It's almost here... one of the best sports months of the year is almost here. So why don't we start to look ahead to see where our Spartans could be landing when March Madness is officially upon us.

Michigan State basketball is once again having a strong season, with the Spartans currently sitting in the top 10 nationally as we enter February. The Spartans are 19-3 overall and 9-2 in Big Ten play, and are considered by some already a lock to be dancing in March again this year. The question now really becomes how do they finish the season and where do they land when Selection Sunday rolls around on March 15?

Bracketology has become a year around thing, but it really starts to hit differently when we get this late in the season. The loose projections of which teams could be a top seed or on the bubble in November become more and more clear as games begin in February. So with that being said, let's do a quick roundup of some notable bracketology posts that have came out in the last few days, and see where our Spartans are currently positioned to start the month of February.

USA TODAY Sports

Seed / Region: No. 3 seed in West Region

First Round Opponent: No. 14 seed North Dakota State in Greenville, S.C.

My Thoughts: I like the draw overall for the Spartans. The seed line seems fitting for where they are currently ranked, and this seems like a manageable path (North Dakota State, No. 6 seed Louisville then No. 2 seed Gonzaga) to the Elite Eight before a potential matchup with No. 1 ranked Arizona.

Click here to see full bracket projection

ESPN

Seed / Region: No. 3 seed in West Region

First Round Opponent: No. 14 seed Wright State in Buffalo, N.Y.

My Thoughts: This is a comparable draw to the previous bracket projection from USA TODAY Sports, with a similar potential second round matchup against No. 6 seed Louisville and potential Sweet 16 matchup against No. 2 seed Gonzaga. The main difference is playing in Buffalo vs. Greenville -- so I guess if you're traveling as a fan, going south in March beats going further north...

Click here to see full bracket projection

The Field of 68 (On3)

Seed / Region: No. 3 seed in East Region

First Round Opponent: No. 14 seed East Tennessee State

My Thoughts: I'm seeing a trend here that Michigan State is a No. 3 seed by nearly everyone in the bracketology field right now. Notable difference in this bracket projection, though, is that Michigan State landed in the East Region, which could mean a potential rematch against Duke in the Elite Eight if things were to shake out that way. I wouldn't mind another crack at the Blue Devils with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

Click here to see full bracket projection

NCAA.com (Andy Katz)

Seed / Region: No. 3 seed in South Region

First Round Opponent: No. 14 seed UC Irvine in Buffalo, N.Y.

My Thoughts: This may be my least favorite draw for the Spartans when you do the look ahead to the second weekend. If things were to go chalk, Michigan State would be playing No. 2 seed Houston in a Sweet 16 matchup based in Houston -- that's not ideal at all and would be awfully similar to having to play Auburn in Atlanta in the Elite Eight last year.

Click here to see full bracket projection

FOX Sports

Seed / Region: No. 3 seed in West Region

First Round Opponent: No. 14 seed Harvard

My Thoughts: This is another draw that I like when you look ahead to potential second round and Sweet 16 matchups. If things were to go chalk, Michigan State would face No. 6 seed St. John's and No. 2 seed Gonzaga en route to potentially facing No. 1 Arizona in the Elite Eight. There's no easy matchups in March, but I would like this draw for the Spartans.

Click here to see full bracket projection

CBS Sports

Seed / Region: No. 3 seed in South Region

First Round Opponent: No. 14 seed East Tennessee State

My Thoughts: This would be an interesting draw for the Spartans as chalk would have them playing a pair of rematches. First would be No. 6 seed Kentucky in the second round, and then No. 2 seed Illinois in the Sweet 16. We will see this weekend how the Spartans stack up with the Fighting Illini, but I personally don't like rematches in the NCAA Tournament -- especially if it's a team you already beat earlier in the year.

Click here to see full bracket projection

Overall Thoughts

It's clear that if Selection Sunday were today, Michigan State would be a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That is exactly where I'd put them as well so I have no beef with any of these projections.

As we look ahead, Michigan State has a number of high-level games remaining on the schedule in February and into March, so there will be opportunities to raise (or drop) that seed line one or two spots. But assuming they don't tank down the stretch, we are looking at the Spartans most likely landing anywhere between a No. 2 seed through No. 5 seed -- with an outside chance at a No. 1 seed if they really do some damage late in the season. That will allow an opportunity for another run in March this upcoming season for the Spartans.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: 'Bracketology' Roundup: Analyzing where MSU basketball lands in latest bracket projections

Iowa basketball star Bennett Stirtz was unstoppable on Sunday.

In the Hawkeyes 84-66 win over the Oregon Ducks, Stirtz poured in 32 points on an incredibly efficient 12-15 shooting from the field. He added seven assists and two steals, while ot committing a single turnover all night despite playing 38 minutes. His effort in that game was a big reason he was named the Co-Big Ten Player of the Week on Monday. But that wasn't the only accolade to come out of that game for Stirtz.

In the first half of the win, the senior point guard reached an impressive scoring milestone in his career: 2,000 career points.

2K CAREER POINTS FOR NO. 14 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xM3S37jObk

— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 2, 2026

Stirtz had accumulated his points at three different schools. So far this season, he's scored exactly 400 points with the Hawkeyes. He had 673 points at Drake last season, his first Division I campaign. The rest of his career points came with Division II Northwest Missouri State, where he spent the first two years of his career with Ben McCollum. Stirtz scored 945 points across his two seasons with the Bearcats.

While the raw scoring numbers are impressive, Stirtz's efficiency may be better. Across his entire collegiate career, he's shooting 52.3% from the field, 38.5% from behind the arc, and 82.5% from the free throw line. Those are incredibly effective scoring numbers for any player, but especially a guard. No matter what level of college basketball he's played at, Stirtz has dominated.

Iowa fans should appreciate Stirtz and what he's doing while he's still here. He's one of the best pure talents to take the court wearing black and gold in recent memory, and could be one of the biggest reasons why the Hawkeyes finally see some big success in March.

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa basketball star surpasses historic scoring mark

A former Spartans star guard has landed in the NBA G League All-Star game.

Former Michigan State guard Jaden Akins has been selected for the NBA G League Next Up Game during All-Star weekend. He earned a spot in the event through the fan vote series, where he was fifth in fan voting.

Akins has starred for the Motor City Cruise in his first season since departing the Spartans. He is averaging 17.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5 assists per game in his rookie NBA G League season.

The Next Up Game will be held on February 19 at 3 p.m. ET at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The event will be televised on NBA TV.

EARNED.

Congratulations to @JadenAkins3 on earning a spot in the @nbagleague Next Up Game during All-Star Weekend!⭐️ pic.twitter.com/BlKoiocH0g

— Motor City Cruise (@MotorCityCruise) February 3, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Former MSU star Jaden Akins selected to NBA G League All-Star Game

Michigan State basketball has been listed as a road favorite at Minnesota in Wednesday night's conference battle from The Barn.

Michigan State is listed as a 7.5-point favorite over Minnesota in Wednesday's matchup, according to FanDuel. Additionally, the over/under points total is set at 131.5 points.

The Spartans come into this matchup looking to bounce back from a tough rivalry loss against Michigan in their last game last week. Michigan State is now 19-3 overall and 9-2 in Big Ten play following the loss to Michigan.

Minnesota is in the midst of a six-game losing streak, which has included a pair of heartbreaking losses in their last two games last week. The Golden Gophers first blew a 20-point lead against rival Wisconsin, before then losing on a buzzer beater against Penn State this past weekend. Minnesota is 10-12 overall and 3-8 in Big Ten play.

Tipoff from Minnesota is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State-Minnesota basketball: Betting line, over/under points total

The greatest rivalry in sports is nearly here. On Saturday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET in front of a national audience, UNC and Duke will play Round One of the Tobacco Road Rivalry.

The visiting Blue Devils (20-1, 9-0 ACC) are conference favorites, but North Carolina (18-4, 6-3 ACC) is making a rapid ascension up the standings. The Tar Heels easily dispatched Notre Dame and Georgia Tech, roared back from a 16-point deficit to upset Virginia, then withstood a late Syracuse charge to continue their winning streak.

With a week ahead full of several, exciting college basketball games, Andy Katz named UNC-Duke his Game of the Week.

To further build anticipation for Saturday's ACC rivalry battle, College GameDay will be coming to Chapel Hill. Expect to see plenty of wild signs, discussion at the ESPN desk and – who knows – maybe appearances from Hubert Davis, Caleb Wilson, Jon Scheyer and Cameron Boozer.

SO many top tier matchups this week 🔥

Duke-UNC headlines a STACKED edition of @TheAndyKatz’s Games of the Week ‼️ pic.twitter.com/FWtaeeqnox

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 2, 2026

The Blue Devils could very well be undefeated, but Texas Tech spoiled their season back on December 20. Boozer (23.5 points, 9.8 rebounds per game) is a National Player of the Year candidate, but Patrick Ngongba (11 PPG) and Isaiah Evans (14.3 PPG) help form a lethal Duke trio.

North Carolina may not have the Blue Devils' record, but they have a better frontcourt with Wilson and Henri Veesaar. The Tar Heels' backcourt continues to solidify itself, bench production is increasing and, despite occasional struggles, 2025-26 is worlds better than last season.

Will UNC-Duke live up to the hype? Most matchups do, so with re-loaded rosters for both programs this year, expect more fireworks on Saturday.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC-Duke basketball tabbed Andy Katz' Game of the Week

The Oregon Ducks are coming off a successful baseball season in Eugene, which ended in an unfortunate manner in the Eugene Regional, but they have high expectations going into the new season.

On Tuesday morning, Mark Wasikowski's team was ranked No. 23 in the USA Today preseason coaches poll. Not long after, infielder Maddox Molony was one of 20 players in the nation to be named to the D1 Baseball Player of the Year Watchlist.

Molony was also named a Perfect Game Preseason Third-Team All-American.

Molony has played for two seasons in Eugene, being named an all-league selection in both years. He hit .309/.403/.565 with a .968 OPS during the 2025 season and was a third-team All-Big Ten Conference selection. He also had 15 home runs, 45 RBIs, 41 runs, and 10 stolen bases.

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞@maddox_molony one of 20 players on the @BaseballAmerica preseason Player of the Year watch list. #GoDuckspic.twitter.com/59TDlit8bg

— Oregon Duck Baseball (@OregonBaseball) February 3, 2026

In his freshman season in 2024, Malony became the second Oregon freshman to be named first-team All-Conference since the return of the program while also earning second-team freshman All-America honors.

Oregon will start the season with an eight-game homestand at PK Park. The Ducks host George Mason for a four-game series, including a doubleheader on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. The next weekend, Oregon hosts Youngstown State in a four-game set that begins on Thursday, Feb. 19.  

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Maddox Molony named to Player of the Year watchlist for Oregon Ducks

The Alabama Crimson Tide will host the Texas A&M Aggies on Wednesday night at Coleman Coliseum. 

The Tide enter the matchup coming off a blowout 100-77 loss to the Florida Gators on Sunday afternoon. Alabama was unable to get anything going on the defensive end of the floor for the majority of the contest, as the Tide were dominated on the glass throughout the entire matchup.

Star guard Aden Holloway also had a team-high 19 points in the loss, as the star guard and Alabama will now turn their full attention towards getting back in the win column on Wednesday night.

Here are three bold takes for the Tide’s clash with the Aggies.

Aden Holloway shines with 20+ points, 5+ assists

Holloway has played a crucial role on the offensive end of the floor throughout the 2025-26 campaign. The talented guard currently averages 17.1 points and 3.8 assists per game, as Holloway has been nothing short of elite from behind the arc in 2026. The former Auburn Tiger could quickly find himself having a major performance against the Aggies on Wednesday, as Holloway continues to be a huge threat from deep this season.

Aiden Sherrell dominates defensively with 10+ rebounds, 2+ blocks

Sherrell has been elite on defense for the Crimson Tide in 2026. The star forward currently averages a team high 2.3 blocks per game, as Sherrell has played a vital role on both ends of the floor as the season progresses. The talented playmaker could be in prime position for another big time performance on Wednesday, as Sherrell will almost certainly need to be at his best against a red hot Aggies’ team.

Labaron Philon Jr. scores 20+ points

Philon has been widely regarded as a top player in all of college basketball throughout the 2025-26 campaign. The star guard currently averages a team high 21.6 points per game on 51% shooting, as the sophomore has continued to be a focal point on the Tide’s offense in 2026. Philon and the Tide as a whole will need to be at their best Wednesday night, as Alabama will look to dominate against one of the hottest teams in all of college basketball. 

Alabama will face Texas A&M at 6 p.m. CT on Wednesday, as the Tide will look to get back in the win column following the loss to the Gators.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama basketball bold predictions vs. Texas A&M Aggies

Clemson added another late piece to its 2026 recruiting class with a quick-hitting commitment at wide receiver.

Keil McGriff, a 2026 wideout from Buchholz High School in Florida, announced his pledge to the Tigers just one day after receiving an offer. With the February signing period opening this week, Clemson expects the process to move fast and for McGriff to be officially in the class soon.

The Tigers had already addressed the position earlier in the cycle, signing three four-star receivers during the early signing period and adding a transfer wideout last month. Bringing McGriff into the fold gives the staff added depth as it continues to round out the roster.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy chimes in on Dabo Swinney calling out Ole Miss https://t.co/EWiAgZUasqpic.twitter.com/iQyzuJpitM

— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) February 3, 2026

McGriff checks in at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds and comes from a football background, as his father Travis was a standout at Florida. Although an injury kept him off the field during his senior season, McGriff showed his ability as a junior, finishing with 44 catches for 737 yards and six touchdowns.

He also picked up interest from several other programs before committing, but Clemson ultimately won out as it puts the finishing touches on its 2026 class.

Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson adds a late wide receiver to their 2026 recruiting class

Texas A&M's 2026 baseball season begins next Friday against Tennessee Tech, as second-year head coach Michael Earley will look to improve after missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nearly 20 years last season after finishing 30-26, and 11-19 in SEC play during his inaugural campaign.

Bringing back plenty of talent at the plate, headlined by star outfielder Caden Sorrell, Texas A&M's 2026 roster is built to make it back to the postseason, but the pitching rotation, which reportedly lost sophomore Caden McCoy for the year, is still a question mark, and will now have to rely on a younger arm to become the Sunday starter.

From the transfer portal, former Maryland standout infielder Chris Hacopian chose the Aggies over plenty of big-name suitors, knowing that Jace LaVolette's departure after setting the program's home run record last season left a gaping hole in the lineup, and paired with Gavin Grahovac making his way back from injury, power at the plate likely won't be an issue this season.

Still, consistent at-bats combined with reliability from the bullpen, despite McCoy's injury, is vital for the Aggies to have any shot at making it back to the NCAA Tournament. So, how many of Texas A&M's 54 regular-season games will be nationally televised? Just nine, all during SEC play.

Thanks to GigEm247 beat writer Carter Karels for putting together the list. Texas A&M vs. Texas, and the Aggies' road series vs. LSU will be nationally televised for at least two games each series, which makes sense given the rivalry and potential importance in the conference standings.

Texas A&M will open the 2026 season against Tennessee Tech in Blue Bell Park on Friday, February 13.

Texas A&M baseball is set to have nine nationally televised games in the regular season, the SEC just announced. pic.twitter.com/WAXvQtj0Fb

— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) February 3, 2026

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M baseball 2026 schedule: Only 9 games on national TV

The Florida Gators kick off the 2026 college baseball season ranked No. 16 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll.

Florida ended the 2025 season outside the top 25, following a disappointing finish at the Conway Regional. Despite a turbulent offseason — which saw several roster changes, head coach Kevin O'Sullivan stepping away from the team for the fall to deal with a personal matter and top assistant Chuck Jeroloman leaving for Tennessee at the end of October — the Gators are back in the top 25.

D1Baseball was slightly more bullish on the Orange and Blue, placing Florida at No. 13 in its preseason rankings, while Baseball America had the Gators at No. 22.

Nine SEC teams are ranked to start the year, with Florida coming in eighth among those programs. The LSU Tigers claim the top spot after winning it all in 2025, followed by the Texas Longhorns at No. 3, the Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 5, the Mississippi State Bulldogs at No. 6, the Auburn Tigers at No. 9, the Georgia Bulldogs at No. 13 and the Tennessee Volunteers at No. 15.

The Vanderbilt Commodores are the only SEC team inside the top 25 ranked below Florida at No. 18. In-state rivals Florida State and Miami are also ranked, at Nos. 14 and No. 21, respectively.

Florida opens the season on Friday, Feb. 13, against UAB at home.

2026 USA TODAY Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll

Others Receiving Votes

Kentucky 92; Ole Miss 59; West Virginia 42; Texas A&M 38; Oklahoma 28; East Carolina 25; Dallas Baptist 19; UC Irvine 13; Kansas 11; Murray State 7; Arizona State 7; USC 6; UC Santa Barbara 6; Duke 6; Alabama 6; Troy 5; Oklahoma State 5; UTSA 4; Northeastern 2; Nebraska 1; Connecticut 1; Cal State Fullerton 1; Bethune-Cookman 1

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.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida baseball's 2026 Preseason USA TODAY Poll ranking

The Florida Gators are moving on up in the latest men's college basketball bracketologies following a torrid two-game stretch that put the home loss to the Auburn Tigers firmly in the rearview mirror.

After blowing out the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road in program-record-setting fashion, followed by a home thumping of the Alabama Crimson Tide, the USA TODAY Sports bracketology update promoted the Orange and Blue from the No. 4 seed in the East Region to the No. 3 in the Midwest. There, they are lined up with the 14th-seeded East Tennessee State Buccaneers in the opening round held in Tampa.

"Defending national champion Florida and runner-up Houston are climbing in USA TODAY Sports’ latest men’s basketball bracketology update," the authors begin.

"After a sluggish start that included nonconference losses to Arizona, TCU, Duke and Connecticut, the Gators have moved to a No. 3 seed and within a half-game of first place in the SEC," they continue.

"Florida has lost just twice in nearly two months and now has a combined 10 Quad 1 and 2 wins. On Sunday, the Gators shot 51.3% from the field and had a plus-16 turnover margin in a 100-77 win against Alabama."

USA TODAY Sports bracketology for Feb. 3 pic.twitter.com/idHGdeMpaV

— Adam Dubbin (@AdamDubbin) February 3, 2026

Top seeds in USAT's 2026 bracketology

There were no changes among the four top-seeded schools in this update, as the Arizona Wildcats remained perched atop the West, the Michigan Wolverines continued to rule the Midwest, the UConn Huskies maintained the No. 1 spot in the South, and the Duke Blue Devils hung tough at the top of the East.

SEC schools in USAT's 2026 bracketology

The Southeastern Conference still has 10 teams in the latest bracketology, just one school short of the Big Ten's 11, and two more than the ACC and Big 12, whose seven apiece rounds out the Power Four conferences.

Florida is now in sole possession of the SEC's headline spot with the No. 3 seed in the Midwest, while the Vanderbilt Commodores are still a No. 4 seed in the South. They are followed by the Tennessee Volunteers (No. 5, West), Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 6, East), Alabama (No. 6, South), Auburn (No. 7, ), Kentucky Wildcats (No. 7, ), Texas A&M Aggies (No. 7, ), Georgia Bulldogs (No. 9, East) and Texas Longhorns (No. 10, East).

The Missouri Tigers are the final team among the first four out for the second-straight update.

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.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball moves up in USA TODAY Sports bracketology

Ben McCollum has the Iowa Hawkeyes sitting at 16-5 overall with a 6-4 record in Big Ten play. Things are going well for Iowa, but they are still seeking that first marquee win. Iowa has beaten up on the bottom of the Big Ten, but has fallen to Iowa State, Michigan State, Purdue, and Illinois in chances to knock off a ranked opponent.

Nonetheless, the Hawkeyes are currently in the field rather comfortably. In ESPN's latest bracketology, they are hanging onto a No. 8 seed, the spot they have held for a few weeks. ESPN also looked at a conference-by-conference bubble watch and analyzed Iowa. While they aren't a lock to make the field quite yet, they are sitting in the driver's seat right now, controlling their own destiny.

Should be in

Iowa Hawkeyes

Updated: Feb. 2

Iowa's résumé rankings are all over the place, ranging from the high 40s in KPI to the low 20s in NET, averaging out to 30th nationally. That's still on the right side of the bubble, with some room to spare. The Hawkeyes bolstered their case with a Quadrant 1A win at Indiana in mid-January and with Sunday's 18-point victory at Oregon. They're even better than their résumé ranking gives them credit for, checking in at 22nd in our average of performance ratings, which raises their potential going forward. But their schedule does get more difficult looking ahead, jumping from 70th to 17th nationally from here on out, according to the BPI.

Next game: at Washington (Wednesday) - Neil Paine, ESPN

Not only does Iowa have a winnable game against Washington, but its next two are also a home date against Northwestern and a road trip to Maryland. These three games could get Iowa to 19-5 overall with a 9-4 mark in Big Ten play, which could essentially lock Iowa into the field with seeding to be played for.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa basketball controls destiny in ESPN NCAA Tournament bubble watch

It has been an exciting two-game stretch for the Florida basketball program, having lit up its opponents for a plus-70 point differential over the past two games for a pair of SEC wins.

Those two victories came over the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road — a record-setting 95-48 shellacking — followed by an authoritative 100-77 home win over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Things are looking good in Gainesville with just nine regular-season games remaining.

Looking ahead to the postseason, the Gators gained some ground in ESPN's latest bracketology, moving up from the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region to the No. 3 seed in the East. There, they are paired up with the No. 14-seeded Winthrop Eagles in the opening round held in Tampa, Florida.

Top seeds in ESPN's 2026 bracketology update

There were no changes this time around among the top seeds, as the Arizona Wildcats remain firmly entrenched in the top overall seed and the 1-seed in the West, while the Michigan Wolverines maintain the No. 1 seed in the Midwest. The UConn Huskies still cling to the top spot in the South and the Duke Blue Devils also held pat atop the East.

SEC schools in ESPN's 2026 bracketology update

The Southeastern Conference held onto its 10-member-school representation in the latest update, sitting one behind the Big Ten and ahead of the ACC (8) and Big 12 (7) among Power Four conferences.

Florida's ascent to the No. 3 seed in the East has it as the sole headliner in the SEC, while the Vanderbilt Commodores remain the No. 4 seed in the West; meanwhile, Alabama remained unchanged at No. 5 in the South, while the Tennessee Volunteers moved up to No. 5 in the East. They are followed by the Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 6, South), Auburn Tigers (No. 7, West), Kentucky Wildcats (No. 7, Midwest), Texas A&M Aggies (No. 7, South), Georgia Bulldogs (No. 9, Midwest) and Texas Longhorns (No. 11, West).

The Horns are still the very last team in the tournament, while the Missouri Tigers are the top team among the next four out.

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.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball's ESPN bracketology update after Alabama win

Texas A&M (17-4, 7-1 SEC) will enter the new week at 7-1 in the SEC standings, leading the conference through the first month of the season after defeating Georgia 92-77 on the road, and will now head back on the road to take on Alabama (14-7, 4-4 SEC) on Wednesday night, looking to knock off a desperate Crimson Tide team that is just two day removed from Sunday's blowout 100-77 road loss to Florida.

While the national media has finally veered its attention to the Aggies, especially first-year head coach Bucky McMillan's ability to take a team of 15 transfers, lose star forward Mackenzie Mgbako for the year, and go on to lead the SEC in several categories, while averaging over 92 points per game, Texas A&M will continue to be undervalued, especially if they lose on Wednesday and Saturday against Florida at home.

However, these outside doubts have yet to affect this team, which should be 8-0 In conference play, if free throws and questionable calls weren't an issue on the road vs. Tennessee. Outside of the facing Alabama center Charles Bediako, the Aggies should be able to score at a consistent rate against the Tide's average defense, especially from beyond the arc.

Still, defensive stops in key moments will be the focus, knowing that Alabama is shooting over 39% from three, compared to the Aggies' 41% showing from deep over the past two games. With seven wins in conference play, McMillan's veteran squad likely needs at least three more wins to earn an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament.

Projected as high as a 6-seed, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi released his updated tournament bracket, projecting the Aggies as a 7-seed facing 10-seed Saint Mary's, and simliar the CBS Sports' recent prediction that had 7-seed A&M facing 10-seed Miami, a potential rematch against Houston in the Round of 32 is just too on the nose.

If Texas A&M keeps racking up victories, earning as high as a 6-seed is cleary lin the realm of possibilities.

@ESPNLunardi has his new bracketology out and has the Aggies as a 7-seed taking on Saint Mary’s in the first round

A potential 2nd round rematch with Houston is kind of funny as well pic.twitter.com/GxEBXvvtYf

— Kannon Torres (@TorresKannon) February 3, 2026

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M projected as a 7-seed in ESPN's Bracketology update

The Oklahoma Sooners had just two players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft last April, and only three players from the team's 2024 roster that stuck on an NFL roster during their rookie seasons.

In the fourth round of the draft, linebacker Danny Stutsman was drafted by the New Orleans Saints, while defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons just a few picks later. Both had impressive rookie seasons with their respective teams. Defensive lineman Ethan Downs went undrafted, but he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After being cut by the Jags, he found a home on the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs for the '25 season.

OU is set to improve upon that number of draftees in the 2026 draft this April. After a bounce-back 10-3 season in 2025, the Sooners will be losing a lot of veteran leadership and production from the roster to the NFL. However, every player the Sooners will be losing to the pros will have exhausted their collegiate eligibility, as Oklahoma did not have a single player enter the draft early for the second year in a row.

Running back Jaydn Ott, wide receivers Deion Burks, Keontez Lewis, and Major Melson, tight ends Jaren Kanak and Will Huggins, offensive linemen Febechi Nwaiwu and Derek Simmons, defensive linemen R Mason Thomas, Damonic Williams, Gracen Halton, and Marvin Jones Jr., linebacker Kendal Daniels, defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings, and kicker Austin Welch have each exhausted their college eligibility, and they will be trying to find themselves on an NFL roster next fall. Additionally, linebacker Owen Heinecke is still hoping the NCAA grants him another year of college eligibility, but after his initial request was denied, it's not looking promising for Heinecke to come back to school, though OU is appealing the NCAA's initial decision and will have to wait to hear back on their appeal.

To see how many draftees the Sooners might have in 2026, we fired up a mock draft simulation on ProFootballNetwork.com for all seven round of the draft. Oklahoma exceeded its total number of drafted players from a year ago in the simulation, and it might give us an idea of who could hear their names called in the real draft in a few months.

First up was Thomas, who was chosen by the New York Jets at the very top of the second round with the 33rd overall selection. Thomas is a fantastic pass rusher off the edge, one who got better and better during his time in Norman. Despite missing three games in 2025, he was a force to be reckoned with for the Sooner defense, and could find himself as a first-round pick with a good combine and pro day.

Next was Nwaiwu, who was picked with the first choice of the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns at No. 139 overall. Nwaiwu spent two seasons in Norman, and he was the most reliable player on the o-line for the Sooners during those two years. He primarily played right guard, but slid over to center for the final two games of the 2025 season, due to injuries up front.

Another player picked in the fifth round was Burks, who went 152nd overall to the Las Vegas Raiders in the simulation. Burks also spent two years with the Sooners, and dealt with injuries that limited him to five games in 2024. However, Burks started every game in 2025, helping OU improve offensively. His speed is his greatest weapon, and he's tough to keep up with in the open field.

In the sixth round, the Houston Texans selected Halton with the 201st overall pick in the simulation. Halton became a disruptor in the interior of the d-line for the Sooners, and he's another player who showed great improvement over the course of his OU career. Halton has great quickness and burst for the position, and he could frequently be found penetrating into the opposing backfield to wreck plays.

Up next was Williams, who went in the seventh round at No. 245 overall in the simulation to the Green Bay Packers. He spent two seasons as a Sooner plugging the interior up front defensively and showing good skills as a run-stuffer for the Sooners. He's got good size and athleticism for the position, and helped the Oklahoma d-line become the team's greatest strength over the past two seasons.

Two picks later in the seventh round, the simulation had Daniels going to the San Francisco 49ers as the 247th overall choice. Daniels was a Sooner for just one season, but he made the most of it, becoming a starter and a disruptive force for OU's defense. He's a versatile player who can play well against the run and the pass, and he was a great chess piece for Oklahoma to move around the board defensively this past season.

Of course, this is just one simulation and the Sooners could have more or less players picked when the actual draft takes place in April, but it sure looks like Oklahoma is set to have more players selected this year than they did last year.

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from April 23rd to 25th.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma had plenty of players picked in PFSN's mock draft simulation

There were a lot of good things that happened for the Texas Longhorns in 2025. The Longhorns beat all their rivals, scored big wins over ranked teams like Michigan and Vanderbilt and we saw the maturation of Arch Manning. But uneven play, especially from Manning, early in the year kept the Horns out of the 2025 college football playoff.

The running game, the offensive line and parts of the defense all let Texas coach Steve Sarkisian down last season. But with a stellar transfer portal class that bolsters all of the areas of weakness from 2025 and a solid recruiting class, next season's team should legitimately compete for a national title.

1. The QB Play Will Be Elite

I have zero questions about Arch Manning. The football that he played in the final month of the season was incredible without the pass protection drastically improving. It got better, but so many plays were dirty pockets that he made something special out of(especially against MSST). After the Kentucky game, he totaled 13 passing TDs, 1,700 passing yards(283 per game), 5 rushing TDs and 205 rushing yards.

Elite stuff from Arch on all three angles.

Footwork, ball security and placement. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/9X3u60nnEH

— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) February 3, 2026

Arch Manning’s baseline is good QB play. Give him elite protection and Manning can be downright special. As long as Seymore clears the eligibility hurdle, I expect he will get that. I won’t go as far to say Manning will be in NYC(though, I am tempted), but I’ll comfortably say he’ll be in that conversation from start to finish in 2026. 

2. Pass Protection Will Be Much Improved 

This not only is an absolute must, but it’s one that shouldn’t be all that difficult to fulfill. If Seymore is cleared, this figures to be one of the better pass blocking units in the SEC. Siani(RT) and Baker(RG) on the right side will be a down right elite duo when it comes to pass protection. Goosby is a known commodity on the left side that will be one of the best OTs in the country in 2026. Connor Robertson will need to step up, but if the guards show up, his job will be a whole lot easier. 

Laurance Seymore can make this an absolute slam dunk. If he clears and is slotted in at LG, the pass protection will be top-notch. If he doesn’t(which I don’t expect), sliding Chatman, Sikorski, Coleman or even true freshman John Turntine in there would improve the unit. The bar obviously isn’t high, but I have no doubts Arch Manning will have more time to operate in clean pockets in 2026 than he did in 2025. 

3. The DL Will Be A Difference Maker 

This applies no matter where on the defensive line you want to focus. The edge rusher group with Colin Simmons, Lance Jackson, Zina Umeozulu, etc. figures to be one of the best in the country. 

On the interior, Ian Geffrard is a space eater to the nth degree at 389lbs. Whether it’s Maraad Watson, Josiah Sharma or someone else behind him, they will bring elite size and athleticism to the table at nose tackle. 

Finally, the defensive tackle group is insane. Justus Terry, Alex January, Hero Kanu are as good of a trio as you will find in the SEC. True freshman James Johnson could factor in later in the season, Myron Charles could make a leap. 

Not only does Texas have true difference makers like Colin Simmons, Hero Kanu and Justus Terry up front, the depth is elite as well. It’s a unit that will force havoc up front consistently and allow the backend to benefit with interceptions and pass deflections in 2026. 

4. They Will Get More INTs Than In 2026 

Will Muschamp defenses play the football. They are aggressive on the outside at CB position and they will make a point to break on the ball when it’s thrown. Texas notches 16 in 2025(12th in the country), 5 coming in the final two games. That is obviously not a bad mark but I still expect this group to top that number, mainly because the personnel is perfectly designed for the Muschamp approach. 

Kade Phillips, Graceson Littleton, Kobe Black, Bo Mascoe all have elite ball skills. That’s not to mention what Jelani McDonald, Derek Williams Jr., Wardell Mack and more can do in the secondary. This group is going to attack the football and there’s not one of them that doesn’t do it well. 

5. Ohio State Is A Must Win 

This could be a little aggressive, but I really do believe it. Playing away games at Tennessee, Missouri, LSU and at Texas A&M is brutal. On top of that, the Longhorns get  Oklahoma(neutral site), Ole Miss and Florida at home. It is an incredibly tough SEC slate for Texas in 2026 and a loss to Ohio State puts them on thin ice early. 

This is going to be a battle the same way it was a year ago, but Texas has to get it done. They can’t go into that SEC schedule with (maybe) just one loss to play around with to still get into the playoff. I suppose it’s possible Texas could get in at 9-3 given their schedule but that’s not something they’d like to figure out. 10-2 or better should be the expectation and a win over Ohio State could be a must for that to happen. 

Now, on the flipside, you win that Ohio State game and the world opens up and you can handle some struggles and still find your way into the CFP or even better, they could run the table. One way or another, that game in Austin on September 12th looms large for the Longhorns season-long hopes.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: 'Sure Things' for Texas Football in 2026: Manning will be elite

Former LSU football quarterback Garrett Nussmeier endured an incredibly frustrating final year at LSU, battling through an abdominal injury that hampered his play until he finally had to shut it down for the season. His 2025 performance looked nothing like the quarterback Tiger fans saw in 2024, and the same goes for NFL scouts.

This meant that Nussmeier had one huge opportunity to improve his draft stock against top competition: Senior Bowl week.

And the former Tiger did just that, excelling in practice all week prior to taking home the Senior Bowl MVP trophy. His play throughout the week earned him additional recognition, as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler named Nussmeier his NFL Draft “winner” among the quarterbacks who attended.

“This was one of the easier choices to make — Nussmeier was the most consistent of the group, while the other quarterbacks mostly underwhelmed," Brugler wrote. “Scouts were looking forward to seeing a healthy Nussmeier in Mobile, and he didn’t disappoint. He performed with a level of command and poise that will serve him well in the NFL.”

Brugler discussed how he believes Nussmeier’s performance will affect his draft stock on The Athletic Football Showon Monday morning.

“I do think that anywhere on Day 2 is now a realistic spot,” Brugler said.

How draft evaluators view Nussmeier has taken an incredibly twisty path, with many seeing him as a first-round-caliber quarterback coming into the year, a perception skewed by his injury-riddled year. It doesn’t appear Nussmeier will be able to regain that sort of prominence, but it’s good to see that he still has a chance to be taken in the second or third round and could potentially take over a starting role in the league at some point.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Former LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier recognized for Senior Bowl performance

The fallout from Dabo Swinney’s transfer portal accusations isn’t just about Clemson and Ole Miss. It’s about whether the NCAA is finally willing to act on a problem most coaches believe has been ignored for years.

Swinney went public on Jan. 23, accusing Ole Miss of tampering with linebacker Luke Ferrelli and describing the situation as an extreme case. According to Swinney, Ferrelli had already enrolled at Clemson, signed his financial aid agreement, and was participating in football activities when an Ole Miss assistant allegedly contacted him directly. Ferrelli later re-entered the portal and committed to Ole Miss on Jan. 22.

ESPN analyst Greg McElroy addressed the situation on his Always College Football show, focusing on what usually happens in cases like this — and why this one feels different.

“It’s not that Dabo called out Ole Miss. It’s not that Ole Miss was allegedly doing something that was not necessarily on the up-and-up. It’s, what can be done about it?” McElroy said. “Normally, I’d say the NCAA will issue a sternly worded letter in four and a half years after they do their investigation, and it’s done. Nobody cares. This feels a little bit different.”

That difference, McElroy said, starts with the NCAA’s unusually quick response. The organization confirmed it would investigate Clemson’s claims almost immediately, something McElroy called rare.

“Now the NCAA has responded already. That almost never happens,” McElroy said. “For them to say we’re investigating credible allegations — that’s lightning speed this quickly. … But I do think if this did happen — if you’re texting an enrolled student, someone who is technically a Clemson Tiger sitting in a Clemson classroom – that takes poaching to a whole new level.”

Swinney backed up his accusations with a detailed timeline during his press conference, a move McElroy believes could force accountability if the claims are proven true.

“This feels like something that we’re not necessarily used to,” McElroy said. “Does it happen all the time? I guarantee it does. … But if he’s got receipts to claim that this went down, and he’s going to hand the NCAA the easiest layup they’ve ever had — this, eventually, is how you curb this behavior.”

Photos: Clemson basketball dominates Pittsburgh in ACC rematch https://t.co/iucBqVR77Wpic.twitter.com/GjNk8obwFB

— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) January 31, 2026

Swinney labeled the situation “Tampering 301” and challenged other coaches to stop quietly complaining and start exposing violations. McElroy echoed that idea, warning that if nothing comes from this case, it sends a clear message.

“Because if nothing happens here, if nothing happens to Ole Miss and these allegations turn out to be untrue, then the party’s over,” McElroy said. “There are no rules at this point. So ‘Tampering 301’ is officially in session — we will see who passes the final exam.”

Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: ESPN’s Greg McElroy talks Dabo Swinney calling out Ole Miss tampering

Georgia Bulldogs co-defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann visited four-star linebacker recruit Ellis McGaskin just days after his decommitment from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Schumann is an excellent recruiter and is known for signing elite linebacker classes year after year.

McGaskin decommitted from Notre Dame on Jan. 23 just a few days after Georgia offered him on Jan. 20. He had been committed to the Fighting Irish since June 2025. Schumann visited McGaskin days later on Jan. 28.

The four-star linebacker plays high school football for Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama, along with several other elite recruits including four-star safety Jaylen Scott, who puts Georgia among his top schools. McGaskin is a member of the class of 2027 and is ranked as the No. 263 recruit in the nation. He is the No. 17 linebacker and the No. 10 prospect in Alabama, per 247Sports.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound linebacker is coming off a massive junior season where he showed proficiency as a blitzer. McGaskin posted 160 tackles, three fumble recoveries, four blocked punts and one interception in 2025. College football coaches will love McGaskin's productivity on special teams.

Georgia has the No. 8 recruiting class in the nation in the 2027 cycle. The Bulldogs and coach Kirby Smart do not have any commitments at linebacker yet. Based on the timing of McGaskin's decommitment, he's definitely considering Georgia.

Glenn Schumann visits Notre Dame decommit

Thanks for stopping by @CoachSchuUGA#godawgspic.twitter.com/3pVzhSSoyv

— Ellis “Golden Child” Mcgaskin (@mcgaskin_ellis) January 28, 2026

On film, McGaskin shows excellent speed. He often finds himself in the opposing backfield and generated 27 tackles for a loss as a junior.

Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more college football recruiting coverage!

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: 4-star LB recruit decommits from Notre Dame after UGA football offer

Tennessee senior quarterback Joey Aguilar filed a lawsuit for an extra year of eligibility, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

The complaint was filed in Knox County Chancery Court.

In 2025, Aguilar completed 272-of-404 passing attempts for 3,565 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 13 games during first season at Tennessee. He also recorded 101 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Aguilar transferred to Tennessee from UCLA after 2025 spring football practices. He never played in a game for the Bruins after transferring to UCLA from Appalachian State following the 2024 campaign.

He served as Appalachian State’s starting quarterback from 2023-24 after playing at Diablo Valley Community College (2021-22).

Aguilar appeared in 25 games, including 24 starts, at Appalachian State. He completed 511-of-850 passing attempts for 6,760 yards, 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions, while totaling 456 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 140 attempts.

At Diablo Valley Community College from 2021-22, he totaled 2,992 passing yards and 21 touchdowns.

More: Tennessee football passing yard leaders each season since 2000

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Joey Aguilar sues NCAA for eligibility in Knoxville court

Even with a late scare, the North Carolina Tar Heels continued playing a winning brand of basketball on Monday night.

UNC watched its 32-point lead dwindled to six, but hung on for an 87-77 win over Syracuse. North Carolina (18-4, 6-3 ACC) remained perfect at home this season – and carries four straight victories into Saturday's rivalry clash with Duke.

Thanks to Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar, their two best players who compile the country's best frontcourt duo, the Tar Heels created a difference-making distance from the Orange (13-10, 4-6 ACC).

Veesaar recorded a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double, surpassing Wilson for most in the ACC. Wilson netted a UNC-best 22 points, scoring 10 of those from the free throw line.

North Carolina's defense, an area of question throughout the 2025-26 college basketball season, fared well for most of the night. The Tar Heels limited Syracuse to just six perimeter makes – and 16 bench points. Donnie Freeman scored 23 points to lead all players, though, while Naithan George (15) and J.J. Starling (13) also gave UNC fits.

Luka Bogavac continues to be North Carolina's top bench option, scoring 10 points in 23 minutes. Jonathan Powell continued the Tar Heels' trend of hot perimeter shooting, nailing a team-high three trifectas – also off the bench. UNC enjoyed a rare night out-shooting its opponent from the free throw line, making 71% of its attempts to Syracuse's 68%.

Plenty needs to be addressed ahead of Saturday's showdown, but a win is a win. Take a look at our top five takeaways from Monday's victory.

The late-game collapse needs to be addressed

32-point lead down to six points...really? And in nearly 10 minutes? Late in the second half?

Sure, teams don't play their best basketball for 40 minutes. That's understandable. But UNC nearly suffered an embarassing result at home, one that can't happen.

UNC's aggressiveness paid off

If UNC doesn't go to the free throw line 35 times against Syracuse, both teams go into overtime or – worse – UNC loses.

The Tar Heels converted on 25 of their 35 (71%) free throw attempts, with Wilson sinking 10 of his 13. The visiting Orange sank just 13-of-19 free throw attempts (68%).

North Carolina gets to the line plenty, but it struggles to convert. Monday's output is an encouraging sign.

Luka Bogavac earned himself another turn in the starting lineup

Bogavac recorded 10 points in 23 minutes off the bench, his third-consecutive game reaching the 10-point mark. Jaydon Young, who took Bogavac's place, recorded just two points in nine minutes.

North Carolina's depth allows it to experiment with several rotations, but Bogavac deserves to start against Duke, particularly with the scoring punch he packs.

Ball-sharing kept Syracuse on its toes

UNC ended its night with 16 assists, compared to just six for Syracuse. Four different Tar Heels scored in double-digits, forcing the Orange to pick their poison.

North Carolina's ability to move the basketball helped separate itself and build a much-needed, massive lead that later dissappeared.

The 2025-26 Tar Heels are built to beat Duke

Cameron Boozer might be the best player in college basketball, but Duke lacks the depth UNC has.

Henri Veesaar is a better center than Patrick Ngongba and, while Isaiah Evans is coming along in Year Two for the Blue Devils, Seth Trimble leads a talented, underrated backcourt for North Carolina.

If the Tar Heels shut Boozer down, the Blue Devils don't have enough to win in Chapel Hill.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Five takeaways from Monday victory vs. Syracuse

The North Carolina Tar Heels have now won four straight games after holding on to beat Syracuse Monday night in the Dean Dome. The Tar Heels led by 20+ with 10 minutes left, but a late surge by the Orange cut the lead down to 6 late.

UNC was able to hold off due to some good free-throw shooting and defense at the end, but it was still a sweat. It's not the final 10 minutes that head coach Hubert Davis wanted to see.

With a few days in between now and when UNC hosts Duke, they will need to clean some things up. Before we get to that point, let's read what Hubert Davis had to say about his team's performance on Monday.

All quotes via Inside Carolina

On Syracuse ending the game on 37-14 run

“I put a lot of stock in it. We always talk about finishing possessions, finishing halves, finishing games, and that’s just unacceptable. I thought we were playing really well on both ends of the floor. I felt defensively, we were getting better throughout the game, especially second half. I thought we responded and came out on both ends of the floor. We were on point, and Syracuse is a great basketball team. Coach Autry is a fantastic coach, and you can see they’re extremely talented. But the last nine minutes and 32 seconds, just a departure of what allowed us to get the lead — taking good shots, taking care of the basketball, executing defensively, defending without fouling. Execution wise, defensively, boxing out, just different stuff like that, and they got it to six. And so we’ll watch the film and learn from it.” 

On what he liked in the first 30 minutes

“I put a lot of stock in it. We always talk about finishing possessions, finishing halves, finishing games, and that’s just unacceptable. I thought we were playing really well on both ends of the floor. I felt defensively, we were getting better throughout the game, especially second half. I thought we responded and came out on both ends of the floor. We were on point, and Syracuse is a great basketball team. Coach Autry is a fantastic coach, and you can see they’re extremely talented. But the last nine minutes and 32 seconds, just a departure of what allowed us to get the lead — taking good shots, taking care of the basketball, executing defensively, defending without fouling. Execution wise, defensively, boxing out, just different stuff like that, and they got it to six. And so we’ll watch the film and learn from it.” 

On not letting his players get too big headed when experiencing success

“Yeah, that’s difficult. Maybe I should text them or tweet or, I don’t know, the way that they communicate, but just the ability to stay locked in and be able to consistently do the things that are asked of you. No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, but there’s a level of consistency, individually and as a team, that needs to be there to be successful. And I think our team is learning.” 

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: What Hubert Davis said after win over Syracuse

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule just finished his third season in Lincoln and CBS Sports had a lot to say. Rhule was one of 24 FBS hires in the 2022-23 coaching carousel, but only 16 made it to at least one game of the 2025 season.

Rhule is 19-19 in his three seasons at Nebraska, but has a 10-17 record in the Big Ten Conference. Fans were expecting a third-year jump for Huskers but the team finished with a record of 7-6 and lost five of its last seven

The grades were based on each coach's success over three years and each team's performance against its peers. With that said, CBS Sports did hold back when assessing the Huskers' coach.

"Stabilizing the Cornhuskers on the field is a positive, but Rhule gets a middling grade for middling results. Nebraska has a 10-17 record against Big Ten competition and is still looking for a win over a ranked opponent under Rhule's tenure."

Rhule was given a C from CBS Sports. The Huskers open the 2026 season at home on Sept. 5 when they host Ohio at Memorial Stadium.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: What grade did CBS Sports give Nebraska coach Matt Rhule?

After 17 wins and a firm grip on first place in the SEC standings, Texas A&M basketball has finally broken through into the national conversation. The Aggies earned their first Top 25 ranking of the season on Monday, landing at No. 25 in the US LBM Coaches Poll while sitting just outside the AP Top 25.

A win on Wednesday would almost certainly push them into the AP rankings, but Coach Bucky McMillan isn’t spending much time poll‑watching. His message hasn’t changed: rankings are nice, but they don’t determine who dances in March.

He’s keeping the focus on the only thing that matters — playing high‑level basketball.

"I would put stock in the rankings if the NCAA tournament committee cared about it, you know? So, you know, all you can do is focus playing your best basketball. If you play well in this league, you're gonna end up putting yourself in a great chance to have a to be in the NCA tournament and too obviously get the best seat possible, and that's what you're after."

The matchup with Alabama brings an unusual subplot. The Crimson Tide continues to play former NBA G‑League center Charles Bediako while his eligibility situation moves through the court system. The storyline has cooled slightly, but McMillan isn’t letting it become a distraction — not for him, and not for his team.

"We got to block out the noise. Whatever people think about any of their players that are playing or not playing, it doesn't impact our team. Our team's got to be about us playing the best we can play. Whoever they line up across from us is who they line up across from us. I think that when we play well, we've done well."

The Aggies enter the week with the SEC regular season title fully within reach. But to finish the job — and to position themselves for a postseason run — they’ll need to stay healthy, stay sharp, and continue stacking quality wins.

Below is the full preview of the Alabama matchup from Coach Bucky McMillan.

Texas A&M will remain on the road this week, traveling to Tuscaloosa for a pivotal SEC matchup against Alabama on Wednesday at 6 p.m. inside Coleman Coliseum.

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

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Bucky McMillan previews Texas A&M’s tough road test at Alabama

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are set to hire former Wisconsin defensive back Aaron Henry as their co-defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports.

Henry most recently spent the last five seasons on Bret Bielema's Illinois staff, the first two as the program's defensive backs coach and the last three as its defensive coordinator. His defensive unit played a major role in the team's 19 combined wins over the last two seasons.

Henry previously played under Bielema at Wisconsin from 2007-11. He appeared in 53 games during that time, starting 30, and totaled 181 tackles, seven for loss, 4 1/2 sacks, seven interceptions, two pick-sixes, 10 pass deflections, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. The talented safety earned second and first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

The former Badger replaces Mike Mickens, who recently left for an NFL assistant position, on the Notre Dame staff. He and co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash will look to improve a defense that finished 11th in scoring in 2025.

Notre Dame is expected to hire Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry as a co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, sources tell @CBSSports.

Has been a key figure in Illinois posting 19 wins the last two seasons, the winningest two-year run in school history. pic.twitter.com/r7J1W0c3A8

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 1, 2026

Henry is not the only former Badger on the move this offseason. Jim Leonhard took the Buffalo Bills' defensive coordinator job, both Jay Valai and Bobby April III joined the Bills' staff, and Scott Tolzien recently interviewed for the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator job.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football Aaron Henry hired Notre Dame defensive coordinator

Duke basketball learned what its identity can be in January.

Now, in February, head coach Jon Scheyer wants his team to elevate that identity.

"(February is) also a month to learn, I hope," Scheyer said on Monday, Feb. 3 on the weekly ACC coaches Zoom. "I think it's a month to grow. We learned, I think, what our identity can be and then in February, you want to continue to elevate these things you have learned this past month, in my mind. I think that's exactly where we're at."

The No. 4 Blue Devils (20-1, 9-0) finished the month of January a perfect 8-0. It marks their fifth unbeaten month under Scheyer and Duke’s second-straight undefeated January.

Scheyer previously said his squad felt re-energized following its West Coast swing midway through the month, and the Blue Devils’ results back that up. They opened January with a slim four-point road win at Florida State and closed with a 14-point road victory at Virginia Tech – Duke's fifth straight double-digit win going back to its game at Cal on Jan. 14. The Blue Devils won their first three games of the month by an average of 7.3 points and won the last five by an average of 22.2.

Duke lost the points-in-the-paint battle in two of its first three games of January, going on to post 40 or more points in the paint in each of its last five games of the month, with a high of 48 against Wake Forest. A similar trend can be found on the boards, where the Blue Devils were outworked by SMU on Jan. 10, 30-23, and went on to finish the month with a rebounding advantage of plus-69 across their last five games. That includes outworking Louisville 47-26 on the glass in the team's Jan. 26 contest after only edging the Cardinals by two on the boards in the Jan. 6 contest.

DUKE BASKETBALL IN THE POLLS: Where Duke basketball ranks in polls, NET rankings after an unbeaten January

FROM VIRGINIA TECH WIN: What Jon Scheyer said after Duke basketball's road win at Virginia Tech

"I think we're finding our identity, right?" Scheyer said. "Doing a better job of our offense helping our defense with shot selection and valuing the ball. That's been much better. That helps you win the possession game, right? And then just learning how to play to our strengths. I think it's taken us some time to figure out what are the strengths of this team and for us, it's playing inside out. There's many different ways we can get there. It's really trying to win the rebounding battle every game with our size and the physicality we have on this team. And then doing our job of, like I said, the possession battle, protecting the ball and valuing possessions that way."

Now heading into the last half of conference play, and ahead of a Feb. 21 nonconference game against Michigan, Scheyer and the Blue Devils look to further solidify their identity as March looms.

Defensively, Scheyer said he wants his team to "do both," continue to protect the paint and the rim, but also protect the 3-point line.

"In March, you have to be able to do both," Scheyer said. "What I mean by that is we've done a good job of protecting our paint, protecting the rim. We've been disciplined, playing without fouling. But you also have to protect the 3-point line as well. The more offenses we continue to play against, the value of every possession goes up. The Virginia Tech game was our lowest-possession game all year. For our guys, that’s a great experience just to understand the value of every possession.”

Offensively, he wants to see his team get out in transition and play faster.

"That isn't necessarily the way our team is built or how we have had great success, so we've had to be really sharp with our attention to detail, executing offense, understanding how people are gonna play us and call more plays than maybe we typically have" Scheyer said. "We've been really efficient and effective with that."

Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at asnyder@usatodayco.com or follow her @annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What Jon Scheyer wants from Duke basketball in February

Remember the last time a UNC win didn't satisfy fans? If you guessed Monday night, after the Tar Heels' closer-than-expected 87-77 victory against Syracuse, you are correct.

Despite leading by 32 points halfway through the second half, North Carolina (18-4, 6-3 ACC) watched that lead dwindle down to six with a minute left. The Tar Heels took their foot off the gas, allowing the struggling Orange (13-10, 4-6 ACC) a chance to complete an improbable comeback.

UNC closed the game with four free throws, thanks to two makes apiece from Jarin Stevenson and Seth Trimble. North Carolina's aggressiveness paid off, converting of 25 of 35 (71 percent) trips to the free throw line.

The Tar Heels enjoyed a solid shooting night, making 48% of their field goal attempts, which included a 44% mark from deep. UNC enjoyed another night of solid perimeter defense, limiting the Orange (13-10, 4-6 ACC) to just six makes.

Henri Veesaar enjoyed another solid night in the paint, scoring 17 points and recording 11 rebounds, surpassing Caleb Wilson for most double-doubles in the ACC. Wilson scored North Carolina's first four points, later ending his night with a team-high 22.

Bench production played a major role in the Tar Heels' win, with Luka Bogavac and Jonathan Powell combining for 22 points. Powell nailed a UNC-best three trifectas, while Bogavac enjoyed his third-straight game in double-digits.

Sure, North Carolina's ending is concerning, but a win is a win. Take a look at several social media reactions from across Tar Heel Nation.

Tonight's ending can't happen against Duke

That ending is the exact opposite of how we need to come out against Dook. We better learn from it. https://t.co/88opugjMar

— UNC Barstool (@UNCBarstool) February 3, 2026

The lead was 32 at one point.

In today’s college basketball, HOW you win is more important than ever. UNC leading by 32 with 10 minutes to go only to end up winning by 10 is inexcusable.

— Andrew Forrest (@Andrew_Forrest1) February 3, 2026

Discounted pizza to brighten the near-scare

Orange you glad we won? 😏

Thanks to @UNC_Basketball's win over Syracuse, use promo code “GOHEELS” for 50% off online orders on Tuesday, February 3rd, at participating NC Domino’s! Details: https://t.co/x3j7x5iryW#GoHeels x @dominospic.twitter.com/Y0h4ma0LNf

— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) February 3, 2026

Will UNC be ready for Duke?

boys look ready for saturday

— aidan (@xlilglo) February 3, 2026

Was the Syracuse run a Hubert Davis issue?

Why does a coach sit/stand/watch a 35-10 run❓ CALL A TO‼️ Up 27 team starts looking at Saturday.

He better not do this foolishness Saturday.

— Pastor Katrena Johnson (@PastorJtheAKA) February 3, 2026

Disgust about the ending

We were up 32 and this happened ? wtf was that

— HubertsBurner (@UNCballTalk) February 3, 2026

Cool it with the betting talk...

spread was -10.5 btw, absolutely inexcusable to blow a 32 point lead

— Bill’s Burner (@CoachBeligoat) February 3, 2026

A concerning ending?

I’m just going for pretend the last 10 minutes didn’t happen

— William McCallister (@WilliamMcCall_) February 3, 2026

Marquise Williams said it best!

Man this team better come to play Saturday!

— Marquise Williams (@1MjWilliams2) February 3, 2026

Being content with a UNC lead...not a thing

Everyone gets mad at me for never being content with a lead.

UNC didn’t cover an -11.5 point spread after being up 32 in the second half.

— Duke (@HeelCalledDuke) February 3, 2026

Will the near-collapse affect NCAA Tournament seeding?

Key phrase ‘up to this point’.

Just brutal 10 mins from UNC for the numbers that matter in seeding. https://t.co/hR1oS4XCG9

— Tommy Ashley (@TAshleyIC) February 3, 2026

Blown leads can't happen.

Carolina done pissed me off! How tf you blow a THIRTY POINT LEAD?! Wtf

— M (@aKISSfromMars) February 3, 2026

Barely...a win is a win though

No. 14 North Carolina hangs on to beat Syracuse in Chapel Hill 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lDPAvnWNkl

— ESPN (@espn) February 3, 2026

Postgame thoughts

Initial UNC/Syracuse thoughts:

-that’s obviously NOT how you want to “close” out a game. Gives HD & the staff more reason to be on them in practice
-that 40/11 run is as good of basketball as this team has played all season long
-Caleb Wilson had 23 & 9 but felt limited in the…

— Josh "Fitty" Marlow (@HTB_Josh) February 3, 2026

Needed momentum going into Duke game

North Carolina will take a four-game winning streak into Saturday's game against Duke in Chapel Hill.

Hubert Davis has gotten the Tar Heels back on track after back-to-back losses at Stanford and Cal.

49 points off the bench for Luka Bogavac in his last four games.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 3, 2026

Again, this final had NOTHING to do with betting

We were up 32 with 10 to play, the spread closed at -10.5 UNC. Somehow we only win by 10😭 point shaving 1000% exist https://t.co/Jjunpk3orv

— HubertsBurner (@UNCballTalk) February 3, 2026

Can I get another...

HEEL YEAH!! pic.twitter.com/MMY54nuSBo

— melissa #DuckFook #GoHeels kelly nielsen (@ratherbrunnin) February 3, 2026

Are blown leads a recurring theme under Hubert Davis?

We do this every time we build up a huge lead. EVERY TIME. Not to this extreme, but I’ve lost track of how may times I’ve seen a Hubert Davis team take its foot off the gas and almost blow it as a result. If this doesn’t change our approach to games like this, nothing ever will

— tennis man (Currently at Rabbit House) 🐏🐰 (@tennis__man_) February 3, 2026

Being upset is a valid reaction

I cant believe i am this mad about an end to end win, but those last couple minutes are insane.

— Myroslav Holodynskyi (@MyrOsLove) February 3, 2026

General Wilson, it's good to hear from you!

Dearest Mother,

We were met with little resistance from the Orange and beat them to a pulp. With the win secured, my full attention shifts to my forthcoming dance with the devil. Soon I look forward to etching my name into the history books like Gen. Hansborough.

Eager,
Gen. CW

— General Caleb S. Wilson (@general_caleb_w) February 3, 2026

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Social media reacts to Monday victory vs. Syracuse

The North Carolina Tar Heels are right back on national television Monday night, looking to continue their winning streak against a struggling ACC opponent.

UNC (17-4, 5-3 ACC), winners of three straight, welcomes Syracuse to the Dean Dome for a 7 p.m. tip-off. North Carolina looks to win its fourth straight game and remain undefeated at home, while the visiting Orange (13-9, 4-5 ACC) search for an even .500 mark in ACC play.

The Tar Heels are back in Chapel Hill for the first time since January 21, when they dominated Notre Dame in a 91-69 outing. UNC remains home Saturday, hosting Duke in Round One of the Tobacco Road Rivalry, so any momentum going into that archrivalry showdown is crucial.

As you watch tonight's ACC battle, make sure you're following along here for live updates throughout.

What channel is UNC vs. Syracuse on Monday? Time, TV schedule, radio

TV Channel: ESPN

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 84 and 382)

Website: WatchESPN

Where to watch UNC vs. Syracuse on live stream

Stream UNC vs. Syracuse

UNC vs. Syracuse prediction, picks, odds

North Carolina’s offense has arguably been the ACC’s best since conference play started. In ACC games, the Tar Heels lead the league in scoring offense (84.7 points per game), field goal percentage (49.2 percent) and effective field goal percentage (56.4 percent). They are also fifth in 3-point shooting at 34.7 percent.

Despite perimeter defense still being an issue, the Tar Heels have become a much better defensive unit than they were at the start of ACC play. They have forced 25 turnovers in their last two games, scoring 37 points off them.

While the Orange have averaged a little more than 77 points per game, they do not have the offensive firepower of some of the other programs UNC has faced in conference play, though they can score enough to stay in it. However, UNC’s backcourt play has improved significantly over the last few games, and that will be the reason Carolina wins its fourth straight game.

Score prediction: UNC 85, Syracuse 70

Spread: UNC -11.5

Total: 156.5

Moneyline: UNC -650, Syracuse +470

UNC basketball 2025-26 schedule

October 4: Blue-White Scrimmage (White 55, Blue 50)

Oct. 24: at BYU (preseason, L 78-76)

Oct. 29: vs. Winston-Salem State (preseason, W 95-53)

Nov. 3: vs. Central Arkansas (W, 94-54)

Nov. 7: vs. Kansas (W, 87-74)

Nov. 11: vs. Radford (W, 89-74)

Nov. 14: vs. NC Central (W, 97-53)

Nov. 18: vs. Navy (W, 73-61)

Nov. 25: vs. St. Bonaventure in Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off (W, 85-70)

Nov. 27: vs. Michigan State in Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off (L, 74-58)

December 2: at Kentucky (W, 67-64)

Dec. 7: vs. Georgetown (W, 81-61)

Dec. 13: vs. USC Upstate (W, 80-62)

Dec. 16: vs. ETSU (W, 77-58)

Dec. 20: vs. Ohio State in CBS Sports Classic (W, 71-70)

Dec. 22: vs. East Carolina  (W, 99-51)

Dec. 30: vs. Florida State (W 79-66)

January 3, 2026: at SMU (L 97-83)

Jan. 10, 2026: vs. Wake Forest (W 87-84)

Jan. 14, 2026: at Stanford (9 p.m.) (L 95-90)

Jan. 17, 2026: at California (L 84-78)

Jan. 21, 2026: vs. Notre Dame (W 91-69)

Jan. 24, 2026: at Virginia (W 85-80)

Jan. 31, 2026: at Georgia Tech (W 91-75)

Feb. 2, 2026: vs. Syracuse (7 p.m.)

Feb. 7, 2026: vs. Duke (6:30 p.m.)

Feb. 10, 2026: at Miami (FL) (7 p.m.)

Feb. 14, 2026: vs. Pitt (2 p.m.)

Feb. 17, 2026: at NC State (7 p.m.)

Feb. 21, 2026: at Syracuse (1 p.m.)

Feb. 23, 2026: vs. Louisville (7 p.m.)

Feb. 28, 2026: vs. Virginia Tech (TBA)

March 3, 2026: vs. Clemson (7 p.m.)

March 7, 2026: at Duke (6:30 p.m.)

March 10-14, 2026: ACC Tournament in Spectrum Center (Charlotte, N.C.)

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Live blog, updates for Monday night game vs. Syracuse

Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. has officially made the Midseason Top 10 list for the Bob Cousy Award.

Philon has been nothing short of elite throughout the 2025-26 campaign. Philon currently averages a team high 21.6 points per game on 51% shooting, as the talented guard has played a crucial role on the offensive end of the floor for the Tide this season.

Philon was ranked as the No. 4 point guard and the No. 35 overall player from the 2024 class, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. A former four-star recruit, Philon was a highly coveted prospect prior to committing to Alabama, as the playmaker received a multitude of offers from numerous programs around the country. 

An Alabama native, Philon has been widely regarded as one of the top players in all of college basketball this year, as the guard now finds himself Midseason Top 10 List for the Bob Cousy Award as a result.

Midseason Top 10 List for the Bob Cousy Award. pic.twitter.com/auTdUt9uhY

— Alabama Men’s Basketball (@AlabamaMBB) February 2, 2026

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama guard Labaron Philon named to Bob Cousy Award midseason Top 10

For the third consecutive year, a future North Carolina player will take part in the McDonald’s All American Game.

UNC signee Maximo Adams has been named to the West roster for high school basketball’s most prominent postseason showcase, one of the sport’s top individual honors. The rosters were unveiled Monday on ESPN2. The game is scheduled for March 31 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

The McDonald's All American game boys rosters are out 🔥

Which coast is the best coast? 👀 pic.twitter.com/gKnthhiudc

— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) February 2, 2026

Adams committed to North Carolina on Nov. 14, 2025, picking the Tar Heels over Texas, Michigan State and Kentucky. His offer sheet also featured Alabama, BYU, Duke, Kansas, Houston, Illinois and Oregon.

Before announcing his decision, Adams took visits to all four of his finalists and made an additional trip to Kansas in September. He is ranked the No. 25 overall prospect, the No. 11 small forward and the No. 6 player in California in the 2026 class, according to recruiting services.

Adams’ national profile climbed after a standout run at Peach Jam last summer, where he averaged 18.8 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range. Evaluators view him as especially dangerous on catch-and-shoot attempts and pull-up jumpers. His shot is often described as smooth, and he is considered an efficient mover in transition.

For the third consecutive year, a future North Carolina player will take part in the McDonald’s All American Game.

UNC signee Maximo Adams has been named to the West roster for high school basketball’s most prominent postseason showcase, one of the sport’s top individual honors. The rosters were unveiled Monday on ESPN2. The game is scheduled for March 31 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

Adams committed to North Carolina on Nov. 14, 2025, picking the Tar Heels over Texas, Michigan State and Kentucky. His offer sheet also featured Alabama, BYU, Duke, Kansas, Houston, Illinois and Oregon.

Before announcing his decision, Adams took visits to all four of his finalists and made an additional trip to Kansas in September. He is ranked the No. 25 overall prospect, the No. 11 small forward and the No. 6 player in California in the 2026 class, according to recruiting services.

Adams’ national profile climbed after a standout run at Peach Jam last summer, where he averaged 18.8 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range. Evaluators view him as especially dangerous on catch-and-shoot attempts and pull-up jumpers. His shot is often described as smooth, and he is considered an efficient mover in transition.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Maximo Adams selected to McDonald’s All American Game

Two Alabama players have been projected to be drafted in the first round of the 2026 NBA draft, per the latest mock from USA TODAY Sports' Bryan Kalbrosky.

Labaron Philon Jr. and star freshman forward Amari Allen are both projected as Top 30 picks, per Kalbrosky, as each player has continued to turn heads throughout the college basketball world in 2026.

An Alabama native, Philon currently averages an impressive 22 points and 5.1 assists per game. The star guard is mocked to the No. 11 overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, per Kalbrosky, as the sophomore continues to impress throughout his time in Tuscaloosa.

Allen is mocked at the No. 28 overall pick, as Kalbrosky projects the talented forward to be selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Allen currently averages 11.7 points and a team high 7.8 rebounds per game, as the rising star has played a crucial role on both ends of the floor for the Tide throughout the 2025-26 campaign.

Both Philon and Allen are extremely talented players that could quickly begin to thrive on the professional level, as the Tide will more than likely continue to turn to both playmakers throughout the season.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Labaron Philon, Amari Allen projected in latest 2026 NBA mock draft

The Colorado Buffaloes and Deion Sanders added a 17th freshman commit Monday morning with three-star wide receiver Jacob Swain announcing his pledge to the Buffs.

Swain is fresh off a visit to Boulder and obviously was impressed enough to commit two days before national signing day. A former Rice commit, Swain chose the Buffs over 20 other schools, including San Diego State, Navy, Army, Air Force, and Virginia Tech, among several others.

The 6-foot-1 talent is the No. 392 wide receiver and No. 354 player from the state of Texas per Rivals Industry Ranking. He is the No. 2,670 player overall.

During his senior season last fall at high school football powerhouse, Mellissa, Swain caught 53 passes for 1,184 yards and 17 touchdowns. He becomes the third receiver in the Buffaloes 2026 class, joining three-star Xavier McDonald and IMG Academy three-star Christian Ward.

The commitment brings Colorado's class to No. 51 overall, thanks mainly to the No. 23-ranked transfer portal class.

#SkoBuffs🦬 https://t.co/FVfgZch2U3

— Jacob Swain (@Jacob1Swain) February 2, 2026

Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football recruiting WR Jacob Swain commitment

Caitlin Clark has spent plenty of TV time dominating her opponents on the court. With the WNBA in the midst of its offseason, she got to experience a new role on TV as an analyst for NBC Sports.

Clark joined Maria Taylor, Carmelo Anthony, and Reggie Miller for a few segments on "Basketball Night In America" as part of NBC's pregame coverage for a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks on "Sunday Night Basketball."

Clark joked around with Miller, talked about the WNBA'S collective bargaining negotiations and seemed to be a natural fit on the panel.

Fans on social media had a blast seeing Clark take on a new role in the basketball world, with many thinking she could make a career out of it after her on-court career ends.

Social media loved Clark's NBC appearance

"I'm the 3rd-best shooter in the state of Indiana now."

Reggie Miller passes the torch to @CaitlinClark22 and @Hali 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Y4DDpFnDWE

— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2026

Caitlin Clark shined bright in her @NBA broadcast debut 🤩🎤 pic.twitter.com/9rOagsbJ46

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) February 2, 2026

Would love for @NBCSports to get Caitlin Clark & Aliyah Boston on the desk together for a hoops game

— AngelaY (@angelayoho1) February 2, 2026

I’ve seen enough. Caitlin Clark is going to be fantastic on TV when she’s done playing

— RyanK (@RyanKeilman) February 1, 2026

I wish Caitlin Clark was on NBC for the whole game

— Shraddha (@ShraddhaCC) February 1, 2026

It's just so refreshing to see Caitlin Clark again. And it soothes my soul to hear her voice. The world is healing. #CaitlinClark

— Perfect Baysanity (Fan Account/Commentary) (@PerfctBaysanity) February 1, 2026

Caitlin Clark was quite good on the NBC pregame desk

She also deserves major credit for not erupting at Reggie Miller saying the NBA comp for her game is Payton Pritchard

— Trenton Jocz (@TrentonJocz) February 2, 2026

Seeing Reggie Miller and Caitlin Clark together on a broadcast team is pretty awesome

— Seth Johnson (@sethvthem) February 1, 2026

Idc I love to hear Caitlin Clark talk

— Aysha Harris (@KOBEANA_24) February 1, 2026

Caitlin Clark has a good career behind the mic but has a long long time til we get to that point!

— Spencer Ohl (@spencerohl10) February 1, 2026

Caitlin Clark actually a good analyst icl

— fun_damental (@sleepyjoe1111) February 1, 2026

Caitlin Clark is a natural on television, really good!

— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) February 1, 2026

Great appearance from Caitlin Clark on NBC .

— Yola. (@The1_Nay) February 2, 2026

Caitlin Clark had me watching nbc pregame 😂

— Sabri H (@Sabri01H) February 2, 2026

Thought Caitlin Clark was excellent on @NBAonNBC pre-game tonight. Great ambassador for her sport, and women’s sports in general.

— iansohn (@IanSohn) February 1, 2026

Caitlin Clark is doing a great job. Eloquent, knowledgeable, confident, poised, polished, great energy. Listening to her dissect Luka Doncic’s game was a treat.

— AriesRising (@ariesfusion) February 1, 2026

Watching the Knicks/Lakers pregame. Have to say, when she retires, I think Caitlin Clark has a future in broadcasting.

— Gordon Tallman (@TallmanGordon) February 1, 2026

Bruhhhh Caitlin Clark could retire and be a commentator. She’s legit on the mic

— Kobe Bean (@DaveTheWaveLA) February 1, 2026

Dang, Caitlin Clark is great on the floor and way-too-comfortable on the NBA pregame show. She's very good.

Great call by NBC bringing her on tonight.

— Langston Wertz Jr. (@langstonwertzjr) February 1, 2026

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Social media raves about Caitlin Clark's NBC NBA TV analyst debut

Michigan State basketball has dropped a few spots in the latest Associated Press (AP) Top 25 rankings following a home rivalry loss to Michigan last week.

The Spartans slid down three spots to No. 10 in the latest AP poll that was released on Monday. Michigan State went 1-1 last week, which included an overtime comeback win over Rutgers on Tuesday and a double-digit home loss to Michigan on Friday.

A total of five Big Ten teams were included in the AP poll this week, with again all of them listed in the top 12. Michigan led the way at No. 2, with Illinois next up at No. 5. The Cornerhuskers were one spot ahead of the Spartans at No. 9 and Purdue remained No. 12.

Michigan State is 19-3 overall and 9-2 in Big Ten play this season. The Spartans will next take the floor on Wednesday against Minnesota.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State basketball drops few spots, remains in top 10 of AP rankings

The Alabama Crimson Tide are back on the move in the latest men's college basketball AP Poll Top 25.

After a mixed week of results, Alabama has officially dropped out of the AP Poll entirely in the latest update Monday, which is the first time this season the Crimson Tide are unranked. Alabama received the second-most total votes of any unranked team with 48, sitting behind only Texas A&M at 83.

This past week, previously ranked No. 23 Alabama played a pair of SEC games, starting with an impressive 90-64 home win over Missouri on Tuesday night. Following the home win, Alabama would not return to action until Sunday afternoon where the exact opposite occurred in Gainesville with a 100-77 road loss at defending national champion Florida.

As a result, the Crimson Tide now sit at 14-7 overall (4-4 SEC) entering yet another week of big matchups, the first of which takes place this upcoming Wednesday night against Texas A&M at home. Tipoff for that game is set for 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

The Crimson Tide will also travel to Auburn this upcoming Saturday, Feb. 7 for the latest edition of the Iron Bowl of Basketball. Tipoff from Neville Arena is set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama basketball AP Poll ranking revealed following loss vs. Florida

It’s pretty obvious that Notre Dame football was going to have at least one NFL draft first-round pick in running back Jeremiyah Love, but that looks to have changed.

Another has emerged after a huge Senior Bowl week in wide receiver Malachi Fields. He impressed during practices and then on Monday, ESPN’s Matt Miller has him as the last pick of his first-round mock, No. 32, going to the Seattle Seahawks.

He called Fields “one of the biggest winners at the Senior bowl” noting that his time in South Bend coupled with the last week pushed in up draft boards. Miller believes that Seattle would love to pair him with superstar Jaxon Smith-Njigba, giving them a big outside threat alongside their top offensive player.

Love is expected to go higher according to Miller, at pick No. 8 to the New Orleans Saints. Most of the previous rumors had him going a pick lower to the Kansas City Chiefs, but his No. 1 player on the board would land in a great spot with either team. Love is compared to star Bijan Robinson, as he can be a “threat in the run and passing game.”

Miller’s mock spans the first two rounds, and he’s got running back Jadarian Price going No. 59 overall to the Houston Texans. He noted that he’s got “starting NFL traits” which means we could see him having an early impact.

Early on it very much looked like Notre Dame would see just one player getting their name called during the draft’s first-round, but with Fields recent emergence, it’s looking like the Irish will have a pair taken early and a third coming off in the second-round.

Mock Draft Monday.

Two full rounds to kick off draft season. https://t.co/3Jn4uDIq83

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 2, 2026

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Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame is now projected to have two NFL first-round picks by ESPN

Florida basketball's brutal home loss to the Auburn Tigers two weeks ago is well in the rearview mirror after a pair of superlative performances — a 47-point beatdown of the South Carolina Gamecocks on the road, followed by an epic victory in the O'Dome against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

As a result of the Gators' plus-70 margin of victory over the last two games, Todd Golden finds his team up five spots in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll at No. 16. That puts the Orange and Blue between the No. 15 Vanderbilt Commodores and No. 17 Virginia Cavaliers.

That kick in the pants at home appears to have given Florida a wake-up call, and now the Gators have put the rest of the SEC — and college basketball — on notice with nine games remaining on the regular-season schedule.

SEC schools in Coaches Poll top 25 after Week 13

The Southeastern Conference once again has only four member schools in this week's poll, with Vanderbilt hanging onto their league-high No. 15 ranking. Florida is right behind them at No. 16, followed by the Arkansas Razorbacks, who fell five spots to No. 21, and the Texas A&M Aggies, who entered the rankings for the first time this season at No. 25.

Alabama fell out of the top 25, and now follows the de facto No. 27 Tennessee Volunteers (55 votes) with 15 votes. The Kentucky Wildcats continue to cling to their nine votes while the Georgia Bulldogs earned a pair this week.

USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll top 25 after Week 13

Schools Dropped Out

No. 23 Alabama; No. 25 Iowa

Others Receiving Votes

Iowa 52; Tennessee 50; UCF 15; Alabama 15; Villanova 13; Kentucky 9; North Carolina State 4; Utah State 2; Georgia 2; Saint Mary's 1

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.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll ranking up after win

The North Carolina Tar Heels had just one game this past week, taking care of business on Saturday by beating Georgia Tech on the road. That extended the win streak to three games as they enter a very important week.

North Carolina will have a quick turnaround as they face off against Syracuse on Monday night and then host the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday. With both games at home, the Tar Heels need to take advantage and get two big wins.

When they do take the court on Monday, they will do so as the No. 18 team in the country.

North Carolina stayed put at No. 18 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll that was released on Monday afternoon. With just the one game, the Tar Heels weren't able to move up but they have a big opportunity to do so this week.

Duke checked in at No. 4 as the top 4 didn't change at all.

Below is the full top 25:

Schools Dropped Out

No. 23 Alabama; No. 25 Iowa;

Others Receiving Votes

Iowa 52; Tennessee 50; UCF 15; Alabama 15; Villanova 13; Kentucky 9; North Carolina State 4; Utah State 2; Georgia 2; Saint Mary's 1;

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Tar Heels stay put in USA TODAY Sports coaches poll

Oh boy. If fans wanted the Michigan vs. Michigan State rivalry on the basketball court to get back to where it was during the John Beilein era, then they've got it now. After Friday night's game between Michigan and Michigan State, a game that was ultimately won by the Wolverines, there was quite a bit of back-and-forth on social media about some perceived missed calls, on both sides.

That debate reached a fever pitch on Monday morning, when Michigan head coach Dusty May was asked about a play where Michigan fans feel Jeremy Fears Jr. appeared to trip U of M star Yaxel Lendeborg. "Appeared?" May replied to the question. May would go on to accuse Michigan State of making 'several plays that are very dangerous' throughout the game.

Following Michigan State's practice on Monday, Tom Izzo was asked about May's comments, and he was very fired up in his response back, as reported by Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press:

"I thought there were a couple of plays the other way, too... Michigan's over, I'm moving on to Minnesota...I don't care what Dusty says."

"If anyone did anything dirty, tell him to call me."

"I think there were some question mark calls. I think there were some question mark things that went both ways. Remember this: Whether I hug & kiss Dusty or he hugs and kisses me, we got beat by a better team."

Izzo also noted that he felt like Jeremy Fears and Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau were going at each other equally throughout the game.

That's one way to reignite a rivalry.

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.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Tom Izzo responds to Dusty May's accusations about 'dangerous' plays

Former Alabama star Keon Ellis has officially been traded by the Sacramento Kings to the Cleveland Cavaliers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Ellis was nothing short of elite throughout his time with the Crimson Tide, with the star playmaker averaging 5.6 points and 1.3 rebounds as a member of the Kings so far this season. Ellis could quickly begin to thrive with an increased role in Cleveland, as the guard’s time in Sacramento has officially come to an end after four seasons.

At 6’4”, 175 pounds, Ellis is an extremely talented player that has made a legitimate impact on the defensive end of the floor, as the playmaker will now turn his full attention towards the Cavaliers.

Ellis played a crucial role in Alabama’s backcourt from 2020-22. The star player averaged 12.1 points and 1.9 steals per game during his final season with the Tide, as Ellis has made a significant impact on both ends of the floor with the Kings throughout his time in Sacramento.

The move comes just days before the NBA's trade deadline, which is set for this Thursday, Feb. 5.

BREAKING: The Cleveland Cavaliers are trading De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, sources tell ESPN. The three-team deal includes the Chicago Bulls acquiring Kings forward Dario Saric and two future second-round picks. pic.twitter.com/Hoc6bP0hhj

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2026

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Sacramento Kings trade guard Keon Ellis to Cleveland Cavaliers

It was a California road trip to forget for Jan Jensen and the Iowa women's basketball team.

On Thursday, the Hawkeyes lost to USC 81-69, a game where the final score doesn't quite reflect how Iowa played. They returned to action on Sunday against No. 2 UCLA, and things didn't go great. The Hawkeyes lost 88-65 to the Bruins, capping off a 0-2 West Coast trip and dropping to 9-2 in Big Ten play.

It wasn't all bad for Iowa on Sunday, but there are definitely some things that Jensen and the coaching staff will want to clean up before a home game with Minnesota on Thursday. Here are the biggest takeaways from Iowa's tough road loss to UCLA.

Iowa had no answers for UCLA in the paint

The Bruins only made six 3-pointers in Sunday's game and still won by 23 points. They did so by dominating the Hawks in the paint. UCLA had an astounding 56 points in the paint, outscoring Iowa by 30 in that facet of the game. They were led by National Player of the Year candidate Lauren Betts, who had 16 points, and Angela Dugali off the bench, who scored 22 points.

UCLA has done this to opponents all season long, so it's no knock on the Hawkeyes specifically that they couldn't stop them in the paint. But, this has been an issue for Iowa in its losses this season. Iowa State and UConn also had a lot of success in the paint against the Hawks. If you're looking for an area of concern heading into the back half of conference play, this would be it.

Ava Heiden's second-half surge

It was a rough first half for Heiden, who had more fouls (2) than points (0) against a stout Bruin defense. That changed in the second half as Iowa tried to make a run in the game. The sophomore center poured in 19 points in the final 20 minutes of the game. She ended up leading Iowa in scoring, despite not finding the bottom of the bucket for the entire first half.

This was a great sign for Heiden going forward, as she was able to navigate a very tough matchup and foul trouble to put in a good performance. The Hawkeyes will need this kind of performance from Heiden throughout the rest of conference play and into the NCAA Tournament if they want to make a run.

Turnovers were costly

Iowa turned the ball over 19 times on Sunday, which led to 18 points for the Bruins. Many of those turnovers were unforced and killed any momentum that the Hawkeyes were trying to build. It's already hard enough to beat UCLA as is, but that task becomes nearly impossible when the turnovers pile up.

The Hawkeyes were averaging around 15 turnovers per game entering Sunday, a number that will unfortunately go up. It's not easy, but Jensen's team needs to clean up a few of those silly, unforced turnovers that happened against UCLA. If Iowa wants to compete in the upper echelon of women's college basketball this season, those turnover numbers need to improve.

The sky isn't falling

It's going to be easy to let overreactions fly following a subpar California road trip, but some nuance is necessary here. The timezone shift and long flight are big deals, which no doubt played a role in Iowa's slow start against the Trojans on Thursday. UCLA is one of the best teams in the entire country and has blown out almost every single team on its schedule this season.

While it's certainly disappointing to come home with a pair of losses, the sky isn't falling for Iowa this season. Don't forget, this is a team that had won three games in one week against top-15 opponents not long ago. They're a talented, but young and inexperienced group that will go through plenty of ups and downs this season. They're in a lull now, but people would be foolish to count this team out.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Takeaways as Iowa women's basketball drops lopsided game vs. UCLA

Yesterday, we talked about the likely “anchor” for the Texas defense in 2026, Ian Geffrard. Zion Williams is the other body added to the DL but he brings some more athleticism but similar size to the table. The rising sophomore is 6’4”. 360lbs, but has the athleticism to play more of a true defensive tackle position rather than nose tackle. Williams is more of a product, but could be a true difference maker for the Longhorns for years to come.  

2025 Stats: Played in 5 games, didn’t record a stat, #42 player in Texas(Class of 2025)

BREAKING: LSU transfer DL Zion Williams has Committed to Texas, he tells @On3Sports

“I’m home, Hook ‘Em!”https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhSpic.twitter.com/MkWPZC9U2M

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 8, 2026

The defensive line for Texas is one of the stronger positions on the team as far as I’m concerned. Between Hero Kanu, Alex January and Justus Terry, they have three difference makers at defensive tackle. Ian Geffrard and Maraad Watson or Josiah Sharma holding down the nose tackle position, then Colin Simmons, Lance Jackson and Zina Umeozulu among others rushing the passer. It’s a deep, talented group. It’s unlikely Williams cracks the rotation early but if he does, it’s clear he’s wowed the staff. 

2025 Lufkin (Texas) DT and Longhorns priority Zion Williams getting after it at @Lufkinfootball practice. Our @EricNahlin is in attendance in #bEASTtexas@On3Recruits profile: https://t.co/fBcOWWGkPWpic.twitter.com/cAAOqf7ndr

— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) May 6, 2024

This is an addition that could be a difference maker in 2027 and moving forward. Williams is someone Texas was pursuing very aggressively out of high school and nothing has changed. In the Muschamp defense, he can develop into a true defensive tackle and be a nightmare for SEC OLs moving forward. As he refines his ability and possibly leans out some, this could be a massive pickup for the Longhorns. 

Williams might not be a massive difference maker in 2026, but the guy we are going to talk about tomorrow definitely will be. Bo Mascoe was the sole addition to the secondary from the portal and I believe it’s going to be a difference maker in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Football transfer profile: LSU DT Zion Williams

The Oklahoma Sooners will be looking for a new cornerbacks coach. Jay Valai, who'd been a target of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in recent days, was also connected to the Buffalo Bills. According to a report from Adam Schefter, Valai will be heading to the NFL as part of new head coach Joe Brady's staff.

Valai will reunite with a former teammate and new Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard as their cornerbacks coach.

Valai joined the Oklahoma Sooners after Brent Venables was hired as the head coach. In the early days of his tenure, the cornerback room saw some turnover and was reliant on the transfer portal. But over the last two years, Valai has had a pair of players earn freshman All-American honors with Eli Bowen (2024) and Courtland Guillory (2025) experiencing breakout campaigns as true freshmen.

The Oklahoma Sooners have experienced great stability on their coaching staff over the years, but will need to find a new cornerbacks coach to join Venables' staff. After a 10-2 season and a College Football Playoff appearance, the Sooners should be able to attract quality candidates for the job.

More help in Buffalo:

🏈Giants inside LB coach John Egorugwu is returning to the Bills to do the same job for Buffalo, where he worked from 2018-2020.

🏈Bills also are hiring Oklahoma’s assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator Jay Valai as their cornerbacks coach.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 2, 2026

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma cornerbacks coach Jay Valai joining Buffalo Bills

Super Bowl LX will be contested Feb. 8 between AFC champion New England and NFC champion Seattle. Kickoff between the Seahawks and Patriots is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. NBC will televise the matchup.

Ahead of Super Bowl LX, the top 30 draft positions have been determined.

Las Vegas (1), the Jets (2), Arizona (3), Tennessee (4), the Giants (5), Cleveland (6), Washington (7), New Orleans (8), Kansas City (9), Cincinnati (10), Miami (11), Dallas (12), the Rams (13), Baltimore (14), Tampa Bay (15), the Jets (16), Detroit (17) and Minnesota (18), Carolina (19), Dallas (20), Pittsburgh (21), the Chargers (22), Philadelphia (23) and Cleveland (24), Chicago (25), Buffalo (26), San Francisco (27), Houston (28), the Rams (29) and Denver (30) make up the top 30 picks in the first round.

The NFL draft will be held April 23–25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while the NFL scouting combine will take place Feb. 23–March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ahead of Super Bowl LX, Eric Edholm of NFL.com released a mock draft for the first round. He projects two former Tennessee cornerbacks to be selected in the first round: Jermod McCoy to Tampa Bay (No. 15) and Colton Hood to Philadelphia (No. 23).

More: Former Vols advance to Super Bowl LX

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Latest 2026 NFL draft projections for former Vols

Texas A&M (17-4, 7-1 SEC) remains one of the hottest teams in the country, and sits atop the SEC after defeating Georgia 92-77 on the road, earning its third straight blowout in conference play, and outside of posessing size along the front line, senior forward Rashaun Agee continues to dominate in the paint, recording his tenth double-double of the season with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists.

The road ahead is tough: a Wednesday road game against Alabama, followed by a massive home test against red-hot Florida on Saturday night in Reed Arena. Coupled with Missouri at home and Vanderbilt on the road, two more wins likely solidify Texas A&M as an NCAA Tournament team, which would take "Bucky Ball" to the postseason for just the second time in first-year head coach Bucky McMillan's college coaching career.

Entering the new week, Texas A&M should be ranked in the US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 by this time on Monday, and even if the Aggies enter the national conversation for the first time this season, they won't be a favorite on the road, and will still enter Saturday as an underdog against Florida, simply based on the size differential in the front court.

Last week, ESPN's FPI predictor revealed that the Aggies were favored to win just one game against Missouri, and after defeating Georgia on the road, these predictions remain the same for the next four games, including three Quad 1 matchups.

• Texas A&M (30.0%) at Alabama (70.0%)
• Florida (56%) at Texas A&M (44%)
• Missouri (21.7%) at Texas A&M (78.3%)
• Texas A&M (28.1%) at Vanderbilt (71.9%)

Even after Florida blew out Alabama 100-77 on Sunday, ESPN increased the Crimson Tide's chances to defeat the Aggies, while Texas A&M is still only favored to defeat Missouri at home, and given less of a shot at pulling off the upset over Vanderbilt in Nashville.

Bucky McMillan's transfer portal-filled roster has continued to defy expectations and has taken every challenge head-on, a trend that will continue on Wednesday against Alabama.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: ESPN FPI predicts Texas A&M basketball's next four SEC games

STILLWATER — It’s the middle of basketball and wrestling season at Oklahoma State, with the football transfer portal just cooling down, and spring sports starting to warm up.

Yet for a couple days last week, the Oklahoma State hockey club had all the buzz on social media after a Barstool Sports hockey podcast and College Hockey News posted reports discussing a $200 million arena and a move to the NCAA Division I level.

The OSU club team has generated a good amount of excitement with its impressive season — most recently with a pair of wins at Penn State — and got a unique bit of attention when former OSU football coach Mike Gundy made a video promoting their Bedlam game at the BOK Center in Tulsa in late February.

However, talks of a multi-million-dollar arena or a move to DI vary in range from premature to extremely unlikely.

Let’s take a look at some important details:

More: Kenny Gajewski on path to fixing Oklahoma State softball missteps thanks to one long walk

What does OSU athletic director Chad Weiberg say about OSU hockey?

Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg is appreciative of the work done by the hockey club to raise its profile, but his comments suggest there’s little room to maneuver toward a DI jump, based primarily on the financial state of college athletics at this point.

“It is impressive to see what the OSU hockey club has done over the last few years,” Weiberg told The Oklahoman. ”They've created a great organization with significant backing and have become one of the best club teams in the country. The club is committed to adding value to OSU, not taking from existing resources, which I appreciate. The athletic department and the hockey club share a desire to innovate and to help propel the university into the future.”

OSU athletics operated at a loss of roughly $5.2 million for the 2025 fiscal year, which suggests the university is not in position to add a non-revenue varsity sport. Adding a men’s sport like hockey would also raise some Title IX equality issues that would have to be addressed. As a club team, OSU Athletics does not oversee the hockey program.

Even with a large donation up front to start the program, the longevity of such an endeavor would still be costly.

More: Oklahoma State wrestling rides Casey Swiderski's emotion in upset of Iowa State

😍
Initial OK State Hockey Arena renderings by: Mcanear Architecture posted on their Instagram! https://t.co/9RAMRzJ3kSpic.twitter.com/3R56sNjCtD

— College Puck NXT (@CollegePuckNXT) January 28, 2026

Are arena renderings real?

Images were posted by various social media accounts showing renderings from “McAnear Architecture" which belongs to OSU student Braden McAnear. Both his website and his Instagram account have posts of the renderings he created in collaboration with fellow student Lakin Osmus, specifically detailing them as “part of a student design opportunity.”

The Instagram post also states that the renderings “represent a conceptual vision for what a future ice hockey arena could be. They are not official designs or commissioned renders.”

So, yes, the renderings are real, but they were not created as part of any actual plans by anyone to build an arena.

More: Which Oklahoma State football players returning from 2025 could make impact?

What’s next for OSU hockey?

OSU hockey has established itself in a prominent place nationally among club teams and has relevant financial backing to attract players and build a strong schedule. 

The club has won six straight games and is scheduled to play a pair of games at Tennessee on Feb. 6-7. 

That is followed by games at Nebraska on Feb. 13-14 before ending the month with the aforementioned Bedlam game Feb. 28 in Tulsa.

Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@oklahoman.com or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Sign up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys newsletter to access more OSU coverage. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Will Oklahoma State hockey go NCAA Division I? Chad Weiberg weighs in

The Georgia Bulldogs are among the top five schools for four-star safety recruit Jaylen Scott. Scott, a member of the class of 2027, named the Oklahoma Sooners, Tennessee Volunteers, Miami Hurricanes, Florida State Seminoles and Georgia to his top five. Interestingly, he did not put any in-state schools among his top contenders.

Scott is ranked as the No. 10 safety in the rising senior class, per 247Sports. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound safety play high school football for Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama. Scott is the No. 113 recruit in the class of 2027 and the No. 4 prospect in Alabama.

The four-star recruit is coming off a strong junior season with Williamson. He recorded 93 tackles, 13 pass deflections and five interceptions. The elite 2027 recruit also added a lot of value on special teams where he blocked six punts. Scott had a pair of touchdowns during his junior season.

After naming his top five schools, Scott received an offer from the LSU Tigers, who he says is his "dream school" despite them not being in his top schools list. LSU is definitely a school to watch for Scott considering the Tigers' strong history recruiting defensive backs and aggressive recruiting under coach Lane Kiffin.

Georgia is also in the mix for Scott. The Bulldogs are recruiting one of Scott's high school teammates, four-star linebacker Ellis McGaskin, who recently decommitted from Notre Dame.

Jaylen Scott names his top schools

🚨NEWS🚨 4-star safety Jaylen Scott is down to 5️⃣ schools, @ChadSimmons_ reports.

Read: https://t.co/tpajyTalpxpic.twitter.com/O0Ulg9VPPq

— Rivals (@Rivals) January 30, 2026

Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more college football recruiting coverage!

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: 4-star S Jaylen Scott names his top schools

Nebraska basketball lost to the Illinois Fighting Illini 78-69 in a packed house at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Sunday morning.

This was a game where Nebraska actually led at halftime, 39-33. However, Illinois stormed back and took control of the game in the second half, outscoring the Huskers 45-30, as the home team lost its second game in a row.

If there was a bright spot for Nebraska, it was the play of Braden Frager. He scored 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting and made both free throws. Sam Hoiberg led the game in rebounds with six and assists with six.

The Huskers fall to 20-2 overall and 9-2 in the Big Ten. Illinois improves to 19-3 for the season and 10-1 in conference.

Nebraska returns to the road for its next game, traveling east to face Rutgers on Saturday morning. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on the Big Ten Network.

Nebraska fans everywhere were polarized by the loss, and we picked out some of the best reactions.

Getting the losses out of the way

Another Nebraska men’s basketball loss. Maybe they’re getting these out of the way before March.

— Adam Johnson (@Mr_GCU) February 1, 2026

It has been a rough week indeed

Rough week for Nebraska basketball

— jason (@PacmanJonez) February 1, 2026

Fans still respect the Huskers

The Nebraska basketball storyline arc was always likely to come back to Earth, but I still would not want to see them near my bracket region in March.

— Dennis K Jr (@denniskjr) February 1, 2026

The officiating was in question again

Back to back horrendous officiating for Nebraska basketball this week. Tough breaks but lot of ball left this year.

— Trey (@sVIxman) February 1, 2026

The second half has left a lot to be desired

Nebraska 2nd half basketball been bad past 2 games

— buster / worm (@EazyyBuster) February 1, 2026

The Big Ten is tough

Michigan basketball tough week vs #5 Nebraska and #7 MSU = 2 W's.
Nebraska basketball tough week vs #3 Michigan and #9 Illinois = 2 L's.
This conference is tough and shows you how fast things can change

— RJ Rider (@RJRider5) February 1, 2026

The fans were impressive

Illinois gets revenge on Nebraska in one of the craziest basketball environments i’ve been in a while!
Hats off, these guys are a basketball school now.

— The--Crypt0keeper (@keepNcrypt0) February 1, 2026

TV broadcast

There needs to be more TV flexing for college basketball like we see in football. There’s no reason why Purdue-Maryland should be the CBS game over Illinois-Nebraska.

— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) February 1, 2026

Incredible

Nebraska being good is incredible for college basketball

Pinnacle Bank sounds like the loudest arena I’ve heard all season

— Cole Adams (@coleadamss) February 1, 2026

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Social media reacts to Nebraska's loss to Illinois

Where to watch Beanpot hockey today: Live stream, TV channel, game times for college hockey tournament semifinals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Men's Beanpot is back, featuring four of the top college hockey teams in the Boston area.

Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern will compete in semifinal games on Feb. 2. A consolation game and the championship game will close out the 73rd edition of the tournament on Feb. 9.

Boston University won last year's Beanpot, defeating Harvard and Boston College on the way to the trophy. Can the Terriers capture back-to-back titles?

The Sporting News has all the details on how to watch the 2026 Men's Beanpot.

Where to watch Men's Beanpot hockey today: TV channel, live stream

• TV channel: NESN (local)
• Live stream:Fubo (local), ESPN+ (national)

You can watch the 2026 Men's Beanpot on NESN if you live in the Boston area. Viewers in NESN's area of coverage can also stream games live on Fubo.

Outside of Boston, games will be available to stream on ESPN+.

Catch all your favorite ESPN+ action with ESPN Select! Just download the new ESPN app, sign in with your ESPN account, tap Subscribe to ESPN Select and you're set to stream live sports, originals and more — all in one place.

Men's Beanpot hockey 2026 schedule

Semifinals

Championship round

Men's NCAA hockey rankings (USCHO poll)

1. Michigan
2. Michigan State
3. Western Michigan
4. North Dakota
5. Penn State
6. Quinnipiac
7. Minnesota Duluth
8. Wisconsin
9. Providence
10. Cornell
11. Denver
12. UConn
13. Boston College
14. Dartmouth
15. St. Thomas
16. Augustana
17. Maine
18. Minnesota State
19. Michigan Tech
20. St. Cloud State

Related Links

• Latest NHL news and rumors
• Full NHL schedule, scores for 2025-26
• How to bet on the NHL

Penn State basketball can officially put on in the win column for Big Ten play, and it's thanks to the star player delivering in the clutch.

The Nittany Lions (10-12, 1-10) defeated Minnesota (10-12, 3-8) 77-75 inside the Bryce Jordan Center after freshman point guard Kayden Mingo hits a game-winning layup in traffic with 1.2 seconds remaining to edge out the Golden Gophers.

Mingo finished the game with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Freddie Dilione V led all scorers with 25 pointson 17 shots to go with 5 boards. Josh Reed also scored 18 points while shooting 4-of-5 on 3-pointers.

Kayden Mingo with the game-winner for @PennStateMBB 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fNv0HGIABv

— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) February 1, 2026

"It's relief, without a doubt," head coach Mike Rhoades said after the game. "January wasn't a lot of fun around here. We had stretches of good basketball against good teams, but not not big enough, not experienced enough, not good enough to win.

I'm just happy for the guys because we don't have any BS; our guys are acting the right way. They're being coachable, they care about the right stuff. Todau was a little bit of valued validation that these guys are doing things the right way."

Rhoades mentioned how starting center Ivan Jurić woke up with a 103-degree fever and didn't play, which was on top of Tibor Mirtic and Sasa Ciani being questionable on the availability report before being ruled out.

"As much as it stinks, it is what it is," Rhoades said. "What are you going to do about it? Like we're not canceling the game. That's life sometimes. My dad always told me 'no excuses, figure it out.'

Gues who's back in CBB: Penn State basketball's unlikely reunion with Puff Johnson vs Ohio State

But the third-year head coach coined his trademark "no excuses" mentality when it came to who was available.

"I told the guys we're going to find a way to win today. The staff was awesome. WE had belief. We've played some good basketball, just not good enough to win a 40-miunte game in the Big Ten. Today we found a way to win."

It was also fitting that Mingo was the one to seal the deal for the Nittany Lions, adding to the building lore of the program's highest-rated recruit who wills his team to victory.

"It felt great having all my teammates come up to tme and congratulate me and having their trust and my coaches' trust," Mingo said. "I give all the thanks and glordy to Jesus Christ and my teammates for being there for me and my coaches for instilling confidence in me."

To say the rest of the season is an uphill climb would be an understatement, especially with the program going on the road for a rematch against Michigan in Ann Arbor.

At the very least, however, the weight of potentially going winless is no longer a concern, and the hope is the win gives Penn State basketball the momentum it needs to build on it.

"It's a good sense of relief getting our first win in conference," Dilione said. "We just got to carry it over to the next game and keep the momentum going."

Penn State will take on the Wolverines Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Feb. 8 matinee at home against USC.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State basketball wins on Kayden Mingo game-winner vs. Minnesota

In a season already defined by aggravation and adversity, UW-Milwaukee's 90-88 loss to Cleveland State on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 1, most certainly took the cake.

The Panthers came roaring back from a 12-point deficit midway through the second half to tie the game on a desperation 3-pointer by Josh Dixon with 2.4 seconds remaining, only for all that momentum to fizzle away in the blink of an eye at UWM Panther Arena.

First, Chandler Jackson was called for a foul on the ensuing inbounds play, leading to the eventual game-clinching free throws for the Vikings. Then, Stevie Elam appeared to be fouled on the other end, keeping him from being able to get off a potential tying shot, only for no whistle to be blown.

More frustration. Another loss. And no choice but to accept it and move onto the next one.

"I'm pretty frustrated," said coach Bart Lundy after the game in maybe the understatement of his four-year tenure at UWM, with myriad injuries undercutting what was supposed to be an NCAA Tournament-caliber squad. "Maybe because of the loss. But we gave up 90. They ran a few different things, but the same stuff all game, and it was mistake after mistake after mistake (defensively).

"And that's frustrating. Every time we made a run or we got close we made some mistakes that you just can't make. I think we're playing hard, but we're not playing with any consistency and we're not playing very intelligently.

"And I don't know what we have to do to have them (do that)."

Box score

It appeared as though Cleveland State (9-14, 5-7) was going to run away and hide from UWM (9-15, 5-8 Horizon League) after taking a 66-54 lead with 10 minutes 54 seconds left, only for the Panthers to rattle of 11 of the next 13 points to make it a one-possession game.

Neither team could string together stops defensively from there, with the Panthers scoring on seven straight possessions and the Vikings on six, with a 3-pointer from Josiah Harris with 2:09 remaining making it an 86-80 game.

An Elam three on the other end made it 86-83, then Dayan Nessah hit a pair of free throws to set the stage for the wild final few plays.

The craziness began when, after a long officials' review, Harris was whistled for a flagrant foul for elbowing Dixon in the face following a miss by Jackson. Dixon hit both his free throws, then on the ensuing possession he let loose a sprawling 3-point attempt from the right wing that somehow found the net and make it 88-all.

At that point all the Panthers needed to do was make sure the Vikings didn't somehow get the ball quickly past midcourt for a good look at the basket and reset for overtime.

But after the ball was inbounded to Jaidon Lipscomb some 60 feet away, Jackson committed a foul from behind that seemed to indicate he didn't realize the score was tied at that point.

Replays showed Jackson grabbing his head in disbelief after the fact, and Lipscomb calmly hit both free throws with 1.3 seconds remaining.

"I was blocked. I couldn't see if he fouled or didn't foul," Lundy said. "The staff said that he got beat off the bounce and put two hands on him, so I don't know if it was enough to call a foul.

"Looking at the film I hope I see a lot, because in that situation where all the kid had was a heave it better be a pretty clear foul. Obviously, we wouldn't want to foul in that situation.

"We explained it to them (during the review)."

UWM still had one last gasp and it came in the form of a baseball pass from Jackson on the baseline finding its way to Elam near the opposite free-throw line.

The freshman guard made a terrific leaping attempt to catch the ball with Nessah making contact as he defended, but no foul was called and time expired as the ball bounced out of bounds.

Elam had to be restrained by a teammate on the bench as he shot toward the official, angry about the no-call while the crowd of 2,017 vociferously voiced its collective displeasure at the same time.

"We tried to throw it through Aaron Franklin's hands – kind of a trick play – and have Stevie get it," said Lundy. "Stevie went up and I thought he did kind of get undercut. I'll have to watch the replay to be able to tell."

UWM, which never led, got superlative performances from several players, with Elam finishing with a team- and career-high 21 points keyed by 5-for-12 shooting from beyond the arc.

Dixon finished with 19 points, canning three of four 3-pointers, and Jackson had 14 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.

Franklin, meanwhile, came oh so close to posting the Panthers' first triple-double since BJ Freeman in 2023 with 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in 39 minutes of action.

"That's a guy who missed all of the summer with a serious foot problem, all fall, probably started the season more like our 11th or 12th man," said Lundy. "He's every day in practice. He's given everything he's got. Every play in the games, every scouting report, film session – he's given everything he's got.

"He is a guy that deserves some praise."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Milwaukee comes up short against Cleveland State in a wild finish

In a season already defined by aggravation and adversity, UW-Milwaukee's 90-88 loss to Cleveland State on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 1, most certainly took the cake.

The Panthers came roaring back from a 12-point deficit midway through the second half to tie the game on a desperation 3-pointer by Josh Dixon with 2.4 seconds remaining, only for all that momentum to fizzle away in the blink of an eye at UWM Panther Arena.

First, Chandler Jackson was called for a foul on the ensuing inbounds play, leading to the eventual game-clinching free throws for the Vikings. Then, Stevie Elam appeared to be fouled on the other end, keeping him from being able to get off a potential tying shot, only for no whistle to be blown.

More frustration. Another loss. And no choice but to accept it and move onto the next one.

"I'm pretty frustrated," said coach Bart Lundy after the game in maybe the understatement of his four-year tenure at UWM, with myriad injuries undercutting what was supposed to be an NCAA Tournament-caliber squad. "Maybe because of the loss. But we gave up 90. They ran a few different things, but the same stuff all game, and it was mistake after mistake after mistake (defensively).

"And that's frustrating. Every time we made a run or we got close we made some mistakes that you just can't make. I think we're playing hard, but we're not playing with any consistency and we're not playing very intelligently.

"And I don't know what we have to do to have them (do that)."

Box score

It appeared as though Cleveland State (9-14, 5-7) was going to run away and hide from UWM (9-15, 5-8 Horizon League) after taking a 66-54 lead with 10 minutes 54 seconds left, only for the Panthers to rattle of 11 of the next 13 points to make it a one-possession game.

Neither team could string together stops defensively from there, with the Panthers scoring on seven straight possessions and the Vikings on six, with a 3-pointer from Josiah Harris with 2:09 remaining making it an 86-80 game.

An Elam three on the other end made it 86-83, then Dayan Nessah hit a pair of free throws to set the stage for the wild final few plays.

The craziness began when, after a long officials' review, Harris was whistled for a flagrant foul for elbowing Dixon in the face following a miss by Jackson. Dixon hit both his free throws, then on the ensuing possession he let loose a sprawling 3-point attempt from the right wing that somehow found the net and make it 88-all.

At that point all the Panthers needed to do was make sure the Vikings didn't somehow get the ball quickly past midcourt for a good look at the basket and reset for overtime.

But after the ball was inbounded to Jaidon Lipscomb some 60 feet away, Jackson committed a foul from behind that seemed to indicate he didn't realize the score was tied at that point.

Replays showed Jackson grabbing his head in disbelief after the fact, and Lipscomb calmly hit both free throws with 1.3 seconds remaining.

"I was blocked. I couldn't see if he fouled or didn't foul," Lundy said. "The staff said that he got beat off the bounce and put two hands on him, so I don't know if it was enough to call a foul.

"Looking at the film I hope I see a lot, because in that situation where all the kid had was a heave it better be a pretty clear foul. Obviously, we wouldn't want to foul in that situation.

"We explained it to them (during the review)."

UWM still had one last gasp and it came in the form of a baseball pass from Jackson on the baseline finding its way to Elam near the opposite free-throw line.

The freshman guard made a terrific leaping attempt to catch the ball with Nessah making contact as he defended, but no foul was called and time expired as the ball bounced out of bounds.

Elam had to be restrained by a teammate on the bench as he shot toward the official, angry about the no-call while the crowd of 2,017 vociferously voiced its collective displeasure at the same time.

"We tried to throw it through Aaron Franklin's hands – kind of a trick play – and have Stevie get it," said Lundy. "Stevie went up and I thought he did kind of get undercut. I'll have to watch the replay to be able to tell."

UWM, which never led, got superlative performances from several players, with Elam finishing with a team- and career-high 21 points keyed by 5-for-12 shooting from beyond the arc.

Dixon finished with 19 points, canning three of four 3-pointers, and Jackson had 14 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.

Franklin, meanwhile, came oh so close to posting the Panthers' first triple-double since BJ Freeman in 2023 with 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in 39 minutes of action.

"That's a guy who missed all of the summer with a serious foot problem, all fall, probably started the season more like our 11th or 12th man," said Lundy. "He's every day in practice. He's given everything he's got. Every play in the games, every scouting report, film session – he's given everything he's got.

"He is a guy that deserves some praise."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Milwaukee comes up short against Cleveland State in a wild finish

One popular bracketologist believes Michigan State basketball is a "lock" to reach yet another NCAA Tournament.

While Michigan State is licking their wounds after a disappointing rivalry game loss against rival Michigan on Friday, they are having a fantastic season up to this point in the year. That impressive start of 19-3 overall and 9-2 in Big Ten play has T3Bracketology listing Michigan State as one of only a few schools that are "locks" to go dancing in March.

According to T3Bracketology, only 11 teams have reached lock status -- which essentially means that even if they tank down the stretch, they should still be included in the field of 68 teams with an at-large bid. Michigan State is currently projected as a No. 2 or No. 3 seed on most bracketology posts so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise for them to be considered a lock. But it's still notable as just a few years ago, Michigan State was among the final at-large teams and needing victories late in the season to lock up a spot. So it's definitely nice to be in early February and Michigan State is considered essentially a lock for the NCAA Tournament even if they were to lose out (which, of course, shouldn't happen anyways).

Should Michigan State make the NCAA Tournament, it will be their 28th consecutive appearance -- which is the longest active streak in the country. We still have over a month to go in the regular season, but it surely looks like we'll be seeing some more Spartans March Madness this year.

Click on the post below to see the complete bracketology update and team statuses from T3Bracketology:

Berth Watch - 2/1

More locks! I do not lock until a team has at least 17 wins. Prefer 18-20 now that we've hit February. Just my process.

Left Santa Clara last team in, but you can pick your favorite "bubble out" if you prefer. Point is "bubble". pic.twitter.com/lcnhXNtJ9Q

— T3™️ (@T3Bracketology) February 1, 2026

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU basketball listed as 'lock' to reach NCAA Tournament by analyst

Arizona State women’s basketball hung with Kansas State for the opening 10 minutes. 

The Sun Devils (18-5, 5-5), however, crumbled in the second quarter and were never able to take the lead from there, losing 74-67 to an efficient Wildcats team on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Desert Financial Arena. 

ASU allowed a Nastja Claessens 3-pointer to start the game, but McKinna Brackens stole a pass from Kansas State's Gina Garcia and went coast to coast to ignite an 11-6 run to give the Sun Devils a brief lead.

But KSU (12-11, 5-5) used its 3-point shooting to gain an edge over ASU, with Claessens and Taryn Sides combining to hit 7 of 10 from long range in the contest.

There were a few times when the Sun Devils let it fly, but they were outmatched by the Wildcats’ shooters, who hit 7 of 9 from beyond the arc (77.8%) in the first half. Four players had two or more 3-pointers.

Elliott tried to stimulate the perimeter shooting with three 3-pointers, but Kansas State outshot ASU 60% (12-of-20) to 21.7% (5-of-23) from 3. Elliott’s 18 points and five rebounds complemented Brackens’ 20 points and six rebounds. 

“I don’t know if we’re going to up that (3-point shooting) percentage dramatically in the next month or so, so we’ve got to rely on our defense," coach Molly Miller said. "Sixty-seven (points) should’ve been enough to win this game. We cannot allow this team to score 74 points.

"The defensive stuff, we can improve on. I don’t know if I can magically have a player shoot 5 percent better right now. But the defense is where we have to create our offense.” 

The Sun Devils were disrupting the Wildcats on the defensive end early in the second quarter, but KSU's zone coverage in the post limited Brackens to one point and one shot attempt. The Wildcats eventually found their shots and took an 11-point halftime lead. 

The Sun Devils struggled to find a response after halftime. Instead of coming out with renewed energy, ASU allowed a 14-0 run and went down by as many as 24 points. 

There were glimpses of the ASU team that’s known for its strong late-game finishes. Jyah LoVett and Brackens found the right spots and helped ASU finish the third with a 12-2 run. 

Elliott’s 3-pointer made it a single-digit deficit for the first time since late in the second quarter with 3:28 left in the game, but ASU squandered the opportunity and allowed the Wildcats to counter. 

Both Miller and Brackens said a lack of focus became an issue, especially since the Sun Devils scouted KSU's 3-point shooting. Once ASU allowed a transition 3-pointer for KSU's first points, Miller knew there would be issues.

"I felt like we practiced communication all week and finding each other in transition," Brackens said. "The lack of focus, that's on us."

The Sun Devils will close the homestand with Oklahoma State on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 6:30 p.m. The Cowgirls (18-5, 7-3) defeated Arizona 88-69 in Tucson on Feb. 1.

Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X. 

Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. 

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU women's basketball unable to stop Kansas State

For a stretch on Sunday, Tennessee looked like it had UConn on its heels. But the thing about a team as talented and well-balanced as UConn is that even on its heels, it can find momentum. Heck, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong could probably find momentum in quicksand.

The two combined for 53 points in No. 1 UConn’s 96-66 win over No. 15 Tennessee (14-5, 6-1 in SEC). The pair’s ability to score from anywhere on the floor makes UConn (23-0, 12-0 in Big East) not just a defensive mismatch, but also an unsolvable problem — at least to this point in the season. After all, having either Strong or Fudd could make almost any team a title contender. To have both? Well, that’s UConn for you.

But for UConn to be as dominant as it is — the Huskies just reeled off their 18th-consecutive 25-plus point victory — Fudd and Strong need to be excellent.

“When we go into these kinds of games, we pretty much know that if those two don’t have big games, it’s going to be really hard for us to win,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “Not that we can’t, but it would be really hard for us to win.”

Though Fudd scored the first seven points of the game to indicate a forthcoming rout, the Huskies still managed to hit some quicksand. UConn coughed up a 15-point first-quarter lead and let the Lady Vols tie it up by halftime, and the Huskies turned over the ball nearly as much in the first half as they have in full games this year. Yet with Strong and Fudd, a creeping sense of an inevitable Huskies victory never goes away — the eventual 30-point margin was the largest in the series’ history and was Tennessee’s second-worst loss in program history.

Fudd and Strong combine for 36.5 points per game this season, seamlessly filling the scoring gap left by Paige Bueckers, who was a focal point of last season’s offense. Against their top competition this season — five games against teams that currently rank among the top 15 — the duo averaged 47.8 points a game. Their production against Tennessee marks the second time this season they’ve combined for at least 50 points; their 50 points against Iowa were responsible for another signature victory.

Sarah Strong always shows up 💪

vs. #15 Tennessee:

– 26 points

– 10-18 FG

– 9 rebounds

– 4 assists pic.twitter.com/xYwknsiKGu

— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) February 1, 2026

Azzi HER Fudd

vs. #15 Tennessee:

– 27 points

– 11-17 FG

– 5-8 3FG

– 7 rebounds

– 7 assists

– 4 steals pic.twitter.com/u4VxkqbApS

— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) February 1, 2026

The cast around Fudd and Strong has its moments, too. The energy and defensive prowess of KK Arnold (six steals), the all-around contributions of Ashlynn Shade, transfers Serah Williams and Kayleigh Heckel’s continued growth in UConn’s system and sharpshooter Allie Ziebell — who hit a program-record 10 3-pointers in the Huskies’ previous game and requires constant monitoring on the perimeter — all support the duo. Tennessee looked outmatched for most of the game, and that was even as Blanca Quiñonez, one of the nation’s top freshmen, sat on UConn’s bench with a day-to-day shoulder injury.

For years, the women’s hoops calendar revolved around the UConn-Tennessee matchup. The rivalry helped build and sustain the sport over decades. Today, Fudd said, “it’s not the same as it was back then” when it comes to the circus of the game. But inside those lines, this game still did everything for UConn that games of the past did: It put a mirror up to a UConn team that has national title aspirations.

Auriemma won’t have issues finding faults in that reflection. After Fudd finished three rebounds and three assists short of a triple-double (with four steals and a block), he pointed out that she also had two turnovers. But the uncharacteristic mistakes UConn made in the second quarter when it allowed Tennessee’s defensive speed and pressure to impact its play will resonate more loudly at the Huskies’ practices in Storrs this week than the margin of victory.

“You play these games to be really tested, to find out a little bit of what your team is made of,” Auriemma said. “It’s good that you have to regroup and find yourself.”

UConn found itself on Sunday. It played unselfish basketball in an exclamation point victory. The Huskies have been perfect so far this year, having rough quarters only here and there, and never at a point when or for long enough to hurt them beyond learning a lesson. (UConn’s four-point third quarter in a win against ranked Michigan comes to mind.)

No doubt, when any team in March sees UConn in its path, it will examine these occasional rough patches UConn has experienced. Can Tennessee or Michigan provide a roadmap for future UConn opponents? Can anything be done to slow the Huskies from regrouping and finding their stride?

It’ll be on Auriemma and his staff to plan the reverse. It’ll be on his players to learn from these stretches to find the new version of themselves faster the next time around. To work backward to figure out how to stop issues at the first warning sign. To understand how the yarn started unraveling in the first place. In the rankings, this is another “W,” putting the Huskies one step closer to another undefeated season. But to UConn, it will be a warning sign along the way (and to Auriemma, a close call).

The perennial knock against UConn is that because it plays in the Big East, it doesn’t come up against the night-in, night-out challenges like teams in the SEC or Big Ten. And yet, every SEC and Big Ten opponent on the Huskies’ schedule this year has met the same fate. Even in those games with cold stretches or tough moments, UConn’s UConn-ness was inevitable. The Huskies are appearing to pull away from the field as they go for the first back-to-back women’s basketball national championships since the program’s 2015 and 2016 titles.

For now, UConn remains perfect. It’s a sentence that has been typed a thousand times over the last few decades in women’s hoops. The Huskies’ last loss came 39 games ago in Knoxville last season. Since then, the only thing they’ve lost is the No. 1 WNBA Draft pick. Somehow, with Fudd and Strong leading the charge, this season’s Huskies team might be even more dominant.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Connecticut Huskies, Women's College Basketball

2026 The Athletic Media Company

Auburn Tigers basketball falls to the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville, Saturday, Jan. 31, 77-69. The Tigers' overall is now 14-8 and 5-4 in conference play.

The boards were controlled by the Volunteers; they out-rebounded the Tigers by 16. Auburn came out sluggish in the first half and had to play from behind the rest of the way.

Once again, Keyshawn Hall led the Tigers in scoring even after a slow start to the game. He finished the game with 21 points, shooting 7-of-17 from the field.

So, where does KenPom have the Tigers in their latest statistical rankings heading into the month of February? Well, here is Auburn's ranking according to all of KenPom's major statistical categories.

Overall No. 26

After a loss, the Tigers still sit at the No. 26 slot in KenPom's rankings. Their net rating is +21.80.

Offensive efficiency: No. 13

The Tigers' adjusted offensive efficiency score is 125.3, according to KenPom. This puts Auburn fourth in SEC offensive efficiency.

Defensive efficiency: No. 70

KenPom has Auburn's defense ranked No. 70 and its adjusted defensive efficiency rating at 103.5. This puts the Tigers tenth in the conference.

Adjusted tempo: No. 174

The average possession length for the Tigers on offense if 17.2 seconds, while their average defensive possession also sits at 17.2 seconds. Per game, Auburn has the ball an average of 67.5 times.

Strength of schedule: No. 1

Moving up to the No. 1 spot in KenPom's strength of schedule metric, the Tigers do have some KenPom top-25 teams ahead of them on their schedule this next few-game stretch.

Alabama overview

The next matchup for the Tigers is at home, where the Alabama Crimson Tide comes in next Saturday, Feb. 7. Where does the Tide rank in KenPom's statistical categories? Here is a look at Alabama according to KenPom.

• Overall: No. 16
• Adjusted offensive efficiency: No. 3 (128.1)
• Adjusted defensive efficiency: No. 63 (102.5)
• Adjusted tempo: No. 5 (73.2)
• Strength of schedule: No. 2 (+14.82)
• Projected winner of the game: Auburn (54%)
• Implied score: Auburn 88, Alabama 87

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jac on Twitter@Jac_Myrick

This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn basketball's KenPom ranking after loss at Tennessee

No. 1 UConn (23-0 12-0 Big East) defeated No. 15 Tennessee (14-5, 6-1 SEC), 96-66, on Sunday at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Connecticut. The defending national champion Huskies have won 39 consecutive games in a row.

Second-year Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell recapped the top 15 matchup.

“That's a really good team, and when you take plays off, they make you pay for every play off,” Caldwell said. “A lot of what we did was self-inflicted, but then again, if you lose sight of your man for half of a second, they're going to capitalize on it, and that's why they are are doing what they're doing right now.”

Geno Auriemma, a 12-time national title head coach for UConn, also discussed the matchup, ending a one-game losing streak in the basketball series versus the Lady Vols.

“It was almost like a tale, of like we played three games today, you know, we played the first quarter, kind of sort of, and we played the second quarter, and then we played the second half,” Auriemma said.

The contest was tied, 42-42, at halftime and UConn outscored the Lady Vols, 54-24, in the second half.

More: Tennessee-UConn women's basketball series through the years

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Geno Auriemma, Kim Caldwell recap UConn-Lady Vols basketball game

BATON ROUGE – When Kim Mulkey, her LSU women's basketball team and Dawn Staley and her South Carolina squad square off, it's always under the bright lights.

And the Tigers and Gamecocks meeting this season, which is on a collision course for yet another top-5 showdown between the two programs, on Valentine's Day, ESPN's College Gameday will be in town.

ESPN announced Sunday that it's college roadshow will be at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Feb. 14 (7:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) when LSU hosts South Carolina. This will be the third straight season that College Gameday has been on site for the SEC's biggest rivalry and second time in three the show has been in Baton Rouge for the LSU-South Carolina matchup.

MORE LSU WBB COVERAGE LSU women's basketball's ZaKiyah Johnson is shooting threes. Here's why.

No. 5 LSU (21-2, 7-2 SEC) currently holds the longest active win streak in the Southeastern Conference at seven straight including it's dominate 103-63 win over No. 22 Alabama Sunday. It has to travel to face No. 4 Texas this coming Thursday (8 p.m. CT, ESPN) and faces Auburn before the game with South Carolina.

The No. 3 Gamecocks (21-2, 7-1) play Texas A&M Monday night, Mississippi State and No. 15 Tennessee before traveling to face LSU.

Two years ago, the Tigers jumped out on the Gamecocks in the first half before Staley's team fought back and earned a hard-nosed, 76-70 win. At the time, LSU was ranked No. 9 and South Carolina was the top-ranked team in the country.

LSU has not beaten South Carolina since Mulkey took over the program five years ago and has lost 17 straight games to South Carolina dating back to 2012.

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.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU women's basketball to host ESPN's College Gameday for South Carolina game

In their attempt to stack some wins on the recruiting trail, Penn State are trying to sway a three star class of 2027 recruit from the grasp of Syracuse.

Stanley Montgomery has been a verbal commit to Syracuse since last June. However, last Saturday, he took an unofficial visit to Penn State for Junior Day. In fact, he was so impressed with the campus, that he ended up scheduling an official visit to the school and a personal meeting with new head coach Matt Campbell.

Montgomery had also recently held a visit with Virginia, and is now up to 14 scholarship offers after Temple and Penn State recently offered him.

Had a great time at State College visiting @PennStateFball had a great talk with @CoachMC_PSU thanks @MalloeMalloe for the invite 💙🤍 #WeAre 🦁 pic.twitter.com/njPIVExry8

— Stanley J. Montgomery (@StanMonte27) January 31, 2026

It is important to note that Montgomery is from Pennsylvania, having attended Archbishop Ryan High School, winning the PCL Catholic Division title with them in the 2025 season. As both an offensive and defensive lineman, he was named to the PCL All-Catholic Blue Division first team. In his junior, he recorded 45 total tackles, eight sacks, and 19 tackles for loss.

He also seems to be trending to four stars in the class as well. Currently, 247Sports has him as the No. 536 prospect overall, the No. 56 at defensive lineman, and No. 18 in Pennsylvania.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State trying to flip 2027 Syracuse commit

The Longhorns men’s basketball team was able to get the win in Red River yesterday, 79-69 and Cam Heide played a major role. Heide went 5/6 from the field, including 3/4 from three-point range, notching 13 points. That’s on top of a 17 point performance against Auburn on Wednesday. As you look into Heide’s numbers more, it’s clear he could be the key to the Longhorns success moving forward. 

In SEC play Cam Heide is shooting 53.1% from beyond the arc (17-32)

That’s 1st in conference.

He’s shooting 53% for the season which is 6th nationally.

🎯🎯🎯🎯

— Big On Basketball 🤘🏽 (@BigOnBasketball) February 1, 2026

Cam Heide’s three-point shooting was his selling point coming in and he’s delivered as of late. Going back to the Georgia game, he is 10/14 from deep. The Longhorns have shot 34.8% from deep during the SEC schedule, sitting 3rd best in the conference. Given the defense has struggled overall during the SEC slate, 3-point shooting will be a major piece for Texas moving forward. 

nothing like Cam Heide wide open 🤘#HookEm | @CamdenHeidepic.twitter.com/LADB7Fs0uP

— Texas Men’s Basketball (@TexasMBB) January 31, 2026

On top of the shooting ability, he brings 6’7” length to the table. Although he is not an elite defender, he does give the Longhorns options for defensive rotations. Heide is someone Texas will need to free up Tramon Mark and Jordan Pope to take over games the way they can. Heide can change games even when he’s not shooting the rock, as he did against Alabama and Vanderbilt. 

Texas forward Cam Heide is 7 for his last 9 from three-point range dating back to the Auburn game. He's made 2-of-3 today here so far. https://t.co/tgSxvEOQu5

— Eric C. Henry (@EricCHenry_) January 31, 2026

In games where Heide shot six or more times in SEC play, he’s averaged 13.5 points per game and is 13/22 from range. Heide is coming off his best two-game stretch as a Longhorn and will have a chance to build off that against South Carolina on Tuesday. On way or another, Cam Heide’s ability to heat up from downtown will be a massive x-factor when it comes to the Longhorns title hopes.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: In SEC play, Cam Heide is becoming an X-factor for Texas

Wisconsin great Jim Leonhard, who was recently hired as the Buffalo Bills' defensive coordinator, is targeting former Badger defensive back and current Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Jay Valai for his defensive backs coach opening, according to CBSSports' Matt Zenitz.

Valai played for the Badgers from 2006-10. After redshirting as a true freshman in 2006, he appeared in 48 games from 2007-10, totaling 154 tackles, 10 1/2 for loss, one sack, two interceptions and four forced fumbles. He earned two All-Big Ten second-team selections during that time, including after a 57-tackle, four-TFL, one-sack, three-forced fumble redshirt sophomore campaign in 2008.

Valai then began his coaching career in 2016 as a defensive quality control assistant at Georgia. He later spent years coaching cornerbacks at Rutgers (2019), Texas (2020) and Alabama (2021) before joining the Sooners in 2022. According to Zenitz, he could now be on the move to the NFL level.

The #Bills are targeting Oklahoma assistant head coach for defense/co-DC Jay Valai for a defensive backs coach job, sources tell @CBSSports.

Valai, who has been of interest to other NFL teams too as well as Notre Dame, helped OU rank sixth nationally in total defense this year. pic.twitter.com/GgeaCCLejK

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 1, 2026

It's not much of a surprise that Leonhard, who is back as a defensive coordinator for the first time since leaving Wisconsin in 2022, is utilizing his Badger connections to build his support staff.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football Jim Leonhard Bills coaching staff Jay Valai target

Alabama basketball and Florida meet in the O'Dome as the Crimson Tide looks to snap a four-game series losing streak.

No. 23 Alabama (14-6, 4-3) will have Charles Bediako, as expected for the three-year G League veteran, and a positively welcomed twist with the return of starting forward Amari Allen. The freshman, back from an injury suffered against Oklahoma, could prove to be the difference in defeating the No. 21 Gators' frontcourt after UA's struggles with their big men in recent years.

For updates and highlights from the game, follow along here with The Tuscaloosa News.

REQUIRED READING: Why Todd Golden expects Alabama's Nate Oats could 'kick our a—' at UF

LATEST ON BEDIAKO: What Alabama basketball's Nate Oats wants from Charles Bediako at UF

Live score updates for Alabama basketball vs Florida

This section will be updated with new information once the game begins.

How to watch Alabama-Florida: TV, streaming, start time

TV channel: ABC

Streaming: Fubo, Sling

Start time; 12 p.m. CT

Alabama-Florida will start at 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, Feb. 1 on ABC, which can be streamed via Fubo and Sling.

Next five games for Alabama basketball

• Feb. 4: vs. Texas A&M
• Feb. 7: at Auburn
• Feb. 11: at Ole Miss
• Feb. 14: vs. South Carolina
• Feb. 18: vs. Arkansas

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball vs Florida live score updates, highlights

The Georgia Bulldogs are among the top-10 schools for four-star safety recruit Jerry Outhouse, who is a member of the class of 2027. Outhouse named his top-10 back in November and is now starting the process of narrowing down his best options.

Outhouse plays high school football for North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, Texas. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound defensive back is ranked as the No. 116 recruit in the nation and the No. 11 safety. Outhouse is the No. 16 recruit in Texas.

The talented safety recruit put Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, SMU, Tennessee, Nebraska, Michigan, TCU and Arizona State in his top 10. Georgia and coach Kirby Smart are quite interested in the North Crowley star. In fact, Georgia defensive backs coach Donte Williams visited Outhouse recently.

The four-star was named first-team All-District for his junior season. Outhouse is considered a safety, per 247Sports, but he also plays cornerback and could play cornerback in college. Regardless of his position, Outhouse's versatility is a positive for him moving forward. In 2024, Outhouse posted 44 tackles and six interceptions.

Donte Williams visits Jerry Outhouse

Appreciate @CoachDee_UGA for coming out for a home visit always good to meet with my dawg he gone give me that Real #GODAWGS@samspiegs@SWiltfong_@TomLoy247@DemarcusHarri01@CoachJayWilson@FlightSkillz@coachwvde@GPowersScout@dctf@MikeRoach247@ChadSimmons_… pic.twitter.com/MrEER1AHpB

— Jerry Outhouse Jr. (@J_OuthouseJr4) January 28, 2026

Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more college football coverage!

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: UGA football prioritizing elite recruit Jerry Outhouse

On Tuesday, the Big Ten released USC's 2026 conference schedule. We now know where and when the Trojans' matchups will take place next season.

In 2026, USC will play seven home games and five away games. Which road trips should fans be most excited about? Let's take a look:

Rutgers (September 19):

This is probably the least attractive road trip of the season on paper. The Trojans should be solid favorites in this game, and Rutgers is not known for having a stadium atmosphere that is anything special.

The biggest thing that this trip has going for it is that Rutgers is fairly easy to get to, being located less than an hour away from both Newark Airport and New York City. So if you were ever looking to combine a New York trip with a USC road game, this is your opportunity.

Penn State (October 10)

In terms of Big Ten road trips, this is about as good as it gets. Penn State has both an elite stadium atmosphere and a great college town and this will be a massive game that could very well define USC's season. Early October is also a great time to travel there before the weather gets too cold.

The biggest challenge with this trip, however, is that Happy Valley is notorious for being located in the middle of nowhere and extremely difficult to get to.

Wisconsin (October 24)

While expectations for Wisconsin in 2026 are not super high, Madison is known for being one of the best college towns in the country. Camp Randall Stadium generally has a great game day atmosphere, too, with "Jump Around" being one of the most iconic traditions in all of college football.

Once again, the biggest drawback is getting there. While Madison is not nearly as isolated as Happy Valley, there are no airports in the state of Wisconsin with regular direct flights from Los Angeles.

Indiana (November 14)

This is a much easier logistical trip than the prior two, with Indiana playing its home games less than an hour from Indianapolis. Bloomington is also a great college town, and the stadium atmosphere—while certainly not Penn State—has improved a ton with the Hoosiers' rise under Curt Cignetti the past two seasons.

There are two main questions that USC fans should ask themselves before making this trip, however. Number one, are you prepared to fly more than halfway across the country to watch the Trojans potentially get blown out by the defending national champions? And number two, are you built to handle the potentially frigid weather that is often seen in Indiana in November?

UCLA (November 28)

USC's final "away" game of the season cannot even be classified as a true road trip. The biggest question surrounding this game: Will it be played at the Rose Bowl or SoFi Stadium?

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Looking at USC football's 2026 road trips for fans

The Tennessee men's track and field team reached a historic milestone on Saturday. Three Tennessee athletes cleared 18 feet at the Bob Pollock Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina.

Additionally, two other Tennessee athletes cleared over 18 feet at the Winter Commodore Challenge in Nashville, Tennessee during Dec. 2025.

The Vols became the first program in indoor track and field history to have five pole vault athletes clear 18 feet during the same season.

Ismaila Sawaneh won the event as he recorded a mark of 5.66 meters (18-6.75), while Blake Sifferlin and Evan Puckett finished second and third, respectively, as each recorded a leap of 5.56 meters (18-3).

Clarke Byram and Cade Gray both recorded personal best efforts in Nashville, Tennessee with both posting a mark of 5.61 meters (18-4.75), making Tennessee the first program in collegiate history to have five pole vaulters eclipse 18 feet in a single season.

Sawaneh's mark is ranked third in program history and is the seventh on the NCAA Division I list for the 2025-26 season. Sifferlin and Gray are tied for 10th nationally and seventh in Tennessee indoor track and field history.

More: Tennessee track ranked No. 1 nationally

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee pole vaulters reach national collegiate milestone

Ever since Dan Lanning took over with the Oregon Ducks, he's held one prominent mantra when discussing his roster: If you're good enough, you're old enough.

No matter if a player is a redshirt senior or a true freshman, Lanning had no qualms about putting him on the field in critical moments, so long as he proved ready for the moment. We saw that come to fruition this past year with a handful of true freshmen who became major contributors for the Ducks, including Brandon Finney Jr., Jordon Davison, Dierrie Hill, Dakorien Moore, and Nasir Wyatt.

So, as we look to the 2026 season, who might those players be for Oregon? Are there any incoming freshmen who project to be instant-impact players, seeing the field in their first season with the Ducks?

Seeing as Oregon signed the No. 2-ranked class in the nation with a record number of 5-star players, the answer is likely to be "yes."

Here's who we think the instant-impact players will be:

EDGE Anthony 'Tank' Jones

Recruiting Rating: 98 (No. 19 national, No. 5 position)

Analysis: The top-ranked player in Oregon's 2026 class, it wouldn't come as much of a surprise if Tank Jones ended up having an impact on the field as a freshman. However, it's not going to be easy. The Ducks return some incredible talent on the edges, with both Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti coming back, while Nasir Wyatt and Elijah Rushing look for bigger roles as well.

WR Jalen Lott

Recruiting Rating: 97 (No. 33 national, No. 4 position)

Analysis: The Oregon Ducks' WR room is going to be insanely deep and insanely talented in 2026, with multiple 5-stars on the roster, and a lot of mouths to feed. However, it feels like Jalen Lott may be hard to keep off the field, considering what we've seen from him at the high school level.

TE Kendre Harrison

Recruiting Rating: 97 (No. 36 national, No. 2 position)

Analysis: Even with someone like Kenyon Sadiq moving on to the NFL level, Oregon's outlook at the TE position is bright, in part due to the arrival of 5-star freshman Kendre Harrison. Alongside Jamari Johnson and Andrew Olesh, Harrison could have a nice role in 2026, especially with his 6-foot-7 frame offering a new dimension to the offense.

S Jett Washington

Recruiting Rating: 98 (No. 22 national, No. 1 position)

Analysis: Much like the TE position, there is some real excitement about what Oregon has at safety going forward, with the addition of Koi Perich in the transfer portal, and players like Aaron Flowers, Trey McNutt, and Peyton Woodyard all coming back. So can 5-star Jett Washington get into the mix? It's not going to be easy, but with his 6-foot-5 frame, the Ducks may struggle to keep him off the field.

OT Immanuel Iheanacho

Recruiting Rating: 98 (No. 25 national, No. 2 position)

Analysis: Oregon will be replacing both offensive tackles this year, and while it's a lot to expect a true freshman to come in and start right away, we've seen in years past — with someone like Josh Conerly — that Oregon is willing at least to find a role for these young stars, designing certain packages for them. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the Ducks try to get "Nacho" and his massive 6-foot-7 frame on the field early on.

RB Tradarian Ball

Recruiting Rating: 96 (No. 59 national, No. 4 position)

Analysis: 2025 was proof enough that Dan Lanning is willing to play true freshmen running backs when they prove that they deserve the chance. Now, with Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill leading the way as sophomores, Tradarian Ball has a bit of hype surrounding his outlook as a freshman, and could get into the mix early on. I would not at all be surprised to see him have a season similar to what we saw from Davison or Hill this past year.

OT Tommy Tofi

Recruiting Rating: 97 (No. 43 national, No. 3 position)

Analysis: Much like with Iheanacho, the Ducks need two new starters at the tackle positions, and Tommy Tofi could be someone who comes in and pushes for a spot there. It seems more likely, though, that he finds a role in some specific heavy-front packages.

CB Davon Benjamin

Recruiting Rating: 95 (No. 84 national, No. 9 position)

Analysis: Brandon Finney Jr. was a great example of a talented freshman who can turn a lot of heads early in his career, and I have a feeling that we could see something similar this year with Davon Benjamin, who has impressed at the high school level and projects to have a really bright future in Eugene.

DT Tony Cumberland

Recruiting Rating: 95 (No. 88 national, No. 11 position)

Analysis: Oregon has lost some depth on the defensive line via the transfer portal, and while they've got some talented players there, and have done a good job of bringing in a couple of guys via the portal this year as well, I think someone like Tony Cumberland could push for some playing time early on. He's been in Eugene for the past couple of years at Willamette High School, and will have a jump on the prep, knowing the program well.

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.

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Which true freshman Oregon Ducks are set to contribute in 2026?

Although the early signing period has taken away from the February national signing day, the second date remains as the final chance for recruits to turn commitments into signings.

Wednesday is that day for Division I and II football recruits, so let's take a look at where Florida stands on the 247Sports composite team rankings.

All 19 of Florida's commits have been signed, with few surprises expected in the coming week. The same is true for most of the top programs in the country, with the transfer portal being the focus of the past few months to plug any holes.

The Gators check in at No. 16 this year, according to the 247Sports composite. While that may seem low, the ranking is affected by volume. Some programs have 35 recruits coming in. Florida has just 19. The good news is that the quality of recruits brought in by the Orange and Blue ranks No. 12, ahead of Florida State and others ranked in front when sorting by total points.

1. USC Trojans

Read more at Trojans Wire

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

Read more at Roll Tide Wire

3. Oregon Ducks

Read more at Ducks Wire

4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Read more at Fighting Irish Wire

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

Read more at Buckeyes Wire

6. Georgia Bulldogs

Read more at UGA Wire

7. Tennessee Volunteers

Read more at Vols Wire

8. Texas Longhorns

Read more at Longhorns Wire

9. Miami Hurricanes

10. Texas A&M Aggies

Read more atAggies Wire

11. LSU Tigers

Read more at LSU Tigers Wire

12. Michigan Wolverines

Read more at Wolverines Wire

13. Washington Huskies

Read more at Huskies Wire

14. Florida State Seminoles

Read more at FSU Wire

15. Oklahoma Sooners

Read more at Sooners Wire

16. Florida Gators

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.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football's 2026 recruiting class ranking National Signing Day

Eight Texas A&M veterans took part in the Panini Senior Bowl game on Saturday afternoon, including former Nebraska tight end turned one-year Aggie rental Nate Boerkircher, who quickly became one of the more beloved players on the roster during the 2025 season, especially after his memorable game-tying catch in the final seconds of Texas A&M's epic 41-40 road win over Notre Dame.

While his stats don't jump off the page, reeling in 19 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns, the Nebraska native was one of the most reliable in-line blockers, and, based on Pro Football Focus's assessment of his 2025 performance, Boerkircher finised in the green in on offense (74.3), receiving (67.2), pass blocking (64.4), and run blocking (72.2).

If starting quarterback Marcel Reed didn't have star wide receivers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver at his disposal, I can almost guarantee you that Boerkircher would have ended up with at least 30 receptions or more, given his dependability in short-yardage throws. Either way, Boerkircher showcased his full skill set this past season, earning an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he caught the attention of NFL scouts this week.

Showing off his smooth route running and soft hands, Boerkircher's highly impressive 50/50 catch in tight man coverage made waves on social media, further boosting his draft stock in the process. On Saturday, The Athletic NFL Draft writer/scout, Dane Brugler, released his Senior Bowl "winners" at every position, naming Boerkircher as the standout tight end.

"In his six college seasons (five at Nebraska plus the 2025 season with the Aggies), Boerkircher never topped 200 receiving yards. However, that is more an indictment of the offenses he played for than of him. At 6 foot 5 and almost 247 pounds, Boerkircher snapped off routes all week and did a great job catching the ball through contact. His success as a pass catcher this week, combined with his blocking highlights from last season, means he will be a popular mid-round target."

Before the Senior Bowl practices took place, Boerkircher was not predicted to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft by most experts, but thanks to a solid showing this week, he looks like an absolute steal in the mid rounds for teams in need of veteran blockers with high upside in the passing game.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: The Athletic names Texas A&M TE Nate Boerkircher Senior Bowl 'winner'

Middle Tennessee State women's basketball coach Rick Insell had one thing in mind when he recruited Alayna Contreras from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

"We brought in AC in to shoot," Insell said after MTSU's 81-58 win over rival Western Kentucky on Jan. 31 at Murphy Center. "We didn't bring her in to play defense, we didn't bring her in to rebound. We brought her in to shoot. And we've kind of had to take her through that process, because she passed up so many shots early."

The senior guard is coming into her own with the Blue Raiders. She is averaging 19 points in the team's past four games, including a season-high 25 against Western Kentucky.

"I think we've been unselfish throughout the year," said Contreras, who had six of the 16 assists against Western Kentucky (5-15, 1-8 CUSA). "I think it just helps when we hit shots. I really don't think about (carrying the weight). I just like to center myself and play my game."

Contreras averaged 17.3 points a game last season and came to MTSU having scored more than 1,000 points during her career, which included a freshman season at Cochise College in Arizona. She set a UMKC program record with 589 field goal attempts during her junior season.

MORE: Rick Insell reflects on career after 500th win with MTSU women's basketball

She has scored in double figures in 14 of the 21 games for MTSU (12-9, 7-2). But she also had a three-game stretch during December where she was held scoreless twice and to just two points in the other. MTSU is 5-0 in games in which she has scored at least 20.

Young MTSU women's basketball team starting to click

While Contreras was brought to MTSU as a scoring threat from outside, she was also needed to be a veteran in a lineup that was full of freshmen and lost all five starters from a season ago.

She said the team could be hitting its stride at the right time.

"Absolutely . . . I think because of how new we are, we would have a lot of ups and downs," said Contreras, who is averaging 12.6 points and two assists and has hit 36 3-pointers (including 5 of 10 against WKU). "But I think it feels good when we get rolling like this."

PHOTOS: Middle Tennessee State Men host Western Kentucky. Our best photos.

Contreras' success is also filtering down to the younger players. While freshman forward Blair Baugus has shined all season, including her ninth double-double (15 points, 17 rebounds), her teammates are seeing things click as well.

Macie Phifer tied her season high with 20 points against the Lady Hilltoppers, and point guard Kirston Verhulst added 15.

"Baugus can play, Macie Phifer can play, Kirston can play . . . I can go right down the line," Insell said. "Next week is pivotal for us. We go to play Missouri State (Feb. 5) and then we got to fly (to Florida International on Feb. 7). A lot of mountains we've got to climb. So let's see how we handle that.

"They're freshmen. See how they handle that. If we can handle that and we can get a couple of wins, then I'll come back and sit down with you and we'll talk about where this team can go."

Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.

"

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU women's basketball senior Alayna Contreras hitting stride

With coach Nadine Muzerall, Ohio State women's hockey has made the Frozen Four six times, winning the national championship twice.

In the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, the Buckeyes inserted themselves as a top conference team, winning two regular-season titles and two conference championships this decade.

• 2016-17: 5th in WHCA
• 2017-18: 2nd in WHCA, NCAA tournament appearance, Frozen Four appearance
• 2018-19: 3rd in WHCA
• 2019-20: 3rd in WHCA, WHCA Final Faceoff champions, NCAA tournament appearance
• 2020-21: 3rd in WHCA, NCAA tournament appearance, Frozen Four appearance
• 2021-22: 2nd in WHCA, WCHA Final Faceoff champions, NCAA tournament appearance, Frozen Four appearance, 2022 national champions
• 2022-23: WHCA regular season champions, NCAA tournament appearance, Frozen Four appearance, national runner up
• 2023-24: WHCA regular season champions, NCAA tournament appearance, Frozen Four appearance, 2024 national champions
• 2024-25: 2nd in WHCA, NCAA tournament appearance, Frozen Four appearance, national runner up

More: Meet the best OSU coach you may not know. Muzerall builds hockey dominance

Ohio State women's hockey Olympians coached by Nadine Muzerall

• Andrea Braendli (2018, 2022, 2026), Switzerland
• Sara Saekkinen (2018), Finland
• Jincy Dunne (2022), United States
• Sofie Lundin (2022, 2026), Sweden
• Emma Maltais (2022, 2026), Canada
• Jenn Gardiner (2026), Canada
• Sophie Jaques (2026), Canada
• Cayla Barnes (2026), United States
• Hannah Bilka (2026), United States

2026 Olympians on active Ohio State roster

• Joy Dunne, United States
• Sanni Vanhanen, Finland
• Jenna Raunio, Sweden
• Mira Jungåker, Sweden
• Hilda Svensson, Sweden

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State women's hockey yearly accolades under Nadine Muzerall

Penn State lacrosse is gearing up for another chase for an NCAA national championship. The Nittany Lions have come close in recent years and hope to get over the championship hump this season. Doing so will not be easy, of course, with a number of ranked opponents on the schedule heading into the 2026 season, including in Big Ten play.

Penn State was picked to finsih second in the Big Ten preseason coaches poll behind preseason No. 1 Maryland, who was the national runner-up last season. Sophomore Hunter Aquino (2025 All-Big Ten Freshman Team) and seniors Alex Ross (2025 All-Big Ten Second Team) and Jon King bring a roster that is ready to compete for a Big Ten and national title.

In addition to matchups in Big Ten play against preseason No. 1 Maryland, No. 10 Ohio State, No. 15 Johns Hopkins, No. 18 Rutgers, and No. 20 Michigan, Penn State's non-conference schedule is loaded as well. The highlights in non-conference play will be a road game at preseason No. 2 Princeton, a home game against No. 4 Cornell, and a matchup with No. 6 North Carolina in the Crown Classic in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Four Penn State lacrosse games are set to appear on television this season. Penn State's home game against preseason No. 1 Maryland will air on Big Ten Network. Road games at Ohio State and Rutgers will also appear on Big Ten Network. Penn State will make an appearance on ESPNU with a road game at Johns Hopkins.

2026 Penn State Men's Lacrosse Schedule

All times are Eastern. All home games are in Panzer Stadium unless noted otherwise.

• Feb. 1 - vs. Colgate, 12:00 p.m. (Holuba Hall)
• Feb. 7 - vs. Villanova, 1:00 p.m.
• Feb. 14 - at Princeton, 12:00 p.m.
• Feb. 21 - at Navy, 12:00 p.m.
• Feb. 28 - vs. Yale, 1:00 p.m.
• Mar. 7 - vs. Cornell, 1:00 p.m.
• Mar. 14 - vs. North Carolina, 6:30 p.m. (Crown Classic, Charlotte, North Carolina)
• Mar. 21 - vs. Maryland, 3:00 p.m., Big Ten Network
• Mar. 28 - at Ohio State, TBA, Big Ten Network
• Apr. 4 - at Johns Hopkins, 12:00 p.m., ESPNU
• Apr. 11 - vs. Michigan, 1:00 p.m.
• Apr. 17 at Rutgers, 8:00 p.m., Big Ten Network

The Big Ten men's lacrosse tournament will begin with first-round action on Saturday, April 25. Rutgers will host the semifinal and championship games. The semifinals will be played on Thursday, April 30 in Piscataway, NEW Jersey, with the championship game scheduled for Sunday, May 2.

Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Full 2026 Penn State men's lacrosse schedule

Special teams play left the Wisconsin men’s hockey team in a tough spot Jan. 31.

The Badgers allowed two power play goals and one short-handed score during the first 15 minutes against Minnesota, breakdowns that set the stage for an 8-4 loss to the Gophers at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis.

The loss was the sixth straight for Wisconsin, which dropped to 15-9-2 overall and 8-8 in the Big Ten.

Box score: Minnesota 8, Wisconsin 4

Minnesota (10-16-1, 6-10) entered the series with an eight-game winless streak but also entered play with the nation’s fourth-best power play percentage. The Gophers went 4 for 4 Saturday had six power play goals for the series.

Sophomores Brodie Ziemer and Erik Pahlsson scored two goals each for the Gophers in the series finale and sophomore Beckett Hendrickson (one goal, one assist), senior Brody Lamb (one goal, one assist) and senior Luke Mittlestadt (one goal, one assist) had multi-point nights.

Wisconsin played catchup all evening after Lamb’s power play goal at the 5:16 mark and Ziemer’s short-handed goal midway through the first period gave the Gophers a 2-0 lead.

UW senior Tyson Dyck extended his points streak to eight games with a power play goal with 8:56 left in the first period, but a second Gophers’ power play goal, courtesy of Ziemer with 5:01 left in the period, gave the Gophers a 3-1 lead.

Minnesota finished the period with seven shots and three goals. UW replaced freshman goalie Daniel Hauser with sophomore Eli Pulver (20 saves) for the final two periods

The Badgers’ struggling offense showed signs of life during the final two periods when it scored three times, but it wasn't nearly enough. Senior Christian Fitzgerald finished with two goals, while sophomore Gavin Morrissey (two assists) and freshman Luke Osburn (two assists) had multi-point nights.

UW's lead over Minnesota for fourth place in the Big Ten had dwindled to two points. Up next for the Badgers is Notre Dame on Feb. 7-8 at the Kohl Center.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin men's hockey falls to Minnesota for sixth straight loss

Of all the positions on the Iowa defense, there may be none that they develop better than the defensive backs.

So many great defensive backs have walked through those doors and done fantastic things in Iowa City. The group that's become known as the "Doughboys" always seems to be a strength in the Phil Parker system. When Iowa goes after a defensive back prospect, it means they think that guy has a chance to add his name to a legendary ledger of elite players in that room.

It looks like Kirk Ferentz and Parker have located another defensive back that they want to pursue. Jake Thies, a class of 2027 three-star prospect, took to X on Saturday to announce that he's received an offer from the Hawkeyes.

After a great Junior Day visit and conversation with @CoachParkerIowa and @CoachSWallace I am blessed to receive an offer from the University of Iowa! @chris_polizzi@TylerBarnesIOWA@Spauldingiowa@RhettSmeinspic.twitter.com/1NWhF9XZU0

— Jake Thies '27 (@JakeThies2) January 31, 2026

Thies is from Oak Park, Ill., and plays at Fenwick High School. The 6-foot, 185-pound safety holds Division I offers from Vanderbilt, West Virginia, San Diego State, and UNLV. The Hawkeyes were the third Power Four program to offer Thies this week, as it seems like his stock is rising rapidly.

Thies played both sides of the ball as he helped lead the Friars to a state championship last season as a junior. He was outstanding in that state championship game, racking up 18 tackles and an interception on defense. He also had 161 yards of total offense and two touchdowns on the other side of the ball. He knows how to win and perform in big games, which is a great trait for a prospect to possess.

Iowa has now offered five safeties in the 2027 class, and they're waiting to land their first commitment from that position group. Thies could be that player, and it looks like he has the traits that could lead to a lot of success at the next level.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football offers fast-rising, 2027 Illinois DB

Anthony Roy scored 26 points and made 5 of 8 3-point attempts to lead Oklahoma State to an 81-69 win over Utah in a Big 12 contest on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Christian Coleman tallied 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Parsa Fallah racked up 13 points and Vyctorius Miller contributed 10 points for Oklahoma State (15-6, 3-5 Big 12) which snapped a 15-game road conference losing streak with its Big 12 road win since Feb. 21, 2024.

Terrence Brown led Utah (9-12, 1-7) with 20 points. Don McHenry added 17 points, Keanu Dawes pitched in 12 points and 10 rebounds while Seydou Traore chipped in 10 points for the Utes, who have lost three straight games and eight of nine.

Starting with 10:37 to play, Oklahoma State ripped off an 8-0 rally, taking a 57-52 lead on a Jaylen Curry layup. Traore’s three ended the Oklahoma State run and closed Utah within 57-55 with 7:26 to play.

More: Big 12 basketball power rankings show depth beyond AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson

The Cowboys continued to hold the Utes at arm’s length, trading baskets after jumping ahead. Fallah stepped out for a rare trey as Oklahoma State stretched its advantage to 69-62 with 3:23 remaining.

Fallah’s tip-in on a missed free throw pushed Oklahoma State to a 75-65 lead with 1:26 left.

Oklahoma State out of the gates with a 6-2 lead on a Coleman layup. But the Utes answered with a 12-1 run that featured a pair of threes from McHenry, a Dawes trey and a Brown jumper to take a 14-7 lead.

Moments later though, the Cowboys started to light it up from beyond the arc. Their 11-0 run was a Roy highlight reel. The senior guard drilled three straight threes. Miller capped the spurt with a layup at the 10:41 mark and Oklahoma State led 20-16.

Oklahoma State briefly fell behind shortly later but reclaimed the lead and never trailed the rest of the first half, taking a 40-39 advantage into halftime.

Neither team was able to create much separation in the first ten minutes of the second half, with neither team leading by more than four points before the Cowboys took the lead for good with their 8-0 run.

-Field Level Media

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State basketball outlasts Utah as Anthony Roy nets 26 points

According to WSFA's Davis Baker, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has commented on the Crimson Tide's upcoming 2026 quarterback competition, doing so in a recent media availability.

Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are expected to battle for the starting role throughout the offseason, as both quarterbacks are extremely talented players that could thrive as the starter next year. At 6'6", 235 pounds, Mack is a quarterback with elite speed and playmaking capability, as the redshirt sophomore could quickly begin to thrive in 2026 should he beat out Russell for the starting role.

Mack served as the backup quarterback behind Ty Simpson in 2025, as the promising player could be in prime position for a true opportunity to succeed in 2026.

DeBoer has recently shared thoughts on both Mack and Russell, as well as how each the Crimson Tide's starting job might potentially be won.

"I would say that you always love to go into a season where you absolutely know who your quarterback is, but you know, that won’t be the case." DeBoer stated. "We’ll let these guys battle it out. Both guys have a year at minimum in our system, and understand what we are trying to accomplish. We’ll tweak what we do around their strengths, and make the adjustments this year to what they can do and what our other personnel can do."

"Austin certainly knows the system. This is year four for him, and Keelon has shown what he can do putting his nose in there as a true freshman, and really doing a lot of great things as well. These guys certainly have what it takes, and now it’s just a matter of who could do the best job of moving the ball up-and-down the field for us.”

Russell was ranked as the No. 2 quarterback and the No. 2 overall player from the class of 2025, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. A former five-star recruit, Russell was a highly coveted prospect prior to committing to the Tide, and drew interest from a multitude of programs around the country.

Alabama also has a pair of incoming true freshmen who will also be in that competition, Jett Thomalla and Tayden Kaawa.

Both Russell and Mack could both thrive as the Tide's starting quarterback in 2026, setting up what should be an important quarterback competition this offseason.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Kalen DeBoer's thoughts on Alabama football 2026 quarterback battle

The North Carolina Tar Heels picked up another important road win on Saturday, going to Georgia Tech and taking care of business against the Yellow Jackets. They pretty much led from start to finish with the Yellow Jackets briefly having the lead early in the first half.

Unlike other previous road games, the Tar Heels made it a little easier on themselves in this one.

It was a dominating performance as they led by as many as 20 and eventually won 91-75. The win is now three-straight for the Tar Heels as they have a quick turnaround, hosting Syracuse on Monday and then Duke on Saturday.

But before we turn the page to this upcoming week, let's see what Hubert Davis had to say about his team's win.

All quotes via Inside Carolina:

On team has responded since West Coast trip

“Well, I thought, from an offensive standpoint, I thought the ball moved really well. Very unselfish. From an offensive standpoint, it started with Caleb. We thought that they would have to double the post if we threw the ball into Caleb and just instinctively, just as soon as the ball touched his hands, he got into an open teammate and it just ignited everybody else on how to play.” 

“It was a 0.5 mentality where when you catch the ball, you’re making quick decisions whether to shoot, to drive or to pass. And I felt like Caleb started us off that way, and it led to everybody else. Defensively, we had some mistakes in both halves, but overall, I thought we did a really good job of limiting them on getting into rotations off of ball screens. We knew that they would set a ton of ball screens. I don’t think we got in very many rotations, and so defensively, I felt like we did a good job as well.” 

On points off turnovers and fast break opportunities

“That was huge for us defensively against Georgia Tech. I mean, their number one way to score is in transition, whether it’s threes or being able to attack the basket, get to the free throw line, make layups and dunks, and so one of the things that I told them is, in transition, the great thing about it is it’s all dictated by us. If you make shots, take good shots, take care of the basketball, get to the offensive glass, get to the free throw line, you’re never in transition defense.”

“That being said, basketball happens. And if you run back, sprint back with a sense of emergency and talk, you should have five on five back, and you’re still in control in transition. So I thought we did a really good job handling and keeping them out of transition, and that was a huge part of our attack against Georgia Tech.” 

On Henri Veesaar's big game

“Yeah, I mean, one of the things was rebounding, I mean, he had 12 rebounds today. And that’s just something we need him to consistently be able to do that. I felt like he was a really good rhythm offensively, mixing up his game, whether it was offensive rebounds, post-ups, or spotting up from three. And that’s what Henri can do. And so it’s nice to see him get back into an offensive rhythm tonight.” 

On Seth Trimble getting to the rim and finishing

“He was doing that at the beginning of the year, and when he came back, I felt like his moves to the basket were hesitant. With his athletic ability, his skill, I wish I had one percent of that. And his ability in a fast break, even in the half court, he’s our most powerful driver and finisher.”

“The last two to three games, he’s done that consistently and consistently well, and from an offensive standpoint, that takes us to a different level. But they cut it to, I think, 14 or 15 and Seth hit two buckets, got in the pass lane, got a steal and a layup. He really led us in the huddles and on the floor today.” 

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: What Hubert Davis said after win over Georgia Tech

Sarasota High infielder Braedon Mackay committed to the Florida Gators on Monday.

Mackay, a junior, slashed .309/.391/.468 (.859 OPS) with 28 runs batted in and one home run in 2025. He also carried a 1.38 ERA through 25.1 innings (12 appearances), earning three saves, while striking out 30 and walking 11 batters. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune named him to its All-Area Team as one of three underclassmen to earn a nod.

Over-slot baseball ranks him No. 40 in the 2027 high school top 100.

"The ultimate performer, Mackay has been a steady force on the showcase and tournament circuit the last two years," reads his profile on Over-Slot. "He possesses the projection, ahtleticsim and present baseball IQ to dream on going forward."

At 6-feet-4-inches and 200 pounds, Mackay is big for the shortstop position, which is why he's listed as a third baseman. His above-average arm strength should translate well, but it's his bat that's getting him an opportunity in the SEC. Bat speed is a plus for him, and he's already shown extra-base power as an underclassman. Mackay has good pitch selection, even if he's a bit pull-heavy.

Like many of Florida's top commitments, Mackay is a draft prospect. There's no guarantee he'll make it to campus, but he's a good recruit to land early in the cycle.

Florida baseball Class of 2027 commitments

Mackay is the seventh prep player to commit to Florida baseball from the 2027 class.

Outfielder Kinon Bastian leads the group, followed by left-handed pitcher Rylan McMahan, catcher JAce Moran, right-handed pitcher William Haggerty, infielder Tavis Honeycutt and catcher Jordan Olivia.

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida baseball recruiting: INF Braedon Mackay commits to Gators

Following a win over No. 5 Penn State on Friday night, the No. 2 Michigan State hockey team was in search of a massive road sweep on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 31.

But the Spartans would have do it while facing a hostile crowd of 74,575 fans outdoors at Beaver Stadium, Penn State's football stadium.

Through 60 minutes of high-paced action and four goals for each side, overtime was necessary to find a winner in University Park.

With MSU in need of a hero, senior forward Charlie Stramel completed a hat trick 3:08 into the extra session to give the Spartans the overtime win and five out of six points on the road series to complete a huge weekend in the Big Ten standings.

ON THE HARDWOOD: Tom Izzo promises lineup change, not panic, after MSU loss to U-M

The win put MSU into first place with 36 points, pending Michigan's game at Ohio State on Saturday night. The Wolverines entered that game with 34 points and Penn State is in third with 31.

Senior forward Daniel Russell got MSU on the board early in the first period as Stramel flung a pass to the middle and the puck redirected off Russell's skate and past PSU goaltender Kevin Reidler.

NO. 2 @MSU_Hockey DEFEATS NO. 5 PENN STATE IN OT AT BEAVER STADIUM 🚨 pic.twitter.com/LN4HCobcwe

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 31, 2026

PSU junior forward Aiden Fink would put the Nittany Lions on the board just 13 seconds into the second period, but Stramel would deposit home a rebound attempt from a shot by linemate Porter Martone minutes later to restore MSU's lead at 2-1.

PSU freshman phenom Gavin McKenna pounced on a loose puck off a faceoff in MSU's zone and rifled a shot by MSU goaltender Trey Augustine to level the game, and Fink would later score his second of the game to give PSU its first lead of the game late in the second period, 3-2.

PSU's lead didn't last long, as Stramel would add his second of the game on the power play with just two seconds remaining in the second period to bring the game level again. Russell set him up with a feed from behind the net for his second point of the game.

PSU's Shea Van Olm beat Augustine on a breakaway on the glove side to put the Nittany Lions back on top, 4-3, in the third period. But the Spartans would draw level again on a point shot from captain Matt Basgall that found the right corner of the net with just over 12 minutes remaining.

The captain Matt Basgall comes in clutch to tie the game at 4-4! pic.twitter.com/DHwUmoJsHq

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) January 31, 2026

Augustine made 31 saves, while Reidler stopped 35 Spartan shots. Russell and Stramel each finished with four points on the evening, while Martone tallied three assists.

What's next

MSU will face No. 1 Michigan at Yost Ice Arena on Feb. 6 before playing against the Wolverines at Little Caesars Arena in the "Duel in the D" on Feb. 7.

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott and Bluesky @nathanielbott.bsky.social

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State hockey score in outdoor win vs Penn State

Michigan State hockey went on the road to Penn State for a weekend series with Big Ten championship ramifications. After a Friday night win for the Spartans, the team participated in an outdoor hockey game hosted at Beaver Stadium.

Three periods wasn't enough for this special outdoor affair, and the near 75,000 fans got to see bonus hockey, with an overtime affair breaking out between the two schools. In the end though, it was Michigan State coming away with the memory making win, sending the Penn State crowd home sad, winning the overtime affair, 5-4.

The game winning goal came courtesy of Charlie Stramel, who capped off a hat trick with the overtime marker. Daniel Russell finished with one goal and three assists in the game, while Porter Martone also added three assists. Matt Basgall was the other goal scorer.

The win for the Spartans caps off a season sweep over the Nittany Lions for the Spartans, which will play pivotal as the Big Ten standings shake their way out.

Michigan State will be back in action next weekend in a rivalry clash with Michigan in Ann Arbor on Friday, before heading to Detroit for the Duel in the D on Saturday.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State hockey completes sweep over PSU in outdoor game

Charlie Stramel, have yourself a day.

The senior forward came up with the hat trick for No. 2 Michigan State men's hockey in its 5-4 overtime win over fifth-ranked Penn State in front of over 60,000 people outdoors at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, which included the overtime winning goal on a 1-on-1 opportunity against Penn State goaltender Kevin Reidler.

Stamel's overtime winning goal also completes the weekend and season sweep over the Nittany Lions for the Spartans, who beat Penn State 6-3 on Friday, Jan. 30 inside Pegula Ice Arena in Happy Valley.

CHARLIE STRAMEL COMPLETES THE HAT TRICK TO WIN IT IN OT! pic.twitter.com/tfseICZzGv

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) January 31, 2026

REQUIRED READING: Michigan State vs Penn State hockey final score, highlights: Spartans win on Stramel hat trick

"Huge thanks to Penn State for putting this event on. To play in front of that many people, it's pretty surreal and obviously happy with the win, but unreal environment, and super cool hockey game to be a part of," Stramel said after the game on the Big Ten Network.

Stramel, who was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft with the 21st overall pick, scored his first goal of the afternoon in the first period when he cleaned up the rebound of Porter Martone shot attempt with a chip hot into the back of the net. His second came with two seconds remaining in the second period when he finished off a pass from Daniel Russell that came from behind the net.

With his hat trick on the afternoon, Stramel now has 23 goals on the season, making him Michigan State's leader.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Charlie Stramel records hat trick for Michigan State at Beaver Stadium

One of the most accomplished players in Alabama Crimson Tide baseball history has officially called it a career.

This past Friday afternoon, former Alabama great David Robertson took to social media where he announced that he was retiring from the game of baseball after 17 seasons in the MLB.

A former 17th round pick from the 2006 MLB draft out of Alabama, Robertson spent time with eight different teams during his professional career, most notably nine seasons with the New York Yankees where he won a World Series title back in 2009.

Robertson was also a one-time All-Star during the 2011 season, and from 2008-25, owned a 2.93 ERA with 179 saves and 1,176 strikeouts combined across his 881 career regular season appearances. The right-hander also made 43 career postseason appearances where Robertson held a combined 3.40 ERA over 47.2 innings pitched.

Last season, Robertson made 20 relief appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies where he held a 4.08 ERA and two saves across 17.2 innings pitched.

pic.twitter.com/YuiIgvgO2H

— David Robertson (@DRob30) January 30, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Former Alabama pitcher David Robertson announces MLB retirement

Florida finished the 2025 regular season at No. 12 in The Athletic's SEC vibe rankings, but a strong transfer portal push from new head coach Jon Sumrall has the Gators up to No. 7 in the "way-too-early" update ahead of the 2026 campaign from Seth Emerson.

The offseason features several twists and turns, especially in the SEC. The transfer portal era allows teams to reinvent themselves almost overnight, and that's the hope in Gainesville. There was a mass exodus at Florida, but Sumrall retained several key players — even though DJ Lagway is now with Baylor — and filled many holes in the roster with some plug-and-play transfers.

Moving on from Billy Napier has many in Gainesville feeling optimistic, but an unproven coach also warrants some wariness.

"The vibes in Gainesville are conflicted," Emerson wrote. "On the one hand, another Group of 5 coach? This was not the assignment, Scott Stricklin. But on the other hand — say this in that reluctant but confident tone — former Tulane coach Jon Sumrall does seem kind of good."

Sumrall benefits from a strong "command-the-room aura," something Napier lacked and is considered crucial in the SEC. He's also assembled an all-star coaching staff, and at the top is offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner from Georgia Tech. Napier's reluctance to hire an OC ultimately cost him his job. Hiring Faulkner was an easy way for Sumrall to boost morale fast.

"Gator fans have been through enough the past four hires/fires to temper the optimism," Emerson continued. "Still, there’s optimism."

The Athletic's way-too-early SEC vibes rankings

1. Kentucky Wildcats
2. Texas A&M Aggies
3. LSU Tigers
4. Ole Miss Rebels
5. Georgia Bulldogs
6. Texas Longhorns
7. Florida Gators
8. Vanderbilt Commodores
9. Oklahoma Sooners
10. Mississippi State Bulldogs
11. Missouri Tigers
12. Alabama Crimson Tide
13. South Carolina Gamecocks
14. Auburn Tigers
15. Arkansas Razorbacks
16. Tennessee Volunteers

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football No. 7 in way-too-early 2026 SEC vibes rankings

New Colorado Buffaloes safety Boo Carter has a clear vision for what success looks like in 2026, and it starts with impact plays and leadership. Two things that the Buffaloes were sorely missing last year were specifically on the defensive side of the ball.

In a video posted by Darius Sanders of Reach the People Media, Carter discussed his goals for the 2026 season as he settles in as a key piece of the Colorado secondary.

"Be that dawg on the field. I like to lead, help my teammates," Carter said. "For me, a successful season is creating more turnovers, takeaways," Carter said. "Being more vocal, too."

Those priorities reflect exactly what Colorado's defense is looking to build under head coach Deion Sanders. Carter, a four-star transfer, arrives in Boulder with a reputation for being a playmaking safety, whether that means taking the ball away or by a physical presence.

Colorado's defense only averaged 1.3 turnovers per game in 2025, which was middle of the pack in the Big 12. Having a defense that can take the ball away more consistently is a recipe for success, and Sanders is trying to implement it with additions like Carter.

Carter is coming off a season in which he forced three fumbles in just eight games, showing his ability to get the ball out. Whether it's forcing fumbles, capitalizing on tipped passes or making that critical tackle, the Buffaloes are counting on him to be a playmaker with the departure of Tawfiq Byard.

Colorado DB Boo Carter on what a successful season looks like to him: “Creating more turnovers, takeaways.”

“Being more vocal, too.”

🎥 @KingDarius_NSpic.twitter.com/NKUFYFAj91

— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) January 31, 2026

Perhaps what Buff fans should be even more excited to hear from Carter is his desire to be a more vocal leader. Leadership was unquestionably a missing ingredient for Colorado last year, and several of those types of players left this offseason, leaving a significant void. Whether Carter can fill that void remains to be seen, but his eagerness to improve in that area is a positive sign.

With a defensive backfield that will be nearly all new faces in 2026, communication and confidence will be critical.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football Boo Carter focused on turnovers, leadership in 2026