Just one day after soundly beating one playoff rival on the road, the Pittsburgh Penguins (37-21-16) get little time to enjoy the feeling as they host wild card pursuer, the Detroit Red Wings at PPG Paints Arena.
It has been a lopsided rivalry. The Penguins have points in 15 of their last 18 games against Detroit (12-3-3). They’ve scored four or more goals in 13 of those 18, and have an active 11-game home points streak (8-0-3) against Detroit.
The Penguins will conclude their 14th set of back-to-back games. Thus far, the team is 11-8-8 (6-4-4 on the first night and 5-4-4 on the second night).
Rickard Rakell has points in 12 of his last 13 games (8-9-17) and is currently on a four-game point streak (5-2-7).
Parker Wotherspoon has nine assists (0-9-9) in his last nine games.
Sidney Crosby notched his 1100th career assist on Monday. He is two points short of tying Steve Yzerman for seventh-place in all-time NHL scoring (1755), and for second place all-time for points with one team.
Keith Wyness Questions Rangers’ CEO Choice: Will He Be A Good Choice For The Premiership Side?
Ex-Aberdeen and Everton chief executive Keith Wyness publicly questions why Rangers hired Jim Gillespie as their new CEO. Speaking on the Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness calls the move a strange appointment. The 48-year-old begins his tenure at Ibrox in March 2026.
Keith Wyness Questions Rangers’ CEO Choice
This transition follows Patrick Stewart’s departure last year. It shows a big change under the majority ownership of the US-based 49ers Enterprises. Wyness feels for St Mirren. They lost both their manager and a key vice-chairman to the Glasgow giants in a short window. The veteran consultant once turned down the Rangers job himself. He still believes the pressure at the Old Firm is uniquely intense for any newcomer.
Gillespie joined the club after five successful years in Paisley. He helped secure top-six finishes and a return to European competition there. The current Rangers hierarchy, led by chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chair Paraag Marathe, believes Gillespie has the skills to lead the club toward long-term success. However, Wyness suggests the jump from a mid-table side to a title challenger comes with huge pressure. These boardroom challenges might overwhelm a candidate without elite-level experience.
“I still think he’s a strange appointment, but anyway, he’s there and he’s got the job.
“I feel sorry for St Mirren, who’ve lost a manager, and now Mr Gillespie’s gone as well, which seems a bit unfair to a club like St Mirren who’ve tried their best.
“And so, look, it’s never been an easy job to come into the Old Firm. I remember I was offered the job once, but for many reasons I decided not to take the Rangers job and I think probably a lot of the Rangers fans are very happy as well that I didn’t.
“But still, he’s going to have his hands full, but I wish him the best.”
Will Jim Gillespie’s background in social care and mid-table football be enough for the high pressure of a title-chasing Rangers side in 2026?
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 21: James Tavernier of Rangers is congratulated by Bojan Miovski of Rangers after he scores his team’s fourth goal during the William Hill Premiership match between Rangers and Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The current situation at Ibrox demands more than financial stability. It requires a ruthless winning-mentality. This must match the heavy investment from the 49ers Enterprises group. Gillespie earned praise for his work at the charity Kibble and his role at St Mirren. Still, the Rangers are just on a much higher level.
The club sit second in the Scottish Premiership. They face a critical period. Every off-pitch decision impacts the pursuit of silverware. Many fans worry about hiring a fan-favourite administrator over a battle-hardened European executive. This choice might limit the club’s international growth.
His appointment feels like a gamble on a leader who understands the local culture. Yet, it ignores the global expertise often seen at rival Celtic. If the club fail to overtake their rivals this season, people will really start to question this move. Success hinges on one thing. Can his history of building sustainable models work in the high-pressure world of the Champions League?
ENFIELD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 14: Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka of England talk in the gym at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on November 14, 2025 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
The FA via Getty Images
The eyes of many international managers will be on Arsenal’s starting lineup versus Southampton this weekend.
At least nine coaches were deprived of talent for the midseason break, and all will be eager to know whether the raft of players who pulled out of their squads have miraculously recovered from the ailments that suddenly beset them.
After a disappointing Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City, a mysterious injury crisis has beset players at the Emirates.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka played the entire 90 minutes at Wembley, but then, with the prospect of returning to the stadium a few days later in the white of England, they withdrew from the squad.
William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães and Leandro Trossard also reported for duty with their national teams but quickly returned to North London.
Piero Hincapié, Martín Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke played their initial fixtures before returning; Jurriën Timber, Martin Ødegaard, and Eberechi Eze had existing injuries.
Even the England manager, Thomas Tuchel, was aware that the situation with Rice and Saka appeared suspicious, given the crucial run-in and the apparent fitness of both before the England camp.
“I understand the looks of it,” he told the media in response to questions about the pair.
“I still have 100% trust in the honesty of Declan and Bukayo. We did medical tests. I saw them. I have no reason to believe that either are not honest with me. But given the amount of Arsenal players, I understand the look.
“We knew after the [Carabao Cup] final that there are issues. They were in treatment. But they both came. Declan was even out on the pitch. He did not come and say: ‘Guys, I’m going home.’
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Head Coach Thomas Tuchel of England during the international friendly match between England and Japan at Wembley Stadium on March 31, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Getty Images
“I heard there were camps where players did not even show up with boots. Bukayo did sessions in the gym to really try. Declan had a session on the pitch with Jude [Bellingham, who is also not fully fit] and said it doesn’t feel right. Why would I take any risks?
“They wanted desperately to be involved – just to get the narrative straight. But they were both clearly in discomfort.”
The German coach did not offer further details on the specific issues affecting the Arsenal pair on the basis that the club would be unhappy if he did.
But he added rather tellingly that “Declan [Rice] feels a discomfort since quite a while and he’s playing through it. He’s just now on the edge where he thinks: ‘Does this make sense, what I’m doing here, to push through with 70% and push myself and push myself?’ The same with Bukayo [Saka].”
The answer for a traditionalist who believes that every cap earned for their country is amongst the greatest honors a player can possess is ‘yes, you should push yourself.’
When your nation calls on you it is the honor of your life to represent it.
But the harsh truth is that playing for England used to mean more. It was a greater prize than any league title or European tilt; only a rare few got to wear the Three Lions jersey, and those who did respected that fact.
A fair counterargument is that international games were once less frequent; for example, the World Cup in 1978 had only 16 teams, compared to the 48-nation tournament the USA, Mexico, and Canada will host this summer.
The prestige of playing for a national team was also greater because club sides didn’t travel around the globe as they do today. The World Cup, held every four years, represented one of the few opportunities to see all the best players in action against one another.
These days, as many have noted, you see it nearly every week in the Premier League or Champions League.
But it is also true that some of the pride in representing your country has been lost; it no longer seems as special to players. International teams, like England, are increasingly having to sell the ‘experience’ of being a national hero to the superstars of today or as ex-boss Gareth Southgate said, “We want the players to enjoy the experience. We want them to have fun.”
Arsenal are not the cause of this deprioritization of national duty, but they are a reflection of the problem.
Or maybe that is too sentimental, and the colder, more ambitious take is that, given the relentless schedule Premier League players face, a breather actually benefits England in the long run, given the intense World Cup schedule ahead.
As Tuchel said, tiredness might not sink their campaign, but it might affect it.
“Fatigue is just a fact. That’s why we did this camp, as we have done – to give the ones who were heavily involved a break. I’m 100% convinced we will get the benefit from it – now against Japan and later,” he added.
England can only hope that the break handed to its two key men helps the national team as much as it has helped Arsenal.
Texas A&M (22-5, 5-4 SEC) is coming off an impressive three-game sweep over Missouri on the road last weekend, led by an offense that produced 39 runs and hit .389 as a team, led by junior first baseman Gavin Grahovac's four home runs, including his grand slam on Sunday afternoon.
While Grahovac's near-hand injury led to his best performance of the season, freshman infielder and starting third baseman Nico Partida was equally impressive, recording two hits and the first multi-home run game of his young career on Saturday, and has not hit seven home runs on the year, while slashing .320/.413/.563, and is fourth on the team in batting average.
After withdrawing his name from the 2025 MLB Draft, coach Michael Earley knew that Partida, along with fellow freshman infielder Boston Kellner, was too skilled not to earn a starting job, especially after losing Jace LaViolette and Kaeden Kent, who were both selected in the first and third rounds of the draft.
Around the rest of the college baseball landscape, plenty of freshman standouts deserve widespread praise, but among a stacked roster, Nico Partida has been a shining star and one of the more impactful newcomers in the SEC, and has now been honored as Perfect Games' Midseason Freshman of the Year.
The Pearland, Texas native is also a gifted pitcher, and while he has yet to see him take the mound, Texas A&M's depth issues could force Earley and pitching coach Jason Kelly to test out his arm later this season.
Nico Partida making waves. Midseason Freshman of the Year 👍
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
The baseball and softball realignment committee will meet late this summer, and their recommendations will be made to executive committee at a later meeting.
While there are not as many major changes as there were two years ago to the new classification metrics, which place the largest 20% of schools in 4A, next 25% in 3A, next 25% in 2A and smallest 30% in Class A, there are some changes. Here are some of my initial major takeaways from the realignment:
Football
>>>My eyes are always drawn to Class 6A football. One of the biggest changes will come in the north side of the bracket with Carmel, Westfield, Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern in the same sectional. Wow. No easy route there. It was split up during the last two-year period with Carmel and Westfield in one group and HSE and Fishers in another.
>>>Zionsville jumps from the north to south side of the bracket in 6A and joins Avon, Ben Davis and two-time defending state champion Brownsburg in Sectional 5. Pike moves over to Sectional 6 with Lawrence North, Lawrence Central and North Central.
>>>Decatur Central, which has one more year in 6A due to the tournament success factor, moves from Sectional 6 to 7 with Franklin Central, Perry Meridian, Southport and Warren Central.
>>>Franklin Central had been lumped in with Center Grove in Sectional 8. But with Whiteland moving up from 5A to 6A, the Warriors now join the mix there with Center Grove, Columbus North and Jeffersonville.
>>>Class 5A still has New Palestine and Cathedral going head-to-head in Sectional 13. Greenfield-Central, Mt. Vernon and Pendleton Heights join them in the five-team group.
>>>Bishop Chatard and Roncalli and in different Class 4A football sectionals. Chatard is in Sectional 21 with Brebeuf Jesuit, Danville, Guerin Catholic and Lebanon, among others. Roncalli is in Sectional 22 with Greenwood, Crispus Attucks, Martinsville, Mooresville and others.
>>>Check this out: In Class 2A Sectional 38 reside both last year’s 3A state champion (Cascade) and last year’s Class A state champion (South Putnam). Crazy.
Basketball
>>>In boys’ basketball, New Palestine is moving up to Class 4A and will join Sectional 10 with Tech, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, North Central and Warren Central. A little weird.
>>>Mooresville moves into Class 4A Sectional 11 with Avon, Brownsburg, Plainfield, Ben Davis and Pike. Greenwood, up from 3A, takes Mooresville’s place in Sectional 12.
>>>Class 3A has a major change with Brebeuf Jesuit moving into Sectional 26 with Cathedral and Crispus Attucks. Brebeuf had been in Sectional 25.
There are not a lot of major changes in football and basketball as two years ago.
The end of an era in Tampa Bay may also signal the beginning of a new one. With longtime Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David officially deciding to hang up his cleats, the franchise loses not only one of the most productive defenders in team history but also one of its most respected leaders. David’s presence in the locker room and on the field has been a constant for over a decade as a steady voice, a tone-setter, and a captain in every sense of the word.
But as he steps away from the game, David already has his eye on who could carry that leadership torch next. Speaking recently, David pointed to Tykee Smith as someone he believes is ready to take on a larger role, even mentioning him as a potential future team captain. It’s high praise from a player who has long been regarded as the heartbeat of Tampa Bay’s defense.
And it’s not just about what Smith brings between the lines. David referred to Smith as his “little brother,” a reflection of the bond the two have built during their time together. That relationship has extended beyond just position meetings and game days, with David taking on a mentorship role as Smith adjusted to life in the NFL.
Now, it appears that guidance could be paying off in a big way.
Smith, who carved out a role in the Buccaneers’ secondary with his versatility and physicality, has already shown flashes of being more than just a contributor but a cornerstone. Whether lining up in the slot, dropping into coverage, or stepping up in run support, he’s proven to be a reliable and instinctive piece of Todd Bowles’ defense. Leadership, however, is a different challenge and one that isn’t handed out lightly. Still, if there’s anyone who understands what it takes to wear that “C” in Tampa Bay, it’s David.
And his endorsement of Smith speaks volumes about the young safety's work ethic, character, and locker-room presence.
The two sides have until July 15 to reach a deal. But multiple team sources told Yahoo Sports they believe Pickens playing 2026 on the franchise tag is best for both sides.
The Cowboys are not looking to move on from Pickens next season. But they want a larger sample size of his on-field production and off-field professionalism before compensating him at a position with a high-end market that has surpassed $40 million per year.
“Make no mistake about it,” Jones said Tuesday from the league’s annual meeting, “we have long-term plans for Pickens.”
Jerry Jones said George Pickens’ franchise tag process has been “normal.” Jerry’s not concerned, glad GP is working out with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott.
Jerry comfortable with GP playing on tag but says “make no mistake about it, “Jerry said, “we have long-term plans for Pickens.” pic.twitter.com/Xmj54KvVL6
The Cowboys know there’s a real possibility Pickens will not report to offseason activities, and perhaps even training camp, without a multiyear deal. But Jones says he draws confidence from Pickens’ offseason work with quarterback Dak Prescott and that disagreement on tags is “normal.”
The New York Jets are entering the 2026 NFL Draft season in April without a backup plan behind Geno Smith after trading for him from the Las Vegas Raiders.
That deal wasn't a bad idea, especially since it was such a cheap move that it also didn't cost much money. But, in the draft, without clear-cut options worth taking early, the Jets might have to pivot to a different quarterback plan.
Brent Solbeski of Bleacher Report shared a prediction for the Jets that would have them acquire another QB this offseason by way of a trade. This prediction would have Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey swinging their second QB trade to try to find a starter.
Jets predicted to make bold QB trade despite Geno Smith deal
"As part of the cascading effect with the Arizona Cardinals potentially moving up for Ty Simpson and the New York Jets finding themselves as a squad possibly without a young quarterback for the team's starting job, general manager Darren Mougey will need to get creative," Sobleski.
The Jets swinging a deal for a young quarterback this offseason might only happen if they cannot find a way to bring in Ty Simpson, the Alabama quarterback, during the NFL Draft.
It's entirely possible that a team, including the Arizona Cardinals, jumps back into the first-round after the Jets' 16th overall pick and before their 33rd overall pick to select Simpson.
In such a scenario, the Jets wouldn't have a good quarterback option in the draft who could be confidently started in 2026. That would, in turn, open the door to a trade.
If they have time, they could turn one of their second-round picks at No. 33 or 44 into a quarterback, or they could use a few later picks and a pick-swap to land a young quarterback to compete with Smith.
While all signs point to Smith being the Week 1 starter, the Jets could land a new QB to give the offense another option. Sobleski's prediction would make sense if they lost out on Simpson and wanted to get a high-upside QB on the roster other than Smith.
Two matches stirred the Copa Verde this Monday (30). At Augusto Nunes, in Amapá, in the highest-scoring game so far in the competition, Trem defeated Grêmio Sampaio 5-4 — a match valid for Group A of the Copa Norte.
Meanwhile, at Carlos Zamith, in Manaus, Amazonas was beaten by Águia de Marabá 2-0, in Group B of the Copa Norte.
In the current edition, the Copa Verde is divided in its initial stages into the Copa Norte and the Copa Centro-Oeste.
With the round’s results, Group A of the Copa Norte is led by Nacional, with 4 points, followed by Paysandu, with 3. In Group B, Porto Velho is ahead with 6 points, and Águia de Marabá is in second place, also with 6 points.
In Group A of the Copa Centro-Oeste, Rio Branco-ES is first with 6, and Vila Nova is second with 3. In Group B, Gama holds first place with 6, and Anápolis comes right behind with 3.
The second round of the Copa Verde ends this Tuesday (31), with the match between Guaporé and Paysandu, at 8 p.m., at Cassolão, in Rondônia.
NFL star Drake Maye has made a drastic change to his appearance after Super Bowl 60, and it’s giving a Massachusetts hospital major recognition.
The New England Patriots quarterback is preparing for the 2026 NFL season following the team’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. However, Maye is sporting a new look after helping raise money for a worthy cause.
Maye and the Boston Children’s Hospital teamed up to raise funds for deserving kids in need. That led to Maye having his head shaved to bring more awareness to the children’s hospital during the Saving by Shaving charity event.
.@DrakeMaye2 got a new look to raise money for Boston Children’s Hospital ❤️
Maye’s wife, Ann Michael, was spotted in a video Tuesday holding the electric razor up to her NFL star husband’s head. Ann Michael has become a celebrity in her own right in recent months after appearing in many social media videos cooking and baking for the Maye family.
Luckily for Maye and Patriots fans, the young quarterback isn’t completely bald heading into a busy offseason for New England. However, the generous act has still brought great attention to Boston Children’s Hospital.
Patriots star, wife debut charitable foundation
Maye and his wife have launched the MayeDay Family Foundation to help children and families in need, particularly those in New England and North Carolina.
The foundation is hosting its first fundraising event in May during a celebrity softball game at Polar Park in Worcester, Mass.
“I actually cut my grandma’s hair one time and it looked so horrible,” said Ann Michael. “It was during COVID and she really needed a haircut so I gave her one. It looked so bad, so, we’ll see how this goes.”
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Patriots are hopeful that the AFC East champions will be able to continue their success with Maye in 2026. Last season, New England exceeded expectations by reaching the AFC Championship Game in Maye’s second season.
The former North Carolina quarterback was selected third overall by New England in the 2024 NFL Draft. NFL signal callers Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels were each drafted in the two spots before Maye.
High school basketball's best heads to the desert for the 2026 McDonald's All American games.
On March 31, the faces that will be lighting up college basketball have one final moment on the court as high schoolers. The bright lights of Phoenix, Arizona, will set the stage as 48 of the nation’s elite — 24 boys and 24 girls — trade their hometown jerseys for the iconic East and West threads.
Before they become the household names of the Final Four and the top picks of the NBA and WNBA drafts, they’ll give the desert one last display of the raw talent and soaring athleticism that brought them to the summit of the prep circuit. Players like Tyran Stokes, Jordan Smith, Saniyah Hall and Jerzy Robinson will all join forces for a showcase of high school basketball's best.
The games are just one part of the spectacle, with events such as the Sprite Jam Fest, 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest and knockout game all parts of the event as well.
The Sporting News brings you everything you need to know about the 2026 McDonald's All American Games, including TV and streaming options for events.
Both All American games will air on ESPN on Tuesday, March 31, starting with the All American Girls Game. The day before, events will be broadcast across ESPN platforms, starting with the scrimmages on ESPNU followed by Sprite Jam Fest, which will be on ESPN2 that night.
Those looking to stream the events can with 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.
Fans can also stream events airing on ESPN broadcast channels via Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers so you can try before you buy.
The Montreal Canadiens are the talk of the NHL due to their headache-free rebuild, which has them heading towards the playoffs for the second consecutive season, and yet, Toronto Maple Leafs president Keith Pelley suggests his franchise did not see them coming, so to speak.
Pelley addressed the media on Tuesday, a day after firing former general manager Brad Treliving.
One of the talking points centred on Toronto’s realization that the Stanley Cup window had firmly closed shut, a situation that took Maple Leafs management a little longer to realize than most.
It was only once they acknowledged the Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres had improved their standing significantly that the Leafs were ready to make wholesale changes.
“We need to be better, we need to be able to adapt quicker, and we definitely didn’t see the train coming that was the Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens,” said Pelley. “And how strong those two teams are.”
Leafs MLSE President Keith Pelley on what went wrong this season with the team: pic.twitter.com/lDoC5w2frK
“Buffalo and Montreal have shown that young, energetic team,” he said. “They’re going to be here for a long time. The prospects they have, from Michael Hage, to Radim Mrtka from Buffalo, they’re strong, and they’re going to be strong for a long period of time.”
It’s very rare to hear a president discuss other franchises during a public press conference, especially while naming a top prospect such as Hage.
However, it must be said that almost everyone in the NHL saw this coming, and that goes beyond the fans in Montreal.
The Habs have been on the uptick for at least two seasons, and they’ve done a masterful job ensuring the prospect cupboard remains full while adding important NHL pieces.
Perhaps it was simply a matter of Pelley setting the standard by comparing Toronto’s situation to Montreal’s, as there would be some logic in attempting to emulate the Habs’ rebuild.
But if the Leafs really didn’t see Montreal coming, there are more issues at play in Toronto than a roster that has continuously shed talent over the course of the last few years.
Somerville played in all 33 games for the Seminoles, making 10 starts. The sophomore averaged 8.0 points, 2.4 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 26.0 minutes per game. His 49 steals led the team.
He spent just one season with FSU after signing with them as a four-star transfer ahead of Luke Loucks' first season as head coach. He started his career at UMass Lowell and is now looking for his third school in three years. He was ranked as the No. 241 overall player and No. 43 point guard in the portal last offseason and was one of seven transfers they added.
Somerville scored in double-figures nine times for the Seminoles, dropping a season-high 23 points against Jacksonville and Virginia Tech. He shot 9-11 against the Hokies, going 4-6 from deep with six assists and four rebounds. He will have two seasons of eligibility at his next stop.
He is the third FSU player to announce their plans to enter the transfer portal, joining reserve guard Cam Miles and reserve big man Shan Muhammad, who will need a waiver to play another season.
Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of FSU news, notes, and opinions.
Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul returned to the Buccaneers late last season and he wouldn't mind another trip down memory lane.
Pierre-Paul addressed a post on X.com to the Giants letting them know he's interested in continuing to play. The Giants drafted Pierre-Paul 15th overall in 2010 and employed him for his first eight seasons in the NFL.
"I'm still available and ready to take on some OT’s and dominate in run-stop football the GIANTS WAY," Pierre-Paul wrote. "Let’s make it happen, Giant Fans, Giant Nation Let’s go!! I know I know I know."
Pierre-Paul won a Super Bowl with the Giants and another in his first four-year stint with the Bucs. He then played for new Giants head coach John Harbaugh with the Ravens in 2022, played sparingly for the Saints and Dolphins in 2023 and then saw action in three games for Tampa last year after sitting out the 2024 season.
Pierre-Paul is not the only former Giant and Raven to come up in conjunction with a possible Harbaugh reunion this week. Wide receiver Odell Beckham is looking to return to the league and Harbaugh said he’s open to the idea on Monday.
Massachusetts high school basketball has another national name to know, and it’s Quinn Costello.
The Medford native and Newman School senior has gone from intriguing local prospect to one of the top players in the country, earning a spot in the 2026 McDonald’s All-American Game. ESPN currently lists Costello as the No. 28 player in the class of 2026 and the No. 1 prospect in Massachusetts, while also noting he’s signed with Michigan.
That makes Costello more than just a good local story. It puts him on one of the biggest stages in high school basketball, with a place on the Boys West roster for Tuesday night’s game in Glendale, Arizona. For fans around Boston and beyond, this is the kind of rise that grabs your attention fast.
Quick facts on Quinn Costello
Hometown: Medford, Mass.
School: The Newman School in Boston.
College: Signed with Michigan.
McDonald’s All-American team: Boys West, jersey No. 8.
Other major honor: Named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Boys High School Player of the Year Midseason Team.
Why Costello’s rise has been such a big deal
Costello’s breakout didn’t come out of nowhere, but it definitely accelerated in a hurry. Michigan’s official release on his McDonald’s All-American selection said he surged during the summer of 2025 with the Middlesex Magic on the Under Armour circuit, where he averaged 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, then followed that with a standout showing at Pangos All-American Camp and co-Most Outstanding Player honors. By his senior season at Newman, he was putting up 16.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
He’s also been doing it for a program that keeps winning. Newman captured the NEBL championship in February and then rolled to the NEPSAC AAA title in March, beating Hoosac 101-68 in the final. That only added to the buzz around a player who was already climbing fast nationally.
New England Basketball Journal noted that Costello’s selection continues a recent run of New England stars making the McDonald’s game, following names like Cooper Flagg and AJ Dybantsa. So this isn’t just a Newman story or a Medford story. It’s another reminder that elite prep basketball talent keeps coming out of this region.
What kind of player is Quinn Costello?
The easiest way to put it: Costello looks like a modern frontcourt prospect. ESPN lists him as a center, but recruiting evaluations have pointed to the skill set of a stretch forward — a player with size who can space the floor, shoot with touch and keep developing into a matchup problem. 247Sports describes him as a “budding stretch-four” with soft touch and shot-making ability, while also noting his continued growth physically and skill-wise.
That’s a big reason his recruitment blew up and why Michigan got a major win when it landed him. The bigger picture is simple: a kid from Medford, playing at Newman in Boston, is now on the McDonald’s All-American stage. That’s not normal. That’s a sign you’re looking at one of the biggest Massachusetts high school basketball stories of the year.
🎥 At Bosnia v Italy it kicks off! Block of flats ablaze, Bastoni sees red
For Bosnia and Italy, today is all about the last chance to be part of the World Cup this summer. There’s plenty of fire in this playoff clash between the two nations.
Even before kick-off in Zenica, lots of pyrotechnics were set off. Even in the apartment block next to the Bilino Polje stadium.
Bosnia may have made the better start, but Italy took the lead thanks in large part to Bosnia keeper Nikola Vasilj of FC St. Pauli. Moise Kean coolly buried the gift-wrapped through ball.
After that, Bosnia continued to be on the front foot. Shortly before the break, Memic was through on Donnarumma, and Italy’s defensive leader Bastoni pulled the emergency brake with a sliding tackle. The Inter man was shown a straight red, as expected.
With the man advantage, Bosnia still has plenty to play for in the second half. Italy continues to tremble over its first World Cup appearance in twelve years.
The Los Angeles Dodgers sold a souvenir cup for superstar Shohei Ohtani at the beginning of this season for a price some viewed as unreasonable.
This limited edition cup was designed to look like a Dodgers jersey with Ohtani's name and number 17 on the back. At the beginning of the season, the cup was sold at Dodger Stadium for $74.99 and it allowed for unlimited refills of fountain soda on the day of purchase. After complaints, the price was dropped to $68.99 and the refill policy was changed to a season-long deal.
A season-ticket holder named Angel Yanez spoke about why he bought the cup (via California Post):
“It makes more sense through the year, we are season pass holders,” said Yanez, who plans to attend every home game with his son this season.
“We’re going to utilize the cups every time we are here.”
Despite the price tag, the cups sold out and because they were limited edition, they became a coveted item on the secondary market. Some were sold for sums between $250 and $290 on eBay, per The Athletic. Other listings are between $300 and $400.
Who would have guessed that a $69 cup at a baseball game would actually have more than three or four times the initial price tag?
Mako Vunipola's final appearance for Saracens was in the 2024 Premiership Rugby play-offs [Getty Images]
Leicester Tigers have signed former England loose-head prop Mako Vunipola.
The 35-year-old, currently with French Pro D2 leaders Vannes, has agreed to join Tigers for next season along with Argentina prop Joel Sclavi from La Rochelle, Bristol Bears centre Joe Jenkins and Harlequins hooker Jack Doorey-Palmer.
Vunipola, born in New Zealand, made 79 appearances for England, was a World Cup runner-up in 2019, and was involved in three British and Irish Lions tours.
"It's great to welcome someone of Mako's experience and quality into the squad next season," Tigers boss Geoff Parling said.
"He's a proven international loose-head that is hungry to come back to the Prem to finish his career and is looking for a place that can get the best from him whilst offering the opportunity to play in big games.
"He's an outstanding character that will add real value to the group."
Vunipola said it was a move he "would never have envisaged", adding he was "honoured to be part of this prestigious club".
Sclavi, 31, has won the Champions Cup twice with French side La Rochelle, as well as the Top 14, and has played 33 times for his country.
Doorey-Palmer, 22, is a product of Harlequins' academy and has been on loan at Champ club Cambridge this season.
Jenkins, also 22, is a former England Under-20 international and became the youngest player to ever start for Bristol in the Premiership when, at 18, he played against Saracens in November 2022.
"I'm proud and happy to be part of a club with so much history and identity," Sclavi said. "I am really looking forward to what is ahead at Leicester Tigers."
Parling said: "We know how highly we value our set-piece, so we were looking at someone who could add both quality and depth on both sides of the scrum, of which Joel's size and strength will be a real asset.
"After proving himself in the Top 14 he was hungry for a new challenge."
Joel Sclavi played against the British and Irish Lions for Argentina last summer [Getty Images]
Jenkins, who also qualifies for Wales, was rated as a top prospect when he made his debut but has been hampered by injuries.
"Having met with Geoff, it was clear that moving to Leicester was the correct rugby move for me to develop further as a player," Jenkins said.
"I believe the way that Geoff wants his centres to play will suit my style of play.
"I'm very excited about the coming seasons and playing a big part in future success at Leicester."
Doorey-Palmer said: "It's surreal to have signed for Leicester Tigers. I am absolutely buzzing to get started."
The Boston Celtics were supposed to be bad this season. Jayson Tatum was going to miss most of the campaign after his torn Achilles. They got rid of size in the offseason.
Well, two of those sentences are true. But the first one was a bad narrative to begin with. There wasn't actually evidence that the Celtics would be bad.
Now, Jaylen Brown is calling out the doubters, and that's fair. There were a lot of them. Some wondered whether the Celtics should just chase draft positioning and try again next year.
And yes, it's easy to say now, but genuinely: Those doubts were silly in the first place.
This is a team that still had JB, and Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard.
Anyone who watched Neemias Queta play last year knew he could contribute inside if given the minutes.
Sam Hauser had already proven himself as a high-level shooter.
The pieces really did fit together just fine, and the Celtics got rid of an aging Al Horford, an aging Jrue Holiday and a battling-illness Kristaps Porzingis. Was that actually guaranteed to make Boston worse?
Yes, Tatum's absence was always going to be a major difference. Boston didn't have world-beater potential without him.
But the chance to win a lot of games in an Eastern Conference that still features a terrible bottom half? That was always present.
If Brown and White stayed healthy, the Celtics were never going to miss the playoffs.
Now, they're chasing the top spot in the East. And Tatum is back.
So much for the doubters. Maybe it's worth considering the whole picture before making any sweeping judgements like that again.
The Boston Red Sox are putting runners in scoring position.
They just haven't been able to execute on those opportunities. It's a significant reason for their 1-3 start and minus-six run differential.
"The Red Sox are 2-58 (0.34) with 32 Ks with RISP to start the year," the X account @soxbart wrote Tuesday morning.
"This marks the worst batting avg with RISP for the first 4 games of a season (min 40 ABs) since the stat first started being recognized in 1962."
"Boston scored a total of 10 runs in its first three games after an offseason spent doubling down on run prevention," FanSided's Katie Manganelli wrote Monday. "But preventing runs won't save the Red Sox if they can't score any themselves."
It's an absurd statistic for Boston, which has its eyes set on a postseason berth in a very competitive AL East.
Shortstop Trevor Story struck out four times in Saturday's loss to the Cincinnati Reds, and the early results from the Wilson Contreras trade are questionable at best. The first baseman has just one hit through 18 trips to the plate but has walked four times.
The Red Sox's .666 team OPS ranks 18th in the Majors through four games, a far cry from the .441 mark of the San Francisco Giants. But they'll need a significant uptick in offensive production to avoid falling in the standings by the end of April.
The door is still open to the Green Bay Packers playing an international game as one of the team's eight road games during the 2026 regular season. President Ed Policy said the Packers are still an option as an opponent for the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany, or the New Orleans Saints in Paris, France, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
Playing the Lions in Germany would cancel out a divisional road trip to Ford Field during the regular season. The Saints are on the schedule as one of the Packers' eight road opponents in 2026.
The two games will be finalized when the NFL's regular season schedule for 2026 is set. Last year, the league did not announce the schedule until mid-May.
Neither contest -- in Munich or Paris -- would count as a home game, so the Packers will play all nine scheduled home games at Lambeau Field this season.
The Packers did not play an international game during the 2025 season after facing the New York Giants in London in 2022 and opening the 2024 season against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. Green Bay lost both games.
Here in his hometown of Greenfield, the streets carry common names such as Main and State. American flags and stone buildings dot the town square and those who put this usually low-key 25,000-person city on the map — there aren't many — are revered like family.
So naturally in a state that treats basketball like a religion and the sport's biggest stars like royalty, nobody casts a bigger shadow in this community now than the slender 6-foot-6, 196-pound, 19-year-old freshman who changed Final Four weekend with one brilliant shining moment Sunday afternoon.
Mullins' 35-foot game-winning 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left didn't just make him an instant celebrity or send the Huskies to their third Final Four in four years. In a community full of fans who typically root for Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame or Butler, Mullins has suddenly turned Greenfield, Indiana, into a haven of UConn fans.
“We knew he was good, but for him to go and play all the minutes he has and to perform as well as he has at UConn after being injured the first portion of the year, that’s great,” Greenfield-Central High School athletic director Jared Manning said. “But to do it and have that moment that’s going to live on forever, in maybe the biggest game of his life to this point on national television, we couldn’t have dreamed this up.”
A star is born
Mullins seemed destined for this type of fame when he started turning heads in middle school even though that's anything but the norm in a city that is just a 37-minute drive from Lucas Oil Stadium where the East Region champion Huskies (33-5) will face South Region champion Illinois (28-8) on Saturday for a trip to the national championship game.
Ask workers and customers at the local coffee counter to name the city's best athletes and former Major League Baseball pitcher Kyle Gibson and pitcher Drey Jamison, who is in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, are often recited. The actual title probably belongs to Jaycie Phelps, who was part of the 1996 Olympic champion gymnastics team dubbed "The Magnificent Seven.”
Mullins is now on the list regardless of what's to come.
Indiana is rife with high school basketball lore and seemingly every school, large or small, owns a chapter in that book. Greenfield-Central has been a rare exception: Neither the boys nor the girls teams have won a state title, and the boys team hasn't won a sectional championship since 1998 despite featuring Mullins for three seasons.
How tough was it? When Luke Meredith took over as coach in 2019-20, he inherited a team that went 4-20 the previous year amid four straight losing seasons. Meredith left as the winningest coach in school history (109-37) following the 2024-25 season, success that came in large part because of Mullins and his family.
Josh, the father, was a former college player at IUPUI, now known as IU-Indianapolis, and served as an assistant for Meredith. Mullins' younger twin brothers, Cole and Clay, also played and are expected to play at a nearby Division III school next season.
It didn't take long for coaches and fans to realize the oldest brother, Braylon, was different.
He personified Meredith's motto — "juice, compete, standard" — by scoring 16.9 points as a sophomore and 25.0 as a junior before averaging 32.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists and 4.2 steals as a senior. He broke the school's single-game scoring record twice in his final prep season, scoring 51 and later 52 points.
He wound up as the school's scoring leader (2,158 points) and became the first player in school history to win the prestigious IndyStar Indiana Mr. Basketball Award winner as well as becoming the program's first McDonald's All-American.
So when Mullins made that incredible shot Sunday, nobody in Greenfield was surprised.
“We’ve watched him play basketball since he was in middle school,” Mayor Guy Titus said. “We saw that shot many times here at Greenfield-Central when he was growing up, when he was playing varsity ball here. But to see it on national TV with like everybody comparing it to the Christian Laettner thing — I'm old enough to remember that. It was one of those magical moments."
Unifying a town
The Final Four on Saturday will not be the first time Mullins has played close to home since heading to Storrs.
In February, a large contingent of city residents made the short drive into Indianapolis to one of Indiana's most revered basketball cathedrals, Hinkle Fieldhouse. The hometown hero responded well, scoring 13 of his 15 points in the first half of an 80-70 victory over Butler.
Another little exodus could happen again: Manning said he anticipated having discussions this week about whether the school would cancel classes, offer bus rides or both for fans to attend UConn's open practice on Friday, which is scheduled to be held at noon. Even if not, Greenfield faithful are expected to go and cheer their new favorite son.
“When he calls home and asks his dad about this or that, it just reminds he's still a young man who is just like every other college kid,” said Chuck McMichael, deputy chief of the Greenfield Police Department.
McMichael knows because everyone in a town whose biggest festival honors poet James Whitcomb Riley seems to have a personal connection to Mullins.
Josh Holmes, like McMichael, works for the police department and has been Greenfield-Central's longtime school resource officer. Titus happens to be Braylon Mullins' great uncle. All of it has made this college season for the UConn freshman special.
The only thing better would be forcing a change of the signs greeting visitors to Greenfield by winning a national championship.
“When you come into Greenwood, you know, it says Home of Olympic champion Jaycie Phelps and Mr. Basketball Brayton Mullins,” Titus said. “You know Greenfield is known for its the Riley Festival. Now people are calling me, saying, ‘We need to change it to the Mullins Festival, we need to put up a statue of Braylon making the shot.' It’s funny all the comments I've heard.”
On Tuesday, NFL executive V.P. Jeff Miller sang a different tune when discussing the ongoing labor battle with the NFL Referees Association.
"This is an opportunity for us to improve the state of our officiating," Miller told reporters at the NFL's annual meeting. "There needs to be accountability measures, there needs to be performance measures, and that’s what our negotiating posture has been. The dead period that keeps us from talking to officials from the end of the season until May 15, the probationary period that doesn’t permit us enough time to work with officials to help them improve performance — or remove them if necessary — or the ability to get the best-performing officials on the field as the playoffs continue.
"Again, the owners were consistent in saying, we’re more than happy to pay for performance. . . . [T]his was consistent throughout the course of the discussions over the last couple of days. But what they are insistent upon — insistent upon — is that the performance of the officials and the accountability for their performance has to improve. And that’s where we are in these negotiations and that’s exactly where we’re going to stay."
It's a delicate balance for the league. The best way to improve performance is to make all officials full-time, year-round employees, and to pay them accordingly.
Wherever this goes, it feels like the NFL is already determined to lock the officials out, rely on expanded replay, and play Russian roulette with the integrity of the game by relying on glorified amateurs to perform the critically important game-day function of knowing, applying, and enforcing the rules — while also protecting the players.
The Ukraine flag. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
Visionhaus/Getty Images
Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Taisia Onofriichuk dominated the World Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria, winning four gold medals across five disciplines. However, the actions of a Russian silver medalist in Sofia have sparked significant outrage.
During the medal ceremony for the Hoop competition, Russian “neutral athlete” Sofia Ilteryakova did not turn to face the Ukrainian flag as the anthem played for Onofriichuk, the event winner.
While Onofriichuk and bronze medalist Sofia Raffaeli (Italy) stood at attention, Ilteryakova was seen facing away from the flag as the Ukrainian anthem played.
Ilteryakova’s actions drew criticism, particularly from Ukrainian officials, particularly due to her authorized neutral status. In order to achieve neutral status and compete in World Gymnastics sanctioned events, the federation’s Ad-Hoc guidelines require athletes to meet the following criteria:
No voluntary affiliation with the Russian or Belarusian military or with any other national security agency
No active support for the military conflict in Ukraine
The World Gymnastics federation (formerly the International Gynastics Federation) states that athletes must refrain from “verbal or nonverbal" activity or communication" that “constitutes active support for the military conflict in Ukraine.”
Additionally, the guidelines state that athletes must not “take any action or behave in any way that may prejudice the interests of the competition, its integrity or the participant’s neutrality required as a condition for participation.”
In addition to her potential breaches of the neutrality criteria, Ilteryakova’s actions appear to violate the federation’s rules for award ceremony conduct. World Gymnastics rules assert that “all parties must turn to face the flags.”
The Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation is seeking justice for its athlete and its federation after Ilteryakova’s behavior at the World Cup event.
The federation provided an official statement in response to my requests for comment, regarding what it described as the “demonstrative disrespect for the state symbols of Ukraine” by Sofia Ilteryakova. The full statement is now available on social media.
Drafted by Ukrainian Gymnastics President Iryna Deryugina, the statement expressed “strong protest” over Ilteryakova’s “unacceptable” behavior.
“Openly demonstrating disrespect for the state symbol of our country and the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter.”
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MARCH 06: Sofia Ilteryakova performs during the individual final event of the 2026 Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships at Irina Viner Gymnastics Palace in Moscow, Russia on March 06, 2026. (Photo by Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Anadolu via Getty Images
The UGF accused Ilteryakova of violating Ethics and Fair Play and federation Protocol, arguing that the gymnast’s gesture constituted a “direct violation of the rules of conduct at official ceremonies."
“The award ceremony is an official part of the competition that requires compliance with etiquette,” the UGF added, referencing the award ceremony statute from the World Gymnastics rulebook.
The federation openly questioned Ilteryakova’s approval as a neutral athlete, arguing that her approval is further evidence that neutrality is “used as a a cover for broadcasting political views.”
“Turning your back on the Ukrainian flag in the conditions of the ongoing war is an act of political hostility,” Deryugina declared.
UGF Files to Ethics Commission
The federation also expressed its desire to protect its athletes from these forms of “passive aggression,” prompting multiple demands to the World Gymnastics Federation and the International Olympic Committee.
The Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation vowed to file an official complaint to the IOC’s Ethics Commission, demanding the following:
To annul (Sofia Ilteryakova’s) result at the current tournament for unsportsmanlike behavior
To permanently deprive the athlete of the status of "neutral athlete", since her actions directly contradict the admission criteria
To strengthen the test for "neutrality", including not only the absence of direct ties to security forces, but also the obligation to fully respect the state symbols of all participating countries
“Sport is a platform for fair competition, not for demonstrating imperial ambitions and disregard for the sovereignty of other countries. Ukraine will demand justice and a tough reaction from the international community,” Deryugina concluded.
World Gymnastics Federation Remains Silent
The World Gymnastics federation did not respond to my requests for comment and has not issued an official statement. This report will be updated should the organization provide comment.
Stuttgart, Germany - March 30: Nico Schlotterbeck of Germany controls the Ball during the international friendly match between Germany and Ghana at MHP Arena on March 30, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images) | DeFodi Images via Getty Images
We’re into the second week of the international break, and the UEFA World Cup qualification play-off finals are currently underway. At half-time, here’s how it stands:
Bosnia & Herzegovina 0-1 Italy
Czechia 1-0 Denmark
Kosovo 0-0 Turkiye
Sweden 2-1 Poland
Italy are down to ten men, so maybe Bosnia & Herzegovina can pull the upset. I would also like to see Kosovo make it just for the novelty.
Elsewhere, England are currently losing 1-0 to Japan. Japan have been reasonably good value for their lead. England have probably been the better side, but they haven’t created much genuine threat and Japan have done a fantastic job on the counter. I look forward to some very breathless coverage if England lose a friendly!
Anyway, here are the scraps of BVB and Bundesliga news that I could rustle up.
BVB News
It looks like the reports that Nico Schlotterbeck’s contract extension had been agreed were jumping the gun. Schlotterbeck himself has confirmed no agreement is in place and any decision could still be weeks away.
Another Dortmund center-back, Waldemar Anton, is attracting interest from multiple clubs in Europe, including Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Atletico Madrid.
The Milwaukee Bucks host the Dallas Mavericks in NBA action tonight.
These are two of the worst teams in the league, but there are a few reasons why my Mavericks vs. Bucks predictions favor the home side.
I explain with my best free NBA picks on Tuesday, March 31.
Mavericks vs Bucks prediction
Mavericks vs Bucks best bet: Bucks moneyline (+110)
Both squads have been terrible lately, with the Dallas Mavericks winning just three of their last 18 games and the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks going 3-14 in their previous 17. The Bucks are last in the NBA in net rating (-17.3) since the start of March, while Dallas is 28th (-11.5).
That said, the Mavs are on the road and could be tired after losing by 30 points to Minnesota last night.
Meanwhile, the Bucks enjoyed a day off after losing at home to the Clippers on Sunday. They should also have Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, and Ryan Rollins back in the lineup after they missed the previous contest.
They are three of Milwaukee's Top 6 scorers this season (with another being the still-sidelined Antetokounmpo), so having that trio active will boost the Bucks' chances of winning.
That's enough for me to back them at plus money against a Dallas squad that has Cooper Flagg and not much else.
Mavericks vs Bucks same-game parlay
Since both teams have nothing to play for, we've seen little effort from them on the defensive end of the floor. That has me backing a couple of player props in this SGP.
Daniel Gafford has stepped up as the Mavs' No. 2 scoring option and has logged 24+ points and rebounds in seven of his last eight games.
Meanwhile, Rollins has knocked down more than 2.5 threes in six of his last eight games. He'll torch a Dallas squad that is allowing 14.3 threes per game at 38.6% clip since the start of February.
Mavericks vs Bucks SGP
Bucks moneyline
Daniel Gafford Over 22.5 points + rebounds
Ryan Rollins Over 2.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Planting his Flagg
Flagg is coming off a night against Minnesota, where he went just 5-for-19 from the field. That said, the Rookie of the Year favorite should bounce back against a Milwaukee squad that is second-last in the league in defensive rating since the All-Star break.
Flagg has dropped 5+ dimes in 12 of 14 games this month, and he also makes plays on the defensive end. He has logged 2+ steals in five of his last seven games while blocking at least one shot in six of his previous eight contests.
Mavericks vs Bucks SGP
Cooper Flagg Over 24.5 points
Cooper Flagg Over 4.5 assists
Cooper Flagg Over 1.5 steals
Cooper Flagg Over 0.5 blocks
Mavericks vs Bucks odds
Spread: Mavericks -2 (-110) | Bucks +2 (-110)
Moneyline: Mavericks -130 | Bucks +110
Over/Under: Over 230 (-110) | Under 230 (-110)
How to watch Mavericks vs Bucks
Location
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
KFAA, FDSN-WI
Mavericks vs Bucks latest injuries
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.
For more than a decade, Takeru “Natural Born Krusher” Segawa has proudly stood as the undisputed face of Japanese kickboxing. When a martial arts icon of his colossal stature finally decides it is time to walk away, the resulting announcement carries an emotional weight that completely transcends the sport itself.
The 34-year-old megastar will make his monumental farewell appearance in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 1. Broadcasting live from Tokyo’s historic Ariake Arena on Wednesday, April 29, this blockbuster card serves as the inaugural edition of ONE Championship’s highly anticipated monthly Japanese series.
Standing across the Circle will be his ultimate rival, Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon, with the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title hanging in the balance. It is a high-stakes rematch the Japanese hero has obsessively chased, and there is absolutely no more fitting stage on which to pen his final, violent chapter.
The agonizing decision to retire was something the former three-division K-1 Champion had been quietly turning over in his mind for years.
Continuously weighing the grueling physical demands of his battered body against the competitive fire that still raged inside him, Takeru desperately searched for the perfect time to draw the curtain without diminishing the towering legacy he had built.
Takeru told ONE:
“Well, regarding my retirement, actually, I didn’t have the feeling of retirement yet. But I had been thinking about when would be the right timing to retire for about three or four years. The condition of my body was my top consideration.
“So the moment when I thought that this would truly be the last time I could [fight at my] strongest condition was probably about a year ago.”
The harsh reality of elite combat sports is famously unforgiving. The razor-thin margins that separate World Champions from mere contenders are measured in microscopic fractions of a second in reaction time, fractions of a degree in power output, and fractions of a percentage in physical conditioning.
For Takeru, the acute awareness of those shifting margins is hard-earned wisdom built over years of absolute wars.
He possesses absolutely no interest in spending the twilight of his career giving the fans anything less than his absolute best. The immaculate legacy he has forged deserves a spectacular send-off that honors his prime, rather than a narrative defined by a gradual, painful decline against the sport’s elite.
‘Natural Born Krusher’ made it clear:
“If I wanted to continue, I think I probably still could. But I thought this might be the last time I can put myself in my strongest condition, so I decided to retire this time.”
The final curtain may be rapidly coming down, but Takeru’s electrifying levels of intensity haven’t shifted by a single degree. If anything, the sobering knowledge that this battle will serve as his career swan song has only sharpened his lethal focus.
ONE SAMURAI 1 provides the perfect stage for everything he wants to say with his world-class striking arsenal one final time. For an iconic athlete who has sacrificed his entire life to the sport and to the devoted fans who have followed his every step, there is nothing left to do but deliver one last, unforgettable spectacle.
The inevitable sadness that comes with closing a chapter this significant can wait until the stadium lights go dark. Right now, there is only the fight, and a legendary warrior who has never once done anything halfway:
“I still have demanding [training sessions despite my decision]. The fight is not over, so I don’t have sadness or similar feelings associated with retirement.
“Because the next [match] will be the last, I’m spending each day so that I can give everything I have and to retire without any regrets.”
At ONE 172 in March 2025, Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s catastrophic left hook put Takeru Segawa flat on the canvas at the 1:20 mark of the opening round. That brief, utterly brutal encounter left the Japanese icon with a mountain of unfinished business.
The psychological wound hasn’t healed. Instead, it became pure, combustible fuel, and his insatiable desire for redemption has been burning like an inferno ever since. That fiery vengeance is exactly what makes this rematch so much more than a standard World Title fight.
Takeru’s entire fighting identity is proudly built on all-out, uncompromising violence. A toe-to-toe war is the exact fight he always wanted with Rodtang, and it is the exact experience those shocking 80 seconds stole from him. Stepping into the Circle at ONE SAMURAI 1, he comes to collect his debt:
“The essence of my fighting style is a slugfest, and I’ve always wanted to have that kind of fight with Rodtang. [During the] last fight, I couldn’t even reach that point and lost. So, this is why I [always] believed I must fight Rodtang one more time. That’s the reason I have come this far.”
The millions of fans who have passionately followed every single chapter of his legendary career deserve to see the real ‘Natural Born Krusher’ unleashed one final time — not the vulnerable version that was caught cold at Saitama Super Arena.
Takeru is aware of what his recent losses on the global stage have meant to those who unconditionally believed in him. He carries that heavy emotion with him, not as a crushing burden, but as one final, powerful reason to make April 29 count for something infinitely greater than the sport’s most coveted golden strap.
The 34-year-old icon concluded:
“I want to show a victory to those who have supported me, to everyone on my team, and my family. Since coming to ONE, I feel like I betrayed their feelings [by] losing fights. But this is my chance to let them see me retire as the strongest in the world.”
Los Blancos, we know, are prepared to sanction the exits of both David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger. While the Reds remain unclear on which direction Ibrahima Konate will go with ongoing contract talks.
Should Lukeba be of interest to the Premier League?
Any defender developed by Red Bull’s talent factory – especially at a cut-price fee – should at least inspire some interest from Liverpool Football Club.
The Merseysiders have already benefitted from a strong relationship with RB Leipzig that has recently seen the likes of Naby Keita, Konate, and Dominik Szoboszlai join the ranks at Anfield.
The Frenchman is exceptional on the ball, ranking in the 97th percentile for successful dribbles per 90. Not to mention he possesses some impressive defensive stats in the Bundesliga this term.
Our one main concern, however, as highlighted by Fotmob, is his apparent weakness in the air.
* Castello Lukeba’s aerial stats (per 90) in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season (Fotmob)
Given the direction the Premier League has gone in, such stats could very well be a dealbreaker for our recruitment team.
The 2026 Masters will begin next week in Augusta, Georgia, and a familiar face — Scottie Scheffler — is the betting favorite to win the first major of the year at +500 odds at BetMGM.
Scheffler won the 2024 Masters by four strokes — his second green jacket — and came in fourth place last year at -8, three shots behind 2025 Masters winner Rory McIlroy (-11), who won his first title at Augusta in a playoff over Justin Rose. Patrick Reed (-9) finished in third.
Scheffler was a +450 favorite entering last year’s tournament and a +500 favorite entering the 2024 Masters.
McIlroy and two-time U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau have the next-best odds to win this year’s tournament at 10-1, followed by Jon Rahm (12-1), Ludvig Aberg (14-1) and Xander Schauffele (14-1). No other golfers have odds better than 20-1 at BetMGM.
Scheffler has continued his terrific form so far in 2026, winning The American Express in January and finishing in the top 25 in every tournament he’s played in — including three top-five finishes.
However, all eyes will be on the status of Tiger Woods, who was involved in a car crash last Friday afternoon, and was arrested after failing a field sobriety test. Police officers discovered two hydrocodone pills in his pants pocket and Woods told police he was looking at his phone before the crash, according to an affidavit released on Tuesday.
Woods, a five-time Masters champion, is still among the list of entries, but he’s yet to announce if he will play or not. He currently has odds of 250-1 to win the tournament at BetMGM — the same odds as Johnny Keefer and Andrew Novak. Phil Mickelson is also a long shot at 250-1.
The Masters is usually the most-bet golf event of the year, both due to its popularity and because sportsbooks now keep futures odds on the tournament open nearly year round.
Hydrocodone is a potent opioid used to treat severe, chronic pain. The affidavit of the incident, obtained by USA TODAY, also included observations by an arresting officer that Woods' eyes were "bloodshot and glassy" as he performed a variety of field sobriety tests. A sheriff's deputy found two small white pills in Woods' pants pocket, which were later identified as hydrocodone.
Here's what to know about the medication, a powerful painkiller that belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics.
How does hydrocodone affect the body?
Hydrocodone − frequently prescribed under the brand name Vicodin − is commonly used in opioid-tolerant patients to treat around-the-clock pain, per the Mayo Clinic. "It should not be used to treat pain that you only have once in a while or 'as needed,'" the Mayo Clinic adds.
The most common side effects are dizziness and lightheadedness. Other possible side effects of hydrocodone, per MedlinePlus, include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, increased sweating, decreased sexual desire and the inability to get or keep an erection.
Patients are routinely advised to avoid driving a vehicle or operating dangerous machinery if they are unsure how the medication will affect them.
The Drug Recognition Expert on the scene of Woods' crash believed Woods’ impairment stemmed from "some kind of medication or drug," according to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek. While a breath test showed that Woods was not under the influence of alcohol, he refused a urinalysis test and was charged with a misdemeanor.
What are the signs of hydrocodone abuse?
According to the Mayo Clinic, hydrocodone "may become habit-forming, causing mental and physical dependence" if used for a long time. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicated that in 2024, 3.4 million individuals in the United States aged 12 or older reported misusing hydrocodone in the previous year.
Roaring Brook Recovery, an addiction treatment center in Kentucky, offers the following guidance to see if you're developing an addiction to hydrocodone:
Continuing to use the substance despite negative consequences in your life
Cravings to use the substance
Developing a tolerance to a substance and needing to use larger and larger doses to achieve the same effect
Inability to cut down use of a substance despite attempts to do so
Neglecting responsibilities and relationships due to substance use
What's the latest on Tiger Woods?
Woods, 50, was charged with DUI and failure to submit to a DUI test following the two-vehicle crash on Jupiter Island in Florida, where he has a home.
Woods told police that he was looking down at his cell phone and changing the radio station before a March 27 traffic crash that resulted in his SUV flipping on its side.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, although they will likely have to make their picks outside of the first round. As fans look forward to the draft, they can take a look back at the players selected in the draft who made the biggest impact.
First up: the first round picks.
The Jaguars have had their share of first-round hits over the years, but only a few have truly defined the direction of the franchise. There are plenty that stand out, making it difficult to pick just three, but the best of the best will have set themselves apart through their production, longevity, and overall impact on the franchise.
Runners-up: Donovin Darius, Marcus Stroud, John Henderson, Josh Hines-Allen
#1: Tony Boselli
Boselli wasn’t just a successful pick; he was a franchise-defining one. As the Jaguars’ first-ever selection, he set the tone for the organization’s early years and became one of the league’s premier offensive linemen. His strength, speed, and size were a deadly combination, allowing him to dominate pass rushers. His performance in the 1996 playoffs, in which he shut down the Bills' Bruce Smith, the all-time sack leader, stands out, with Boselli holding him to zero sacks and just three tackles, which set the pace for the rest of his career.
His eventual Hall of Fame induction, the first Jaguar to receive the honor, only further cements his place at the top of this list.
#2: Fred Taylor
Drafted in 1998, Taylor became one of the most productive players in Jaguars history. He was consistently one of the Jaguars’ most dependable offensive players. Taylor stood out right away due to a rare combination of size and speed. Year after year, he delivered at a high level, becoming the franchise rushing leader and a member of the 10,000-yard rushing club, and among all-star running backs, he has one of the highest yards per carry. It's only because he played in such a small market that he continues to be snubbed for Hall of Fame consideration.
His combination of longevity and production secures his place among the best first-round picks in team history.
#3: Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence may not yet have the longevity of Boselli and Taylor, but his importance to the Jaguars is already clear. As a generational prospect coming out of college, Lawrence arrived with expectations of transforming the franchise, and has provided Jacksonville with something it had long been searching for: stability at quarterback. Not since Mark Brunell have the Jaguars had a reliable leader at this position.
Since being drafted in 2021, Lawrence has reshaped the direction of the team. He has a strong arm, can read defenses like Peyton, and proved to be a true dual threat, capable of running the ball and remaining a threat outside the pocket.
Together, Boselli, Taylor, and Lawrence represent three different eras of Jaguars football, each defining the franchise in their own way.
United States' Shaun White competes during the men's halfpipe finals at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China.
|
Andrew Medichini
While the dismal ski and snowboard season is winding down, one Utah resort is already looking ahead to a major event next winter.
Park City Mountain will be a host site for the second season of The Snow League, a three-day competition featuring the world’s top athletes in halfpipe snowboarding and freeskiing, live music, fan experiences and a celebration of winter sports culture set for Jan. 22-24, 2027.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist and entrepreneur Shaun White founded the league in 2024; it just completed its first season in Switzerland earlier this month.
“Park City Mountain has always been one of the most important places in snowboarding and freeskiing, so bringing The Snow League here for season two feels incredibly special,” White said in a press release.
“With the Winter Olympics returning to Utah in 2034 and Park City set to play a major role in the Games, there’s an incredible energy building in this community around winter sports. We’re excited to make The Snow League part of that momentum, bringing the best halfpipe athletes in the world here and building something that grows with the sports in the years leading up to the Olympics and many more to come.”
Shaun White, former Olympian, speaks with Ryan Smith, (not pictured) co-founder of Qualtrics and owner of the Utah Jazz, during Day 2 of the Qualtrics X4: The Experience Management Summit at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City on March 9, 2023.
|
Ryan Sun, Deseret News
The Park City competition will debut a 22-foot halfpipe at the base of the resort and a custom-built transition feature at Scott’s Bowl.
The league has yet to announce other competition sites for next season.
What is The Snow League?
The Snow League is the first professional winter sports league dedicated to snowboarding and freeskiing. It combines elite men’s and women’s competition with a festival-style atmosphere to create a multi-day experience for fans both on the mountain and in host communities.
The inaugural season featured two events in Aspen, Colorado, and one each at Yunding Snow Park in China and Laax, Switzerland, and a $2.2 million purse. Athletes compete to accumulate points based on their results from each event, which are totaled at the end of the season to crown a champion.
First season champions are Sena Tomita and Yuto Totsuka in snowboarding and Eileen Gu and Luke Harrold in freeskiing.
Sundance Film Festival gone but new party arrives
The Park City competition comes during a weekend long associated with the Sundance Film Festival. But 2027 will mark the first year that the festival will no longer take place in Utah following its move to Boulder, Colorado.
The Snow League sees its arrival as a new chapter as it introduces a global sports and entertainment event at a time of continued evolution for the community. Park City is at the center of one of the largest winter sports audiences in North America. It is within a short drive of more than 2.5 million people and offers easy accessibility for visitors from around the world via the Salt Lake City International Airport.
“As Park City continues to evolve, investments in events like The Snow League help define what’s next for our destination,” said Deirdra Walsh, Park City Mountain vice president and chief operating officer. “Bringing world-class athletes and an innovative competition format to Park City Mountain reinforces our place on the global stage and celebrates the spirit that makes this community so special.”
The NBA has started the process of lining up voters for postseason awards, and if form holds from recent years the ballots will be due shortly after the end of the regular season.
Some categories will be easier for those on the voting panel to fill out than others. Defensive Player of the Year might not take voters very long (spoiler alert, it’ll be San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama) and Rookie of the Year is basically going to be a two-contender race (a Duke guy will win; it’s TBD if it’ll be Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel or Dallas’ Cooper Flagg).
Other races will be tougher. When talking MVP, for example, logical arguments can be made for Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic, Wembanyama, Boston’s Jaylen Brown and probably a few others as well.
Another of those wide-open races? Coach of the Year.
There is no shortage of candidates. J.B. Bickerstaff is likely going to guide Detroit — a team that made headlines for losing streaks just two years ago — to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Mitch Johnson, in his first full season at the helm in San Antonio (he did coach 77 of the Spurs’ 82 games last season, but technically, this is full season No. 1), will have the Spurs in the No. 1 or No. 2 spot on the Western Conference bracket. Quin Snyder in Atlanta, Charles Lee in Charlotte, Jordan Ott in Phoenix and Darko Rajakovic should, at minimum, get some consideration as well.
And then there’s Boston’s Joe Mazzulla. The Celtics played most of this season without Jayson Tatum and were expected by some to be a fall-back-to-the-pack team this season because of Tatum’s injury and the departures of players like Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Oops. The Celtics are at 50 wins, again, and Mazzulla has done an admirable job.
He was asked before Boston’s game on Monday about Coach of the Year, and specifically his place in that race. What happened next was ... well, probably not unexpected.
“I don’t need it,” Mazzulla said. “I think it’s a stupid award.”
It’s probably now reasonable to think the Celtics won’t be sending out any Coach of the Year pitches to voters on Mazzulla’s behalf. Some teams do that; among the more memorable ones in recent years was Utah mailing out an actual album cover depicting then-Jazz center Rudy Gobert as a jazz artist (get it?) when hyping his Defensive Player of the Year chances.
There will be some lobbying for awards. It has already started. Wembanyama stated his MVP case after a game in Miami last week, and Keldon Johnson is also being promoted by fellow Spurs players as a Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner. (His main competition there figures to be Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr.)
And last week, the National Basketball Players Association was among those weighing in on the 65-game rule for award eligibility in most cases — noting the collapsed lung Detroit’s Cade Cunningham suffered earlier this month could keep him from reaching the minimum number of games needed to be on the ballot for the All-NBA teams.
“We always knew when there’s a line you draw that somebody’s going to fall on the other side of that line,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said last week. “It may feel unfair in that particular instance. Let’s see what happens at the end of this year.”
There’s nothing wrong with teams lobbying for their guy, or guys, to win awards. There’s also nothing wrong with Mazzulla making very clear that he’s focused on far bigger things than individual honors.
“You shouldn’t have it,” Mazzulla said of the award. “And it’s more about the players and it’s more about the work that the staff puts in. It’s just that simple. I really don’t ever want to be asked or talked about it again. It’s just that dumb. So, the players play, it’s about them. Staff works their (butt) off. I’m grateful to have ’em.”
The team awards are all that seem to really matter to Mazzulla. It won’t stop people from voting for him, but it’s a stance that should be respected.
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 18: Chop Robinson #44 of the Miami Dolphins defends in coverage during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NFL owners meetings continued in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday, and once again, Miami Dolphins coaches and executives were available to the media in attendance. Head coach Jeff Hafley discussed various topics — including his excitement in regards to coaching third-year pass rusher, Chop Robinson.
Chop’s had some success. If you build a pass rush tape of Chop, he does things that are like, ‘I can’t wait to get my hands on this guy.‘ But, I think we need to get to know him, right? I want to see him live. I want to see what he looks like in his stance. I want to see what we can do to help him out of his stance — out of his first step. What’s his go-to move? Is he going to win with speed? What’s his counter? Can we coach him up on that, right? Can we help him take the step [foward]? What’s his mindset like? Where is he at right now? So, I just talked to him on the phone a bunch, but I can’t wait to coach him. But he certainly has that — his first few steps, his get off… he can roll. Now it’s our job to coach him up and develop him and help him get better.
Robinson finished his rookie season in 2024 with six sacks in the team’s final ten games. His potential was discussed at great lengths ahead of the 2025 season, with some predicting a major leap forward for the pass rusher. Unfortunately, that progression didn’t materialize — with Robinson finishing his second season with just four sacks total, and a mere 10 combined tackles.
This offseason, the Dolphins parted ways with veteran pass rusher, Bradley Chubb with the expectation that Chop Robinson will handle a larger portion of snaps on defense in 2026. Can head coach Jeff Hafley and his staff maximize the 23 year old’s skillset and help turn him into a first-rate menace on the football field? It sounds like Miami’s new head-man-in-charge is looking forward to the challenge.
The Oregon Ducks were back on campus on Tuesday after spring break, which meant Dan Lanning had the opportunity to address the media for the first time since the Ducks missed out on some key recruits to the rival USC Trojans last week.
First, four-star cornerback Danny Lang decided to commit to the Trojans instead of the Ducks last Thursday, prompting USC to take to social media to mock Lanning's famous statement, "The grass is damn green in Eugene." That line made waves when Lanning posted a video solidifying his own commitment to the Ducks while he was rumored to be in consideration to replace Nick Saban at Alabama.
USC posted a video of green grass turning red with the statement, "Guess the grass wasn't greener."
To make matters worse, the Trojans also managed to flip four-star offensive tackle Drew Fielder on Saturday. Fielder had been committed to the Ducks since February 1. USC again took to social media with a more subtle shot of a traffic light turning from green to red.
Lanning, speaking to local media on Tuesday, offered a simple, cold response to the jabs being thrown his way.
"No reaction. I'm much more focused on winning in the fall," Lanning said.
That's exactly what the Ducks have done against USC on the field, as recently as last season. Oregon beat the Trojans 42-27 in Eugene last season, and the Trojans have not beaten the Ducks since 2016. The Ducks and Trojans will meet again next season on Sept. 27 in Los Angeles.
While Lanning may not wage a war of words with programs while speaking at the podium, he certainly has not been afraid to use bulletin board material to motivate his team in the locker room before a big game. While the Ducks are focused on gearing up for the fall, I would expect Lanning to have some extra motivation and use this as more ammunition to fire his team up before they meet the Trojans at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Former Celtics coach Doc Rivers is set to be immortalized in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Rivers will be inducted as part of the Class of 2026, joining fellow to-be Hall of Famers like Candace Parker, Amar’e Stoudemire and more, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Rivers helped guide the Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship, the franchise’s 17th title. After the C’s added Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to form the Big Three with Paul Pierce, Boston immediately became a contender. The Celtics beat the Lakers in six games in the 2008 NBA Finals, winning their first title since 1986.
Rivers is considered one of the best coaches of in league history. He was named to the Top 15 coaches of all-time list, which was released by the NBA in conjunction with the 75th anniversary team for the players.
Rivers coached the Celtics from 2004-2013, making the playoffs in seven of those seasons. He was traded to the Clippers for a first-round pick, ending his tenure with the team. Rivers has also coached the Magic and 76ers in his career.
Rivers is currently the head coach of the Bucks in a tough season with a 29-45 record. He holds an all-time record of 1,191-861. He’s one of 11 NBA coaches all-time who have won at least 1,000 games in their career.
While Rivers has been criticized for his playoff shortcomings, C’s fans will fondly remember his tenure in Boston. The Big Three got to the mountaintop in 2008 and came close once again 2010. Fans will also point out how Kevin Garnett’s knee injury in the 2009 playoffs also limited the team.
The Naismith Hall of Fame announced the finalists for the 2026 class in February, featuring some star-studded names. Rivers and the Class of 2026 will be enshrined Aug. 15 in Springfield.
The New Orleans Saints are finally turning the corner as a franchise, and it's thanks in large part to the team seemingly finding their quarterback of the future in Tyler Shough.
He looked great in 2025, and even though the team finished with a poor record, he proved he is the starter going forward. With Shough entrenched in the starting lineup, backup quarterback Spencer Rattler has become expendable.
And instead of holding onto him for another year, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report believes that the Saints could use the 2026 NFL Draft as a chance to trade Rattler away.
Saints could trade Spencer Rattler during NFL Draft
"The New Orleans Saints and Specner Rattler appear to be headed towards a breakup," Kay writes. "With Tyler Shough securing the starting role and Zach Wilson recently joining the team to compete for a depth role, Rattler looks to be the odd man out in the Big Easy."
Rattler is sure to draw some trade interest, and with Kay's comments in mind, seeing Rattler dealt would not be a surprise for the Saints at all.
Landing draft picks in return for Rattler to be a backup or join a quarterback competition elsewhere wouldn't be a terrible idea.
He has two years of control left on his rookie deal, making him a bit more appealing than a typical quarterback trade target. He could garner plenty of interest from QB-needy teams and teams looking for a stop-gap or rental option with full-time starter upside.
Rattler, in two seasons and 16 total games (14 starts) for the Saints the last two years, has looked like a decent QB. He has a 62.7% completion rate with 2,903 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
His production lately has been better, with his 1,586 yards and eight touchdowns with five interceptions this past season in eight starts being a good deal better than his production in 2024.
Rattler might not be the best quarterback a team could acquire this offseason during the draft, but he has two years of control and has shown some intrigue as a starting QB option.
Cornerback Colton Hood came to Tennessee pro day hoping to run the 40-yard dash under 4.4 seconds to strengthen his case as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He came just short of his first goal. He said his 40 was clocked at 4.41 seconds.
But Hood still has a reasonable shot of accomplishing his ultimate goal. The 6-foot, 193-pounder is among the top-rated cornerbacks in this draft class.
“It’s been a dream. This is something that you dream about as a little kid,” Hood said. “I was that little kid in his room looking at the ceiling and thinking about what this could be.”
Hood’s UT teammate, Jermod McCoy, stole much of the spotlight at the March 31 event, which was packed with scouts from all 32 NFL teams.
McCoy ran the 40 in 4.37 seconds and likely locked up a spot in the first round. But Hood isn’t far behind in most mock drafts as a potential first-rounder. Notably, the cornerbacks never played together at Tennessee because McCoy missed the 2025 season with a knee injury.
Hood ran the 40 in 4.44 seconds at the NFL scouting combine in late February. He shaved it down to 4.41 at this event. Now teams will continue to critique his game.
NFL scouts like Hood’s physical style of play and his coverage skills. But the question is whether he’s an elite first-rounder or a strong second-rounder.
Colton Hood NFL draft projections
Most NFL draft prognosticators agree that the Dallas Cowboys will select a cornerback in the first round. They have the 12th and 20th picks.
Hood and Tennessee teammate Jermod McCoy are both popular picks for the Cowboys. Here’s where Hood is projected in leading mock drafts.
No. 20 to Dallas Cowboys (CBS Sports; NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks)
No. 26 to Buffalo Bills (The Athletic)
No. 29 to Kansas City Chiefs (NFL.com’s Charles Davis and Daniel Jeremiah)
No. 30 to Miami Dolphins (USA TODAY, ESPN’s Matt Miller)
No. 32 to Seattle Seahawks (ESPN’s Mel Kiper; NFL.com’s Chad Reuter)
No. 33 to New York Jets (ESPN’s Field Yates)
Colton Hood stats, strengths and weaknesses
Hood played one season each at Auburn, Colorado and Tennessee. In 2025, he turned into an All-SEC performer and one of college football’s best cornerbacks while filling in for the injured McCoy.
In 2025, Hood made 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, eight pass breakups and two defensive TDs. His 83.3 coverage grade by Pro Football Focus ranked second among SEC cornerbacks in the regular season.
NFL scouts like Hood’s physicality and overall skillset. He has good speed, running the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds. He has good size at 6-foot, 193 pounds. He has a nose for the ball, demonstrated with his two defensive TDs.
Hood doesn’t shy away from contact. He excels in press-man coverage, and he plays a physical style against the run.
There aren’t many negatives in the scouting report on Hood. The big question is whether he’s a lockdown elite cornerback or a complementary cornerback. Either outcome projects him having a long NFL career, but the prior sets him apart as a first-round pick.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye dealt with a right shoulder injury in the postseason, but he doesn't expect it to be an issue for him heading into the 2026 campaign.
Maye did not miss any playing time, but was on the team's injury report heading into Super Bowl LX and he said after the loss to the Seahawks that he took a painkilling injection ahead of the game. Maye was 27-of-43 for 295 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions while also losing a fumble in Santa Clara.
While at a charity event on Tuesday, Maye said the shoulder "shouldn’t be an issue" when he gets back on the field.
"Shoulder is feeling good. Feeling great. You know, I think just having some time off and being able to get back into throwing and lifting," Maye said, via Christopher Price of the Boston Globe.
Maye was sacked six times in the 29-13 loss to Seattle and keeping him from getting hit quite so often will be a good way to ensure he remains in good health in the future.
Senne Lammens reveals Carrick’s simple day-one trick that changed everything
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens has revealed the simple thing that Michael Carrick did from day one to inspire the club’s dramatic turnaround.
Transformation
United have looked like a completely different side since dismissing Ruben Amorim and appointing Carrick as his temporary replacement.
Carrick has steered United clear of the inconsistencies and off-the-pitch drama that defined the Amorim era.
The legendary United midfielder has taken charge of 10 Premier League games, winning seven, drawing two and losing one. At present, the Red Devils lie in third place in the table, one point above Aston Villa and six adrift of cross-town rivals Manchester City in second.
United are now a more entertaining side to watch, but with a defensive resoluteness to match. Lammens has been a big part of the latter.
Lammens told Crafton, “The first thing, from the first day, was his (Carrick) ability to make everything quite clear and (present) a direct message. He didn’t make it too difficult for us or too complicated.”
“Sometimes, managers make a plan too complicated, and then some players don’t buy in and it’s difficult to get on the same level for everyone. But from the first game, it was quite clear what he wanted. He was not asking the most difficult things, but also he was able to let our players thrive in their qualities.”
“At the back, not giving goals away is one of the most important things, and then our players in front can make a difference. That’s probably what has been working the best.”
He continued, “We don’t really give away a lot of goals in the beginning of the game, which is probably one of the most important things in the Premier League. Michael has given us a lot of confidence and a lot of stability from the back.”
“At the beginning of the season, there were a couple of players injured and a couple of defenders coming in and going out. It was difficult to get the rhythm. The last couple of games have been better as well. For example, with (centre-back) Harry Maguire in front of me, he is also a beast, so it’s always nice to have him there.”
Lammens has proven to be a top signing for United, having joined the club on deadline day of last summer’s transfer window. But United also considered bringing in Emi Martinez from Aston Villa instead.
Lammens revealed that United didn’t give him any guaranteed of regular first-team football.
“There was never something clear set about that. There was never a timeline or something. They just said, ‘Look, if you believe in yourself, you’re going to get a chance. If you let your quality show in training, the manager will put you in’. I also saw the path for me to be able to get my chance sooner or later.”
The 23-year-old also made it clear that United was his only priority.
“From the outside, it was a lot of talk. But for me, it was always United, to be honest. It was quite clear for me. I just believed in myself. And I knew the chance was going to come and it was up to me to take it. I think I’ve been able to do that now.”
“Making the move to United was a big one, but in my head I was always confident and sure, long-term, that I was going to make the right call. It has gone really good, really fast. I can’t really say anything bad about the transition.”
Set-pieces have dominated the Premier League this season and Lammens, like other goalkeepers in the division have been asked to do more.
In United’s recent wins against Everton and Arsenal in particular, Lammens was instrumental as United beat both sides. He regularly came out to claim the ball or to punch it away from the danger area.
Asked about this, he remarked, “This season in particular, they start blocking at set pieces and trying to gather around the goalkeeper and make it more and more difficult. It’s not the easiest, but I think I’ve dealt with it quite well.”
“Sometimes when you see all those guys in front of you, you kind of get scared of it. But I also have to trust my team-mates to get me in the best possible position to push those players away. So I just focus on the ball and then try to make a right decision. I think I’ve been doing well at that.”
Lammens and United are next in action on 13 April when they host Leeds United at Old Trafford.
Journalist Offers Verdict On Leeds United’s Chances Of Staying In The PL: Is xG Advantage Real Or Just A Cruel Illusion?
Pete O’Rourke from Football Insider reports that Daniel Farke is entering a make-or-break period at Leeds United. Sources indicate the club will judge the German manager on three massive upcoming fixtures. Leeds currently sit 15th. They stay four points above the relegation zone, but the margin for error shrinks every week.
Leeds United’s Survival Test: Can Farke Deliver When It Matters Most?
O’Rourke points out that Leeds failed to score in their last four matches. Only their defensive discipline stopped the situation from spiralling. Home games against Burnley and Wolves are now must-win matches. Leeds United also face a Tottenham side that haven’t won a single game in 2026. This gives Farke a genuine chance to pull away from the bottom three. O’Rourke believes Farke deserves credit for keeping Leeds United in the fight. He feels the squad has enough quality to stay up.
“They’re four points above the relegation zone. The concern has been the lack of goals in recent games.
“Leeds have failed to score in their last four games, but they’re not conceding too many goals either, so it’s no massive concern.
“If they can turn some of those draws into wins, they’ll move themselves further clear of trouble, and I’m sure they’ll be confident that they will secure Premier League survival.
“They’ve still got to play Burnley and Wolves at home. If they can pick up maximum points from those games, they’ll be almost there, I think, as good as staying up, and then they’ve also got Spurs to play as well, so three huge games still to play against rivals down at the wrong end of the table.
“I’d still be confident that Leeds have more than enough to stay up, and as I said, a lot of that will be down to Farke, so he deserves a lot of credit.”
Is Leeds’ xG Advantage Real or Just a Cruel Illusion?
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 15: Daniel Farke, Manager of Leeds United, celebrates victory following the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Birmingham City and Leeds United on February 15, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Leeds United are a strange case this season. They have 31 points from 29 matches. However, their Expected Points total is 43.6. This suggests the team play much better than the league table shows. This gap is one of the most shocking stats in the Premier League. It tells a story that the basic table misses.
The 49-year-old manager led Leeds to the Championship title with 100 points last year. Now, he faces the biggest test of his Elland Road career. Farke built his name by getting the most out of teams in the second tier. He won the Championship twice with Norwich and once with Leeds. However, the Premier League uses a different math entirely. Leeds United lost their last two home games. They have won only once in seven matches, and this makes the Burnley and Wolves games feel like obligations rather than opportunities.
Leeds travel to Spurs on 9 May. They end the season at West Ham. This final-day match could decide everything. Facing two relegation rivals in a row rewards bravery. The data shows Leeds United create chances. The problem is that they stop scoring when the pressure peaks. That is a mental issue, not just a tactical one, and Farke knows it. Everyone at Elland Road knows it too.
Reigning ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion “The Tormentor” Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu may not have an opponent officially lined up for his next walk to the Circle, but his ambitions have never been clearer.
Having already conquered his own weight class, the Mongolian superstar is ready to write a new chapter in his martial arts legacy, and he’s eyeing a potential showdown with ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai for a shot at another 26 pounds of gold.
For “The Tormentor,” stepping into a heavier weight class is not just about securing another piece of hardware. It is about cementing his name among the biggest legends of the sport.
The bantamweight MMA king stated:
“All martial artists have a dream to become multi-division champions, right? For me, it’s the same. Most importantly, I want to make history as the first-ever two-division Mongolian MMA World Champion. That is the biggest motivation for me to challenge Tang Kai for the featherweight belt.”
A potential collision between Baatarkhuu’s relentless grappling pressure and Tang’s devastating knockout power would be a massive spectacle for ONE Championship fans all across the globe. The Mongolian has already visualized how that battle against the Chinese phenom might unfold.
He explained:
“After Tang Kai and myself go inside the cage, I don’t know what will happen. I don’t know how the fight will end, whether that’s by a knockout or submission. But what I am thinking in my mind, I see a five-round war. For me, there’s a chance I can go the distance with him and beat him.”
Moving up to face a heavier, highly dangerous World Champion is a daunting prospect. Even so, that potential super-fight will have to wait a little longer since Tang will be defending his belt against Shamil “The Cobra” Gasanov next at ONE Fight Night 43 in U.S. primetime on May 15.
However, if Baatarkhuu were to get that opportunity later this year, it would be hard to bet against him. He has been on a truly historic run and knows exactly what it takes to defy the odds, having captured the coveted ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title by submitting former divisional kingpin Fabricio “Wonder Boy” Andrade at ONE Fight Night 38 last December.
Carrying that unshakable confidence, he is eager to test his steel against Tang at some point:
“If ONE Championship gives me the opportunity, I would like to really challenge and go up against Tang Kai. I think he’s also really hungry to fight, so it should be a great fight.”
Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu’s eyes may be fixed on two-division supremacy, but he is also fiercely protective of his bantamweight MMA crown. The Mongolian hero firmly believes that any athlete looking to challenge for his World Title must be riding a wave of undeniable momentum, rather than stumbling into a championship opportunity off a loss.
That strict standard of merit was instilled in him by his legendary coach, former ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa.
Baatarkhuu noted:
“I know that holding the World Title – holding this golden belt – is a huge responsibility. I have major respect for my belt as well.
“My coach, Narantungalag Jadambaa, fought for a title shot three times. And every time he lost, he would have to win at least two more times before he could fight for the belt again. I do believe that the reason behind it is that whoever is willing to fight for the belt must win his last fight – at least one fight.”
Looking at the current landscape of the bantamweight MMA division, Baatarkhuu sees two obvious contenders hovering at the top: former divisional rulers Fabricio Andrade and John “Hands of Stone” Lineker.
However, with both men coming off tough defeats, the reigning World Champion believes the path forward is clear. Instead of granting either man an immediate shot, Baatarkhuu wants to see the two Brazilian knockout artists face each other in a high-stakes World Title eliminator while he hunts for featherweight MMA gold.
The Mongolian superstar declared:
“I am okay to fight whoever, but in my division, for example, [John] Lineker, he lost his last fight. And Fabricio also lost to me. It was a rear-naked choke. It wasn’t like a five-round decision.
“I would like to say that I’m ready to fight whoever deserves to fight me. But I think it is better for those two guys to face each other. Whoever wins can go against me, I’m ready to do that.”
Even with that gauntlet laid down, Baatarkhuu is already looking ahead to the ultimate victor.
Having already handed Andrade a definitive defeat, the Mongolian hero envisions Lineker surviving that hypothetical eliminator, setting the stage for an explosive ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title showdown in the future.
Anticipating that eventual war, Baatarkhuu concluded:
“I have a lot of respect for Lineker. He has been a champion before, and he’s a really strong striker. Obviously, it’s going to be a war, like what happened between Fabricio Andrade and myself. It’s hard to tell who’s tougher, though. The only way we will know is if we face each other.”
On the court, UConn coach Dan Hurley is an emotional and animated guy. But some fans thought Hurley took things too far following UConn’s last-second win over Duke in the Elite Eight.
Following Braylon Mullins’ buzzer-beat to put UConn up 73-72 with just 0.3 seconds left, cameras captured a weird exchange between Hurley and official Roger Ayers. In the clip, Hurley appeared to get in Ayers’ face, with both men butting heads on the sideline.
After seeing the exchange, some wondered why Hurley was not charged with a technical foul, as making contact with an official can lead to both a penalty and ejection for coaches. Hurley, who was ejected from a loss vs. Marquette earlier in the season after making contact with an official, was certainly aware that was the case.
But Hurley said everyone who has seen the clip has it all wrong. As the coach explained during an appearance on “The Triple Option” podcast, he believed Ayers was going in for a chest-bump, which resulted in the strange interaction.
Hurley’s full comments read:
"Really, at that point in the game we had it won, and he’s such an easy guy to work with during the game, I thought he was coming over to chest-bump me and celebrate the shot. It’s not like that for me with him. My experience with him has been, we haven’t won every game. I haven’t agreed with every call. So that was in no way me going at a ref like I’ve been at their throat the whole game. There were other points in the game where I had my arm around him walking out of a timeout. We were cracking jokes and laughing.”
At that point, Hurley said it wasn’t like the situation at Marquette, where he implied he deserved to be penalized for his actions. He then turned the conversation back to the Duke game, saying he was being carried by the “emotion of the shot” during his moment with Ayers. When asked if they were sharing that moment, Hurley clarified that Ayers was coming up to inform Hurley that there was still some time left on the clock.
Given the narrow margin of victory, a technical foul on Hurley in that moment could have been catastrophic for UConn. That, obviously, didn’t happen and UConn advanced to the Final Four, where it will take on Illinois on Saturday.
While Hurley will move on to the Final Four, Ayers won’t be able to say the same. Despite being a veteran official with multiple years of Final Four experience under his belt, Ayers was not chosen to work during the Final Four. It’s unclear whether his interaction with Hurley played a role in that decision.
LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 28: Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) smiles after a Big 12 football game between the Utah Utes and Kansas Jayhawks on November 28, 2025 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Welcome, you may be wondering why I am not with Cleveland this year. Well, as I understand, Bidwell won my services in a poker game over this past weekend for the upcoming draft. Or, at least I was told he was on the winning end. Hmm..
Since this is so recent, there wasn’t a lot of time to prepare. It is also noteworthy to mention that the Arizona Cardinals have been trying desperately to trade out of drafting at No. 3. But sadly, no suitors. The Cards were really hoping to build up capital for next year’s draft, particularly with a better-looking QB class. As many would say, quarterback is the biggest need at least after releasing Kyler Murray. So, it looks like we will be sticking with the third overall pick. Let’s be honest, when this draft class walks into the bank, bank security turns off their CCTV cameras. This class is so bad … they make onions cry.
Moving on … despite the massive cap hit caused by Murray, the Cards had a lot of room and were fairly active in free agency. Having a lot of cap space also usually means a lack of talent on the roster, though most of the Cards free agency acquisitions were Howie Roseman-type moves, and none surpassed Budda Baker’s cap number. While Isaac Seumalo is quality guard, the other OL additions were the likes of Oli Udoh, Elijah Wilkinson, and Matt Pryor. This might seem like a time to build up the defense but it does seem like Arizona did enough in free agency to plug some defensive holes and Arvell Reese is gone.
Whichever QB is under center this year will have some quality young pass catchers to work with like receivers Kendrick Bourne, Marvin Harrison Jr. , Michael Wilson plus tight end Trey McBride. So, why not give them as much help as possible? Hate to say it but the likes of Udoh and Pryor are not moving the needle much for Mike LaFleur’s game plan. And Atlanta was more than happy to say goodbye to Wilkinson.
Well, with Reese gone the next two candidates on Arizona’s big board are offensive linemen with those being Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano. Which one?
I must first state that I am not being paid by Head & Shoulders, nor affiliate myself with any other Procter & Gamble hair care products.
𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕‼️@FanoSpencer is the 𝟐𝐧𝐝 member of OBLOCK to 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 be named a finalist for the award given annually to the best interior CFB lineman in the nation‼️ The first being Ute legend Jordan Gross (2002).
We saw the Utah tackle and the 2025 Outland Trophy winner as our best option. Many darn him as a tight end in an offensive lineman body. Spencer Fano is nearly 6’6″, weighing in at 311 lbs, ran a sub 5.0 – 40-yard dash at the combine and he posted an elite athlete (9.74 RAS), score. He is viewed as a better slightly better pass-protector than Mauigoa and since LaFleur schemes demand an athletic, agile offensive linemen, this seems like a great marriage.
Although he has a “lean” build for a tackle and short arms his high-end agility, technique and quick feet make him a premier zone-blocking prospect
While known for his recovery blocking, grip, pass protection he isn’t a leg driver and has a tougher time with a bull rush but still allowed zero sacks, zero quarterback hits, and just five total pressures last season in 12 starts.
He is also one of only two ‘true’ freshmen to start at left tackle in Division 1 football their freshman year and made the Freshman All-America first-team, plus other accolades.
Measurables
Ht/Wt: 6-5½, 311
Arms: 32 1/8
40-yard dash: 4.91 seconds (1.72 10-yard split)
Vertical: 32 inches
Broad: 9-foot-3
3-cone: 7.34 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.67 seconds
Fano finished off his college career at right tackle with a boatload of honors and awards such as the Outland Trophy and he was also named Polynesian College Football Player of the Year. Showing off his elite athleticism at the NFL Combine, he found time to take some quality snaps at center. In most eyes, he is a top 10 pick and in ours a top five pick. It also doesn’t hurt that he has had four uncles play in the NFL ( including the one he is named after); I think NFL bloodlines are always a big plus. That type of experience can’t be discounted.
As previously mentioned, his arm length is likely the biggest negative.
He seems like a safe pick but if his arm length does become an issue, you can kick him inside. No, you would rather not use a top three pick on a guard but you are likely looking at a player you’ll hopefully have on your squad the next 10 plus years with All-Pro type ability. Most outlets have him as the first or second best offensive lineman in the draft class and a top 10 overall player. He has an elite athletic profile and has been a starter basically his entire college career. Comes from a family with NFL bloodlines. His older brother and teammate Logan is also entering the draft but may go in the later rounds. Logan got a bit later start due to Mormon missionary work and injury. Spencer is highly regarded as the most athletic draft eligible tackle to come along in the past few years.
And lets be honest , that hair alone should garner this guy a lot of draft love.
The finals of the 2026 World Cup playoffs all take place today, as teams compete for the last six spots at this summer's tournament.
The four finals of the UEFA pathways are staged at four different venues across the continent, while the two intercontinental games will be played in Monterrey, Mexico.
Italy are among the teams hoping to qualify for the World Cup proper. The Azzurri, who face Bosnia and Herzegovina in their playoff final, are bidding to avoid the ignominy of missing out on a third straight World Cup.
3:28 p.m.: RED CARD! BASTONI IS SENT OFF FOR ITALY! The Inter Milan defender slides in and brings down Amar Memic as he races towards the penalty area. It was at the corner of the box, but there was no covering defender, and the referee deems that the deliberate denial of a goal-scoring opportunity. Gattuso is taking off Mateo Retegui to bring on Federico Gatti.
Another look at Bastoni's red card that puts Italy down a man with just over 45 minutes to play 🇮🇹👀 pic.twitter.com/NLqNAMWGlb
3:24 p.m.: Bosnia and Herzegovina have had 11 attempts to Italy's two, but they haven't tested Donnarumma when in good positions. The Azzurri are living dangerously, though.
3:21 p.m.: GOAL! POLAND EQUALISE! Nicola Zalewski cuts in from the left and places a shot towards the bottom-right corner. It seemed to wrong-foot goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt, who got a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out.
3:16 p.m.: It's still goalless between Kosovo and Turkey. The visitors have had 70% of the possession, but Kosovo have had the better chances.
3:06 p.m.: GOAL! 1-0 SWEDEN! Anthony Elanga puts them ahead against Poland. It's another emphatic finish — it seems only really good goals will do when the World Cup is on the line!
3:01 p.m.: GOAL! 1-0 ITALY! It's a horrible moment for goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, who passes the ball straight to Nicolo Barella. He plays a pass through to Moise Kean, who fires home a brilliant first-time finish from 18 yards. Outstanding strike, but an awful moment for Vasilj.
2:57 p.m.: GOAL! 1-0 CEZCHIA! It's a fast start in Prague for the home side, who take the lead courtesy of a thunderous Pavel Sulc shot from just inside the box.
2:30 p.m.: One of today's other finals sees Sweden face Poland. It means one of Viktor Gyokeres and Robert Lewandowski will not be playing at the World Cup.
2 p.m.: Gianluigi Donnarumma gives his thoughts on Italy's game in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Azzurri are bidding to avoid failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row.
Forty-two of the 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup were drawn in December, with the remaining six spots to be filled by the UEFA and intercontinental playoff winners.
Here is the full list of countries to qualify for the World Cup so far:
Nation
Confederation
Last World Cup appearance
United States (host)
CONCACAF
2022
Mexico (host)
CONCACAF
2022
Canada (host)
CONCACAF
2022
Panama
CONCACAF
2018
Haiti
CONCACAF
1974
Curacao
CONCACAF
None (First appearance)
Japan
AFC
2022
Iran
AFC
2022
Uzbekistan
AFC
None (First appearance)
Australia
AFC
2022
South Korea
AFC
2022
Jordan
AFC
None (First appearance)
Saudi Arabia
AFC
2022
Qatar
AFC
2022
Morocco
CAF
2022
Tunisia
CAF
2022
Egypt
CAF
2018
Algeria
CAF
2014
Ghana
CAF
2022
Cape Verde
CAF
None (First appearance)
South Africa
CAF
2010
Senegal
CAF
2022
Ivory Coast
CAF
2014
Argentina
CONMEBOL
2022
Ecuador
CONMEBOL
2022
Brazil
CONMEBOL
2022
Colombia
CONMEBOL
2018
Uruguay
CONMEBOL
2022
Paraguay
CONMEBOL
2010
New Zealand
OFC
2010
England
UEFA
2022
France
UEFA
2022
Croatia
UEFA
2022
Portugal
UEFA
2022
Norway
UEFA
1998
Germany
UEFA
2022
Netherlands
UEFA
2022
Spain
UEFA
2022
Belgium
UEFA
2022
Switzerland
UEFA
2022
Austria
UEFA
1998
Scotland
UEFA
1998
Bosnia and Herzegovina OR Italy
UEFA (playoffs)
Czechia OR Denmark
UEFA (playoffs)
Kosovo OR Turkey
UEFA (playoffs)
Sweden OR Poland
UEFA (playoffs)
DR Congo OR Jamaica
Intercontinental playoffs
Iraq OR Bolivia
Intercontinental playoffs
How do the World Cup playoffs work?
UEFA playoffs
Twelve of UEFA's 16 spots were taken by the group winners from the initial format of four or five-team groups. The 12 runners-up, along with the four best UEFA Nations League group winners that finished outside of the top two in their World Cup qualifying groups, enter the playoffs.
Those 16 teams were drawn into four paths with two single-game rounds. The seeded teams will be at home in the semifinals, with a home nation for the four finals drawn in advance. The winners from each path advance to the World Cup. UEFA is the only confederation without a representative in the inter-continental playoff.
The two teams in the six-nation playoff with the highest FIFA ranking are seeded. The four unseeded teams play an effective semifinal, with the two winners progressing to face a seed apiece to decide the final two places at the World Cup.
The four-game playoff will be used as a World Cup test event and played in two venues in Mexico, with some games at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and others at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
World Cup qualifying pathways
The UEFA playoff paths, like their intercontinental counterparts, were placed into Pot 4 for the group-stage draw because the individual qualifiers were not known at the time. That meant a potentially more difficult group stage for the teams that progress.
The pathways were drawn as follows:
UEFA Playoff A winner: Group B (Canada, Qatar, Switzerland)
UEFA Playoff B winner: Group F (Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia)
UEFA Playoff C winner: Group D (USA, Paraguay, Australia)
UEFA Playoff D winner: Group A (Mexico, South Africa, South Korea)
Meanwhile, the intercontinental playoff winners will be drawn into Group K and Group I:
FIFA Playoff 1 winner: Group K (Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia)
FIFA Playoff 2 winner: Group I (France, Senegal and Norway)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 5: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images) | Getty Images
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the trade market for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Antony Richardson has so far been soft—meaning longtime general manager Chris Ballard hasn’t been compelled to move him quite yet:
That doesn’t necessarily mean that those teams aren’t interested, it just means that none of those teams have come forward with a meaningful offer that has compelled the Colts to move Richardson at this time.
Realistically, the Colts could be looking at draft capital similar to the return that the San Francisco 49ers received for the former 3rd overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Trey Lance, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2024 4th round pick back in August of 2023.
Ideally, the Colts would still like to move Richardson and obtain meaningful value in return, but Ballard won’t trade him for the sake of purely trading him either—particularly for pennies on the dollar.
While the Colts would save $5.39M in a Richardson trade this offseason, that would be less than the current market rate to find a competent backup QB2 these days. The Colts already have 2nd-year quarterback Riley Leonard to potentially fill that QB2 role going forward, but he only has one career start under his belt.
It would still be surprising if Richardson remains on the roster until Week 1 of next year, after his camp requested permission to seek a trade. However, the Colts will pursue what’s best for them as well.
On Saturday night, Joe Pyfer got the biggest opportunity of his career with a UFC Seattle main event class against middleweight legend Israel Adesanya. While the former division king put up serious resistance and seemed to be getting the better of “BodyBagz,” the American’s power became too much for the New Zealander, and he scored the fourth knockout win of his UFC career.
The victory vaulted Pyfer into the UFC middleweight rankings and sets him up for some big matchups later this year. But who could he face next? We look at five potential options for the 29-year-old in his Octagon return.
Reinier de Ridder
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The UFC may not want to push Pyfer into a clash with a top-five foe. But he deserves to face a fighter in the top 10. That is why former ONE Championship two-division titlist Reinier de Ridder could be an option. The Dutch grappler was where Pyfer is now last year. On a hot streak and in range of a title fight.
However, back-to-back losses have derailed his championship hopes. Nevertheless, both bring different strengths to a potential fight and would offer the other a serious test.
Anthony Hernandez
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
If the company did feel Pyfer is closing in on a title fight, a clash with someone like Anthony Hernandez would make sense. “Fluffy” was a win away from a title bout earlier this year. However, his loss to Sean Strickland dropped him down a peg. But a victory over a red-hot fighter like Pyfer would thrust him right back into the contender conversation.
For Pyfer, a win over a top-five fighter would quiet the doubters who aren’t sold on him yet because of the wins he has so far in the UFC.
Gregory Rodrigues
Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
If the UFC wants to put “Bodybagz” into a fan-friendly scrap, Brazilian Gregory Rodrigues would be a strong option. “Robocop” has a similar fight style and thunder in his fists. He is also on a three-fight win streak and has been victorious in six of his last seven. The winner would be deserving of a matchup with a title contender in their next bout.
Jared Cannonier
Timothy D. Easley/Special to the Courier-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
The promotion could fall back on their traditional fighter-building strategy and give Pyfer a scrap with a big-name opponent well-removed from their prime. Similar to what they just did by booking him against Adesanya. In that case, former title challenger Jared Cannonier would be a fit.
He has been one of the middleweight division’s best fighters over the last five years, so getting his name on Pyfer’s resume would be a very nice addition. And after losing three of his last four, the rising star would be catching the 42-year-old on the way down.
Michael Page
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
While it would be very risky, the UFC could place Joe Pyfer in a clash with Michael Page. Company executives have quickly soured on the Englishman’s unique style. However, it is hard to cut a competitor who is 4-1 inside the Octagon.
But just a few weeks away from his 39th birthday, now may be the perfect time to put Pyfer in there with “Venom.” If he can score a knockout win, the company would love him for it because it would give them a reason to cut Page and his, at times, tough-to-watch fight style.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 19: Chase Petty #61 high-fives Alfredo Duno #6 of the Cincinnati Reds during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
While the AAA Louisville Bats got their 2026 regular season underway last week just like the big league Cincinnati Reds, the lower minors affiliates will begin their campaigns later this week. With that on the docket, the rosters for the respective Opening Days for the High-A Dayton Dragons (Thursday evening against the Lansing Lugnuts) and AA Chattanooga Lookouts (Friday against the Columbus Clingstones) have been finalized.
The Lookouts will feature top prospects like Cam Collier, Leo Balcazar, and Carlos Jorge among their position player ranks as well as former 1st round picks like Austin Hendrick and Jay Allen II. The pitching staff will be spearheaded by Jose Acuna (who returns after firing 71.2 IP of 3.64 ERA ball there last year) as well as veteran Kevin Abel, while Jose Montero (3.93 ERA in 103.0 IP with High-A Dayton in 2025) will also make the jump up a level into the rotation.
The Lookouts revealed their entire roster this morning, which you can see below.
Meanwhile, top prospect and catcher of the future Alfredo Duno will headline the roster of the Dayton Dragons, as the Reds pointed out on Twitter earlier in the day.
Dayton’s roster is largely comprised of players who spent considerable time with the club last year, though Duno is clearly the exception to that rule. He destroyed Florida State League pitching as a 19 year old in 2025 (.287/.430/.518 with 18 HR and a 95/91 BB/K ratio) before heading off to the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League and showing out there, too.
What’s similarly interesting about Dayton’s roster, though, is who isn’t on it. Top prospect Tyson Lewis will apparently not be making the jump up a level to begin 2026 after he hit .268/.347/.417 there in 144 PA to finish 2025, his strikeout problems (51 in that time) likely something he’ll be asked to work on a bit first. Similarly, former NCAA dinger champ Mason Neville will not begin with Dayton after hitting .247/.333/.442 in 90 PA with Daytona last year, his own K-rate (34.4%) also a pretty glaring issue, while Arnaldo Lantigua will also seemingly stick around Daytona after 129 PA with them in his age-19 season.
The same is apparently true for Sheng-En Lin, who threw 16.2 IP for Daytona last year and is still focusing on pitching only after having been a two-way player prior to 2025.
The Daytona Tortugas have not yet released their roster, so we’ll need to wait for confirmation from them at some point later this week. It’s also worth pointing out that a number of names we otherwise would have seen on these rosters will begin the year on the minor league 60-day IL, with notable pitchers like Luke Holman and Carson Spiers there alongside infielder Ricky Cabrera.
The following players have been placed on the minor league 60-day IL: • RHP Carson Spiers • RHP Luke Holman • LHP Hunter Hollan • RHP Logan Tanner • SS Ricky Cabrera • C Connor Burns • RHP Owen Holt • LHP Christian Lopez • LHP Khristian Guevara •…
ONY Highlights — Auman 1-2, 2B, RBI; Iverson 1-2, R
Nine of the 10 batters for the Riverhawks that got an at-bat recorded a hit and they did a lot of it on their way to a 13-2, five-inning cruiser over the Loggers on Monday night in Onalaska. Toledo finished the game with 18 hits and just five of them went for extra bases.
Its bottom of the lineup — six-through-nine — combined for 10 of those hits, paced by Audrey Cooper's four. Cooper, Xtyn Norberg, Ellie Seely, Peyton Holter and Camryn Hurley all notched two RBIs.
The Riverhawks (4-1) led wire-to-wire, ignited by a six-run second and a five-run fifth to enact the mercy rule win. For Onalaska (3-2), its three-game winning streak came to a close. Jaelyn Auman roped an RBI double and Peyton Iverson also had a hit.
Up next for the Loggers is another non-league bout on Tuesday versus Mossyrock. Meanwhile Toledo will battle Warden and Kittitas on Saturday.
When the two Evergreen League foes met in Richland for the top trophy last spring, it was a competitive seven-inning game. Monday night was the exact opposite in the Bulldogs' 19-0, five-inning rout of the Warriors.
Only Charlie Culp and Addi Morgan reached base for Rochester (1-6, 0-2 Evergreen) on one hit and one stolen base each. Montesano was in complete control from the second inning on, plating eight runs in the second, seven in the third and four in the fourth.
Taylor Galvin roped two doubles and a home run for the Bulldogs, who recorded 17 hits in 32 at-bats. Rochester and Montesano will tangle again on Thursday.
🔍In search of a manager: the 2️⃣ names linked with River
Club Atlético River Plate has launched a strategic search to revamp its football structure. According to information from The Athletic, the club’s leadership has two internationally prominent names as its main targets for the sporting director role: Ramón Planes, currently at Al Ittihad, and Pablo Longoria, former president of Olympique de Marseille.
Initial international contacts
The Núñez-based club has already held initial talks with both candidates to gauge their availability and learn about their plans. Planes brings extensive experience in European football, notably from his time at FC Barcelona, while Longoria is known for his modern and aggressive approach in the French transfer market.
A third candidate in the shadows
Although Planes and Longoria are the leading options, there is at least a third candidate on the shortlist whose identity has not yet emerged. River is looking for a profile that combines global experience with the ability to strengthen both its youth academy and first-team squad ahead of the upcoming international challenges.
Behind the arm and the heroics of Zoella Zavodsky, the Vikings won a wild 7-6, 10-inning non-league contest versus the Mountaineers on Monday night at home. The eighth grader threw 170 pitches and struck out 17 in the circle for a complete game win
Down by one in the bottom of the 10th, Brooke Schwartz led off with a double and Kaylee Parker drew a walk to load the bases. Zavodsky needed just two pitches to poke a single to left field that brought home the winning two runs.
Mossyrock (3-3) did the majority of its scoring in the first three innings. Schwartz made it a one-run game with a two-RBI double and Taylor Schwartz tied the game at 4-4 by stealing home. Annika Ball gave the Vikings the lead in the third with a run-scoring single.
Rainier (1-3) took advantage of an error in the fourth to tie the game again and in the 10th, Gracie Green laid down a SAC bunt to take a 6-5 lead. Ryleigh Cruse also went the distance and tossed 106 pitches. Gracie Lantz had two doubles and two RBIs and Layla Hill notched three hits and scored three times.
The Mountaineers will take on Toutle Lake while Mossyrock battles Onalaska; both non-league contests are scheduled for Tuesday.
For six shutout innings, Tumwater High School pitcher Sarah Stevens was in the midst of a standout performance with 12 strikeouts and only three walks given up. The southpaw got into some trouble in the seventh, but was able to keep Shelton at bay and give the T-Birds a 6-4 triumph on Monday night.
Two of Tumwater's three errors came in the seventh, which allowed two runners to score. Riley Rowland laced a two-run triple and cut the margin to two runs. Stevens capped her 15-strikeout performance by sending the tying run at the plate back to the dugout in three pitches.
The T-Birds (3-2, 1-2 EvCo) nickeled and dimed their way to a 6-0 lead behind two runs in the first and a run each over the next four of five frames. Chloe McCartney was 3-for-3 with a double and a stolen base while Stevens and Megan Barrett each registered two hits.
Tumwater will take on Adna on Tuesday in a rescheduled non-league contest on the road.
It took a grand total of six innings and 31 total runs to record a P2BL sweep for the Titans on Monday night, cruising past the Fishermen 15-0 and 16-0 at home. Pitchers Eliza Barnum and Jillian Hodel combined to allow three hits, four walks and struck out nine batters.
Hodel ended up tossing a three-inning no-hitter in Game 2. She also crossed home plate three times and in the opener, had two doubles and two RBIs. PWV (5-1) used eight runs in the bottom of the first, three in the second and four in the third to cap Game 1.
It registered seven doubles in the win and Rilyn Channel was 3-for-3 with four RBIs, three runs scored and a stolen base. Leadoff hitter Lauren Matlock also notched three hits and scored thrice.
Acting as the road team in the nightcap, the Titans took a 3-0 lead after one and tripled it with a seven-spot in the second and six more in the third. Izzy Milanowski roped two doubles and drove in three while Sophia Milanowski launched a three-run home run.
Matlock, Tylar Keeton and CJ Sipp all registered two hits in Game 2. PWV will host Napavine in a non-league contest on Tuesday.
Mar. 31—Thanks to a clean sweep in singles and their No. 3 doubles tandem pulling out a tiebreaker win, the Bearcats continued their stellar season with a 5-1 Evergreen Conference win over the Highclimbers on Monday.
Ellie Mittge didn't drop a game in her 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles, the same result Isabella Casimiro experienced at No. 2 singles. Maddie Bradley capped the sweep with a 6-1, 6-3 verdict.
"I am excited about the momentum we have," Bearcats head coach Megan Wellander said. "They are very competitive and want to grow. We have a young team, but we have a strong team."
Tinsley Brown and Mia Leslie won a thriller at No. 3 doubles 6-3, 6-7, 10-8. The third set ended up as a first to 10 decider. Kate Mordick and Kloey Sparks triumphed in straight sets at No. 2 doubles.
W.F. West will take on Centralia on Tuesday in the first Swamp Cup contest of the spring.
With the continued rise of artificial intelligence in nearly every aspect of everyday life, it’s no surprise that it’s found its way into the NFL with the Jets having now jumped on board and having discussions of their AI implementation and utilization during coaching meetings.
Head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters that AI has been a topic of conversation “quite a bit” during their meetings, with the organization putting an emphasis on familiarizing itself with the software available and learning what they can from their team of experts from Stanford University.
“These guys are on top of that,” Glenn said. “Those guys are teaching us how to utilize all of that stuff and it’s been outstanding so we’re trying to take that next step, us as coaches.”
Moving away or deviating from the old-school way of thinking isn’t a new concept as teams never want to be left behind in this day and age. And while teams are always looking for a competitive edge, there’s also a balance between technology and the human element that must be found.
For now, in the early stages of merging this new innovation with the coaching staff, New York is excited with the results.
“It’s been good and sometimes it’s shocking to see the information,” Glenn, who admitted he’s still trying to figure it all out, said. “Now, it’s not the only thing that you do, but to be able to see the information that you can get has been—”
Before Glenn could finish his thought, he was jokingly asked if he’s ever using AI to decide which play he should call.
“No, no,” he said with a laugh. “I’m trusting myself on that!”
For a second straight season John Calipari will bring his Arkansas Razorbacks to the Mitten State for a game against Tom Izzo and the Spartans.
While it was originally reported that Michigan State would head to Arkansas this upcoming season to complete a home-and-home series, it now appears the Razorbacks and Spartans will meet in the Motor City on Thanksgiving. On Tuesday, Spartans head coach Tom Izzo said on a local Lansing show that Michigan State will play Arkansas on Thanksgiving from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. It was previously reported that Michigan State would play on Thanksgiving at Little Caesars Arena following the Detroit Lions' annual turkey day game at Ford Field, but the opponent had not been announced yet.
NEWS: Arkansas will play Michigan State on Thanksgiving Day at Little Caesar's Arena, Tom Izzo told Tim Staudt of WILX.
Initially the game was set to be in Fayetteville. Now it will follow the Lions' game on Thanksgiving in Detroit.
The official announcement of this matchup has not been made so this could of course change. But I doubt Izzo would make a comment of this nature if it wasn't all but locked up to happen.
Michigan State hosted Arkansas in an early season ranked battle from the Breslin Center this past season, which the Spartans came out victorious. The Spartans were then expected to play at Arkansas this upcoming season as a return trip game as part of a home-and-home series. It'll be interesting to see if this change in plans is just pushing off a possible return trip game at Arkansas to the 2027-28 season or if that simply won't happen now.
We'll need to keep our eyes out for an official announcement over the next few weeks or months, but this should be a great matchup on Thanksgiving this year and now one that many Spartan fans should be able to attend in person.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
For the past two seasons, the Green Bay Packers have relied on the versatility of off-ball linebackers Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper.
However, knowing that Walker’s free agent price tag would be too costly, the Packers decided to trade for Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin. A 2024 second-team All-Pro, Franklin is coming off his worst season as a pro from a Pro Football Focus grade standpoint. Franklin struggled especially in coverage, posting a PFF coverage grade of 29.9, which ranked 32nd out of the 32 linebackers who dropped into coverage at least 500 times last season.
Cooper ranked second on that list, while Walker was 28th.
Even though dropping into coverage has never been much of a strength for Franklin in his eight NFL seasons, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst still expects him to be able to be used interchangeably with Cooper.
“No, they’re both going to be responsible for that,” Gutekunst said when asked if Cooper would assume most of the coverage responsibilities. “Edge is such a unique player. He’s so versatile with his ability to play off the ball in the run game, to cover, to rush the passer; he’s really a complete linebacker, as is Zaire.”
Under former defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers lined up in either their base or nickel defense on 97.6 percent of their plays in 2025 — almost never coming out in dime, according to data from Cody Alexander of MatchQuarters. Clearly, Hafley liked the idea of deploying both of his athletic linebackers as much as possible.
With Hafley exiting Green Bay after two seasons to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Matt LaFleur hired former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon to lead the defense.
Hafley’s propensity to keep at least two linebackers on the field aligns with what Gannon ran during his three years in Arizona.
So, if you thought you might see less of Franklin on obvious passing downs next season, think again. It won’t be anything new for Franklin, who has logged at least 575 coverage snaps in each of his last four seasons with the Colts. During that stretch, he allowed 249 catches on 312 targets for an allowed reception percentage of 79.8 percent, while also surrendering 2,582 receiving yards for 10.4 yards per reception.
Walker may not have excelled in coverage during his four seasons with the Packers, but he wasn’t quite as bad as Franklin. Together, his and Cooper’s skillsets complemented each other well and helped them anchor the middle of Hafley’s defense. Now, Cooper and Franklin are tasked with building similar chemistry in their first year playing alongside each other and in a new defensive scheme.
“Obviously, Quay and Edge had a nice working relationship,” Gutekunst said. “It’ll be interesting to see how that evolves under Jonathan’s new defense.”
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is using his offseason to give back — and debut a new look.
Maye and his wife, Anne Michael, took center stage at Granite Telecommunications’ annual “Saving by Shaving” event on Tuesday in Quincy, where she helped shave his head to raise money for charity.
The fundraiser is expected to generate more than $3.5 million to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital, supporting pediatric research and treatments.
The couple said working with young patients has had a profound impact on them both.
“It’s such a cool experience to be able to shine a positive light and to be there for them and help in any way we can,” Drake Maye said. “There are times I’ve been with Boston Children’s Hospital patients, and it’s pretty cool...To do anything I can to try to put a smile on their face.”
Drake and Ann Michael, who were married recently and have made New England their new home, said giving back locally was a priority as they settle into the region.
Ann Michael said, “It’s obviously more than just football. There are so many great people and things here. We wanted to get more plugged in. Being from North Carolina, it’s so different here for us, so we wanted to start by giving back to the community and Boston Children’s.”
George Springer has been doing damage at the top of the Toronto Blue Jays lineup, and I’m expecting that trend to continue with Ryan Feltner on the mound for the Colorado Rockies.
I explain why Springer matches up well in my free Toronto Blue Jays vs. Rockies predictions and MLB picks for Tuesday, March 31.
Rockies vs Blue Jays predictions
Rockies vs Blue Jays best bet: George Springer Over 0.5 RBI (+145)
It’s been a bit of a slower start to the year for George Springer, but he’s still finding ways to drive in runs with an RBI in three-straight games.
Springer has also had a lot of career success against the Colorado Rockies, with a 1.012 OPS and eight RBI in 45 at-bats. He can add to that tally against Ryan Feltner, who has a career strikeout rate of 19.5% and struggles to limit damage.
The confidence in his pick is coupled with the belief that the bottom of the order will reach base for Springer to drive them in. The Jays’ 7-9 hitters have been the most productive to start the season, combining for 18 hits and six walks through the first four games this season.
COVERS INTEL: Feltner has a 33% usage rate on his four-seamer, a pitch that Springer handled well with a .307 batting average last season and an xSLG rate of .746.
Rockies vs Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)
Jesus Sanchez has faced Feltner more than any other Blue Jays batter, going 4-for-11 with two homers against him.
Max Scherzer takes the bump for Toronto, and I’m expecting the Jays’ high strikeout trend to continue with him on the mound. He racked up 10 strikeouts against this lineup last season in 20 at-bats, and he may be asked to work deeper into the game after Cody Ponce was forced to leave Monday's game with an injury.
Rockies vs Blue Jays SGP
George Springer Over 0.5 RBI
Jesus Sanchez Over 0.5 hits
Max Scherzer Over 5.5 strikeouts
Rockies vs Blue Jays home run pick: Jesus Sanchez (+510)
In addition to owning Feltner with a 1.273 OPS, he has done the bulk of his damage against right-handed pitching. Sixty-five of his 74 career home runs have come against righties.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 1-2, -0.8 units
SGPs: 1-2, +2.25 units
HR picks: 1-2, +1.05 units
Rockies vs Blue Jays odds
Moneyline: Colorado +225 | Toronto -280
Run line: Colorado +1.5 (-145) | Toronto -1.5 (+125)
Over/Under: Over 9 (-120) | Under 9 (+100)
Rockies vs Blue Jays trend
The Toronto Blue Jays have hit the Game Total Over in 85 of their last 148 games (+23.75 Units / 15% ROI) Find more MLB betting trends for Rockies vs. Blue Jays.
How to watch Rockies vs Blue Jays and game info
Location
Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
Date
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
First pitch
7:07 p.m. ET
TV
COLR, Sportsnet
Rockies starting pitcher
Ryan Feltner (2025: 0-2, 4.75 ERA)
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Max Scherzer (2025: 5-5, 5.19 ERA)
Rockies vs Blue Jays latest injuries
Rockies vs Blue Jays 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.
The 2025 Grey Cup saw the Saskatchewan Roughriders capture their first championship in over 10 years, holding on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes 25-17.
Despite the loss, CFL odds remain bullish on Montreal ahead of the upcoming campaign, as Jason Maas’s team has reached the East Final in three consecutive seasons, including winning the Grey Cup in 2023.
The 113th Grey Cup is scheduled for November 15, 2026, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta.
Canada's best sportsbook for football betting, join BET99 and get up to $800 bonus bets back if your first bet doesn’t win when using our BET99 promo code COVERSBONUS
Sign Up Now at supimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/82/bet99.svg" alt="Bet99" width="125" height="36"/sup
*Not available in Ontario. 19+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Grey Cup trends
• Edmonton has won the most Grey Cup titles (11) during the league’s post-merger era.
• The CFL’s Most Outstanding Player has been a member of the Grey Cup-winning team just four times since 2010.
• There have been just 10 instances of a Grey Cup-winning team repeating as champions the following season.
Past Grey Cup winners
As noted above, having such a small league and lots of player movement promotes a lot of parity among the teams. Seven of the nine current CFL clubs have won a Grey Cup over the last 10 seasons.
The Toronto Argonauts have the most Grey Cup titles in league history with 17, while the Winnipeg Blue Bombers lead the CFL with 27 Grey Cup appearances.
Season
Grey Cup Champion
Runner-up
2025
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Montreal Alouettes
2024
Toronto Argonauts
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2023
Montreal Alouettes
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2022
Toronto Argonauts
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2021
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2020
No season: COVID-19 related.
N/A
2019
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2018
Calgary Stampeders
Ottawa Redblacks
2017
Toronto Argonauts
Calgary Stampeders
2016
Ottawa Redblacks
Calgary Stampeders
Understanding CFL futures
Sportsbooks release CFL futures odds shortly after the end of the previous football season. Picking the outright winner of the Grey Cup is one of the only other ways to wager on CFL futures.
During the offseason and preseason, you'll be able to get a nice plus-money price on basically any team in the CFL, as there is so much uncertainty around what will happen next year, particularly in a league with only nine teams.
CFL futures odds will usually look like this:
BC Lions +500
This means that on a $100 bet, you'll stand to profit $500 should Nathan Rourke & Co. capture their first Grey Cup title since 2011. If it's close to the end of the season or one team is simply that dominant, you might see a minus sign (-) ahead of their odds.
Saskatchewan Roughriders -175
This means that you would need to bet $175 to win $100 if Saskatchewan wins the Grey Cup.
Of course, futures odds are a fluid market. They can change every day based on news, injuries, suspensions, etc. And they will certainly change based on big CFL events, such as free agency or the draft.
All the odds seen above are in American format. If you find decimal format or fractional format easier to read, simply convert the odds using our simple odds converter tool.
Scotland step up their preparations for this summer’s World Cup by hosting Ivory Coast - but the international friendly will be staged in England and at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
Steve Clarke’s team faced Japan at Hampden on Saturday but the Tartan Army will be heading down the road and away from their traditional home on Tuesday night as Everton’s new ground hosts its first men’s international fixture.
Officially, the fixture is part of marketing agency Pitch International’s ‘Road to 26’ series - which has featured a number of games between teams who have qualified for the World Cup, staged at neutral venues.
The majority of the ‘Road to 26’ series has been played in the United States, such as the friendlies between France and Brazil in Boston, France and Colombia in Maryland, and Brazil and Croatia in Orlando, Florida.
Scotland’s match against Ivory Coast also falls under the series, but with the three-time African champion facing South Korea in Milton Keynes on Saturday and Scotland playing Japan in Glasgow, holding the match in Liverpool suited both parties.
Scotland will play Morocco during the group stages of the World Cup while Ivory Coast will face Germany, so arranging a warm-up test against African and European opposition also suited both nations ahead of the tournament.
The match works for Everton, too, with the £800m, 52,769-capacity venue set to host matches when the home nations stage Euro 2028. England’s Lionesses will also be playing a World Cup qualifier there, against Ukraine in June.
The Hill Dickinson Stadium was opened at the start of this season (Getty Images)
David Moyes, Everton’s manager, said he was looking forward to welcoming the Tartan Army and the Ivory Coast. “No doubt that night will see Liverpool full of lots of kilted men and I hope you make them all welcome,” the Scot said in a message to Everton supporters.
Scotland’s Nathan Patterson plays for Everton, with the right back following a long line of Scots who played for the Toffees - such as Graeme Sharp, Duncan Ferguson, David Weir, Andy Gray, James McFadden, Pat Nevin and Steven Naismith.
Everton have also said that culinary delights from both nations will be served, confirming a slow-cooked “Ivorian beef stew” will be on the menu along with “Stornoway black pudding loaded jacket potatoes”, “haggis and smoked bacon pizza” and “battered Mars bar with whisky custard”.
Scotland last played in Liverpool when Wales decided to hold a key 1978 World Cup qualifier against the Tartan Army at Anfield, but goals from Don Masson and Kenny Dalglish earned the ‘away’ side victory that secured passage to the touranment in Argentina.
The New York Knicks have been up and down with results lately, recently falling back into the loss column with a road defeat at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
One player who has been underwhelming thus far in his New York tenure is forward Jeremy Sochan, who was signed by the team following his release from the San Antonio Spurs.
Sochan signed a one-year, $806,628 contract this offseason with the franchise for the 2025-26 season, according to Spotrac.
The forward has long been known for his colorful hairstyles, which at certain times mirrored the orange and blue colors of the Knicks themselves. However, a newly unearthed photo ahead of New York’s game against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday has revealed a different new look for the forward.
Jeremy Sochan hasn’t impressed with performances since joining Knicks
Jeremy Sochan hasn’t performed particularly well during his tenure with the Knicks, not having appeared in a game since March 22 despite being fully healthy.
When he’s on his game, Sochan provides the New York Knicks with another versatile defender who can get out in transition and wreak havoc on both ends of the floor.
However, it seems that New York head coach Mike Brown is content with running with the guys who have been there all season, along with trade acquisition Jose Alverado, for the stretch run of the campaign.
The team currently sit in third place in the East, multiple games behind the Celtics despite Boston’s loss against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
It would take quite a bit for New York to catch up to Boston at this point in the season; however, homecourt advantage didn’t end up mattering when the Knicks beat the Celtics in last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals.
Penn State gets a second commitment in its 2027 recruiting class as Zachary Gleason joins four-star fellow cornerback Semajay Robinson to make the pledge for the Nittany Lions. Gleason seems tailor made for Penn State, being a Pittsburgh kid who plays cornerback. It’s not very often Terry Smith misses on those recruitments, so while it’s not a shocker that Gleason made the call for Penn State, it’s still good to get a quality player like Gleason in the fold.
Gleason is what you’d expect from a prospect playing at one of the premier programs in the state, Pittsburgh Central Catholic. You can already see that he’s well-coached and has a good base for development. He’ll need to get much bulkier, as he currently has a 170-pound frame, but Gleason has the makings of a kid who can play at Penn State, and one that could play early too.
No. 21 Northwestern men’s swim and dive wrapped up a historic season at NCAA Division I Championships on Friday night, placing 26th after breaking four new school records at the McAuley Aquatic Center for its best finish at the meet since 2008.
Down in Atlanta, the Wildcats were led by star swimmers Stuart Seymour and Joshua Staples, who combined for three individual school records and three top-16 finishes in individual events. Staples logged the Northwestern’s best individual finish of the weekend, placing eighth in the 400-yard individual medley to become the first Wildcat since Jordan Wilimovsky in 2017 to make the A-final in an event at NCAAs. Meanwhile, Seymour set school records in the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard freestyle events, while contributing to the ‘Cats’ school record setting 400-yard freestyle relay.
In the broader scheme of the meet, the Texas Longhorns, led by legendary head coach Bob Bowman, won their second-consecutive national championship, with a scoring total of 445.5. The Longhorns were followed by the Florida Gators, who took second, and the Big Ten champion Indiana Hoosiers, who took third. Florida’s Josh Liendo won high point of the meet, powered by his 42.49 in the 100-yard butterfly which shattered Caeleb Dressel’s legendary NCAA-record in the event. Texas’ Hubert Kos, brother of Northwestern’s very own Oliver Kos, placed second in the high point standings, setting NCAA-records in both the 100- and 200-yard backstroke events. Arizona State’s Ilya Kharun placed third.
After not scoring at NCAAs in 2025, Northwestern placed 26th at the championships this year with a total of 39 points. The ‘Cats’ 26th-place finish was its highest since 2008, when Northwestern finished 12th at NCAAs with a Matt Grevers-led unit.
Northwestern was led by its star sophomore talent Joshua Staples, who became the first ’Cat to reach the A-final in the 400-yard individual medley since 2004. Staples’ school record 3:36.58 in prelims seeded him third-place in the event entering finals. Had he matched his time in finals, he would’ve placed sixth. However, the Aussie ended up adding 6.33 seconds to his prelims swim, finishing eighth in the event.
Seemingly, Staples suffered from an injury of some sort following his prelims swim in the 400-yard individual medley. The Brisbane-native was not the same swimmer in his consequent individual swims, adding significant time not only in his finals swim of the 400-yard individual medley, but also his 2oo-yard individual medley prelims swim on day four of the meet, where he clocked a 1:47.96 — over six seconds off of his personal best. Though, his 50.46-split in the 100-yard breastroke as a part of the ‘Cats’ 400-yard medley relay was a competitive time, so perhaps Staples was just battling fatigue in his other individual swims.
Seymour was the Wildcats’ other standout individual performer. The junior gained All-American honorable mention status with top-16 finishes in both the 100-yard butterfly (15th) and 100-yard backstroke (11th). Furthermore, Seymour set two new school records in Atlanta with a 44.55 in the 100-yard backstroke and 41.76 in the 100-yard freestyle.
Though Staples and Seymour were the ‘Cats’ only individual point scorers, there were other notable individual performances. Adam Cohen had a solid performance in platform diving, placing 17th with a score of 348.30. Additionally, Oliver Kos placed 18th in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:39.50 and David Gerchik placed 28th in the 100-yard backstroke with a personal best 45.37.
Northwestern also scored points in both the 400-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay. The 400-yard freestyle relay was a highlight event of the meet for the ‘Cats, with Seymour, Cade Duncan, Connor Schuster and Kos teaming up to post a school record time of 2:47.72, placing 12th in the event. Meanwhile, Seymour, Staples, Schuster and Duncan teamed up in the 400-yard medley relay to place 12th with a time of 3:02.18.
One Big Observation
It’s hard to truly contextualize how incredible of a breakthrough this season was for Northwestern men’s swim and dive.
After grand successes in the Matt Grevers years at the end of the 2000s, the ‘Cats slowly declined. For almost a decade, they sent small contingents to NCAAs, sometimes stumbling upon a breakout swimmer like Jordan Wilimovsky who would score them some points, but most time failing to score at the NCAAs at all. Northwestern hit rock bottom at the end of the 2010s, sending zero swimmers to NCAAs for two-consecutive years in 2018 and 2019. The program was broken, with no resemblance to the team that placed eighth at NCAAs in 2007.
Just last year, Northwestern was still nowhere close to national relevance. Despite sending a contingent of four individual swimmers to NCAAs, the ‘Cats went scoreless at the competition, with Seymour just missing out on a B-final swim with a 17th-place 45.22 in the 100-yard backstroke. Amazingly, Staples didn’t even swim the 400-yard individual medley event until this season. Staples was purely a distance freestyler and swam the 1650-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle at NCAAs.
With core swimmers like Seymour, Staples and Gerchik still young, it seemed clear that Northwestern had the chance to make strides in the 2025-26 season. However, if you had told head coach Rachel Stratton-Mills that Joshua Staples was going to A-final in the 400-yard individual medley — not a distance freestyle event — at NCAAs AND that her squad was going to place 26th, she would have called you crazy.
For the first time in almost two decades, it finally feels fair to say that Northwestern is relevant on the national scene. The ‘Cats 26th place finish is the program’s best since Grevers’ final season in 2008. In a sport driven by star power, Northwestern finally has found national-level talent. The ‘Cats had not one, but two individual point scorers at NCAAs in Staples and Seymour. As mentioned earlier, Staples, who is only a sophomore, became the ‘Cats’ first A-finalist in ANY event since Jordan Wilimovsky in 2017.
The tides are finally changing in Evanston. Stratton-Mills has done an incredible job with this team and the program should only continue to grow. With impact NCAA-qualifiers Staples, Seymour, Kos and Duncan all returning next year to swim alongside a high-level incoming recruiting class, make it be known: the ‘Cats are coming.
With NFL free agency at a near standstill, we will be evaluating the current state of each Indianapolis Colts' position group, specifically, where things stand and whether or not more moves need to be made.
GM Chris Ballard has now made nine outside free agent signings over the last week-plus, along with re-signing a number of the Colts' own free agents.
However, there is still work to be done, as the Colts still have several roster holes to address. The good news is that the Colts have a good amount of salary cap space to work with.
In the draft, the Colts are without a first-round pick and have a modest seven selections in total.
Rounding out our review is the special teams unit. If you missed our other positional reviews, you can find them below.
What is the need on special teams for the Colts after free agency?
There is no need here. Grupe and Spencer Shrader will be competing for the Colts' kicking job, but no other additions have to be made to this unit.
One thing to watch is that Rigoberto Sanchez is in the final year of his deal and is a candidate to receive a contract extension prior to next offseason's free agency period beginning.
As incredible as their season was, the New England Patriots didn’t quite have enough to win Super Bowl LX. Yet, since that 29-13 loss to Seattle, one could argue that the Patriots have only gotten better.
While swapping Stefon Diggs for Romeo Doubs could either backfire or be a sneaky great signing, the Patriots have already strengthened one of their biggest weaknesses by signing left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and backup left tackle James Hudson III. While the line is undoubtedly improved, has Drake Maye‘s receiving corps gotten worse?
No matter how you feel about the Diggs/Doubs swap, one thing that cannot be denied is that the Patriots could use another playmaking pass-catcher. The solution could be available via trade.
Recently, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about the A.J. Brown trade rumors. To no surprise, New England is open to adding the Pro Bowl receiver to their team, for the right price.
“Anything that we can continue to do to strengthen the roster, we’re going to try to do,” Vrabel said.
Of course, one of the biggest reasons why the Patriots are often the first team linked to a trade for the Eagles receiver is because Vrabel was Brown’s head coach with the Titans from 2019 to 2021. Despite the Titans’ general manager at the time trading Brown to the Eagles, the receiver has always had a strong relationship with coach Vrabel.
With the Patriots reaching the Super Bowl in 2025, New England fits the criteria of the type of team Brown would likely want to play for, and already being familiar with the head coach surely can’t hurt. Yet, if the Eagles’ asking price is just too high, then New England may move on to younger, more inexpensive options in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With the calendar turning to April, we are officially heading into draft month. The NFL world will descend upon Pittsburgh in just over three weeks, with the draft scheduled for April 23-25.
Mock drafts are going to come fast and furious over these last three weeks of the draft cycle. The latest for the Cincinnati Bengals will come here as we go through a full seven-round mock, using the draft simulator on Stick to the Model. With this mock, we are experimenting with the Bengals moving into the top five to land their target. With that, let's get started.
No. 5 (projected trade with Giants) - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Bengals trade their third-round pick this year (No. 72 overall) and a 2027 third-round pick to the New York Giants to get the linebacker they so desperately need. After watching both of their rookie linebackers struggle in 2025, the Bengals need a major boost in the middle of the defense. Styles' athleticism would be a major welcome addition to the Bengals' defense. Styles is a safety in a linebacker's body. Styles might be the best fit for the Bengals in this class and the Bengals should feel more than comfortable trading two thirds, especially when they are projected to receive a third-round compensatory pick next year for Trey Hendrickson.
No. 41 - Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
The Bengals get their new cornerback in the second round and land a versatile corner in Keith Abney of Arizona State. Abney can work inside or outside and recorded 12 passes defended last season and 21 over the last two seasons. He doesn't have ideal size (5'10", 187 pounds) but his instincts help overcome his size. He gives Al Golden some flexibility in the defensive backfield.
No. 110 - Jaishawn Barham, LB/Edge, Michigan
Barham can be a hybrid player on the edge. He has flashed ability at both off-ball linebacker and on-ball edge. He can also play inside or outside. He helped his cause quite a bit by posting a 4.64 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine. Barham has plenty of experience, having started 47 games in four seasons between Michigan and Maryland and recording four sacks and ten tackles for a loss in 2025.
No. 189 - Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M
A near-300-pound space-eater in the middle of the defense, adding depth behind B.J. Hill and Jonathan Allen. Regis had 49 tackles, three tackles for a loss and two sacks in 2025.
No. 199 - James Brockermeyer, IOL, Miami
The Bengals roll the dice on an undersized center at just under 300 pounds, but will get the chance to develop for a year behind Ted Karras and potentially compete for a starting job in 2027.
No. 221 - VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
Payne has experience at multiple safety spots and has the run-tackling ability and closing speed to help on special teams.
No. 226 - Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon
Canady gives the Bengals another option at the nickel position. He's only 5'10" and 181 pounds, but scouts love his ability to stick with receivers throughout their routes. He will likely get overmatched by bigger bodies, but he has the potential to develop into a starting nickel, giving the Bengals two potential starting defensive backs from this group.
LONDON (AP) — Bayern Munich star Harry Kane was missing for England in its friendly match against Japan on Tuesday after sustaining what the national team described as a “minor issue in training.”
England said its captain was being “rested tonight as a precaution” but was staying with the squad and receiving further assessment.
England coach Thomas Tuchel was already without Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, saying Monday that they felt “discomfort” during medical assessments.
Kane, Saka and Rice all face busy ends to the season with their clubs, who have both reached the Champions League quarterfinals and lead their respective leagues.
MIAMI -- The Philadelphia 76ers came up short to the Miami Heat in a critical loss in terms of the playoff standings. The Heat now own the all-important tiebreaker should they find a way to catch the Sixers in the standings. Philadelphia is currently 1.5 games ahead of Miami with seven games to go.
Joel Embiid scored 26 points on the night, but he shot only 10-for-25 and he seemed a step slow on the defensive end, especially when the Heat made the game-changing run to seal it. He got off to solid start as he had nine points in the opening quarter and had 14 by halftime, but he shot only 1-for-5 in the third and was a minus-15 in the quarter as Miami went on a surge after halftime.
After a rest, Embiid returned to score 10 points in the fourth, but missed some critical ones late.
"Keep getting better," Embiid said after the loss. "I thought tonight we had stretches where we were pretty good, but then some were not. I was a big part of that. I gotta be better. So, yeah, I was terrible tonight. Just gotta be better."
"Terrible" might be Embiid just getting down on himself. He is his biggest critic, but there were some moments where he just seemed completely off. He then revealed a key factor for his tough night that slowed him down a bit.
"Well, first, I wish I wasn't sick," he stated. "So, maybe that would have helped to play better. So, physically, I just was not in it, and then secondly, obviously, if the first part was better, then I guess I would have had more energy to do all the things. So yeah, just gotta take off myself and get out of it and play better."
The Sixers have an off day on Tuesday before finishing their 3-game trip on Wednesday against the Washington Wizards.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins looks to pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Falcons brought in veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in free agency, a move that evoked strong responses from fans and analysts alike. Kevin Knight discusses why he believes Tua is a perfect fit for the Falcons as an ideal competitive partner for Michael Penix Jr. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!
You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below.
If you’re interested in supporting the show, check out our Patreon page to unlock access to exclusive perks including Patron Q&A sessions, Discord perks, live shout-outs and more!
You can watch the show here on The Falcoholic, but we recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience—including full 1080p HD video and access to the live Q&A in the chat. You can also access the show using your smart TV or device using the YouTube app for the real big-screen experience!
We hope you enjoy the show! If you have comments, we’d love to hear them. Send them to us on Twitter (@FalcoholicLive), leave them below, or e-mail the show at falcoholiclive@gmail.com.
Brazil vs Croatia – Predicted lineup and team news
Brazil and Croatia meet in a high-profile friendly in Orlando, with both teams using the game to fine-tune their plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The Selecao come into this match still searching for consistency, and Carlo Ancelotti is clearly using this period to experiment with his squad and tactics.
They have lost three of their last six games, and their latest result was a 2-1 loss to 10-man France at Gillette Stadium, where Gleison Bremer scored but the team failed to make late pressure count.
Brazil’s attack has plenty of options, but defensive organisation remains a concern, especially with several experienced players missing through injury.
Brazil team news
Ancelotti has said that Vinícius Júnior and Marquinhos have shaken off recent fitness problems and are ready to play at Camping World Stadium, which is a major boost at both ends of the pitch.
Brazil also lost Raphinha to a thigh problem during the defeat to France, with reports indicating he will be sidelined for around a month. Wesley Franca picked up a muscle injury during the same match.
Neymar’s continued absence from the national team remains a major talking point, but the coach has repeatedly stressed that Neymar, Vinícius and any other star will only go to the World Cup if they are “100 per cent fit”, insisting that current form and fitness matter more than reputation.
This friendly could also give chances to newer faces such as Igor Thiago and Rayan, who are part of the group as Ancelotti puts the finishing touches on what he has described as an already “quite defined” squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Brazil predicted lineup
Possible Brazil starting XI: Ederson; Ibanez, Bremer, Marquinhos, D. Santos; Henrique, A. Santos, Casemiro, Martinelli; Cunha, Pedro
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 1am BST on Wednesday, 1st April.
How to watch Brazil vs Croatia?
For viewers in the UK, Croatia vs Brazil will be broadcast live on ITV4, with the match also available to stream on ITVX.
Argentina vs Zambia – Predicted lineup and team news
Argentina and Zambia meet in an international friendly in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, one of their last home matches before the 2026 World Cup in North America.
La Albiceleste come into this game in excellent form, with four straight wins behind them. Their most recent outing was a 2-1 victory over Mauritania on 28 March, when Enzo Fernández and Nico Paz found the net in what was described as a tense, hard-fought contest.
Scaloni is using this positive run to sharpen his team’s approach and has chosen to start Lionel Messi in this match to give the attack more fluidity from the beginning.
Argentina team news
Gonzalo Montiel and Leonardo Balerdi dropped out before the Mauritania game because of injury problems, and forward Joaquín Panichelli is now sidelined for the long term after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Scaloni has made it clear that Messi, who came off the bench in the last match, will be in the starting XI against Zambia.
He suggested that Argentina will begin with their usual spine of key players, explaining that this fixture serves as their final major test.
He added that later in the game he intends to introduce some younger players, but the plan is to open with his most trusted lineup.
Scaloni has already handed in a 55-man provisional list for the World Cup and will decide on the final squad after assessing how his players perform in this window.
Argentina predicted lineup
Possible Argentina starting XI: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Senesi, Tagliafico; Simeone, Mac Allister, De Paul, Barco; Messi, Alvarez
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 12:15am BST on Sunday, 1st April.
How to watch Argentina vs Zambia?
For supporters in the UK, the best option is to consult local TV and streaming providers’ schedules to see which broadcaster is carrying the match in their region.
Belgium XI vs Mexico – Predicted lineup and team news
Belgium and Mexico meet in a World Cup warm-up friendly at Soldier Field in Chicago, with both teams using the game to fine-tune plans for the 2026 tournament.
The Red Devils head into this fixture on a high after a 5-2 win over the United States in their opening game of the international break. Emerging players such as Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana, Charles De Ketelaere and Dodi Lukebakio stood out in that match, highlighting coach Rudi García’s intention to mix rising stars with the remaining figures from the country’s golden generation.
Belgium team news
García is expected to rotate his side, with big names like Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku and De Ketelaere likely to start on the bench and be used later in the game.
Youri Tielemans, now fully fit, could return to the starting XI and line up alongside his Aston Villa colleague Amadou Onana, taking on the more advanced midfield role while experienced Axel Witsel provides balance behind them.
At the back, Koni De Winter and Arthur Theate are candidates to start in central defence, and Timothy Castagne may come in at right-back in place of Thomas Meunier.
Further forward, Lukebakio is expected to keep his spot on the right after scoring twice on Saturday, with promising Ajax winger Mika Godts likely to start on the left.
Lois Openda, who has had a difficult loan spell at Juventus, could lead the line as he looks to rebuild his confidence.
In goal, Matz Sels is in contention to replace Senne Lammens, with García still weighing up who should act as backup to the injured Thibaut Courtois at the World Cup. Leandro Trossard of Arsenal has pulled out of the squad and will not be involved.
Belgium predicted lineup
Possible Belgium starting XI: Sels; Castagne, De Winter, Theate, De Cuyper; Onana, Witsel; Lukébakio, Tielemans, Godts; Openda.
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 2am BST on Wednesday, 1st April.
How to watch Mexico vs Belgium?
For viewers in the UK, there is no single confirmed national broadcaster.
Michelle Wie West's last appearance on the LGPA Tour was in 2023 [Getty Images]
Former US Open champion Michelle Wie West says she is coming out of retirement to play at the major later this year.
West is a five-time winner on the LGPA Tour with her sole major triumph coming at Pinehurst in 2014.
The 36-year-old last competed on the Tour at the US Open three years ago, but aims to play again at the major, which begins on 4 June in Pacific Palisades, California, to make use of her final year of eligibility.
Players who win the US Open are invited back to compete for the following 10 years, but Wie West's stint was extended by two years to 2026 due to maternity leave.
"With one final year of eligibility from my victory in 2014 and the championship headed to an iconic venue that means so much to me, I am excited to announce that I'll be teeing it up at the US.Women's Open at Riviera in June," she wrote on X.
Wie West rose to prominence at an early age and was once tipped to emulate men's 15-time major-winner Tiger Woods' sporting success.
She was the youngest to win an adult USGA championship at 13, and the youngest to make the cut at an LPGA major in the 2003 Kraft Nabisco, aged 14.
After more than 20 years in the spotlight, Wie West, who has two children, left the sport adding that her body was struggling to cope with the rigours of professional golf.
Wie West's return to the Tour follows her announcement in February that she will be competing in the women's version of the TGL at the end of the year.
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will make his first start of the 2026 season against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.
Ohtani is the final starter in the Dodgers’ rotation to make a start, and will look to keep the ball rolling after a strong spring training effort. Ohtani made two appearances on the mound for the Dodgers this spring, allowing three runs through 8.1 innings of work.
He allowed just one hit through four innings in his first appearance while striking out four batters, earning a win against the San Francisco Giants.The right-hander pitched four innings in his second appearance in an exhibition match against the Los Angeles Angels, and struck out 11 batters while allowing three runs.
The reigning MVP made his pitching debut for the Dodgers in 2025, and had a solid campaign in his return to the mound. He made 14 starts for LA last year, posting a 2.87 ERA through 47 innings pitched. He recorded 62 strikeouts in that time, working his way up to six innings pitched by the end of the season.
As a pitcher, Ohtani has an even 3.00 ERA through 528 innings pitched in his career, and has a fourth-place Cy Young finish under his belt. The Dodgers will hope he can settle in early in the season and show how dominant he can be as a pitcher.
Mar 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
How has Shohei Ohtani Performed So Far in 2026?
Through the first four games of the season, Ohtani has struggled to produce results at the plate. He has just two hits through 12 at-bats in his four games, but has scored two runs and walked twice.
Despite his slow start, manager Dave Roberts believes he—along with struggling teammates Freddie Freeman and Kyle Tucker—will get back on the right track soon.
“I am surprised that they got off to a slow start, but you just never really know,” Roberts said after the Dodgers’ loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday. “Spring training is just not predictive. It’s just not. I think for me, the takeaway is we’re 3-1 and the guys that we expect to swing the bats aren’t swinging the bats right now. So that’s a good thing. They’ll hit.”
Ohtani will look to get off to a good start on the mound and get back on track at the plate Tuesday against the Guardians. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. PT.
Are you confident ahead of Shohei Ohtani’s first start of the year?
😱 Turkey Under-21 manager knocked unconscious after protesting!
It was surreal what happened during the Turkey-Croatia U21 match. The game had to be suspended for a few minutes.
The match is hugely important for both national teams because they are first and second in their EURO U21 qualifying group. The Turks came into the match as leaders with 11 points and one more game played, while the Croatians had 10 points and one game in hand.
In the 36th minute, Demir Ege Tiknaz, a Turkey player who plays for Braga, committed a foul on Croatia’s Fabijan Krivak, and it earned him a second yellow card and a sending-off.
Then Turkey coach Egemen Korkmaz protested the decision and, while doing so, slipped, hit his head on the ground, and lost consciousness.
According to Turkish media, the coach had to be taken by ambulance to hospital, where he regained consciousness, and in the meantime the match was suspended, with the players waiting in the dressing rooms for news.
El Mala and Kade help Germany U21 top Euro qualifiers group
Greece proved to be a challenging opponent for Germany once again, but the visitors went into the break with a narrow lead. Anton Kade had the first goal-scoring opportunity with a long-range effort before the decisive moment of the game.
Said El Mala scored his first goal for the U21s in the 11th minute with a first-time shot after Greece failed to clear Tom Bischof’s corner-kick. Köln’s winger reached double digits for goals in his debut Bundesliga season before the international break, although that didn’t impress Julian Nagelsmann enough for selection.
Antonio Di Salvo had to make his first substitution in injury-time of the first-half as Linus Gechter was replaced by fellow 2. Bundesliga defender Leandro Morgalla due to an injury. Greece maintained the pressure after the break, but they hardly tested Mio Backhaus in Germany’s goal.
The hosts could’ve remained in top spot had they lost by a single goal, but they failed to properly defend another set-piece by Bischof in the 73rd minute. Kade scored the goal with a brilliant header to put Germany top of the group for the first time since their defeat to the same opponent back in October.
The Augsburg man nearly turned provider a few minutes later, but Nicolò Tresoldi’s effort from close range only hit the sidenetting. The Club Brugge striker demanded a penalty-kick from the challenge that denied him a clear route to the goal, but his appeal was waved away by both the referee and Greece players.
At the other end, Backhaus made one of his best saves of the night from a decent effort by substitute Dimitris Rallis. Germany managed to hold on to their two-goal lead as they secured three massive points in the race to qualify for the 2027 U21 European championship.
The remaining three rounds of the group stage will be played in the first international break of next season. Di Salvo’s side will end their campaign at home against Georgia after facing Latvia and Malta away from home.
The Top 50 earners among athletes all time have brought home a combined $53.2 billion when adjusted for inflation and $37.7 billion on a nominal basis through the end of 2024. They represent eight different sports and 16 countries around the globe. NBA players lead the way with 13 entries, headed by Michael Jordan and his decades of Nike earnings. Serena Williams is the lone female athlete to make the cut. (For a full analysis, click here.)
Our earnings estimates are based on conversations with industry insiders, Sportico research and historical estimates in media outlets, such as Forbes and Sports Illustrated.
Earnings include salaries, bonuses, prize money, purses, endorsements, licensing, royalties, memorabilia, book deals, media, appearance fees and golf course design fees. The salary components do not include deferred compensation until it is paid out.
We included cash earned from equity stakes in sponsor companies when those companies were sold, such as LeBron James’ stake in Beats Electronics and James Harden’s shares of BodyArmor. Also factored in was Lionel Messi’s piece of Inter Miami as part of his agreement to join the MLS club, and the equity payments by Authentic Brands Group to secure marketing rights for David Beckham and Shaquille O’Neal. We did not factor in traditional investment income.
Sportico included earnings during playing careers and in retirement through 2024 and adjusted them for inflation. For Arnold Palmer and Kobe Bryant, earnings are calculated up until the time of death. All earnings are pre-tax and before any fees for agents and lawyers.
Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a home playoff after beating Wales on penalties and also last featured at the finals in 2014. Veteran captain Edin Dzeko was on target in Cardiff, and the former Roma and Inter Milan striker would dearly love to feature on the biggest stage one last time.
Italy vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina updates, highlights from World Cup playoff
Halftime
Well, well, well. That's been a half of football. Kean pounced upon Vasilj's error to continue his rich run of international form and put Italy ahead. That might have to be the goal that does it for them after Bastoni's rash red card. Bosnia probably deserve to be level, on the balance of play, and we can expect the mother of all onslaughts with their man advantage.
44 mins: There's been a lot of too-ing and fro-ing. Gatti is on for Retegui to restore Italy's three-man backline. Katic gets up to the eventual set piece and Donnarumma gathers. There will be three minutes of added time.
41 mins: BASTONI RED CARD! ITALY DOWN TO 10 MEN! Oh my, drama here! Bastoni has just put Italy's World Cup hopes in all sort of peril. Memic was surging through as Donnarumma's goal kick was headed straight back towads the Italy goal. The Inter defender lunged in, he was the last man and he had to go.
38 mins: Dzeko involved in a rumbling Bosnia move. Bajraktarevic curls in the cross from the right-hand corner of the box, Demirovic gets up and glances just wide.
35 mins: Raking ball forward from Bosnia and Memic gets on the end of it, heading over. Now the offside flag goes up. Nice idea, though.
32 mins: Barella smartly draws a foul in midfield. Italy have belatedly taken the sting out of things. They could still be getting the Inter Milan star and their other ball-playing midfielders in possession a lot more, though.
24 mins: An Italy defender gets up above Dzeko and half-clears. The ball comes back in and Katic is unmarked at the far post. He can't get enough power on the header and Donnarumma gathers, but it's another warning sign.
23 mins: More Bosnia pressure. Memic's shot deflects off Locatelli and it'll be another corner.
20 mins: Oh my, big Donnarumma save! The corner is cleared to the right-hand edge of the box, where Basic absolutely clatters the shot. Italy's skipper gets his big frame in the way. That was travelling.
19 mins: Bosnia have responded well to that setback and have asked a few questions of their opponents. Italy have, in a very un-Italian but very Gattuso way, contributed to the game becoming more frantic the goal. Calafiori heads behind and the hosts have a corner.
15 mins: GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! Moise Kean!!!!!
Oh, it's a nightmare for Vasilj, who duffs his clearance straight to Barella. He slips a pass to Kean, who dispatches a sublime first-time finish into the top corner. That oozed confidence from the Fiorentina man.
13 mins: Corner to Italy on the right. Tonali... ploughs it into the side-netting. Given the Azzurri haven't really been able to get going yet, that's just so wasteful.
9 mins: Ooof, Locatelli gets to a loose ball and Sunjic steams into a hard but fair tackle. Bosnia are right up for this. You sense they might need to harness this early momentum and get a lead.
7 mins: Demirovic, who missed his penalty against Wales, gets a shot off from outside the box that Donnarumma gets behind. The turf appeared to cut up horribly beneath his boot when he too the shot. The pitch looks...mossy. One to keep an eye on.
4 mins: Donnarumma comes for the corner and gets a meaty punch on it to clear the danger.
3 mins: Sharp lay-off from Dzekom Bajraktarevic's shot is blocked. Bosnia pile forward to pick up the scraps, Memic drills across goal and Calafiori is forced to scramble behind. The atmosphere is electric.
2 mins: Kean with a first chance to stretch his legs for Italy. He finds Politano on the left but the wing-back scuffs his cross.
Kickoff: 1st Half
Off we go, then. Muharemovic looks to pump a ball forward that's intercepted. Bosnia seem keen on a fast tempo.
2 mins before kickoff: There's an apartment block overlooking one end of the stadium, which has a roofless grandstand. Residents and fans in the apartments have let off a load of flares out of the windows. Imagine being the neighbour who doesn't much like football.
5 mins before kickoff: The players are in a very compact tunnel. Captains Donnarumma and Dzeko share a joke before the serious business gets underway. Here they come. Which team will end their 12-year wait? A warm embrace between the two head coaches before the national anthems.
40 mins before kickoff: Here's the Italy team bus arriving at Bilino Polje. Home advantage could be key for Bosnia tonight.
1 hr 30 mins before kickoff: It's wild to think that the last time either of these sides featured at a World Cup was 2014. Both failed to make it past the group stage as well; Bosnia on their first ever appearance at the tournament and Italy maintaining an unbroken run of featuring at ever World Cup from 1962.
2 hours to kickoff: It wasn't particularly pretty, but Italy got past Northern Ireland to book this final showdown with Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place at the World Cup. Bosnia beat Wales on penalties after a late penalty from their veteran captain Edin Dzeko and have home advantage. It might not take much to set Azzurri nerves jangling after missing out on the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. It can't happen to the four-time winner again... can it?
This UEFA World Cup playoff final match kicks off at Bilino Polje on Tuesday, March 31 at 8:45 p.m. local time in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe
Date
Kickoff time
USA/Canada
Tue, Mar. 31
2:45 p.m. ET
USA/Canada
Tue, Mar. 31
11:45 p.m. PT
UK
Tue, Mar. 31
7:45 p.m. BST
Australia
Wed, Apr. 1
5:45 a.m. AEDT
India
Wed, Apr. 1
0:15 a.m. IST
Italy vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina lineups, team news
Bosnia boss Sergej Barbarez has the opportunity to stick with a settled line-up.
Edin Dzeko, now 40, was substituted after regulation time against Wales and should be ready to go again up front alongside Ermedin Demirovic.
Ivan Basic gets the nod over Benjamin Tahirovic having replaced his fellow midfielder after the hour in Cardiff
Bosnia and Herzegovina subs:Hadzikic (GK), Zlomislic (GK), Celik, Tahirovic, Gigovic, Bazdar, Hadziahmetovic, Burnic, Alajbegovic, Radeljic, Tabakovic
Gennaro Gattuso could stick with the same XI that faced Northern Ireland, although towering Inter Milan youngster Pio Esposito could nudge Mateo Retegui out of the starting XI.
Fellow striker Gianluca Scamacca is still struggling with an adductor problem
Ayers has officiated seven Final Fours, including last season's, but he was not among the 11 officials chosen this year. Following Braylon Mullins' game-winning shot with 0.4 seconds left, Hurley got in Ayers' face as the two appeared to bump heads.
There's no evidence that Ayers going unselected had anything to do with that viral moment with Hurley, and he told ESPN's Seth Greenberg after the fact that the exchange was "absolutely nothing."
Hurley was not called for a technical foul after the incident, which prompted quite a bit of discussion online. Basketball analyst Seth Davis noted that Hurley and Ayers have known each other for a long time and suggested the exchange was not meant to taunt or intimidate the referee.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
The NFL's annual spring meeting isn't just about seeing which coaches can and can't pull off shorts with a long-sleeved tee. It's also where the league comes together to tweak the rulebook it's been rewriting for more than a century.
The bulk of this year's changes are tweaks to the still-evolving dynamic kickoff. The new kicking rules have been vital in creating more returns where touchbacks once ruled, but still had some areas that could be exploited. This spring's reforms hope to close a few loopholes while making the game a bit more interesting.
1. Permit the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game.
The 2024 kickoff change had a ripple effect on onside kicks. At first, teams could only declare an onside kick -- necessary thanks to the new formation that separates the kicker from his 10 teammates well behind the landing zone -- if trailing in the fourth quarter. That was amended in 2025 to allow a team that was trailing to attempt an onside kick at any time. In 2026, a team can declare its intention for an onside kick at any time regardless of whether it is winning or losing.
It's a minor change that will have a minimal effect on the game, but could come into play.
2. For one year only, to allow the NFL Officiating Department to correct clear and obvious misses made by on-field officials that impact the game, in the event that there is a work stoppage involving the game officials represented by the NFL Referees Association.
League offices in New York will have the power to overrule a blatant mistake with a potential referee strike on the horizon. Essentially, this is to ensure we never again have a Fail Mary (and the subsequent leverage it gave the NFL Referees Association in their previous standoff).
3. To modify the kickoff alignment requirements for the receiving team players in the setup zone.
This will effect kickoffs, but not in an obvious way to the casual viewer. Previously, the receiving team had to place a minimum of six players lined up with their front foot on the restraining line. Now, only five will have to be there.
The players who do not set up on the restraining line have a bit more freedom. Previously, only three of them could be in the setup zone. Now that number is four, working in line with the one fewer blocker up front. You can't cluster those four players in front of the returners behind them, however. At least one player will have to be lined up between the sideline and inbounds line on either side of the field.
4. To eliminate the kicking team’s incentive to intentionally kick the ball out of bounds when kicking off from the 50-yard line.
This was the most obvious fix. The NFL's new kickoff rules have been a proper improvement when it comes to producing more returns. Evidence suggests it's been safer as well, though there's a need for long-term data there. There was a loophole however; the leftover rule that declared kickoffs out of bounds would be placed 25 yards from the spot of the kick.
That wasn't a problem for traditional kicks from a team's own 35-yard line. But following a personal conduct penalty, the kicking team could be lined up at midfield. Blasting a kick out of bounds would give their opponent the ball at their own 25-yard line -- five yards *behind* where they'd be if a team opted to kick the ball out of the end zone.
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - MARCH 27: Lamine Yamal of Spain looks on during the International Friendly match between Spain and Serbia at Estadio de la Ceramica on March 27, 2026 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has named Lamine Yamal in his starting XI again on Tuesday night for his team’s friendly with Egypt.
Yamal is the only player to start both games for La Roja over the international break, with De la Fuente making 10 changes to his team.
David Raya starts in goal behind a backline of Pedro Porro, Cristhian Mosquera, Dean Huijsen and Alex Grimaldo.
Carlos Soler, Pablo Fornals and Dani Olmo are the midfield three behind a frontline of Yamal, Ferran Torres and Ander Barrenetxea.
”He might be in contention to start because we want to win. We need to freshen up the team, but obviously to avoid tiring out the players, all of them,” he told reporters at a press conference.
“I understand that the Barça manager is interested, I understand that everyone has their own preferences, but I have to consider everyone’s feelings. I have to field a team that can win.”
The middle game of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ series against the Cleveland Guardians will be the first pitching start for Shohei Ohtani, who coincidentally is the second in a series of Japanese pitchers.
Roki Sasaki pitched in Monday night’s game, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch in Wednesday afternoon’s finale.
Because of the World Baseball Classic, Ohtani only pitched in two games in Spring Training. He went 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA, striking out 15 batters across 8.1 innings of work. 11 of those K’s came in his last outing a week ago against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. After that outing, both Ohtani and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts felt good about where Ohtani was in his preparation for the regular season.
This will be the first in what Ohtani and the Dodgers organization hope will be a fully healthy season for Shohei that will see him take the mound 25 times. Ohtani called every Dodger pitcher making 25 starts “ideal” after his first outing in Arizona.
For how long this first outing will last, Roberts said the plan was about six innings.
“Honestly, with Shohei, you’ve got to be willing to adapt,” Roberts said. “Because if he’s really efficient, then you’re still trying to win the game. And if it makes sense, I’m not going to just pull the plug just because of a certain number.”
Ohtani would also like to see the Dodgers offense give him some run support. The team has yet to have the first lead of the game in the four they have played so far. The first three saw them able to mount a comeback, but in Monday night’s game they could only muster two runs in the bottom of the ninth, which were not enough to beat the Guardians.
Miguel Rojas and Andy Pages are the only two Dodgers so far that are hitting with any great consistency. The Dodgers will be facing right hander Tanner Bibee, who pitched the first game of the Guardian’s season against the Seattle Mariners, going 5.0 innings and allowing three earned runs while striking out seven.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remain one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, sharing the record of five titles with Mumbai Indians and boasting 10 final appearances. Their dominance in a fiercely competitive league reflects not just on-field excellence but also a well-structured system built over the years. A major factor behind their sustained success has been the stability provided by the ownership group, which has consistently backed players and maintained a balanced squad.
CSK’s philosophy has always revolved around trust and continuity. Unlike many franchises, they have prioritized retaining a strong core group even after auctions, showing long-term faith in their players, support staff, and team environment. This approach has also contributed to nurturing players who go on to perform at the international level.
They have shown remarkable consistency not just on the field but also off it, with Stephen Fleming serving as their head coach since 2009. His long-term guidance has been key in building a stable, experienced team, helping CSK maintain a winning culture and remain one of the most dominant IPL franchises.
Former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund highlighted another unique aspect of CSK’s culture, their strong backing of players beyond the field. He revealed that the franchise has a long-standing tradition of doubling the prize money offered by the BCCI, regardless of the team’s result, a gesture that reflects their commitment to player welfare.
"I think the credit should also go to the management. That time, they clearly told us that whatever prize money BCCI is offering you, whether we are losing or winning, we will double it. And this is a tradition of Chennai from day one. Ask any clear Chennai player, they will say ‘this is a tradition that they have followed’, so at that point it felt like a huge thing," Mukund said on Doordarshan Sports.
In their IPL 2026 opener on March 30, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured a crushing 8-wicket victory over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Guwahati. After RR’s pace attack, led by Nandre Burger (2/26) and Jofra Archer (2/19), dismantled the CSK lineup for a meager 127, 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stole the show by smashing the season’s fastest fifty in just 15 balls. Rajasthan chased down the target in a mere 12.1 overs, finishing at 128/2 to hand CSK a heavy defeat in a match that also featured Sanju Samson’s quiet debut for Chennai and Ravindra Jadeja’s successful two-wicket return to the Royals.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 04: Head Coach Heather Tarr of the Washington Huskies exchanges lineups with Head Coach Lonni Alameda of the Florida State Seminoles during the Division I Women's Softball Championship held at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium - OGE Energy Field on June 4, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Shane Bevel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Great teams, regardless of sport, find different ways to win. It doesn’t matter if it’s a close win decided by one singular swing of momentum or a blowout, decided long before the end of the game. In the case of the Husky softball team, they got their 4 wins this week in a variety of ways, but at 30-6, with 20 straight wins, it looks like this team is on its way to joining that pantheon of great teams, in large part due to how they win.
Before the big road series against Iowa, the Huskies had a quick road stop against Loyola Chicago. A Giselle Alvarez solo shot in the fifth got the scoring started, but the game really broke open when Kaycie Burdick hit her first career home run, a grand slam:
First career home run and it's a GRAND SLAM for Kaycie Burdick! 💣
Another shot from Alvarez, and another homer from Burdick pushed the score to 7-0, where it would stay, giving the Huskies the win and extra momentum for another tough conference road trip against the Iowa Hawkeyes. The first game would not start well, with the Dawgs falling behind 3-0 by the top of the third inning. Jade Bubke and Jaydn Glab responded with a solo home run, and 3 run home run respectively, pushing the Huskies in front 4-3. After Iowa’s Naiyln Marshall responded with a solo homer to tie the game at 4, the Huskies responded with a fierce 7 run 4th inning rally. It started with Alexis Deboer drawing a walk with the bases loaded to give the Huskies the lead, 5-4. Then Giselle Alvarez scored Jade Bubke on a sac fly, with Kaycie Burdick subsequently scoring on a wild pitch. What broke this one open, though, wasn’t a big, back-breaking homer or hit in the gap, but a throwaway E4, which scored 3. Like I said at the top, great teams find ways to win.
A Hawkeye miscue ushers in three more runs for the Dawgs!
After Melody Acevedo’s sac fly scored Ava Carroll to make it 11-4, the Huskies gave up 1 run in the bottom of the fifth, before a pair of homers by Alvarez and Carroll made it 16-5. Though Iowa scored 2 more in the 7th to make it more respectful, it wasn’t enough, as the Huskies ultimately prevailed 16-7.
The Huskies would continue their offensive explosion in game 2, putting up 10 runs on 11 hits. But perhaps more impressive than the run total, was the combined no hitter tossed by Sophia Ramuno and Rylee Rehbein. Ramuno worked 5 and 2/3rds innings, throwing 90 pitches and fanning 6 Hawkeye batters. However, with Ramuno an out away from a no no, she came up wincing, necessitating Rehbein to come in to come up with a final out, which she did:
Chuckling at how Rylee Rehbein will go in the scorebooks for a combined no-no even though all she did was issue a walk after inheriting a 3-0 count, and then throw a pitch in the dirt to the next batter that Iowa tried to advance on but got thrown out, ending the game
— Softball-Addict(Ed) Strong (@ByEdStrong) March 28, 2026
Offensively, Jaydn Glab continued her stellar campaign, scoring 2 runs and driving in a run off a double. Kaycie Burdick also had a great game, going 2-4, scoring 2 runs and driving in another of her own. This kind of at-will offensive firepower will prove troublesome for teams as the Dawgs get deeper in the Big Ten schedule. But don’t think that this series was all combined no hitters and relentless offense! Sometimes you have your back against the wall, sometimes you go to extras, like in the series finale.
This was a back and forth game, with both teams answering each other’s offense. After the game was knotted up at 4 after the third (thanks to a 2 run shot by Jaydn Glab), both teams went back and forth, with one run each until the 6th. Tied at 6 all, it would take until the 10th to break the deadlock:
With the Hawkeyes on the ropes and clearly shaken, the Huskies loaded the bases, and Giselle Alvarez got hit by a pitch, bringing home Sophi Mazzola. A Jaydn Glab single drove in 2 more runs, and Morgan Reimer shut the door on Iowa, sweeping the series for the Dawgs and earning her 19th win:
At 30-6, the Huskies are on another road trip this week, as they head to Palo Alto to take on Saint Mary’s and Stanford. I am eager to see if they can extend this remarkable 20 game win streak, and with the way they have been playing and winning, I am hopeful that they will be able to. Because, as I said at the top, great teams find ways to win!
Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment as Tottenham manager “raises serious and far-reaching concerns” following his public support of former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) has said.
But several Tottenham supporters’ groups, including Proud Lilywhites, urged the club to not appoint De Zerbi due to the Italian having backed Greenwood during his time in charge in charge of Marseille. The TST said those concerns were brought to the club directly while Spurs considered De Zerbi’s appointment.
Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over allegations relating to a young women after images and videos were posted online.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges in February 2023 owing to a “combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses” and due to “no realistic prospect of conviction”.
In November, De Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good guy” that had paid a “heavy price” and added: “It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described.”
In a statement, the TST said De Zerbi’s comments on Greenwood were “unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters and, without doubt, will have left victims of male violence alarmed”.
The group said the appointment of De Zerbi could “create a divide among supporters at a time when we all need to be pulling together to back the team” and it was “concerning that the club would put us in this position right when the team needs fans the most”.
On De Zerbi’s comments, the TST said: “If those remarks reflect his genuine views, they cast a troubling shadow over the values of the club we love.”
De Zerbi managed Greenwood during his spell at French club Marseille (AFP via Getty Images)
The TST also called on Tottenham to “reassert its commitment to the values that fans hold dear - chief among them equality, respect, and integrity” and said any future messages from De Zerbi “must clearly and unequivocally reaffirm these values”.
Tottenham considered and discussed De Zerbi’s backing of Greenwood and his comments about him during negotiations with the Italian, but sporting director Johan Lange confirmed the club had landed their “number one target for the summer” and Spurs were “pleased to be able to bring him in now”.
In a statement accompanying Tottenham’s announcement, De Zerbi insisted he is committed to the club’s “ambition for the future”. The Italian lasted less than two seasons in his previous two spells at Brighton and Marseille, and he has been immediately thrown into a relegation battle.
The THST said: “While we recognise the limited pool of managers with recent Premier League experience, and the need to act with urgency as Spurs face the prospect of relegation, this appointment raises serious and far-reaching concerns, and many fans have been in touch with us to urge us to communicate the strength of feeling.”
In a statement following De Zerbi’s appointment, Proud Lilywhites said: “Whilst we disagree with the managerial choice, in terms of culture and competence, we will continue to support the players without pretending to be comfortable with the appointment.
“Staying silent is not the answer. But choosing when and where to be vocal matters. Managers come and go. Executives come and go. Players come and go. Fans remain. We are the constant in this club. We will continue to represent the views of our members to the club, alongside the other supporter associations. This is not noise or reaction. It is a considered position, and it is not going away.”
The Minnesota Vikings are keeping their eyes on the 2026 season as they look to capitalize on a small window they have to win now. They made a move to be aggressive at quarterback by signing Kyler Murray to compete with J.J. McCarthy, they brought back some key veterans we thought wouldn't be, and now they are geared up for a productive draft cycle.
After all of that, though, the slow season will mean the team will start to look ahead and see what is in store for them in 2027. In fact, ESPN has already started looking ahead as they have dropped some way-too-early rankings for the class, and two Vikings made the cut in tight end T.J. Hockenson and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
ESPN's Matt Bowen wrote up both players, starting with Hockenson, saying, "At his best, Hockenson should be viewed as a rugged, three-down tight end who can win in the middle of the field or on seams and corner routes." As for Van Ginkel, he explains his inclusion, writing, "After 11.5 sacks in 2024, Van Ginkel recorded 7.5 in 12 games last season. His skill set fits best in a defense that schemes one-on-one matchups and stunts for him off the edges as an outside linebacker."
The team could move on from Hockenson after reworking his contract, but it is hard to imagine they move on from Van Ginkel as long as Brian Flores is around. Lots of time to see how things unfold between now and next offseason, but some things to consider here for the fans and team alike.
Alabama softball took care of business before its upcoming showdown with the No. 1 ranked team in the nation.
The Crimson Tide (33-2 overall, 7-2 SEC) defeated North Dakota State, 8-1, on Friday night at Rhoads Stadium before run-ruling the Bison in a 13-0 shutout in five innings Saturday. After sweeping the two-game set, Alabama will face the Texas Longhorns (31-2, 8-1) in a three-game series beginning Thursday in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama's two victories over the Bison were part of a 4-0 week that included a doubleheader sweep of Jacksonville State and North Alabama on Wednesday. Brooke Wells clubbed four home runs last week, including two in the Tide's 10-3 win over Jacksonville State.
Alabama hit eight homers in its four games and outscored opponents, 43-4. Vic Moten picked up two wins in the circle while Jocelyn Briski notched her 13th of the season and lowered her ERA to 1.28 in 15 outings. Moten improved to 13-2 in 17 appearances this season and lowered her ERA to 1.47.
Alabama is batting .354 for the season. The Crimson Tide have totaled 63 home runs this season. Coach Patrick Murphy's team has also outscored its opponents, 255-51. In the circle, Alabama has combined for a 1.41 ERA in 223 innings. The Tide have a plus-5:1 strikeout-to-walk radio with 287 strikeouts to 57 walks.
Wells (.467/.578/1.044) and Alexis Pupillo (.450/.517/.910) lead Alabama at the plate, having combined for 27 home runs and 43 extra base hits.
Alabama softball rises in Coaches Poll after 4-0 week
Florida dropped two of three over the weekend in Fayetteville to a top-10 Arkansas Razorbacks team. Tennessee also lost a weekend series, dropping two of three to the unranked Ole Miss Rebels.
Alabama trails Texas, runner-up Texas Tech, and Oklahoma in the Coaches Poll. The Sooners won two of three at LSU. Texas won two of three against Texas A&M, but the Longhorns saw their 29-game winning streak come to an end with Sunday's 9-7 loss.
New Softball Coaches Poll sees another top 5 shakeup
Texas held on to the top spot for the third week in a row. Oklahoma and Alabama each rose two spots to Nos. 3 and 4, respectively. Florida fell to two spots to No. 5. Tennessee, which had spent five weeks at No. 1 earlier this season, fell for the second straight week. The Lady Vols dropped three spots to No. 7.
The Coaches Poll is still dominated by SEC schools, with six teams in the top 10 and 11 in the top 25 overall.
Here's a look at the full rankings as of March 31.
Start times, TV info for Alabama vs Texas softball top 5 series
Two of the three games between the top-ranked Longhorns and fourth-ranked Crimson Tide will be televised nationally. While Thursday's series opener in Tuscaloosa is scheduled for SEC Network+ (streaming only), Friday's game will be televised on SEC Network. Saturday's series finale will broadcast on ESPN.
All start times Central:
Thursday, April 2: 6 p.m, SEC Network+
Friday, April 3: 7:30 p.m., SEC Network
Saturday, April 4: 5 p.m., ESPN
Here's a look at Alabama's full 2026 SEC softball schedule. All tentative start times Central.
March 6-8: at Ole Miss (W, 5-3; W, 13-2; W, 2-1)
March 13-15: vs. Arkansas (W, 4-1; L, 14-9; W, 4-1)
March 20-22: at Missouri (W, 2-1; L, 5-2; W, 4-3)
April 2-4: vs. Texas (6 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday)
April 10-12: at Auburn (6 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday)
April 17-19: vs. Kentucky (5 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Sunday)
April 25-27: at Tennessee (3 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, 6 p.m. Monday)
April 30-May 2: vs. South Carolina (6 p.m. Thursday, 6 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday)
WWE is set to honor one of its most unconventional and intimidating figures, as Bad News Brown has been named a legacy inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
The official announcement recognizes the late Allen James Coage, whose path to wrestling notoriety began far outside the ring. Before stepping into sports entertainment, Coage built an elite reputation in judo, capturing a bronze medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics. His achievement marked a historic milestone, making him the first Black man to win an individual Olympic medal in a sport outside boxing or track and field.
That same disciplined, hard-hitting style translated seamlessly into his wrestling persona. After training under Antonio Inoki in Japan, Coage—then competing as Bad News Allen—gained traction in Stampede Wrestling, where he squared off against rising stars like Bret Hart.
By the time he arrived in WWE in 1988 as Bad News Brown, he had developed a reputation as a fierce loner, known for his punishing enzuigiri and refusal to align with other competitors.
Brown’s character stood apart in an era defined by clear-cut heroes and villains. He openly clashed with authority figures like then-WWE President Jack Tunney and targeted top stars, including Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage.
His rivalry with Roddy Piper spilled over from the 1990 Royal Rumble into a heated feud that culminated at WrestleMania VI.
One of his most memorable storylines came later that year against Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, where Brown’s on-screen fear of snakes became central to their feud.
Despite his attempts to counter Roberts’ psychological tactics, Brown ultimately exited WWE following SummerSlam 1990, later citing frustrations over unfulfilled promises, including the opportunity to become the company’s first Black champion.
Outside the ring, Coage’s life reflected the same resilience that defined his in-ring persona. Raised in Harlem and later Queens, he rose from working in a bakery to becoming a five-time Amateur Athletic Union judo champion and Pan American Games gold medalist.
He also briefly worked as a bodyguard for Aretha Franklin before fully committing to wrestling. After retiring in 1999 due to knee injuries, he remained connected to the sport through training and mentorship.
Coage passed away in 2007 at the age of 63 from a heart attack.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Utah under Kyle Whittingham has long been a contender. And the Pac-12 and Big 12 (both of which Utah was in) had sent teams to the College Football Playoff even when it was a four-team invitational.
But there's something different about being a part of one of the traditional powerhouses of the Big Ten.
That's not only the case for Whittingham and much of the new coaching staff, who came either from the perceived lesser Power Four conference or from even more humble beginnings. But for a player like John Henry Daley, coming to Ann Arbor is a drastic change, not just because of the tradition that permeates through Michigan football, but because of the extant players who have lived and breathed it for some time.
So, from Daley's perspective, mixing Whittingham's success, his vision, and his mantra with the expectation of winning bigger things? That's where it all comes together.
"I think it's great to an extent to have some guys who already know it, but also coming here and meeting all the guys on the team," Daley said. "I mean, we got a lot of dogs on this team that got a lot of high aspirations and very high expectations for themselves to be able to perform at the highest level. And so I feel like they already have that will that they want to be great. And now the coaches are just coming in and saying, hey, let's build on top of that. Let's go do that. And so all in all, I mean, couldn't ask for more.
"You know, honestly, with this roster, with these players, with these coaches, I feel like we're building something great."
Daley had already shared how he marveled at seeing The Big House with the national championship banner hanging underneath the scoreboards. The Wolverines have that, whereas the Utes (or BYU Cougars, where he started) don't have any recent national championships (Utah has an unclaimed 2008 championship, and BYU won one in 1984).
It will be interesting to see the dynamic of the try-hard staff and players who excelled under their tutelage, mixed with players who either played on a national championship team, or came aboard soon after it had been won.
Illinois’ Brad Underwood coached for 26 years before landing his first Division I head coaching job.
Now in Year 39, the well-traveled 62-year-old is finally heading to the Final Four, where the Fighting Illini meet UConn on Saturday.
He’s doing it in what he’s long referred to as his dream job. In 2013 while in that first DI head coaching job at Stephen F. Austin, he told his administrative assistant about his ambition to coach the Fighting Illini one day. And she wrote it down.
When he was named Illinois coach in 2017, she presented him with that meaningful piece of paper containing his intention to lead this team.
In the place he always wanted to be, Underwood has the Fighting Illini in the Final Four for the first time since 2005, trying to bring home a first national title.
“I’ve been fortunate to be around great mentors, great coaches,” he said. “I just bided my time, found a group that’s magical. We’re living the dream.”
Though he’s living the dream now, it came only after decades of toiling in relative obscurity.
There were four years at Dodge City Community College starting in 1988 where he was not only the coach but the team’s bus driver for road games. Then came 10 years as an assistant for Jim Kerwin at Western Illinois, where he was “not making very much money and raising three kids and literally being gone five days a week.”
The next stop was Daytona Beach Community College from 2003-06, which also was not the most glamorous job but had a nice perk.
“It was an incredible place to help raise our kids, going to the beach every weekend," he said. "And I loved coaching ball in junior college.”
After that he worked as an assistant, first for Bob Huggins followed by Frank Martin, at Kansas State from 2006-12. He followed Martin to South Carolina, where he spent one season before landing at Stephen F. Austin.
“I’ve been blessed along the way because I’ve worked for nothing but winners for head coaches and people who allowed me to grow,” Underwood said.
At Stephen F. Austin he was named Southland Conference coach of the year in each of his three seasons. The Lumberjacks won the league tournament to advance to the NCAA Tournament every year under him.
He spent one season at Oklahoma State, where he went 20-13 and led the Cowboys to March Madness before landing his coveted job in 2017.
After three seasons building the team, he turned the Fighting Illini into perennial NCAA Tournament contenders. This is their sixth straight season in the tournament and the second time in three years that they have advanced to the Sweet 16.
“It’s been maybe a different path than most, but one that I sure wouldn’t — there’s not one step of it that I would give up,” he said. “Because I’ve been beyond blessed to work for great people who helped prepare me to get to these moments.”
His success this season comes after he began prioritizing recruiting in Eastern Europe. The Illini have a roster that includes four players from Eastern Europe and Andrej Stojakovic, who was born in Greece but whose father is Serbian three-time NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic.
The squad is led by consensus second-team All-American point guard Keaton Wagler. The freshman scored 25 points in a win over Iowa to earn South Region tournament MVP and punch the Fighting Illini’s ticket to the Final Four.
Wagler said he knew soon after meeting Underwood that Illinois was the school for him.
“He’s super competitive and that’s what I like about him,” Wagler said. “He hates to lose. I hate to lose. So, it just combined really well. Just talking to him just throughout the whole recruiting process, I knew that this was the place I wanted to be.”
Underwood got emotional as he was cutting down the net after the victory over the Hawkeyes. So many years and all those stops brought him right where he was supposed to be.
Now he’s just two wins away from bringing Illinois to heights never seen before.
“You believe in something so much that it drives me every single day to want to make it happen,” he said.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 27: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half of the Sweet Sixteen round game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at the United Center on March 27, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
On this week’s Out of the Blue podcast, Jared and Andrew break down Michigan’s historical run of dominance to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2018. Next, the boys dive into Arizona, compare it the 2024 Rose Bowl, and discuss how Michigan can win its toughest game of the season.
Be sure to submit any mailbag questions to OOTBsports23@gmail.com.
This is far from the only place you can listen to our podcasts covering the Michigan Wolverines. You can also stream them from your iPhone or Android device by subscribing to The Block M Podcast Network on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PodBean, and Spotify. Never miss an episode, and be sure to subscribe, rate, tell your friends, and drop us a five-star review.
Wherever you go, Go Blue!
A big thank you as always to Wes Anderson for providing music to this podcast and all Maize n Brew podcasts. You can listen to Wes below and be sure to support and follow him on Twitter @SongsByWes.
When it comes to professional athletes recovering from injuries, no news is usually good news.
That should bode well for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is working his way back from a torn ACL and LCL. When Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to reporters at the annual league meeting on March 31, he gave something of a there-is-no-update update on his star quarterback.
Asked about Mahomes' timeline to return from injury, Reid said he'll leave it to the medical team to determine whether or not the quarterback is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery.
"I'm going to defer to the experts on that," Reid said when asked if Mahomes would be limited for training camp. "So, if he's good to go, he'll go. If he's not, we'll manage that. So, we'll just cross it as we go. Everybody's different. Everybody heals different. Everybody's injuries are a little bit different. We don't have to put him in a category. We'll see, see where it goes."
Reid added that it's been all "positive" for the passer during his rehab.
According to an article published by Arthroscopy, recovery from an ACL tear "typically spans 9 to 12 months." The "return to sport" phase ranges from 6-12 months, with the 9-12 month range listed as a likely timeline for return to competition.
Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL on Dec. 14 during a Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He underwent surgery to repair the ligaments in his knee the following day.
On March 25 – just over three months after his operation – Mahomes posted a video of himself throwing a football with a compression sleeve on his left leg.
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes posted a video of himself dropping back and throwing — exactly 100 days since his ACL surgery.
Tottenham Hotspur Forward Is On The Radar Of Newcastle United: Should Spurs Cash In On Him?
In a recent report, journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed that Tottenham Hotspur forward Dominic Solanke is on the radar of Newcastle United ahead of the summer transfer window. It is understood that Spurs are willing to accept a cut-price offer for the English striker as the Magpies look to recruit him this summer.
Solanke’s Decent Form In North London
Solanke has caught the eye at times for the North London club on the offensive end of the field during this campaign. The 28-year-old has found the back of the net on six occasions in 17 appearances for Spurs this season across various competitions.
On his day, the English sensation can be a streaky goal-getter in the Premier League. Thus, it is no wonder that the Magpies are showing interest in signing him this summer.
His current contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will run out in the summer of 2030. Therefore, Spurs are under no immediate pressure to cash in on him this off-season.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 27: Dominic Solanke of England during the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Should Tottenham Hotspur Cash In On Solanke?
Solanke excels at finding a yard of space for himself to get some strikes in at goal. He has got the eye to play some decisive passes on the offensive end of the field and is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet.
Standing at 1.86m, the English striker can use his strong 1.86m frame to dominate the opposition defenders in the air. However, he has to find a way to be more consistent in front of the opposition goal. Plus, the talented forward needs to find a way to improve his link-up play up top.
Solanke has got a wealth of experience in the Premier League and could grow into a future star for them in the coming years. Therefore, Tottenham would be wise not to cash in on him unless they get relegated from the Premier League.
At 28, Solanke is about to enter his prime, so Spurs should consider keeping hold of him for the time being. He might even help the North London club get back to challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League over the next few years. With all things considered, Spurs would be wise to retain Solanke’s services beyond the end of this campaign.
Joe Ledley names the perfect man for the Celtic vacancy
Charlie Mulgrew was last week talking about a conversation he’d had with former Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley who had been talking up the Wales manager Craig Bellamy for the Celtic job should Wales fail to reach the World Cup Finals via the play-off…
It was heartache for the Welsh national side, losing on penalties to Bosnia & Herzegovina in a match that they should have won. Having watched that game, rather than the Ireland one on at the same time, in order to have a closer look at the style of football Bellamy has his side playing, I have to say that I was impressed and the style of football on show would be more than acceptable, should Bellamy get the Celtic job.
Joe Ledley has returned to his subject today and the former Welsh International makes a strong case for Bellamy returning to the club this time as manager.
“Craig Bellamy is a perfect fit for Celtic,” Ledley said as reported by Daily Record. “They’ll almost definitely be looking for a new manager in the summer, unless Martin O’Neill wins the league and considers staying on for another year.”
Even if Martin O’Neill does win the Scottish Premiership and adds a Scottish Cup to the trophy cabinet at Celtic Park to sit alongside, it’s still extremely unlikely that he’d be asked at 74 to take on the responsibility of a huge summer rebuild at the club.
It’s going to be a new manager and a new era at the football club but how that will look has got so many unknowns at the moment, it would be crazy to speculate.
So there will be a new manager, that is a given.
Joe Ledley continued with his Bellamy pitch: “And in Craig, you’ve got someone who studies absolutely everything in detail, he likes to play on the front foot, it’s all about possession and being attack-minded.
“But he also knows what it means for that club, having played there. He knows what the fans want and expect. He’s young, he’s hungry… I just think he’s perfect for that job.
“I know a lot of people up in Scotland like the look of the Motherwell manager(Jens Berthel Askou), so I’d say those two names are the ones who’ll be on the club’s radar… but for me, Craig is perfect.”
“The big question is whether Wales will be able to keep hold of Craig Bellamy, because I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of speculation around him coming up in the near future.
“He’s someone I keep in touch with quite a lot, because we played for the national team together. And I’m sure he’ll have been reflecting a lot over the last few days on what his next move might be.
“There’s no getting around it; he’ll be heartbroken that he hasn’t managed to get Wales to a World Cup, and I’m sure a few people inside the FAW are thinking it’ll be difficult to keep hold of him because of the job he’s done. Hopefully we can keep him – I’m just not sure we’re going to be able to.
“This has been his first position as a manager, and he’s dealt with some huge tests, and under a lot of pressure. He will have learned a lot from all of that. And, you know, the way he studies the game… he’s obsessive.
Craig Bellamy, Head Coach of Wales speaks to the media during a press conference at Wembley Stadium on October 08, 2025. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“He loves being around the training ground, doing all of the analysis, and that’s why I could see him going into club football pretty soon, to be honest.
“From finishing second ahead of North Macedonia, to last week’s game against Bosnia, that’s such a big period of time where, as a manager, you’re just waiting around and you want to get stuck in.
“We had so much momentum after beating North Macedonia, you just want to carry on playing – and that’s where club football is different, and why I can see Craig getting into it very soon.
“He’s learned a lot from Vincent Kompany, who is doing incredible things with Bayern Munich, and he’s got a great group of coaches around him… time will tell and big decisions are going to have to be made.
“It’s hard because I really do believe Craig will want to take Wales to a major tournament, but at the same time I can just see so many clubs being interested in him.
Craig Bellamy, Head Coach of Wales, reacts during the Group J FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Wales and Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium on October 13, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
“I was actually in the building when he got the Wales job, so I popped my head in just to congratulate him and ended up spending an hour and a half with him, where he was telling me about his plans, the structure of the team, how he wanted them to play, and I left the room with my mind blown – I was so excited to see what he was going to bring to the job.”
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 Dermot Desmond on the 18th tee during the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 on the Old Course at St. Andrews Golf CLub, Fife, . 06/10/2024. Picture Fran Caffrey / Golffile.ie
As a sales pitch you have to say it’s fairly convincing. Bellamy, alongside Robbie Keane is a name that’s reportedly on Dermot Desmond’s radar and the Irish billionaire, who controls the club is likely to be the man making the final call on this one.
Having listened to Paul Tisdale and Michael Nicholson on their recommendations for Wilfried Nancy, surely Desmond cannot afford to get this appointment wrong? Time will tell if it’s going to be Craig Bellamy or not. I’ve certainly heard worse suggestions.
Post your own thoughts in the comments section below…
Quick Tip – Add thecelticstar.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
This is not a “vibes” appointment. It’s the complete opposite.
Tottenham’s move for Roberto De Zerbi reflects the do-or-die situation they find themselves in, by the fact he could theoretically deliver either the miraculous best or cataclysmic worst case scenario for the club.
De Zerbi, on the surface, is a coup for a team verging on the most humiliating relegation in Premier League history. The Italian was a resounding success story at Brighton, arriving with an unknown quality to English football only to become one of the continent’s most sought-after managers by the end of his two-season stint, apparently earning admirers at Barcelona and Liverpool.
Roberto De Zerbi has been appointed Tottenham manager (Getty)
He took charge of the Seagulls early into 2022/23 after Graham Potter was poached by Chelsea, but rather than overseeing a spiral he lifted the club to new heights, sealing European qualification for the first time in the club’s history. This proven ability to achieve the unlikely will surely have appealed to crisis-ridden Spurs.
Tottenham must also be attracted by De Zerbi’s free-flowing style of football. Traumatised by 44 days of Igor Tudor-ball, a footballing ideology bereft of inspiration, such a tactical revolution is needed and desired. Implementing that now, however, is a big risk.
De Zerbi likes to bait the press and build up. From goal kicks, he places the double pivot deep to draw the opposition high up the pitch, which then requires smart and swift play to evade the charging attackers and move the ball into the space created. Tottenham, exemplified in their Champions League quarter-final hammering at Atletico Madrid, are like a child running around with scissors when playing out from the back. It’s heart in mouth.
The Italian then strives for intricate possession-based football in the attacking phases, which again does not fit the bill of a team that only managed 50 per cent or more of the ball twice in Tudor’s reign of error. The jigsaw pieces don’t fit.
Tottenham were completely useless at playing out from the back under Igor Tudor (Action Images via Reuters)
Assuming De Zerbi sticks by his tactical bible, his arrival does not promise a smooth transition when Tottenham can’t afford otherwise. The fact he went winless in his first five Brighton games will also not kindle confidence; do that in N17 and Spurs are all but down.
But there’s another problem attached to this choice.
Within three weeks of joining Marseille after his Brighton exit in the summer of 2024, Mason Greenwood followed De Zerbi through the door. Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm over allegations relating to a young women after images and videos were posted online.
Mason Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with attempted rape and assault (AFP via Getty)
De Zerbi was understood to have pushed heavily for Marseille to snap up Greenwood despite his legal worries. He ended the 2024/25 season far and away the club’s top goalscorer with a league tally of 21, and De Zerbi has been outspoken in his unwavering support for the player.
De Zerbi has been outspoken in his support for Greenwood (AP)
In November, De Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good guy” who had paid a “heavy price” and added: “It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described.”
It’s this that has caused multiple Tottenham fan groups to speak out against De Zerbi’s appointment. The club’s LGBTQI+ fan group Proud Lilywhites, along with Spurs Reach, both emphasised that progress should not come at the cost of “the values the club claims to stand for”. Women of the Lane defiantly said: “This is not an appointment Tottenham Hotspur should make.”
Tottenham’s Tudor gamble catastrophically backfired, but one of the very few silver linings was that at least the fans were united in how bad things were. That was evidenced by the vociferous welcome they gave their team bus before the crucial Nottingham Forest game, which aged comedically poorly as Tottenham’s players curled over in a bruising 3-0 defeat.
De Zerbi, however, risks completely dividing this fanbase at the worst possible time. You only need to look at the social media comments of Proud Lilywhites’ statement to see the number of “anti-woke” supporters who diametrically oppose the group’s viewpoint.
Tottenham have eight cup finals left to save their season. Four of them, including the last game of the season, are at home, where they’re winless in the league since December. Crowd infighting will not change the tide.
Tottenham need the fans united to stage a successful survival bid (Getty)
And then there’s the fear that unlike maybe a Ryan Mason or Harry Redknapp - the “he knows the club” candidates - De Zerbi will not go down with the ship. The Independent understands he will get a huge bonus for keeping Spurs in the Premier League, but details are scarce on the security of his five-year deal if he fails to deliver survival. Would he have taken this job if he didn’t have an escape route?
Tudor was the short-term solution that combusted on arrival. De Zerbi joins with the long-term at the forefront, claiming to have been enticed by the club’s “ambition for the future”. If Spurs stay up, the ninth richest club in the world will feel well positioned to put this harrowing episode behind them and push back up the table. Sink to the Championship and Spurs may be left managerless, hopeless and with a fractured fanbase, their long-term plans torn to shreds.
Let’s start with Harrison, who was a top-30 prospect a few years back. He’s still just 24. The Red Sox considered him a key part of the Rafael Devers trade/salary dump last summer, or so it seemed. Harrison spent most of his summer with Triple-A Worcester, muddling through a 3.93 ERA and 1.59 WHIP.
But ears perked up when Harrison was traded to Milwaukee in the offseason. The Brewers have an outstanding track record with player development and identifying under-appreciated assets in other organizations. Harrison earned a rotation spot during a solid spring, where he had 20 strikeouts against four walks over 14 innings.
His Monday debut against Tampa Bay was a success — four hits, one run, one walk, eight strikeouts, 16 swinging strikes. Harrison allowed a leadoff homer to Yandy Diaz but otherwise was not in trouble. His fastball checked in at 95.1 mph, a notable jump from his early career. He also was effective with his retooled change, giving Harrison a logical path to retiring right-handed hitters.
Armed with bumped velocity and a new pitch, Harrison looks like a plausible-upside case for mixed leagues. He’s pushed to 28% rostered in Yahoo, so there’s time to climb on board. He pitches at Kansas City on the weekend.
Lance McCullers Jr., Astros
While Harrison’s case needs some imagination, we have proof of concept with McCullers. He was an All-Star back in 2017 and received downballot Cy Young votes five years ago. He’s been a fantasy asset before. It’s just a matter of him staying healthy.
McCullers didn’t pitch at all in 2023 or 2024, and he was hit hard in 16 appearances last year (6.51 ERA, 1.80 WHIP). So it makes sense that he was completely off the radar during draft season. But McCullers answered the bell in his 2026 debut, holding the Red Sox to one run over seven innings. He scattered four hits, walked one, struck out nine.
McCullers doesn’t hold the velocity from his salad days, but his 92.4 mph readout Monday was a notable tick up from last year’s 91.6 mark. Stopping a deep Boston lineup also impresses me. I understand why McCullers still lags at 9% rostered in Yahoo leagues, but I’ll scout his upcoming Athletics start with interest.
Mike Soroka, Diamondbacks
While McCullers is looking to rebound from arm injuries in his past, Soroka’s rehab story has a different slant. It was a pair of Achilles tears that cost Soroka two full seasons, 2021 and 2022. His amazing 2019 debut season — when he was second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and sixth in the Cy Young ranks — feels like 20 years ago. Soroka is now with the Diamondbacks, his fifth team. He’s won just eight games since 2019.
But you couldn’t watch Soroka on Monday and not be impressed. He kept the Tigers off the scoreboard over five smooth innings, with 10 strikeouts. He walked just one, allowed four hits. And I don’t know if the guns are hot this month, but he was another pitcher showing increased velocity in his debut turn.
Soroka was such an easy watch in his Atlanta days, using impeccable control to get positive results. He was the hardest starting pitcher to homer off in 2019. You revel at watching a craftsman at work, and he felt like the latest Atlanta pitcher to steal our hearts.
Soroka is still just 28. Arizona has a competitive club and an outstanding defense. The next two turns aren’t easy — Soroka draws the Braves and Phillies — but he’s earned the right to at least be a proactive streamer. He currently is rostered in just 7% of Yahoo leagues.
Bonus hitter
Jake Burger, Rangers
Keeping comebacks in the theme of the day, I want to give you one hitter to consider. Jake Burger is doing good things in the cleanup spot for Texas. He homered in his first two games of the year, and knocked in two more runs Monday. That’s a tidy .471/.500/.882 start.
Injuries cost Burger about a third of the season last year, but keep in mind the 63-homer guy we saw in 2023 and 2024. This is merely his age-30 season. Given how depressed the first base position appears in 2026, I’m mildly surprised Burger is still available in about 70% of Yahoo leagues. Keep an open mind here.
The Minnesota Vikings have had some misses in recent years in the first rounds of the NFL Draft. However, when it comes to the wide receiver position, the team seemingly found their diamonds. They have locked up Justin Jefferson long-term with a massive deal, and now they have the other half of their duo locked up for at least one extra year.
On Monday night, the Minnesota Vikings announced they plan to pick up the fifth-year option for Jordan Addison on his rookie contract.
Vikings interim general manager Rob Brzezinski told the media at the NFL's Annual League meeting, "He's a really important player for us, an impact player, we're definitely exercising the option. For sure. The deadline for that is after the draft."
During his career with the Vikings, Addison has accumulated 175 receptions for 2,396 yards and 22 touchdowns in two seasons. In his rookie season, he scored ten touchdowns, which tied him with Sammy White from his 1976 season. All of this led to his option being picked up, and now the next step will be for them to figure out a long-term contract.
Ohio State football has six practices in the books, and multiple newcomers have already shed their black stripes. After Tuesday's practice, head coach Ryan Day confirmed that freshman wide receiver Brock Boyd is the latest to earn that distinction, making him the first member of the 2026 recruiting class to do so.
“I’m excited to see where his career goes, but he’s off to a great start.”
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day said freshman receiver Brock Boyd lost his black stripe today.
“This is somebody who knows how to run a route,” Day said. “He can play multiple positions, he was productive.” pic.twitter.com/WGF2C8AVoz
That part is what makes this noteworthy. Boyd came in as a 3-star prospect ranked No. 123 at wide receiver according to 247Sports, yet he beat out every other freshman to reach this milestone first. The 2026 class itself is loaded, ranking inside the top five nationally with two five-star recruits and 16 four-stars, and the wide receiver room in particular is stacked with competition. None of that slowed Boyd down.
Most Ohio State fans probably anticipated Chris Henry Jr., the No. 2 wide receiver in the class, or Jerquaden Guilford, ranked No. 12 at the position, to be the first wideouts knocking that stripe off their helmets. Instead, it was Southlake Carroll's all-time receiving leader quietly going about his business and earning it ahead of everyone.
Ohio State wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton also spoke on Boyd over the weekend, offering some insight into what the freshman has shown since arriving in Columbus.
Boyd has clearly made an impression early, and everything points to a young receiver actively working to carve out a real role in this offense sooner rather than later.
Celtic midfielder makes agent switch ahead of interest summer
Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo has moved agents ahead of the summer transfer window. The Portuguese midfielder has struggled for starts under Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy and Martin O’Neill but has shown in cameos that he can be relied upon.
However, in an announcement on Tuesday, Bernardo was confirmed by global talent agency The Team as their latest addition.
Screenshot
Bernardo joins The Team sporting agency, which could spark concerns that he is looking for a summer move. The 24-year-old has struggled for consistency since making his move to Celtic a permanent one and it is a confusing one, as there is clearly a player there.
Bernardo moves across from Gestifute agency, who boast clients like Lamine Yamal, Pedro Neto and PSG trio Vitinha, Joao Neves and Barcola.
The agency represent Bernardo’s Celtic teammate Dane Murray but they also represent Rangers duo John Souttar and Nico Raskin. It remains to be seen whether he will make a move but you would fancy the midfielder to relish the chance to make a midfield berth his own, especially with likely upheaval this summer and a new manager to come in.
The Brazil and Croatia national teams reached an agreement and decided to INCREASE the number of substitutions for this Tuesday’s friendly (31).
As a result, EIGHT substitutions will be allowed — the usual number in friendlies is six.
"In today’s match, by mutual agreement between the parties, EIGHT substitutions will be allowed, while keeping three stoppages for the changes," said the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in a message sent to the press.
This new rule could benefit some players.
Kaiki Bruno, Douglas Luiz, Fabinho, Endrick, and Rayan were the only outfield players not used in the friendly against France.
Goalkeepers Bento and Hugo Souza also did not play.
This new rule — approved by FIFA — will allow coach Carlo Ancelotti to carry out more tests with an eye on the final squad selection for the World Cup.
Sticking around in the NFL isn’t easy. One minute you’re a draft pick darling, and the next you can find yourself on the outside looking in for a job in the league.
The San Francisco 49ers under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have been known to cut bait on players who don’t meet their standards, regardless of draft investments. Think Trey Lance, Tyrion Davis-Price, and Danny Gray. A successful NFL roster should consist of a mixture of cornerstone players, veterans, and youth, who are either contributing or developing.
Free-agent signings tell you where an organization believes it is weak, which uncovers players on the clock who need to contribute to stick around on the roster.
Who are the three 49ers players who need to step up to stick around in 2026?
Jordan Watkins
Injuries are part of Watkins’ 2025 story. After a successful rookie camp, Watkins had considerable buzz, but once the rookie returned to action, he was buried on the depth chart despite the massive need at the receiver position in 2025. Point blank, having Malik Turner and other players off the street run ahead of you isn’t the best sign in the world.
Now, with the additions of Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, and one or two draft picks, Watkins is on the clock. Lynch spoke at the combine about Watkins needing to step up, and that is a public challenge to the rookie to perform. If the 49ers draft a first-round receiver, the bottom of the depth chart awaits for Watkins unless he turns it around.
It comes down to practice habits. No, players should not just figure it out in actual games. Build the trust, and you can earn playing time.
Jacob Cowing
There is a familiar theme in this piece with draft picks at the position. Some optimism for Cowing is Lynch’s comments at the combine, which felt the opposite of his comments on Watkins. Unprovoked, the 49ers GM mentioned Cowing as a player the organization is excited about. The former fourth-round pick has talent, but if he can’t make it to the field due to injuries, then it’s a frustrating situation all around.
Like Watkins, Cowing presents a vertical aspect to the 49ers offense, which they desperately need. The 49ers praised Cowing’s offseason, but a hamstring injury derailed his season, and now the former Arizona receiver needs to put it together in year three.
Ricky Pearsall
I’m as shocked as you are to see Pearsall on this list. The glimpses are there. The talent is clear. However, the former first-round pick has to overcome the injury bug. When Pearsall was drafted, it was assumed he would replace one of Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk in the 49ers offense. Now, Samuel is gone, and Aiyuk is on the way out, but the 49ers aren’t certain Pearsall can step into that number one role for the team.
The same goes for Pearsall as Cowing and Watkins. The 49ers certainly will add one or two more receivers in the draft. Although Evans and Kirk are one-year deals, the 49ers need assurance they can rely on Pearsall for the future to go in tandem with their draft picks.
Ebou Adams sustained an injury in Portsmouth's 6-1 defeat to QPR [Shutterstock]
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has said that midfielder Ebou Adams will miss a "couple more weeks" with injury.
The 30-year-old played the full 90 minutes in their 6-1 defeat to QPR before the international break but sustained an injury during the game that saw him visibly upset after the final whistle.
That result was Portsmouth's third consecutive loss in the Championship and they have not won since beating Millwall on 21 February.
"Ebou's going to be out for the weekend, he'll be out for a couple more weeks," Mousinho told BBC South Today.
"The overall update in terms of the boys is that we have quite a few players coming back from injury, we've had an extensive injury list over the past six months which hasn't helped.
"We've never quite had a spell this season where we felt like the squads where we want it to be but we have a few coming back, Andre [Dozzell] is likely to miss out but we hope to have Keshi [Anderson] back for Friday."
Midfielder Dozzell has not played since February due to an ankle injury picked up away at Sheffield United while winger Anderson has only placed twice after signing in January have sustained a hamstring injury.
Following his arrival in January from Derby County, Adams has established himself as one of Portsmouth's best midfield players making 14 appearance and scoring twice.
"Since we went to Sheffield Wednesday away and Ebou made his debut there, I thought he was excellent and continued off the back of that," Mousinho added.
"He wrote himself into the club folklore by scoring the equaliser in the south coast derby and he's gone on to put in some very strong performances since.
"There was a reason we went and bought him in January for his experience, for what he gives you on and off the pitch, he'll be a miss."
Portsmouth, who sit 21st in the table, are back in Championship action on Friday when they travel away to Norwich City (15:00 BST) before a game against fellow strugglers Oxford United on Monday.
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says his squad must feed off the positive experiences of their Ireland players in the recent Six Nations as they prepare to enter the business end of the season.
Ulster players, including player-of-the-tournament candidate Stuart McCloskey and back row Nick Timoney, played significant roles as the Irish team won their final four matches to finish second in the championship.
Murphy has all his Ireland internationals available again for Saturday's European Challenge Cup last-16 game against Ospreys in Belfast (20:00 BST), while the Irish province also have a home quarter-final berth in the United Rugby Championship very much in their sights.
"I think the great thing for us is that we can feed off the back of their [the players involved with Ireland]'s success. The players that were in all acquitted themselves really well," reflected the Ulster coach.
"This is the first week that we've all been back together, some lads were off last week, some were off the week before, so it's exciting to get everyone back in the same building and it's really important that we build towards this game and also looking at the end of the season.
"Confidence is really high and we need to feed off the back of that, grow our team and really attack these last weeks of the season."
Michael Lowry has been ruled out of the Ospreys encounter because of a groin injury sustained in training last week while James Humphreys (hamstring), Jack Murphy (ribs), Jake Flannery (shoulder) and Jude Postlethwaite (hand) are all injury doubts and will have their fitness for selection assessed through training this week.
Lowry was also absent for the weekend win over Zebre in Parma.
Ireland wing Robert Baloucoune had successful elbow surgery last week and will be sidelined for a number of weeks.
Sam Crean (knee), Charlie Irvine (lower leg) and Cormac Izuchukwu (concussion) have all resumed full training and are available for selection.
The Ospreys were 21-10 victors when the sides met in the United Rugby Championship on 28 February and sandwiched between wins over Edinburgh and Zebre, they also tasted defeat at the hands of Connacht at the Affidea Stadium.
"I think there's an excitement about knockout rugby. We are at the stage where we know if we can back up some really good performances we can put ourselves in a really good position," Murphy told BBC Sport NI.
"It's really important that we don't go away from who we are as a team, the way we have played all year. We want to get back towards that, deal with the process and take each day as it comes.
"Not get carried away with it being a knockout game. Just treat it as we have every other game, then we should be ok.
"I think people underestimate how good Ospreys are. We played them a couple of weeks ago and we were beaten. Tight enough game, even though it was an 11-point margin at the end of the game.
"It's important we build a bit of an atmosphere and build on the back of that."
East Lansing — Nick Sheridan got the idea pretty young that he couldn’t play football forever. Probably eighth or ninth grade, if he had to guess. But as the son of a football coach who is his “hero,” Sheridan knew coaching would be his future.
So, at 22 years old, after a walk-on career at Michigan that had him starting games at quarterback, Sheridan wrote letters to coaches all over the college ranks.
Good luck, he’d write. Oh and, keep me in mindif you have any graduate assistant positions open in the future.
“I wrote a lot of notes,” Sheridan said Tuesday. “And I can promise you I didn’t get a ton that wrote back.”
One who did: Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern. That made an impression.
“I still have the note,” Sheridan said. “... He recognized a young coach that was just eager to learn and try to get better and network, and he was gracious enough to write me back.”
Now, more than a decade later, Fitzgerald and Sheridan are together at Michigan State, where Sheridan is the new offensive coordinator at a school he used to watch his dad Bill coach linebackers under Nick Saban.
“When I was kind of growing up in college, and after college, I looked up to Pat Fitzgerald,” Sheridan said. “You know, that was really just someone that I tried to emulate, someone I wanted to be like. And so this was a very easy decision for me, one I’m extremely grateful and appreciative of, and have a lot of familiarity.”
Sheridan will make an average of $1.5 million over the next three seasons, according to a contract obtained by The Detroit News.
Sheridan was hired this offseason to Fitzgerald’s first staff as he took over the Michigan State program in December, looking to steer a once dominant Big Ten giant back to its former glory. That seems distant coming off a combined 18-30 record over the past four seasons — 9-15 over two seasons that included Mel Tucker’s dramatic firing in 2023, then 9-15 in two seasons under Jonathan Smith.
And yet, Sheridan has seen Michigan State as a contender. He knows what winning football looks like. Bill Burke, Chris Baker and Plaxico Burress were some of his idols growing up watching MSU games. His dad was an assistant coach alongside Mark Dantonio.
Sheridan takes the reins from Brian Lindgren, whose stubborn and often confusing play-calling left the Spartans scoring 24.6 points per game (87th in Division I) off 345.5 yards per game (97th). It struggled to feature its best playmakers, like phenom wideout Nick Marsh, or consistently move the chains once Big Ten play rolled around.
Under Sheridan, expect things to look different.
“We tell a lot of people we are an attacking, answer-based offense that features its playmakers,” Sheridan described.
An understudy of Kalen DeBoer at Alabama and Indiana, Sheridan uses the acronym F.A.S.T. to describe his offensive philosophy: fundamentally sound, attacking, smart and tough.
“I’ve been watching that offense for a while,” Fitzgerald said. “The multiplicity of it, the way that it’s able to use all of its weapons and move them around and get matchups that are advantageous for us. The ability to really put the ball in your playmakers’ hands in a number of different ways is what was attractive to me.”
Right now, Sheridan and his offensive staff are figuring out what playmakers they have, and what they can do, from the quarterbacks to wide receivers, tight ends to running backs. Even the offensive linemen — they’re athletes, too. This is an evaluation period, and an acclimation period as the Spartans install schemes over the limited practices of spring ball.
Some of the names returning to this offense will be familiar to fans. Alessio Milivojevic is the incumbent starting quarterback, and slot receiver Chrishon McCray — the top returner from last year’s group with three touchdowns — brings his speed and acceleration to the mix. There are some new players in the mix, too, including the multitool tight end Carson Gulker, who played all over the field at Ferris State before transferring to play his final year with the Spartans.
“He’s like that one kid that could do it all,” tight end Brennan Parachek said. “So it’s fun to watch him play. He’s fun to watch in practice.”
If Michigan State has a long way to go, that’s expected midway through spring ball.
“There’s lots of work to be done. They’re learning every single day,” Sheridan said. “There’s new techniques, schematics every day that we go out there, and kids are working really hard.
“So certainly we have a long way to go, but we’re better now than we were when we started spring ball.”
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have agreed to a $95 million, eight-year contract with top prospect Colt Emerson, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The contract, which starts this season and includes a team option for 2034, would be the largest ever for a player who has not made his major league debut.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced.
The Mariners selected the 20-year-old shortstop with the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 amateur draft. Emerson entered the season as Baseball America's No. 7 prospect.
Emerson batted .357 with one home run and a double and a 1.000 on-base percentage plus slugging in three games for Triple-A Tacoma. He appeared in 18 spring training games for the Mariners and batted .268 with two homers and eight RBIs and an .828 OPS.
___
AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in Atlanta contributed to this report.
Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Italian Roberto De Zerbi as their manager on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.
Tottenham has turned to former Brighton & Hove Albion manager De Zerbi to salvage a dreadful season which is in danger of ending in relegation from the top flight for the first time since 1977.
"Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now," Spurs Sporting Director Johan Lange said in a club statement.
"He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League."
The London club, which won the Europa League last season, are one point and one place above the Premier League relegation zone after 31 games, having not won in the league since December.
De Zerbi's first game will be at Sunderland on April 12, by which time Spurs could have slipped into the bottom three.
He succeeds Croatian Igor Tudor, who departed by mutual agreement on Sunday after seven games as interim manager following the sacking of Thomas Frank.
On Monday night, a majority of the talk surrounding the basketball world was not necessarily on March Madness or the NBA, but rather what Alabama Crimson Tide commit Jaxon Richardson was doing.
Richardson was competing in the 2026 Sprite Jam Fest Slam Dunk Contest, doing so as part of the festivities which surround the McDonald's High School All-American Game. A game which Richardson will also play in, the Alabama commit went on to win the dunk contest Monday night, and in the process, sent the basketball world into a frenzy on social media due to some of his impressive dunks.
The talented forward is one-of-three commits in Alabama's 2026 recruiting class, with Richardson ranked as the No. 27 overall player in the nation, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. Richardson is also a highly-rated four-star prospect, and attends Southeastern Prep in Florida.
Here is a look at how social media reacted late Monday night following Richardson's impressive showing at the Sprite Jam Fest Slam Dunk Contest.
Your 2026 Sprite Jam Fest Dunk Contest Champion is Jaxon Richardson after one of the most amazing dunks you will ever see to cap it off: pic.twitter.com/LoFbcReFIZ
Jaxon Richardson is a ridiculous vertical athlete. Arguably would’ve won the NBA dunk contest with his dunks from last night pic.twitter.com/f2ynSpGtMJ
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is making steady progress in his rehab from reconstructive knee surgery, but it's currently unclear when he's going to be ready to fully participate in practice.
At the annual league meeting on Tuesday, Reid said that it's difficult to determine if Mahomes is ahead of schedule. But so far, Mahomes is doing well.
While it seems unlikely that Mahomes would be able to participate in many aspects of the offseason program given that he suffered his torn ACL in December, there's a chance he could be on the field for training camp. Reid was asked if, philosophically, he would rather have Mahomes on the field in a limited capacity or keep him on the physically unable to perform list to effectively protect the QB from himself.
"Yeah, I’m going to defer to the experts at that," Reid said. "If he’s good to go, he’ll go. If he’s not, then we’ll manage that. So, we’ll just cross it as we go. Everybody’s different. Everybody heals different, everybody’s injuries are a little bit different. Put him in a category — but we’ll see. We’ll see where it goes. He’s doing good now, which is a plus. We’ll see."
Mahomes recently posted a video of himself doing some light throwing, which is a positive sign for his recovery.
If Mahomes is not ready for the start of the regular season, the Chiefs now have Justin Fields as their backup quarterback.
Clemson football wrapped up spring with more clarity in the backfield, and it’s clear who set the tone over the past few weeks.
Gideon Davidson made the most of his opportunity, putting together a strong spring that carried over into the Orange and White game. The sophomore was efficient and explosive, averaging 8.9 yards per carry and showing he can handle a larger workload heading into the season.
“He’s had a great spring,” head coach Dabo Swinney said after the spring game. “He is (number) one coming out of it.”
Even with Davidson taking control of the top spot, plenty of attention has been on Chris Johnson Jr., the transfer addition from SMU. He was the only offensive pickup from the portal, and his speed immediately stands out. Although his spring game numbers were modest, he flashed big-play ability with a 10-yard run that highlighted just how quickly he can hit another gear.
Johnson brings a strong track background and proven production from his time at SMU, where he averaged over seven yards per carry and contributed in the passing game. That kind of versatility is part of why Clemson brought him in.
Still, there’s another step the staff wants to see.
“CJ’s had a great spring as well,” Swinney said. “He is going to need a big summer. He’s made some progress, just with his body since he got here. He has made some improvement.”
Swinney knows what Johnson looks like at his best. He pointed back to last season’s matchup, when Johnson totaled 99 all-purpose yards against Clemson, including a long run, a big catch and a touchdown that helped seal the game.
Dabo Swinney on if Clemson freshman Tait Reynolds can push for QB1
Now, the focus is on building him into a more complete option. Clemson wants him ready to handle a bigger role, not just as a situational threat but as someone who can stay on the field consistently.
“I was really proud of him,” Swinney added. “He actually came back from spring a few pounds heavier than where he was. He is working his way physically where we need him to be this fall, so he can be a little bit more of an every-down type back and not just a situational guy. And that is important to him. He wants to be able to do that.”
Clemson’s running back room is looking good heading into the season.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions
One of the biggest points of focus for the New Orleans Saints over the past few draft cycles has been in the trenches, specifically at offensive tackle. With the team looking to build through productive offensive line play, especially now with Kellen Moore in charge, it is clear that they will likely continue to try and find quality backups in the event of injury, as well as potentially looking into their right guard spot long-term.
An option that they have recently been linked to is Louisiana offensive lineman Jax Harrington, with whom the team has been in contact, among three others being reported.
Harrington is a very impressive prospect, with his versatility being one of his most impressive traits. In four collegiate seasons, he posted 2,304 reps at right guard, 598 at right tackle, 38 at center, and 24 at left guard. Nearly all of those right tackle snaps came in 2025, his senior year, where he was certainly showing a little bit of a struggle at times, but did a quality job overall.
Louisiana OL Jax Harrington spoke with all the teams at his Pro Day, with the #Chiefs being the standout there. Harrington ran a 5.28u 40. He has been in contact with the #Giants, #Jaguars and #Saints. pic.twitter.com/OSjhtHqqhk
In 854 snaps, 423 of which were pass blocking, Harrington allowed 21 pressures and 4 sacks, but did not have a single penalty to his name despite the position change. For three straight seasons, he has played 700+ snaps for the Ragin' Cajuns and has continued to show that he is an impressive piece with NFL potential. In his two seasons prior, he played as a primary right guard, and in a combined 1,443 offensive snaps, did not allow a single sack, gave up only 15 pressures, and was penalized 5 total times.
While he is a seventh-year player, he is still only going to be 25 entering this 2026 NFL season, so he has plenty left to give at the next level. With plenty of college reps to show for it, he may enter as competition for a starting job somewhere around the NFL, with the Saints among the interested parties.
High school football schedules for the 2026 season are coming out one-by-one out of every state around the country and one that is a breeding ground for college prospects is Florida, with a number of squads finalizing their fall slates.
Up in the rural North Florida region of the the state, Branford (Fla.) will enter a new era of high school football as they have recently released their upcoming 2026 schedule and also who their next lead man of the program will be.
The Buccaneers hired Coffee (Ga.) assistant Will Dettor as the program’s next head football coach recently as they look to turn around their fortunes in the Sunshine State Athletic Association (SSAA). Dettor takes over a Branford program from previous coach Tim Clark that have averaged around seven wins per season since the 2017 campaign. The former Lake Weir (Fla.) head coach now will lead the Buccaneers through a transition, going from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) to the SSAA this upcoming 2026 season.
The full Branford 2026 football schedule can be seen below, with all official game times included.
The Buccaneers finished with a 7-4 record and ranked as the No. 352, according to the final Florida 2025 High School Football Massey Rankings.
How to Follow Florida High School Football
For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the Sunshine State, 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 state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the Florida high school football excitement across the state.
England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June [Getty Images]
There will be two water breaks during England's friendly against Japan as Thomas Tuchel's side attempt to mirror World Cup conditions.
Every game at this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico will have a three-minute hydration break in each half to "prioritise player welfare" given the extreme heat that is expected in June and July.
As such, Tuesday's game at Wembley will be paused in the 22nd minute and again in the 67th as England try to familiarise themselves with the situation before their opening match against Croatia on 17 June.
"We asked for it to make it like a game in the World Cup, where we will have water breaks," Tuchel said.
"We will have a chance, for two or three minutes after 22 minutes in each half, to connect and give feedback."
The 52-year-old German said that England wanted also the breaks during Friday's game against Uruguay but the South American side refused the request.
"They didn't agree to a lot of stuff and that was not the spirit during the match," Tuchel added.
There are likely to be further breaks in play with an agreement between England and Japan meaning both sides will be able to make 11 substitutions during the match, rather than the usual five.
A recent change brought in by the International Football Association Board (Ifab) means eight substitutions will be permitted during international friendlies from 1 July, but that can be increased to 11 if the two teams agree.
Hydrations breaks at the World Cup have been brought in after complaints from players and managers during last summer's Club World Cup.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez said he felt "dizzy" while playing in "very dangerous" heat at the tournament.
"I was in the United States last summer for the Club World Cup and the heat was very intense," former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I don't know if water breaks are going to be across the board. There are a number of stadiums that are inside [retractable roof] and are fully air-conditioned like the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
"There is no need for water breaks there. Do you stick with the rule to keep in line with everything else?"
In a statement last June, football's world governing body Fifa said: "Heat conditions are a serious topic that affect football globally.
"At the Club World Cup some significant and progressive measures are being taken to protect the players from the heat."
Some holes just have our number. We all can relate to that nemesis hole that kicks us in the teeth on a regular basis. It happens to the best of us, too.
In the latest installment of the Golfweek/USA Today 2026 Masters Survey, we asked the pros to name their nemesis hole at Augusta National Golf Club. The answers may make you feel better about your own game and that hole at your home course that keeps giving you fits.
Keegan Bradley
No. 1. I’m probably 10 or 15 over on the first hole. [Editor's Note: He's close. Bradley is +16 on No. 1 for his career with two birdies, 17 pars, eight bogeys and five doubles.]
Adam Scott
The first green is wild and you’re so nervous teeing off there, especially the first day but generally every day, and they just whack you with the most difficult green.
Larry Mize
I never thought I had one. Nos. 5 and 11 are the two toughest out there. No. 1 is one of the hardest starting holes in golf. I’ve heard Tiger say give me a four at the first and I’ll go to the next tee.
Sahith Theegala
No. 3. I have devastated my chances at the Master there. I tripled it in the second round after driving it right in front of the green and then played ping pong. I’ve driven it in the fairway bunker and then airmailed the green. I’m not even sure I’ve ever made a birdie there. I’ve tried different tactics and I think I’m just going to send it from now on.
Harris English
The fifth hole, just the way it looks off the tee. I used to be able to hit 3-wood and get away with hitting 6- or 7-iron in there. Now, if I hit 3-wood I’ll have 4-iron in and the green isn’t built for that. If I play it 1 over for the week, I’m happy. It’s just a hole I haven’t figured out yet.
Russell Henley
I don’t love No. 5 anymore. They’ve made it so long and I don’t know if they’ve made it better by making it longer because it’s such a crazy green. That said, I may like the old version better in part because I made a two once there, holing a 7-iron in 2017. It flew straight in the hole. I kind of miss hitting 7-iron there.
Rickie Fowler
Seven always has been tricky for me. I've had plenty of success on it. It can just be a tough little drive; it’s so straight. It suits the draw better with a fairway wood. Back in the day, it was a lot shorter hole and when Tiger won, he was hitting 2-iron off the tee. You don't have that option anymore.
Gary Woodland
No. 7. For some reason, it's kicked my butt. I've hit good tee shots, but it's the second shot that gives me fits. I think I hit in the front bunker eight times in a row at one point.
Jason Day
No. 11 by far. It’s really hard. If you have the wind into you, you’re hitting 3-iron into that bloody hole and it’s not a 3-iron green.
Ludvig Aberg
No. 11. My rookie year I was tied for the lead through 10 and I dumped it in the drink at 11. I haven’t played that hole well historically.
Zach Johnson
My wife would say five, but of late it has probably been 11. The shot I despise is the front-left hole location on No. 4 from the back tee. It’s 230 yards and you have no landing zone.
Brooks Koepka
I know 12 has given me some bugaboos over the years. That one sticks out as probably one that I've struggled with.
Wyndham Clark
Easy, 15. I’ve played it well off the tee but spun it in the water or one-hopped it over the green and made a lot of bogeys and doubles there.
Xander Schauffele
Easy to say 16. I hit in the water there when I was trying to make a run (in 2021). But I don’t think I have a “nemesis” hole.
Curtis Strange
No. 18. It was such a beast in my day. We were hitting 4- and 5-irons into the green and then green itself is hard. It was one tough hole.
Hale Irwin
If there was a nemesis, it wasn’t a hole. I didn’t birdie and eagle the par 5s enough. Length, playing a draw and a higher ball flight was beneficial with some of the hole locations or ability to get extra roll out off the tee. I didn’t have my game predicated on just Augusta.
Gary Player
I never had one. I respected every hole equally.
Jack Nicklaus
Whichever one I’m playing now. [Editor’s note: This is the same answer he gave when asked to name his favorite hole!]
We asked for your views on whether Liverpool will win enough points over their final seven games to secure a Champions League spot.
Here are some of your comments:
Stu: I'm rather surprised with my honest opinion but I only think 11 or 12 points - and that's being optimistic. I think we'll beat Fulham,Crystal Palace and Brentford at home but only manage a draw with Chelsea. Then in the away games, I'm extremely hopeful of a point at Old Trafford and Everton but I can't see us beating Aston Villa. A lot depends on which Liverpool turn up. If it's the one that smashed Galatasaray then they're winning five from seven and possibly getting draws in the others. If it's the team from early in the season then we'll do well to get the seven points we got from the reverse fixtures.
Paschal: With the style of football Liverpool are playing and the fans are having to endure, I am sorry to say that I cannot see any way they qualify for a Champions League spot. I hope and pray that I am proved wrong.
Ry: I don't expect Liverpool to finish in the top five. I think they will do well in Europe too and finish on a high. I don't like the idea of sacking management but it's not working and Arne Slot's style of play is slow, boring and sometimes negative - which is everything Liverpool are not. He needs to go even if we win the Champions League.
Stephen: Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea will only need a point when we play them to stay above us. Can't see us getting this one over the line. The 'transition season' continues into next year. No quick fix.
Shane: I'm sorry to say this as a long-time Liverpool supporter, but I don't think Slot is the man for guiding the team into a high-enough spot for Champions League football next season.
Ken: Liverpool, unfortunately, won't win any of the remaining away games and will drop points at home to Chelsea at least. Even the Conference League spot looks beyond them at the moment. A wretched season thanks to the dismantling of a title-winning squad and an insomnia-inducing style of play with little to no intensity in the best part of games. Changes needed everywhere.
A new rumor offers up a surprising yet exciting potential suitor in LeBron James‘ free agent market this summer.
At 41 years old, it is not a guarantee that James returns for a 24th NBA season this fall. It might even be a lock that he retires if the Los Angeles Lakers surprise and win an NBA Championship this spring. Yet despite their recent hot play, most don’t expect that to happen, so the 22-time All-Star has a big decision to make this summer.
After this season, James will become a free agent. It’s very possible that he stays in LA for a retirement tour. And in a new report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps, the Lakers seem to be the favorites to retain his services for a multitude of reasons. However, the NBA insiders also revealed a dark horse to watch in a potential free agent sweepstakes.
“One intriguing option floated to ESPN by multiple sources was Denver, where teaming up with three-time MVP Nikola Jokic would make for some awfully entertaining hoops,” the insiders claimed. “‘Who is the only guy on his level from a basketball IQ standpoint in the league?’ a West executive asked. ‘Go there and team up with that guy.'”
Denver Nuggets have a legit chance to sign LeBron James this summer
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
McMenamin and Bontemps added that James going to the Denver Nuggets might appeal to the Lakers because it would open the door to a sign-and-trade opportunity that could land LA players like Peyton Watson or veteran forward Cameron Johnson. Furthermore, they explained why going to the Mile High City would interest the multi-time MVP.
“Denver pursued James in 2018, when he left Cleveland as a free agent, spearheaded by Nuggets president Josh Kroenke, who is a friend of his. The Nuggets have since added Jared Dudley, another one of James’ friends, to the coaching staff,” they wrote. “After teaming up on the Lakers from 2019 to 2021, their relationship remains so strong that Dudley went into the visitors’ locker room at Ball Arena to see James after L.A. beat Denver on Jan. 20.”
The idea of James and Jokic teaming up, even for one season, could lead to a very entertaining year in Denver. Joining the Nuggets would show he really does want to win one more championship. However, there will surely be doubt that he would pass on a retirement tour Hollywood to play in Denver.
Former Tennessee women's basketball assistant coach Gabe Lazo was hired at LSU on Tuesday. He resigned with the Lady Vols on March 27.
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey introduced Lazo on Tuesday.
“Gabe will be an outstanding addition to our staff,” Mulkey said. “He has been an invaluable member of two SEC staffs with an unbelievable ability to teach the game and recruit the best players in the country. Gabe will impact our program at the highest level, and his unmatched work ethic will lead to great results on the court and on the recruiting trail.
"It doesn’t matter if Gabe is out recruiting or coaching on the floor because the contributions he will make toward our program will be significant."
Lazo was replaced at Tennessee by Florida State associate head coach Bill Ferrara. Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell announced the hiring of Ferrara on Monday.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 26: Kyle Bradish #38 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts after giving up a home run in the third inning against David Hamilton #17 of the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 26, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Orioles have only played four games out of a full 162-game season. They have won as many games as they’ve lost so far. It’s fine, for now. It would be nice if it was better, but it’s fine. Things just don’t feel fine since the losses and to some degree one of the wins are all continuing with stories that were problems for the team over the past season and a half.
Is the offense going to be good enough, with the offseason reinforcements it got, to reverse a trajectory of decline? Is a rebuilt starting rotation going to do the thing? Is a not-built bullpen going to cause continual problems? And then there’s the defense, good grief…
For this week’s survey, you have to pick only one. What’s your biggest concern for the rest of the season?
If you don’t see the survey above, view this article in Incognito Mode.
Results will be posted later in the week. In the meantime, you can head into the comments below to share your concerns.
Chelsea will sign “ready-made stars” after tweaking their model following Cucurella criticism
Marc Cucurella’s criticism of Chelsea’s transfer model could have an instant effect, according to Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports.
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.
In the wake of the rather explosive comments from Marc Cucurella this morning about Chelsea’s transfer strategy, Kaveh Solhekol has gone straight on Sky Sports to speak about the situation.
The full back criticised the youth focused transfer model at Stamford Bridge, and according to Solhekol this could finally bring some changes.
Sky journalist predicts changes to Chelsea model following stinging criticism
“I don’t think the Chelsea ownership will rethink their strategy [but] I think they may tweak it a little bit, make a few changes,” Solhekol said on Sky Sports news.
“I think they’re gonna be busy this summer, but do I think they’re just gonna go straight out and forget about their strategy of signing young players? No, I don’t, but I would expect them to perhaps sign some more experience players, some ready-made stars.”
We’d love to believe that, but we have our doubts.
Solhekol also pointed out that Chelsea’s hierarchy might say that they have signed some more experienced players since they arrived, with Joao Pedro a prime example. In turn, one could point out that the Brazilian is still just 25, and had 0 Champions League appearances to his name when he signed.
In other news…
Solhekol also spoke about the players’ reaction to Rosenior, pointing out that they didn’t really look like they backed the move.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
Germany U17 fail to qualify for both Euros and World Cup
With a draw enough for France to book their place in this summer’s Euros, they preferred a cautious approach in the first-half. Louis Lemke, who scored the late equalizer against Slovenia, had the first chance of the game.
Thâo Mouapa denied the wingback with a smart save before Jannik Veit failed to capitalize on Germany’s next chance. France managed to slow the game for the rest of the half with Edin Biber’s late header the only other decent goalscoring opportunity.
Leonard Prescott had a very different game to the one against Slovenia, but he nearly conceded inside the first five minutes after the restart. Arone Gadou rattled the crossbar with a brilliant curling effort as Les Bleus nearly took the lead out of the blue.
Meanwhile, Bayern’s highly-rated goalkeeper continued to show his composure with the ball. However, he wasn’t able to stop half-time substitute Noah Loufoundou from close range as France all but secured qualification with the opening goal of the match in the 70th minute.
France’s win and qualification were sealed with a well-deserved goal for Gadou in the 84th minute. José Alcocer’s side will be one of the eight teams in this summer’s Euros in Estonia after topping the group with a maximum of nine points.
Germany also missed out on the U17 World Cup as their four points weren’t enough to put them in the top four in the ranking of best second-placed teams.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 29: Jake Irvin #27 of the Washington Nationals delivers a pitch in the first inning of a game between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on March 29, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Through 4 games under new pitching coach Simon Mathews, Nationals pitchers as a group are seeing somewhat of a renaissance in terms of their “stuff”, with many of them finding extra velocity, spin, or movement on their pitches. Chief among them in terms of major changes has been Jake Irvin, who demonstrated perhaps more changes than any pitcher in the big leagues from 2025 to 2026 during his 5-inning, 2-run performance on Sunday at Wrigley Field. Let’s break down these changes and what they mean for Irvin’s 2026 outlook.
Lost in my coverage of Sunday's games was a very encouraging performance by Jake Irvin. Starting with a drastically lower arm slot, Irvin's fastball sustained its ride to push it to a plus offering. He also altered his slider to give it more loft. He is a name to follow! pic.twitter.com/RsOKuVQgmn
The first thing of note is that Irvin’s velocity was up a tick in his first start of 2026 from 2025. His fastball was over 1 MPH faster than it was in 2025, and all of his breaking balls and offspeeds were up a few ticks of velo (except for one, but more on that later). Perhaps this was just a result of Irvin feeling fresh in his very first start of the year, and it will be back to 2025 levels in a few weeks, but velocity being down was a problem for Irvin from the start last year, so it’s certainly refreshing to see that not be the case this season.
Another change Irvin made was dropping his arm angle for the 4th consecutive season. Irvin had an average arm angle of 32 degrees when he entered the big leagues in 2023, and has dropped it all the way to 25 degrees now in 2026. The result is a complete overhaul in his pitch’s movement, with none of his arsenal having the same movement profile as when he entered the bigs.
The pitch that saw the most major change from the arm angle tweak, as well as a likely change in grip, was his slider, which lost nearly 2 MPH of velocity, and in exchange, had nearly 9 more inches of vertical break than it had in 2025, making the pitch more of a sweeper than a traditional slider. Pitch models are a big fan of the change to the pitch, with Thomas Nestico’s Stuff+ formula grading the pitch at 111, 9 points up from 2025, and in the top 50 for all sliders in baseball.
Irvin also refined his pitch usage in his first start of 2026, cutting his fastball and curveball usage and distributing it to other pitches. Against righties, Irvin used his sinker primarily, throwing it 30% of the time, and bumped up his cutter and slider/sweeper usage from 6% and 7% to 10% and 14%, respectively. He attacked outside all afternoon with his pitches, looking to miss barrels with his horizontal moving pitches, while occasionally coming inside with his fastball and sinker.
When facing lefties, Irvin drastically cut use of his fastball and curveball, with the heater usage dropping from 38% to 26% and the curveball from 33% to 23%. With that 24% drop in usage of his 2 main pitches in 2025, he filled it with a 16% increase in cutter usage, 4% increase in changeup usage, and 4% increase in slider usage. He kept his sinker below the zone, hammered inside with his curveball and cutter, and kept them guessing with fastballs on the outside corner.
To recap, through a velocity increase, refining of his slider, and optimization of his pitch usage, Irvin saw an overall improvement to his stuff and impressive results against an impressive Cubs lineup, with the only runs he allowed being solo shots in the wind turbine called Wrigley Field. If he can keep his velocity up and continue to attack hitters with a plan that fits his arsenal, we may be seeing a return to 2024 first-half Jake Irvin form.
Barcelona have already made a decision on Bernardo Silva’s signing
The brass at La Liga champions Barcelona have made a definitive call on the potential signing of Manchester City star Bernardo Silva.
This comes amid confirmation that the Blaugrana do not intend to pursue a deal for the Portuguese.
Midfielder Silva is for his part set to be available as a free agent in the summer, after deciding against renewing his contract terms at The Etihad.
Barcelona, long-term admirers of the 31-year-old’s talents, have in turn been tipped as a possible landing spot for next season.
Not only that, but Silva is for his part understood to be keen on a Camp Nou switch.
If the latest word stemming from the Spanish media early this week is anything to go by, however, then the one-time Monaco man need not get his hopes up.
On Tuesday, March 31, Page Six obtained an arrest affidavit from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, which explained that after the 50-year-old professional golfer’s Friday, March 27, car accident in Florida, an officer searched him and “located two white pills inside [his] left side pant pocket,” which were “revealed to be hydrocodone.”
While the athlete alleged he had not consumed any alcohol — he blew a 0.0 on the breathalyzer — or illegal substances when police asked, he did tell them he took “a few” when questioned about prescription medications per the affidavit.
Martin County/MEGA
The affidavit noted officers “observed several signs of impairment” from the three-time U.S. Open winner, who was hiccuping, “sweating profusely,” and physically “lethargic and slow.” However, police alleged Woods was “extremely alert during the investigation.”
After agreeing to perform field sobriety exercises, police claimed in the affidavit that the World Golf Hall of Famer was “limping and stumbling to the right,” shared that he “has a limp,” and “his ankle seizes while walking.”
Additionally, when law enforcement asked Woods to take his sunglasses off at one point, they observed his eyes were “bloodshot and glassy,” and he had “extremely dilated” pupils.
OG-MEGA
As for Woods’ reasoning for the accident, he reportedly told authorities he “was looking down at his cellphone and changing the radio station and did not notice the vehicle in front of him had slowed down,” according to the affidavit.
The other driver, identified as Jeromy Bullard, reportedly told the cops he was slowing down to make a right turn and had his turn signal on. The affidavit explained that Woods’ car rolled after it collided with Bullard’s vehicle.
Woods was arrested in Jupiter Island, Florida, and charged with driving under the influence with property damage, per Page Six.
An insider told Globeon Monday, March 30, that Woods “needs rehab, or at the very least a long stay at a wellness center, where he can learn new tools and process the reality of his situation.”
The first week of the 2026 MLB season is in the books. The start of the season had many players get off to hot starts. There will be regression as production will not be sustainable. However, it is important for players to kick off the season on a positive note. Heading into Week 2, here are the top 10 third basemen power rankings.
Mar 30, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Brendan Donovan (33) hits a single against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Donovan showed the ability to be a productive player in four seasons with St. Louis. As the Cardinals entered a rebuild, they dealt the infielder to Seattle. He’s off to a hot start with his new team, hitting two home runs in week one of the 2026 season.
2. Alex Bregman, Chicago Cubs
The Cubs filled their void at third base when they signed Bregman this offseason. His first week with Chicago saw him reach two home runs and two RBI. His first season with the Cubs can produce a National League All-Star nod.
3. Royce Lewis, Minnesota Twins
Lewis can hit for power, but health continues to be an issue. Last season was the first year he reached 100 games played. In nine at-bats, Lewis has two home runs and three RBI.
4. Nolan Gorman, St. Louis Cardinals
Mar 28, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Nolan Gorman (16) hits a one run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Gorman has every opportunity to surpass his totals from 2023’s breakout campaign. However, injuries have plagued the young player in consecutive seasons. In week one, Gorman hit one home run and drove in four runs.
5. Brady House, Washington Nationals
House saw limited action in his 2025 rookie season. He had mixed results but showed promise. In three games, House has one home run, two RBI, and a .896 OPS.
6. Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies
Bohm has developed into an underrated third baseman. He hits for a high average and gets on base. In week one, Bohm registered one home run, four RBI, and a .385 OBP.
7. Kazuma Okamoto, Toronto Blue Jays
Mar 30, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays Kazuma Okamoto (7) hits a home run against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
After a successful career in Japan, Okamoto is quickly producing for Toronto. Last week, the third baseman hit his first Major League home run. Okamoto will play a big role for the Blue Jays as they look to repeat as American League pennant winners.
8. Max Muncy, Athletics
Muncy produced modest results as a rookie last season. He finished with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 63 games. He’s off to a quick start, hitting one home run and driving in two runs.
9. Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays
Caminero became a well-known name last season. In his first full season, he reached 45 home runs and 110 RBI. At 22 years old, Junior Caminero has the potential to reach stardom.
10. Matt Chapman, San Francisco Giants
Last season, Chapman resorted to battling injuries during his second year with San Francisco. Still, he reached 20 home runs and 60 RBI for a second consecutive year. If Chapman can reach 150 games played, he can hit 30 home runs and drive in 75 runs.
The 2026 NFL Draft is roughly three weeks away, and the Chicago Bears are finalizing their draft preparations ahead of April's big weekend. Chicago has seven total draft picks, including an additional second-round selection acquired in trading wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, giving general manager Ryan Poles plenty more ammunition to work with.
After an offseason that has seen plenty of roster turnover and has left several holes on the roster, the Bears will more than likely be very active in using their draft picks to fill out their roster. Chicago's biggest signing this offseason was safety Coby Bryant, who they signed on the first day of free agency, but still have to address needs in the secondary, defensive line, and elsewhere on the roster.
ESPN's Matt Miller released a full seven-round mock draft for all picks in the upcoming draft, where the Bears loaded up on defense at key positions of need.
Round 1, Pick 25: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Bears have to get better on the defensive line both inside at the defensive tackle spot and on the outside to establish a presence opposite of Montez Sweat. Woods is coming off a year in which he didn't fully meet expectations, but he does present plenty of challenges for opposing offensive linemen.
Miller: "This isn't a great interior defensive line class, but the Bears could check off their biggest roster need while picking a defender in Round 1 for the first time since 2018 (Roquan Smith). Woods didn't live up to his potential at Clemson, but scouts believe that he'll be a better pro than college player. His physical tools are special, with first-step burst and overall strength that look like a high-end 3-technique starter. Woods could serve as Grady Jarrett's understudy before taking a larger role in the future."
Round 2, Pick 57: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Most mock drafts have the Bears taking a safety early in this year's draft, but most have projected them to address the position with their first-round pick. Haulcy plays physical and fits the bill of a ballhawk, which Chicago lost with the departures of both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker this offseason.
Miller: "The Bears entered the offseason with no safeties under contract. They signed Coby Bryant from the Seahawks, but there's still a need. Haulcy is a big safety (6-foot, 215 pounds) who has been a playmaker, with 10 career interceptions."
Round 2, Pick 60 (via BUF): Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
While the Bears lost several safeties this offseason, they also lost Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright who had a career year in the 2025 season. Chicago struggled with injuries to Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, so bringing in a corner like Muhammad would help reinforce the secondary.
Miller: "Losing Nahshon Wright in free agency was a bigger blow than advertised. Muhammad has been a rock-solid starter since his freshman season and has 4.42 speed to go with pro-level technique in man coverage."
Round 3, Pick 89: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
Bell is an underrated name in this year's receiver class, with a size-speed combination that would fit well in Ben Johnson's offense. He may be overlooked due to playing at UConn after two years at Wisconsin, and could be a surprise at the NFL level.
Miller: "Building around Caleb Williams should be a priority in every Bears draft. Bell is an impressive athlete with the speed and route-running ability to win consistently from the slot."
The fourth round seems a bit long to wait for an edge rusher for Chicago, but if they are able to get their hands on Reiger, it would be a great value pick. Fitting the exact bill as a pure pass rusher, Reiger has a quick motor, with good hands and energy, all of which he showcased at the Combine in February. Finding players like Bell and Reiger would show deep work by the Bears front office to find good value fits for where they're being taken.
Round 7, Pick 239: David Gusta, DT, Kentucky
A depth pick here, the Bears continue to add to the interior of their defensive line with the selection of Gusta late in the seventh round. Known for giving plenty of effort, Gusta would have plenty of work to put in which he can improve on handling double teams but he'll face a battle to make the roster unless he can show significant improvements in preseason and camp.
Round 7, Pick 241: Jack Kelly, LB, BYU
Chicago also needs help at the linebacker position for depth purposes, Kelly has good speed sideline-to-sideline, and as a linebacker he could find a role as a specialist pass rusher at the position. His best chance is making the team with special teams contribution as a rookie, but could be a diamond in the rough find for Chicago if he could develop into a pass rushing asset.
Mason Greenwood was one of the first players signed by Marseille following Roberto de Zerbi's appointment in 2024 [Getty Images]
Opposition is growing among official Tottenham fans' groups to Roberto de Zerbi being named manager because of his controversial support of Mason Greenwood.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust held an emergency board meeting on Monday night and has now contacted the club to say it cannot support the appointment.
The group told BBC Sport that it had received "a lot of emails from supporters" lodging complaints.
Ali Speechly, the co-founder of Women of the Lane, said her group also opposed the appointment and she will stop attending matches over the issue.
De Zerbi has said Greenwood "paid in a strong way" after leaving Manchester United for Marseille after charges against him, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped.
Spurs have confirmed the former Brighton and Marseille manager as Igor Tudor's replacement on a five-year deal.
But De Zerbi faces a battle to be accepted as the club fights to preserve its Premier League status.
Why De Zerbi's comments were controversial
Greenwood was seen as one of United's most promising young players when, at the age of 20, he was arrested in January 2022.
All charges against the former England international were dropped in February 2023.
Greenwood left Old Trafford to continue his career, initially on loan at Getafe before joining Marseille in July 2024 in a deal worth up to £26.6m.
The transfer was agreed 19 days after De Zerbi was appointed as boss of the Ligue 1 club.
But it was controversial in the French city. The mayor, Benoit Payan, said that signing Greenwood was "unacceptable" and he did not want the club "to be covered in shame".
Marseille went ahead with the signing, and the 24-year-old has scored 47 times in 74 appearances across all competitions.
Alongside Paris St-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, Greenwood was Ligue 1's joint top scorer last season with 21 goals.
The comments which have angered many Spurs fans were made in November.
Before a Champions League game against Newcastle, De Zerbi was asked by an English journalist how things had been for the striker off the pitch.
"I don't want to get involved in anyone's private life. I don't even get into the private lives of my children, because I want to give everyone their freedom," De Zerbi told a pre-match news conference.
"All I can see is that Mason seems a good lad, he paid in a strong way for what happened.
"He has probably here found the right environment for him, which gave him affection, and held out its hand to him.
"When I look at him as a person, I feel sad for what happened in his life, without getting into the details.
"Because the person I know here is very different to the one that has been described, especially in England."
De Zerbi is accused of downplaying the allegations and painting Greenwood as a victim.
It is not the first time Tottenham have faced major opposition to a managerial appointment.
In June 2021, following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Spurs were linked with Gennaro Gattuso.
Some fans on social media referenced controversial comments the former Italy midfielder had previously made on subjects such as same sex marriage, and women in football.
A #NoToGattuso hashtag began trending on Twitter, and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust raised the issue with the club.
Trust secretary Tristan Foot told BBC Sport that it had taken on board complaints from supporters about the Italian and had been in touch with the club.
"We had an emergency meeting last night," Foot said. "That resulted in us writing to the chief executive and echoing those concerns and inviting them to reflect on the club's values."
Club sources told BBC Sport that De Zerbi's comments on Greenwood had been considered as part of the process to appoint him and had formed part of discussions.
Women of the Lane is one of a number of official Spurs fans' group to have voiced concerns across social media in recent days.
It was joined by Proud Lillywhites - the LGBTQI+ Supporters' Association, and SpursREACH, which promotes the values of fans from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds.
Speechly, who helped to create Women of the Lane two years ago, said the appointment brought into question the values and integrity of the club.
"The fact is that he hired him [Greenwood] as a player," Speechly said.
"And then continue to publicly back him and support him, sympathise with him.
"For me, that's just unforgivable. I think that speaks to the character of De Zerbi.
"I don't want him anywhere near my football club.
"This is about how we feel, this is about values, this is about integrity and, ultimately, it's about safety.
"It's about women feeling that they are safe around other men."
Speechly added that it undermines the work done by the club to build relationships with minority groups.
"Actions speak louder than words," Speechly added.
"In terms of my relationship with [the club] it's massively impacted it.
"In all honesty I don't have any intention now of going to the stadium if they do appoint De Zerbi."
Ahead of De Zerbi being announced, Foot said that the Trust held the same concerns about the club's integrity.
"We think that our club should reassert values of equality and respect," he added.
"This appointment, out of many that they could have made, seems to be the one that could fly in the face of that.
"We have told the club that if they go ahead with the appointment, that we will issue a formal statement reflecting the serious concerns we have."
Tottenham Hotspur have been approached for comment.
The Los Angeles Rams saw an opportunity to acquire an All-Pro talent and they wasted no time striking. They traded a first-round pick (and three additional picks) to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie, addressing their most pressing position of need with a big splash.
Though the timing was different, this trade is similar to another one the Rams made in 2019 to land Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars. A few years later, that trade helped propel the Rams to a Super Bowl, and they hope McDuffie can do the same.
Sean McVay is thrilled to have McDuffie in Los Angeles, speaking about the Rams’ new cornerback during the annual league meeting on Monday. During his media session, he compared McDuffie to Ramsey in the way they’re both versatile and have unique skill sets as complete defensive backs.
“When we were aware that McDuffie was available, and then you have this unique opportunity where you have (DBs coach) Jimmy Lake, who was his college coach, who's going to be coaching the secondary this year, and you hear about number one, you look at the four years of his body of work and the versatility where he can do a lot of things that were similar to what made Jalen Ramsey such a special player for us when our defense was really operating at a high clip,” McVay said, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com. “He can play into the boundary, can play to the field, he can play in the slot, he can blitz. He's rare, and then he's a rare human. And that was really important."
McDuffie became an All-Pro in 2023 when he primarily played the slot, lining up there on 608 of his 1,243 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2024 after playing more outside, only aligning in the slot on 152 of his 1,206 snaps.
That sort of versatility is incredibly valuable to the Rams, especially with Quentin Lake also having the ability to play in the slot or deep as a safety. Jaylen Watson, the Rams’ other new cornerback, almost exclusively plays on the boundary, using his size and length to match up with bigger corners. That allows McDuffie to move around the formation to where he’s needed most.
The Rams plan to utilize McDuffie in several different spots, and he’s more than open to that. He said in his introductory press conference that he’ll play wherever the Rams need him, even if it’s at safety or putting his hand in the dirt as an edge rusher.
It's going to be fun to see how it all comes to life because for the first time since Ramsey, the Rams have an All-Pro cornerback in their secondary.
Mesenbrink became the sixth Penn State wrestler to win the award, and he did so in a landslide with 61 of the possible 65 first-place votes from a committee of retired coaches, media members, past winners and heads of national wrestling organizations. Wrestlers are chosen based on record, dominance (including the accumulation of bonus points), quality of competition and sportsmanship.
A redshirt junior, Mesenbrink went 27-0 with eight pins, 11 tech falls and six major decisions. Two of those tech falls came in the NCAA semifinal win over Columbia's Cesar Alvan and the title win over Iowa's Michael Caliendo. Mesenbrink won 17 times over wrestlers that qualified for the 2026 NCAA Championships, including nine against All-Americans at 165 pounds.
He also joins a growing fraternity of Wisconsinites to win the Hodge, consisting of Port Washington's Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State in 2016 and Arrowhead's Ben Askren of Missouri in 2007 and 2006.
Askren established the Askren Wrestling Academy in Hartland, joined by brother Max (also a national champion) and Mitchell's father, John, the longtime head wrestling coach at Arrowhead. Naturally, it's a place where Mitchell trained during his days in Wisconsin, when he also won three WIAA state titles at Arrowhead.
"I love 'em. Give me nine of 'em," Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said during his media availability at the NFL's Annual Meetings on Tuesday. "Bring me as many tight ends as we can get."
Vrabel, while clearly joking, does appear willing to add several players at tight end -- noting that it will be about "finding the right guy" based on fit. Vrabel was complimentary of this year's class at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
"Just looking across the board, I think there's volume at the tight end class," Vrabel said. "When you go and you evaluate other teams and you get ready to play them, there's a bunch of fourth-and-fifth-round tight ends that end up starting, playing, and contributing. So, wherever that value is, I just think that there are some names there."
It'll remain to be seen who exactly ends up being a fit, but we do believe there are a few players in particular who fit what the organization should be looking for. It's just a matter of waiting and seeing.
The Seattle Mariners are not messing around with No. 7 MLB prospect Colt Emerson.
According to multiple reports, the Mariners have reached agreement with the 20-year-old shortstop on an eight-year, $95 million deal. This comes before Emerson has even made his MLB debut.
The deal, expected to be completed on Tuesday, March 31, would be the largest ever signed by a player who has not played in the majors, MLB reports.
The Mariners selected Emerson in the first round with the 22nd overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft out of John Glenn High School in New Concord, Ohio. He is Seattle’s top prospect.
Seattle sent Emerson to minor-league camp on March 21 after he went 11-for-41 with two homers, one double, one triple, eight RBIs, five walks and 10 strikeouts over 47 plate appearances in spring training. So far for Triple-A Tacoma, Emerson is hitting. 357 with a home run and two RBIs in three games played.
Seattle Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Passan wrote that Emerson’s deal follows a recent trend of MLB teams locking up promising prospects early. On Monday, March 30, the Milwaukee Brewers reportedly neared an eight-year, $50 million agreement with 21-year-old shortstop Cooper Pratt, per MLB.com. Pratt has not made his MLB debut, either.
“Teams more and more are willing to give big money to players with no major league service time but the pedigree to be frontline players. The allure of having a player’s prime locked up makes it worth the risk,” Passan posted on X.
The situation didn’t work out for Seattle in 2019 when it signed first-base prospect Evan White to a six-year deal before he made the majors. Though he won a Gold Glove during his rookie season in 2020, White struggled at the plate. He hasn’t played in the majors since 2021.
Seattle’s starting shortstop, J.P. Crawford, started the regular season on the 10-day injured list with shoulder inflammation.
The Mariners are 3-2 after handing the New York Yankees their first loss of the season on Monday. Seattle hosts New York again at 9:40 p.m. ET Tuesday, March 31.
FIFA's President Gianni Infantino (L) makes a point as he watches Iran beat Costa Rica in Antalya, Turkey (Adem ALTAN)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP Tuesday that Iran "will be at the World Cup" and will play their group matches in the United States as scheduled, despite the Middle East war.
"Iran will be at the World Cup," Infantino said at half-time as Iran beat Costa Rica 5-0 in a friendly in Turkey.
"That's why we're here. We're delighted because they're a very, very strong team, I'm very happy."
"I've seen the team, I've spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine," added Infantino, whose attendance at Tuesday's game was unannounced.
Infantino went on to stress that Iran's "matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw".
The World Cup, being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, starts on June 11.
Iran are set to play their first Group G game against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They are then scheduled to play Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 27.
Iran's participation had been thrown into doubt by the war with the US and Israel that broke out on February 28.
"For us, what matters most are FIFA's rules and regulations. We will comply with whatever FIFA decides. Every host country has made commitments to FIFA and must honour them," Mahdi Mohammadnabi, the vice president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), told AFP at the match.
The FFIRI had said earlier this month it was "negotiating" with FIFA to relocate the country's World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also said that her country is prepared to host Iran's first-round matches at the tournament if needed.
-'Fruitful discussion' -
Infantino initially said that US President Donald Trump had given assurances that the Iranian team would still be welcome.
But Trump then stated that Iran's team should not travel to the tournament "for their own life and safety".
Iran hit back at Trump's comments, saying that "no one can exclude Iran's national team from the World Cup".
On Tuesday, Mohammadnabi said Infantino had been en route from Mexico to Qatar.
"Having learnt that we were organising friendly matches here, he came to see us in person, and we had a fruitful discussion," Mohammadnabi said.
"Given our history in this competition, it is only natural that FIFA should support the Iranian team. Mr Infantino is providing the necessary support to our national team and has given our players a great boost."
Asked before the game if Iran would be at the World Cup, back-up striker Dennis Eckert Ayensa told AFP: "Inshallah" (god willing).
Iran, who also played a friendly against Nigeria in the Turkish town of Belek last Friday, crushed Costa Rica, who have not qualified for the World Cup, 5-0 on Tuesday.
Skipper Mehdi Taremi, with two penalties, Ali Gholizadeh and Mohammad Mohebbi put Iran four goals up by the break. Half-time substitute Mehdi Ghayedi added a fifth in the 51st minute by which time coach Amir Ghalenoei had started to empty his bench.
Before the game, Iran's players wore black armbands and posed with photos of what officials said were young victims of the war, including those killed in an airstrike on a primary school in Iran on the first day of the conflict.
The airstrike on the school in the southern Iranian city of Minab on February 28 killed at least 170 people, including students and teachers.
The New York Times has reported that the preliminary findings of a US military investigation indicate that a US Tomahawk cruise missile hit the school due to a targeting mistake.
Mar 18, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer reacts during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
With Duke’s loss to UConn in the Elite Eight, every team in the ACC is now in off-season mode, other than Boston College, which is waiting for Huskies assistant Luke Murray to move to Beantown, which he can’t do until UConn’s season ends.
Over the last few years, we’ve argued that the issue with the ACC being down was coaching. A lot of Athletic Directors seem to have realized that, and adjustments have been made.
Everyone other than BC and UNC now has a coach in place, and the ACC roster should be much more imposing.
Boston College – Luke Murray. Obviously unproven as a head coach, but widely credited with much of UConn’s recent success.
Cal – Mark Madsen – Did well at Utah Valley, winning 28 games in his final season. Got Cal to a 22-win season and nearly to the NCAA Tournament this year.
Clemson – Brad Brownell – An elite developer of talent, Brownell is the best coach in Clemson history. That’s a weak standard, but he’s a brilliant coach.
Duke – Jon Scheyer – In four seasons, he’s made one Sweet 16, two Elite Eights, one Final Four, and has won more through four seasons than any coach in history.
Florida State – Luke Loucks – Highly impressive first season.
Georgia Tech – Scott Cross – Won 27 games at UT Arlington, and got Troy into back-to-back NCAA tournaments. He’s a builder, but Georgia Tech is not a wealthy program.
Louisville – Pat Kelsey – Terrific first year, up and down this year, but he had limited availability from star freshman Mikel Brown. Still vastly superior to Kenny Payne.
Miami – Jai Lucas – Brilliant first season. Sky’s the limit.
North Carolina – ? – For historical symmetry, we were hoping the Rick Pitino rumor was true: bring in a star New Yorker to keep up with the neighbors. It worked with Frank McGuire until it didn’t. Actually, the more we think about Jerry Stackhouse there, the more we like it. That’s not being sarcastic. He could do very well in Chapel Hill for a number of reasons.
NC State – Justin Gainey – Unproven head coach, but tremendous assistant. Rick Barnes raves about him.
Notre Dame – Micah Shrewsberry – Erratic and volatile. Injuries hurt the Irish this season, but so has the focus on football. Needs an NIL sugar daddy.
Pitt – Jeff Capel – Capel has proven he can coach at VCU and Oklahoma, but has struggled at Pitt. Probably a make-or-break season.
SMU – Andy Enfield – The man behind FGCU’s Dunk City. SMU will not lack for resources. Got the Elite Eight at USC.
Syracuse – Gerry McNamara – Siena’s performance against Duke made his name, but Siena was only third place in the MAAC. He’ll probably do well, but he’s still green, and Syracuse resources are thin.
Stanford – Kyle Smith – Clearly brilliant, but can his nerd game overcome admissions? Stanford should be well-covered for NIL resources.
Virginia – Ryan Odom – Brilliant first season. How many coaches have won 30 or more games in their first season? About 11, including Bill Guthridge, who inherited Dean Smith’s roster, Bill Hodges, who had Larry Bird, and Brad Stevens. Also on the list: Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd and Illinois’ Brad Underwood, both in the Final Four.
Virginia Tech – Mike Young – No one doubts his coaching IQ, but NIL limits his potential in Blacksburg.
Wake – Steve Forbes – NIL will be a problem at schools like Wake Forest until it isn’t, but Forbes has proved he can coach.
Carson Beck and Ty Simpson are making some of the same stops as they make the pre-draft rounds of NFL teams.
NFL Media reports that Beck and Simpson are both slatedfor meetings with the Cardinals and Dolphins ahead of next month's draft. Both quarterbacks have also spent time with the Jets already.
Simpson had a brief meeting with the Cardinals at the Combine as well and their head coach Mike LaFleur called him a "good dude and we'll see where it goes."
Beck has also met with the Steelers while Simpson has spent time with the Browns as he works to find a home in the NFL.
A former basketball coach pleaded guilty to statutory sexual offense with a person under 15 Monday, according to the Anson County Criminal Superior Court.
Jamaszio Burch was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting a player. Prosecutors say the assault happened in 2022.
England's Chris Woakes had to bat in a Test match against India despite sustaining a dislocated shoulder a few days earlier [Getty Images]
Replacement players will be allowed in county cricket in England and Wales this season and, for the first time, will cover illness and significant life events as well as injuries.
The season-long trial means players will be able to be replaced with a fully participating player for the first time, rather than just a substitute fielder as is currently the case.
The significant life events will include circumstances such as players leaving to attend the birth of their child or the illness of a family member.
"Most sports have injury replacements," Rob Andrew, the England and Wales Cricket Board's managing director of the professional game, told BBC Sport.
"We haven't gone whole hog with tactical replacements like rugby.
"We feel it is appropriate that players are not forced to stay on the field or miss significant life events."
Eight-day bans, clearance by county CEOs - how will replacements work?
Such trials have already been held in first-class cricket in Australia, India and South Africa but the ECB has taken it further by allowing replacements for illness and life events.
"We wanted to do something that was different to other boards and play our part in learning as much as we could," said Alan Fordham, the ECB's head of cricket operations.
The ECB expects injury replacements to be used in 25% of matches, starting with this weekend's opening round of matches in the County Championship.
It would eliminate scenarios such as England bowler James Anderson being ruled out of a 2019 Ashes Test after four overs because of a calf injury, or all-rounder Chris Woakes having to bat with one arm in a sling against India last summer.
Once a player has been replaced they will be unable to return in the same fixture.
As with concussion replacements, the incoming player must be like-for-like. That element will have to be signed off by the match referee.
Replacements for injury and illness will require clearance by county chief medical officers. In the scenario of replacements for life events, the chief executives of each county will have to agree to the move.
One deterrent for teams bending the rules to gain competitive advantage is the inclusion of a "stand down period" of eight days for any player replaced for illness or injury. There is no such period for life events.
Unlike trials held in other countries, there is no cut-off period during the match for the replacements. They will be allowed after the first ball or before the last.
"We are relying on medical ethics and integrity," Fordham said. "This is all about getting the best quality cricket, looking after players and not having players continuing in games they shouldn't be.
"If teams are going to start pushing at the edges of the regulation then it risks the chance we will have to backpedal."
Jay Bilas is one of the foremost analysts in college basketball and has been so for a while. The former Duke star has been a mainstay on ESPN, as both a studio analyst and color commentator, and even was on the call when the Wolverines lost to the Blue Devils in the February nonconference, neutral-site matchup.
On Monday, Bilas linked up with prominent Michigan alum Rich Eisen to break down the Final Four, and naturally, the duo got talking about the Wolverines.
While Bilas sees this game as being a really good matchup, and one that Michigan absolutely could win, he does see one place where the Wildcats could have the advantage, and it's a place that has hurt the Wolverines a few times this season.
"Two teams that match up really well together size-wise and with physicality," Bilas said. "I think they play a little bit differently. Arizona is an inside-oriented team. They're going to pound the ball inside in high-low situations, getting downhill. They want to put pressure on the rim all the time. And so they have great positional size in the interior, but the free-throw line is going to determine the game.
"Obviously, there are other aspects. One team out-rebounds, the other whatever, turnovers. There are a lot of factors. But the biggest factor is going to be, can Michigan play the physical game that they're going to have to play to beat Arizona and keep Arizona off the foul line? Because Arizona makes more free throws on the season and in their tournament games. They make more free throws than their opponents attempt, and the free-throw line is the most efficient place to score in a basketball game. And if you see Arizona getting to the line 25 times, 30 times, that's going to be advantage Arizona."
As it pertains to free throws, Michigan occasionally struggles from the line, but it is actually ranked higher than Arizona on the season, having made 74.2% of its shots from the stripe to 73.5%. However, as Bilas notes, the Wildcats get to the line much more frequently, ranking third in the country, averaging 26.8 free throws per game. Michigan is 68th, averaging 22.9.
Even with that metric, the Wolverines do have other advantages. Bilas notes that the maize and blue shied away from some of them in the game against the Blue Devils, but so long as Michigan plays its game, it will be very difficult to beat.
"Michigan has a different gear than most teams. They can go on these 20-2 runs or something," Bilas said. "I'm not sure that's necessarily possible against Arizona, but they're the one team that can do that in this tournament. And I think you and I talked after the Michigan-Duke game in Washington, D.C., the thing that surprised me about that game was that Michigan didn't get to their second and third actions in possessions against Duke. I thought if those two played again, they wouldn't let that happen, and they can't let that happen against Arizona.
"Michigan runs a great offense. They've got so many weapons. Yaxel Lendeborg, chief among them, he'll be like the queen on a chessboard for Dusty May. But if they get to those second and third actions, kind of like UConn does, they're going to be extraordinarily difficult to beat. That's going to be a great game, and it's worthy of any championship game we'll ever see. And one of the great things is we get in the semifinals, and then you get a great championship game after that."
Jan 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Trent Sisley (11) celebrates with assistand coach Rod Clark after defeating the UCLA Bruins in double overtime at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Trent Sisley, the only one of Indiana men’s basketball’s three true freshmen to see extended playing time during the 2025-26 season, will return to the program for his sophomore season in 2026-27, per reporting from Joe Tipton of On3.
Sisley originally committed to the Hoosiers under Mike Woodson but remained signed during the coaching transition to Darian DeVries last offseason. Originally from Santa Claus, Indiana, Sisley played at Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, Indiana before transferring to Montverde Academy for his senior season.
Sisley entered his first season receiving significant minutes off the bench before being phased out of the rotation as the season went on. His bench contributions proved critical in Indiana’s 2OT win over UCLA when he made the game-winning free throws in the closing seconds. He ultimately averaged 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 13.1 minutes per game.
With plenty of attrition from outbound seniors, DeVries could use as many returners as he can get. Sisley was probably at the top of the priority list.
Aug 13, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Kyle Stowers (28) celebrates his RBI single in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
Injuries can be viewed as a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty ordeal in the world of fantasy baseball. On one hand, a player is not active and thus, of no use. On the other hand, that player may be lowly owned, and so you can add and stash that player for future value. Today, we angle towards doing just that - stashing players on the IL who are angling have great future upside. Look to these players.
OF, Lourdes Gurriel
Gurriel is due back to the D-Backs on May 1st, or around that date, due to a knee injury. Gurriel is a consistent .415-.475 slugging percentage hitter, with 20 total home runs. He will start every day once back, so he does have upside every day, especially after batting .275 in 2024 and thus having great baseball in his bag.
SP, Merrill Kelly
Kelly is due back at the diamond in about two weeks. He has been out due to nerve irritation, but when healthy, Kelly is a 3.50 ERA pitcher and is owned in about 44% of fantasy baseball leagues.
2B, Jackson Holliday
Reports confirm that Holliday is struggling in his rehab starts. Expectations cannot be sky-high for his mid-April return, but Holliday still has a scouting report that suggests he will be a star in the MLB. That is worth taking a shot at.
OF, Kyle Stowers
Stowers is available in 50% of leagues, and he should absolutely be added as one of our breakout candidates of 2026. Stowers will remain out roughly 3 more weeks, but when back, you have a 30+ home run player who slugged the ball at a .544 number in 2025.
RP, Jason Adam
Adam is not expected to get us any saves, as Mason Miller has that job. However, Adam is still extremely elite and should field innings-per-week similar to a starting pitcher, pitching twice as many games per season. Adam has back-to-back seasons with a sub-2.00 ERA and nearly 11 K/9. Adam is out with a quadriceps injury but is due back in about one week.
SP, Trey Yesavage
Yesavage is available in 46% of leagues, so check your waiver wire. Yesavage is a 2026 rookie of the year candidate, and in 2025, he posted 3 solid starts with 14 IP, 16 K's, and a 3.21 ERA. Yesavage is rehabbing back from a shoulder injury, and I planned to return in about two weeks.
SP, Shane Bieber
The former Cy Young candidate is not due back until May. However, when healthy, Bieber is a sub-3.50 ERA pitcher, posting a 1.02 WHIP in 2025 and a 0.92 WHIP in 2024. Bieber is among the better pitchers in the MLB, owned in less than 30% of fantasy baseball leagues, and on a Blue Jays team that made the World Series last year.
One of the storylines from UConn's incredible 74-73 Elite Eight win over Duke was Huskies head coach Dan Hurley's strange behavior in the final moments. He came face-to-face with an official on the court for a stare down, drawing many to believe there should've been a technical foul called for his antics.
While some believe it was a "playful" gesture in the midst of an emotional scene, Hurley clearly violated the rules and nothing was called on the court.
There was one social media post that went viral after the tense exchange from Hurley. It has fans believing Hurley would be out for UConn's Final Four game against Illinois. Parody account Shane Tuttle tweeted out, "BREAKING: The NCAA is suspending UConn HC Dan Hurley for Saturday’s Final Four matchup against Illinois.
BREAKING: The NCAA is suspending UConn HC Dan Hurley for Saturday’s Final Four matchup against Illinois.
Hurley strictly violated Rule 10-3.2.h with 0.3 seconds left against Duke which prohibits physical contact with an official with intent to harm. pic.twitter.com/4CBTIPcDds
"Hurley strictly violated Rule 10-3.2.h with 0.3 seconds left against Duke which prohibits physical contact with an official with intent to harm."
In reality, Hurley hasn't been suspended by the NCAA. Despite the post being viewed over 1.3 million times on X, the news is fake.
UConn prepares to face Illinois in Indianapolis on Saturday. The winner moves on to a spot in Monday's National Championship game to face either Arizona or Michigan.
Roberto De Zerbi has been appointed Tottenham manager on a long-term deal (LOU BENOIST)
Tottenham appointed Roberto De Zerbi as the club's third manager of the season on Tuesday as they battle to avoid relegation from English football's top-flight for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Former Brighton and Marseille boss De Zerbi has reportedly been handed a lucrative five-year deal to convince him to take the job immediately rather than waiting to see which division Spurs are in next season.
Tottenham sit just one point outside the relegation zone with seven games of the Premier League season remaining.
De Zerbi replaces Igor Tudor, whose interim reign lasted just seven games after Spurs crashed out of the Champions League and fell ever closer to the Premier League drop zone.
"I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world," said De Zerbi in a club statement.
"I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.
"Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season."
De Zerbi established a positive reputation for himself in England during a two-year spell as Brighton boss between 2022 and 2024.
His time at Marseille started positively, finishing second to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for the Champions League.
But he left the French club in February after failing to make it out of the Champions League group phase and a humiliating 5-0 defeat by PSG.
Tottenham have not tasted life outside the top flight of English football since the 1977/78 season.
Despite boasting a new 63,000-capacity stadium, state-of-the-art training ground and revenues that make them among the top 10 richest clubs in world football, they are at severe risk of a humiliating relegation to the Championship.
Just a few years ago they were Champions League regulars under former manager Mauricio Pochettino, reaching the final in 2019.
Last season they ended a 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League.
But the warning signs of a battle for survival were there as Ange Postecoglou was dismissed despite victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final after finishing 17th in the Premier League.
Thomas Frank was appointed as the Australian's successor, but the Dane was sacked in February after a run of two wins in 17 league games and replaced by Tudor.
De Zerbi's first match in charge will be away to Sunderland on April 12.
Picking No. 2 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets will have their pick of the majority of the rookies in the upcoming class.
And with Fernando Mendoza all but locked into the Las Vegas Raiders pick at No. 1 overall, the Jets have known for a while who their options will be. While they could go offense, defense is the clear best option.
ESPN's Matt Bowen identified the ideal draft pick for the Jets with that second-overall pick. It's an Ohio State linebacker with blazing speed, but it's not Sonny Styles. Instead, versatile LB/Edge Arvell Resse would be the ideal pick for the Jets.
Jets' ideal draft pick would be Ohio State's Reese
"... But I like Reese because of the positional versatility he would bring to coach Aaron Glenn's defense," Bowen writes. "With the Jets, Reese should be viewed as a playmaker who could boost the second-worst scoring defense from 2025 (29.6 points per game)."
The Jets could decide to take a chance on someone that's a true edge defender, like David Bailey out of Texas Tech or Ruben Bain Jr. out of Miami. But the upside case with Reese is too much to pass on.
Without a quarterback worth taking No. 2 overall, and the defense in dire need of upside, someone like Reese, who can play both off-ball linebacker and also get some run as a pass rusher, would be an ideal draft pick.
At the NFL Combine, he ran a ridiculous 4.46 for someone his size at 6-foot-4, 241 pounds. He's not just athletic, he's productive as well.
He had 6.5 sacks last season for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was consistently a great tackler all season, thanks in part to his great athleticism.
Reese would be a great pick for the Jets, and it's a huge part of the reason why so many mock drafts have the Jets taking the versatile Ohio State linebacker/edge defender at No. 2 overall.
The Miami Dolphins only had one running back hit free agency this offseason, and that was Alexander Mattison, who missed the entire 2025 season due to a neck injury that he suffered the preseason.
With that, the rest of the room is set to return, and it's probably Miami's best position group on the offensive side of the ball entering 2026, but the Dolphins are still looking at ways to add at running back before Week 1.
According to KPRC2's Aaron Wilson, the Dolphins hosted running back prospect Kaelon Black for a meeting ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.
Black, 24, was a two-star recruit out of Salem High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, before committing to James Madison in 2019. After four years with the Dukes, he spent his final two years in college at Indiana, where he won a national championship in 2025.
In 51 collegiate games, he rushed for 2,261 yards and 16 touchdowns on 5.1 yards per attempt and caught 52 passes for 473 yards and six scores. The 2025 season was by far his best, as he rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry.
Black is currently projected to be a Day-3 pick in the draft, so the Dolphins could address several other needs before grabbing a depth running back.
Snyman will miss the rest of the season [Getty Images]
Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber said it's "devastating" to lose second row RG Snyman for the rest of the season due to a ruptured ACL in his right knee.
The two-time World Cup winner with South Africa suffered the injury in Leinster's recent 38-17 defeat by Glasgow in the United Rugy Championship [URC] and it was confirmed the 31-year-old's season is over.
It's the third time Snyman has suffered an ACL injury with his first occurring as a Munster player in 2020 before a reoccurrence just four games into his return the following year.
Nienaber, who has coached the player for club and country, has backed Snyman to bounce back but admits it's a crushing blow for the player and for Leinster who are preparing for Sunday's Investec Champions Cup last 16 clash game against Edinburgh Rugby at the Aviva Stadium [17:30 BST].
"It's devastating for us and for him," Nienaber said at Tuesday's news conference.
"He had a couple [of ACL injuries] when he was with Munster, but he has shown [he can come back from injury] over and over."
'Edinburgh have the ability to put you away'
In better news, Leinster head coach will have front row Andrew Porter available who came through their weekend URC win over Scarlets, while James Ryan, Tadhg Furlong, Jimmy O'Brien and Garry Ringrose will continue to be assessed in the build-up to the European clash.
That 36-19 win over Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium on Friday saw Leo Cullen's side put two URC losses behind them to move up to fourth in the standings as the club season hits the business end.
Nienaber was happy with that bonus point win, but knows his side must build on it in a knockout game against an Edinburgh team smarting from their defeat by the Stormers last week despite the return of Scotland trio Grant Gilchrist, Darcy Graham and Pierre Schoeman.
"We are excited to be going into Europe," Nienaber added.
"If you don't deliver a performance and win, you are out so we are working hard to deliver those performances.
"They [Edinburgh] had some big performances when beating Toulon at home and Gloucester.
"If you don't get your detail right on the day, they have brilliant individuals who are well coached and they can put you away."
Following a brief interruption to present to you our annual Tanking Rankings, we return to our regularly scheduled bi-weekly programming: The world’s most accurate NBA power rankings.
But first an update to those Tanking Rankings, which detailed exactly how well the NBA’s 10 lottery teams — now set in stone — have navigated their way to the bottom of the standings:
No need to include any of those outfits in our power rankings this time around. They are succeeding in their own right, at losing, as the league’s nine tanking teams (the Pelicans, who owe their first-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks, have no incentive to lose) have managed just seven wins against non-lottery teams in their last 100 tries. If you can call them “tries.”
It can be difficult to tell how well some of the postseason-bound teams are playing, since win streaks have been boosted by the tanking. The Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets have all benefited from easy recent schedules. We are here to sort through the noise.
And it is getting noisy. One loss separates the fourth, fifth and sixth seeds in the Western Conference, where there are two losses between the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and second-seeded San Antonio Spurs. Three losses separate the 10th-seeded Charlotte Hornets from the East’s final guaranteed playoff seed, all with a little over a handful of games to play.
So, without further ado, our penultimate regular-season power rankings.
“I’ve got to be able to do a better job of preparing them for what they were going to see tonight,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said after a franchise-record, 52-point loss that saw the Raptors go on a 31-0 run (a play-by-play era record). I’m surprised he said it. So was Desmond Bane, who responded, “I think we understood how big of a game it was … but I don't have nothing for that.”
The Heat are 2-7 since Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game, owners of a bottom-five defense in that span. “It’s extremely disappointing,” said coach Erik Spoelstra. “We’ve put in the time. The guys have put in blood, sweat and tears to develop a top-four defense two weeks ago. And when we need it the most is when we’ve let it disappear. And that’s just unacceptable at this time.” Damn.
Will Stephen Curry, who has missed 25 straight games to “runner’s knee,” return at all this season? That is The Question in the Bay Area, where the two-time MVP had a “good session” on Sunday. Coach Steve Kerr’s answer: “We’re not bringing him back [just] for the play-in game. He needs to play some games … if this is going to work. And we are running out of games.”
Blazers coach Tiago Splitter told his players of Tuesday’s showdown with the Clippers, “It’s going to be the most important game of the season.” The two teams, separated by two losses, vying for the Western Conference’s eighth seed, meet twice in the season’s final weeks. As Kris Murray said, “It’s going to be a playoff-type game, and a lot of us haven’t been in that position.”
Since November’s nine-game win streak, the Raptors are 28-27, owners of a +1.0 net rating, practically average, but coach Darko Rajaković insists this is only Year 2 of a rebuild that began with the exits of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby: “Building a team is not such a thing that you can do in one year. In the NBA, it takes time to build a team that’s going to be competitive.”
At month’s start, a disappointed Suns coach Jordan Ott declared, “We shouldn’t be asking for energy. We want to get to March to play meaningful games. We shouldn't be asking for energy.” Since then, his team is 6-6, owners of a middling defense. Sounds like they could use a jolt of Dillon Brooks, who, six weeks removed from a fractured left hand, should soon be available.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are 15-2 since the last week of February, apace with the Thunder and Spurs. “I love where we’re at as a group,” said Jalen Johnson. “We’re not going to be perfect. We’re not going to be on a win streak to end the whole year, but how we’re playing these games and how we’re just sticking to what we do best, that’s something we can continue to build on.”
Sorry, Cleveland, but L.A. is enjoying its Darius Garland experience. The Clippers are 10-3 with the two-time All-Star guard in the lineup, operating at historic levels offensively (126.7 points per 100 possessions) when he’s on the court. “The stuff he’s brought to this team, it’s extraordinary,” said L.A.’s Brook Lopez. “Only he could do it. He’s made a huge, positive change for this group.”
The Sixers, who could end up anywhere from the fifth to the 10th seed in the East, welcomed back Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, who combined for 81 points in a victory over the Hornets. "We need everybody we can get,” said Embiid. “We got to win every single game. ... We end up 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, it doesn't matter. Still got to win. I don't care where we end up."
The Rockets have bounced back with two wins against lottery teams, but our minds keep going back to a record-setting blown 13-point overtime lead to Minnesota. Felt like a momentous loss. “A lot have this year,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said, “that’s just the worst one of them.” Come to think of it, Houston (8-8 since the end of February) lost to the tanking Bulls the game before!
Back-to-back losses to Boston and Philly were not so encouraging, but the Hornets are still 28-13, owners of the league’s best net rating (+10.8), since the start of January. They are dangerous, if they can earn a playoff berth. They are the No. 10 seed. As Coby White said, “We know these last couple games, we’ve got to fight to improve our odds of making the playoffs.”
“If we’re going to play defense like this, we’re going to have a short playoff stint,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, and that was after a win — albeit one in which they gave up 130 points to Orlando. (Yikes!) Point is: Cleveland owns one of the NBA’s 10 worst defenses in its past nine games, and, if you will remember, as Spoeltra once said, “That’s just unacceptable at this time.”
The Pistons are 5-1 since Cade Cunningham injury, but Jalen Duren recently said it best (after his latest monstrous effort): “You can’t replace what [Cade] brings to the floor and brings to our team.” Facts. Detroit might be third on these rankings if not for Cunningham’s injury, but how else are we supposed to assess these Pistons when their best player has a collapsed left lung?
“We can’t relax now that [Anthony Edwards] is coming back and say, ‘Hey, give Ant the keys and just go,’” Minnesota's Mike Conley Jr. said. “I think we’ve got to let Ant do his thing. But at the same time, continue to push the ball, continue to involve everybody, and I think that’s when we’re our best self.” And, now, they wait for Jaden McDaniels to get back from a knee injury, too.
In New York fashion, the Knicks have sandwiched four straight losses to winning teams around seven consecutive wins against sub-.500 teams. “We don’t want to turn on a switch,” said Jalen Brunson. “We want to be trending in the right direction as we come down to the end. There are still things we need to work on.” Only seven games remain in the regular season. Time’s ticking.
More from LeBron James, the NBA’s newest (and best) third option, on Luka Doncic’s heater down the stretch of the season: “Obviously he’s the head honcho when it comes to our offensive firepower. He’s just in an unbelievable rhythm right now, shooting the 3-ball exceptionally well, getting to the line as he always does and being super efficient. We’re all just playing off of him.”
No team could use a respite more than the Nuggets, whose injury list is ever-expanding, only they are clinging to home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. By the Tao of Nikola Jokić, though, “It’s really hard to say, ‘Oh yeah, we’re gonna have amazing playoffs,’ because you cannot know what’s gonna happen or how the team’s gonna feel basically in a month.”
Few teams are now healthier than the Celtics, who welcomed Jayson Tatum, the NBA’s reigning Player of the Week(!), back from Achilles surgery just 11 games ago. And as Payton Pritchard said, “We know if we want to win a championship, we need him at a high level. It’s definitely encouraging, but he’s getting better and better each game, looking more and more like himself.”
The Spurs, behind Victor Wembanyama, are 24-2 since the start of February. They have gained only three games in the standings on the Thunder over that span, but the confidence they have built may be just as important as home-court advantage. "I keep saying it, but the league's in trouble," said San Antonio’s Devin Vassell. "We got a lot of young talent that is really good."
Roberto de Zerbi will take over a Tottenham team who sit just one point above the relegation zone [Getty Images]
Tottenham have appointed Roberto de Zerbi as their new head coach after the Italian signed a five-year contract with the club.
The former Brighton boss has seven games to save the club from relegation to the Championship.
If they do go down, he does not have a relegation clause that would allow him to walk away.
In two months' time, Spurs' third boss of the season will have either secured his place as a hero at the club, or be forever connected to one of the worst campaigns in their history.
He said: "I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world.
"In all my discussions with the club's leadership, their ambition for the future has been clear - to build a team capable of reaching great achievements, and to do that playing a style of football that excites and inspires our supporters. I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.
"Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season."
De Zerbi has been the overwhelming first choice to become the club's new permanent head coach.
BBC Sport reported on Sunday that De Zerbi was the man Spurs wanted to replace Igor Tudor, who officially left the club by mutual consent over the weekend.
Talks have been ongoing since Sunday and those discussions have been successful.
De Zerbi was always open to taking the Spurs position, but it is understood he initially showed a reluctance to accept the job before the end of the season.
But the coach, who left Marseille earlier this year, has been persuaded to take the job immediately.
Tottenham are 17th in the Premier League, just one point outside of the relegation zone and without a win in the competition in 2026.
Should they fail to beat the drop, it would go down as one of the league's most remarkable relegations.
Sporting director, Johan Lange, said: "Roberto was our number one target for the summer and we are very pleased to be able to bring him in now.
"He is one of the most creative and forward-thinking coaches in world football, and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level, including in the Premier League."
After guiding Brighton to European qualification during his stint in the Premier League between 2022 and 2024, De Zerbi took Marseille to second in Ligue 1 last season before leaving in February.
The Italian's first match as Tottenham boss will be a trip to Sunderland on 12 April, followed six days later by a home game against his former club Brighton. Their remaining fixtures are home matches against Leeds and Everton, and trips to Wolves, Aston Villa and Chelsea.
"He will be having his own way - he's quite a character," former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"He's a very outspoken manger. He's a manager in a similar way to Jose Mourinho or Antonio Conte that Tottenham have had in the past."
'A Guardiola protege who doesn't care what people think'
It is well documented that De Zerbi's footballing DNA traces back to the Pep Guardiola tradition, but to leave it there would be restrictive. He has taken the principles - positional play, pressing triggers, control through the ball - and built his own beliefs around them
There are a number of reasons why this appointment could work.
First, De Zerbi doesn't care what people think. He has a clear, unshakeable idea of how he wants to play football and at a club as chaotic as Tottenham right now, that kind of certainty is invaluable.
He has also never managed a club with no expectations and has always delivered under pressure. He knows what it means to have concrete targets and he knows how to meet them.
He brings the added benefit of knowing the Premier League and the timing of the likely appointment gives him scope for preparation. Spurs don't play again until 12 April and that gives him precious time to assess his squad.
Arriving during the international break would give De Zerbi precious days to begin assessing his squad.
The big concern here, though, is less about De Zerbi himself and more about whether those around him will have the discipline to align with his vision.
When that alignment has broken down in De Zerbi's career - when ownership or a director of football has pulled in a different direction - the project has quickly unravelled.
That is precisely what happened at Marseille. The football was often compelling, the city was behind him, but at decision-making level the relationship could not be sustained.
Tottenham have had their own well-documented structural difficulties. If De Zerbi is to thrive, the football operations around him must be stable, communicative and genuinely aligned to his way of working.
That is not a small ask for a club in the midst of a relegation battle.
'An uncompromising style that can infuriate'
Marseille fans felt both relief and regret when De Zerbi left midway through his second season.
Relief because the final weeks were desperately poor, but regret too because De Zerbi - a former ultra with immense passion - looked at times a perfect fit for the Mediterranean club.
His first year was promising: Marseille finished as runners-up and returned to the Champions League. A raft of new signings raised hopes, especially after a first home win over Paris St-Germain in 14 years and a six-goal rout of Le Havre sent them top.
Yet there was always a sense Marseille were just a couple of defeats from crisis. The squad almost imploded when Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot clashed in the dressing room, and De Zerbi's uncompromising style alienated certain players.
He infuriated observers by constantly changing systems and selections, leaving players bamboozled.
For the most part, De Zerbi lined up in a 4-2-3-1 and fans occasionally saw glimpses of the front-footed, attacking style he wanted to implement.
Yet Marseille's midfield pairing - usually Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Geoffrey Kondogbia - lacked the technical skills and mobility to perform in that system against stronger opposition. The defence would be left exposed, while the attack relied too heavily on individual exploits from Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
When a flagging Marseille crashed out of the Champions League, losing 3-0 in Bruges, reports emerged De Zerbi had lost the dressing room. A pitiful 5-0 defeat at PSG - the heaviest in Classique history - made his exit inevitable.
De Zerbi left with the highest win percentage of any Marseille coach this century (57%). That Igor Tudor (56%) ranks second suggests Spurs fans should treat that statistic with caution.
'He has to turn losers into winners - instantly'
De Zerbi will only have one priority at Tottenham Hotspur: keeping them in the Premier League.
The peril of Spurs' position was why the highly regarded Italian was initially reluctant to take over so late in the season, with the club's future still uncertain as they contemplate the real possibility of dropping into the Championship.
How would De Zerbi view his future if Spurs do not escape? It would not be down to him, but he certainly does not regard himself as a coach who operates in the second tier.
Given Spurs' status and ambitions, relegation is as unpalatable as it gets. Championship football at the magnificent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would be nothing short of total humiliation.
De Zerbi's firecracker personality, as well as an ability as a coach that has won him widespread admiration from peers such as Pep Guardiola, must inject life into a squad decimated by injuries and stripped of every vestige of confidence.
He has to turn losers into winners. Instantly.
And he has to start at Sunderland in Spurs' next Premier League game.
De Zerbi is fiercely competitive and must transmit that into his players; easier said than done given the timid, defeatist nature of their performances this season.
He would have preferred to start afresh next season - and maybe somewhere else if Spurs are a Championship club - but he is confident, talented and brimming with self-belief.
Managing director Rob Key and coach Brendon McCullum retain the backing of England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould despite criticism from recent England players.
Gould confirmed Key, McCullum and England captain Ben Stokes would all remain in their posts last week despite the 4-1 Ashes defeat this winter.
Since then Jonny Bairstow, Reece Topley, Ben Foakes and David Willey have joined Liam Livingstone in criticising the regime.
"When players come out of the England fold it is difficult for them," Gould said.
"It is difficult for any player when they get dropped in any sport. They will not agree with the decision, I wouldn't want them to.
"There is probably about 300 players who want to play for our England teams.
"We do have to focus our resources on those that are in the teams."
Bairstow, who has not played for England since 2024, said those in charge need to bring "the care back in the game", adding "as soon as you are out of the system, you are out of the system".
Speaking to Cricinfo earlier this month, Livingstone said "no-one cares" about those outside the inner circle and he was told he "cares too much" when asking for help.
He has not played for England since the Champions Trophy last March.
Topley said Livingstone was "kind" about the England management while Foakes outlined how reserve batter Keaton Jennings served as his wicketkeeping coach on one tour with no permanent specialist in place.
The criticism has added to the debate around the England hierarchy but Gould rejected the idea negativity is overshadowing the start to the county season, which begins on Friday.
"I really don't agree with that," Gould said.
"The start of a new season is always an exciting juncture. What you choose to write is up to you but we are looking at this in a positive fashion.
"You look at the numbers in the recreational game, the attendance levels, all of our metrics are up and positive.
"Yes, we have had a difficult winter but that is a road bump we will get over."
Mike Pickett, Northeast Florida's all-time leader in state championships for high school girls soccer, stepped down March 31 after 28 years at the helm of St. Johns Country Day.
Pickett, 61, notified the Times-Union of the decision on Tuesday morning.
The winner of 15 Florida High School Athletic Association championships and three first-place finishes across multiple national rankings, Pickett recorded a 572-72-41 record over 29 seasons.
He said he had been thinking about stepping away from the post since the middle of the recently-completed 2025-26 season. St. Johns finished 15-4-3 against one of the state's strongest schedules before an upset loss to Lakeland Victory Christian in the Class 1A semifinal.
"If you do this long enough, you get to a point where you realize it's time," he said.
Pickett cited the pressure to continue a run of success unlike any other in Northeast Florida soccer history. He said players sometimes felt the weight of that external pressure to keep the championship streak going, making it harder to enjoy the experiences along the way.
"It's too much pressure on the kids," he said.
There are also more opportunities for family time. He said his wife, Treasure, is on course to retire next year from her administrative role with Clay County District Schools, while his daughter, Carson, is now in her 11th year in the National Women's Soccer League and has previously represented the United States women's national team.
Carson Pickett moved in the winter to the NWSL's expansion Denver Summit, which drew a league-record crowd of 63,004 for its inaugural game on March 28, and Mike Pickett left open the possibility of relocating in the future to the booming Colorado soccer scene.
Mike Pickett's St. Johns soccer achievements
The numbers and the trophies are only part of the story for Pickett at St. Johns, where the school's main field is named in his honor.
A St. Johns Country Day graduate in the class of 1983, Pickett originally signed for college soccer at Northeast Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Monroe. But after NLU administrators discontinued the sport amid financial distress at the end of the 1985-86 season, he transferred to USC Spartanburg (now USC Upstate) in South Carolina, a school then among the contenders in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
He started out in education in Spartanburg before returning to St. Johns starting in the 1998-99 season, building a program that has won 23 consecutive district championships and 15 regional titles in a row. No opponent has defeated St. Johns in an FHSAA regional game since early 2011.
Under Pickett, the Spartans won FHSAA titles in 2005, 2007, 2009, then 11 in a row from 2012-22, and the 15th in 2025. He is one of two Florida coaches, along with Carlos Giron of St. Thomas Aquinas, to lift the FHSAA trophy 15 times.
Pickett received the Florida Dairy Farmers girls soccer coach of the year award in 2012, 2017 and 2018, and St. Johns Country Day finished first in the United Soccer Coaches or MaxPreps national rankings in 2017, 2018 and 2021.
The school built winning streaks of 76 games (Jan. 6, 2015 to Dec. 7, 2018) and then 44 games (Nov. 22, 2019 to Dec. 3, 2021) during their championship run, and three players — Payton Crews, Alisa Detlefsen and Abbey Newton — won seven consecutive state trophies while playing every year on varsity from sixth grade to senior year between 2012-18.
Carson Pickett (2012), Chelsea Burns (2015), Newton (2018) and Kamy Loustau (2019) all received either the Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Soccer award or the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year award at St. Johns. Other All-First Coast player of the year winners from the St. Johns program during his tenure are Anna Martorana, Amanda Martorana, Annie Bobbitt, Ellen Crist and Sydney Schmidt.
Pickett is the area's second multiple-time champion girls soccer coach to step away in the past five weeks, after six-time Bolles FHSAA champion Matt Tracy retired from the Bulldogs Feb. 24.
Pickett said that for now, he plans to continue working with the North Florida Soccer Academy, where he is the founder and president. His passion for coaching, he said, hasn't gone away.
He also pointed to memories that didn't show up on the scoreboard, like a charity drive that involved players from St. Johns as well as several other Jacksonville-area programs.
"The discipline, the teamwork, the service that these young women have developed are way more important than the championships," Pickett said.
Antonio Di Salvo’s side lock horns with Greece in a decisive U21 Euros qualifiers. The hosts lead the group by three points following their surprising win in the reverse fixture in Jena. Germany made two changes from their 3-0 win over Northern Ireland as Augsburg duo Mert Kömür and Anton Kade are in the starting lineup.
Here are the lineups for tonight’s game at the Leoforos Alexandras Stadium.
The Brooklyn Nets (18-57) recently ended their 10-game losing streak after beating the Sacramento Kings at home that at least gave the players a chance to celebrate after a game for the first time in awhile. Brooklyn is hoping to finish the season on a strong note and they'll hope to continue that with a matchup against the visiting Charlotte Hornets (39-36) and if you're wondering where you can watch all the action live, you've come to the right place!
The Nets come into this matchup following a 116-99 win over the Kings on Sunday in which Brooklyn won the first quarter 31-18 and they never looked back after the great start. Forward Ochai Agbaji led the team in scoring with 18 points in 25 minutes off the bench while rookie guard Nolan Traore had one of his best games of the seasons with 17 points and six assists.
The Hornets come into this game after a 114-99 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday in which Charlotte fell behind in the first half despite the Celtics missing Jaylen Brown for the matchup. Guard LaMelo Ball had 19 points and four rebounds to lead the Hornets while forward Miles Bridges had 14 points and two rebounds in the losing effort.
Here is what you need to know to get ready for this matchup:
How To Watch
Date: Tuesday, Mar. 31
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Channel: NY55
Notable Injuries
Nets: OUT: Egor Demin (plantar fascia), Day'Ron Sharpe (thumb), Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring), Danny Wolf (ankle), and Terance Mann (Achilles soreness). PROBABLE: Jalen Wilson (illness).
Hornets: OUT: Tosan Evbuomwan (G League), PJ Hall (G League), Liam McNeeley (G League), and Tidjane Salaun (G League).
Former USC safety and Minnesota Vikings star Joey Browner died on Saturday at the age of 65, the Vikings announced on Sunday.
Browner’s cause of death is undisclosed, but a fundraiser organized by former Minnesota quarterback Tommy Kramer in August stated that Browner was “battling through some serious health issues.”
Browner made history as the first defensive back to be selected by the Vikings in the first round when the franchise drafted him with the No. 19 overall pick out of USC in the 1983 NFL Draft. Browner and long-time Vikings safety Harrison Smith are the only two safeties Minnesota has drafted in the first round.
“He helped define what it is to be an NFL safety,” the Vikings wrote in a post honoring the life and legacy of Browner.
Browner was a three-time, first-team All-Pro selection and a six-time Pro Bowler across nine seasons with the Vikings. He was part of the NFL’s 1980s Team of the Decade and inducted into the Vikings’ Ring of Honor in 2013. In 2010, Browner was list as one of the 50 Greatest Vikings in franchise history.
Browner is one of six brothers, who all played football at the collegiate level and four in the NFL. His younger brother, Keith Browner, also played at USC and died in November at age 63.
In addition to Keith, Browner’s older brother Ross died in 2022, then his older brother Jim died in 2024.
Browner’s Legacy at USC
Browner played all four seasons of his collegiate career with USC. During his senior season, he was a team captain in 1982 under USC head coach John Robinson.
As a senior, he was named a 1982 First Team All-Conference Selection and earned USC’s Mike McKever Award, which is awarded to the team’s Most Valuable Player. Additionally, Browner won the 1982 Marv Goux Award for making the most contributions to the USC-UCLA rivalry game.
Former USC and Vikings quarterback Sean Salisbury played with Browner at both the collegiate and professional level. Salisbury honored his former teammate on X on Sunday.
“This is a major gut punch,” Salisbury wrote on X. “I was blessed to be his teammate at USC and with the Vikings! Phenomenal player and loved by so many. One of the best players I’ve ever played with in both college and the NFL. Very grateful to have called him a good friend. God Bless him and his family.”
Browner was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team in 2015 and ranks No. 15 on USC’s all-time punt return leaders.
Florida basketball guard Alex Lloyd will be returning to the Gators for the 2026-27 season, he announced on Monday through social media.
As a freshman this past season, Lloyd appeared in 17 games and totaled 21 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in just over four minutes of playing time per game.
Due to the amount of depth at the guard position and still having room to develop, head coach Todd Golden wasn't able to consistently play Lloyd in the Gators' rotation during his freshman season.
Lloyd, a 6-foot-3-inch guard from Miami, attended Westminster Academy and averaged 27.9 points during his senior year. He had three 40-point games during his senior season, including 44 points with five 3-pointers against Chaminade-Madonna, 41 against La Lumiere and 40 against Columbus.
He came to Florida as a four-star recruit by 247Sports and was ESPN's 37th-ranked prospect in his recruiting class.
Lloyd joined CJ Ingram as the two prospects in the 2025 recruiting class to sign with the Florida Gators.
With another year to develop and learn under Golden and the Florida coaching staff, Lloyd will look to carve out a bigger role next season with the Orange and Blue.
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.
The New York Knicks just clinched a playoff berth while the Houston Rockets are trying to improve their own seeding in the Western Conference. New York is slightly favored with a moneyline of -118.0, compared to Houston's -102.0.
Michigan State basketball's 2025-26 season is over, with the Spartans seeing their season conclude with a disappointing, frustrating loss to the UConn Huskies. Now that the dust has settled, Tom Izzo and Michigan State can look back at the season and everything that occurred and look forward to the future. On Tuesday, Izzo spoke to the media to do his post-mortem on the season, and he dropped a very interesting nugget about a former player.
Izzo, in response to a question from Tim Staudt, said that a former player has been texting him for the past three weeks about the 'mistake' he made in transferring out of Michigan State. Izzo declined to share which player this was, obviously, but a lot of people are assuming this is Tre Holloman.
Holloman's decision to transfer to NC State was a major shock to the Spartans and their fans. Holloman was in line for a vital role, starting at shooting guard and playing some point guard when Jeremy Fears Jr. needed a break. Instead, Holloman's departure left a hole at shooting guard.
There was a lot of debate amongst MSU fans when Holloman left about his decision. If this was indeed Holloman expressing regret, it would validate the feelings of a lot of MSU fans who felt this was a poor decision. Holloman was one of three players who transferred out of Michigan State last year, along with Gehrig Normand and Xavier Booker.
Tom Izzo tells @timstaudt10 he’s had a former player texting him for 3 weeks about the mistake he made in leaving MSU basketball for transfer. Wouldn’t say the name, but it’s pretty obvious who he is referring to.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
That's where Omar Cooper Jr. enters the conversation.
The former Indiana Hoosiers football standout has quietly become one of the more intriguing receivers in this draft class. He may not always headline discussions, but evaluators continue to point to his versatility and playmaking ability as traits that could translate well at the next level. The Eagles made sure they scheduled him for a predraft visit, and then there's the comparison. In his draft profile about the young star in the making, Lance Zierlein likened Cooper Jr.'s game to Deebo Samuel. That latter name should immediately grab the attention of Eagles fans for all the wrong reasons. Samuel has been a consistent nuisance for Philadelphia over the years.
Samuel was especially good at using his physicality and run-after-catch ability to create big plays in critical moments. It's not a perfect one-to-one comparison, but the stylistic similarities are enough to raise eyebrows.
Cooper Jr. brings a similar toughness with the ball in his hands. He's not just a route runner. He's a playmaker who can turn short gains into explosive moments. That kind of skill set would add a different dimension to Philadelphia's offense, particularly in a system that values versatility and yards after the catch.
Of course, projections are just that. They're just projections. There's still a wide range of outcomes for Cooper Jr., and where he ultimately lands in the draft remains uncertain, but the fact that he's being compared to a player like Samuel speaks volumes about his potential impact.
For the Eagles, the interest makes sense. If they're looking to add another weapon, one capable of creating mismatches and making life difficult for defenses, Cooper Jr. could be worth serious consideration. If he reaches his ceiling at the professional level, or anything close to it, Philadelphia might finally have its own version of a player who has caused it problems for years.
Clemson football’s freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds wasn’t expected to be in this position when spring practice began, but by the time Clemson wrapped things up, the freshman had clearly changed the conversation in the quarterback room.
Coming off a high school career that ended early due to a hamstring injury, Reynolds arrived with far less hype than others in the group. That didn’t last long. By the spring game, he had already worked his way into the No. 2 role behind Chris Vizzina, taking snaps ahead of Chris Denson and making the most of the opportunity. Reynolds completed 7 of his 10 passes and added a rushing touchdown, flashing the kind of dual-threat ability that has quickly caught the coaching staff’s attention.
“Absolutely, absolutely,” Dabo Swinney said when asked if Reynolds could push for the starting job. “Ain’t nobody got lifetime contracts around here. Everybody has to prove it. Everybody has to show up. Everybody has to earn it.”
Reynolds’ rise didn’t happen overnight, but it also didn’t take long. Early in the spring, Denson was working with the second team, but once the Tigers returned from break, that pecking order had changed. Reynolds separated himself from a crowded group competing for that backup spot and never really looked back.
“There was a bunch of guys kind of battling for that second spot, and he cleared that. He came out of that smoke first, with that group,” Swinney said. “Now, he’s got a big summer ahead and he is just going to keep getting better.”
It’s important to note this isn’t about Vizzina slipping. The returning quarterback held onto the top spot throughout the spring and continues to show why he’s in that position. Reynolds’ push is more about his own rapid development than anything else.
“CV did not do anything to back up, he has not done anything to back up,” Swinney added. “But Tait has done everything to move forward.”
Evaluating Clemson Football's Newest Recruits: WR Gordan Sellars II
Even with the momentum, taking over the starting job won’t come easy. Vizzina remains firmly in control heading into the offseason, and Clemson doesn’t have the benefit of preseason games to sort things out.
“But I don’t think CV is going to go backwards,” Swinney said. “It will be a great, competitive summer and fall camp, and then you go play games. We don’t get three preseason games. All we can do is evaluate based on practice.”
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
The Seattle Seahawks will enter the 2026 NFL draft with a need at cornerback. The team re-signed Josh Jobe, pairing him with superstar Devon Witherspoon in base defense. The Seahawks did lose Riq Woolen to NFL free agency however, indicating they'll need to draft a replacement, possibly as early as No. 32 overall.
The Seahawks do have other team needs. Running back and EDGE rusher need further addressing. If John Schneider prioritizes those positions, finding the right mid-round cornerback becomes imperative.
One cornerback prospect from Oregon who possesses inside-outside versatility recently confirmed he's had several pre-draft meetings with the Seahawks. It indicates Schneider is showing interest in Oregon cornerback Jadon Canady.
"I’ve probably met every team in the NFL at least twice, and some teams I've met three or four times," Canady told NFL Draft On SI. "I met with the Seattle Seahawks [again] recently on Zoom."
.@OregonFootball CB Jadon Canady is one of my favorite sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Canady is a super competitive CB with inside-outside versatility. Don't sleep ‼️
Canady, like many prospects in NIL-driven college football, played at various programs. He attended Tulane and Ole Miss before eventually transferring to Oregon. Canady registered 39 tackles and six pass breakups throughout a breakout 2025 season. He had a career-high 11 pass breakups at Ole Miss in 2024, and has four career interceptions.
The New York Giants have made a slew of moves to improve this offseason, but still have several key needs that remain unmet.
The recent release of veteran kicker Graham Gano freed up $4.5 million in cap space, giving the Giants approximately $7.45 million to operate with. That may not be enough to reel in a veteran interior offensive lineman, the team's most glaring need at the moment.
General manager Joe Schoen said at the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix that the Giants were "a little bit light on money right now" and that they are still "in the mix" for several free agents.
Joe Schoen said the Giants are "a little bit light on money right now" but said they're in constant constant with agents of players they're interested in.
That led to the question of why the Giants haven't used void years. Schoen said it's a tool they can use, but they try not…
One of those free agents is 35-year-old guard Greg Van Roten, the only player to have played every offensive snap for the Giants over the past two seasons. Van Roten is currently available in free agency, but the Giants would prefer a younger player with whom they can build. That aside, Schoen did not rule out bringing him back.
Schoen discussed the use of "void years" in contracts, a practice teams employ to free up cap space for the present by kicking the can down the road. The downside is that the team carries large dead cap charges on its books long past the player's tenure with the team. Schoen has prided himself on not using void years as he attempts to keep the Giants' books in good order.
"It's kind of like using the credit card as you go if you need it. It would have to be significant to entertain that," he said.
The Giants will also use the draft to fill some needs, but that approach does not always guarantee a solution. They have seven picks in the draft but only two in the top 104 (Nos. 5 and 37). Schoen's philosophy won't change because of needs.
"We're going to take the best player available, regardless of position, that will help the New York Giants," he said.
The Las Vegas Raiders are switching to a 3-4 base defense. That has been confirmed by head coach Klint Kubiak, who appointed Rob Leonard as defensive coordinator to oversee the change. That means the Raiders will be required to roster a run-stopping nose tackle.
Despite that, the Raiders haven't signed one in free agency. The only defensive lineman on the Raiders' roster with the size profile of a nose tackle is JJ Pegues. Pegues played just 137 total defensive snaps in 2025 and earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 37.7 for his run defense. Not exactly ideal.
The Raiders are almost certainly going to select a nose tackle during the 2026 NFL draft. We've identified three potential options.
Domonique "Big Citrus" Orange is a sturdy nose tackle who has been injured throughout the pre-draft process, limiting his participation. During the college football season, he was considered a potential top-75 pick. The 322-pound Orange has seen his pre-draft stock suffer as a result of injury, meaning the Raiders may manage to steal him on draft weekend.
Tim Keenan III, NT, Alabama
Alabama's Tim Keenan III measured in at 6-foot-1 and 327 pounds at the NFL Combine. The Crimson Tide standout is your typical girthy and thick nose tackle. Keenan registered significant tackles for loss throughout his career at Alabama, and should be available on late Day 3.
We kick off the first full week of MLB action with all 30 teams in action today, and prediction markets like Kalshi allow baseball bettors in every state (excluding Nevada) a chance to lock in their favorite MLB best bets.
To help you find some winners among today's games, we've polled our baseball experts for their favorite MLB picks today — as well as offering extra MLB expert picks from the rest of the Covers staff for Tuesday, March 31.
Sign up now using our exclusive Kalshi promo code 'COVERS' and get a $10 trading bonus after you trade $10 on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!
Sign Up Now at img src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/336/kalshi.svg" alt="Kalshi" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
*Eligible to ALL states + DC, (excluding Nevada)
Josh Inglis' expert pick: Rays moneyline
Price: 45¢ (+123) at Kalshi
There’s value on the Tampa Bay Rays at +123, with most books at +115, and THE BAT making them a slight favorite at -112. Shane McClanahan gets the start, and while there are fair questions about his workload and effectiveness coming off two major surgeries, he looked sharp this spring. He’s also backed by a lineup carrying momentum after a ninth-inning comeback win last night vs. a Milwaukee offense that finally didn't get to pick on White Sox pitching.
Jon Metler's expert pick: Giants moneyline
Price: 57¢ (-133) at Kalshi
If you’re a fan of backing elite starting pitchers, you’ll love this bet — we’re getting Logan Webb at a much better price than we should at Kalshi on Tuesday. The San Francisco Giants are trading as a 57% favorite, and I see clear value, as I price them closer to 66%. The Giants are 1–3 to start the season, but Rafael Devers and Luis Arraez profile very well at the top of the order against Germán Márquez, who relies heavily on his fastball. The humidity in San Diego is also expected to be high on Tuesday, which should further enhance the effectiveness of Logan Webb’s sinker.
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Dodgers -1.5
Price: 52¢ (-108) at Kalshi
This looks like a strong bounce-back spot for the Dodgers after taking their first loss of the season last night. Shohei Ohtani posted a 1.71 ERA at home last year, and he looks to be in peak form after punching out 11 in his final spring tune-up. Meanwhile, Tanner Bibee is a different pitcher on the road: He had a 5.17 ERA in away games last season — nearly two runs higher than his mark at home — and he was hit hard in one start vs. LA. Add in the Dodgers’ clear edge with the bats and bullpen to open the season, and this shapes up as a multi-run win.
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.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 25: Matthew Stafford #9, Jimmy Garoppolo #11 and Stetson Bennett IV #13 of the Los Angeles Rams takes the field prior to a game against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Stetson Bennett was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he missed his first season, and since then he hasn’t needed to play in meaningful games (he’s had some fun preseason moments) in 2024 or 2025, and it begs the question, what is the Rams’ plan with Bennett for 2026?
Sean McVay was recently talking with ESPN’s Peter Schrager, and they spoke about the possibility of the Rams adding Kirk Cousins to backup Matthew Stafford and in that same exchange, Sean McVay had a fairly lukewarm endorsement of Bennett, but mostly focused on wanting L.A. to add Cousins of Jimmy Garopollo:
“Really happy for what’s Stetson’s done and the evolution he’s had, but I think it is really important to be able to have somebody behind Matthew with the approach that we take in the offseason and into training camp that can operate our system at a high level, you’re never gonna get anybody quite like Matthew Stafford, but guys like Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garropollo, I have a ton of belief in both of those guys, and I’d be really excited about either one of those guys if we were fortunate enough to have them on our roster.”
What McVay didn’t say about Bennett
Perhaps if McVay was asked the same question again he would’ve spent more time assuring the fan base that Bennett is ready to run L.A.‘s offense, but that’s not what McVay said. Instead, he expressed that Bennett has shown a lot of growth, the Rams are happy with his development, but they want a veteran arm for training camp and in the unfortunate circumstance that Stafford misses time.
McVay did not say that Bennett was integral to the “all-in” approach that the Rams seem to be taking in 2026, and if Bennett cannot help the Rams now, then how can they afford to keep him on the roster in an “all-in” year?
Going into this season, the Rams do not need to draft or add a quarterback for the long-term, or the heir to Stafford, but they may want to grab someone who can help the team win now, and not a QB who is more hope and prayer than a player the Rams have confidence in if their number were to be called upon.
Perhaps the Rams value Bennett more than L.A.’s head coach articulated in this latest interview, but with the NFL Draft coming up, and with the Rams clearly looking for an upgrade at their backup position while Bennett enters the last year of his rookie deal, it wouldn’t be surprising if L.A.‘s quarterback room looks different in 2026 than it did in 2025 when Bennett was on the depth chart.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a catch during the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 31, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ohio State has not lacked elite wide receivers over the past decade by any means. The program has built a reputation as the sport’s premier pipeline at the position, consistently producing first-round talent and record-breaking production.
But even within that standard, Jeremiah Smith is operating on a different trajectory. Through two seasons, Smith has already totaled 156 receptions, 2,401 yards, and 26 touchdowns, putting him within striking distance of Ohio State’s all-time records and firmly on pace to rewrite the program’s history books in 2026. The numbers alone suggest inevitability.
The more interesting question is not about records. It is about awards. Because as Smith enters next season, the expectation is no longer just production. It is whether he can turn that production into a Biletnikoff Award, an honor that still requires more than just dominance.
The production: Historic pace meets consistent dominance
Smith’s statistical profile is already elite. He is just 49 receptions, 467 yards, and nine touchdowns away from tying Ohio State’s career records in all three major categories. With a full season ahead, those marks are not just attainable, they are expected.
What separates Smith is not just volume, but how he produces it. He is a true No. 1 receiver in every sense. He wins vertically, consistently separating on deep routes with long stride speed and tracking ability. He dominates at the catch point, using his frame and body control to win contested situations. And he operates efficiently underneath, turning short completions into explosive gains.
That combination is rare. Most receivers specialize. Smith does everything. And in Ohio State’s offense, that versatility translates into opportunity. High target share, explosive play potential, and consistent involvement in critical situations all point toward a statistical season that will put him squarely in the national spotlight.
The award: Why the Biletnikoff is different
Winning the Biletnikoff is not just about being great. It is about being unmistakable. The award historically favors receivers who combine elite production with national visibility and signature moments. It is not enough to be consistent. You have to be dominant in games people are watching.
Smith checks many of those boxes already. He plays in a high-profile offense, he will have marquee matchups, and he is the clear focal point of the passing game.
But the position itself creates the challenge. Wide receiver is one of the most crowded and volatile award races in college football. Every season produces multiple candidates with elite numbers. The difference often comes down to efficiency, team success, and narrative.
That is where Smith’s path becomes more complicated.
The competition: A loaded national field
Smith will not be chasing the award alone. Receivers like Malachi Toney, Mario Craver, and Cam Coleman represent the type of competition that makes the Biletnikoff race unpredictable.
Toney has emerged as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country, capable of impacting games both as a receiver and after the catch. His versatility and explosiveness make him a constant threat to produce highlight-reel moments that voters remember.
Craver brings a different profile. A polished route runner with strong hands and consistency, he fits the mold of past Biletnikoff winners who accumulate high reception totals and dominate in rhythm-based offenses.
Coleman, meanwhile, offers a blend of size and vertical ability that mirrors some of Smith’s strengths. His ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays puts him firmly in the conversation if his production matches his talent.
And beyond those names, there will be others. There always are. That is what makes the race difficult. It is not just about being great, it is about being better than multiple elite players across the country.
What separates Smith in this race
Despite the competition, Smith has a unique advantage. He does not need a breakout season, he is already there.
Many Biletnikoff campaigns are built on emergence. A player explodes onto the national stage, posts huge numbers, and rides that momentum to the award. Smith’s case is different. He enters the season as a known commodity, already viewed as one of the best receivers in the country.
That shifts the conversation. Instead of asking whether he can reach that level, the question becomes whether he can sustain it and elevate it. And there are reasons to believe he can.
Ohio State’s offensive structure remains receiver-friendly. The quarterback play is stable. And Smith’s role as the primary target is unlikely to change. If anything, it will most likely expand. That combination creates a high statistical floor and an even higher ceiling.
The path to winning it
For Smith to win the Biletnikoff, the formula is relatively clear. First, the numbers need to be overwhelming. Not just good, but clearly among the best in the country. Something in the range of 1,200–1,600 yards and double-digit touchdowns would likely put him firmly in the conversation.
Second, the moments have to match the production. Big games against top opponents, highlight plays in high-leverage situations. Performances that define wins, not just contribute to them.
Third, team success matters. Ohio State does not need to go undefeated, but it needs to be in the national conversation. Awards follow relevance.
If those elements align, Smith’s case becomes difficult to ignore.
Records are coming. The award is the question.
The record book feels inevitable. Barring injury, Jeremiah Smith is on track to leave Ohio State as the program’s all-time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. That alone would cement his place among the greatest receivers in school history.
But the Biletnikoff is different. It is not guaranteed. It is earned in a single season, against the best competition in the country, under the brightest spotlight.
Smith has the talent. He has the production. He has the platform. Now the question is whether he can put it all together at the same time. Because if he does, the records will not be the only thing he leaves behind.
He will leave with the award that proves he was the best in the country.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 12: Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts as he takes the field prior to an NFL Football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium on December 12, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers made a number of moves early in free agency to bolster their roster for the 2026 season, taking advantage of their cap space.
One of the more notable moves? Bringing linebacker Dre Greenlaw back on a one-year, fully guaranteed, $6 million deal. Greenlaw had been a staple of the 49ers defense since being drafted in 2019, forming a strong duo with Fred Warner as a hard-hitting, sideline-to-sideline linebacker.
That prompted the 49ers to extend him back in 2022 on a two-year, $16.4 million deal, keeping him in the Bay Area until 2025. During a stellar 2023 season, Greenlaw suffered an unfortunate Achilles tear in the Super Bowl that year, which kept him out for most of the 2024 season, where he played in only two games.
Still, with his talent, the linebacker got a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Denver Broncos in free agency last offseason, so he left despite a late effort from the 49ers to bring him back. But after playing in just eight games this season due to a few injuries, the Broncos released him, and Greenlaw hit the open market again.
Why not have a reunion with his old team? So, heading into his age-29 season, Greenlaw will be back in San Francisco and look to re-establish himself on a one-year deal after playing just 10 total games in the last two years.
“[A big part of bringing him back was] just how much we love Dre as a person, how much we love him as a player,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said at the Owner’s meetings this week. “He’s one of the best linebackers I’ve ever coached, and I’ve been around some good ones. What he’s meant to the Niners organization, and we hated being away from him. We’re pumped to get him back.”
The 49ers did see growth at the linebacker position last year, as Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune stepped up in place of Greenlaw, and eventually Fred Warner, to be San Francisco’s top linebackers for much of the year.
Winters played in 17 games, recording 101 tackles, eight tackles for loss, a pick-six, and five pass breakups. Bethune saw action in 14 games, recording 94 tackles, four tackles for loss, and four pass breakups in eight starts.
Both players will be back for the 49ers in 2026 and should compete for snaps alongside Greenlaw, Warner, and returner Luke Gifford. So, is Greenlaw a penciled-in starter, or will there be competition?
“[He’s] most likely [the weakside linebacker],” Shanahan said. “I mean, that’s what he’s always played. We’ll see when we get to OTAs and start to get the guys back together. It’s always different when I haven’t seen the guys since really the day after our Seattle playoff loss, but that would be the expectation.”
The 49ers have had an abundance of riches at linebacker before, and it feels like they’ll have it again in 2026, although the depth could be key with two players coming off injury-riddled 2025 seasons. But, with Winters entering the last year of his rookie contract and Tatum Bethune heading into Year 3, we’ll have to see what their roles will be as well this season.
The Augusta National Women's Amateur begins Wednesday, and the seventh edition of the tournament brings a majority of the best female amateurs looking to add their name to the history books down Magnolia Lane.
On Monday, tee times came out for the first two rounds at Champions Retreat Golf Club in neighboring Evans, Georgia. Players will compete in 36 holes of stroke play before a cut is made to the top-30 and ties, with those making the final round competing Saturday at Augusta National. Every player will get to play a practice round Friday at the site of next week's Masters.
Paula Martin Sampedro, Maria Jose Marin, Anna Davis
Tee times: 8:12 a.m.*/8:55 a.m.
Anna Davis is a past champion of the ANWA (2022). Maria Jose Marin is the defending NCAA individual champion. Paula Martin Sampedro won the Women's Amateur and European Ladies Amateur last summer in Europe. Three winners of major women's amateur events in the same group? Yes, please.
Patience Rhodes, Asterisk Talley, Aphrodite Deng
Tee times: 8:23 a.m.*/8:44 a.m.
Asterisk Talley and Aphrodite Deng are arguably the two best juniors in the world and both USGA champions. Talley finished runner-up at the ANWA in 2025. Meanwhile, Rhodes returns after an injury has kept her out a majority of the spring for Arizona State.
Kiara Romero, Andrea Revuelta, Eila Galitsky
Tee times: 9:44 a.m./ 7:23 a.m.*
Romero is the No. 1 amateur in the world and coming in after a win at Colonial last week. Revuelta and Galitsky tied for fourth last year (Romero T-7). Galitsky is the longest-hitting amateur in the women's game. Revuelta's short-game prowess will be on display. A superstar group.
Meja Ortengren, Cayetana Fernandez Garcia-Poggio, Farah O'Keefe
Tee times: 9:44 a.m.*/7:23 a.m.
Ortengren is another Stanford star who could make a run this week. Garcia-Poggio finished fourth in 2023, her debut, and is looking to bounce back after a MC last week. O'Keefe has won three of her past five collegiate events at Texas and may have the most momentum of any golfer in the field.
Soomin Oh, Rianne Malixi, Megha Ganne
Tee times: 9:55 a.m./7:12 a.m.*
Ganne, the U.S. Women's Amateur champion, comes in rested up. She opened in 9-under 63 last year. Malixi is making her debut after having to withdraw last year due to injury, and she's found her groove at Duke. Oh has finished runner-up in three major amateur events in 2026, including the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific.
The Dolphins' trade of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos was the team's latest offseason move to elicit questions about their goals for the coming season.
Moving Waddle while parting ways with a slew of other veterans in moves that have left the team with significant dead cap money has led many to suggest that the Dolphins are looking at 2026 as a year to focus on building for the future while passing on doing all they can to compete in the present.
General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was asked about that perception during an appearance on PFT Live this week and Sullivan called it a "false" premise. While he acknowledged that he and head coach Jeff Hafley stepped into "a unique situation," Sullivan insisted that the roster maneuvers are being done with an eye on trying to win right away.
"I have incredible faith in Jeff Hafley’s ability to lead," Sullivan said. "I know that he and his staff will have this team ready to play and we’re going to show up and compete. Where it goes, it goes. We’ll build this thing out for the future, but we’re here to win now as well. Make no mistake about it."
Sullivan noted that a lot of players on the Dolphins roster are on one-year deals, which does create a lot of motivation for players to put their best showings on tape. Whether players in that contractual position for a team coming off a poor season are the right ones to create a winner is a question that will be answered in the fall.
“The Warriors made what has been described as a determined trade run at the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard in the final hour before the Feb. 5 trade buzzer sounded under the belief that Leonard might be unexpectedly unavailable after LA agreed to ship Ivica Zubac to Indiana,” Stein wrote Sunday.
“The Clippers ultimately balked then, but it is reasonable to presume that Golden State will investigate that possibility once again.”
While Leonard is on the older side, there’s no question he would have been an ideal fit in the Warriors’ high-octane, three-point-heavy offense.
The San Diego State product has always been an above-average long-range shooter, evidenced by his 39.1% career three-point shooting percentage. Whether thriving in catch-and-shoot or off-the-dribble scenarios, Leonard finds a way to positively impact games from beyond the arc.
Combine Leonard’s high-level perimeter shooting with his impeccable defensive instincts and physical tools, and the Warriors would have received a two-way stud who’s won two championships in his career.
It wasn’t meant to be this season, but as Stein mentioned, the Dubs could circle back to Leonard once the summer arrives.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 29: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after lining out in the first inning during a game against the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park on March 29, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s really difficult to make any concrete assertions about a baseball team after only four games. Sure, these games make the term “lethargic” look positively energetic, but even in the most negative point of view, there isn’t really much we can tell about this team yet. The only thing these games have done is reinforced preconceived notions that clouded judgement in the first place.
Instead, we can try and see if there are any trends beginning to take shape. Ideas maybe we had before the season even began that maybe there is a shred of data that can be looked at to see if something is there. Here are a few to maybe keep an eye on as the season progresses, particularly in these early weeks.
Otto Kemp: left fielder?
Sunday’s game was a demonstration that maybe the team’s belief in Kemp as a viable option as one of the platoon partners for the outfield was a bit ambitious in the first place. 2025 showed several examples of why this idea was misguided in the first place, yet the team continued to assert that Kemp would be fine.
There is the likelihood that the team will continue to put him out in left field in a lefthanded pitcher is on the mound. They want to have the platoon advantage there and they believe their best option is to have Kemp, which is odd considering they have Dylan Moore on the roster, a player that has actually played left field in the past. If he cannot play the position, one has to wonder about Kemp’s place on the roster.
Bryce Harper
There is no reason to belabor the point about elite/not elite that was beaten in the offseason. It’s tiresome and boring. Instead, let’s re-shape the question. What would make Dave Dombrowski even say that?
Pitchers are going to try and see what Harper still has. One might think that they’ll try and get him to chase since that was one of his issues with his season last year. We only have a sample of 71 pitches thrown to him, so as you can imagine, the heat map is all over the place.
This doesn’t really tell us much about anything, so instead, how are pitchers trying to approach him? We’ve seen a steady decline in pitchers throwing him fastballs since that is where he does a lot of damage. The rise in breaking ball usage is continuing, even if it, again, is just 71 pitches in total.
Yet this is worth watching as the season progresses. Harper’s bat speed so far suggests that there hasn’t been a falloff there, but the steady diet of breaking pitches that are going out of the zone are going continue from the looks of it. How he fares will likely determine the next chapter of his career.
Rob Thomson’s decision making
The Opening Day usage of Kyle Backhus was fine in theory. The team was up five runs, they only needed three outs and Backhus’ funk was probably something that the Rangers hadn’t seen much of. He wasn’t good, thus forcing Jhoan Duran into the game to give the Phillies their only win of the season thus far. In game two, Jacob deGrom was scratched from the lineup, a left handed reliever taking his place, yet Thomson left in his usual platoon players in Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh. The team was no-hit through several innings afterwards. Getting Stott and Marsh plate appearances against southpaws is fine, particularly if one hopes for their improvement against them, yet it was another curious decision.
Justin Crawford sitting on Monday evening was interesting as well, giving fodder to something else to watch as the season goes on: what goes behind the decisions Thomson regularly makes? Early in the season, he has shown a willingness to sit players often coming out of spring training as the baseball version of load management. That would help explain some of the lineup decisions made early on, but as the season keeps going, when do the lefties (Stott, Marsh and Crawford) sit? What about the bullpen usage patterns? With a trip to Colorado looming, it made some sense to let Taijuan Walker eat some innings Monday, preserving as many arms as possible, but again, what about the situational usage patterns? What will end up being the bullpen pecking order?
As stated before, it’s still only four games. There is plenty of baseball to go, likely most of it good baseball. These are only a few things to watch as the season goes forward, but they are still rather significant things to track.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 28: Nico Daws #50 of the New Jersey Devils looks on during a stop in play in the third period against the Washington Capitals during a preseason game at Prudential Center on September 28, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. The Washington Capitals defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-2 after a shootout. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Goaltender Nico Daws became the Utica Comets all-time wins leader this past week.
It took a 2-1 shootout victory, but Nico Daws defeated Laval last week to sneak past Thatcher Demko as the Utica Comets all-time leader in wins with 56. The Comets, who at least temporarily have slipped past the Belleville Senators into sixth place in the North Division and out of last place for the first time since the beginning of the season. Here’s the magic moment.
Nico Daws seals it in the Shootout to become the new Franchise Wins Leader among Comets goaltenders 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZdLFbl8nHN
What a record like this symbolizes more than anything is just how long Daws has been in the system. Daws first suited up for the Comets in 2021-22. Over the course of his AHL career, Daws has amassed a 57-60-16 record, five shutouts, a 2.86 GAA and a .898 SV%. Had Daws not been called up so often or suited up for a better team, then he would have undoubtedly broken this record much sooner. A restricted free agent with arbitration rights at the end of the season, it’s uncertain what Daws’s future with this franchise will be, but he has been a steady third goalie these past few years. Congratulations to Daws on the milestone.
After the record-setting game, the Comets would go on to win both of their weekend games. Malek and Daws each earned a win, raising Daws’s franchise lead to 57. Defenseman Topias Vilen pocket three primary assists during Saturday’s 5-3 victory. Prospects Cam Squires and Matyas Melovsky each scored a goal and an assist over the weekend. Veteran Ryan Schmelzer exploded for five points in two contests. Nathan Legare had a pair of goals and an assist. Overall, it was a solid effort by both prospects and veterans.
Much like the Devils, the Comets are chasing probably too late to make the playoffs. As of Sunday, the Comets sit in a tie for sixth place of the North Division with 59 points, six points behind 5th place Rochester for the final playoff spot and Rochester has played two fewer games.
The Comets have eight games remaining on the season, three of which are against the dominant, best-in-the-AHL Providence Bruins. It will be a tough slog, and much like the Devils, it appears to be too little, too late, for this year.
Your Take
Let us know what you think. Post your hockey-related comments below.
Portugal and the United States of America go head-to-head in an international friendly in Atlanta on Wednesday as both sides prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Americans have a surprisingly good record against the Seleção das Quinas. They share two wins apiece from their six previous meetings, drawing the other three.
USA have not lost to Portugal in 36 years and are unbeaten against them in competitive matches, having beaten them at the 2002 World Cup and drawing with them at Brazil 2014.
USA vs Portugal – Match preview and team news
Date: Wednesday, 1st April
Kick-off: 12am BST
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Last meeting: Portugal 1-1 USA, international friendly, 14th November 2017
USA team news
Mauricio Pochettino has named a 27-man squad for the March camp. The group includes Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson and Folarin Balogun, while Patrick Schulte was added after Roman Celentano was withdrawn to avoid a potential injury risk.
Following a heavy defeat to Belgium, head coach Mauricio Pochettino must navigate the absence of captain Tyler Adams, who is sidelined with an MCL issue.
The backline is further depleted as Sergiño Dest, Haji Wright, and Miles Robinson are all unavailable due to various muscle strains.
While Chris Richards remains a game-time decision to anchor the defence, Pochettino is expected to rotate his goalkeepers, potentially handing Matt Freese a start over Matt Turner.
The focus remains on defensive cohesion and testing depth players as the squad enters its final preparation phase before the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal team news
Roberto Martínez’s side is also dealing with several major absences. Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the game because of a hamstring injury, while Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva have also stayed out to manage discomfort, and Diogo Costa is a doubt because of an adductor problem.
That leaves Bruno Fernandes as one of the main leaders in the squad, with the midfielder close to climbing Portugal’s all-time scoring list.
Martinez is expected to give more minutes to younger technical players such as Vitinha and João Neves, making this a useful test of Portugal’s depth and balance.
Form
USA: DWWWL
The USMNT enters this match reeling from a humbling 5-2 defeat against Belgium on March 28. Despite an early lead provided by Weston McKennie in the 39th minute and a late consolation goal from Patrick Agyemang, the American defence collapsed in the second half. Statistically, the U.S. struggled to maintain control, allowing 21 shots on target. Matt Turner’s return to the lineup was difficult, as he conceded five goals from 10 shots on target.
Portugal: WDLWD
Portugal heads into tonight’s friendly following a frustrating 0-0 draw against Mexico. While Roberto Martínez’s side dominated the match with a commanding 67% possession, they lacked clinical finishing in the final third without Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal recorded 10 total shots but managed only two on target, reflecting a struggle to break down a low-block defence.
Portugal: R. Silva; Cancelo, Inacio, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, B. Fernandes, Felix; Ramos
How to watch USA vs Portugal?
The match will be broadcast live on TNT, truTV, HBO Max and Peacock in the United States. There will also be Spanish language broadcasts on Telemundo and Universo.
Jan 27, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter looks on against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The John R. Wooden Award will celebrate it’s 50th anniversary this season. Leading up to the award ceremony on April 10, 2026, The Sporting Tribune in partnership with the Wooden Award and the Los Angeles Athletic Club will highlight past winners of the Wooden Award and the Legends of Coaching Award.
When Matt Painter took over his alma mater Purdue in 2005, the Boilermakers were teetering toward an era of obsolescence after NCAA sanctions depleted them for the better part of the early 2000s.
20 years later, few programs in the country are as healthy and flourishing, and Painter is still the man in charge. It took him just a single season to turn the path of Purdue’s proverbial ship from something that resembled the Titanic’s to one more like the Mayflower, and the Boilermakers are currently as much of a mainstay in the college basketball landscape as they’ve ever been.
In recognition for two decades of unparalleled success at Purdue and his success leading up to his time in Lafayette, Painter was named the 2025 Wooden Legends of Coaching Award recipient.
After a 9-19 maiden voyage in 2005-06, Painter and the Boilermakers ripped off a stretch of six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back Sweet 16 trips in 2009 and 2010. After a turbulent stretch midway through the 2010s, Painter again led the Boilermakers back into national contention with back-to-back Sweet 16 trips again in 2017 and 2018 before falling short in a heartbreaker against Virginia in the 2019 Elite 8.
The most prevalent pattern in Painter’s time at Purdue has been his ability to lead the team through those turbulent times. There’s no greater example of that than him leading the 2023 team all the way to the National Championship game just a season after they were on the losing end of the biggest and most noteworthy upset in the history of the sport.
His ability to lead that team to such heights was in large part because of his connection with star center Zach Edey, who he helped guide to back-to-back Wooden National Player of the Year Awards in 2022 and 2023. He’s developed a similar connection to Purdue’s current leader, point guard Braden Smith, and was the same type of pivotal figure in the careers of Robbie Hummel and E’Twaun Moore.
Since Painter has been at Purdue, he’s been named the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2019, and 2024. Before his time at Purdue, Painter built the Southern Illinois Salukis into a force in the Missouri Valley Conference and even earned an at-large bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament after racking up a 25-4 record before the tournament, with just two losses in conference play (including the championship).
CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 30: Jonathan Powell #11, Jaydon Young #4, Jarin Stevenson #15, Derek Dixon #3, Isaiah Denis #5, and Caleb Wilson #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels line up before a game against the Florida State Seminoles on December 30, 2025 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 79-66. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the season now at an end, it is time for that all-time fun job of grading the classes. First up is the freshman class.
Caleb Wilson
When it comes to freshmen, sometimes you get nothing, sometimes you get something, and sometimes you get Caleb Wilson. Wilson was a once in a lifetime player for UNC — probably the best freshman and easily the best one-and-done to play for the Tar Heels. We named Wilson UNC’s freshman of the year and team MVP, and it wasn’t really even close (sorry Henri, you did give a valiant effort). Wilson, who was the best dunker in college this past season, led North Carolina in points per game, rebounds per game, steals (both per game and total), blocks per game, and free throws (both made and attempted). He finished second on the team — and may well have wound up first had he played a complete season — in field goals (made, attempted, and percentage), total rebounds (though tied for first on offensive rebounds), total blocks, and assists per game. The only negative to his season was the injury that cost him the end of it. Rare does a player like this come along; thank you for the memories and good luck in the NBA.
Grade: A+. If not for the injury this would’ve been an A+++.
Dennis Dixon
Dixon had a more typical freshman year, starting on the bench before eventually taking over as a starter for the Tar Heels. Dixon led the team in total assists and free throw percentage, while also finishing second in assists per game, made three pointers, and three-point percentage. Dixon earned our most improved and best bench player honors as he became a guiding force that helped stabilize the team as the ACC season started while also hitting clutch shots down the stretch and earning several POGs to end the season. Dixon is at the top of the list of guys any new coach should definitely consider trying to retain for next years team.
Grade: A-. Solid season, lots to grow upon, good foundation for the future.
Isaiah Denis
Denis did not have a great freshman year. The combo guard from Charlotte entered the season coming off an injury and never really got into Hubert Davis’s rotation, playing in just 10 games this season and often when said game was already over. Denis did show promise though, hitting half of his eight three point attempts. The biggest question for Denis is whether he will stick around next season with a new coaching staff coming in, or if he will look to develop somewhere else where he might get some more playing time (maybe his hometown Charlotte, who just hired his position coach Marcus Paige?)
Grade: Incomplete. I really don’t feel like I can fairly grade a kid who hardly got any opportunities this season to do anything.
How do you think the freshmen did this year? Let us know in the comments below.
Photo by Pedro Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Roberto Martinez has outlined Cristiano Ronaldo’s true role for Portugal heading into the 2026 World Cup, making it clear the veteran still holds a central place in the squad.
With Portugal entering a new era filled with young attacking talent, questions have continued around how Ronaldo fits into the system. Despite that depth, Martinez sees his role as clearly defined.
The Portugal boss pointed to both experience and output. Ronaldo remains a key figure in decisive moments. That is why his presence is still considered essential.
Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images
Roberto Martinez explains Cristiano Ronaldo’s role for Portugal
Speaking in comments shared by Ben Jacobs, Martinez detailed exactly what Ronaldo brings to the team.
“Cristiano is our captain. He has been very influential and important. We won the Nations League with him,” Martinez said.
He added: “His role is important in our team, making the last movements in the box, his goalscoring threat and the way he can finish off moves.”
Martinez highlighted Ronaldo’s ability to deliver in key attacking phases. Even as Portugal evolve tactically, his finishing and positioning remain vital.
That role is now more specialised. Rather than carrying the entire attack, he is used to complete moves and provide a consistent goal threat. It reflects how Portugal are adapting while still relying on their most experienced player.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s mindset continues to drive Portugal
Martinez also pointed to Ronaldo’s mentality as a major factor behind his continued importance.
“His mindset is quite inspiring. He just lives every day as if it was his last one, and he wants to improve. You don’t know when is going to be the end,” the Portugal boss stated.
The Portugal boss emphasised that Ronaldo’s approach sets the tone within the squad. His daily commitment continues to influence younger players.
That mentality has allowed him to maintain elite standards deep into his career. It also explains why he remains part of the team’s plans.
For Portugal, his role is not just tactical. It is also cultural and psychological within the group. As the World Cup approaches, that combination of experience and mindset keeps Ronaldo firmly in the picture.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Chris Jeffrey #0 of the Villanova Wildcats drives to the basket as Mason Falslev #12 of the Utah State Aggies defends during the first half during the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 20, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Season averages:
Minutes per game – 8.2
Points – 3.0
Rebounds – 1.0
Assists 1.0
Steals – 0.6
Field goal percentage – 48.9%
Three-point percentage – 35.7% (5/14)
Free-throw percentage – 80% (16/20)
Season highs:
Points – 12 at Michigan
Rebounds – 3 at Michigan and vs Sacred Heart
Assists – 4 (three times)
Steals – 2 at Michigan and vs Marquette
Overall thoughts:
It is tough to evaluate Chris Jeffrey’s season, as he played inconsistent minutes out of the gate and subsequently injured his knee. His first appearance was a promising one, scoring 11 points against BYU and playing down the stretch (over Acaden Lewis). He was one of only two players to show up at Michigan. But his eventual meniscus injury against Pittsburgh cost him roughly seven weeks of action. Arguably more important than the games missed were the practices missed. But to Jeffrey’s credit, he fought to come back and did not waste the season to preserve a redshirt.
You could see in glimpses how much potential the freshman has. He’s a strong guard who excels in pressuring his opponent the length of the court. To average 0.6 steals in less than nine minutes per game means he would project to lead the conference in steals per game with starters’ minutes.
On offense, most of his shot attempts are quality ones. He will need to improve as a shooter, but his percentages on limited attempts were encouraging. Jeffrey also showed the ability to orchestrate the offense, accruing 22 assists to only five turnovers on the year. It would be interesting to see how those numbers fare in a larger role.
That is where the issue arises: how does he get a larger role next year? If the current backcourt returns, it’s hard to see that happening. Perhaps Jeffrey is content with being the first guard off of the bench, rather than the second one. Setting up to take over as the starter in year three. He has shown that he’s willing to commit to Kevin Willard. But it’s also understandable if he wishes to go somewhere that would afford him a clear starting opportunity. Only playing two minutes in the game against Utah State is unfortunately the final impression that we have from this season.
I think that with his defensive ability, Jeffrey works well with Lindsay as a backcourt mate moving forward. The Lewis and Jeffrey combination is a bit more complicated, as the shooting at the present time would be a genuine concern.
Jeffrey’s commitment to this season and to the program will always be appreciated. As we saw and Kevin Willard explicitly said, that’s not exactly common in today’s game. I also would welcome Jeffrey back to the team with open arms, as I strongly believe in his long-term ability. But that said, it seems that it will be difficult to both get bigger across the frontline and keep all of the remaining backcourt intact.
Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Decker bemoaned a communication breakdown between him and the team. In short, he believes the Lions failed to properly communicate that his return to the team was dependent on his willingness to take a pay cut. So, when Decker announced his intentions of returning to the team for an 11th season instead of retirement, he was surprised, and disappointed, to hear that the team would only allow him back if it was on a reduced salary. Decker refused, and the team released him earlier this month.
Campbell was obviously disheartened to hear about Decker’s frustration.
“You never want a player to feel like something has happened to them that they don’t feel good about. You don’t want that,” Campbell said.
Adding to Decker’s frustration was the fact that the team offered no contact after the release. No thank you’s or appreciation of his time in Detroit. Campbell indicated he’ll eventually reach out to Decker, but noted that sometimes the business is just callous like that.
“These guys, you’re around all the time, it’s like coaches, (then) they’re just gone, and it’s crazy,” Campbell said. “But that’s the nature of the business. That’s the way that it was when I was a player. Some of these coaches are like—I had a coach that it was like we talked every day, man. He would send me messages, he would talk. And then the minute I go to another team, I never heard from him again. It wasn’t being vindictive, but it’s also a little bit like—well, you’re not part of the team anymore and all my focus is on this. That’s kind of the world we live in, unfortunately, and it’s hard. But that’s the way it goes.”
And while Decker may not get a direct message from Campbell and company for a little while, the Lions head coach made sure to tell the media on hand at the owners meetings how much he appreciated Decker’s time with the team.
“Deck’s a stud, man. He gave a lot for a long time through three regimes, and we’ll be forever grateful, man,” Campbell said. “He’ll always be a Lion, and it’ll always be his home at some point. So, he’ll be missed.”
It’s safe to say we are on the roller coaster ride that is the baseball season. This early season has been filled with ups and downs. It’s fun that no matter how baseball changes, how many ways we can analyze it, it’s still a lot the same game. Oh sure, if this were 50 or 60 years ago, Cubs starter Edward Cabrera would probably have thrown (at least) another inning or two. After all, when your starter has allowed just one hit and one walk over six, you keep running him out there.
Just for kicks, I went all of the way back to 1969 to see what Ferguson Jenkins did on Opening Day. It was a perfect compare and contrast to the modern game. Fergie threw only eight innings on Opening Day that year. Was it great restraint by the famed Leo Durocher? Well, not really. Fergie allowed five runs in eight innings of work (he didn’t walk anyone, though). Also, let’s be clear. Fergie started the ninth, pitching with a three-run lead. He allowed two singles and a three-run homer. That finished Fergie’s day after throwing 109 pitches. The Cubs did score two in the bottom of the 11th (after allowing one in the top) to walk it off.
The game changes. Teams don’t rely on starters anywhere near as much as we used to. They hope that more pitches can be thrown at or near max effort. They hope that more pitchers, when effective, can pitch much longer into their careers. We know that first thing is happening more and more. We think maybe that second thing is happening. Less is being asked of starters. And yet, little is more valuable than a strong start from your starter. The Cubs have had two quality starts in the young season and they’ve won both games. They lost the other two.
Eleven teams came through the first weekend of the season without a quality start. Those teams combined for a record of 12-24. That record is buoyed by the Brewers who, annoyingly, swept their opening series without a single QS. Of course, the White Sox didn’t have one either in that series. So I guess that was a wash, at least for starting pitching. The Nationals didn’t have one over the weekend either, but did beat the Phillies in Philadelphia, 13-2. Clearly, no one has told the Nationals that they are supposed to be God-awful. For that matter, no one has told Joey Wiemer that he’s not going to be the MVP. Who doesn’t love an early season line of .800/.846/1.600? I think that’s maybe some kind of record pace.
I’ll be a broken record here early. Because it’s early. Very little of this matters much. It would definitely matter a lot if Cade Horton and Edward Cabrera were elite. We have reason to believe one is and hope that the other can be. It would definitely matter a lot if Matthew Boyd and Shōta Imanaga were bad. I think we fear that one is and expect the other to be at least decent, coming off of an All-Star season. Drawing conclusions in April is a fool’s errand. Doing so in March is a waste of time.
The Cubs got a good pitching performance and the bats shined. More of both, please. And hey, even when one has an off night, there isn’t any particular rule that says both have to be off. I like to think of baseball having four quadrants. These two wins are in the best quadrant which is good pitching/good hitting. So let’s hope that those other two quadrants (good hitting/poor pitching, and poor hitting/good pitching) eke out some wins too. The best teams can win games in all three of the better quadrants (it’s an unusual scenario to win a game with poor/poor performance). And let’s hope the Cubs spend an awful lot of time in that best quadrant. They’ve got a lot of winning to do and a lot of working out who the best 26 are. And there are only 158 games left to get all of that done.
Three Stars:
Edward Cabrera. Six innings, five strikeouts and just one walk. No runs and only a single hit. I only had one eye on it at the time, but I didn’t think the one hit looked particularly crushed.
Ian Happ had a solo homer and a walk. This is the third straight game he’s homered in, matching a career high. It very well could have been four had the wind not knocked down a crushed ball in the opener.
On the third game in three days, with two more to follow, Colin Rea got nine outs with a huge lead. In the modern game, you use a ton of pen. In early games, that’s particularly exacerbated. With Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd to follow, who knows what you get? Giving everyone else a night off allows you to go much more aggressively at the next two. The Cubs high-leverage relievers have seen no leverage at all yet.
Honorable mention to the whole offense. Nine hits, seven walks. Angels starter Ryan Johnson was really shaky and the Cubs had a very patient approach to that. Happ only stands out for the homer. Otherwise, the Cubs offense just showed a steady, relentless approach and wore the Angels down. And their troubles were complicated by the early conditions at Wrigley Field on a pop fly that almost certainly should have been caught and led to two runs.
Game 4, March 30: Cubs 7, Angels 2 (2-2)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
Superhero: Edward Cabrera (.174). 6 IP, 19 BF, H, BB, 0 ER, 5 K (W 1-0)
Hero: Carson Kelly (.122). 1-4, 2 RBI
Sidekick: Ian Happ (.075). 1-4, BB, HR, RBI, 2 R
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Alex Bregman (-.039). 1-4, BB
Goat: Michael Conforto (-.014). 0-2
Kid: Matt Shaw (.001). 1-2
WPA Play of the Game: Carson Kelly batted with runners on first and second and two outs in the first, the Cubs up one. He skied one into shallow center. The Angels failed to make a play on the ball and Pete Crow-Armstrong motored around from first to make this into a two-run single. (.155)
*Angels Play of the Game: Ryan Johnson faced Alex Bregman with a runner on first and no outs in the first inning, the game scoreless. He got Bregman to pop out for the first out. (.035)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Yesterday’s Winner: Alex Bregman received 124 of 148 votes.
Up Next: Game two of the three-game set with the Angels. Jameson Taillon makes his season debut. Last year he was 11-7 with a 3.68 ERA in 23 starts. Taillon’s numbers as a Cub do not in any way justify the negative perception of his value. In his age-34 season last year, he dealt with some injuries but was pretty effective when healthy. At this point in his career, it’s hard to imagine he can’t be a fifth starter who produces more good starts than bad and provides value to this team.
The Angels start 27-year-old José Soriano. Soriano started Opening Day this year for the Angels. He threw six scoreless and struck out seven in Houston. He’s pitched in parts of three seasons for the Angels previously, having an 18-21 record and a 3.82 ERA across 92 appearances (52 starts). Could the 27-year-old Dominican product be finding himself? We shall see. He didn’t face the Cubs last year. He threw five unremarkable innings against them in July 2024. Michael Busch took him deep and Miguel Amaya had a pair of hits. Plan to see Miguel back in the lineup to try to continue his hot start at the plate.
How about the first back-to-back wins of the season?
WEST WINDSOR, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 1: The Syracuse Orange race during the Division I Women's Rowing Championship held at Lake Mercer on June 1, 2025 in West Windsor, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
We’re back today to get you caught up on the latest from Syracuse’s Olympic Sports as the spring sports calendar ramps up.
Women’s Rowing:
The #12 Orange opened the season at the Doc Hosea where the V8 boat defeated #8 Rutgers and finished behind #9 Virginia. Syracuse’s 2nd V8 boat swept the two races
Syracuse is back in action this weekend against Yale and Cornell at the Cayuga Cup in Saratoga Springs.
Softball (11-14, 0-7):
It’s been a tough start to the ACC schedule for Syracuse as they lost two home gamesJadyn each to Virginia and NC State.
Jadyn Burney leads the Orange with a .389 batting average and 14 stolen bases on the season, but overall the Syracuse offense has struggled with just a .232 team batting average.
The Orange head to Pitt this weekend looking to grab their first ACC win of the season.
Track and Field:
It’s early in the outdoor season, but Jamir Brown has taken his indoor momentum to the 110m hurdles as his 13.49 is tops in the ACC and 2nd in the country in the event. Julian Franjeh has the 4th fastest 3000m steeplechase in the ACC in 2026.
Four Syracuse women are in the top 10 in the ACC in their events- Nicea Jones is 4th in the 400m, Peyton Rollins and Tia Outlaw are 8th and 9th in the 100m hurdles, and Indie Wallace-Persaud is 9th in the 100m and 10th in the 200m.
The Orange are back in action at Stanford and Cortland this weekend.
Tennis (6-9, 2-6):
Since our last update, the Orange were swept by Stanford and California, but knocked off #65 Wake Forest before losing to #9 NC State.
Against Wake, Syracuse rallied after losing the doubles point to win four of six singles matches to earn the 4-3 win.
Head coach Sean McVay confirmed that the Los Angeles Rams considered trading veteran wide receiver Davante Adams earlier in the offseason.
There were rumors that the Rams were considering trading Adams for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown. Adams was a strong candidate to be traded because of his expiring two-year, $44 million contract.
“We really talked about some different avenues of onboarding other players and how it might affect Davante. I’ve talked to Davante about that, and if we felt that it was best for our team, we would have done that,” McVay said to reporters at the NFL’s annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, per The Athletic. “But we didn’t think it was best for our team, so we’re excited to move forward with him.”
The Rams ultimately decided to keep Adams for what could be the final season of his career.
Rams Spoke to Adams About the Possibility of Being Traded
Sep 7, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) hugs coach Sean McVay before the game against the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
McVay told reporters that the Rams organization was open with Adams about the possibility of being traded. He explained how Adams is a veteran player who deserves to be aware of the potential changes he could be facing in the future.
“There’s a lot of narratives that are out there. What I do think is important is to address the things that our players could be affected with,” McVay said, per The Athletic. “I believe in dealing with those things directly. He’s a grown man, and he’s a great player. At the end of the day, there’s a lot of things going on. We’re always looking at ways to upgrade our roster and feel like we can be as competitive as possible. There’s discussions and dialogues, but it never got to that.”
The Rams are the fourth organization that Adams has played for throughout his career. There is a good chance he could retire at the end of the 2026 season, and Los Angeles is going all in on helping Adams retire as a Super Bowl champion.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 29: Head coach Dusty May of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 29, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Wolverines fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The No. 1-seed Michigan Wolverines are in the Final Four and will be facing the No. 1-seed Arizona Wildcats on Saturday. If Michigan beats Arizona, they’ll either play No. 2-seed UConn or No. 3-seed Illinois in the national championship.
In this edition of SB Nation Reacts, we want you to predict whether Michigan beats Arizona or wins the national championship. Vote below.
Per FanDuel Sportsbook, Michigan’s odds of winning the national championship are at +150 — the odds of the three other teams in the Final Four include Arizona at +180, UConn at +650, and Illinois at +450.
How did you vote this week? Let us know in the comments and come back later in the week when we reveal the results.
Argentina and Zambia go head-to-head in an international friendly this week in what will be the first ever meeting between the two nations.
The Albiceleste are busy preparing to defend their World Cup crown after triumphing in Qatar just over three years ago. Zambia, who are 91st in the world rankings, failed to qualify for this summer’s tournament in North America.
Argentina vs Zambia – Match preview and team news
Date: Wednesday, 1st April
Kick-off: 12:15am BST
Venue: Estadio Armando Jose Alberto, Buenos Aires
Argentina team news
Gonzalo Montiel and Leonardo Balerdi were withdrawn from the squad due to injury issues before the game against Mauritania, and now Joaquin Panichelli has been ruled out long-term after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear.
Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Lionel Messi, who was only used as a substitute last time out, will start against Zambia.
Argentina is likely to start with its established core team. “Most of the players we know well will be playing. This will be the final test,” Scaloni said.
“Later, we’ll make some changes to take a look at some of the younger guys, but the idea is to field our most familiar lineup,” he said.
Scaloni already submitted the preliminary 55-man squad for the World Cup and will select the final squad based on performances.
Zambia team news
The Copper Bullets face a major fitness concern regarding midfielder Prince Mumba, who is a serious doubt for the match after suffering a facial injury during a training collision in Buenos Aires on 30 March.
Despite this setback, the team remains confident under the leadership of Captain Fashion Sakala. The Al Fayha forward is expected to join the attack while Patson Daka will lead the line.
Sakala publicly stated that his side is ready to compete with the world champions. The squad remains largely intact otherwise, focusing on a defensive structure designed to frustrate Argentina’s frontline.
Form
Argentina: LWWWW
Argentina enter this match on a four-game winning streak. Their latest result was a narrow 2-1 victory over Mauritania on 28 March, where goals from Enzo Fernández and Nico Paz secured the win despite a nervy performance. Coach Scaloni is using this form to fine-tune tactics, notably deciding to start Lionel Messi today to improve offensive rhythm.
Zambia: LDDLD
Zambia have struggled recently, failing to score in three of its last four internationals. Their most recent outing was a 0-0 draw against Malawi on 28 March in Botswana. This lack of cutting edge, combined with conceding 2+ goals in each of their last four friendlies.
Predicted lineups
Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Senesi, Tagliafico; Simeone, Mac Allister, De Paul, Barco; Messi, Alvarez
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Collin Morikawa of the United States hits his second shot on the 10th hole during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2026 at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on March 12, 2026 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Countdown City will feature Collin Morikawa this week.
During the TGL Finals last week ESPN reported that Collin was going to be in the field for the Valero Texas Open and what with play beginning two days from now that reality has officially come to pass.
This is notable for a couple of reasons:
At the moment Collin is number 8 in the Official World Golf Rankings
He is number 13 in Data Golf’s rankings, for what it’s worth
Last we saw Morikawa was at the Players Championship where he withdrew early into his opening round
The Masters is next week
It goes without saying that this is a pretty big week for Collin for the last two points specifically. TPC San Antonio offers the last opportunity for him to dial in his game before heading to Augusta.
Let’s remember that Collin has already won on the PGA Tour this season, by the way. He was victorious at Pebble Beach so we know his game is in a solid place where he can win.
It should be interesting to see him this week before the intensity dials up.
Chelsea star makes major Barcelona transfer admission
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella admits it would be “hard to turn down” Barcelona if they ever submitted a transfer bid for him.
The 27-year-old played for La Blaugrana’s youth sides after coming through Espanyol’s academy. He made one senior appearance before joining Eibar.
Cucurella then went on to sign for Getafe before joining Brighton in 2021. After one season with the Seagulls, Chelsea bought him for £60 million.
The left-back spoke about the possibility of returning to his home country in an interview with the BBC.
Chelsea star Cucurella makes Barcelona transfer admission
“Spain is always Spain,” he said. “It is where I grew up and you always think about going back.
“But I would [prefer to] leave it for a few years down the line. I am very happy here and it is a great life experience.”
When asked specifically about potentially returning to Barcelona, Cucurella responded: “It is clear if that situation [Barcelona making an offer] did arise, it is hard to turn down, but I would have to consider it in the end.
“It is not just me, I also have to think about my family and together we would have to decide what’s best for us.
“As I have said before, right now I am not thinking about that. If it comes, it will come, and we will see what decision is made.”
Cucurella has made 154 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea, winning the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Defensive quality control K.J. Wright of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on November 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
After a decade playing in the Emerald City, former Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright is beginning to build a new legacy by earning his first promotion with the rival San Francisco 49ers.
Wright was hired by the 49ers in 2023 to serve as their assistant linebackers and defensive quality control coach, a title he’s held for the last two years. Now in his third year with the Bay Area-based franchise, Wright will serve as the team’s linebackers coach for the 2026 season.
While there were rumors that former Seahawks assistant Robert Saleh was trying to poach Wright and bring him to Tennessee, it seems he’ll be staying with the 49ers for at least the next year.
#49ers have promoted KJ Wright to linebackers coach, among many other coaching staff moves.
They make Raheem Morris (DC) and Matt Eberflus (assistant head coach/defense) hires official.
A long-time fan favorite during his time with the Seahawks, Wright was a staple of the franchise’s front-7 alongside Bobby Wagner during the Legion of Boom era. He helped Seattle claim their first Super Bowl in 2014, earned his only Pro Bowl honor in 2016 and finished his career with over 900 tackles and 11 forced fumbles in his time with the Seahawks.
Despite Wright playing his last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Mississippi State grad would return to Seattle to sign a one-day contract to retire a Seahawk. While Wright’s playing career ended with the team that drafted him in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, his next journey will depend on beating the team wearing the same blue and action green jerseys he once donned.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: Head coach Jerrod Calhoun of the Utah State Aggies reacts during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a hectic week for Mountain West teams in postseason play, with coaches on the move and teams looking to extend their seasons. After a first round win over Villanova, Utah State had a second round game against top-seeded Arizona. Meanwhile, UNLV, Nevada, and New Mexico all looked to move past the round of 16 in the NIT. Let’s take a look at how each of these four teams fared in this edition of “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.”
The Good
New Mexico
The Lobos are the last team standing and will continue their quest for an NIT championship, as they take on Tulsa on Thursday night. After a dominating first round win over Sam Houston, New Mexico did not let up in wins over George Washington and Saint Joseph’s. In three NIT wins, the Lobos average margin of victory is 18 points. Freshman standouts Tomislav Buljan and Jake Hall have been phenomenal in this tournament and will likely be highly sought after when the season concludes. Here’s to hoping the Aggies can hold on to their star players.
Nevada
Their season may be over, but the Wolf Pack put up a heck of a fight in the NIT. Nevada followed their opening round victory over Murray State with a comfortable home win over Liberty. The Wolf Pack were led by impressive performances by Vaughn Weems (23 points and 5 rebounds) and Corey Camper Jr. (17 points and 8 rebounds). Unfortunately for Nevada, their season came to an end in a narrow defeat by Auburn. It was a valiant effort, but the Wolf Pack fell just short .
The Bad
UNLV
The Rebels were impressive in their opening round victory over UC Irvine; in the win, we saw one of their most well-rounded performances of the year. They followed that up with a dud against Tulsa. Like much of the season, the Rebels relied too heavily on Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, who had 29 points to keep the Rebels in the game. Gibbs-Lawhorn and Tyrin Jones combined to score 47 of the Rebels’ points while the rest of the team had only 19 points and shot just 30.7% from the field. This feels like a team on the brink. If Coach Pastner can hold on to his young talent, this team could make a run next season.
The Ugly
Utah State
The Aggies aren’t in the “Ugly” category for their loss to Arizona. They put up a valiant effort against, arguably, the best team in the country. Utah State showed a lot of grit and determination in their 78-66 loss. They gave up the fewest points to Arizona in the tournament and cut the Wildcats’ lead down to four on multiple occasions in the second half. It was the news after the game that head coach Jerrod Calhoun had accepted the head coaching job at Cincinnati after just two years with the Aggies that put them here. It was heartbreaking news for a program that has struggled to hold on to head coaches. Hopefully a move to the PAC 12 will help this team find continued success and give them the financial ability to hold on to a head coach.
How did you feel about Utah State’s performance against Arizona? Are you surprised Calhoun left for a job at Cincinnati? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Is there anything in your golf game that you want more than consistency? You want to hit more fairways and greens, and make more putts—but you’re not talking about getting it together once, for one round, and being satisfied. You want to do it all the time. But how do you unlock your best golf, over and over again? How do you take that one round that felt like a fluke, and make it your standard? In the February 1985 Golf Digest story, 18 Keys to Consistency, pros share tips to help make you a more consistent golfer. Amy Alcott’s is a mental trick that every golfer would benefit from trying.
“Don't think about what your next shot means,” Alcott says in the article. “Too many golfers I see, men and women alike, put extra pressure on themselves by worrying about the significance of every shot.
"If I make this putt, that means I'm a great pressure putter."
"If I can par these last three holes, it will be the best round of my life."
"If I get down in two, we win the $10 nassau."
That translates into, "I've got to make this shot," or "I've got to make this putt." It gets so bad they can't even take the putter back.”
Putting the pressure on is enticing to some, Alcott explains. Because if you do put that pressure on and then come through, you’re a hero. And then you try to ride that high for the rest of the round. It’s dangerous, however, because if you don’t pull off the shot, then you’re left feeling like a failure. Alcott says that these ups and downs aren’t worth it.
“Take it from me, you're better off leaving your ego in your bag. The levelheaded players, who don't let that single bad shot ruin their round or let a good putt make them higher than a kite, are the ones who succeed the most,” Alcott says.
Instead, Alcott recommends a healthy detachment from the outcome of each shot. That putt to halve the hole? It’s just a putt. Hitting the fairway to avoid going OB and losing your chances of breaking 90 for the first time? It’s just another tee shot, no different from the ones you were hitting on the range during your warm-up.
“You've probably listened to interviews where a pro who's broken the course record says something like, "I didn't know how far under par I was." He's not kidding. When you scored your best round, were you thinking about "what it means"? Were you counting up your score on every hole? Were you trying to impress your playing partners?,” Alcott queries. “I'll bet you weren't. I'll bet, in fact, that you were simply letting it happen, playing one shot at a time, and the good round just happened. Your mind was quiet. It wasn't worried about ‘what it means.’”
The advice is intriguing. What if unlocking your best golf is as simple as letting go of the pressure of making this round the best round of your life?
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 14: Madison Hammond #99 of Utah Royals warms up prior to the NWSL match between Kansas City Current and Utah Royals at CPKC Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Sydney Schneider/NWSL via Getty Images) | NWSL via Getty Images
Joining the Utah Royals wasn’t an easy decision for Madison Hammond, the NWSL trailblazer and defensive midfielder. It took bravery and a type of vulnerability she had never experienced before—a difficult choice that is now paying off in spades. At Utah, she’ll continue everything that has always set her apart: growing as a leader, playing more freely, and being a role model to Native American and Black girls who is never afraid to speak out about what she believes in.
Hammond signed with the Royals this past offseason as a free agent after four years at Angel City FC.
“It was an internal struggle for me to leave LA,” said Hammond. “I love LA, my family’s there, my partner’s there, all the things—and I just really established this sense of community there.”
But Hammond knew that in order to keep on growing as a player, she had to make a leap of faith—a big decision that ended up sending her from the beaches of Los Angeles to the mountains of Salt Lake City. “When I reflected on my time at LA, and who I want to be as a player, it turned into an on-field decision. I needed to put myself in an uncomfortable environment and embrace change,” she said.
At the Royals, Hammond, who is now in her seventh NWSL season, is growing into a leader her peers can look up to on and off the field. Her teammates recently voted her into the Royals leadership group after just a few weeks with the team, a result she wasn’t expecting.
“I want to be someone that people can rely on and depend on, both on and off the field, in a way that feels real,” she said. She tries to mentor younger players in a way that would have been helpful to her when she was first starting out.
On the field, Hammond said her goal this season is to play more freely—and to score more goals. Her role on the Royals is as a dynamic defensive midfielder, covering ground and breaking up plays.
“I think that I’ve gotten to a point in my career where I just want to take more risks and be more bold,” said Hammond. “[To] know that I’m confident enough in myself, and my teammates are confident enough in me.”
Throughout her soccer journey, Hammond’s family has always been there to support her. In fact, her mother has attended nearly every single club, college, and professional game she has ever played in. She plans to continue the streak by attending every Royals home game this season.
“Having my family at games has meant the world to me as a pro,” said Hammond. “There are days you don’t start, there’s days you don’t dress—and to know that your family is still there, that gives you so much power and strength.”
Hammond is also close to her grandmother, who she bonds with over Yerba Madre, one of Hammond’s sponsors. Hammond said her favorite flavors of the Yerba Madre energy drink are Enlighten Mint and Original.
Hammond holds a unique position in the NWSL: she is the first and only Native American player in the league. While that fact once caused “a lot of pressure, and a lot of feelings of doubt,” seven years into her career, now something has shifted—while she’s still the only Native American player in the league, it’s “really just an empowerment factor.”
“For so much time to have passed and to still be one of one, it means a lot to me,” said Hammond. “It means a lot to represent my community and to kind of be the person that has a voice to speak up.”
Now that she’s in Utah, Hammond wants to continue being a player that young Native Americans can look up to, something especially important in a community that is under-representated in professional sports.
“I think here in Utah, there’s a really unique opportunity, because there’s such a huge Native population in the state,” Hammond said. “My personal goal is to get more Natives to come to the game, and I think that would just open up a lot of opportunities… for young players that might need somebody that looks like them to just give them a little push.”
Hammond, who is both Black and Native American, is also active in the Black Women’s Players Collective (BWPC). Both identities are important to her. “It’s really easy to attach a headline of the first Native American to play in the NWSL, but there’s this whole other side of me as a Black woman that exists very authentically every day,” she said.
She feels grateful for the community and support that the BWPC provides, and gives back through the organization, like attending a recent event to support young Black girls in Salt Lake City.
Hammond has also been known for her activism, and feels a strong responsibility to use her platform. She has spoken out in the past to call out anti-Indigenous language, and has advocated for gender equity in sports and more diverse coaching staffs.
“I just feel such an innate responsibility to use even the tiny sliver of a platform that I have, because there are so many women underneath that platform that can’t say anything in their workplace, in their regular lives…” she said. “Wouldn’t you take that opportunity to use your voice?”
With her move to Utah, Hammond is only continuing to grow—as a player, as a leader, and as a voice the league needs more than ever.
New information has emerged in Tiger Woods‘ arrest last week following a rollover crash in Jupiter, FL.
Last week, golf fans around the world feared the worst when a report emerged that 15-time major winner Tiger Woods was involved in a serious car crash. Despite his car rolling over in the accident, the 50-year-old avoided major injuries. However, that was far from the end of the story.
It was soon revealed that Woods had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. It was the fourth time that the golf icon had been in a car accident since 2009.
Since Friday, various details about his arrest have leaked, including passing a field sobriety test, but declining a blood/urine test from arriving officers. On Tuesday, new information came to light after ESPN obtained the probable cause affidavit from the Martin County Sheriff’s office.
Tiger Woods was arrested due to a new Florida law
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Tiger Woods' mug shot taken just after his arrest for DUI in Florida has been released pic.twitter.com/fSSY5ZAyZD
According to the document, Woods claimed he was looking down at his phone, as well as changing the radio station, and didn’t realize the car in front of him had slowed down. The golfer swerved, clipped the vehicle, and that led to the rollover crash.
The affidavit notes that Woods had “bloodshot and glassy” eyes, “extremely dilated” pupils, was “sweating profusely,” and was “lethargic and slow,” following the incident. He agreed to perform field sobriety exercises, admitted he took prescription pills, but claimed he had not drunk any alcohol.
Two hydrocodone pills — which are painkillers — were found in Woods’ pants pocket. Although he passed the field sobriety exercise, a CNN report on Tuesday explained that the reason he was arrested was because of a new Florida law passed in 2025 that automatically charges a person with a misdemeanor and license suspension for failing to take any sobriety tests requested by a police officer.
Woods has dealt with back issues for years and has had multiple surgeries on it. However, his 2021 car crash led to serious injuries to his leg. Both are behind the painkiller use ahead of last week’s accident.
The Eagles are signing former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chandler Martin, according to his agency, JL Sports.
Martin will be signed to a two-year deal.
Martin can be a contributor on special teams and potentially on defense. He was elevated for three games from the Ravens’ practice squad and played 34 snaps on special teams.
Martin might have played a larger role if he didn’t suffer a torn ACL in Week 13.
Martin, 23, was an undrafted free agent out of Memphis in 2025. He was a two-time first-team All-AAC honoree with the Tigers, recording 33 tackles for loss in those two seasons combined.
The Eagles are listed at +135 on FanDuel to win the NFC East for the 2026-27 season. Our comprehensive FanDuel Sportsbook review provides a guide on how to sign up and use their app. For an even closer look, visit our NFL futures betting guide if you’re interested in learning more about how to bet on NFL futures.
Prior to transferring to Memphis, Martin was a star at Division I-AA East Tennessee State.
The Eagles could use a little depth at linebacker after losing Nakobe Dean to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency and successor Jihaad Campbell dealing with a shoulder injury.
The Eagles still have starter Zack Baun and reserves Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon and Chance Campbell on the roster.
Tiger Woods was "sweating profusely," his eyes were bloodshot and his pupils were "extremely dilated" following a car collision in Florida Friday that led his vehicle to roll over on its side, according to a newly released arrest report. The golf legend was charged with driving under the influence in the aftermath of the crash.
Woods, 50, was taken into custody at around 2 p.m. Friday, when his Land Rover was involved in the crash in the town of Jupiter, authorities said. The sheriff's deputies who responded to the scene made note of the fact that the athlete appeared to be impaired while responding to questions and attempting to complete a series of sobriety tests.
One observed that while Woods spoke to another responding officer, his "movement was lethargic and slow," despite the fact that he seemed alert during the investigation. Woods wore sunglasses at first, and when asked to remove them, revealed that his eyes were "bloodshot and glassy," according to the arrest affidavit.
The deputy recalled Woods saying that he had not consumed alcohol that day but had taken "a few" prescription medications. Two pills, later determined to be the painkiller hydrocodone, were found in the pocket of Woods' pants, the report said.
According to the affidavit, Woods had been driving behind a pickup truck that was towing a trailer along with it, and suddenly swerved into the middle of the road once the truck began slowing down to turn into a driveway.
No one was injured in the collision. The trailer sustained an estimated $5,000 worth of damages.
The truck driver told a Martin County sheriff's deputy that he and another person helped Woods exit his SUV. Because the driver's side door faced the ground after the car flipped over, Woods had to climb out of the passenger's side instead, according to the affidavit.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Tiger Woods on March 24, 2026 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida ; Tiger Woods booking photo. Credit: Adam Glanzman/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty ; Martin County Sheriff;s Department
NEED TO KNOW
Tiger Woods allegedly had bloodshot eyes and was in possession of two opioid pills after he crashed his SUV on Friday
According to a probable cause affidavit, Woods told officers that he was looking at his cell phone and playing with his radio when the crash occurred
Woods was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence
Tiger Woods allegedly had bloodshot eyes and was in possession of two opioid pills in his pocket when he was arrested after crashing his SUV in Florida on Friday, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Deputies with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office allegedly found two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ left pants pocket while at the scene, according to the affidavit obtained by PEOPLE on Tuesday, March 31.
In the moments before crashing his Range Rover into a Ford F-150 pickup truck that was towing a trailer in Jupiter Island, Fla, on Friday, March 27, Woods, 50, allegedly told a deputy that he had looked down at his phone while changing the station on his car radio, and did not realize that the truck ahead of him had slowed down.
Woods entered the oncoming lane of traffic to avoid hitting the truck, but he clipped the trailer and his SUV rolled over onto its driver’s side.
Minutes later, the truck driver, with the assistance of an onlooker, helped pull Woods out of the car through the passenger side, according to the affidavit.
While speaking to Woods, a deputy “observed several signs of impairment,” including "bloodshot and glassy" eyes and "extremely dilated" pupils, the probable cause affidavit said.
Tiger Woods' booking photo on March 27 Credit: Martin County Sheriff’s Department
In addition, Woods was "extremely alert and talkative" and had "hiccups during the entire investigation," according to the affidavit.
The golfer told authorities that he had not had alcohol that day, but when he was asked if he had taken any prescription medication, Woods said, “I take a few.”
He told officers that he had taken his medicine earlier that morning, according to the document.
As Woods sat in the backseat of a car at the scene with officers, one observed him “sweating profusely” despite A/C running in the vehicle.
At the scene, Woods’ movement was “lethargic and slow,” but he was “extremely alert” during the investigation, authorities said.
Woods performed a sobriety exercise in which a deputy observed him to be “limping and stumbling to the right,” the affidavit said. The athlete had a compression sock over his right knee and “appeared to have a leg injury,” a deputy observed.
“Woods advised he’s had seven back surgeries and over 20 operations on his leg,” the affidavit states.
Based on Woods’ performance during a sobriety exercise, a deputy said he “believed Woods’ normal facilities were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle.”
Few players in Philadelphia Eagles history embody the City of Brotherly Love's spirit quite like Brandon Graham. The funny thing is that he is from Detroit. Then again, that alone says he's blue-collar and battle-tested. His journey has been anything but smooth, an underdog story defined by perseverance, growth, and resilience. Time and again, he's been knocked down, only to rise again stronger. That toughness is part of what has made him a fan favorite and a cornerstone of the organization for more than a decade.
Of course, his legacy is forever cemented by one moment. Graham authored what has to be viewed as the greatest strip-sack in NFL history (seeing as how the 'Tuck-Rule Game' resulted in the greatest called-incomplete pass ever). Anyway, Graham knocked the ball loose from Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII to help secure the Eagles' first championship. It was fitting that it was he, a player who had endured so much, to deliver the defining play. Now a two-time Super Bowl champion and Howie Roseman's first-ever draft pick, Graham finds himself at another crossroads.
Throughout the offseason, he has expressed a desire to continue playing, even hinting at one final run. Still, no deal has been finalized. That leaves several possibilities on the table, and that is expected to be the focus of the conversation once this sit-down begins. This press conference could signal a return for one more season, a formal retirement, or something entirely unexpected. Given Graham's recent comments, a comeback seems plausible, but nothing is certain until he steps to the podium.
Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear. Graham's impact on this franchise is undeniable. If this truly marks the end of his playing days, it will close the book on one of the most remarkable careers in Eagles history. If it doesn't, if there's one more chapter to be written, Philadelphia will gladly welcome it. He has already proven there is plenty of gas left in the tank and plenty of tread left on his tires.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has unveiled the full schedule for the Indian Premier League 2026 season, with Punjab Kings set to kick off their campaign on Tuesday, March 31 against Gujarat Titans. The match will be held at their home ground, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, starting at 7:30 PM IST.
Here’s the complete schedule of Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 fixtures, along with details of their updated squad, matches, and venues.
Shreyas Iyer led Punjab Kings to a runners-up finish last season and will aim to go one step further this time. Despite his consistency, including 604 runs at a strike rate above 175, Iyer remains out of India’s T20I plans, having last played in December 2023. He was overlooked for major tournaments despite strong returns and a brief recall as a replacement. As captain, Iyer continues to lead from the front, anchoring Punjab’s ambitions. With a powerful Indian core at their disposal, PBKS will once again rely on their explosive batting unit to mount a serious title challenge.
PBKS' full squad for IPL 2026: Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Vishnu Vinod, Harnoor Pannu, Pyla Avinash, Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Harprett Brar, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Priyansh Arya, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Mitch Owen, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur, Xavier Bartlett, Pravin Dubey and Vishal Nishad.
Michigan State football is into their third week of spring practice, and new head coach Pat Fitzgerald was made available to provide an update on how things are going so far for the Spartans.
Fitzgerald is in the midst of his first spring as the new Michigan State head coach, and had some positive things to say about what he's seen so far. Fitzgerald called out a few players in particular that have stood out and stated the defense is learning at an accelerated pace.
Here are some of the highlights from Fitzgerald's latest media session following a spring practice session on Tuesday morning:
Fitzgerald stated spring practice is flying by, saying he couldn't "believe it's practice seven in the books."
Fitzgerald noted this morning's practice was only the second time this spring the Spartans have gotten to practice outside.
Fitzgerald stated one of the things standing out right now is everyone's work ethic -- " It's not an excuse to be early, it's motivation."
Fitzgerald noted that things continue to be a work in progress, and that the Spartans are hopeful to get some guys back from fall injuries before the end of the spring practice session.
Fitzgerald noted on the importance of building relationships and bond during the spring -- "One meal, one meeting, one opportunity to build relationships at a time."
Fitzgerald said the Spartans are looking to have a pair of scrimmages during the "second-to-last" and "last week" of practice but that will be dependent on health of roster.
Fitzgerald noted the offensive line is especially banged up at this time, with only "seven to eight lineman at full go."
Fitzgerald spoke highly of new offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, stating he "does not like football, he loves football."
Fitzgerald highlighted new Ferris State transfer Carson Gulker, stating he'll play tight end for Michigan State this upcoming season.
Fitzgerald talked about the "accelerated learning" of the defense thanks to the retention of defensive coordinator Joe Rossi.
Fitzgerald spoke very highly of defensive lineman Ben Roberts, stating he "has been great since the day I got here. He's got a big heart, big presence."
Fitzgerald said the support, especially in NIL, has been great so far; he also took a slight shot at his previous employer Northwestern, stating it was very different at "his last stop."
Fitzgerald further showed his support for NIL and players getting paid -- "I told the guys, 'make us have to pay you more money. Make it real easy for me.'"
Watch the entire press conference in the video below -- courtesy of SpartanMag:
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
The right-hander is the Phillies' No. 2-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline, stands 6-foot-7, and weighs 215 pounds. Painter was the 13th overall draft pick in 2021 out of Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
He posted a 2.31 ERA with eight strikeouts and two walks in 11.2 innings during spring training, and spent nearly all of last season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
"We don't want to extrapolate too much from his Spring Training -- we learned that lesson post-AFL, right? -- but he did look a lot more like the Painter of old, the one whose combination of stuff and feel for pitching seemed certain to lead to a career as a frontline starter," MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo wrote Monday, adding that Painter underwent Tommy John Surgery in July of 2023.
Painter's fastball sat 96-98 mph during spring training, and his arsenal includes a sinker, slider, changeup, and a curveball.
"Don't sleep on his upper-80s changeup either," Mayo added. "That's a pitch that missed bats at a 55 percent clip last year and was really good when he threw it this spring."
Philadelphia is hopeful Painter can become a longtime top-of-the-rotation guy. Obviously, there's a lot to like about how he projects on the mound.
Shohei Ohtani makes his first start on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season. Tanner Bibee will pitch for Cleveland. The Guardians won the first game of the series on Monday, handing the Dodgers their first loss. Los Angeles is favored with a -235 moneyline and a -1.5 spread.
How to watch Cleveland Guardians vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET / 7:10 p.m. PT
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
TV Channels: SportsNet LA, Guardians.TV Presented by Progressive
I thought we were supposed to be asking the questions. Those of us more accustomed to rattling laptop keyboards than heavyweight skulls sit opposite Derek Chisora, arranged in a crescent, ready to interview the star of the moment – but it’s the British veteran who has a question for us. For me, awkwardly.
“How old are you?” he says with an accusatory point and a suspicious squint. “Twenty-nine! He’s okay,” Chisora tells those gathered in the room. What does he mean “okay”? “He can go out and drink sambucas, and every shot you could ever take down the road, come out the pub lagging, go to sleep with fish and chips down his gut, wake up, and he’s fine.” I’m not sure I want to, to be honest, but I’m hesitant to tell “Delboy”.
“Now you take f***ing sambuca,” he jibes at various faces, dotted around the room, “you’re dying for three or four days!” He includes himself in that group, mind: “When you’re in your 40s man, it’s just... you sit down, eat a nice meal, order a glass of red wine, and you sleep. In your 20s, you don’t even eat, you’re like shoving it down there when you get to the pub.” Chisora proceeds to imitate a pig eating from a trough, I suppose, before making some un-publishable comments about the relative sexual staminas of those in their 20s and 40s.
Derek Chisora at the launch press conference for his fight with Deontay Wilder (Getty)
“At this age now, with my opponent, we can’t be violent.” It’s a curious choice of words from Chisora, who is expected to give as much of his body and soul as usual when he fights Deontay Wilder on Saturday.
Wilder was a world champion for years, while Chisora is a nearly-man but the definition of a people’s champion. As such, hardcore and casual boxing fans alike will fill London’s O2 Arena on Saturday, as Chisora returns to familiar surroundings while Wilder boxes on these shores for the first time in 13 years.
There will be no mercy from either, yet outside of the ring, the pair are more than cordial. “The ‘Bronze Bomber’, we hang out together, just chilling,” Chisora tells us. When he said, “We can’t be violent,” he meant verbally, hinting at fans’ perceptions of the behaviour of “two grown-ass men”. “I want to be loving and hang out. I took him to Borough Market, him and his beautiful missus, and I bought them fish and chips.” Indeed, the smell wafted through the building when Wilder arrived.
You might have noticed that Chisora is, in his own way, philosophical. He even weighs in on our existence as journalists: “Sooner or later, it won’t be you guys sitting there; it’ll be a f***ing computer with AI on it.” Travel? “Sooner or later, there will be f***ing flying cars.” But what about boxing, a domain he has traversed and prowled in a way that few have, familiarising himself with every dank corner and grimy crevice. “I love this game so much, it’s beautiful,” he says in all sincerity.
Chisora and Wilder will meet in a main-event contest at London’s O2 Arena (Getty)
At first, it seems to be a sentiment in stark contrast to that shared by Wilder just minutes earlier. But after Wilder lengthily lamented what he perceived as corruption in the sport, it turns out Chisora is agreeing with the American on that aspect – the Briton just receives it differently.
“We are all f***ing scumbags,” he says with a soft smile and an aura of peace. “It’s a scumbag sport, but guess what?”
Silence, then a prompt from Chisora: “This is where you say ‘what?’”
What, Derek?
“We like to deal with each other as scumbags. My point is to try to do one over on you, then you realise, and you do one over on me. The whole conniving of the sport [is what makes it beautiful].”
At this point, he is being asked out of the room. His first press conference for the Wilder fight is just minutes away. As he prepares to deliver his final comment, he has already hoisted his trademark Union Jack balaclava up to his face, ready to tie it. “We’re all scumbags,” he signs off, muting himself for now – but not for long.
Luka Garza was tremendous for the Boston Celtics on Monday night in a loss. Garza tallied 20 points and nine rebounds on 8-of-9 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-3 from 3pt. range.
It was the continuation of an important season for Garza in which he's proven beyond any doubt that he's a serviceable, rotational center in this league.
Following the game, Garza spoke with the media about the Celtics' culture.
Garza spoke to the consistency with which Boston's players and staff approach work every day. It's a consistency that has led to 12-straight playoff appearances for the Celts, the longest active streak in the Assocation.
Asked Luka Garza how he’d define Celtics culture:
“It’s unlike anything I've ever experienced. I think it starts with just how hard we play, how we practice, the professionalism in the locker room every single day — guys showing up, getting in the gym, just little, small… pic.twitter.com/EZGpSYwFzS
Garza and the Celtics will take on the Miami Heat on Wednesday, followed by the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday -- both road games. Boston is 50-25 after Monday's loss, still holding a two-game lead over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings. There are seven games left in the regular season.
Two years ago, if you wanted to start a passionate argument in the Dolphins locker room, all you had to do was go up to a player from Florida or Texas and ask which state has better football players.
Laughs and insults, all expressed at a high volume, were guaranteed to follow.
For the 2026 Miami Dolphins, there can’t be a debate. The Texas players must be better.
Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, speaking to local reporters at the annual NFL meeting in Phoenix on Monday, referenced a trio of Texans — Pro Bowl running back De’Von Achane, All Pro linebacker Jordyn Brooks and All Pro center Aaron Brewer — as foundational players.
I’ve written that Achane, who grew up in the Houston area and attended Texas A&M, deserves a contract extension. And I’ve written that Brewer, who grew up in Dallas and attended Texas State, and Brooks, who grew up in Houston and attended Texas Tech, are also worthy of contract extensions.
To some extent, it sounds as though Sullivan agrees.
“Those are going to be the three kind of pillars that we build around it: Achane, Brew, Brooks,” Sullivan said. “They understand where they are, what we’re trying to get done. There’s an order that we’re going to handle the business in, but they know where they are and how important they are to us.”
If you’re a Dolphins fan, that’s music to your ears. Achane, Brewer and Brooks are solid building blocks.
In the spirit of transparency, I’ll admit that I consider myself a Texan. I was born in Chicago and lived there until I was 10 years old. Most of my relatives still live there. But I lived in Texas for the next 20 years, including my high school and college days.
So, yeah, there might be a bias. Set that aside. This isn’t about Texas vs. Florida.
The main point here is that it should give you confidence in Sullivan to know that after only a few weeks on the job he’s correctly identified Achane, Brewer and Brooks as core players.
That Texas-bred trio (actually, I’d add a fourth Texas-bred pillar to that mix — left tackle Patrick Paul, who grew up in the Houston area and attended Houston) forms a solid foundation for the Dolphins because they give a damn, they’re good-character guys and they’re good football players.
As a testament to their attitude and mentality, there’s one thing that you’ll notice about all three when watching game tape — they finish plays.
Achane, who had 1,838 yards from scrimmage last season (1,350 yards rushing, 488 yards receiving) falls forward, not backward, at the end of plays despite weighing 191 pounds.
You often see Brewer, who combines athleticism with smarts, delightfully driving defenders into the ground. The same goes for Brooks, who had a league-leading 183 tackles last season and regularly takes on ball carriers and would-be blockers with equal violence. You’ll recall Brooks, who is both soft-spoken and outspoken, is often the guy giving the fiery on-field pregame speech as the team gathers around him.
All three “pillars” — Achane, Brewer and Brooks — play the game the right way.
On top of all of that, they’re all good locker room guys. And despite their postseason accolades, they’re all blue-collar guys who bust their butts every day in practice and in games.
They won’t be concerned with social media likes and touchdown cellys. They’re concerned with winning. They’re guys who, as Sullivan would say, are “wired right.”
And that’s what winning teams have in big numbers. I’ve seen it with some of the most successful teams I’ve covered, including the champion 2006 and 2012 Miami Heat, the 2000 Miami Dolphins, the last team in franchise history to win a playoff game, the 1996 Texas Rangers, who made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and the 1997-99 University of Miami football teams, who laid the foundation for the 2001 national championship team.
“I just think you’ve got to infuse that locker room with the right kind of dudes,” Sullivan said. “And the best teams are player-led teams. They’re always player-led teams. And when you’ve got a locker room full of guys that want to do it the right way, it’ll take care of itself.”
At one point late last season I was talking to Achane in the locker room. I mentioned to him that the offense had a decidedly Texas feel among himself, Brewer, Paul, quarterback Quinn Ewers, who grew up in Austin and attended Texas, and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who grew up in the Houston area and attended Alabama.
“If we had 11 Texans,” Achane cracked, “we’d be undefeated.”
The Telegraph claims they would demand at least £100m each for both Gordon and Tonali, as they are under contract until 2030.
Gordon has been linked with Liverpool, who are exploring options to replace Mohamed Salah.
Manchester United and Manchester City have both been credited with interest in Tonali. A move to United is now unlikely due to his valuation, wages and previous betting ban.
Tino Livramento would also be allowed to leave having shown no intention to renew his current deal, expiring in 2028. He would cost around £60m.
Meanwhile, Newcastle expect captain Bruno Guimaraes to stay, despite reports linking him with United as Casemiro’s replacement.
The Magpies are prepared to discuss a new deal with the Brazil international in the coming months.
Tonali and Gordon could stay at Newcastle
Newcastle’s valuation of Tonali and Gordon could force interested clubs to explore alternative targets.
United have already been ruled out of the race to sign Tonali, with his steep price tag one of the reasons.
Miami Dolphins fans have become accustomed to watching their teams play international games over the years, as they've played seven games in different countries since the NFL began their international series in 2007.
While the Dolphins have played in the United Kingdom five times, Germany once and Spain once, they've yet to play in Mexico, where the NFL has played five games since 2016.
According to Lee Chan, that game is expected to take place on Nov. 22 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with the Dolphins being the away team and the 49ers being the home team.
Miami is just 2-5 in international games, but at least they want have to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
England manager Sarina Wiegman has revealed that teenage sensation Erica Meg Parkinson was left "speechless" after receiving her first call-up to the national squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The 17-year-old, who plies her trade for Portuguese top-flight side Valadares Gaia and was born in Singapore, has been named in the Lionesses squad set to face world champions Spain at Wembley on 14 April, followed by an encounter with Iceland in Reykjavik four days later.
With key midfielders Grace Clinton and Ella Toone sidelined due to injury, Wiegman opted to bring Parkinson into the fold. While the head coach does not anticipate the youngster immediately breaking into the starting XI, she views the camp as a vital learning opportunity.
Speaking at St George’s Park, Wiegman explained: "We called her up because we are a little bit low in depth in midfield with injuries to Ella Toone and Grace Clinton.
Parkinson has been given her opportunity due to injuries to Ella Toone (left) and Grace Clinton (centre) (The FA via Getty Images)
“So we have to look at who’s next and Erica has gone through the pathway, plays in Portugal, has done well in the under-23s. She is a very dynamic midfielder who likes to go forward… aggressive, technical."
Wiegman added that Parkinson was "speechless she said, but very happy, surprised and excited of course."
She acknowledged the significant leap: "It’s a big step from the 23s and the Portuguese competition to go into the senior level but she gets the chance to show where she stands at our level.
“I don’t expect her to come into the starting line-up straight away. It’s a learning thing for her but I do hope she can adapt to the level needed in our senior environment."
Meanwhile, captain Leah Williamson has been included in Wiegman’s 23-player squad despite missing Arsenal’s last three matches with a hamstring injury. With two weeks remaining until the Spain fixture, Wiegman expressed confidence in the defender’s readiness.
She added: "Leah comes from the injury after the Euros, coming back she had some small setbacks but overall has done very well and when she’s played she has played very well. We have been careful with her and so have Arsenal.
Wiegman expects Leah Williamson to be ready to play for England next month (Getty)
“I think she’s going to make it that’s why we put her in the squad. I would put her in the squad anyway because she’s in a good place. The niggles she’s picked up are not the worst but her past and where she’s come from, we have to be careful but friendlies I would’ve called her up anyway."
The squad announcement follows Fifa’s recent introduction of groundbreaking regulations, which mandate that every team participating in its women’s tournaments must employ a female head coach or assistant.
Wiegman commented on the new rule, stating: "We need to give women more opportunities to develop and educate. This rule supports and hopefully accelerates the balance between males and females in our sport."
HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. — No. 2 Allegany built an early lead and found the offense it needed late to defeat Hedgesville, 12-9, on Monday.
The Campers (4-0) jumped out to a 5-1 edge after two innings. Hedgesville (4-3) clawed to within 5-4 in the third and 9-8 entering the seventh.
Allegany answered the scoreboard pressure with three insurance runs in the seventh on RBIs by Cole Ricker, Kryan Freeman and Liam Buck.
Kohen Madden and Buck both had three hits and three RBIs, Daulton Harper singled twice and had three ribbies, and Buck and Dylan Irons doubled.
Madden was the winning pitcher, allowing eight runs (three earned) on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of work, striking out six and walking two.
Sebastian Stewart notched the save in relief. He inherited a bases-loaded, one-out jam in a 9-6 game in the sixth and limited the damage.
Allegany out-hit Hedgesville, 12-11, and made four errors to the Eagles' one.
Hedgesville's Jay Viands belted a solo home run, and Bryan French and Jaden Wilcox went 2 for 4 with three RBIs each.
Wilcox was dealt the loss for Hedgesville.
Allegany is at Petersburg (1-1) on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Northern 14, Mtn. Ridge 1
FROSTBURG — Northern's bats exploded for 20 hits, climaxing with a nine-run seventh, in a rout of Mountain Ridge on Monday.
The Huskies (2-2, 1-2 Western Maryland Athletic Conference) had seven multi-hit batters. Landon Yoder, Hunter Beitzel and Hunter Livengood tallied three hits each, and Jake Chambers, Emmitt Lipscomb, Elliott Myers-Shirer and Blake Spiker had two.
Bailey Turner doubled, Yoder drove in three runs, and Beitzel, Chambers, Turner and Ansen Miller finished with two ribbies each.
Yoder notched the win on the bump with a complete-game gem, holding the Miners to a run on six hits in seven innings. The right-hander struck out 11 and walked one.
John Delaney (Delaware commit) drove in the lone Mountain Ridge run. Delaney was the losing pitcher.
Northern is at Keyser (1-2) on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Mountain Ridge (1-5, 0-3 WestMAC) hosts Hedgesville on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
No. 1 Frankfort 12, Berkeley Springs 1
BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — No. 1 Frankfort pushed across 12 runs over the final three innings to rout Berkeley Springs in five frames Monday.
Blake Jacobs (University of Charleston signee) led the Falcons (4-1) with three hits, including a double, Jesus Perdew was 2 for 4 with three ribbies, Lanson Orndorf (Charleston signee) and Gunnar Bradshaw had two hits each, and Jabari Babo doubled.
Right-hander Jaxon Hare was the winning arm, surrendering a run on two hits across four frames. He struck out six and walked three.
Carson Dust pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
Berkeley Springs' Kyle Moore was the losing pitcher. Caiden Groves drove in the Indians' lone run.
Frankfort visits Hampshire (2-2) on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
No. 4 East Hardy 17, Pendleton Co. 7
FRANKLIN, W.Va. — Defending West Virginia Class A state champion East Hardy won its opener Monday in a six-inning romp of Pendleton County.
East Hardy (1-0) scored eight runs in the sixth inning to secure the mercy-rule margin following the frame.
The Cougars' Gage Dove went 2 for 5 with a double and five RBIs, Evan Hamilton doubled and drove in two runs, Dayton Dove had three RBIs, and Levi Price and Shayne Sisler singled twice each.
Gage Dove was awarded the win, tossing 1 2/3 frames of scoreless middle relief.
Cashton Kisamore and Cole Harper doubled for Pendleton County. Harper went the distance on the mound in a losing effort.
East Hardy hosts a twinbill on Wednesday against Central Woodstock, Virginia, at 3 p.m. and Tucker County at 6 p.m.
Paw Paw 6, Tucker County 3
PAW PAW, W.Va. — Paw Paw tallied four runs in the fifth inning for a come-from-behind victory over Tucker County on Monday.
The Pirates (1-1) trailed 3-1 before the bottom half of the fifth. A two-RBI single by Taylor Carder to the right side was the go-ahead knock.
Tomy Santos held Tucker without a run the rest of the win and earned the victory on the mound, throwing four innings of relief in which he allowed a run on two hits with six strikeouts.
Carder got the start, and he allowed two runs on a hit in three frames. He struck out seven.
Paw Paw is at Tucker County on Wednesday, April 8, at 6 p.m.
Musselman 9, Petersburg 2
INWOOD, W.Va. — Petersburg out-hit Musselman, 8-7, but couldn't find the big hit in a defeat to the Applemen Monday.
Musselman plated six runs in the third inning to take command. Petersburg fell to 1-1.
Lukas Wolford doubled for Petersburg, and Wolford, Kaleb Kuhn and Payton Metheny had two hits each.
Kuhn took the loss on the mound.
Musselman's Tanner Sharp garnered three runs batted in.
Bragg was the winning arm, allowing a run on five hits with four strikeouts to five walks in 5 1/3 frames.
Petersburg welcomes Tucker County on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and Allegany (4-0) on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
On Tuesday morning, FIFA announced that the Canadian Premier League will test a new interpretation of the offside rule, dubbed "daylight".
Championed by Arsène Wenger, this reform aims to encourage attacking play and put an end to the razor-thin decisions that have sparked debate since the introduction of VAR. In its statement, FIFA confirms that "the IFAB has approved this trial, which will begin on April 4."
In concrete terms, a player would no longer be penalized for being offside by just a few centimeters: there would now need to be a clear gap — a "daylight" — between the attacker and the defender for an offside to be called.
In other words, as long as any part of the attacker’s body is level with the defender’s, the offside rule no longer applies.
This full-scale test in Canada’s top division is intended to assess the impact of this rule on the game and officiating. If the results are deemed conclusive, FIFA could consider rolling it out on a much broader scale.
It remains to be seen whether this change to the rules will win over football fans.
The HR article connected on a Kazuma Okamoto +520 homer in the ninth inning last night in Toronto, and we’re right back at it with two early looks this morning and another to come this afternoon. The MLB player props are still offering plenty of value.
I’m targeting a pair of +475 middle-of-the-order bats in strong matchups at +EV prices: Jake Burger and Brent Rooker. Not an easy day for pitchers dealing with these two.
These are my favorite home run props for Tuesday, March 31.
Best MLB home run props today
Player to hit a HR
Odds
Jake Burger
+475
Brent Rooker
+475
Jake Burger (+475)
Conditions are ideal for power, with 17-mph winds blowing out to left-center and temperatures around 80 degrees — a strong setup for home runs.
Jake Burgergets a premium matchup against Zach Eflin, who is coming off back surgery and posted the second-worst HR/9 among starters with 60+ innings last season. Burger, hitting out of the cleanup spot, is 3-for-7 with a home run against Eflin in his career.
THE BAT projects a fair price around +375, making current numbers appealing.
There are multiple ways to attack this game, especially with the Texas Rangers yet to name a starter. Samuel Basallo at +550 or better also projects as +EV for the Baltimore Orioles.
Betting on the earliest game of the slate is also an easy decision for my MLB picks.
Time: 6:35 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MASN, RSN
Brent Rooker (+475)
I don’t usually put a lot of weight into batter vs. pitcher data given the small samples, but it’s hard to ignore that Brent Rooker has taken José Suárez deep three times in just five at-bats — especially with Rooker sitting at +475.
Rooker had a strong spring and may be off to a slow start, but the power is real. He has legitimate 40-HR upside, which puts him in a rare tier of hitters.
Suárez is more of a bullpen arm being stretched into a starting role because of Spencer Strider's injury, which adds risk. The environment isn’t elite, but 80-degree weather in Atlanta with a total of 9.0 is still solid.
Fair value on this HR prop is closer to +400, and Rooker projects similarly to names like Ronald Acuña Jr., Shea Langeliers, and Austin Riley — all of whom are priced shorter.
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Braves Vision, Gray TV, NBCSCA
2026 Transparency record
HR picks: 1-2 SU, +3.2 units
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.
Golf legend Tiger Woods told Martin County Sheriff's investigators he was looking down at his cell phone and changing the radio station before he is accused of crashing into another vehicle and rolling his sport utility vehicle on its side.
Woods, 50, ultimately would be arrested on DUI and refusal to submit to a DUI test following the March 27 crash on Jupiter Island where he has a home.
Woods was described as "sweating profusely" when speaking with investigators after the crash.
These and other details were contained in Woods' arrest affidavit, released March 31 by the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
Woods was released at 11:11 p.m. March 27 from the Martin County jail on $1,150 bail, a jail official said.
AC Milan and Napoli among clubs monitoring Augsburg youngster
Scouts from several clubs were reportedly present for Germany’s U21 3-0 win over Northern Ireland last week.
One of the players they were monitoring was Augsburg’s Mert Kömür, who has attracted interest from AC Milan, Napoli, FC Porto and PSV, according to Sky Germany.
According to reports, Augsburg turned down a €12 million offer from Besiktas for Kömür back in January.
Whether the Bundesliga club will be able to hold on to the young attacking midfielder beyond the summer transfer window is uncertain, given the significant interest in him.
Kömür, who has scored two goals and provided three assists in 25 matches this season, is under contract until 2029.
The tallest basketball player in NCAA history is looking for a new team in the offseason. Florida center Olivier Rioux is reportedly entering the transfer portal after a middling first season with the Gators.
Rioux, 20, is making the move after seeing limited time in just 11 games as a freshman. He averaged 0.6 points and 0.5 rebounds in just 1.5 minutes per game.
Despite his lack of playing time at Florida, Rioux should draw plenty of interest on the market. At 7-foot-9, Rioux is the tallest player in college-basketball history, and stands inches above his competition.
The pre-draft process always seems to uncover some interesting prospects that, for whatever reason, failed to be invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, and one of those in 2026 is Missouri linebacker Khalil Jacobs.
Jacobs, who lacks the ideal size for a linebacker at 6-foot-1, 228 pounds, appears to be an intriguing hybrid prospect that defensive coordinators could use as a matchup chess piece. A productive college linebacker at South Alabama and Missouri, he finished his career with 121 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and one interception, and has become a popular prospect during the pre-draft process.
Missouri LB Khalil Jacobs has met with 15+ teams during the pre-draft process.
Ranging from pre-draft visits to team dinners/Zoom, the versatile Jacobs (3.0 sacks in 2025 at LB) has met with:
Sports Illustrated Draft analyst Justin Melo reported on X (formerly Twitter) that the undersized linebacker prospect has met with 15 teams during the pre-draft process, and that the Titans were one of the 10 teams listed to have either a pre-draft visit or virtual meeting with Jacobs.
While there were no specifics on what type of meeting the team had with Jacobs, he could be a solid late-round addition. He’s coming off a productive campaign in 2025, recording 47 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks while appearing in 13 games against SEC competition, proving he can compete at a high level.
Last Minute Tickets to the NCAA Women’s Final FourBill Streicher - Getty Images "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
The NCAA Women’s March Madness Final Four has been set—and it’s all no. 1 seeds left. UConn and South Carolina will face each other for one spot in the final, while UCLA and Texas will compete for the other.
Both games will take place this Friday evening, at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. And if you’re a fan of any of the four teams—or just college basketball in general—you’re in luck: There are some tickets still available.
On Ticketmaster, there are Verified Resale tickets starting as low as $293. Shop Now
On StubHub, prices start around $255 (including fees). Shop Now Same with VividSeats: The lowest we’re seeing right now is around $250. Shop Now
The games will air at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. eastern on ESPN; the winners will advance to the final, which will take place this Sunday, April 5 at 3:30 p.m., airing on ABC. The defending champions UConn will be looking to win their 13th national championship, all under coach Geno Auriemma.
Auriemma, the winningest coach in women’s college basketball history, criticized the NCAA over the weekend, saying, “I just don't understand some of the decisions that are made about our game when we’re trying to grow the goddamn game.” He specifically called out the decision to have eight teams share one arena, limiting practice time, and the equipment including the basketballs.
“There’s a frustration,” he said. “Hopefully I’m speaking for the other coaches. Some coaches might think I’m full of it. And this is not about UConn. I hope everybody understands that. ... I think there is a level of frustration right now among the coaches that’s higher than any time I’ve ever seen it.”
CUMBERLAND — After waging a series of comebacks during the first week of the season, Fort Hill took a more comfortable route Monday.
Third-ranked Fort Hill scored five runs across the first two innings, and Bobby Brauer tossed a complete-game gem to lead the Sentinels to a 5-2 victory over No. 5 Southern at Allegany College's Steve Bazarnic Field.
"We did not go into this game expecting Bobby to go the distance," Fort Hill manager Tanner Brode said. "Definitely pleased with his performance on the mound. Enjoy the guys getting the ball in play. We've been preaching that for a while. A lot of guys are just trying to do too much with the plate."
The victory kept Fort Hill (3-0-1) perfect in Western Maryland Athletic Conference play with a 3-0 mark. Southern fell to 3-2 (1-2 WestMAC).
Six or Brauer's seven innings were scoreless, and the lone blemish in the fifth inning turned out to be his most important frame.
Southern, trailing 5-0 before the inning, loaded the bases with nobody out and with a run already in after an error on a ground ball.
Brauer got a key first out via a strikeout to Southern's No. 3 hitter, and a Ryan Bird sacrifice fly one batter later was the only other damage in what could have been a big inning.
The right-hander put up two scoreless innings after to finish off the victory in 107 pitches.
"Five games in, we've really struggled to hit the ball with bases juiced," Southern manager Hayden McLaughlin said. "Got to be able to just fight stuff off, fight stuff off, put something in play and just be gritty."
Brauer held Southern to five hits with eight strikeouts and three walks. One of his two runs surrendered was unearned.
Brauer was the lone Sentinel in the lineup with multiple hits. Coye Resh and Brady O'Neal had RBIs.
Fort Hill took advantage of three Southern errors over the first two frames to surge in front.
The Sentinels pushed four runs across in the second, and just two tabbed to left-hander Cade Leader were earned thanks to consecutive errors by Southern's second baseman with two outs.
An error by the Rams' third baseman in the first set the stage for Resh's groundout.
"We put ourselves in a hole kind of early, just had to fight back and kind of scratch and claw," McLaughlin said. "We didn't really get to play our style of baseball, bunt, run the bases, be aggressive. We didn't make the plays that we needed to at the times."
Leader was tabbed with five runs, though just two were earned, on six hits in three frames with a strikeout and two walks.
Hayden Williams entered in relief in the fourth inning and held Fort Hill without a base hit across three scoreless innings. The righty struck out two and walked two.
"We sometimes get in the habit of getting a little too complacent," Brode said. "I've called these guys the cardiac kids early on in the season because we're constantly coming from behind. But the one thing I will say today, they definitely showed their poise."
Southern's No. 9 hitter Andy McCartney had two hits to lead the team.
Fort Hill is at Northern (2-2, 1-2 WestMAC) on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
Southern heads to Williamsport (2-1) on Saturday at 11 a.m.
LAVALE — Jordyn Sneathen was two errors shy of a perfect game, leading No. 1 Allegany to a 4-0 shutout of No. 3 Northern on Monday at Lions Field.
"I thought it was a well-played game by both teams," Allegany head coach Dave Winner said. "I thought Northern's good, they're a real good team. We left too many runners on base. We'll get that, but I thought we put the bat on the ball pretty good."
The Saint Francis commit threw a no-hitter with no walks and struck out 11 for the Campers (4-1, 1-0 Western Maryland Athletic Conference).
"Her composure, her leadership," Winner said of Sneathen's growth from last season. "She doesn't get flustered, she stays with the moment. She ended up last year doing great, and she's started off this year doing the same."
The Huskies (3-1, 2-1 WestMAC) only had two baserunners, both reaching on fielding errors.
"We just kinda came out slow," Northern head coach Kadi Cosgrove said. "We ended up not hitting as well as we should have. Take away the one inning and it's a new ball game."
Sneathen retired the side in order through the first three innings before setting Northern down 1-2-3 in the fifth and sixth.
"She's a great pitcher, so it's hard to face somebody that throws as good as what she does," Cosgrove said of facing Sneathen. "We knew that coming in, we knew she was a good pitcher."
Rain Ritchey entered with one out in the bottom of the first after Alco scored three runs.
After consecutive hits from Desi Hilton and Sneathen, Savannah Walton doubled down the left field line to score Hilton.
After a pop-up to short, Sadee Baker and Tyiss Jessie hit back-to-back singles to drive a run each.
Baker and Jessie each recorded a pair of hits for the Campers.
With the bases loaded, Maylee Blank earned a free pass to score the game's final run.
Ritchey stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning.
"We couldn't get the hit when we needed to," Winner said. "One time we had first and second, one time we had second and third. We hit the ball, they just caught it. We were only a base hit or two from getting three or four more runs."
She left a runner on to end the fourth before stranding two in the sixth.
Ritchey's final line was 5 2/3 shutout innings, allowing four hits and three walks with eight strikeouts.
"She came in and did what she needed to do," Cosgrove said. "Tough position, and she picked up her teammate. Just shows how good of a player she is."
Allegany heads to St. James on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. for the second of four games in five days.
Northern hosts Elkins (2-2) on Wednesday at 5:15 p.m.
The Cincinnati Bengals are an interesting mix of easy-to-predict and not-so-easy-to-predict going into the 2026 NFL draft.
The easy part? The Bengals will almost assuredly go defense-heavy in the opening rounds, barring a stunner.
The who with those first three picks or so is where it actually gets harder to project.
Take, for example, the latest seven-round NFL mock draft effort from ESPN’s Matt Miller, who actually has the Bengals going with Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 10:
“It's hard to imagine Styles lasting this long, but teams selecting early often prefer premium positions and draft for need over talent. Styles is a top-five talent on my board, so the Bengals would be wise to stop his slide and make him their new enforcer in the middle of the field. Last year's fourth-rounder, Barrett Carter, looks like a hit at middle linebacker, but Cincinnati could use an upgrade at weakside LB. A former safety, Styles has the range at 6-foot-5 (4.3 speed) to be an eraser against tight ends and in-breaking wide receivers. He also provides pass-rush upside, with seven sacks the past two seasons.”
Bengals fans will rightfully feel heated at the notion Barrett Carter has been a hit, but that just might reflect how the Bengals will move through the draft anyway.
Generally, linebacker feels like the distant third possibility behind defensive line and secondary in Round 1. But if Styles falls, he could easily be best player available.
In this mock, the Bengals then go to the secondary and grab cornerback Chris Johnson out of San Diego State. They need as much help as they can get in the secondary since they have yet to find a starter for the slot.
Lee Hunter in the third round is more of a nose tackle, but competition is a must at this point.
Overall, it’s one of the stronger possible showings for the Bengals on draft day, and certainly one of the more plausible ones, all things considered.
Marco Bezzecchi says he will not consider himself a genuine MotoGP title contender until he eliminates the costly mistakes that have plagued his sprint races.
The Aprilia rider is in the midst of an incredible winning streak stretching back to last year’s Portimao event, with the United States GP marking his fifth grand prix win in succession.
However, he has also dropped too many points in Saturday races in the same period, and as a result holds only a narrow four-point lead in the standings.
In the Thailand season opener, he slid out of the lead of the sprint, while a similar error while running second cost him at least nine points in Austin. Even at Goiania, where he finished fourth, a mistake denied him a likely podium finish.
While Bezzecchi has earned praise for bouncing back from each of those lapses to win on Sundays, the Italian admits he must cut down on errors to establish himself as a genuine challenger in the title race.
“As long as I can't avoid mistakes like the one on Saturday, I won't feel like a contender,” he told Spanish broadcaster DAZN.
“I'm certainly fast and strong in these early races, but there's still a lot of work to be done and room for improvement. We have to overcome all the challenges we'll face, and we need to keep our feet on the ground because this is still a long way off.”
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
Bezzecchi “quite sad” after sprint crash
Bezzecchi’s latest sprint mistake came at Austin, where he was defending second place from team-mate Jorge Martin. With three laps to go, the 27-year-old misjudged his braking into Turn 12 and dropped the bike, allowing Martin to go through and eventually snatch victory from Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia.
The nine-time grand prix winner admitted that it was hard for him to accept another unforced error, but credited Aprilia for helping him regroup and return to the front on Sunday.
“I am very surprised [by the result],” he said. “I was already surprised in Goiania, but here even more, because after Saturday, it was a tough pill to swallow.
“I have to say that my team, the whole Aprilia factory, was supporting me a lot because I was quite sad about my mistake.
The whole team was super, super close to me to try to give me the chance to continue pushing and continue working.
“We worked until late at night in the box to try to fix everything, to try to look at every detail that I could improve in my way to ride the bike.”
Despite delivering a decent cameo appearance in a 2-0 win over Norther Ireland last Thursday, Francesco Pio Esposito must settle for a place among the subsitutes.
Indeed, Gattuso will reportedly stick with Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean, who scored in that fixture, as his starting center-forward pair.
However, Esposito should get some minutes off the bench, especially if the result calls for his introduction.
Barcelona legend addresses rumours of running for club president: ‘Things would have to change drastically’
Few figures in modern Barcelona history carry the same influence and connection to the club as Gerard Pique.
From his days as a dominant centre-back to his ventures off the pitch, he has long been viewed as a potential future president of Barcelona.
But for now, that possibility remains in the realm of speculation.
Following the recent re-election of Joan Laporta, who secured his position at the helm of the club until 2031 after defeating Victor Font, the immediate future of Barcelona’s leadership appears settled.
Still, Pique’s name continues to surface whenever discussions about the club’s long-term direction arise.
Opening up on the presidency
During a recent live-stream conversation with DjMaRiiO (h/t SPORT), Pique was directly asked whether he sees himself running for the presidency in the next election cycle.
Caught slightly off guard, Pique responded, “In the next election?”
He then expanded on his current commitments and why thinking that far ahead is not realistic at this stage.
Pique has opened up on running for the Barcelona presidency. (Photo by Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images)
“Look, I’ve been with the Kings League for three years, from 2023 to 2026, and it’s felt like an eternity.
“And you’re asking me about something that’s going to happen in five years. It’s impossible to give you an answer right now,” said Pique.
Since retiring, Pique has immersed himself in projects like the Kings League, building a strong presence in football entertainment and business.
Furthermore, the former defender went a step further, pointing out a key structural obstacle that could prevent him from ever running for the role under current rules.
“I’ll just tell you one thing. Since I own Andorra, I don’t think I can even run. Because I can’t own a team and be president.
“Things would have to change drastically for me to do something like that.”
For now, the idea of Pique as Barcelona president remains an intriguing “what if” rather than an imminent reality.
But given his deep ties to the club, his leadership qualities, and his growing experience off the pitch, it is a story that is unlikely to disappear.
Schlotterbeck has now ‘categorically denied’ that contract talks are close to a conclusion.
Speaking to reporters, he said: “I must categorically deny that; unfortunately, we’re not there yet.
“I negotiated with Sebastian [Kehl] for a long time, but he’s no longer with us. What has been reported is unfortunately not true.
“I would probably have made a decision in the coming weeks. The situation has changed a bit.
“I’ll be holding talks with Ole [Book], and we’re not at the stage where we’re on the verge of a deal. It’s a shame for BVB fans right now, but it’s not an easy situation for me either.”
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
This throws his future in Germany into some amount of doubt amid reported links to Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Liverpool are clear admirers of Nico Schlotterbeck
It seems one may have to take claims of Liverpool being out of the race for the 26-year-old with a pinch of salt.
If this latest blow to Borussia Dortmund’s contract talks hopes is set to manifest in some emergency transfer talks this summer, we’d hope Liverpool would be among the first in line.
The simple fact is that, with only a year left on the defender’s contract after the 2025/26 season, we stand a good chance of getting a top-quality centre-back at a cut-price fee.
* Nico Schlotterbeck stats per 90 in the 2025/25 Bundesliga season (Fotmob)
As far as we’re concerned, this should be ticking more than a few boxes for Liverpool’s recruitment team.
So, we’d be surprised if Schlotterbeck doesn’t end up at Anfield if Dortmund are forced into an early sale.
The Jaguars have made their call on right tackle Anton Harrison's contract option for the 2027 season.
General Manager James Gladstone said on Monday that the team will exercise that option. The move guarantees Harrison a salary of just over $19 million for his fifth NFL season and it will also give the sides an extended window to work on a long-term extension.
“As a part of that, we’ll have deeper conversations," Gladstone said, via Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
Harrison has started all 49 regular season and playoff games he's played since Jacksonville selected him with the 27th pick of the 2023 draft.
NEW DELHI: Playing alongside Sanju Samson for years, knowing him well, understanding his playing style, the areas he targets, along with his strengths and weaknesses, Riyan Parag had a clear plan in mind when he set the field against Samson, who is playing for CSK this season. Samson was traded from Rajasthan Royals to CSK last year.
The moment Samson walked in to open alongside CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan was quick to set the field according to the plan, and it worked perfectly in Rajasthan Royals’ favour.
Riyan deployed Nandre Burger against Samson, and the South African pacer delivered for his captain.
Burger fired a 140kph thunderbolt, and Samson, attempting to heave across the line, missed it completely as the ball crashed into the off-stump.
Samson’s first innings in yellow ended for just 6 runs.
"I feel for Sanju bhaia, it was the first three balls or first four balls that we wanted to execute something. That kind of went well, so we went ahead with it. And we were just trying to target where he plays his first three balls or where he plays his first four to five balls and then just set fielders accordingly and ask him to hit a better shot or hit a different shot, which is, again, a gamble sort of, but then that gives us a lot of percentage of favours in our way," he told reporters after RR win.
"Let's say the shot he got out to, we would have wanted him to hit that shot instead of bowling short to him and him pulling it because he likes that. So we just try and make decisions a little uncomfortable for the bowlers, for the batsmen, sorry, and then we just try and execute.
"If it comes off, looks very good. If it doesn't come off and he gets hit for a few cuts, I'll be sitting here sitting like a dumb duck, right? So that's about it," he revealed.
Rajasthan Royals will now face Gujarat Titans on April 4 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
In the last two rounds, many Big Ten teams saw their title hopes and dreams vanish and their seasons come to an end. Six teams entered the Sweet 16 and now two teams -- Michigan and Illinois -- enter the Final Four. That is a clear representation of the best conference in basketball.
Here is an update on the Big Ten heading into the Final Four:
Teams that are now out:
Nebraska
The Nebraska Cornhuskers had a dream season this year; they had one of their best record seasons in quite some time, and they won their first tournament game in program history in the first round. They get taken out in the Sweet 16 by their rival, the Iowa Hawkeyes, in a very tough way to end things. That still should not end the fact that this was as good a season as many could hope for. Fred Hoiberg really found success with Nebraska this season, going 28-7 in the Big Ten, which looks to be the best conference in basketball this season, says a lot. Pryce Sandfort said he and the Cornhuskers will be right back in the Sweet 16 next year. That shows a big shift in the culture for this program.
Michigan State
The Michigan State Spartans' journey this season was concluded in the Sweet 16, a tough, bitter-sweet end for Tom Izzo and his group. Tom Izzo had 5 starters that had been with Michigan State their entire careers, and having success with that is a huge deal, as they were the only team that had that continuity. Unfortunately for them, they ran into a more talented team. Michigan State had an amazing second-half comeback vs UConn, but the Huskies were good enough to close the door in the end on the Spartans.
Purdue
The Purdue Boilermakers lived and died by their seniors this season. They got to the Elite Eight off the backs of Braden Smith, Oscar Cluff, and Trey Kaufman-Renn, but unfortunately, those guys could not overcome a stifling Arizona Wildcats team. Arizona is in the Final 4 for a reason, and if maybe Purdue did not have to run into them and instead ran into someone else, maybe they would be there, too. It was a bad draw of the hand, but still an exceptional season nonetheless.
Iowa
The Iowa Hawkeyes fell short of their goal, fighting for a championship and getting to the Final 4, but the future looks very bright. Ben McCollum, in his first year, took Iowa to the Elite Eight for the first time in 40 years. They exceeded expectations in the tournament. They will lose Bennett Stirtz, but the culture that was set for this team by Ben McCollum will make them a dangerous team for years to come. They also got young players that looked very promising, such as Tate Sage, Cooper Koch, and Isaia Howard. This was a great year 1 for Ben McCollum as he proved he can win in the Big Ten.
Here are the two teams still left:
Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines just knocked off Tennessee by 33 points, the largest margin of victory in the Elite Eight since 1989. This team is trying to further make a name for themselves and trying to prove they are the best Wolverines basketball team in program history. Their stats are all-time dominant, and they are statistically considered the best team in college basketball. Michigan, even at the points of the game when it was close, looked like any minute they were gonna blow out Tennessee. The Wolverines' defense showed how dominant it was once again, and Yaxel Lendeborg, who has been drawing comparisons to Lebron, was spectacular again. Lendeborg dropped 27 points, had 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. If he can keep that up in the Final 4, this team should be the champion.
Illinois
The Illinois Fighting Illini are changing college basketball with a unique roster filled with Europeans. The roster has five former European professionals who are on this team, three of which are averaging double figures on the season, and three of their four most important players are on the team. This unique type of roster building could become a new trend in college basketball because, so far this season, it has worked. Brad Underwood has done a phenomenal job coaching this team and building this roster in a way that he knew they would be successful. You add that this team's best player is freshman Keaton Wagler, who was dominant in their win to send them to the Final Four with 25 points. This team has size, shooting, and they have shown they can defend. They can match up with any one of the three teams left in the Final Four.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have reached the point in proceedings where they have to start getting some moves right.
They started the ball rolling on Monday by firing general manager Brad Treliving. The choice of who to hire as his replacement will be crucial.
Toronto got out in front of things at least a little bit by dismissing Treliving before the 2025-26 NHL season was actually over.
There was no reason for the Leafs to wait if this was indeed the move they wanted to make. They're not going to the playoffs. It's time to look forward.
They may not have a first-round draft pick to work with -- their odds are slimming of it staying in the top-five, which is the only way it doesn't go to the Boston Bruins. The Maple Leafs are only now showing some spunk and winning games, right when it might benefit the future to lose for the moment.
Peterson is an assistant GM with the Florida Panthers. The pedigree speaks for itself there, with the Panthers having won the Stanley Cup in both 2024 and 2025.
Blake recently led the Los Angeles Kings but was let go and so is available if the Leafs want to bring him aboard immediately.
Poile's most notable work came in the front office of the Nashville Predators.
Surely other names will emerge, too, but the Maple Leafs would likely be wise to go out of the building for a fresh voice to try and turn this thing around quickly.
Hull Kingston Rovers forward Dean Hadley has urged whoever replaces outgoing coach Willie Peters not to rip up the club's successful "playbook".
The 33-year-old has thrived under Australian coach Peters, who announced last week that he will leave the club after this summer to take up the job of head coach at new NRL franchise PNG Chiefs.
Hadley was asked by BBC Radio Humberside what message he would send to the new coach, who is yet to be decided, and said: "You don't want to rip up the playbook. It is about continuing the good work we are doing.
"I'm sure whoever takes over as coach will have their own ideas and thoughts, and tweak a few things, but a lot of the stuff is to maintain.
"You don't really change the work ethic and that good culture, and having a good group of players who are prepared to work really hard and defensively be on it."
Hadley himself has had a golden autumn to his career, becoming an integral part of Peters' all-conquering team, and he credits the former Wigan Warriors and Widnes scrum-half with the improvements in his game.
"It's been my best three or four years and he's had a huge impact on everybody at the club, me personally as well," he added.
Dean Hadley has been with Hull KR since 2019 [Getty Images]
"I've loved the last three or four years but it's been tough. There's still more to be achieved. I appreciate everything he has done for me personally but as a team he's done loads for us and will be missed.
"Willie is really big on world-class effort, which is not always outcome-based but effort-based, and that comes from training and your pre-season.
"You saw on Friday night that we scored a lot of points, and some nice tries, but it came from our defence and that's always been the focus, and where our success has come from.
"From day one he set his tone, and told us how he wants his team to look. That comes from training. The training is pretty tough and intense, especially pre-season, but you get the rewards off the back of that so it's been a good three or four years."
Hadley said nothing has changed in the wake of the news, and that Peters and his players are intent to build on their unprecedented trophy clean sweep.
Hull KR are ninth in Super League with two wins and three defeats from their first five matches and play Hull FC in the 250th Hull derby on Friday (12:30 BST).
Hadley said: "He's as keen as ever, he's intense, he's detailed to everything, game day and training. He's always on it. The hunger and drive to be successful is still there, if not more.
"We've created some good memories and there's more to come. We're hungry for more trophies and that's the message."
Former West Bromich Albion midfielder Richard Sneekes says interim boss James Morrison has been "a breath of fresh air" as they battle to avoid relegation.
Morrison, 39, took over for his third spell as WBA caretaker manager following the sacking of Eric Ramsay in February. The Baggies were 21st in the table, one point clear of trouble.
Despite defeat at fellow strugglers Oxford United in his opening game in charge, Morrison has since led West Brom to eight points from four matches, leaving them four points above the relegation places.
"Since he's taken over, eight points from five games. Won the last two. What more can you ask for?
"He's gone back to four-four-two, which going away from home to Sheffield United was an incredibly brave decision for him to do that, because they needed to get something out of the game.
"To give the players that trust and to simplify things and to go maybe a little bit more direct. And the form of George Campbell, who I never thought was a right-back. He is more of a centre-half.
"The goals that they've scored and the set pieces. Its been a breath of fresh air, and long may it continue."
West Brom began the season with Ryan Mason taking charge following April's sacking of Tony Mowbray after just three months at the helm.
Mason lasted seven months before being replaced by Ramsay, who in turn lasted just nine games. Sneekes says the players seem to like former Baggie Morrison's style of playing:
"These players, I'm not saying they didn't want to play for any manager, because that's not professional. That's not why you're a professional footballer.
"You always go out to do your best, but I think with the instructions and the way the managers wanted to play, I don't think the players were on board.
"And if you're not on board with certain things, it's always a lot harder - and it looks like you don't care, and you don't give it your all."
After a 13-day gap for the international break, the Baggies resume their safety push with two matches in four days.
They welcome promotion-chasers Wrexham on Good Friday before Monday's key clash away to relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers.
"The international break came at a completely wrong time for them," Sneekes adds, "but it gave them a little bit of time to reflect, freshen things up, and go again because it ain't over yet."
It’s only four games into the 2026 season, but Kerry Carpenter has already found himself on the wrong side of franchise history.
The Detroit Tigers outfielder has struck out 10 times to begin the year, the most by any Tigers hitter through the first four games of a season.
A Difficult Opening Stretch
Carpenter’s struggles have been consistent from game to game, culminating in a four-strikeout performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.
Through four contests, he is hitless in 11 at-bats with a .000 batting average and a .154 on-base percentage. The strikeouts—10 in total—have been the most glaring issue, limiting his ability to contribute offensively.
While small sample sizes often define the opening week of a baseball season, the nature of Carpenter’s at-bats has stood out. He has frequently been overmatched, with opposing pitchers consistently generating swings and misses.
Context Matters
Carpenter’s slow start is notable given his track record. Entering the season, he had established himself as one of Detroit’s more reliable power hitters, compiling 70 home runs and an .822 OPS over his first five major league seasons.
He has typically been a middle-of-the-order presence capable of changing games with one swing, making this early stretch particularly uncharacteristic.
Early Season, Long View
There is, however, reason for patience. Baseball’s 162-game schedule often produces extreme statistical swings in the opening weeks, and even established hitters can endure brief stretches of ineffectiveness.
For Carpenter, the focus will likely be on simplifying his approach at the plate—improving pitch recognition, shortening swings in two-strike counts, and finding ways to put the ball in play.
What to Watch Going Forward
The coming days will be telling. If Carpenter begins to make more consistent contact, even without immediate results, it could signal a return to form.
For now, the Tigers will look for signs of adjustment from one of their key offensive contributors, knowing that his bat remains an important part of their lineup’s long-term success.
“We’ve just come off the training pitch, she was on the pitch today,” said Slegers. “We have to see with medical and the hand over, and see how she responds.
“Probably, my take, is a little bit more time to see how the muscle responded. But she was on the pitch today.”
She continued: “I think you saw the whole squad on the pitch today, apart from the long-term injuries.
“It was one of Leah’s first sessions so we’ll see how she responds to the session. But she was out on the pitch as well.”
Arsenal will travel to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of the quarter-final with a two-goal lead, after defeating Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates last week. However, Slegers maintains that the tie is far from over.
She insisted: “It was a very tight game against Chelsea in the first leg. We know it’s going to be a battle tomorrow again, so we will have to be on it.
“It’s only half-time, so there’s a lot of work to do for us. That’s the way we are going to approach the game.
“Of course we have a lot of experience in the group – as players, as staff as well, how to manage different moments and that’s what we definitely want to bring to the game tomorrow as well.”
If you enjoy our articles, help us out by making Hayters.com one of your preferred sources on Google by clicking here.
Igor Tudor sacked: Who are the other shortest reigning managers in Premier League history?
Igor Tudor has left Tottenham after just seven games in charge in all competitions, and only five Premier League matches.
It makes him one of the shortest reigning Premier League managers ever, lasting just a mere 43 days at the club.
He won only won one match during his tenure – against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. He also lost all but one of his Premier League games – a draw with Liverpool at Anfield. Bookmakers with betting sign-up offers now have former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi as the favourite to take over.
But Tudor is not alone in having a dismal short spell at a Premier League side. Here are some of the other ill-fated Premier League managerial spells which lasted just a few games.
Ange Postecoglou – Nottingham Forest
Another former Spurs boss features on this list too. Ange Postecoglou’s spell at Nottingham Forest earlier this season lasted just 39 days, being sacked just after full-time of his side’s defeat to Chelsea at the City Ground.
He failed to win any of his eight games in charge and was replaced by Sean Dyche, who also ended up being sacked shortly after taking over.
Les Reed – Charlton Athletic
Reed took over a struggling Charlton side in 2006, but things would not improve under his guidance and, in fact, got worse. A return of just four points in seven games and a League Cup defeat to Wycombe Wanderers saw him depart after just 40 days.
Javia Gracia – Leeds United
Gracia spent just 69 days in the job at Leeds before being replaced by Sam Allardyce on a short-term contract until the end of the season. He lasted just 12 games, winning three of them.
Rene Meulensteen – Fulham
The former Manchester United coach replaced Martin Jol at Fulham in December 2013 but lost nine of his 13 games in charge and was swiftly shown the exit door.
Frank de Boer – Crystal Palace
It is perhaps surprising that de Boer lasted as long as he did at Palace, even though he was only there for 77 days.
Four Premier League games, four defeats and no goals scored.
Nathan Jones – Southampton
Jones succeeded Ralph Hassenhuttl at Southampton in 2022 but nine defeats in 14 games proved to be enough to persuade the Saints bosses to make a change after only 84 days.
Bob Bradley – Swansea City
The first American to manage in the Premier League took only eight points from 11 games and was dismissed after only 85 days in the job.
Quique Sanchez Flores – Watford
It is perhaps surprising that Watford do not feature more frequently on this list given their record of hiring and firing managers. Sanchez Flores’ second spell with the Hornets would end after just 85 days and two wins in 12 games.
Raphael Guerreiro is on the lookout for a new club this summer after it was announced that he will leave Bayern Munich as a free agent when his contract expires.
According to the Portuguese newspaper Record, Benfica have expressed interest in signing the 32-year-old on a free transfer.
Guerreiro is reportedly open to joining the José Mourinho-led club. Despite being a 65-cap Portuguese international, he has never played in his home country.
It has also been suggested that the former Borussia Dortmund player could stay in the Bundesliga or move to Italy or France.
Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson has been speaking following the release of the club's latest set of financial results for the year ending June 2025.
The accounts detail how the sale of the leasehold to St James' Park and adjacent land to PZ Holdings Limited, a subsidiary company, contributed to the club posting a £34.7m profit after tax.
The club insist this was carried out with a view to either redeveloping the stadium or building a new ground, rather than complying with the Premier League's outgoing profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
Newcastle's chief financial officer Simon Capper said "the motivation was very much to reorganise our property assets and get them into the correct legal boxes to allow us to go forward with our potential development and to facilitate that with financing".
Newcastle ultimately announced club-record revenues of £335.3m, but still have a huge gap to bridge on the status quo.
Liverpool, by comparison, generated £703m in the same period, while Manchester City brought in more in commercial revenue (£340.4m) than Newcastle raised in overall income.
It is a timely reminder of the challenge Newcastle face to somehow realise Hopkinson's vision of competing for the biggest prizes by 2030.
"When I think about our competitors, they are formidable and they have already got a head start on us, but all they've got is a head start on us and we've got a tremendous opportunity for growth right in front of us," he added.
"We've used the phrase 'headroom' in terms of a player budget, but what I also look at is the commercial opportunity. We have significant headroom to catch up.
"It means we've got work harder. We've got to work smarter with high conviction and energy every single day to capture that headroom. We've got to catch these guys."
Musonda made eight appearances for Celtic [Getty Images]
"I won't lie. Mentally, yes, it's been very difficult," the former Chelsea winger Charly Musonda told BBC Sport.
Musonda, who retired aged 28 last summer, decided to quit football after a spell in Cyprus marred by unpaid wages - but despite this being a far cry from the start of his career, there is renewed excitement on the horizon.
"One studs‑up tackle cost me four years of my career. Doctors told me I had a 20% chance of ever playing again," he said of the posterior cruciate ligament injury that changed everything in 2018.
After nearly four years out, Musonda was fit enough to return for Chelsea but found the club lost faith in him. Subsequent moves to Levante in Spain and Anorthosis in Cyprus could not revive his ambitions.
After his career instability, Musonda, based in Los Angeles, is now working on developing a one‑versus‑one, combat sport‑style football league game.
Musonda injured the PCL in his knee, an almost unheard‑of issue in football, when surgery is usually avoided to prevent altering a player's explosiveness or running style. Two months out became a full season and when he tested the knee again during his loan back at Vitesse, he broke down once more.
Seeking answers, Musonda consulted his private doctorand was advised to have surgery. Chelsea initially refused, delaying him another month, but Musonda eventually won the argument.
During his eight‑to‑10‑month recovery, the global coronavirus pandemic struck, slowing his progress further by restricting access to club facilities and staff.
At that stage, Musonda paid for parts of his own rehabilitation, hiring a private physiotherapist in Dubai at his own expense – a move he says led to him being fined but that he ultimately credits with helping him return to training three and a half years after the initial injury.
Managers Maurizio Sarri and Lampard had come and gone, and Thomas Tuchel was now in charge at Chelsea.
"I met Tuchel in the car park and he told me he knew who I was from Dortmund and to be ready for the following pre-season," Musonda said. "I came back and was told to sign a contract at half my salary and to go out on loan by Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, the loan coach.
"I was also told I would be training with the under-23s but I pulled one of Tuchel's coaches aside and he said it was a mistake – that I was travelling with them to Ireland the next day for the tour. I trained there and I got Covid. A nightmare.
"When I returned, Tuchel told me there was some animosity in the front office. I said I would have played for free that season to prove myself at Chelsea and that if I wasn't good enough, I would walk away when my contract expired.
"I knew from September that I wouldn't play and it was tough, especially after being told I had only a 20% chance of playing football again when I had the surgery to then feeling fully fit.
"I just needed an opportunity at Chelsea, but it was a tough sell after so long out. Mentally, that was one of the toughest moments. It killed me. Chelsea was where I wanted to make it."
Right-hander Cody Ponce had a much shorter Toronto Blue Jays debut than anticipated.
It was the 2025 Korea Baseball Organization MVP's first Major League game since 2021, but he lasted just 2.1 innings and had to be carted off the field following an injury on Monday night against the Colorado Rockies.
"Ponce was running toward first base to field a ground ball off the bat of the Rockies’ Jake McCarthy in the third inning, when he reached down and bobbled his first play on the ball," MLB.com's Keegan Matheson reported. "As he tried to adjust his body to scoop up the ball again, he pulled up in pain, grabbing the back of his right leg, and went down on the infield dirt."
Cody Ponce had to be carted off in his Blue Jays debut after collapsing trying to field a ground ball pic.twitter.com/FO0YUfYlZz
Ponce won last season's KBO Pitching Triple Crown with the Hanwha Eagles, posting a 1.84 ERA with 17 wins and 252 strikeouts in 29 starts. The 31-year-old's performance in South Korea earned him a three-year, $30 million contract with the Blue Jays.
With 12 strikeouts and a 0.66 ERA in 13.2 innings during spring training, Ponce looked ready to make a significant impact in Toronto's rotation. Now, he may be in danger of spending a huge chunk of time on the injured list, depending on the severity of the injury that forced him out of Monday's outing.
Detroit — Tom Gage has seen more Tigers baseball than just about anyone, so, sure, he's got his opinions.
But his latest book about the franchise he covered for 36 years as beat writer for The Detroit News isn't about opinions. It sticks to the stats and the facts. The book is, "Your Detroit Tigers: The Great, The Good, The Top 400," and it's being marketed as the definitive ranking of Tigers hitters and pitchers.
The book, which was available starting Tuesday, is written with player commentary from former Tigers catcher Alex Avila, a former All-Star and Silver Slugger — who now can add published author to his resume.
"Who would've thought?" Avila said with a laugh during a recent appearance on The News' Tigers Today podcast. "I kind of looked at it like a fun project where I can actually kind of slow down and kind of reflect a little bit, especially when discussing some of the guys I played with and played against.
The genesis of this book dates back to 2023, future Hall-of-Famer Miguel Cabrera's last season, when the debates inevitably popped up, asking if Cabrera was the best hitter in Tigers history.
Gage, 77, set out to answer the question, without emotion or recency bias. So he created a formula, using 14 stats for hitters and eight for pitchers, to devise a point system. The end result is the ranking in the book, 258 hitters and 152 pitchers. Why 258 and 152? Because 400 pops more than 399, all due respect to Al Kaline's career homer total.
"It is completely based off statistics as a Detroit Tiger," said Avila, 39. "There is no opinion in this. It's very much black and white, based on your performance as a Tiger. I thought that was very interesting.
"For a lot of Tigers fans, it's going to be a fun walk down memory lane. ... You're going to remember guys that you forgot about that were on some of your favorite teams.
"There will be some surprises. That's part of the fun."
Nearly 2,000 men have played at least one game for the Tigers, who are playing their 126th season in 2026.
Without giving anything away, Gage's latest book ($30, Triumph Books, available wherever books are sold) definitely has some surprises. For starters, you might be surprised where Cabrera is ranked. You might be surprised where Justin Verlander is ranked. You certainly will be surprised where Bobby Higginson is ranked. You probably won't be at all surprised that Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker, joined at the hip in so many ways (except in Cooperstown, unbelievably), are ranked back-to-back.
We will give one thing away: Avila, who played for the Tigers from 2009-15 and again in 2017, checks in at the 75th-best hitter in franchise history, and the sixth-best catcher, according to Gage's formula.
"To be the 75th-best hitter in this ranking in Tigers history, since 1901," said Avila, "that's something to be proud of."
Gage covered more than 5,000 Tigers games, and covered games at more than 50 major-league stadiums, during his beat-writing career at The News, which was celebrated with baseball writers' highest honor in 2015, followed by his induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
There’s no shortage of star power taking the ice tonight, with 10 games scheduled across the National Hockey League. My NHL player props will focus on Connor McDavid, Rickard Rakell, and Brandon Hagel.
img alt="Get a first bet encore up to $800 with the BET99 promo code COVERSNHL" width="100%" loading="lazy" src="https://img.covers.com/promo-articles/bet99nhlcreative2526.jpeg"Get a first bet encore up to $800 with BET99 bonus code COVERSNHL. (not available in Ontario)
Our best NHL player props for Tuesday, March 31
Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.
Prop #1: Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points
-135 at BET99
Connor McDavid leads the NHL with an astounding 124 points. He’s cashed the Over in three straight appearances, and the Edmonton Oilers superstar has notched three points in back-to-back games. McDavid has eight points during this span.
The Oilers face the Kraken tonight, and McDavid has registered six points against them across three meetings, scoring four and assisting two.
Edmonton is also at home for this contest, where the three-time Hart Trophy winner has 65 points in only 36 games. He’ll deliver.
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: KHN, SNW
Prop #2: Rickard Rakell anytime goal
+205 at BET99
I took Rickard Rakell to find the back of the net in Monday’s picks, and he delivered, scoring twice.
The 32-year-old has been on fire, scoring nine of his 19 goals on the season in March. Rakell has found the back of the net in four of his last six, and he has a pair of multi-goal games during that run.
The Pens take on the Red Wings tonight, and Rakell has already scored once against them in 2025-26 across two matchups. The Wings also just allowed five goals in their last game, and the Pens are thriving offensively, with Rakell playing a key part.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FDSN DET, SN-PIT
Prop #3: Brandon Hagel Over 0.5 assists
+120 at BET99
Brandon Hagel is an integral piece for the Stanley Cup-chasing Tampa Bay Lightning, serving as one of their top producers. He’s scored 35 goals and tallied 38 assists this season, and Hagel has notched an impressive 18 helpers this month.
The 27-year-old has cashed the Over in assists in six of his last eight, and he had a helper in three straight before scoring a goal instead in Sunday’s win over the Nashville Predators.
The Bolts face the Montreal Canadiens tonight, and while he’s yet to register an assist against them across two meetings, Hagel is red-hot.
When they do produce offensively, he’s often involved. He’s also hit the Over in three in a row at home.
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.
Ruwald van der Merwe has agreed to join Glasgow Warriors on a two-year deal from this summer.
The 27-year-old South African, who operates in the back row, will arrive at Scotstoun after Pumas' upcoming Currie Cup campaign. Van der Merwe was Pumas captain for last year's SA Cup.
"I've followed the club for a while, and I never imagined I'd get the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious set-up," he told Warriors media. "I'm looking forward to giving my best and contributing wherever I can.
"Supporters can expect a physical edge from me. Coming from South Africa, that's something I take pride in. I enjoy carrying hard, using a mix of strength and speed, getting my hands free for offloads and contributing physically on defence and at set-piece time.
"I want to make an impact in all areas and add as much as I can to the team."
Van der Merwe says Glasgow head coach Franco Smith "told me a lot about the environment and his coaching approach".
"I also spoke to Henco Venter, who had nothing but great things to say about the club and life in Glasgow, which made the decision even more exciting for me and my family," the loose forward added.
And Smith said: "Ruwald is a player that we have been keeping an eye on for a while, having identified him as someone that we believe can bring real value to what we are aiming to build here.
"He is a strong carrier who brings a real work ethic to everything he does and he is excited to become a Glasgow Warrior from next season."
The Los Angeles Angels hope to snap a three-game losing streak when they face the Chicago Cubs tonight at Wrigley Field.
The forecast promises a cold, miserable night, and my Angels vs. Cubs predictions expect LA starter Jose Soriano and his sinker-slider combo to rack up the strikeouts.
Angels vs Cubs best bet: Jose Soriano Over 4.5 strikeouts (-108)
Jose Soriano is riding a jaw-dropping 41.3% whiff rate from his 2026 opener, where he struck out seven Astros in six innings of work.
This follows a strong spring where the Los Angeles Angels righty struck out 13 across 11 2/3 and eight punchouts per nine frames in 2025.
The Chicago Cubs lineup presents multiple strikeout candidates, and they’ve struck out in 22% of their 91 plate appearances against right-handed arms in 2026.
Cold, heavy air at Wrigley Field plays right into Soriano's hard sinker and devastating slider combo. Back him to punch out at least five tonight.
COVERS INTEL: Soriano averaged 3.7 pitches per batter and struck out 8.05 batters per nine in 2025, and seven Astros on Opening Day at Houston.
Angels vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Cold weather, limited scoring, and the more reliable arm on the mound sum up this three-leg same-game parlay.
Soriano was excellent on the road last season (8-3), and he just threw six scoreless innings in Houston. His 69.2% ground-ball rate limits damage and keeps traffic off the bases.
Jameson Taillon allowed 26 earned runs across 13 1/3 spring innings, and he’s hard to trust right now. In a game where runs will be scarce, that edge on the mound leans toward the Halos.
Angels vs Cubs SGP
Jose Soriano Over 4.5 strikeouts
Angels moneyline
Under 7.5
Angels vs Cubs home run pick: Mike Trout (+310)
Mike Trout doesn't need much of an invitation, and Taillon is practically rolling out the red carpet.
Ten home runs and nine walks in just over 13 spring innings tell you that he is a pitcher who can't find the zone and is getting destroyed when he does.
Trout has already taken Taillon deep, and the Angels slugger launched two bombs on Opening Day at Houston. I’ll back him to crack one tonight.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 1-1, -0.2 units
SGPs: 0-2, -2 units
HR picks: 0-2, -2 units
Angels vs Cubs odds
Moneyline: Los Angeles +120 | Chicago -142
Run line: Los Angeles +1.5 (-188) | Chicago -1.5 (+155)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (+116) | Under 7.5 (-142)
Angels vs Cubs trend
The Chicago Cubs have hit the Game Total Under in 64 of their last 117 games (+13.65 Units / 11% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Angels vs. Cubs.
How to watch Angels vs Cubs and game info
Location
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
First pitch
7:40 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN West, Marquee
Angels starting pitcher
Jose Soriano (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Cubs starting pitcher
Jameson Taillon (2025: 11-7, 3.68 ERA)
Angels vs Cubs latest injuries
Angels vs Cubs 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.
The Los Angeles Rams are back in the championship hunt after their 2025 season ended one game short of the Super Bowl. They dropped the NFC Championship to the Seattle Seahawks, who went on to capture the title.
With most of the roster returning, the Rams have another legitimate window to compete. The catch is that everything depends on Matthew Stafford staying healthy.
Stafford is coming off his first MVP season and hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. But at 38 years old, his injury history raises valid concerns about whether he can hold up for a full campaign. One bad hit or missed start could derail the entire season, and the front office knows it.
That’s exactly why head coach Sean McVay is being proactive about the backup quarterback spot. He’s not waiting until training camp to figure it out.
During a recent appearance on ESPN, Sean McVay made his pitch directly to veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons.
“Kirk was awesome. He’s played at a high level. He’s a starting quarterback in this league. It’s just a matter of what’s he looking for, what the situation is and if there is some interest in us, Kirk, come see us man. I would love to have you,” the Rams head coach said.
McVay floated a couple of names as potential backups, including Jimmy Garoppolo and Cousins. Garoppolo handled those duties in both 2024 and 2025, so his presence would not be a shock. But Cousins brings a different element to the conversation because of his past with McVay.
The two worked together in Washington when Sean McVay served as offensive coordinator for three seasons before leaving for Los Angeles. Their relationship actually stretches back further than that, with McVay coaching tight ends during Cousins’ early years in the league.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throwing a pass against the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Cousins wrapped up 2025 in an unusual spot. He started the year as Atlanta’s backup before getting called into action after Michael Penix Jr. went down with an injury. From there, Cousins appeared in 10 games and threw 10 touchdowns against five interceptions.
Now the question is whether Cousins wants to compete for a starting job elsewhere or accept a backup role on a team built to contend. Los Angeles could be the perfect fit if he’s leaning toward the latter.
Florida seven-foot-nine center Olivier Rioux is entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, On3’s Joe Tipton confirmed on Tuesday morning.
The NCAA Transfer Portal will officially open on April 7 and close on April 21. The new 15-day window was enacted following a recommendation by the men’s basketball oversight committee. Athletes don’t have to commit to a new school by the April 21 deadline.
New York, NY - October 2: Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez in the dugout in the seventh inning of Game 3 of the Wild Card playoff series at Yankee Stadium on October 2, 2025. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Happy Tuesday, Red Sox Nation. After last night’s ass-whooping at the hands of the Houston Astros, our beloved Red Sox fall to 1-3. I don’t know about you, but the offense feels like it’s been slumping for weeks, even though it’s only four games. Baseball season is a grind, though, and nobody wins 162 games in a row.
So, my question to you is: did you forget that? Are you already frustrated by the lack of hitting with runners in scoring position? Or are you accepting it as statistical noise that happens in small samples?
Talk about early season frustration and whatever else you want here. Be good to one another, and go Sox.
Supercomputer predicts if Gyokeres will beat Kiwior to World Cup spot
Sweden and Poland are set to meet in the European play-off final in a decisive clash that will determine qualification for the World Cup this summer.
Both nations are expected to feature players from Arsenal, adding further intrigue to the encounter. The individual battle between Jakub Kiwior and Viktor Gyökeres is particularly noteworthy, given their contrasting roles on the pitch.
(Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
Key Battle on the Pitch
Kiwior is set to operate in defence for Poland, while Gyökeres will lead the line for Sweden. This direct contest could prove decisive, with the Polish defender tasked with stopping one of the most in-form forwards in European football.
According to Opta, Sweden is considered favourites to progress, with their supercomputer giving them a 40.9 per cent chance of advancing in Stockholm. Poland, by comparison, is viewed as underdogs with a 32.4 per cent probability of success.
These projections suggest that Sweden holds the advantage heading into the contest, although the margin indicates that the match remains finely balanced. Poland will still believe they have the quality to overcome their opponents and secure qualification.
If the prediction proves accurate, Kiwior could miss out on a place at the World Cup with Poland, while Gyökeres and his Swedish teammates would secure their spot at the tournament in North America this summer. The outcome will ultimately depend on which side can deliver under pressure in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter.
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
Damning: Key Chelsea player says same thing about this squad that fans and pundits have said for years
Marc Cucurella’s latest comments are a direct criticism of the way that Chelsea’s lack of Champions League experience cost them against PSG.
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.
Marc Cucurella’s appearance in a press conference for the Spain national team yesterday sparked a few headlines, and rightly so.
In the wake of Enzo Fernandez’s comments about potentially leaving Chelsea in the summer, Cucurella said similar things. He was a little less direct, saying it would be hard to turn down a move to his boyhood team Barcelona would be hard to turn down, should the opportunity ever arise. He made sure to be clear he was talking about something happening “in a few years,” and not soon.
But what was to come after that was even more explosive.
His interview with the Athletic today sees him openly criticise Chelsea’s ongoing project in a way we’ve not seen from a player before.
Cucurella points to lack of experience in Chelsea squad
His comments on the defeat to PSG in the Champions League, where the Blues were battered 8-2 on aggregate, mirrored what so many fans and pundits have been saying for years:
“We lacked experience. For a lot of players, it was the first time playing a match of that calibre, and we paid the price,” the full back said.
“You can always make a mistake, but we should have handled it better. There was a return game to play, and if you keep a cool head, you go back to London with a 3-2 defeat [in the first leg] and anything can happen. We made a mistake, tried to attack without a clear structure and then PSG took the chance and proved they have that cutting edge.”
Damning.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 15: Ryan Coogler, winner of the Best Original Screenplay for “Sinners”, poses in the press room at the 98th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Hola mis amigos! This is your open thread for Tuesday, March 31. Come on in and tell us about your day.
Or chat about this stuff. Or don’t, I’m not your boss.
MMA ADJACENT
Anthony Pettis’ promotion shows their prelims for free on YouTube.
I did not know that was Marc Mero from the thumbnail.
TOTALLY OFF TOPIC
One for Andrew.
Three new movies to add to my must-watch list.
GAME TIME
Going old school today.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Wanna play?: Enter your pick for Fight Streaks here — FULL STORY
Bernie Bro no more: Kevin Lee has an interesting take — FULL STORY
Bruised: UFC vets getting mashed over in bare knuckle — FULL STORY
Indeed, the Nerazzurri will undergo major changes at the end of the season, with numerous veteran stars set to leave the club.
Meanwhile, Beppe Marotta is in the market for reinforcements all across the board, with Inter ready to reinforce every department.
However, Inter are planning staff changes alongside squad reinforcements, with Samir Handanovic likely to step up to the senior setup.
Inter Milan Boss Cristian Chivu to Promote Samir Handanovic to Senior Role
Handanovic spent 11 years at San Siro as a player. Indeed, he moved to Inter from Udinese in 2012 and remained at Giuseppe Meazza until retiring in 2023.
Moreover, he joined the club’s youth sector after retiring from football, becoming the goalkeeping coach of the U17 team in 2024.
Now, after two seasons working with the youth ranks, Handanovic is poised to take on a senior coaching role under Chivu’s management.
Handanovic’s promotion would be part of Inter’s broader backroom reshuffle, aimed at strengthening the coaching structure ahead of next season.
With 1:13 remaining in the first half of the NFC Championship Game, Rams coach Sean McVay called a pass, which fell incomplete, stopping the clock. The next play was another incomplete pass. That forced the Rams to punt with 1:03 left, giving the Seahawks plenty of time and timeouts to march down the field for a touchdown before halftime.
McVay still regrets that.
McVay called his clock management at that point in the game a "major mistake" in his appearance on PFT Live this week. When he looks back on the 2025 season, he doesn't worry about things he couldn't control, but it does still irk him that he could have called better plays in that situation than he called.
"I try not to dwell on stuff that really doesn't move me forward," McVay said. "Now, what I do dwell on is that NFC Championship Game. One thing you don't do in a two-minute situation, don't put the defense back out on the field. We run it on a first-and-10, and then you know what? Should have run it again. They got three timeouts, we end up throwing it, it goes incomplete, then we go incomplete on third down, give them three downs, they go score a touchdown. Changes the momentum of that going into the half. So, what I do evaluate are some of those after-action reviews on situationally."
McVay said there were other decisions he made that drew criticism, like a failed fourth down in the fourth quarter, that he stands by. But he could have handled clock management better.
"What I would do differently is handle the end of the first half differently," McVay said. "Handle some things differently game management-wise."
Coming into the 2025 college season, the Penn State Nittany Lions were considered a strong national championship contender. It didn't work out that way, as the Nittany Lions season crumbled into oblivion. However, the program still produced several prospects that are of interest to the New Orleans Saints and the rest of the league in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. One of those prospects is Nicholas Singleton, part of a dynamic Penn State duo at running back.New Orleans may not look to draft a running back early on after the signing of Travis Etienne in free agency.
However, Alvin Kamara may be in decline, Kendre Miller is injury-prone, and Devin Neal is relatively unproven. Because of those factors, don't be surprised if the Saints add another back in the mid-rounds of the draft. Singleton is among a handful of talented runners who could still be on the board in that range.
Nick Singleton bio
Position: Running back
College: Penn State Nittany Lions
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 219 pounds
An incredible scholastic career for Singleton at Governor Mifflin High School in Eastern Pennsylvania totaled over 6,300 career rushing yards with 116 touchdowns and concluded with him being named the 2022 Gatorade Football Player of the Year. He was part of a star recruiting class by the Nittany Lions that year that included fellow running back Kaytron Allen and quarterback Drew Allar. Singleton led Penn State in rushing as a freshman in 2022, picking up 1,061 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and earning 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors.
In 2023, Singleton's 752 rushing yards were edged out by Allen (902) for the team lead, but he'd pace the Nittany Lions with 8 touchdowns. Both backs rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2024. Singleton had 1,099 yards to Allen's 1,108, but Singleton's 12 touchdowns led the squad. The 2025 campaign plummeted into disaster for Penn State.
Singleton's rushing numbers fell to a career-worst 549 yards, but his 13 scores were a career-high and led the team. Singleton concluded his Penn State career with 3,461 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns. He is the storied program's career leader in rushing touchdowns and third in all-time rushing yardage.
Strengths
Enticing blend of size and speed
Explosive breakaway speed
Instant acceleration through open holes
Underrated power to break through tackles
Good receiving skills (102-987 yards, 9 scores)
Adds value as a kickoff returner
Weaknesses
Needs to show better vision and feel for cutback lanes
Gets strung out east-to-west by defenses too easily
Must have better elusiveness at second level
Doesn't have great cutting ability
Nick Singleton 2026 draft outlook
If he'd entered the 2025 draft, Singleton may have been an early Day 2 or perhaps even a late first round surprise. Penn State's miserable season also exposed a few of his own shortcomings as a player to this point, causing a drop in stock that could even take him midway into Day 3. Singleton doesn't possess the power of Nittany Lions teammate Allen, which leaves a question to where his fit in an offense could be.
Thinking that Nick Singleton doesn't have potentially tremendous upside could be a big mistake. He's an explosive player capable of a big play at any moment who has a terrific ceiling if he improves either his power or open field elusiveness. Singleton also could be a valuable receiver out of the backfield and adds a big-play element as a kickoff returner, something the Saints sorely lack on the current roster.
Either Penn State running back has immediate value with the upside of being a draft steal, but each for different reasons. In Singleton's case, he'll have to show that he can pick up inside yards and read an NFL defense, but his potential as a home-run threat certainly makes him an enticing choice. If still on the board in Day 3, the Saints could see that kind of potential and add another needed weapon to their offense.
Real Madrid midfielder at risk of missing out on World Cup squad
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga could be facing one of the most difficult moments of his career, with fresh reports suggesting his place in France’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup is far from guaranteed.
According to L’Equipe, the competition within Didier Deschamps’ midfield setup has reached a level where even established talents are no longer assured of selection.
France are expected to name an expanded squad of 25 or 26 players, which should, in theory, offer more room for inclusion.
In this regard, Deschamps is likely to pick around five players for central roles, and the depth available is creating a serious selection headache.
Overload in the national team
At present, the French manager has a wealth of options to choose from. Players like Aurelien Tchouameni, N’Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, Manu Kone, and Warren Zaïre-Emery are all in contention.
With only two spots available, this creates intense competition for just two starting positions, making every decision crucial.
Camavinga’s versatility could have been a key advantage. His ability to operate as a left-back adds another dimension to his profile.
Camavainga’s place is in danger. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
However, even in that position, France are well covered, with multiple specialist options already ahead in the pecking order.
Inconsistent season at Real Madrid
A major factor behind his uncertain status is his inconsistency this season. Injuries have played a significant role in disrupting his rhythm, preventing him from building sustained form at Real Madrid.
As a result, he has struggled to fully establish himself as a regular starter, regardless of tactical setups or managerial preferences.
This lack of continuity has inevitably impacted his standing at the international level.
Notably, Camavinga did not feature at all in the high-profile clash against Brazil and in the subsequent match against Colombia, his involvement was restricted to just 25 minutes.
Despite these setbacks, though, it would be premature to completely rule him out as there is still time for the world event to begin.
Michael O'Neill has won three of his eight games in charge of Blackburn [Getty Images]
At least one Championship club has raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest involving Northern Ireland and Blackburn Rovers manager Michael O'Neill.
BBC Radio Oxford understands Oxford United are one of those uncomfortable with a situation whereby four of their players could be called on for an international friendly by the manager of another side fighting for Championship survival.
Northern Ireland face Wales on Tuesday with Oxford's Jamie Donley, Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer and Jamie McDonnell all part of the squad.
Portsmouth defender Terry Devlin and West Brom midfielder Isaac Price are also in the Northern Ireland squad.
Pompey are one point above the drop zone, while the Baggies are four points clear of the bottom three.
Uncapped Blackburn defender Tom Atcheson is the sole Rovers player picked by O'Neill.
The EFL confirmed they had been contacted by "one or more clubs" regarding the matter but it was not an issue that would be dealt with by them.
They added international call-up and release policy was governed by FIFA and the relevant national association and team and squad selection decisions were made independently by each national association manager.
They said they would expect all selection decisions to be taken with integrity and in a way that does not bring the game into disrepute.
The BBC has contacted the Irish FA, while Oxford United have declined to comment.
Northern Ireland's match in Cardiff comes less than 72 hours before Oxford host Hull City on Friday when, under normal circumstances, on-loan Spurs forward Donley and defender Brown would be certain starters.
Spencer has made 26 appearances for Oxford this season, and McDonnell has played 10 times since joining from Nottingham Forest in January.
Northern Ireland missed out on World Cup qualification after they were beaten 2-0 by Italy in Bergamo in the play-off semi-finals last Thursday.
O'Neill has been in charge at Ewood Park since February, when he replaced Valerien Ismael.
The 56-year-old had a similar agreement - combining duties with club and country - with Stoke City when his first spell as Northern Ireland manager came to a close in 2020.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the Euro 2020 play-offs and O'Neill left his role before those games took place.
After being sacked by the Potters in August 2022, he returned to Northern Ireland, signing a contract that runs until after the Euro 2028 campaign.
New England's executive vice president of player personnel was asked about the Brown rumors during a Monday interview with Kay Adams. The comments arrived amid swirling rumors identifying the Patriots as the likeliest trade destination for the Philadelphia Eagles receiver.
"A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles, as Howie (Roseman) mentioned yesterday," Wolf said. "We haven’t had any conversations about anything regarding that in a long time."
Exec. VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf says the Patriots front office hasn't had any conversations about Eagles WR A.J. Brown "in a long time"@heykayadamspic.twitter.com/OXBoqFv92W
Wolf was referencing recent remarks made by Roseman, Philly's general manager, who stated the obvious when asked about Brown on Sunday.
"I understand that there's interest in the A.J. Brown story. I, unfortunately, don't have a home under a rock," Roseman told reporters at the NFL owners meetings. "My answer to any question on A.J. Brown is A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles ... Anything you ask me about A.J. Brown, I'm going to go right back to that answer. But I understand the interest. I put on TV and I see that there's interest, but my answer is A.J. Brown is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles."
Despite the best efforts of Wolf and Roseman, the Patriots-Brown rumors probably won't go away anytime soon.
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold walks off the field during warmups before the Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. He was wearing a T-shirt in support of injured teammate Aidan Hutchinson. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Detroit Lions don’t appear to be too concerned about the availability of cornerback Terrion Arnold, despite some perceived ties to robbery incident that has already resulted in six arrests.
During this week’s owners meetings in Arizona, head coach Dan Campbell said that based on conversations they’ve had with Arnold themselves and the information they have, they don’t current believe the Lions’ third-year cornerback will be facing legal trouble.
“We got all the information that says he wasn’t involved,” Campbell said. “That’s what we know, that’s all we know. And I mean, that’s really all I can say. I mean, we’re monitoring what’s out there. I mean, as of a month ago, this was nothing. So I have no idea what this is. As far as I know it’s still not a big deal, it seems like he wasn’t involved with this.”
In February, an alleged kidnapping and robbery took place in a Florida apartment. Prosecutors paint the crime as a retaliation for a robbery that took place in Arnold’s AirBNB. Last week, text messages that were sent during the incident were released to the public, and Arnold’s name was mentioned nine times by the alleged perpetrators, potentially linking him as a co-conspirator. However, Arnold’s attorney Tim Jansen believes those texts prove nothing, and maintain Arnold’s non-involvement in the alleged crime.
“Claims that Mr. Arnold was ‘at the center’ of text message communications related to this incident are entirely misleading and reflect a gross negligence in accurately reporting the facts,” Jansen wrote in a public statement. “In reality, the collection of messages in question consists of more than 300 individual texts. Within that volume, Mr. Arnold’s name appears only a handful of times, approximately five, and only in passing references by third parties. At no point do these messages demonstrate that Mr. Arnold was directly involved in any conversations related to the alleged conduct.”
“I’m just more of a—let’s call it a pessimistic planner. I just like to prepare myself for that,” Holmes said. “I’m not saying that something is going to come out the worst, but that’s how I prepare on all situations, but also I always hope for the best, as well.”
This offseason, the Lions were able to re-sign cornerback Rock Ya-Sin while adding versatile defensive back pieces in Roger McCreary and Christian Izien. Campbell believes that leaves Detroit’s cornerback room in a good place.
“Getting Rock back was big for us. That’s not why (we signed him)—what happens if—that wasn’t the thought. But if it happens that way (with Terrion), or you talk about insurance, certainly we’ll need to be able to fill in somewhere with depth,” Campbell said. “But, look, we’ve still got (D.J.) Reed, we like (Ennis) Rake(straw). Rake’s coming back. I know it’s unproven right now, but he’s had a good offseason to this point. And we’ve got Rock, and McCreary. So we’ve got some things there.”
Report: Man United set to battle Arsenal in the race to sign Barcelona star
Ferran Torres Transfer Latest: Man Utd and Arsenal Monitoring Barcelona Situation
A developing situation at Barcelona could have significant implications for both Manchester United and Arsenal, with Ferran Torres facing an uncertain future at Camp Nou. The Spain international’s recent dip in form has prompted internal discussions, while Premier League interest continues to build ahead of the summer window, according to Fichajes.
Photo IMAGO
Torres remains a player of high regard across Europe, but timing is becoming a factor. Barcelona’s financial position and need to reshape their attack mean decisions are approaching quickly, and that is where English clubs are paying close attention.
Form slump raises key questions
Ferran Torres faces a decisive moment in his time at FC Barcelona after accumulating several games without scoring. Eleven consecutive matches without a goal has inevitably shifted perception within the club.
Ferran Torres has seen his role at FC Barcelona diminish as the season has progressed. His eleven consecutive matches without scoring have set off alarm bells within the club.
Photo IMAGO
While Barcelona’s coaching staff still retain trust in the player, the expectation level at the club demands more consistent output. His overall numbers are respectable, but the lack of recent impact has created uncertainty.
There is a growing sense internally that the coming months will determine whether he remains part of the long term project or becomes a valuable asset to move on.
Premier League interest intensifies
Manchester United are considering him as an option to bolster their attack in case of departures. Arsenal are also closely monitoring his situation, believing he would fit their style of play.
This dual interest is notable. Both clubs are expected to prioritise attacking reinforcements, and Torres offers versatility across the forward line. His experience at elite level, combined with familiarity of English football from his time at Manchester City, adds further appeal.
For Manchester United, the potential need for attacking depth could make Torres a practical target. The club’s recruitment strategy has leaned towards adaptable forwards, and Torres fits that profile.
Arsenal’s interest reflects a different angle. Their system values fluid movement and positional interchange, attributes that align closely with Torres’ strengths. There is a belief he could integrate quickly into their attacking structure.
Atletico Madrid provide alternative route
Atlético de Madrid appears as an option in La Liga, offering a different pathway for the player. Their interest stems from a need to refresh their forward options after squad changes.
The Valencian player’s profile fits perfectly with the attacking style of Simeone’s team. His mobility, ability to link up with teammates, and experience on big stages are highly valued attributes.
However, any deal involving Atlético is likely to be more complex, potentially involving exchange structures. That adds an additional layer to negotiations compared to more straightforward Premier League bids.
Barcelona financial reality driving decision
FC Barcelona understands that it must generate revenue to strengthen its squad. The potential arrival of a top level striker necessitates freeing up salary space and squad room.
Ferran Torres appears to be one of the players who could facilitate that operation. His contract until 2027 allows the club to negotiate a sale that would generate a financial profit.
From a recruitment perspective, this places Barcelona in a position where timing and valuation will be critical. The player’s performances in the final stretch of the season, along with international exposure, will influence his market value significantly.
Ferran Torres faces the final stretch of the season with the pressure of deciding his future. Summer will mark a turning point in his career.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
For Manchester United, this feels like a calculated opportunity rather than a priority move. Torres offers flexibility and experience, but supporters will question whether he represents a clear upgrade. The attraction lies in his adaptability and familiarity with the Premier League, yet consistency remains the key concern. If United move, it will likely depend on outgoings and squad balance rather than being a headline signing.
Arsenal supporters may view this more positively. The tactical fit appears stronger, particularly within a system that values movement and intelligent positioning. Torres could provide depth across multiple roles, easing the burden on existing attackers while maintaining stylistic cohesion.
There is also an element of timing for both clubs. Barcelona’s need to sell creates leverage for buyers, but only if Torres rediscovers form. A strong finish to the season would increase competition, while continued inconsistency could lower the risk attached to a deal.
Ultimately, this is a situation to monitor closely. Both Manchester United and Arsenal have clear attacking needs, and Torres represents a player whose ceiling remains high if the right environment unlocks it.
Jack Draper has played seven matches since making his ATP Tour return on 23 February [Getty Images]
Britain's Jack Draper has withdrawn from next week's Monte Carlo Masters as he continues his cautious comeback following an arm injury.
The 24-year-old did not play a tour-level tournament for six months because of a bruised humerus bone, but has competed in three events in five weeks since making his return to competitive action.
The 2024 US Open semi-finalist won on his return in Doha, earned a notable victory over Novak Djokovic on his way to the Indian Wells quarter-finals, then lost in his first outing at the Miami Open.
Draper said he was "feeling good" physically after being beaten by Reilly Opelka in Miami, but also outlined how he needs to continue to be patient with eight months of the season ahead.
Draper therefore believes playing Monte Carlo - which gets the European clay court swing going for the top stars on 5 April and is one of the most prestigious events on the ATP Tour - is not a wise move at this stage of his recovery.
Instead he plans to continue training in London, building his fitness and honing his game for the months ahead.
Monte Carlo kicks off a busy period for the top men's players, with two more clay-court Masters in Madrid and Rome before the swing culminates at the French Open in early June.
Draper has joined 24-time major champion Djokovic and American world number eight Taylor Fritz in withdrawing from Monte Carlo.
After the clay, the season goes straight into grass-court action, where Draper will be one of the star attractions on home turf at Queen's and Wimbledon.
Former world number four Draper has dropped to 25th in the rankings, and been replaced as British number one Cameron Norrie, as a consequence of his absence.
Is there cause for concern? - analysis
This is further evidence of Draper being unafraid to take tough short-term decisions for what he hopes will be long-term benefit.
The left-hander's serving arm has been the one affected, first causing him pain during last year's clay-court swing.
He initially tried to play through the discomfort, but withdrew from the US Open before his second-round match and swiftly decided to curtail his 2025 season.
Then he opted not to play this year's Australian Open.
It clearly continues to be a 'better safe than sorry' approach from Draper and his team, given the complex nature of the issue and his chequered history of physical issues.
There are no indications that pulling out of Monte Carlo is anything to be overly concerned about.
It is being described as another precautionary move. Draper has been training on court this week and hopes to be back on the match court at the Barcelona Open in a fortnight's time.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are gunning for a three-peat World Series championship in 2026. Only two MLB teams have ever done it. In college sports, three-peat national champions exist, notably John Wooden's UCLA teams and Geno Auriemma's UConn women's basketball teams. USC women's basketball did have a chance to achieve a three-peat title. The year was 1985.
Cheryl Miller was on the 1985 USC team. That's why it had a chance to win it all for a third straight year. Another women's basketball legend, Cynthia Cooper, was also on the 1985 Women of Troy roster. However, the absence of Pamela and Paula McGee -- two core members of the 1983 and 1984 national championship squads -- proved to be significant. USC had a lot of winning parts, but not all the ones it had the year earlier. Those were the parts the Trojans needed to go all the way.
USC was still a good team in 1985, just not a great one. The Trojans were a No. 4 seed in the Women's NCAA Tournament. They reached the Sweet 16, still a marker of a well-above-average team which belonged in the Final Four conversation. However, as the 4 seed, USC had to play the No. 1 seed in its region in the Sweet 16. USC almost beat Long Beach State but fell in a 75-72 thriller. The three-peat bid fell short by a small margin. The Trojans did at least give it a go. Merely having the chance to win three straight titles is a unique achievement and thrill, defining the greatest era of USC women's basketball to date.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior will likely feature in Brazil’s starting lineup when La Canarinha face Croatia this Tuesday, according to reports published on the Brazilian press. Vinicius missed a few training sessions over the last few days and appeared to be nursing minor physical problems, but Brazil’s poor performance against France will likely force Ancelotti’s hand as they try to gain confidence and momentum ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Vinicius has been playing at a very high level for Real Madrid lately but it’s also clear that he could benefit from taking a few days off. However, that doesn’t seem to be an option, so coach Alvaro Arbeloa will have to make a decision when Real Madrid visit Mallorca in La Liga this weekend.
Depending on Saturday's results, Dundee could kick off against Celtic just two points above the relegation play-off spot.
Only a couple of weeks ago there was daylight between us and the bottom end of the table. Being dragged back into that fight brings a pressure we could do without.
At the time of writing, our aggregate score with Celtic this season stands at 3–3.
In every meeting Dundee have given a strong account of themselves. More notably, Celtic have lost on each of their visits to the city this campaign - at both Dens Park and Tannadice.
There should be no fear about this fixture. The last meeting at Dens had Celtic well beaten and that performance should serve as a reminder of what this side is capable of.
Celtic are not invincible but will raise their game for this one as the title race is becoming more of an uphill battle for them.
We're more than capable of getting a result, we probably should have gotten better results in our previous meetings with them in Glasgow.
This weekend is the chance to settle the score on that front, it's the final stretch of the season with no more international breaks - the momentum in this run-in dictates this season's value.
Two victories in the remaining seven games sees us hit the desired 38 points that Steven Pressley has targeted - the sooner we hit that mark the better.
NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals kicked off their IPL 2026 campaign in dominant fashion, registering a crushing eight-wicket win over five-time champions Chennai Super Kings at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.
During the high-intensity clash, among several key moments, one that stood out was Ravindra Jadeja’s animated celebration after taking a wicket.
Jadeja, after dismissing a CSK all-rounder, came up with a ‘gun’ celebration.
After Rajasthan Royals’ win, former India cricketers Suresh Raina and Anil Kumble, part of the expert panel on JioStar, asked Jadeja if this was a new celebration.
"Jadeja, ye naya aaya hai market mein?" the experts asked.
To this, Jadeja said: "Ye mai CSK se jab khela karta tha, tab mai ye celebration karta tha. Maine socha to be continued karein".
— IPL (@IPL)
"Dube ka mujhe pata tha wo spinners ko pehle ball se maarne ko sochta hai. Wo mere dimaag mein kahin na kahin tha but at the same time wo bhi soch rha tha ki agar uska wicket gya to CSK ka middle order khali ho jayega. Positive mindset se ball daalne ka soch rha tha mai bass," he said.
Jadeja also reflected on an emotional outing against his former team Chennai Super Kings.
"I’m liking the pink colour. The yellow had started to feel a bit old, but I’m just joking. Obviously, leaving a franchise like CSK, where I had played for 12-13 years, was a little difficult initially. It was very emotional. But I told myself that changes like these are also part of the journey. The good thing was that I’m now with the team where I had first won an IPL title,” Jadeja said.
"That memory has always stayed with me, that after the Under-19 World Cup, I started my IPL career there and won the title in my very first season. I have carried those memories along with a positive mindset, and my aim is to learn as much as I can with the new group and also share my experience with the team,” he added.
Jadeja’s impact was felt with the ball as RR bundled CSK out for 127, setting up a comfortable chase that was headlined by a blistering knock from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
"The wicket was a bit sticky, so it suited my kind of bowling. My job was simply to bowl in the right areas. When you hit the right areas on a wicket that is holding up slightly, the ball tends to grip and come slower, which feels good as a bowler. Getting such a surface to bowl on in the very first match boosts your confidence as a bowler.
"I was thinking of bowling it at the stumps, as I wanted to take a chance in case he didn’t middle it. But when he hit me for a six, I quickly changed my strategy to bowling wide, as he would have kept hitting me on a straight line. So, I decided to finish on the fifth-sixth-stump line, thinking that if he went across, he might not get his timing right, and that's what happened. Luckily, he did not get the elevation he was looking for, and it was a big wicket for us.”
Rajasthan Royals will now face Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 4.
Carlos Alcaraz is turning his attention to the clay court season after a tough stint at the Miami Open.
Last year, the Spaniard had a standout run on clay, taking home titles from Monte Carlo, Rome, and Roland Garros.
This time around, he’s scheduled to arrive in Monte Carlo on April 3rd as he looks to put Miami behind him and defend his title.
Samu Lopez reveals Alcaraz’s approach to clay season
Photo by Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Alcaraz has a full calendar following Monte Carlo, and Lopez provided some insight into why they’re embracing such a busy stretch.
“Okay, so initially we’re going in with the mindset of playing everything, of playing the whole tour, you know?
“I mean, in the end, the Masters 1000s, let’s say that physically they’re not as intense, physically they’re not as intense as when Rafa was playing, when he played every day.”
Alcaraz is expected to compete in Barcelona, Rome and Madrid ahead of Roland Garros.
The extended schedule is partly due to his early exit in Miami. The decision reflects a need for match practice rather than just fitness work.
“The idea is to go to all of them,” Lopez said. “If Monte Carlo had gone well if it had gone better in Miami we probably would have ruled it [Monte Carlo] out. Monte Carlo is going to be a bit of a tune-up tournament.”
The change from one-week Masters events to 10 days has increased the mental demands on players too. Players now need more time between tournaments to recover.
Samu Lopez noted that this format change adds another layer of difficulty for Alcaraz this year.
The pressure isn’t just about defending points; there’s also growing competition at the top. Jannik Sinner could overtake him as world number one if he wins Monte Carlo. It’ll be interesting to see how Alcaraz manages both the physical and mental challenges ahead.
Carlos Alcaraz’s clay court record
He might say clay isn’t his favourite surface but Carlos Alcaraz’s results tell a different story. The Spaniard boasts an impressive 103–19 record on clay which translates into an 84% win rate.
Carlos is looking for consistency ahead of this year’s Roland Garros having struggled with injuries throughout 2024.
Congo’s famous living statue “Lumumba Vea” will miss the World Cup playoff against Jamaica because he was unable to get a visa in time.
Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, who gained fame during the Africa Cup of Nations for posing as a statue of Congo’s assassinated independence hero Patrice Lumumba for the entirety of games, traveled to Kenya and then Ethiopia in a bid to get a visa to attend Tuesday’s playoff in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Despite his efforts, he ran out of time.
“Unfortunately, even in an emergency situation, obtaining an express visa requires at least one day of processing, and even then, only under specific conditions,” Nkuka Mboladinga wrote on X.
“Given the importance of the mission – accompanying the Leopards – and the length of the journey to Mexico (18 to 22 hours with one stopover, and up to 30 hours with two), it seemed impossible to arrive on time and properly fulfill this mission,” he wrote. “I therefore decided to return to Kinshasa to support our ambassadors in a different way.”
Journalist Grévy Tambwe, who translated for Nkuka Mboladinga during an interview for The Associated Press in January, confirmed that the social media post came from Nkuka Mboladinga.
“We’re a bit heartbroken by this episode but it’s OK, we remain in touch with the national team and we’ll watch the match together with the other supporters and Michel will perform even if it’s at a distance,” Tambwe told The AP.
Nkuka Mboladinga became a social media star at the Africa Cup for posing as a statue of Lumumba on a pedestal with his right hand raised and staying entirely still for the team’s games.
Lumumba is widely hailed as the nationalist activist who helped to end Belgium’s colonial rule over Congo in 1960. He became the new independent country’s first prime minister and was seen as one of Africa’s most promising new leaders, but he was killed within a year during a struggle against a Belgian-backed secessionist movement in the mineral-rich Katanga region.
A Belgian court in March ordered a 93-year-old former diplomat to stand trial for the assassination. Etienne Davignon, who previously denied any wrongdoing, is the last living among 10 Belgians suspected of involvement in the killing and has been charged with “participation in war crimes” for his role in the “unlawful detention and transfer” of Lumumba.
Congo reached the last 16 of the Africa Cup. After being eliminated by Algeria, the Leopards' attention quickly switched to World Cup qualifying. If Congo does beat Jamaica in their playoff, it will be the second-to-last team to qualify for the 48-country competition before Iraq plays Bolivia in the last playoff in Monterrey, Mexico.
Carlisle were relegated from League Two in 2024-25 [Getty Images]
Carlisle United have announced that they lost £5.1 million for the 2024-25 season in which they were relegated from the English Football League.
The accounts mark the first full 12-month period under the ownership of the Florida-based Piatak family.
Last season Carlisle had three head coaches and could not prevent a second successive relegation into the National League as they finished 23rd in League Two.
"This has been a challenging year, but important foundations have been laid," said the club's board in a statement.
"We've invested in our people, facilities, hospitality, commercial growth and community. We are fully committed to building a strong future for Carlisle United."
The loss of £5.1m was significantly up from the £2.8m the club lost in the previous season, with an extra £1m spent on player wages and over £500,000 on transfer fees. There was also a 20% drop in turnover from £8.3m to £6.6m.
But the Piataks have converted a £12m loan into equity to be used as a long-term investment into the club.
Significant money has been spent off the pitch over the past 12 months in improving facilities in and around Brunton Park, which the club believes will increase commercial revenue.
Chairman Tom Piatak added: "We believe in Carlisle United, its supporters, and its future, and we will continue to invest to help the club move forward in a sustainable and responsible way."
With five games to go, Carlisle have secured a play-off spot in the National League, with that almost certainly being the route they will have to take to regain their EFL status at the first attempt.
When Adam Peters was hired as the general manager of the Washington Commanders, he faced a steep hill to climb. The team was coming out of the atrocious Dan Snyder era and in desperate need of a jolt. Peters brought in veterans on short-term contracts to fill many of their needs, but he also remained vigilant about ensuring the players he brought in would be impactful.
One of the biggest names Peters brought to Washington was linebacker Bobby Wagner. An 11-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowl selection, Wagner was a leader on the Commanders' defense for two seasons. He didn't just come in and help the team; he came in and showed them what standards look like, what a leader should look like, and how a team can be built with all kinds of pieces.
Wagner became a free agent in 2026, and he has yet to sign with another team. The Commanders haven't approached him yet, but it's not out of the question. "We would never shut the door on him," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said, via ESPN. "We do feel like there's some players that are about to take off at [his] position."
Wagner's age is definitely a factor in their decision, and they believe in the linebackers they currently have on the roster, too. But it's unlikely he remains on the market for long, especially with some other defense-needy teams still looking to fill holes. A CBS Sports article recently named six landing spots for the veteran linebacker: Washington, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
"He's like the most remarkable player and leader," Quinn said. "I wanted to make sure I said how important he was to me to come here together, like what standards could look like. And then yes, like what Adam (Peters) said to him and some others, 'We're going to leave the door open, and we'll see what that looks like over the time ahead.'"
The Commanders will likely wait to see what happens in the draft before they decide to offer Wagner another contract, but waiting that long could result in missing out on one of the best linebackers in the league.
Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton could be a player to watch for the New York Jets ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.
As things stand, the Jets hold nine picks in the draft, including two first-rounders (No. 2 and No. 16), and two second-rounders (No. 33 and No. 44).
If things hold there, general manager Darren Mougey and the Jets front office could have plenty of options to consider when turning in their selection cards.
During the run up to the draft, which starts April 23, Jets Wire will compile information on prospects Buffalo could have interest in. Specifically, what scouting reports and draft profiles say about their game.
Singleton, who had a pre-draft visit with the Jets, is up next in our prospect previews.
Here's a rundown of what experts are saying about his game:
RB Nicholas Singleton | Penn State | Senior
Vitals
Height: 6'
Weight: 219 lbs
Age: 22.2
Pros
Has size, speed, and power
Effective in pass protection
Has good hands out of the backfield
Hard to tackle and always falling forward
Cons
Struggles with change of direction and lacks shiftiness
Misses cutbacks
Speed wasn't as explosive in 2025 as earlier in career
The NFL has released the draft hats that NFL prospects will wear upon their selection at the 2026 NFL Draft.
The image on the had features a bold outline of the Bills logo. The underside of the hat features a Buffalo nickel, along with the phrase "The Nickel City," on the underside of the hat.
Buffalo has seven draft picks in this year April's NFL Draft. However, with General Manager Brandon Beane's penchant for making moves at the draft, it's possible that Bills fans could see more than seven players put on a Bills hat during draft weekend.
Dec 25, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (2) kneels after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.
Some members of the NFL community perceive Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray as an aloof player of video games who’s too lazy to put in the work required to be an elite quarterback. Chase Edmonds, a former running back teammate of Murray’s, is not one of them.
Murray expected to thrive in Minnesota’s setup, per Edmonds.
Edmonds and Murray crossed paths in three seasons down in Arizona.
A Former Teammate Sees Murray Ready for a Big Vikings Run
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (2) carries the ball during first-half action against the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Oct. 28, 2021, accelerating through a gap as defenders close in. Edmonds shows burst and vision while navigating traffic, helping sustain offensive rhythm early in the game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Edmonds told all this week regarding Murray to Arizona Cardinals-themed reporter Kyle Odegard.
Edmonds on Murray
Count Edmonds in as a fan of Murray. He told Odegard last week, “Look, I have never once questioned Kyler Murray’s work ethic. I know the work he puts in day in and day out to be prepared at the highest level. You know Kyler. You know his dad’s high expectations. When it comes to the clause, I wasn’t there, so I don’t know what happened. I had been gone for a year.”
“For the Minnesota fans, I would just say that they are going to get the best version of Kyler Murray, one the NFL has not seen. When Kyler Murray first entered the NFL, he never experienced adversity. When you finally experience that adversity this late in your career? This version of Kyler, he’s going to be more motivated than he’s ever been in his entire life.”
Murray averages about 4,000 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, and 30 total touchdowns every 17 starts.
Edmonds continued, “Kevin O’Connell is going to show Kyler football through a different lens he has not been shown before. I have that much admiration for how K.O.C. runs his offense. I think it’s going to be a perfect match in Minnesota.”
“I think they have the best overall coaching staff in the NFL with K.O.C. and Brian Flores. There is no better coaching staff. They are going to be as prepared as anybody week in and week out in the NFL.”
“The Clause”
When Murray signed his monster extension — $230.5 million over five years — in 2022, the Cardinals infamously wiggled a “study hall” clause into the deal, insisting Murray carve out time to study game film and his playbook.
The clause was unprecedented, and after drawing fire from the general public, Arizona’s brass removed it. Still, the damage had been done, with the world believing that Murray lacked the drive to be great because — why else would a franchise insert such a stipulation into a ginormous contract?
Murray is also a video game lover, so couple that hobby with a study clause, and the narrative is out there that he’s not as dedicated to his craft as he should be.
Naturally, Edmonds disagrees.
A Chance to Change the Narrative in Minnesota
Thankfully, Murray gets a shot at changing everything with the Vikings. There is no study clause; he’s removed from one of the reputationally worst organizations in sports, and at the ripe old age of 2028, Murray is still very much in his physical prime.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) drops back to pass during second-quarter action against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Nov. 19, 2023, scanning the field while setting his feet. Murray releases the throw with defenders approaching, continuing his return to game action with poise in the pocket. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports.
The man is already a two-time Pro Bowler and has every physical tool — except for the prototypical quarterback height — to succeed. There’s a reason the Cardinals selected him first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft while booting Josh Rosen, a 1st-Rounder in 2018, from the roster: Murray’s talents are not questioned. He’s faster than Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison; he’s the fifth-most accurate quarterback in NFL history; he can fling the ball 70 yards.
Minnesota is his chance at a Drew Brees-like change of scenery.
The Weapons and Defense to Do It
Murray is entering the best situation of his career. The aforementioned Flores has built a defense that has finished top three in the league in both EPA per play and DVOA for two consecutive seasons, meaning Minnesota won’t need Murray to single-handedly carry the team, a luxury he rarely experienced in Arizona.
The offensive support is also considerable. With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Mason, and potentially a rookie running back acquired in the draft, Murray will have a better set of weapons than most quarterbacks enjoy.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray speaks with reporters after signing with the team during 2026 free agency in Eagan, Minnesota on March 12, 2026, addressing expectations and his transition to a new roster. Murray fields questions from media while outlining his early impressions and goals with Minnesota moving forward. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
Finally, there’s Kevin O’Connell. Having already elevated the play of Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs, and Nick Mullens, the pairing of O’Connell with a quarterback as talented as Murray has significant potential.
Edmonds added about Murray and the Vikings, “I think they can win the NFC North, and I’m going to be real. I think Kyler Murray is going to win Comeback Player of the Year. I think he gets back to the Pro Bowl. I think he really reminds people of just how talented he is.”
“We’re a little bit low in depth in midfield with the injuries to Ella (Toone) and Grace (Clinton),” Wiegman explained when asked about the decision.
“We have to look at whose next and Erica has done well with the Under-23s. She’s a very dynamic, attacking midfielder who wants to get forward. She’s also very aggressive and pretty technical.
“It’s a big step to go to the senior level but she gets the opportunity to see where she stands at our level.”
“She had some small setbacks, but overall, she’s doing really well,” Wiegman said.
“And when she plays, she’s playing really well. We have been careful with her, so has Arsenal, and mainly she is really, really on that too. So I think she’s going to make it.
“I think I would put her in the squad anyway [if it was a friendly], because I think she’s in a good place and she’s building, and the niggle she picked up is not the worst, but it just takes a little bit time. We just need to be careful with her.”
Wiegman is also confident goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck will be available despite picking up an injury for Aston Villa in their game against Chelsea.
“Yeah she went out,” Wiegman said. “So she’s going to be assessed over the next couple of days.
“It didn’t look too bad, and you see how the next couple of days go. But we are confident, and so is Ellie, and so is the club, that it takes a couple of days and then she’ll be fine. That’s what we expect.”
If you enjoy our articles, help us out by making Hayters.com one of your preferred sources on Google by clicking here.
Enzo Maresca to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City?
10 years after his arrival at the club, Pep Guardiola could leave Manchester City in the summer, according to a report from L’Équipe.
Under Guardiola, Manchester City have asserted their dominance over English football, although that control has begun to somewhat relinquish. Having missed out on the Premier League title to Liverpool last season, they are in the role of the chaser this season as they look to close the gap to Arsenal during the final sprint. The club are also out of the UEFA Champions League following defeat to Real Madrid, although silverware was secured earlier this month when they beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Could that perhaps be Guardiola’s final trophy as Manchester City manager? L’Équipe, in a piece hypothesising Didier Deschamps’ next destination, state that the Spaniard will almost certainly leave the Etihad at the end of the season.
However, his successor may already be known. The publication adds that those working at executive levels in European football are aware that former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is the chosen successor. The Italian has been out of work since his departure from Chelsea at the start of January.
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 28: Keith Thurman (in white, red & blue short) and Sebastian Fundora (in turquoise & white short) exchange punches during their WBC world super welterweight champion titles of the Premiere Boxing Championship on Saturday night's main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on March 28, 2026. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
Paulie Malignaggi just recently caught up with Fight Hub TV to talk about this past weekend’s super welterweight title fight between Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman and breaks down his thoughts on what occurred, and also breaks down his thoughts on a prospective showdown between Errol Spence and Tim Tszyu. Check out some of what he had to say below.
Malignaggi on the Fundora vs Thurman outcome
“I never felt like Thurman’s style was going to be a problem for Fundora with the exception of one big punch because he’s an in-and-out fighter and an in-and-out fighter against a guy who’s 6’5”, 6’6” is going to have a problem. You’re going to have to work your way in through head movement and that kind of style in order to give a problem to a guy like for Fundora. Being in-and-out, it’s too much distance to travel because the guy’s 6’6” and Thurman was always a bouncy guy, he leaps in explosively, jumps out, jumps in.
“At 37 he’s going to be less explosive and he’s never shown he’s the head movement type. So when I saw the fight I wasn’t shocked.”
On Spence vs Tszyu
“It’s an interesting matchup ‘cause both guys have been high level fighters but also both guys are looked at as guys who got to clean themselves up a little bit and maybe rebuild a little bit. I think Tim’s doing that. I think Errol not doing that, he’s never been a guy who’s really kept a good schedule and I think that hurt him in the end so I think Tim is doing smarter [by having had tune ups].”
The Las Vegas Raiders will enter the 2026 NFL draft needing some additional help at cornerback. General manager John Spytek re-signed Eric Stokes, who played well on the boundary in 2025. Spytek also acquired veteran defensive back Taron Johnson via trade, and he's expected to start at nickel corner.
Opposite Stokes on the outside is inexperienced sophomore corner Darien Porter. Decamerion Richardson is on the roster as a depth option. It's a huge year for Porter, who may face competition for his role from a rookie, assuming Spytek drafts one in April.
One cornerback prospect with inside-outside versatility recently confirmed various pre-draft meetings with the Raiders. It seems the Raiders are showing interest in Oregon cornerback Jadon Canady.
"I’ve probably met every team in the NFL at least twice, and some teams I've met three or four times," Canady told NFL Draft On SI. "I met with the Las Vegas Raiders [again] recently on Zoom."
Raiders met w/ Oregon CB Jadon Canady recently on Zoom, per his interview w/ @JustinM_NFL. Also met w/ him at Shrine Bowl.
5'10, 181lbs. Nickel/slot CB.
2 INT, 18 PBU, 77 tackles, 3.5 TFL in last two years at Ole Miss/Oregon.
Great cover guy, good athlete, length limitations.
Canady played at Ole Miss and Tulane before transferring to Oregon. The Ducks standout had 39 tackles and six pass breakups this past season. Canady had a career-high 11 passes defensed with the Rebels in 2024. He also has four career interceptions.
Canady is a late-round sleeper on the Raiders' radar.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Elijah Sarratt #13 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs against Ethan O'Connor #24 of the Miami Hurricanes in the first half of the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Browns had one of the league’s worst receiver groups last year. Even the lead receiver, Jerry Jeudy, went from a Pro Bowl nod with 1,229 yards to just 602 yards. None of the other receivers had any good production to speak of.
Free agency didn’t get in any new bodies that will be helpful. The only receiver was Tylan Wallace, who has been used more for his return skills than to catch passes.
The Browns own the #6 overall pick plus the #24 pick in the first round. Receivers that should be available with both of these slots include Carnell Tate of Ohio State and USC’s Makai Lemon, and then later in the first-round, prospects Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State, Indiana’s Omar Cooper, Jr., and KC Concepcion of Texas A&M.
If Cleveland does not select any of these and GM Andrew Berry goes in different directions, the Browns own the sixth pick in Round 3 at pick #70.
Here is a possibility for the third round.
WR Elijah Sarratt
Draft projection: Round 3
Browns pick: #70
Specifics:
College: Indiana
Height: 6’-2”
Weight: 210 pounds
40-time: 4.62
Career Receptions: 200
Career Yards: 2,978
Career Touchdowns: 31
Career games: 40
Accolades: National Champion, Second Team All-Big 10 (2025), Third Team All-Big 10 (2024), First Team All-Sun Belt (2023), First Team All-NEC (2022)
Sarratt is a good-sized receiver who turned into an absolute touchdown machine for Indiana in 2025, nearly matching his production from the previous two seasons combined with 15 touchdowns. He is a good-sized outside receiver with good ball skills as well as enough speed to be a vertical threat. A smart route runner who understands how to manipulate his route stems, setting up defensive backs and creating separation at the top of his routes. He does a good job of using head and body fakes, as well as manipulating the pacing of his routes to keep defenders off balance. Likewise, he understands how to run his routes as part of a larger route concept to either create traffic or exploit it.
Toyota has shed further light on the decision to withdraw Kalle Rovanpera from Super Formula this season amid ongoing medical issues for the two-time World Rally champion.
The Finnish driver’s preparations for Super Formula were disrupted by the onset of Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a disorder of the inner ear, that forced him to miss most of last December’s pre-season test at Suzuka.
However, he raced in the Formula Regional Oceania championship in January and completed Super Formula’s pre-season test at Suzuka in late February without issues, albeit finishing bottom of the timesheets.
Speaking to Motorsport.com ahead of this weekend’s opening round of the season at Motegi, Toyota’s global motorsport director Masaya Kaji said the decision was made not only in light of medical advice but also the compromised nature of Rovanpera’s preparations.
“The decision was strongly led by Morizo-san [Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda], who took responsibility for making the call,” Kaji told Motorsport.com. “It was a difficult decision for everyone involved, but ultimately it was made under his leadership with a clear sense of accountability. But at this level, there is no sense in taking part in the races without the proper preparation.
“Once Kalle is fully prepared, both physically and mentally, then we will take on the next challenge together. It’s true that his preparation time was shorter than ideal this time, but I think he’ll be able to prepare properly for the next chance.”
Kalle Rovanpera, Kids com Team KCMG
Kalle Rovanpera, Kids com Team KCMG
Kaji underlined the importance of Rovanpera having adequate time to fully adjust when asked why his entire season was pre-emptively cancelled instead of just the opening weekend at Motegi, where Seita Nonaka will deputise at KCMG.
“We planned many different scenarios, but the biggest problem is that if he is resting, then he can’t prepare himself,” said Kaji. “For now, we have to respect what the doctors say and give him plenty of time to rest and recover.”
Kaji added that Rovanpera’s eventual return to single-seater competition could either take the form of a second attempt at Super Formula or in an alternative category further down the ladder.
“There are various possibilities for the next step,” he said. “We’ll see how things progress and then we will make that decision together at a later stage.”
Toyota: Doohan never considered Super Formula a “priority”
Rovanpera is not the only high-profile driver missing from this year’s Super Formula grid, as ex-Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan was also set to participate with Kondo Racing until backing out of a deal with the Toyota-powered team at the eleventh hour.
The Australian, who subsequently signed as Haas F1 reserve driver, took part in last December’s post-season test at Suzuka but suffered a series of high-profile crashes at Degner Curve, one of each of the three days of running.
Reflecting on the situation, Kaji played down the importance of the crashes, instead saying that he never felt a strong desire from the outset from Doohan to race in Japan.
Jack Doohan, Haas F1 Team
Jack Doohan, Haas F1 Team
“His target was always F1,” said Kaji. “Becoming a Toyota [works] driver may have been an option for us, but my feeling was that Super Formula was not a major priority for him.
“Of course, there were crashes in the test, but Kondo Racing was not upset at all by the crashes, and they were preparing to support him.
“I think he had some doubts over the best course of action. Budgets were also a factor, of course, and many other things. But I don’t think he ever had the intention of only doing Super Formula, and he had to work out his priority.
“I don’t think the crashes at Degner were the reason he made that decision. I don’t think you would decide purely on that.”
Kaji also didn’t dismiss the possibility of Doohan joining Toyota in some capacity in the future amid the marque’s technical partnership with Haas in F1.
“There’s still a chance we could work together in future, and it’s also not to say that we don’t have a good relationship currently,” he said. “It’s not a negative situation.”
Allen Iverson could have been a Nike athlete, but signing with Reebok set him up for life.
Born in Hampton, VA, Iverson was drafted into the NBA in 1996 as the No. 1 overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers, according to Basketball Reference. He remained in the league for 14 seasons and is regarded as one of the league’s best, per the NBA. In fact, he was part of the NBA 75th anniversary, which recognized the top 75 players in the league’s history, the outlet noted. He joined a class that includes former players Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Tim Duncan, and the late Kobe Bryant, as well as active players such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and more.
Iverson made $171.7 million in career earnings while in the league, according to Spotrac. However, he blew through even more than his career earnings, as AFROTECH previously told you, but he is still standing today as a result of strategic moves that include entering the cannabis world in partnership with Black-owned Viola Brands. He also has real estate investments. He was approved for a 120-unit affordable housing project called “Iverson Landing,” which will be located in his hometown of Newport News, VA.
What’s more, Reebok plays a pivot role in Iverson’s business portfolio. He signed a 10-year deal with the company in 1996 that was valued at $50 million, ESPN reports. In 2001, he signed a lifetime deal that pays him $800,000 annually.
Iverson’s long-term partnership with Reebok came after he was widely projected as a potential Nike athlete following his collegiate career at Georgetown University.
Iverson could have taken a different route, nearly becoming a Nike athlete after playing college basketball at Georgetown University, according to the “All The Smoke” podcast.
Howard H White, senior vice president of Jordan Brand, shared on the podcast that he formed a connection with Iverson’s guidance counselor, who he had also gone to school with, as well as Iverson’s mother, Ann. When he heard that Iverson was leaving school to prepare for the draft in 1996, he contacted Nike co-founder Phil Knight to “sign him now,” White told “All The Smoke.”
Reebok had also shown interest in Iverson and offered Iverson marketing money, which gave the company an edge, according to White.
“Reebok had got in ‘We want to give you on top of that, this marketing money. So when you do marketing, you already got the money. We already put it there.’ So that kinda drove it up pretty high. Now we probably could have changed it around, but that’s like more than MJ [Michael Jordan] was making,” White, a Hampton, VA, native, said on the podcast.
“I said, ‘There is no way on any planet I’m doing that.’ And I remember he asked his mother, ‘What about H?’ She said, ‘Well we gon go for the money.’ And I love him. Even when we see each other today. That’s my guy. And I think — this is just being selfish — I think if Bubba [Iverson] had been one of my guys, I think it would have really helped him in a lot of ways,” he continued.
It all worked out for Iverson nonetheless, whose lifetime deal is also tied to a $32 million payday, which he will be eligible to receive on his 55th birthday in 2030.
Anthony Edwards made his return to the Minnesota Timberwolves lineup Monday night after sitting out six games, but his comeback started with an unexpected twist. Edwards was announced in the starting five for the matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, but when the opening tip went up at Target Center, he was not on the court.
Veteran guard Mike Conley took his spot for the first possession instead. No explanation was given right away, and fans in the arena and viewers watching at home were left wondering what happened.
Broadcasters scrambled for answers. Edwards had been built up all day as coming back, so his absence from the jump ball felt out of place. He eventually entered the game just over a minute into the first quarter, but the mystery had already become the talking point of the evening.
After Minnesota’s blowout win, Edwards didn’t leave anyone guessing for long. Speaking with reporters in the locker room, he gave a brutally honest explanation for the delay.
“I was taking a sh*t. Mike held it down for me,” Edwards said, per Timberwolves YT.
Bad timing happens, and Edwards handled it the only way he could. Once he got on the floor, he wasted no time making an impact.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards looks on during a game against the Dallas Mavericks. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Timberwolves rolled past the Mavericks 124-94, and Edwards played a big role in the victory. He logged 23 minutes and put up 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting. He threw down two dunks, knocked down two three-pointers, and stayed engaged defensively throughout his time on the court.
Edwards is putting together a career year, averaging 29.3 points across 35.3 minutes per game. However, he needs to suit up for all seven of Minnesota’s remaining games to reach 65 appearances this season, a threshold that carries weight for All-NBA consideration, contract bonuses, and his reputation going forward.
Albertini: Euro victory didn’t solve Italy’s ‘underlying problem’
Former midfielder Demetrio Albertini is confident the Azzurri have enough quality to get to the World Cup, but feels Italy have not yet solved their main problem: ‘There aren’t enough Italian players in Serie A.”
Italy visit Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off Final tonight, and Azzurri legend Albertini spoke about the state of Italian football prior to kick-off.
“Even in 1998, despite being a very strong generation and playing in the top league at that moment, we had to go through a play-off. In sports, it happens to have one or two games wrong; the important thing is to qualify,” Albertini told Tuttosport.
“The problem is that we have some good players, but not enough.
Albertini: ‘Limited selection options’ for Gattuso
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Sandro Tonali of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Generally, the national team coach has limited selection options, and, on top of that, some players have more Italy appearances than they do games played in European club competitions,” continued the ex-Milan midfielder, winner of three Champions League titles with the Rossoneri.
“It’s useless to beat around the bush; we are less prepared for a certain type of international match. This is why Gattuso wanted to recall Verratti, one who has played so many games at this level. That said, obviously, it doesn’t mean we don’t have the quality to win this play-off.”
Italy did not qualify for the World Cup in 2018 and 2022, but won the European Championships played in 2021.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 20: FIGC Technical Sector President Demetrio Albertini attends the Italian Football Federation ‘Panchina D’Oro’ Awards Ceremony at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on February 20, 2023 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“That was a deserved win, but it didn’t address the underlying problem: there aren’t enough Italian players in Serie A,” concluded Albertini, a 1994 World Cup finalist with the Italian national team.
“I’ve heard the FIGC has announced a new technical project for youth football. I hope that concrete actions are taken and that it doesn’t remain just empty proclamations.”
In a sit-down interview at the NFL league meetings, Indianapolis Colts' GM Chris Ballard discussed moving on from long-time linebacker Zaire Franklin.
Prior to free agency starting, the Colts traded Franklin to the Packers, and in return, Indianapolis received defensive tackle Colby Wooden.
"I couldn't be more -- like a seventh-round pick special teams captain for four years," Ballard said of Franklin. "He just busts his tail on special teams, gets a chance to play on defense, ends up ascending. and then everything he does off the field. It's pretty incredible. Pretty incredible guy."
Franklin was a seventh-round pick by the Colts in 2018. He worked his way up from a core special teams contributor to a stalwart in the middle of the Colts' defense and a team captain.
The 2024 season was Franklin's most decorated as a defender. He led the NFL in tackles, made his first Pro Bowl, and was named a second-team All-Pro.
Franklin finished his Colts career appearing in 132 games, which included 82 starts. He recorded 738 total tackles, 34 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. Franklin also forced 10 fumbles, came away with three interceptions, and had 26 pass deflections.
Without Franklin in the middle of the defense, the Colts find themselves quite short on experience at the linebacker position.
Vitor Reis cites Brazil youth stint and Europe rise to reach senior side
Center-back Vitor Reis did not hide his happiness after receiving his first call-up to Brazil’s senior national team. In an interview with CBF TV, he celebrated the chance to be where he had always dreamed of being and to play alongside world-renowned players.
“It’s the fulfillment of a dream. They are players I always dreamed of being close to and learning from. I’m enjoying it a lot, taking in as much information as possible so I can grow and learn,” he said.
Vitor Reis during training with the Brazilian National Team in OrlandoCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF
Born in 2006, Vitor Reis became used to wearing the famous yellow shirt through call-ups to Brazil’s youth national teams. He played for the U-20s and built his strongest track record with the U-17s, where he captained his age group, won the 2023 South American U-17 Championship, and played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
“The call-ups I had at youth level were very important. We already face other national teams and start learning the mindset we need to have in tournaments like the South American Championship and the World Cup. I learned a lot about what the national team is and what it represents. I believe I bring a lot of what I learned there with me here,” he emphasized.
The 20-year-old defender came through Palmeiras’ youth academy, the club where he stood out before being signed by England’s Manchester City in January 2025. Since August, he has been playing on loan for Spain’s Girona, where he has made 27 appearances this season, along with one goal and one assist, and he says he has already improved a great deal.
“I’ve already learned a lot and I can learn much more. I believe European football is at the highest possible level. Every player has to be very prepared and has to prepare a lot, because the matches are very complicated, very difficult, and every game is played at a high level,” he said.
Called up to Brazil’s senior national team, Vitor Reis won the 2023 South American U-17 ChampionshipCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF
Young and from São José dos Campos in the state of São Paulo, he is seen as one of Brazilian football’s biggest prospects, and the opportunity he received in the last call-up before the final World Cup squad put him among the names in contention to be part of the tournament.
“I’m handling it very calmly. I had the opportunity in the last call-up and I could, yes, be on the list, but I know it’s difficult. I’m doing my job, making the most of it, and trying to show what I can do,” he concluded.
Vitor Reis is one of the options for Brazil’s friendly against Croatia at 9 p.m. Brasília time this Tuesday (31) at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Vitor Reis captained Brazil to the 2023 South American U-17 titleCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF
PHOENIX ― Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is allocating more salary cap dollars this season to players no longer on the team than on the team.
"I talked about my process in detail," Sullivan told a small group of South Florida reporters at the NFL annual meetings. "(Ross) understands where we are as a team. He's been incredibly supportive. We've had great conversations. But he kind of knew the way that I was gonna go about it."
A dramatic tear down. A hard reset. It is what it is. And Sullivan views this as necesary.
"If you talk about long term sustainability, this is what it looks like," Sullivan said. "You can't live in the middle. You can't talk. You can't say you want to do this. We've got one foot here and one foot here. You'll never get there. (Ross) understands that."
Sullivan is a straight talker. He appears to be transparent and direct.
Sullivan talks about bringing Miami's salary cap to a "healthy" situation. To do so, the Dolphins will essentially digest a series of poison pills in 2026.
"So you can get beyond it, and then you can be active again," Sullivan said. "If you keep kicking the can down the road, you never get healthy. I mean, there's two philosophies that you subscribe to in the National Football League. You pay as you go, or you're living on credit. If we keep living on credit, we're never gonna get healthy."
Now, the Dolphins have included "void years" in contracts in recent years. And so I was wondering, what is Sullivan's ideal approach on these void years, which schedule cap hits for future years in which the players are not under contract?
"I'm not a huge fan," Sullivan said. "Again, pay as you go, right? When you kick all that money out, at some point that can cause problems. I think if we got to a situation where we feel like we're knocking on the door and we have a chance to secure a premium player and we have to do some of that to help us get over the top, that's a conversation. But I don't think you can live in that world all the time and be healthy."
Wow. This is a new era of Dolphins financial management.
Sullivan wants to accumulate draft capital and and limit big-money acquisitions through free agency or the draft.
"I think when you can build through the draft, stay young, you have a lot of really good players on rookie contracts, that allows you to be successful over time," Sullivan said. "You can pay the guys that become difference makers for you, your core players as you will, and then you can be selective in free agency and who you target. I think anytime you try to build a team in free agency, you're swimming in dangerous waters. It's set up to overpay. We want the flexibility that paying as you go provides."
Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley are realistic about the stage of development this program is in.
This is not a championship window.
This is a draft-and-develop window where improving throughout the season is going to be even more important than the win-loss record.
New Miami GM has a message for Dolphins fans
Sullivan wants to steer clear of players with off-field red-flags as much as possible.
Hafley wants to establish a culture of hard work and commitment as quickly as possible.
"I understand the narrative," Sullivan said of low win-total projections for this season.
What Sullivan would like fans to know is this is an intentional, strategic process.
What exactly does Sullivan want Dolphins fans to know? I asked.
"We're going to do everything in our power to build this thing the right way, so over time they will be they'll have a product that they can be proud of," Sullivan said. "I don't have a crystal ball. I can't tell you how fast it's going to happen. I can tell you that we're going to show up and compete our tails off every opportunity we get. I think regardless what the scoreboard says, you'll be able to see an upward trend in short order. And I think they'll be able to understand in short order where this thing's going long term. And eventually, you're gonna see a lot of Ws next to the Dolphins on Sundays."
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
Nestory Irankunda (R) scored twice as Australia beat Curacao 5-1 in their last home game before the World Cup (WILLIAM WEST)
Watford striker Nestory Irankunda bagged a brace as Australia hammered fellow World Cup qualifier Curacao 5-1 Tuesday in Melbourne, ensuring they head to North America on a high.
It was the Socceroos final home game before the global showpiece in June-July, building on a 1-0 win against Cameroon last week.
Curacao have now crashed to consecutive defeats after losing 2-0 to China, with new Dutch coach Fred Rutten facing a formidable task at the Caribbean island nation's maiden World Cup.
"A wonderful send off. We wanted to win this game and go off on a high note, and scoring five is a nice bonus," said Australia coach Tony Popovic.
"We considered a soft goal ... things to work on, but there was a great reaction after that."
Australia are in World Cup Group D with co-hosts the United States, Paraguay and either Kosovo or Turkey. Curacao are in a challenging Group E with Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
The Socceroos started slowly but got the breakthrough on 23 minutes after a loose pass from Curacao captain Leandro Bacuna.
It went to Kai Trewin who via Deni Juric found Awer Mabil with the Spain-based striker chipping over the goalkeeper.
Curacao, the smallest nation ever to make a World Cup, were fortunate to reach half-time only 1-0 behind, but struck back soon after the restart.
Substitute Arjany Martha slotted the ball through goalkeeper Mat Ryan's legs, only for Australia to respond emphatically.
They collected two goals in four minutes, the first a powerful header by Parma defender Alessandro Circati then a curling shot from dynamic Feyenoord star Jordan Bos.
Irankunda added a fourth with 10 minutes left, doing a backflip in celebration, and put another past the goalkeeper soon after as Curacao went to sleep.
Cameroon beat China 2-0 in an earlier match in Melbourne despite having coach David Pagou sent off.
They struck early with Karl Etta Eyong opening their account in the third minute and Saidou Alioum doubling it six minutes later.
There was drama in the second-half when coach David Pagou angrily protested a foul on Mael Fernandez Monyebe.
He was yellow-carded but kept up his rant and was rewarded with a red.
NBA legend Charles Barkley, who now works as a television analyst on TNT Sports and CBS Sports, pivoted to the treatment of immigrants under the Donald Trump administration during CBS’s March Madness broadcast about the NCAA. The basketball Hall of Famer gave his views on the immigration crackdown after a feature on University of Connecticut star Alex Karaban, whose parents are immigrants.
Charles Barkley talks about US immigrants
Legendary basketball star Charles Barkley spoke out against the treatment of US immigrants during his appearance on CBS’s March Madness broadcast. During Sunday’s broadcast, the two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee did a feature on University of Connecticut star Alex Karaban, whose parents immigrated from Eastern Europe. Following this feature, Barkley pivoted to talking about immigration.
“I want to be very careful with my words right now. Because this is a really touchy subject for me,” the legendary Basketball player said (via HuffPost), “I love that kid and his family, but the way some of these other immigrants are getting treated in our country right now is a travesty and a disgrace.”
“I think there’s a difference between amazing immigrants and criminal immigrants, and I think what’s going on in our country — what we’re doing to some of these amazing immigrants ― is really unfortunate and it’s really sad,” he continued. “And that’s a great immigrant story — we have a lot of great immigrant stories out there, whose stories need to be told. But some of the stuff that’s happening to immigrants in our country right now is really unfortunate and is really unfair. But immigrants built this country, and we should admire them and respect them.”
Host Nate Burleson seemed to be moved by Barkley’s take on the subject. He said, “Chuck, I love you, bro.” Barkley’s comments come on the same week in which Americans took to the streets in “No Kings” rallies to protest Trump’s mistreatment of immigrants, the ongoing Iran war, and other issues plaguing the United States.
All good things must come to an end, and sadly, that was the case for the Wisconsin Badgers women's basketball team in the WBIT semifinals.
After an epic comeback against Harvard at the Kohl Center, Wisconsin failed to pull out a win against Columbia.
The No. 4 Lions prevailed, 67-50, and advanced to Wednesday's National Championship game against either No. 1 BYU or No. 2 Kansas. Not only did Columbia get the job done against No. 3 Wisconsin, but it didn't trail for a second in the contest.
It was an off night for Destiny Howell, as the senior guard shot just 4-14 from the field. As a team, the Badgers made just 31% of their field goals and were only 5-21 from three-point range.
Howell still led the way with 12 points as junior guard Laci Steele added 11. The game's leading scorer was Columbia's Riley Weiss, who finished with 21 points.
While this loss stings in the moment, it's important to remember no one ever expected Wisconsin to get to this point. The team accepted its WBIT invite on a 10-game losing streak and somehow took down both Oregon State and Miami on the road before defeating the Crimson in Madison.
Robin Pingeton can officially close the book on her first season with the Badgers. Her squad finished with a 16-18 record as they look ahead to the transfer portal opening next week.
Robert Lewandowski: Why United are keen to sign Barcelona veteran
Manchester United are considering the idea of making a big-name signing that might divide opinion.
More than a decade ago, Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund. The Poland international told BBC Sport that he agreed to join United in 2012. However, the German giants refused to sell Lewandowski.
The Barcelona man, having won everything with Bayern Munich, is now at the other end of his career. Still, it appears he is admired in Manchester.
Manchester United open talks to sign Robert Lewandowski
According to SportsBoom, Manchester United are open to the prospect of bringing Robert Lewandowski to Old Trafford.
It is claimed United are “ready to offer” a one-year contract to the 37-year-old, who will become a free agent at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract at Barcelona.
Barcelona are also in the process of offering Lewandowski an extension, but their plan is to include a significant pay cut and performance-related bonuses.
MLS outfits, including Inter Miami, are interested in securing his services as well.
Lewandowski is seeking a multi-year deal. However, the prospect of playing in the Premier League, even for just a year, could “prove alluring” to the ten-time Bundesliga winner.
Despite being reduced to a bit-part role under Hansi Flick this campaign, Lewandowski has bagged 11 goals in 24 La Liga appearances.
Robert Lewandowski career stats
United have a history of signing world-class veteran strikers. Both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani had largely positive stints in the Premier League.
With Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee set to leave the club this summer, Sesko would benefit from sharing goalscoring burden with someone like Lewandowski.
Rio Ferdinand: Why Maguire will see Tuchel’s remarks as a clear “insult”
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes Harry Maguire would have viewed Thomas Tuchel’s recent remarks about his England role as disrespectful.
The United defender justified his selection with an imperious performance during Friday’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay at Wembley. He made two clutch blocks in the dying embers of the match as the South American nation pushed for a winner.
Yet, despite seemingly playing himself into contention to be in Tuchel’s XI for the World Cup, the England boss bizarrely stated that Maguire remains at the bottom of the pecking order, well behind the likes of Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, John Stones and Trevoh Chalobah.
Tuchel strongly hinted that Maguire’s path into the side could depend on injuries elsewhere.
He said, “I haven’t changed my mind (on Maguire) but I see other players I like to start for us, I see other players ahead with a different profile. I see Ezri Konsa ahead. I see Marc Guehi ahead. It’s no secret. I see Trevoh Chalobah, on the level of mobility, was slightly ahead of him. Also John Stones, but he had injuries so he (Maguire) needed to come in camp. I needed to meet him in person to see how he acts within the group.”
Asked if Maguire would be in his squad were he to name it tomorrow, Tuchel answered, “If I have to name it tomorrow, we have a lot of injuries, he could be in it. Who else would be there in the centre of defence?! e don’t need to name the squad tomorrow. He did a good game. He did what he does for Man United. He did it straight away. I’m very happy with him. To be honest, I haven’t changed my mind. I got everything I expected from him.”
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ferdinand outlined why Tuchel’s comments may have been viewed as offensive by Maguire.
“An insult”
Ferdinand remarked, “Maguire is one who can see out a game and can win a game on set pieces.”
“I think Maguire will take that as an insult in some respect.”
The six-time Premier League winner continued, “Hold on a minute, I’m more than this. In Tuchel’s eyes, he uses the word mobility. Other guys have more. I get what he’s saying. No one has to agree with it.”
Ferdinand also insisted that Kobbie Mainoo should be in England’s starting XI for the World Cup, ahead of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.
“I want to dictate the game. The reason I am playing him is because of his European Championship experience, and what he did in that tournament led me to believe he will be unfazed.”
“He knows how to play at that level; he has done it before, was one of our best players there, and was one of the guys controlling things.”
England are next in action later this evening when they face Japan in another friendly at Wembley.
Screenshot from @4cornersofthe313, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.
The Chicago Bulls just hit the “we’re done here” button on Jaden Ivey, and yeah, It’s as messy as it sounds. The team officially waived the former number five overall pick for “conduct detrimental to the team” after he went live on Instagram for nearly an hour, dropping anti LGBTQ remarks and taking shots at the league’s Pride Month celebrations.
Now, that’s not exactly the kind of content any employer wants trending with their player's name attached. And just like that, a player who once walked into the 2022 draft with star energy is now at the center of one of the most talked-about exits in recent NBA memory.
Screenshot from @chicagobulls, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.
What makes this whole situation extra wild is how rare it is. We are not talking about poor shooting nights or defensive lapses here. Top five picks do not usually get cut mid-contract over off-court speech. That is the kind of plot twist that makes the entire sports world stop scrolling and lean in.
During the livestream, Ivey described the NBA’s inclusivity efforts as “unrighteous” and expanded into broader, heavily religious commentary that also touched on abortion and what he labeled as “wicked” music, even calling out artists like 50 Cent. It was a lot. And clearly, it crossed a line for Chicago.
So… What Exactly Happened Here?
Screenshot from @detroitpistons, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.
Ivey has been in a very public phase of personal change lately. If you have been anywhere near his socials, you have probably seen it. He has been telling followers that the old Jaden Ivey is dead and that he has found a new life in Christ. That transformation seems to be the heartbeat behind his long livestream, where he questioned the Bulls’ decision and pushed back hard against the “conduct detrimental” label.
According to him, the team is lying, and he was simply preaching about Jesus Christ before they decided to cut ties.
And this is where things get complicated real fast. Because now you are looking at a young athlete trying to express his faith in a very public way while also being part of a billion-dollar organization that has its own standards, brand image, and inclusivity goals.Those two worlds collided, and not in a cute, cinematic way. More like a full-speed crash, you cannot look away from.
The Bulls Basically Said, “We’re Not Doing This”
Screenshot from @insidethechicagobulls, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.
Head coach Billy Donovan stepped up to the mic before a game against the San Antonio Spurs and kept it calm, cool, and very much corporate. He did not dive into the specifics of what Ivey said on Instagram, but the message was clear. The organization has standards, and those standards are not optional.
Donovan mentioned that he had previously been talking with Ivey and according to him, Ivey has been about getting healthy and returning to the court, especially after his knee issues. From a basketball standpoint, things seemed normal, even hopeful. But off the court, clearly, something shifted. Despite everything, Donovan still said he hopes Ivey is okay, which feels like the most coach way of saying, “this is unfortunate, but we’re moving on.”
From Top Five Pick To The Waiver Wire
Screenshot from @joker_magazin, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.
The speed of this downfall is honestly dizzying. Not long ago, Ivey was putting up solid numbers, averaging 15.8 points per game in his first two seasons with the Detroit Pistons. He was playing heavy minutes, showing flashes, and looking like a key piece of their backcourt. He was not just surviving in the league; he was building something.
Then January 2025 happened, and everything slowed down. A broken left fibula limited him to just 30 games that season, and from there, the momentum never really came back. Injuries are already tough, but when you stack that with inconsistency and then a trade to a new team, things start to feel shaky. Chicago was supposed to be a fresh start. Instead, it turned into a very short chapter.
Injuries, Identity Shifts, and a Timeline That Feels… Unfortunate
Screenshot from @trash_talker_rr, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.t
Since landing in Chicago, Ivey barely got going. He played in just four games before being shut down on March 26 due to lingering left knee pain. So physically, he was already out of the picture for the rest of the season. But while he was off the court, he was very much online.
There had already been a pattern of long, emotional social media videos where he opened up about depression and talked through his evolving identity. That context matters because it shows this was not a one-off moment. The Instagram Live that ultimately led to his release just happened to be the tipping point.
And the timing? Yeah, not great. CBS Sports reported that his most recent rant specifically targeted the NBA’s Pride Month recognition, which likely pushed things from “concerning” to “we have to act now” for the Bulls front office. Even though he was already sidelined with an injury, the organization clearly decided it did not want to carry this situation any further.
So… What Happens Next?
Screenshot from @detroitpistons, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary
Right now, there are more questions than answers. Ivey is probably a free agent, but not the kind teams rush to sign without thinking twice. Between his injury concerns and the very public nature of his comments, front offices are probably going to move carefully here.
There is also the bigger conversation looming in the background. How does the league balance personal religious expression with workplace conduct policies? Where is the line? And who decides when it has been crossed?
The NBA has not issued a formal league-wide response yet, and there is no clear indication of whether Ivey plans to clarify or walk back any of his statements.
For now, this whole situation feels like a very loud reminder of one thing. In today’s world, your game matters, but your voice, especially online, can hit just as hard. Sometimes even harder. And for Jaden Ivey, that reality just changed everything.
NEW DELHI: India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja marked his return to Rajasthan Royals in style, playing a key role in their emphatic eight-wicket win over his former team Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on Monday. But beyond his match-winning spell, it was his candid remarks on MS Dhoni that stole the spotlight.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Jadeja picked up 2 for 18 in three overs, using subtle variations and turn to dismantle CSK’s middle order as the visitors were bowled out for 127. RR chased down the target in just 12.1 overs, powered by a sensational knock from teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi (52 off 17 balls).
Speaking after the match on JioHotstar, Jadeja revealed he hadn’t spoken to Dhoni ahead of facing his former side, drawing laughter with his trademark wit. “Baat nahi hui, kyunki Mahi bhai phone band hi rakhte hain [Did not speak with Mahi bhai as he keeps his phone off],” he said with a grin. “Baat nahi hui, par jab bhi main milunga Mahi bhai se toh khoob saari baatein karunga.”
The light-hearted comment underlined the strong bond between the two, forged during their long stint together at CSK.
Jadeja delivers on return
Making a comeback to Royals colours after 17 years, Jadeja looked right at home. “I think pink looks good on me,” he said, reflecting on his return. His key strikes — including Shivam Dube and Sarfaraz Khan — tilted the contest firmly in RR’s favour.
“I’ve known Shivam Dube for a long time… I knew he would look to play big shots, so I tried to bowl outside off,” Jadeja explained, highlighting his planning.
He also relished the conditions. “The wicket was a bit sticky and the ball was turning, so I really enjoyed bowling. My job was to hit the right areas and let the pitch do the rest.”
Despite the modest target, Jadeja stressed the importance of discipline in the chase. “You can’t take anything for granted in cricket… you have to work hard and give your 100 percent,” he said.
In the world of football, where exploits, titles, and memorable feats are often celebrated, there is also another side to the sport: that of the teams that made history… but for the wrong reasons.
From national teams to amateur clubs, including entire seasons best forgotten, some sides have left an indelible mark on the game’s archives through disastrous performances, losing streaks, or humiliating defeat records.
This feature therefore offers an overview of the worst teams in world football, from small outfits to fallen giants.
American Samoa rock bottom
France’s heaviest defeat in history took place in 1908, against Denmark (17-1). A crushing scoreline, but still far from the world record. That one dates back to 2001 and belongs to American Samoa, who lost 31-0 to Australia.
The laughing stock of the big five leagues
Lecce (13 points in 1993-1994), Tasmania Berlin (10 points in 1965-1966), Derby County (11 points in 2007-2008), Lens (17 points in 1988-1989) and Gijón (13 points in 1997-1998) each hold the record for the lowest points total over a season in one of Europe’s five major leagues. We won’t be congratulating them.
A Ligue 1 season to forget for GF 38
In 2009-2010, Grenoble began their second straight season in the top flight. The club from Isère started the campaign with 11 consecutive defeats — a national record — and never managed to recover. They ended the season with more defeats (25) than points (23).
A dreadful drought for San Marino
In October 2020, the microstate ended a run of 40 consecutive defeats by drawing 0-0 with Liechtenstein. The Sammarinese had not won for more than 100 matches, their last victory dating back to 2004… already against Liechtenstein, just to keep things the same!
Ibis Sport Club, the worst club in the world?
The club gave itself that nickname, as can be read on its shirt ("Pior time do mundo"). The reason: endless losing streaks in the 1970s and 1980s, and above all a staggering statistic recorded in 2008. On its 70th anniversary, the club had scored a total of… 62 goals. Less than one goal a year on average. Needless to say, Ibis is in the Guinness Book of Records. To each their own pride.
Texas A&M's 2027 recruiting class will take center stage over the next two weekends before the Aggies' annual Maroon & White Spring Game on April 18, as future college stars have a chance to visit campus and take in all that Texas A&M's elite facilities have to offer from a development standpoint.
Along the offense line, the Aggies will replace four outgoing starters with four transfer portal additions from the SEC, and looking towards the future, 2027 four-star tackle DeMarrion Johnson has shut down his recruitment and will sign with the Aggies in early December, while fellow four-star tackle Kaeden Scott is also considered a "hard" commit that will sign with the program later this year.
Another one of OL coach Adam Cushing's priority prospects is reportedly back on campus this week, as five-star offensive lineman Albert Simien arrived in College Station on Monday, and will spend Tuesday at spring practice with Mike Elko and his staff.
Ranked as Rivals' No. 2-ranked interior OL, Simien has been a slight favorite to land with the Aggies, receiving an early prediction last fall, while taking several visits to campus, and his relationship with Mike Elko and Adam Cushing is stronger than ever, gaining trust from his family, while both coaches have attended several events, including one of Simien's basketball games.
“The coaching styles are somewhat what I’m used to growing up and here at Sam Houston,” Simien stated with a smile. “Getting to know their techniques and why they do what they do, and the reasons behind it … it’s helped me understand more and build my football IQ.”
Texas A&M's sixth spring practice will take place on Tuesday afternoon, and for Albert Simien, this time next year could be his first full offseason with the Aggies.
NEW: A 5-star offensive lineman is back in College Station this week
The No. 10 prospect nationally has logged multiple visits over two years. "I’m developing relationships with everyone in the building.”
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Notre Dame football gained another commitment in the 2027 class on Monday afternoon, as Massachusetts running back Isaiah Rogers joined the fold.
The 5-foot, 11-inch and 215-pounder picked the Irish over Georgia, Penn State and Indiana, showing this was a very big recruiting win. Ranked as the nation’s No. 237 overall prospect by the 247Sports Composite, who also stars as a Track sprinter. It’s a combination that is what many teams are looking for out of a running back, and now Notre Dame has one with those traits in the class.
Since it was a significant recruiting victory, social media was quick to praise the Irish on their win. Check out below some of the best reactions from Notre Dame staffers and recruiting experts.
At this point, you have to trust the coaching staff on which high school backs they want, especially considering they’re about to have two picked in the NFL draft, at least one in the first round. When you add in Kyren Williams and Audric Estime, its an impressive recent resume and Rogers hopes to keep that tradition ongoing.
Recruiting legend Tom Lemming on Isaiah Rogers
Isaiah, one of the top 2 RB prospects in the east has committed to Notre Dame. Possesses all the tools to dominate at the next level. Very impressive young man. good blend of size, power and 4.4 speed. https://t.co/8PHCNdp7Of
Lemming has seen it all in recruiting, one of the fathers of what it is today. When he says Rogers has “all the tools to dominate,” you take his word. Lemming has a great track record at identifying talent, and so does Notre Dame’s staff.
ESPN’s Billy Tucker loves the fit between Notre Dame and Isaiah Rogers
Notre Dame just landed a commitment from Isaiah Rogers, the No. 9 ranked RB in the ESPN SC Next Jr. 300 ☘️ @Isaiah_Rogers08
One of the more underrated aspects of recruiting is program fit, and Notre Dame has shown a unique ability to find many players that do, now including Rogers. Indiana just won a championship doing it, and the Irish could be next.
It’s not a coincidence that wherever Seider is coaching, the running game is in good hands. Both Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price were as explosive as every this past season, and getting a chance to be coached by him was an opportunity Rogers couldn’t pass up.
Mike Singers likes Isaiah Rogers resume
— Rogers has 10.5 100-meter speed and excellent wiggle.
— Has been one of Ja'Juan Seider's top targets from the start of the cycle.
— 1,504 yards and with 21 touchdowns as a junior.
— Rogers went nearly 2 years without visiting Notre Dame, but his visit this month was elite. https://t.co/uqPImnu33w
It’s hard not to like what we’ve seen from Rogers, as his track speed translates over to the gridiron. While Massachusetts doesn’t have elite competition, he still put up huge stats in his junior season. Rogers didn’t see much time in South Bend during his recruitment, so you have to give the Notre Dame staff credit for doing a great job in limited time.
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.
It's fair to say every NFL team has had a few free agent deals they lived to regret. Yes, even the Denver Broncos have had their fair share of mistakes in the past number of years.
Coming in at No. 18 is cornerback Dale Carter. Carter signed a four-year, $22.8 million deal in 1999, the biggest cornerback deal in league history at the time. He only played one full year (14 games) in orange and blue. Carter was found guilty of violating the NFL's substance abuse policy several times, leading to his release from Denver after the 2000 season.
At No. 11 was pass rusher Randy Gregory. Gregory's contract was for five years, $70 million, with a $10 million signing bonus and $28 million guaranteed. Gregory only lasted one season and change in orange and blue before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in October 2023. Gregory only made 21 tackles in a Bronco uniform, starting only six games.
Just above Gregory, coming in at No. 10, is the second-worst contract in Broncos history: offensive lineman Ju'Wuan James. James came to the Broncos as someone who could not seem to remain healthy, yet he was given a four-year, $51 million ($32 million guaranteed) contract. James did what he did best: stay off the field. James started three games for Denver in 2019 before the injury bug bit him, and he was out for the rest of the year. In 2020, James opted not to play during the COVID-19 season. Before the 2021 season, James ruptured his Achilles' heel, leading Denver to place him on the non-football injury list and release him. He only played one more game in his career, with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022.
Also making Bleacher Report's list were two Broncos who moved to different teams: quarterback Brock Osweiler (Houston Texans in 2016) and defensive lineman Malik Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles in 2019). You can check out the entire list on B/R's website.
Despite these swings and misses, the Broncos have come out all right, and are projected to be frontrunners in the AFC going into 2026.
Dana White has made a lot of friends amongst the top streamers and Influencers by rolling out the red carpet whenever one of them is in Vegas. But one man who is not a fan of White is Kick streamer MoistCr1TiKaL, who went off on a rant over the UFC CEO’s business practices and personal conduct.
“I’ve been getting more and more into the UFC, and as such, I’ve started hating Dana White more and more,” Cr1TiKaL began. “As you pay more attention to this sport, you unfortunately have to pay more attention to this f–king fungus. It is sickening how underpaid the athletes are. Their starter contracts, that should be criminal. Dana White should be in handcuffs right now for that kind of s–t. It’s fucking disgusting.”
“It’s something Sean O’Malley mentioned as well,” he continued. “Although Sean O’Malley seems perfectly content being financially cucked by Dana White. And the bonus is kind of just a band aid for the problem of Dana White being too cheap.”
YouTuber MoistCr1TiKaL blasted Dana White over UFC fighter pay, how he treats his wife, and AI promos 😳
“F*cking scumbag. I do not like Dana White but I really like the fighters, it’s such a f*cking shame. It f*cking sucks, he f*cking sucks.” pic.twitter.com/RrhGHWkH4w
Those UFC contracts Cr1TiKaL is criticizing start at $10,000 to show and $10,000 to win, meaning a new signee winning two fights in their first year of UFC would only make $40,000. $25,000 finish bonuses and $100,000 performance bonuses make this less horrific, but compare a starter UFC contract to the new WNBA minimum wage, which is $300,000 per season, and you see how hard UFC fighters are getting screwed.
“Dana ‘Worm’ White has to find all kinds of grubby penny pinching schemes. One and a half billion dollars in 2025. That’s not nearly enough to satiate Dana White’s gluttony. Keeps making a f–king fool of himself. He is just a factory of zero IQ ideas and even worse execution.”
Cr1TiKaL then went in on White for a story he told during a podcast about having his wife scheduled for a C-section so the birth of his child wouldn’t interfere with his ability to be on hand for an important Chuck Liddell fight.
“I don’t think Dana White has any respect at all for his wife,” Cr1TiKaL wrote. “She had slapped Dana White and then he responded by slapping her multiple times. Also what he just said publicly about what he made his wife do in regards to the birth of his child to compensate his schedule! He jeopardized the safety and the health of not just his wife, but also his f–king baby. So that way, he could go to a Chuck Liddell fight. That’s deplorable. Downright evil.”
😭🤰Dana White says his son’s birth due date was the same day as Chuck Liddell fight, so they did a C-section a day before:
“What the f–k, man? One of the most important, most memorable, most meaningful moments of your life. But to Dana White, that’s just an obstacle because now it’s potentially infringing on his ability to go watch the Chuck Liddell fight. Genuinely f–ked up. I believe Dana White is under the impression that people watch the UFC for him.”
Cr1TiKaL also had opinions regarding UFC’s recent use of A.I. video generation tools to create promos for events.
“Dana White doesn’t even pay the fighters, you think he cares about paying artists?” he asked. “This f–king goober, this goddamn zombie would 1000% be using A.I. fighters if he could to save even more money on it. Just shut up and consume our our slop and expect a lot more A.I. from Dana White. How much money he can save by just farting out A.I. generated s–t, f–king scumbag.”
“I do not like Dana White, but I really, really like the fighters in the UFC. It’s such a f–king shame. It f–king sucks. He f–king sucks.”
Hard Knocks has featured some good teams in recent years, with the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears getting the HBO treatment in the past couple of seasons.
But the long-running training camp version of the franchise is getting some serious star power. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will have cameras in training camp this summer, followed by the team they defeated in the title game: The New England Patriots will be featured in 2027.
And if you're keeping score, that would be the first two appearances for both franchise. One thing is for sure -- they won't be doing the offseason version after the New York Giants got humiliated a whole lot.
The Seahawks will be featured on this summer’s Hard Knocks.
The Patriots will be featured on the 2027 summer Hard Knocks.
The two teams in this past season’s Super Bowl will take center stage again the next two summers. pic.twitter.com/oDrILZBgVc
The Columbus Blue Jackets are back at home for the final of three straight games in the friendly confines of Nationwide Arena. This game features the Carolina Hurricanes.
Carolina Hurricanes - 46-21-6 - 98 Points - 6-4-0 in the last 10 - Lost 1- 1st in the Metro
Columbus Blue Jackets - 38-24-12 - 88 Points - 5-3-2 in the last 10 - OTL 1 - 4th in the Metro
Team Notes Per CBJ PR
The Blue Jackets have earned points in 13 of their last 14 home games (9-1-4) as well as in 17-of-19 contests played at Nationwide Arena in 2026 (12-2-5, .763 points pct.). The club ranks in the top-10 at home in the calendar year in goals-for per game (2nd, 4.00), wins (3rd-T), points pct. (4th) and goals-against per game (7th, 2.74).
The club has earned points in 25 of its last 30 contests (20-5-5, 45 pts) to lead the league points pct. (.750), rank second in wins (tied), points and goals against per game (2.47) and eighth in goals-for per game (3.43) since Jan. 11.
Columbus has allowed two goals or less in eight of the last 11 games since Mar. 10 (2.00 GA/GP, 3rd in NHL].
The Jackets lead the NHL with a franchise-record 55 goals scored by defensemen in 2025-26 (55-132-187, 74 GP].
CBJ has collected points in 10 of the last 11 games against Metropolitan Division opponents since Jan. 4 (8-1-2).
Player Notes Per CBJ PR
Adam Fantilli, who leads the club in scoring in March with 6-9-15 in 16 games, has set a single-season career high in assists and points (tied) with 21-33-54 in 74 contests.
Jet Greaves has earned points in 15 of his last 17 starts since Jan. 11 (12-2-3, 2.26 GAA, .915 SV% in 18 GP), ranking fourth among NHL goaltenders in GAA and SV% (min. 6 GP].
Elvis Merzlikins has recorded points in 10 of his past 13 starts since Jan. 11 (8-3-2, 2.54 GAA in 14 GP].
Boone Jenner has registered 2-3-5 in the last seven games, including scoring a goal in his 800th career contest on Sunday vs. the Bruins (210-207-417, 800 GP].
Mason Marchment notched his sixth multi-point game as a Blue Jacket on Sunday (1-1-2). He ranks second on the team in goals since making his CBJ debut on Dec. 20, 2025 (14-11-25 in 32 GP].
Zach Werenski has notched 21-56-77 and 25 multi-point efforts in 66 games in 2025-26 to lead NHL blueliners in multi-point efforts and shots on goal (229) and sit second in points and points-per-game (1.15) and third in goals.
Blue Jackets Stats
Power Play - 20.2% - 17th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 77.3% - 25th in the NHL
Goals For - 231 - 14th in the NHL
Goals Against - 224 - 20th in the NHL
HurricanesStats
Power Play - 23.7% - 9th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 80.2% - 13th in the NHL
Goals For - 253 - 6th in the NHL
Goals Against - 213 - 7th in the NHL
Series History vs. TheHurricanes
Columbus is 30-31-0-5 all-time, and 17-14-0-2 at home vs. Carolina.
The home team has won eight-straight meetings and 12 of the last 14 games dating back to Feb. 25, 2022.
Columbus has won four consecutive games at Nationwide Arena and five of the past seven in Ohio since Jan. 7, 2023.
The winning team has scored four-plus goals in each of the past seven contests (including SO goals) and 15 of the past 17 since Oct. 23, 2021.
The winning team has also scored four or more goals in each of the last ten at Nationwide Arena (including SO goals).
The winning team has won by three-plus goals in six of the past eight meetings overall with Columbus earning two shootout victories in the other two.
CBJ have scored a power play goal in three-straight home games vs. the Canes (4-of-13; 30.8 pct.) and seven of the past ten meetings at Nationwide Arena (9-of-35; 25.7 pct.).
The Blue Jackets have registered four shutouts and hat tricks in the all-time series.
Who To Watch For TheHurricanes
Seth Jarvis leads the Canes with 30 goals.
Sebastian Aho leads the team with 49 assists and 74 points.
Goalie Brandon Bussi is 27-6-1 with a SV% of .896.
CBJ Player Notes vsHurricanes
Boone Jenner has 13 points in 25 career games against Carolina.
Zach Werenski has 16 points against the Hurricanes.
Mason Marchment has 8 points in 10 games vs. Carolina.
Injured Reserve & Other Injuries
Brendan Smith - Lower Body - Missed 36 Games IR - Out for the rest of the regular season.
Damon Severson - Missed 2 Games - Upper Body - Week-to-week
Dmitri Voronkov - Upper Body - Left game early against San Jose
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 185
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on ESPN+ & HULU featuring John Buccigross. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!
Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.
Let us know what you think below.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Chelsea player clearly didn’t get Marc Cucurella’s memo in interview on club website
Well, this morning we have two very different sides to a story, and two very different interviews that have come out.
One is from Marc Cucurella, which is in all out attack on the Chelsea ownership, the project they have put together, and the parting ways with Enzo Maresca.
EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea pick their No.1 transfer target for midfield this summer, with rumours suggesting Enzo Fernandez is off!
The other is Romeo Lavia on the Chelsea website, all rainbows and flowers, signing the praises of the owners and what they have done for the ‘evolution’ of this club.
Maybe Lavia didn’t get the memo from Cucurella!? Maybe he is not in the same WhatsApp chat group as Cucurella? Or maybe he is just deciding to brush the negativity under the rug. Either way, it’s dead opposite to what Cucurella is saying right now!
Lavia’s interview
Romeo Lavia warms up. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Via the Chelsea website, Lavia was asked what surprised him about Chelsea. He replied:
“The evolution of the club. In such a short space of time, it has been unbelievable. There has been constant evolution in the levels on the pitch, off the pitch, the standards and everything has been going up, up, up. It is not going to stop. We are going to keep going up!”
Okaaaaay buddy, sure…..
In other news today
Both Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez have been speaking about their futures at Chelsea in some recent quotes that have surfaced. It appears Cucurella would love to join Barcelona very soon, and Fernandez wants to go to Real Madrid. Sigh.
Former Chelsea player Joao Felix has also been opening up on his time at the club and why he had to leave in order to help his World Cup chances coming up this summer.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ONTHE APP STORE
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
As the 2026 NCAA Tournament narrows to its Final Four, the conversation shifts from possibility to probability—four elite teams, each with a credible case to claim the national championship, now stand just two wins away from college basketball immortality. The Michigan Wolverines enter this stage as the betting favorite, a reflection of their disciplined system, efficient scoring balance, and ability to execute under pressure. They have consistently looked like the most complete team in the field, combining defensive structure with an offense that rarely forces the issue. Right on their heels, however, are the Arizona Wildcats, whose high-octane style presents a completely different challenge—one built on pace, athleticism, and the capacity to turn games into track meets that few opponents can survive.
The Illinois Fighting Illini bring yet another dimension to the equation, leaning into physicality and interior dominance as their primary weapons. When Illinois is dictating terms in the paint, they are capable of neutralizing more perimeter-oriented teams and controlling the rhythm of play. Meanwhile, the UConn Huskies occupy a familiar role as a dangerous underdog—less flashy on paper, but historically reliable in high-pressure tournament environments where execution and composure often outweigh raw talent.
Ranking these four teams is not simply a matter of comparing résumés; it requires evaluating how their identities translate into this specific moment. The Final Four is less forgiving, where possessions slow, defensive intensity sharpens, and experience becomes invaluable. Small details—shot selection late in the clock, defensive rotations, and the ability to manage momentum swings—will ultimately separate contender from champion. In a field defined by contrasting styles and minimal separation, the team that best adapts in real time will be the one left standing at the end.
Michigan Wolverines — +155 to +175
Michigan Wolverines guard Trey McKenney (1) holds the Midwest Regional Champion trophy after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers in an Elite Eight game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at United Center. Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Michigan enters the Final Four as the betting favorite, reflecting both consistency and high-end talent on both ends of the floor. Their offensive efficiency, paired with disciplined half-court defense, has made them one of the most complete teams remaining. The Wolverines have shown an ability to control tempo, limiting opponent runs while executing in late-game situations. If they maintain composure and continue their balanced scoring approach, they are well-positioned to justify their status as the team to beat.
Arizona Wildcats — +170 to +180
The Arizona Wildcats celebrates with the West Regional Championship trophy after an Elite Eight game against the Purdue Boilermakers of the West Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Arizona sits just behind Michigan in the odds, a testament to their explosive offense and athletic depth. The Wildcats thrive in transition, often overwhelming opponents with pace and scoring bursts that can quickly flip momentum. Defensively, their length and versatility allow them to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots effectively. If Arizona can sustain defensive intensity while avoiding prolonged scoring droughts, they have a legitimate path to cutting down the nets.
Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) celebrates with the trophy on the podium after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Illinois enters as a strong contender but clearly in the second tier of favorites, largely due to occasional inconsistencies against elite competition. The Illini rely heavily on physicality and interior play, often imposing their will in the paint on both ends. Their success hinges on controlling rebounds and limiting turnovers, which can sometimes derail their offensive rhythm. Should Illinois find efficiency from the perimeter to complement their inside presence, they become a dangerous and well-rounded threat.
UConn Huskies — +550 to +700
The UConn Huskies celebrate after defeating the Duke Blue Devils in an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
UConn carries the longest odds among the four, but that position may undervalue their championship pedigree and tournament experience. The Huskies are known for structured offensive sets and a defense that tightens significantly in high-pressure moments. While they may lack the top-end explosiveness of other teams, their cohesion and execution often compensate in close games. If UConn can dictate pace and force opponents into half-court battles, they have the profile of a team capable of outperforming expectations.
Conclusion
Arizona Wildcats forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) goes up for two against the Purdue Boilermakers in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the West Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Ultimately, Michigan’s balance gives them a slight edge, but Arizona’s explosiveness makes them equally dangerous on any given night. Illinois and UConn, while less favored, possess the specific strengths needed to disrupt the hierarchy if momentum swings their way. In a Final Four defined by contrasts, the champion will be the team that best adapts when the margins tighten.
And that is precisely why he’s the best. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP via Getty Images) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO | AFP via Getty Images
In a sea of French blue, Olise chose the Bayern red.
Michael Olise, Bayern Munich’s superstar winger and Ballon d’Or contender for the 2025/26 season, just made a monumental statement with his actions. After France’s game against Brazil (where he dished out a gorgeous assist for Hugo Ekitiké’s game-winner), he had fans clamoring for his autograph on their jerseys (understandably).
Guess what he did? Well, I’ll allow you to see for yourself:
Yes, he chose the Bayern jersey. He chose that one Bayern fan caught amidst a swathe of blue jerseys. Yes, he put Bayern ahead of Les Bleus. This is an incredible moment. Both for the fan and for fans of this amazing club worldwide. Olise has signaled to the world that he is here to stay and that he bleeds Bayern red.
So, if you’re a fan of a club not named Bayern, don’t bother getting your hopes up. Because Olise ain’t going anywhere.
Tiger Woods‘ recent DUI arrest has sparked strong reactions, especially from the sports world, with former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho among those joining the conversation. In his podcast, the football player-turned-sports analyst criticized the golf icon’s latest troubles, adding to the growing dialogue surrounding Woods’ personal issues and what it could mean for his golf career.
Emmanuel Acho Calls Out Tiger Woods
Martin County/MEGA
In Acho’s live podcast episode of “Speakeasy” on March 30, the former NFL player talked about Woods’ DUI arrest.
On March 27, Woods was charged with DUI, property damage, and refusal to submit to a lawful test after his SUV rolled over and crashed as he was attempting to overtake a truck.
Addressing Woods, Acho said, “Tiger, you got too many responsibilities, too much money, too much wisdom, and too many gray hairs to, at this big age, in this big year of 2026, be going to jail for DUIs.” He continued to say that Woods had too much at stake, including his family and the name he had made for himself. “And beyond all of that, this isn’t your first incident,” Acho noted.
The Sports Analyst Said Tiger Woods Is Putting Everyone At Risk
"Tiger [Woods] at this big age, you CANNOT be going to jail for DUIs"
– @EmmanuelAcho condemns Tiger Woods' actions in his recent DUI arrest where he flipped his car over in Florida
Acho said that, fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident. “But Tiger, beyond just putting yourself at risk, your family at risk, you’re putting everybody else at risk, driving under the influence. How many times are we going to see this happen?” he noted. “I’m tired of making exceptions for famous celebrities, or even non famous invidividuals, just wealthy people” Acho added.
The sports analyst said that he wasn’t surprised that the accident happened, but he was disappointed when he heard the news.
Acho’s co-host, former football player LeSean “Shady” McCoy, also shared his opinion, saying that Woods was “obviously going through something,” but he was relieved no one was hurt. “Hopefully, he seeks the help he needs,” he added.
The Golfer Is Out On Bail Following The Crash
OG-MEGA
Woods’ rollover crash happened on March 27 at around 2 p.m. in Florida. According to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, both the golfer and the driver of the truck were unscathed in the incident. Woods was brought to jail at about 3 p.m. and was released several hours later, as he was required by law to spend 8 hours in jail before posting bail.
According to Budensiek, Woods’ breathalyzer test showed he did not consume alcohol, but he refused to be subjected to a urinalysis to test the presence of drugs in his system. The sheriff said the golfer was cooperative but careful, saying, “He was not trying to incriminate himself.”
Budensiek said Woods was fortunate that there was no vehicle on the other side of the road at the time of the crash, or else they would have been dealing with a grimmer situation.
Tiger Woods Is Being Urged To Retire From The Sport
MEGA
Woods’ peers have also talked about the situation, with former golfer Brandel Chamblee urging him to focus on himself and retire from golf. As previously noted by The Blast, Chamblee said that Woods’ recent accident may be the wake-up call he needs.
“Well, why would he need to play golf anymore? You know, I think he should probably ask himself that. Consider not playing golf anymore,” Chamblee said, adding that Woods has a habit of pushing himself beyond his physical limits.
Chamblee also pointed out that Woods has had several surgeries for injuries he sustained over the years, at one point even having his leg nearly amputated, and although extremely gifted at golf, his body is no longer capable of performing like he did in the past.
Will Tiger Woods Participate In The Masters?
MEGA
In the past several months, Woods had been recovering from surgery and a ruptured Achilles tendon. He had his first competition in more than a year at the TGL finals in March, but his team lost.
According to reports, he was preparing to compete at the 2026 Masters, which will take place from April 9 to 12.
“I want to play. I love the tournament. I’ve loved being there since I was 19 years old. It’s meant a lot to me and my family over the years,” Woods said.
However, he also acknowledged that his body just hasn’t recovered as easily as when he was younger. “I’ve been trying for a while,” he stressed, referring to his recovery.
Meanwhile, CBS Sports, which covers the Masters, has not revealed whether Woods will be in attendance. CBS Sports President David Berson said, “Tiger playing or not playing or being in August or not being in Augusta… we don’t have information, and it’s not fair to anyone for us to speak about or speculate.”
Barcelona alternative to Marcus Rashford up for sale this summer
While the international break tends to lend itself to transfer stories, the big talking point in Barcelona appears to be Marcus Rashford. A couple of months ago it seemed certain that the Catalan side would exercise their €30m buy option agreed with Manchester United in the summer, but as it reaches two months since his last goal for Barcelona, it seems they are reconsidering.
The Blaugrana are currently edging towards signing a cheaper and younger alternative if reports coming out of Catalonia are to be believed, with several options identified. Newly capped Spain international Victor Munoz, Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup and former La Masia product Jan Virgili are the names that have been mentioned most often.
Benfica open to Schjelderup sale
According to Jornal Record in Portugal, as cited by Sport, Barcelona will have the green light to pursue Schjelderup this summer. Benfica President Rui Costa has reportedly identified the Norwegian talent as one of the players they will look to sell on. It is also suggested that he has no intention of renewing his deal in Lisbon, which currently expires in 2028.
Barcelona have been following him for the past year, and it helps that they have a good relationship with his agent Rafaela Pimenta. Given his age and potential though, it remains uncertain how much cheaper he would be than Rashford.
Doubts about Jan Virgili signing
Perhaps the cheapest option would be re-signing Jan Virgili, who joined RCD Mallorca last season. Barcelona have a 40% sell-on fee for Virgili, and his release clause is €30m, meaning the Blaugrana could bring him back for €18m.
The same outlet say that Barcelona have been impressed by Virgili’s debut campaign in La Liga, but his inconsistency means that not everyone in Can Barca has been convinced by him as a legitimate alternative. Virgili has six assists this season, but is yet to score. One of the ideas behind signing Rashford was the guarantee of more goals, and Schjelderup and Munoz compare more favourably in that regard.
Schjelderup has seven goals and four assists this season in 36 appearances, while Munoz has six goals and five assists in his 31 outings thus far.
Real Madrid open contract talks with Manchester United and Liverpool target
A year is a long time in football, and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is well aware of that. The Frenchman looks set to continue at the Bernabeu long-term, despite being tipped as a potential departure last summer.
Tchouameni was being used as a central defender at times under Carlo Ancelotti due to the injury crisis, and at times in a dysfunctional midfield. Coming in for heavy criticism, he was whistled by the Bernabeu in January of 2025, and there was plenty of talk that Los Blancos would consider offers for him in the summer.
Things have turned around for Tchouameni though, who has looked good under both Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa this season, becoming one of their most consistent players.
Real Madrid open contract talks with Tchouameni
When it looked as if Tchouameni might be available, both Liverpool and Manchester United were interested in a potential move for the France international. Yet Sport say that Real Madrid have now opened talks with Tchouameni over a new contract. His current deal expires in 2028, but Real Madrid are keen to avoid any difficult negotiations, and are looking to extend that deal until 2031.
Eduardo Camavinga future less certain
It seems that Tchouameni has locked down a spot in the Real Madrid midfield for the foreseeable. Even if Los Blancos are looking for another midfielder to run the game in the summer, it seems that addition would be a complement to Tchouameni rather than a replacement.
There is less certainty over the future of Eduardo Camavinga. Tchouameni’s compatriot has never managed to tie down a regular starting spot, and has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons. The 23-year-old has a deal until 2029, but with Tchouameni and Fede Valverde both ahead of him in the pecking order, and another midfielder to come in, it is expected that Real Madrid will consider offers fro Camavinga.
Kostic arrived in Milan on Sunday to undergo medical tests.
His agent, Darko Ristic, is the representative of another Milan target in attack, Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic.
Kostic, a Montenegro international, has 11 goals in 34 appearances at a club level this season. He made his senior Montenegro debut less than a year ago, in October 2025.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: A general view of the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium San Siro ahead of the Serie A match between AC Milan and Inter at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Transfer expert Matteo Moretto has reported on X that Milan have paid €3.5m to sign the 19-year-old and will add a maximum of €4.5m in add-ons, plus a sell-on clause, for Partizan.
Kostic will end the season at Partizan and formally join Milan from July 1, 2026.
He will initially be part of the Milan Futuro team.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Kostic joins Milan – official statement
“AC Milan is delighted to announce the signing of Andrej Kostic from Fudbalski Klub Partizan, who will be joining the Club from 1 July 2026.
“The forward, born in 2007, will be part of the Milan Futuro Project, dedicated to the growth and development of young talents.”
Arsenal winger Beth Mead returns to Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for their World Cup qualifying matches against Spain and Iceland.
Wiegman has named a 23-player squad for the upcoming matches during April’s international break, with England to host Spain at Wembley on April 14 before facing Iceland away four days later.
Midfielder Erica Meg Parkinson, the 17-year-old who plays for Portuguese first division side Valadares Gaia, has earned her first call-up to England’s senior side and is the only new face in Wiegman’s squad.
England will be without Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, Manchester City’s Grace Clinton and Manchester United’s Ella Toone with all three sidelined through injury.
England sit top of their World Cup qualifying group, having defeated Ukraine 6-1 and Iceland 2-0 in early March.
The April window heralds the first encounter between England and Spain since the team’s memorable match in the Euro 2025 final, with England defeating Spain on penalties to retain their European title. The matches will represent England’s 499th and 500th international fixtures.
Sarina Wiegman said: “Last month we started our campaign strongly with two good performances against Ukraine and Iceland, and we want to continue that momentum. These upcoming matches against Spain and Iceland are important steps in our qualification journey, and we’re fully focused on performing at our highest level.”
Josh Harris probably never watched flag football so closely in all of his life.
Last weekend, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was on a field playing flag football. Keep in mind, this is grown men running around without helmets. A collision of heads unprotected by helmets could easily be a devastating type of injury.
So, can't you imagine last week Josh Harris, Mitchell Rales, and Mark Ein all watching from home, literally squirming in their comfortable chairs, anxiously hoping Daniels was not injured? The three primary Commanders owners had not made any public comments last week, but you have to wonder, what did they express to each other last week?
If Daniels out there playing quarterback wasn't enough for Harris, then he had to see his franchise quarterback lining up at receiver. Monday at the NFL Owners meetings, Harris brought up how he felt when he saw Jayden Daniels lining up at WR in the flag game:
“I'm not going to say I wasn’t nervous… I'm glad he got through that one.” Also said: “Jayden is someone I trust…"
A lot of talk about the importance of trust from the Commanders’ managing partner, Josh Harris. https://t.co/axam8sAFC0
Daniels only finished four games he started in 2025, but chose to play in a flag football game in March. All the money Harris and his fellow owners have invested in Daniels and the Commanders' future, yet Daniels wanted to play flag football? Had Daniels gone down injured, no wonder what Adam Peters, Dan Quinn, and David Blough would have been on the phone discussing.
Of course, Harris was nervous! Look at what he has invested and will invest in Jayden Daniels over the next couple of seasons. I mean, the team did go only 5-12 last season, a huge seven-game slide from the previous season. Washington's majority owner was asked Monday about whether there is an urgency where the team stands now. Harris was brief but direct."There is. "No one was happy with last season. "We have a young QB we have a lot of faith in, times a wasting and we gotta get on it, and that's what we're doing. Dan and Adam have my confidence."
Ok, Daniels made it through without injury, now Harris and many others can relax as we head to the draft.
The Tennessee Titans have done a tremendous job of adding much-needed talent to their roster throughout the offseason and are busy preparing to add even more in the NFL draft, which kicks off in less than a month.
With the majority of pro day visits in the books, Top 30 visits and virtual meetings are keeping the personnel and scouting departments busy, as the team continues to stack their draft board, and it appears the Titans are not leaving any stone unturned.
On Monday, Easton Butler reported on X (formerly Twitter) that the Titans were one of four teams to meet with Tennessee State cornerback Jashon Watkins at his pro day.
Watkins is a small school prospect who has taken a winding path to this pre-draft process, playing for Memphis, UMass, and Tennessee State during his college career. A long cornerback at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, he has the athleticism and speed to hold up in coverage, and he does mix it up against the run. An older prospect, he has the maturity to be a leader in the locker room.
As a Nashville native, it will be interesting to see whether the Titans saw enough at his pro day to bring him to the Local Pro Day event later in April.
The Titans also met with Tennessee State edge James Stewart at the pro day and invited him to the local pro day event for a closer look.
Tennessee State EDGE James Stewart spoke with the #Titans at his Pro Day. He will also attend the Titans Local Pro Day on April 10th. pic.twitter.com/2wXG28n2en
This is the second time the Titans have met with Stewart, following their time with him at the HBCU Legacy Bowl in February. That meeting was covered by Titans Wire when it took place, and we covered his experience and skill set.
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: Butler Bulldogs guard Finley Bizjack (11) drives into the lane during the Big East Tournament men's college basketball game between the Butler Bulldogs and Providence Friars on March 11, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Bizjack, a 6-foot-3 combo guard, had a standout 2025-26 season, averaging 17.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over 31 games. He shot 42.6 percent from the floor and 34.9 percent from three-point range, showing his ability to score efficiently at multiple levels. Over his career at Butler, Bizjack has averaged 10.4 points per game across 98 contests.
A member of the class of 2023, Bizjack was a 3-star recruit out of Texas who was ranked No. 12 in the state, the No. 11 combo guard nationally, and No. 136 overall by Rivals.
Kentucky’s interest is likely tied to adding depth and scoring off the bench. While he may not be projected as a starter, Bizjack could play a significant role while integrating into Mark Pope’s up-tempo system.
Additionally, Bizjack is expected to test the NBA Draft process, Polacheck also added, giving Kentucky an opportunity to land a talented, high-scoring guard with upside if he returns to college.
With his scoring ability and experience, he could provide a boost to a Wildcats roster that is likely to shape itself through the transfer portal.
Inter Milan & France Talismanic Striker Faces Make-Or-Break Serie A Run-In Amid Uncertain Future
Out-of-form Inter Milan star Marcus Thuram is bracing for a decisive Serie A season finale, with his future at San Siro potentially on the line.
According to Tuttosport via FCInterNews, the final eight league matches could determine the 28-year-old’s future at the club.
Followed by several Premier League and Saudi Pro League sides, Marcus Thuram could leave Inter in the summer.
Indeed, the Serie A pacesetters are reportedly ready to offload the former Borussia Monchengladbach striker after a disappointing season.
Thuram has averaged just 0.3 goals per game in Serie A, performing well below his high standard.
Therefore, he has compromised his future at Giuseppe Meazza.
Inter Milan Ace Marcus Thuram Facing Crucial Season Finale
With Inter willing to listen to offers for Thuram, the Frenchman must convince the Nerazzurri hierarchy he still deserves a place in their long-term plans.
Meanwhile, the upcoming clash against Roma could be an ideal opportunity for Thuram to end his Serie A drought.
Indeed, he has scored three goals in five previous appearances against the Giallorossi.
As such, he should be confident about halting his five-game scoring drought in Italy’s top flight.
However, if Thuram’s rough patch continues, Inter could step up plans to cash in on him in the summer.
The Baltimore Ravens are looking to get back to the postseason in head coach Jesse Minter's debut season, and there are adjustments to be made after the team suffered significant personnel losses. Eric DeCosta regrouped from the backed-out Crosby trade and made a splash signing, landing Trey Hendrickson on a four-year deal. Teams that successfully build through the NFL draft typically suffer the greatest losses, while changes in personnel spark offseason and training camp roster battles, and the Ravens will take part in several high-profile competitions.
With needs at wide receiver, offensive line depth, and defensive backfield stability, here's what Baltimore must prioritize next to stay in the AFC contender tier.
Edge Rusher
Trey Hendrickson is the big free agent signing and the guy who'll close games out when the Ravens have a lead. The biggest roster battle will take place between 2025 Second-round pick Mike Green, who returns after posting 3.5 sacks in 2025, and 2023 fourth-round pick Tavius Robinson, who returns after dealing with injury but posting 4.5 sacks. Adisa Isaac and second-year Kaimon Rucker offer depth. Baltimore could address this position in the first two rounds in back-to-back years.
Offensive guard -- NFL draft
On offense, the biggest position battle going into training camp right now would be at left guard between Andrew Vorhees and 2025 third-round pick Emery Jones Jr. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta made it sound like, earlier in the offseason, that he sees Jones as a starter. With John Simpson being paid like he's going to be the other starter, Jones and Vorhees could battle it out for the starting left guard job. Newly signed Jovaugh Gwyn is versatile on the offensive line and knows Ravens offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford from their time together with the Atlanta Falcons. Still, Baltimore needs to address this position in the NFL draft.
Third wide receiver
The Ravens have Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, and they are a solid duo when Bateman is healthy. With DeAndre Hopkins not expected to return, the depth behind the big two is limited and could include the biggest roster battle unless Baltimore uses a first or second-round pick at the position. Devontez Walker is a touchdown machine, but still unproven going into Year 3. LaJohntay Wester will return punts, while Cornelius Johnson and Dayton Wade are likely to have roles on the practice squad. With Trey Hendrickson on the roster and John Simpson back, Baltimore could target a wide receiver in Round 1.
Starting center
With three-time Pro Bowl Tyler Linderbaum in Las Vegas as the highest-paid center in NFL history, the Ravens could choose to draft a center. Still, it'll be a three-way battle as Former Maryland star and undrafted free agent Corey Bullock could be a player to watch, while Jovaughn Gwyn offers positional versatility.
Ireland were beaten in their play-off semi-final by the Czech Republic, who won 4-3 in a penalty shootout, after the Irish had surrendered a two-goal lead in Prague. North Macedonia, meanwhile, were battered 4-0 in their own play-off against Denmark and must now compete with Ireland in the final throes of World Cup qualifying to see who finishes third in the play-offs.
This match is a consequence of the qualifying schedule as both teams needed to be available to play in the final (had they gotten there) which sees Denmark face Czech Republic tonight. As international breaks feature two matches per country, it was organised that the losers of the World Cup play-off semi-finals would play each other.
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson says his players felt ‘only pain’ after their defeat last week but that the process of rebuilding begins again.
Here’s everything you need to know:
When is Ireland vs North Macedonia?
Republic of Ireland vs North Macedonia is due to kick off at 7:45pm GMT on Thursday 31 March at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
How can I watch it?
In Ireland, the match will be broadcast on RTE Two and streamed free on RTE Player.
You will not be able to watch the game in the United Kingdom, with Prime Video instead streaming the play-off final between Denmark and Czech Republic.
Former Birmingham City defender Ian Clarkson believes the future of Blues boss Chris Davies will depend on how they finish the season.
A run of one win in six, including a 1-0 defeat at Derby, has left them five places and 10 points adrift of the Championship top six with just seven games left.
"We're not going to make the play-offs, but I do think the next seven games will be really, really crucial for Chris Davies," Clarkson told BBC WM.
"For me, he gets the rest of the season, absolutely. But if it peters out and tails off quite drastically in the next seven games, he could be putting himself in a scenario where the club looks somewhere else perhaps."
Davies was appointed in June 2024 and led the relegated Blues straight back to the Championship in 2024-2025.
Whilst Birmingham have taken 35 points from 19 home matches this season, they've managed only five away wins in 20 games, totalling 18 points on the road.
Clarkson goes on: "What I would say, and this is quite applicable to a few teams in the Championship, is they're a vastly different proposition away from home.
"For the first time on Saturday, Chris Davies, who is normally incredibly vocal on the sidelines, was quite quiet by his standards. We did look a bit like we were clutching at straws."
Just seven months after their Championship promotion, the club's American owners were revealing plans for a new 62,000-seater stadium.
Clarkson says the club and its fans are highly ambitious: "This season reminds a bit like the old days; we had the big build-up at the start of the season, and we have spent some money on players, but for whatever reason it hasn't quite equated to what the owners want.
"You need a core of Championship-experienced players. It is a relentless league, and if you've got too many players who aren't used to the rigours of the league, it's really hard to find the consistency.
"Then all of a sudden, a week later it looks like a completely different team. A lot of that is to do with, for example, if you come from Germany, you're only playing 34 games a season; you have a winter break.
"If you're not used to it, it does take time. People don't normally want to hear that. They want to get promotion yesterday.
"But to do that, you probably have to sign lots of players in their late 20s with four or five seasons in the Championship under their belt, but to do that is also very expensive."
John Colquhoun lived his Celtic dream before becoming a Hearts legend
When John Colquhoun walked off a building site to sign for Celtic in November 1983 at the age of just 20, he was literally living the dream, and was determined to make the most of his once in a lifetime opportunity…
Celtic team photo 1984. Photo The Celtic Wiki
Signed from home town club Stirling Albion for £50,000, John a tricky winger would get to make his senior debut in a 3-1 win against Hearts at Tynecastle just a month after signing on the dotted line.
John showed his qualities right from the start as he impressed against the men in maroon, setting up a spectacular Brian McClair strike in the win at Gorgie.
Colquhoun had been brought to the club as cover for Davie Provan, and was subsequently denied a regular run of games, but impressed when given the chance. John had a great few months period in the 84/85 campaign, in particular terrific performances in a 2-1 win over Aberdeen in October, and a 2-1 New Year day derby win over Rangers at Ibrox.
John Colquhoun, Celtic, Hearts and business man. Photo social media
The season ended in Celtic winning the Scottish Cup after a 2-1 win over Dundee United, but unfortunately for John despite his impressive showings he missed out on a spot in the cup final squad, thus being denied the opportunity of a medal.
That signalled the end for the young winger and after just 37 appearances and four goals he left his boyhood heroes to sign for Hearts in the summer of 1985 for a sum of £50,000.
Ironically John’s first appearance in maroon was against Celtic at Tynecastle on the opening day of the 1985/86 campaign, scoring for his new side against his old side in a 1-1 draw.
John was instrumental in a Jambos side who so nearly secured a historic league title, only to see glory snatched from their grasp on a dramatic final day of the season. Celtic of course pipping the men in maroon in the most dramatic of circumstances. John’s pain was very much our gain.
John went on to make 496 appearances scoring 101 goals for the Jambos in two different spells with the club, becoming something of a legendary figure down Gorgie way.
He achieved his fame in the Maroon of Hearts, but John Colquhoun can always say he lived his dream by pulling on those famous green and white hoops.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Post your own thoughts in the comments section below…
Quick Tip – Add thecelticstar.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
Cucurella: Maresca’s exit had ‘big impact’ on Chelsea, ‘you’d die for him’
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella praises Enzo Maresca and admits the Italian coach’s exit was a big blow for the Blues: ‘When a manager gives you that confidence and offers you a platform to fight for titles, you’d die for him.’
Safe to say Spain international Cucurella is unhappy with Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Italian tactician Enzo Maresca in January.
The ex-Juventus midfielder left Stamford Bridge by mutual agreement on January 1, 2026.
Chelsea ‘more stable’ under Maresca
“With Enzo Maresca in charge, we were more stable, because we worked together for 18 months,” Cucurella told The Athletic.
“If you look at our first pre-season with him, there were doubts. You need a process for every player to understand what we need to do. In our last months with Maresca, we played almost by heart. If we changed the system, we knew what we had to do. You need that time.”
Maresca won the Conference League and the Club World Cup at Chelsea, but disagreements over the club’s long-term plans led to his exit after 18 months in charge.
“Winning a title like the Club World Cup also helps, strengthens the bond, and you create great relationships during the celebrations. When a manager gives you that confidence and offers you a platform to fight for titles, you’d die for him,” Cucurella continued.
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Enzo Maresca head coach of Chelsea FC gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Chelsea FC at Stadio di Bergamo on December 09, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“The moment Maresca left, it had a big impact on us. These are decisions taken by the club. If you asked me, I would not have made this decision. To make a change like that, the best thing is to wait until the end of the season. You would give everyone, the players and the new manager, time to get ready, have a full pre-season…
“The instability around the club comes from this, in a nutshell. We had a caretaker (former under-21s coach Calum McFarlane) first, then a new manager, with new ideas and no time to work on them. It is what it is.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 24: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, reacts as he speaks to the media during a Chelsea Press Conference at Stamford Bridge on November 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Recent reports in Italy have claimed that new Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici had contacted Maresca to offer him the job at the Stadio Franchi for 2026-27.
German national team celebrate win against Ghana – one Borussia player in action
After their 4-3 away win against Switzerland, the German national team also won their second match of this international break, defeating Ghana 2-1. In Stuttgart, Germany initially took a 1-0 lead in first-half stoppage time, but conceded an equaliser in the 70th minute. However, the team rewarded their dominant performance with a 2-1 winning goal shortly before the final whistle. While Nico Schlotterbeck started in central defence, Waldemar Anton remained on the bench the entire match.
Seven matches involving Borussia Dortmund players are scheduled for Tuesday evening: Daniel Svensson (with Sweden) and Salih Özcan (with Turkey) are battling it out for the last World Cup spots and, after their first-leg wins, have a good chance of qualifying. Julian Ryerson and Gregor Kobel will be facing each other in the Norway vs. Switzerland game. Also in action are the national teams of Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria), Marcel Sabitzer and Carney Chukwuemeka (Austria), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), Luca Reggiani (Italy U19), and Jobe Bellingham (England U21). (cr)
Fabrizio Romano relays Liverpool exit u-turn hint with bombshell Tuesday tweet
Ibrahima Konate may have just inadvertently hinted at the possibility of him extending his Liverpool contract.
The Frenchman talked up the Reds bouncing back amid a difficult 2025/26 campaign.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The Merseysiders currently find themselves toiling outside the top four places – a miserable 21 points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.
Ibrahima Konate hints at Liverpool contract commitment
In comments relayed on X (formerly Twitter) by Fabrizio Romano, the former RB Leipzig centre-half confirmed that the Reds remain committed to winning silverware.
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
Further to the point, he told ESPN that fans would soon forget what has been a disappointing 2025/26 campaign after the club eventually wins the Premier League title and Champions League once again.
The last word we heard from David Ornstein at The Athletic earlier in March was that ‘constructive’ talks were taking place between both sides. On top of that, both player and club appeared willing to try and strike an agreement.
* Ibrahima Konate’s per 90 stats in the Premier League in the 2025/26 season (Fotmob)
There’s no question that Konate extending his stay at L4 would be incredibly beneficial to the club. For starters, it provides greater security at the back amid concerns over Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet’s recovery schedules. But it’s also worth highlighting the fact that, at his best, the France international is one of the leading centre-halves in Europe.
We’re in no rush to see the defender leave Liverpool after the season.
Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43), linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) and linebacker Dallas Turner (15) talk during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings have been relatively quiet this offseason. They brought in James Pierre at the beginning of free agency, but haven’t done anything of substance since. That’s not entirely surprising for a team that had so many salary cap hurdles to jump over, but it does paint something of an uncertain picture.
Right now, Kevin O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski have nine draft picks at their disposal in April. How they utilize those remains to be seen, but there are more than a few spots on the roster that still need addressing.
Greenard’s Situation Forces a Difficult Call
Among the places that look largely set is the edge rushing group. While Jonathan Greenard’s name has been floated in trade talks this offseason, it doesn’t feel like there’s much steam for a move. Wanting a bloated contract from a new team, coming off an injured year, has virtually been a non-starter.
This means that Greenard is likely to return for the Vikings. He’ll pair with Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner as top talents on the edge once again. It’s worth wondering if that’s the most desirable outcome, though.
On September 22, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) reacted after recording a sack against the Houston Texans during fourth-quarter action at U.S. Bank Stadium. The veteran defender’s burst off the edge helped seal a strong defensive outing for Minnesota, energizing teammates and the home crowd as the Vikings continued to showcase their upgraded pass-rushing unit late in the game. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
First and foremost, Greenard is an exceptional talent, but he played in just 12 games a season ago and recorded only three sacks. Even accounting for the time he missed due to injury, he wasn’t as effective on the field.
There’s plenty of reason to believe a healthy Greenard can bounce back in a big way. He racked up 12 sacks during his first season in Minnesota and made the first Pro Bowl of his career. He’ll need to show that level of production again if the Vikings don’t want it to become painful watching Dallas Turner sit and get little more than rotational reps.
Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a sack during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Beyond production and depth chart considerations, there’s also the opportunity cost of keeping Greenard. He has a cap number of more than $22 million. Moving him, presumably for a first or second-round pick, would free up space and allow the Vikings to allocate resources to other needs on the roster.
At this point, the free-agent market is largely picked over, but pick capital could help further address the interior defensive line, the safety position, or other areas of need. Instead, Greenard adds to a rush room that is essentially an embarrassment of riches and needs to play at a clip that makes it look that way.
You’re never going to turn down keeping a talented player. It’s hard not to question whether the roster without Greenard and the dominoes from that move isn’t a more desirable outcome, though.
Double Olympic champion Caster Semenya says she intends to fight against the introduction of gender testing for the female category at the Olympics, a policy the South African insists “undermines women’s rights”.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) unveiled the policy last week and it is expected to become a universal rule for competitors in female elite sports after years of fragmented regulation that led to controversy.
Semenya has been at the centre of one of those controversies due to her long-running legal case against World Athletics over her right to compete on the track despite having a Difference of Sexual Development (DSD).
“We’re going to be vocal about it, we’re going to make noise until we’re heard,” the 35-year-old athlete told the Reuters news agency on Monday.
“Now it’s a matter of women standing for themselves to say, ‘Enough is enough.’ We are not going to be told how to do things.
“If really we are accepted as women to take part, why does my appearance or my voice, why do my inner parts need to be a problem to take part in the sport?”
DSDs are a group of rare conditions involving genes, hormones and reproductive organs. Some people with DSDs are raised as female but have XY sex chromosomes and blood testosterone levels in the male range.
The IOC policy document said including “androgen-sensitive XY-DSD athletes” in the female category in events that rely on strength, power or endurance “runs fundamentally counter to ensuring fairness, safety and integrity in elite competition”.
Semenya, who won two Olympic and three world titles in the 800 metres before being limited to shorter events, believes the IOC got the science wrong.
Semenya said “there’s no science” that XY-DSD gave an athlete an advantage. “I’ve been there, I’ve done that. There’s no such thing as that,” she said.
“There are people who are delusional. There are people who are convinced because a woman is masculine, a woman is born with intersex conditions, the DSD, they’ve mentioned all those things [that they have an advantage].
“But what I say is that if you’re going to be a great athlete, it’s through hard work.”
The test that will be applied to all athletes who want to compete in the female class will be conducted by a cheek swab or saliva analysis.
There will be further investigation for any athletes who test positive for the SRY gene, which is on the Y chromosome and triggers the development of male characteristics in mammals.
“What this decision does, it undermines women. It undermines women’s dignity. It violates women’s rights because we know historically, these [tests] have failed before,” Semenya said.
“Women need to be celebrated. Women are not supposed to be questioned about their gender. Why that is their physique? Why it is how they look like? It doesn’t matter. Neither also the hormone level. Those are the things that are obviously genetics that cannot be controlled.”
Semenya said IOC President Kirsty Coventry, the first woman and first African to hold the office, had failed to properly consult her or other athletes living with DSDs about the policy.
“They sent us a letter the day they were going to publish [the new policy],” she said.
“If you’re going to consult, consult with a genuine heart. Don’t consult because you’re ticking the box. Unfortunately, they have ticked a wrong box.”
First-year Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said he’ll continue to push for more diversity in the NFL’s leadership positions, even after Florida’s attorney general wrote that the league’s minority hiring guidelines violate Florida state law.
Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell saying the league’s 23-year-old Rooney Rule amounts to “blatant race and sex discrimination.”
“Just from my position, especially being a Black man, there’s still work to be done,” Cunningham told The Associated Press on Monday at the NFL’s league meetings. “Now that I’m in this position and have this platform, I’m going to be intentional about what we do from a grassroots effort to a director level.
“I do think it’s important to give people of all races and sexes a chance to be in a position to further their career.”
The Rooney Rule requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates for head coach, general manager and coordinator positions. At least one minority candidate must be interviewed for the quarterbacks coach position.
The 40-year-old Cunningham was hired as the Falcons general manger in January after four seasons as an assistant GM with the Chicago Bears. He’s also spent time in the front office for the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles.
Cunningham said he didn’t have a comment on Uthmeier’s specific concerns, saying he didn’t have all the details.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles — who is one of just three Black head coaches in the league — also said he needed more information before deciding if Uthmeier’s complaint had any merit.
“The political part of it, if he wants it out, and he has reasons why, I got to hear cases and all that,” Bowles said. ”If I were the judge sitting behind a bench, I would probably have more info right now what he thinks, but I don’t.”
Uthmeier asked Goodell to confirm by May 1 that the NFL was no longer enforcing the Rooney Rule in Florida, or the league could face civil rights action. There are three NFL teams in Florida — the Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars.
“NFL fans in Florida don’t care what color their coach’s skin is,” the letter said. ”They care what colors their coach is wearing — and that those colors are winning on the football field. The Rooney Rule and its offshoots are illegal in Florida.”
The NFL will have only three head coaches and four general managers who are Black next season. There were 10 head coach openings this season and none of them were filled by a Black coach.
Robert Saleh, who is of Lebanese descent, was the only minority to get a job during the most recent head coach hiring cycle when he was hired by Tennessee.
This was just the fifth time since the start of the Rooney Rule in 2003 that no Black head coaches were hired during an offseason coaching cycle. The only other time it happened in a year with more than five changes was 2013, when there were eight openings.
Goodell isn’t scheduled to speak at the NFL’s annual meetings until Tuesday, but said in February that increasing diversity is still one of the league’s goals.
“We need to continue to make progress,” Goodell said. “I believe that and I believe diversity is good for us. ... I think we have to become a more diverse league across every platform, including coaching. But we still have more work to do.”
___
AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this story.
ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — Lin Yu-ting comfortably won her first international bout since the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Asian championships on Tuesday after World Boxing said she passed a gene test.
Taiwan's first Olympic boxing champion beat Thananya Somnuek of Thailand 5-0 in the round of 16 in the 60-kilogram division. That earned Lin a quarterfinal against division favorite Ayaka Taguchi of Japan.
The 30-year-old Lin wasn't cleared to compete at the Asian titles until less than two weeks ago.
World Boxing took over as the sport’s Olympic-level governing body last year, and it implemented a sex eligibility policy last August requiring all fighters to take a one-time genetic test designed to identify the presence of a Y chromosome.
Two-time world champion Lin qualified for the Asian championships in December by defeating compatriot Wu Shih-yi, a 60kg bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics.
But World Boxing didn't confirm Lin's eligibility until March 19, and the statement referred to her competing in only World Boxing competitions.
It is not clear whether Lin will have to undergo further gene testing if she wants to compete again at the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee announced last week new rules banning transgender athletes and a mandatory gene test once in an athlete’s career.
Lin and Imane Khelif of Algeria won gold medals at Paris amid international scrutiny and misconceptions over both boxers’ sex. While both met the eligibility rules followed at the time by the IOC, which ran the Paris tournament, the two fighters’ success sparked a politically charged debate over those standards.
The Atlanta Falcons have one borderline elite wide receiver in Drake London, but they still lack depth at the position after the first month of NFL free agency. The team released veterans Darnell Mooney and KhaDarel Hodge at the start of the new league year.
While Mooney was plagued by injuries in 2025, he's still a starting-caliber receiver when healthy. He finished with just under 1,000 receiving yards one year ago. Hodge was a solid depth piece who made the Pro Bowl due to his special teams ability in 2024.
The Falcons signed Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus as replacements in free agency, but this wide receiver group could use an injection of talent. The team never found a capable replacement for slot receiver Ray-Ray McCloud last season, which is why the position remains a need despite adding Dotson and Zaccheaus.
We fully expect the Falcons to look for an upgrade in the 2026 NFL Draft. Even without a first-round pick, Atlanta should be able to find a contributor at the wide receiver position.
SI draft analyst Justin Melo released a new two-round mock draft which projected the Falcons to take Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard in Round 2.
Round 2, Pick No. 48: WR Germie Bernard, Alabama
"The Atlanta Falcons intend to build around quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa," wrote Melo. "They're currently top heavy at playmaker with Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts. They parted with Darnell Mooney, paving the way here for Germie Bernard to be an excellent complementary player. That's the best role for Bernard, who runs with crisp routes with an incredibly nuanced skill set."
The Falcons have had success drafting Crimson Tide wide receivers in the past. Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley both lived up to the hype coming out of Alabama and developed into No. 1 receivers.
Germie Bernard is considered a Day 2 prospect with elite upside. Last season, he recorded 64 catches for 862 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 13.5 yards per reception. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound wide receiver is currently ranked 49th overall on the 2026 Pro Football Focus big board.
The team currently holds pick No. 48th overall in Round 2, so Bernard could be a realistic target if he's still on the board when Atlanta is on the clock.
No. 20 Texas A&M (22–5, 5–4 SEC) returns to Bryan‑College Station this week as the Aggies host Sam Houston (14–13, 4–5 SLC) in a midweek matchup at Olsen Field.
The Aggies are coming off a perfect 4–0 week, taking care of HCU in the midweek before sweeping Missouri in dominant fashion to secure their first SEC series win of the season. Nearly every bat in the lineup contributed, and the conference took notice.
Junior infielder Gavin Grahovac earned SEC Co‑Player of the Week honors, while freshman outfielder Jorian Wilson was named SEC Freshman of the Week. It was a strong showcase of the team’s depth, highlighted further by Nico Partida logging the first multi‑home run game of his young career.
While the pitching staff is still working through inconsistencies, the offense continues to provide enough cushion to withstand the occasional rough inning. The starters delivered several solid stretches over the weekend, but the lack of bullpen depth remains a concern if the bats ever go cold. When the offense stalls, games can get out of hand quickly.
Sam Houston enters the matchup having won six of its last eight and hovering just above .500 for most of the season. Outfielder Jeric Curtis leads the Bearkats with a .345 average, five doubles, and two triples. If he reaches base, his speed makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Still, Sam Houston averages fewer than six runs per game compared to A&M’s nine, meaning they’ll likely need an above‑average offensive night to keep pace.
This will be the 139th meeting between the programs, with Texas A&M holding a commanding 93‑43‑2 advantage. The Aggies have run‑ruled the Bearkats in each of the last two matchups, outscoring them 27–4, and carry a three‑game winning streak into Tuesday. If A&M plays to its standard, the midweek streak should remain intact.
Below is all the information for the game:
What channel is Texas A&M vs. Sam Houston on today?
TV Channel: SEC Network+
Livestream: ESPN App
What time is Texas A&M vs. Sam Houston today?
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Start time: 6 p.m. CT
The Texas A&M vs Sam Houston game starts at 6 p.m. CT from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park in Bryan-College Station
Internet: 12thMan.com / 12th Man Mobile app for live play-by-play
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
After two thrilling weeks of high-stakes games, a group of 68 teams that entered mid-March with dreams of a national championship has been whittled down to four.
And with that, college basketball’s preeminent event is about to get underway.
Making the Final Four is an accomplishment in and of itself in college basketball, a step in a journey that doubles as a destination after teams successfully navigate all of the challenges that the first four full rounds of March Madness have to offer.
This year, the Final Four is giving fans across the country a pair of teams, Michigan and Arizona, that were two of the three best teams for much of the season and two others, Illinois and UConn, that spent most of the season ranked in the top 15. There’s some history at stake, too. Will Arizona win and break a nearly 30-year title-less spell for schools west of Texas? Can Michigan or Illinois become the Big Ten’s first national champion since 2000? Or is UConn poised for its third title in the past four years, cementing its status as a modern-day dynasty?
Those questions will be answered soon enough, but for now, how do those four squads stack up against one another?
Final Four power rankings
1. Arizona
Though there’s not a whole lot that separates them from fellow juggernaut Michigan, the Wildcats have everything you could realistically hope for out of a title team. They have the consummate floor general in guard Jaden Bradley. They have a pair of five-star freshmen in Brayden Burries and Koa Peat who have more than lived up to their immense hype before likely heading off to the NBA in a few weeks. They’ve got size and toughness down low, with Ivan Kharchenkov, Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka. While he still hasn’t won a title, their coach, Tommy Lloyd, has exorcised some past March demons by leading the program to its first Final Four since 2001.
What might be most encouraging for Arizona is that it’s much less prone than anyone else in the country to an off shooting night. The Wildcats have the third-lowest 3-point rate among all Division I teams, preferring instead to get high-percentage shots closer to the basket. Even when they do fire from beyond the arc, they’re still pretty good, shooting 36% as a team.
While it’s presumptuous to declare Arizona’s game against Michigan as the pseudo national championship, whoever wins the matchup will be a decided favorite in the title game.
2. Michigan
The Wolverines were a pleasant surprise in coach Dusty May’s first season, more than tripling their win total from the previous season and advancing to the Sweet 16. In his second season at the helm, they’re not an upstart; they’re a freight train.
After a 31-3 regular season, they’ve won their four NCAA Tournament games by a combined 90 points, including a 33-point beatdown of Tennessee in the Elite Eight. For all the size Arizona has, Michigan counters with perhaps the best frontcourt in the country, a physical and highly skilled trio featuring Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. May’s team is No. 1 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency and is just one of two squads ranked in the top five in Division I in both offensive and defensive efficiency, according to KenPom (Arizona, fittingly, is the other). The Wolverines’ guards are a bit more of a question mark, but North Carolina transfer Elliot Cadeau has been on a heater in the tournament, with 33 assists to just seven turnovers.
While the Huskies are only 24 months removed from the second of their back-to-back national championships, this is a largely remade team, with program stalwart Alex Karaban the only player left who received significant minutes from either of those squads. Though they don’t have that championship pedigree, this is a squad that has shown its mettle, hanging on to beat Michigan State in the Sweet 16 before pulling off an epic comeback victory against Duke in the Elite Eight, a game they trailed by 17 in the second half.
No player has been more integral to this run than Tarris Reed Jr., who has been perhaps the best player in the tournament. Reed enters the Final Four averaging 21.8 points and 13.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 60% from the field. UConn isn’t nearly as offensively potent as it has been in recent years, but it was still able to beat Duke despite missing 18 of its 23 3s. Cliche as it may sound, this is a team, program and coach that simply finds ways to win.
Dan Hurley’s squad has this working for it, too: the Huskies have now won 18 consecutive games in the Sweet 16 or later in the tournament.
4. Illinois
The Fighting Illini’s road to Indianapolis wasn’t as arduous as the paths traveled by the other three national semifinalists, but coach Brad Underwood’s team didn’t look any less impressive. It won its four tournament games by an average of 19.5 points and each game was decided by at least 10 points, including a win against No. 2 seed Houston in a game played in the Cougars’ hometown.
Illinois is No. 1 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to KenPom, more than three points per 100 possessions better than any of the teams remaining in the field. Even when shots aren’t falling at a dizzying pace, it has shown an ability to gut out games behind an improving defense that has held each of its past three opponents under 60 points.
UConn will be a sizable challenge, but don’t let the Huskies’ 74-61 victory against the Illini back in November at Madison Square Garden sway you too much, especially since the teams’ current top scorers, Reed for UConn and Keaton Wagler for Illinois, combined to play just 29 minutes.
The New York Giants are hoping their offense is much more dynamic in quarterback Jaxson Dart's second season under center. Much of that hope is dependent on the health of wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo.
Nabers' season ended with a knee injury after four games last year, which means he and Dart only played in two games together in 2025. Skattebo suffered a severe ankle injury in his eighth game and was lost for the year. Although the Giants' offense was better than it was in 2024, the loss of their two biggest playmakers left a lot to be desired.
On Monday, at the NFL owners' meetings in Phoenix, general manager Joe Schoen addressed the progress of both players during his media session. He is hopeful to have both young stars ready to play by the beginning of the season.
"It's going to be great to see him next week," Schoen said of Nabers.
"He'll be in on Tuesday and [it will be a chance to] see him, let our doctors get our hands on him, but we've been in communication with texts, phone calls. [Assistant general manager] Brandon Brown had dinner with him last Sunday when we were down there for the Miami pro day, so we've been in constant communication with him. He's in great spirits. He feels good. So, [we're] optimistic," Schoen said.
"As long as there's not a setback or whatever it may be, optimistic Week 1, he'll be ready. But again, you just never tell with these things and how they're going to react or if there's any setbacks. But he's in a good spot right now mentally and physically."
The Giants will be asking Nabers to anchor a receiving corps that has the returning veteran Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, and two free agents, Calvin Austin III and Darnell Mooney. The Giants are also expected to select a wideout in the 2026 NFL draft.
Skattebo has been present at many a team event as well as other public ones. Schoen has been aware of the running back's activities since his surgery last fall.
"[He was] jogging around, running, jumping on ex-teammates' backs and stuff like that. I said, 'Will you stop?'" Schoen said laughingly. "But he's declaring himself he's ready to go. So it'll be good to see him next week as well. We'll ease him back. Obviously, we don't play until September, but he's in good headspace, physically as well."
The Giants plan on establishing the run under new head coach John Harbaugh. Skattebo is scheduled to be part of a timeshare with Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary. The team could add another ball carrier in the draft if the right one presents himself.
The start of the league's annual meetings gave Cowboys media members brief but valuable access to both head coach Brian Schottenheimer and executive vice president Stephen Jones, resulting in a torrent of updates on some of the most pressing issues within Cowboys Nation. While George Pickens definitely remains in the team's future plans, it's unclear if the wide receiver will participate in much of anything until his contract is figured out, repeating a familiar tune over recent years in Dallas. Looking at some of last season's trouble spots, there's good news at cornerback, as both DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel got positive reviews as they work their way back from injury... and the need at linebacker is fully recognized, though how the team plans to address it could come in various ways. And Dak Prescott has had a tumultuous offseason; his head coach gave an update on how the QB holding up as he works through some personal struggles.
Elsewhere, highly-touted CB Avieon Terrell suffered a hamstring injury as he worked out for teams Monday; how might that change his standing on Dallas's big draft board? It doesn't change a thing in our latest mock, where the Cowboys walk out of the first round with Caleb Downs, All-Pro middle linebacker Jordyn Brooks, and a top-tier edge rusher to boot. All that, plus a member of the 1992 team is lost too soon, and a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader... dating a divisional foe?!?
The league meetings offered a peek into several other camps, too. The Eagles are sticking to the party line- for now- on wide receiver A.J. Brown, and Cleveland's brass maintains there's nothing to the revived whispers surrounding a Myles Garrett trade. The Super Bowl is rolling back into Vegas, and the 49ers claim the wild substation conspiracy theory going around has finally been debunked by actual science.
Around the rest of the league, Jadeveon Clowney says last season in Dallas has him convinced he still has plenty to offer a new team, the league is moving forward with risky plans to hire replacement refs for an expected officials' lockout this coming season, and the NFL's own flag football league just got a major dose of funding from some deep-pocketed investors as the sport takes another big step into the mainstream.
Dallas Cowboys Top Headlines
Cowboys unsure if George Pickens to attend offseason program :: ESPN (Link)
Updates: Promising injury news on 2 starting CBs :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
Cowboys HC admits roster issues, 'Got to fill some holes' at LB :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer reveals QB update after first season :: Athlon Sports (Link)
Stephen Jones on Cowboys' roster additions, remaining needs, draft & more :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is in a 'good spot' after wedding cancellation, coach says :: Dallas Morning News (Link)
BREAKING: Popular Cowboys mock target suffers injury at private pro day :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
Full first-round mock draft sees 5 trades, AJ Brown, Brooks dealt :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
Former Dallas Cowboys player dies unexpectedly at 59 :: PennLive (Link)
Eagles star Cooper DeJean sparks dating rumors with Cowboys cheerleader Abby Summers after March Madness outing :: PFSN (Link)
Latest Nuggets from the League Meetings
Nick Sirianni, Eagles GM Howie Roseman give same, half-hearted answer about A.J. Brown trade rumors :: Yahoo Sports (Link)
Andrew Berry reiterates Myles Garrett 'is a career Brown' :: ClevelandBrowns.com (Link)
Sean McVay says Rams weighing Kirk Cousins as backup, considered trading Davante Adams :: NFL.com (Link)
Super Bowl returns to Las Vegas in 2029 :: Raiders.com (Link)
49ers hired scientist to address electrical substation injury theory :: Niners Wire (Link)
News & Headlines from Around the NFL
Former Texans top overall pick, Pro Bowl edge Jadeveon Clowney: ‘I got a lot left in the tank’ :: KPRC Houston (Link)
Sources: NFL, far apart with NFLRA, to begin hiring replacement refs :: ESPN (Link)
NFL gets major financial backing for professional flag football league :: For the Win (Link)
Ex-Vikings star, Ring of Honor member Joey Browner dies at 65 :: CBS Sports (Link)
Last season, the NCAA Tournament featured four No. 1 seeds in the Final Four. That number has been halved in the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, as just Michigan and Arizona survived to the final weekend of the season.
While this year's bracket was more exciting in terms of upsets, the final seeds in the Final Four are 1, 1, 2 and 3. It's not quite like the 2024 NCAA Tournament, where No. 11 North Carolina State crashed the party, but there should be plenty of excitement in Indianapolis.
The second of two Final Four matchups on Saturday, April 4, will feature a pair of No. 1 seeds. Arizona defeated Purdue to advance to the semifinals, while Michigan dominated No. 6 seed Tennessee to do the same.
In a more shocking showing, No. 2 UConn unseated the No. 1 overall seed Duke with a last-second, heartbreaking 40-foot 3-pointer from Braylon Mullins. The Huskies will take on No. 3 seed Illinois, which defeated Big Ten foe Iowa. The Hawkeyes had knocked out No. 1 seed Florida in the second round.
Here's the full list of teams to make the Final Four in 2026:
Who's in the men's Final Four?
No. 2 UConn (East)
No. 1 Michigan (Midwest)
No. 3 seed Illinois (South)
No. 1 Arizona (West)
Final Four schedule, game times, TV info, Final Four location
Saturday, April 4
Game 1: No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 2 UConn | 6:09 p.m. | TBS | Sling TV
Game 2: No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 1 Michigan | 8:49 p.m. | TBS | Sling TV
The Final Four will be hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The first game between No. 3 Illinois and No. 2 UConn will tip off at 6:09 p.m. ET, while the second game between No. 1 Arizona and No. 1 Michigan is scheduled for 8:49 p.m. ET
The Final Four games can be streamed on Sling TV and on the March Madness Live app.
March Madness 2026 bracket update
East Region
First Round
No. 1 Duke 71, No. 16 Siena 65
No. 2 UConn 82, No. 15 Furman 71
No. 3 Michigan State 92, No. 14 North Dakota State 67
Two countries will battle for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday — Czechia and Denmark will go head-to-head in Prague.
Czechia made it through a gritty match against Ireland last week, winning the semifinal 4-3 on penalties. Though they played with heart, the Czechs conceded at a steady rate throughout qualifying, even in a weaker group. Their limits will likely show in a matchup against the Danish.
Meanwhile, Denmark easily handled North Macedonia with an unrelenting 4-0 win on Thursday. The Danes have led the attack throughout qualifying, averaging 20 shots and nearly 65% possession throughout each game. The Danish squad has a clear edge in this matchup.
Who will secure their spot in this summer's World Cup?
Here's everything you need to know about Czechia vs. Denmark, including TV channel and streaming options for the World Cup qualifier match.
Czechia vs. Denmark live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this World Cup qualifier match in the U.S.:
This game will be available to broadcast on FS2 and live stream on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time does Czechia vs. Denmark kick off?
This World Cup qualifier clash takes place at the epet ARENA in Prague, Czechia and kicks off on Tuesday, March 31 at 8:45 p.m. local time.
The UConn men's basketball redshirt senior guard is looking to join an exclusive list of players to win three national titles during their collegiate career. Karaban was on the Huskies' back-to-back championship teams in 2023 and 2024.
Karaban, along with teammates Hassan Diarra and Samson Johnson, was denied an opportunity to earn a three-peat last season when Florida knocked them out of the tournament in the second round.
Diarra and Johnson have both since moved on from UConn, but Karaban, 23, has a chance to become the first player to accomplish this feat in 53 NCAA seasons.
Larry Farmer and Larry Hollyfield were the last players to become three-time NCAA Tournament champions when the John Wooden-coached UCLA Bruins defeated Memphis State in the national championship game.
Perhaps the biggest name to win three national championships during his collegiate career was Lew Alcindor (now Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). He led the Bruins to three straight titles between 1967 and 1969.
The title marked the end of a dynastic seven straight national titles for the Bruins. Here's a look at the list of three-time national champions in college basketball history:
Three-time national champion college basketball players
Here's a look at the three-time national champions in college basketball history:
The 50-day curse: Igor Tudor’s swift Spurs exit joins Stellini, Allardyce, Postecoglou and Reed on ignominious list
Tottenham Hotspur and Igor Tudor parted company this week with the caretaker coach departing by mutual consent.
It brings an end to the Croatian's brief tenure, one which consisted of just seven games and a solitary win. Tudor's tenure has seen him join an exclusive group ofPremier League managers to have lasted less than 50 days in charge.
According toOpta, only five managers have ever had reins under 50 days, with two of those coaches overseeing their short-lived stints this season.
Managers to last fewer than 50 days in charge of a Premier League club
Les Reed - Charlton Athletic (40 days)
Charlton Athletic promoted assistant manager Les Reed to the senior position following the decision to sack Ian Dowie in November 2006.
His six-week spell in charge was a disaster, as Charlton were eliminated from the League Cup by fourth-tier Wycombe Wanderers and won just once under Reed. He was soon sacked and replaced by Alan Pardew.
Cristian Stellini - Tottenham Hotspur (29 days)
Tottenham Hotspur have history when it comes to axing caretaker coaches. Cristian Stellini inherited the reins following Antonio Conte's explosive exit from North London, but a decision aimed at continuity with the former assistant manager ended in chaos.
He was sacked after just four games, following a 6-1 thrashing at Newcastle United that saw the Magpies score five times in the opening 21 minutes.
Sam Allardyce - Leeds United (30 days)
Leeds United brought in one of the Premier League's most notorious firefighters as the club sought to avoid relegation in 2023. Big Sam struggled in a short-term role, picking up just a point from his four games as Leeds tumbled out the top flight. He left by mutual consent at the end of the season.
Ange Postecoglou - Nottingham Forest (39 days)
Desperate to prove a point after his sacking at Spurs, Ange Postecoglou jumped almost immediately back into Premier League management atNottingham Forest.
The Australian was appointed as Nuno Espirito Santo’s successor in September, but lasted only 39 days before being unceremoniously axed by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. He oversaw six losses and no wins in eight games.
"There’s no point me blaming it on ‘I didn’t get time’ or anything," Postecoglou reflected toThe Overlap Podcast.
"I should never have gone in there. That was on me. That was a bad decision by me to go in there. I’ve got to take ownership of that."
Igor Tudor - Tottenham Hotspur (43 days)
Igor Tudor's time at Tottenham ended this week after just 43 days. The former Juventus and Marseille boss was brought in to save struggling Spurs, but just one win in seven games has led to change.
His tenure included a 4-1 derby defeat to Arsenal, a 5-2 thumping at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and a 3-0 home reverse to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest. Spurs are just a point above the Premier League relegation places as a result.
Oddmakers had the Longhorns as 10-point favorites over the Michigan Wolverines in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament. Well, by the end of the first quarter, Texas was up 13 and by the end of the third quarter it was a 26-point game. It all ended in a dominant 71-44 win.
Now UT is onto the national semifinals, one win away from the title game. Forward Madison Booker had 19 points to lead Texas, one of three Longhorns to reach double figures in scoring. Senior guard Rori Harmon also had a game-high 13 assists and Texas totaled 18 as a team.
Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) takes a photo with the NCAA Fort Worth Regional Championship trophy after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
Next up for the Longhorns? Another Big Ten team. But this is one UT has already played this season.
Here's everything you need to know about Texas in the 2026 Final Four:
Who does Texas basketball play next?
The Texas Longhorns will face off against UCLA (35-1) on Friday. The UCLA Bruins finished the season 28-1 and in first place in the Big Ten, then swept past Washington, Ohio State and Iowa to win the Big Ten Tournament. They earned the No. 1 seed in the Sacramento regional (and No. 2 NCAA seed overall).
Texas guard Rori Harmon (left) and UCLA guard Kiki Rice contest for an inbound pass during the first quarter of a Players Era Championship basketball tournament game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Nov. 26, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
How to watch Texas vs UCLA basketball in Final Four
Who:Texas Longhorns vs UCLA Bruins
What: NCAA Tournament national semifinal
When: 8:30 p.m. Friday
Where:Phoenix, Ariz.
TV channel:ESPN
Final Four schedule
Texas and UCLA play at 8:30 p.m. Friday, following the UConn vs. South Carolina semifinal at 6 p.m. Both games will be televised by ESPN. Then it's the national title game on Sunday.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson — the inexperienced yet consensus QB2 heading into the NFL Draft — has been often linked as a potential first-round option for the Steelers, but there situation is eerily similar to the same blunder they made in drafting Pickett.
The Steelers chose positional need over talent back in the 2022 NFL Draft, and the decision to draft Pickett cost them big. Just like that draft, the quarterback talent within the 2026 class is few and far between — with the exception of guaranteed first-rounder Fernando Mendoza.
Drafting Simpson, who's level of play fell off a cliff late last season, with the 21st overall pick would be nearly the exact same mistake Pittsburgh made four years ago.
Even if the Steelers' Will Howard experiment somehow doesn't pan out, not reaching on Simpson — with the 2027 NFL Draft class shaping up to be historically great at quarterback — is a reward in itself when compared to risking another Pickett fiasco.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Inter Milan Vs Roma – Dutch Superstar Could Be “Decisive” As Giallorossi Lose Starting Wingback To Injury
Inter Milan wingback Denzel Dumfries will be in contention for the starting XI when the Nerazzurri face Roma at San Siro this weekend.
According Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the Dutchman could be decisive in this mouth-watering fixture.
Denzel Dumfries has missed a large chunk of the season due to a severe ankle injury.
Indeed, it forced him to undergo surgery in December, as he returned to action earlier this month.
Moreover, Cristian Chivu had handed him back-to-back league starts before the international break.
However, a lengthy layoff took a toll, as the 29-year-old looked rusty against Atalanta and Fiorentina.
Denzel Dumfries Set for Crucial Role in Inter Milan vs Roma Clash
Dumfries looked more like his former self on international duty, registering an assist in the Netherlands’ 2-1 win over Norway.
Furthermore, he seems set to make another Serie A start when Inter take on Roma in a heavyweight Serie A clash on Sunday.
With Roma losing Wesley Franca to injury, Dumfries’ role could be even more important.
Indeed, the Dutch wingback could find more space to exploit down the flank, potentially giving Inter a crucial attacking outlet against the Giallorossi.
Therefore, this match could prove to be a turning point for the ex-PSV Eindhoven star.
Q: Many Heat fans around me believe Pat Riley has done a poor job when it comes to player contract extensions. That sentiment has grown especially loud this season after Nikola Jović signed an early extension but has underperformed badly. – Hubbie, Miami.
A: There is no avoiding that the Nikola Jovic four-year, $62.4 million extension is not looking particularly good at the moment, considering he can’t get on the court in the most important games of the season. (OK, it’s looking pretty terrible, albeit also not kicking in until next season.) But such is the risk-reward of attempting to get ahead of the game in such matters before cost increases. That said, the Heat has shown increased prudence of late by bypassing extension windows with Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, and could (should?) be tracking that way with this summer’s window for Jaime Jaquez Jr. At this point the focus should be on someone to surround with talent, and only then addressing the contracts of such supporting talent. Still, Herro showed at the end Monday night against the 76ers how much he can matter. As, for that matter, did Jaquez.
Q: I really hope management does whatever they can to put a contender around Bam Adebayo, while still in his prime years. If he doesn’t at least get a chance for a ‘chip, it’ll be a damned shame. – Cheryl, Fort Lauderdale.
A: There has been considerable debate recently in this regard, that somehow Bam Adebayo finds himself stuck in some type of no-win situation. Another way to look at it is the Heat have well compensated Bam for the challenge ahead with the three-year, $166 million extension that kicks in next season. A leading man is supposed to lead, be the fulcrum. Debate Bam’s stardom or salary, if you choose, but the Heat have taken care of him on the dotted line, which says plenty.
Q: Is a playoff path through Detroit and Cleveland not preferable to one through New York and Boston? I’ll gladly take the No. 8 seed. – Camden, Austin, Texas.
A: Don’t kid yourself, the Heat, at this point, would as well, considering their current play-in predicament. Remember, if the Heat wind up in the Nos. 9-10 play-in game, then the No. 8 seed would be the only option, and that would require two play-in wins without a loss.
When Michigan, Arizona, UConn and Illinois meet in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, there will be plenty of star power on the hardwood. A championship is on the line, along with status and NBA draft stock, after all.
All four teams have starting lineups built with transfers. First-team All-American Yaxel Lendeborg from Michigan, a sixth-year senior, is a first-year transfer from UAB and has proved he belongs since moving from the mid-major level to the Wolverines.
There's also Illinois true freshman Keaton Wagler, who has risen from a non-elite high school prospect to being a surefire lottery pick in his first collegiate season.
Here's a look at our rankings for the best players of the Final Four in 2026:
Best players of Final Four, ranked
1. Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
The only first-team All-American on this list, Lendeborg was the top-available transfer last season and has backed up that honor and then some in his lone season at Michigan. The 6-foot-9, do-it-all forward is averaging 15.2 points with 7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season, and has stepped it up a notch in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 27, 23 and 25, respectively, in Michigan's last three wins over Tennessee, Alabama and Saint Louis.
Lendeborg is also shooting 50% from 3-point range in March Madness, and 59.2% from the field. The experienced forward has also shown an ability to take over games in the clutch, giving the Wolverines a huge advantage in that aspect.
Wagler came out of nowhere in 2025-26, as he was a three-star recruit in 2025, per 247Sports' Composite. The 6-foot-6 guard has shades of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with long arms, impressive finishing ability and shooting.
Wagler is averaging 17.9 points with five rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season on 44.5% shooting and is coming off a 25-point showing against Iowa in the Elite Eight. He has done nothing but helm one of the best offenses in college basketball in recent memory, all as a true freshman.
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 28, 2026
The Shawnee, Kansas, native will hear his name called early in the 2026 NBA Draft.
3. Tarris Reed Jr., UConn
Tarris Reed Jr. has been a different player in the NCAA Tournament for UConn, elevating the Huskies' ceiling as a team. The 6-foot-11 center is averaging 14.7 points with 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game this season, but has upped those numbers to a ridiculous 21.8-13.5-3.0 mark in the NCAA Tournament.
Reed outplayed national player of the year candidate Cameron Boozer in the Elite Eight, as he finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists, four blocks and two steals in the dominant performance.
Reed has been a revelation this season, especially after only starting one game for UConn in 2024-25. He started his career at Michigan, where he played two seasons under former coach Juwan Howard.
Jaden Bradley was a surprise when he won Big 12 Player of the Year over the nation's leading scorer in BYU, but his impact has been greater than his per-game averages show.
The veteran senior guard is in his third season at Arizona after transferring from Alabama and has started every game over the past two seasons. He's averaging 13.3 points with 4.4 assists per game this season, averages less than two turnovers per game, and helps run one of the most efficient paint offenses in college basketball.
The 6-foot-3 guard is nothing but steady and helps find Arizona's top scorers Brayden Burries and Koa Peat open looks.
5. Brayden Burries, Arizona
Arizona's top scorer this season, true freshman Brayden Burries makes up perhaps the nation's best backcourt alongside Bradley. The 6-foot-4 guard is averaging 16.1 points with 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season, and has been wildly efficient in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.8 points per contest on 57.9% shooting.
Burries is a knockdown shooter, shooting 40.2% on 3-pointers for the year and a whopping 68.4% mark from distance in the Tournament. Suffice to say, don't leave him open in the Final Four.
The third member of Arizona's big three, Koa Peat gets it done for Arizona in the paint and on the glass. The 6-foot-8 true freshman is averaging 14.1 points with 5.5 rebounds per game this season, and is coming off back-to-back performances with 20 or more points against Purdue and Arkansas, two of the hottest teams entering March Madness.
7. Aday Mara, Michigan
Aday Mara has been a huge success story for Michigan coach Dusty May and his staff this season. The former UCLA transfer started nine total games in two seasons with the Bruins, averaging fewer than seven points per game in his two seasons there.
He has blossomed into a likely NBA draft pick with the Wolverines, averaging 11.8 points with 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, shooting 66.9% from the field. The 7-foot-3 center is also an imposing figure defensively, with 2.6 blocks per game, ranking fourth nationally in the category.
Mara is part of a frontcourt with Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. that has a ton of size and length. Mara also, importantly, acts as an offensive hub at times for the Wolverines, as he's a surprisingly good passer at his height.
The son of former NBA sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic, Andrej Stojakovic has a much different game than his dad, but he's been impactful for Illinois, nonetheless.
The 6-foot-7 wing is one of the best finishers in college basketball and uses his frame as an advantage against smaller guards. He has been on a heater in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 17, 13 and 21 points, respectively, in his last three outings against Iowa, Houston and VCU.
Stojakovic, a two-time transfer from Stanford and then Cal, is averaging 13.6 points with 4.4 rebounds this season, while only shooting 24.4% from 3-point range on 2.5 attempts per game.
9. Alex Karaban, UConn
One of the most-experienced players in NCAA Tournament history, UConn wing Alex Karaban leads all players with 17 all-time wins in March Madness. The two-time national champion and three-time Final Four participant has been reliable for the Huskies in his four seasons, making 148 career starts in 149 career games.
Karaban is averaging 13.2 points with 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this season and is a 37.7% shooter from 3-point range. He has been a huge part of UConn's run the last four years, and will be relied on in the Final Four by Dan Hurley and Co.
10. Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Morez Johnson Jr. was another transfer portal success story for Michigan, which starts five transfers in its starting lineup. Johnson came off the bench at Illinois last season but has developed into a solid starting forward for the Wolverines.
The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 13.2 points with 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game this season on 62.5% shooting as a first-time college starter, ranking second for Michigan in scoring. He scored 21 points with 10 rebounds on 8-of-8 shooting in the Wolverines' opening-round win over No. 16 seed Howard.
BATON ROUGE — LSU baseball looks to build a three-game winning streak for the first time since the first month of the regular season.
The Tigers defeated Kentucky on Saturday and Sunday to end their three-game series at home this weekend, securing the first Southeastern Conference series win on the 2026 season for Jay Johnson and company.
Fans can catch LSU's pursuit of a third consecutive victory Tuesday as it takes on Southern at Alex Box Stadium on SEC Network+ or stream the game online on the ESPN app.
Southern (10-16) took two of three games from Prairie View A&M this weekend and will be looking for its first win on the season against a Power Four opponent.
LSU baseball vs Southern will be on SEC Network+ on March 31 from Alex Box Stadium. For those who do not have that channel, they can stream the game online on the ESPN app.
LSU baseball 2026 schedule
Date
Opponent
Feb. 13
Milwaukee (W 15-5)
Feb. 14
Milwaukee (W 5-3)
Feb. 15
Milwaukee (W 21-7)
Feb. 16
Kent State (W 10-7)
Feb. 18
Nicholls State (W 12-1)
Feb. 20
Indiana (Jacksonville, Florida) (W 14-7)
Feb. 21
Notre Dame (Jacksonville, Florida) (W 9-4)
Feb. 22
UCF (Jacksonville, Florida) (W 11-0)
Feb. 24
McNeese State (L 7-6)
Feb. 27
Dartmouth (W 5-2)
Feb. 28
Northeastern (W 3-1)
March 1
Dartmouth (W 3-0)
March 2
Northeastern (L 13-10)
March 4
at Louisiana (L 7-2)
March 6
Sacramento State (W 15-4)
March 7
Sacramento State (L 5-4)
March 8
Sacramento State (L 6-1)
March 10
Creighton (W 8-4)
March 13
Vanderbilt* (L 13-12)
March 14
at Vanderbilt* (L 11-3)
March 15
at Vanderbilt* (W 16-9)
March 17
at Grambling State (W 7-1)
March 19
Oklahoma* (W 7-1)
March 20
Oklahoma* (L 4-2)
March 21
Oklahoma* (L 4-3)
March 24
Louisiana Tech (W 15-5)
March 27
Kentucky* (L 7-4)
March 28
Kentucky* (W 7-0)
March 29
Kentucky* (W 17-10)
March 31
Southern
April 3
at Tennessee*
April 4
at Tennessee*
April 5
at Tennessee*
April 7
Bethune-Cookman
April 10
at Ole Miss*
April 11
at Ole Miss*
April 12
at Ole Miss*
April 14
Northwestern State
April 17
Texas A&M*
April 18
Texas A&M*
April 19
Texas A&M*
April 21
New Orleans
April 24
at Mississippi State*
April 25
at Mississippi State*
April 26
at Mississippi State*
April 28
Southeastern Louisiana
May 1
South Carolina*
May 2
South Carolina*
May 3
South Carolina*
May 5
Tulane
May 8
at Georgia*
May 9
at Georgia*
May 10
at Georgia*
May 14
Florida*
May 15
Florida*
May 16
Florida*
*Denotes SEC game
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
The new Memphis women’s basketball coach decided to make it her career in 2011, when she was a sophomore at Mineral Area College. That’s where she played for Gary Koch, a longtime high school and junior college coach in Missouri who retired with more than 600 wins.
Haden said she watched as Koch – then in his 60s – poured his heart and soul into the team. He washed the uniforms, swept the floors, cleaned the basketballs, drove the team bus, planned the meals, and somehow found time to be the coach.
She was inspired. So much so that when Haden was matched up against her mentor in what was the last game of Koch’s decorated career, she sent him into retirement with a loss. On March 1, 2019, in Haden’s first season as coach at Moberly Area College, the Greyhounds upset heavily favored Mineral Area, 59-58, in the region tournament semifinals.
“That’s one you cry in your beer, literally,” Koch said with a laugh. “But that’s who she is. Hana is all business. She’s intense, and I just love it. My wife and I will watch her on ESPN+, and we just get a kick out of her. She knows how to keep the needle in, as you say, with those officials.”
Haden will be formally introduced as the 14th women’s basketball coach in Tigers history during a ceremony April 1 (11 a.m., ESPN+) at Elma Roane Fieldhouse. She replaces Alex Simmons, who was fired March 9 after going 30-61 in three seasons, and is the fourth coach at Memphis in the last seven seasons.
Haden comes to the Tigers after one remarkably overachieving season at Georgia Southern, where she led the Eagles to the Sun Belt Conference championship after being picked to finish 10th in the league’s preseason poll.
But that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Haden has made winning commonplace throughout her young career, and she’s done it by leaning on two very well-defined core principles.
“Everybody says we play fast,” Haden told The Commercial Appeal. “And we do play fast. But I like to play efficient basketball. We want to put the ball in the basket at a high success rate. If it’s in transition, that’s fine. But if we have to get later in the shot clock, we’ll do that.
“I’m big on efficiency.”
Georgia Southern was second in the Sun Belt (a league that featured five teams in the NET rankings’ top 100) in adjusted offensive efficiency and 75th in the nation this season. Its 44.5% field goal percentage was second in its conference and 48th in the country.
But defense comes first for Haden, whose approach has paid off – she is 224-91 in 10 seasons as coach.
“We hang our hat on defense,” she said. “We’re going to guard you.”
Haden, who was identified for Memphis by Renaissance Search & Consulting, sees it as an opportunity rife with possibility.
“I know the city of Memphis is really, really proud and has a lot of passion about its sports,” she said. “The university has a national profile. When you have a community that, I think, can be rallied to get behind a program and a university with the name recognition of Memphis – and you have a lot of great grassroots girls basketball – I just think there’s a lot of potential in the program.”
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com, follow him @munzly on X.
ESPN's spring 2026 SP+ college football rankings have come out, and the Georgia Bulldogs look favorable in them. They're ranked fourth, with a 25.5 SP+ rating, behind just No. 3 Notre Dame (25.8), No. 2 Oregon (28.3), and No. 1 Ohio State (31.8).
SP+ is a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency made by Bill Connelly. They aren't intended to be a guess at what the US LBM Coaches Poll will look like at the end of the season, but rather early offseason power rankings.
Georgia has the No. 5 offense (38.2), No. 5 defense (13.3), and No. 3 special teams (0.6) in ESPN's SP+ metric. They are one of the nation's leaders in returning production.
On offense, Georgia has Gunner Stockton and the two-headed monster of Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens as returners. The wide receiver room will look for an emergence from transfer Isiah Cannon and returners such as London Humphreys and Sacovie White-Helton.
Georgia's trenches return a lot of key contributors. The offensive line lost Monroe Freeling and Micah Morris from the draft, but they still have several returning starters, including redshirt seniors Earnest Greene III and Drew Bobo. The defensive line loses just Christen Miller, with Gabe Harris Jr., Jordan Hall and Elijah Griffin returning.
The secondary is where the equation gets the most interesting. Georgia is returning Ellis Robinson IV, Demello Jones, and KJ Bolden. Still, some transfers (Gentry Williams, Ja'Marley Riddle) and underclassmen (Rasean Dinkins) will be trying to prove themselves as legitimate starters.
Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson each scored 20 points, and three days after losing to the Celtics on the road, the Hawks responded with a 112-102 win over Boston on Monday night. It was Atlanta’s 13th consecutive home win.
Okongwu (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Johnson each had double-doubles. It was Johnson’s (20 points, 12 rebounds) 45th of the season.
A tightly contested first half with 10 ties and nine lead changes ended at 54-all as Nickeil Alexander-Walker hit a 27-foot 3-pointer to seal the first half. Atlanta carried that momentum into the third quarter, outscoring the Celtics 36-22 to take a 14-point lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
The Celtics climbed back from a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter to come within eight points in the last two minutes. Johnson and Alexander-Walker helped put the game out of reach with four made free throws in the final minute.
Boston’s lineup looked different this time around, with Jaylen Brown returning after a two-game absence and Jayson Tatum on the bench with injury management. Tatum scored 26 points during the teams’ Friday meeting.
Brown had a team high 29 points and 10 rebounds. Luka Garza had 20 points and nine rebounds.
Dyson Daniels, Okongwu and Jonathan Kuminga returned to game action after missing Saturday’s contest vs. the Kings. Daniels added 18 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with retired New England Patriots legend Julian Edelman.
In his interview with Easton Jr., Edelman discussed the unveiling of the new 2027 INFINITI QX65 and his thoughts on NFL free agency and the Kansas City Chiefs' early offseason moves.
"It does look spacious (2017 INFINITI QX65), that fast back look, with that sleek back of the car," said Edelman, "It's spacious. I mean, you can get seven golf carts, golf bags in the back, going to the beach. You've got to bring all the stuff, and being a girl, Dad, I feel like you're basically an Uber living in LA, so I'm in the car a lot, with the spacious seats, the great sound system, the performance of the car. It's an awesome, awesome, cool car."
Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski and Edelman recently hosted a star-studded, one-of-a-kind moment at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Revealing the all-new QX65, a daring two-row midsize luxury SUV that signals the next step in INFINITI's ongoing product renaissance, made its first public appearance inside Vanderbilt Hall.
Since retiring from the NFL, Edelman has served as an analyst for FOX Sports, and he's noticed the many significant moves made early this offseason.
"Maxx Crosby was going to the (Baltimore) Ravens, and then coming back to the (Las Vegas) Raiders. You know, I thought that was wild. I loved what the Raiders did. They brought in (Tyler) Linderbaum. I think that's going to be a huge addition, especially if they go out. They get Fernando Mendoza," said Edelman, "Having that position, specifically for a young quarterback, is huge, because he can help so much dictate his pre-snap for the young quarterback, so he can get less off his mind and be able to execute the offense. That was big."
Kansas City's decision to part ways with All-Pro defensive back Trent McDuffie for draft capital was another stunning move ahead of the 2026 season, while the defending champion Seattle Seahawks secured their breakout star long-term.
"That trade, the Chiefs traded away (Trent) McDuffie to the (Los Angeles) Rams. That was huge—the JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) contract. I mean, well deserved, someone you don't hear about a lot, which is a good thing." said Edelman, "As far as off the field, but you know what he is on the field, great leader, great guy who great professionals, it seems like, and I don't know him, that's just me outside looking in. You could tell the way he plays the game. When an organization drafts a guy, sees him working and producing, and then rewards him. I'm all for that. So I think that was awesome."
The Chiefs didn't waste time at the start of free agency to address their rushing game immediately, catching the eye of the multiple-time Super Bowl champion who believes it could lead to a scheme change next season.
"Which tells you whether the Chiefs are going to go for (Jeremiyah) Love? Are they not? Probably not," said Edelman, "They didn't think they could get him." So what do they do? They get Kenneth Walker III and develop the team's design. (The Chiefs) Are they going to go more to a running-style offense because Patrick Mahomes is coming off that knee injury? I think it's been so fun to watch, and I can't wait to see what this draft is. A lot of great football players."
While the Pittsburgh Steelers would be wise to avoid making the Kenny Pickett mistake in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, there are plenty of interesting Day 3 quarterback options, one of which is Arkansas Razorbacks QB Taylen Green.
Here is a look at Green's scouting report, containing information on his bio, strengths, concerns, stats, and highlights.
The Dallas Stars announced on March 30 that they were recalling a former Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey player.
Cameron Hughes, who played for the Badgers from 2014-18, currently leads the AHL with 50 assists. Now, he's set to make his first NHL appearance since the 2020-21 season.
Hughes, 29, made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins on November 4, 2019. He has only appeared in a pair of NHL games but now the Stars are calling on him with the playoffs quickly approaching.
For what it's worth, Dallas has already clinched a playoff spot. The Stars are one of two teams in the Western Conference to have done so, the other being the Colorado Avalanche.
Hughes finished his Badgers career with 92 points. In his four-year span, he found the back of the net just 23 times, which really puts things into perspective, as he has 23 goals this season alone with the Texas Stars.
Contact/Follow@TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.
Today in Boston Celtics history, Don Barksdale was born in Oakland, California, in 1923. He played his collegiate basketball at UCLA, where he became the first African American to be named an All-American in NCAA history. Shortly after, he made history by becoming the first African American to win a gold medal at the 1948 Olympic Games before transitioning to the NBA.
Following brief tenures with local clubs, Barksdale was signed by the Baltimore Bullets (now defunct and unrelated to the later team of the same name, which is currently known as the Washington Wizards) before being traded to the Celtics shortly thereafter.
The Oakland alumnus played two seasons with Boston, where he averaged 9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game before ankle injuries prematurely ended his playing career.
Historic milestones
It is also the anniversary of the Celtics' very first playoff win, in 1948.
It came against the now-defunct Chicago Stags in the Basketball Association of America (BAA - a precursor league to the NBA) playoffs of the 1947-48 season and saw Boston win the game 81-77, but lose the series 2-1.
Transactions
Today is also the date of the 1959 NBA draft, held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The event saw the Celtics take two players of note, the first being John Richter out of NC State, taken eighth overall. Richter played just one season for Boston, the Philadelphia native winning a title with the Celtics in a reserve role in 1960. The center logged 4.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game over that season.
Boston also took George Washington's Gene Guarilia with the 16th pick, and the Duryeah, Pennsylvania native would play four seasons for the Celtics at the small forward position. Guarilia won a title with Boston in each of those seasons, recording a career total of 3.2 points and 2.3 boards per game over that period.
The United States men's national team hopes to bounce back in their final match before the summer international window commences as they meet fifth-ranked Portugal in Atlanta on Tuesday.
The USMNT held strong through much of the first half against the Red Devils, taking a lead through a Weston McKennie goal before coughing up the advantage before the halftime break. They collapsed shortly after the second-half restart, as Belgium asserted its dominance.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
USA vs. Portugal live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this international friendly match in English across the United States:
TV channel: TNT, truTV Live stream: HBO Max, DIRECTV
This match will be televised on TNT and truTV, with streaming on HBO Max. These channels are available through DIRECTV.
Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
What time does USA vs. Portugalkick off?
This international friendly clash takes place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia and kicks off on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the United States:
Italy must beat Bosnia & Herzegovina in Zenica to avoid the humiliation of missing out on a third consecutive World Cup.
Gennaro Gattuso's side were laboured at times before securing a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in Bergamo.
Bosnia & Herzegovina also claimed a UK scalp as veteran striker Edin Dzeko netted an equaliser against Wales before they prevailed on penalties in Cardiff.
Dzeko has played for Roma, Inter Milan and Fiorentina in Serie A and has designs on leading his country to their first World Cup since 2014, having turned 40 this month.
Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Italy live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff final in English across the United States:
TV channel: FS1 Live stream:Fubo, Fox Sports app/website
This match will be televised on FS1, with streaming on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time does Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Italy kick off?
This UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff final takes place at Bilino Polje in Zenica, Bosnia & Herzegovina and kicks off on Tuesday, March 31 at 8:45 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the United States:
Sweden host Poland with a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the line.
It's a rematch of the clash between the two countries from four years ago, where Poland prevailed to take a place at Qatar 2022.
Former Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham boss Graham Potter was installed as Sweden head coach in October after the Scandinavian nation endured a dreadful World Cup qualification campaign.
They took a playoff spot on the basis of their performances in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League and Arsenal\'s Viktor Gyokeres was their hero in the semifinals as he scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 triumph over Ukraine.
Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski got the goals when Poland beat Sweden 2-0 in Chorzow four years ago and, coincidentally, the same pair were on target in the 2-1 semifinal win against Albania.
Sweden vs. Poland live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff final in English across the United States:
There is one place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup squarely on the line as Kosovo and Turkey match up in one of the four UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff finals on Tuesday.
Turkey have not made a World Cup tournament since 2002, when they finished third overall in Japan and South Korea, while Kosovo have never made a World Cup finals.
Kosovo, ranked 78th in the world, defeated Slovakia 4-3 in a wildly entertaining match to reach this stage, while 24th-ranked Turkey defeated Romania 1-0 on a goal from Ferdi Kadioglu of Brighton.
The winner of this match will qualify directly for the World Cup this summer, slotting into Group D where they will meet the United States, Paraguay, and Australia.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
Kosovo vs. Turkey live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff final in English across the United States:
TV channel: FS2 Live stream:Fubo, Fox Sport app/website
This match will be televised on FS2, with streaming on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time does Kosovo vs. Turkeykick off?
This UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff final takes place at Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, Kosovo and kicks off on Tuesday, March 31 at 8:45 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the United States:
Defending World Cup champions Argentina will hope for a better performance in their final friendly before the summer arrives as they host Zambia in Buenos Aires on Tuesday evening.
The match will likely serve as Lionel Messi's final game on Argentine soil, as he is expected to retire from international duty after the 2026 World Cup.
Messi played the second half as Argentina defeated 115th-ranked Mauritania by a thin margin, as first-half goals from Enzo Fernandez and Nico Paz secured a 2-1 victory, but a consolation goal for the visitors in the 94th minute ruined the clean sheet for Lionel Scaloni's side.
Zambia, ranked 91st in the world by FIFA's metrics, drew 0-0 with Malawi over the weekend before winning a pre-arranged penalty shootout by a 9-8 score.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the weekly schedule.
Argentina vs. Zambia live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this international friendly match in English across the United States:
TV channel: beIN Sports Live stream:Fubo, beIN Sports Connect
This match will be televised on beIN Sports, a channel which is available to stream on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time does Argentina vs. Zambiakick off?
This international friendly clash takes place at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, Argentina and kicks off on Tuesday, March 31 at 8:15 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the major time zones in North America:
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:
March 31, 2002: UConn 82, Oklahoma 70
Two days after hammering Tennessee, 79-56, in the national semifinal, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Swin Cash and the Huskies culminated a perfect 39-0 season with a business-like victory over the Sooners in the national title game. Cash led the way with 20 points, Ashja Jones scored 19, and Bird and Taurasi had 14 and 13 each, as UConn proved too much for Stacey Dales and Oklahoma. It was the second of the Huskies’ unbeaten seasons, after also having gone without a blemish during the 1995 title run. It was also the first of three straight national titles, all of which Taurasi helped win.
Our readers weigh in
Twenty-seven years ago today, when UConn played Duke down to the wire in the title game, my wife sat in front of me and asked for a shoulder rub. That game was so exciting that she says it was the best massage she’s ever received.
Meanwhile, in Washington DC, my 23-year-old daughter was trading humorous trash talk with a young Duke alumnus in the apartment upstairs from hers. At the time, they knew each other only in passing, but that game must have lit a spark because five years later, they got married!
–Murphy Seawall
Windham
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.
BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 22: Jordyn Tyson #0 of the Arizona State Sun Devils looks on as he lines up on offense against the Colorado Buffaloes in the first half of a game at Folsom Field on November 22, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, much has been made — as always — about who the Steelers should target in the first round. However, with the bulk of the team’s pre-draft visits still to be announced and just under a month until the event kicks off, it’s still too broad of a subject to discuss with much confidence.
But when you narrow it down by position, it gets more interesting.
If the Steelers take a WR in the first round, who should it be?
Sure, you might prefer other positions here, but wide receiver is undeniably in the running, and there are a lot of names to sort through. Of the names likely to make sense if available at No. 21, I’d roughly rank them as follows:
Jordyn Tyson
Carnell Tate
Makai Lemon
KC Concepcion
Omar Cooper Jr.
Denzel Boston
Those six are the names I could see going in the first round, and chances are not all will be available when the Steelers are on the clock.
And before you quibble with me with how I rank the top three, just know it varies by the day and I think it greatly depends on scheme fit — and in Tyson’s case, health. Either way, there’s a pretty clear tier difference between the top three, the next three, and the rest of the draft, in my opinion.
For Pittsburgh, I’d expect two to three of Tyson/Tate/Lemon to be gone by No. 21 — with the Ohio State product almost certainly going in the top 10. Even then, I’d almost prefer Tyson in the black and gold if the team is confident in his health.
To me, Tyson carries the most upside of the class, and for a team such as Pittsburgh that already has a solid — but aging — wide receiver duo, it’s better to take the risk on a potential superstar WR1. Either way, any of that top tier would be an excellent choice if available.
As for the last three, who I do expect to be still on the board when Pittsburgh is on the clock, I’d likely go for Concepcion. He’s not without concerns as he comes with a worrying drop problem, but he’s the perfect complement to D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. with his elite quickness and route-running ability. He also has high-end upside.
Concepcion moves differently than most of the rest of the wide receiver class. His build (6’0, 196 pounds) is just OK, but separation is the name of the game.
Either way, while the 2026 wide receiver class might be lacking a true superstar, there shouldn’t be a shortage of talent by the time the Steelers are on the clock for the first time.
Which wide receiver would be the Steelers’ top first-round target. Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
Jaxson Dart is going to “really like” how Likely runs routes and gets into the quarterback’s line of vision. “He’s got a big catch radius. He can make plays after he makes a catch,” said Harbaugh. “He can get up field. He can make people miss. He can run people over. He’s a very good perimeter blocker. You’ll see that. That will be good for our run game.”
Harbaugh wants a high-powered offense “that’s going to be elegant enough to handle all the complicated things that go with attacking defenses nowadays and simple enough for the players to operate in action, in battle, in the heat of battle just like that in a really effective way.” That’s where Dart comes in. During his rookie year, the quarterback showed he can “live in a lot of different worlds.” That fits what Harbaugh did in Baltimore. “It’s built around a lot of different elements.”
The presence of Jaxson Dart has the potential to change everything for the New York Giants.
The 22-year-old quarterback won’t be here at The Biltmore for the NFL Annual Meeting, just as he was not at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month. Much has been made about Dart’s aura since he was drafted by the Giants, so it should come as no surprise that his impact on the franchise is felt even when he’s not around.
It is noteworthy that Giants co-owner John Mara is on the scene at this meeting even as he continues with his cancer treatments. Mara was not strong enough to attend road games during the 2025 season. Mara was seen Sunday walking through a corridor at the Biltmore alongside Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, the two chatting as they headed toward a meeting.
That Mara, 71, made it here should not be taken for granted, considering his health concerns. For decades he has been a noticeable presence at these league get-togethers, not only as the voice of his franchise but also as an influential member of the prestigious Competition Committee, which studies all aspects of the game and implements rules changes.Chris Mara, the team’s senior player personnel executive and a board director, is also representing Giants ownership at this meeting. Chris Mara, with older brother John also involved, assumed a more prominent and key role in the aggressive push to hire John Harbaugh.
DT D.J. Reader. There are high hopes in New York this season. However, there are still some real questions on defense, especially against the run. No team in the NFC surrendered more rushing yards per game last year than the Giants, and the team gave up a league-worst 5.3 yards per carry.
Reader isn’t going to add much to the pass rush with just 12.5 career sacks over a decade in the NFL. But he has started 128 games in the middle of the defensive line, and the 330-pounder is a plus run defender. Pairing the 31-year-old with Dexter Lawrence would give the Giants significantly more muscle at the point of attack.
8. New York Giants, Top Draft Pick Prediction: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Projected Trade: The Saints acquire pick No. 5 from the Giants for pick No. 8, No. 73, and a 2027 fourth-round pick. The Giants are able to move down a few spots, pick up a third-round pick this year, which they didn’t have, along with a pick in next year’s draft, and still have a choice between Styles and fellow Ohio State teammate Caleb Downs. New head coach John Harbaugh has shown throughout his time in Baltimore that he covets elite linebackers, and if you couple that with GM Joe Schoen‘s tendency to target elite RAS numbers in Round 1, then Styles is someone who checks all the boxes.
New hats for this year’s draft
Here are the official 2026 New Era NFL Draft caps that players will wear once selected.
The first offseason workout program in John Harbaugh’s Giants tenure will open up April 7. Under NFL rules, teams that hire a new head coach may begin their offseason workout program on April 6—two weeks earlier than teams with returning head coaches, which start on April 20. The program is voluntary for players, of course, but a majority of the roster will be in attendance. The start of the offseason program comes just under four weeks before the 2026 NFL draft, which begins on April 23.
Arsenal target rising Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane (19)
Sky Sports – as relayed by transfermarkt.de – reports that Arsenal are among the interested parties in Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane. The 19-year-old has been one of the breakout stars of the current Bundesliga campaign. After resisting heavy recruitment efforts from the Cameroonian FA, Kofane also accepted an AFCON call up and scored two goals in four appearances for Cameroon at the recent continental championship.
Taking advantage of an injury to regular starter Patrik Schick early in the season, Kofane scored goals in back-to-back Bundesliga starts this past October. The youngster recently accomplished the same feat in the league this week. In total, Kofane has struck five times in the league this season.
Overall, Kofane has scored seven goals and recorded eight assists in 39 appearances for Leverkusen across all competitions this season. These spectacular rookie numbers – combined with his stellar AFCON performance – have enabled the teenager to significantly increase his estimated market value.
Kofane arrived at Leverkusen as a €5m-valued player. He’s now considered a €40m talent via the latest transfermarktupdate. Leverkusen – having only paid €5.25m to acquire him – should be willing to let him go early and turn a signifiant profit.
Sky lists the price tag for Kofane at around €60-€70m.
Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, two batters often overlooked in India’s T20I setup, will lead Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings respectively in a high-stakes IPL clash on Tuesday, both aiming to make a strong statement.
Gill enters a crucial phase in his T20 career. Despite being among the most consistent IPL performers — second only to Virat Kohli in runs since 2023 — questions remain over his strike rate. Encouragingly, he lifted it above 155 last season, a sign of evolving intent. With Matthew Hayden now part of the coaching setup, Gill’s aggressive approach at the top will be closely tracked. Gujarat Titans, IPL 2022 champions, remain a settled unit, bolstered by the opening duo of Gill and Sai Sudharsan, alongside promising backup options.
For Punjab Kings, much hinges on Iyer, a proven leader who has guided multiple teams to IPL finals. Despite scoring 604 runs at a strike rate above 175 last season, he continues to be overlooked at the international level. PBKS’ strength lies in their Indian core, particularly their explosive opening pair, though recent form is a concern. Their middle order will be tested against GT’s formidable spin attack led by Rashid Khan.
With both captains seeking redemption and recognition, the contest promises to set the tone early in the tournament.
PBKS vs GT Head-to-Head
Total matches played: 6
Punjab Kings: 3
Gujarat Titans: 3
PBKS vs GT: Pitch Report
The match is reportedly set to be played on pitch No. 4 — the same surface used in PBKS’ clash against Chennai Super Kings last season, when they racked up 219 riding on an Arya century. CSK responded with a strong 201. PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting expects another high-scoring encounter.
PBKS vs GT: Predicted XIs
Punjab Kings predicted XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (capt), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Impact Sub: Vijaykumar Vyshak
Gujarat Titans predicted XI: Shubman Gill (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj
Impact Sub: Kagiso Rabada/R Sai Kishore
PBKS vs GT: Mullanpur Weather update
Clouds and sunshine are expected during the day, with the temperature peaking around 33°C. Conditions will turn partly cloudy at night, with the temperature dropping to around 16–17°C. With virtually no chance of rain during match hours, weather interruptions are unlikely and a full game is expected.
129915924
PBKS vs GT: Live Streaming details
The PBKS vs GT clash will be held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, with the match set to begin at 7:30 PM IST. The game will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, while live streaming will be available on JioHotstar.
PBKS vs GT squads
Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Vishnu Vinod, Harnoor Pannu, Pyla Avinash, Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Harprett Brar, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Priyansh Arya, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Mitch Owen, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur, Xavier Bartlett, Pravin Dubey and Vishal Nishad.
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Tom Banton, Glenn Phillips, Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Arshad Khan, Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Luke Wood, Kulwant hejroliya and Rashid Khan.
Dick Motta gets his dander raised whenever the conversation drifts back to the Hall of Fame. He does his damnedest to divert the dialogue back to stories about the vegetable fields or his Italian immigrant father earning American citizenship, which Motta calls his proudest moment. “This Hall of Fame … it was never my goal,” Motta says. “I mean, I can’t put it on my Wheaties …” The biggest blemish on Motta’s candidacy is he has a losing record, but that didn’t prevent Bill Fitch — who has a lower winning percentage than Motta — from being elected in 2019. And there are five coaches in the Hall who have more wins than Motta, but no NBA title. Those facts aren’t what irritate Motta. It’s the anonymous, seemingly arbitrary manner in which nominees are chosen. “They’ve never met me, they’ve never watched one of my practices, which were PRE-CIS-ION,” Motta says, tapping the table with each syllable.
🇧🇷 Brazil take on Croatia before Copa call-up, all you need to know
Final stretch of preparation!
Brazil takes the field this Tuesday (31) at 9 p.m. (Brasília time) to face Croatia.
The clash, which marks the first meeting between the national teams since Brazil’s elimination in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup, will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, United States.
More than just a chance for revenge, the match represents coach Carlo Ancelotti’s final “testing ground.”
After this fixture, the next friendlies (against Panama and Egypt) will already feature the 26 players who will be on the final World Cup squad list.
Brazil heads into the match under pressure after a 2-1 defeat to France last Thursday (26).
Croatia, meanwhile, comes in with momentum after a win by the same score over Colombia.
The game will also mark the debut of Brazil’s new home kit, featuring the controversial yellow shirt and blue shorts.
Where to watch Brazil vs. Croatia:
Free-to-air TV: TV Globo (commentary by Luis Roberto, with analysis from Júnior and Denílson).
Pay TV: sportv (commentary by Luiz Carlos Jr., with analysis from Eric Faria and Ricardinho).
Internet/Streaming: ge (live and real-time coverage) and getv (commentary by Jorge Iggor, with analysis from Bruno Formiga and Luana Maluf).
Probable Lineups
Brazil 🇧🇷
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
With medical issues and the need for testing, Ancelotti is expected to make five changes compared to the team that faced France.
Ibañez and Luiz Henrique are expected to replace the injured Wesley and Raphinha.
In defense, Marquinhos returns in place of Bremer. In midfield, Danilo takes Andrey Santos’ spot, while João Pedro replaces Gabriel Martinelli, moving Vini Jr. wider on the left.
However, the expectation is that goalkeeper Bento will also get a chance in the rotation implemented by the coach.
Probable lineup
Ederson (Bento); Ibañez, Marquinhos, Léo Pereira and Douglas Santos; Casemiro and Danilo; Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, João Pedro and Vini Jr.
Unavailable: Alisson, Gabriel Magalhães, Alex Sandro, Raphinha and Wesley (ruled out)
Croatia 🇭🇷
Coach: Zlatko Dalic
With 13 players remaining from the 2022 clash in Qatar, Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia promises a different tactical setup.
The team is expected to abandon the back three used against Colombia and switch to a 4-2-3-1, marking star Luka Modrić’s return to the starting lineup.
Probable lineup: Livaković; Stanisić, Sutalo, Ćaleta-Car and Jakić; Modrić and P. Sucić; Kramarić, Baturina and Perisić; Budimir.
Unavailable: Gvardiol and Kovacic (injured).
World Cup 2026: The weapons DR Congo will use to clear the intercontinental playoffs
Exclusive
The weapons DR Congo will use to clear the 2026 World Cup intercontinental playoffs
DR Congo/@FECOFA
It's a landmark day for the DR Congo national team, as they look to book their ticket to the final stage of the 2026 World Cup, set to take place this summer in North America.
On Tuesday, March 31, at 21:00 GMT, the Leopards will face off against Jamaica in the grand final of the intercontinental playoffs.
This promises to be a high-octane clash, especially with the stakes so high—a historic qualification for the most prestigious tournament in world football.
To make this dream a reality, the Congolese squad will rely on three key strengths.
A deep roster
DR Congo boasts a number of quality players, most of whom ply their trade in Europe's top five leagues.
Leopards' head coach, Frenchman Sébastien Desabre, is spoiled for choice when it comes to his starting XI, with every position covered by at least two capable options.
By contrast, Jamaica fields a squad made up largely of players from the Championship (England's second tier), who are less accustomed to the demands of top-level international football.
It's clear that the quality of the Congolese players is well above that of the Reggae Boyz, giving the African side a significant technical edge in these playoffs.
Tactical discipline
Since Sébastien Desabre took charge, DR Congo has made remarkable tactical strides. Most recently, they conceded just two goals (against Senegal and Algeria) during their run at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025).
This tactical maturity makes the Leopards favorites against the Reggae Boyz—who may be very athletic, but often lack tactical discipline and collective cohesion.
Physical freshness
The Congolese squad will head into the intercontinental playoff final in peak physical condition, having had ample time to prepare for this crucial showdown.
In contrast, Jamaica may be lacking some sharpness, having played a physically and mentally demanding semi-final against New Caledonia just last Friday.
Has the protégé already surpassed the master? (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
Bayern Munich has hit the jackpot in the head coach department.
The club has a tactical mastermind in Vincent Kompany at the helm, who has the team functioning like a well-oiled machine at the moment. The players have never looked more comfortable on the pitch, and there is a joy, a spark, a life to the football on display that has bamboozled fans, both of Bayern Munich and of football in general.
This positionless “total football” approach, where players interchange positions constantly, operating as one entity while flowing seamlessly and adapting to opposition structures, kind of like a non-Newtonian fluid, has taken the team to a different level. And it is quite possible that Bayern might have former coach Pep Guardiola to thank.
In a recent Kicker interview (captured by @iMiaSanMia), Uli Hoeneß revealed that the Bayern brass approached Pep before appointing Kompany: “When we called Pep Guardiola before signing Vincent and asked what he thought of him, he said we could take him blindly.”
Damn right.
He then conceded, “We were skeptical at first; he was the fourth or fifth person we spoke to. I’m thinking of Julian Nagelsmann, Ralf Rangnick, Thomas Tuchel at first, and also Oliver Glasner, who would have come had Crystal Palace released him. Vincent was Max Eberl’s idea.”
Max Eberl, you absolute genius.
“The first meeting took place at Käfer’s [restaurant], with Herbert Hainer, Max, Christoph Freund, Vincent, and his father, a former mayor in Belgium. After half an hour, I gave Max a thumbs-up; I knew, This is him!” declared the Bayern Munich honorary president.
Rams General Manager Les Snead says he was interested in trading for Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown.
"We chatted with Philly, nothing worked out," Snead said on PFT Live. "There were talks, we had discussions, didn't work out. That happens."
Snead did not say why the trade didn't work out, but the Rams have confirmed that they also discussed trading Davante Adams away if they had acquired Brown. Snead said he and head coach Sean McVay both believe in being upfront with players if there's a chance they could be traded, so they told Adams it was possible.
"As soon as any of those discussions take a certain level, we should definitely make that phone call," Snead said. "I think all players appreciate the transparency."
The Eagles potentially trading Brown has been one of the most-discussed stories of this NFL offseason. It hasn't happened yet, but Snead confirmed it's not just a much-discussed story among fans and the media. Those discussions are happening in NFL front offices as well.
Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson has indicated there are no immediate intentions to replace head coach Eddie Howe, despite a challenging season for the club.
However, Hopkinson refrained from offering a definitive guarantee regarding Howe’s long-term tenure beyond the current campaign.
The Magpies have endured a difficult period in the Premier League and currently sit 12th in the table, seven points adrift of the fifth-place finish they achieved last season.
This comes after reaching the Champions League knockout stage and progressing to the latter rounds of both the Carabao and FA Cups.
Speaking as the club unveiled its latest financial figures, Hopkinson addressed questions about Howe’s future, acknowledging a degree of disquiet among sections of the fanbase following a bruising European exit at the hands of Barcelona and a defeat by derby rivals Sunderland before the international break.
He stated: "Eddie’s our manager. I expect to have a great run to the end of the season here and we’ll talk about the future when it’s time."
Hopkinson refused to guarantee Howe will still be at Newcastle next season (PA)
When pressed for clarification, Hopkinson added: "We are not looking to make a change at the moment. We are not having those conversations. We are still in the midst of the season.
“Right now, we are focused on the seven matches we have remaining and not distracting ourselves with speculation about what we may or may not do in the summer."
The prospect of failing to secure European football for next season could have significant repercussions for Newcastle’s finances and personnel.
Key players such as Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Tino Livramento have all been linked with potential moves away from St James’ Park.
Hopkinson, however, was adamant that any future player departures would occur strictly on the club’s terms, seeking to avoid a repeat of the saga involving Alexander Isak.
The Sweden international reportedly went on strike to force through a £130m switch to Liverpool last summer.
"I wasn’t here for the Isak situation, so I don’t want to comment on something I didn’t see first-hand. What I do know is that players that leave this club will need to do so on our terms," Hopkinson remarked.
He was appointed as Darren Eales’ replacement shortly after Isak’s controversial exit, and while the repercussions of that transfer are still felt on the pitch, Hopkinson conceded that from a business perspective, "to me, Isak was a good sale." This reflects the necessity of player trading for clubs to thrive within spending regulations.
The financial figures, covering the 12 months to June 30, 2025, revealed a profit after tax of £34.7m.
This was partly driven by a 44 per cent increase in commercial revenue, contributing to a record turnover of £335.3m, a rise of £15m.
Sandro Tonali (left) and Bruno Guimaraes have been linked with moves away from Newcastle (Getty Images)
Despite this growth, Newcastle’s turnover remains approximately half that of Premier League giants like Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.
The club’s strategic report also disclosed that St James’ Park has been effectively sold to its immediate parent company, PZ Newco Limited, for £172.1m and subsequently leased back.
This arrangement ensures that the financial burden of any future stadium development, for which no immediate announcement is expected, would not fall directly on the club itself.
Hibs held their annual general last Thursday night and while there were no real signs of imminent investment, Ian Gordon certainly didn't close the door on it either.
When asked about the interest from Danish billionaire, Anders Holch Povlsen, Gordon stressed Hibs had lots of interest and that talks were ongoing – I found his choice of words interesting given there was the opportunity to close the rumour altogether.
Gordon was as impressive as I've seen him in these situations at the AGM, he was on the front foot to explain why the relationship with Black Knight FC was ended (Hibs "will never be a feeder team to anyone") and while he acknowledged that interest from potential investors, he made sure it was clear any investment would be on Hibs' terms and stressed external investment wasn't required for Hibs to achieve their own ambitions.
It's clear the Gordon family are invested in Hibs in every sense of the word, they have put their money where their mouth is time and again and while they'll ultimately hope to recoup that and more when the time comes to sell the club, it's unfair to conclude the spend is purely financially motivated. They love the club and from a fans' perspective, it gives me a huge amount of reassurance that we have owners who approach decisions from a Hibs-first standpoint and if and when it's right to spend money, they'll do so.
On the football side, I was most excited to hear of Hibs' building our own in-house data software to support the recruitment, as well as the decision to take over the Scottish FA's performance school at Broughton High, which will come under Hibs' stewardship when the SFA withdraw.
There are lots of things to be positive about at Easter Road, the AGM was a timely reminder that the club's in good hands.
Liverpool already scouting Alexis Mac Allister successor with insane stats; can buy him for £56m
Liverpool and Chelsea are among the clubs tracking Lamine Camara ahead of the summer transfer window.
Mark Brus reports that the Senegal international is already considered an ‘attractive target’ for the Reds.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
The 22-year-old has featured prominently for Monaco this term, registering four assists in 18 Ligue 1 games.
Lamine Camara has caught the eye at Liverpool & Chelsea
Liverpool may very well be in the market for midfielders this summer, and it’s now understood that the Merseysiders have already been scouting Camara ‘for some time’.
Brus reports for CaughtOffside: “I’m told that Chelsea and Liverpool are among the clubs closely monitoring him, having scouted him for some time. Chelsea are keen to rejuvenate their midfield, while Liverpool’s tactical approach continues to rely on high-energy midfielders, making Camara an attractive target.
“Chelsea have explored the French market a lot in recent times and they’re big admirers of Camara’s profile,” one source said. ‘It’s not clear yet if he’d be a priority, but he’s on their radar, while Liverpool and Newcastle will likely be there too’.”
It remains to be seen whether Arne Slot’s men will look to pounce on the Ligue 1 star once the summer window opens.
Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
Rumours have most certainly been running wild as far as our Argentine maestro is concerned. Not to mention, there is some serious concern over his drop-off in performance levels in 2025/26.
* Lamine Camara’s stats in Ligue 1 (per 90) in the 2025/26 season (Fotmob)
Camara, with his ability to dictate play from deep, could prove to be a potentially ideal replacement for our metronomic midfielder.
Likewise, it’s sure not to have gone unnoticed that the footballer possesses an evidently remarkable work rate as far as his defensive duties are concerned.
How much will it cost Liverpool to sign Camara?
Liverpool have been made aware that they’ll need to fork out in the range of £56m-65m for the Monaco man this summer.
Mark Brus continued: “From Monaco’s perspective, the club would not be opposed to selling Camara but they’re also in no rush. With a stable financial position, I’m told they’re confident they can afford to wait for an ‘astronomical’ offer.
“Camara’s current contract runs until 2029, with no release clause, giving Monaco full control over negotiations.
“Monaco are open to doing business, but unless someone comes in with an offer in the €65–75 million [£56.4m-65.1m] range, which Premier League clubs are capable of paying, they’ll say no. There’s no pressure on them to sell, and they’d rather keep him as his value could rise even further.”
Woakes, 37, is preparing for his 21st professional season [Getty Images]
Warwickshire bowler Chris Woakes says he has still got plenty to give to the county that "is in my blood" as he prepares for his first full County season in 14 years.
The 37-year-old announced his international retirement in September following his omission from England's Ashes squad.
He is now free to play all summer for the county he joined aged 11, playing regularly for the first team from 2008 before beginning his England One-Day and T20 careers in 2011, followed by his Test debut in 2013.
Woakes told BBC Radio WM he likes the idea of being back where it all started: "I think that's part of the reason why I wanted to do it, really. Whenever it is that I finally exit the game, I was keen to do it the way I came in, so to speak."
"This club has given me so much, being here since I was eleven. It felt like the right thing for me, the right thing for the club.
"There are no guarantees on how this summer is going to go, but I'm certainly focused and excited by putting in some strong performances and contributing to winning games of cricket.
"I could never see myself playing anywhere else; that was never an option. Warwickshire is in my blood, really".
Woakes' 21-year career to date has seen him play 62 Test matches, 122 one-day internationals and 33 T20s for his country.
He's played 185 first-class matches, bowling almost 32,000 deliveries, taking 628 wickets and scoring 6,804 runs. Woakes says there is still a bit more in the tank:
"I might be stupid, and there's going to be days this summer when I wake up after bowling 20 sets in a day for none or one wicket and think, 'What am I doing?'
"There's a bit of a sadistic approach to it, where part of you enjoys the pain and the hard yards you have to put in to reap the rewards and make the good times feel that much sweeter.
"I'm not quite ready to give all that up just yet."
Woakes (left) celebrating with Dom Sibley winning the 2021 Championship title [Getty Images]
Woakes was a member of Warwickshire's 2012 and 2021 County Championship-winning team and has also enjoyed success with the club in white-ball cricket, lifting the One-Day Cup in 2010 and 2016 and the T20 Blast trophy, as Birmingham Bears, in 2014.
Warwickshire will also have Australian international all-rounder Beau Webster until July, joining 2025 leading wicket-taker Ethan Bamber, Ollie Hannon-Dalby and skipper Ed Barnard.
Woakes thinks the side looks extremely strong: "The bowling attack does look stacked, which has changed over the past 12 months.
"To win games of four-day cricket and to win championships, you need not just three or four good bowlers on the park; you need the depth to be able to back that up as the season goes on and bodies get sore."
The 37-year-old could have taken up options of playing franchise white-ball cricket around the world in the twilight of his career, but the Birmingham-born lad admits to being a cricketing romantic:
"It's a bit of a different feeling being part of a full pre-season for a change, knowing that I'm here for the duration, not nipping off here, there and everywhere.
"I've also got this love affair with the red-ball game. Although I've played through a couple of different generations, it feels like red-ball is still the pinnacle to me even though there's not that carrot of playing Test cricket open to me anymore.
"I just feel I've still got something to give with the red ball. It's the game I fell in love with, and I just wasn't quite ready to give it up.
"Don't get me wrong, I like white-ball cricket as well, but red-ball gives you something that white-ball doesn't quite tick those boxes - that battle you can get in with the batter - and I think it's the true testament of skill."
Our Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Dunfermline is fast approaching, and it's already shaping up to be a special occasion for fans of both clubs.
Any chatter from pundits or punters suggesting the tie should be moved to Tynecastle or Easter Road has quickly been silenced, thanks to the highly encouraging ticket sales over the past week. In just seven days, the two clubs have reportedly shifted around 20,000 tickets – a figure that looks set to climb even higher.
For comparison, the 2009 semi-final at Hampden drew 17,124 spectators, yet ticket sales for this year's showdown have already surpassed that number, underlining the huge anticipation for 18 April.
While it may not carry the same national profile as the Old Firm or the Edinburgh and Dundee derbies, this duel always delivers its own brand of chaos and passion - and the intensity is sure to spike with a place in the Scottish Cup final on the line. Beyond being a semi-final tie, this is the fixture that matters most to both fanbases.
Just as we did in 2009, here's hoping we can pull off another unforgettable semi-final triumph over the Pars at Hampden.
Honda is planning for the prospect of fielding six bikes on the MotoGP grid next season, a goal that hinges on securing an agreement with a second satellite team, Motorsport.com has learned.
Between 2014 and 2019, Honda went from supplying eight bikes on the MotoGP grid to running just four. However, Motorsport.com understands that the Tokyo-based manufacturer is already planning next season on the assumption that it will increase its presence with two additional prototypes, bringing it back to 2018 levels, when it ran six bikes: two in the factory team and two each with LCR and Marc VDS, its customer teams.
This would broaden Honda’s strategic options across multiple areas, particularly in bike development and in rider management and placement.
In recent months, the Japanese manufacturer’s executives have maintained open lines of communication with all available potential partners, although market conditions have significantly limited their room for manoeuvre.
Honda explored a possible alliance with Trackhouse as well as with Gresini. However, Motorsport.com understands that the American outfit does not intend to break its ties with Aprilia. At the same time, the Faenza-based team is finalising the details of its renewal with Ducati, despite the setback of having to accept the loss of Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer for 2027: the former is heading toward KTM, while the latter will race with VR46, which has leveraged its status as a team with direct Ducati support.
That blow led Nadia Padovani, owner of Gresini, to explore alternative partners before ultimately yielding again to the proposal from Ducati’s Borgo Panigale headquarters, especially given the prospect of assembling an attractive rider line-up with the arrival of Dani Holgado.
As things stand, the Tech3 route is gaining increasing momentum. The former team of Herve Poncharal, sold a few months ago to an investment group with Guenther Steiner as its public face, has been considering a potential change of bike supplier for some time, given the uncertainty surrounding KTM’s future plans under Bajaj, the Indian group that acquired the Austrian company.
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3
Expanding to six bikes instead of four would allow Honda far greater flexibility in managing its rider roster. Motorsport.com understands that the only piece already locked in place is Fabio Quartararo, who would take one of the two seats in the factory team. That would mean Joan Mir or Luca Marini — or possibly both — would have to vacate their current positions.
Aside from Quartararo, the only two riders contracted with Honda beyond 2026 are Diogo Moreira and Johann Zarco, the LCR pairing. The Brazilian, a rookie in the category this 2026 season, is seen as a long-term prospect — his deal runs until 2028 — while the Frenchman’s contract expires in 2027.
HRC is also aiming to sign David Alonso, who will step up from Moto2, and will then decide whether to place him alongside Quartararo in the factory squad or to develop him within a satellite team before promoting him later on.
In any case, having two additional bikes would significantly expand HRC’s range of options, potentially allowing it to retain one of its current riders — most likely Marini, who has already held talks with Yamaha and appears more open than Mir to accepting a role outside the factory team.
There is a strong case for Manchester City to move for a Crystal Palace star this summer
Manchester City will be in the market for midfielders this summer. There is no doubt about that fact. Bernardo Silva seems set to leave the club this summer. It also would not be a surprise to see Mateo Kovacic depart the club during the upcoming summer transfer window. There are also doubts that surround the future of Manchester City’s midfield general Rodri. So the need for City to reinforce their midfield is clear to see.
At this stage, it would be a major surprise if Elliot Anderson didn’t land at the Etihad from Nottingham Forest this summer. If that were to occur, you’d sense that City would need to sign another midfielder. One player City could look at is Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. The England international has long seemed ready for a move to a big club from Crystal Palace. Perhaps he is a player who could bolster Manchester City’s midfield.
Adam Wharton possesses all of the ability in possession needed to thrive at Manchester City.
In terms of the type of midfielder that Manchester City may need this summer, that is dependent on who leaves the club. If the assumption is that Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic depart City, they will need a player like Elliot Anderson to help fill that void. Anderson is a bundle of energy in midfield with his work rate. The Nottingham Forest midfielder is also blessed with all of the necessary technical ability to be a quality addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad. So Anderson ticks one box for City.
If Manchester City do need to sign another midfielder this summer, who that player could be is currently a variable. If Rodri were to leave, City would need a number six, in theory anyway. Having said that, perhaps they would not need another number six, with Nico being the next player up in that position. Elliot Anderson can also play as a number six, which he does for England.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is a player who does seem made for a role at Manchester City. In terms of his passing, Wharton is elite. He has a wide range of passing playing in a deeper midfield role which could be a weapon for City. Another trait of Wharton’s that sees him as an ideal target for City is how quick he reads the game. Wharton quickly reads the danger around him before receiving the ball, and can play through the lines before his opponents react. His awareness is also at such a high level that Wharton knows where his teammates are before receiving the ball. That gift of Adam Wharton’s sees him as a player who could thrive in a Pep Guardiola side.
Adam Wharton does need to work on his game out of possession and defensively. However, he isn’t a slouch in this department either. A move to Manchester City could be the ideal environment for Wharton to further enhance this side of his game. Especially when you consider the potential of pairing Adam Wharton with Manchester City’s plethora of midfielders.
Is a City move for Adam Wharton a realistic possibility?
I do believe Manchester City will look to sign two midfielders this summer. The may may well have to. As written above, one target is seemingly Elliot Anderson. I do believe City could pursue a move for Adam Wharton given how well-suited his game is to playing in a Pep Guardiola side.
But is Adam Wharton an actual transfer target for Manchester City? Sky Sports recently reported that City, alongside Arsenal and Manchester United, have an interest in signing Adam Wharton. Interestingly, Sky Sports reports that Adam Wharton is viewed as potential partner for Elliot Anderson in England’s midfield. Perhaps that is a move City may well pursue.
If Manchester City do move for two midfielders this summer, Adam Wharton is a player who looks to have the game to become a City player. His ability in possession is elite, and although he can play as a number six, he does seem to be a midfielder who could play well with Rodri, Nico, Nico O’Reilly and whoever else City have in their midfield next season. It remains to be seen if Manchester City could move for Adam Wharton in the summer, but it is a move that has merit based on Adam Wharton’s obvious strengths as a player.
“Unbelievable” – Evra wants Man Utd star to change position after what he saw against Arsenal
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra believes Patrick Dorgu is more suited to play higher up the pitch than his original left-back role.
When the Dane first emerged on the scene as a Lecce teenager, he was identified as one of the most promising young full-backs in Serie A, but he was also occasionally fielded as an inverted right winger.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY
Therefore, Man Utd identified him as the ideal profile to bolster the wing-back department in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
Patrice Evra argues Patrick Dorgu should be a left winger
During his time under the Portuguese manager, Dorgu had his highs and lows. While he was commended for his explosive runs, his defensive contribution left much to be desired.
Following Michael Carrick’s appointment in mid-January, the 21-year-old was fielded as a left winger, and he ended up producing two of his best performances since joining United, scoring back-to-back goals against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Therefore, Evra, who is widely considered one of the best left-backs in Premier League history, believes the Denmark international should be confirmed in this more advanced role, as it better suits his attacking attributes.
“When you play as a left-back, people often judge your performance by your attacking play,’ said the Frenchman in his interview with DHL Express (via Metro).
“You have to find the right balance, but with the way modern football is played, I think Patrick Dorgu is more dangerous as a left winger.
“That goal he scored against Arsenal was unbelievable. He is definitely more attacking than defensive. While the manager will ultimately decide, I see his long-term future as a left winger.”
Interestingly, Man Utd’s summer plans include signing a new left winger, so could the young Dane emerge as an internal solution?
Based on his solid displays in Carrick’s first two outings, perhaps Dorgu can be an additional solution on the left wing, especially since Luke Shaw represents a more convincing choice at left-back due to his superior defensive attributes.
Nevertheless, modern-day managers prefer inverted wingers over classic wingers. Hence why Carrick has been reluctant to field his left-footed options, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, on the left wing.
So while the manager will be glad to have an additional weapon like Dorgu, who is capable of operating in various roles on the flanks, he would likely request the arrival of a right-footed left winger.
Yan Diomande is perhaps Man Utd’s ultimate dream for this role, but the RB Leipzig teenager could cost them circa £86 million, which could force Jason Wilcox and Co. to consider more affordable alternatives.
Benjamin Nygren praised as Sweden eye World Cup glory against Poland
Sweden head coach Graham Potter and forward Viktor Gyokeres have both lauded Celtic’s attacking midfielder Benjamin Nygren…
Football. FIFA World Cup, 2026 UEFA Qualifiers. season 2025/2026. round KO play-offs semifinal – path B match between Ukraine and Sweden in Valencia, Spain. Daniel Svensson Benjamin Nygren Anthony. Elanga Fot. Tomasz Karczewski / Arena Akcji/ newspix.pl
Nygren featured prominently in Sweden’s attacking line-up, joining high-profile forwards Gyokeres and Anthony Elanga in Thursday’s 3-1 victory over Ukraine.
The result secures Sweden a place in a decisive play-off final against Poland tonight, with a coveted spot in Group B of this summer’s World Cup at stake. Switzerland, Canada, and Qatar await in the group.
Nygren made a telling contribution, delivering a pinpoint cross to assist Gyokeres’ opening goal. The Arsenal striker went on to produce a standout performance, scoring a hat-trick for his country.
Benjamin Nygren on international duty with Sweden. Photo social media
Gyokeres has enjoyed a prolific campaign since his summer move from Sporting CP, scoring 16 goals for Premier League leaders Arsenal and continuing his impressive form at international level.
Speaking post-match, Gyokeres said via The Herald: “I’ve played with Benji a lot before in the under-21 national team. I know him well and he’s done extremely well at Celtic. He’s a great player.”
Meanwhile, Graham Potter added: “I’ve been impressed with Benji since I met him. He’s an intelligent player and a very good guy. He’s a team player. He understands what we’re trying to do. He’s a super important player for us.”
Potter had previously been put forward as a potential candidate for the Celtic managerial position by former Sweden international Johan Mjallby before opting to extend his deal with the national team through to 2030.
The 50-year-old first made his name in Sweden, overseeing a remarkable rise with Ostersunds FK as he guided the club from the fourth tier to the top flight, along with a memorable run to the Europa League knockout rounds.
Potter became available after being dismissed by West Ham United, bringing an end to a brief nine-month spell in charge at the London Stadium.
Best of luck to Benjamin Nygren this evening.
Conor Spence
Post your own thoughts in the comments section below…
Quick Tip – Add thecelticstar.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
NEW DELHI: Hardik Pandya's girlfriend Mahieka Sharma almost lost her cool at photographers and bystanders while walking with the cricketer’s son, Agastya Pandya, after watching the Mumbai Indians match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. In a video going viral on social media, Mahieka was seen holding Agastya’s hand and repeatedly urging media persons and people around, “raasta de do, please.”
She was also constantly checking on Agastya’s well-being and tried to cheer him up.
When photographers began clicking pictures, the flashlights appeared to trouble the child, as the camera flashes were hurting his eyes.
Seeing this, Mahieka shouted, "No lights, no flashes, please".
She also asked him, "Agastya, Are you ok? You look amazing".
Towards the end, she looked visibly annoyed with the crowd and media personnel.
"Raasta do. Saamne koi nahi ayega (please give way. Please don't come in front)," she said loudly.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians registered a dominant six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in their opening match of IPL 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma powered Mumbai Indians to their biggest run chase in IPL history, helping them secure their first season-opening win since the 2012 edition.
— rushiii_12 (@rushiii_12)
Mumbai chased down a daunting target of 221 in 19.1 overs to defeat KKR.
"Obviously, it's been a long waiting. 13 years are a very long time. And, you know, every time we have come, we have wanted to win and start the season with a high. Very glad, the whole group is very glad that we were finally able to do it. (On chasing big targets) Yes, I feel the modern cricket, plus at the same point of time, we have seen what this wicket plays like. The kind of powerplay they had, we knew that the wicket is good. So as a bowling group, a lot of credit to the bowlers. They pulled it really back, not letting them fly with 250s, 240s, because I feel in T20 cricket, those are difficult to chase. But 220 is always gettable if you have a good start," Pandya said after the match.
"(On Shardul Thakur) I told him this season, I said, 'enough hopping of the franchises. I want you to be here for the rest of your career.' He's a character. He has a big heart. The way he comes out and kind of always tries to outsmart a batter, simply brilliant and really happy for him," he said.
Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions, will next face Delhi Capitals on April 4 in Delhi.
I'm very much a club before country fan so these international breaks are just a distraction before we get back to the real stuff.
It's all the worse when the break is for friendlies where Scotland are generally poor and they erode our positivity prior to the World Cup. Thankfully, Killie are back in business this weekend and a good number of fans will make the trip to Easter Road on Saturday.
Our record on the other side of Edinburgh is excellent, however Killie do not have a great record against Hibernian. We fought out an entertaining draw earlier in the season and a repeat result would be decent again this time around.
We only have half-a-dozen games left after this so there is no room for below-par performances when points are at a premium. We have every chance of coming away with a result if our defence can continue their mean spirit shown in the past two games, I'll predict a 1-1 draw.
Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine
Ghana national team coach Otto Addo attends a press conference at Stuttgart Arena, ahead of Monday's International Friendly soccer match against Germany. Christian Charisius/dpa
Ghana have dismissed coach Otto Addo "effective immediately," the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said in a statement just a few hours after the 2-1 defeat to Germany in a World Cup tune-up match on Monday evening.
"The Association wishes to thank Otto Addo sincerely for his contribution to the team and wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavours," GFA said wrote.
Addo had been in charge of the Black Stars for the past two years.
A new coach is yet to be announced with less than three months left until the start of the 2026 World Cup.
GFA said that it "will communicate the new technical direction of the Black Stars in due course."
Ghana have qualified for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico and will face England, Croatia and Panama in the group stage.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal can still win three trophies this season [Getty Images]
With 11 Arsenal players withdrawing from international duty this month, are the Gunners facing an injury crisis or is caution being shown with so much at stake this season?
Across the 20 Premier League sides, 228 players were called up for their international sides. Twenty-three of those have since dropped out - and almost half are Arsenal players.
Following the Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City earlier this month, defender William Saliba confirmed he would not be joining up with France because of an ankle injury.
His centre-back partner Gabriel then withdrew from the Brazil squad with a knee problem.
They were later joined by England forward Eberechi Eze (calf), Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard (knee) and Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber (groin) - who all missed the cup final defeat at Wembley through injury - as well as Belgium forward Leandro Trossard (hip).
After players joined up with their respective countries, five more from Arsenal have withdrawn - England trio Declan Rice (knock), Bukayo Saka (knock) and Noni Madueke (injured his knee against Uruguay) as well as Spain's Martin Zubimendi (knee) and Ecuador's Piero Hincapie (undisclosed).
So does this mean Arsenal are in the midst of an injury crisis or are they being clever by showing caution with the fitness of their players?
'No reason' not to believe Rice and Saka - Tuchel
The withdrawals have coincided with Arsenal's challenge on three fronts for silverware this season, including their attempt to win a first Premier League title in 22 years.
The Gunners are nine points clear of second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League with seven games remaining, although Pep Guardiola's side have one game in hand.
Arsenal also travel to Portugal's Sporting in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, three days after visiting Southampton in the last eight of the FA Cup on 4 April.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said he "understood" the possible suspicion around Arsenal's withdrawals, but on Rice and Saka he insisted he had "no reason to believe" they had not been honest with him and his medical staff.
The German added both "wanted desperately" to play in Tuesday's friendly against Japan, but that the risk of making their issues worse was deemed "way too big" after a medical assessment by the national team.
Tuchel said: "I understand the look of it. I still have 100% trust in the honesty of Bukayo and Declan. We did medical tests. I saw them.
"Declan was even out on the pitch. He did not come and say, 'Guys, I'm going home'."
Fifa rules state that players must report for international duty if called up.
National teams can request their own medical checks on players to confirm injury withdrawals and agreements can be reached with national teams over players carrying minor injuries.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said he accepted that midfielder Youri Tielemans, who only played 23 minutes on his return from a two-month lay-off before being called up for Belgium in this international break, would want to go away with his national side.
"The national team is very important," he said. "His commitment with us is huge but I wanted to give him the opportunity to go now with his national team. For him, it's very important."
However not all managers feel that way.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former Manchester United manager, once described international friendlies as "a waste of time".
His former midfielder Nicky Butt has said that on at least one occasion he was prevented from joining up with the England team by his manager.
"He never once said to me to fake an injury. He'd just say 'You've got an England friendly coming up and you're not going'. And that was that."
Arteta will be happy with caution - analysis
There has been a lot of talk about the amount of Arsenal players who have withdrawn throughout this international window but each player will have their reason and will have been assessed.
Some may be sceptical about some of these withdrawals but apart from striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is still with Sweden, nine of Arsenal's players who have withdrawn are in their top 10 for minutes played by outfield players this season.
After losing key players to injury on previous international breaks, Arteta will be happy about the caution being shown with his stars at such a key stage of the season.
Anaheim Ducks (41-28-5, in the Pacific Division) vs. San Jose Sharks (34-31-7, in the Pacific Division)
San Jose, California; Wednesday, 9 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The Anaheim Ducks visit the San Jose Sharks after Leo Carlsson's two-goal game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Ducks' 5-4 overtime loss.
San Jose has gone 34-31-7 overall with a 9-10-3 record in Pacific Division games. The Sharks have gone 31-11-3 in games they score three or more goals.
Anaheim is 41-28-5 overall with a 14-8-0 record against the Pacific Division. The Ducks rank fifth in NHL play serving 10.2 penalty minutes per game.
Wednesday's game is the third time these teams match up this season. The Sharks won the previous meeting 5-4.
TOP PERFORMERS: Macklin Celebrini has scored 38 goals with 63 assists for the Sharks. Alexander Wennberg has three goals and five assists over the last 10 games.
Cutter Gauthier has 38 goals and 27 assists for the Ducks. Mikael Granlund has scored seven goals and added one assist over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Sharks: 4-5-1, averaging 2.8 goals, five assists, 3.4 penalties and 10.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.6 goals per game.
Ducks: 5-3-2, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.9 assists, 5.3 penalties and 15.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.2 goals per game.
INJURIES: Sharks: Ryan Reaves: out (hamd), John Klingberg: day to day (lower-body), Ty Dellandrea: day to day (lower body).
Ducks: Petr Mrazek: out for season (lower-body), Jansen Harkins: day to day (upper body), Cutter Gauthier: day to day (upper body), Ross Johnston: out (lower-body).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Vancouver Canucks (21-44-8, in the Pacific Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (49-14-10, in the Central Division)
Denver; Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The Vancouver Canucks are looking to end a six-game losing streak with a win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Colorado is 24-7-5 in home games and 49-14-10 overall. The Avalanche are 17-2-5 in games they score one or more power-play goals.
Vancouver has a 21-44-8 record overall and a 13-19-3 record on the road. The Canucks have a 7-16-3 record in games their opponents commit fewer penalties.
Wednesday's game is the third time these teams meet this season. The Avalanche won 3-1 in the last matchup. Nathan MacKinnon led the Avalanche with two goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: MacKinnon has 49 goals and 71 assists for the Avalanche. Martin Necas has six goals and nine assists over the last 10 games.
Filip Hronek has eight goals and 33 assists for the Canucks. Marco Rossi has scored three goals and added seven assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Avalanche: 6-3-1, averaging 3.6 goals, 6.3 assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game.
Canucks: 2-8-0, averaging 2.1 goals, 3.7 assists, 3.5 penalties and 11.9 penalty minutes while giving up 3.6 goals per game.
INJURIES: Avalanche: Cale Makar: day to day (upper body), Nicolas Roy: day to day (upper body).
Canucks: Thatcher Demko: out for season (hip), Derek Forbort: out (undisclosed), Filip Chytil: out (face).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
BOTTOM LINE: The Buffalo Sabres host the New York Islanders after the Sabres beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 in a shootout.
Buffalo is 45-21-8 overall and 23-10-4 at home. The Sabres are 10th in the league serving 9.6 penalty minutes per game.
New York has a 42-28-5 record overall and a 21-15-3 record in road games. The Islanders have a 30-7-3 record when scoring at least three goals.
Tuesday's game is the third time these teams square off this season. The Sabres won 5-0 in the previous matchup. Jason Zucker led the Sabres with two goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Rasmus Dahlin has 17 goals and 50 assists for the Sabres. Jack Quinn has five goals and three assists over the past 10 games.
Matthew Schaefer has 22 goals and 34 assists for the Islanders. Mathew Barzal has one goal and six assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Sabres: 6-2-2, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.3 assists, 4.2 penalties and 9.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.
Islanders: 5-5-0, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.9 assists, 2.9 penalties and 8.6 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.
INJURIES: Sabres: Jiri Kulich: out for season (ear), Justin Danforth: out (lower body), Noah Ostlund: day to day (upper-body).
Islanders: Alexander Romanov: out (shoulder), Pierre Engvall: out for season (ankle), Tony DeAngelo: out (lower body), Semyon Varlamov: out for season (knee), Kyle Palmieri: out (knee).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Roma keen on Carlos Augusto: Inter ask for €25 million
Gasperini, ahead of next season, wants to bring Wesley back to the right flank.
The Brazilian arrived in the summer to take over this position, which was forced to cede to Celik due to various injuries and issues.
The Giallorossi club has begun to make moves, monitoring several players who could prove useful to Roma. The first name on the list is Inter’s Carlos Augusto.
He’s a versatile player who’s well-liked for his ability to play both in a back three and further up the flank.
It’s worth noting that the 27-year-old Nerazzurri player is managed by Giuseppe Riso, the same agent as Mancini, Cristante, and Venturino. The player has been offered to Atalanta as well as Roma.
Carlos Augusto is considered a reliable all-rounder, hence Roma’s interest.
The Brazilian wants to play more, and negotiations with Inter over a contract renewal are stalled.
As Repubblica reports, the obstacle for the Giallorossi club, however, is the price tag set by the Nerazzurri. The 1999-born player is valued at €25 million. The former Monza player has played 1,891 minutes and 20 starts this season, but he wants to be a more prominent figure.
Barcelona captain’s return delayed with Espanyol clash now the target
According to a report from SPORT, it has come to light that Frenkie de Jong is now expected to make his return in the La Liga clash against Espanyol on April 11, rather than earlier fixtures initially anticipated.
Heading into the final stretch of the season, Hansi Flick had been hopeful of welcoming back several key players after the international break.
Alongside De Jong, both Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde were part of the recovery list, offering a timely boost to the squad.
However, while the two full-backs are on track to return sooner, potentially in time for the high-profile La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid, the situation surrounding De Jong has proven to be more cautious.
What’s the story?
Earlier expectations suggested that the Dutch midfielder could be ready for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against the Rojiblancos.
That timeline, however, now appears overly optimistic.
Instead, Barcelona are prioritising a safer recovery path, with the Espanyol fixture emerging as the realistic comeback date.
De Jong will not return against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
De Jong’s absence has been felt deeply within the team.
The injury, a tear in the biceps femoris of his right leg sustained during training on February 26, initially came with a recovery estimate of five to six weeks.
While that timeline is still broadly accurate, Barcelona’s medical staff and coaching team are clearly unwilling to take unnecessary risks, especially with crucial fixtures still ahead.
From a tactical perspective, De Jong remains a cornerstone in Flick’s system. In many ways, he acts as the team’s metronome -the player who brings calm and structure in high-pressure situations.
That said, his absence has also opened the door for others to step up, with Marc Bernal, in particular, taking on increased responsibility in midfield and delivering performances that have caught attention.
This creates an interesting dynamic for Flick moving forward. While De Jong’s return will undoubtedly strengthen the team, the emergence of Bernal ensures that competition remains high.
For now, patience is the priority. Barcelona are playing the long game with one of their most important players, ensuring that when De Jong does return, he is fully fit and ready to make an impact.
Hibs plan to fill empty Easter Road seats for Celtic visit
Hibernian chief executive Dan Barnett has revealed he has opened discussions over the possibility of increasing the number of tickets allocated to Celtic supporters for matches at Easter Road…
The Edinburgh club made the decision in March 2024 to scale back away allocations, pointing to growing demand among home fans and concerns raised by shareholders regarding the conduct of visiting supporters.
Celtic’s share was first reduced from occupying the entire South Stand – previously holding close to 4,000 fans – to just under 3,000 tickets. That figure was later cut again to fewer than 1,500 seats amid continued claims of strong home support demand.
However, Barnett has now indicated that circumstances may have shifted, with the club actively considering whether a larger allocation could be reinstated.
Easter Road. Sunday 30 November 2025. Hibs v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
It is not yet clear whether Celtic will visit Easter Road in one of their post-split fixtures, as scheduling complexities continue to present challenges for the SPFL. However the likelihood is that Celtic’s two away matches will be at Easter Road and Fir Park against Hibs and Motherwell respectively.
Like Celtic, Hibernian are set to host three of their final five matches, though fixture balancing could yet see changes involving the league’s top sides.
In recent seasons – particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic – several Scottish Premiership clubs have moved to reduce away sections for Celtic supporters.
Celtic Fans Collective Protest at Easter Road. Sunday 30 November 2025. Hibs v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Hibernian followed a wider trend, with Hearts previously cutting the Roseburn Stand allocation significantly.
Elsewhere, clubs such as St Mirren and Kilmarnock have reduced visiting support to a single stand, while Motherwell and Livingston remain among the few to still allocate full sections of their grounds when hosting the league’s biggest teams.
St Johnstone in the season before last, were under new American owners. For the first visit to Celtic due to fans wishes the allocation of Celtic fans remained at the two small stands behind each goal – Celtic won 6-0 and the large stand opposite the Main stand where directors sit was largely empty.
By Celtic’s second visit Celtic had been given a much larger allocation, occupying the three stands with the Saints supporters all in the Main stand. The result certainly didn’t benefit Celtic as we lost 1-0. St. Johnstone collected the three points and around £150k in extra ticker revenue, by filling all their empty seats.
Hibs could fill all these empty seats at Easter Road, for Celtic’s likely post split visit. Photo taken on Sunday 30 November 2025. Hibs v Celtic, Scottish Premiership.
Speaking via Hibs Observer, Barnett said: “We’ve raised it with the fans forum [increased away section for the two Glasgow clubs]. We’ve been very open and honest about what we want to do in principle, versus what the impact is from a revenue perspective.
“We’re working with the fans to make that decision together in terms of the position we adopt and whether it’s worth doing it that way. It equates to around between £150,000 and £200,000 a year if our fans do not take up the allocation that’s not allocated to the offer.
“We’ve also made the decision to freeze season ticket prices for next season, which could have been an incremental revenue driver for us, but we feel strongly that we want to keep football accessible for everybody, and we want to reward that loyalty.
“So far, it’s paying off. We broke our records for season tickets last year, and we’re tracking well ahead of that for this season.”
Maximising ticket revenue has got to be a priority for Scottish Premiership clubs, given the comparatively low revenues that they receive from broadcast deals. From the other side of that point, Sky Sports and Premier Sports both might be more inclined to push up their valuations of the product if it’s easier on the eye and full stadiums with better atmospheres ticks boxes that empty seats can never do.
Celtic fans at McDiarmid Park
The two Celtic results at McDiarmid Park last season disproves the argument that more visiting supporters disadvantages the him side in Scottish Premiership contests.
St Johnstone look like returning to the top division next season so with Livingston looking doomed it’s like for like in having an away ground where Celtic supporters will be able to attend in larger numbers.
A bums on seats policy should be something that the SPFL looks at encouraging across the fixture-list from next season. Ultimately the decisions lie with the home clubs themselves Celtic for those wondering are included in this. A few seasons back Aberdeen asked for a larger away allocation for a league match at Celtic Park and their request was rejected.
Conor Spence
Post your own thoughts in the comments section below…
Quick Tip – Add thecelticstar.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
Aston Villa on brink of Harvey Elliott transfer decision
When Harvey Elliott left Anfield for Aston Villa at the end of the summer transfer window, almost everyone thought his time at Liverpool was done.
The two-time Premier League winner’s move to Villa Park was on an initial loan deal, with a clause in place that would see the move become permanent for £35 million.
For that clause to be activated Elliott had to make 10 Premier League appearances, something many believed was just a formality when the 22-year-old was handed Villa’s no.9 shirt upon his arrival.
Now, with just seven Premier League games remaining, Elliott is still yet to hit that total and his future could be decided very soon.
Elliott on the brink of milestone with future hanging in the balance
Although Villa have seven league matches remaining, one of those games is against Liverpool and Elliott will be ineligible.
The England U21 international has made four Premier League appearances for Villa this campaign, meaning he will need to feature in every remaining league match he’s eligible for in order for the move to become permanent.
Elliott was the only player to play the full 90 minutes in a friendly between Villa and Elche on Friday, and he delivered a promising display despite a 2-1 loss.
Unai Emery’s side will face Bologna in the Europa League in their next game and, as that match doesn’t count towards Elliot’s loan clause, it is likely that the Englishman will feature.
If he is involved against Bologna, then he may be rested for Villa’s league game against Nottingham Forest in between the two legs of the Europa League quarter-final tie.
If this does happen, and Elliott doesn’t feature against Forest, it will become impossible for him to hit 10 Premier League appearances for Villa and the clause to make his loan permanent won’t be triggered.
It isn’t clear what that would mean for the player. A renegotiated deal for a cut price could be agreed with Villa but there are also several teams from England interested and well-reported interest from MLS side Charlotte FC.
There could also be a place for Elliott in Liverpool’s team, especially with Mohamed Salah leaving the club, and the Englishman could be given an opportunity to earn a place in the team’s preseason.
World Cup play-off Final: Official Italy squad list for Bosnia-Herzegovina – 5 players left out
Gennaro Gattuso has named the Italy squad list for the World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina: Andrea Cambiaso returns, while Giorgio Scalvini is left out.
Five players from the original 28-man squad had to be left out, and Gattuso has only made one change from the semi-final played against Northern Ireland last week.
Juventus full-back Cambiaso returns to the squad, while Atalanta centre-back Scalvini goes to the stands.
The other unavailable players for tonight’s match are Gianluca Scamacca (injured), Elia Caprile, Nicolò Cambiaghi and Diego Coppola.
Andrea Cambiaso plays for Italy against Moldova in a 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)
Gattuso won’t make any change to the XI that beat Northern Ireland 2-0 last week, starting Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui in attack.
The game will be played at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, and the winner will qualify for the World Cup, going into Group B with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, issues instructions during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
World Cup play-off Final: Italy squad list for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Waldemar Anton: United take key step in pursuit of Bundesliga ace
Manchester United have enjoyed a superb resurgence in 2026 after a gloomy 2025, which marked a series of lows under former head coach Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League last season and also lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur.
INEOS attempted to revive the club’s fortunes by investing heavily in the squad over the summer. While the performances were better at the beginning of this campaign, results failed to improve, and the English giants ultimately parted ways with the Portuguese head coach in January.
United handed the reins of the first team to Michael Carrick until the end of the season, and it has turned out to be one of the best decisions in recent times. The caretaker manager has taken the Red Devils to third in the league table, thanks to a run of seven wins in 10 games.
With a return to next season’s Champions League now a real possibility, United are preparing for an eventful summer. While the midfield is likely to be reinforced, the backline also remains a cause for concern.
United’s recent defensive woes
United have conceded 50 goals or more in three of the last four league campaigns. Last season, the Red Devils let in 54 goals in 38 Premier League games, and were particularly vulnerable at set pieces.
The English giants have done marginally better this year, conceding 43 times in 31 league outings. Their form has improved after reverting to a back four under Carrick, as they have let in 11 goals in 10 games under the English manager.
However, United may have to consider defensive reinforcements this summer, even though Harry Maguire appears to be close to a renewal. The English defender recently turned 34 and cannot be expected to continue at this level much longer.
Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt have struggled with fitness issues of late, while Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are in the nascent stages of their careers. The Red Devils have subsequently been linked with several defenders of late, and it now appears that they also have their eyes on an emerging Bundesliga star.
United want Waldemar Anton
Sky Sports Germany reports that United have set their sights on Borussia Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton. The report states: “According to Sky Sports, Atlético Madrid and Manchester United are among the clubs interested in Anton. The two top clubs have already inquired about the DFB defender’s situation. Aston Villa has also shown interest.”
Los Rojiblancos are long-term admirers of the Germany international and believe that he could be the perfect fit under Diego Simeone. The LaLiga giants and Bayer Leverkusen were also interested in Anton before his switch to Signal Iduna Park from VfB Stuttgart in 2024.
The 29 year old is highly rated at Dortmund, and could add calmness and leadership in United’s backline. This season, Anton has registered three goals in 37 appearances for the Bundesliga club in all competitions, all of which have been starts.
The Germany international is under contract until 2028, and BVB are reportedly planning to tie him down to a new deal.
Final Thoughts
Anton will turn 30 this summer, so even if he hits the ground running at the Theatre of Dreams, he cannot be a long-term replacement for Maguire. United, as such, would be better advised to target a younger, Premier League-proven centre-back like Nathan Collins.
Illinois will take the floor against UConn at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in the NCAA Tournament national semifinal on Saturday, April 4, at 5:09 p.m. The Fighting Illini will be led by a K-State grad, whose best player was an underrecruited Kansas high school prospect.
Brad Underwood, a McPherson native who played at K-State from 1984-86 and was on the Wildcats' coaching staff from 2006-12, will continue to be seen as the coach who got away. His best player, Keaton Wagler, attended Shawnee Mission Northwest last year, wasn't pursued by either the Wildcats or the Jayhawks, and is destined to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Meanwhile, Kansas State missed the last three NCAA Tournaments and is coming off a dreadful season in which head coach Jerome Tang was fired midseason for cause. Casey Alexander's hiring provides hope, but Underwood has established himself as one of the nation's best coaches, when many believe he should be in purple.
Why isn't Brad Underwood the coach at Kansas State?
After graduating from K-State in 1986, Underwood had to climb through the coaching ranks at Hardin-Simmons, Dodge City Community College, Western Illinois and Daytona Beach Community College before landing back at K-State as an assistant under Bob Huggins.
After Huggins' lone season at K-State, he stayed on staff with Frank Martin as an assistant. He was promoted to associate head coach for Martin's final season in 2011-12. Together, they led the Wildcats to four NCAA Tournaments in five years, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2010.
After the 2011-12 season, Martin left Kansas State for the same position at South Carolina. Many believed there was a rift between Martin and the then-athletic director John Currie that led to Martin's departure, though both denied it at the time.
That was the first chance Kansas State had to make Underwood its head coach, though his head-coaching experience was limited to the junior college ranks. Kansas State hired Bruce Weber, while Underwood followed Martin to South Carolina for a year before his first successful three-year head coaching stint at Stephen F. Austin.
Meanwhile, at K-State, Weber led the Wildcats to consecutive NCAA Tournaments to start his career in Manhattan, before missing the next two. Those two missed appearances, combined with Underwood's success, led some Wildcat fans to hope the school would push Weber out to bring Underwood home. Instead, K-State stuck with Weber, while Underwood became the coach at Oklahoma State.
Retaining Weber paid off for K-State, which made the NCAA Tournament the following three seasons, including an Elite Eight appearance in the second. Underwood led Oklahoma State to the NCAA Tournament in his first year and was immediately hired away by Illinois.
Underwood didn't have immediate success at Illinois, where it missed the tournament in his first two seasons, while K-State was dancing. His success started to turn around in 2019-20 when the Illini would have been tournament-bound if the pandemic hadn't canceled March Madness. That's when Kansas State started its spiral under Weber.
When Weber and K-State parted ways after the 2021-22 season, Underwood had just led Illinois to its second-straight NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats may have made a push to hire him away, but it ultimately resulted in a contract extension and raise for Underwood at Illinois, while K-State settled on Jerome Tang.
It looked like the Wildcats hit a home run with Tang to start, reaching the Elite Eight in his first year, before crashing and burning over the next three seasons. Underwood continued to win, making the NCAA Tournament each year, earning a No. 1 seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament and then reaching the Elite Eight in 2024.
Underwood was never a serious candidate when the Kansas State job opened after Tang was fired for cause in 2026, a move that led to Alexander's hiring.
The timing never quite worked out for Kansas State, when its best chance of hiring Underwood would have been after Martin left for South Carolina. Even then, Underwood had limited head coaching experience.
Keaton Wagler wasn't recruited by Kansas State, Kansas
Wagler, a freshman out of Shawnee Mission Northwest, has developed into a player who will likely be a lottery pick in the NBA Draft. He was a three-star prospect, ranked as the No. 261 player and No. 47 shooting guard in the 2025 class out of high school.
Wagler was a bit undersized and often overshadowed by his high school teammate, Ethan Taylor, a four-star prospect ranked No. 30 in the Class of 2026, now at Link Academy (Missouri). Taylor held offers from KU and K-State and is now committed to Michigan State.
Neither Kansas State nor Kansas recruited Wagler. He mostly held offers from mid-majors until Illinois recruited him late. Underwood was tipped off about the guard by a connection he had made when he was an assistant at Kansas State. The Illini quickly developed Wagler into a consensus second-team All-American player.
Kansas State, under Tang, all but gave up on high school recruiting, outside of offering some of the biggest names in the country, who never bit. The Wildcats turned mostly to the transfer portal and overseas recruiting.
Brad Underwood isn't the only Kansas State coaching connection on Illinois' staff
Underwood isn't the only coach on the Illinois staff with direct ties to Kansas State, nor is he the only Underwood.
Tyler Underwood, Brad's son, is an assistant on the staff and is considered the team's offensive coordinator. He played for his dad at Stephen F. Austin and at Oklahoma State in his one year there, before transferring to Illinois for the next four seasons. He grew up in Manhattan before moving to South Carolina and finishing his high school career in Oklahoma.
Neel Ganta, Illinois' director of player personnel, is a Manhattan native who graduated from K-State in 2020. He's largely responsible for Illinois' analytical efforts.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
Bethesda Academy senior Raleigh Wesley won the 100 and 200 meter races at the Statesboro Relays.
The Calvary Day girls beat Islands to clinch the Region 3-3A soccer title.
This is a chance for readers to weigh in and select the Savannah Morning News High School Athlete of the Week in an open poll with no restrictions on the voting. The poll will close on Tuesday, April 7, at 11 a.m.
The senior pitcher, who has signed with North Georgia, had a complete game victory in a 2-1 win over Glynn Academy that went eight innings. He struck out seven, walked won and allowed four hits and one earned run in the win.
Kate Hunter, Savannah Country Day
The junior netted four goals in a win over St. Andrew's and had another in a win over Swainsboro last week for a Hornet squad on a four-game winning streak.
Raleigh Wesley, Bethesda Academy
The senior won the 100 meters at the Statesboro Relays with a time of 10.55 and also took home the 200-meter title with a time of 21.18.
Syraiah Wilkins, South Effingham
The junior won the 100 meter title at the Statesboro Relays in 12.23 and also won the 200 meters in 24.69 and the long jump with a leap of 17-11.50.
Ellis Kelley, St. Andrew's
Kelley, an eighth grader playing on the varsity squad, hit a walk off homer to beat defending GIAA State champion Frederica Academy. He went 3 for 4 in the game with two runs and two RBIs.
Timothy Alston Jr., Richmond Hill
The senior finished fourth in the 110 meter hurdles in the FSU Relays with a time of 13.88, a time that ranks third across all classifications this year in the state of Georgia.
Kyla Shuman, South Effingham
The standout freshman won the 400 meter title at the Statesboro Relays in 59.13 and was fifth in the 100 meters (12.98) and third in the 200 meters (25.63).
Jack Kelley, St. Andrew's
Kelley, a junior and the older brother of Ellis, hit his seventh homer of the season in a loss to Frederica Academy last week. He's hitting .459 with 23 RBIs for the Lions (11-5).
Alex Roma, Islands
The junior was named the team's "Man of the Match" after the Sharks beat previously undefeated Calvary Day 1-0 to improve to 15-0 on the season and clinch the Region 3-3A championship.
Trinity Perine, Richmond Hill
The standout freshman finished fifth in the 400 meters at the FSU Relays with a time of 55.60 and was 13th in the 200 meters with a time of 24.38. Her 400 meter time ranks 10th across all classifications in Georgia this year.
Tucker Wingate, Effingham County
The sophomore went 1 for 3 with a home run, two runs and three RBIs in a win over Evans.
Alyssa Gibson, Calvary Day
The sophomore scored a pair of goals in a 3-0 win at Islands that sewed up the Region 3-3A title for the Cavs. She has 39 goals on the season for the Cavaliers (11-3).
Bryce Hodges, South Effingham
The senior earned the win in a 10-0 victory over Bradwell as he struck out nine batters, walking one and allowed just one hit in five innings of work.
John Lopez, Richmond Hill
The junior was named the Player of the Match for the Wildcat soccer team after a 4-0 Region 1-6A win over Camden County.
Omari Burse, Benedictine
The junior went 2 for 3 with a stolen base, two runs and three RBIs in a win over Perry.
Ethan Jones, Savannah Christian
The senior had six strike outs and allowed just two hits and a run as he earned the pitching victory in an 11-1 win over Savannah Country Day.
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
Washington Commanders' fans were encouraged to see quarterback Jayden Daniels participate in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic two weeks ago. Why? Well, Daniels would not have been anywhere near the field if he were still recovering from any of the injuries he sustained during the 2025 season.
So, while there was some debate about whether Daniels should have even been on a flag football field in March, it had to mean Washington felt good about his overall health.
On Tuesday, head coach Dan Quinn gave an update on Daniels, only a few weeks before the Commanders open their offseason program.
"Good news, he's doing awesome, man," Quinn told the NFL Network at the league's annual meeting. "Just in terms of the rehab, the training, and everything, he's back full tilt, into everything. That's big for us. He's an absolute savage of a worker. And so he's going to put the work in, trust me on that."
General manager Adam Peters also offered a positive update on Daniels' health.
Daniels missed a total of 10 games last season due to different injuries. He dislocated his non-throwing elbow in a Week 9 loss to Seattle. He returned five weeks later, but reaggravated the injury chasing down a Minnesota defender after an interception. So, the Commanders made the decision to end Daniels' season and allow him to focus on 2026.
When Washington opens up the offseason program in a few short weeks, it sounds like Daniels will be 100% and a full participant. That's excellent news.
The 2026 NFL Draft is less than a month away, and mock drafts are beginning to fill our timelines and social media feeds. The Tennessee Titans have the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, and there's been a variety of speculation about who they will select. Some analysts believe they will focus on offense, while most others believe it will be a defensive selection.
CBS Sports Draft Analyst Ryan Wilson released a three-round mock draft, and he thinks the Titans will spend their first three picks on the offensive side of the ball. With the No. 4 overall pick, Wilson predicts the Titans will select Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Is this too rich for an RB? Maybe. But there's something to be said for supporting a young QB with as many game-changers as possible. Love would rank behind Ashton Jeanty, Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson -- but not by much. He'll immediately add some juice to the Titans RB room, and he's also a threat as a receiver out of the backfield.
Okay, he's not the first analyst to suggest that the Titans will pick up Love. It's not a secret that he is undoubtedly the best talent in this draft class. Period. However, the Titans have bigger needs than at running back. Tony Pollard came out of his shell after Brian Callahan was fired and started producing again, as we know he can. Expect that to remain the same. Tyjae Spears has a ton of potential and has shown flashes of what he is capable of. Under a new offensive coordinator and new head coach, things are going to change in Nashville.
Speaking of the new head coach, let's remember that he's incredibly defensive-minded, and the Titans' defense needs a ton of attention. The idea that the Titans will select offensive players in the first three rounds of the draft is mind-blowing. Wilson's second-round choice was wide receiver Chris Brazzell II out of Tennessee, and his third-round choice was an interior offensive lineman, Keylan Rutledge, out of Georgia Tech.
The second and third round choices aren't bad ones, but will the Titans actually draft Jeremiyah Love? It's far more likely they'll draft a defensive player, whether an edge rusher or a linebacker. But, we shall see.
One win stands between the Gannon University men’s basketball team and an NCAA championship.
Gannon (33-3) will meet Lander University (30-5) in the NCAA Division II title game April 5 at 1 p.m. The Golden Knights seek their first national crown in men’s basketball.
See information on tickets, viewing options and more below.
Where and when?
Gannon, the Atlantic region champion, will meet Lander (South Carolina) – champion of the Southeast – at Indianapolis, Indiana’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
This building will also host the D-III national championship game on April 5, plus the National Invitational Tournament final. Gainbridge Fieldhouse serves as home to the NBA’s Indiana Pacers.
Tickets start at $42.05 and can be purchased here.
All tickets are general admission. They grant access to all three April 5 games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Gannon will offer a fan bus which will depart from 130 W. 4th St. on April 5 at 4:30 a.m. and return to Erie after the game. Seats cost $165 each and do not include a game ticket.
Gannon makes its first NCAA final appearance since 1987, when it lost to Kentucky Wesleyan.
The Golden Knights’ 33 wins are their most in a single season, surpassing the 32 wins they posted in 2023-24. They beat Oklahoma Baptist, 98-80, in the national semifinals on March 27.
The winter season has concluded, and The Gardner News took a look at the highlights for Gardner-area teams. From big milestones, hard-fought wins and all the best moments in between, area teams have plenty to be proud of.
Now, it's time to acknowledge the individual athletes that shined and made an impact for their programs.
Check out the nominees for The Gardner News Boys Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year and vote for who you think should be the winner.
Reader votes will make up 25% of the tally, with Sports Reporter Cait Kemp making up the rest of the vote.
The poll runs until 9 a.m. on April 6.
The poll
The nominees
Jordan Baumann, Narragansett
Baumann was second in the 55-meter hurdles, third in the long jump and 12th in the high jump at the MIAA Div. 5 state championship.
Jayden Brostrom, Oakmont
Brostrom had success individually and impacted Oakmont's 4x400 relay team this season. The relay team competed at the Meet of Champions and was 16th. At the MIAA Div. 4 state championship, the group was third in the state. Brostrom was also fifth in the mile and 27th in the 1000 meter.
Jenkins continued to be a leader for the Wildcats this indoor season. He finished seventh in the 2-mile at the MIAA Div. 5 state championship. He also contributed to the 4x800 relay that placed seventh.
Collin Lindley, Quabbin
Lindley dominated for the Panthers this indoor track season. He made it all the way to the New England Championship and placed eighth in the 600 meter. At the Meet of Champions, he was fifth and at the MIAA Div. 5 state championship he was first, both also in the 600 meter.
Zou was one of three Quabbin athletes to place in the top 10 at the Meet of Champions. He was eighth in the 55 meter hurdles. He also placed fourth in the same event at the MIAA Div. 5 state championship.
It was a memorable winter for SouthCoast wrestling as a pair of New Bedford High wrestlers — Josiah Semedo and Anthony Bojorques — reached New Englands.
Like we have done in the fall, we are asking help from our readers to help choose our Player of the Year in each sport. The list has been narrowed down to the most elite athletes in the area.
Vote for the SouthCoast High School Wrestler of the Year below. Reader votes will make up 25% of the tally, with Sports Editor Laurie Los Lee making up the rest of the vote.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by school.
Voting will conclude at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 9.
THE POLL
THE CANDIDATES
Josiah Martins Semedo, New Bedford
The senior capped off his career by winning sectionals, placing fourth at the Div. 1 tournament, seventh at All-States and fifth at the New England championship. He led the Whalers in most takedowns, escapes, reversals, near-fall, major decisions, tech falls and wins this winter to finish the season with a record of 57-12, wrestling among the 120, 126 and 132 weight classes. He surpassed 100 career wins as well.
Bojorquez, a four-year wrestler, enjoyed a strong senior year in which he won the Div. 1 South Sectional championship in addition to placing fourth at the Div. 1 meet and and fifth at All-States. He was one match away from placing at New Englands. The 113-pounder had a record of 43-15 in 2026 to surpass 100 career wins.
It was a memorable winter for SouthCoast wrestling as a pair of New Bedford High wrestlers — Josiah Semedo and Anthony Bojorques — reached New Englands.
Like we have done in the fall, we are asking help from our readers to help choose our Player of the Year in each sport. The list has been narrowed down to the most elite athletes in the area.
Vote for the SouthCoast High School Wrestler of the Year below. Reader votes will make up 25% of the tally, with Sports Editor Laurie Los Lee making up the rest of the vote.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by school.
Voting will conclude at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 9.
THE POLL
THE CANDIDATES
Josiah Martins Semedo, New Bedford
The senior capped off his career by winning sectionals, placing fourth at the Div. 1 tournament, seventh at All-States and fifth at the New England championship. He led the Whalers in most takedowns, escapes, reversals, near-fall, major decisions, tech falls and wins this winter to finish the season with a record of 57-12, wrestling among the 120, 126 and 132 weight classes. He surpassed 100 career wins as well.
Bojorquez, a four-year wrestler, enjoyed a strong senior year in which he won the Div. 1 South Sectional championship in addition to placing fourth at the Div. 1 meet and and fifth at All-States. He was one match away from placing at New Englands. The 113-pounder had a record of 43-15 in 2026 to surpass 100 career wins.
Cedar Shoals has renamed its baseball field and will dedicate it with a ceremony on Wednesday.
The recipient is the late James Holston, an Athens Athletic Hall of Famer (2005) and an inaugural member of the Cedar Shoals Athletics Hall of Fame (2017). Holston was a four-year football letterman at Fort Valley State
Holston was the school's first head baseball coach. He led the Jaguars from their inaugural season in 1973 through 1983 and worked at Cedar Shoals from the school's opening in 1972 as a science teacher through 1994. He taught biology and physical science.
Holston began his coaching career at Athens High and Industrial School in 1960, serving as the offensive coordinator for the football team. He saw the school renamed to Burney-Harris. Following the integration of Clarke County schools in 1970, he spent two years at Clarke Central before the district reassigned him and a batch of other faculty to the brand-new Cedar Shoals in 1972.
The renaming was approved by the Clarke County School District Board of Education in 2025 after a strong push from former Jaguar baseball players Rev. Lamar Sandoval and Anthony Pittman. Sandoval was a bat boy for Holston's program in the eighth grade and played under Holston from 1977-78.
“I think this is instrumental for Cedar Shoals and today’s players," Sandoval said in a March 17 district press release. "They were not born when he was around teaching and coaching here, but I hope seeing his name on the field would give them an inquisitive mind and the chance to go research what kind of honorable man Coach Holston was.
"In order to know where you’re headed, you need to know where you came from."
Holston's surviving family, including his wife Bettye Henderson Holston and their two sons, Lewis and Bernard, will be in attendance for the ceremony, which will be held Wednesday, April 1, at 5 p.m.
Cedar Shoals (4-7) will host Greene County (0-16, 0-9) in a non-region baseball game following at 6 p.m. The regular season ends on April 15.
Softball finally kicks off in the Bloomington area this week, so let's take a look at our five favorite squads and the big question they need to answer this season.
Can Edgewood's seniors make a big run?
COACH — Mick Hammett, 31st season. LAST YEAR — 22-6, 9-1 WIC.
OUTLOOK — This is the biggest class of seniors (nine) that Hammett has ever had and they'd love to go out as one of the best, having already won 66 games and two sectional titles (2023 and '24). The schedule has been amped up for a team that brings back most of the major pieces from a team that hit .280 and scored over 150 runs and has one of the state's top pitchers, who has struck out 538 batters the past two seasons. Early on, Hammett will be looking to piece together the best possible lineup. "We should be solid defensively," Hammett said. "We had five strong hitters last year and the others pitched in, but we're hoping they'll do more this year."
Pitching: Ally Bland, a Taylor signee, will again handle most of the duties. "She's a little more seasoned, Hammett said. "I think she opened the eyes of her travel team that they had a hidden gym there. They were not using her as well as they should have been. She got a lot more time pitching than what she had, before. She was their third or fourth choice and moved up." Backups are senior Autumn Coons and freshman Braylin Bentley, who looked solid in the scrimmage against Franklin.
Batting order: Madi Bland (UIndy) is back on the field again after her ACL injury but remained a valuable piece last year calling pitches for sister Ally, a job she'll hand off to others to help take command of the infield. "I keep kidding her she may be more valuable than in the field," Hammett said. "It's not the truth. She did a great job at that but I'm glad to have her bat back in the lineup. I know she's probably overanxious for the time she lost, but I hope she'll relax up there and hit the ball. If she does that she'll be fine." Another year's experience should only help the rest of the lineup, as most of them stayed busy playing over the summer or competing in other sports as the Bland twins, Yearby, Austin, LaRoche and Bentley all come in off basketball. "They we're pretty focused and locked in last year," Hammett said. "So that shouldn't change. That's the way they were last year and as freshmen and sophomores. I just hope they don't press too hard."
How improved are South's young pitchers?
COACH — Meg Montgomery, 24th season. LAST YEAR — 10-8, 4-1 CI.
RETURNING STARTERS — Carly Reed, Sr. 2B/OF; Sloane Barrett, Sr. OF; Larkyn Ivey, Sr. SS; Lindsey Blanton, Sr. C/OF; Taylor Crohn, Jr. 1B; Rachel Johnson, So. P/1B; Abby Purtlebaugh, Jr. DH/C/3B; Shilo Rockhill, So. P.
OUTLOOK — The athleticism and versatility this team has is making it tough for Montgomery to settle on a lineup, so for the time being, she's not. What is a sure thing in her mind is the team chemistry and the leadership being shown by her five seniors and her sophomore pitching staff. "The senior class is anchoring this group," Montgomery said. "They're doing a great job leadership wise so it's nice to have that experience at the top. This is just a fun team to be with. They work their tails off and are a lot of fun to be around. But they know when to get serious. It takes work to get better. The kids can play multiple positions so they're not locked into playing any one position."
Pitching: Johnson and Rockhill should be a bit more confident now after going through last year's freshman growing pains. They have quality catchers to work with in Blanton and Purtlebaugh, who is coming off a shoulder injury. "They had great seasons last year," Montgomery said. "They were young and got that experience so we're looking for them to be leaders on the mound." Johnson is the ace and comes back strong with better movement on her pitches. Rockhill will bring a change of pace to Johnson. "They know what it takes to be successful," Montgomery said. Freshman Nora Sons will also see some innings.
Batting order: Candidates to fill out the starting lineup include sophomore Savannah Huffman in the outfield (left), while Barrett moves from right to center with sophomore Perry Murphy and junior Remy Neal getting a shot as new starters in right. Blanton has enough speed to play OF as well. The infield has Crohn at first, while Reed and sophomore Addy Suhr, who will also DP as Montgomery needs to keep her bat in the order, will share second. With Purtlebaugh limited to just hitting for now, junior Aminah Saahir will find a spot either at third or in the outfield. Frosh Molly Adams and Izzy Slater will be backup catchers with Adams also able to play short. Senior transfer Madison Maxwell can also catch. "The biggest thing for us is to get runners on base," Montgomery said. "We've got a lot of speed and I've got power throughout the lineup. But we've got to execute and get on base. The kids who hit singles and doubles are just as important."
Can new faces get North turned around?
COACH — Kat Edmonds, 3rd year. LAST YEAR — 5-16, 1-4 CI.
OUTLOOK — There's a big reset as far as the pitching staff is concerned with long time starters/middle infielders Kendyl Feutz (Thomas More) and Molly Klein (Goshen) off to college. A lot will be asked of the three seniors and a transfer pitcher (Brylee Moore) as a lot of new faces will step into varsity roles. "I'm excited, but I feel like that every year," Edmonds said. "Moore from Edgewood will pitch for us. I'm excited about that. She's been a really good addition to the team and also has a pretty good bat. We have a lot of good leaders this year." The youngsters will have to learn on the job. "A lot of it will be staying confident and not getting easily discouraged just because it will be a learning season," Edmonds said. "We've got a lot of new people who will be asked to step up."
Pitching: Moore got a bit of time spelling Ally Bland last year but now steps into the role of ace for a team that needed one. She has good movement on her pitches and an effective curve that should keep hitters off-balance. "I think she brings a lot of confidence and has a lot to prove," Edmonds said. "And I think that she will be someone who steps up in her role. I think she's ready for that. She does well under pressure." New arms to back her up include junior Sarah Hanson and Gill.
Batting order: The outfield sees Silvers in center surrounded by new faces as sophomore Savannah Hammond, junior Penelope Kearns and freshmen Alainah Peter and Korinne Galligher look to fill in the other two spots. Behind the plate, North is set with Parrish back and sophomore Piper Riddle. Hammond and Kendon Gallgher are utility players on the infield at second and third with Gill at short and sophomore Elizabeth Bruce coming back to play first base. "We have a good group of players who could play many positions so we're more about a rebuilding of the lineup this year, so we're trying to figure out the chemistry of it all," Edmonds said. "So we'll see that first week. Offensively, we will have to be solid. I told them we're going to rely on our bats a lot this year to score and manufacture runs. We want to be aggressive but it's their first time, so there will be a lot of learning. But I do think the center of our lineup will bring some pop. The girls on the bench will do a lot of pinch running this year."
How will Owen Valley's team come together?
COACH — Brian Greene, 8th season. LAST YEAR — 9-14, 3-7 WIC.
RETURNING STARTERS — Haley Amador, Jr. P; Makynlee Bonds, Sr.; Claire Paquette, Sr.; Mallory Tampin, Sr.; Isabella Harris, Sr.; Abree Wells, Jr. 3B; Addy Applegate, Jr.
OUTLOOK — 'Positionless basketball' has become a thing and head coach Brian Greene was in the same mode as practice finally took off after spring break. He has a lot of talent and experience back from last year and his pitching is well set. The rest of it, not so much. "We have a lot of versatility," Greene said. "So far, the first thing I know is that these girls are a close, tight-knit group and fun to coach. Our kids were making so much noise at practice recently, the middle school kids walking by were looking over to see what was going on. We're athletic and versatile and our girls have played quite a bit. The fun and the energy are good and they can be resilient, too. We'll need that as we figure things out. Our girls need to stay positive and trust in the process."
Pitching: Having Amador back and healthy after a foot issue last year, is a big deal. "She's getting used to her catchers and communicating with them," Greene said. "She looks good and she has command of three or four pitches." Abree Wells will back her up along with Jada Inman and Issabella Harris. Only Wells (10⅓ innings) threw varsity last year, so their development and ability to give Greene a chance to rest Amador on occasion and stay competitive will be a big deal.
Batting order: Greene says a half-dozen of his top players could end up anywhere. Injuries to a few players is hindering the sorting out process a bit. "We're looking at what they do best but also what's best for what our needs are," Greene said. Sophomore Chanley Tracy can play outfield or first base. Seniors include Makynlee Bonds, team captain and Oakland City commit, Claire Paquette and Mallory Tamplin, limited by injury last year. Addy Applegate is moving behind the plate. Freshman Tinsley Monroe, younger sister of Taylor, now at Louisville, will make her varsity debut and will bring a solid glove to short, second or center field. Amador, Wells and Bonds all batted .330 or better last year. "We've got speed, so we'll be aggressive on the bases," Greene said. "We have a bunch of doubles hitters, who can turn a few of those into home runs. We're just hoping for good contact, work the middle of the field and get some traffic on the bases."
COACH — Stacey Deckard, 1st season. LAST YEAR — 6-13, 1-6 SWIAC.
RETURNING STARTERS — Addison Ramey, Sr. P; Grace Deckard, Jr. C/P/3B; Makayla Singh, Jr. OF; Brianna Cunningham, Jr. CF.
OUTLOOK — The T-Birds are almost starting from scratch. They have a new coach in Stacey Deckard, who had Eastern's youth program for seven years, lost a key player/pitcher in Charley Paurazas, who moved and will build around a senior and three juniors back from last year. They are embracing the challenge. "Our team is pretty young," Deckard said. "But even with the age I would say we still have three or four girls who have not played softball previously. So it really is young. The four we have returning are solid players and they are super good leaders and great teammates. The team as a whole is an amazing group. They all have good attitudes and are hard working. Two of them who never played before ever, after a couple months working, have grown substantially. I'm proud of them."
Pitching: Ramey brings back plenty of experience as last year's ace, but beyond that is a big question mark. "Having no backup, we asked the whole team if anyone was interested," Deckard said. Daughter Grace Deckard answered the call, having pitched for several years until junior high. Ramey is just a phenomenal leader. We're lucky to have her as a senior. I've coached her along side her dad when I started the youth league. It's been awesome to watch her grow up in the program."
Batting order: Singh and Cunningham will spend most of their time in the outfield with their experience and speed, though, they could be used anywhere. A big chunk of the five sophomores have experience and will step up this year. Gracyn Collier, Charlie Deckard and Alyvia West will all see quite a bit of playing time at several spots. Freshman Hadley Hash has earned the start at first base. Offensively, Eastern may struggle at some spots. "Our experienced players and even our sophomores can get the bat on the ball," Deckard said. "I was impressed watching them last year as freshman. The freshmen just lack experience and the exposure to that level of pitching will be new to them."
With the return of just one Super Teamer — GNB Voc-Tech’s Gabriel Vieria — SouthCoast boys volleyball teams will look for up-and-coming players to take center stage as they vie for playoff berths.
Below are the names of seven local boys volleyball players we expect to have an impact on their respective teams this spring.
Cast your vote for the 2026 Standard-Times Preseason Boys Volleyball Player of the Year.
Editor's Note: Voting will end at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8.
With the return of just one Super Teamer — GNB Voc-Tech’s Gabriel Vieria — SouthCoast boys volleyball teams will look for up-and-coming players to take center stage as they vie for playoff berths.
Below are the names of seven local boys volleyball players we expect to have an impact on their respective teams this spring.
Cast your vote for the 2026 Standard-Times Preseason Boys Volleyball Player of the Year.
Editor's Note: Voting will end at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8.
Here’s your chance to decide the area’s boys and girls Athlete of the Week of March 30, 2026. The polls closes Friday at 11:59 p.m. Multiple votes are allowed.
Nominations are compiled courtesy of information obtained by The Gaston Gazette and Shelby Star by coaches, athletic directors and statisticians through emails, MaxPreps, game results or highlights posted to social media. If a top performer’s name doesn’t appear on the list, encourage their coach to email submissions to jhughes@gastongazette.com or sports@gastongazette.com.
K.J. Bell, Kings Mountain: Struck out 12 over six innings as part of a combined no-hitter in a 2-0 win over North Gaston.
Brock Bumgardner, Cherryville: Was 5-for-7 with a triple, five RBIs and scored two runs last week, in addition to allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts in four innings of a win against West Lincoln.
Zane Dodd, East Gaston: Was 4-for-7 with four doubles, six RBIs and a run scored last week.
Evan Lee, Ashbrook: Was 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in a 16-5 win over Garinger.
Hudson Lund, Crest: Allowed one run on five hits with 10 strikeouts, along with two hits and a run scored in a 10-1 win over South Point.
Peyton McCarn, South Point: Was 4-for-6 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored this past week.
Connor Presley, East Lincoln: Was 4-for-4 with a double, four RBIs and a run scored in an 8-7 win over Maiden in eight innings.
Danny Romero, Piedmont Community Charter: Was 4-for-4 with two doubles, five RBIs and a run scored in a 16-3 win over Queen’s Grant.
Tucker Sigmon, North Lincoln: Was 5-for-6 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, as well as seven RBIs and five runs this past week.
Cooper Summerlin, Gaston Christian: Was 3-for-5 this past week with a double, four RBIs and two runs scored, in addition to striking out four over 3 ⅓ innings.
The third day of the Indian Premier League 2026 witnessed a sensational start for Rajasthan Royals as teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered on his growing reputation with a blistering half-century to script a dominant eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on Monday.
All eyes were on the 15-year-old prodigy, and he did not disappoint. Sooryavanshi smashed a breathtaking 52 off just 17 balls, laced with four boundaries and five towering sixes, as RR chased down a modest target of 128 with a remarkable 7.5 overs to spare.
The left-hander, who had already grabbed global attention with his record-breaking debut season last year, survived an early scare after being dropped off the very first ball he faced. However, he quickly settled in and launched a ferocious counterattack, racing to his fifty in just 15 deliveries.
Reflecting on his approach, Sooryavanshi said he balances attack with caution but emphasised the importance of the powerplay. “I do think about defence, but today our plan was to control the game in the powerplay because in a small chase, that phase is crucial,” he said.
His fearless hitting included consecutive sixes off Noor Ahmad, sending the home crowd into a frenzy before he eventually fell to a sharp catch in the deep.
Bowlers set up commanding win
Earlier, RR’s decision to bowl first paid off handsomely as their attack dismantled CSKs batting lineup. Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger and Ravindra Jadeja claimed two wickets each to bundle out Chennai for 127 in 19.4 overs.
CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and debutant Sanju Samson fell cheaply, leaving the five-time champions struggling. A late effort from Jamie Overton (43 off 36 balls) helped push the total to a somewhat respectable score.
Burger, who returned figures of 2 for 26, was named Player of the Match, while Archer impressed with a tidy 2 for 19.
Gaikwad admitted it was a shaky start for his side. “A lot of youngsters in the group, so probably a nervy start for everyone. Good to get a game behind us, but we need to improve quickly,” he said. CSK are also without veteran MS Dhoni, who continues to recover from a calf strain.
IPL action shifts to Mullanpur
With RR off to a flying start and CSK left searching for answers, the spotlight now shifts to Day 4 action. Punjab Kings take on Gujarat Titans at Mullanpur in New Chandigarh later today, as the tournament gathers early momentum.
The Oshkosh and Fond du Lac Athlete of the Week poll from March 23 – March 29 is live until noon, Friday, April 3.
Cast your vote for an area athlete that participated in sports including softball and boys and girls track and field.
To nominate someone for Athlete of the Week please email BSchultz@usatodayco.com with the athlete’s name, school, sport and why they’re deserving by noon on Sunday to be considered for the next poll.
Nominees
Sunjaya Greenlee, North Fond du Lac track and field
Greenlee took first place in the 200 meters (28.99) and long jump (16-7) and third in the 60-meter (8.34) at the Golden Gloves Invite.
Lia Lipinski, Oshkosh West softball
In a 12-0 win over West De Pere, the freshman had three home runs, four total hits and eight RBIs.
Caleb Pickering, Campbellsport track and field
Pickering finished first in the 1,600 meters with a time of 4:35.05 at the Ripon College Invitational.
Brody Schaffer, Winneconne track and field
At the Ripon College Showcase Meet, Schaffer finished first in the long jump (21-4) and second in the 60-meter (7.02).
Kylie Triebold, Oshkosh West track and field
Triebold won the 400 meters with a time of 58.51 at the Ripon College Showcase Meet.
Whitney Witkowski, Lomira track and field
Witkowski had two first place finishes at the Golden Gloves Invite in the 800 meters (2:40.28) and the 1600 meters (5:50.3).
Past Winners
Aug. 21 – Aug. 30: Maya Hawi, Lourdes Academy girls tennis (10,768 votes)
Sept. 1 – Sept. 6: Jack O’Brien, Valley Christian cross country (4,437 votes)
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies start the 2026 season on the road on Friday, April 3, at New Hampshire before returning to Binghamton the following Tuesday to face off against the Somerset Patriots at 6:07 p.m. at Mirabito Stadium for the season home opener. Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, in partnership with Clear Path for Veterans, announced that veterans will receive free admission to Rumble Ponies games throughout this year, courtesy of the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Program, funded by the Broome County Department of Mental Health.
Fans can also look forward to continuing to call the crown jewel of downtown Binghamton “Mirabito Stadium” after a 5-year agreement with Mirabito Energy Group extended the stadium’s naming rights.
“Mirabito Stadium has become such a special place for our community – where families, friends, and neighbors come together to make memories,” Marrisa Sweeney, Senior Director of Marketing for Mirabito, said. “We’re honored to continue this partnership and proud to keep supporting the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and everything this ballpark represents.”
Binghamton fans attending Tuesday’s game can also expect seven new menu items, including Smash Burgers, Detroit-style pizza, a chicken tender sandwich, a new taco flavor variation, a pierogi bowl, a Reuben sandwich and cheddar Cheeto popcorn. Later on in the season, Binghamton will rebrand as the Southern Tier Scoop Scoundrels from July 17th through July 19th when the team hosts the Akron RubberDucks following the All-Star break. The new identity, a part of National Eat Ice Cream For Breakfast Day and a tribute to an old prohibition law, will have Binghamton changing its usual weekend promotions into an ice cream-themed social event.
Information on how to get tickets can be found here.
Rumble Ponies’ opening April schedule, home games
vs. Somerset at 6:07 pm EDT on April 7; Opening Night: Championship Pride
vs. Somerset at 6:07 pm EDT on April 8; We Care Wednesdays
vs. Somerset at 1:00 pm EDT on April 9; Throwback Thursday
vs. Somerset at 6:07 pm EDT on April 10; Miller Auto Team Fireworks Series
vs. Somerset at 1:00 pm EDT on April 11; City of Champions T-shirt Giveaway
vs. Somerset at 1:00 pm EDT on April 12; Family Funday
vs. Erie at 6:07 pm EDT on April 21; Twofer Tuesday
vs. Erie at 6:07 pm EDT on April 22; We Care Wednesdays
vs. Erie at 6:07 pm EDT on April 23; Throwback Thursday
vs. Erie at 6:07 pm EDT on April 24; Miller Auto Team Fireworks Series
vs. Erie at 1:00 pm EDT on April 25; Prehistoric Weekend
vs. Erie at 1:00 pm EDT on April 26; Family Funday
Class AA schools Watertown and Aberdeen Central are ready for another South Dakota high school softball season along with 16 other area Class A and B teams in 2026.
Watertown, coming off a 4-13 season in 2025, and Aberdeen Central, which went 2-16 a year ago, are scheduled (weather permitting) to open their seasons on Tuesday, March 31.
Some area schools opened play on Saturday, March 29, with the remaining teams set to open either this week or early next week.
The goal for the area teams is try to be one of the 16 teams in each class to earn berths in SoDak 16 state-qualifying games on Tuesday, May 26. There are 17 Class AA, 19 Class A and 31 Class B teams across the state this spring.
Winners of those games advance to state tournaments scheduled for June 4-6 at Sioux Falls (Class AA) and Aberdeen (Class A and B).
Things to know about Watertown
Kelli Brinka, and assistant Katie Strande, are back as the coaches for a Watertown team that dropped a bit from a 12-11 season in 2024 that included an eighth-place finish in the state Class AA tournament.
Junior pitcher Alexa Brown, senior center fielder Lauryn Hirsch, senior infielder Kodi Lund and sophomore catcher Emmy Berglund top the list of returnees for what will be a very young Arrow squad this spring.
"We're young and just very inexperienced," Brinka said. "But our big thing is that we're going to show up and compete. We told them they may have a spot one week, but they're going to have to show up every day and earn their spot. We just want to see the girls work hard, which is something we've lacked the last couple of years."
Brown went 4-7 on the mound last spring with a 3.30 earned-run average and 72 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings. Hirsch threw 30 innings a year ago but may not be able to get in the circle this spring due to an injury. Freshman Sophie Pickrel and eighth-graders Chesney Berglund and Jordan Evenson are other possible pitching candidates.
The Arrows' top hitters from last season — first baseman Aleia Johnston (.423 average with 16 RBIs), shortstop Kynslee Johnson (.311 average) and third baseman Alayna Dettman (.279 with 10 RBIs) — all have graduated.
Hirsch is the team's top returning hitter. She batted .278 last spring with a .481 slugging percentage, two doubles, three homers, nine RBIs and 11 runs scored. Lund, who is moving from second base to shortstop, and Berglund, who Brinka is hoping can potentially move from catcher to third base, are other returning regulars with experience.
Although, as previously mentioned, the battle for lineup spots could change but the early-season lineup could likely include sophomore Maddie Carter at first base; freshman Leah Struckman, eighth-grader Kenly Martenson or freshman Lydia Stemwedel at second base; and freshman Logan Schell in left field and junior Avery Baumann in right field. Stemwedel could assume catching duties, allowing for Berglund's move to third.
Moving pieces, youth and injuries holding back some pitching depth could leave the Arrows fighting an uphill battle in a Class AA field that should once again be dominated by Sioux Falls and other Metro area schools. Defending champion Sioux Falls Jefferson (20-3) and Sioux Falls Lincoln (20-4), which won the 2024 state title and entered last year's state tourney as the No. 1 seed, each suffered some key graduation losses. Third-place Harrisburg (19-3), runner-up Sioux Falls Washington (18-3) and Brandon Valley (15-6) could move up the pecking order.
It's not the win-loss record that Brinka is focusing on.
"It's definitely going to be a bit of a rebuilding year. We've told them that we're not letting things go this year. My whole goal for the team is to play together and have each other's back. No matter the score, we want to show up and work hard. The girls have bought into that, so that's been exciting."
Scheduled home games (at the Premier Softball Complex) for the Arrows include March 31 vs. Mitchell at 5:30 p.m., April 7 vs. Brookings at 6 p.m., April 16 vs. Aberdeen Central at 5:30 p.m., April 23 vs. Harrisburg at 6 p.m., May 9 vs. Rapid City Stevens at 1:30 p.m., May 12 vs. SF Roosevelt at 6 p.m., May 16 vs. Brandon Valley at noon and May 21 vs. Sioux Falls Lincoln at 6 p.m.
Unlike Watertown (which had a club sport team for 20-25 years), Aberdeen Central's fastpitch softball program didn't exist before the SDHSAA sanctioned the sport prior to the 2023 season.
The Golden Eagles' first year as a program featured an 0-13 record and has been followed by 4-15 and 2-16 marks the past two seasons for head coach Cassidy Neer.
Top returnees for the Golden Eagles, who are scheduled to host Pierre at 4 p.m. March 31 in the Aberdeen Dome, include senior shortstop Avery Bendewald, junior first-third baseman Jayla Breaw, junior catcher-infielder Alivia Roettele and sophomore second baseman Jovee Waldo.
Kaylee Kiesow, who handled most of the pitching duties last spring, has graduated.
The Golden Eagles have other home games scheduled for the Aberdeen Dome against Groton Area on April 2 at 4 & 5:30 p.m. and home games outside at Northern State University's Koehler Hall of Fame Field slated for April 7 against Yankton at 4 p.m., April 14 vs. Brookings at 4 p.m. and May 21 vs. Tea Area at 2 p.m.
Area Class A teams
Only three of the state's Class A teams are from the area and they are Sioux Valley (16-8 in 2025), Milbank (5-11) and Sisseton (1-13).
In only its second season, Sioux Valley qualified for the state tournament before going 0-3 and finishing eighth. The Cossacks kicked off their season on March 28, beating Sioux Falls Christian 13-7 and losing to Tri-Valley.
Infielder-pitcher Abby Axtell, a senior, and outfielder Kassidy Smith, a junior, each are back after earning all-tourney honors in last year's state tournament.
Area Class B teams
Area Class B teams have definitely made their mark in the first three years of sanctioned softball. Castlewood won the first state title in 2023, finished second in 2024 and went 16-6 and finished sixth last spring. After two seventh-place finishes, Deuel capped a 22-2 season with a state title in 2025. Florence-Henry went 18-4 and won the consolation champion at state for the second-straight year last spring. Mobridge-Pollock, a former Class A school, went 12-7 and finished fourth in last year's State B tourney.
All four teams have returning all-tourney players from last year's state tourney: freshman pitcher-utility Aubrey Lanners of Deuel, senior outfielder Kayla Goens and junior outfielder Cydni Kudrna of Castlewood, senior pitcher Elizabeth Reiter and sophomore catcher Ashlynn Vavruska of Florence-Henry and senior shortstop Jacy Netterville of Mobridge-Pollock. Castlewood also returns sophomore pitcher Claire Horn, the team's ace each of the past three seasons.
Other area teams and their records from last season include Redfield (8-8), Arlington (6-10), Clark-Willow Lake (5-10), Deubrook Area (3-9) and Kingsbury County (0-12) along with fringe area schools Colman-Egan (6-12), Oldham-Ramona-Rutland (7-9) and Elkton-Lake Benton (3-15). CWL, Deubrook Area and Kinbgsbury County were all first-year teams last spring.
Castlewood and Arlington each split season-opening games on March 28.
Groton Area is one of three first-year teams in Class B this spring. The Tigers dropped their debut on March 28 to Clark-Willow Lake.
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sportsor email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com
Richard Hughes can't miss bargain £34m deal for elite Morocco forward
Liverpool will soon have a pivotal decision to make - which player to choose as a Mohamed Salah replacement.
The Egyptian King is LEAVING Anfield after nine trophy-laden years with the club coming to an agreement to rip up his current contract.
The 33-year-old signed a new deal back in April 2024 - securing his future to 2027 - but he is now set to depart for nothing.
Arne Slot’s side will have to go into the market for a successor - as neither Federico Chiesa nor Jeremie Frimpong are natural replacements for the two-time African footballer of the year.
The 26-year-old has been at the Bernabeu since leaving Manchester City back in 2019 - winning plenty of honours but failing to carve out a key first-team role.
Contracted to the 15-time European champions until 2027 it is being reported in Sports Boom that Madrid are considering cashing in on the versatile attacker this summer if the right bid is made.
The price tag sits at a very reasonable £34m to £39m for a playmaker who could solve several problems at Anfield. Brahim is mostly utilised on the right side of the Madrid attack but is also capable of playing in a two-striker system as well as an orthodox No10.
His two-footedness is another beneficial attribute.
£34m to £39m is reasonable for Diaz
The report puts Brahim’s salary requests at around £150k to £170k per week - again very reasonable given Liverpool’s current wage structure.
Teams currently in the frame for Brahim per the report are Arsenal, Tottenham and AC Milan while Bundesliga interest could come from Borussia Dortmund and Leverkusen.
Intriguingly, the report adds that Brentford and Crystal Palace have both expressed an interest in taking Brahim on but the player sees himself playing at the highest level.
Indeed a desire for more first-team involvement is believed to be the chief reason behind the Spanish-born attacker seeking a Madrid exit this summer.
He’s only made six league starts this season for Real - although he has come into the starting picture more since Rodrygo’s injury.
Liverpool would have to set up a little differently for Brahim if they were to sign him as he is less of an orthodox winger and more of a playmaker.
Still there is no doubting his quality and with a move on the cards this summer it may well be a deal Richard Hughes cannot afford to miss.
🗞️Today’s back pages: a test of who can win over De la Fuente
Spain faces Egypt in the last friendly on Spanish soil before the World Cup, with several key names in the spotlight.
A friendly clash in Barcelona where Spain will take on Egypt. After that, there will be one final friendly already on the American continent ahead of the World Cup, on a day when the front pages are full of football.
How much of a game-changer will the new 'daylight' offside rule prove to be? [Getty Images]
The Canadian Premier League is no stranger to a moment of sporting history.
It was only last year that a bicycle kick was scored during a blizzard in the CPL final between Atletico Ottawa and Cavalry FC. It was dubbed the 'icicle kick' and gained more than one billion views across social media.
"I think as a young league in a country that's developing the sport of football, it's important that we do get that visibility," said Cavalry defender Bradley Kamdem, who played in that frosty final.
But now the Canadian top flight will have a different set of eyes on it as it enters its eighth season.
One of those especially invested in the league will be former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now Fifa's chief of global football development, whose new 'daylight' offside rule is being trialled by the CPL.
The rule itself is that there should be a complete gap between the attacker and the second-to-last opposition player. Critics of this change have said it will give too big an advantage to the attacker. But how have people involved in the CPL viewed it?
'We're ready to be innovative'
This is set to be a historic year for football in Canada. The CPL continues to evolve and develop, with the first team from Quebec province, Supra du Quebec, debuting in the 2026 season.
In continental competitions, four Canadian teams competed in the Concacaf Champions Cup for the first time - three from the CPL and Vancouver Whitecaps from America's Major League Soccer (MLS).
Along with the club game, the country will co-host a men's World Cup for the first time, with the USA and Mexico.
And so, the introduction of this adapted offside rule only helps the CPL try to break further into football's mainstream discussion.
The CPL's CEO James Johnson said: "It's a league that is still young, but it's maturing very quickly.
"We like to do things that are different. We want to create some debates and also make sure the CPL is at the heart of a global football conversation, because we're innovative and that's how we want to be seen.
"We want to contribute to world football. And when you have someone like Arsene Wenger, who's leading football discussions, we want to support that.
"And so if we can play a part we think it won't only be good for Canadian soccer, but also for world football, then I am all for it."
The CPL is the first top-flight league to try out this new offside rule, with low-level trials held in Italy's Under-18 Championship in 2023 and in youth competitions in the Netherlands.
Tactically, what will it mean?
When there is an adaptation of the rules, it gives managers, coaches and players opportunities to find creative ways to gain an advantage over an opponent. This offside rule will be no different.
With the advantage now shifting to the attacker's favour, it could create a league with a blend of defensive styles as each team seeks a tactical edge.
Bobby Smyrniotis, head coach of Forge FC, said: "I think the biggest thing is just how your defensive line is going to deal with it, and how aggressive they can be in moments or not.
"Because you look at it in the world of VAR [video assistant referee], you can play that fine line, and you've had that safety net. Now, that fine line has been given to the attacker. So it's a little bit different for how the defenders may approach it.
"The aggressiveness that creates. Does that create more space between the lines? So these are the little nuances we all want to look at.
"So in these early stages, you just look at the small things. And then, as coaches, what we do is we start tinkering. We start seeing this on the pitch and now we have to adjust in a certain way.
"Globally, it'll be interesting just to see how the defences deal with being overly aggressive and playing that fine line, because we know half a metre to an attacker is a big thing, and it's going to create more opportunities going forward."
Smyrniotis was in charge of Forge when the CPL was trialling defenders being allowed in the box during goal-kicks, and the effect that had on the game in the way teams pressed changed the landscape of the sport.
'Everyone comes to see goals'
So, for the players themselves, how do they feel about the prospect of this new offside rule?
"They should probably change my clean-sheet bonus, if I'm being honest. So I'll have to have a talk with the general manager about that," joked left-back Kamdem.
"It's definitely going to be a change. I'm a defender, so I prefer stricter rules on the offside.
"It could happen that it creates higher-scoring games, which I'm probably not the happiest about, but maybe for the fans it's a little bit more entertaining."
With the World Cup starting in June, the prospect of more Canadians paying attention to football and the CPL, the potential for high-scoring, more exciting games could attract them to the league past the showpiece tournament.
Smyrniotis said: "Whether it's 7,000 fans at the Hamilton Stadium or it's 90,000 at Wembley, everyone comes to see goals.
"The excitement that you get from the broadcast, from sitting live, all has to do with how that ball goes into the net. So if this is something that helps more goals, I think it's good."
Supra du Quebec head coach, Nicholas Razzaghi, added: "What I love about football is the emotions and sounds. I'm a coach, and they're supposed to be tactics and it's important.
"But at the same time, it's the emotion that you feel from the fans watching. When there was Covid and there were no fans in the stadium, it was pretty boring. I still love the game. It's not the same.
"My biggest hope is that the World Cup will propel more fan engagement, which has been growing. But I want to see the stadiums full."
For the CPL, it hopes that it can be the 2026 World Cup's legacy, with fans wanting to remain invested in the game, and the new offside rule might play a part in that.
Wales winger Rabbi Matondo is on the verge of leaving Rangers to join Norwegian side SK Brann. (Glasgow Times)
Celtic midfielder Odin Thiago Holm will re-join former club Valerenga on loan until the end of the Norwegian season in November. (TV2 via Sun)
Martin O'Neill believes Celtic are "far from out of" the Scottish Premiership title race. (Sun)
Steve Clarke will pick a 55-strong provisional Scotland squad before selecting a final pool of 26. (Record - subscription required)
Scotland midfielder Andy Irving, now with Czech side Sparta Prague, is "pretty confident" his old team Hearts will finish the season as Premiership champions. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required)
Hearts winning the Premiership would have no impact on Hibernian's "business side", says Easter Road chief executive Dan Barnett. (Scotsman - subscription required)
Gordon Strachan believes former club Aberdeen were right to hire Stephen Robinson as their head coach over a "mystic" foreign name with no Scottish Premiership experience. (Herald - subscription required)
Matheus Cunha: Patrice Evra lavishes praise on Man United star
Manchester United have improved significantly as a team since last season.
Team improvements
They were languishing in 15th place at this time last year, which is where they ultimately finished a catastrophic season.
Fast forward to the spring of 2026, and United find themselves in third place in the league with very realistic dreams of Champions League qualification.
The Red Devils brought in impressive attacking reinforcements in the summer through the signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko.
United also dramatically improved at goalkeeper with the addition of Belgian Senne Lammens.
Patrice Evra comments
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has given his verdict on who he believes has improved United the most this season.
Speaking to DHL Express as part of the ‘Delivering Dreams’ campaign (via The Metro), he claimed, “as for the most improved player this season, that’s a tough one because everyone is pushing hard this season, but I would probably say Matheus Cunha.”
Commenting further on what the Brazilian has brought to the team, he explained, “I am really happy with the new signings including Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. They bring something different to the team.”
Evra complimented the attacker’s vision and skill, as well as his strength and ability to play in attacking areas.
He added, “these signings are proving why they were brought to Manchester United.”
Evra also threw his support behind Patrick Dorgu, who received his fair share of criticism in his first season at Old Trafford.
The former French international elaborated that as a fullback, “you have to find the right balance, but with the way modern football is played, I think Patrick Dorgu is more dangerous as a left winger. That goal he scored against Arsenal was unbelievable. He is definitely more attacking than defensive. While the manager will ultimately decide, I see his long-term future as a left winger.”
Matheus Cunha season stats
Source: transfermarkt.comFeatured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
Deniz Undav and others condemn German fan jeering of Leroy Sané: “We must stand together!”
German national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann and game-winning goal-scorer Deniz Undav have both responded to the boos and whistles German national team starter Leroy Sané received last night in Stuttgart. Sané – who did appear a vital part of the German squad as recently as November – has been struggling for both club and country lately. The Galatasaray professional turned in a poor performance for Germany against Switzerland on Friday.
A recent Kicker Poll revealed that only 28 percent of German fans want Sané in the World Cup squad. Germany U21 talents Tom Bischof (20) and Said El Mala (19) were preferred to the 30-year-old Sané. The rise of 18-year-old Bayern Munich mega talent Lennart Karl also has much to do with the fact that Sané is now considered “yesterday’s news”. When Sané entered last night’s match in the 78th-minute, the MHP-Arena stadium crowd jeered him.
Sané set up Undav’s game-winning goal.
Stuttgart keeper Alexander Nübel also responded to the boos in the mixed zone.
Nagelsmann, Undav, and Nübel condemn booing of Leroy Sané
Undav had actually already completed his interview with German public broadcaster ARD before he himself asked for the microphone back. Undav thanked the fans in the stadium of his Bundesliga club for supporting him, yet felt compelled to make a statement on Sané. The Stuttgart attacker – always a vehement backer of his teammates – made a direct appeal to German fans.
“I ask that the next time Leroy or another player comes on, people don’t boo,” the 29-year-old said. “You should stand behind the team. It’s important that we, as a team, form a united front with the fans. I hope it won’t be like that at the [World Cup] tournament. I thought that was a shame, because ultimately we’re one team. Leroy is just as much a part of us as any other team member. I hope they’ll support him.”
“I directly addressed the fans before and found myself caught in a shitstorm because of it,” Nagelsmann added at the post-match press conference. “Generally, I don’t like it when our players get booed before they’ve even had their first chance. I don’t think that’s fair, but it is what it is.”
“That’s total bullshit,” Nübel said when asked about Sané in the mixed zone. “We want to head to America together as one nation. We can’t be divided. We need to foster a positive spirit together. It’s such that I can’t comprehend the booing.“
🚨 BREAKING: Ghana sack head coach three months before World Cup
Ghana have sacked head coach Otto Addo following their defeat to Germany on Monday night.
Ghana impressed as they went down narrowly to Julian Nagelsmann's side but that defeat has seen a change in the dugout for the Black Stars.
A statement was released overnight confirming that Addo had been relieved of his duties just three months before the World Cup.
Addo had been in charge of the country since 2024 where he won eight of his 22 games in charge.
"The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has parted ways with the Head Coach of the senior men’s national team (Black Stars), Otto Addo effective immediately," the press release read.
"The Association wishes to thank Otto Addo sincerely for his contribution to the team and wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavours.
"The Ghana Football Association will communicate the new technical direction of the Black Stars in due course."
Ghana have been drawn in Group L and will face Croatia, Panama and England in North America.
Bernardo Silva to leave Manchester City this summer, confirms Fabrizio Romano
Manchester City skipper Bernardo Silva will be leaving the club at the end of his contract in June, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has detailed.
The Portugal international is approaching the end of his ninth season at the Etihad Stadium and is keen on a new chapter after an illustrious career in England.
Since joining forces with Pep Guardiola from AS Monaco in 2017, Silva has led Manchester City to six Premier League titles and a maiden UEFA Champions League title en route to a historic treble in 2023.
The 31-year-old has a wide range of suitors and is expected to confirm his impending exit at the end of the current campaign, with City still in the running for a domestic treble.
Bernardo Silva: I’m really happy I didn’t leave Manchester City before we won the treble
Why Bernardo is leaving Man City
Silva has wanted to leave Manchester City to move closer to his homeland in Portugal since 2020, having attracted strong interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain over the years.
The playmaker has been an indispensable cog of Guardiola’s title-winning sides at Manchester City and executives at the Etihad Stadium have managed to keep hold of Silva during the best years of his career.
However, in a recent interview, the midfielder has cited personal and family reasons to explain why he would leave Manchester City, if at any point, and it seems like that moment is finally upon the Blues and their beloved captain.
Silva will leave Manchester City as one of their greatest ever players and will be given a farewell worthy of his contributions to the success Guardiola and co have enjoyed since their 100 point 2017-18 Premier League winning campaign.
Romano: Bernardo set for summer exit
It has always been a far-fetched prospect for Manchester City fans that Silva would put pen to paper and commit his future to the eight-time Premier League champions.
The Portuguese has publicly stated a few times this season that he has made his mind up over his future but would only make a public declaration when the time would be right.
From Spain: Bernardo Silva pushing for Barcelona transfer amid Jorge Mendes and Deco negotiations
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has reported this week that Silva is planning to leave Manchester City in June and has interest from clubs in the Major League Soccer, Saudi Pro League and across Europe.
It remains to be seen when an official announcement comes as 12 months on from bidding farewell to Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, Manchester City are bracing themselves for Silva’s long overdue exit.
So much has happened in 15 years, both personally and for Reading Football Club, but two things have remained strong: your support for this website and the dedication of the team who keep it and the podcast going.
Since our first articles in March 2011 (back on WordPress, remember them?) we’ve seen Brian McDermott, Nigel Adkins, Steve Clarke, Brian McDermott (again), Jaap Stam, Paul Clement, Jose Gomes, Mark Bowen, Veljko Paunovic, Paul Ince, Ruben Selles, Noel Hunt and Leam Richardson in the managerial hot seat.
The club has also switched ownership between Sir John Madejski, Anton Zingrarevich, back to SJM, the Thai consortium, to He Who Shall Not Be Named and now finally to Rob Couhig and co.
Two playoff finals, a promotion, two relegations and an FA Cup semi-final later, we’ve seen fanzines and podcasts come and go.
The Whiff was just wrapping up its final issue as we went live in 2011, while the Royals Post Podcast with Westy, Williams and Johnny Fordham morphed into the TTE Podcast in 2013, which you still listen to, and now watch. We’ve even outlasted the end of the club’s official programme and the demise of The Reading Evening Post.
We’ve been fortunate to have interviewed countless legends of the club from the past 40 years, from Shaka Hislop and Stuart Lovell to Phil Parkinson, Kevin Doyle and dozens more. On top of that we’ve had the two previous Reading managers on the show while they were in the role, in Ruben Selles and Noel Hunt.
What matters the most is that, as a website and podcast, we’ve been able to provide thousands of hours of content for Reading fans everywhere.
We’ve been there for commutes to away games, while you’ve got that spare five minutes in the office, as audio for long sleepless nights raising children, as something to read in the stands before a game and, of course, providing that much-needed bathroom-break reading material.
Beyond that I’m proud we’ve created and maintained a place where journalists and writers can hone their craft or where a fan can simply express their opinion in a safe, long-form environment.
We’ve had contributors go on to work for Sky Sports, the BBC, The Guardian, The Mirror, The Olympics, Royal Ascot and many other media organisations. There have also been those who’ve gone on to work in professional football, including Reading Football Club themselves.
All of that would not have been possible without one man in particular, who never likes being singled out but without whom I doubt there would still be a TTE, our beloved editor Simeon Pickup.
Sim had already been a key part of the team for many years as an assistant editor and took up the role of supremo when I hung up my keyboard back in 2017. Since then he’s steered the site through a pandemic, ownership chaos, points deductions, relegation and much more.
To give more than a decade of your life to keeping something going, with very minimal financial compensation, is something to be truly applauded. While Sim and the rest of us might have made the odd mistake over the years, we like to hope that, overall, we’ve provided something which is appreciated not just by Reading fans, but anyone who stumbles over our humble creation.
Special thanks as well to Marc Mayo who took on the pod, Olly Allen who took Pod Extra duties and then to Ross and Ben, who’ve only made things bigger and better. Not to mention the likes of Jonny Williams, Will Owain, Steve ‘Royal Hoops’ Curtis, Adam Jones, Ryan Jefferiss, Bobbins, Harry Chafer and countless others who have helped behind the scenes and in front of the microphones over the past decade and a half.
Thanks also to Waldemar Januszczak and ZCZ Films for the long-term support for the website and podcast.
It’s easy to feel frustrated as a Reading fan, but as we celebrate 20 years of the ‘106’ and 15 years of TTE, it’s a reminder that good times will return, and I hope this site and podcast will be around to celebrate them once again.
I’ve been lucky to welcome two kids into the world since TTE was founded, one of whom is now a season-ticket holder alongside myself and Wimb Snr, as we share a combined 60 years of ups and downs.
To round this off, I just wanted to encourage anyone who’s ever fancied having a go at contributing to TTE to please get in touch. Please drop us an email to thetilehurstend@gmail.com, as it’s only with the support of our readers and listeners that we can keep going.
We’ll forever be by the fans, for the fans.
Cheers,
Your unprofessional joke of a former podcast host and editor, Wimb.
NEW DELHI: Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is proving unstoppable. When he is in full flow, no bowling attack can prevent him from going all guns blazing - and that was evident on Monday night. After a power-packed performance by Rajasthan Royals bowlers restricted Chennai Super Kings to a modest 127, the spotlight shifted to the 15-year-old, who did what he does best - attack from the very first ball.
Sooryavanshi smashed 52 runs off just 17 balls - a blistering knock featuring five sixes and four boundaries - as Rajasthan Royals kicked off their IPL 2026 campaign with a dominant eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings at the ACA Stadium on Monday.
His half-century came in just 15 deliveries, the third-fastest in IPL history, setting up a comfortable victory for RR.
RR register biggest win
Rajasthan Royals chased down CSK’s 127 in just 12.1 overs, finishing with eight wickets in hand and 47 balls to spare. This marked their biggest win in terms of balls remaining.
The overall IPL record is still held by Mumbai Indians, who registered an 87-ball victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008.
Since 2020, Rajasthan Royals have now won nine of their 11 matches against Chennai Super Kings.
"I didn’t really do anything outside - there was supposed to be a cake cutting, but I went to sleep early to avoid the cake-smearing (on how he celebrated his birthday). The plan today was simply to execute well in the powerplay - initially the wicket felt a bit sticky, but as the ball got older, it started coming onto the bat nicely (on his batting approach)," Sooryavanshi said after the match.
129915211
"I do think about defence, but today our plan was to control the game in the powerplay because in a small chase, that phase is crucial - if the bowling team does well there, the game can tilt their way, but our powerplay went really well (on his aggressive intent)," he said.
"The coaches didn’t specifically say that bowlers would attack me - everyone else was already saying that - but they just told me that they back me and that I should stick to my natural game and play according to the situation (on guidance from the support staff). My opening partner (Jaiswal) keeps communicating with me after every ball - he tells me when to take singles, keeps giving me the strike, and encourages me to keep playing my shots if the ball is coming nicely onto the bat (on partnership understanding)," the 15-year-old cricketer said.
Which direction will the Washington Commanders go with the No. 7 overall pick in next month's 2026 NFL Draft? The Commanders do not even know the answer to that question. With six picks in front of them, Washington must react to what happens, but GM Adam Peters certainly knows which players he likes the most.
It sure sounds like Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is one of those players.
Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, and majority owner Josh Harris were at the NFL's owners meetings on Tuesday, and each spoke to the media. In a chat with Kay Adams of "Up & Adams," Peters was asked about the All-American linebacker.
"He's an impressive kid," Peters told Adams. "He's outstanding. I mean, we went to their pro day last week and they have four guys that are probably going to be picked in the top 10. That place is a factory, and they've got great coaches, and the players are really well-coached, and they're really good. Sonny fits into that category. He's big, he's long, he's fast, he's athletic, he's really smart, he's a great leader, so, ummm, yeah, he's a really good player."
Peters then praised Styles' football IQ.
"He gets those guys lined up. All the players on the team revere him. They talk about his leadership, his ability, his football IQ, the coaches do. If you talk to anybody there, he's going to be a team captain for 10 years."
Commanders GM Adam Peters seems very impressed by Ohio State LB Sonny Styles...
Peters has a great poker face. He often says as little as possible as nicely as possible. He did so here, but he wasn't lying about his appreciation for Sonny Styles. Coming from San Francisco, Peters understands elite linebacker play, having a hand in drafting Fred Warner to the 49ers. Future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner is a free agent and appears unlikely to return. When you hear Peters and Quinn talk about who is a "Commander," almost everything Peters described fits Styles to a tee.
Of course, Washington may not have a chance to draft Styles. Several teams in front of the Commanders could use Styles. Many mock drafts have him going to the New York Giants at No. 5 overall. If Styles slips past the Giants, Peters could have a big decision to make.
People often talk about positional value. Do you want a potential All-Pro player or just a solid player at a premium position? Styles is going to make any team that drafts him better — and for a long time.
The future heroes of March -- and the professional ranks -- are set to showcase their skills in the 2026 McDonald's All American Game on Tuesday.
While the boys roster isn't as loaded as it was a year ago, most of the country's top prep talent from the 2026 class will take the floor. Uncommitted No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes will face second-ranked Jordan Smith Jr., who is joined by BYU commit Bruce Branch III and Alabama commit Jaxon Richardson.
On the girls' side, top-rated USC commit Saniyah Hall will team up with UConn commit Olivia Vukosa to face a roster headlined by Tennessee's Oliviyah Edwards as they give college basketball and WNBA fans a first look at the next wave of talent moving up in the ranks this fall.
Here's a complete look at the 2026 McDonald's All American Game boys and girls rosters.
USC has three commitments on the All American teams between Adonis Ratliff, Darius Ratliff and Christian Collins, while Duke, Missouri and Arkansas each have two.
2026 McDonald's All American Game East Roster
Player
High school
Pos.
Height
College
Latrell Allmond
Petersburg High School (Va.)
PF
6-8
Oklahoma State
Darius Bivins
Bishop O'Connell High School (Va.)
PG
5-10
Undecided
Bruce Branch III
Prolific Prep (Fla.)
SF
6-7
BYU
Toni Bryant
Southeastern Prep Academy (Fla.)
PF
6-9
Missouri
Jasiah Jervis
Archbishop Stepinac High School (N.Y.)
SG
6-3
Michigan State
Taylen Kinney
Overtime Elite (Ga.)
PG
6-2
Kansas
Adonis Ratliff
Archbishop Stepinac High School (N.Y.)
C
7-0
USC
Darius Ratliff
Archbishop Stepinac High School (N.Y.)
C
7-0
USC
Jaxon Richardson
Southeastern Prep Academy (Fla.)
SF
6-6
Alabama
Deron Rippey Jr.
Blair Academy (N.J.)
PG
6-1
Duke
Jordan Smith Jr.
Paul VI High School (Va.)
SF
6-7
Arkansas
Anthony Thompson
Western Reserve Academy (Ohio)
SF
6-8
Ohio State
2026 McDonald's All American Game West Roster
Player
High school
Pos.
Height
College
Maximo Adams
Sierra Canyon High School (Calif.)
PF
6-7
North Carolina
JJ Andrews
Little Rock Christian Academy (Ark.)
SF
6-7
Arkansas
Christian Collins
St. John Bosco High School (Calif.)
PF
6-8
USC
Quinn Costello
The Newman School (Mass.)
C
6-9
Michigan
Jason Crowe Jr.
Inglewood High School (Calif.)
PG
6-3
Missouri
Arafan Diane
Iowa United Prep (Iowa)
C
7-0
Houston
Caleb Gaskins
Christopher Columbus High School (Fla.)
PF
6-8
Miami
Austin Goosby
Dynamic Prep (Texas)
SG
6-5
Texas
Caleb Holt
Prolific Prep (Calif.)
SF
6-5
Arizona
Brandon McCoy Jr.
Sierra Canyon High School (Calif.)
PG
6-4
Undecided
Tyran Stokes
Rainier Beach High School (Wash.)
SF
6-7
Undecided
Cameron Williams
St. Mary's High School (Ariz.)
PF
6-11
Duke
McDonald's All American Game 2026 girls rosters
Texas and Kentucky lead the way with three commitments between the girls All American rosters, though No. 1 overall recruit Samiyah Hall is headed to USC in the fall.
On Tuesday, two American League contenders meet in an early heavyweight showdown when the New York Yankees face the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Both the Mariners and Yankees enter the 2026 MLB season as legitimate World Series threats, and this could be an early season preview for high-stakes games down the road.
After a 2025 season that saw them fall just short of the World Series, the Mariners enter the new year as one of the favorites in the American League. Seattle has one of the most talented pitching staffs in baseball, headlined by Logan Gilbert — who will take the bump Tuesday night — Bryan Woo, Luis Castillo and George Kirby. Combined with Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena, Julio Rodriguez, Josh Naylor and more, Seattle is looking to reach its first ever Fall Classic.
Standing in their way are the Yankees, who are searching for title No. 28. New York has already flashed its potential with a perfect 3-0 start to the season, outscoring the San Francisco Giants 21-8 behind a surging Aaron Judge and a vintage performance from Giancarlo Stanton.
While the lineup remains lethal, the rotation is currently being anchored by big-ticket offseason addition Max Fried, who stepped into the ace role with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón beginning the year on the injured list. Fried will pitch for New York on Tuesday night, making his second start of the season after tossing 6.1 shutout innings on Opening Night against the Giants.
New York and Seattle can both be the final team standing come early November, and this early season clash serves as a high-stakes barometer for two rosters built with championship aspirations. While the Yankees are leaning on a star-studded lineup to bludgeon their way back to the Fall Classic, the Mariners are betting on the league's most disciplined pitching staff to stifle any offense in their path.
Here is everything you need to know for Yankees vs. Mariners, including TV channel, start time, and streaming options.
Yankees vs. Mariners will air nationally on TBS. Brian Anderson will handle the play-by-play duties, joined in the booth by analysts Ron Darling and Jeff Francoeur.
The studio show also will provide pregame, postgame, and mid-inning insights. Lauren Shehadi will serve as host, anchoring a desk that features the Hall of Fame expertise of Pedro Martinez alongside analysts Curtis Granderson and Jimmy Rollins.
Fans can stream it all live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users.
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.
Mariners vs. Yankees start time
Date: Tuesday, Mar. 31
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET | 6:40 p.m. PT
First pitch between New York and Seattle is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET (6:40 p.m. local time) on Tuesday night. The game will be played at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Fans can listen to Yankees vs. Mariners on SiriusXM channel 184. You can find the both the home and away broadcasts on the SiriusXM website and app.
New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
De la Fuente spoke about his omission ahead of Tuesday’s match against Egypt and insisted Eric still has a chance of making it to this summer’s tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
“Eric has been with me in the U19s, U21s, and the Olympics,” he told a press conference.
“He’s very well-liked by everyone, including me, and he has every chance. He had a minor injury, and perhaps that’s why he hasn’t come. There are still two months to go, and a lot can happen.”
Garcia will return to action after the international break with Barcelona and will hope he can force his way into the Spain squad for the World Cup.
Ghana's forward #23 Alexander Djiku (L) and Germany's midfielder #05 Pascal Gross (2L) vie for the ball during the international friendly football match between Germany and Ghana in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany on March 30, 2026. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Close
🚨 BREAKING: Roberto De Zerbi is now close to an agreement with Spurs following a breakthrough in talks. Five-year contract on offer.
De Zerbi had told Spurs last week he wanted to wait until summer, but a lucrative long-term deal has made him open to taking the job now.
Florentino Perez to decide Real Madrid captain’s future in crucial face-to-face meeting – report
Real Madrid are approaching a key moment in their squad planning, and one of the biggest decisions revolves around a player who has defined an era at the club, namely, Dani Carvajal.
According to a recent report from Defensa Central, club president Florentino Perez is preparing for a direct, face-to-face meeting with the veteran right-back to determine his future beyond this season.
With Carvajal’s contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, uncertainty continues to surround his next step.
As things stand, there is no formal agreement in place between the player and the club, leaving the situation wide open at a critical stage of the season.
Perez to take this matter seriously
Rather than allowing the matter to drag on, Perez is keen to address it immediately.
The planned meeting is expected to clarify Carvajal’s intentions, his physical condition, and whether both parties see value in continuing the relationship for another year.
It is not a routine conversation, as it will effectively alter Real Madrid’s strategy for the right-back position heading into the summer.
Carvajal’s future will be decided in talks with Florentino Perez. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The outlet mentions that Perez has historically handled similar situations with experienced figures in the squad, ensuring that decisions are made based on both performance and long-term planning.
Before arriving at a final verdict, the president prefers direct dialogue – something he previously did with Luka Modrić and Karim Benzema during their respective contract renewals.
In those cases, short-term extensions were offered under specific conditions, often including adjustments to salary.
That same framework could now apply to Carvajal, especially considering Real Madrid’s policy of carefully managing contracts for players in the latter stages of their careers.
The upcoming discussion will therefore carry multiple caveats.
If both sides find common ground, a one-year renewal could be on the table, potentially under revised financial terms.
However, if doubts remain, Real Madrid will have no choice but to actively explore the transfer market in search of a successor.
BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMANY - MARCH 27: Nicolo Tresoldi of Germany celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Under21 EURO Qualifier between Germany U21 and Northern Ireland U21 at Eintracht Stadion on March 27, 2026 in Braunschweig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Being a coveted, young talent with multiple avenues for international representation can make one a very appealing commodity in today’s game.
For Club Brugge center-forward and Germany U-21 star Nicolò Tresoldi, whose father is Italian and mother is Argentinian, the options are there…and they are calling per a report from Bild (as captured by @iMiaSanMia):
Argentina’s football association has contacted Germany U21 striker Nicolò Tresoldi (21) to inquire about the possibility of representing them at international level. Tresoldi was born in Cagliari, Italy to an Italian father and an Argentinian mother, but has represented Germany at youth level. The DFB could now lose him as he’s yet to receive a senior call-up.
At 21-years-old, Tresoldi has 17 goals and five assists in 48 games across all competitions this season and has started to garner attention on the transfer market. With a contract that runs throughs 2029, Club Brugge might be holding on to one very valuable player (in more ways than one).
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…
La Liga icon explains why Barcelona maestro is among world’s best: ‘I’m a huge fan’
Barcelona’s identity has always revolved around technical excellence in midfield, and few players understand that better than Santi Cazorla.
The Spanish icon, now continuing his journey with Real Oviedo, recently opened up in an interview with SPORT, reflecting on Barça’s playing style, his admiration for Pedri, and the transfer that never happened.
Cazorla’s connection to Barcelona has long been a topic of debate among fans.
Given his technical quality, vision, and ability to control tempo, many believed he would have been a perfect fit for the Blaugrana system during his prime.
Now, years later, the veteran midfielder has finally addressed that story with complete honesty.
Starting with Pedri
Before diving into his own story, Cazorla was asked about Barcelona’s current midfield star Pedri, particularly after a social media moment where he referred to the youngster as a “genius.”
Having played alongside legends like Xavi and Andres Iniesta, Cazorla’s opinion carries serious weight, and he did not hold back in his praise.
“He’s already one of the best in the world at that age. He’s a unique player, one we all enjoy watching every time he plays.
“I think Barcelona really notices it when Pedri isn’t there.
“They have some great players in that position, but I think Pedri brings a different touch to the team, and above all, he seems like a very, very down-to-earth, normal guy, and I really like that too.
“I think the more normal someone is, the better a player they are. I’m a huge fan of Pedri, and that’s why I asked him for his jersey.”
Focus on Pedri rather than Lamine
Cazorla has nothing but praise for Pedri. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
Naturally, the conversation then shifted towards another rising Barcelona star, Lamine Yamal.
While acknowledging the youngster’s exceptional ability, Cazorla explained why Pedri resonates more with him on a personal level.
“Well, yes, because of the position he plays. It’s the position I’ve always played.
“I love watching Lamine; he’s a unique and standout player in his position, but since I’ve played a bit in Pedri’s position, I have a bit more admiration for him because of that, not for any other reason.”
A Barcelona-esque player
Lastly, the most revealing part of the interview came when Cazorla addressed the long-standing question – why he never played for Barcelona.
With his style seemingly tailor-made for the club, many expected at least some level of interest during his peak years.
“Given my style and Barcelona’s, I think I’m a player who’s better suited to playing for Barça than for other clubs.
“I never had the opportunity or received any interest, and it’s clear that I have many friends and role models who have been very important there and in my career, like Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, and Fabregas.
“Football dictates which clubs you play for and which you don’t, but well, it’s true that it’s a club that has always appealed to me because of the way they play,” he concluded.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: Max Holloway awaits the decision in the BMF Championship fight during the UFC 326 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 07, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Arman Tsarukyan isn’t worried about fellow Lightweight contender Max Holloway.
One month ago, perhaps that wasn’t the case. Like Tsarukyan, Holloway was chasing down a dance with Ilia Topuria, and the former BMF kingpin wasn’t far off from earning his first UFC Lightweight title shot. Unfortunately for the “Blessed” Hawaiian, he came up rather short at UFC 326, as he was soundly controlled and wrestled by Charles Oliveira in an upset defeat.
“Do Bronxs” was viewed as a live dog ahead of their main event matchup, but few expected him to so easily dominate the fight on the canvas. The outcome has raised a lot of questions about Holloway’s future as a contender, and Tsarukyan isn’t wasting time to declare his career dead.
Arman Tsarukyan says Max Holloway is DONE after his performance against Charles Oliveira 😬
"He looked so bad in his last fight. I was surprised, how you cannot wrestle? Zero wrestling. You've been in this sport 20 years, you cannot even defend a takedown from Charles Oliveira."… pic.twitter.com/21n2uwhxkP
“Max is done already,” Tsarukyan told Ariel Helwani. “He’s just going to make money and then retire. He’s not that Max anymore … He looked so bad in his last fight. I was surprised, how you cannot wrestle? Zero wrestling. You’ve been in this sport 20 years, and you cannot even defend a takedown from Charles Oliveira. Charles Oliveira has no takedowns. Good jiu-jitsu, but I’ve never seen him wrestle very well.”
That said, Tsarukyan is correct that Holloway’s career is in a difficult position if his wrestling cannot hold up at 155 pounds. Oliveira is not the only physically strong grappler in a division with grinders like Tsarukyan, Benoit Saint Denis, and Gamrot. However, there just might be bigger fish to fry for Holloway, who is rumored to be the current frontrunner for Conor McGregor’s UFC return — no takedown defense needed!
Do you agree with Tsarukyan’s assessment, or was it simply an off night for the 34-year-old former champ?
Hoops 360 host Caroline Fenton, basketball analyst Isis Young, and women’s basketball writer and podcaster Jordan Robinson break down the Final Four matchups featuring the No. 1 seeds. Can South Carolina find a way to crack UConn? And will Texas standout Kyla Oldacre give UCLA star Lauren Betts a run for her money?
The trio also reacts to Geno Auriemma’s comments on the regional format. Plus, they have some fun looking back at the most memorable storylines and biggest star moments from the tournament so far.
Let us know your bold Final Four predictions in the comments!
01:13 - What stands out in South Carolina vs. UConn matchup?
07:22 - Is this South Carolina team in a better position to beat this UConn team than last year?
14:43 - What stands out in Texas vs. UCLA matchup?
25:40 - Did UCLA’s game against Duke make them more equipped to win a championship?
35:42 - What to make of Geno Auriemma's comments on the regionals format
50:37 - What have been the most notable storylines from NCAAW tournament so far?
Report: Liverpool set to battle Man United in the race for £70m Premier League star
Liverpool Transfer News: Murillo Battle Signals Summer Shift at Anfield
Liverpool’s defensive rebuild looks set to intensify this summer, with fresh reports indicating a high stakes transfer tussle with Manchester United. According to Fichajes, both clubs are preparing to go head to head for Nottingham Forest’s highly rated centre back Murillo, valued at around €80 million (£70m).
This is not a casual enquiry. It reflects a strategic pivot at Liverpool , where defensive planning has become a priority under Arne Slot.
Defensive Rebuild Gathers Pace
Liverpool have already committed significant funds to strengthening their backline. The arrival of Jeremy Jacquet is confirmed, while Giovanni Leoni, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have joined within the past year. Yet, despite this investment, uncertainty remains.
Contract situations surrounding Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson raise legitimate concerns, while Joe Gomez’s long term future is unclear. These factors explain why recruitment in defence remains active rather than complete.
Murillo’s emergence at Nottingham Forest has not gone unnoticed. The 23-year-old has adapted quickly to Premier League demands, showing composure, physicality and positional awareness across the past 18 months.
Photo: IMAGO
Rising Value in Competitive Market
Interest is growing, and the price reflects it. Forest’s €80m (£70m) valuation could rise further if a bidding war materialises, something Liverpool will be keen to avoid.
The presence of Manchester United complicates matters. Not only are they a historic rival, but they are also expected to compete directly with Liverpool in the league next season. Losing a target of this calibre to Old Trafford would carry both sporting and symbolic consequences.
Murillo is widely viewed as a potential long term successor to Virgil van Dijk. That alone elevates the importance of this pursuit. Liverpool’s recruitment model typically prioritises succession planning, and this move would align with that philosophy.
Financial Balancing Act Ahead
Liverpool have already allocated around £60 million for Jacquet. Adding Murillo at £70 million or more would consume a significant portion of the summer budget. This raises questions about prioritisation across the squad.
The challenge lies in balancing immediate needs with long term planning. Liverpool are not alone in recognising Murillo’s value, and competition will only intensify as the window approaches.
Transfer Battle Set to Intensify
If reports are accurate, this could become one of the defining transfer stories of the summer. Liverpool’s intent is clear, but execution will depend on timing, negotiation strategy and financial flexibility.
Supporters will hope the club can act decisively. Missing out on a player of Murillo’s profile, especially to a direct rival, would be difficult to overlook.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool perspective, this report lands at an interesting moment. There is already frustration around how the squad has evolved since Arne Slot’s title winning debut season. Spending £450 million and then seeing the title defence unravel has sharpened scrutiny on recruitment decisions.
Murillo feels like the type of signing that could restore some confidence. He is young, proven in the league, and carries that sense of upward trajectory supporters respond to. The comparison to Virgil van Dijk is ambitious, but the profile fits what Liverpool need.
There is also a deeper concern. If Konate or Robertson leave, Liverpool cannot afford reactive recruitment. They need proactive planning, and Murillo would represent exactly that.
However, the financial side cannot be ignored. Another £70 million outlay raises questions about balance across the squad. Midfield depth, attacking consistency and overall structure still need attention.
The Manchester United angle adds pressure. Liverpool fans will not want to see a top defensive talent strengthen a direct rival, particularly given how competitive the league is becoming again.
Ultimately, this feels like a test of Liverpool’s transfer clarity. If Murillo is the identified successor, the club must act decisively. Hesitation could prove costly, both in this deal and in the wider narrative around the club’s direction.
England vs Japan: Match Preview, Latest Team News and How to Watch
England vs Japan Preview: Kick Off Time, Team News and Prediction
An intriguing international fixture awaits as England national football team host Japan national football team at Wembley Stadium, with both aiming to sharpen their edge ahead of major competitions.
Match Details and Viewing Options
England vs Japan is set for a 7.45pm BST kick off on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, under the lights at Wembley. For supporters in the UK, the match will be shown live on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7pm BST.
Squad Updates and Key Players
England’s preparations have been disrupted by several withdrawals. Adam Wharton, Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert Lewin are all unavailable, leaving Thomas Tuchel with a reshaped 27 man squad. Jude Bellingham will not feature due to ongoing fitness concerns.
There is, however, a welcome return for key figures. Harry Kane is expected to lead the side, while Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi are also back in contention after missing the 1-1 draw with Uruguay. Jordan Pickford could reclaim his place in goal, with defensive options including Dan Burn, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa. Tino Livramento offers an alternative on the right.
Japan arrive with momentum, having secured four consecutive wins. Their latest victory came against Scotland, albeit in late fashion. The main concern for Hajime Moriyasu is the absence of Wataru Endo, who continues his recovery from surgery. Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma could be handed a starting role as Japan look to inject pace and creativity.
Photo IMAGO
Form Guide and Tactical Outlook
This England vs Japan Preview points towards a competitive encounter. England, ranked fourth in the world, face a Japan side sitting 18th, yet the gap feels narrower in practical terms. England’s recent squad disruption adds another layer of uncertainty.
Japan’s attacking transitions remain sharp, and they have shown resilience in tight matches. England, with Kane leading the line, will expect to control possession and create chances, especially with returning players adding structure.
Prediction and Head to Head Record
All signs suggest an open contest. England’s attacking depth, combined with Japan’s willingness to commit forward, could produce a high scoring affair.
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 defensive line.
Cardinals draft need level: Defensive line
The Cardinals re-signed L.J. Collier and added three other defensive linemen in free agency — Roy Lopez, Jonah Williams and Andrew Billings.
Calais Campbell has not come back. He was the Cardinals' interior defender.
They have used first-round picks on Darius Robinson and Walter Nolen. They need to produce.
Draft need/priority: Ideally, Round 3 or later. They can't keep throwing assets at the position without a payoff.
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.
On Monday, the Vegas Golden Knights snapped a three-game losing skid with a 4-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
Neither team looked particularly motivated in the first period. The Golden Knights outshot the Canucks 10-7, but Vancouver generated more scoring chances.
The Canucks broke the ice at 12:19 in the first. Jeremy Lauzon pinched, but couldn’t corral the fluttering puck; Jake DeBrusk took it back the other way on a 2-on-1 against Rasmus Andersson. DeBrusk got the pass across, and Evander Kane went forehand-backhand to score in his 1000th NHL game.
“We looked nervous in the first period,” said head coach John Tortorella following the 4-2 win. “We were slow. The second period was night and day.”
In the second period, the Golden Knights cleaned things up and took control of the game. They outshot the Canucks 15-10, and generated 20 scoring chances while holding Vancouver to just five. This manifested in a three-goal period.
The Golden Knights found the equalizer at 7:48 in the second after a hardworking shift by the third line. Kevin Lankinen made the save on Noah Hanifin, but Tomáš Hertl made a strong play on the rebound. Hertl found Rasmus Andersson driving the net, and Andersson had an empty net to shoot into.
Hanifin with the shot, Hertl with the play off the rebound. Rasmus Andersson snuck down infield the right circle and had a wide open net to shoot into. No staredown, though.
The Canucks took the lead once more on the power play at 12:17 in the second. Filip Hronek fired a shot from the point, and Brock Boeser tipped it home from the high slot.
The Golden Knights answered back five minutes later. Ivan Barbashev won a battle along the boards and found Shea Theodore all alone in the slot. Theodore picked his corner and beat Kevin Lankinen blocker-side for his ninth goal of the season.
Weird break for Vegas. Barbashev wins a battle along the wall, and Shea Theodore is allllll alone in the slot.
The Golden Knights took their first lead of the night at 18:34 in the second. Brayden McNabb fired a shot-pass and found Reilly Smith backdoor, and Smith was able to elevate the shot over Kevin Lankinen’s outstretched glove.
What a pass from Brayden McNabb, what a finish from Reilly Smith.
The third period dragged on with very little action. Both teams generated just two high-danger scoring chances.
The Canucks, who were eliminated from playoff contention over a week ago, had very little to play for, and it showed. They pulled Kevin Lankinen for the extra attacker, but Cole Smith beat out an icing before scoring his first goal as a Golden Knight into the empty net.
It wasn’t perfect. But tonight, the Golden Knights didn’t need perfection– they just needed a win.
Three Takeaways of the Knight
1. John Tortorella began his tenure in Vegas with the lines the Golden Knights had used for the past five games. That didn’t last long. Before the end of the first period, the top six had a very different look.
“I switched the centers,” said Tortorella postgame. “I thought we looked stale offensively… We just looked tentative. I liked the way the lines progressed as we went through the game. I thought there was some chemistry there, and I thought everybody chipped in.
Tortorella singled out Mitch Marner as a player he wanted to continue experimenting with.
“ I like Mitchy; I move Mitchy around quite a bit onto different lines. I think that’s something I may try a little bit more and bounce him around on different lines.”
2. All eyes in the hockey world are upon John Tortorella, who replaced Bruce Cassidy as head coach with just eight games remaining in the regular season. Tonight, he gave the people what they wanted, becoming the fourth head coach in franchise history to win his first game as head coach. It was his first time behind the bench as an NHL head coach since March 25th, 2025.
“There was some rust,” Tortorella said postgame. “I think, for half the game— and the boys let me do it— I was calling Dowd by a different name. I didn’t realize I was doing this. I’m sure you’ll hear about that eventually from these guys. But, yeah, it wasn’t too bad once I got a good feel for the lines… I’ve leaned on the coaching staff quite a bit. They’ve been great for me.”
3. The Golden Knights’ power play went 0-for-2 tonight against the 32nd-ranked penalty kill in the league. That in and of itself isn’t a major concern– nights like that happen over an 82-game season. However, in their last eight games, the Golden Knights are 4-for-26 on the power play. Three of those four goals came from the second power play unit.
Their power play was their biggest strength earlier this season, and they’re still tied for 5th in the NHL. Five of their seven remaining games are against playoff hopefuls. The Golden Knights need their power play to return to form if they want to keep their foot on the gas heading down the stretch.
15-year-old opening batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a spectacular half-century for the Rajasthan Royals as they defeated the Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The teenager is not new to the IPL scene having made his debut last year and recorded a 35-ball hundred against the Gujarat Titans but his display against Chennai was another reminder of his prodigious talent.
Sooryavanshi took the attack to the Chennai bowlers from the first ball and, alongside fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, helped Rajasthan to 74-0 having made full use of the field restrictions during the powerplay.
He was finally dismissed for 52 from 17 deliveries in an innings that included five sixes and four fours.
Rajasthan had earlier restricted Chennai with the ball. They took four quick wickets to limit their opponents to 41-4 at the end of the powerplay with South African seamer Nandre Burger taking 2-26.
India’s Ravindra Jadeja and England’s Jofra Archer also took two wickets each as Chennai were bowled out for 127 in 19.4 overs.
The Royals then made light work of the run chase and knocked off 128 runs from 12.1 overs with Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal putting on 75 for the first wicket.
(REUTERS)
“I think of defending but the plan was to decide the game in the powerplay as we’d restricted them to a low score,” Sooryavanshi reflected after his innings.
“If the bowlers had bowled well in the powerplay then the game might have turned their way but we went all out in the powerplay.“
Sooryavanshi also revealed that Rajasthan coach Kumar Sangakkara and his staff told him to follow his attacking instincts and said to ‘read the situation’ and back my game’.
Rajasthan will next face Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Saturday, while Chennai host Punjab Kings on Friday.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A nervous Roki Sasaki took the mound in his season debut, knowing he needed to prove something to himself and the Los Angeles Dodgers after a shaky spring.
The right-hander allowed one run and four hits over four innings of a 4-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night. Sasaki struck out four and walked two in his first major league start since May 9.
He walked 15 batters during spring training, raising concerns about his ability to perform as a starter.
"I actually didn’t have the confidence at all when this game started,” Sasaki said through a translator, “but I was just focusing on doing what I can control.”
José Ramírez, Cleveland's best hitter, singled in the first inning before Sasaki got him on a swinging strikeout in the third with runners on first and second and the Dodgers trailing 1-0.
“It should be a big boost to his confidence,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s a confident player, but when you don’t have success, it’s hard to have real confidence. But when you perform, you start to build true confidence, so hopefully he can build on this one.”
Roberts detected Sasaki's self-doubt in the first inning, when the 24-year-old pitcher got two quick outs before Ramírez singled and stole second.
“It was a wait-and-see kind of demeanor in the sense of you know what you’re supposed to do, know what you want to do, and until you actually do it, holding your breath a little bit,” the manager said. “Once he got out of that inning he was like, ‘OK, I can do this,’ and then wanted to go out there and keep doing it.”
Dalton Rushing, the 25-year-old backup to catcher Will Smith, called the game behind the plate while Smith got the night off.
Rushing used the time walking in from the bullpen with Sasaki to pump him up.
“I told him it was just me and him, just kind of tunnel vision to an extent and trust what you do,” Rushing said. “You were a really good pitcher for a long time in Japan for a reason. You’ve been a great pitcher for us last year down the stretch."
Sasaki was supposed to be the next big thing coming out of Nippon Professional Baseball. He signed with the Dodgers in January 2025, but by mid-May he was on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement.
After a long rehab assignment in the minors, he rejoined the Dodgers in late September as a reliever. He made eight starts and two relief appearances overall, going 1-1 with a 4.46 ERA, 28 strikeouts and 22 walks.
His best moments as a rookie came out of the bullpen. He earned his first professional save closing out the first game of the National League Division Series against Philadelphia. He pitched in three games in the series, earning two saves and then working three perfect innings in relief in the clinching fourth game.
In the World Series against Toronto, Sasaki pitched 2 2/3 innings over two games, and Los Angeles went on to win in seven games.
Sasaki remains intent on making it as a starter, and the Dodgers are giving him the chance to find himself again.
“The goal is to keep going deeper in games,” Roberts said. “I know he was a little bit nervous going into this start about what to expect. He responded well.”
Rushing called it “a very big step forward” for Sasaki.
“We’re going to build off this,” the catcher said. “We’re going to sit down and talk, see what we could have done better, refine some things and look forward to having him out there next time.”
Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Afridi has been fined by his franchise Lahore Qalandars for breaching security protocol at the team hotel during the Pakistan Super League. Afridi was handed a fine of PKR 1 million by the Qalandars.
"In the interest of maintaining discipline and demonstrating accountability, the franchise has taken a voluntary and proactive step by imposing a fine of PKR 1 million on Shaheen Shah Afridi for his involvement. Lahore Qalandars has also formally communicated a detailed response, along with its observations on the matter, to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)," read a release from the Qalandars.
"The franchise expressed its sincere appreciation for the efforts of security personnel, recognising their essential role in ensuring a safe and secure environment for players, officials, and spectators. While underscoring that the matter arose from a misunderstanding rather than any deliberate attempt to violate established procedures, Lahore Qalandars reiterated its full respect for all security protocols," added the statement.
The franchise did not mention Zimbabwe cricketer Sikandar Raza in their statement.
PSL controversy: What Shaheen Afridi is fined for?
Lahore Qalandars captain Afridi and his overseas player Raza found themselves at the centre of a major controversy after being accused of breaching team security protocols at their hotel.
According to a police official, Shaheen and Sikandar were found hosting four guests in Raza's room on the eighth floor until 1:25 a.m. The two cricketers hosted the guests despite warnings and refusal.
As per the police official, the liaison officer initially approached the PCB manager to seek permission for four of Raza's relatives to visit his room. The request was declined in line with security protocols.
Muhammad Faisal, DIG (Operations, Lahore), has notified the PSL CEO of a serious violation of security measures.
129918622
Despite the refusal, at around 11:05 p.m., PCB and security personnel reported that Shaheen and Raza escorted the four guests into Raza's room. The guests remained there until 1:25 a.m.
Real Madrid initiate talks to tie down midfield mainstay with long-term 2031 deal
Real Madrid are wasting no time when it comes to protecting one of their most important assets.
In that regard, according to a report from SPORT, the club has already opened negotiations with Aurelien Tchouameni over a new long-term deal, with the intention of extending his stay until 2031.
Clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United are believed to be closely monitoring his situation, identifying him as the ideal profile to reinforce their midfield with defensive strength and leadership.
Important player for Real Madrid
Despite experiencing mixed moments since arriving in Madrid, Tchouameni’s importance within the squad has never truly been in doubt.
Whether under Carlo Ancelotti in the past or within the club’s evolving structure under Alvaro Arbeloa, he continues to play a crucial role at the heart of the team.
Internally, he is seen as the player who brings balance, structure, and discipline to a side built around attacking brilliance.
Real Madrid want to renew Tchouameni’s contract. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Often tasked with doing the unseen work, Tchouameni operates as the team’s stabiliser, the one who protects the defence, dictates positioning, and steps up in difficult situations.
His influence might not always dominate headlines, but within the dressing room and tactical setup, it is invaluable.
In many ways, he is the glue that allows Real Madrid’s attacking stars to thrive without compromising defensive solidity.
There is interest
Naturally, such qualities have not gone unnoticed elsewhere, as Premier League giants are reportedly prepared to test Madrid’s resolve, with financial packages that significantly exceed his current salary.
However, Real Madrid are clear in their positions. The Frenchman is currently under contract until 2028, protected by a staggering €1 billion release clause, an amount designed to fend off even the wealthiest suitors.
More importantly, the club has no intention of entertaining offers, even those reportedly reaching €140 million.
Instead, the strategy is to reward and secure. By initiating talks over a three-year extension, Real Madrid are sending a message that Tchouameni is not for sale.
Liverpool will replace Virgil van Dijk next summer for just €60m
Liverpool are in the midst of a full defensive rebuild, and its going to take a number of transfer windows to complete.
Giovanni Leoni, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez all arrived last summer, and a deal is in place to bring Jeremy Jacquet to Anfield ahead of next season.
Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson are both into the final few months of their contracts and could depart this summer, but another concern for Richard Hughes will be the future of Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool’s captain has just over a year left on his deal, but the skipper will be 35 this summer and the time may have come to consider replacements.
Liverpool have perfect Virgil van Dijk succession plan
Van Dijk has continued to show he can operate at a truly elite level this season, and Arne Slot will hope that can be maintained next season too, but it feels unlikely Virgil will extend his stay beyond his current deal.
With that in mind, the summer of 2027 is likely when the club will be looking to replace their defensive talisman, and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano recently revealed the perfect option.
According to Romano, Nico Schlotterbeck is on the verge of agreeing a new deal with Borussia Dortmund that will run until 2031, but the German defender will have a release clause of €60-65 million (~£52-56.5m) that activates in the summer of 2027.
This will be music to the ears of Liverpool’s recruitment team.
Schlotterbeck is a left-footed central defender who has shown consistently over the last few seasons that he is capable of playing at an extremely high level.
He fits the profile Liverpool will be looking for when the time comes to replace Van Dijk, the only issue is Schlotterbeck’s age.
At 26-years-old, Schlotterbeck is marginally older than the type of player Liverpool typically go for, and the German will be 27 by the time his release clause activates.
Barcelona begin talks to understand conditions to sign Bundesliga forward
Barcelona’s search for a long-term attacking solution appears to have taken an intriguing turn, with a fresh report from SPORT revealing that the club has already made contact regarding Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani.
As the Blaugrana continue to plan for life after Robert Lewandowski, the focus is shifting towards younger, more financially viable options, and Asllani fits that profile perfectly.
According to the report, Barcelona have approached Hoffenheim to understand the conditions under which the German side would be willing to part ways with the forward in the summer transfer window.
A rising talent
Asllani’s recent performances on the international stage with Kosovo have significantly boosted his profile.
These displays have reignited interest in the striker, prompting those close to him to finally address the increasing speculation.
Following Kosovo’s standout result against Slovakia, his agent, Ayman Dahmani, chose to speak openly about the situation.
“Barça has officially requested information about Asllani’s situation.”
Fisnik Asllani is on Barcelona’s radar. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
This confirmation adds weight to what appears to be a well-considered move from Barcelona.
Internally, the club is assessing attacking options that combine potential with affordability.
Asllani, still developing but already showing a natural eye for goal, fits that mould.
Barcelona are evaluating
Importantly, Barcelona are also understood to be evaluating the player’s mindset and long-term ambition.
Furthermore, from a financial perspective, the operation remains within reach, as the striker is believed to have a release clause that does not exceed €30 million.
That said, this is far from a done deal since Barcelona are still in the information-gathering phase, and several factors need clarification, including the exact terms of his clause.
The Black Stars, who are in the same World Cup group as England, have lost their last four games and despite having Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo and Tottenham forward Mohammed Kudus among their ranks, failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations under Addo.
It added: "The Ghana Football Association will communicate the new technical direction of the Black Stars in due course."
Addo, 50, was born in Germany and spent his entire playing career in the country, also winning 15 caps for Ghana, and began his second spell as national team manager in March 2024.
The World Cup, which is being held in Canada, Mexico and the USA, runs from 11 June to 19 July.
Ghana will open their campaign against Panama on 18 June (00:00 BST) before facing England on 23 June (21:00 BST) and Croatia on 27 June (22:00 BST).
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) happily relieving his son Bronny James Jr. (9) from play during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
LOS ANGELES — It was the perfect scenario for Luka Dončić to serve his one-game suspension on Monday.
Not only being on the first night of a back-to-back but also playing against one of the worst-record teams in the NBA, the Wizards, was not a bad night to be in without your All-NBA star.
Behind a triple-double outing from LeBron James, the Lakers overpowered the woeful Wizards 120-101, Los Angeles' ninth consecutive win at Crypto.com Arena.
James finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists with Doncic serving his suspension for his 16th technical of the season last Friday.
Austin Reaves was one of three players who scored 19 points alongside James.
Reaves established an aggressive attack in Washington's paint, attempting 12 free throws on the night (made 11) with 9 assists.
Jaxson Hayes and Luke Kennard were the other two Lakers to score 19, with Kennard hitting four 3s and Hayes hitting one as well. It was Hayes' third three-pointer of the year, making him a perfect 100% from 3-point range.
In his final words to his post-game presser, with Hayes waiting his turn to address the media, coach JJ Redick told the Lakers' backup big man that he said "hell no" when he was asked if he was going to let them shoot pick-and-pop 3s.
WHERE THEY STAND
The Lakers improved to 49-26 and pushed their win streak at home to nine games. They still sit in the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference.
LA has won 12 of their last 13 games and pushed their record to 27-3 against teams under .500.
THE GAME-CHANGER
The Lakers' second-quarter push was the game-changer.
After similarly opening the first quarter as they did against the Nets: slow and playing to the level of their opponent, the Lakers kept building on their lead despite their inconsistencies.
The Lakers failed to connect on a 3 in the opening quarter but found success inside the paint.
Every mistake the Lakers had, the Wizards had two more, outscoring Washington 40-18 in the second quarter, which built them a 21-point lead at halftime.
L.A. finished with seven for 24 from 3 but scored 56 points in the paint, an area coach JJ Redick said they need to do more offensively.
"We're elite when we touch the paint, but we don't touch the paint enough," Redick said.
The Lakers are the eighth-best scoring team in the paint, and Rui Hachimura said attacking the paint is the responsibility of their Big 3.
Added that it helps with their spacing, crossing the defense and setting up their shooters.
“Every time we touch the paint, good things happen… we got to keep doing it,” Hachimura said.
THE GAMEBREAKER:
James is the gamebreaker in the Lakers' 25th win at home this season. It was his third triple-double this year and the 125th of his career, breaking his own record as the oldest player ever with a triple-double.
James led all scorers at halftime with 14 on 60% (six for 10) shooting, while the Wizards had no players in double figures.
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
The Lakers play their last game of a three-day homestand against the Cavs in their next game on Tuesday.
The Arizona Cardinals have made several new additions this offseason and a couple of players have changed their numbers. While the offseason program has not yet begun, uniform numbers have been assigned.
Which players changed numbers? What numbers do the newcomers have?
New uniforms for returning players
These players wore a different number than in 2025.
LB Cody Wilson: Previously No. 50, now No. 0
LB Mack Wilson: Previously No. 2, now No. 1
CB Will Johnson: Previously No. 0, now No. 2
Uniforms for new players
The Cardinals signed a bunch of players in free agency. We know their numbers.
QB Gardner Minshew, No. 15
RB Tyler Allgeier, No. 22
WR Kendrick Bourne, No. 17
WR Ihmir Smith-Marssette, No. 9
WR Devin Duvernay, No. 81
TE Teagan Quitoriano, No. 47
OL Isaac Seumalo, No. 73
OL Matt Pryor, No. 76
OL Elijah Wilkinson, No. 65
OL Oli Udoh, No. 68 (suggesting that the Cardinals do not plan on bringing back OL Kelvin Beachum)
DL Roy Lopez, No. 51
DL Jonah Williams, No. 92
DL Andrew Billings, No. 95
LB Jack Gibbens, No. 50
S Andrew Wingard, No. 27
LS Casey Kreiter, No. 59
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.
Steve Clarke's former Kilmarnock midfielder Gary Dicker is assistant coach at MLS side Charlotte FC - where Clarke's Scotland squad will be based for the World Cup [Getty Images]
An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman were waiting at the door of Charlotte FC's training ground for Steve Clarke's arrival.
On his search for Scotland's World Cup base camp, the head coach found theone in North Carolina, with a wee hand from a few familiar faces.
MLS side Charlotte are coached by Dean Smith, the former Aston Villa manager and pal of Clarke, his assistant is the Scotland boss' former Kilmarnock player, Gary Dicker and the club's technical director is Clarke's ex-St Mirren team-mate, Tommy Smith.
They say it's not what you know, but who you know.
A few other nations checked out the Atrium Health Performance Park, while the Scots searched "most of the East Coast", but Charlotte will be their home from home when they compete in their first World Cup since 1998 - against Haiti and Morocco in Boston and Brazil in Miami.
With both cities around a two-hour flight away, Clarke said he is hopeful the "top" facilities will provide his side with the "best possible conditions" as they make their long-awaited return to the biggest stage of them all.
With the help of Charlotte assistant Dicker and Scotland assistant Steven Naismith, BBC Scotland gets the lowdown on "one of the best facilities in the MLS" and the national team's summer set-up.
Unsurprisingly, a lot of conversations and a lot of checking places out.
Fifa offers a selection of available facilities but each nation will naturally have their own plans and priorities.
For Scotland, Naismith admitted getting it right for "travel and humidity" was paramount.
"It's a travelling World Cup," the assistant coach and Sportscene pundit said.
"We've got two games in Boston, one in Miami, but there's only a limited amount of facilities around Boston.
"That was probably the biggest challenge. We've done a lot of work seeing a lot of training bases - there's a lot on offer - but we're delighted with Charlotte."
Clarke's former Killie midfielder Dicker agreed it's "a really good central base" with flights to both Scotland's match cities only a couple of hours.
"I know it's difficult when at past tournaments it's easier to get around, but you do get used to it here, having an hour, two-hour flight and it not being a big deal.
"We're only 20 minutes from the private airport, so I'm sure they'll fly in and out of there too."
The travel isn't the only thing the Scots will need to adapt to this summer. The heat and humidity is not something they're used to.
Extreme heat during last summer's Club World Cup sparked conversations about this summer's tournament. Benfica's win against Bayern Munich in Charlotte was played at 15:00 local time in sweltering 36C conditions.
"I think the humidity ticks the boxes here as well," Dicker added.
"It's really hot and humid in the summer, which I think will really help them when they are going to Miami because it's going to be so, so hot down there."
What awaits Scotland at Charlotte FC?
In Naismith's words, "world class facilities which are purpose-built for football".
That might sound like the bare minimum, but as he scoured around for the ideal spot, the former international found many were tailored for NFL, basketball or baseball teams.
"You're actually having to compromise a wee bit on the actual facilities at some places," he explained.
"But in Charlotte, they've got the latest technology and recovery. The layout of these are all very much equipped for what we want, what we expect and what the players want day-to-day at their clubs."
Dicker, who played and coached at Brighton, said the club's training ground was one of the most impressive aspects when he made the move across the pond in 2024.
"We've got four grass pitches, a full-size astro pitch and another nine-aside astro," he told the BBC.
"From multiple buildings, meeting rooms, the auditorium, gyms and the canteen, we've got everything pretty close but also in completely separate buildings.
"Real Madrid have been, Inter Milan were here for the Club World Cup, I think we've had four or five 'big' clubs come here for pre-season, so it wasn't a surprise we had a lot of national teams come and look here.
"But we have a decent Scottish connection and I think that helps a lot. There's a comfort there.
"The gaffer here obviously knows Steve well, I think they know they'll be looked after quite well. He worked with John McGinn and a few other Scotland players, so having that connection, understanding what teams need and being flexible with it, really helps."
What about non-football stuff? How far away is Disneyland?
It's also not just about what the squad and staff need. Their families matter too.
This is the biggest - and potentially longest - experience and tournament many will partake in. And with it being on the other side of the world, many will want their loved ones close by.
But Dicker, who has his wife and children with him, insists there's plenty for families to do.
"You're away for so long, I'm sure most of them are going to come with their families," he explained. "But there's loads of stuff to do here with the kids.
"It's a fast-growing city, which isn't too busy, while you're close to the mountains and sea too.
"Even if they do want to go to Disneyland it's an hour-and-a-half flight to come back and down, it's not far at all."
While Clarke might not want to hear of Andy Robertson running around in Mickey Mouse ears, downtime is a priority for the head coach and his staff, who will be "encouraging their freedom".
"We're away for a long time, so it was important to get that relaxed element too," the assistant coach added.
"It was important that we were not isolated in a training facility that's not in a city, and in Charlotte, there's a lot for the players to do.
"We'll be encouraging them and I'm sure we'll try and get them to follow the routine they have back at home, if that's being able to see family time at certain points or if that's going out to do some shopping in an afternoon.
"Each player's got their own way of working and the manager's very open to allow that to be the feel around the group."
PRESTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Alfie Devine of Preston North End reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Oxford United at Deepdale Stadium on March 06, 2026 in Preston, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning everyone and welcome to your monthly EFL Championship Roundup, where hoddle headquarters takes a look at all things in the second tier of the English football pyramid. This has been a regular feature of the hoddle for years and one I hope I do not have to change to the “Premier League” roundup next year.
——
Tottenham Hotspur aren’t the only club out there frantically searching for a new manager.
Bristol City have announced that Roy Hodgson – yes, ROY HODGSON – is taking over the club for the remainder of the season.
The Robins’ season started well enough but have collapsed in 2026. They have a 4-3-8 record since the turn of the year, and are winless in their last five games (honestly, I’d take that at this point).
They now sit 16th in the Championship, although are comfortably well above the drop zone (12 points clear). Stil, you never quite know in the Championship.
And I guess that’s why they brought ol’ Roy out of retirement. For him, this is nothing more than a short-term stint to see the club through the remainder of the season.
🎤 "Is there any potential for long-term" 🗣️ "No, I'm too old…"
Roy Hodgson on the challenge ahead after being appointed Bristol City manager until the end of the season! pic.twitter.com/GVanH5mxrL
You’ve got to give a lot of credit to Bristol City for making a solid short-term hire who can steady the ship before looking for a permanent manager in the summer. This guy’s got some good credentials, too, even if he’s been out of the game a couple of years.
Bristol City will probably sit comfortably if they can take care of business against Charlton this weekend.
Otherwise, it’s a pretty close race to the bottom.
Blackburn Rovers, West Brom, Portsmouth, Leicester City and Oxford United are all separated by just four points (with Wednesady a distant, distant 24th place).
Here are a couple relegation six-pointers I want to put on your radar in the coming weeks:
Portsmouth vs Oxford United (6 April)
Blackburn vs WBA (6 April)
Portsmouth vs Leicester City (18 April)
Blackburn vs Leicester City (2 May)
There are some other games out there with relegation permutations (and more!). All this is gearing up to a heck of a final month of football.
EFL Championship Top Six (39 MP unless otherwise specified):
Coventry (80 Pts, +41 GD)
Middlesbrough (71 Pts, +22 GD)
Ipswich Town (69 Pts, +28 GD, 38 MP)
Millwall (69 Pts +9 GD)
Hull City (66 Pts, +5 GD)
Southampton (63 Pts, +15 GD)
Bottom Three:
22. Leicester City (39 Pts, -9 GD)
23. Oxford United (39 Pts, -15 GD)
24. Sheffield Wednesday (-6 Pts, -5 GD)
Fitzie’s track of the day:One Thing At A Time, by Courtney Barnett
And now for your links:
The Telegraph: “De Zerbi facing Tottenham fans’ backlash before he has even taken job”
The Guardian: “Igor Tudor has gone but Tottenham are still hollow, confused and in deep trouble”
The Athletic ($$): “Mauricio Pochettino insists he is open to staying on as USMNT coach after World Cup”
BBC: “’This is bigger than football’ – DR Congo bid to end 52-year World Cup wait”
The St. Louis Blues, who put themselves in the fight for the playoffs in the Western Conference once again with a 10-1-2 run in March, had one more big game to close out the month, a third matchup against the San Jose Sharks on Monday.
The first two games went to the Blues, winning each in overtime, including this past Thursday in St. Louis (2-1). A third seemed destined to go to extra time after the Blues fought back from a two-goal deficit with a pair of power-play goals. But as has happened often this season, a late goal not only took a precious point away from the Blues but gave the Sharks two when former Blue Adam Gaudette scored with 21.7 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Blues a stinging defeat, 5-4, at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.
The Blues (31-31-11), who had their four-game winning streak end, were in position to gain valuable ground on those teams above them, including the Nashville Predators, who currently hold the second wild card in the West by four point on the Blues, who had two games in hand on them, one of which was on Monday.
But instead, it was the Sharks (34-31-7) who gained the two points, moved two points ahead of the Blues and within two points of Nashville with two games in hand.
It was in fact a crushing defeat for the Blues, who had been playing so well since the return from the Olympics at 11-2-2 coming into this game.
Let's dive into the game observations:
* Last goal simply shouldn't happen on multiple fronts -- It all starts with Robert Thomas losing a face-off to Zack Ostapchuk, of all people, a fourth-liner who played 11:58 in this game. But the face-off isn't where this play broke down.
It breaks down when the five guys on the ice (Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg and Logan Mailloux) didn't manage the situation properly. Coach Jim Montgomery had been praising the team's ability to manage games since the break, and it's been a key contributor to their recent success.
Once that face-off is lost, all five guys needed to be back in position to make sure, without the puck, at the very least, that game gets to overtime, each team grabs a point and duke it out for the second.
Mailloux, who had his run of 20-plus minute streak end at 13 games on Saturday when he finished a second below 20 minutes (19:59), will be seeing that film quite a bit. Instead of aggressively trying to play a bouncing puck that wound up hopping past him after fumbling possession that turned into a 2-on-1, stay back in position and keep any rushing forwards from coming through you.
It was a tough game for the 22-year-old, who had really found his stride, but you have to remember, it's still his first full NHL season; he's going to make mistakes and learn from them. Unfortunately, that one came at the most inopportune time.
But also, I need a save there from Joel Hofer, who also had been playing so well, going 7-0-2 with a league-leading 1.29 goals-against average and league-leading .959 save percentage since the Olympic break. That's one he needs to have, a shot from the left dot that went right through him. Gaudette didn't even pick a corner.
Yes, you can't give up a 2-on-1 in that situation, that late in the game. The coaching staff will talk to Mailloux and show him that clip moving forward as a teaching tool, but I need my goalie to come up with a pretty routine save there that he has been making during his sleep during this run.
Defense and goaltending have been a staple for the Blues, who were No. 1 since the break allowing just 1.42 goals per game. That all went out the window Monday, and fittingly, in that fashion.
* Frittering away too many points late or blowing big leads -- Add Monday's crushing defeat to a plethora of games this season if the Blues ultimately don't make the playoffs, they can only blame themselves.
Here is a list of games this season the Blues could have/should have earned themselves at least a point, if not two points. Here's the list, aside from Monday's at least one point, if not two:
* Oct. 25, led the Detroit Red Wings 4-0 late in the second period, lost 6-4.
* Nov. 8, led the Seattle Kraken 3-2 but allowed the tying goal (which I will take to my grave that it was a bogus goalie interference call not given) with under two seconds left in regulation, lost 4-3 in overtime.
* Nov. 14, led the Philadelphia Flyers by two goals twice (3-1 and 5-3) before falling apart and losing 6-5 in overtime.
* Jan. 23, tied 2-2 with the Dallas Stars but allow the game-winner with 1:00 remaining in regulation to fall 3-2.
* Jan. 27, tied 3-3 with the Stars again but allow the game-winner with 1:07 remaining in regulation to fall 4-3.
* Feb. 2, led the Predators 5-1 in the second period with full control of that game, succumb from middle of game on and fall 6-5 in regulation.
* Feb. 4, tied 4-4 late again with the Stars, allow a Jamie Benn goal with 23 seconds left in regulation and fall 5-4.
* March 10, led the New York Islanders 3-0 but don't put the game away and ultimately, give up two third-period goals before falling 4-3 in overtime.
So when the Blues fall short of making the playoffs this season, they can point to any number of these games where points were frittered away.
* Penalty kill big letdown -- The Blues seemed to right one season-long bad since the Olympic break when they got their penalty kill on track, going 37-for-42, which was good for 88.1 percent and No. 1 in the league since Feb. 26.
But on this night, the Sharks scored three power-play goals, including two by Alexander Wennberg and one by Macklin Celebrini. One was an unfortunate pinball carom that lastly hit Mailloux, but the Blues' penalty killers were getting beat at the net in this game.
When you allow three power-play goals in a single game, something done only one other time this season (Jan. 7 in a 7-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks), you don't tend to win those games.
The Blues finished 1-for-4 on the kill. That won't get it done.
* Game management in first half of game was poor -- Managing the game and pucks has been so crucial for the Blues' latest run of strong games.
Not on this night.
Too many fumbled passes, turning pucks over, bad line changes enabled San Jose to get out to a 17-5 edge on the shot clock at one point that's been so uncharacteristic as of late.
* Tremendous fight back from deficit, power play instrumental -- The Blues were able to stay in this game despite scoring on two of their first three shots of the game, the first when Theo Lindstein scored his first NHL goal to give the Blues their only lead at 1-0 at 5:28 of the first period:
Who is happier about Theo Lindstein's first NHL goal?
And when Pavel Buchnevich netted his 17th to tie the game 2-2 at 16:39 of the first, it gave the Blues reason to continue to push despite the lackluster execution in the early going:
Trailing 4-2 late in the second, the Blues were able to get the opposite side of their special teams going, and when Philip Broberg made it a one-goal game at 4-3 with 26 seconds left in the second, there was life:
The Blues started playing below the goal line in the offensive zone, something missing in the first half of that game. Whether it was taking too many penalties and having to spend too much time on the kill, or the simple mis-management of the game, something had to change and Broberg's goal gave this group life.
And when Cam Fowler tied it with his own power-play goal at 12:53 of the third period to tie the game 4-4, it came on the heels of a strong push by the Blues the entire period:
Unfortunately for them, the fight back was all for naught with that crushing ending, and aside from a miracle in the final nine games, likely end their playoff aspirations.
“Proud of the way we fought back and tied it up but at the end of the day it’s a big game… just have to be better.”
After notching four of a possible six standings points on their three-game Western Canadian road trip, the Anaheim Ducks returned to Orange County to host the Toronto Maple Leafs in a game that had a surprising amount of built-up tension heading in.
The biggest storyline before the puck dropped was how the Leafs were going to respond to their lack of physical response following the injury to their captain, Auston Matthews, who suffered a season-ending knee injury at the hands of Ducks captain Radko Gudas a few weeks ago.
This interconference game didn’t have much standings implications, as the Ducks entered having had their four-game winning streak snapped on Saturday by the Edmonton Oilers. They sat with a three-point lead in the Pacific Division standings.
Toronto entered with the sixth-best odds to win the NHL Draft Lottery and were coming off a 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.
Radko Gudas exited the Ducks’ 3-2 OT win against the Calgary Flames on Thursday with a lower-body injury, forcing him to miss the team’s previous game, but he returned for this one. Pavel Mintyukov also missed the Ducks’ last game against the Oilers with a lower-body injury and returned on Monday. Nathan Guacher, Frank Vatrano, and Drew Helleson served as healthy scratches.
Here’s how the Ducks lined up to start this game:
Kreider-Carlsson-Terry
Killorn-Granlund-Sennecke
Viel-Poehling-Gauthier
McTavish-Washe-Moore
LaCombe-Trouba
Mintyukov-Carlson
Zellweger-Gudas
Ville Husso got the start in this game for the Ducks and saved 23 of the 28 shots he faced. Former Ducks backup netminder Anthony Stolarz opposed him in the Toronto net and stopped 28 of 32.
“Reminds me of exactly what happened in Toronto,” Joel Quenneville said. “We had a comfortable lead, we were in a good spot, and they’re dangerous off the rush. We turn pucks over, and they’re gone. That was their recipe there.”
Game Notes
This game was sloppy between the whistles and resembled a playoff game after them. The emotions mentioned earlier gave way to scrums and altercations, halting game flow and leading to multiple man-advantage opportunities for each side.
Radko Gudas received a ten-minute misconduct after participating in an opening faceoff fight with Toronto forward Max Domi. He only saw 7:10 TOI in this game. Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier left the game in the first period after scoring a goal to extend the Ducks’ lead to 2-0. He only played 3:20.
Ducks center Leo Carlsson gave a scare after colliding with Troy Terry and William Nylander simultaneously, sending him briefly to the locker room. He wound up playing 18:51 in this game.
This one only saw 37:25 of 5v5 action. The Ducks won the possession battle in those minutes with 57.14% of the shot attempts, despite generating 48.48% of the shots on goal, and wound up with 52.55% of the expected goals.
Power Play: The Ducks converted on one of their six power play chances, including a failure to convert on a two-minute 5v3 in the opening two minutes of the contest. Their 5v4 chances were more cohesive and dangerous than their long 5v3. While on the 5v3, they collapsed on the Leafs’ triangle in an attempt to shorten passes and get Stolarz moving, but could open any seams.
At 5v4, they were utilizing their net front and bumper to disrupt Toronto’s penalty killing structure, and added some creative wrinkles, including banking flank shot-passes off the endboards to find the net front forward on the back post.
Beckett Sennecke: Sennecke is one of the most volatile NHL rookies in recent memory, and learning how to mitigate his mistakes while amplifying the aspects of his game that make him special will be a challenge throughout the early parts of his career.
He can singlehandedly create scoring opportunities from his own goal line, as displayed by the Ducks’ third goal, where he cuts back on an aggressive pursuer and sends a picturesque sauce outlet to Jackson LaCombe 120 feet away, in the neutral zone.
He can also cost his club points here and there with careless offensive zone turnovers. He’s making ambitious decisions to create opportunities when simple plays are available. He turned a puck over at the offensive blueline on a cycle that sprung Nylander on a breakaway and allowed Toronto to tie the game late.
He didn’t see the ice following that play at the 10:14 mark of the third period or in the overtime frame. If the coaching staff had played him, perhaps the Ducks would have come away with the extra point, but at this stage in the season, they viewed the lesson as more important than the standings point.
Leo Carlsson: When Carlsson briefly exited the game, the air was sucked out of Honda Center. Upon his return, halfway through the third period, he was back to generating scoring chances at will, both off the rush or cycle.
He displayed a few aspects of his game that, if they become more consistent, will help round out his attacking ability and add to his repertoire as a 200-foot impact player. He manufactured a number of turnovers with clever defensive angles and stick lifts, which he then turned up ice into quick offense.
He was also more willing to engage puck carriers through their hands, getting his 6-foot-3 frame between them and the puck, to muscle possession away. With these added elements, he can continue his climb into the conversation of the NHL’s elite centermen.
The Ducks will hit the road for a brief trip to Northern California to face their division rival San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, as the Sharks find themselves within striking distance of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference playoff picture.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the best team in the league, and their success can be traced back to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As the reigning MVP, SGA continues to impress because he is the primary reason behind OKC's place in the standings.
Considering that SGA is the reigning MVP, there is a bit of a target on his back. Other players want to catch up, and in recent weeks, there have been a couple of players who are campaigning for themselves.
SGA finds the MVP race to be a fun debate
Over the past few weeks, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic have made their case for the MVP award. While SGA is the favorite, they are certainly making it a heated race.
Despite the pressure brought about by the award, SGA seems unfazed by the other contenders. He is ready to keep winning games for the Thunder and making a case for himself without having to be vocal about it.
The Thunder are the best team in the league, and he continues to be the primary reason behind their victories. As they move forward, that is the case that SGA is making, and at the same time, he is enjoying the other players' arguments for the award.
At the end of the day, Gilgeous-Alexander is the favorite to win the award. He believes he deserves it, but he is having fun with the fact that other players are making a case and being more competitive than ever, which is only good for the league.
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James couldn’t help but smile about Bronny James.
The 41-year-old James has remained proud of his son’s success both as his Lakers’ teammate and in the G League. He also remained proud of his own dominance.
“I had a hoop in our drive way and I drove around him and dunked it,” LeBron said following the Lakers’ 120-101 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday. “I didn’t mean to shatter the glass, but I yeah I shattered it.”
Was LeBron trying to tell Bronny who’s boss?
“He made a couple of shots. But that’s like Miami ‘Bron,'” LeBron said. “That’s like ‘Invincible ‘Bron.’ It’s not like he was about to win.”
While standing by his locker, LeBron then asked Bronny if he remembered correctly that he didn’t replace the broken basket. Bronny affirmed that LeBron’s memory remains strong.
“I didn’t buy another one,” LeBron said. “That was it.”
That moment didn’t exactly inhibit Bronny from still playing basketball. He starred in high school (Sierra Canyon) and in college (one year at USC) before the Lakers selected him with their No. 55 pick. In his second NBA season, Bronny has become both a valued rotation player on the Lakers and a key player on their G League team. On Saturday, Bronny led the South Bay Lakers to a 140-132 win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce with 26 points on 9-for-12 shooting, seven rebounds, five assists and one steal. On that same day, James saw his other son (Bryce) be on a team that advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 2001 (University of Arizona). Bryce has redshirted his freshman season, but LeBron and his wife, Savannah, watched both games at the same time.
“We’re a winning family. That’s all we’ve ever done,” James said. “It doesn’t even mean in sports and in life. We’re a winning family. All of this other [stuff] is extra credit. We’re super appreciative of it.”
With jumping from high school to the NBA in 2003, James never had the experience Bryce might have with winning an NCAA championship.
“I’m happy for him. But I definitely made the right decision,” LeBron said, smiling. “I cut nets through three state championships. That was enough for me. I’m good.”
Days after turning 15, Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi found a perfect way to celebrate, tearing to a 15-ball half-century in a commanding eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday.
Sooryavanshi, who lit up his debut season with a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans last year, took only 15 balls to smash his first fifty of the season – the third fifty-plus score of his eight-match IPL career so far.
Alongside fellow opener and India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sooryavanshi tore into the Chennai attack in the powerplay, leading the team to 74 without loss.
Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 52 after 17 balls, including five sixes and four fours, after sharing a blistering 75-run stand with Jaiswal. Rajasthan sealed victory in just 12.1 overs after chasing down a victory target of 128.
“I think of defending, but the plan was to decide the game in the powerplay as we’d restricted them to a low score,” Sooryavanshi said.
“If the bowlers had bowled well in the powerplay then the game might have turned their way, but we went all out in the powerplay.”
The Under-19 World Cup winner credited Rajasthan coach Kumar Sangakkara and staff for backing his attacking instincts.
“They told me to read the situation well and back my game,” he added.
Rajasthan’s quick chase followed a brilliant bowling effort. Their attack reduced Chennai to 41-4 at the end of the powerplay, putting the visitors firmly on the back foot before they were dismissed for 127 in 19.4 overs.
South Africa pace bowler Nandre Burger led the charge with figures of 2-26 and was named player of the match, while Jofra Archer and Ravindra Jadeja also took two wickets apiece.
Rajasthan will next face the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Saturday, while Chennai host Punjab Kings on Friday.
Sooryavanshi plays a shot during the IPL match against Chennai [Anupam Nath/AP]
Eric Garcia reveals who is Barcelona’s dressing room leader: ‘He has a lot of character’
The Barcelona dressing room has often been defined by big personalities and vocal leaders, but according to Eric Garcia, the heartbeat of this current squad might not be who most fans expect.
In a recent interview with DAZN, as reported by SPORT, the Spanish defender offered a revealing insight into the inner workings of the Barça locker room.
When asked to identify the team’s “quiet leader”, a figure who commands respect through character and presence, Garcia pointed towards Raphinha.
Barcelona’s leader
While the Brazilian is widely known for his energy on the pitch, Garcia’s comments shed light on his importance behind the scenes as well.
Garcia explained the type of leadership he values within a squad: someone who contributes consistently, drives standards, and isn’t afraid to push teammates.
“He’s not the kind of leader who’s so quiet and doesn’t stand out much, but I think it’s Raphinha.
“He has a lot of character, and you often get annoyed with him because he sometimes goes overboard.
Raphinha is Barcelona’s leader. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
“But I think he has this hot-blooded nature that makes him run up and down the field the entire game as a player, helps us a lot on defence, and scores the goals he scores,” he said.
The centre-back did not stop there. He went on to explain just how highly he rates his teammate, especially after an impressive run of performances last season.
“Given the season he had last year, he can be considered one of the best players in the world.”
Responsibilities at Barcelona
Alongside praising his teammate, Garcia also opened up about his own responsibilities within the group.
Following Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s move to Girona a few months ago, the defender stepped into a more prominent leadership role as Barcelona’s fifth captain.
Speaking about his approach to leadership, Garcia explained how supporting teammates has always been part of his identity as a footballer.
“Trying to help my teammates as much as possible comes naturally to me. I like to help them both on and off the field. I’ve been a captain since I was a kid,” he concluded.
English legend calls for new NT role for Real Madrid midfielder: ‘Like Frank Lampard of Chelsea’
Jude Bellingham only just returned from his setback in Real Madrid’s game against Atletico Madrid earlier this month and was called up immediately for NT duty.
One major debate in recent times, however, has been his role for the national team, as he has often been used deeper in midfield than where he plays for Real Madrid.
English legend talks about Bellingham’s NT role
Manchester United and England great Rio Ferdinand spoke on the Real Madrid star’s role with the national team in a recent interview (h/t The Madrid Zone) and explained why there is a need for his role to change.
Explaining how Bellingham’s brilliance and magic should be utilised closer to the goal, Ferdinand said,
“I want Jude Bellingham to be the moments guy with England,” he began.
Ferdinand has urged for a better role for Jude Bellingham. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Explaining what he meant by Bellingham being a ‘moments’ guy, the former defender said,
“Yeah, when there’s time to keep the ball and be the extra man in midfield, great.”
“But I want him to be the Frank Lampard of Chelsea in the England team and come up with big, special goals, like he’s done for Real Madrid before,” he added.
So far this season, Bellingham has played 19 La Liga games for Real Madrid and has four goals and three assists to show.
He averages 1.6 key passes per game and has created three big chances.
What has hindered his seamless participation, however, is Arda Guler’s rise, and it remains a struggle for management to devise a strategy that allows both players to coexist in harmony.
Perhaps Gareth Southgate got out at just the right time. This was meant to be the summer when an England team of abundant young talent fulfilled their promise on the greatest stage. But two-and-a-half months out from the 2026 World Cup, the number of England players who are in form, fully fit and genuinely good enough to win a World Cup can be counted on one finger.
Harry Kane will lead the team out against Japan at Wembley on Tuesday night, for what will be his 113th cap. But he will not be joined by Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham or John Stones. There will be no Adam Wharton or Noni Madueke, and Phil Foden would appear unlikely too. Injuries have taken their toll. A more cynical take is that this international break is being used more for a break than for internationals.
Thomas Tuchel did acknowledge that it was an odd look for 10 of Arsenal’s players to withdraw from international squads around the world this week, just before Mikel Arteta’s side embark on their treble bid. But he insisted he wasn’t upset with Rice or Saka, who have returned to their club.
“I understand the look of it,” Tuchel said, speaking at England’s temporary base at Tottenham Hotspur’s training centre on Monday. “I still have 100 per cent trust in the honesty of Bukayo and Declan. We did medical tests. I saw them. I have no reason to believe that Declan is not honest with me. I have no reason to believe Bukayo is not honest. But given the amount of Arsenal players, I understand the look.
“I heard there were camps [historically] where players did not even show up with boots and stuff like that, and then I understand it becomes like, ‘OK, are we being played here’ or whatever. But they both came, Bukayo did sessions in the gym to really try. Declan had a session together with Jude on the pitch, tried and said, ‘It doesn’t feel right’.
“Why would I push him? What would we win from that? Declan’s a key player, Bukayo’s a key player. Why would I take this risk? Of course, I want them in my team. Of course, I want them to play tomorrow. But this is not the moment to push.”
Declan Rice (pictured) had a session with Jude Bellingham on the pitch but complained of discomfort (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)
On the surface, perhaps it doesn’t matter. England are only playing Japan in a friendly. But if, like me, you have erased Friday’s draw with Uruguay from your mind on the grounds that it was a third-string line-up delivering unwatchable mulch, then this is really the only England match in a seven-month spell between the end of qualifying and Tuchel naming his 26-man squad.
There is another reason why the Japan game matters. England have not played a single top-10 nation since Tuchel took charge. Senegal, ranked 14th, are the best opponent Tuchel has faced, when England were soundly beaten. The overall record under the German manager is encouraging: played 11 games, won nine, drawn one and lost one. They won every World Cup qualifying match without conceding a goal. There was an excellent 5-0 win over Serbia. But we are still entitled to wonder: is this England side any good?
This is not the fault of Tuchel, who is at the behest of the fixture list he’s given. But he surely would have benefitted from facing stiffer opposition before launching into a World Cup. It is why this game against Japan, a tricky opponent who deploy wing-backs and are ranked 18th in the world by Fifa, is an important and worthwhile exercise, a final marker before the end of the club season and a rare chance for Tuchel’s plans to be tested.
And yet it will be difficult to gauge England’s true potential with so many key players absent. It points to one of the biggest challenges between now and the end of the season, one entirely out of Tuchel’s hands – the physical and psychological demands the players will face as they chase major trophies with their clubs or, in some cases, fight to avoid relegation.
“[Workload] is a threat. Not the biggest one, but it is a threat,” Tuchel said. “It’s just a fact, fatigue.” It is why the manager chose to give several key players a break over the past week. Elliot Anderson went on holiday to Marbella.
“The reception to it and feedback from it tells me we did the right thing and I’m still 100 per cent convinced we will get the benefit from it – now in the match against Japan and later. It tells me the way we built our campaign going into the World Cup is the right thing.”
Thomas Tuchel speaks to the media before England's friendly with Japan (Getty Images)
England will travel to Florida for warm-up games in the two weeks before the World Cup starts, and Tuchel plans for the environment to be relaxed and low-key.
“It’s one training session per day but it’s open for family, friends and is more of a relaxed atmosphere. Players can go, can enjoy themselves and then we have the full focus when we arrive in Kansas [England’s World Cup training base].
“It seems so trivial but it’s so important that they enjoy their football, it’s so important that they enjoy their training and being together. It’s a lot on them (to be) on planes and buses and hotels and meeting rooms. And the end of the season for most of them does not come at the end of May – it comes hopefully in the middle of July – and it is a long one.”
His job increasingly appears to be less about winning football matches and more about managing the minds and bodies of his stars, so that they arrive for the first match against Croatia in one piece. But Tuchel has still never beaten a top-20 ranked nation as England manager. Tuesday night’s game represents a chance to do just that.
“We will not lose our head over these types of statistics but, yeah, teams like France and Spain have real quality and there is no doubt about how difficult it is to beat these types of teams. I think we are well prepared and on the right way. What is Japan in the world rankings? 18? So we will start tomorrow and try and beat them.”
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 30: Michael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Record: 1-3. Pace: 40-122. Change on 2025: -1.
If there was ever the need for a palette cleanser, after the disappointing sweep in Los Angeles, it was in tonight’s home opener at Chase. Early on, the D-backs delivered in no uncertain fashion. The offense matched the entire run production of the opening series in the first five innings. Meanwhile, Michael Soroka’s Diamondbacks debut was one of the best ever. He threw five shutout innings, striking out ten, which tied a career high. Soroka finished things off in the fifth by throwing the fourth immaculate innings – nine pitches, nine strikes, three strikeouts – in franchise history, and the first for the D-backs since Wade Miley in 2012.
Of course, the bullpen, in the form of Joe Ross and Ryan Thompson, did their best – with the help of the umpires – to throw an 8-0 lead away. Coincidentally, that score looks like the emoji for the face most of us were pulling over the course of the seventh inning, where the Tigers scored six runs. But disaster was averted, with Juan Morillo, Taylor Clarke, and Paul Sewald retiring the final seven batters up, for what, in the end, turned out to be a drama-free first save for Sewald. The Diamondbacks won their home opener in front of a sold-out Chase Field, and got into the win column for the first time this year.
Let’s start with Soroka, who only really had one black mark against him, and that comes in the area of efficiency. He needed 25 pitches to get through the first inning, which included two strikeouts, but also a walk and a hit. That set the tone for the evening, with our starter being at eighty pitched after four, and it felt about 50/50 whether he would be able to get through the fifth inning and qualify for the decision [speaking of which, the 50/50 raffle set a home opener record, finishing north of $330,000] His slurve – a slider/curve hybrid was working well, but there had been a lot of full counts, driving up the pitch count. And then the fifth inning happened:
As documented above, an immaculate inning is something recorded far less often than a no-hitter [though this is in part due to incomplete records from the early days] There had been only three previously by the team: Randy Johnson (August 23, 2001 vs. Pirates), Byung-Hyun Kim (May 11, 2002 vs. Phillies), and Wade Miley (October 1, 2012 vs. Rockies). The last-named was only the third rookie at the time to do so. Michael Soroka now joins the list, and also became just the third pitcher in baseball history to record an immaculate inning in his first start of the season. The three K’s gave him ten on the night. That tied his career high and was the most ever by a D-back in their first game, breaking the Big Unit’s mark of nine in his 1999 debut. Oddly, RJ was at the ballpark tonight.
Of course, we all expected Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Soroka to be our most effective starting pitchers, the first time through the rotation, didn’t we? On the other side, we were facing Justin Verlander, a triple Cy Young winner. And we had to do so without Pavin Smith: he homered three times off Verlander in 2024, but went on the IL earlier today. We needn’t have worried. Father Time remains undefeated, and 43-year-old Verlander is a shadow of the nine-time All-Star. He was hit and hit hard by Arizona from the very start. Ketel Marte had a 107.5 mph single, and Corbin Carroll followed with a 107.4 mph RBI triple, then scored on a Gabriel Moreno ground0ut.
The Diamondbacks then posted another crooked number in the second, courtesy of Carroll’s first home-run of the year (above). That three-run shot made it 5-0: it was 107.8 mph, and came on the heels of singles by Ildemaro Vargas and Jordan Lawlar, both in three digits. [Though the hardest-hit ball off Verlander tonight, was a screamer just foul by Moreno, clocked at an amazing 115.6 mph] The Detroit starter was yanked in the fourth, and Arizona added three more runs in the fifth, driven in by an Alek Thomas double, a Lawlar walk, and an Allen Campbell challenge, which turned a Marte groundout into an RBI single. That’s the 8-0 mentioned earlier, and I figured I was safe to start work on the recap.
The Arizona bullpen laughs in the face of such hubris. Though as I mentioned in the GDT, if you’re going to discover that Joe Ross is who you thought he was, doing so with an eight-run lead is the best time to do so. After Soroka, Kevin Ginkel worked a clean sixth. But in the seventh inning, Ross allowed five hits and a walk, all six runners coming round to score. That forced Torey Lovullo to go to Ryan Thompson. Unfortunately, Joe West decided Ryan Thompson’s mechanics now constituted a balk, for failing to come set. After that was called twice, Thompson (probably understandably) lost composure, allowed a double, then walked consecutive batters on four straight balls.
Suddenly, it was only 8-6 to the D-backs, with the Tigers having the bases loaded. Fortunately, Juan Morillo got arguably the biggest out of his young Arizona career, ending the top of the seventh. Ildemaro Vargas, DHing in place of Smith, then added a welcome insurance run in the bottom of the inning, making the score 9-6. Lovullo turned to Taylor Clarke, who had been swatted around in Los Angeles. But he was fine here, retiring all three batters faced. This set the stage for Paul Sewald’s return to the closer’s role and that was refreshingly drama-free. He, too, posted a 1-2-3 inning, notching save #1. Worth noting, he was consistently hitting 92 mph, reproducing the improved velocity he showed in spring.
Click here for details, at Fangraphs.com Immaculate Conception: Corbin Carroll, +27.9% Immaculate Reception: Soroka, +17.5%; Morillo, +11.8%
Soiled: Ryan Thompson, -15.2%
It’s interesting to note that Thompson’s negative WP was more than twice as bad as Ross’s -7.5%. Also, even at the worst point of that seventh inning, the Arizona probability of victory never dipped lower than 76.9%. Not that you’d know it from the dooming on Twitter, of course. And I must admit, it didn’t feel like we were better than 3-1 on favorites! An awesome Gameday Thread, with 378 comments. Comment of the Night to gzimmerm, with an honorory assist to ChefAZ:
Same two teams tomorrow, as Arizona seek to establish a winning streak. We complete our initial turn around the rotation with Brandon Pfaadt, and it is a slightly more civilized game time, with a 6:40 pm first pitch.
Leon Goretzka: Man United make decision on pursuit of German
Manchester United have made the midfield a significant area to strengthen this summer.
Midfield targets
With Casemiro departing at the end of the season and Manuel Ugarte’s future uncertain, it is likely that at least two midfielders will be brought in.
Numerous options have been mentioned in the Premier League, with Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali appearing to be an increasingly likely option.
Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest is also highly admired by United, but the club will face major competition from Manchester City.
The Red Devils have also been keen on Carlos Baleba at Brighton and Hove Albion and, in fact, made efforts to sign the Cameroonian last summer.
Leon Goretzka
One star that United have been linked with for years is the German, Leon Goretzka.
The Bayern Munich midfielder will depart at the end of this season when his contract expires, and United’s name has once again been mentioned alongside the 31-year-old.
Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) have reported that, “Manchester United have joined Arsenal and other clubs in the chase for Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka.”
It is stated that, “both the Red Devils and Arsenal have already made moves for the free agent and would battle for his signature in the summer.”
Serie A clubs Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan are also keen on securing the services of the player.
Reportedly, “Goretzka earns €9 million per year and needs at least €7 million annually from his next club” but the Italian clubs cannot meet this demand.
This gives United and Arsenal an advantage in the race, as they could satisfy his financial demands with significantly greater ease.
Leon Goretzka season stats
Source: transfermarkt.comFeatured image Stuart Franklin via Getty Images
Well, then you are going to love what the 2026 Women’s Final Four has in store. Same teams, different semifinal matchups.
All four No. 1 seeds advanced to Phoenix where the semifinals will take place April 3 and championship April 5 at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
UConn will face South Carolina (7 p.m. ET) in the first semifinal and UCLA will take on Texas (9 p.m.) in the second on Friday. The two winners will play in the championship Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET). All games will be telecast on the ESPN family on networks.
The Huskies are the defending national champions and riding a 54-game win streak heading into the tournament. But the Bruins, Longhorns and Gamecocks have seven loses between them and have all proved they have a chance at a national title.
How did the four advance? Let’s take a look at the winners and losers in the Elite Eight.
Winners
Texas point guard Rori Harmon
Few players stuffed the stat sheet more in the second weekend of the Women's NCAA Tournament than the Texas Longhorns’ veteran point guard. Harmon averaged nine points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and 3.5 steals in lopsided wins over Kentucky and Michigan. After suffering a season-ending knee injury as a junior, Harmon came back to Texas and guided the Longhorns to back-to-back Final Four appearances. She’s also the only player in the history of Division I NCAA women’s basketball to tally at least 1,500 points, 900 rebounds, 600 assists and 350 steals in a career. She’ll have the chance to cement her legacy as one of the best players in program history this weekend in Phoenix.
South Carolina guard Agot Makeer
The 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament marks the first for Agot Makeer, but she’s not playing like your typical freshman. Makeer averaged 6.6 points per game during the regular season, but has stepped up her offensive production in March Madness. She’s averaging 14.7 points through four tournament games and has provided a punch off the bench for South Carolina. She scored a career-high 18 points in South Carolina’s 78-52 Elite Eight rout of No. 3 TCU. Makeer, who shot 8-of-14 from the field including 1-of-2 from the 3-point line, received a big hug from head coach Dawn Staley following her performance.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame didn’t win its Elite Eight matchup with UConn, but the Fighting Irish defied expectations. With three players on the roster from the previous season and numerous transfer players, Notre Dame was one game away from the Final Four. Head coach Niele Ivey said she was happy and grateful to reach the Elite Eight for the first time in her tenure and “get over the hump” after making the Sweet Sixteen for five straight seasons.
"I'm so grateful and blessed that I get a chance to do what I love and in coaching this group," Ivey said. "Obviously, we wanted to win this game, but for them to cement their legacy with me getting us back to the Elite Eight is something special, and I'll never forget it. This is one of my most special groups I've ever been around ... I love them so much."
For star player Hannah Hidalgo, this year’s roster changed her as a leader. The junior guard said she was a lot more intentional this season with understanding each of her teammates, and that made a huge difference.
"You know, they've helped me grow my patience and just my understanding, just the way I think,” Hidalgo said. “I'm so grateful for each and every single one of them. I wouldn't want to go to war with anybody else in this world."
Losers
Duke
The Blue Devils blew a double-digit lead and went cold in the second half against UCLA, losing in the Elite Eight for the second straight year. To make matters worse for Blue Devils’ fans, their men’s and women’s team both lost in the Elite Eight on Sunday — the men falling to UConn in heartbreaking, buzzer-beater fashion. For the women’s team, the Blue Devils simply didn’t get what they needed from two of their top scorers, Ashlon Jackson and Toby Fournier. In her final game for Duke, Jackson shot 0-of-8 from the floor, going scoreless in 37 minutes of action. Fournier encountered some foul trouble and found difficulty scoring against Lauren Betts in the post, putting up 10 points in 27 minutes. UCLA hammered Duke in the paint and stifled them at the 3-point line. Before she turns her attention to coaching Team USA in the World Cup this summer, Kara Lawson has to retool the roster to replace the backcourt of Jackson and Taina Mair, who guided Duke to two straight ACC titles.
Michigan
The Wolverines made it back to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2022, but their journey ended painfully. Michigan only had 29 points through three quarters against Texas, finishing with 41 points. The Longhorns lead ballooned as high as forty points during the fourth quarter, but the damage was done during the third quarter. Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico sat silently as Texas players like Madison Booker, Breya Cunningham, Justice Carlton and X- factor Kyla Oldacre went to work.“It was tough. We've been a team that has fought through everything this year, and we've challenged ourselves against the best teams in the country to be in a position that we were tonight, Barnes Arico said.
"We've always been able to find that second gear. Tonight we couldn't against Texas.”
“And I think we were letting the emotion -- you know, (Brooke Quarles Danies) knew it was her last game. The emotion of the game was really getting to us. So it was hard to be in those moments down the stretch.”
The Wolverines finished Monday’s showdown with Texas shooting just 23%. Michigan also got outrebounded, 49-32, an area they usually own despite being undersized. Barnes Arico’s team also struggled to move the ball effectively against Texas and never truly found a sustained offensive rhythm. The Wolverines had five assists in the contest.
TCU’s duo of Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez
After scoring or assisting on all of TCU’s points in the Horned Frogs’ 79-69 Sweet 16 win over No. 10 Virginia, Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez struggled to replicate that performance. TCU’s dynamic duo shot 10-of-37 from the field and 4-of-14 from the 3-point line in a 78-52 Elite Eight loss to South Carolina. Miles finished with a team-high 18 points and Suarez had nine points.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 30: Starter Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the home opener at Chase Field on March 30, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Things finally came full circle after eight years and seven months away from home. Justin Verlander returned to the mound in regular season action as a Detroit Tiger on Monday night in Arizona. Were you nervous? I’ve rarely had the mix of excitement and nerves I felt going into this one except in September and October.
Despite making peace with the reality that Verlander is just a regular rotation arm at this point, it’s hard to see him on the mound and not just expect greatness, but there was no greatness in this one as Verlander’s command was pretty lousy all night. A wild, strange contest ultimately did not go the Tigers way. The Diamondbacks built a big lead, nearly fumbled the bag, but then held on to win their first game of the season 9-6. The Tigers fall to 2-2 on the young season.
Veteran right-hander Mike Soroka was on the mound for the Snakes. He blew Kerry Carpenter away with a 95 mph heater right down the gut to open the game, but Gleyber Torres waited him out to draw a walk. Colt Keith got into a full count, slashing a near double just foul in the left field corner, but Soroka dotted the bottom edge with a fastball and froze him. Riley Greene flared a single to right as the left-handers seemed to be looking to go opposite field. That brought up Spencer Torkelson, who bounced a ball to Nolan Arenado, and the veteran third baseman beat Torres to third base to end the top half.
Over 21 years since his major league debut with the Tigers, Justin Verlander then took the mound against a tough 1-2-3 in the D-Backs lineup. Ketel Marte had no respect for the moment, smoking a 1-1 curveball for a single back through the box. Against Corbin Carroll, Verlander worked into a 2-2 count, shook Dillon Dingler off, and bounced another slider hunting chase. The ball got away from Dingler and Marte took second, and Carroll roasted a heater to the warning track in right center field for an RBI triple. 1-0 Diamondbacks.
Verlander tried to junkball Perdomo, and it didn’t work as the shortstop took a breaking ball down in a full count to walk. Gabriel Moreno bounced out to Javy Báez at shortstop, but it was weakly hit and they couldn’t turn it over. So, Carroll scored, and it was now 2-0 D-Backs with one out as Arenado stepped into the box.
Arenado lined a 1-2 fastball right to Báez for the second out, but the shortstop uncorked a wild snap throw to first as Perdomo was leaning, and that was a two base throwing error. Fortunately it didn’t matter as Alek Thomas flew out to right to end the inning.
Not an ideal start for the Tigers in this one.
McGonigle led off the second by smoking a line drive to right at 103.4 mph, but the speedy Carroll ran it down. Dingler chased a bunch of breaking balls to strike out swinging. Parker Meadows got a changeup down and away, lining it down the left field line for a double, and that brought Báez to the dish. The shortstop worked a full count, but presumably expecting them to fish away with a breaking ball, was instead locked up by a sinker middle-in. The only bright spot was that Soroka was already 40 pitches deep.
When I think of a long-time JV killer, one of the first names that comes to mind is long-time Cleveland slugger Carlos Santana. We prefer the guitarist, but it was Santana digging in against Verlander to open the bottom of the second. An 0-2 slider was hung, but Santana lined it to Carpenter in right field. Another hanging slider was roped to right for a single by Ildemaro Vargas. A first pitch curveball to Jordan Lawler was ripped to left for a single. Quite a bit of hard contact already, and now we were back to Marte at the top of the order.
Marte lifted a dangerous pop-up into shallow left-center and Báez called off Greene and made a pretty sweet basket catch while running well out into the outfield for the second out. In a 1-1 count, yet another hanging slider was right into Carroll’s bat path and got launched for a three-run shot. 5-0 Diamondbacks.
This was not what we were looking for. The stuff looks just fine, but the slider was all over the place in the early going. The hard contact continued as Perdomo got a first pitch heater down the pipe and fortunately lined it to Meadows to end the inning.
So far the command was pretty poor from JV.
Carpenter opened the third with a line drive single to right field. Torres drove one out to the warning track in dead center but it died in Thomas’ glove for the first out. Keith did better, hammering one further to center field. It kicked off the wall just shy of the yellow line high up the wall for a double. Carpenter thought it was out and perhaps wasn’t on his horse, stopping at third, and Keith had to scramble back to second base. Tough medicine on a ball that probably carried 415 feet or more.
Greene worked a 3-2 count and then took a front hip fastball that caught the inside edge to strike out. Tork watched a pair of breaking balls away to get to 2-0, then took a sinker on the inner edge for a strike. The next sinker was right down the pipe but he fouled it off and then chased a slurve just off the plate away to strike out. TTBDNS time. Make that five baserunners stranded in three innings.
Verlander’s command was just really spotty throughout his season debut. He wasn’t getting ahead enough, and made some mistakes in hitters’ counts. Curiously, we saw no high fourseamers at all really through the first three innings, but he did settle down for a scoreless frame.
He tugged three straight fastballs to Moreno before working back to a full count. Moreno drilled a 95 mph heater at the bottom of the zone down the right field line for a double. Verlander got ahead of Arenado 0-2, then missed down with a changeup. A fastball down was lifted out to Greene near the warning track in left for the first out. Thomas was locked up by a curveball and flailed at it for Verlander’s first strikeout. He and Santana locked up in a lengthy battle as his pitch count reached 65 on the night, and eventually popped him up to McGonigle for the final out.
The bats still weren’t doing anything in the fourth. McGonigle grounded out, Dingler punched out on a slurve down and away, and Meadows flew out to center field after starting ahead 3-0.
Verlander came back out and quickly collected two outs on very routine contact. Marte stepped in with two outs, and Verlander was closing in on 80 pitches. After getting ahead, he couldn’t get the talented outfielder to chase, and Marte worked a walk. That was all for Verlander’s return start to the Tigers.
Enmanuel de Jesus took over against the tough series of lefties atop the order. Dillon Dingler had a successful challenge as de Jesus dotted the outer corner with fastballs, but in a 2-2 count de Jesus yanked a fastball and it got away from Dingler as Marte took second, but it didn’t matter as Carroll chased a cutter away and struck out. Onto the fifth.
Soroka’s day was about to end as well, but he had enough left in the tank to punch out Báez, Carpenter, and Torres on 9 pitches. The immaculate inning did not speak well for the Tigers chances of fighting back in this one.
De Jesus got Perdomo to start the bottom of the fifth, bur Moreno singled to left. Arenado came up with a nice piece of 1-2 hitting, punching a fastball through the open right side of the infield. Thomas tried to bunt first pitch but tapped it foul, and then the left-handed outfielder smoked a cutter the opposite way off the wall to make it 6-0. De Jesus was following Verlander’s example and missing way too often, and he walked Santana to load the bases. He bounced back to pop up Vargas, but after getting ahead of Lawlar, de Jesus tried high sinkers twice and then missed low with a changeup to walk in a run. 7-0 Diamondbacks. Le sigh.
Marte got tied up by de Jesus’ first two pitches and eventually grounded one to Báez at shortstop. It was a bouncer and Marte runs well, so Báez fired quickly to second to get Lawlar. He was called out, but the Diamondbacks rightly challenged, and Lawlar was safe. 8-0 Diamondbacks. The late night suffering will continue until morale improves.
That was all for de Jesus’ return to the major leagues. After painting edges all spring, his command wasn’t sharp here either, and Hinch had to go get him as well. Brant Hurter came on to retire Carroll on a bliner out to Greene to end the inning.
Right-hander Kevin Ginkel took over in the top of the seventh. He froze Keith and got a soft tapper from Greene to start the inning. An end of the bat liner to center field from Torkelson was caught on a nice sliding catch by Thomas in the seventh. The Tigers now had 11 strikeouts to one walk, and the zone was not under control.
Hurter tossed a 1-2-3 bottom half of the sixth. Moreno flew out to the warning track in left but Greene was camped under it. Arenado grounded out to McGonigle to send us to the eighth.
So far, this had been classic bad at-bat theater by the Tigers. They were largely trying to be patient, only to let pitchers back into counts taking fastballs for strikes when ahead, and then chasing once there were two strikes. Not what we are looking for.
Right-hander Joe Ross, brother of Tyson, handled the seventh for the Snakes. He walked McGonigle to start things off. Dingler ambushed a first pitch slider and hammered a one hopper off the center field wall for a double to get the Tigers on the board. 8-1 Snakes.
Parker Meadows grounded out to second, moving Dingler to third, and Báez strafed a line drive single to right field to plate the Tigers’ second run. Small victories against arguably the D-Backs worst reliever. Carpenter chased a splitter away and struck out yet again, but Torres drilled a single to center field to keep the inning alive. Colt Keith stepped into the box, and Diamondbacks called a mound meeting to discuss.
It didn’t help them. Ross fell behind 2-1, and Keith smoked an opposite field drive into the left field corner to plate both runs. 8-4 Diamondbacks, and now things were getting interesting. They got more interesting when Riley Greene dumped a single to center field. Keith raced around to make it 8-5, and that was it for Joe Ross.
Sidearmer Ryan Thompson came on and threw three straight balls, balked Greene to third, and then gave up an RBI double to Torkelson. Hmm….8-6 Tigers. McGonigle back up as the 10th batter of the inning. Thompson fell behind 2-0, and the D-Backs were in danger. Probably the right thing to do was just to walk McGonigle, and Thompson agreed, doing so on four straight pitches. And now it was Dillon Dingler’s turn. Thompson missed four more times in a row, yes that’s eight straight, and Dingler walked as well. Yeesh.
That was it for Thompson, and at this point Jason Benetti, who had pointed out all game long that the Diamondbacks bullpen was terrible last year and not particularly upgraded this offseason, was grinning like the cat that swallowed the canary. Still, the Tigers were still well short of a comeback.
Torey Lovullo came to the mound once again, looking fully fed up with the situation, and called on Juan Morillo instead. A disgusted home crowd let out a roar when Morillo floated in a first pitch strike, but he too fell behind 2-1, then 3-1. However, Meadows got a 99 mph fourseamer down in the zone, and grounded out to second to at least temporarily restore sanity to the game. 8-6 Diamondbacks.
Hurter nearly hit Alek Thomas with a sinker to start the bottom half, but instead the center fielder swung and grounded out to Báez. Carlos Santana also grounded out quickly to Torres. Unfortunately, a 1-0 sinker to Vargas was up a bit and he smashed it out to left center field for a solo shot to make it a 9-6 game. Lawlar ripped a hot grounder past McGonigle into left, and that was it for Hurter as Kyle Finnegan entered the contest.
Finnegan dotted 97 on the inner edge to start Marte off, and Dingler had to challenge, making that two successful challenges for the Tigers catcher. Finnegan heard Lawlar break for second, turned and fired high to Torkelson. The ball got away and Lawlar ended up on third, but Marte lifted a shallow fly ball to left to end the inning.
Lovullo turned to Taylor Clarke to open the eighth. Báez flew out to left off the end of the bat to start things off. Carpenter struck out again, and then Torres flew out to center field.
Tyler Holton took over in the bottom of the eighth with tough lefties to face, and Holton quickly walked Corbin Carroll on four straight pitches. The speedy Carroll is not the guy to put on base to leadoff an inning. Holton did erase him by getting Perdomo to ground to Báez, who forced Carroll at second. Tyler Holton threw a 94 mph fastball in that at-bat which is odd, but he also was missing a ton, which was even odder. Holton walked Moreno on four straight pitches as well, and Nolan Arenado stepped in with a chance to put this game to bed for good. Instead, he popped out to Torkelson in foul territory. Holton punched out Thomas, and it was last call for the Tigers’ offense.
Keith opened the inning with another well struck ball off of Paul Sewald, but flew out to Lawlar in left. Greene flew out just shy of the warning track in center, and it was up to Torkelson who struck out.
Overall, poor showings from Verlander and de Jesus. Dingler, Greene, and particularly Keith had good nights at the plate, but not enough to overcome a big deficit. The Tigers are 2-2, and now Casey Mize will make his season debut on Tuesday night against RHP Brandon Pfaadt at 9:40 p.m. ET.
Daniel Suarez's new home at Spire Motorsports has been very successful to start the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Suarez sits 16th in the point standings with a nine-point advantage over his Spire Motorsports teammate Michael McDowell. Overall, the driver of the No. 7 car should be happy with his start to 2026.
Suarez has shown enough speed to contend for top-10 finishes, which is big for Spire Motorsports as it continues to develop. In fact, Suarez is only four points behind Carson Hocevar, who is the leader of the NASCAR organization. While there are 19 races left in the regular season, Suarez should be optimistic.
When drivers move to a new NASCAR team, their performances can have a wide range of outcomes. Suarez has been on the positive side of the equation, giving Spire Motorsports hope moving forward. If Suarez can keep this up, he could be contending for a spot in the Chase.
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) posterizing Anthony Gill (16) during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
LOS ANGELES– The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Washington Wizards, 120-101, at Crypto.com Arena on March 30th, 2026 and The Sporting Tribune’s Jessica Cryderman was there to capture the following TST Images.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) warming up before an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) warming up before an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) warming up before an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) warming up before an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shooting the ball during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shooting the ball during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) shooting for three during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) shooting for three during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunking during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunking during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) dribbling during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) dribbling during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves(15) being fouled during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves(15) being fouled during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Washington Wizards guard Jaden Hardy (8) drawing a foul during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Washington Wizards guard Jaden Hardy (8) drawing a foul during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) shooting for three points during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) shooting for three points during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill (16) dunking during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill (16) dunking during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) posterizing Anthony Gill (16) during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) posterizing Anthony Gill (16) during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) getting helped to his feet by teammates during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) getting helped to his feet by teammates during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) shooting for three during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) shooting for three during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunking and hanging from the rim during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunking and hanging from the rim during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunking during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunking during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) happily relieving his son Bronny James Jr. (9) from play during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) happily relieving his son Bronny James Jr. (9) from play during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers bench celebrating a Jaxson Hayes (11) dunk during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers bench celebrating a Jaxson Hayes (11) dunk during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Washington Wizards guard Sharife Cooper (13) jump shooting during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Washington Wizards guard Sharife Cooper (13) jump shooting during an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) dunking during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) dunking during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) being fouled during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) being fouled during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) dribbling during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) dribbling during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) staring down his opponent while dribbling during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) staring down his opponent while dribbling during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) passing the ball to his son, Bronny James Jr. (9) during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) passing the ball to his son, Bronny James Jr. (9) during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) dribbling during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jessica Cryderman - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) dribbling during an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on March 30th, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
On Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers were without the services of Luka Doncic, who picked up his 16th technical foul during Friday's win over the Brooklyn Nets and was thus subject to an automatic one-game suspension per NBA rules. It wasn't exactly a problem for them, despite how monstrous Doncic's production has been lately.
They faced the Washington Wizards, a team that has allegedly been tanking and came into Monday's game with a 17-57 record, which was the second-worst mark in the NBA. Thanks to a collective effort by the team as a whole, it didn't miss the Slovenian superstar, at least for one evening.
The Lakers took control of this game in the second quarter with a 31-8 run that allowed them to take a 65-44 lead at halftime. During that quarter, they held Washington to just 18 points, and things were never competitive after that point. The Wizards got to within 81-71 late in the third quarter, but that was as close as they would get. Los Angeles cruised to a 120-101 victory, giving them 15 wins in their last 17 games.
L.A. shot 55.7% from the field, shot 32 free throws compared to 16 for Washington, grabbed 15 more rebounds than Washington did and had a 21-6 edge in fast-break points. The only thing it didn't do well was hit from long distance — it went just 7-of-24 from 3-point range.
The team now has a 49-26 record and, as the third-place team in the Western Conference, holds a 1.5-game lead over the fourth-place Denver Nuggets. It will host the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are 47-28 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, on Tuesday night.
Jake LaRavia: C-plus/B-minus
As has been the case lately, LaRavia failed to provide any real scoring, but he was active defensively. He scored four points on 2-of-3 shooting, and he contributed three steals and one block while adding three rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes.
Rui Hachimura: B-plus
With Doncic unable to play, Hachimura moved into the starting lineup, and he definitely did his job well. He got involved quite a bit in the Lakers' offense and hit six of his 10 shots, allowing him to score 14 points. He also helped out on the boards with six rebounds in 26 minutes.
Deandre Ayton: B/B-plus
The Lakers looked to feed Ayton when possible, and he responded with a solid outing. He scored 12 points and made all five of his shot attempts, and he also grabbed seven rebounds, blocked three shots and added one assist in 22 minutes.
Austin Reaves: C-plus
Reaves missed each of his first five shot attempts, but despite going 1-of-7 from the field in the first half, he still logged 11 points and nine assists during that time. He ended up shooting 4-of-11 from the field and missing all four of his 3-point attempts, but he somewhat made up for that by making 11 of his 12 free throw attempts, giving him 19 points on the night. He finished with the nine assists he had by halftime, and he also chipped in three rebounds and one steal, although he did commit five turnovers.
He didn't play at all in the fourth quarter and ended up playing 27 minutes, so he should be fresh enough for Tuesday's game against Cleveland.
LeBron James: A-minus
James missed a dunk attempt with just under nine minutes left in the first quarter. But over the next few minutes, he converted two dunks off alley-oop passes from Austin Reaves. He scored eight points in the first quarter and 14 in the first half, and he ended up with 21 points on 8-of-16 field-goal shooting.
His 10 rebounds and 12 assists gave him his third triple-double of the season.
Jaxson Hayes: A
Hayes brought plenty of energy and activity to this game, and as a result, he excelled offensively. He made all eight of his shot attempts, tying him with James for the most made field goals in this game on the Lakers. He was having so much fun that he even took and made a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. It was his third trey of the season for him and his first since Feb. 10.
He also had seven rebounds and two blocks and ended up with 19 points in 20 minutes. He has been getting significant late-game playing time lately, and he has been making good use of those high-leverage minutes.
Luke Kennard: A
Kennard is normally not a high-volume shooter, and he tends to be selective with when he shoots the basketball. But that wasn't the case on Monday.
He stepped up his aggressiveness with Doncic and veteran guard Marcus Smart out of action, he took 10 shot attempts and made seven of them while making all but one of his 3-point tries. He finished with 19 points while also contributing two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 23 minutes.
Bronny James: D
The younger James got 26 minutes of playing time against Washington, but this was a rough outing for him. After an outstanding performance on Saturday with the G League Lakers, he only got two of his 10 shot attempts to go through the hoop. He finished with six points, one rebound, one assist and one steal.
Knecht, Timme and Bufkin played late in this contest during garbage time. Bufkin scored two points, while Knecht and Timme went scoreless. Knecht and Timme each had one assist, and Timme also added one rebound.
Michael McDowell is entering NASCAR's first off-weekend of the 2026 Cup Series season with some work to do moving forward. McDowell sits 17th in the point standings, only one spot out of the 16-driver Chase field. While there are 19 races left in the regular season, the No. 71 team hopes to show more speed.
McDowell is the last Spire Motorsports driver in the point standings, with Carson Hocevar and Daniel Suarez holding the 15th and 16th spots, respectively. The driver of the No. 71 car is nine points below Suarez for the final spot in the Chase. There is plenty of time for things to change on the Chase bubble.
Based on Spire Motorsports' speed, it wouldn't be shocking to see McDowell jump into the 16-driver Chase field during the summer months. It will be a grind for the No. 71 team at Spire Motorsports; however, McDowell is capable of making the Chase during the 2026 NASCAR season.
Club chairman Derek Senior said the burglary had brought him to tears [Gavin Kermack / BBC]
Players and volunteers at a youth football club say they are "heartbroken" after a break-in which saw an estimated £20,000 worth of equipment taken.
A John Deere riding lawnmower that the club bought just a year ago, canisters of diesel and food and drink were taken from locked containers at Mostyn Rangers FC in Kidderminster.
The club's chairman Derek Senior said he was "full of tears" when he arrived at the ground and realised what had happened.
"I arrived full of beans because I was going to cut the field," he said. "I can't really talk about it a lot, because I'll just lose it."
Vice-chairman Steve Fox said raising the money to replace the stolen goods was a huge challenge [Gavin Kermack / BBC]
Vice-chairman Steve Fox said he was "very, very upset" when he saw what had happened.
"We ain't got 10 pence to spare, never mind 20 grand," he said.
Fox added that "every single penny" the club has comes from players' families and friends, as well as occasional fundraisers.
"But to raise 20 grand, it's a hell of a job to do."
Two containers at the club were targeted last week [Mostyn Rangers FC]
Alan Yenson, assistant manager of the under-12s team, said it was "heartbreaking" to see what had happened.
"We do this for the kids, we're not doing it for our own enjoyment," he said.
Under-12s assistant manager Alan Yenson has set up a fundraiser for the club [Gavin Kermack / BBC]
Yenson has started a crowdfunding page in the hope of raising enough money to repair the damage.
"The response from people I've never heard of, and people we know - I think within 48 hours we'd raised £2,500," he said. "Obviously there's still a really long way to go.
"We've just got to hope that there are other generous people in the local area that will chip in and will support us."
Under-8s player Jessie and under-12s Casey, Zac and Lucas said they "couldn't believe" what had happened [Gavin Kermack / BBC]
One of the under-12s players, Casey, said the club meant "everything" to him.
"I was like, there's no way that actually happened," he said. "It was just a big shock really."
"It's been just heartbreaking," added his teammate, Zac.
In a statement, West Mercia Police said: "We received a report on Monday 23 March of a burglary at the playing fields off Lea Castle Drive in Kidderminster.
The embattled Dodgers hurler, fresh off a spring training from hell, made his first start of the regular season on Monday. It went very well, in terms of both process and results. Against a relatively meek Cleveland Guardians lineup, Sasaki struck out four across four frames, allowing four hits, two walks and one run. He was pulled for a reliever after surrendering a leadoff single in the fifth. The Dodgers lost 4-2 after the Guardians scored three runs in the seventh.
Crucially, Sasaki’s heater averaged 97.6 mph on the night, up nearly a tick and a half compared to last season. He topped out at 99.5. Dwindling fastball velocity played a huge role in Sasaki’s ineffectiveness a year ago; with his lack of command, he needs to be pumping heat to be successful.
On Monday, Sasaki was not sharp or pinpoint or dominant, but he could leave the game feeling good about his evening. He gave the Dodgers length and kept the score close. His command was often scattershot, particularly with his trademark splitter; only one of those landed in the strike zone, and many were noncompetitive.
But overpowering raw stuff allowed Sasaki to rack up nine whiffs on the night, including four with a brand-new cutter. That third pitch kept Guardians hitters off-balance and might end up becoming the elusive tertiary weapon that Sasaki and the Dodgers have been searching for.
All things considered, the outing was a massive step in the right direction.
Sasaki, signed by the Dodgers in January 2025, struggled to acclimate to MLB in his debut season. He was included in Los Angeles’ Opening Day rotation but slogged through eight uneven, erratic starts. The team put him on the IL in May due to a shoulder issue, and Sasaki spent the remainder of the summer recovering from that injury and rediscovering his mechanics. He reappeared in L.A. as a reliever during the final week of the regular season and proved to be a dynamite bullpen option during the Dodgers’ title run.
Then Sasaki arrived at camp in February totally out of sorts as he sought to rejoin the starting rotation.
An atrocious spring training followed. Across four starts, the Japanese righty walked 15 batters and allowed 15 runs in 8 2/3 innings. His final exhibition outing, March 23 against the Angels at Dodger Stadium, was a runaway train wreck. A mechanically discombobulated Sasaki couldn’t escape a 21-pitch first inning, hitting a batter and walking three before recording an out. There was no command or confidence, no sign that his impressive raw stuff would translate to actual outs anytime soon.
In short, he did not look like a major-league pitcher.
“Too worried about his delivery and his mechanics,” skipper Dave Roberts explained to the media ahead of Monday’s game.
Yet the Dodgers slotted Sasaki into the Opening Day rotation anyway. Given the club’s overflowing arsenal of talented starters, it was a curious decision. Some thought the team was babying Sasaki, treating him with kid gloves instead of cold, hard facts. But Dodgers brass didn’t budge, even telling the California Post that sending Sasaki to the minor leagues “hasn’t even entered our minds.”
Roberts reaffirmed the organization’s confidence before Sasaki’s start vs. Cleveland, telling reporters, “Our bet is that his stuff is so good that he’ll get the swing-and-miss if he’s sequencing the right way.”
That’s essentially what happened against the Guardians, who helped Sasaki out a handful of times by chasing outside the zone. A more disciplined club, one able to lay off the splitter in the dirt, should have more success against the talented youngster. His next start, likely against the Blue Jays next week in Toronto, will provide exactly such a challenge.
Four good innings does not a big-league pitcher make. Sasaki’s path to rotation viability must be paved with consistency. He will need to stack good starts upon good starts. On Monday, there were yellow flags aplenty, particularly in regard to fastball command. Maintaining velocity in the 97.5-mph range will be another key benchmark.
But in his first outing of 2026, Sasaki avoided calamity. There was no tale of woe. He did not seem overwhelmed, as he so often has in his short big-league career.
One cannot conjure self-belief out of thin air. Irrationality is hubris. There must be a reason, a catalyst, a spark.
Sasaki still has a long, long way to go, but at least he has found some confidence to build on.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — John Tavares redirected a shot from Morgan Rielly into the net with five seconds left in overtime to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Anaheim Ducks in a fight-marred game Monday night.
The Leafs overcame a 3-1 deficit with three goals in the third period, including Rielly’s snap shot from the high slot that beat Anaheim goalie Ville Husso stick-side to give Toronto a 4-3 lead with three minutes left in regulation.
But Leo Carlsson, who hobbled to the locker room after taking a hard hit and falling to the ice in the first minute of the third, gathered a loose puck near the left circle and flicked a shot past Toronto goalie Anthony Stolarz to make it 4-4 with 1:39 left.
Tavares added a first-period goal, and Stolarz stopped 28 of 32 shots for Toronto, which took the ice about 1 ½ hours after general manager Brad Treliving was fired near the end of his third season, with the Maple Leafs on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier scored in the first 10 minutes, and John Carlson scored his first goal for the Ducks. Gauthier, who leads the Pacific Division-leading Ducks with 38 goals and 65 points, suffered an upper-body injury on a cross-check late in the first and did not return. Husso had 22 saves.
Ducks captain Radko Gudas, slowed by a lower-body injury, insisted on playing in the rematch of a March 12 game in which his knee-on-knee hit on Auston Matthews led to a season-ending injury for the Toronto captain and a five-game suspension for Gudas.
It took three seconds for the Leafs to exact some revenge, Toronto forward Max Domi and Gudas dropping the gloves and exchanging punches as soon as the puck dropped.
That set the tone for a hard-hitting game that featured a combined 85 penalty minutes, numerous scuffles and game misconducts incurred by Toronto’s Michael Pezzetta and Domi in the second.
Dad-of-two Marc will take part in the Marathon de Sables across the Sahara [Marc Lockwood]
A dad-of-two is taking part in an event dubbed "the toughest foot race on earth" to raise money for his sons' school.
Marc, a 45-year-old farrier from Effingham in Surrey, will run 156 miles (251km) across the Sahara Desert in Morocco over six days in April.
He will be one of 1,500 runners making the journey, carrying his own supplies and equipment in a backpack.
Marc, who is hoping to raise £10,000 for St Lawrence School in Effingham, where his sons are pupils, said "it was something that had been on my radar for some years".
Competitors in the race must carry their own equipment for the journey [Getty Images]
Marc said he had been running ultra marathons of at least 50km (31 miles) every three weeks since January to get his stamina up, with a friend who will also join him in the desert.
He said: "I've been really lucky, I found a good pair of trainers straight away, I use blister powder and I haven't had one blister.... My friend, his feet are in tatters."
He described the Marathon des Sables as a "self-sufficient" race where you "carry everything you need", including cooking utensils and food.
"It's only going to get lighter as the days go on," he said.
However, he said the heat had been something he had not been able to train for.
Marc will be among 1,500 people taking part in the six-day event [Getty Images]
The longest section of the race will see Marc cover 62 miles (100km) in 48 hours, with daytime temperatures reaching about 45C (113F), and falling to 0C (32F) at night.
He is also making plans for his next challenge after the Marathon de Sables.
"I think you've got to do a double ironman," he said. "That's on the radar, but I might just see how I get on with this one first!"
Even if the traditional role of a winger has evolved, there are few things more exhilarating than those carefree menaces carving seemingly impossible routes through hordes of hapless defenders, lifting bums from seats and bringing smiles to faces.
Where once the remit was to stay as wide as possible in a chalk-on-yer-boots 4-4-2, today's fantastic flyers are predominantly primed as part of a front three, tasked with hitting the byeline or cutting in on their stronger foot for a direct route to goal.
"Lots of them are quick, lots of them can beat players, but it is the ones who know when to make that final pass who are extra special," says Pat Nevin, former Scotland winger and BBC Radio 5 Live pundit.
Indeed, this week we are ranking the 10 most exciting wide players in the world right now - those in top form, churning out goals, assists and dynamic dribbles.
You can tell us yours below too.
You'd be forgiven for not having heard of Yan Diomande a few months ago. Now the teenager is splashed across every transfer bulletin, is being linked with Europe's top clubs and makes this list at number 10.
The Ivory Coast international already has a remarkable journey. Born in Abidjan, Diomande uprooted on his own to Florida aged 15 on a student visa to further his football development, using Duolingo to help learn English.
He had trials with MLS clubs and Rangers in Scotland, among others, but instead joined Leganes in January last year. Diomande tragically lost his younger sister before arriving in Spain and dedicated his first professional goal to her.
Twelve months since his senior debut, the 19-year-old now finds himself at RB Leipzig and thriving in the Bundesliga, scoring 10 times and registering seven assists while clocking the third-fastest speed in the division.
Bought for under £20m last summer, his value - according to Transfermarkt - has rocketed to £65m in eight months.
Now at RB Leipzig, Yan Diomande only made his senior debut for Leganes against Real Madrid last March [Getty Images]
This isn't a list exclusively for wonderkids, but at nine is a 20-year-old who has been handed the number 10 jersey once sported by Alessandro del Piero, Roberto Baggio and Michel Platini and tasked with leading Juventus back to those former glories.
Germany-born Turkey international Kenan Yildiz, plucked from Bayern Munich's ranks aged 17, has more goals or assists than any of his team-mates this term.
Among them are some belting strikes from a youngster who also features as a playmaker - although half his 40 appearances have come in a wide position - and boasts the technique worthy of those famous Turin alumni.
"He's a defender!" you cry. Well, perhaps Federico Dimarco can be typecast as a full-back, or more likely a wing-back, but in Inter boss Cristian Chivu's 3-5-2 this season the Italian has the output of a winger or forward. And that's because he is positioned like one.
In Italy they have dubbed the role a "fifth", turning Inter into a back five when defending and front five when attacking. Dimarco, socks half-raised on his heavily inked calves, has the engine to do both, as highlighted during Inter's Champions League outing to Dortmund in January.
The 28-year-old captained the Nerazzurri and scored in a 2-0 win - one of seven goals in all competitions this season. That's complemented by 15 assists, 14 of those coming in Serie A for the league leaders, which is one every other game and double his nearest challenger.
Dimarco has produced more crosses than any player in Europe's top leagues and has created the third-most chances. In fact, he already has more league goals and assists than in any other campaign in his career. He makes the list at number eight.
Federico Dimarco's touch map against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League tie [BBC]
Raphinha was a Ballon d'Or contender last year and would no doubt be higher than seventh here if it wasn't for an injury-curtailed season, another on Brazil duty last week casting his place on the list in doubt.
Despite having played only half of Barcelona's minutes this term, he has still stumped up impressive numbers - 19 goals and eight assists in 31 appearances in all competitions - and Barca will want him back for the business end of the campaign.
Bukayo Saka is undoubtedly one of the best wingers in the world, but he doesn't make the list after an underwhelming season in terms of numbers. Not that the Arsenal star will mind a dip in personal output if it means a win for the collective, bringing a league title or European glory to north London.
Anthony Gordon makes a good case given Kylian Mbappe is the only player to score more Champions League goals than the Newcastle man this season, but four of those 10 did come while playing at centre-forward against Qarabag.
Wales' Harry Wilson is having a stellar campaing at Fulham but also misses out.
The only nomination - and maybe this suggests the stifling of wingers is a division-wide phenomenon - at six is Antoine Semenyo, who recently won his first trophy, the Carabao Cup.
The Ghana international, once of Bath City and Newport County, was putting up a standout season at Bournemouth before his £64m move to Manchester City and has 15 Premier League goals.
Lethal anywhere in the final third, only Como's Nico Paz has more league goals from outside the box than Semenyo's four this term.
Paris St-Germain have a number of candidates for most exciting wide players [Getty Images]
We're perhaps intro predictable territory here, even if what sets the top five apart is their ability to be unpredictable - none more so than Paris St-Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who comes alive on the grandest stage.
"He has got everything I want from a winger, but a bit more as well," says Nevin. "He always wants to take players on. He wants to attack players. He has lots of tricks and flicks. He does unusual things and he breaks lines.
"You need two people to mark him. Kvaratskhelia is everything I like to watch in a player - never fearful, always positive and wants to entertain."
Kvaradona - can we still call him that after leaving Naples? - is the lone addition from PSG's entourage, but that is largely because Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele has featured predominantly as a striker and Desire Doue's season has been fragmented by injury.
Unsurprisingly given their staggering attacking form this campaign, we're doubling up on Bayern Munich wingers - like most Bundesliga defences.
First off the block in the top four is Luis Diaz, who, despite notching 40 goal contributions in all competitions, is arguably going under the radar because of the outrageous returns of Harry Kane and Michael Olise.
Colombian Diaz, a wiley mix of wicked dribbles, relentless running and potent finishing, ranks among the top players in Europe's major leagues for goals, assists, open-play chances created and attempted dribbles.
It is his most-prolific season to date.
When it comes to exciting wide men, however, it's hard to look past those elite dribblers who rouse crowds and make full-backs fret. Take Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr, for example, who has completed 70 dribbles in La Liga this season and 22 in 12 Champions League outings.
The Brazilian is a big-game player, too, scoring twice against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in the last 16 and grabbing another brace in the Madrid derby win over Atletico before the international break. Vinicius epitomises the Real ethos of springing to life when it matters.
But no-one comes anywhere near his counterpart on the other side of the Clasico divide when it comes to twinkled-toed, mazy runs.
Like Lionel Messi before him, Lamine Yamal has perfected the art of weaving in off the right flank, a hazy mirage of blaugrana turning defenders to stone, before a trademark left-foot finish.
Only the blonde tips and braces hint at the fact the Spaniard is only 18, a teenage phenomenon hoarding major trophies for club and country who has already played 170 senior games and scored more than 50 goals.
A groin problem stalled his start to the campaign but that has not stopped Lamine Yamal running at the opposition more than anyone else - he has dribbled 240 times in La Liga, 63 times more than his nearest challenge, Vinicius.
With 21 goals and 16 assists across all competitions, Lamine Yamal is rediscovering his phenomenal stride right in time for this summer's World Cup.
For all the hustle and hurry of some wingers on this list, the current number one dictates things at his own pace - the game slows down when Michael Olise has the ball, his languid style and effortless composure a calming but deadly presence.
The Frenchman has more assists than anyone in Europe - 22 across the Bundesliga and Champions League, and grabbing one in the number 10 role for a star-studded France against Brazil on Friday.
In fact, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany says Olise has the "mentality" of Kevin de Bruyne. "I was lucky to watch him come through as a young player and become a superstar," he says. "It is that obsession with detail that Michael has."
Olise, 24, is flourishing in a fluid Bayern attack. Not just as a creator but a goal threat too.
Olise, whose unconventional journey to Ballon d'Or contention has taken him via Reading and Crystal Palace, has 16 goals in all competitions.
Those who watched him a Selhurst Park swore he would be a star. Now the rest of the world is in on the secret.
Carson Hocever came home with a 17th-place finish at Martinsville Speedway; however, it wasn't an easy race. In the Final Stage, Hocevar was run over by Bubba Wallace, who spearheaded a multi-car wreck coming out of Turn 4. The No. 77 car had massive damage, but he was able to salvage a top-20 finish.
Following the race, Hocevar discussed his 17th-place finish at Martinsville, and while he is disappointed with the result, it was a good finish considering the circumstances.
“I wish we would have finished better," Hocevar said. "We were really fast. I’m really proud of the speed my No. 77 guys put into our Camaro. We really didn’t need the debris caution in the middle of the green-flag cycle, and then got run over. It’s all part of short track racing. Happy for these guys to get a well-deserved week off next week, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to run the truck at Rockingham before getting back in the Cup car at Bristol.”
Hocevar has been one of NASCAR's most polarizing drivers to start the 2026 Cup Series season, putting himself in prime contention for the Chase. Entering NASCAR's first off weekend, Hocevar sits 15th in the point standings and hopes to widen the gap between himself and the Chase bubble moving forward.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Adin Hill made 22 stops and the Vegas Golden Knights opened the John Tortorella era with a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night.
One day after the Golden Knights fired Bruce Cassidy, who led the team to a Stanley Cup title in 2023, they treated Tortorella to a come-from-behind victory.
Rasmus Andersson, Shea Theodore, Reilly Smith and Cole Smith each scored for Vegas.
Evander Kane and Brock Boeser scored for the Canucks, while Kevin Lankinen made 29 saves.
Tortorella, who coached Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup title in 2024, met with the players earlier in the day, as general manager Kelly McCrimmon is hoping the 67-year-old veteran coach can reignite a locker room just three years removed from a championship season.
The team found its spark in the second period, when Andersson tied the game midway through to overcome its first one-goal deficit, and then again when Theodore made it 2-2 five minutes after Boeser’s goal.
Reilly Smith scored the game-winner near the end of the third, while Cole Smith’s empty-netter provided the final margin.
The Golden Knights brought a three-game skid into Monday and opened their final eight-game stretch with a much-needed win. Vegas, which had lost six of its past seven games, is in third place in the Pacific Division just one point behind the Edmonton Oilers.
The Golden Knights remain in playoff position despite the recent play that saw them enter having lost 12 of their past 17 since the Olympic break.
Tortorella has been signed for the remainder of this season and the playoffs.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Adam Gaudette scored with 21 seconds left, Alexander Wennberg and Macklin Celebrini each had two goals and an assist, and the San Jose Sharks beat St. Louis 5-4 on Monday night to snap the Blues' three-game winning streak.
On the rush, Gaudette flicked a wrist shot from near the left faceoff spot that trickled between the legs of goalie Joel Hofer.
Yaroslav Askarov made 22 saves for the Sharks (34-31-7), who have 75 points — tied with Seattle and two behind Nashville for the final Western Conference wild card. Los Angeles has 76 points, while St. Louis (31-31-11) has 73.
Theo Lindstein, Pavel Buchnevich, Philip Broberg and Cam Fowler scored for the Blues, and Jake Neighbours had two assists. Hofer finished with 24 saves.
Fowler scored a power-play goal to make it 4-all with 7:07 left when he took a wrist shot from the right side that beat Askarov to the glove side and slipped inside the left post.
The 19-year-old Celebrini, the No. 1 selection in the 2024 draft, has 38 goals and 63 assists — making him the sixth different teenager in NHL history with at least 100 points in a season.
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving speaks at the teams practice centre in Toronto on May 29, 2025. (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Toronto Star via Getty Images
Traditionally, NHL teams wait until their seasons have concluded before they start making major personnel changes.
But just one day after the Vegas Golden Knights sent shockwaves through the coaching fraternity by replacing their Stanley Cup-winning coach Bruce Cassidy with John Tortorella, the Toronto Maple Leafs cut ties with their general manager, Brad Treliving after nearly three full seasons.
The Landscape
It’s no surprise that Treliving’s job security was tenuous. The team’s ownership structure changed last year after Rogers Communications acquired the 37.5 percent share of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment that had been previously held by its Canadian telecom and media rival, Bell Communications. Amid the changes, veteran sports executive Keith Pelley took over as MLSE’s new president and CEO in January of 2024, eight months after Treliving assumed the GM duties from Kyle Dubas.
He wasn’t Pelley’s man but when the new boss arrived, the Maple Leafs were a good team that wanted to be great. Auston Matthews was on his way to his third Rocket Richard Trophy with a career-high 69 goals. Even better, the team was on the way to its eighth-straight playoff appearance after having finally won a round in 2022-23, and coming off back-to-back 110-point seasons.
In 2023-24, Treliving’s first year at the helm, the Leafs took a small step backward. They finished with 102 pionts and were bounced in the first round yet again. That led to the coach Sheldon Keefe being replaced by Craig Berube after four-plus years in charge. Meanwhile, the GM went shopping for gritty players who could fit into Berube’s defense-first coaching style.
Early returns were pretty good. The Leafs bounced back to 108 points, won their division for the first time since 2000 in a non-Covid year, and beat the Ottawa Senators in six games in their first-round playoff series. But with expectations raised, they couldn’t get past the Florida Panthers despite 1-0 and 2-1 series leads. After a devastating 6-1 loss in Game 7, the next head to roll was that of longtime team president Brendan Shanahan.
Shanahan was not replaced, which brought Treliving closer to Pelley in the reporting hierarchy. His seat got hotter after the Leafs got out to a tepid start, and the temperature continued to rise as the team slid down the standings..
At the end of November, Toronto had a .500 record and was four points out of a wild-card spot. At the end of January, the team was .536 but had fallen eight points out. And after eking out an overtime win over the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, Toronto is .513 and 11 points out of playoff contention.
Even Monday’s win in California comes at a cost, as the outcome of one of Treliving’s boldest trades comes under sharper scrutiny.
The Trades
On Mar. 7, 2025, Treliving acquired 28-year-old defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins. With the trade deadline looming, prices were high and so was the pressure. To add a big right-shot blueliner in the prime of his career, Treliving surrendered promising prospect Fraser Minten, a fourth-round pick in 2025 and a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 draft.
Minten has been a solid add in Boston. Addtionally, per PuckPedia, the details of the trade conditions are convoluted and dependent on the final outcomes of other deals.
The bottom line is that while Treliving assumed he was trading away what would be a late first-round pick as his team continued to compete for the Cup, the Leafs now find themselves near the bottom of the league standings. And while many teams that trade first-rounders in these situations will include a condition that they can keep their pick if it’s in the top 10 or subject to the draft lottery (top 16), Boston gets Toronto’s first-rounder this year — in a draft with some impressive talent — as long as it falls outside the top five.
After Monday’s games, the Leafs have the 11th-worst record in the NHL. Unless they’re rescued by a low-odds draft-lottery win, they’ll need six teams to pass them in the standings over their seven games if they hope to keep that valuable selection for themselves.
The Carlo trade isn’t the only one that has aged poorly. As another example, Treliving also paid a high price when he acquired depth center Scott Laughton at the 2025 trade deadline, giving up a multi-piece package that included a first-round pick in 2027. Laughton logged just 16 points in 63 games with Toront0 before Treliving flipped the 31-year-old impending free agent to the Los Angeles Kings on Mar. 6, getting only a third-round pick back in return.
Is Hindsight 20/20?
Making the optics even worse in hockey-mad Toronto, Dubas is beginning to gain traction with the moves he’s making in his new role as general manager and president of hockey operations with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Dubas hasn’t just found a way to keep franchise icons Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the fold and performing at a high level. He has also made a series of savvy moves that have re-stocked his team’s draft cupboards with young talent and gotten great performances from many of the veterans that he has acquired.
After beating the New York Islanders 8-3 on Monday night, the Penguins are sitting second in the Metropolitan Division, poised to return to the post-season for the first time in four years.
Why Now?
While the writing may have been on the wall for Treliving, the timing of his departure is a bit curious. The announcement came shortly before the Leafs continued their four-game road swing in Anaheim on Monday night.
“Brad Treliving is a man that we all have deep respect and appreciation for, both as a hockey executive and as a person, but it was determined that the club must chart a new course under different leadership,” said Pelley in his statement. “The organization is grateful for all that Brad has contributed in his nearly three years with the Maple Leafs, and we wish him and his family the very best.”
What’s Next?
The Leafs’ roster situation for this summer is currently relatively tidy. The marching orders for the new GM will be to engineer roster adjustments that will boost the team back into contention and, most urgently, chart a course forward with Matthews.
Turning 29 in September, the captain has two years remaining on the four-year deal he signed under Treliving at cap hit of $13.25 million per season. But as the Vancouver Canucks learned this year with Quinn Hughes, if a star player indicates that he’s not intending to re-sign when his current deal expires, the best course of action may be to act quickly.
After 10 years in Toronto, it’s hard to imagine the 2016 first-overall draft pick playing anywhere else. But Matthews’ two most recent seasons have been among the least productive of his career. And after wining a gold medal as captain of Team USA at the Olympics in Milan in February, the possibility looms that the Arizona native may want to finish out his career playing south of the 49th parallel.
As for job candidates, that picture should come more clearly into focus in the ensuing weeks. And the Leafs likely won’t be the only team looking to fill a GM vacancy. Other jobs should open up around the end of the season.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Raven Johnson has been a Final Four mainstay during her five years at South Carolina and she's seen it all.
The Gamecocks' leader has been part of two national championships for Dawn Staley in 2022 and 2024, although she missed most of the first one as she tore her ACL two games into the season.
Now, she has helped the Gamecocks reach their sixth consecutive national semifinals — and seventh in nine years — by earning the Most Outstanding Player of the Sacramento 4 Regional after a 78-52 win over TCU in the Elite Eight on Monday night.
“There was a core group, they’ve all gone to the WNBA, which leaves Raven left to just play how she’s playing this year," Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley said. “Scoring when we’ve needed it, facilitating when it’s needed. She did some things on the way in this journey of the NCAA Tournament.”
Staley recalled earlier when sophomore Joyce Edwards was complaining about the rims in practice, Johnson went over to her and said “we only want positive thoughts.”
“I’ve been here, what, four, five — five times now. I think experience does matter,” Johnson said after the Sweet 16 win over Oklahoma. “And I think using my voice goes a long way. They listen.”
The veteran coach said Johnson didn't know she was listening and saw the entire exchange.
“(Raven) is a winner and now people are seeing the type of player she is and she was capable of being,” Staley said.
Johnson is one of the best defensive players in the country, constantly guarding the opponents best player. In the two games in Sacramento, she averaged 14 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
“Raven’s been through a lot. She’s standing strong today and she’s performing at a high level, which we all know she was capable of playing at this level," Staley said. “But she sacrificed a lot of her beginnings and actually some of her end of her South Carolina career by just being a giver, by just being a winner and making winning plays.”
Ryan Preece left Martinsville Speedway with a solid run that matches his position in the point standings. After the first seven races of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, Preecee sits 13th in the standings with a 23-point advantage over the Chase bubble. Overall, it is a solid start for the RFK Racing driver.
Preece is the last RFK Racing driver in the standings behind Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher, but he isn't very far off. Keselowski sits eighth while Buescher sits 10th in a four-way tie at 206 points. Preece is only 26 points behind his RFK Racing teammates heading into the NASCAR off-weekend following Martinsville.
There will be plenty of debate on what happens to RFK Racing's three-car situation in 2027, but Preece is taking advantage of an excellent opportunity with the No. 60 team. Preece is capable of winning races in the Cup Series, and the No. 60 team could enter victory lane soon.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Parker Messick #77 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on March 30, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
And he didn’t even need Jose Ramirez to hit to do it!
Parker Messick beat the Dodgers 4-2 and pitched six shutout innings, with no walks, five strikeouts and allowing only five hits. This dude is a GAMER, folks:
Jose Ramirez was chasing badly all game. He got a first inning single and a stolen base… then couldn’t come through. However he did make a great play, turning a double-play on a nice pick.
The offense came on an Austin Hedges (!) double and a Steven Kwan double in the 3rd. Angel Martinez sac bunted in between those two, but it was against a RHP so I’ll reluctantly allow it.
Then, in the seventh, the Guardians finally broke through… after singles from Austin Hedges (again!), Angel Martinez and Steven Kwan. Then, Chase DeLauter and Jose Ramirez again failed to get the job done, but Rhys Hoskins (having subbed in for Kyle Manzardo) managed to take a walk off of Justin Wrobleski to force in a run.
Finally, up stepped the Guardians’ centerfielder for the night: Daniel Schneemann, the Mormon Missile. And, he rightly took four pitches, then rocketed the fifth pitch he saw into the gap in left-center for a two-run double:
Shawn Armstrong entered for the 7th, but was picked up by Erik Sabrowski who went one and a third dominant innings.
Cade Smith does not appear to be himself yet… he gave up two runs while not having control of his secondary stuff, but eventually managed to nail down the save.
This was a HUGE win. With Ohtani and Yamomoto on deck, the Guardians needed to get this one, and they did. Now, it’s time to surprise some folks and win this series.
The Guardians ruined the Dodgers’ chance for an undefeated season, be proud. And be excited because Jose and Cade Smith will be back to their usual before you know it.
Joey Logano bounced back after a miserable performance at Darlington Raceway. Following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington, Logano finished in third place at Martinsville Speedway, earning 46 points over the three stages. It was a much-needed run for the driver of the No. 22 car on Sunday.
Logano sits 12th in the point standings, but the No. 22 team executed very well at Martinsville on Sunday afternoon. This should give Logano some confidence moving forward, as Team Penske has been up and down to start the 2026 NASCAR season. After all, Austin Cindric is sitting outside of the Chase bubble right now.
There was plenty of debate regarding Logano after Darlington, but Martinsville was a good way to put that chatter to bed for the time being. The first off weekend of the 2026 NASCAR season is coming at a good time, as Logano and the No. 22 team can focus on carrying momentum to Bristol Motor Speedway in two weeks.
Monday was another strong showing for the Mets’ pitching staff.
Clay Holmes had to battle through traffic and long counts in the early going, but he was able to limit the damage to just one run against before settling in during his first start of the season.
The righty retired the final seven batters he faced, but allowed a solo shot to Nolan Gorman with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to bring his night to a close.
He allowed just the two runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts over 5.2 IP.
“First three innings a lot of pitches, but then he attacked,” Carlos Mendoza said. “Fourth, fifth, and then the sixth inning he was pretty efficient -- overall I thought he mixed his pitch well and got a lot better as the game progressed.”
Tobias Myers then came on and provided the Mets with exactly what they were looking for, striking out two of the four batters he faced in 1.2 perfect innings.
Myers is shaping up to be a legit weapon for New York’s bullpen this season.
“He’s huge,” Mendoza said. “He’s a guy with that versatility and has the ability to get both lefties and righties out, he can give you multiple innings or just one inning if we need -- he’s a pretty important role for us, and did it again today.”
Brooks Raley followed that by working around a single in the the eighth, before turning things over to Devin Williams, who had his signature Airbender working as he retired the side in order to close out his first save as a Met.
Williams struck out one and threw all but two of his 12 pitches for strikes.
“He didn’t mess around,” Mendoza said. “He was really good.”
This continues what’s been a strong start to the season for the Mets’ bullpen, a group that's allowed just seven runs across 18 innings of work over the first four games.
“They’ve done a really good job,” the skipper said. “They’ve had to cover a lot of innings with two extra inning games out of the gate, and they’ve kept us in games so far -- we’ve asked a lot out of some of them out of necessity, but we'll just continue to keep in the mind the big picture and continue to protect guys when we need to.”
Bea Fernandes was keen to show others she could go back into competitive jiu-jitsu after the birth of her daughter [Bea Fernandes]
A jiu-jitsu champion said she was determined to prove people who said she could not return to the sport after becoming a mother wrong.
Bea Fernandes runs Roots Gym at Murrayside Youth and Community Centre in Nacton, Suffolk, alongside her partner Ben Wyard.
Fernandes, who is a former European Jiu-Jitsu champion, gave birth to their first child in September 2024, but said she faced tough comments from people telling her it would not be easy to get back into competitions.
However, just four months after welcoming their daughter, she was back competing and is now balancing motherhood with managing the gym.
Fernandes won the Jiu-Jitsu European Championship in 2022, representing Portugal [Bea Fernandes/Roots Gym]
"I had a hard time with the pregnancy and some complications," Fernandes, who moved from Portugal to Suffolk more than 10 years ago, explained.
"I had an emergency C-section, but I was so focused on competing.
"When I was pregnant, I thought, I need to come back as soon as possible, and people would say, 'No, it's not going to be like that, you're not going to be back that easily'.
"It was bringing me down, so I needed to [prove] them wrong. Four months after giving birth, I was already competing at the Europeans."
Fernandes' partner said she was a great role model for other women and their students [Bea Fernandes]
Fernandes is now close to competing in the same division she was in prior to her pregnancy.
She added: "I think if you want to do something, there's nothing stopping you from doing it."
Fernandes said after welcoming her baby, things "just fell into place" to enable her and Wyard to open their gym that also offers mixed martial arts (MMA), boxing and karate.
Despite her decorated career in the sport that has seen her win numerous medals and crowned as the inaugural Southern Quarter Super Series Champion for the under 70KG category, Fernandes admitted coaching is not something that initially came naturally to her.
"I've never really focused on my teaching before; I've only focused on my competition," she admitted.
"I've really been trying to work on my speech, and it's helped my English a lot. I know it sounds silly, but I've been practising whilst pitch side."
Ben Wyard won the 2024 Jiu-Jitsu European Championships in Paris and is now a coach at Roots Gym [Bea Fernandes/Roots Gym]
Wyard, who is also a European champion, said he knew "there would be no holding" Fernandes back after her pregnancy.
He said she was "flying" and was a positive role model for their athletes.
Like his partner, Wyard had never previously considered a career in coaching.
"I never really thought I would go into coaching; it just fell into my lap," he said.
"It's something we took on, and like we do with everything we take on. We do it properly, and we go full steam ahead."
Roots Brazilian jiu-jitsu is based at Murrayside Youth and Community Centre in Ipswich and offers beginner classes through to competition level support [Bea Fernandes/Roots Gym]
Kosovo are unbeaten in their past six matches in World Cup qualification [Getty Images]
Ten years ago, Kosovo had never played a World Cup qualifier - now they are 90 minutes away from qualifying for this summer's finals.
The Balkan nation, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and was officially recognised by Fifa and Uefa in 2016, hosts Turkey in Tuesday's play-off.
Win and Kosovo, 78th in the world rankings, will reach the 48-nation World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The game will take place at a packed Fadil Vokrri Stadium in the capital city Pristina - although most people will be left watching on television.
"We have a stadium only for 13,000 spectators, but if it were possible, there would be 100,000," said Kosovo coach Franco Foda after Thursday's 4-3 away win against Slovakia in the play-off semi-finals.
"On Tuesday we will have a historic game. We are in euphoria, but we need to play the last game with calm. In that case everything is possible.
"We have emotional fans, but we must be careful and not allow ourselves to make mistakes."
Kosovo's players and coaches posed with their fans after the 4-3 win over Slovakia in Bratislava in Thursday's semi-final [Getty Images]
Turkey, who have not qualified for the World Cup since coming third in 2002, are 23rd in the rankings, 55 places above Kosovo.
But Kosovo have developed a taste for upsetting the odds.
After beginning with a 4-0 loss to Switzerland, Kosovo remained unbeaten in their other five group matches, including home and away victories over Sweden and a win and a draw against Slovenia, before drawing with Switzerland to get into the play-offs.
"When the draw came out and we saw the opponents, we weren't very hopeful, especially when we lost our first match 4-0," said Arben Berisha, a commentator for television channel RTK Kosova.
"Then everything changed and we did something that was unbelievable and unexpected.
"The win against Slovakia has been called a historical moment for the national team and Kosovo as a nation. It was the most important win ever secured."
Putting Kosovo on the international map
The play-off final against Turkey will take place at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium, which has a capacity of less than 14,000 [Getty Images]
If Kosovo qualify, they would be in Group D and face Australia in Vancouver on Saturday, 13 June, Paraguay in San Francisco six days later and then co-hosts the United States in Los Angeles on 25 June.
After the Kosovo War of 1998-1999, Kosovo celebrated its liberation day on 12 June, 1999, following the withdrawal of Serbian forces and the entry of Nato-led peacekeeping troops.
Independence came nine years later, although, as of December 2025, out of 193 United Nations member states, only 110 recognise Kosovo as an independent nation.
"Qualifying for the World Cup would be historic, bearing in mind it's only 10 years since we've been recognised by Fifa and Uefa," added Berisha.
"Some have called Tuesday the biggest day in Kosovo's history since Kosovo declared independence in 2008.
"Some say it would be the third historic day for Kosovo - liberation day in 1999 after the war ended, Kosovo's declaration of independence and this would be the third most important day in Kosovo's history.
"It would have a huge impact if Kosovo managed to qualify, bearing in mind the political situation. It would be a huge impact worldwide."
From first official international to brink of World Cup in 12 years
Kosovo's first official international match was just over 12 years ago against Haiti [Getty Images]
Kosovo were allowed to play their first match by Fifa in March 2014 - a 0-0 draw with Haiti. Their second official international was against Tuesday's opponents Turkey, who cruised to a 6-1 victory.
On 5 September 2016, Kosovo played their first World Cup qualifier and drew 1-1 in Finland, but that was followed by nine successive defeats as Kosovo finished bottom of the group, only scoring three goals in 10 games.
But Kosovo, able to call up eligible players born in other European countries such as Germany, Switzerland and Sweden, quickly improved.
In Euro 2020 qualifying, they took the lead in an away game against England before losing 5-3, but did finish third and were beaten by North Macedonia in the semi-finals of the play-offs.
Kosovo's star player is record scorer Vedat Muriqi, with 32 goals in 67 internationals, and another 18 for Spanish La Liga side Mallorca this season.
He is a player Turkey will know all about, having scored 17 league goals for Turkish top-flight side Caykur Rizespor in 2018-19, then 15 for Fenerbahce the following season.
Elsewhere, forward Fisnik Asllani is a key member of the Hoffenheim side that is fifth in the German Bundesliga, while goalkeeper Arijanet Muric is a regular for Serie A team Sassuolo, on loan from Ipswich Town for whom he played in the Premier League last season.
Midfielder Edon Zhegrova is at Juventus and centre-back Amir Rrahmani has twice won the Serie A title with Napoli, although is currently out injured.
Defender Florent Hadergjonaj had two seasons in the English top flight with Huddersfield Town and attacking midfielder Milot Rashica had a spell with Norwich City.
"Although Turkey are a much better team and have better players than Kosovo, they are not that regular in terms of qualifying," added Berisha. "It is a match to be played at home and that is a great advantage.
"It is going to be huge and [if they win] it would probably be the biggest celebration ever seen on the streets of Pristina and every town of Kosovo."
Kosovo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric is on loan at Italian side Sassuolo from Ipswich Town, while Vedat Muriqi (number 18) is their record goalscorer [Getty Images]
A team making its nation proud
In an interview with BBC World Service, Anel Rashkaj, Kosovo's captain in that 0-0 draw with Haiti, explained what it was like playing for the nation in its infancy.
"I was 17 or 18 and my dream was to play for the national team, after coming from a war," said Rashkaj. "We had to fight with our clubs to play because they said, 'it's not a national team' and 'it's not a Uefa date'. We didn't have money to organise camps and hotels. All of these things were arranged by Kosovo people that live in Europe.
"It was stressful, waiting so long. I was maybe the first one that said 'yes' to the national team, and I got to be the captain in this first official game.
"To be in this position, seeing all the difficulties we had, it's incredible to have this feeling now to be so close to the World Cup."
Rashkaj will be at Tuesday's match and said it will be an emotional night.
"We have gone through very tough times with war, and after the war it was economic problems - and it's still economic problems now," added Rashkaj.
"People want to feel like they can come together and feel we are strong. The national team has given these people this feeling we are strong, that we can make a name in Europe.
"It makes us proud that people see that Kosovo people have a lot to contribute to the world."
Leah Pearson, who took up the sport in her 40s, said taking part was "the biggest buzz", adding she had never been so fit before in her life [Connor Bennett/BBC]
A woman who took up BMX riding as "a mid-life crisis at 41" said her club being granted a licence would help it reach "its full potential" and could help it attract national-level competitions.
The council owns the track based in Orton Malborne, which is a community sports facility that has been used by the club for more than 40 years.
Leah Pearson, who is now 54, said the new licence should "open up quite a few opportunities to be able to get some funding".
Club chairman Ashley Goulding said: "The club was first formed in 1982... and has historically run national events and British championships, so we're looking to bring it back up to standard that it needs, bring more children into the sport locally and develop the club."
The club attracts members aged as young as four to their sixties, said chairman Ashley Goulding [Connor Bennett/BBC]
Under the previous licence, the city council was liable for the track's maintenance.
Following the decision, the club will be liable for all its repairs, maintenance and improvements.
Any external funding it secures would be used to upgrade the facility to a national competition standard.
"It's been a little bit of a barrier... so now we're able to really plough on, develop the site, get funding from places like National Lottery to Sports England and grow the club to its full potential," said Goulding.
Pearson, who has previously been its treasurer, praised the current track standards, but added it should now be able to "finally get done to the track what we've actually planned for quite a number of years".
"It will only improve the track and make it a facility that maybe we can hold nationals at," she said.
Tim Stratford describes himself as one of the club's "middle-aged children" and praised the club as "good fun to be around" [Connor Bennett/BBC]
Tim Stratford, 45, travels from Milton Keynes to use the track, having taken up the sport about five years ago.
He said: "It's a big part of my life now, I really enjoy it.
"The people are great... people of all ages and ability, from kids to middle-aged children like myself."
Pearson added the sport was "a wonderful thing for the whole family" but also attracted older riders like her, which is "such an inspiration to the younger riders".
While MLB's national broadcast deals look quite a bit different in 2026 than they have in the past, one constant returns: Tuesday night games on TBS.
The national package is in its fifth year, bringing fans across the country access to high-profile midweek matchups throughout the season.
Among the highlights on the 2026 schedule released so far include a Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series rematch on April 7, Red Sox-Yankees at Fenway Park on April 21, and numerous matchups of 2025 playoff teams throughout the first half.
TBS will also feature 30-minute pregame and postgame shows every Tuesday.
See below for the 2026 MLB Tuesday schedule and tune in every week.
MLB games will appear on TBS on Tuesday nights throughout the 2026 regular season.
Fans can stream every game on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users.
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.
MLB Tuesday on TBS schedule 2026
TNT Sports has announced the MLB on TBS schedule for the first half of the 2026 season. See the full list of games below:
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
March 31
Yankees at Mariners
9:30 p.m.
April 7
Dodgers at Blue Jays
7 p.m.
April 14
Cubs at Phillies
6:30 p.m.
April 21
Yankees at Red Sox*
6:30 p.m.
April 28
Tigers at Braves
7 p.m.
May 5
Dodgers at Astros
8 p.m.
May 12
Tigers at Mets
7 p.m.
May 19
Blue Jays at Yankees
7 p.m.
May 26
Braves at Red Sox
6:30 p.m.
June 2
Padres at Phillies
6:30 p.m.
June 9
Yankees at Guardians*
6:30 p.m.
June 16
Tigers at Astros
8 p.m.
June 23
Cubs at Mets
7 p.m.
June 30
Tigers* at Yankees
7 p.m.
* Broadcast will be available in participating team market
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is facing growing concerns over multiple issues around the Pakistan Super League (PSL), with reports suggesting the Pakistan Cricket Board chief is particularly upset about a hotel-security incident involving Lahore Qalandars players.
The situation comes at a time when PSL 2026 is already being conducted under restrictions. Matches in Lahore are being held without spectators, and the tournament is running with fewer venues due to fuel and travel issues in Pakistan linked to the West Asia crisis. The PCB had put measures in place to manage the event, but the league has seen multiple controversies in quick succession.
The hotel-security issue had surfaced earlier. Lahore captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza were accused of breaching security rules at the team hotel in Lahore by allowing visitors into a room despite objections from security staff. The incident raised questions over discipline and arrangements in a tournament where security was a key focus.
A PCB source was quoted by news agency PTI as saying: "(PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is not happy in particular about the hotel incident since the PCB is taking great care to ensure the event is held without an incident and has even disallowed spectators for the league matches at the Gaddafi stadium for the time being."
The pressure increased further after a ball tampering controversy during Lahore’s match against Karachi Kings on Sunday. Just before the final over of Karachi’s chase, with 14 runs needed, umpires checked the ball and ruled that its condition had been changed. A five-run penalty was imposed on Lahore and the ball was replaced, reducing the target to nine. Karachi went on to win by four wickets with three balls remaining.
The matter escalated after Lahore batter Fakhar Zaman was charged with a Level 3 offence under the PSL Code of Conduct for allegedly altering the ball. Fakhar denied the charge during a hearing before match referee Roshan Mahanama. Shaheen later said the franchise would review the footage and distanced himself from the incident.
For the PCB, the concern now extends beyond a single match. The focus is on the attention the league is receiving. “The board is unhappy about the PSL gaining traction for the wrong reasons, starting with the incident of the ball colour turning pink during the first match of the league,” the source added, as cited by news agency PTI.
The PSL season had already started with limited venues and restricted crowd access, with fans asked to watch from home. The hotel-security issue and the ball-tampering allegation have now added to the challenges the board was trying to avoid.
GIRONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 26: Marc Andre ter Stegen of Girona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Girona v Getafe at the Estadi Municipal Montilivi on January 26, 2026 in Girona Spain (Photo by David Ramirez/Soccrates/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been told that he has only a “very slim” chance of making Germany’s World Cup 2026 squad by Julian Nagelsmann.
The stopper had been hoping to be part of the squad for the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada but has been sidelined again with injury after joining Girona on loan.
“We spoke briefly the day before yesterday. He’s always there when needed and when he can contribute. He doesn’t just look out for himself, but also considers the team,” he said.
“Out of respect for him, I’m not going to close the door on the World Cup , but the chances are very slim; he’s been out for almost a year.
“He needs to accelerate his rehabilitation. He’s not in much pain anymore, but everything takes time. And he’s not 21 anymore.”
It’s still not clear when Ter Stegen will be able to return to action. Girona boss Michel said recently that the goalkeeper was back in Barcelon and that he did not know how his recovery was going.
Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus (centre) arriving before the Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Picture date: Wednesday February 11, 2026. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
This season has been one of the most remarkable in my many decades of supporting Sunderland AFC. We have been competitive in almost every game, have beaten some of the top teams and also Newcastle, so the transition from last season in the Championship to today in the Premier League has been truly remarkable. We now sit on 43 points, with 7 games to go.
Despite some recent setbacks at the Stadium of Light that upset our unbeaten home record, away performances have picked up and we are now looking upwards towards the top section in the world’s most competitive football league. The fear of failure is not haunting us, as in previous Premier League years, and we have matured hugely as a football club. Very importantly, we did the double over our Tyneside neighbours: this illustrated the level of self-confidence that the team is displaying at these special times. We had a raft of key players out through injury at St James’ Park on 22 March but still managed to come up with a second-half performance which simply blew our opponents away, and that 90th-minute winner from Brian Brobbey in front of the Sunderland fans will never be forgotten.
But is this more evolution than revolution? We have after all seemingly been following a carefully laid-out plan, devised several years ago, which has drawn attention from a lot of underperforming football clubs. It has been so successful that I would now define Sunderland as a previously underperforming football giant. “The Model” has however meant that we should not get too attached to any particular players, as there is a decent chance that they could be sold and replaced. Over a period of time, we waved goodbye to Ross Stewart, Jack Clarke, Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson, but the main point was that the substantial funds raised from those sales paved the way for the excellent summer 2025 transfer activity, which lay behind the current progression of the team.
One of the key originators of The Model, Kristjaan Speakman, has also moved on, so we should not get too attached to members of our management team either, although most fans will keep a special place in their hearts for the former Birmingham man, who shaped a lot of what we now see before us on the pitch. But we have Florent Ghisolfi as our Director of Football, and I would argue that The Model has evolved, rather than being scrapped.
When Kyril-Louis Dreyfus acquired shares in Sunderland in February 2021, and I do not need to remind true fans of this, we were languishing in League One, struggling to recover from the effects of COVID-19 on our beloved football club. Think almost empty stadia, unconvincing football, and trying our best to exit League One. The Model moved us forward and brought us up two leagues over time.
Moving forward, last summer we did not just recruit footballing talent but focused on character and future teamwork; there was less emphasis on the age and potential of players.
Many football clubs fall into the trap of just acquiring expensive players, but in order for team-building strategies to work, there has to be positive relational chemistry between key members of the leadership/recruitment team. This group was initially made up of KLD, Speakman and head coach Régis Le Bris but joined by another crucial hire who I have mentioned: Ghisolfi. The group is flexible and pragmatic, but crucially knew how to recruit for a team where players literally sweat blood for each other.
So, my question is: has “The Model” been adapted in favour of pragmatism? As mentioned, not all the team signed in the summer fitted into the earlier “young and promising” patterns, most notably our inspirational captain, Granit Xhaka, aged 32 when he signed. This was a spectacular piece of recruitment and vision, apparently accomplished by KLD in the private family jet. But we also signed a number of other “Premier League Ready” players: Omar Aldrete (28), Bertrand Traore (29) and a whole set of others in their mid-twenties, such as Nordi Mukiele, Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra. Many of these players have been outstanding performers, especially in the context of building a team.
One can argue that Robin Roefs, Chemsdine Talbi, Melker Ellborg, Brian Brobbey and Nilson Angulo who are all in their early twenties do fit “The Model”, as did Simon Adingra (now 24), who has now been loaned out to Monaco, scoring 3 goals so far. But if we had stuck rigidly to low age limits last summer, I really doubt we would be on 43 points now, and potentially competing for European places next season, depending how the remaining games go.
So I will conclude that “The Model”, which has overall been a great success, has evolved, with a spectacular element of teamwork added. This was crucial in a number of our signings, such as Enzo Le Fée, added to the list above. I predict that extreme talent and teamwork will be highly prioritised in our summer recruitment, and for once I am convinced that all this is in safe hands as we prepare optimistically for the Premier League season 2026-27.
Without much context, aside from the statement itself, it’s really disappointing news. We all know that one of Regis Le Bris’ favourite words is “synergy” and this is something that David Bruce has been able to provide between the football club and the fans. Prior to Bruce’s arrival, we really struggled as a club with a sense of disconnect, whether that be through generic kits or a lack of matchday experience.
However, with David Bruce, a local, Sunderland fan himself, we’ve seen some fantastic changes. In particular, the partnership with hummel has seen brilliant, bespoke kits being produced which pay homage to key parts of our city’s culture. Gone are the days where we have an Easter Egg via a hidden sponsor that can be revealed with an iron and / or a 40 degree wash… Instead, we’ve seen record demand and successful sales as a result of a meaningful partnership with the fans’ best interests at heart.
Likewise, the matchday experience has been transformed for the better. Yes, the move to the Premier League comes with increased revenue and capacity to make improvements, but I, for one, am proud to be in the stadium on a matchday. The displays and dedication to Sunderland icons, including Niall Quinn, is a really welcomed change. Even small tweaks, like the Xhaka “This is home” video that plays before kick off, or the call to arms that is the bare of the lighthouse, are touches of genius that help inspire the crowd before the lads come out. This comes down to the decision making of Bruce himself and the involvement of supporters in these key decisions.
Simply put, we have a lot of things to be thankful to Bruce for. Whilst I have faith that the club will appoint someone with the right pedigree, I hope that they have the same understanding of what it means to be a Sunderland fan. All the best, David!
Dan Harrison says…
David Bruce played an instrumental role since his arrival at SAFC, both in the way he was able to transform our commercial operation into a behemoth of shirt sales in a record year for Hummel in 2025, but also in the fact that he truly understood what it meant to be a fan and connected with the fanbase from day one.
Due to the countless hours of work from Bruce at regular fan group meetings, celebrations, and all manner of other club-represented events, he’s always endeavoured to put the community at the forefront of how Sunderland developed off the pitch, to help them succeed on it.
Whilst it’s clear that the split between SAFC and Bruce remains amicable at the time of writing, only time will tell. With our Premier League safety secured, the club have looked to streamline & refine their corporate structure due to the demands of the PL hierarchy, and therefore it may just be a natural end to a partnership in the same way other staff have departed this season.
Sunderland may have moved a tad too quickly in their development for some staff, and that’s okay. David Bruce, however, will not be forgotten in a hurry for his continuous efforts to improve the matchday experience, and I’m sure, as a devoted fan, he’ll continue to watch from afar.
All the best in your future endeavours, David, you’ll always be a Mackem at heart!
John Wilson says…
At the time of writing, I have no clue or idea what’s behind Bruce being ‘moved on’ or leaving the club, but there are things I do know.
Firstly, he was a local lad, and he just “got” the club — an asset that’s like gold dust when it comes to people filling a role at Sunderland.
He brought in some fantastic initiatives that had worked in America, and much of what he did put the fans front and centre. He had a lot to do with bringing the club back to the fans, and making them feel a part of the club again — as well as helping to harness a growing feeling of harmony, community and everyone pulling together.
I must admit to feeling a little shocked and down at the news from the non-information I have at the moment. Unlike when Kristjaan Speakman left, I understood that Florent Ghisolfi had a more international appeal and that he could continue the upward trajectory of the club, whereas Bruce’s release is less straightforward.
The second thing I know — and that’s stopping me from having a mini-meltdown — is that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and his team nearly always get things right.
They know the bigger picture and the long-term plan, and we don’t, so I can only assume and have faith that this is also a stepping stone. It’s hard to understand how at the moment, but that has to be the conclusion. Watch this space.
Phil West says…
It’s a sign of the times, ultimately.
With thoughts beginning to turn to the summer and beyond, it’s apparent that the club is seeking to continue the progress achieved during 2025/2026 — and just like in key positions on the pitch, if they’ve decided that a upgrade is available and represents an avenue worth exploring, they’ll not waste time in doing so.
Whilst I don’t think this is the disastrous development that it may seem (this should be a coveted role for someone with an appropriate CV and I’m sure there’ll be huge interest), Bruce has certainly done a good job since his arrival in 2023.
He restored various departments of the club to the standard that the supporters would’ve hoped for — not least on the retail side of things, which was a utter shambles before he arrived (as evidenced by the fact that it took almost six months to clear the Jermain Defoe-themed tat from the old club shop back in 2022) — and he deserves credit for overseeing breakthroughs such as the Hummel kit deal, which remains immensely popular and a huge upgrade on the previous arrangement.
I must admit that I wasn’t a fan of some of his American-tinted initiatives such as ‘Fan Cam’, and it did often feel as though he was attempting to apply the Major League Soccer school of thought to Sunderland (different footballing cultures, and not really compatible) but he was clearly working from a desire to see the club head in a new direction and to get itself fully in sync with the ways of the modern game, which was fair enough.
Time will tell as to what happens now, who takes up the role that he’s vacated and the work they subsequently carry out.
The bar was dismally low in just about every area before he arrived. He’s certainly raised it back up to the level that we should rightly expect and demand at a club of this size, and the challenge for his successor is to keep building, to strengthen the connection between the club and its supporters, and to be relentless in unlocking our as-yet untapped potential.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Regis Le Bris Manager of Sunderland on the side line before the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on March 22, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) | Getty Images
Being a Sunderland fan has tended to be something of a rollercoaster ride for most of the more than 50 years I have supported my hometown team. Pushing for promotion, flirting with relegation and, of course, the dreaded (until recently) play-offs have been the norm rather than the exception.
The last comfortable end to a season that I can remember – one devoid of either hope or trepidation – was under Steve Bruce in 2010/11. There were fewer European places to compete for, and it was nice to relax and settle for the kind of mid-table obscurity that Coventry enjoyed for years in the old First Division. They were rarely challenging the established top clubs but were mostly clear of any likelihood of relegation. They were just there, in the top flight, revelling in their relative mediocrity.
That was the kind of season I was hoping for, once the Lads began to show that they could comfortably compete at this level, and fears of an immediate return to the Championship receded – a nice, calm spring, no pressure.
As the AFCON period came and went, and the predicted downturn in fortunes that so many of our rivals were predicting failed to materialise, the much-vaunted 40-point target was being chased down. It should have been a rare opportunity for the modern Sunderland fan to kick back, chillax and enjoy Premier League football without jeopardy.
But the footballing Gods and Régis Le Bris have conspired to take that away from us!
Recent successes in Europe for English clubs and the progression of the top teams in the domestic cup competitions have opened up the possibility that finishing 8th in the Premier League may be enough to have fans booking flights to the more obscure destinations in European football next season. And competition for those places is wide open, with just 6 points dividing Chelsea in 6th from Bournemouth in 13th. Sunderland sit just 3 points behind Everton in 8th place.
And we are there thanks to Régis Le Bris coaching an injury-ravaged squad to unlikely away victories against Leeds and then ‘the Visitors’. The latter has prompted a glorious outpouring of social media angst from some of the Mags’ most vocal ‘influencers’ – it truly has been a joy to witness! Six easy points, eh?
By the time Tottenham arrive at the Stadium of Light, several of our casualties should be back in contention, and Spurs may have appointed their 14th manager of the season (so far). It is an eminently winnable fixture that may well simply extend the tension for Sunderland fans, as European qualification would remain tantalisingly possible.
After that, it’s a trip to a faltering Aston Villa. The last time I passed Villa Park was on the train coming home from a League One game against Walsall, where goals from Lynden Gooch and Aiden McGeady saw us battle to a 2-2 draw, despite going two goals down and losing Max Power to a red card. How times have changed.
Then it’s on to Forest, Wolves, Man Utd and Everton. They all have something to play for and, arguably, have more at stake and more pressure on them than we will have. It is entirely feasible that, come 24th May, when Chelsea arrive on Wearside, we could still be competing for what appeared to be the most unlikely outcome at the start of the season – a place in Europe.
However it pans out, I won’t be reducing my blood pressure medication for a month or two yet.
Bubba Wallace was a top 2 driver in the point standings for most of the first seven races of 2026; however, it all came crashing down at Martinsville Speedway. After Wallace got into the back of Carson Hocevar in the Final Stage, it triggered a wreck that knocked him out for the rest of the event.
Following the race, the 23XI Racing driver now sits 11th in the standings with a 48-point advantage to the Chase bubble. Wallace didn't expect to be 11th in the standings heading into NASCAR's first off weekend, but it is a perfect example that everything in this sport can change very quickly.
Wallace has plenty of time to make up ground in the standings, but there isn't much more room for error moving forward. It is the second straight race that Wallace has finished outside of the top 30 spots. Now, the driver of the No. 23 car has to find the consistency that has seemingly disappeared over the last few weeks.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. made an extraordinary misstep this weekend when he downgraded the stakes of September's long-awaited Manny Pacquiao rematch by claiming the Netflix-bound do-over is actually an exhibition, and not a fully-sanctioned fight after all.
It contradicts much of what Netflix said in a February announcement to unveil its latest spectacle — a follow-up to the best-selling boxing bout of all time, which was set to head for the Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 19, available globally to the platform's 325 million subscribers.
Netflix, in a statement sent to Uncrowned at the time, called it a "once-in-a-generation event" with "Mayweather officially coming out of retirement" for a "professional rematch."
The wording couldn’t have been clearer.
The only problem is, one month later, neither could Mayweather.
"As of right now, we do not know where the fight is going to be,” Mayweather told Vegas Sports Today. “The Sphere is one of the places that they talked about. We do not know if it's 100% going to be there.”
While there is no hold for that date or venue on the Nevada Athletic Commission’s calendar, Mayweather’s comment is already a PR headache, and Netflix did not immediately respond Monday to Uncrowned’s request for comment.
But Mayweather didn’t stop there.
“This isn't actually a fight,” he said. “It's an exhibition.”
And with that one word, Mayweather landed a knockdown blow on whatever fan interest MP Promotions, and indeed Netflix, have already generated for this event.
Few fight fans will want to see something that could be so big when it suddenly means so little.
And they’ve already told Mayweather as much.
At an exhibition against British reality show star and MMA veteran Aaron Chalmers in 2023, London's O2 Arena was described as a "ghost town" as the contest played out in a mostly empty arena, with thousands of unsold tickets, and last-minute price reductions to £5 ($6.60) failing to even tempt bargain hunters.
Mayweather, 49, deemed a “laughing stock” in the English press at the time, then blamed stingy Brits for failing to buy tickets when Americans “don’t mind spending money.”
Yet if Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is downgraded to exhibition status, then it will likely be another catastrophe at the gate.
And that’s the last thing one needs for a venue that, to borrow a phrase from Rolling Stone journalist Matt Taibbi, has turned into a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of sports and entertainment, which jams its blood funnel into Riyadh Season, or any other sponsor who can offset exorbitant production costs — more than $20 million, UFC boss Dana White told Uncrowned, ahead of his Noche UFC show there in 2024.
To make a substantial return at a venue like the Sphere, you need legacy on the line rather than glorified sparring.
Pacquiao, 47, was robbed of a world title win in his valiant attempt to dethrone Mario Barrios and further his own legacy last year, removing leverage he could've used as the oldest welterweight world champion in history to lure Mayweather into a fully-sanctioned fist-fight.
Manny Pacquiao (left) had a history-making moment stolen from him in July 2025 against then-champion Mario Barrios.
Remove that, and one removes the interest from September's quadragenarian rematch, even if Mayweather still intends to “do it again” with Pacquiao “and hopefully entertain the people.”
But the people have already spoken. Mayweather’s exhibition run over the past several years has delivered only mixed results at a time in which Netflix only wants surefire hits.
Jas Mathur, the CEO of MP Promotions, seemingly expects Mayweather to honor the apparent terms he committed to. “Men lie, women lie, executed binding agreements don’t,” he said, via ES News.
It is also not lost on this columnist that, when first speaking with people involved with Mayweather and Pacquiao, one source who worked frequently with Floyd told us straight-up that he’d lose to Manny.
Pacquiao, this source said, had fought five times since Mayweather last boxed as a pro, and had shown he was able to compete effectively with an athlete significantly younger than him in Barrios, 30.
Mayweather would lose to Pacquiao in his current form, the source said. And it wouldn’t be close.
And so it’s unclear who in his inner circle today remains from the core who helped him achieve all he did in the sport in the first place.
But if there were some from those days who are still close to him, maybe they’d say something similar, and maybe that’s why Mayweather is now having second thoughts about putting his coveted 50-0 record on the line in what others, who have been close to him, have said is a losing battle from the off.
Mayweather said he’d been “sitting at home,” thinking: “Why not go out and have a little fun” in the ring?
But he’s already found out once, from the Brits, that it’s nowhere near as fun for the people watching.
Against Pacquiao, the only way it can be is if he risks his 0.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Parker Messick tossed six scoreless innings and the Cleveland Guardians broke the game open with three runs in the seventh inning to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 on Monday, spoiling the two-time World Series champions' perfect start.
The Dodgers were 3-0 after rallying in every game of their opening series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. They nearly pulled it off again, scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth off closer Cade Smith, who had two wild pitches.
But their offense mostly went cold, with Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman combining to go 3-for-16.
Betts' RBI double and Freeman's RBI groundout in the ninth were the Dodgers' only runs.
Messick (1-0) allowed five runs and struck out five.
The Guardians led 1-0 on Steven Kwan's RBI double in the right field corner off Roki Sasaki, the first of three consecutive Japanese starters scheduled for the Dodgers in the series.
Sasaki (0-1) got pulled after giving up a leadoff single to Angel Martinez in the fifth. The 24-year-old right-hander struggled to find the strike zone in his first start since May 9. Sasaki allowed one run and four hits in four innings, struck out four and walked two.
The Guardians extended their lead to 4-0 in the seventh. Justin Wrobleski loaded the bases on consecutive singles to Austin Hedges, Martinez and Kwan. After two outs, pinch-hitter Rhys Hoskins fell behind 0-2 before Wrobleski missed with a slider, walking Hoskins and forcing in Hedges.
It was the first run allowed by the Dodgers' bullpen to start the season.
Daniel Schneemann followed with a two-run double.
Third baseman José Ramírez went 1 for 5 playing in his 1,614th game for Cleveland, tying Nap Lajoie for second all-time. Ramírez could potentially overtake Terry Turner, who played in 1,619 games, this weekend at home.
Up next
Cleveland's RHP Tanner Bibee (0-0, 5.40 ERA) starts Tuesday against RHP Shohei Ohtani (1-1, 2.87), who makes his season debut on the mound.
Chris Buescher had a rough day in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Buescher went one lap down after a tire issue forced him to pit during a caution. Then, the RFK Racing driver had to pit before anyone else during green-flag conditions. While Buescher battled back for a 19th-place finish, it was a grind for the No. 17 team.
Now, Buescher sits 48 points above the Chase bubble and hopes to continue grinding for points over the next 19 races. The RFK Racing driver has shown speed, but he must maximize his points each week to put himself in the 16-driver Chase. More than likely, Buescher will make it; however, NASCAR can change by the week.
Buescher hopes to turn his luck around at Bristol Motor Speedway in two weeks, which has treated him well in the past. There is plenty of optimism surrounding RFK Racing, and if the organization can find a little bit more pace, Buescher could be in victory lane sooner rather than later.
Just before the Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed the Cleveland Guardians Monday afternoon, Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Tucker received their Silver Slugger Awards for 2025. Along with them, last year's Dodgers as a whole accepted their team Silver Slugger Award.
Despite earning the award for the best offensive team in baseball, the Dodgers mustered just two runs in their 4-2 loss against Cleveland.
There was some tension build up on the pitcher side in the series opener.
All eyes were on 24-year-old Roki Sasaki. After showcasing a spring to forget, the importance of starting off the 2026 season on the right foot was detrimental.
"He's in a good headspace," manager Dave Roberts said before Sasaki took the mound on Monday. "Hopefully he can just get past all the spring and all of the inconsistencies of the spring and get to pitching when games matter."
"I think for me it's, we got to attack. We have to attack and use his mix and try to be as efficient as possible and get length out of him as a starter."
Well, it wasn't a pretty outing, but it's definitely something that Sasaki could build on. Sasaki recorded four innings, allowed one earned run, two walks, and struck out four.
He topped out at 99.5 mph and Guardian hitters wer unable to put bat to ball on his off speed stuff. His standout off speed pitch was his signature cutter, which he threw 22 times.
Tanner Scott replaced Sasaki and was able to record a scoreless fifth inning, until newly appointed long reliever, Justin Wrobleski, imploded.
Three straight singles opened up his inning in the seventh and he was one strike away from escaping the bases-loaded jam. Unfortunately, he would give a free pass to Rhys Hoskins and immediately give up a two-run double to Daniel Schneemann.
It would take the Dodgers eight innings, but they would finally get on the board with a Mookie Betts RBI double that drove in Tucker.
That would be all she wrote as the Dodgers chances for a ninth inning comeback fell flat.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Shohei Ohtani makes his season debut on the mound, looking to even up the three game series at one apiece.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Northampton will join the likes of Belle Vue Aces and Ipswich Witches (pictured) for the 2026 British Speedway season [Getty Images]
A new team formed to join the 2026 Speedway Great Britain (SGB) Premiership will be known as Northampton Foxes, British Speedway has announced.
Its fixtures will be at Northampton International Shaleway, near Brafield-on-the-Green, and the Foxes' nickname is a reference to a former Northampton speedway team, known as the Flying Foxes, who competed briefly in the 1950s.
The newly-formed team makes its league debut away at King's Lynn on 20 April, before a home opener against Ipswich on 30 April.
The team's co-promoter, Tony Gaul, said he hoped they "will make a decent impact" in SGB, the top flight of the sport.
The inclusion of Northampton brings the league up to six teams for 2026, after both Birmingham and Oxford left after last season.
Gaul said: "I'm so pleased to be involved in what is another new adventure for me in speedway, and looking forward to working alongside Paul Hunsdon as co-promoter and getting the season underway.
"There's been so much hard work by many over the last few weeks to get this all together... we are all fully committed to making a great success here at Northampton Speedway."
The Northampton team's fixtures will be held at Northampton International Shaleway, near Brafield-on-the-Green [British Speedway]
Team affairs will be handled by Chris Adams, who joins the Foxes after spending the last two seasons as part of the management team at Birmingham.
British Speedway said work was ongoing at Northampton International Shaleway to ensure the venue, which is also used for stock car racing, meets "the necessary infrastructure modifications to ensure speedway's compatibility".
Ipswich Witches will be Northampton's opponents in their opening home fixture [British Speedway]
The reigning MVP had just delivered a signature moment, draining a go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds of regulation during OKC's game against Detroit on Monday. But it was erased by the officials, who called him for a push-off foul.
The stunned look from Gilgeous-Alexander said it all, and yet it didn't last long. He quickly placed on his game face for overtime. The same one that lives in the nightmares of opponents around the NBA.
OKC (60-16) has now won at least 60 games for the second straight season, which is something it hasn't done before in franchise history. It also has a 2.5-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the top seed in the Western Conference.
But it was more like a speed bump. A minor inconvenience for the 7-foot-1 forward, who had no trouble bulldozing his way past his 6-9 defender before sinking a layup.
Holmgren continued to be a driving force for OKC on Monday. He repeatedly punished an undermanned, undersized Detroit team that was without its bruising big man, Jalen Duren, due to right knee injury management.
And Holmgren didn't just rely on his height. His hustle also helped the Thunder, as he chased down opponents for blocks and broke up passes.
Holmgren ended the night with 13 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 30 minutes. He went 6 for 11 from the field (1 for 3 from deep) before fouling out with 31.2 seconds left in regulation.
Jaylin Williams then picked up where Holmgren left off. He also enforced his will down low, finishing with 13 rebounds to go along with three points and three blocks in 32 minutes off the bench.
It didn't look like Aaron Wiggins had much of a chance to grab a loose ball late in the third quarter, as two Pistons players were closer to it.
But even a slim chance was all Wiggins needed. He beat both opponents to the ball, and then he beat both of them to the rim before sinking a layup.
Wiggins hasn't had a ton of chances since the Thunder recently reached full strength. He didn't play in two of its last three games entering Monday due to coach's decision.
But Wiggins made the most of his chance against Detroit on a night when OKC was without Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein due to injury management. He chipped in 10 points, two rebounds and one steal in 17 minutes off the bench.
Wiggins has had his struggles this season, and the addition of Jared McCain has made it even more difficult to find minutes. But the 27-year-old guard was OKC's fourth-leading scorer last season (12 points per game), and he's certainly capable of contributing when needed.
Detroit left important points at the free-throw line
Detroit fought hard despite being without four of its five usual starters. But when its players walked off the Paycom Center floor after the final buzzer sounded, they knew they'd left some points behind.
They were at the free-throw line, where the Pistons struggled to cash in on freebies. They went 12 for 23 (52.2%).
Meanwhile, OKC capitalized at the charity stripe. It went 28 for 32 (87.5%), and that 16-point difference helped it escape with a victory.
∎ Gilgeous-Alexander has now scored at least 20 points in 136 straight games. It's the longest streak in NBA history.
∎ OKC was without Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus injury management), Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) and Jalen Williams (right hamstring injury management).
∎ Detroit was without Cade Cunningham (left lung pneumothorax), Jalen Duren (right knee injury management), Tobias Harris (left hip injury management), Duncan Robinson (right hip injury management) and Isaiah Stewart (left calf strain).
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Thunder vs. Lakers
TIPOFF: 8:30 p.m. CT Thursday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (Prime Video)
If NFL fans needed another example of the changing times in New England, look no further than Monday's news that HBO's "Hard Knocks" is set to do a series featuring the Patriots in 2027.
ESPN's Adam Schefter, via Mike Reiss, reported the news from the NFL's annual meeting.
It will be the first time that the Patriots have been featured in the reality television series since its launch in 2001. The franchise had previously fallen off a cliff after legendary quarterback Tom Brady took his talents to Tampa Bay to lead the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title in 2020.
After Brady's exit, Belichick's near 20-year dynasty evaporated into dust like the fragile antique that it was. With Brady calling games for FOX Sports and Belichick coaching college football at North Carolina, the Patriots have a pair of new stars that fans are eager to see behind the scenes in head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye.
The duo helped lead the Patriots to Super Bowl LX last season in Santa Clara, where they were trounced in a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Another perennial championship contender is on the rise, and NFL fans will get a sneak peek into a team that could be talked about for years to come.
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Detroit Pistons nearly took down the defending champs in their own arena without four starters. An MVP-caliber performance by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander allowed the Oklahoma City Thunder to escape.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47 points, and knocked down 21 of his 25 free throws, to put away the Pistons in overtime, 114-110, on Monday, March 30. Three free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander with 48.3 seconds left in overtime extended the Thunder's lead to five, 111-106. He then split a trip with 13.3 seconds left, with Ron Holland fouling out, to extend the lead back to four to secure the win for Oklahoma City (after Paul Reed cut it to two with a pair of free throws).
After a hot second half, the Pistons went cold in OT, shooting 3-for-11 in the final five minutes. They were without Ausar Thompson (eight points, seven rebounds and five assists) in the extra period, after he fouled out late in the fourth quarter.
With less than 24 seconds left and a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter, Daniss Jenkins turned the ball over with a bad pass. Gilgeous-Alexander nearly made the Pistons pay, sinking a 3-pointer with four seconds left and the game tied at 101. However, the bucket didn't count because he pushed off. Jenkins' 3-pointer at the buzzer missed, leading to overtime.
With the loss, the Pistons (54-21) missed out on a chance to clinch the Central Division, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, eight games back with eight games to play entering Monday, also winning. Still, the Pistons are seven games up with seven to play, with a tiebreaker (division record) yet to be decided. Even with the loss, the Pistons – who’ve locked up a playoff spot and homecourt in the first round – edged closer to clinching the top spot in the East, as the Boston Celtics, who entered four games back of the Pistons, lost to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. That dropped the Pistons’ “magic number” (any combo of Pistons wins and Celtics losses) to lock up the East down to three.
Next up for the Pistons
It’s a super-short turnaround for the Pistons, who jet back to Detroit to host the Toronto Raptors (42-32) on Tuesday (8 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Extra/MMYD-TV 20). Toronto is tied with Atlanta in the fifth and sixth spots in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit Pistons walking wounded
The Pistons were severely shorthanded, with Jalen Duren (right ankle injury management), Tobias Harris (left hip) and Duncan Robinson (right hip) all missing the game, along with the previously ruled-out Cade Cunningham (left lung pneumothorax) and Isaiah Stewart (left calf strain). They leaned on their depth, with two-way big Tolu Smith and 2025 second-round pick Chaz Lanier rounding out coach J.B. Bickerstaff's rotation.
Several players stepped up, with Reed (21 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks) leading the way. Javonte Green finished with 19 points and knocked down a season-high five 3-pointers. Kevin Huerter (17 points, six assists, six rebounds), Jenkins (15 points, six assists), Marcus Sasser (12 points, four assists) and Caris LeVert (10 points) also scored in double figures.
Gilgeous-Alexander led all players with 47 points.
Second-half rally for the Pistons
With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, two big offensive rebounds by Smith allowed the Pistons to take their biggest lead of the night.
The possession ended with a 3-pointer by Jenkins, giving the Pistons a 97-90 lead. But the defending champions battled back, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way. He went on a personal 6-0 run, and a corner 3-pointer by Thunder center Jaylin Williams later tied the game at 99 with 1:35 to play.
The Pistons trailed by as many as 15 in the first half but outscored the Thunder in the second half, 58-48. The Pistons made nine of their 17 3-point attempts through the final two quarters and shot 60% overall, while holding the Thunder to 44%. Through the first four periods, they scored 22 points off of 17 Thunder turnovers. The Pistons also owned the offensive glass, grabbing 15 to the Thunder's six. It allowed them a 16-4 lead in second chance points.
Javonte Green delivers season-best performance
The veteran guard has been an unsung contributor all season. His perimeter defense and 3-point shooting, particularly from the corners, has made him a key glue guy with the second unit. As a starter on Monday, he stepped up and gave one of his best performances in a Pistons uniform.
His five 3-pointers marked a season-high, and all five were timely. His fifth came midway through the fourth period and gave the Pistons the lead during their fourth-quarter push, 90-89. He led an all-around hot night from beyond the arc, and did so while also picking up Gilgeous-Alexander defensively throughout the night.
Defense, outside shooting clicks after first quarter
Trailing by 15 points with under nine minutes left in the second quarter, the Pistons nearly let the game get away. But they responded by locking down defensively and heating up from the arc, which sparked a run and enabled them to take control of the game in the second half.
They held the Thunder to 36.4% shooting (8-for-22) in the second quarter after allowing them to shoot 61.1% (11-for-18) in the first. The Pistons caught fire from the arc in the second half after shooting 30% (6-for-20) in the first half, making four of six attempts in the third period and five of 10 in the fourth.
Watch our podcast, "The Pistons Pulse," discuss the Cade Cunningham injury fallout, the playoff chase and more:
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Detroit Pistons nearly took down the defending champs in their own arena without four starters. An MVP-caliber performance by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander allowed the Oklahoma City Thunder to escape.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47 points, and knocked down 21 of his 25 free throws, to put away the Pistons in overtime, 114-110, on Monday, March 30. Three free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander with 48.3 seconds left in overtime extended the Thunder's lead to five, 111-106. He then split a trip with 13.3 seconds left, with Ron Holland fouling out, to extend the lead back to four to secure the win for Oklahoma City (after Paul Reed cut it to two with a pair of free throws).
After a hot second half, the Pistons went cold in OT, shooting 3-for-11 in the final five minutes. They were without Ausar Thompson (eight points, seven rebounds and five assists) in the extra period, after he fouled out late in the fourth quarter.
With less than 24 seconds left and a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter, Daniss Jenkins turned the ball over with a bad pass. Gilgeous-Alexander nearly made the Pistons pay, sinking a 3-pointer with four seconds left and the game tied at 101. However, the bucket didn't count because he pushed off. Jenkins' 3-pointer at the buzzer missed, leading to overtime.
With the loss, the Pistons (54-21) missed out on a chance to clinch the Central Division, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, eight games back with eight games to play entering Monday, also winning. Still, the Pistons are seven games up with seven to play, with a tiebreaker (division record) yet to be decided. Even with the loss, the Pistons – who’ve locked up a playoff spot and homecourt in the first round – edged closer to clinching the top spot in the East, as the Boston Celtics, who entered four games back of the Pistons, lost to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. That dropped the Pistons’ “magic number” (any combo of Pistons wins and Celtics losses) to lock up the East down to three.
Next up for the Pistons
It’s a super-short turnaround for the Pistons, who jet back to Detroit to host the Toronto Raptors (42-32) on Tuesday (8 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Extra/MMYD-TV 20). Toronto is tied with Atlanta in the fifth and sixth spots in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit Pistons walking wounded
The Pistons were severely shorthanded, with Jalen Duren (right ankle injury management), Tobias Harris (left hip) and Duncan Robinson (right hip) all missing the game, along with the previously ruled-out Cade Cunningham (left lung pneumothorax) and Isaiah Stewart (left calf strain). They leaned on their depth, with two-way big Tolu Smith and 2025 second-round pick Chaz Lanier rounding out coach J.B. Bickerstaff's rotation.
Several players stepped up, with Reed (21 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks) leading the way. Javonte Green finished with 19 points and knocked down a season-high five 3-pointers. Kevin Huerter (17 points, six assists, six rebounds), Jenkins (15 points, six assists), Marcus Sasser (12 points, four assists) and Caris LeVert (10 points) also scored in double figures.
Gilgeous-Alexander led all players with 47 points.
Second-half rally for the Pistons
With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, two big offensive rebounds by Smith allowed the Pistons to take their biggest lead of the night.
The possession ended with a 3-pointer by Jenkins, giving the Pistons a 97-90 lead. But the defending champions battled back, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way. He went on a personal 6-0 run, and a corner 3-pointer by Thunder center Jaylin Williams later tied the game at 99 with 1:35 to play.
The Pistons trailed by as many as 15 in the first half but outscored the Thunder in the second half, 58-48. The Pistons made nine of their 17 3-point attempts through the final two quarters and shot 60% overall, while holding the Thunder to 44%. Through the first four periods, they scored 22 points off of 17 Thunder turnovers. The Pistons also owned the offensive glass, grabbing 15 to the Thunder's six. It allowed them a 16-4 lead in second chance points.
Javonte Green delivers season-best performance
The veteran guard has been an unsung contributor all season. His perimeter defense and 3-point shooting, particularly from the corners, has made him a key glue guy with the second unit. As a starter on Monday, he stepped up and gave one of his best performances in a Pistons uniform.
His five 3-pointers marked a season-high, and all five were timely. His fifth came midway through the fourth period and gave the Pistons the lead during their fourth-quarter push, 90-89. He led an all-around hot night from beyond the arc, and did so while also picking up Gilgeous-Alexander defensively throughout the night.
Defense, outside shooting clicks after first quarter
Trailing by 15 points with under nine minutes left in the second quarter, the Pistons nearly let the game get away. But they responded by locking down defensively and heating up from the arc, which sparked a run and enabled them to take control of the game in the second half.
They held the Thunder to 36.4% shooting (8-for-22) in the second quarter after allowing them to shoot 61.1% (11-for-18) in the first. The Pistons caught fire from the arc in the second half after shooting 30% (6-for-20) in the first half, making four of six attempts in the third period and five of 10 in the fourth.
Watch our podcast, "The Pistons Pulse," discuss the Cade Cunningham injury fallout, the playoff chase and more:
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Detroit Pistons nearly took down the defending champs in their own arena without four starters. An MVP-caliber performance by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander allowed the Oklahoma City Thunder to escape.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 47 points, and knocked down 21 of his 25 free throws, to put away the Pistons in overtime, 114-110, on Monday, March 30. Three free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander with 48.3 seconds left in overtime extended the Thunder's lead to five, 111-106. He then split a trip with 13.3 seconds left, with Ron Holland fouling out, to extend the lead back to four to secure the win for Oklahoma City (after Paul Reed cut it to two with a pair of free throws).
After a hot second half, the Pistons went cold in OT, shooting 3-for-11 in the final five minutes. They were without Ausar Thompson (eight points, seven rebounds and five assists) in the extra period, after he fouled out late in the fourth quarter.
With less than 24 seconds left and a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter, Daniss Jenkins turned the ball over with a bad pass. Gilgeous-Alexander nearly made the Pistons pay, sinking a 3-pointer with four seconds left and the game tied at 101. However, the bucket didn't count because he pushed off. Jenkins' 3-pointer at the buzzer missed, leading to overtime.
With the loss, the Pistons (54-21) missed out on a chance to clinch the Central Division, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, eight games back with eight games to play entering Monday, also winning. Still, the Pistons are seven games up with seven to play, with a tiebreaker (division record) yet to be decided. Even with the loss, the Pistons – who’ve locked up a playoff spot and homecourt in the first round – edged closer to clinching the top spot in the East, as the Boston Celtics, who entered four games back of the Pistons, lost to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. That dropped the Pistons’ “magic number” (any combo of Pistons wins and Celtics losses) to lock up the East down to three.
Next up for the Pistons
It’s a super-short turnaround for the Pistons, who jet back to Detroit to host the Toronto Raptors (42-32) on Tuesday (8 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Extra/MMYD-TV 20). Toronto is tied with Atlanta in the fifth and sixth spots in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit Pistons walking wounded
The Pistons were severely shorthanded, with Jalen Duren (right ankle injury management), Tobias Harris (left hip) and Duncan Robinson (right hip) all missing the game, along with the previously ruled-out Cade Cunningham (left lung pneumothorax) and Isaiah Stewart (left calf strain). They leaned on their depth, with two-way big Tolu Smith and 2025 second-round pick Chaz Lanier rounding out coach J.B. Bickerstaff's rotation.
Several players stepped up, with Reed (21 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks) leading the way. Javonte Green finished with 19 points and knocked down a season-high five 3-pointers. Kevin Huerter (17 points, six assists, six rebounds), Jenkins (15 points, six assists), Marcus Sasser (12 points, four assists) and Caris LeVert (10 points) also scored in double figures.
Gilgeous-Alexander led all players with 47 points.
Second-half rally for the Pistons
With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, two big offensive rebounds by Smith allowed the Pistons to take their biggest lead of the night.
The possession ended with a 3-pointer by Jenkins, giving the Pistons a 97-90 lead. But the defending champions battled back, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way. He went on a personal 6-0 run, and a corner 3-pointer by Thunder center Jaylin Williams later tied the game at 99 with 1:35 to play.
The Pistons trailed by as many as 15 in the first half but outscored the Thunder in the second half, 58-48. The Pistons made nine of their 17 3-point attempts through the final two quarters and shot 60% overall, while holding the Thunder to 44%. Through the first four periods, they scored 22 points off of 17 Thunder turnovers. The Pistons also owned the offensive glass, grabbing 15 to the Thunder's six. It allowed them a 16-4 lead in second chance points.
Javonte Green delivers season-best performance
The veteran guard has been an unsung contributor all season. His perimeter defense and 3-point shooting, particularly from the corners, has made him a key glue guy with the second unit. As a starter on Monday, he stepped up and gave one of his best performances in a Pistons uniform.
His five 3-pointers marked a season-high, and all five were timely. His fifth came midway through the fourth period and gave the Pistons the lead during their fourth-quarter push, 90-89. He led an all-around hot night from beyond the arc, and did so while also picking up Gilgeous-Alexander defensively throughout the night.
Defense, outside shooting clicks after first quarter
Trailing by 15 points with under nine minutes left in the second quarter, the Pistons nearly let the game get away. But they responded by locking down defensively and heating up from the arc, which sparked a run and enabled them to take control of the game in the second half.
They held the Thunder to 36.4% shooting (8-for-22) in the second quarter after allowing them to shoot 61.1% (11-for-18) in the first. The Pistons caught fire from the arc in the second half after shooting 30% (6-for-20) in the first half, making four of six attempts in the third period and five of 10 in the fourth.
Watch our podcast, "The Pistons Pulse," discuss the Cade Cunningham injury fallout, the playoff chase and more:
Kyle Larson has not been as fast as usual through seven races of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Larson has struggled with speed for his standards, which is understandable given his potential. The two-time Cup Series champion believes he should be fighting for wins on a weekly basis.
Instead, Larson enters the first NASCAR off weekend looking for a boost. With 19 races left in the regular season, Larson sits ninth in the point standings. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is only 16 points away from sixth place; however, only 48 points separate him from the Chase bubble.
It might seem like a lot with 19 races left until the Chase, but Larson is used to winning races and leading laps. To this point, the driver of the No. 5 car hasn't been able to accomplish much of either. There is time to turn it around, but Larson hopes that Bristol Motor Speedway will help kickstart his 2026 NASCAR season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers couldn’t get the bats going until late Monday night, falling 4-2 to the Cleveland Guardians in the first loss for the Boys in Blue this year.
The Dodgers (3-1) had nine hits but were not able to string together enough to bring a runner home until the bottom of the ninth inning.
The first run, scored by Kyle Tucker, was heavily assisted by Tucker’s run from first base to third on a wild pitch.
Mookie Betts then doubled to bring Tucker home, and Betts scored on a groundout by Freddie Freeman.
The Guardians (3-2), meanwhile, were able to knock home their own runners and also got some help from Justin Wrobleski, who walked in a run with two outs, then gave up a two-RBI double in the top of the seventh inning.
Prior to that, the Guardians’ only score came on an RBI double in the top of the third inning off of Roki Sasaki, who came in facing serious questions about his performance but pitched solidly in his four-plus innings.
Sasaki allowed four hits, including a single when facing one last batter in the top of the fifth inning, and struck out four while walking two batters.
Reliever Tanner Scott didn’t allow that last baserunner to make it home.
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas (72) catches a fly ball hits by Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What Happened With Justin Wrobleski?
Wrobleski pitched four innings and gave up three runs, all of them earned. He had two strikeouts and walked one batter while allowing four hits.
He nearly avoided allowing the runs, though, even as the bases were loaded.
He faced Rhys Hoskins and had him on an 0-2 count with two outs before throwing four straight balls, walking a run in. The two-RBI double by Daniel Schneemann followed soon after.
Justin Wrobleski almost escaped the bases-loaded jam he created for himself by failing to field a bunt
But after putting Rhys Hoskins in an 0-2 hole with two outs, he walked in a run by missing with four-straight pitches, then gave up a two-run double to Daniel Schneemann
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 30: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his walk-off single during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The opening salvo in this three-game battle between the Yankees and Mariners was as tight as you could have expected—and also true to expectations, pitching led the way. Neither staff so much as blinked throughout this game, but ultimately the Mariners found the big hit late as they prevailed, 2-1. Cal Raleigh’s walk-off single against Paul Blackburn sealed the deal following a tremendous start from Luis Castillo, but Ryan Weathers showed plenty of panache in his Yankee debut, and the bullpen turned in another strong effort until the dam finally burst.
The Mariners grabbed the initiative in the second inning when, following an early rally against Weathers, second baseman Cole Young grabbed a two-out ribbie on a shattered-bat single to right. It was the first time the Yankees trailed this season—the Giants had rarely threatened them in the previous series.
The Yankees failed to respond in the top of the third inning, but José Caballero showed off his umpire skills by reversing two called strikes against him. Those successful challenges produced a walk which ultimately allowed Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger to take two-out plate appearances. Judge walked, but Bellinger punched out to end the rally.
Then in the fourth, Ben Rice, Giancarlo Stanton and Jazz Chisholm Jr. all won challenges of their own on low strike calls. This led to a rather tense dialogue between home plate ump Mike Estabrook and the Yankee dugout. You can never fully foresee all the implications from implementing something like the ABS challenge system; one thing I didn’t expect was this kind of spat. It feels like a foregone conclusion that Aaron Boone will find a way to get himself tossed for this at some point this season.
Unfortunately, the Yankees’ prowess in catching Estabrook’s mistakes could not get them on the board against Castillo, who made them flail all night against his sharp fastball. La Piedra piloted smoothly through six scoreless innings, striking out seven Bombers—including a punchout of Judge in the sixth which marked the 1,500th in his excellent career. Overall he racked up 17 whiffs, 13 of which came on his four-seam fastball.
Weathers, for his part, fought through some early turbulence to put together a solid first start with the Yankees. After throwing around 40 pitches through the first two innings, he was far more economical in the third and fourth before running into another jam in the fifth which ended his night. The M’s got two in scoring position with one out, compelling Boone to make a call to the bullpen with lefty-killer Rob Refsnyder looming on deck.
Fernando Cruz came in for Weathers, and Dan Wilson countered by pinch-hitting Dominic Canzone. But the lefty outfielder swung over the top of a filthy splitter for out number two. Then the notoriously slow-starting Julio Rodríguez proved unable to lay off the split-finger either, allowing Cruz to preserve a solid final line for his starter: 4.1 innings, one run, four hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts.
That kept the Yankees solidly in the Mariners’ rear-view mirror. In the seventh, they crept closer thanks to a leadoff knock from Rice and a patented Giancarlo Stanton Infield Single. Jazz moved the tying run to third on a fielder’s choice before Amed Rosario came off the bench to hit for Ryan McMahon. Wilson opted to switch from lefty Jose A. Ferrer to righty Eduard Bazardo. Rosario got the job done, lofting a fly ball to deep right center to score Rice and knot the score at 1-1.
The Mariners got a dream scenario to take the lead back in the home seventh, but their two superstars’ struggles continued to get in their way. Brent Headrick got himself cornered before facing Cal Raleigh, pinch-hitting for Canzone. Raleigh had earned himself a rest day to start this series thanks to his 10 strikeouts in four games against Cleveland to start the year, and Headrick allowed him to continue his sabbatical with yet another strikeout. After that, Camilo Doval entered to retire Rodríguez on a chopper to second base, stranding the pair on M’s.
Both offenses went quietly in the eighth before Stanton continued his excellent start to the year in the ninth. Facing fireballer Matt Brash, he slashed a blistering line drive into the left-center gap and cruised easily into second for a double thanks to a poor route from Randy Arozarena. That marked his fourth consecutive multi-hit game to begin the season. A productive out from Chisholm moved pinch-runner Randal Grichuk to third for Rosario with two outs, but Brash’s slider wiped him out and compelled the Yanks to force extra innings.
But it wasn’t to be. Blackburn, who pitched the eighth for New York, soldiered on into the ninth and quickly found trouble. The Mariners got runners on the corners with just one out for the scuffling Raleigh—the big moments always seem to find you when you’re struggling, don’t they? But this time, the AL MVP runner-up lined a Blackburn cutter just fair down the line to hand the Yankees their first loss of 2026.
Boone probably considered closer David Bednar off the table for this situation (even with the MVP runner-up at the plate), but regardless, it was curious not to see at least Tim Hill make an appearance, especially with the two tough lefties in Young and Brendan Donovan taking turns at the dish in the ninth. Blackburn was easier prey. The 162-0 dream vanishes in Game 4. Oh well.
For a series featuring these two stellar pitching staffs, the first game certainly delivered on the billing. We’ll see two aces take the hill tomorrow: Max Fried opposite Logan Gilbert. First pitch will come at the same 9:40 PM EST slot as tonight, with coverage on YES.
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Angel Martinez (1) steals second base against Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Looking to keep their undefeated season alive, the Dodgers couldn’t get anything going until the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians as the offense fell mostly silent in a 4-2 defeat.
Roki Sasaki made his first big league start since May of last year, looking to turn the page after a rough spring training where he walked 15 hitters and allowed 15 earned runs over 8 2/3 innings. Sasaki couldn’t get an out after tossing 30 pitches in his final spring tune-up against the Angels, but against his first batter of the regular season, he struck out Steven Kwan looking. He eventually allowed just one hit to Jose Ramírez in a scoreless first inning on 21 pitches. Sasaki continued to impress in the top of the second inning, facing the minimum and striking out a hitter on just 13 pitches.
Sasaki faced immediate pressure in the top of the third inning, as he allowed a leadoff double to Austin Hedges. Kwan traded places at second with Hedges, marking the fourth straight game that the Dodgers would have to play from behind. Miguel Rojas started the bottom of the third inning in the same manner as Hedges against left-hander Parker Messick, and the Dodgers had two men on with nobody out with Shohei Ohtani at the plate. On a 3-2 count, Messick picked off Rojas at second base, got Ohtani to line out and then struck out Kyle Tucker to keep the Dodgers scoreless.
Compared to his counterpart, Sasaki’s pitch count was noticeably high, and although he posted good results in his first start, he was pulled after allowing a leadoff single to Angel Martínez in the top of the fifth. Over 4+ innings of work, Sasaki allowed just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four. Tanner Scott came in relief of Sasaki, and although he put another man on, he was able to leave runners on second and third by striking out pinch-hitter Rhys Hoskins. Max Muncy reached on a single to put the tying run on base with one out, but Messick got Miguel Rojas to ground to third and the left-hander got bailed out on a tremendous pick by Ramírez, igniting a 5-4-3 double play to end the threat.
Justin Wrobleski made his season debut, and although he had a quick and easy nine pitch inning in the sixth, he loaded the bases with nobody out to begin the seventh inning. He managed to get two outs, but walked Hoskins to bring in the second run for Cleveland. Daniel Schneeman thanked Wrobleski for keeping the bases loaded by lining a two-run double to left-center field to put Cleveland up by four.
The Dodgers began to rally against Shawn Armstrong in the bottom of the seventh inning, with Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages both reaching on singles, but Max Muncy failed to give the Dodgers hope as he struck out swinging with to end the inning. The Dodgers were nearly shut out on Monday, but Mookie Betts put the Dodgers on the board in the bottom of the ninth inning with an RBI double. Freddie Freeman knocked in Betts on an RBI groundout to cut the deficit in half, but the comeback attempt ultimately fell flat.
The Dodgers look to bounce back after their first loss of the season as they host the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday (7:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Shohei Ohtani makes his first start of the season against right-hander Tanner Bibee.
For the second consecutive season, UConn, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina will be the final four teams competing for a national championship. This time, they are all No. 1 seeds, marking the fifth time the top seeds have all made the final weekend since the field expanded to 64.
But even if the same teams will be gracing the court, this is the era of the transfer portal, and several players will fulfill important roles when they touch down in Phoenix. Here is a first look at what to expect in the 2026 Final Four.
UConn (38-0) vs. South Carolina (35-3)
It’s the rematch of the 2025 national championship. UConn won that game so thoroughly it informed South Carolina’s entire offseason strategy. Only 59 points in the title game? Bring in the nation’s leading scorer Ta’Niya Latson. Get dominated on the glass and in the paint? Bulk up the frontcourt with 6-foot-6 center Madina Okot.
The Gamecocks have completely turned the page with only one returning starter and a more flexible, versatile lineup — though less deep — than the one that was outclassed a season ago. The problem is the Huskies are as unbeatable as they were in 2025. Literally. They have not lost since Feb. 6, 2025.
UConn is the best shooting team in the country, but the Huskies’ strength is its defense, which starts 94 feet from the basket. They force turnovers on 29.3 percent of opposing possessions, score more points off turnovers (32.9 per game) than anyone else and limit opponents to the lowest shooting percentage in the country (33.4 percent).
For most of the season, South Carolina has been excellent at taking care of the ball, with turnovers on fewer than 15 percent of their possessions. But there was one disastrous stretch to start the SEC championship game against Texas, and the Gamecocks can’t afford any of those lulls against UConn.
Where the improved offense might come in handy for South Carolina is beyond the 3-point line. The Huskies concede a high volume of 3s, and the Gamecocks have confident shooters who make 37.3 percent of their attempts. If Tessa Johnson or new additions Okot and Agot Makeer find their range, that could shake up UConn’s schemes.
South Carolina will have its own challenges with the Huskies’ offensive firepower. Sarah Strong and Joyce Edwards have been battling since their high school days in North and South Carolina, but Strong has usually gotten the better of her. Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson will have to contend with the bigger Azzi Fudd, who hasn’t been at her best this tournament and is still averaging 16 points per game on better than 50 percent shooting; and she is the reigning Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
Even with some hiccups early against North Carolina and Notre Dame, UConn hasn’t given enough reasons to believe that another team can actually pull off the upset. The Huskies are too deep, too disciplined and too talented.
Prediction: UConn 79, South Carolina 68
UCLA (35-1) vs. Texas (35-3)
The Longhorns are the only team to defeat the Bruins this season, all the way back in November during the Players’ Era Championship. It was a loss that course-corrected UCLA’s season, as it beat Duke by 30 points the next day and proceeded to roll undefeated through the Big Ten.
That isn’t to say the Bruins have solved all the issues Texas presented the day before Thanksgiving. The Longhorns’ full-court pressure got UCLA out of sorts; they forced 10 first-half turnovers, attempted 10 more field goals and took a 20-point lead into halftime. When the Bruins faced Duke in the Elite Eight, they had similar struggles with the press, committing 12 turnovers in the first half.
The possession battle is the No. 1 area of concern between Texas and UCLA. The Bruins have the nation’s top-ranked offense, per CBB Analytics, and when they get up shots, they convert them at a high clip (51.3 percent, the second-best field-goal percentage nationally). But they average only about four more field-goal attempts than their opponents; the Longhorns, meanwhile, take 15 more field goals per game thanks to their turnover margin and crashing the offensive glass. The closer to even the field-goal margin gets, the more it favors UCLA.
The next big question is what the Bruins do with Madison Booker. Although UCLA prides itself on its team defense, there isn’t really a wing stopper on the roster; in previous seasons, Gabriela Jaquez has been tasked with guarding the JuJu Watkins types, and it has not gone well. Booker can shoot over any Bruins defender, and she has the strength to get through them on her way to the basket. UCLA will need to wall off the paint and force Booker into a diet of jumpers.
The Longhorns will have a similar conundrum with Lauren Betts, who has been a matchup problem for just about every team the Bruins have faced this season. Texas doesn’t have the pure size to contend with Betts, though Breya Cunningham and especially Kyla Oldacre are at least physical enough to be able to move Betts. The key for the Longhorns is denying the ball to Betts altogether, and they have arguably the best perimeter defense in college basketball to make that happen.
The careers of three great veteran point guards (Texas’ Rori Harmon, and UCLA’s Kiki Rice and Charlisse Leger-Walker) will come to an end in Phoenix, either Friday or Sunday. Harmon had Rice and Leger-Walker in hell during their first meeting, but Rice had been back from shoulder surgery for only one month, and Leger-Walker was playing her seventh game for UCLA. If one of those lead guards can take control of this matchup, it could swing the game in their favor.
Ultimately, Texas is in better form (the Longhorns won their first four games by 142 points) and have the athletes to disrupt UCLA.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer speaks to reporters at the NFL football annual meetings, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Ross D. Franklin/AP)
Day one of the 2026 NFL owners' meeting is officially in the books, and the Dallas Cowboys provided plenty of talking points.
Cowboys insiders Calvin Watkins and Joseph Hoyt are in Phoenix this week to hear what Dallas front office members have to say about the team's offseason. On Monday, Brian Schottenheimer and Stephen Jones spoke about some of the team's defensive needs and whether there has been progress toward a long-term deal with George Pickens.
Will the Cowboys target a veteran inside linebacker before the NFL draft? Will they fill that position with a rookie? Will Pickens show up to the team's offseason program under the franchise tag?
Watkins and Hoyt answer these questions in their latest video breakdown. (Can't see the video? Turn off your ad-blocker and refresh.)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Petco Park on March 30, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres recorded just three hits against San Francisco Giants pitching, but the last hit was the most exciting. Jackson Merrill strode to the plate with one on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning with the Padres trailing 3-0. He worked the count full and then belted a two-run home run to right field that pulled the Padres within a run. Giants reliever Ryan Walker was able to end the game and help San Francisco get its first win of the season one batter later when Xander Bogaerts grounded to short for the final out of the 3-2 loss for the Padres.
Merrill was the last San Diego batter to record a hit in the game, but the list of players to record hits in the game only had two more names on it. Bogaerts recorded the first Padres hit in the bottom of the second inning with a one-out single to right field. The second hit of the game for San Diego belonged to Fernando Tatis Jr. who also had a one-out single to right field, which came in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Padres did not have an answer for Giants starter Landon Roupp and his changeup. He threw six innings, allowing two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. Roupp kept the Padres hitters off balance throughout the game, resulting in ugly at-bats that often involved changeups being smashed into the ground or hit softly on the infield.
The Giants crawled into the series with the Padres after getting swept by the New York Yankees to open the season. San Francisco allowed 13 runs over three games and scored just one run in that span. That changed against Padres starter Walker Buehler. The Giants were able to get to Buehler for three runs in four innings. He allowed five hits, walked two and struck out three on 72 pitches.
The San Diego bullpen was asked to cover the final five innings of the game and Wandy Peralta, David Morgan and Ron Marinaccio did so with a great deal of success. The three relievers combined to allow just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts.
Craig Stammen gave his perspective on Walker Buehler's debut and the Padres' offensive struggles tonight and thus far this season: pic.twitter.com/t64zRDNeQd
Brad Keselowski made his 600th NASCAR Cup Series start at Martinsville Speedway last weekend. While Keselowski only finished in 13th place, it was an outstanding effort by the No. 6 team. The RFK Racing driver clawed his way through the field, giving the No. 6 team some momentum heading into the NASCAR off weekend.
It wasn't a weekend that flashes in the box score; however, it will build character for RFK Racing moving forward. After all, Keselowski and RFK Racing came up just short of winning the Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway the previous week. Now, Keselowski has reasons to be optimistic moving forward.
In 2025, Keselowski came close to winning the fall race at Bristol Motor Speedway, but Christopher Bell was able to hold off a strong push entering Turn 3 on the final lap. Keselowski might have 600 starts in the Cup Series, but he still feels like he can win races at NASCAR's top level.
🔥 Last chance for the World Cup: 12 teams fight for 6 spots
Only six spots remain available for the 2026 World Cup. Twelve national teams are fighting for their ticket, in a do-or-die match, to decide the final participants in FIFA’s biggest tournament.
Italy is putting everything on the line against Bosnia to avoid another tragedy, while the clash between Sweden and Poland promises plenty of excitement given the great quality of both teams.
Kosovo against Turkey and the Czech Republic versus Denmark round out the European playoffs, which will be played simultaneously at all venues, meaning we’ll have our eyes on four matches at the same time.
Later, in the intercontinental playoffs, Bolivia will face Iraq and Jamaica will be tested against DR Congo. Both matches will be played on Mexican soil and at World Cup venues.
Without a doubt, it will be a day full of joy and sadness, where the twelve teams will leave everything on the field to secure the coveted ticket.
It's been a week since Arizona State announced it was bringing over longtime Saint Mary's coach Randy Bennett to replace Bobby Hurley as its new men's basketball coach. The celebratory introductory press conference last week was postponed as the incoming coach was dealing with a health issue.
There is still no clarity as to what the issue is, but Bennett, 63, put out a statement on his status.
“Last week, when I arrived in Arizona, a health situation surfaced that I’m working through right now," his statement said. "I’m in good hands, we feel good about the plan, and I’m incredibly appreciative of the care I’ve received from the team at Mayo Clinic. Everything is under control, and I will be back at full strength very soon."
The setback comes as the incoming coach has many duties on his plate. He is still assembling a coaching staff.
Rick Croy and Joe Rahon will both join the program as associate head coaches. Croy comes over from California Baptist, which participated in the NCAA Tournament after winning the Western Athletic Conference tournament. Croy was also an assistant on Bennett's staff for three years at St. Mary's.
Rahon was part of Bennett's staff for the last five years.
The new coach says he is still working on the next tasks on his to-do list.
“What I want people to know is that nothing about our momentum has changed,” Bennett said in his statement. “We are moving forward, and I am excited to announce two of our associate head coaches, a duo I have a ton of trust in and who truly want to be at ASU. They both bring great experience, strong relationships, and real energy as our program continues to grow. I am very confident in where we are going and how this initial group of coaches is coming together. I look forward to meeting everyone who is ready to make Sun Devil basketball great very soon.”
No doubt, having two coaches in place will help with other details.
The transfer portal opens on April 7, after the completion of the NCAA Tournament. Two ASU players have indicated they plan to enter the portal, and Bennett will no doubt be looking to add to his roster.
SEATTLE (AP) — The New York Yankees have won all five of their challenges utilizing the Automated Ball-Strike System during Monday night's game against the Seattle Mariners.
It started in the bottom of the second inning when José Caballero correctly challenged that two called strikes by plate umpire Mike Estabrook were balls, including a 3-2 pitch from Mariners starter Luis Castillo. Caballero tapped his helmet to ask for a challenge as he took his left shin guard off.
Giancarlo Stanton also successfully challenged that a 1-2 slider by Castillo was below the strike zone, and then reached on a single. One batter later, Jazz Chisholm Jr. challenged that a first-pitch slider by Castillo was out of the zone, though he later struck out.
After that at-bat, Estabrook and New York manager Aaron Boone had a verbal exchange, with Boone remaining in the dugout. The Mariners held a 1-0 lead after six innings thanks to a broken-bat RBI single by Cole Young in the second.
They didn’t even get a chance to cheer their guy for the start of the series opener with catcher Cal Raleigh getting a mental break not even a week into his follow-up to a 60-homer season.
Then in the home seventh, with the game tied 1-1 and the lead run on third base with one out, Raleigh was sent into pitch-run against Yankees left-hander Brent Headrick.
Might Cal struck out ... again.
Neither of the star players has had a great start to the season, but Judge contributed two homers while going 2-for-11 with seven strikeouts in the Yankees’ three-game sweep in San Francisco while Raleigh now is 2-16 with one RBI and 11 Ks in five games.
Carefully choosing his words, Mariners manager Dan Wilson explained Raleigh being out of his lineup so early in the season without an injury.
“Yeah, I think a day off for a catcher is always a mental reset,” Wilson said. “Not having to partake in the grind back there pitch-to-pitch and then take your ABs.
“In a lot of ways it’s a mental and physical off day.”
Raleigh, who started the Mariners’ first 34 games last season and 84 of 85 through June 30, didn’t hit much in spring training or in the World Baseball Classic when he was a Team USA teammate to Judge.
Counting spring, the WBC and the Mariners’ first four regular-season games, Raleigh is hitting below .200 with one homer and 28 strikeouts in 69 plate appearances. In the WBC, he was 0-for-9 in four games.
“Hitting is hard,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s hard for all of them, even the best of the best. Everyone goes through different little pockets in their career, even the really good ones who are going to play a long time. There are weeks where they’re a little bit off.
“There are all kinds of factors that go into a player sometimes where they are and their psyche and everything. You try and pay attention to that stuff as a a manager.”
Raleigh set a single-season MLB record for catchers switch-hitters mashing 60 homers last season, but finished second in the AL MVP voting.
Judge ended up with 17 of 30 first-place votes to Raleigh’s 13 and won for second year in a row and third time in four seasons.
“I thought it would be pretty close,” Boone said. “I kind of believed Judge would carry the day. I think they got it right.”
Judge finished second in the league with 52 homers, plus he won a batting title with a .331 average and was first in the AL in runs, walks and OPS.
Raleigh batted just .247, but his homers, catching and leadership helped the Mariners win a first AL West title since 2001.
““There’s no denying the all-around season that Cal had and it was deservingly a very tight race,” Boone said. “Phenomenal. He’s very good behind the plate, a leader on that team ... a team that got to the American League Championship Series. A big reason why was his all-around play.”
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 30: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a play during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on March 30, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
34 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
One might take this stuff for granted. You shouldn’t. This was Mitchell’s 32nd game of the season, scoring more than 30+ points. The fact that he did it while shooting 10-18 from the floor and without limiting Evan Mobley (who also scored 34 points) is everything you want from your star.
Everything…. except stellar defense. I can’t give him the full A+ because of that. Sorry, Don.
Grade: A
James Harden
13 points, 14 assists, 6 rebounds
Harden has now dished 28 assists across his last two games. That’s impressive. More impressive is how he kept the offense focused on feeding Mobley. The Cavs didn’t have it going from downtown (just 6-32 shooting), but they scored their most points in the paint all season — in large part due to Harden’s playmaking.
Again, lackluster defense is holding back his grade.
This was Mobley’s best game of the season. Aggressive drives and deep seals in the paint led to his highest scoring game since last year. Mobley made himself available early and often, playing with so much authority that Cleveland couldn’t help but play through him. More of this, Ev.
Grade: A+
Sam Merrill
9 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds
Merrill turned Utah’s defense into Swiss cheese with his quick attacks off the catch and well-timed cuts. He’s blossomed into an all-around offensive player, dashing to the basket and even tossing a lob to Mobley in the second half.
That’s important to note, because Sam shot 0-8 from deep tonight but finished 4-6 inside the arc.
Grade: B–
Keon Ellis
13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, block
Ellis makes some great defensive plays. He also makes some bad ones. That’s something that’s become more apparent as he plays more minutes in Cleveland.
For every steal or block, there’s a blown switch or gamble that leads to a breakdown. Some of this should be cleaned up as Ellis becomes more familiar with his team. But some of the dangerous gambles he takes are inherent to his playstyle. He’s a high-risk, high-reward defender.
Ellis turned this into a positive outing by shooting 5-7 inside of two-point range.
Grade: B
Craig Porter Jr.
2 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
Porter played his first game since March 13. It was a quiet performance, with Porter mostly getting his feet back under him rather than doing anything special.
Grade: C-
Tyrese Proctor
8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Proctor was the best guard off the bench tonight. The rookie shot efficiently (3-6 from the floor) and fit in defensively. I’m excited to see him develop and hopefully crack the rotation next season.
Grade: B
Dennis Schroder
3 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal
Schroder shot 1-4 and wasn’t particularly helpful on defense. That said, he didn’t turn it over and dished 3 assists. So it wasn’t all bad.
Grade: C–
Thomas Bryant
2 points, 7 rebounds, 3 turnovers
Bryant gets stretched thin against faster teams. We’ve seen that a few times this season. He finished as a team-worst minus-12 in 18 minutes.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Joyce Edwards scored 24 points and Agot Makeer added 18 to help South Carolina beat TCU 78-52 on Monday night to advance to the Final Four in the women’s NCAA Tournament.
“You got to keep the game close, got to be able to score,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said of the undefeated Huskies. “We aren’t going to be keeping them from 25 points under their average. You got to go pound for pound and be unafraid playing against an undefeated team.”
South Carolina (34-3) has now reached the Final Four in seven of the past nine seasons and won three national championships during that stretch. Staley has been at the helm for all of them, including the undefeated 2023-24 season.
“Super proud of this team, a lot of unknowns coming into the season. Our ranking and what people thought of us was off our history,” Staley said. “We had too many holes, but I’m happy we were able to fill them and compete on third weekend of NCAA Tournament.”
This was the first time that the Gamecocks really had been challenged in the NCAA Tournament. They came into the game averaging nearly 100 points a game in their first three contests and were winning by an average of 45 points.
The Gamecocks have so many offensive weapons making them tough to guard. The Horned Frogs (32-6) did a good job on the South Carolina guards, but had no answer for Edwards and Makeer. Edwards also had 12 rebounds and three blocks.
The pair scored the first 12 points of the fourth quarter to blow an eight-point game wide open. South Carolina outscored TCU 29-11 in the fourth.
“I’m so proud of her, she came in and made a huge impact,” Edwards said of Makeer. “She came in and played basketball like we know she (can).”
South Carolina trailed 22-18 early in the second quarter before going on a 17-5 run to close the half. Edwards had the first six points of the spurt and hit a jumper with 3 seconds left to close the quarter and make it 35-27. She had 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks in the opening 20 minutes.
The Horned Frogs hung around in the third quarter and cut their deficit to 47-39 on Olivia Miles’ layup with 1:26 left. She immediately went down and grabbed her left calf. The senior All-American guard was on the ground under the basket for a minute before getting up and going over to the area behind the bench where trainers worked on the calf.
Miles missed the rest of the quarter, but was back for the start of the fourth. She came into the game averaging a triple-double in the NCAA Tournament, but finished with 18 points, three rebounds and six assists.
TCU was trying to reach its first Final Four and has now been eliminated in the Elite Eight in consecutive seasons. Coach Mark Campbell welcomed 10 new players this season once again taking advantage of the transfer portal.
Miles and Marta Suarez were two of the key additions this season. In the Sweet 16 win over Virginia the pair combined to either score or assist on all 79 of TCU’s points. Suarez had a rough game against South Carolina after scoring 33 points in the win over the Cavaliers. She finished with just nine points on 4-for-17 shooting.
Up next
South Carolina will face UConn for the first time this season. The two teams had played each other for the past 11 years, but took this season off. They’ll meet again the next two years.
A future Hall of Famer, Verlander’s pitches didn’t appear to fool many opponents in the early innings. He surrendered seven of the eight hardest hit balls Monday. And that was only one time through the Diamondbacks’ batting order.
Justin Verlander struggles early vs. Diamondbacks
The Tigers’ No. 2 overall draft pick in 2004, Verlander admitted to still getting “nervous” before appearances. Monday was no exception, 3,135 days since his last Tigers start.
“I'm an emotional person,” Verlander told Tigers reporter Daniella Bruce. “Walking on the field (Monday), walking to the dugout got me a little bit ... that caught me by surprise a tad. I embrace that. It's who I am and it’s fun.
“It’s nostalgic for a good reason."
Just not for very long.
The Diamondbacks hit the 43-year-old veteran hard early, recording five runs 11 batters into the outing.
Verlander allowed two first-inning runs on 28 pitches. Once known for hitting triple digits on clutch pitches late in games, his fastball averaged 93.2 mph during the opening stanza. He was pulled with two outs in the fourth inning, trailing 5-0.
Opening the season as the No. 4 starter, will Verlander continue to make the Tigers nervous?
The 2026 Women's Final Four features four No. 1 seeds in another blockbuster Final Four.
Will the Huskies achieve perfection again?
No. 1 UConn (38-0) will try to win a 13th national championship under coach Geno Auriemma. The Huskies also will try to achieve their seventh perfect season under Auriemma since 1994-95.
UConn advanced to the Women's Final Four with a 70-52 win over No. 6 Notre Dame in the Elite Eight on Sunday. The Huskies will face No. 1 South Carolina (35-3), which advanced with a 78-52 victory against No. 3 TCU Monday. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has the Gamecocks in the Final Four for the sixth consecutive season.
No. 1 UCLA (35-1) is making a second straight Final Four appearance under coach Cori Close. The Bruins defeated No. 3 Duke 70-58 to reach Phoenix. Meanwhile No. 1 Texas (35-3) completes this all-chalk group with coach Vic Schaefer. The Longhorns routed No. 2 Michigan 77–41 on Monday.
This year's Women's Final Four is April 3-5 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.
Here are our picks for the Women's Final Four matchups on Friday:
Women's Final Four odds 2026
Below are the opening March Madness odds for the Women's Final Four, including point spreads, money lines and over-under totals for each game. Odds courtesy of Caesars:
GAME
SPREAD
MONEYLINE
OVER/UNDER
UCLA-Texas
Texas -1.5
TBD
132
UConn-SCar
TBD
TBD
TBD
Women's Final Four picks, predictions
No. 1 Texas (-1.5) vs. No. 1 UCLA (semifinal)
Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
UCLA is 13-1 against ranked teams this year; with the lone loss coming against Texas the Players Only Tournament in Las Vegas on Nov. 26, 2025.
Texas guard Rori Harmon had a season-high 26 points in that matchup. Harmon controls the tempo on both sides for the Longhorns, and she has averaged 7.3 assists per game in the tournament. Texas hit its first nine shots in the blowout Elite Eight victory against the Wolverines, and Harmon choreographed the offensive attack.
A pair of two-time first-team Sporting News All-Americans are vying for a national championship shot. Texas forward Madison Booker hit just 6 of 17 from the floor in the first meeting with the Bruins, but she still had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
UCLA's Lauren Betts -- a 6-foot-7 center had eight points and seven rebounds against Texas in that first matchup. Betts has five blocks in each of UCLA's last two games. Which marquee player will have the advantage?
The Bruins play six seniors in their rotation, including guards Kiki Rice and Gianna Kneepkens and forwards Charlise Leger-Walker and Gabriela Jaquez. UCLA is shooting 29% from 3-point range in the tournament. Angela Dugalic had 15 points off the bench against Duke; and freshman Sienna Betts -- a 6-foot-4 freshman -- completes the rotation.
The Longhorns had a 26-24 rebounding advantage in the first meeting. Forwards Breya Cunningham and Teya Sidberry are the starters, and 6-foot-6 center Kyla Oldacre could see more minutes in this matchup to combat the Bruins' height in the paint. UCLA will have to shoot better than 4-of-13 (31%) from 3-point range in the first meeting to avenge their only loss of the season, and neither team plays a deep bench.
Look for Harmon to control the tempo again -- and Booker to be a more effective scorer this time around. Texas gets its shot at a national championship.
Pick: Texas 72, UCLA 68
No. 1 UConn (TBD) vs. No. 1 South Carolina (semifinal)
Friday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Huskies and Gamecocks have split their last 10 matchups -- and this is a rematch of last year's national championship game. UConn won 82-59 behind a dominant 24-point, 15-rebound performance by Sarah Strong.
Strong -- the Sporting News Player of the Year -- had 21 points, seven rebounds, five steals and three blocks in the Elite Eight against Notre Dame. Strong is the ultimate team player, and she ranks among the all-time leaders in career effective field-goal percentage (.655).
Azzi Fudd also had 24 points and five rebounds in last year's game. She is averaging four assists and two turnovers in the tournament and hit 8-of-11 from 3-point range in a 34-point performance against No. 9 Syracuse in the second round.
Serah Williams -- a 6-foot-4 forward -- could see more minutes in this matchup. Guards KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade round out the starting five. The X-factor is freshman forward Blanca Quinonez -- a 6-foot-2 forward who is averaging 17.3 points per game and shooting 47.4% from 3-point range in the tournament.
South Carolina faces a challenge in slowing down the Huskies. The Gamecocks are 5-2 S/U when they allow 70 points or more. Joyce Edwards -- a 6-foot-3 sophomore forward -- is the counter to Strong. She averages 19.6 points and 6.5 rebounds, and is part of a front-line that includes 6-foot-5 center Madina Okot. Edwards has to be a presence on both sides of the floor -- and look for the Gamecocks to get her touches early.
The Gamecocks also have a balanced backcourt with Raven Johnson -- a fifth-year player who has won two national championships, along with Florida State transfer Ta'Niya Latson and guard Tessa Johnson. Agot Makeer is another scorer off the bench. South Carolina can slow the game down, but the 3-point shots will have to fall. The Gamecocks are 10-3 against ranked opponents. UConn is 6-0, and five of those victories are by double digits.
The 2026 season marks the 10th year general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have been with the San Francisco 49ers. So naturally, as long-tenured braintrusts enter a milestone year, the question becomes: How much longer will they stick around.
49ers owner Jed York hopes they never leave. He told reporters at the NFL owners' meeting in Phoenix on Monday that he wants Shanahan and Lynch to stay with the organization for a "very long time."
“I want Kyle to be here for a long time. He’s been here for a long time and I want him to be here even longer," York said. "I want JL [Lynch] to be here for a long time."
York noted that it will all come down to what each person wants to do with their lives and career in the future, whether it's coming back in the same role or "doing something else in our organization."
"I have a great relationship with both those guys," York said. "I hope they're here, they're with me and the 49ers and our family for a very long time."
The braintrust of Shanahan and Lynch has been very successful in their nine years together so far. While they don't have a Super Bowl win, the 49ers have gone 82-67 and 9-5 in the playoffs with two Super Bowl appearances.
Shanahan also noted that he still loves coaching, so it doesn't sound like he's looking to leave any time soon, either.
Login
