters would not get in before the kick-off, the police opened two big exit gates to let them in. There must have been several hundred who were admitted free.
The temporary fencing was a disgrace. If the flimsy improvements had been inspected, I am sure they would have been condemned. In my view York City were to blame for what happened.
And, come the Monday, Smith – who had also been subjected to abuse by fans – came out fighting; threatening to quit if he wasn’t allowed to do the job his way.
The fans pay their money and have a right to their say, but it is all non-productive. That is the trouble here, everybody thinks they can do better than the manager.
When I came here in the summer there was talk of the club going straight through the Third Division and into the Fourth.
We have no divine right to go up, but we are in pole position, despite a run of poor results.
I want to win every game, but if it means destroying what I believe in, then I will get out of the game altogether.
I asked when I came here to be judged on what happened over a season, and that is the way it should be.
There is only one way to play the game. There is no way I will change our tactics just to get a result. I will not resort to hoofing and chasing the ball – I will stick to what has got us to level on points with the top team with a game in hand.
As it was, it was the end of the Sunderland road for Maguire, who’d failed to impress, leading Smith to question his ability, and stating he’d made a mistake selecting him. Maguire returned to Celtic shortly after, and although signing for top flight Coventry the following summer, only made a handful of appearances before returning to Scotland playing more than 100 games for Queen of the South before retiring at 29.
Despite the York result making it just one win in seven for the lads, Sunderland remained in second place, thanks to Walsall also dropping points – but after such a build up of negativity, it makes what was to follow even more remarkable…
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Fans of Sunderland celebrate during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on March 22, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Just close your eyes and remember…
Big Sam’s first home game in 2015. Jermain Defoe’s volley past Tim Krul. Niall Quinn’s equaliser; Eric Gates’ through ball and Marco Gabbiadini’s finish, Fabio Borini’s perfect penalty and George Holley’s hat trick.
A last-minute winner in 2014. Gary Rowell and Kevin Arnott deciding to “just take the piss”. Harry Shaw and Bert Davis helping to send them on their way to relegation in 1934 — and should we mention they weren’t around when we won the title in 1936?
Gus Poyet’s first home game. Kevin Phillips’ shot on the turn to the far corner so we could party like it was 1999. Kieran Richardson’s rocket and Stan Cummins from six yards in front of the Fulwell End to help us on the way to promotion — thank you kindly.
1-9.
Thomas Sorensen’s penalty save from Alan Shearer. Fabio Borini biting his hand. Jack Colback making it 3-0 in the eightieth minute, and a pathetic pitch invasion in an attempt to get a playoff semi-final abandoned.
Paolo Di Canio’s knee slide along the touchline in his smart Italian suit. Poyet vs Pardew…Poyet vs Pardew again and again, and Dick Advocaat vs John Carver.
DDWWWWWWDWW.
Don Hutchison at the far post in ‘Disco 2000’. Eric Gates poking in Gary Owers’ cross and Dijbril Cisse’s poke putting us ahead. David Vaughan’s worldy, Shearer and Ferguson benched, and Ruud Gullit sacked.
Gary Rowell’s hat trick.
Billy Jones (who knew he was capable of such a thing?), but yes, Billy Jones after sixty five minutes. “The 0-3 scoreline was flattering…to the home team” (2014), Bobby Kerr twice in another 3-0 in 1967; Jermain Defoe’s tears and Tim Krul’s admiration.
Six in a row.
Fabio Borini hitting a screamer to win it. Niall Quinn’s towering header into the far corner. Bewilderment at punching a horse in the city centre and 0-3 again at St James’ Park in 1966. George Holley (scorer of fifteen goals against them) with two goals on the way to another title in 1912 and 0-3 at St James’ Park on our way to a cup final in 1913.
For a whole new generation of Sunderland fans, you have £69 million Nick Woltemade’s perfectly placed header and Anthony Gordon’s “We’re a better team than them” making us smile. Chemsdine Talbi’s equaliser and a well stacked Brian Brobbey ripping his shirt off to celebrate with a full-on He-Man “I have the power!” pose.
“Welcome to your regional capital…it’s been so long”. Thank you very much for welcoming us to your capital — did you miss us beating you?
This is what it means to be a Sunderland fan after a weekend like that.
NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 has already been in the spotlight for several off-field issues even before the tournament begins. From a fuel crisis to scheduling changes, the buildup has been far from smooth.
Now, an awkward moment at the captains’ press conference has added to the drama.
During the pre-tournament media interaction on Wednesday, Karachi Kings captain David Warner appeared visibly annoyed with fellow captains who were chatting and laughing while he was speaking.
As he discussed his team’s chances, he suddenly paused and called them out. "What's wrong? Sorry, gentlemen, we have got school kids here," he said.
Watch:
— jamilmusman_ (@jamilmusman_)
The comment highlighted his frustration over the lack of attention and professionalism during the event.
Beyond the press conference incident, the tournament itself is dealing with major challenges.
Due to a fuel crisis linked to ongoing tensions in West Asia, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to hold matches with restrictions and limit travel.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi explained the situation, saying, "The Prime Minister requested all of Pakistan to restrict their movements because of the fuel crisis. We closed schools and instituted work from home and increased the number of Eid holidays. We don't know how long this war will last."
As a result, the PSL has been scaled down, with matches now set to be played only in Lahore and Karachi instead of multiple venues.
The opening ceremony has also been cancelled.
Despite all the disruptions, the tournament is scheduled to begin on March 26 and run until May 3, though uncertainties still remain around how smoothly it will be conducted.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Luke O'Nien of Sunderland looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on March 22, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
He’s been here for eight years, making over four hundred appearances and finding himself being tested again and again, but always responding strongly and silencing the doubters in the process.
However, it’s fair to say that when Luke O’Nien got into a muddle alongside Melker Ellborg during Sunday’s derby, with their moment of indecision leading to Newcastle’s opening goal, the veteran defender found himself needing to dig extremely deeply in order to get his head back into the game and to ensure that his performance didn’t suffer as a result.
OK, it was a costly error as he tried to slide a pass into midfield when simply going agricultural and clearing his lines the old-fashioned way would’ve been the safe choice, but you don’t carve out the kind of career he’s enjoyed at the Stadium of Light without possessing the ability to overcome setbacks, and that’s exactly what he did as Sunderland rallied impressively to turn a 1-0 deficit into an eventual 1-2 victory, with O’Nien barely putting a foot wrong thereafter.
For the remaining eighty minutes, this was a classic O’Nien performance: committed, wholehearted and utterly focused on ensuring that an individual error didn’t torpedo Sunderland’s chances of victory. At the end of the game, with his teammates gathered around him and basking in the glow of victory, his visible display of emotion told its own story. He knew what it meant — and we did, too.
Indeed, even though O’Nien’s selection at the heart of the red and white defence had been contentious, with Dan Ballard absent and Nordi Mukiele settling for a spot on the bench (“He’s just as likely to be as solid as a rock as he is to drop a clanger,” I opined in our Roker Report group chat ahead of the game) the way in which he steadied himself and formed an imposing last line of defence alongside Omar Alderete was no surprise.
Overcoming setbacks and continually proving his worth have been two of the running themes of O’Nien’s Sunderland career but for arguably the most driven and resilient player I’ve seen in the red and white stripes, this was a challenge to relish.
These games probably mean more to him because he’ll doubtless remember what it was like when such days seemed like a distant dream; when we were fighting and scrapping to one day take our place among the elite once more as Newcastle bathed in their Saudi riches and took great pleasure in mocking us from on high.
In that sense, it was slightly surreal to see him mixing it with the likes of Anthony Elanga, Joelinton and Harvey Barnes amid the ferocity of such an occasion, but just as he never fell out of favour under any of his previous Sunderland bosses, he was there on merit and he never took a backwards step.
When all was said and done and the league double had been completed, you had to acknowledge that Sunday was yet another memorable day for O’Nien — the latest in a frankly absurd amount since his arrival in the summer of 2018 — and how many Sunderland players in recent times can honestly say they’ve enjoyed such a standout career at the Stadium of Light?
I must admit that there have been occasions this season — such as his light-hearted reaction to a narrowly-avoided own goal against Port Vale — on which O’Nien has perhaps appeared to the naked eye to not be taking things as seriously as he might, but the bobbly pitch and ramshackle surroundings of Vale Park are a world away from St James’ Park and you have to give the man his due for the way in which he recovered from his early mistake.
If we’re honest, O’Nien is something of a one-off.
His rise to the Premier League from the depths of League One is a story that’s unlikely ever to be repeated at our club, but even though defensive reinforcements are sure to arrive in the summer, it would be foolish to make the mistake of thinking that the story is over yet, as O’Nien himself emphatically declared in January.
This is arguably the most unified and wholly committed side that Sunderland have ever fielded in the Premier League and as one of the final survivors from the League One years, O’Nien brings a different perspective; an appreciation of how low we once were, how bleak the future once looked and how much hard work has been undertaken in order to reach our current destination.
That’s utterly priceless in itself and if the Lads can finish the season on a high and send the club into the summer with belief soaring, it would surely represent the pinnacle of O’Nien’s career — the best years of which have undoubtedly been spent at Sunderland — and further cement his status as one of our most influential players of recent times.
Melissa Kössler and Natasha Flint each scored and the expansion Denver Summit downed Gotham FC 2-0 on Wednesday night for the club's first National Women's Soccer League victory.
Elsewhere in the NWSL, the visiting Orlando Pride downed the Chicago Stars 3-0; the Seattle Reign beat the Kansas City Current 3-0 in Spokane, Washington; the San Diego Wave defeated the visiting Portland Thorns 3-1; and the Utah Royals played to a 1-1 draw on the road against the Washington Spirit.
Kössler put the Summit on the board in the 57th minute after Yuna McCormack sent a pass through the midfield. Kössler’s inside-out run provided separation from the defender and she fired a shot to the back left of the net.
Playing at home in New Jersey, Gotham’s attack was limited — in the first half the team only had one shot on target. Denver struck again in the 72nd when Flint stripped the ball from goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger who was trying to clear.
Trinity Rodman makes NWSL history
At 23-years-old, Trinity Rodman became the youngest player in NWSL history to reach 100 regular-season appearances. She is the sixth player in Spirit history to do so.
The record was previously held by Sam Kerr who was 25 when she made her 100th appearance in 2019.
Washington hosted Utah and led for most of the match after an early goal from Rebeca Bernal in the 18th minute, but a late equalizer from Utah's Mina Tanaka forced the 1-1 draw.
2025 Shield Winners drop second straight
Angharad James-Turner scored in her first start for the Reign in Spokane, where the team is playing three games while Lumen Field in Seattle is readying for this summer's World Cup.
The Current only gave up 13 goals last season and through three games they’ve already allowed six this season
Seattle outshot the Current 12-2 in the first half and struck first in the 18th minute when James-Turner scored off Seattle’s early corner kick opportunity. Huerta assisted the next two with crosses coming from the top-right of the penalty area connecting with Brittany Ratcliffe and Maddie Mercado.
Portland loses first match of the season
Only Angel City and the Houston Dash remain undefeated after the Thorns fell to the Wave.
Within two minutes, the Wave was on the board after Dudinha let it rip from inside the 18. The Thorns answered six minutes later when Pietra Tordin followed through with her initial shot, which ricocheted off the right post to equalize the match.
San Diego kept pressure in the box and Lia Godfrey got its third attempt through Portland. Melanie Barcenas put the game out of reach with the Wave’s third goal in the 82nd minute.
Barbara Banda continues early-season scoring streak
Orlando scored three goals in the first half to hand Chicago its second shutout loss of the season.
Barbara Banda got the Pride going in the 13th minute, scoring her third goal in as many games, with a shot that beat Alyssa Naeher who came off her line trying to prevent the score.
Nine minutes later, Jacqueline Ovalle scored with a pullback shot. Hannah Anderson, who was traded from the Stars in the offseason, scored her first career goal in the 35th minute.
Abby Zawadzki is a four-year varsity player for St. Charles North, but opponents used to seeing her playing at first base will be getting a new look this spring from the senior right-hander.
The 6-foot Zawadzki was listed as a pitcher/first baseman her previous three seasons, but opportunities in the circle were limited with stars Ava Goettel and Paige Murray ahead of her.
“I’ve taken on a new role this year,” said Zawadzki, who came into the season with only 25 2/3 innings pitched in her entire high school career. “Paige was fantastic last year.
“The past few years, playing first has been my role and I’d do what I had to do.”
Now, she’s spreading her wings.
Zawadzki made her first start of the season Wednesday and looked to be in midseason form, shutting down Burlington Central by firing a one-hitter in an 8-0 nonconference victory.
Zawadzki, who struck out eight and walked one, helped her own cause with two hits for the North Stars (2-0). Her highlight was a two-run double during a six-run second inning.
Junior third baseman Julianna Kouba also went 3-for-3 as the North Stars took advantage of five errors by the Rockets (1-3).
“I just love that she came out here and pitched like she pitched,” St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin said. “We’ve got two girls who’ve been waiting for Paige Murray to graduate.
“We miss Paige, don’t get me wrong, but Carrigan Rich steps in and throws a four-inning no-hitter (Tuesday) and Abby a one-hitter (Wednesday).”
Rich, a senior right-hander who worked 32 innings last season, was the winner in a 15-0 victory over visiting West Chicago in the season opener and Zawadzki backed her with a three-run homer.
Some things never change, indeed.
Zawadzki started the season with 50 career hits, with 26 going for extra bases, featuring 14 homers, 11 doubles and a triple.
Junior shortstop Mei Shirokawa was Burlington Central’s lone baserunner Wednesday, beating out a grounder to lead off the fourth that junior first baseman Olivia Galliart ranged to her right to field.
Zawadzki, who was perfect through three innings, also yielded a two-out walk to Shirokawa in the sixth.
Galliart, a lefty, will also pitch this season for the North Stars. Senior catcher Miranda Quigley, a Missouri-St. Louis commit, is a travel teammate with Zawadzki on the Dennison Silver Hawks.
“I caught her all fall, which was really good to prepare us for the high school season,” Quigley said. “We’ve got a good connection. She’s really good at working the ball in and out, has a good screwball and curveball and then she’s willing to go up on hitters with her rise.
“Her length really helps, along with big hands that help her spin.”
Zawadzki remains uncommitted but has several Division I programs recruiting her.
“She throws hard, has good movement,” Poulin said. “It feels like she’s on top of you when she delivers the ball. That’s what our girls who hit against her in practice say.”
Zawadzki prepared for the season by working out with Geneva-based pitching coach Kristie Spielman-Phillip and St. Charles-based hitting coach Marc Mantucca.
“Honestly, I’m just throwing as hard as I can,” Zawadzki said. “That’s my main thing. That and throwing to spots and relying on my defense, which always has my back.”
Her velocity has topped out at 67 mph, according to Quigley, who catches her during lessons.
In 47 innings pitched in the fall, Zawadzki struck out 55, posted a 1.64 ERA and .936 WHIP, which is walks plus hits per Innings pitched.
“She’s an athlete,” Poulin said of Zawadzki. “She’s our fastest around the bases when we time them. She’s second or third fastest home to first, but home to home, she’s our fastest.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 25: Logan Webb #62 of the San Francisco Giants leaves the field after delivering his 1,000th career strikeout in the fourth inning during the game between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
At long, long, long last, baseball returned on Wednesday. The San Francisco Giants took the field, the fans poured through the gates, and the kayaks flooded the cove. For the first time in 178 days, Giants baseball was back.
But seriously, you couldn’t have waited 179 days? We had to do this today?
Apparently. And so the Giants returned to your screen and Aaron Judge struck out four times for the first time since 2024, and other than that, the evening was a gigantic, awful, no-good mess.
The game was a fiasco from the get-go, and it started before it even started. The Netflix baseball era began with an All-Star display of solipsistic streaming. It seemed the company’s lone goal was to convince you to sign up for a service that you already had to be signed up for to see said streaming, creating a capitalism ouroboros, with baseball nowhere to be found. Somehow, despite the day supposedly being about celebrating the return of America’s pasttime, we were forced to confront three of the people I least want to listen to when watching baseball: Bert Kreischer, Jameis Winston, and Rob Manfred. On top of all that, Netflix had all winter to prepare for this one game, and still ended up with the worst graphics in the history of organized sports.
Finally and mercifully, the game began, only 20 minutes late. And for a few glorious moments, not only was all right with the world, but the Giants were cooking. Logan Webb took the mound for his fifth consecutive Opening Day assignment, but just his second at home. He struck out Trent Grisham. Then he struck out Judge. Then he got Cody Bellinger to fly out to cap a perfect inning.
The good vibes and times would only amplify in the opening moments of the bottom half of the inning. Facing the inevitable Max Fried, Luis Arráez — who walked just 58 times across 1,257 plate appearances the last two years — began the season, and his Giants tenure, with a four-pitch walk. Naturally. After Matt Chapman narrowly legged out a potential double play, the Giants had their first moment that made you consider that the day just might be special (beyond the obvious theatrics).
Rafael Devers, fearsome as he may be, got up in the count 2-0, was handed a challenge sinker by Fried, and swung out of his boots for it. He popped it up, at a decidedly unintimidating 74 mph, high into the San Francisco wind.
But it landed in the glorious dead area where the middle infield can’t quite reach the middle outfield, try as it may. And Chapman, reading the arc of the looper so deftly that I initially thought he had mistaken the situation for having two outs, made it all the way to third on Devers’ bloop. Here, in the bottom of the first, with their ace on the mound and dealing, the Giants had a prime opportunity to strike first, and seize control.
Instead, Willy Adames struck out and Jung Hoo Lee ground out, and we went to the second inning, where the game was lost.
The Yankees, it seemed, had a plan against Webb: attack early. Ben Rice swung at the first pitch of the inning, and while he grounded out, it set the tone. Giancarlo Stanton swung at the second pitch of his at-bat, singling it into center for New York’s first baserunner. Webb got in on the action himself, hitting Jazz Chisholm Jr. with his next pitch. José Caballero showed the most patience of them all, waiting until the third pitch of his at bat to blister a ball down the third-base line for an RBI double.
Old NL West foe Ryan McMahon also waited for the third pitch, dribbling a seeing-eye single through the middle for a two-run single. Austin Wells took the very next pitch into the outfield for a one-bagger. Grisham took the very very next pitch into the outfiield for a three-bagger. Six consecutive batters had reached base, and they’d seen a combined 11 pitches.
It was the type of performance that left you feeling like the Yankees were better prepared than the Giants. The type of performance that made you wonder if New York was picking up on a tell with Webb’s pitches. The type of performance that leads you to overanalyze a game that represents just 0.617% of the schedule.
Webb recovered. He ended that nightmare sequence by striking out Judge again, and then Bellinger. He set down the side in order in the third. He handled the fourth easily, while handing a Judge a hat as he punched him out for a third time.
But in the fifth, the same thing happened. The Yankees, as if remembering what had worked in the second, hit the “replay” button on the strategy. Bellinger singled on the first pitch of the inning. Rice singled on the second pitch of the inning. Stanton singled on the fourth pitch of the inning. And then, because this is what happens when things aren’t going your way, Webb got what he assumed would be a double-play grounder from Chisholm, but Adames’ throw was low and Casey Schmitt couldn’t dig it out, resulting in an error that scored the second run of the inning, and the seventh and final run of the game.
That was six runs more than was necessary for the Yankees. The Giants offense, so potent in February, was nowhere to be found in the first meaningful game of the year, be it against Fried or the trio of relief arms the Yankees employed, which included Camilo Doval. When all was said and done, Devers’ bloop stood as one of just three hits off the Giants’ bats, joining mild-mannered singles by Arráez and Heliot Ramos. Arráez also had his walk, as did Chapman, while Schmitt was hit by a pitch, and those were the only Giants to earn a spot on base, though Adames also found a residence at first thanks to an error.
It was a 7-0 loss that humbled not just the Giants, but all of us who dared pretend like we know things about baseball. The talk all offseason and preseason was about the team’s revamped and exciting offense. The least concerning part about the Giants was Webb. The glaring issue and question mark was the bullpen.
And yet the offense was nonexistent, and Webb had his first five-run inning since 2023. The bullpen, meanwhile, was the only thing that went right for the Giants. Keaton Winn was downright filthy, striking out Judge and Bellinger in a powerful sixth-inning appearance.
JT Brubaker needed just 22 pitches to handle two scoreless innings. Caleb Kilian took on the heart of the order — Judge, Bellinger, and Rice — and retired them in order, on 10 pitches in the ninth.
It’s a funny game like that. Maybe the bullpen will prove to be the star of the team. Or perhaps, as is more likely, we’ll soon be reminded that one game is just that: one game.
Today I went to the store to load up on snacks for the game. The woman checking out in front of me saw my basket and asked if I was hosting a party. I told her that no, I just like to buy ballpark foods for the first day of the baseball season. That seemed to please her greatly.
Thankfully she didn’t ask what team I was rooting for. I’d like to think she’s out there somewhere, envisioning that I had a much more enjoyable evening than I actually did.
For the first time since 2000, MLB games are back on NBC. The network is the new home of Sunday Night Baseball in 2026, the first in a three-year deal.
The MLB package joins NBC's long-running Sunday Night Football franchise and its new Sunday NBA coverage for this season, giving the network a year-round showcase in that time slot.
This year's coverage will feature esteemed announcers Bob Costas and Jason Benetti headline the coverage team on the network. Along with that duo, NBC will feature past MLB stars including Clayton Kershaw, Anthony Rizzo and Joey Votto to analyze the games and provide insights from their playing days.
With that in mind, here is the breakdown of the upcoming NBC baseball schedule for the 2026 season.
The MLB Sunday Night Baseball package moves to NBC and Peacock this season, with 20 games set to air on NBC and 11 Peacock exclusives.
All of the games on NBC can also be streamed live via DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
Sunday Night Baseball schedule 2026
NBC will air 20 games in 2026, some of them outside the actual Sunday night slot. These include two Opening Day games and a Labor Day showcase.
Bob Costas (host), Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Ahmed Fareed (Sunday Night Leadoff host), Clayton Kershaw (analyst), Joey Votto (analyst), and Anthony Rizzo (analyst) will headline NBC's stellar coverage staff.
Here is a complete schedule for the upcoming season:
LA Sparks Forward Rickea Jackson (2) taking a mid-range jump shot during a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Suns,Sunday, September 8th, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
LOS ANGELES — The WNBA’s rapid growth in viewership has secured the league expanded game coverage on air, with CBS signing a new long-term, multiplatform agreement that will make it easier for fans to tune in across broadcast and streaming platforms.
The new deal ensures that CBS will air up to 20 regular-season games each year as well as streaming them live on Paramount+. Compared to last season, the increase in televised matchups is significant because it marks a huge turning point for women’s basketball.
CBS Sports Executive Vice President of Programming Dan Weinberg notes that the WNBA’s rapid rise in popularity and cultural significance are some of the reasons they have agreed on expanding coverage.
“With our entire schedule of games on broadcast television, we are broadening the league’s reach and amplifying the WNBA’s momentum with best‑in‑class coverage that reflects the excellence of its athletes and resonates with fans,” Weinberg said.
Jordan Kent, Isis “Ice” Young, and Tiffany Blackmon are set to return as the network’s lead WNBA broadcast team.
CBS’s studio show, The WNBA Tip-off Show, which serves as a pregame, halftime, and postgame segment, is also set to return for the 2026 season. This program will feature six matchups on CBS and Paramount+ as well as four games exclusively on CBS Sports HQ.
The show will be led by Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie, Renee Montgomery, and Jenny Dell.
CBS has not announced the official broadcast schedule for the 2026 WNBA season.
DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray scored a season-high 53 points, Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 21 rebounds and a season-high 19 assists, and the Denver Nuggets held off the Dallas Mavericks 142-135 on Wednesday night.
Jokic entered the night with 5,992 assists and reached the milestone when he fed Murray for a layup with 4:56 left in the second quarter. It was part of a 33-point first half for Murray, who was 11 of 16 from the field and scored 14 straight points in one stretch.
Jokic recorded his 6,000th career assist during Denver’s fourth straight win. The Nuggets (46-28) are tied for fourth with Minnesota, which beat Houston in overtime on Wednesday night. Denver holds the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the season series against the Timberwolves.
He made his only shot of the third quarter but heated up in the fourth after Dallas had trimmed an 11-point lead to 127-126 with 4:20 left in the fourth. The Mavericks had a chance to tie the game but Brandon Williams missed two free throws with 3:58 left and Denver took over.
Jokic hit an 8-foot floater, fed Peyton Watson for a corner 3-pointer and Murray hit a 3-pointer and a 19-foot step-back jumper to make it 138-128.
Murray, whose career high is 55 points, was 19 of 28 for the game and hit 9 of 14 3-pointers.
Rookie Cooper Flagg had 26 points and Naji Marshall scored 22 for the Mavericks, who have lost five in a row and 24 of 28 since late January.
Dallas had cut 13-point deficit to 93-92 late in the third but Jokic scored six points and had three assists in the final 2:51 to give Denver a 111-100 lead heading into the fourth.
Olivia Piepsney paced the offense with three hits and earned the pitching win with 15 strikeouts and just one earned run.
Lauren Tolliver, Hannah Williams and Claire Holton also had two hits apiece.
Genavieve Bylow led the defense at second base.
WEDNESDAY’S TOP PERFORMERS
SOFTBALL
Ashlyn Woodman and Sarah Giroux, Flat Rock: Rang up four hits each to lead a 21-hit attack from 9 batters in a 20-1 win over Flat Rock. Emma Neace added a trio of hits and Jaliynah Cerroni, Quinn Robertson, Avery Mack and winning pitcher Vanessa Neace added two apiece. Giroux and Faith Soden belted home runs. Madison Cousino doubled for 0-2 Dundee.
Paige Bock, Bedford: Tossed a 3-hit shutout in a 10-0 win over Trenton in the opening game of a doubleheader on First Responders Day. Kaitlyn Kwiatkowski and Sophia Steinman both went 2-for-3. Bedford dropped an 11-10 slugfest in the second game despite two hits each by Maddy Kwiatkowski, Mya Smithson and Lily Vidra and a two-run double by Ellen Majewski.
Bailey Spradling, Whiteford: Went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs during a 12-6 loss to Whitmer. Ally Griffith also had a pair of hits. “Great learning experience against a good hitting team,” Whiteford coach Matt VanBrandt said.
BASEBALL
Luke Beaudrie and Brayden Burkmier, Jefferson: Drove in two runs each during a 10-run seventh inning that pushed the Bears over Dundee 11-2. Brayden Mason logged two hits, including an RBI single, for Dundee.
Ryan Burgor, Airport: Blasted a three-run home run in the fifth inning to power a 4-2 victory over Brooklyn Columbia Central. Wally Sisler went 2-for-3 and drove in a run. Airport lost the second game 3-1, wasting a strong pitching performance by Brenden Smith.
Charlie Leach, SMCC: Drove four runs to spark a 13-9 win over Summerfield. Luke Linzell added two hits and Cameron Cole earned the pitching win for the 3-0 Falcons. Russell LaRocca collected two hits for 0-1 Summerfield and drove in two runs along with Jacob Bodnar and Jude Flowers.
Grant Pfeiffer, Ida: Collected five hits and drove in five runs in a 5-3, 13-5 sweep of Flat Rock. Hunter Hemelgarn notched a pair of hits and Owen Snyder and Carter Derian combined on a 3-hitter in the first game and Logan Theisen had three hits in the first game and Trent Pfeiffer and Cam Riggs added two in Game 2.
GIRLS SOCCER
Haley Burden, Jefferson-Erie Mason: Recorded her second consecutive shutout as the Bears beat Ida 3-0. Camryn Cousino led the offense with a goal and an assist. The other goals were recorded by Madalyn Thompson and Tiara Camargo. Lily Lee and Emalyn Hammond were credited with assists.
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
Braxton Ellison, Dundee: Won the high jump and long jump as the Vikings beat Dearborn Advanced Tech 101-36 and fell to Ypsilanti 60-77. Other winners against both opponents were Jayden Sharpe (800), Anthony York (high hurdles), Ranveer Singh (discus), Luke Bishop (pole vault) and the 3,200 relay of Mason Edelbrock, Alex Tremonti, Will Cory and Izaiah McGovern.
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
Maddie Salenbien, Dundee: Won the 200 and 400 and ran with Alexandra Haddix, Allie Root and Aisley Cousino on the winning 800 relay in a sweep of Ypsilanti 113-24 and Dearborn Advanced Tech132-5. Chani Vincent took the high jump and pole vault. The Vikings swept the relays. Also posting wins were Maddie Dukeshire (high hurdles), Sophia Nolff (low hurdles), Audrey Przybylski (shot-put), Cameron Kidd (discus).
When it comes to the inevitable reckoning for the Wild West era of sports betting, it will come in one or more of these forms: Regulation, prosecution, or litigation.
The NFL is facing a new piece of litigation arising from its role in facilitating microbetting.
Plaintiffs Christopher Sage and Terry Thompson claim that their gambling habits blossomed into full-blown addictions once DraftKings and FanDuel made microbets available.
"Within just a few years of placing their first microbets on the Sportsbook Apps, Plaintiffs nearly lost everything," the complaint alleges.
The NFL and Genius Sports have been added to the lawsuit based on the fact that they provide an official data feed to sportsbooks.
The complaint alleges that VIP hosts employed by the sportsbooks continuously enticed them to wager.
Per the complaint, Thompson's FanDuel host allegedly texted him amid a losing streak on December 18, 2022, with this message: "[W]hat do we think about taking a timeout and enjoying the holidays with the family and starting fresh after the new year?"
A month later, the same host allegedly texted Thompson about an "emergency." The "emergency" allegedly was a gift package to Super Bowl LVIII in Arizona.
Thompson allegedly lost $1.83 million.
Sage claimed he placed himself on Pennsylvania's "self-exclusion" gambling list on March 15, 2025, after he was diagnosed with a gambling addiction. He claims that he continued to receive messages from his DraftKings VIP host.
This may just be the tip of the iceberg, for everyone involved. And possibly the beginning of the reckoning.
But here's the basic reality. The cost of the reckoning won't come close to billions in revenue that have been generated through an industry that needs much more regulation, prosecution, and litigation than it has experienced.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 25: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Rocket Arena on March 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t put their best foot forward to start this game. Let’s go over today’s winners and losers.
LOSER- Coming Out Flat
Second night of a back-to-back. Numerous key players are down due to injury. Random, meaningless game in March. I understand all of the context.
That still doesn’t mean it’s okay for the Cavs to come out as flat as they did tonight.
Miami built an early 20-point lead after pouncing all over Cleveland’s poor effort. Some of the Cavaliers’ offensive concerns can be excused due to simply missing shots (they shot 3-15 from three in the first half). But their defensive integrity was nowhere to be found. That’s especially concerning, considering Kenny Atkinson previously called them out for their poor defense against the Magic just 24 hours ago.
It’s a combination of scheme and execution. The Cavs have always rotated early and dug deep into the paint to provide help on drives. But their timing and process on this strategy have been worse as of late. They are frequently over-committing and opening themselves up to three-point onslaughts. It’s worrying that even middling offenses like the Heat can impose their will on the Cavaliers so quickly to start a game.
The Cavs proved they can ‘flip a switch’ once the second half began. The comeback was as electric as anything. With that said, I can’t blame any of the hometown fans who booed their team during the first half. That was a bad effort — and they dug themselves a hole that was ultimately too much to get out of.
WINNER – Donovan Mitchell’s Second Half Effort
Mitchell has a knack for getting the Cleveland crowd on its feet. This Cavalier team was being booed off the floor entering halftime. By the end of the third quarter, Mitchell had them in a full frenzy as his 13 points fueled a comeback and tied the game.
It was everything we’ve come to expect from Mitchell. Elite three-point shooting. Dazzling dribble moves. And a one-man heat check that brought his team (and the crowd) back to life. Mitchell hit three three-pointers in the third quarter, including back-to-back shots to swing the momentum all the way back into Cleveland’s favor.
As previously mentioned, Atkinson called out his team’s ‘compete level’ after their narrow win over Orlando. Specifically, he urged his two leaders (presumably Mitchell and James Harden) to respond. It took a full half for Mitchell to get the message, but by the end of the game, it was clear he took it to heart.
Mitchell opened the fourth quarter by diving for the ball and forcing a jumpball. That kind of scrappiness from a player who is currently on fire shooting the rock is the definition of leading by example. Mitchell’s energy sparked the run.
LOSER – Evan Mobley
Think of the things you don’t want to see from Evan Mobley. Indecisiveness. A lack of confidence. Probing aimlessly and taking shots that feel hopeless.
That’s what we saw tonight.
At one point in the first half, Mobley was working one-on-one against Bam Adebayo with the shot clock winding down. Mobley took a step-back dribble, and as he was gathering for the jumper, Bam visibly waved him off and turned around for the rebound. Mobley nearly airballed the shot.
It’s worth saying the Heat deployed a great defensive scheme. Their mixture of zone and double-coverage kept Mobley from finding an open space to operate. They sped him up and made him passive. That’s a credit to Miami.
“They mixed in a lot of zone,” said Kenny Aktinson after the game. “Those guys are tough; they’re a darn good defensive team. I think Evan’s next evolution is when they start swarming him, making those decisions.”
Later in the fourth quarter, Mobley had a deep-seal on Kel’el Ware. The Cavs dumped him the ball, and Mobley proceeded to get blocked at the rim. That sums up the night.
Every player has bad games. It’s worth noting that Mobley had been playing his best stretch of the season, and arguably one of the best of his career. But this type of performance is something we all wish we could forget.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Scoot Henderson had 23 points and the Portland Trail Blazers routed the Milwaukee Bucks 130-99 on Wednesday night as Giannis Antetokounmpo remained sidelined with a left knee injury.
Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija each had 18 points and Donovan Clingan added 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Blazers, who have already clinched a play-in spot. Portland has won five of its last six games.
Ryan Rollins had a career-high 36 points for the fading Bucks, who have lost 12 of their last 15 games, including four of five since sitting 10-time All-Star Antetokounmpo because of a left knee injury.
The Blazers led by 27 points in the first half and went into the break ahead 71-49. Portland stretched the lead to 33 points in the third quarter and Blazers' coach Tiago Splitter pulled most of his starters by midway through the fourth.
It was lopsided throughout, with the Blazers outrebounding the Bucks 54-34. Portland finished with 11 blocks. Seven Blazers scored in double figures.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers was clear before the game that Antetokounmpo was not being held out. The two-time NBA MVP hurt his knee in the third quarter of a game against the Pacers on March 15.
“We're just trying to get Giannis clear and healthy,” Rivers said. “That's our only focus. All the other stuff, we stay above.”
Henderson's dunk gave the Blazers a 50-30 lead in the first half.
Portland went into the final quarter in front 104-81 after Robert William III's layup.
The Arizona Cardinals have done some work this offseason in free agency, but have not improved their roster much. At most positions, they could and probably should add players in the NFL draft.
But looking at each position, where in the draft should they be looking? While teams always want to stick to their draft board, sometimes it just doesn't make sense to draft a position early.
We will look at each position group and determine what need level the Cardinals have — is it in Round 1? Is it on Day 2? What about Day 3?
Let's look at the running back position.
Cardinals draft need level: Running back
The Cardinals bring back James Conner. They signed Tyler Allgeier. They still have Trey Benson and brought back Bam Knight.
Assuming Conner is healthy, we can expect a 1-2 punch from him and Allgeier. If they get anything from Benson, it will be great. Knight is fine at the back of the rotation.
This is a position where they don't have any real need.
Could they take Jeremiyah Love, arguably the best player in the draft, in the first round? They could, but then what's next for Conner?
More realistically, the Cardinals don't need to worry much about the position.
Draft need/priority: They don't need to worry about running back. A priority free agent should be enough, but a Day 3 running back would be fine.
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.
Roberto Perez, a two-time Gold Glove-winning catcher who spent eight of his 10 major league seasons with Cleveland, has announced his retirement.
Perez, 37, made his major league debut in 2014. The Puerto Rico native had a career .207 batting average with 55 home runs and 193 RBIs.
“While this decision was not an easy one, I feel confident that it is the right time to step away and begin the next chapter of my life,” Perez said Tuesday in a social media post. “I leave the game with nothing but respect and appreciation for everything it has given me.”
He helped Cleveland reach the World Series in 2016, hitting two homers as the franchise lost to the Chicago Cubs in seven games.
Perez had his best offensive season in 2019, batting .239 with 24 homers and 63 RBIs. He won Gold Gloves in 2019 and in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
He played for Pittsburgh in 2022 and San Francisco in 2023. More recently, he played in the Puerto Rican Winter League and the Mexican League.
Perez helped Puerto Rico to a runner-up finish in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Maybe it’s irresponsible to extrapolate much from an opener, considering how soaked in pomp the first game of the season can be, both teams fresh out of spring camp and no one yet in midseason mode. Yeah, it’s early and the season is soooooo long.
But it’s hard not to like what the Yankees did Wednesday night in routing the Giants, 7-0, in the first game of the Major League Baseball season in San Francisco. Love, really.
The Yankees offense, tops in the majors last season, scored seven times without the benefit of its best weapon, the home run, or its best hitter.
Aaron Judge, the game’s biggest offensive force, was 0-for-5 with four strikeouts, and the Yanks flourished, anyway. In the big pinstriped picture, Judge’s forgettable night didn’t matter a whit except to social media wiseacres shopworking jokes.
There were other glowing pluses, too, including a superlative outing from Max Fried, who threw 6.1 shutout innings, and 2.2 scoreless frames from the bullpen. After an early wobble in the first inning, Fried basked in the comfort of the five-spot the Yankees put up in the second inning off one of baseball’s best pitchers, San Francisco ace Logan Webb.
If Fried can battle like this when he’s perhaps not his sharpest and then unleash brilliance when he’s at his best, the Yankee rotation profiles as a monster, what with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón slated to return during the season. Especially if Cam Schlittler is what Yankee fans hope he is and what he showed last year.
There’s more: Judge was the only batter without at least one hit. Austin Wells and Giancarlo Stanton had two apiece. The Yankees took an aggressive approach against the Giants, getting five of their 10 hits on the first pitch of an at-bat. If you are a Yankee fan who’s been crying for their favorite team to not rely so much on the home run, maybe this game’s in your Louvre. They still struck out 12 times – no offense is perfect.
The Yankees leaned on the longballs last year, scoring 50.1 percent of their MLB-best 849 runs via the home run. Don’t get us wrong – hitting home runs is a great way to win. The Yankees had a .632 winning percentage when they hit a single homer last year and that figure ballooned to .707 when they hit two-plus longballs.
But for years, the Yanks have felt like a team that could use a little offensive diversification. That’s why it’s great they have an able basestealer like José Caballero on the roster. Caballero drove in the first run of the game and, while he made an error at shortstop, he also had a nice pickup toward the middle.
If Caballero continues to have positive moments, the chatter around shortstop will only get louder as Anthony Volpe, who struggled last year, recovers from offseason surgery. His shoulder fix might explain why he backslid last year, but Caballero doubtless made fans Wednesday night, which could bring up thorny questions for the Yanks when Volpe’s ready again.
Speaking of questions, there were plenty about bringing Trent Grisham back to play center. But Grisham on Wednesday gave doubters something to chew on, lashing a key two-run triple. It’s one game, we get it, but it was a big hit. A few more of those, and maybe skeptics won’t doubt his ability to flash numbers similar to last year.
Oh, and were you fretting about Ben Rice’s defense at first? He made several tough scoops there. Early days, yes, but something to build on. And while Jazz Chisholm Jr. might have a rep as someone who blanks on defense sometimes, he sure was paying attention in the sixth inning when Matt Chapman lashed a low, 106.7 mph liner at him. Chisholm didn’t catch it cleanly, but snagged the ball out of the air with his bare hand, a nice second-chance snare for an out.
It was only the first night and maybe we should be careful about any conclusions we draw. Early metaphors are cheap and easy, and we don’t know how long early sizzle will last. Who in their right mind would draw any lasting impression from Judge’s game, right?
Still, for one night, the Yanks didn’t mask big flaws with big homers or pummel some bad team to shine up their runs-per-game stats. They beat an ace and soundly. Maybe they have a couple of different ways to beat teams.
Trevor Rogers will look to open the season on a high note on Opening Day after an excellent campaign in 2025.
MLB Photos via Getty Images
MLB Opening Day will feature 11 games and some of the league’s best pitchers. There should be no shortage of quality pitching performances today. Not every hurler will enjoy success. Yet, the following two left-handed pitchers should pile up punchouts, or at least record enough of them to go over their strikeout props line.
Best Strikeout Bets
Trevor Rogers (Baltimore Orioles - SP)
Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-144) at FanDuel Sportsbook
It appeared Trevor Rogers was a burgeoning ace in 2021. Unfortunately, he slumped in 2022, and he was unimpressive or worse in 2023 and 2024 as well. The rough skid wasn’t the end of Rogers’ success in the Majors, though.
He reemerged as an outstanding pitcher in 2025. In 18 starts spanning 109.2 innings last season, Rogers spun a 1.81 ERA, 3.40 xERA, 3.64 xFIP, 3.75 SIERA and 0.90 WHIP. The lefty also had a robust 24.3% strikeout rate and a career-low 6.9% walk rate.
Rogers’ stellar strikeout rate was supported by his 12.5% swinging-strike rate – 11.0% was the league average in 2025 – and 27.9% called-plus-swinging-strike rate. The southpaw pitched well at home and on the road.
Still, Rogers did his best work in front of his home crowd. In seven home starts spanning 47 innings last season, Rogers had a 0.96 ERA, 3.47 xFIP, 0.70 WHIP, 5.3% walk rate and 26.3% strikeout rate.
Rogers cleared 4.5 strikeouts in 14 of 18 starts in 2025, including six of seven at home. His matchup is decent for his strikeout outlook on Opening Day.
Roster Resource projects Minnesota’s lineups against left-handed pitchers to feature Byron Buxton, Josh Bell, Luke Keaschall, Matt Wallner, Victor Caratini, Austin Martin, Ryan Jeffers, Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee. Five of those projected starters have had at least a 20% strikeout rate against lefties since 2024, or since reaching the Majors in 2025, and Martin’s 18.2% strikeout rate is the lowest from the nine projected starters.
Rogers’ -144 line for over 4.5 strikeouts is a bit chalky, but it’s the best value across sportsbooks and palatable.
Cristopher Sanchez can pile up strikeouts in a plus matchup on MLB Opening Day.
Getty Images
Cristopher Sanchez (Philadelphia Phillies - SP)
Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-141) at BetRivers
Cristopher Sanchez has blossomed into one of MLB’s best pitchers. After back-to-back strong showings for the Phillies in 2023 and 2024, Sanchez kicked it up a notch in 2025.
Among 52 qualified pitchers last year, Sanchez was fifth in ERA (2.50), fifth in xERA (3.02), third in xFIP (2.77), third in SIERA (3.02), tied for 11th in WHIP (1.06), tied for eighth in walk rate (5.5%), 14th in strikeout rate (26.3%), fourth in swinging-strike rate (13.9%), second in called-plus-swinging-strike rate (31.4%), second in Stuff+ (118) and fourth in Pitching+ (116).
Sanchez also had the fourth-highest ground-ball rate (58.3%) among qualified pitchers last season. The lefty’s ability to induce worm-burners won’t directly help him record strikeouts, but being able to coax a grounder when he falls behind in the count to keep his pitch count low, or snare a double play when he has a runner or runners on, can keep him in the game longer to record strikeouts.
Moreover, his ability to collect grounders at a high rate can help him navigate the pitfalls of homer-friendly Citizens Bank Park. Sanchez was borderline unstoppable at home last season.
In 15 starts spanning 97.2 innings at home in 2025, Sanchez twirled a 1.94 ERA and 0.90 WHIP, with a 4.5% walk rate and 30.5% strikeout rate. He struck out 115 batters at home, for an average of 7.7 per game. Furthermore, Sanchez exceeded 5.5 punchouts in 12 of 15 home starts in 2025.
Sanchez has a tasty matchup for his strikeout potential today. All nine of the projected starters for the Rangers have had at least a 20% strikeout rate against lefties since 2024, and five have had at least a 24.1% strikeout rate.
Sanchez should carve up the Rangers and have no problem with clearing 5.5 punchouts, making his -141 line for over 5.5 strikeouts offered at BetRivers good chalk to eat on Opening Day.
BOSTON — Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is often heralded as one of the craftiest players in the NBA. However, even he was fooled on Wednesday night, as Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown got him on a pivotal up-fake that helped fuel a 119-109 victory for the Green Team.
With just under 8 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Brown drove at Gilgeous-Alexander before pulling up short. He then pump faked twice and got the Thunder star to bite, causing SGA to collide with him as he drained a 13-foot jumper. The refs rewarded Brown's maneuver and he sank the free throw, giving the Celtics an 11-point lead that was just enough of a cushion to hold off the reigning champs.
SGA knew he was duped. He clapped his hands together in frustration once the shot fell while Brown smiled wide near center court. TD Garden erupted, and the Celtics star later explained why he was grinning from ear to ear.
"Well, he got me last time we played him, he got me on the up-fake," he recalled during his postgame press conference. "I knew it was coming, and I still jumped for it. So I guess that was a little payback.”
Jaylen Brown on smiling after he go SGA on an up-fake:
“Well, he got me last time we played him, he got me on the up-fake. And I knew it was coming, and I still jumped for it. So I guess that was a little payback.” pic.twitter.com/j3tqNActcd
Brown finished with a team-high 31 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 8 assists. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP also cashed 12 of his 14 free throws and Wednesday marked his third time in five games with at least 11 attempts at the charity stripe.
"I feel like I've played the same style, but I feel like maybe complaining has given a little bit more notoriety to how the game is officiated, and I feel like I've gotten more calls," Brown admitted. "I thought the officials did a good job tonight. Every call is not going to be perfect, but I thought they did a great job of trying to keep it balanced or keep it the same both ways. So I have no complaints."
Nobody outscored Brown's 24 points in the second half, not even Gilgeous-Alexander, who's expected to take home MVP for the second straight season.
"He’s aggressive," SGA described of Brown's game. "We didn’t make him pass the ball enough tonight. He was getting to his spots. He was in the teeth of the defense. Good player."
Although Brown probably won't hoist the Michael Jordan Trophy, his numbers are still impressive. The five-time All-Star is averaging career-highs practically across the board and he's a major reason why the Celtics are 48-24 with just 10 games to go in the regular season.
"We got 10 games left and we need each one of those to kind of build, to get ready for the playoffs," Brown said. "I think today was a very, very huge step for us and (I'm) proud of our guys."
Jaylen Brown on what the big win meant for his team:
“This team has just been awesome all year. It's been a very fun season, but our guys have really developed from…trying to find their confidence, to really competing against some of the best teams in the league.” pic.twitter.com/1uSFMGDxcN
Boston is now 4-8 against the top-six teams in the Western Conference following its first win over Oklahoma City since April of 2024. And while the Celtics won't make too much of a regular-season victory, they can enjoy the fact that they snapped the Thunder's 12-game winning streak and have proven they can hang with anybody on any given night.
"Very encouraging win," Brown emphasized. "I thought we got a lot of great contributions from everybody...That's what we're going to need going forward in the playoffs — just win as a team."
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Eastern Illinois baseball and softball took on out-of-conference at home this week as the Spring sports season starts getting into full swing.
On Tuesday, March 24, the Panther baseball dropped an extra-inning game against Northern Illinois 5-4.
Despite getting walked 16 times, Eastern converted just one of those into runs.
This veteran EIU team is confident they can bounce back.
“You’ve got to put guys across the plate, and we get runners in scoring position with the best of them,” head coach Jason Anderson said. “It’s just hard to win games if you don’t score runs.” “[I’m] always confident in them, but hitting is contagious.” “Once a couple of them get going, it seems like it gets way easier.”
“This is a tight-knit group, closest I’ve ever been a part of, and so, that’s going to help us,” senior infielder Chris Worcester said. “We’re never taking the foot off the gas.”
On Wednesday, March 25, Panther softball earned a 12th-straight win on the season after a doubleheader sweep of Bradley.
EIU erased an early 1-0 deficit in game one to earn a 5-0 win, completing the sweep with an 8-5 win in game two.
“I think we came out a little flat, but we found a way to get it together and scratch a few runs there,” co-head coach Dan Paulson said. “We got a great performance out of Carly pitching, and that was a real positive to see, and our defense was pretty solid.”
EIU improved to 17-16 on the season and still 9-0 in conference play.
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Dallas Mavericks wing Khris Middleton found himself isolated against Jamal Murray, and the Denver Nuggets guard made him pay.
Murray rocked Middleton back and forth before drilling a stepback 3-pointer from the right wing.
And that wasn’t even his best play of the night.
Murray knocked down multiple 3-pointers while sending Mavericks defenders stumbling, continuing a season-long problem for Dallas: defending quick guards at the point of attack. Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland scored 41 points on the Mavericks last week.
That’s an area the Mavericks will need to address before trying to make a playoff push next season.
Still, Dallas managed to keep the game close for a stretch, helped by Denver committing 14 fouls in the third quarter.
Mavericks forwards Cooper Flagg and Naji Marshall combined for 48 points in a 142-135 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
Flagg finished with 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Marshall added 22 points and four rebounds.
But Dallas was ultimately outmatched by Denver’s star duo.
Murray finished with 53 points and six rebounds, including nine made 3-pointers, while Nikola Jokić added 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 assists in the win.
P.J. Washington chipped in 19 points and 15 rebounds for Dallas. Washington has averaged 14.1 points while shooting 37.3% from 3-point range in March.
The Mavericks will face the Portland Trailblazers on Friday night.
The Toronto Blue Jays arguably have the finest starting pitching rotation in all of baseball. But that only counts if all the members are healthy. With the mounting injuries, the Blue Jays fans should be worried about how the team is going to handle the rotation problem with several stars being placed on the Injured List before Opening Day.
Shane Bieber, who was traded by the Cleveland Guardians at the deadline, is dealing with forearm fatigue and is set to open the season on the IL. Bieber was useful for the Blue Jays down the stretch and he chose to stay with the team instead of opting for free agency.
Rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage, who made his MLB debut last September and became a postseason ace, is placed on the injured list due to shoulder impingement. Jose Berrios, who was expected to play a big hand in the starting rotation this year, is also on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow stress fracture. The injury detected early in March will keep him out for the initial part of the season.
Another major setback involves Bowden Francis, who has opted to undergo Tommy John surgery and is ruled out for the rest of the season. Left-handed prospect Ricky Tiedemann (elbow soreness) and reliever Yimi García (recovering from elbow surgery) are both not expected to be ready for Opening Day.
In order to mitigate the issue, the Blue Jays have brought back veteran right-hander Max Scherzer on a short-term contract. Though he might not be as effective as he used to be in the last decade, on his day, he can be unhittable.
As it stands, Kevin Gausman is expected to start for the Blue Jays on Opening Day. This will be Gausman's first Opening Day start for Toronto and overall in his career, it will be his third such start. Gausman will get to the mound at Rogers Center to take on the Athletics.
Like last season, Gausman will be asked to anchor the rotation that added Dylan Cease on a blockbuster deal. Scherzer and Cody Ponce should also be part of the early rotation, given the injury troubles.
Depending on how the other starting members recover from their respective injuries, manager John Schneider will adjust the rotation.
On Wednesday night, ESPN gave fans an exciting doubleheader with serious playoff implications in the finale. The Houston Rockets traveled up north to Minnesota for a dance with the Wolves.
Much like in their first matchup, Anthony Edwards had to sit out for tonight’s game. Houston hopes for this to help them get the 2-0 advantage for the season series.
Minnesota came out with an aggressive defensive mindset, making it tough for the Rockets to put the ball in the bucket. After taking nearly five minutes to get six points, and half of the quarter to get to double digits, shots finally started dropping.
An elbow jumper and deep three from Sheppard helped make it 17-19, but Houston couldn’t manage to get the lead. Turnovers played a big role in that, finishing the quarter behind 19-23.
Durant only made one out of his seven attempts as both teams combined to shoot 30-percent. An ugly start to say the least.
Ime Udoka tried to let them play through their struggles after yet another turnover gave Minnesota another eight point advantage at 26-34. They only had eight made field goals compared to their seven turnovers.
The half ended closer than it probably should have with Houston only down a single point. Not too bad after a historically bad shooting first half from Durant, going only 2/11 from the field.
Starting the final 24 minutes, a middy rimmed out for Durant and kept his team behind for a bit longer. Their first lead of the game would come a minute later on a Şengün push shot. Both teams started to trade baskets at that point, the lead changing back and forth for the first half of the third quarter.
But again, Minnesota started to pull away in this ugly game. It seemed like Alperen Şengün was the only member of the Rockets who could make a shot. Another brutal quarter ended on a high note as Jabari drained a three to cut the lead down to two points at 68-70.
Everything was going Minnesota’s way to start the final quarter of play. In the first three minutes, they had the crowd rocking and ready for a win on a Wednesday night. They got close to extending their biggest lead past eight points multiple times, but finally did it midway through the quarter.
With plenty of time left, Houston had high hopes after draining 19/19 free throws. Those hopes were quickly squashed as Jabari Smith Jr. turned it over on a fastbreak, leading directly to Jaden McDaniels draining a three.
For good measure, he also stripped Durant and got a breakaway dunk to extend the lead to double digits for Minnesota.
An improbable 12-0 run stunned the home arena thanks to more unsightly turnovers from Minnesota. Durant and Şengün scored all of those points, giving their team the lead and ultimately leading to overtime.
Craig Bellamy has won eight of his 16 games since taking charge of Wales in July 2024 [FAW]
Wales are getting used to these moments; high-stakes matches under the lights at Cardiff City Stadium.
For a third successive campaign, Wales are two home wins away from qualifying for a major tournament.
Having taken the play-off route to the 2022 World Cup, they missed out on Euro 2024 at the final hurdle.
On Thursday, they host Bosnia-Herzegovina in a semi-final, with the winners at home to Italy or Northern Ireland five days later, for a place in this summer's showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The consistency with which Wales are reaching these stages is a far cry from the barren half a century which preceded Euro 2016.
But those 58 years without being at a major tournament are beginning to fade in the rearview mirror.
Wales know what they must do to keep their World Cup dream alive when they take on Bosnia in Cardiff.
"We've done everything we can," said head coach Craig Bellamy. "You always feel a lot calmer as it goes along. The more you tick off something, the more you reassure yourself.
"Imagine if you're going into an exam and you haven't put the work in and you're expecting good results to happen. The players have been top and they're used to this."
'Be calm' and take inspiration from recent experience
Wales have been here before. They successfully navigated the play-offs to qualify for the last World Cup, securing their place in the finals for the first time in 64 years.
The current 26-man squad includes 12 members of the matchday 23 when Wales beat Ukraine 1-0 in their play-off final in June 2022 – and there would be more were it not for injuries.
So, when they face Bosnia, Wales can take encouragement from the knowledge that so many of their players have experience of winning these big matches.
"It's just normal for this group of players. It's ingrained in them," said Bellamy.
"It's not for us to ride the rollercoaster. Everyone in these play-offs wants to get to the World Cup. We completely understand that and our fans will play a big part.
"Their experience in these games will play a big part, but us as coaching staff and the players, we have to be able to separate ourselves at times from it.
"We feed off it when we need to, because there will be moments where we definitely will, but let's be clear, be calm."
As much continuity as there might be in terms of personnel from previous campaigns, this is a different team.
There were occasions when Wales attacked freely under Rob Page – wins over Croatia and Finland come to mind – but they tended to err on the side of caution under Bellamy's predecessor.
They were lucky to beat Ukraine, outplayed for much of the game but thankful for Gareth Bale's deflected free-kick, following his two brilliant goals in the semi-final win over Austria.
There is no Bale these days. Nobody can replace the former Real Madrid superstar widely regarded as Wales' greatest footballer.
But Wales are now collectively a more ambitious and dangerous team, with Harry Wilson stepping up more than anyone to help fill the void left by Bale's retirement.
Wilson, Daniel James and Brennan Johnson have all developed since the Ukraine win and, with David Brooks back and flourishing since his recovery from cancer, the four players combined to devastating effect when Wales demolished North Macedonia 7-1 last November.
While Thursday's play-off semi-final against Bosnia promises to be a tighter affair, Wales have the memory of previous campaigns to know they can find different ways of winning.
Build on 'close to perfect' showing against North Macedonia
There has been no better example of Wales' bold reinvention under Bellamy than their dismantling of North Macedonia last time out.
The head coach said it was "as close to the perfect performance as I have seen" after watching his players hammer a team who had only conceded three goals in their previous seven games of the qualifying campaign.
Wales' fluid front four poured forward at will and linked play beautifully, illustrated by their sumptuous team move for the fourth goal involving Brooks, Wilson and James.
That was the first time those three and Johnson had started together under Bellamy, and that quartet could do damage against a Bosnian defence that conceded a creditable seven goals in their eight qualifiers.
Bellamy wants his side to attack at pace, dominate possession and overwhelm opponents, regardless of who they are up against.
Although it might be unrealistic to expect Wales to hit such heights again on Thursday, their display against North Macedonia serves as a blueprint for their future endeavours.
"The key for us is always to dominate the tempo of the game," said Bellamy.
"We need to speed it up? We speed it up. We need to slow it down? We slow it down, and be patient.
"We've got to go full gas, and I feel people want to see it. I'm not saying this is right or wrong - this is how I like the game.
"I'm not here to pickpocket you. No, I'll knock your front door. That's what I love about our game and that's what I love about this group of players.
"We are coming for you. We're going all out. We are not sitting back. This is us. This is who I am. This is what my coaching staff are. This is what the players are."
Brilliant as Wales were against North Macedonia, the performance was not without its blemishes.
The visitors' goal was alarmingly simple, with one pass from their own half splitting the Welsh midfield and defence to allow Bojan Miovski time and space in the penalty area to finish.
That was not an isolated incident during the campaign. One drawback of Wales' enterprising style under Bellamy is the way in which it can leave them defensively vulnerable.
Group winners Belgium exposed that frailty, scoring eight goals during their two victories over Wales.
The Belgians' 4-2 triumph in Cardiff was the starkest illustration. Wales enjoyed plenty of possession but left an alarming amount of space behind for the likes of Jeremy Doku, who cut loose at Cardiff City Stadium.
Bosnia do not possess the same firepower as Belgium, but Wales cannot afford to gift their opponents those opportunities.
"A chaotic game will not suit us, it suits them," said Bellamy. "It's very important that we're able to move the ball, wait for the openings, and then find the openings.
"And if we do look for the openings, make sure we're compact enough because, if we don't, we leave space."
Cut out the individual errors and lapses in concentration and the home side should be confident of progressing against opponents 36 places below them in the world rankings.
At home and with Bellamy's words of encouragement ringing in their ears, Wales believe they can beat anyone.
"Bosnia are defensively well organised, very good individual players who are playing with very good teams," said Bellamy.
"It's what we do during the game, how we adapt. We have to be patient. We're experienced enough to smell the game, see what's happening during the game, to be able to react.
"Do you know why I'm calm? Because we're such a good team."
A convincing loss in Oklahoma City marked the Timberwolves’ fourth defeat in five tries, with a lack of competitiveness in each defeat. The Wolves were lost.
They’re now found.
A 15-0 run in overtime to rally from a 13-point deficit proved just that.
Wednesday’s 110-108 overtime win over Houston at Target Center marked Minnesota’s fourth win in five games. That span includes victories over Phoenix, Boston and now the Rockets.
And they’ve done it all without their star player. Anthony Edwards missed his fifth consecutive game on Wednesday. Ayo Dosunmu also missed the contest with calf tightness. Naz Reid missed a pair of games with an ankle injury.
Wednesday’s rally was even more short-handed. Reid was ejected in overtime. Rudy Gobert fouled out. Jaden McDaniels left with a knee injury. And then calls went against the Wolves.
None of it mattered. Not when you have an identity, which Minnesota has rediscovered over the past nine days. The shot-making will come and go, but the Wolves will defend. They will attack the glass. They will make you work for everything.
That’s a great formula to win a lot of games. Houston certainly had no answer for it. The Rockets have been some version of this team all season. They struggle to score but defend at a high rate.
Yet they lacked the connectivity Minnesota possessed throughout Wednesday’s affair. A physical contest was officiated like that of a playoff bout. It bothered Houston. The Wolves didn’t blink.
It wasn't a smooth ride to the Sweet 16, but top-seeded Duke managed to defeat its first two opponents in the 2026 NCAA Tournament and keep its championship dream alive.
The Blue Devils barely avoided an upset against No. 16 Siena in their March Madness opener, rallying from a double-digit deficit to beat a feisty underdog. Then, in the second round, Duke held a four-point lead at halftime against No. 9 TCU before pulling away down the stretch.
Now, Duke will face a St. John's squad that is coming off a thrilling 67-65 victory over Kansas. Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins each scored 18 points in the win, but Dylan Darling was the hero of the game, beating the buzzer with a clutch layup.
Will the Blue Devils or Red Storm advance to the Elite Eight?
When is Duke's next March Madness game?
Matchup: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 St. John's
Date: Friday, March 27
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
No. 1 Duke will play No. 5 St. John's in an East Region matchup on Friday, March 27. The Sweet 16 game will tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
How to watch Duke March Madness game: TV channel, live stream
Duke's Sweet 16 game will air live on CBS. The game can also be streamed on Fubo and Paramount+.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 25: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers helps up James Harden #1 during the first half against the Miami Heat at Rocket Arena on March 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers four-game winning streak was snapped by the Miami Heat.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
28 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 turnovers
The first half was on par with some of the defensive effort we’ve seen this week from Mitchell. The second half, though? That’s more like it.
Mitchell ramped up his ‘compete’ level and helped turn this game around. His scoring is one thing. We’ve seen him get hot in a hurry before. But when he’s diving to the floor, fighting for loose balls, and getting into the jersey of his opponent? That’s the type of stuff that gets Cleveland roaring.
Grade: B
James Harden
18 points, 7 assists, 9 rebounds, 5 turnovers
This was an uncharacteristically quiet game from Harden, who had previously been in a flow state. He wasn’t overly aggressive hunting for his shot tonight, and the defense was, well, you know how the defense was.
Harden shot 3-9 from three and 1-1 from inside of two-point range. The Heat did a fine job packing the paint, and Harden wasn’t able to punish them enough with his pull-up jumper.
Grade: C-
Evan Mobley
8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Miami made a conscious effort to keep Mobley in a box. He saw multiple jerseys on every post entry and had trouble getting around Bam Adebayo. This is a tougher matchup for Mobley when Jarrett Allen isn’t on the court to put pressure on the Heat’s frontcourt. We saw the results of that tonight.
That said, Mobley has no one to blame but himself for this one. He looked uncertain of himself from the start. And as the game wore on, Miami took more and more space from him. His failed isolation attempt on Kel’el Ware was the lowlight of the night.
Grade: F
Keon Ellis
17 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Ellis hasn’t been spacing the floor as we’d hope recently (1-7 from downtown tonight). He did, however, make himself available in the dunker’s spot for a handful of easy opportunities.
He also knocked the ball out of Tyler Herro’s hands three times in the same possession. That was sick.
Grade: B+
Sam Merrill
18 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists
Merrill is having his best season as a slasher. He got to the rim relentlessly against the Magic last night and replicated some of that success versus Miami. He’s been quick to catch and attack this year rather than pump fake or relocate for a three-pointer. That’s given him the advantage he needs to get into the lane and showcase his floater and layup.
“I was joking, he’s like a drive-first guy now,” Kenny Aktinson said. “Teams are running him off. He’s a hot shooter, we know what that coverage is, so he’s just running through catches… that’s called player development.”
Grade: B+
Dennis Schroder
4 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds
We might be finding out why Schroder was available at the deadline. Or rather, why the Sacramento Kings were willing to give up Keon Ellis for De’Andre Hunter simply to get Schroder off their books.
That’s not to say Schroder is a bad player, or that he can’t help the Cavs down the stretch, but his last few games haven’t been great. He shot 1-5 and wasn’t great defensively. He gets some credit for his effort on the glass and for dealing 6 assists with 0 turnovers.
Grade: D+
Nae’Qwan Tomlin
6 points, 4 rebounds
The Cavs played Tomlin out of necessity tonight. His lack of a viable jumper has made it difficult to keep him on the floor. He isn’t being guarded in the corner, and he’s mostly taking up space in the paint when he sits in the dunker’s spot. He also picked up four fouls in his first nine minutes tonight.
It’s been rough on Tomlin Island.
Grade: D–
Tyrese Proctor
0 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 2 steals
Proctor was thrown into this game during the second quarter as the wheels were falling off. These were his first meaningful minutes since February, and that matched the eye test. He wasn’t overly involved in anything — and smoked an open layup in the fourth quarter.
I’ll be lenient with his grade, considering his place in the rotations and the expectations I have for him as a young pup.
Grade: D+
Thomas Bryant
4 points, 5 rebounds
Bryant’s first half was abysmal. He went 0-4 from the floor and was a minus-17 as Miami’s athleticism left him in the dust. He turned it around gradually in the second half, even rounding out to a positive in the plus-minus before the Heat slammed the door shut in the fourth quarter.
Again, this was just one of those nights where you missed Jarrett Allen.
The Edmonton Oilers have never found consistency this NHL season. They have secured wins against strong teams like the Colorado Avalanche recently, but have also suffered a shutout loss against the Florida Panthers and heavy defeats to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars. This does not paint a good picture of the team’s ability to compete against top opponents.
The same was pointed out by former NHL star Chris Pronger recently, who praised Connor McDavid but raised serious concerns about the Oilers during an appearance on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. Pronger pointed to the growing pressure on the team after consecutive deep playoff runs in 2024 and 2025 and questioned their identity.
Pronger discussed the noise around McDavid and noted that roster moves, inconsistent performances, and unstable goaltending have left the Oilers searching for balance.
“I think there’s so much pressure on this team,” Pronger said. “They’ve gone to back-to-back finals. He’s kind of put them on the clock with respect to his contract. They’ve made a number of moves that haven’t necessarily panned out with respect to the goaltender.”
Despite having the best player in the league, Pronger stressed that individual brilliance does not guarantee team success.
“They’re very much a team that’s kind of in flux, so to speak, in finding their game and finding their identity,” Pronger said. “… and he’s the best player in the league. But that doesn’t mean that you’re the best team in the league. And how you play together and how you work together a lot of times matter more than the singularity in how polarizing one player can be over another.”
McDavid continues to lead the Oilers with another elite season. The captain has recorded 118 points, including 40 goals and 78 assists, while crossing the 400-goal mark and 1200 points recently. His performances keep Edmonton competitive, especially on the league-leading power play.
Pronger on Oilers’ defensive commitment
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Pronger focused heavily on defensive commitment. He said the Oilers must decide how badly they want to improve defensively, adding that success is not just about scoring goals.
“Ultimately, it’s not about scoring goals. It’s about playing defense.” Pronger said.
Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has a plus-minus rating of -18, and Jake Walman has a -12 rating. This has been part of their struggles this season.
Pronger also stressed that leadership starts with McDavid, who must set the tone with responsible two-way play.
“It always starts at the top,” Pronger said. “Your best player has to be committed to playing defense the proper way. And from there, you can move people around the board, and challenge players and hold one another accountable and push on one another to play better, whether it’s the goalie, whether it’s defense, whether it’s forwards, whether it’s collectively as a group and come together in the locker room and challenge one another to be better.”
The Hall of Famer also questioned the team’s unity. From an outside view, he described Edmonton as “disjointed,” with players not always pulling in the same direction. He added that both coaching and management share responsibility for the current situation.
“They seem like they’re very disjointed in going in their own ways,” Pronger said. “Some of that can be coaching. Some of that can be the players. Some of that’s top down for management.”
Pronger warned the Oilers about relying on offense
The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a win at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Edmonton has a 35-28-9 record, and that’s primarily because of inconsistency, as they have failed to build a good win streak of over three games. Their offense averages 3.47 goals per game, and defensive struggles remain a concern.
“They look very disjointed defensively,” Pronger said. “They look at times disinterested. To me, it looks like they think they can score their way out of their problems all the time. And as we know, in the playoffs, it’s not always the case.
“And secondly, they have to get into the playoffs. They’re a bubble team right now. They’re in, but they’re a bubble team. And, as Connor McDavid said, the pillow fight in the Pacific certainly was a great line, because it’s very true when you look at how many points they have versus the East right now.”
As the playoff race tightens, the Oilers must address these gaps quickly.
Barry Bonds is one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
He is one of the most controversial figures in the history of the game because of his connection to PEDs, but he remains MLB's all-time home run leader. Bonds is most known for being a member of the San Francisco Giants, but the iconic image we all have of him in a Giants uniform almost never existed.
During the 2026 Opening Night broadcast between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants, Bonds re-told the story about how he was nearly a member of the Yankees. If he had signed with New York, there is no telling where his career would have gone and whether he would have gone on to set both the single-season and career home run records.
Here is more on Bonds' almost becoming a Yankee in his career and why he signed with the Giants.
Bonds told the story on the broadcast as he was talking to Matt Vasgersian, CC Sabathia and Hunter Pence. The slugger recalled being approached by the Yankees when he was a free agent after the 1992 season. He has spent the first seven years of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and hit the market for the first (and what would be only) time of his career.
Bonds said that George Steinbrenner contacted him when he was a free agent and said that New York was prepared to make him the highest-paid player in the league, but there was a caveat. Bonds was expected to make a decision by 2 p.m. that day. Steinbrenner pressured the outfielder into making a decision, not giving Bonds much time to think about it.
The slugger said he replied, "Excuse me?" before promptly hanging up the phone. He said he went to get lunch and wanted to think about the Yankees' offer. In that time, the Giants called him, and he decided that he "was going home," given that he was born in Riverside, California.
Barry Bonds tells the story of how he nearly became a Yankees player.
Bonds still became the highest-paid player in MLB history, but with the Giants. He signed a six-year deal worth $43.75 million. Bonds then signed a two-year extension with the franchise, then a five-year extension worth $90 million before his final one-year deal for 2007, his last year in the league.
Even adjusting for inflation for 2026 his deal isn't close to the megadeals that we are seeing now, but at the time his deal in 1992 was considered huge, and did make him the highest-paid player in baseball as of that year.
The San Francisco Giants opened their 2026 campaign with a 7-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday, and manager Tony Vitello didn’t mince words when evaluating his club’s performance.
Speaking postgame, Vitello pointed directly at defensive lapses and missed opportunities as key factors in the outcome, noting that routine execution simply wasn’t there.
“Just that we need to play catch better,” Vitello said. “Whether it’s off the mound, pitcher to catcher, to me it’s all playing catch. We had a couple opportunities to get outs…we needed to do a couple things better to turn a double play.”
Vitello highlighted a sequence in which the Giants failed to convert a key defensive play, along with a throw that sailed wide on a ball down the line — moments that proved costly in a game where clean execution could have shifted momentum.
He also referenced aggressive baserunning by the Yankees, including a stolen base that put additional pressure on San Francisco’s defense.
“It’s a half-painful, half-easy press conference,” Vitello admitted. “It was pretty straight up…whichever phase you pick out, we just weren’t as good as we’re capable of being tonight, and they played well.”
Beyond the defensive struggles, Vitello pointed to an overall lack of competitiveness across multiple facets of the game. The Yankees controlled the tempo, particularly on the bases, and capitalized on more scoring opportunities.
“A more competitive effort would have been better,” Vitello said. “They were able to be more aggressive on the bases. They had more opportunities…that allowed them to be the better baserunning team.”
On the mound, the Giants were outmatched by Max Fried, while the bullpen provided mixed results. Offensively, Vitello noted the need for sharper at-bats, echoing his broader theme of execution.
“Pitching-wise, their guy was better than our guy tonight,” he said. “A couple guys out of the bullpen did OK…with the bats, just better at-bats, too.”
Despite the disappointing result, Vitello acknowledged the electric atmosphere surrounding Opening Day, crediting the fanfare and crowd energy.
“The fanfare before the game was tremendous,” he said. “It’s kind of hard to take all that in… but I think the fans got what they signed up for.”
The Giants will have a chance to regroup quickly. They are off on Thursday before returning to Oracle Park for the continuation of their series against the Yankees on Friday and Saturday.
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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — The San Angelo Central High School softball team was eyeing its first District 2-6A win of the season Tuesday night when the Lady Cats hosted Frenship, but the Lady Tigers pulled off a 17-12 decision.
Frenship improved to 10-13 overall and 2-1 in district, and Central dropped to 9-8 and 0-2.
The Lady Cats will have a little break in the schedule before hosting Odessa Permian on March 31.
Click on the video above for highlights from Tuesday’s game.
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PHILADELPHIA — In the waning days of this Chicago Bulls season, Patrick Williams has begun to fade out of focus.
The forward is hardly playing. When he makes it onto court, he often flashes a brief, promising display of the same talent that lured the Bulls to select him with the No. 4 draft pick nearly six years ago — a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer, a sudden lurch toward the rim for an offensive rebound. Then, just as quickly, Williams dissolves into the background. Easy to miss. Hard to explain. A question that the Bulls seem incapable of answering.
The trade deadline was supposed to offer a change. Or, at the least, an opportunity. The Bulls traded away seven of their most important players, clearing the runway for the remaining young core to earn significant playing time. But even in that environment, Williams can’t win.
Since the All-Star break, Williams has spent 240.8 total minutes on the court. Only five players have logged fewer minutes in that span: two-way players Yuki Kawamura and Lachlan Olbrich, and injured teammates Jaden Ivey, Jalen Smith and Anfernee Simons. Williams tallied five blocks and 25 rebounds in that span. And new addition Leonard Miller — a second-year forward who barely cracked the rotation in Minnesota — has nearly doubled his playing time.
How does the forward handle his plummet down the team’s list of priorities?
“I just try to learn from all of it,” Williams told the Tribune. “That’s where I’m at.”
Williams couldn’t offer a clear-cut reason for his lack of playing time. The forward said he hasn’t talked with the coaching staff or the front office about his role reduction. He’s trying to learn from each game, make the most of the minutes he receives and absorb the feedback given by the coaching staff.
But coach Billy Donovan had a simple explanation: nothing has changed.
In his sixth season, Williams is still struggling with the same weaknesses that plagued the first years of his career. The forward is the longest-tenured player on the Bulls roster. He was the first player drafted under Donovan, the first project to which the coach fully committed himself in Chicago. And six years later, Donovan is still prodding and cajoling the forward to crash the boards and control his dribble and contribute physically to the game.
“It bothers me because there are things I see in him that I want to see him do more consistently,” Donovan said. “I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed. … But when someone shows signs of being able to do something, you feel like you want to try to get him to do it more consistently. He’s just got to take ownership of those minutes and just try to make them as valuable as possible.”
More often than not, Donovan and his staff find themselves mulling over the same questions: What do we need to do to motivate Williams to play this way more consistently? What are we missing? What does he need?
Those questions have not changed since his rookie season. They’ve grown more flustered, more confounding. Donovan doesn’t fully understand why Williams doesn’t pursue offensive rebounds at a higher rate. He can’t wrap his head around the forward’s lack of finishing ability as a dunker. He doesn’t know why this player — big, strong, smart, dedicated — can’t get this thing to click after years of trying.
Internally, the Bulls coaching staff has reached a point of bafflement with the forward. To those who work with Williams, none of this makes sense. As a one-and-done who mostly came off the bench at Florida State, it’s not as if the forward was never a surefire guarantee as a top-5 pick. Still, Williams always had the makings to meet a baseline of physicality and finishing that he’s simply never reached in Chicago.
Stardom is more nuanced than height and weight and wingspan, but Williams clearly has the physical gifts and general profile of a solid NBA player. His teammates often marvel at his strength both in the weight room and in team drills. He has a yawning reach, deft hands and light feet. So why has that never translated into consistency — of any kind — on the court?
This is the worst season of Williams’ career. He is averaging the fewest points (6.8) and rebounds (2.8) of his six years in the league. He logs less than one offensive board per game. His 2-point shooting percentage has dropped below 40%. His assist-to-turnover ratio is nearly 1-to-1.
As a result, Williams’ career trajectory has stalled out to a standstill. There are still three years left on the forward’s five-year, $90 million deal. The Bulls did not seriously pursue trade options for Williams at the deadline due to a lack of interest on the market, per a source. Perhaps that will change once he nears the end of his contract. But in the meantime, Williams is treading water — and retreading the same talking points that have defined the last three years of his development.
“I kind of look at it as — whenever I do get out there, what can I learn from it?” Williams said. “To be completely honest, we’re not competing for a championship this year. So when I’m out there, I’m trying to learn different things. I’m trying to work on things in a game. It might look a little bit crazy, but that’s kind of what the development part of it is for me.”
Williams still talks like a young player at the start of his career. When he thinks about this season in the big picture, the forward points to foundational aspects of his game that he hopes to improve — playing at a higher pace, filling in the gaps in an undersized frontcourt.
“I hope that in Year 10, Year 12, Year 15, these lessons will start to come back around again,” Williams said. “I’ll say, ‘OK, I learned that early on when I was in Chicago.’”
There’s some sense to this outlook. After all, Williams is only 24 years old. Life is long.
But NBA careers are not. And as he fails to fight for minutes even on a floundering Bulls roster, Williams is only adding to the stagnation of his career — and the team as a whole.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: José Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees embraces Austin Wells #28 and Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 after scoring against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Opening Day is in the books and it couldn’t have gone much better for the Yankees. It was a bit of a throwback game as the Yankees scored seven runs without the ball leaving the yard, the hitters aggressive early in counts to collect ten base hits. Any time you can score seven runs when Aaron Judge strikes out four times, you know you’ve got a strong supporting cast around the Captain. Max Fried turned in a faultless 6.1 scoreless innings as the Yankees kicked off their season with a 7-0 win over the Giants.
First pitch was delayed by 20 minutes with all the on-field festivities, and the Yankees hitters were also slow coming out of the gate, Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge striking out swinging and Cody Bellinger popping out to left. Max Fried got himself into a spot of trouble in the bottom-half, issuing a leadoff four-pitch walk to noted non-walker Luis Arraez. Matt Chapman then just beat out the throw to first to avoid the double play on his groundball, and advanced to third on a Rafael Devers shallow fly ball to center that Trent Grisham lost in the sun and got a late jump — the bloop carrying a 95-percent catch probability according to Statcast. However, Fried buckled down, collecting his first strikeout of the year by blowing a 95 mph cutter by Willy Adames and getting Jung Hoo Lee to ground out.
After falling behind early in the count to Webb’s aggression in the zone with sinkers and changeups, the whole Yankees lineup made the necessary adjustment in the second. They began hunting first pitches that left Webb’s hand aimed at the glove-side edge of the plate, relying on the arm-side movement to carry it into the path of their bats. Giancarlo Stanton collected the first hit of the Yankees’ season with a one-out line drive single up the middle, followed swiftly by a Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit-by-pitch on a first-pitch sinker. With runners on first and second, José Caballero lined a 1-1 hanging sweeper down the line to left, plating Stanton for the first run of the campaign and advancing Jazz to third. Ryan McMahon drove both runners home on a ground ball single that just evaded Luis Arraez’s outstretched glove, and in just eight pitches the Yankees had a 3-0 lead. Austin Wells jumped on a first pitch changeup down the middle for a line drive single to center, an approach which also worked for Grisham as he clobbered a fly ball into triples alley in right-center to plate McMahon and Wells — the Yankees’ first Opening Day triple since Johnny Damon in 2009. One of the most consistent starters in baseball, this was the first time Webb has given up five runs in an inning since 2023.
Maybe it was just Opening Day first inning adrenaline that caused Fried to spray a bunch of his opening cutters high and glove-side, because he found his groove in the second. He struck out three in the frame sandwiched around a Casey Schmitt HBP, all three strikeouts coming on the fastball. There wasn’t as much swing-and-miss in the third facing the top of the order for a second time, but he nonetheless retired them in order inducing a pair of ground outs. The final baserunner he allowed was a two-out single from Heliot Ramos in the fourth.
The Yankees put a pair on in the fourth as McMahon drew a one-out walk and Wells singled to right, but a Grisham fly out and Judge strikeout stranded them in place. However, the traffic they created in the fifth did bear fruit. Cody Bellinger, Ben Rice, and Giancarlo Stanton opened the frame with three straight singles, Stanton’s driving Bellinger home as the game’s sixth run. Jazz then appeared to ground into a potential double play, but a throwing error from Willy Adames that hit Jazz and bounced away from the first baseman allowed Rice to score all the way from second.
Webb would finish the inning, but that was it for the 2023 NL Cy Young runner-up. New Giants manger Tony Vitello left his ace in to eat it, which isn’t entirely indefensible considering he found a bit of effectiveness in the third and fourth and has to build up his pitch count. However, the seven runs on nine hits was the most runs he has given up in a start since July 10, 2024.
Keaton Winn was the first reliever out of the Giants’ bullpen, and he stuck a feather in his cap by striking out Judge. The lone blemish on an otherwise faultless night, Judge went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts. It’s the first time a reigning MVP has worn the golden sombrero on Opening Day and Judge’s first four-strikeout game since September 28, 2024. In a way, though, the captain having a quiet night is a gift in disguise as it reinforces that the Yankees offense is still capable of scoring a lot of runs even when their leader doesn’t hit on that particular day.
Fried continued to cruise in the middle innings, which came as a double blessing considering commissioner Rob Manfred joined the broadcast booth in the fifth. Fried worked a quick 1-2-3 inning to spare us from listening to too much of his conceited drivel. That wasn’t the only notable booth guest interaction, Barry Bonds joining in the sixth to share an alleged story of George Steinbrenner sabotaging a deal to sign the all-time home run king in 1993.
The contact against Fried started to get a little louder in the sixth despite him working a 1-2-3 frame. That coupled with him still not being fully built up to a complete workload likely explained Boone removing his starter at just 86 pitches with one out into the seventh. It’s hard to ask for much more from your Opening Day starter, Fried tossing 6.1 scoreless innings allowing just two hits and a walk to go with four strikeouts, the southpaw retiring 18 of the final 20 batters he faced.
The Yankees’ final chance to pad their lead came in the seventh, Rice drawing a leadoff walk and advancing to second on a Jazz single off former Yankee JT Brubaker, but the righty got Caballero to bounce into the inning-ending double play. Jake Bird was the first Yankees reliever out of the ‘pen and he collected the final two outs of the seventh. Brent Headrick worked around an Arraez single and Chapman walk with two outs to turn in a scoreless eighth. Camilo Doval nullified a Caballero fielding error to open the ninth by retiring the final three batters to end the game, 7-0.
The Yankees have the day off tomorrow before getting back to action on Friday. Cam Schlittler earns the start coming off his electric rookie cameo, and faces 2021 AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, who earned the second All-Star nod of his career last season. First pitch is scheduled for 4:35 pm ET with the broadcast moving over to YES.
AEW Dynamite returned with another two-hour episode on Wednesday, March 25, as the build toward Dynasty continued to heat up with the pay-per-view just weeks away in April.
With the show approaching, the Dynasty main event picture also came into focus, as MJF prepared to put the AEW World Championship on the line. The question became who would earn that opportunity, with Kenny Omega and Swerve Strickland battling for the No. 1 contender spot.
Elsewhere, Thekla defended the AEW World Women’s Championship against Mina Shirakawa. Would her toxic reign continue?
With that said, let’s take a look at what unfolded on AEW Dynamite.
AEW Dynamite Results (March 25, 2026)
No. 1 Contenders Match for the AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega def. Swerve Strickland by pinfall to become the No. 1 contender to the title.
The added layer of Kenny Omega potentially surrendering his Executive Vice President role was interesting. It raised the stakes and created real intrigue around a potential power angle with Swerve Strickland, something AEW has not explored much on screen outside of the occasional EVP references with The Young Bucks over the past few years.
But maybe this was telegraphed all along.
With Dynamite in Winnipeg approaching and Omega already having lost to Strickland, it made sense for him to get a decisive win, establish himself as the true No. 1 contender, and head into his home city with momentum for a major segment. It is still a bit wonky that Strickland was suddenly named the top contender last Wednesday, something he even said caught him off guard, but now the Canadian star is set to face MJF.
Strickland will be fine, though the power angle would have added an interesting wrinkle. It will be worth watching where he goes next, especially with him stepping away from the world title picture for now.
That aside, this was another fantastic match. Maybe not quite on the level of their first, but getting two star-studded, main event caliber matches on free television is not something to complain about.
A vignette of Darby Allin aired before his match against Rush.
Will Ospreay said he has an issue with anyone aligned with Jon Moxley, directing his focus toward PAC. He told PAC to meet him in Winnipeg to settle it. Ospreay added that while he owes Moxley a thank you for the time spent bonding with his son, his son was also afraid of seeing his neck snapped in front of everyone. He said he plans to alter Moxley’s life the way Moxley altered his and challenged him to a match at Dynasty.
Jon Moxley, Daniel Garcia, and Marina Shafir def. Darius Martin, Dante Martin, and Zayda Steel by pinfall.
After the match, Moxley told Ospreay it is not nice to say mean things on television. He said it is not personal, but if Ospreay wants a match at Dynasty, he has it. He added that the Aerial Assassin should be careful not to let his mouth get him into trouble.
In a vignette, The Young Bucks said they have not slept since their loss at Revolution. They said after a setback like that, they will come back better, stronger, and faster, with the goal of reclaiming the AEW World Tag Team Championship.
Mike Bailey def. Rocky Romero by pinfall.
MJF bragged about defeating Adam Page at Revolution and called it the easiest match of his career. He said no one deserves the title more than him. Kenny Omega interrupted and called out MJF’s smug attitude, running through his nicknames. Omega said if MJF wants to be the devil, then he must be the god of professional wrestling and take the title from him. He added that while MJF beat a less-than-healthy version of him before, he is now back at full strength. Omega said he will not fall for MJF’s antics again and claimed he is better than MJF, something he believes MJF knows as well. Omega then challenged him for the title at Dynasty, and MJF accepted.
Backstage, Christian Cage said FTR chose to turn their backs on Adam Copeland, attacking both of them at All Out and leaving them laid out, including an attack on Beth Copeland. Copeland said he plans to get his hands on FTR and end their careers.
Stokley Hathaway said everyone should care about what FTR have to say. Cash Wheeler said they made the choice to “dump the dead weight” and that they take a backseat to no one. Dax Harwood said Copeland and Christian are shells of themselves and nothing more than a nostalgia act.
David Finlay and Clark Connors def. Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong by pinfall.
This was probably the win The Dogs should have picked up at Revolution. It didn’t make much sense at the time, and Gabe Kidd losing to Darby Allin last week didn’t help either, but it is what it is.
AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions, Megan Bayne and Lena Kross call out Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron in a vignette.
Kyle Fletcher says defeating Robbie Eagles puts everything into perspective since he’s on his way to becoming the best TNT Champion of all time. He says he’s undefeated in single competition in 2026, which Kenny Omega and MJF can’t say. He says he’s the man to bring the AEW world title to the Don Callis Family. Konosuke Takeshita approaches, and Fletcher tells him he doesn’t want anything to get in the way of what he and Takeshita have, and Takeshita says Kazuchika Okada won’t get in their way.
AEW Women’s World Championship Match: Thekla (c) def. Mina Shirakawa by pinfall to retain the title.
Finishes like this are tough for a live crowd to follow. Thekla pulled out brass knuckles and hit Shirakawa with them before getting the pinfall, but the crowd barely reacted. It was hard to tell if they even realized what happened. On television, it was clear with commentary pointing it out, but the lack of reaction in the arena didn’t do the moment any favors.
That said, it was still a very physical match, and Shirakawa showed a more serious edge following the backstage attack on Toni Storm last week. That is what you get with Thekla matches, and she continued what has been a strong title reign so far. It would just be nice to see her get more time on AEW’s main show.
Backstage, Kenny Omega was told he would have a contract signing with MJF next week, with no physicality allowed. Omega said it felt like déjà vu challenging for the title again, but that now was the time. Mike Bailey approached and said he would like a shot at the title if Omega won, and the two shook hands.
Ricochet apologized for losing his cool the last time he was seen and said he was screwed when he lost the AEW National Championship at Revolution. He added that he was tired of seeing others get opportunities for doing the bare minimum.
No Countouts Match: Darby Allin def. Rush by pinfall.
After the match, Mark Davis piledrove Allin on the stage, and the rest of the Don Callis Family attacked him to close the show.
This clearly took Allin out of the immediate world title conversation, as MJF paid off the Don Callis Family to attack the former AEW World Tag Team Champion. Commentary also noted he had now won seven straight matches, so they’re clearly building toward a title shot.
Allin, Bailey, and Fletcher all feel like the next challengers in line after Omega, and AEW has done a strong job of building each of them into legitimate options. Now it becomes a question of timing and direction. Who gets MJF or Omega at Double or Nothing? Based on how things are trending, Allin seems like the favorite, though AEW could always pivot with something on Dynamite.
The Philadelphia 76ers entered Wednesday night's game looking to keep pace in a tightly contested Eastern Conference playoff race. As it stands, seeds 5-10 are separated by two and a half games or less. The 76ers lead all Play-In teams, currently sitting seventh.
They earned another win Wednesday, defeating the Bulls in one of their strongest performances of the year. The 76ers posted a season-high 157 points, including an incredible 51-point third quarter.
Wednesday's game marked a return for both Joel Embiid (injury) and Paul George (suspension), both of whom performed well. Embiid finished with 35 points on an efficient 12-for-17 from the field to go along with seven assists, six rebounds and one block. George wasn't far behind, finishing with 28 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals.
After the game, George spoke about his return and his thoughts on the team's performances while he's been away.
"The young guys have gotten better. I love the maturity. (...) Those guys stepped up," said George.
George also went on to praise rookie VJ Edgecombe for his play amidst injuries to stars like Tyrese Maxey and Embiid.
Edgecombe scored 22 points Wednesday, converting on 7-of-9 attempts from the field.
With the win, Philadelphia moves to 40-33 on the season, keeping their seventh-place spot.
During that interview alongside Matt Vasgersian, CC Sabathia and Hunter Pence, Bonds recalled an interesting story about his free agency following the 1992 season, when he left the Pittsburgh Pirates for the Giants.
The Yankees were one of Bonds’ other suitors at the time, and he claims it wasn’t money that ended up pushing him away from the Bronx. He said it was Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
Barry Bonds says he hung up the phone on George Steinbrenner after he offered him the largest contract in baseball at the time. pic.twitter.com/82pnfWrTzA
“George isn’t here anymore, so I can tell the truth. I would have been a Yankee, but Steinbrenner got on the phone and he called us. They told me, ‘Barry, we’re going to give you the money’ — the highest-paid player at that time — ‘but you have to sign the contract by 2 o’clock this afternoon.’
“I said, ‘Excuse me?’ And I just hung the phone up. I went to go get lunch and Dennis Gilbert, my agent, was like, ‘Do you know what you just did?’ I’m like, ‘Do you know what he just said?’ By the time I walked down the street to go get lunch — I said, ‘Let me just think about this’ — the Giants called me and I said, ‘I’m going home.’”
There are a few things going on in this story, so let’s take this one-by-one.
Bonds is apparently comfortable telling this story only because Steinbrenner is dead, which has been true since 2010.
The Yankees were allegedly set on giving Bonds the largest contract in MLB, but supposedly only if he would meet an arbitrary deadline to sign a contract the day they made the offer.
George Steinbrenner supposedly reached out to Bonds personally, despite the fact he was quite famously banned from baseball from 1990 to 1993.
That latter point is certainly worth pondering. Steinbrenner accepted a lifetime ban from then-MLB commissioner Fay Vincent for paying a known gambler for dirt on Dave Winfield and wasn’t officially reinstated until March of 1993. Bonds signed with the Giants in December of 1992.
So we have a case where either Bonds is lying/misremembering or Steinbrenner was openly shirking a ban from baseball to talk to the biggest free agent in baseball. You can be the judge on what’s most likely.
Barry Bonds to the Yankees is a fascinating what-if.
Michael Tullberg via Getty Images
You can also choose whether to believe Bonds or the newspaper of record at the time. As The New York Times reported, the sticking point between Bonds and the Yankees wasn’t so much respect as the club’s refusal to add a year to their five-year, $36 million offer. The Yankees reportedly gave him a two-day window to accept their offer and withdrew from the proceedings when he turned them down.
As then-Yankees general manger Gene Michael explained:
"We wanted him and now it's off," Michael said in a phone interview from Tampa, Fla. "We're going for pitching. Maybe it's the right thing to do. We will not have Barry Bonds with a sixth year."
"We have to draw the line somewhere … I have no regrets saying we did not offer him a sixth year. We offered him a fantastic contract for five years. We really went out of our way to make a nice offer."
The article does not mention Steinbrenner.
The Giants ended up giving Bonds that sixth year on a then-record $44 million contract and kept him through 2007. In return, they received some spectacular baseball, then spectacular scandal.
SPRINGFIELD – For the fourth consecutive meeting, the outcome between the Thunderbirds and Bruins was decided by one goal.
The only problem, though, is that Springfield finished on the wrong side of a 2-1 outcome against Providence on Wednesday night at the MassMutual Center.
“There were a lot of details, but there were more than one or two turnovers,” Thunderbirds coach Steve Ott said. “And (the Bruins) are a team that makes you beat yourself. And I thought for the most part, they did that to us.
“We became unpredictable throughout the game, and it just makes it a real hard game to gain any traction in it. So you know, hats off to them. We knew that we’d get their best tonight, and I thought we did.”
Wednesday was more than a late regular-season game between rivals, as the Thunderbirds entered action only two points behind Lehigh Valley for the sixth and final postseason spot in the Atlantic Division with 11 games left on the schedule.
Springfield, though, was unable to seize the opportunity as the Thunderbirds suffered their sixth-season loss against first-place Providence. But the bright spot is that Springfield (25-29-6-2, 58 points) is still ahead of Hartford (24-32-4-2, 54 points) for seventh place in the division with 10 regular-season games left.
The Boston Bruins also announced earlier this week that former Boston College men’s hockey star and their top prospect, James Hagens, signed an amateur tryout agreement with Providence. The result ensured that Hagens made his professional debut for the P-Bruins on Wednesday against Springfield.
Hagensattempted three shotsand also gained some crucial experience. The 19-year-old, for example, participated on the Bruins’ top power-play unit in the second and third period, where he executed an unsuccessful sneak preview of his future one-timer attempt. The two-way center also won multiple faceoffs in the offensive zone.
Through 11-plus minutes of action, the Thunderbirds failed to score on back-to-back power-play attempts, and Providence made them pay. As the Bruins regained possession in their zone, Matthew Poitras connected with Matěj Blümel at the beginning of the crease.
Blümel then attempted an unsuccessful spin-move shot attempt as Springfield netminder Will Cranley made one of his game-high 39 saves with his blocker. But the momentum was short-lived, as Riley Tufte recovered the rebound along the left side of the crease and poked it home to move the Bruins ahead 1-0 with 8:08 left in the first period.
That marked Tufte’s team-leading 28th-season goal for Providence, while Blümel and Poitras each recorded their 28th helpers on the drive.
The Bruins nearly doubled their lead during the 19th minute, as the road team earned a 2-on-1 breakaway attempt. But as Jake Schmaltz approached the opposing net, Cranley’s foot denied the center behind one of his 17 first-period saves to keep it a one-goal deficit for Springfield through one intermission.
“Will was great,” said Ott of Cranley’s performance. “I mean, he faced way too many chances against, let alone shots against. So we have to do a better job in front of our goalies.”
The opposing festivities continued into the second, as Victor Söderström appeared to have scored his ninth-season goal on a rebounder outside the crease for Providence.
But after official review, it was declared that Cranley made a successful diving glove stop before the puck crossed the goal line to keep it a one-goal difference with 15:34 left on the clock.
That outcome proved essential, as Dylan Peterson connected with Julien Gauthier along the left board once both players crossed the blue line. As Springfield earned its own 2-on-1 breakaway attempt near the opposing crease, Ty Gallagher attempted to spoil the fun with a head-first dive.
It wasn’t enough, though, as Gauthier maneuvered around the defenseman and scored a backhanded wrister to help the Thunderbirds even the score at 1-1 with 6:03 left in the second. The goal marked Gauthier’s seventh of the season, while Peterson earned his 11th assist.
Springfield and Providence remained in a stalemate through 40 minutes of action, despite the Bruins maintaining a 26-15 shots-on-goal advantage.
That previously-mentioned statistic wasn’t a surprise, especially since four of the nine previous season games between the Thunderbirds and Bruins have been decided by one goal. And that figure also included three consecutive earlier outcomes, where Springfield had won two of those three games.
But momentum wasn’t on the Thunderbirds’ side to begin the third period, as the home team failed to clear possession near the blue line and Providence attacked. Once Joey Abate secured the loose puck, the left-winger connected with Schmaltz ahead of the pack for the go-ahead breakaway goal to move the Bruins ahead 2-1 with 16:04 left in regulation.
Though the Thunderbirds were down in the final period, they weren’t out. And Cranley ensured that statement, as the 24-year-old made an impressive diving save along his left against Matěj Blümel to help Springfield keep it a one-possession deficit with 8:46 left on the clock.
But during the 57th minute of action, the Thunderbirds earned their fourth power-play attempt as Patrick Brown was whistled for tripping. Now with just over two minutes left on the clock, Zach Dean earned a cross pass and attempted to even the score with a one-timer.
It wasn’t enough, though, as Providence netminder Michael DiPietro made one of his 25 saves to help the Bruins earn their league-best 48th season win. The outcome also ensured DiPietro earned his AHL-best 30th win between the pipes.
Springfield will look to keep its postseason hopes alive as they complete the week with a mini road trip. The first of two games will start against the Phantoms on Friday inside the PPL Center at 7:05 p.m.
“The message is a playoff push,” Ott said. “I don’t think that it kind of speaks for itself. They know where we are in the standings, and we know where we are in the standings. So for us, it’s doing the right things.
“We have to travel there and make sure we’re ready to go for a strong playoff-type atmosphere game. Obviously, Lehigh Valley is going to take this game very seriously, and so are we. It’s going to be a good one.”
Catching Cason Wallace in a jail dribble, Jaylen Brown stepped through his way to flick up a floater that went in. Afterward, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander committed a rare turnover as Jayson Tatum intercepted his daring cross-court pass. The two-play sequence in the final seconds ended this one.
The Oklahoma City Thunder couldn't come up in the big-time moments with a 119-109 loss to the Boston Celtics. That snapped their 12-game win streak and lost some of their cushion for the first seed.
The heavyweight matchup lived up to the hype. Both teams being mostly healthy, you saw the last two NBA champions go at it in a game that national TV executives wish they had. With their championship lineup, the Thunder were ready from the jump.
Lu Dort made a couple of outside jumpers. Gilgeous-Alexander sunk an elbow jumper. The Thunder quickly built a double-digit lead. They had a 31-20 lead after the first quarter. Quite the strong start against the Celtics. Alas, any goodwill created quickly melted.
Without Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder saw their offense fall apart. None of the secondary creators could get going. Meanwhile, Brown and Tatum helped Boston get back into it. They scored 11 consecutive points in the final moments of the first half.
The Thunder only had 22 points in the second quarter. They entered halftime with a 53-49 lead. In a marquee matchup, you saw some of OKC's bad habits bubble up — the role players couldn't hit their open shots. The Celtics dared the supporting cast to beat them. They won that bet.
After the break, both teams went back and forth. Neither could create any real separation. After chipping away in the middle quarters, Brown hit Alex Caruso with a spin move and threw down a one-handed jam. Momentum began to swing towards the home squad as OKC's lead was down to two points with four minutes left in the third frame.
The Thunder couldn't correct things. They had 30 points in the third frame, but the Celtics scored 39 points. That put OKC in an 88-83 hole. After being sharp at the start, their defense dulled out as the game progressed. Boston figured some things out — also helps that the role players hit on their outside jumpers.
Looking for a spark, the Thunder didn't get one from anybody else. Jalen Williams was pretty forgettable. Same for Chet Holmgren. Meanwhile, the Celtics had contributions from across the board. Baylor Scheierman was the latest as a second-chance dunk put OKC in a 100-92 deficit with a little under eight minutes left.
Needing to go on a run, the Thunder never manufactured one — something you've seldom seen with this group in all of their years together. The Celtics had no problem exchanging buckets as long as the clock bled. Brown was able to get Gilgeous-Alexander on a few foul-baiting moves. One had him smiling with irony, considering his recent comments about the activity.
The Thunder tried to extend things, but they couldn't take advantage of the gravity Gilgeous-Alexander demanded. Anytime the ball sprayed out to the perimeter, most outside attempts ended up in a miss. They had 26 points in the fourth quarter as the Celtics stiff-armed them in one of their biggest games of the year.
The Thunder shot 48% from the field and went 12-of-37 (32.4%) from 3. They shot 21-of-26 on free throws. They had 17 assists on 38 baskets. Three Thunder players scored double-digit points.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 33 points and eight assists. Dort had 14 points and five rebounds. Holmgren finished with 10 points and five rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Celtics shot 47% from the field and went 18-of-41 (43.9%) from 3. They shot 25-of-29 on free throws. They had 25 assists on 38 baskets. Six Celtics players scored double-digit points.
Brown led the way with 31 points, eight assists and eight rebounds. Tatum had 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Derrick White had 12 points and six assists. Payton Pritchard scored 14 points. Scheierman tallied 11 points and five rebounds. Neemias Queta dropped 13 points and five rebounds.
Like that, the streak is over. Gilgeous-Alexander did enough to secure the win, but the rest of the Thunder failed to show up. Can't get away with that against the Celtics — especially when their outside shots fall at a high clip. The offense never looked comfortable in the final three-fourths of the game. And the defense eventually looked human as the game aged.
In a vacuum, not the worst loss ever. The Celtics are a top-five team in the league. Beating them in Boston was a tall task. But when you throw in the San Antonio Spurs breathing down your neck for the first seed, your margin for error thins out to nearly nothing. We're in an arms race for the first seed. And OKC is the latest one to finally blink.
Let's look at Thunder player grades:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A-plus
Getting the switch on Pritchard, Gilgeous-Alexander went into attack mode. He lowered his shoulders and drove baseline. His pull-up jumper rattled in. The reigning MVP tried his best to play Superman, but the rest of the Thunder couldn't help him out.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 33 points on 10-of-12 shooting, eight assists and two rebounds. He shot 3-of-4 from 3 and went 10-of-12 on free throws. He also had two steals.
In a game where the rest no-showed, Gilgeous-Alexander was the sole difference between this being a competitive game and a blowout loss. He was once again the best player on the floor as Brown tries to stay in the MVP conversation. Playing at half-speed over the last handful of wins, he went all out in this one.
Limiting his drives, Gilgeous-Alexander buried the Celtics with his mid-range jumper. He got to his favorite spots as that was the shot the Celtics conceded. It was also a busy night at the free-throw line. Still didn't really matter a whole ton. He put up a superb-efficient 30-plus points against one of the best defenses that spent all day game-planning for him.
Reading the room, Gilgeous-Alexander turned up his usage. He had 21 points in the second half. Sadly, nobody else joined him. Can't beat one of the best teams one-on-five. The rest of the Thunder bailed the Celtics out by missing several gimmes. That eventually reflected on the scoreboard.
One of those games where Gilgeous-Alexander did enough to secure the win. But nobody else did. Leaves you feeling frustrated. It's nearly impossible to poke any holes in OKC's roster, but they occasionally lay an egg like this. A bad outside shooting performance shows that it might be the variable that hurts the Thunder the most in these primetime games.
Backpedaling on defense, Dort chased Sam Hauser down. The Boston role player's layup attempt was swatted away. On the other end, the OKC starter knocked down a couple of outside jumpers to get things going. This was a vintage 'Big Game Lu' outing.
Dort finished with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting and five rebounds. He shot 4-of-6 from 3. He also had one block.
The lone sans-Gilgeous-Alexander bright spot. You could argue that Dort was the only other guy on the Thunder who played well enough to get the win. Being ice-cold from deep for a month now, the outside jumper finally fell for him. Boston dared him to make the looks. And to his credit, he did.
The defense was whatever. It hasn't been as sharp as previous years, but you can't really blame Dort too much for Brown going off. He's had a career season as an MVP candidate. The rest of the team didn't make up for it, either. Just a bad defensive night for the Thunder.
It's been a minute since Dort was a positive on that end of the floor. No such thing as moral victories at this stage of the regular season, but he's long due for a hot stretch from the outside. If the Thunder insist on giving him starter minutes, knocking down his outside jumpers on a decent clip could go a long way.
Stationed in the right corner spot, Holmgren swished in the outside look. The Thunder hoped that would rev up his scoring motor. Instead, that turned out to be his last shot attempt of the night with seven minutes left in the third quarter. Not good.
Holmgren finished with 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting, three rebounds and three assists. He shot 0-of-3 from 3 and went 3-of-4 on free throws.
Just not enough from Holmgren. On both ends. Holmgren has done a much better job at sulking through these lows, but he still has them now and then. Probably bad timing to do it against the Celtics, though. They sliced through OKC's league-best defense. That included going to the rim.
On the other end, Holmgren was just too passive. Only 10 points won't cut it when Gilgeous-Alexander is desperately looking for help. Considering it's his second game back from a hamstring strain, Jalen Williams gets a bit of a pass. But OKC's other All-Star this year? Tough to look the other way.
The Thunder won't win a ton of high-leverage games when their other All-Star is outplayed by several Boston role players. Most nights, the inconsistent offense is stomachable thanks to his elite rim protection. But that didn't happen. A bad game overall, where the seven-footer was too invisible. Shouldn't happen.
Alex Caruso: D
Hoping to cut OKC's deficit to three points with a minute left, Caruso had his most costly miss. The 32-year-old couldn't knock down the corner attempt. Queta's closeout affected the outside look enough. Brutal for the Thunder as it ended their late-game ambitions.
Caruso finished with nine points on 3-of-11 shooting, four rebounds and two assists. He shot 1-of-8 from 3 and went 2-of-2 on free throws. He also had one steal.
Serving as a mid-term, the Celtics showed the Thunder what their final test will look like — a lot of sagging off on the Thunder role players. They dared Caruso to beat them from the outside. Boston syphoned OKC's possessions to him. Giving up several open looks. A bundle of clanks justified the bold strategy.
Welcome to what the 2026 NBA playoffs will look like. In his worst outside shooting season ever, he's below 30% from deep. You could get away with that in the regular season, but this pseudo-playoff environment showed how opposing teams will likely strategize to beat the Thunder.
Against another title contender, Caruso couldn't swish in open looks. Neither could anybody else besides Dort, really. Don't mean to single out the two-time NBA champion. With the playoffs around the corner, the Thunder is staring down the possibility of having another run with unreliable outside shooters. It didn't matter last year. But it doesn't feel like a sustainable winning formula, either.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The field at Dodger Stadium has a sponsor name for the first time in the history of the third-oldest ballpark in the major leagues.
Uniqlo Field was unveiled Wednesday on the eve of the Los Angeles Dodgers opening their bid for a third straight World Series championship. They begin the season Thursday by hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks in the start of a three-game series.
“Every one of us has become fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers because of the outstanding performances of Japanese players,” company founder Tadashi Lanai said through a translator.
Uniqlo is a Japan-based apparel retailer with over 2,400 stores, including a strong presence in its home country, Asia, Europe and Canada. It has nearly 80 U.S. stores, primarily in malls, with aggressive expansion plans.
It's the first major sports sponsorship for Uniqlo in the U.S., and took nearly a year to negotiate, according to Koji Lanai, senior executive officer for Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo. He is the son of Tadashi Lanai, known as Japan's richest man with a net worth of nearly $62 billion.
The deal places Uniqlo's red-and-white signage in various locations around the stadium, including the batter's eye in center field, on the facade beneath the press box and on the grass along the baselines.
“I hope in the near future fans will like it and love it,” Koji Lanai said.
A Japanese reporter asked whether a batter would get anything for hitting the sign in center field. The Dodgers famously at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn had a sign under the scoreboard on the right-center field wall from 1931-57 that read: “Hit sign, win suit.” The ad was placed by Abe Stark, a clothing store owner who went on to become Brooklyn Borough President.
“It's a very good idea I was just given,” Koji Lanai said through a translator.
Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten added, “We like that idea, too.”
Tadashi Lanai said providing Dodgers players with clothing is “not that easy” because of conflicting sponsorship deals. “But probably we can provide them with everyday clothing,” he said through a translator.
Kasten piped up, saying, “We pay them enough to shop at Uniqlo stores.”
Dodgers fans are used to seeing the names of Japanese sponsors like Tokyo Electron, All Nippon Airways and Yakult in the outfield. The team has catered to Asian fans in particular since the arrival of Ohtani before the 2024 season.
“I've been thrilled with the reaction I got from fans,” Kasten said.
The Dodgers presented Tadashi Lanai with a home plate signed by the players in what Kasten called a symbol of the retailer's new home.
Among the retailer's plans at the stadium, which opened in 1962, is a special corner inside team apparel stores and a June 21 event in which fans will receive an item of LifeWear clothing. A social contribution program launches in late May.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The field at Dodger Stadium has a sponsor name for the first time in the history of the third-oldest ballpark in the major leagues.
Uniqlo Field was unveiled Wednesday on the eve of the Los Angeles Dodgers opening their bid for a third straight World Series championship. They begin the season Thursday by hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks in the start of a three-game series.
“Every one of us has become fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers because of the outstanding performances of Japanese players,” company founder Tadashi Lanai said through a translator.
Uniqlo is a Japan-based apparel retailer with over 2,400 stores, including a strong presence in its home country, Asia, Europe and Canada. It has nearly 80 U.S. stores, primarily in malls, with aggressive expansion plans.
It's the first major sports sponsorship for Uniqlo in the U.S., and took nearly a year to negotiate, according to Koji Lanai, senior executive officer for Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo. He is the son of Tadashi Lanai, known as Japan's richest man with a net worth of nearly $62 billion.
The deal places Uniqlo's red-and-white signage in various locations around the stadium, including the batter's eye in center field, on the facade beneath the press box and on the grass along the baselines.
“I hope in the near future fans will like it and love it,” Koji Lanai said.
A Japanese reporter asked whether a batter would get anything for hitting the sign in center field. The Dodgers famously at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn had a sign under the scoreboard on the right-center field wall from 1931-57 that read: “Hit sign, win suit.” The ad was placed by Abe Stark, a clothing store owner who went on to become Brooklyn Borough President.
“It's a very good idea I was just given,” Koji Lanai said through a translator.
Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten added, “We like that idea, too.”
Tadashi Lanai said providing Dodgers players with clothing is “not that easy” because of conflicting sponsorship deals. “But probably we can provide them with everyday clothing,” he said through a translator.
Kasten piped up, saying, “We pay them enough to shop at Uniqlo stores.”
Dodgers fans are used to seeing the names of Japanese sponsors like Tokyo Electron, All Nippon Airways and Yakult in the outfield. The team has catered to Asian fans in particular since the arrival of Ohtani before the 2024 season.
“I've been thrilled with the reaction I got from fans,” Kasten said.
The Dodgers presented Tadashi Lanai with a home plate signed by the players in what Kasten called a symbol of the retailer's new home.
Among the retailer's plans at the stadium, which opened in 1962, is a special corner inside team apparel stores and a June 21 event in which fans will receive an item of LifeWear clothing. A social contribution program launches in late May.
There have been times over the past three decades when Major League Baseball has come off perhaps a little too desperate.
Crises both self-inflicted (the canceling of the 1994 World Series) and external (Big Football consuming the attention economy, the collapse of linear television) can make the erstwhile national pastime scramble to claw back some of that cultural currency.
And it seemed like more of the same when MLB agreed to sell a pair of prime real estate properties – a standalone Opening Night game and the much-loved Home Run Derby – to Netflix. Hey, gotta meet the viewers where they are and besides, the $50 million annually for three years doesn’t hurt.
Yet when the time finally came for this standalone opener on a nascent sports broadcaster to get beamed to some 300 million global subscribers, it wasn’t the league that came off desperate to leverage the window.
It was Netflix.
You’d think a global brand whose name is synonymous with streaming like Coke and Xerox are for their products wouldn’t feel the need to force-feed the viewer with noxious, wall-to-wall promotions of their #content.
Silly us, failing to realize Netflix was actually bigger than the game.
From Daniel Dae Kim’s game intro (catch him in "Avatar: The Last Airbender") to pro wrestler John Cena’s strange assignment to explain the automatic ball-strike system (hey, be sure to watch "Little Brother," where he stars alongside Eric André, and Michelle Monaghan) to Bert Kreischer’s floating around in a kayak and his pregame screaming as on-field MC, the viewer was never allowed to breathe.
By the time they found Yahya Abdul-Mateen II conveniently seated behind home plate (hey, "Man on Fire" drops April 26!), one thing was clear.
Fox Sports, known for its relentless promotion by placing "Party of Five" stars and Zooey Deschanel in the stands – or singing the national anthem – for World Series games, is off the hook.
The game itself? It was fine enough, though it couldn’t begin until WWE on Netflix superstar Jey Uso screamed “Play Ball!” in front of the sellout crowd.
Elle Duncan did well to direct traffic among the star-studded pregame panel of Barry Bonds, Anthony Rizzo and Albert Pujols, with Bonds in Candid Mode by explaining he was “probably the best teammate you’d ever have” and then regaling the booth with an anecdote that he hung up on George Steinbrenner.
The stream was clean. The Yankees mashed. Max Fried shoved. It’s tough to mess up baseball.
Which brings us to the ever-shifting power dynamics in media and entertainment. It’s almost like Netflix had to throw the kitchen sink at a captive audience surely filled with unique visitors. And the reminders of our ruthless media ecosystem were hard to ignore.
Heck, the game was played at a park named for Oracle, whose founder, Larry Ellison, and his son David, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, closed an $8 billion merger with Paramount, a deal that still needs approval.
Paramount’s power play will only further consolidate media in all forms, with the flailing CBS News, CNN, HBO, TikTok and many others under one roof. And Paramount emerged victorious because the favorite pulled out.
Netflix.
Shareholders hated the $83 billion transaction, its share price declining 30% after the deal was announced, only to rebound 14% upon news Netflix was pulling out.
It’s vicious out there in this atomized entertainment and media environment, perhaps one reason why Netflix aimed to hog every moment in the California sunshine. It colonized McCovey Cove with 73 canoes with the company logo, worked in a Stranger Things “activation” and segued yet another Kreischer encounter into a promo for “Thrash on Netflix.”
As self-aggrandizing as ESPN can often be, this was another level, as if the delivery mechanism for the entertainment was more important than the entertainment itself. Like going on and on about a beer mug or wine glass rather than the drink itself.
It was an odd kickoff to what was unofficially the beginning of MLB’s highly uncertain yet promising broadcast future. The league is essentially beta testing what works for its teams, broadcast partners and viewers, with the moment of truth coming in three years, when its entire inventory is up for bid.
Certainly, money will talk far more than broadcast quality. And while the baseball side of things had a couple mess-ups – such as missing the first ABS challenge during a dugout interview, and an incredibly softball interview with Commissioner Rob Manfred – it came off fine.
The same can’t necessarily be said for the parent club, whose next baseball foray comes with July 13’s Home Run Derby. Hard to imagine many would be pining for Chris Berman’s old “Back, back, back!” call on that one.
Then again, it might be more preferable than an endless network promo.
During Formula 1 qualifying at the iconic Suzuka Circuit, drivers will now only be allowed to harvest eight megajoules of energy, whereas that limit had initially been set at nine megajoules. The FIA has cut the rate of harvesting in an attempt to reduce the amount of super clipping at a track that, like Melbourne, is described as ‘harvesting poor’ in the paddock.
In Albert Park, that led to painful onboard footage heading into Turns 9 and 10, even on George Russell’s pole lap. Drivers were super clipping well ahead of the braking zone, a state in which they can recharge energy while remaining flat out. This made the speed profiles unnatural and took away part of the challenge for drivers. Even in Shanghai, Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, among others, said they were effectively being penalised the more risks they tried to take.
In a meeting after the Chinese Grand Prix, the consensus among F1 teams was that the races themselves are entertaining and do not require a ‘knee-jerk reaction’, but that qualifying is an area that could be improved. Qualifying, after all, should remain a challenge for drivers, meaning lift-and-coast and super clipping over a flying lap should be reduced.
The initial outcome of the meeting was that nothing would change for Japan and that qualifying would only be revisited ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. However, the FIA has now gone back on that position with a statement issued on Thursday – the media day in Suzuka.
“Following discussions between the FIA, F1 teams and power unit manufacturers, a minor adjustment to the energy management parameters for qualifying at the Japanese GP has been agreed with the unanimous support of all power unit manufacturers,” the governing body said.
“To ensure that the intended balance between energy deployment and driver performance is maintained, the maximum permitted energy recharge for qualifying this weekend has been reduced from 9.0 MJ to 8.0 MJ. This adjustment reflects feedback from drivers and teams, who have emphasised the importance of maintaining qualifying as a performance challenge.”
Normally, the FIA is required to inform teams four weeks in advance of such a change, but this situation is different. Following the post-China discussions, the FIA’s technical department looked at the simulations for Suzuka one more time. Those showed that teams would have to rely more on super clipping than initially expected, making an earlier intervention desirable.
The Suzuka Circuit is said to be ‘harvesting poor’
Teams and power unit manufacturers were informed on Tuesday about the FIA’s idea to reduce the energy recharge during qualifying in Suzuka, with the governing body stressing that it would only implement such a change if all teams and manufacturers agreed.
Nothing changes for the race on Sunday, with the FIA once again stressing that it considers the overall product to be in a relatively good place for now.
“The FIA notes that the first events under the 2026 regulations have been operationally successful, and this targeted refinement is part of the normal process of optimisation as the new regulatory framework is further validated in real-world conditions.
“The FIA, together with F1 teams and power unit manufacturers, continues to embrace evolutions to energy management, with further discussions scheduled in the coming weeks.”
The Miami Heat just endured a five-game losing streak that made them fall in the Eastern Conference standings. They were en route to having a strong end to the 2025-26 season, but their winning streak was canceled out by this recent losing streak.
Thankfully for the Heat, they have ended this losing streak with a significant win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra should be pleased with what he saw because they were playing much better to get the key result.
Erik Spoelstra finally has his preferred starting lineup
The Heat should be one of the most competitive teams in the league with their deep roster and superb coaching. Spoelstra has significantly changed the system this season, and it has paid off with the peaks they have reached.
Unfortunately, they have also suffered multiple injuries that have limited the Heat's potential. Bam Adebayo has been the most consistently available player on the roster, but he has not played with many of his teammates consistently throughout the season.
Against the Cavaliers, Spoelstra finally got to play his preferred starting lineup. This involves Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Davion Mitchell, and Andrew Wiggins. It might be a smaller lineup than most people would like, but the Heat make it work with those players' skill sets.
"This is what I was getting to in January, I was remembering that last game, I think it was Phoenix at home. It's go time right now. We're going to go with this. We have great energy coming in off the bench with Pelle/Jaime/Kel'el. Really wasn't a lot of thought to it. We finally have everybody available," Spoelstra said after beating the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
As everyone gets healthier, the Heat will be a tougher opponent. With the high-octane offense led by Herro and Powell and the defense led by Adebayo, this team is dangerous. If they can regularly get this continuity with the rotation, Spoelstra can work some magic in the postseason.
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