SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles won their salary arbitration case Saturday against pitcher Keegan Akin, the first victory for teams this year after five decisions in favor of players.

Akin was awarded $2,975,000 rather than his $3,375,000 request by John Stout, Jeanne Charles and Samantha Tower, who heard arguments Friday.

A 30-year-old left-hander, Akin was 5-4 with a 3.41 ERA and eight saves in 64 relief appearances last season, striking out 59 and walking 33 in 63 1/3 innings. He had a $1,475,000 salary.

Akin has a 16-22 record with a 4.48 ERA and 11 saves in six major league seasons, all with the Orioles. He can become a free agent after this year’s World Series.

Players lead 5-1 with up to seven decisions remaining,

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal won his case Thursday when he was awarded an arbitration-record $32 million rather than the Detroit Tigers’ $19 million offer.

In other decisions, catcher Yainer Diaz received $4.5 million instead of the Houston Astros’ $3 million proposal, right-hander Kyle Bradish was awarded $3.55 million instead of the Orioles’ offer of $2,875,000, right-hander Graham Ashcraft was awarded $1.75 million rather than the Cincinnati Reds’ $1.25 million offer and right-hander Edwin Uceta will be paid $1,525,000 rather than the Tampa Bay Rays’ $1.2 million proposal.

Two cases have been argued with decisions withheld until next week: Toronto left-hander Eric Lauer ($5.75 million vs. $4.4 million) and Atlanta left-hander Dylan Lee ($2.2 million vs. $2 million).

Five players remain scheduled for hearings next week: Kansas City left-hander Kris Bubic ($6.15 million vs. $5.15 million), Milwaukee catcher Willson Contreras ($9.9 million vs. $8.55 million), Los Angeles Angels left-hander Reid Detmers ($2,925,000 vs. $2,625,000), Miami right-hander Calvin Faucher ($2.05 million vs. $1.8 million) and Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson ($6.8 million vs $6.55 million).

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

With 7:04 left in the second quarter, Brady Nicholas scored, making use of his long pole to haul in the rebound off a Carsen Brandt miss, and with that, Marquette was all even with #20 Michigan at four goals each.

No. 77 doing No. 77 things.#WeAreMarquette | #MarquetteMLAXpic.twitter.com/P7l4CA43jn

— Marquette Lacrosse (@MarquetteMLax) February 7, 2026

The Golden Eagles had fallen behind 2-0 in the first four minutes of the 2026 season opener before halving the margin going intot he second quarter. Back-to-back goals from Brandt got Marquette even at three before both teams scored again within three minutes to leave the whole thing at four goals each. A pretty solid first 23 minutes of the season for Marquette as they caught up to and stayed even with a Wolverines team that came into the year ranked in the Inside Lacrosse media poll.

After that… yeah, kinda got messy. Michigan scored three more times before the half ended to lead 7-4 at the break. Okay, not a problem, not really, and less of one after Tucker Mullen scored his first goal as a Golden Eagle — and his first Division 1 goal since before his open heart surgery in November 2023! — to break the ice on the second half. 7-5 Michigan with nearly two full quarters to play, that’s lots of time…… right?

Ewwwwwwwwww.#WeAreMarquette | #MarquetteMLAXpic.twitter.com/kMic5ICvsS

— Marquette Lacrosse (@MarquetteMLax) February 7, 2026

It is lots of time, it’s lots of time for Michigan to score seven unanswered goals, making it a 10-1 run going back into the second quarter, and with 12:53 left in the game, Marquette was down 14-5. That’s pretty much that, although goals from Jake Bair and Beau Westphal narrowed the margin a little bit before the final horn.

Things that tell you an awful lot about what happened here: Marquette outshot Michigan 19-7 in the first quarter and trailed 2-1, while Michigan outshot Marquette 12-5 in the third quarter and outscored the Golden Eagles 4-1 in the frame. Marquette had chances to put Michigan into uncomfortable places early on in this game but couldn’t capitalize, but when the Wolverines had the chances to bury the Golden Eagles, they jumped all over it.

Carsen Brandt and Matt Caputo tied for the team lead in points here as the only two guys to get more than one. Both had two, with Caputo assisting twice and Brandt scoring twice. Brady Nicholas led the field players with three ground balls, while Ty Ambush tied him as he went 8-for-18 on faceoffs in this game.

Highlights, such as they are, courtesy of GoMarquette.com and ESPN+:

Up Next: Well, things aren’t getting easier. Marquette will be off until next weekend when they will host Notre Dame for the second game of the season. First draw is set for 2pm Central. The Fighting Irish haven’t played a game yet and won’t until they get to Milwaukee, although they did host Utah and Air Force for exhibitions back on January 23 and 25. Notre Dame was ranked #8 in the preseason Inside Lacrosse media poll.

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Flamengo is lined up to face Sampaio Corrêa this Saturday (7th) in the Carioca Championship.

The match will take place at Maracanã and counts for the last round of the state league's classification phase.

Both teams enter the field in the relegation quadrangular zone.

A win is necessary for both sides, not only to avoid the relegation battle but also to keep dreaming of a spot in the Cariocão quarterfinals.

See below the starting lineups for the match:

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Flamengo

Two starters who began the midweek Brasileirão match return to the starting lineup this Saturday: Lucas Paquetá and Emerson Royal.

The bench is full of young players, but also includes Everton Cebolinha, Bruno Henrique, Erick Pulgar, and Léo Pereira.

Jorginho is out of the game after suffering a thigh injury.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Through the first five weeks of 2026, there has been very little time for Juventus players and coaches to collect their collective breath. That is especially true of these past few weeks where midweek fixtures have been a constant and Luciano Spalletti has had maneuver through things in multiple competitions while having a squad that is not exactly flush with depth.

So as Juventus hit their last fixture before they get — gasp! — nearly a week off in between games, we’re left to wonder just how much the Bianconeri have left in the tank after their (late) midweek Coppa Italia disappointment in Bergamo.

As the second Derby d’Italia against league leaders Inter Milan looms in the distance a week from now, the immediate test comes against a Lazio squad that has seen plenty of frustration filter throughout the club both before and during the 2025-26 season. Sunday night’s matchup at the Allianz Stadium comes against an opponent in Lazio that put the final nail in Igor Tudor’s coffin back in late-October with a 1-0 victory over Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. A lot has happened in November, December, January and the first week of February since Juventus last faced Lazio, ousted Tudor and subsequently brought in Spalletti. A lot of it has been good, but there’s been a decent amount of those “not great” moments we’ve seen a good amount of the time from the Bianconeri over the last few years.

The most recent of that, regardless of how you felt about the final score in Bergamo, came on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia against Atalanta, the second straight season that Juve have been bounced at that stage of the competition. (The first time since such an occurrence has happened since 2011, by the way.)

So all of three days after being eliminated from the Coppa, it’s now time to face a Lazio squad that has seen a few changes happen over the course of the winter transfer window after their summer embargo prevented them from doing any sort of business. Lazio enter Matchday 24 sitting in eighth place and well off the pace for a European qualification spot.

However, here’s something important to remember when it comes to this matchup:

• Juventus, following their Coppa Italia quarterfinal against Atalanta, last played on Thursday.
• Lazio, meanwhile, has yet to play a game in February, having last taken the field in their wild 3-2 win over Genoa on Jan. 30.

So, go ahead and do the quick math, folks. Come Sunday, Juventus will have last played three days ago. Lazio, though? Well, they last played nine days ago. Nine! That’s nearly a week and a half worth of rest. That’s nearly a week more of rest than the team they will be playing at the Allianz Stadium. Juventus will have played two full games since the last time Lazio played.

Ah, Serie A scheduling. Always the most logical and kind set of folks who figure all of this out.

Considering Juventus are short on depth even when they are full strength, it’s not like Spalletti has a whole lot of options to choose from. Even with so many games over the last three or four weeks, Spalletti hasn’t done much rotating his squad. All of his best players, no matter how many minutes they have had on their leg before 2026 arrived, have played the majority of the minutes. We are still waiting for Pierre Kalulu to actually not play a full 90 minutes this season — and we’re entering the third fixture of February.

That feels like almost as much of a test as facing a desperate Lazio itself. Just how much that Juve have in the tank entering Sunday night’s game is going to be a real key point of emphasis to pay attention to as the minutes tick away both before and after halftime at the Allianz.

Lazio are basically in the same place in the table now as they were when they faced Juventus the first time. Even after beating Juventus on Oct. 26, Maurizio Sarri’s squad was sitting in 10th place. Now, sitting in eighth, they are almost close to being part of a relegation fight (17) as they are to being even with Juventus in fourth (15). Lazio’s away form has been mediocre at best all season, with Serie A juggernauts like Sassuolo and Udinese having more points than Sarri has recorded away from the Olimpico in the 2025-26 campaign thus far.

The kicker in all of this: Even though they sit eighth in the table, they’ve scored the seventh-fewest amount of goals (24 in 23 games) this season and just sold one of their better strikers, Taty Castellanos, to West Ham last month for a reported €29 million. (Which, honestly, feels like a pretty good return for Lazio and their accounts.)

Even with the loss to Atalanta midweek, Juventus have been playing well on the whole. Now they have a still-inconsistent Lazio squad coming to Turin as both teams look to get an important three points for their respective objectives. With no more Coppa Italia, solidifying their spot in the top four might probably turns into even more of a priority for Spalletti than before. They got the help they needed from Udinese earlier in the week against Roma and now have fourth place all to themselves.

It’s now about what they do with it. Can Juventus keep it for themselves, or will this be another slip-up that makes the Coppa Italia quarterfinal loss look more than just a one-off against a good like like Atalanta.

TEAM NEWS

• Spalletti, unlike ahead of Thursday night’s visit to Bergamo, did hold a pre-match press conference on Saturday. The fact that he’s pretty much picking and choosing when to actually speak to the Italian media before games is making me laugh a little bit. (But also makes this section a little more difficult to do.)
• After not taking part in Thursday’s loss to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia, Spalletti confirmed that Kenan Yildiz and big smile as a result of his brand new contract will return to the lineup to face Lazio. Yildiz asked to be subbed off at halftime in last weekend’s win over Parma due to a minor overload issue that was likely the result of fatigue of his heavy workload this season.
• Spalletti said that both Francisco Conceição and Lloyd Kelly have trained separately following Thursday’s loss to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia and need further evaluation to see if they will be capable of playing in Sunday’s game against Lazio.
• The two sure bets to miss out on Sunday night’s game are the two names who have been ever-present on the injury list for a couple of months now: Dusan Vllahovic and Arek Milik.
• Vlahovic has, however, reportedly returned to Continassa this week and started the final steps of his rehab program that will hopefully have him back in the squad in early March.
• Two Juventus players are one yellow card away from having to serve a one-game suspension: Manuel Locatelli and Weston McKennie. Considering Juventus’ next opponent in Serie A is Inter, this feels like an important thing to remember for both players who have been key pieces to Spalletti’s success at Juventus.

JUVENTUS PLAYER TO WATCH

Considering the fact that Spalletti has gone with a lot of the same players in his recent starting lineups, I was going to go ahead and talk about a certain French midfielder who has had a couple of off games just when it looked like he was starting to kick on form-wise.

Then somebody went and signed a new contract.

So when you combine that with the simple fact that Spalletti said Juve’s No. 10 will be returning to the lineup, it feels only right that we talk about the brightest of bright stars currently wearing a Juventus jersey.

Yildiz was a part of the traveling squad to Bergamo ahead of the Coppa Italia quarterfinals. He was on the bench. Heck, he was even warming up during the second half and looking he could even be a late sub before things got completely out of reach and Atalanta went on to stretch their lead beyond 1-0. Maybe it was all part of the plan by Spalletti to try and do a bit of a deke and make Raffaele Palladino think a little bit more than he already was.

But there’s no question as to whether Yildiz will be taking the field on Sunday night.

And as I type this out, I can only imagine what kind of reception he will be getting when he is first announced or the first few times on the ball knowing what has just taken place earlier this weekend when it comes to committing his future to a club that he truly loves.

Would seeing Yildiz face Inter next weekend knowing he was on two weeks worth of rest be something incredibly enticing? Oh, absolutely. This young man has done so many good things this season with hundreds upon hundreds of minutes in his legs every week, so can you imagine what it would be like after a couple of weeks worth of rest? That is a nice proposition, but obviously one where it’s more for our respective thought processes rather than a reality that will play out.

You know Yildiz will be fired up to be back on the field after missing out on Thursday’s loss to Atalanta. Plus, you know he will be fired up to have a big-time performance the day after he signed his big new contract as well. The young man only be 20 years old, but he is well aware of the moment and his place in it. What a better way to say he is worth of said new contract and the big pay raise that comes with it than to help Juventus to a big three points at a time in which they’re looking to get back on track after a tough loss.

One game against eighth-place Lazio won’t define just how worthy Yildiz is of this new contract. But you better believe he wants to start this run of his new contract a lot like he did with the last one he signed about 18 months ago.

MATCH INFO

When: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.

Where: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy.

Official kickoff time: 8:45 p.m. local time in Italy and across Europe, 7:45 p.m. in the United Kingdom, 2:45 p.m. Eastern time, 1:45 p.m. Central time, 11:45 a.m. Pacific time.

HOW TO WATCH

Television: Fox Deportes (United States); TLN (Canada); TNT Sports 1 (United Kingdom).

Online/Streaming: Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network, Amazon Prime USA, DAZN USA, fuboTV, FoxSports.com, Fox Sports app, Fox One (United States); DAZN Canada; fubo Sports Network Canada (Canada); DAZN UK (United Kingdom); DAZN Italy (Italy).

Other live viewing options can be found here, and as always, you can also follow along with us live and all the stupid things we say on Bluesky. If you haven’t already, join the community on Black & White & Read All Over, and join in the discussion below.

The Rockets stood pat at this year's trade deadline.

Despite being linked to names like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls, Houston wasn't able to strike a deal, and White was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets. Dosunmu was sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After missing out on both guards, the Rockets were one of just three teams not to make a move at this year's trade deadline, and they also opted to stay in the luxury tax.

According to The Ringer's Michael Pina, Houston's choice to do nothing at the deadline makes them one of the biggest losers.

Rockets standing pat

Some teams that probably should’ve showed more urgency sat on their hands. Some teams that probably should’ve sat on their hands decided to pick up the phone and make some strange decisions.@MichaelVPina's trade deadline winners and losers: https://t.co/mPZUEPy7y0

— RingerNBA (@ringernba) February 5, 2026

In the article, Pina wrote the Rockets have "all but admitted" they're not a championship contender right now with their decision to be "whisper quiet" at the deadline. He also wrote that Houston has "some significant areas in need of improvement," and that it could have opted to use one of its five first-round picks to improve the roster, especially after losing Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams to season-ending injuries.

Looking ahead at this offseason, Pina also wrote that Houston's quiet deadline could make them an "unpredictable offseason wild card," depending on "if/when they flame out in the postseason. He concluded by writing that people should "keep an eye on Houston."

While it would have been nice to see the Rockets make a move at this year's deadline, it's important to note that only one of the teams that are viewed as contenders this year traded a future first-round pick, the OKC Thunder. The pick the Thunder traded wasn't nearly as valuable as any of Houston's. Asking the Rockets to be the only other team to make such a move without impact players like VanVleet and Adams is a bit much, so one could argue Houston made the right decision protecting those assets.

That being said, there are still some obvious flaws with Houston's roster. Rockets GM Rafael Stone seems adamant that Houston will dip into the buyout market. If that's true, the Rockets could still upgrade their roster ahead of this year's playoffs, even if they didn't make a trade at this year's deadline.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: After quiet trade deadline, Rockets viewed as one of biggest losers

Two Egyptians, one stage

Salah vs Marmoush: Anfield set for Egyptian duel in Liverpool–City clash

Mohamed Salah will face Omar Marmoush when Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday in Premier League round 25.

Anfield hosts Egyptian Head-to-Head

All eyes will be on Liverpool & Manchester City when they meet on Sunday 1 February in one of the biggest games of the Premier League season.

The match carries special interest for Egyptian fans, with Mohamed Salah set to face compatriot Omar Marmoush at Anfield.

The game comes at difficult time for both players who have experienced mixed fortunes this season compared to last year.

Similar struggles, different roles

Salah has found the net only four times in 16 league matches this season.

After leading Liverpool to the Premier League title last campaign, the Egyptian star faced tense period under coach Arne Slot who left him on the bench for several matches.

Reports at the time suggested Salah was unhappy and even considering move away from Anfield.

However his situation improved after returning from Africa Cup of Nations where he rejoined the starting lineup.

Marmoush has also struggled for regular starts at City under Pep Guardiola.

The forward has started only three of 12 league match scoring three goal. Injuries with Egypt slowed his progress and competition for places has made consistent minutes hard to find.

Waiting for a breakthrough

Guardiola has been patient with Marmoush hoping to use him to ease the load on Erling Haaland who has scored three goal in five match since returning from AFCON.

Marmoush is often seen as future Egyptian star in Europe especially after his strong spell with Eintracht Frankfurt.

However Salah has already urged fans to stop comparing them.

In November 2024 Salah said Marmoush is good player with strong qualities but warned that constant comparisons create pressure and do not help his development.

Previous meetings and League picture

Sunday’s match will be the third meeting between Salah & Marmoush since the latter joined City. Marmoush has yet to score against Liverpool.

In their first meeting last season, Liverpool won 2-0 at the Etihad. Earlier this season, City responded with 3-0 home win.

Liverpool currently sit sixth with 36 point while Manchester City are third with 47 point.

The result could shape both the title race and the personal rivalry between the two Egyptian internationals.

History favors Liverpool

The two club have met 195 time in all competitions.

Liverpool hold the edge with 92 win, compared to 53 victory for City and 50 draw.

Salah has faced City 24 time winning nine, drawing six and losing nine.

He has scored 13 goal and provided eight assist against them.

MMA Fighting has UFC Vegas 113 results for the Bautista vs. Oliveira event, a live blog of the main event, and more from Meta APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

In the main event, Mario Bautista squares off against Vinicius Oliveira in a meeting of two of the top bantamweights. Bautista looks to bounce back from a recent loss to Umar Nurmagomedov, while Oliveira has reeled off six straight victories.

Kyoji Horiguchi and Amir Albazi clash in a flyweight contest in the co-main event.

Check out UFC Vegas 113 results below.

Main Card (Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET)

Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira

Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji Horiguchi

Jailton Almeida vs. Rizvan Kuniev

Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Marc-Andre Barriault

Farid Basharat vs. Jean Matsumoto

Dustin Jacoby vs. Julius Walker

Preliminary Card (LIVE NOW)

Alex Morono vs. Daniil Donchenko

Nikolay Veretennikov vs. Niko Price

Bruna Brasil vs. Ketlen Souza

Javid Basharat vs. Gianni Vazquez

Eduarda Moura vs. Wang Cong

Jakub Wiklacz def. Muin Gafurov via submission (guillotine choke) (R3, 4:59)

Klaudia Sygula def. Priscila Cachoeira via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

Kelvin Sampson cries 'poor' despite Houston's National Championship runner-up finish originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars squad have only two losses on the season, both to ranked opponents, and look for another Final Four appearance. As the No. 8 team in the country, Sampson has the Cougars somewhere they haven’t been since the Phi Slama Jama of the 1980s. Nationally relevant.

According to USA Today, Sampson believes they have achieved those heights despite a significant handicap. Houston is “poor.”

After a 79-55 win over UCF, Sampson decided to speak about player retention and the financial state of the program in his post-game press conference. Despite a favorable position prior to the Tournament, Sampson feels they may be losing the larger financial battle facing all college programs.

"We're poor,” Sampson said. “We were poor when I got here and we're still poor. We probably have the lowest budget of anybody in Power Four. The way our recruiting is going, we have to stop at some point because we don't have the money to keep bringing in many good players. And that's not easy for us to do."

The most money doesn't equal the most wins, yet

According to USA Today’s 2024 sports database, Houston ranks 56^th among all division 1 college basketball programs (56^th out of over 360 in D1). Of the teams ahead of them, only two are not Power 4 programs. Making Houston 54^th among the 68 Power 4 basketball programs.

Houston may be outside the top 50 of Power 4 spenders, but they are still a top 10 ranked team. Of the teams ahead of them in the rankings, Arizona (31), Michigan (4), UConn (50), Duke (NL), Illinois (24) and Iowa State (39), only Michigan is actually a big NIL spender.

The numbers reflected in USA Today’s 2024 report do reflect the numbers of Houston as a member of the AAC as opposed the Big 12 conference they currently reside in.

Sampson acknowledged that his best players are well-compensated, despite the financial woes. “They’re not starving here,” he said. “They’re getting exactly what the market is for them.”

Samson is not wrong about the numbers, however, the direct connection between money and success in college basketball is less literal than their football counterparts. From the final college football top 10, nine of those top 10 teams are among some of the biggest spenders. In college basketball, that corollary is much less literal.

Pre/post NIL, the landscape is similar but shifted

"Teams that have the best recruiting classes usually have the most money,” Sampson said. “That's the way it is today. It’s not about who we want to sign; it’s about who can we afford to sign?”

The issue Sampson is referring to is real, but it’s real for everyone. Unless certain guardrails, rules, or protocols are implemented, this will be the realization for most Power Four programs in basketball. There have always been the select teams at the top. Pre or post NIL era.

The only difference is Houston, and others are used to recruiting against the allure of Duke and UNC and UConn, while now they are recruiting against programs with deep pockets. Despite the financial aspects, the landscape is essentially similar.

A handful of teams at the top with a recruiting advantage over the larger majority. The specific programs just might have shifted to different names based on who is willing to spend the most. Sampson and many programs simply face the same problem by a different name. 

Houston is in a good position heading into the second week of February. However, the Cougars will need to remain focused on the task at hand. With nine games remaining in their schedule, Houston is set to face BYU, Iowa State, Arizona, and Kansas before looking to Tournament seeding. All four of those opponents are ranked between No. 1 and No. 16 in the nation. 

More college basketball news:

• Hubert Davis buyout, contract details as UNC Tar Heels coach
• Why is Bryce James not playing? The reason you won't see LeBron's youngest son
• 'Basketball Saved My Life': Why Master P came home to rebuild New Orleans
• Why FOX blocked St. John’s from participating in a major college basketball event
• John Calipari says college athletics is broken — Here’s his plan to fix It

UFC Vegas 113 Preview

UFC Vegas 113 happens TONIGHT (Sat., Feb. 7, 2026) inside the newly-renamed META APEX venue in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the first-ever APEX card of the Paramount+ era and … it’s okay.

The main event tonight is Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira in the Bantamweight division. Both of these guys will be hoping a big win helps them get toward the front of the line that is forming behind new 135-pound kingpin, Petr Yan.

Our co-main is Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji Horiguchi and that has title implications, too, perhaps more immediate ones. Horiguchi returned to the Octagon last year and pasted Tagir Ulanbekov (re-live that here). If he takes out the perennially top-ranked Albazi, he might get fast -tracked to a title shot against new division roost-ruler, Joshua Van.

Rounding out UFC Vegas 113’s main card is Jailton Almeida vs. Rizvan Kuniev. There’s been some wild betting activity on that one. There’s also Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (that should be a banger) and Jean Matsumoto versus the undefeated Farid Basharat.

UFC Vegas 113’s “Prelims” are headlined by Dustin Jacoby vs. Julius Walker. There’s also Wang Cong vs. Edourda Moura. Javid Basharat was supposed to fight Said Nurmagomedov. However, Nurmagomedov is out of that fight and he has been replaced at short notice by Gianni Vazquez (full story here).

UFC Vegas 113 Start Date and Time

UFC Vegas 113 airs onParamount+ tonight, as per usual. However, the start times are a little different tonight compared to the previous shows so far this year.

The “Prelims” begin at 5 p.m. ET and the main card goes live at 8 p.m. ET.

You can checkout live results, analysis and play-by-play commentary here all night starting at 5 p.m. ET. Please jump in the comments and chat with fellow fans as all the fights unfold.

UFC Vegas 113 Quick Results

Main card

• 135 lbs.:Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira
• 125 lbs.: Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
• 265 lbs.: Jailton Almeida vs. Rizvan Kuniev
• 185 lbs.: Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
• 135 lbs: Jean Matsumoto vs. Farid Basharat

‘Prelims’

• 205 lbs.: Dustin Jacoby vs. Julius Walker
• 170 lbs.: Alex Morono vs. Daniil Donchenko
• 115 lbs.: Bruna Brasil vs. Ketlen Souza
• 135 lbs.: Javid Basharat vs. Gianni Vasquez
• 125 lbs.: Wang Cong vs. Eduarda Moura
• 135 lbs.: Muin Gafurov vs. Jakub Wiklacz
• 135 lbs.: Klaudia Sygula def. Priscilla Cachoeira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

UFC Vegas 113 Play-By-Play Updates

Prelims

Muin Gafarov vs. Jakub Wiklacz: Coming soon.

Gafurov vs Wiklacz is LIVE NEXT on @paramountplus! #UFCVegas113pic.twitter.com/VXkUVLnKsP

— danawhite (@danawhite) February 7, 2026

Klaudia Sygula vs. Priscila Cachoeria: These two put on a fun fight to start the night. Cachoeira came forwards throwing big shots, but she ended up walking into a wood chipper. Sygula peppered her with combos, splitting her open and slowing her down. Sygula won every round on my card.

Official decision: Klaudia Sygula def. Priscilla Cachoeira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

#UFCVegas113 is NOW LIVE on @paramountplus! Sygula vs Cachoeira is up first! pic.twitter.com/NNrD7nAZay

— danawhite (@danawhite) February 7, 2026

"I'm coming. I'm making my way back and see you at the top."@Bautista_MMA is locked in ahead of the #UFCVegas113 main event!

📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/sBXuhH1URb

— Paramount UFC (@paramountufc) February 7, 2026

LIVE from the Meta APEX 💪

The #UFCVegas113 Fight Night pre-show STARTS NOW on @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/ESNLLZtr5h

— Paramount UFC (@paramountufc) February 7, 2026

ALMOST THAT TIME 😤

Prelims 5pmET | Main Card 8pmET

[ #UFCVegas113 LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/ZeoZfCxTID

— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2026

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To checkout the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 113: “Bautista vs. Oliveira” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.

The St James' Park crowd roared in belief.

Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes had just drawn his side level at 2-2 against Brentford with a confident penalty.

But the Magpies were not content with a late equaliser. Sandro Tonali picked the ball out of the net so the game could quickly restart as Guimaraes led the rest of his buoyant team-mates back into their own half.

Was it going to be one of those nights on Tyneside?

Not even close.

It said it all that this fragile side were only level for a few short minutes before Dango Ouattara fired Brentford back in front after capitalising on poor defending.

The team's body blow was one which left home supporters stunned as Newcastle fell to a damaging 3-2 defeat.

One irate supporter even made his way towards the back of the dugout in the closing stages to urge head coach Eddie Howe to "sort it out" before loud boos rang out at full-time.

Newcastle are now languishing in 12th place in the Premier League - and Howe cut a visibly downbeat figure after the match.

Is he under pressure?

"I always feel under pressure," the Newcastle head coach said.

One win in eight games in all competitions is the current form.

"The type of pressure is irrelevant to me," Howe said.

"When you're in this job, you're always in that moment, whether it's pressure to win and keep winning or pressure to turn around results. We're very much in that feeling.

"I always say the pressure I put on myself couldn't be more extreme because I demand really high standards from what I'm doing, how I work, and what I ask the players to do. I'm obviously not doing my job well enough at the moment."

'I am not going down that route about the manager'

Howe has endured sticky spells before, of course.

This is a man who took charge of a side in deep relegation trouble in 2021 and only won one of his opening 10 games in all competitions.

There was a humiliating FA Cup exit to Cambridge United along the way on an afternoon when Kieran Trippier made his debut for the club.

Now, more than four years on, Trippier stressed he took "full responsibility" after being caught out in the build-up to all of Brentford's goals.

"It is nothing about the manager," Trippier told Sky Sports. "We take responsibility for the performances.

"The manager puts the plan out and we try and execute it. I am not going down that route about the manager. I would never do that."

But these past few months have arguably been the most challenging of Howe's stint at the club - on and off the field - and the strain can be traced as far back to the summer.

Newcastle operated without a sporting director and missed out on a number of first-choice targets, including Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and James Trafford, in a window when top scorer Alexander Isak went on strike in order to push through a move to Liverpool.

Howe had a huge say on recruitment, but Newcastle ended up spending over £250m on Jacob Ramsey, Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw,Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade, as well as bringing in goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan.

It was rather telling that only two recruits - Thiaw and Wissa - started against Brentford.

Wissa had a poked effort cleared off the line, when his side were 1-0 up, but this was another goalless outing for the former Brentford forward.

He left the field to a humiliating chorus of "what a waste of money" from the away end after being substituted.

Wissa has scored just three goals since making his debut in December, while Woltemade has only found the back of the net on one occasion in that same period.

One man who certainly knew where the goal was Alan Shearer, the club's leading scorer.

Shearer recognised that things are not good enough, but stressed Howe was "not under pressure".

"The signings in the summer - apart from Malick Thiaw - have not been good enough and hit anything like top form," said Shearer, who is a pundit on Saturday's Match of the Day.

"They simply haven't justified the money that was spent on them as yet and that has hindered Howe.

"Like any manager, things need to get better and they need to turn a corner, but in terms of him losing his job? Absolutely not."

Howe needs to spark turnaround once more

Such esteem should not come as a surprise.

This is a manager who ended Newcastle's seven-decade wait for a major domestic trophy less than a year ago, and who led his side to Champions League qualification in 2025 and 2023.

It is why Howe commanded instant respect from chief executive David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson when they were finally appointed earlier this season.

The pair have quickly struck up a relationship with Howe, and have repeatedly talked about the importance of alignment behind the scenes at a time when there have been very public ructions at clubs elsewhere.

There has been a degree of an understanding that this side are in transition following a turbulent summer.

There is also a recognition behind the scenes that the incredibly hands-on Howe has not had much training time with his players, and has had to contend with fatigue and injuries during a relentless schedule this season, which is a relatively new phenomenon for Newcastle.

Newcastle have a strong chance of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League, and have an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Aston Villa to come next week, but this season is unravelling. Fast.

No teams have dropped more points from winning positions in the league than Newcastle (19).

Howe's team have only won three away games in all competitions this season, and have lost three of their last four matches at St James' Park.

They are as close to the relegation zone as they are the top five.

Such statistics are all the more damning in a week during which Hopkinson doubled down on his assertion that Newcastle would be competing for the biggest prizes by 2030.

Howe certainly needs no reminding that he needs to spark a turnaround sooner rather than later.

"I've got to work better, do more and take full responsibility for everything you see on the pitch," he said.

"I've got to work out solutions. That's for me to do and it's the same for the players.

"I have to ask them to be really honest with themselves and look at their best level and judge how we are playing against that now in this current moment.

"I don't think there's too many who could say they're playing towards their best so that gives us growth to improve."

• Ouattara gives Brentford first win at Newcastle in 92 years
• Latest Newcastle news, analysis and fan views
• Ask about Newcastle - what do you want to know?

Let's not beat around the bush: How much is it if you want a last-minute ticket to Super Bowl LX?

Should you buy it tonight on Saturday, or, if you're in the Bay Area on Sunday, wait until the waning minutes to try and snipe a ticket for a deal of the century?

Generally, over the past few years, the wise idea would be not to wait until the last second for a ticket. Since COVID, tickets have held steady or gone up as kickoff has approached.

The Los Angeles Rams were playing at home in 2022, and the rabid Cincinnati Bengals fanbase was searching for its first ring.

Next, you had the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, two fan bases that travel exceptionally well. The same was for 2024, with the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Chiefs. And then we saw the rematch between the Chiefs and the Eagles last year.

But 2026 is different.

24 hours away from Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, and we are looking at one of the cheapest get-in tickets for a Super Bowl in a long time.

The price has already plummeted below the get-in price to see Indiana beat Miami for their first national title in the College Football Playoff.

But as each hour passes, the price keeps plummeting.

Currently, per TicketData, you can get into Levi's Stadium to watch the Patriots vs. Seahawks for $3,240.

A month ago, when no one knew who would be playing in the big game, the get-in price was near $7,000.

Although neither the Patriots nor the Seahawks has won in the past half-decade, it hasn't been a historically long wait for either. The two teams met in the Super Bowl only a little over a decade ago, when Tom Brady and the Patriots survived a classic against Russell Wilson's Seahawks.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: What It Actually Costs Just to Get Into Super Bowl LX

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas has emerged as one of many undrafted free agent gems on this Super Bowl roster, although in his case he was not originally signed by John Schneider.

In 2023, the Las Vegas Raiders waived Thomas during final roster cuts, which was seen as a surprise given how impressive he looked in preseason. The Seahawks claimed Thomas off waivers, and while his rookie season ended prematurely due to a knee injury, he stuck around when Mike Macdonald was hired to replace Pete Carroll.

Speaking with Field Gulls earlier in the week, the former NC State star pushed back on the idea that the Raiders letting him go was a surprise, although something else did surprise him.

“You said it was surprising, I wasn’t really surprised with just the way things were over there,” Thomas said. “So it wasn’t really unexpected. But to be claimed by Pete Carroll and the Seahawks, that was a little bit unexpected but it was super exciting. My first year was a lot of fun being able to be in Seattle under Pete Carroll and learn from a lot of veteran guys. And to be still here it’s been a huge blessing, I’m just really thankful to be part of this organization.”

Being undrafted (and in Thomas’ case, considered undersized at 5’11”) can create that “chip on the shoulder” mentality for a lot of NFL players, but Thomas says that isn’t the case for him.

“For me, personally, I don’t think I’m really looking to prove anybody wrong, necessarily,” Thomas said. “I don’t try to hold that against anybody. Everybody one has their own opinions and everyone has the right to their own coming out of the draft. I get the measurables thing and all that, but I just want to go out there and be there for my teammates and execute what my coaches put in front of me.”

Having taken over for Tyrice Knight in the starting lineup at weakside linebacker, Thomas has flourished in Mike Macdonald’s system, recording 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss out of his 97 tackles total. No play, however, was more important to Seattle’s NFC West triumph and eventual No. 1 seed berth than his interception off of San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey’s hands in Week 18.

Red zone takeaway by Drake Thomas and the Seahawks!

SEAvsSF on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/eEOrqbxdpn

— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2026

“It happened really fast,” Thomas said. “It was kind of surreal in the moment. It really didn’t even process, like, the ball just ended up in my hands. A crazy moment, for sure.”

Thomas plays alongside middle linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who was just named second-team All-Pro this season. It’s clearly been a working combination all season.

“I feel like we really complement each other well,” Thomas said. “He’s a great person to play aside and just a great person to have in the room I really appreciate what he brings to the table every single day.

“As far as playing together, I feel like he allows me to play the way that I want to play and vice versa. He has a great feel for that linebacker spot playing in the middle of the field. It’s a blessing to have him next to me on the field.”

Drake Thomas on the Seahawks recapturing their home field advantage, which started off rocky by losing to the 49ers but ended with Seattle going 8-2 at Lumen Field and winning both playoff games on their way to the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/qH81tlrKFp

— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) February 7, 2026

The 2026 NASCAR schedule begins after the Super Bowl at Daytona International Speedway, with all three major series hitting the iconic track for the first race of the regular season. Thanks to the new playoff format, there have been some major tweaks made to the schedule this season.

Here is the full NASCAR schedule for every series.

NASCAR Cup Schedule Schedule 2026

Here is the 2026 schedule for the NASCAR Cup Series.

Date	Track	TV/Stream
Sunday, Feb. 12	Duel at the Daytona	FS1
Sunday, Feb. 15	Daytona 500 | Daytona International Speedway	FOX
Sunday, Feb. 22	Autotrader 400 | Atlanta Motor Speedway	FOX
Sunday, March 1	DuraMax Grand Prix | Circuit of the Americas (COTA)	FOX
Sunday, March 8	Straight Talk Wireless 500 | Phoenix Raceway	FOX
Sun., March 15	Pennzoil 400 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway	FS1
Sun., March 22	Goodyear 400 | Darlington Raceway	FS1
Sun., March 29	Cook Out 400 | Martinsville Speedway	FS1
Sunday, April 12	Food City 500 | Bristol Motor Speedway	FOX
Sunday, April 19	AdVentHealth 400 | Kansas Speedway	FOX
Sunday, April 26	Jack Link’s 500 | Talladega Superspeedway	FOX
Sunday, May 3	Würth 400 | Texas Motor Speedway	FS1
Sunday, May 10	Go Bowling at The Glen | Watkins Glen International	FS1
Sunday, May 17	NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway	FS1
Sunday, May 24	Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway	Amazon Prime Video
Sunday, May 31	Cracker Barrel 400 | Nashville Superspeedway	Amazon Prime Video
Sunday, June 7	FireKeepers Casino 400 | Michigan International Speedway	Amazon Prime Video
Sunday, June 14	Pocono Raceway	Amazon Prime Video
Sunday, June 21	San Diego Street Race – Naval Base Coronado	Amazon Prime Video
Sunday, June 28	Toyota/Save Mart 350 | Sonoma Raceway	TNT
Sunday, July 5	Chicagoland Speedway	TNT
Sunday, July 12	Quaker State 400 | Atlanta Motor Speedway	TNT
Sunday, July 19	Window World 450 | North Wilkesboro Speedway	TNT
Sunday, July 26	Brickyard 400 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway	TNT
Sunday, Aug. 9	Iowa Corn 350 | Iowa Speedway	USA
Saturday, Aug. 15	Cook Out 400 | Richmond Raceway	USA
Sunday, Aug. 23	New Hampshire Motor Speedway	USA
Sat., Aug. 29	Coke Zero Sugar 400 | Daytona International Speedway	NBC
Sunday, Sept. 6	Chase Playoffs: Cook Out Southern 500 | Darlington	USA
Sunday, Sept. 13	Chase Playoffs: Enjoy Illinois 300 | World Wide Technology Raceway	USA
Sat., Sept. 19	Chase Playoffs: Bass Pro Shops Night Race| Bristol Motor Speedway	USA
Sunday, Sept. 27	Chase Playoffs: Hollywood Casino 400 | Kansas Speedway	USA
Sunday, Oct. 4	Chase Playoffs: South Point 400 |Las Vegas Motor Speedway	USA
Sunday, Oct. 11	Chase Playoffs: Bank of America 400 |Charlotte Motor Speedway	USA
Sunday, Oct. 18	Chase Playoffs: Freeway Insurance 500 | Phoenix Raceway	USA
Sunday, Oct. 25	Chase Playoffs: Yellawood 500 – Talladega Superspeedway	NBC
Sunday, Nov. 1	Chase Playoffs: Xfinity 500 – Martinsville Speedway	NBC
Sunday, Nov. 8	Cup Series Championship – Homestead-Miami Speedway	NBC

Related: NASCAR Predictions 2026, Projecting 16 Playoff Drivers

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Schedule 2026

Here is the 2026 NASCAR O’Really Auto Parts Series schedule, formerly known as the Xfinity Series.

Date	Track	TV
Saturday, Feb. 14	United Rentals 300 – Daytona International	CW
Sat., Feb. 21	Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 | Atlanta Motor Speedway	CW
Sat., Feb. 28	Focused Health 250 | Circuit of the Americas (COTA)	CW
Saturday, March 7	GOVX 200 | Phoenix Raceway	CW
Sat., March 14	The LiUNA! | Las Vegas Motor Speedway	CW
Sat., March 21	Sport Clips Haircuts Help a Hero 200 | Darlington Raceway	CW
Sat, March 28	NFPA 250 | Martinsville Speedway	CW
Saturday, April 4	NC Education Lottery 250 | Rockingham Speedway	CW
Sat., April 11	Bristol Motor Speedway	CW
Sat., April 18	Kansas Lottery 300 | Kansas Speedway	CW
Sat,. April 25	Talladega Superspeedway	CW
Saturday, May 2	Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 | Texas Motor Speedway	CW
Sat., May 9	Mission 200 at the Glen | Watkins Glen International	CW
Sat., May 16	BetRivers 200 | Dover Motor Speedway	CW
Sat., May 23	Charlotte Motor Speedway	CW
Sat., May 30	Tennessee Lottery 250 | Nashville Superspeedway	CW
Saturday, June 13	MillerTech Battery 250 | Pocono Raceway	CW
Sat., June 20	San Diego Street Race – Naval Base Coronado	CW
Sat., June 27	Sonoma Raceway	CW
Saturday, July 4	Chicagoland Speedway	CW
Sat. July 11	Focused Health 250 | EchoPark Speedway	CW
Sat. July 25	Indianapolis Motor Speedway	CW
Saturday, August 8	Iowa Speedway	CW
Sat. Aug. 28	Cook Out 400 | Daytona International Speedway	CW
Saturday, September 5	Chase Playoffs: Darlington Raceway	CW
Sat. Sept. 12	Chase Playoffs: No Way 225 Sauced by Blues Hog | WWTR	CW
Friday, Sept. 18	Chase Playoffs: Food City 300| Bristol Motor Speedway	CW
Saturday, October 3	Chase Playoffs: Focused Health 302 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway	CW
Sat., Oct. 10	Chase Playoffs: Blue Cross NC 250 | Charlotte Motor Speedway	CW
Sat. Oct. 17	Chase Playoffs | Phoenix Raceway	CW
Sat. Oct. 24	Chase Playoffs: The Progress Group 250 – Talladega Superspeedway	CW
Saturday, Oct. 31	Chase Playoffs | Martinsville Speedway	CW
Saturday, Nov. 7	Championship – Homestead-Miami Speedway	CW

Related: NASCAR Power Rankings 2026

NASCAR Truck Series Schedule 2026

Here is the NASCAR Truck Series schedule for 2026.

Date	Track	TV
Friday, February 13	Fresh From Florida 250 – Daytona International	FS1
Sat., Feb. 21	Fr8 Racing 208 | Echopark Speedway	FS1
Sat., Feb. 28	Grand Prix of St. Petersburg	FOX
Friday, March 20	Darlington Raceway	FS1
Friday, April 3	Black’s Tire 200 | Rockingham Speedway	FS1
Fri. April. 10	Tennessee Army National Guard 250 | Bristol Motor Speedway	FS1
Friday, May 1	SpeedyCash.com 250 | Texas Motor Speedway	FS1
Fri., May 8	Watkins Glen International	FS1
Fri., May 15	ECOSAVE 200 | Dover Motor Speedway	FS1
Fri., May 22	NC Education Lottery 200 | Charlotte Motor Speedway	FS1
Fri., May 29	Flote 200 | Nashville Superspeedway	FS1
Saturday, June 6	Michigan International Speedway	FS1
Fri., June 19	San Diego Street Race | Naval Base Coronado	FS1
Saturday, July 11	Lime Rock Park	FS1
Sat., July 18	Window World 250 | North Wilkesboro Speedway	FS1
Fri. July 24	Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park	FS1
Friday, August 14	Richmond Raceway	FS1
Sat., Aug. 22	Team EJP 175 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway	FS1
Friday, September 17	Chase Playoffs: UNOH 250 | Bristol Motor Speedway	FS1
Sat. Sept. 26	Chase Playoffs: Kansas Speedway	FS1
Friday, October 9	Chase Playoffs: Ecosave 250 | Charlotte Motor Speedway	FOX
Fri., Oct. 16	Chase Playoffs: Phoenix Raceway	FS1
Fri., Oct. 23	Chase Playoffs | Talladega Superspeedway	FS1
Fri., Oct. 30	Chase Playoffs | Martinsville Speedway	FS1
Friday, November 6	Championship | Homestead-Miami Speedway	FS1

Read More: NASCAR Hot Seat 2026, Five Cup Series Drivers on the Hot Seat

Related Headlines

• NASCAR Hot Seat 2026: 5 Drivers Under Pressure to Perform This Season
• NASCAR Predictions 2026: Projecting 16 Playoff Drivers for The Chase Before Daytona 500
• Fans Spot Kevin Harvick “Hypocrisy” During Weather-hit 2026 Clash Broadcast

Alright TOC Nation, it’s time for us to pump some good vibes into our basketball team to help Izzo’s squad avoid a third consecutive defeat. The #5 Illini invade the Breslin Center and it feels a little like our last chance to get a resume-building win, as our two remaining games against ranked opponents will be on the road.

How much will the Jeremy Fears drama be discussed in the pregame coverage? Will there be any more incidents that allow that storyline to grow? Can MSU show up for the first half? Can Jaxon Kohler find his shot?

The game gets underway at 8 PM ET and will be showing on FOX.

Let me hear you!

The Super Bowl is tomorrow, and the eyes of the NFL world are on the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, so our Chicago Bears question of the day has that LX slant.

If you could have any player from the Seahawks or Patriots join the Bears in 2026, who would you want?

You’re more than welcome to take this in any way possible, but for my answer, I’ll keep it on the realistic side and look at their pending free agents.

Seattle’s free agents are here, and New England’s are here.

The Bears’ top need is the defensive line, in particular, pass rush, and if they can’t land Trey Hendrickson in free agency or swing a trade for Maxx Crosby, Seattle’s Boye Mafe would be a nice option off the edge.

The 27-year-old Mafe (6’4”, 261) has never had double-digit sacks in a season, and he only had 2 in 2025, but he’s a disciplined and complete football player. I know that’s not as sexy as sacks, but he ranked eighth among all edge rushers in pass rush win rate (19%).

In four years since being drafted in the second round out of Minnesota, Mafe has 34 starts (65 games), 164 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 36 QB hits, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.

What are your thoughts on Mafe in free agency?

Which player from Super Bowl LX would you want on the Bears?

The moment we have been waiting for all season is finally here: the North Carolina Tar Heels are just moments away from facing off against the Duke Blue Devils in the Dean Smith Center. This game has been on everyone’s calendars outside of both fanbases for one obvious reason, which is a showdown between Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson, two of the best players in college basketball, and two future first-round NBA Draft picks. For Carolina and Duke fans, this game has a lot riding on it when it comes to pride, ACC standings, and well, hatred. For college basketball fans, this is going to be one of the most entertaining games of the season.

When looking at keys to tonight’s game, we of course have to start with the Wilson vs. Boozer matchup. It’s unclear as to whether or not we will see these two butting heads directly all night, but we will inevitably see at least some of that. When it comes to Wilson, one has to wonder if he can deal with Boozer’s strength and ability to score on all three levels without fouling. For Boozer, the question is how much success will he have against someone on the other side of him that is arguably just as skilled, perimeter game withstanding. He also has to deal with Henri Veesaar guarding him as well, so this will be Boozer’s toughest test yet. But of course, the same is also true for UNC’s bigs.

Zooming out, back court play will also be key in this game, and this is where it’s hard to predict what is going to happen. Both teams’ guards have had some really good moments and moments where they essentially disappeared. Duke’s Isaiah Evans is the only guard that has scored in double figures in the last two games, but that was mostly because the other guys weren’t getting enough touches. Caleb Foster will need to be a factor if they want to come out on top, and Cayden Boozer may need to…well…take a shot. Any shot.

On UNC’s side, Luka Bogavac and Derek Dixon have stepped up considerably over the last few games, and Seth Trimble has smoothed some things out on both sides of the ball. At least two of these three guys will need to be productive, and I’m also looking at Jonathan Powell who will need to at least hit a couple of threes to keep the Heels in it. There’s also the elephant in the room: can the Heels’ back court actually play good defense against above average talent? We’ll find out soon enough, but if they were going to step up in any game, it would be this one.

If you weren’t able to sell your car in order to get a ticket for tonight’s game, feel free to hang out with us in the comments section! We will be back after the game with post-game analysis and perhaps some screaming if things go the wrong way. Until then, Go Heels, and Go to Hell Duke!

Moise Kean admits Fiorentina must do more after their 2-2 draw with Torino, but hits back at criticism. ‘I even came in during my days off.’

The Viola had been trailing 1-0 to a Cesare Casadei free header when the offside trap failed, but turned it around to lead 2-1 through Manor Solomon’s long-range strike and the Kean finish.

However, deep into stoppages the marking was again slack on a free kick, allowing Guillermo Maripan to nod in the equaliser.

Kean stands up for his Fiorentina performances

FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina controls the ball during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Artemio Franchi on February 7, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“We have conceded far too many late goals, dropping points that would’ve taken us out of the relegation zone,” confessed Kean in his press conference.

“We’ve got to keep working, working, working. The one thing we cannot do is let our heads drop, because that would kill us right now.

“I am optimistic for the future of Fiorentina. We’ll work on defending those late goals and set plays, as we can’t afford to keep doing it.

“We need the support of everyone in Florence, as only if we all work together can we get out of this situation.”

FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Artemio Franchi on February 7, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

This was the first time they had Kean back in the starting XI after three matches, as he is struggling to shake off a recurring ankle issue.

“I feel better, and I’m trying to get stronger every day,” said the Italy international.

There had been some criticism in recent weeks, including rumours in the media that he would arrive late to training.

“Who said that? It’s not true, I was always at Viola Park during the difficult moments, and even when I had the day off. I also had a family situation that I had to go and deal with, so I needed to be with them, but for the rest I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Kean is still the joint Fiorentina top scorer this season with seven goals in 26 competitive games, while Alberto Gudmundsson is also on seven, but with 30 appearances.

Rising through the ranks at a club like Bayern Munich inevitably brings attention, and with attention comes expectation. For young talents suddenly thrust into the spotlight, managing that pressure can be just as important as developing on the pitch. Karl’s recent comments offer a glimpse into the mindset required to stay grounded while navigating growing hype and scrutiny.

Rather than getting swept up in headlines or social media discourse, Karl points to the importance of a strong personal support system and emotional balance. As he explained:

“My agent and my parents are a great help. I try to largely ignore what’s written about me on social media. Of course, I’m happy when positive things are written about me. However, every career has its low points, during which you shouldn’t let the news get to you too much, as it can affect your performance,” Karl said (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).

It’s a mature perspective—one that reflects awareness of how quickly narratives can shift in modern football. A standout performance can spark praise, while a quiet stretch may invite criticism just as fast. By focusing on trusted voices rather than public opinion, Karl is building the mental resilience that often separates promising prospects from long-term professionals.

For Bayern Munich, nurturing that mentality is crucial. Talent alone rarely guarantees success at the highest level; consistency, composure, and the ability to block out noise are equally vital. If Karl continues to pair his on-field development with this grounded outlook, the growing expectations surrounding him may become less of a burden—and more of a sign of the future he’s steadily shaping.

---

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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The big winner at LIV Golf’s season opener in Riyadh, under the lights in Saudi Arabia, was clearly the man who lifted two trophies and is cashing two checks for individual and team victories. Elvis Smylie, a 23-year-old who had never won a pro tournament outside of his native Australia, played brilliantly all week in his LIV debut, including shooting a final-round 64 to hold off by one shot two-time major champion Jon Rahm, who applied the heat with a 63.

Between his own victory and that of his Ripper GC team with three fellow Aussies, Smylie earned in the neighborhood of $4.75 million.

The week’s biggest loser? Well, getting solo third place and a $1.5 million check is nothing to scoff at, but American Peter Uihlein became the first “victim” of LIV’s effort to strengthen its World Ranking points position by expanding its format to 72 holes this season.

In any of the first four years of the Saudi-backed league, Uihlein would have reached a playoff against Smylie after they shot 66 and 65, respectively, in the third round to stand tied at 16 under. They would have dueled for the $4 million first prize. Instead, neither had that chance, and it was Uihlein who ended up with $2.5 million less in his pocket than Smylie.

“Thanks for bringing that up,” Uihlein, a 36-year-old former college star at Oklahoma State, said with a smile ahead of the final round.

He added that he thought 72 holes fit him better, but it was Smylie—never a part of LIV’s 54-hole events—who didn’t show any signs of fading while playing amid the laser beams and loud music. Smylie is, after all, named for a beloved American singer who thrived amid the bright lights of Vegas.

After Smylie birdied the first hole to pull one ahead of Uihlein, the left-hander never again was tied for the lead, and he tore up Riyadh Golf Club’s benign back nine with four birdies in the first five holes en route to shooting five under on the inward nine. That was just enough to hold off the hard-charging Rahm, who poured in six birdies on the back, including four straight to finish.

Smylie, who didn’t suffer a bogey over his last 39 holes, did have something of a nervy 72nd hole. He drove left into the rough, and his approach came up at least 70 feet short in the front fringe. But Smylie hit a firm putt from there that went just past the hole, giving him a straightforward par putt for the one-shot victory over Rahm, who was LIV’s individual season champion last year despite earning no wins.

“It's a dream come true,” Smylie said. “I really didn't know what to expect this week. Playing at night is obviously a whole different ballgame out here.

“I wanted to come out here and make a statement. I wanted to prove that I'm one of the best out here, and I feel like I've done that, and it's only up from here.”

That Smylie would celebrate the Rippers’ team win—they beat the Joaquin Niemann-led Torque GC by only three shots—by getting a hug from his captain, past Open Championship winner Cam Smith, was truly a full-circle life moment. The two have been close since Smylie was awarded the Cam Smith Scholarship in 2019 that goes to promising young golfers in Australia. The then-teenager got to spend a week with Smith in his Florida home and learn about his approach to the professional game.

“He's world-class at what he does,” Smylie said of Smith on Sunday. “And I feel like I have so much to learn from him, and I feel like I'm only going to get better and better.”

Remarkably, Smylie, after winning twice on PGA Tour of Australasia in 2024, captured his first top-level pro victory late in ’24 when he beat Smith by two shots in the DP World Tour’s BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland, not far from where he grew up.

“I genuinely think he can be the best golfer in the world,” Smith said this week. “He's got all the tools of the trade. He just needs to keep doing what he's doing and knuckle down. He's got the mentality. He showed it out there today. He's got the grit. He's a Queenslander, so that comes with it.”

After the Australian PGA win, Smylie posted five more top-10 finishes on the DP World Tour before signing with LIV in mid-January.

At the time, Smith called Smylie joining LIV’s team of Aussies “a huge moment, not just for Ripper GC, but for Australian golf. It represents the next wave of Australian talent coming through at a time when the sport is absolutely booming back home.”

That impact figures to be wildly celebrated soon, when LIV moves on next week to Australia for its Adelaide event that is the most embraced and best-attended tournament on the schedule.

“[The win] gives me a huge amount of confidence, going back home next week to Adelaide,” Smylie said. “It's going to be really exciting playing in front of a home crowd.”

Smylie’s week also was significant because he becomes the first to win a LIV event that was afforded Official World Golf Ranking points. The development that was announced earlier in the week, with the OWGR board deciding to give points to the top-10 finishers and ties in each LIV tournament, was met with unhappiness for LIV and some of its players. While the five-year-old league called it a “long-overdue moment of recognition,” its leadership also said “this outcome is unprecedented” for its tight limitation on the points awarded.

Smylie, who made his LIV debut as the 134th player in the world, will earn approximately 23 points for his win—comparable to the champions of opposite-field events on the PGA Tour. It’s more points than will be accumulated by the winner of this week’s DP World Tour Qatar Masters.

NEED TO KNOW

• Figure skater Amber Glenn said she's received "a scary amount" of hate and threats after speaking about President Donald Trump
• Glenn, 26, was asked a question about Trump at a press conference, and said it's been "a hard time" for the LGBTQ community
• Glenn said she will continue to use her platform and her voice

Team USA figure skater Amber Glenn is defending her decision to publicly speak her mind on the state of America’s political climate.

Glenn, who is the first openly queer woman to represent the U.S. in Olympic figure skating, was asked directly about President Trump, his treatment of the LGBTQ community and how it affects her at a press conference on Feb. 4 for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

The athlete, 26, told reporters that while it’s been “a hard time” for the community, she hoped to use her platform and her voice “to try and encourage people to stay strong.”

On Saturday, Feb. 7, Glenn revealed that her answers at the press conference had drawn backlash, including a “scary” number of social media hate and threats.

“When I chose to utilize one of the amazing things about the United States of America (Freedom of speech) to convey how I feel as an athlete competing for Team USA in a troubling time for many Americans I am now receiving a scary amount of hate/threats for simply using my voice WHEN ASKED about how I feel,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories.

The figure skater said that while she’d expected to receive some backlash, it still “disappointed” her. As a result, Glenn — who has a stacked few weeks of competition ahead of her — said she’d temporarily be stepping away from social media, but would stand strong in her beliefs.

“I will be limiting my time on social media for my own wellbeing for now but I will never stop using my voice for what I believe in,” she wrote, signing the message with a white heart and an “Xoxo.”

During the press conference, Glenn explained why she felt the need to speak out, dismissing critics who want her to “stick to [sports].”

“I know that a lot of people will say, ‘You’re just an athlete, stick to your job and shut up about politics,’ but politics affects us all,” she told reporters. “It’s something that I will not just be quiet about, because it is something that affects us in our everyday lives. So of course there are things that I disagree with, but as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days are ahead of us.”

Glenn’s message comes after freestyle skiers Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess acknowledged that they’re feeling “mixed emotions” about representing Team USA this year — a stance that polarized fans of the Olympics, as athletes have a history of refraining from wading into political matters.

“A lot of times, athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things. I feel heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States,” Lillis said at a press conference on Feb. 6, after being asked about representing the U.S. “I’m pretty sure you’re referencing ICE and some of the protests and things like that. I think that as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody, with love and respect.”

Still, Lillis said that he loves the United States, and “would never want to represent” any other country at the Olympics.

Hess, meanwhile, said that just because he wears the U.S. flag on his uniform “doesn’t mean I represent everything that is going on in the U.S.”

“It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” Hess said. “I think for me, it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home… all the things that I believe are good about the United States.”

Vice President JD Vance was in town for the opening ceremony on Feb. 6, and his appearance on screen at San Siro Stadium drew boos from the crowd. The country’s immigration conversation has grown heated in recent months, particularly after the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota.

ICE tactics, including the nearly two-week detainment of a 5-year-old boy, have drawn outrage from some, prompting national and international protests. On Feb. 6, citizens of Milan staged an anti-ICE protest in the Olympics host city.

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.

Read the original article on People

Real Madrid are stepping up interest in Manchester City midfielder Rodri, Arsenal among clubs keen on Leon Goretzka and Manchester United and Newcastle target Michael Kayode.

Real Madrid are stepping up their interest in 29-year-old Manchester City midfielder Rodri, with the Spain international having less than 18 months left on his contract. (Teamtalk)

Arsenal are keen to bring Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka in on a free transfer in the summer, with the Gunners having reportedly tried to sign the 31-year-old Germany international in January. (Mirror)

Juventus have not held any contract talks with striker Dusan Vlahovic since last summer and, with the Serbia international's deal running out in the summer, Chelsea, Tottenham, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Roma are interested in the 26-year-old. (Foot Mercato - in French)

Paris St-Germain boss Luis Enrique has been linked with taking over at Manchester United but the Spaniarddoes not believe it is the right project for him and is set to sign a new contract with the French club. (Mirror)

Manchester United and Newcastle have joined the growing list of clubs tracking Brentford and Italy Under-21 right‑back Michael Kayode, 21. (Teamtalk)

Inter Milan are set to offer manager Cristian Chivu a one-year contract extension, which will run until 2028, and a pay rise at the end of the season. (Corriere dello Sport, via Football Italia)

Argentina forward Paulo Dybala, 32, and Italy attacking midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, 29, will have to take pay cuts if they want to stay at Roma, with the contracts of both players running out in the summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian)

Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, 25, could demand a move away from Newcastle if the Magpies fail to qualify for the Champions League next season. (Football Insider)

But Newcastle are also looking at Lyon's 23-year-old English midfielder Tyler Morton as a possible replacement for Tonali, while Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are also interested in the former Liverpool player. (Caughtoffside)

Barcelona have decided to make 28-year-old England forward Marcus Rashford's loan move from Manchester United permanent. (Fichajes - in Spanish)

• Saudi club to offload Ronaldo for £43m - Saturday's gossip
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Giants predicted to make blockbuster trade for $56 million Cy Young, two-time All-Star ace after whiffing on Framber Valdez originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Francisco Giants were seen as a frontrunner for All-Star ace Framber Valdez, but with him signing with the Detroit Tigers, they’ll need to pivot. And with most star free agents off the board, it’ll probably have to be through trade.

Fansided’s Christopher Kline predicts that the Giants will give the Miami Marlins a call, and go after former Cy Young Sandy Alcantara.

MORE: Proposed Red Sox trade sees Boston finally deal Jarren Duran, receive multiple top prospects in return

"It's unclear if the Marlins would actually trade Sandy Alcántara on top of Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers, but it's probably worth a phone call as the San Francisco Giants balance risk versus reward…The Giants would love a solid No. 3 behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray in the rotation. Alcántara is a sinkerballer like Valdez, only with a lot more zip (and a bit more inconsistency, of course). His metrics were down across the board in 2025, but his velocity stayed up after a major injury, so there's real hope here. Miami's phone lines are open, clearly,” Kline wrote.

This past season, Alcantara was coming off a major injury, and posted an 11-12 record, a 5.36 ERA, 142 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.271 over 174 innings pitched. However, it seemed like he was figuring it out after the trade deadline, where he posted a 5-3 record, a 3.70 ERA, and 61 Ks in 65 innings pitched. 

MORE: Proposed Pirates trade sees Pittsburgh land $100 million two-time All-Star, Silver Slugger after whiffing on Eugenio Suarez

Combine that with the fact he’d be playing in one of the more pitcher-friendly parks in baseball in Oracle, and Alcantara could have a major bounce-back. On top of that, he only has a year left on his contract, and if he does well, the Giants could exercise his club option.

Hopefully, the Giants consider this deal, as Spring Training is right around the corner, and they need to make improvements ASAP.

MORE MLB NEWS

Proposed Yankees trade sees New York move on from Jasson Dominguez, receive top prospects in return

Orioles predicted to pivot after whiffing on Framber Valdez, sign $75 million All-Star, former Cy Young candidate as Plan B

Blue Jays predicted to trade for $3 million All-Star lefty ace to righty-dominant lineup, compensate for missing out on Kyle Tucker

A.J. Brown sends clear message regarding his future with Eagles originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A.J. Brown’s future in Philadelphia has been a hot topic for what feels like years now, as everyone seems to have something to say about it.

We haven’t heard much from Brown himself about it, though, until now. During an appearance on Micah Parson’s podcast, Brown expressed excitement about the future in Philadelphia following some changed to the offensive coaching staff over the offseason.

A.J. Brown expresses excitement about the future in Philadelphia 

The Eagles recently hired Sean Sean Mannion to replace Kevin Patullo as offensive coordinator. They also brought in Josh Grizzard to serve as passing game coordinator.

Brown showed some serious respect for Patullo, but also acknowledged that a change was necessary after the way the offense performed this past season.

More: Eagles GM responds to question about potential A.J. Brown trade

“I'm always excited,” Brown said. “You know, sometimes change is not a bad thing. I have the utmost respect for [Kevin Patullo]. To me, he did a tremendous job, and he has a great heart. But I'm excited for the season. I'm excited for what's to come.”

Brown also had a lot of positive things to say about the city of Philadelphia and the notoriously passionate Eagles fans.

“When I got to Philly, man, Philly welcomed me with open arms,” Brown said. “That's home, man, and I love them. I love the support, I love the accountability, I love everything else that they do. But it just, I love it. … Philly is Philly. You have to be there to understand.”

This story will be updated. 

More Philadelphia Eagles news: 

• Nick Sirianni releases statement regarding Eagles' decision to hire Sean Mannion
• Philadelphia Eagles predicted to retain key contributor in free agency
• Philadelphia Eagles predicted to make quarterback trade over offseason
• Eagles urged to avoid former Pro Bowl cornerback in free agency

Barcelona already know how much they’ve come to rely on Raphinha’s intensity and leadership.

His absence was deeply felt at the beginning of the season as Barcelona struggled to reach their best form.

The Brazilian won’t be out for long, but every match in La Liga matters in a tight title race against Real Madrid, so all eyes were on the front line against Mallorca to see if they could get the job done.

But Barcelona did not look good from the start. The energy was low, and the team looked like there were destined to receive a wake up call from none other than Jan Virgili, an academy player they let walk over the summer.

This was the type of game where Raphinha would have been very useful. If only…

Marcus Rashford, however, was one of the bright spots who look determined to make an impact on the game. From the beginning, he was taking on defenders one v. one, and as a result, was consistently creating danger.

Lamine Yamal was tightly marked, which gave even more chances to Marcus.

In the end, it was power over finesse that broke the deadlock.

One thing we have come to learn about Rashford during his time at Barcelona is that, although he’s fast, his speed isn’t his greatest asset on the pitch. You have seen moments of him getting behind backlines, but it’s not where he’s made the biggest impact.

Where he’s really been effective is sitting in wide areas, staying part of the build up, and using his technical abilities around the box to play in dangerous passes, or as we saw on several occasions against Mallorca, cutting in and unleashing powerful shots.

He’s also become the de facto set piece specialist for Barcelona as well, whether it’s from corners, like the one he delivered to Ronald Araujo midweek, or from free kicks, like the one he scored against Elche.

It’s hard to deny at the moment that Rashford has truly carved out a niche for himself on this team.

Going forward, you want to see him see himself as a true protagonist in Barcelona. He’s not a supporting cast kind of guy. Now that he’s feeling comfortable in his new country, and looking adjusted to the style of La Liga, it’s time to see if he can take his game to the next level.

Barcelona will have a difficult choice to make about his future at the end of the season.

For me, it’s less about the goals and assists, and more about showing in the run of play that you belong. To be a player at Barcelona, you have to be fearless.

Against Mallorca, he was the man of the match. Lamine Yamal scored the wonder goal to seal the deal, but Marcus was the difference maker who turned the tide when his team was struggling.

You love to see it.

Success begets success. There’s a lot of season ahead, and Barcelona will need Marcus Rashford to continue leading the way when the pressure is on.

With the trade deadline behind them, the Nets introduced Ochai Agbaji and Josh Minott on Saturday afternoon at Barclays Center and beat the Washington Wizards 127-113, improving to 14-37 while snapping a three-game skid. The turnover that made their arrivals possible was still fresh.

Cam Thomas, Haywood Highsmith and Tyrese Martin were waived to open the door. Hunter Tyson, briefly part of the picture after a deal with the Denver Nuggets, was gone soon after he arrived. Before tipoff, Agbaji and Minott met the media, offering an early glimpse of two wings Brooklyn believes align with where it wants to go.

“We know they’re very good players, that’s why they’re here,” head coach Jordi Fernández said. “They’re good people and good players, so they fit what we’re trying to build. For me, it’s about getting to know them and giving them the opportunity without putting limitations on who I think they are. Show me what you can bring to the group, and if you can be part of this group, you can be a future Net.”

Opportunity is one thing. Identity is another. Both newcomers arrived with a clear sense of what they believe travels from team to team, and for Agbaji, it starts on the defensive end. The 25-year-old appeared in 42 games for the Toronto Raptors this season, averaging 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds. After shooting 39.9% from 3-point range last year, he entered the afternoon at 18.5% this season on 65 attempts.

Fernández believes Agbaji can return to being the outside threat he once was.

“The conversations have been good, brief,” Agbaji said. “There’s been a lot going on, but [Jordi] told me he wants me here, that he sees a lot more in me and what I can bring to this team. For me it’s about getting back to myself and who I know I can be. That’s super important in this league and it’s what I work for and what I’m trying to show again.”

And there’s at least one built-in comfort for Agbaji. He’s reunited with Jalen Wilson, a former college teammate from Kansas’ national championship run, and said being back in a locker room with him makes Brooklyn “feel even more like home.”

“We played three years together and went through ups and downs, and we ended my career there winning a national championship, which was great,” Agbaji said. “I actually knew him before he came to Kansas. I hosted him on his recruiting visit. I’ve known him a long time and seen him grow. Ending up teammates with him again is great.

Minott’s journey was different, but the foundation sounds familiar. Originally drafted in 2022, he comes over from the Boston Celtics after appearing in 33 games and averaging 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds. The opportunities he carved out there, he said, were rooted in “hunger” and “desperation,” traits he believes translate no matter the jersey.

The 23-year-old said the defensive identity in Brooklyn already mirrors what he values, with an emphasis on pressure and disruption. He added that his shooting has progressed to the point where he trusts it as a real strength and believes in taking the right, open looks when they’re there. What he sees in the Nets is a young group wired to play that way. And the reset, in his mind, doesn’t change his personal standard.

“For me it’s about staying true to the values I’ve learned over my three and a half years in the league, especially the work ethic,” Minott said. “I’ve been around some winning organizations. Understanding what we did right and what it takes to make those playoff pushes, it’s about bringing that over.”

Defense is the entry point for Agbaji and Minott. It’s what stands out on both résumés and what Brooklyn keeps insisting it wants to be about. For Fernández, that shows up immediately in how you defend at the point of attack.

“Ball pressure is our first staple,” Fernández said. “Every time you can apply ball pressure, full court or half court, you can create turnovers and deflections and make the other team uncomfortable and late in the clock. We believe those guys can do that and I’m excited to watch them play.”

Agbaji and Minott, still learning the system, didn’t play against the Wizards, but the Nets didn’t need much depth in a matchup between two teams expected to slide down the stretch in pursuit of draft position. Brooklyn entered the afternoon with a clean injury report, but Washington had just eight available players and a lengthy list of absences that included Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Cam Whitmore and Tre Johnson.

The Nets’ 46 points in the first quarter were their most in any period this season and their highest-scoring quarter since 2003. Brooklyn’s 80 points in the first half were also a season high and their most in a half since 2022, and they led by as many as 34. While the Wizards won the second half 66-47 and trimmed the deficit to 12 with 2:10 left, Brooklyn had done enough early to hold on for the win.

Michael Porter Jr. led seven Brooklyn players in double figures with 23 points, while Will Riley fueled Washington’s comeback attempt with 27.

The Nets return to action Monday when they host the Chicago Bulls.

TORRINGTON - Ask what the key ingredient was in the success of the Torrington boys basketball state championship team in 2006, and you'll hear a common theme.

"What stands out is how deep the team was," said Mike Fabiaschi, a senior guard for the Raiders. "I think the second five off the bench would've won 12 games in the regular season and a couple of tournament games."

"We had athletes," said former coach Tony Turina. "We had very smart basketball players. They were students of the game, and most of them were three-sport athletes. But during that stretch - 2005, 2006, '07, '04 - we had phenomenal athletes."

At no time was that depth more important than during the Raiders' 55-40 win over Holy Cross in the Division II state title game at Central Connecticut's Detrick Gymnasium.

Four members of the team were suspended for one quarter after they mooned a passing car on the bus ride home from a state semifinal win over Sheehan.

The four - starters Mark Woznicki, Gary Robinson and Fabiaschi, and reserve Sal Mancini - were held out of the first quarter of the championship game as part of the school's punishment.

The thinking by some was that the Raiders would have to hang on somehow against Holy Cross until they were back to full strength. The thinking was wrong. Torrington not only survived, it thrived.

Sophomore point guard Andre French controlled the game, scored seven of his 14 points in the first quarter, and Torrington led 15-11 when the buzzer sounded.

"When we won that quarter, what a heartbreaker that was for (Holy Cross)," Fabiaschi said.

Indeed, as the period ended, the Torrington students started chanting, "Here they come" before switching to "You're in trouble."

The game was played before a sellout crowd of 2,812, two-thirds of them rooting for Torrington. Loudest of all were the THS students who filled the bleachers across from the team bench.

Dressed in the school's crimson red - any other color meant banishment - they called themselves the Raider Crazies.

"No matter what, our boys knew they were taken care of and we were always going to be loud for them," recalled one of the Crazies' ringleaders, Frankie Graziano. "It became a point of pride that you had to be as loud as you could be so that (the Connie Donahue Gymnasium) would be the hardest place to play. We called it the House of Horrors."

In the second quarter, Torrington's defense put the clamps on the Crusaders as the lead expanded to 31-19 by halftime. Holy Cross, which had lost twice in three earlier games with Torrington that season, never really threatened in the second half.

With 14 points, French was named the game's MVP. Woznicki had 12 points and four rebounds. Freshman Jordan Williams, a future NBA pro, had 10 points and two blocks. And Ty Kittle contributed eight points and nine rebounds.

The game ended with the basketball in Mancini's hands. "I threw it up as high as I could," he said. "I don't remember it coming down."

As the final buzzer neared, CIAC officials pleaded with Torrington fans to stay off the court. But this was the school's first state title since 1944 (third overall), and the students were not to be denied.

Once the team handshake line was done, they surrounded their favorites and hoisted a couple of players on their shoulders. "It's their last game so you've got to storm the court for them," Graziano noted.

The 1944 state title had come under the guidance of Torrington legend Connie Donahue, who coached Turina when he played for the Raiders in the 1960s.

"1944 is a long way back," said reserve Chris Puzacke. "We'd be looking up at that banner every day in practice. We had (the portrait of) Connie Donahue (in the gym) looking down on us every day. It was always our goal to get a ring and a banner."

Last Friday night, at halftime of Torrington's game with Naugatuck, the school honored the 2006 state champions. Seven team members and Turina, who all live in the area, turned out. Others, such as French, who now lives in Florida, and Robinson, now the Watertown head coach, were unable to attend.

They relived their memories and once again heard the cheers of the Torrington crowd, egged on by Graziano, the master of ceremony.

Each of them also received a special keepsake from Turina. A history buff, he saved hundreds of now yellowed news clippings from his coaching days - so many that his wife once ordered him to throw them out.

"Seventeen years later, I haven't got to that point," Turina chuckled. "I kept all the ones that meant something to guys."

Among those were dozens of editions of the championship story, which he passed out to his former hoop pupils Friday night. The headline reads: "Call ‘em champs." In Torrington, they always will.

This article originally published at Torrington High honors 2006 CIAC boys basketball championship team: 'We had phenomenal athletes'.

NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets (14-37) have been caught in an extended rut since the calendar turned to January, but they will have games here and there where they can face an opponent having similar hardships. With the Washington Wizards (14-37) coming to town, Washington did not have the majority of its rotation available and Brooklyn took advantage.

The Nets beat the Wizards on Saturday 127-113 thanks to amassing a 34-point lead that allowed Brooklyn to have some lapses along the way and still win by double-digits. Forward Michael Porter Jr. led the way for the Nets with 23 points and six rebounds while center Day'Ron Sharpe had 19 points and nine rebounds off the bench with Washington missing plenty of size.

The Nets won this game convincingly thanks to the team's concentration in the beginning along with the Wizards not having many players to rely on with most of their eight players being guys that are usually at the end of the bench. Brooklyn took care of business when they faced an opponent that was hurting so here are the Nets player grades after Saturday's win:

Nolan Traore: B

Traore did a great job of scoring the basketball in an efficient manner as he took the easy shots that came his way, especially with how compromised Washington's defense was in this game. Traore has been showing some flashes of being able to play quality minutes as the starting point guard and against the Wizards, he displayed his ability to score and distribute the ball.

Egor Demin: D

Demin struggled on the offensive end in this one as he couldn't find his shot from three-point land despite getting some open looks against a vulnerable Wizards defense. To be fair, most of Demin's misses were on shots that he normally makes, but it was disappointing to see him not having more of an impact in a game that the Nets won in a blowout.

Michael Porter Jr.: B

Porter did a solid job of scoring the ball overall despite his struggles from behind the three-point continuing in this one as he tries to deal with opposing defenses forcing him to give the ball up or take bad shots. Porter did a good job of rebounding the basketball and he made some nice plays with the ball in his hands as Brooklyn had one of its best offensive games of the season.

Noah Clowney: B

Clowney appeared to break out of his slump in this one as he looked confidence shooting his three-pointers and seemed to have more of a presence on the floor than he has in recent weeks. While Clowney is still in the starting lineup to bring more than just his scoring, part of the reason that the Nets played so well in December was due to his offensive contributions.

Nic Claxton: B

Claxton had a solid outing against the Wizards for the limited minutes that he was on the floor given that the Nets had little trouble amassing a huge lead in the first half. Claxton, who is still playing through a pinky injury, is giving what he can on the floor, but there are times that he has to be careful with the ball in his hands as he tries to rebound and catch lob passes.

Danny Wolf: A

Wolf had one of his best games of the season as he scored the ball from all over the floor while doing so at an efficient clip, something that has been a challenge for him at times against NBA competition. With that being said, Wolf did a great job of finishing at the rim, shooting his three-point shot, rebounding, and passing the ball as he had his entire skillset on full display.

Day'Ron Sharpe: A+

Sharpe, similar to Nic Claxton, had a fairly-easy matchup against the Wizards given that Alex Sarr was not in the lineup, leaving Tristan Vukcevic as the lone big for Washington. Sharpe, who spent some of his time on the floor going against Vukcevic or Anthony Gill, had his way in the paint, both with his scoring and on the glass. Sharpe turned the ball over more than usual, but he did a good job of having active hands in the defensive passing lanes.

Terance Mann: B

Mann saw some playing time in this one with new additions in Ochai Agbaji and Josh Minott not playing as they get acclimated into the scheme on both ends of the floor and he did what he has done all season when getting a chance to play. Mann was efficient with his touches and he did a good job of facilitating the ball to his teammates over the course of this contest.

Drake Powell: C

Powell had a significant amount of playing time in this one and despite the fact that the Wizards were missing the majority of their rotation, Powell still struggled on the offensive end of the floor. Powell was aggressive with the ball in his hands, but he struggled with his shot, but he did a good job of handling the ball without turning it over and he made some nice plays on the defensive end of the floor.

Ben Saraf: B-

Saraf had a solid outing overall as he made an impact on the offensive end of the court with his scoring and passing against a Wizards defense that could be taken advantage of. Saraf didn't have the most efficient performance, but he had some nice drives to the rim and most importantly, he took care of the ball while getting his teammates the ball where they like it.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Michael Porter Jr. drops 23 in 127-113 win over the Wizards

Stephen Curry urged to leave Warriors after failed trade season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Golden State Warriors’ trade season was a massive letdown in many people’s eyes. 

The franchise hoped to acquire the highly coveted Milwaukee Bucks, but ended up with an injury-prone Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis is a talented low-post threat who is the best center the Dubs have had in years. 

However, the former Boston Celtics NBA champion’s injury history suggests there’s a slim chance he’ll be available in pivotal moments. 

Due to the Warriors’ less-than-ideal trade season, Andscape’s David Dennis Jr. believes that the franchise’s superstar point guard, Stephen Curry, has every right to depart the Bay in favor of joining a contender.

“This is an abject failure by the Golden State Warriors,” Dennis Jr.said after the Warriors acquired Porzingis on Wednesday night. 

“They put all their eggs in the Giannis Antetokounmpo basket, because they had no other choice. That front office has spent the last decade trying to convince us that they’re lightyears ahead of everybody, and building for the future, even though they have a generational star on the roster in Stephen Curry.”

“The best thing the Warriors have going for them is that Wardell Stephen Curry did not go to that front office, knock on the door and say put me on a contender because he has every right to do so based on what they’ve been putting around him the last few years.”

If the Warriors’ 2025-26 season doesn’t end on a positive note, there’s no guarantee Curry will be content remaining with the mediocre franchise. The four-time NBA champion is in his late 30’s and has made it clear he wants to capture another championship before retiring. 

Golden State’s failure to make that a realistic possibility could lead to a headline-worthy split, which the Warriors would have no one to blame but themselves for. In other words, demanding an offseason trade from the Dubs could become a viable option for Curry, given the organization's distance from championship contention. 

It will be interesting to see how things shake out between Curry and the Warriors in the next few months.

More NBA: Warriors officially cut ties with Stephen Curry's 6-foot-4 splash brother via trade to Hawks

After securing a narrow Bundesliga victory over his former Bundesliga club, Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac was in a gracious mood on Saturday afternoon. Kovac obviously knows the VfL Wolfsburg press room quite well, though it surely conjures up some unfortunate memories.

Kovac worked the Wolfsburg bench from May 2022 to March 2024. The current BVB coach’s tenure was marked by his failure to led Germany’s green company team back to Europe; something they’ve failed to do ever since Oliver Glasner helped the German Wolves capture Champions League football in 2021. 

Kovac took massive criticism for the poor and haphazard manner in which he managed Wolfsburg’s personnel and tactics. After his dismissal, many doubted that the former Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich man would ever be back working a Bundesliga bench again. 

Now, thanks to the fact that Dortmund took a chance on him 13 months ago and continued to back him despite some more controversies and difficulties, Kovac trains a team his current active captain remains convinced can still challenge Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title this year.

Niko Kovac’s magnanimous words for Wolfsburg

As Wolfsburg fight for their top flight lives, Kovac took multiple opportunities to pay his former colleagues and co-workers his respect. Just as he did a couple weeks ago following an extremely close win over St. Pauli, Kovac acknowledged that the result could have swung the other way. 

“I’m sorry for Wolfsburg as there was a lot more in their performance and they probably deserved more than a point,” Kovac noted during his opening statement at the press conference. “It was a very tight contest.“

“Of course I keep up-to-date with things here,” Kovac said when asked directly about his former club later in the press conference. “I had the privilege of working here for a year-and-a-half with great people, wonderful players, and good lads. I’m convinced that this team has a lot of quality and I’m not just saying that because I used to work here.

“They’re punching below their weight,” Kovac continued. “[Head coach] Daniel [Bauer] is working on getting them some momentum and I’ve already noticed some progress. Last Friday night against Köln and today, they played sensational halves of football.

“The process has been put in motion,” Kovac concluded. “And when they continue to work hard at it, they have the quality to pull themselves out of this. I’m 100 percent convinced of that, and I’ll naturally be keeping my fingers crossed as well.“

GGFN | Peter Weis

The British Winter Olympics team have failed with an attempt to debut a state-of-the-art new helmet in the skeleton bobsleigh next week.

Despite an emergency appeal from Team GB, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the the new hi-tech design remains illegal – upholding an earlier ruling by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation.

Team GB’s Matt Weston and Marcus Wyatt have dominated the men’s skeleton World Cup season in the previous design but, after extensively modelling the new helmet in a wind tunnel in Manchester before testing last week in St Moritz, they had hoped to unveil their new secret weapon in Cortina next week.

“The helmet departs from the standard shape and reflects a novel design specifically developed to enhance aerodynamic performance,” Cas said in its ruling. Team GB argued that the new helmet offered enhanced safety and met guidelines.

Teams often save their best technological advances for the Olympics, with the British team anticipating a potentially significant innovation from their German rivals who also have a multi-million pound budget at their disposal.

UK Sport has made huge investment into research and innovation in sliding sports. Skeleton bobsleigh, where Team GB have only a short starter track and flight simulator on which to practice while in the UK, have received almost £6 million during this Olympic cycle to support their elite performance programme.

Nat Dunman, the executive performance director for British Bobsleigh and British Skeleton Association, had attended the Cas hearing in person in Milan before the skeleton Olympic finals which will take place between next Friday and Sunday.

“Based on the strength of the case we put forward, naturally we are disappointed in today’s decision,” said Dunman. “However, this does not affect our final preparations and nor has the discourse affected the athletes’ focus or optimism going into the Games. Our athletes have been winning medals all season and throughout the Olympic cycle in their current helmets and we remain in a strong position to continue that trend.”

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Team GB downplaying ruling fools nobody

b'

'

Having failed to gain approval for their new super aerodynamic skeleton bobsleigh helmet, it was no surprise that Team GB should move to quickly play down the significance of the ruling.

Gold-medal favourite Matt Weston emphasised how he could still use “the equipment” that has served him well in dominating this winter’s World Cup while performance director Nat Dunman was adamant that final preparations were unaffected.

But would this appeal really have been so urgently brought to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if they thought it was only a minor issue?

This new helmet design had clearly been long worked upon by Team GB’s backroom team of scientists who can now test every potential modification or advantage in their own bespoke wind tunnel in Manchester. Described by Cas as “petruding significantly” at the rear, it is understood to have resembled the aerodynamic helmets that cyclists use to minimise “drag” while also racing alone against the clock in a time trial.

Significant money would have gone into a process that was sufficiently advanced for the helmets to have already been manufactured. By waiting until the Olympic Games to competitively unveil what Cas called a “novel design specifically developed to enhance aerodynamic performance”, Team GB surely also wanted to give their opponents minimal opportunity to attempt something similar.

The wider question now is whether arch rivals Germany, who have a multimillion-pound research and innovation team themselves, have their own secret new piece of kit that has won approval from the sport’s governing body. If so, the comfort that is being drawn from knowing that the British team can still use what has worked so well this season, will be rather mitigated. 

There will surely also be questions inside the team. Yes, British Bobsleigh and British Skeleton Association can point to new rules from next season which they think their “safer” new helmet will meet, but the £5.7m they received over the past four years from UK Sport was not really awarded with the 2026-27 World Cup season in mind. It was done for the Winter Olympics that are upon us in Italy – and for which the new helmets must stay in the kit bag. 

The Miami Hurricanes have started February with a bang. After losing three of its final five games to end January, the team took care of business on the road, beating lowly Boston College to improve to 18-5. The Canes need a great final month of the regular season to stay alive for an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament.

Today, the team took a step towards doing so. Despite playing a 2-7 team in ACC play, Miami didn’t have its way with the Eagles early on. In fact, UM went into halftime with a measly 34-33 lead. Despite having one of the worst offenses in the nation, Boston College’s scrappy defense gave the visiting Canes fits.

Tre 🤝 Ern 🙌@Tr3Donaldson x @ernestudehjr

📺 ACCN pic.twitter.com/UWV4DLLFEp

— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) February 7, 2026

In the first half, the team got off to a sluggish start, as they shot 12-for-29 (41.4%) from the field. As has been the case all season, UM also struggled with turnovers, committing eight giveaways in the opening 20 minutes. Through the difficulties, Miami was still able to establish its strengths.

The team dominated on the glass, outrebounding BC 25-16, even collecting seven offensive boards. As has been the case all season, Jai Lucas loves to score using his bigs, and the Hurricanes were able to rack up 18 paint points. In the second half, UM was able to get an efficient performance from Malik Reneau.

defense into offense ➡️🤩

📺 ACCN pic.twitter.com/HFZ2Y2bRGX

— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) February 7, 2026

After starting the game poorly by going 4-for-12, Reneau would make five of eight shots to score 10 second-half points. He would finish with 23 points and eight rebounds, leading the Canes in scoring for the 14th time this season. Also, Tre Donaldson turned on the aggression meter when needed once again.

The floor general would only score one point and miss all four shot attempts in the first half. In crunch time, Donaldson would score 13 second-half points on 4-for-5 shooting, to go along with four rebounds and four assists. He would finish the contest with 14, eight, and seven.

DANTE ALLEN 👌👌👌

📺 ACCN pic.twitter.com/srKpSAGa8W

— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) February 7, 2026

Their most efficient performer was Shelton Henderson. The freshman continues to develop his game, and he put together another outstanding performance. Henderson would shoot 8-for-11, score 19 points, and collect six rebounds in 35 minutes of action.

Other than the Hurricanes’ top three options, the team also received solid outings from Dante Allen and Timo Malovec. Allen ended up starting in the backcourt as Tru Washington continues to sit out. Today’s game was the second he missed due to an unspecified personal matter.

Shelton Henderson brought the juice vs. BC 🧃🙌@shelt0n2 ⚡️

19 PTS
6 REB
2 BLK
8/11 FG
+12 pic.twitter.com/lFMRkeWjkC

— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) February 7, 2026

Allen played 35 minutes, contributing a bit to each area on the score sheet. He would score seven points, dish out three assists, and grab six of his own rebounds. Malovec would make two 3-pointers as well.

Jai Lucas briefly spoke about Washington’s situation, without giving much detail, during the pregame press conference. “He’s still dealing with some personal stuff, and we’re just here to support him, and whenever he’s ready to come back and rejoin the team, we’re here,” Lucas said. “We’re taking it day by day.”

CANES OWN BEANTOWN 🙅‍♂️🙌 pic.twitter.com/qAFGDprLcw

— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) February 7, 2026

The loss of Washington was felt in this contest, as the Canes had problems running away with this game. Their depth was mightily tested. UM was up by 10 points on two separate occasions and lost both leads. After leading for nearly the entirety of the game, BC’s Donald Hand Jr. gave the Eagles a 58-57 advantage with 5:31 remaining.

That would be the only time Boston College would have a lead, but they wouldn’t expand on it. However, they would hang around and, with 3:50 left, would tie the game at 61 with a 3-point jumper from Boden Kapke, who would end the afternoon as the Eagles’ second-leading scorer (18 points).

Fortunately, UM would break open the game from that point. The visitors would go on a 14-4 run in the game’s final 3:30 to grab the victory. The final dagger would come on a trademark Ernest Udeh alley-oop from Donaldson with 30 seconds left.

With the win, Miami is now 13 games over .500 and has improved its ACC record to 7-3. As of now, the team is still in the hunt for a top-4 seed in the ACC. They trail both NC State and Virginia by one game, as both of those teams stand at 9-2 in the conference. UM is three games back of first place in the league.

With this win in their back pockets, the team heads back home for what promises to be the biggest game of the season. Miami will welcome the No. 14 North Carolina Tar Heels at the Watsco Center, as Miami is still searching for its first win over a ranked opponent and a team that’s currently ranked in the top 60 in the KenPom rankings.

That game will take place on Tuesday. The atmosphere will most likely be the best the building will have all season, as the university will honor the football team for their Cinderella run to the CFP National Championship.

big W for 4’s day 4️⃣🎂‼️ pic.twitter.com/MSGx5BOuVH

— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) February 7, 2026

When the Ottawa Senators drafted defencemen Carter Yakemchuk and Logan Hensler in the first round, they knew they weren’t getting a finished prospect like a Matthew Schaefer. Both Sens prospects were always going to need time to further develop at lower levels before making an impact in the NHL.

Of course, plenty of things can stunt a player’s development, and it varies from one prospect to the next, but one thing that universally pauses development is the injury bug.

It struck Yakemchuk earlier this season, causing him to miss 13 games in Belleville, and now it’s come for Hensler.

Last Saturday, in an 8-4 blowout loss to the University of Minnesota, Hensler went in for a body check at the Badgers’ blue line and got tied up awkwardly with his man. As they both fell to the ice, Hensler's left leg buckled beneath him, causing a troubling amount of torque on both his ankle and knee.

He immediately grasped at the leg and required assistance getting off the ice, unable to put any weight on it.

Logan Hensler will be out at least a few weeks after suffering a nasty-looking left leg injury against Minnesota#GoSensGopic.twitter.com/PeU2i094tD

— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) February 6, 2026

When asked about Hensler's status during his mid-week media availability, Badgers head coach Mike Hastings didn’t sound overly optimistic.

“He won’t be available for a while," Hastings said. "Still going through the evaluation process, but it’s not going to be something that’s short term. It’s a lower-body injury and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that he’s in as good a spot as he can be daily as this turns into weeks here. But it’ll be an injury that’s going to take some time.”

Wisconsin's regular season ends less than a month from now with a pair of games at Penn State on March 5 and 6.

With five games left before the NHL trade deadline, the injury doesn’t necessarily affect Hensler’s stock as a potential asset. Any team that might call GM Steve Staios about Hensler wouldn’t be looking for immediate NHL help anyway. 

Hensler is in his second year at Wisconsin and has 12 points in 23 games this season. He represented Team USA at the World Junior Hockey Championship for the second straight year. The Americans had hoped to three-peat as champions this year but fell short of the podium.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News

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The Cincinnati Bengals want Joe Flacco back. 

That much is obvious without little intel, but it doesn’t hurt that Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and others within the team signaled as much around the end of the season. 

But as a new report points out, teams like the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers could cause the Bengals some problems on this front. 

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, the Bengals have already attempted to make progress on the Flacco front, but other teams could get in the way: 

“But Flacco will have options, possibly as a bridge quarterback elsewhere. The Vikings considered signing Flacco last offseason. And the Steelers will have an opening if Aaron Rodgers doesn't re-sign there. Pittsburgh liked his free agency profile last offseason, too.”

RELATED: Bengals sound ready to leave comfort zone, do contract extension early

Flacco himself has made it pretty clear he wants to keep playing, though the right opportunity would have to present itself. 

Teams like the Vikings and Steelers give Flacco the best chance at finding another starting gig. So, too, could injuries or other happenings over the summer and preseason. 

But if a starting gig doesn’t open up elsewhere, one would have to imagine the Bengals would still present the best option for Flacco, given how well he meshed with the offensive weapons and overall locker room at this stage of his career. 

RELATED: Bengals cap space outlook changes with NFL salary cap update

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals’ Joe Flacco return could hinge on Vikings, Steelers

MILAN — After a 48-hour delay due to a norovirus outbreak on the Finnish women’s national team, Team Canada finally made its Olympic debut with a dominant 4-0 win against Switzerland.

Saturday’s game was also in doubt after the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation said the team was isolating “as a precaution” after a player was diagnosed with norovirus on Friday night.

“There was no fear that (today’s game) would be canceled or postponed,” said Canadian forward Blayre Turnbull before the game. “We knew it was very contained.”

The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation said in a statement on Saturday that no other players and staff have shown any norovirus symptoms and that more than 48 hours had passed since the team’s last contact with the affected player. International Olympic Committee medical director Jane Thorton told The Athletic via email that “there is no reason to suspect” the cases of norovirus for Team Finland and Switzerland are related at this stage.

With the Games finally underway, the Canadians outshot Switzerland a whopping 55-6 and only didn’t win more decisively because of the sensational goaltending of Saskia Maurer. But the Swiss gave Canada five power plays — three in the third period — with Natalie Spooner scoring on one in the second period and Sarah Fillier and Julia Gosling scoring on two in the third period. Daryl Watts added a late goal — the first of her Olympic career and Canada’s only one at even strength.

Emerance Maschmeyer had a simple six-save shutout.

The Canadians improved to 6-0 against the Swiss at the Olympics, outscoring them 44-6. Overall, since 1997, Canada is 22-0 against Switzerland.

Canada’s next game is on Monday at 9:10 p.m. local (3:10 ET) against the Czech Republic.

Saskia Maurer alone on an island

Maurer, thrust into action for the second game in a row, can hold her head high. Maurer was outshot 30-3 after two periods, yet the only goal she allowed was Spooner’s tally off Marie-Philip Poulin’s rebound.

Canada peppered her persistently, yet she turned virtually everything aside, from deflections, shots through traffic, point-blank chances and shots off the rush.

Maurer is the only reason this was not a bigger rout, although there was only so much she could take as she allowed three in the third. Maurer finished with 51 saves.

Debut(s) delayed

After Thursday’s game was postponed, the Canadians held a closed practice at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena to mimic their late start times in the preliminary round. General manager Gina Kingsbury said the practice was closed to give the players 24 hours to decompress after hearing their Olympic debut would be delayed until Saturday.

Ahead of the game, players shrugged off the schedule changes, with Turnbull calling it “just a little bump in the road.”

It helps that Canada has 16 players on the roster who had to wear masks during a preliminary round game against Russia at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. That game was delayed over an hour due to COVID-19 test processing. Russian players removed their masks after the first two periods once the tests showed no players were positive. The Canadians kept their masks on and won 6-1.

“I think the girls who were at the COVID Olympics as well have seen many things like this before,” said Olympic rookie Jennifer Gardiner.

“I think you look at our leader, Marie-Philip Poulin, obviously, she is the way she is because she shows up every single day at her best, no matter what. So, I think not letting something like this get in the way of that, and just moving forward with what we do have is going to be really important for us.”

Emerance Maschmeyer gets the nod

It was perhaps a bit surprising that Maschmeyer, Canada’s No. 2 goalie, got the start on Saturday. But the move appeared to be Ryan sticking to his original game plan with (what should have been) Game 1 against Finland going to starter Ann-Renee Desbiens and Game 2 to Maschmeyer.

The game was just Maschmeyer’s third Olympic start and her first major international game since the 2024 women’s world championship.

In her last start for Team Canada at the December Rivalry Series, Maschmeyer gave up five goals against Team USA. She looked better on Saturday, though she was barely tested against the fifth-best team in the world.

Natalie Spooner’s role

It took just 27 minutes for Spooner to prove why she deserved a spot on Canada’s Olympic roster. She’s had a slow start to the 2025-26 PWHL season, with three goals in 16 games, but Canada still saw her as a valuable veteran to bring to Milan in a Swiss Army Knife-type role.

Spooner started the game as the 13th forward, a role she accepted with an open mind.

“I am happy to play at 13th forward,” Spooner told The Athletic. “It is my fourth Olympics. Every time I get a chance, I will go out and be an impact player.”

She took several five-on-five shifts on the top line with Poulin and Laura Stacey, and assumed her typical net-front role on the first power-play unit. It was in that role where Spooner scored her first goal of the tournament after jamming home a rebound in the blue paint.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Toronto Sceptres, Minnesota Frost, Vancouver Goldeneyes, New York Sirens, Montreal Victoire, Ottawa Charge, Seattle Torrent, Boston Fleet, NHL, Olympics, Women's Hockey, Women's Olympic Ice Hockey, Olympics, Women's Olympics

2026 The Athletic Media Company

With the exception of 2024, the Women's Royal Rumble has always featured a return from WWE's iconic Divas, from Trish Stratus to Michelle McCool to Melina. The 2026 Royal Rumble was no different, but while fans leapt out of their seats for the returning Brie Bella, one Diva was noticeably absent from the match: AJ Lee. According to "Wrestling Observer Network," the former WWE Divas' Champion was never planned for the Royal Rumble match — not when her WrestleMania 42 plans have already been set.

Reports claim that Lee is scheduled to challenge for Lynch's Women's Intercontinental Championship when WWE takes over Las Vegas for WrestleMania 42 in April, and it seems that Lee has been booked for the match for a considerable amount of time. It was for this reason that Lee was not present in Riyadh's recent Royal Rumble, as her participation "would have served no purpose." Interestingly, current titleholder Lynch was still present in the Women's Royal Rumble, where she locked up with recent challenger Maxxine Dupri and Natalya, who ultimately eliminated the champion. 

Lee and Lynch's anticipated match comes as the competition pool for WWE's women's singles titles runs thin, with many of the company's top stars, such as Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, and The Bella Twins gunning for Ripley and SKY's WWE Women's World Tag Team Championships. This shortage in female singles competitors has been felt during "The Man's" second Women's Intercontinental Championship reign, and it is unclear if Lynch will defend her title prior to WrestleMania.

As of writing, neither Lynch nor Lee have made moves towards their reported WrestleMania match. Lee has been absent from WWE programming since November 2025, where she helped Dupri dethrone Lynch for the Women's Intercontinental title. No return plans for the veteran have been publicized.

Read more: The 2026 WINC Wrestler Draft

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Read the original article on Wrestling Inc.

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Porter Jr. scored 23 points and the Brooklyn Nets used an 80-point first half to beat the short-handed Washington Wizards 127-113 on Saturday.

With the Wizards having only eight players available, the Nets led by 34 points in the second quarter and went on to snap a three-game losing streak.

Day'Ron Sharpe added 19 points and Noah Clowney had 18 for the Nets, who won for just the second time in 12 games. Rookie Danny Wolf had 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Will Riley scored a career-high 27 points for the Wizards. Justin Champagnie added 21 points and nine rebounds.

The teams are tied for 13th in the Eastern Conference at 14-37, playing plenty of young players as they angle for lottery position. But Brooklyn had its full roster on the court Saturday while Washington sat a few players on the first back-to-back games.

Alex Sarr (right ankle soreness), Kyshawn George (right knee contusion) and Bilal Coulibaly (lower back soreness) were all ruled out Saturday, while the players acquired along with Anthony Davis from Dallas on Wednesday weren’t available yet.

The Wizards had won four of their previous six games, including a victory over East-leading Detroit on Thursday in their last outing.

Brooklyn outscored Washington 23-3 over the final 4 1/2 minutes of the first quarter, pushing a six-point lead to 46-20. Porter scored 13 points in the second quarter, with his free throws giving the Nets their largest lead at 60-26.

It was 80-47 at halftime. It was the Nets' most points in a half since scoring 91 in the first half against Golden State on Dec. 21, 2022.

Up next

Wizards: Host Miami on Sunday.

Nets: Host Chicago on Monday night.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Despite scoring zero points over the final 2:12, No. 7 Iowa State earned a 72-69 victory over Baylor on Saturday. The Bears went on an 11-0 run over the final 1:45 of the game.

The Cyclones, who went scoreless over the final 2:12, kept the Bears – and their 11-0 run over the final 1:45 of the game – at bay. 

Iowa State led the game for 30:05, were tied with Baylor for 4:54 and trailed for five minutes.

Iowa State (21-2, 8-2 Big 12) secured the win with a strong presence in the paint, scoring 24 points in the second half – as many as Baylor had all game – and a 37-25 advantage on the glass. Senior guard and Ames native Tamin Lipsey had a game high nine rebounds, including four offensive rebounds, also a game high.

“Tamin today was just phenomenal,” Iowa State head coach T. J. Otzelberger said on Cyclone Radio Network following the game. “He was all over the place, continuously, and he’s such a winner. He’s so tough, he’s so competitive. 
He cares so much about his teammates, this program, this community, this university and there’s no way he shows it more by those plays that he makes out there time and time again. It’s great to see, and so proud of him.”

Baylor (13-10, 3-8 Big 12) kept the game close with 11 3-point baskets, five of which were connected on by Cameron Carr who scored a game high 24 points.

Milan Momcilovic scored 21 points to lead the Cyclones on 6-for-11 shooting from the floor and 7-of-7 shooting at the free throw line. Joshua Jefferson contributed 15 points, while recording five rebounds and four assists. 

Nate Heise tallied eight points, making two from beyond the arc.

The Cyclones opened the first half with a six points off two field goals and two free throws. Baylor responded with a 7-2 run by the under 16 media timeout was called. Iowa State’s 19-13 lead with 11:33 remaining in the first half evaporated in 87 seconds following a pair of Carr 3-point baskets. 

The Bears found their largest lead of the game, 27-24, at the 7:23 mark of the first half following a Tounde Yessoufou 3-point basket. Yessoufou made two from distance on the day.

The 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, James Nnaji, scored zero points and pulled down three rebounds in nine minutes of play for Baylor.

As the first half progressed, the Cyclones found success in the paint, scoring 14 points, and capitalizing on turnovers, adding 10 points. 

Iowa State extended their lead to a game high 15 with 3:05 remaining in the second half. From the field, the Cyclones shot exactly 50% (27-of-50)

Despite a response from Baylor, Iowa State maintained their edge. The Cyclones concluded the game with a successful inbounds pass, sealing the 72-69. 

Iowa State will be back in action on Tuesday to challenge Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, beginning at 8 p.m.

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins before the start of the new league year in March and let him decide his future, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Saturday. 

The Falcons cutting Cousins would make him a free agent again, and that would allow him to choose where he wants to spend the 2026 campaign — if he wants to play, that is. Cousins, after all, will turn 38 before the start of next season and is 14 seasons into his four-time Pro Bowl career.

Cousins, who was in Washington for his first six seasons, signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons in 2024 after playing for six additional seasons for the Minnesota Vikings from 2018-23.

Saturday's news follows last month's ESPN report that Atlanta restructured Cousins' contract, a move that reportedly set the Falcons up for more cap flexibility and put Cousins in position for a release that would give him more career options.

Modifications were made to Cousins' 2026 base salary, dropping it from $35 million to $2.1 million. That $32.9 million difference was then added to his 2027 base salary, per Schefter.

If Cousins is on the Falcons' roster at the start of the league year in mid-March, his 2027 base salary — which is now reportedly $67.9 million — will become guaranteed.

But cutting him via a post-June 1 release would split the dead money on his contract over the 2026 and 2027 league years, according to ESPN.  

The year he signed with the Falcons, he was coming back from an Achilles injury that cost him the back half of the 2023 season.

Although he worked his way back to the field in time for Week 1, he picked up shoulder and elbow injuries, struggled and was benched 14 games into his first go-around with the Falcons. Rookie Michael Penix Jr., whom Atlanta surprisingly took No. 8 overall in the 2024 draft, replaced Cousins and had a three-game runway to the 2025 campaign.

Then-head coach Raheem Morris stuck with Penix as QB1 this past offseason. Although trade rumors swirled, Cousins wasn't dealt before or during this season.

He wound up starting eight more games for the Falcons, though, including seven straight to end the season after Penix underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Cousins led Atlanta to wins in its each of its final four games, posting a 7:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio in that span.

He would like to play next season, per Schefter, but he's expected to have television opportunities. Cousins appeared on CBS' pregame show during the playoffs.

As for Penix, the Falcons haven't made a commitment at the quarterback position since firing Morris and hiring a new leadership team that features president of football Matt Ryan, general manager Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Manchester United secured their fourth consecutive win under Michael Carrick, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Old Trafford.

The main takeaway from the match was the ease with which Manchester United controlled the game. In this respect, Lisandro Martinez’s on-ball qualities played a significant role.

Martinez consistently pushed forward and operated between the lines, while also making several crucial defensive interventions.

Barcelona are keen on Lisandro Martinez

Lisandro Martinez is regarded as one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in Europe, and his technical ability has made him an attractive option for Barcelona, who are a possession-focused side.

According to CaughtOffside, United are “facing transfer interest” in Martinez from Barcelona.

The Argentina international’s contract at Old Trafford is set to expire in the summer of 2027, which has led to “growing murmurings of uncertainty” about his future.

The report states: “There’s no panic inside Old Trafford just yet, but his fine form has inevitably caught the eye of a few clubs, with Barcelona the only confirmed suitor we can mention for the moment.”

Barcelona believe Martinez could be open to the move

Barcelona, who have already convinced Marcus Rashford to take a pay cut to secure a permanent move to Camp Nou, are “privately” confident of luring Martinez.

It is added: “Of course United won’t want to sell and we can probably expect a contract offer to become a more serious conversation some time in the near future, but privately there are those close to Barcelona who suspect the truth is more along the lines that a deal could be done for the right price.”

Furthermore, it is understood United’s asking price for Martinez could be in the region of €55 million (£47.8m). 

Martinez is arguably the best centre-back at United. However, the 28-year-old’s injury record is poor, to say the least.

As such, the club’s hierarchy might be tempted to sanction a significant sale.

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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MILAN — Team USA has made its picks for who can secure figure skating team event gold at the 2026 Winter Games, and it will include the "Quad God."

Ilia Malinin will be on the ice for the final day of the team event Sunday, Feb. 8, performing the men's free skate ― also called the long program ― a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to speak publicly on the matter. The competition day will also feature pairs' and women's free skate.

Whether Malinin would do both men's events in the team event was a big question and gave the U.S. a complex decision for its young prodigy given the schedule. Doing both events means he has a quick turnaround for the all-important men’s individual event, which begins Tuesday, Feb. 10.

The plan going into the team event, according to people with knowledge of the situation, was for Malinin to skate the men’s short program only, then U.S. officials would assess the its medal position to decide if he was is needed in the long program.

Turns out, the U.S. is aggressively going for gold.

Malinin skated the men's short program on Saturday, Feb. 7 and didn't have a spectacular performance with a second place finish behind Japan's Yuma Kagiyama, earning Team USA nine points. Afterward, Madison Chock and Evan Bates skated the ice dance free dance and earned another 10 points for the U.S., ending Day 2 in first place with 44 total points. Japan is in second place (39) and Italy is in third with (37).

Exclusive: What Ilia Malinin meant by '50%' effort comment after figure skating team event

Malinin's inclusion indicates Team USA feels it needs him to secure first place, and doesn't feel comfortable about going with the other Olympic men skaters in Maxim Naumov and Andrew Torgashev. The men are the final group to perform in the team event, so the U.S. will have a good sense of what is needed from Malinin in order to win the team event.

He certainly can cement the U.S. winning team gold, but the wobbly performance in the short program does raise some concern. That's on top of the major focus of him now having to do a total of four performances in one week, questioning if it will fatigue Malinin and hurt his chances of capturing men's singles gold.

Malinin told reporters after his short program he came into the competition "with only 50% of my full potential" as "that's the way I pace myself, leading up to the individual" men's event.

"Of course, that wasn't the perfect, ideal 100% skate that I would’ve wanted to have," he said, "but for the standard I set myself today, I think I achieved that."

Listen to "Milan Magic" on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch full episodes on YouTube or on USA TODAY.

Olympic figure skating team event day 3 schedule

The final day of the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics takes place on Sunday, Feb. 8.

• Women's free skate: 1:30 p.m. ET
• Pair's free skate: 2:45 p.m. ET
• Men's free skate: 3:55 p.m. ET

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ilia Malinin will skate long program for US Olympic team event final

Wigan Athletic have sacked manager Ryan Lowe after 11 months in charge following their 6-1 thrashing by Peterborough United on Saturday.

The dismal defeat dropped the Latics into the relegation zone, with the club having won just once in their past 10 League One fixtures.

They were 11th in the table when they beat Burton on 2 December, but are now 22nd, two points from safety, after 29 matches.

Lowe, 47, was appointed as manager in March 2025 on a three-and-a-half-year contract. He succeeded Shaun Maloney, but the former Preston North End, Plymouth Argyle and Bury boss won just 12 out of his 49 games in charge.

• Peterborough hit struggling Wigan for six

Wigan said Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow will take charge of the first team on an interim basis while the club "will work quickly to identify and appoint" a new head coach.

The club also thanked Lowe for "his efforts and wishes him all the best for the future".

Lowe previously won promotion from League Two with Bury and Plymouth and finished 13th, 12th and 10th in the Championship with Preston.

Having arrived at the club at the tail end of the 2024-25 season, Lowe guided Wigan to a 15th-placed finish in the table.

After winning against Northampton on the opening day of this season, Wigan's form soon tailed off as they secured just three victories from 17 matches in all competitions between late August and late November.

Wigan's next match is at home in the league against Reading on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) before they travel to face Premier League leaders Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, 15 February (16:30).

Indiana football’s recruiting outlook has changed in the wake of the Hoosiers’ first national championship win last month.

The program was already positioned for success on the recruiting trail after a strong 11-2 first season under head coach Curt Cignetti followed by a 12-0 regular season and a Big Ten championship in 2025. Then Indiana went on a sensational run through the College Football Playoff before holding off Miami in the National Championship Game.

All that winning could help open a door that previously appeared to be some level of closed.

Jalen Brewster, a 5-star defensive lineman out of Cedar Hill High School in Cedar Hill, Texas, was recruited pretty heavily by Indiana before committing to Texas Tech this past October. He’s the highest ranked defensive lineman in the class of 2027 by both On3/Rivals and 247Sports. The Red Raiders are an in-state program experiencing a surge as of late with strong play from the defensive front, earning a top-4 seed in this past season’s playoff, so the commitment makes sense.

There’s wrinkles though. For one, Brewster is originally from Indianapolis. His father, Robert Brewster, was a teammate of Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines when the two were at Ball State. Texas Tech defensive line coach Zarnell Fitch’s contract was not renewed this offseason.

Asked if he was solid with Texas Tech after Fitch’s departure, Brewster replied “No,” per On3/Rivals.

Indiana is still actively recruiting Brewster, with defensive tackles coach Pat Kuntz paying him a visit after the Hoosiers’ national championship win, sporting some championship attire in the process:

Thanks for stopping by @IUHoosiers@CCignettiIU@Coach_PatKuntz#Champspic.twitter.com/ZfAdBXZZGo

— Jalen Brewster (@j8ylen__) January 30, 2026

There’s nothing definitive, but Brewster’s situation is one worth keeping an eye on. There’s plenty of time to go between now and either signing period, so there’s an opening for other programs to keep recruiting him.

The 2026 college baseball regular season for Mid-Hudson schools begins on February 13 and will conclude in May. Army and Marist play in NCAA Division I; SUNY New Paltz and Mount Saint Mary play in NCAA Division III; and, SUNY Orange plays in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

The head coaches for our local teams are Chris Tracz (Army); Mike Ratchford (Marist); Thomas Seay (New Paltz); Trevor Purcell (Mount Saint Mary); and, first-year Ryan Carter (SUNY Orange). There are no teams at SUNY Sullivan and SUNY Ulster this season.

Varsity 845U 2026 spring page links: Baseball | Softball | Men's lacrosse | Women's lacrosse

Varsity 845 and Varsity 845U: Winter 2024-25 sports page link

Varsity 845 and Varsity 845U: Fall 2024 sports page link

Upcoming schedules

Army: Feb. 13 - at Clemson, 4 p.m.; Feb. 14 - at Clemson, 2 p.m.; Feb. 15 - at Clemson, noon; Feb. 20 - at South Carolina, 2 p.m.; Feb. 21 - vs. Air Force (at South Carolina), 5 p.m.; Feb. 22 - at The Citadel, 1 p.m.; Feb. 27 - at Queens, N.C., 6 p.m.; Feb. 28 - at Queens, N.C., 2 p.m.; March 1 - at Queens, N.C., noon; March 3 - vs. St. Peter's, 3:35 p.m.; March 6 - at Va. Commonwealth, 1:30 p.m.; March 7 - at Va. Commonwealth, 1 p.m.; March 8 - at Va. Commonwealth, 1 p.m.; March 10 - vs. Merrimack, 3:35 p.m.; March 11 - vs. Merrimack, 3:35 p.m.

Marist: Feb. 13 - at East Tennessee, 3 p.m.; Feb. 14 - at East Tennessee, 2 p.m.; Feb. 15 - at East Tennessee, noon; Feb. 20 - at Vanderbilt, TBD; Feb. 21 - at Vanderbilt, TBD; Feb. 22 - at Vanderbilt, TBD; Feb. 27 - vs. Purdue, at Holly Springs, N.C., TBD; Feb. 28 - vs. Purdue, at Holly Springs, N.C., TBD; March 1 - vs. Purdue, at Holly Springs, N.C., TBD; March 4 - vs. Hofstra, at Fishkill, 3 p.m.; March 6 - vs. Manhattan*, at Fishkill, 3 p.m.; March 7 - vs. Manhattan*, at Fishkill, noon. March 8 - vs. Manhattan*, at Fishkill, noon

SUNY New Paltz: Feb. 20 - at Va. Wesleyan, 2 p.m.; Feb. 21 - at Va. Wesleyan, 10 a.m.; Feb. 22 - at Va. Wesleyan, 10 a.m.; Feb. 27 - at Kean, 3 p.m.; Feb. 28 - at Bard (DH), 11 a.m.; March 1 - at SUNY Maritime, noon; March 4 - at Rutgers-Newark, 3:30 p.m.; March 6 - at Centenary, 2 p.m.; March 7 - at Centenary (DH), 11 a.m.

Mount Saint Mary: Feb. 20 - at Valley Forge (DH), 2 p.m.; Feb. 28 - vs. Johnson & Wales (DH), at Charlotte, N.C., noon; March 1 - vs. Johnson & Wales, at Charlotte, N.C., 11 a.m.; March 4 - at Union, 4 p.m.; March 8 - vs. Anderson, Ind., in Florida. TBD; March 9 - vs. Moravian, in Florida, TBD; March 10 - vs. Beloit, in Florida, TBD; vs. Greenville, in Florida, TBD

SUNY Orange: Feb. 21 - at Anne Arundel CC (DH), 11 a.m.; Feb. 22 - at Anne Arundel CC (DH), 11 a.m.; March 1 - at Brookdale CC (DH), 11 a.m.; March 15 - at CC of Baltimore County Catonsville (DH), noon; March 22 - at Middlesex (DH), noon

Roundups

xxx

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Mid-Hudson college baseball results schedules 2026 season

The Nemesio Diez is gearing up for a big showdown in matchday 4 of the Mexican tournament. Toluca and Cruz Azul, two of the strongest contenders for the title, clash in a high-voltage duel where the top spot is at stake.

Cruz Azul's "La Máquina" arrives in the capital of the State of Mexico riding high after securing 9 out of a possible 12 points. With a record of three victories and just one defeat, the sky-blue team seeks to make a statement on foreign soil.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils of Toluca defend their unbeaten streak in front of their fans. With 8 points from two wins and two draws, the scarlet team has the chance to surpass their direct rival in the overall standings.

A full house is expected in the stands to witness this clash of styles. With pride on the line and a tight table, the Inferno will burn hotter than ever.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Brandon Figueroa silenced the Liverpool faithful, stopping Nick Ball in the 12th and final round of a grueling, rugged main event.

Figueroa won the WBA featherweight title with the victory in a tight, competitive fight that saw scores on social media and in our live discussion all over the place.

Brandon Figueroa knocks out Nick Ball: Video

OMG!!! 😮#BallFigueroa | LIVE NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/kVpNTRGnVO

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 7, 2026

Just seconds into the final round, Figueroa (27-2-1, 20 KO) dropped Ball (23-1-1, 13 KO) with a clean left hand, coming over the top of Ball looking to throw his own left hook, with his right hand dipping behind it.

Ball did get up, but Figueroa closed in and finished it, putting the hometown hero down a second time and forcing referee Steve Gray to stop it just 32 seconds into the final round.

At the time of the stoppage, Bad Left Hook had Figueroa just barely ahead on our unofficial scorecard, 105-104. The DAZN broadcast noted that Figueroa was “slightly ahead” on the official cards, as well.

Fans booed Figueroa’s celebration, which he apologized for after the fight, saying they meant no disrespect, and calling Ball a “great champion,” and saying he has “nothing but respect” for his foe.

Andrew Cain earns WBC title shot

Andrew Cain came off the canvas to stop Alejandro Jair Gonzalez in a WBC bantamweight eliminator, earning a shot at some point against current titlist Takuma Inoue.

Cain (15-1, 13 KO) was down twice in the eighth round on body shots, but roared back to stop Gonzalez (19-7-3, 11 KO) in the ninth with two knockdowns of his own. The 29-year-old Liverpudlian will almost surely have to travel to Japan to face Inoue, and it’s an intriguing matchup of very different styles, which could go either way.

Gonzalez, 26, did argue the stoppage from referee Mark Bates, but he had turned his back and walked away from the referee, which really is a mistake, can easily give the referee the impression that you’re done. This is not to say Bates absolutely made the right call, but being realistic, Gonzalez gave him the sort of reason we’ve seen before. Not 100 percent fair, but what is?

Jagoba Arrasate was left ruing missed opportunities after Mallorca fell to a 3-0 defeat against Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday.

Mallorca, who sit just two points above the relegation zone, started well against the reigning LaLiga champions but could not find the breakthrough, with Vedat Muriqi stabbing the most promising chance wide of the target.

Speaking after the game, Arrasate assessed: “We had a good first half, but we didn’t take advantage of our chances. In the second half, [Barça] were superior and we lacked energy.

“We can’t be happy – we lost 3-0 and we needed the points.”

It was a statement echoed by left-back Johan Mojica, who noted that “we had clear options in the first half and we should have put them in.”

But 47-year-old Arrasate, who spent most of his career in Spain’s second division, revealed that he has been impressed with his team’s improved performances of late.

“Recently, I’ve seen something that I like about the team: the intention when going forward. If we carry this on, we’ll do better in this second half of the season,” he added.

Mallorca have lost just two of their home fixtures in LaLiga this season but have struggled significantly on the road, picking up just five points from 12 games off the island. Arrasate highlighted it as a key area for improvement.

He said: “When we talk about improving, we have to improve the numbers away from home because they’ve not been goof enough. If we continue like this, they will arrive.

“I’d like to think that the team is better now and it’ll show in the second half of the season.”

Mallorca’s next LaLiga fixture sees them host Real Betis at Son Moix on Sunday 15th February, and Arrasate commented that “the table is tight, so we have to have a good week and compete well in front of our fans at home on Sunday.”

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ishan Sharma came off the bench to score 15 points on five 3-pointers and No. 19 Saint Louis beat La Salle 82-58 on Saturday for a 17th straight win.

Quentin Jones had 13 points and six rebounds, Amari McCottry also scored 13 and Robbie Avila had nine points and eight assists for the Billikens (23-1, 11-0 Atlantic 10).

This was Saint Louis' 19th consecutive win at home dating back to last season. The Billikens’ start in conference play is their best since going 12-0 in the 2013-2014 season.

The 23-1 start is the best in school history.

Rob Dockery had 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists for La Salle (7-17, 3-8), which has lost four in a row and played without second-leading scorer Jerome Brewer Jr. for the second straight game. He was out with an undisclosed injury.

The Billikens held the Explorers to 32.8% shooting and entered play leading all NCAA Division I teams by holding opponents to 36.5% shooting.

Saint Louis led 31-27 at halftime. It went on a 12-0 run in which Sharma made three 3-pointers, and Brady Dunlap added another to pull ahead 66-48 with 6:48 remaining.

Up next

La Salle: Hosts VCU on Wednesday.

Saint Louis: Visits Loyola Chicago on Friday.

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What do you think?

This Saturday evening, Olympique Lyonnais is heading to Nantes for the 21st day of Ligue 1.

At the hour mark, while OL was leading 1-0, Endrick was directly sent off by the referee following a rather tricky action to analyze.

Victim of a foul, the Brazilian indeed seems to kick his opponent's foot. Was it intentional or clumsy? In any case, on X, many followers do not understand this decision...

What do you think? Tell us in the comments!

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

BOSTON (AP) — Malik Reneau had 23 points, Shelton Henderson and Tre Donaldson scored big buckets down the stretch, and Miami defeated Boston College 74-68 on Saturday.

Miami led 50-40 with about 12 minutes left in the game, but the Hurricanes managed only seven points in the next 6 1/2 minutes. Donald Hand Jr.'s jumper gave the Eagles a 58-57 lead with 5 1/2 minutes remaining for the Eagles' only lead since it was 10-9.

Henderson's layup put the Hurricanes back ahead 20 seconds later and Donaldson scored nine points in the final 4 1/2 minutes to wrap up the win.

Henderson scored 19 points and Donaldson had 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Miami (18-5, 7-3 ACC).

Hand, who made four 3-pointers, scored 20 points before fouling out with under three minutes remaining. Boden Kapke had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Fred Payne scored 11 points for Boston College (9-14, 2-8).

Reneau scored 13 of Miami's first 24 points and the Hurricanes led 24-19 with about seven minutes to go in the first half. The lead reached 29-19 before Payne scored six straight points to kick-start a BC rally and the Eagles got within 34-33 at the half.

Boston College was whistled for 31 fouls to 11 for Miami. At the free-throw line, the Hurricanes made only 13 of their 25 attempts and the Eagles made 7 of 10.

Up next

Miami: The Hurricanes host No. 14 North Carolina on Tuesday.

Boston College: The Eagles host Stanford on Wednesday in the middle game of three straight at home.

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Super Bowl LX prevented Drake Maye from attending another big game this weekend.

Maye’s alma mater has a huge rivalry matchup on Saturday night, as North Carolina will host Duke in a storied men’s basketball feud. Although the New England Patriots quarterback is busy preparing for Sunday’s Super Bowl, Maye recorded a message that ESPN showed to fans inside the Dean E. Smith Center during “College GameDay.”

“Tar Heel Nation, what’s going on?” Maye began the video. “This is Drake Maye. Looking forward to the big game on Saturday. You know I’d be there if I could. I got a little something else I’m focused on, but I can’t wait to watch the game. You know I’ll be cheering.”

Drake Maye sent a message to Tar Heel fans ahead of the rivalry game 🐑

Watch Duke-UNC at 6:30 PM ET on ESPN and the ESPN App 🍿 (via @CollegeGameDay) pic.twitter.com/KVzjQJwnaA

— ESPN (@espn) February 7, 2026

Tom Brady sparked a controversy by initially taking an impartial stance on New England’s Super Bowl matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Maye didn’t make the same miscalculation.

“Heels on top,” Maye declared. “You know I’ve always liked the Heels. Go Heels, go Pats. And Drake Maye, always a Tar Heel.”

Maye spent two of his three seasons in Chapel Hill as North Carolina’s starting quarterback. He amassed 7,929 passing yards and accounted for 78 touchdowns (62 passing, 16 rushing) from 2022 to 2023.

The Patriots made Maye the No. 3 pick in 2024. He led New England to a 14-3 season and an AFC title while UNC went 4-8 under Bill Belichick.

Meanwhile, North Carolina’s basketball squad ranks No. 14 after improving to 18-4 with four straight wins. The Tar Heels can make a massive statement by defeating the No. 4 Blue Devils, who are 21-1 this season.

The UNC and Duke matchup tips off Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET, exactly 24 hours before Maye and the Patriots play in the Super Bowl.

Two days after Pat Spencer splashed a career-high six 3-pointers and scored a personal-best 20 points in a 101-97 comeback win on the road against the the Phoenix Suns, the Golden State Warriors converted the 29-year-old, two-way guard to a standard NBA contract for the second straight season.

The team made Spencer's promotion official on Saturday, hours before a game in Los Angeles against the Lakers that could call for the former lacrosse star's services, as Stephen Curry continues to recover from a right knee injury that forced him to exit a Jan. 30 loss to the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter.

Golden State had two roster spots open after dealing Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield and Trayce Jackson-Davis and receiving Kristaps Porziņģis before the trade deadline. 

While the Warriors converted Spencer to a standard contract last season as well, that was in March in the lead-up to the playoffs. This time, he's a legitimate backup point guard and scoring option off the bench, and his contributions are finally making more headlines than his unconventional route to the league.

Spencer is posting 5.8 points, 2.9 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game across 36 outings this season. In his five starts, he's averaged 14.6 points, 5.4 assists, 5 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 54.2% from deep.

He's been much more willing to pull from long range, and, at times, he's taken over games. Perhaps most notably, during a Dec. 4 thriller against the Philadelphia 76ers, he announced himself as "that motherf***er" and then two days later started and scored 19 points in a road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers that had head coach Steve Kerr agreeing with that declaration.

Famously, Spencer established himself as a college lacrosse great at Loyola (Maryland), where he won the Tewaaraton, the sport's most prestigious award, before using the last bit of his eligibility to play basketball at Northwestern. He went undrafted in 2020 and then played overseas and in the G League prior to making his NBA debut with the Warriors in 2024.

Since, he's persistently carved out a small role for himself within the organization. It's never been bigger than it has been this season, though.

Now he has the contract to show for it, and the injury-riddled Warriors need his help.

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins before the new league year begins in March, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The team recently altered Cousins' contract to make way for his potential release, lowering his base salary to $2.1 million for 2026 while guaranteeing the remaining $67.9 million of his deal if he's still on the roster after March 11.

"That $67.9 million would become guaranteed if Cousins remains on the Falcons roster at the start of the league year in mid March," explained Schefter. "Atlanta therefore is expected to release him, allowing Cousins to be a free agent yet again."

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the team in 2024. The 37-year-old appeared in 24 games (22 starts) over the last two seasons, passing for 5,229 yards, 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

The Falcons got off to a 6-3 start with Cousins in 2024, but things went downhill once he injured his shoulder in a game against the New Orleans Saints. Cousins played poorly and the team went on a four-game losing streak. After an ugly win over a Desmond Ridder-led Las Vegas Raiders team, the Falcons benched Cousins.

Michael Penix Jr. took over for the rest of the season and went into 2025 as the starter. Unable to trade Cousins in the offseason, the Falcons were forced to held onto him as a backup to Penix. The team would later turn to Cousins after Penix injured his knee against the Carolina Panthers.

Cousins helped guide the team to a four-game winning streak to close out the 2025 season, and despite his prior relationship with new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, he will look to continue his NFL career elsewhere.

Releasing Cousins is the first notable move of Ian Cunningham's tenure as general manager. If given a post-June 1 designation, cutting Cousins could save the Falcons about $2.1 million in cap space, while adding $22.5 million to the team's dead money total.

With Cousins out of the picture, it's clear the Falcons are going with Penix as their starter in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins 'expected' to be released

Boston College entered Saturday’s matchup against Miami looking to reset after a road loss at Duke and begin their homestand with a win but fell to the Hurricanes 74-68. The Eagles had defended Conte Forum well this season and had leaned on disciplined defense, ball security, and timely late-game execution in recent home wins. Miami arrived with a primary scoring option capable of dictating pace and shot selection, setting up what was ultimately a hard-fought matchup.

The opening minutes reflected the balance both teams brought to the afternoon. Miami struck first with an early push before Boston College answered with a quick run to seize its first lead. The Hurricanes relied on interior scoring to steady themselves, while the Eagles countered by spreading the floor and moving the ball cleanly. Boston College stayed within reach at each media break, avoiding mistakes and limiting turnovers.

As the half wore on, Miami briefly created separation, but Fred Payne provided a spark when the Eagles needed it most. His scoring stretch trimmed a growing deficit and restored momentum. Donald Hand Jr. added timely buckets late in the half, helping Boston College erase ground before the break. Miami carried a narrow one-point edge into halftime, a reflection of how evenly contested the first twenty minutes had been.

Boston College opened the second half trying to get a sustained run going. Hand Jr. connected from deep to keep the Eagles close, but Miami responded with a seven-point burst that pushed their lead to double digits. A brief scoring drought stalled Boston College’s rhythm before Caleb Steger came off the bench and delivered instant offense from the perimeter.

The Eagles continued to chip away. Hand Jr. knocked down another three, Payne finished in transition, and the deficit shrank to a single possession with just over six minutes remaining. Miami answered each surge with poise, leaning on physical finishes and timely conversions to keep Boston College from fully flipping the game.

Down the stretch, the Hurricanes made the decisive plays. Boston College stayed aggressive and found a late three from Payne to remain within striking distance, but Miami sealed the outcome with a strong finish at the rim in the final minute. The Eagles’ effort never wavered, yet the final stops and shots favored the visitors. Hurricanes forward Malik Reneau led all scorers with 23 points, while Hand Jr. led BC with 20.

Boston College will continue its homestand on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET matchup against Stanford, the second game of a three-game homestand.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Purdue guard Fletcher Loyer delivered one, unforgettable minute Saturday.

First, the senior didn't hesitate to take the game-saving 3-pointer — once his defender hit the floor. A few moments later, he closed out a monumental 68-64 come-from-behind win over Oregon by making two free throws in the game's waning seconds.

No, it won't go down as a challenger to Reggie Miller's eight points in nine seconds in the NBA playoffs, but Loyer made it work perfectly even if it wasn't entirely by design.

“I was hoping maybe he'd help on Braden (Smith's) back cut and then it would open it up for me,” Loyer said, describing what happened to Oregon guard Takai Simpkins. “But he kind of blew it up, so I kind of hesitated. Then he fell down, so once he fell down, I saw some space and took it.”

It's a good thing for Loyer — and Purdue, which cannot afford any more slip-ups it if intends to win the Big Ten's regular season.

Loyer went 3 for 4 from 3-point range, his first game since going 7 of 10 from beyond the arc in a victory at Maryland. In the five games before Maryland, Loyer was just 4 of 21 on 3s.

And as No. 12 Purdue (19-4, 9-3) knows, they're a better team when Loyer plays well.

Nobody was better than Loyer in the final minute. He made the go-ahead 3 with 50.3 seconds left, made one of two free throws with 19.4 seconds left to keep the Boilermakers in the lead and then grabbed the rebound and drew a foul with 7 seconds remaining after Oregon missed a free throw. Naturally, he made both free throws to seal it.

“I thought the best play he made was the rebound off the free throw,” coach Matt Painter said, “And that's always a plus when you've got a guy that we want to put at the free-throw line get the ball, right? So if he can get that rebound, that's just a plus.”

The Boilermakers needed him to play that way Saturday — and for the rest of this season, too.

While Braden Smith finished with 13 points, four rebounds and four assists on a day he became the Big Ten's first player to record 1,000 points and 500 assists in conference play only, and Trey Kaufman-Renn added 12 points and eight rebounds, it was the other senior who stepped forward and delivered when Purdue needed it most.

“We had some good opportunities to knock down some shots, and Fletch made a huge one there at the end,” Painter said. “The plays of the game were the seven straight stops. But that shot that he made was huge and I think that broke their back right there. Even though they were still in a position where they can (win) it, I thought it was just such a huge shot."

___

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — He spent his Thursday missing fairways and chunking chips. He spent his Friday grinding to make the cut, which he successfully did for a PGA Tour-leading 66th consecutive time. Scottie Scheffler then spent his Saturday working his way up the leaderboard. The question is: Did he do enough to contend Sunday at the 2026 WM Phoenix Open?

The World No. 1 started his third round tied for 28th, sitting at 4 under, seven shots Ryo Hisatsune's lead. This is of note because when Scheffler secured the first of his two Phoenix Open victories in 2022, he was nine shots back after 36 holes.

After opening with seven straight pars, Scheffler birdied the eighth, made par on the ninth, chipped in for birdie from a greenside bunker on 10 and then poured in a birdie putt on 11. That fired up the huge gallery following him around the yard and got him to seven under, four shots back. Murmurs of "I hear footsteps" started to be whispered around the golf course.

ANNC: Scottie Scheffler needs something to happen fast

SCOTTIE: pic.twitter.com/kMVHJthfUn

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 7, 2026

He would take a step back after a three-putt bogey on the par-3 12th but birdied the par-5 13th. Another birdie at the par-5 15th got him to 4 under for the day and 8 under for the week but he missed an opportunity after a lipped-out eagle chip attempt stopped nine feet away. He then missed the birdie putt.

Scheffler closed out his round with a par on the 18th hole to sign for a 4-under 67. At that point he trailed tournament leader Hideki Matsuyama by three shots. Will it be enough come Sunday?

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Scottie Scheffler cuts into deficit at WM Phoenix Open. Is it enough?

Usman Nurmagomedov outclassed Alfie Davis before submitting the Briton in the third round to retain his PFL lightweight title in Dubai.

Russia's Nurmagomedov marched Davis down throughout, attacking with an array of kicks, before securing a key takedown midway through the fight and putting him to sleep with an unorthodox arm triangle choke.

The win extends 27-year-old Nurmagomedov's unbeaten record to 22 fights and marks his fifth world title defence.

Davis, 33, won the PFL's lightweight tournament last year to earn the title shot but was a big underdog in the fight and rarely looked as if he would trouble Nurmagomedov.

"I won how I planned, I made him tired, I made him work, I made him grapple and the win was going to come," said Nurmagomedov.

"Thank you for my father, he is here with me. Everything I have in this life is from him."

Davis came into the fight following his win over Nurmagomedov's team-mate Gadzhi Rabadanov in August and he carried the confidence he earned from that contest into the title bout.

Davis wore a beaming grin as he danced his way to the cage with a swagger, in front of booing fans who were largely in support of Nurmagomedov.

Watching Davis at cage-side was two-time heavyweight boxing world champion Anthony Joshua, who was making one of his first public appearances since taking time away from the spotlight after being involved in a car crash in December.

In contrast to Davis, Nurmagomedov wore a stern, focused expression as he made his walkout, flanked by coach, cousin and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov and two-division UFC champion Islam Makhachev.

Davis embraced the boos from fans as he was introduced before the fight, who chanted 'Usman Usman' when the contest got under way.

From the moment the bell rang, Nurmagomedov stalked Davis, attacking with leg and high kicks, while Davis searched for opportunities to counter.

Davis maintained his confidence in the face of Usman's suffocating presence, jiving and weaving before throwing strikes but failed to land anything of note that hurt the Russian.

Nurmagomedov showed his evasiveness and he dodged a spectacular spinning back-kick from Davis, before proving his advantage in the grappling as he secured multiple takedowns.

With just over half a minute remaining in the third round, Nurmagomedov landed the fight-defining takedown as he took Davis' back before putting him to sleep with an unusual arm triangle-rear-naked choke hybrid.

What next for Nurmagomedov and Davis?

In his post-fight interview Nurmagomedov, who is regarded as one of the best fighters outside the UFC, made no mention of possible opponents he would like to face next.

Other than a trilogy fight with Irishman Paul Hughes, who lost on points to Nurmagomedov in two close five-round fights last year, there are no standout contenders.

Another option for Nurmagomedov could be Rabadanov, but it is rare for fighters who train at the same gym to fight each other.

The most enticing fight for Davis next is also Hughes, who has not competed since defeat by Nurmagomedov in October.

Davis will not be able to defend his 2025 tournament crown because the PFL is not continuing the format in 2026.

Earlier on the card, Britain's Luke Trainer submitted Australia's Rob Wilkinson in the first round of their light-heavyweight bout via a guillotine choke.

Victory ended a 17-month absence for 29-year-old Trainer as he earned his fifth straight win.

Fellow Briton Haider Khan was on the wrong side of a guillotine choke as he suffered a first-round defeat by Brazil's Jhony Gregory in their middleweight bout.

In the co-main event, Russia's Ramazan Kuramagomedov beat countryman Shamil Musaev on points to win the PFL welterweight title.

• MMA schedule and results 2026
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Darmstadt started the game knowing a win would put them top of the 2. Bundesliga for the first time since matchday 7. Kaiserslautern were also hoping to make waves in the promotion race, and they won the reverse fixture 3-1 with a late comeback.

The smoke coming from pyrotechnics delayed the game at the start, but that didn’t affect the hosts one bit. Luca Marseiler won a penalty kick for the second game in a row when his pace was too much for Paul Joly to handle.

Like the previous week, Fraser Hornby tucked home the resulting penalty to put Darmstadt ahead. The Scotsman scored both goals in the come-from-behind draw in the capital against Hertha Berlin, and he had the chance to do the same inside the first ten minutes when his close-range effort narrowly missed the target.

Nonetheless, the 26-year-old added an assist to his fourth goal of 2026 at the hour mark. On his first start of the season, Fynn Lakenmacher scored his first-ever goal at this level. The former 1860 Munich striker took his opportunity in the absence of the injured Isac Lidberg.

Darmstadt didn’t miss their top scorer as they added the third before the half-time break. Kai Klefisch also ended his goalscoring drought with a free header from Sascha Richter’s corner-kick delivery.

The visitors had two clear-cut chances inside the first five minutes after the break, but half-time substitute Norman Bassette was unable to bring them back in the game. At the other end, Hornby missed a one-on-one chance in an end-to-end start to the second-half.

Including more missed chances by Hornby, Darmstadt continued to be the better side, but they were unable to add to their lead to assert their dominance. Marcel Schuhen made a great stop in the 90th minute to seal his ninth clean sheet of the season. 

Marseiler scored in injury-time with a smart finish to make it Darmstadt's biggest win of the season. Florian Kohfeldt’s side were in fourth place before kickoff, but the comfortable win saw them go top of the division for the first time since matchday seven.

The new league leaders will not face a team from the top half of the table in their next four matches, although Schalke’s five-game winless run shows how the league remains unpredictable. After their heaviest defeat of the season, Kaiserslautern will hope to return to winning ways when they entertain bottom-placed Greuther Fürth next week.

Michigan State football has extended an offer to a three-star edge rusher from Wisconsin.

Isaac Miller of Waukesha, Wisc. announced on Friday that he's received an offer from the Spartans. Miller posted about his offer from Michigan State on his social media X account.

Miller is listed as a three-star edge rusher with a recruiting rating of 87 in 247Sports' composite system. He ranks as the No. 45 edge rusher and No. 6 player from Wisconsin in the 2027 class. He is also listed as the No. 589 overall prospect in the class.

Michigan State is one of more than 20 schools to offer Miller, according to 247Sports. He also holds notable offers from Boston College, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami (FL), Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, North Carolina, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Purdue, Tennessee, Utah, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin and Notre Dame.

After a great conversation with @Coach_DeBo46 I am blessed to receive and offer to play defensive line at Michigan State University! #GoGreen@AllenTrieu@CoachWozniakTE@coachfitz51@TravisBOUND@MJ_NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/1zdGeUiLp2

— Isaac Miller 3 ⭐️ EDGE ‘27 (@isaacmiller_27) February 7, 2026

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU football latest P4 school to offer 3-star Wisconsin EDGE Isaac Miller

Texas A&M softball (3–0) opened the 2026 season dominantly, rolling through the first two days of the Aggie Classic with three straight run‑rule victories and a 26–2 scoring margin. But the level of competition takes a major leap on Saturday as the Aggies face the No. 1‑ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders (3–0).

The matchup serves as an early measuring stick for both programs, but the spotlight will shine brightest on the Aggies as they look to rebound from a heartbreaking end to the 2025 season and navigate a roster filled with new faces. Texas A&M is still learning who it will be this year—sorting out roles, building chemistry, and proving it can compete with the nation’s elite.

Texas Tech arrives with far fewer questions. The Red Raiders return a strong core, including two‑time National Pitcher of the Year NiJaree Canady, and added the nation’s No. 1 transfer class to reload after last year’s Women’s College World Series run. They’ve looked every bit the part through opening weekend.

This is one of the premier games of college softball’s opening slate—a top‑25 showdown at Davis Diamond that offers both teams a chance to seize early momentum. For A&M, it’s about showing they belong on the same field as the nation’s best. For Tech, it’s about reinforcing their dominance. Either way, fans should expect a show on Saturday.

You can follow all the live updates here:

What channel is Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech on today?

• TV Channel: SEC Network+
• Livestream: ESPN App

The Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+. Tori Vidales and Giovanni Heater will be on the call at Davis Diamond. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN App.

Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech time today

• Date: Saturday, February 7
• Start time: 4:30 p.m. CT

The Texas A&M vs Texas Tech game starts at 4:30 p.m. CT from Davis Diamond in Bryan-College Station.

Players to Watch - Texas A&M

• Sydney Lessentine - Pitcher
• Mya Perez - First base / DH
• KK Dement - Short stop
• Tallen Edwards - Second base
• Micaela Wark - First base / DH
• Kennedy Powell - Third base

Players to Watch - Texas Tech

• NiJaree Canady - Pitcher
• Mia Williams - Infield
• Hailey Toney - Infield
• Taylor Pannell - Infield
• Jasmyn Burns - Catcher

Pregame

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Live Updates: No.11 Texas A&M vs No. 1 Texas Tech softball game

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to cut Kirk Cousins before the new league year, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Per Schefter, Cousins still wants to play, though a career in television or retirement are still on the table. Where else could Cousins play next season? We could imagine Cousins having some suitors once free agency opens in March.

What teams make sense for the veteran quarterback, who won his last four games in a Falcons uniform and still showed an ability to run an NFL offense with decent success?

Let's run down some possible teams that could interest Cousins in continuing his NFL career.

Minnesota Vikings

A Vikings reunion just makes too much sense for Cousins and Minnesota, especially with the franchise expected to find veteran competition for J.J. McCarthy. If Cousins is comfortable with giving McCarthy a run for his money, returning to Minnesota is probably the veteran quarterback's best option to keep his NFL career going.

Cleveland Browns

If Cousins wants a guaranteed starting job, Cleveland might be the best place to find one that's not the New York Jets. While that's obviously a low bar, Cousins could give coach Todd Monken a reliable veteran to usher in this new era of Browns football. Cleveland is a bit short on offensive help, which might push Cousins in another direction.

New York Jets

Speaking of the Jets, New York probably would be thrilled to have Cousins on the roster. Cousins is far less high-maintenance than Aaron Rodgers was as far as former veteran starters go, and he'd inherit a solid offensive roster with the Jets. If New York had interest, Cousins would give the team an intriguing answer at quarterback in 2026.

Arizona Cardinals

We're not sure what the future holds for quarterback Kyler Murray in Arizona. However, Cousins is an ideal fit to run the Shanahan/McVay-style offense new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur will most likely run in the desert. If Arizona trades Murray, Cousins could step right in and give Arizona at least a year of stability at quarterback for LaFleur.

Pittsburgh Steelers

If Aaron Rodgers retires, the Steelers could pivot to Cousins as their 2026 starter. He'd give Mike McCarthy a reliable option at quarterback to kick off his first year in Pittsburgh. We bet Cousins wouldn't hate this idea.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Kirk Cousins landing spots: Falcons expected to cut veteran QB

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks announced Friday that he has joined prediction market Kalshi as a shareholder, making him the first NBA player to invest directly in the company.

“The internet is full of opinions. I decided it was time to make some of my own,” said the two-time NBA MVP in a social media post. “Today, I’m joining Kalshi as a shareholder. We all on Kalshi now.”

The announcement has not gone over well on social media. On Reddit, for example, one user described it as “literally a conflict of interest,” while another described Kalshi as “cancerous” and yet another wondered, “is this even allowed.”

According to The Athletic, the NBA’s recent collective bargaining agreement allows players to advertise and take stakes of up to 1% in sports betting companies, as long as they’re not promoting league-related wagers.

Kalshi said it will partner with Antetokounmpo on marketing and live events — and in accordance with the company’s “strict terms of service that ban insider trading and market manipulation,” he will not be allowed to trade on markets related to the NBA.

Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has admitted that his side beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday to stay in the title race.

The Blues have won just one of their last six Premier League games and after squandering a two goal lead against Tottenham last week, it is now or never for City to turn the ship around and put a winning run together if they are to hunt down league leaders Arsenal.

A brace from Omar Marmoush and another strike from Tijjani Reijnders against Newcastle United helped restore confidence in the camp in midweek as Pep Guardiola’s side set up a Carabao Cup final date with Arsenal courtesy of a 5-1 aggregate semi-final win over the Magpies.

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the tree to nine points after running out 3-0 winners against Sunderland on Saturday, with Manchester City in danger of falling out of the title race should they fail to beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

After impressing against Newcastle United on Wednesday night, Manchester City’s January signing Antoine Semenyo is expected to retain his starting place.

“It’s a statement game. It’s probably one of our most important games of the season,” the 26-year-old said in an interview with Sky Sports ahead of the trip to Merseyside.

“So we want to go there, pose our threats and be victorious at the end of the day. As an outsider watching, it’s always been sick to watch, but being part of it, it’s a different level. Just that fire in your belly, these games bring it out.”

Semenyo has made a blistering start to life in Manchester since joining forces with Guardiola from Bournemouth for £64 million in January, scoring his fourth goal for City in last week’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham in north London.

“I always thought, I want to be part of Man City. But the hard work continues,” the Ghana international added. “If we want to be as successful as the previous Man City teams have been, we need to catch up with Arsenal now and hopefully win all the other trophies that we’re in.

“Obviously, there have been results that haven’t gone our way and there have been a couple of draws here and there. The manager said to us before the Newcastle game that we need to have that fire in our bellies again.

“That fire in our bellies is what’s going to kick-start a new run for us and hopefully us being victorious at the end of the season is the plan.”

City can kiss a fifth Premier League title in six seasons goodbye should they fail to beat Liverpool on Sunday, with Bernardo Silva a major doubt for the clash and the likes of Rayan Cherki and John Stones in contention to feature.

John Cena made it a point to try and help younger talent, both on screen and behind-the-scenes, during his WWE retirement run in 2025. Following his final match, Cena sat down with Cody Rhodes on "What Do You Want to Talk About?" where they discussed Cena's final year and how he tried to remain flexible, in order to teach others to do the same.

"I always try to be coachable and I could be in the school of thought of like, 'You need 200 live events a year,'" Cena explained. "No we don't, because that's not where we're at...The message I really tried to hammer home to new talent was, 'I am on my way out. This would be the easy way to do it. I want you to know that I am making brave, courageous decisions that will have polarizing and critical feedback and I am still trying to fail. I am desperately trying to fail on my way out the door.'"

Cena said he wanted to influence others to make the most of the events, both live and televised, that they have and to not be afraid to fail on camera. Cena said he and Rhodes took a big swing at WrestleMania 41, and it was criticized, but he didn't want to do the easy thing.

"I wanted to paint a different picture and then just listen to what the audience says and we go from there," he said. "But, your trust and faith in me knowing that like, 'Oh my god, every wrestler uses WrestleMania as the end of their book,' and me being like, 'Dude. It's like the beginning.'"

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "What Do You Want to Talk About?" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Read more: Why Fans Are Turning On The Rock

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Read the original article on Wrestling Inc.

Roma are still waiting on Paulo Dybala as they prepare for Monday night’s Serie A meeting with Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Giallorossi are looking to bounce back after defeat to Udinese, a result that pushed them out of the top four and dented their hopes of securing a Champions League place, the club’s primary objective this season under Gian Piero Gasperini.

Several players are already sidelined.

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Manu Kone of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on December 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Manu Koné, Robinio Vaz, Stephan El Shaarawy and Artem Dovbyk are unavailable, while Evan Ferguson and Mario Hermoso have been training separately from the main group.

Dybala touch-and-go ahead of Cagliari showdown

Dybala remains the biggest question mark.

The Argentine has missed Roma’s last two outings, staying on the bench against Panathinaikos and not being called up at all for the Udinese match, due to a knee problem.

According to Sky Sport, via CalcioMercato, he trained individually again today.

TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

The final decision on his availability will be made after Sunday’s training session, the last before the match. If Dybala returns to group training, he could be included in the squad.

Otherwise, he risks missing a second consecutive Serie A fixture, and a third in all competitions.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has sent a guarantee the way of the club’s fans, regarding their upcoming meeting with Atlético Madrid.

This of course comes fresh off the Blaugrana being drawn against Diego Simeone’s troops in the Copa del Rey.

The draw for the semi-finals of the Copa took place on Friday afternoon, with Barca and Atlético having been pitted against one another with a place in the tournament showpiece on the line.

The first leg of the tie is set to take place this coming week, on Thursday night.

Speaking to the media in the aftermath of his side’s La Liga victory over Mallorca on Saturday, the subject of the tie was in turn put to Hansi Flick.

And in his response, the German tactician sent a guarantee the way of all associated with Barcelona:

“Against Atlético Madrid, we won’t see a first half like today’s. It’s not what I want.”

Conor Laird – GSFN

WWE COO Paul "Triple H" Levesque has been involved at the top of WWE creative since his father-in-law, Vince McMahon's decision to retire, his first departure from the company, in the summer of 2022. Since then, fans have been divided over his booking decisions, and the newest WWE behind-the-scenes show, "Unreal," hasn't done much to heighten his position in the eyes of some fans.

During season two of the show, veteran producer Michael P.S. Hayes, who has served in a backstage role since 1999, discussed Levesque's role in creative. The conversation on the show was sparked by a somewhat heated scene where "Road Dogg" Brian James attempted to pitch putting the Women's United States Championship back on Chelsea Green, though she didn't have many opponents she hadn't already faced.

"In those booking meetings, sometimes, in your desire to get a pitch approved and keep pitching, the creative team may not see the bigger picture," Hayes explained. "That's why [Levesque] is in the position he is, because he sees down the road. 'Okay, that's a great idea. What do we do after that?'"

"The last thing you want to do is move a character into a place that is unacceptable to the audience, and then that hurts the top people in that role and it hurts the middle person in that role and nobody gets over," Levesque then explained to the camera.

According to a recent report from PWInsider Elite, Levesque does indeed have final say over storylines. Bruce Prichard and Ed Koskey, who have worked backstage in WWE for many years, are directly below "The Game," and weekly television shows have Ryan Ward, Vice President of Creative Writing, at the helm.

Read more: Wrestlers Who Can't Stand Triple H

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Saturday afternoon’s Bundesliga defeat in Breisgau certainly wasn’t the debut newly appointed Werder Bremen head coach Daniel Thioune was hoping for. The 10-game-winless streak that led to the dismissal of Horst Steffen has now been extended to 11. Bremen’s 1-0 away defeat against SC Freiburg leaves the team without a win in three months. More distressingly, the result sends Bremen down to the 16th-place promotion relegation playoff place. 

Werder Bremen failed to capitalize on the man advantage

Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi’s 52nd-minute sending off meant that the Hanseatic guests had more than enough time to grab an equalizer. Thioune’s team not only failed in this regard, but were lucky not to have fallen farther behind. Freiburg’s Yuito Suzuki appeared to have doubled the advantage in the 78th-minute, but saw his 2-0 disallowed due to what appeared to be a very soft foul on Felix Agu. 

Thioune comments on the performance

“After the red card, we lacked the conviction to see it through to the end,” Thioune remarked in his post match interview with Sky Germany. “I think you could see that the team isn’t mentally ready to cope with this kind of situation.”

Marco Friedl sounds the alarm

Bremen’s relatively young captain has never been one to sugarcoat a rough situation. When Bremen found themselves the only top flight German footballing outfit to be dumped out of the opening round of the DFB Pokal, Marco Friedl called out club management for the manner in which they handled the summer transfer window. The 27-year-old was at it again when speaking to Sky this time. 

“We’re looking at a rude awakening,” Friedl said. “As harsh as it sounds, [insofar as the table is concerned] we’re finally back where we belong. Our opponents let us in week after week, but we lack confidence.

“There has to be a change,” Friedl continued. “I can’t sit here week after week and say the same thing. It will just continue like this and at the end of the day we’ll be left standing there, looking at each other and wondering what happened.”

GGFN | Peter Weis

Uli Hoeneß has seen just about every type of striker pass through Bayern Munich, from pure penalty-box finishers to complete forwards capable of shaping matches on their own. His latest assessment of Harry Kane makes clear that the England captain now belongs firmly in the latter category—and perhaps among the most influential signings of Bayern’s modern era.

Reflecting on Kane’s development since arriving in Munich, Hoeneß highlighted not only the expected goal return but the transformation in his overall game and leadership presence.

“What Harry Kane has produced here in the past year or two is absolutely top-class. And what I like best about him is that in the beginning, he was a goal scorer who played in his box, who waited for the ball to arrive. But today he’s long since become a playmaker, he’s a finisher, and above all, he’s a player with a personality who inspires others on the pitch, who sets the tone, and that’s exactly what we were looking for,” Hoeneß told Bild (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).

That evolution has been central to Bayern’s attacking identity. Kane’s ability to drop deep, connect midfield to attack, and still deliver decisive finishes gives the team tactical flexibility few strikers in world football can offer. Just as important is the authority he brings in key moments—organizing teammates, demanding standards, and providing composure when matches tighten.

Hoeneß’ praise underscores a broader truth: Kane is no longer simply Bayern’s leading scorer. He is a structural pillar of the side, blending production with presence. For a club built on personalities who define eras, that combination may prove just as valuable as any tally of goals.

---

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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Coach unhappy with decisions after comfortable victory

Hansi Flick unhappy despite Barcelona’s 3-0 win

Hansi Flick criticised refereeing decisions after Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0 to extend their lead in La Liga.

Barcelona continued their strong run in La Liga after 3-0 home win against Mallorca in round 23.

The victory strengthened Barcelona’s position at the top of the table but head coach Hansi Flick was not fully satisfied.

Speaking after the match, Flick said he was unhappy with his team’s performance in the first half.

He explained that Barcelona did not play at their usual level and lacked speed in their build-up.

Flick admitted the match was slow early on even though the final result was positive.

Strong second half & three key goals

Barcelona improved after the break and controlled the game. Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Marc Bernal secured clean win at Spotify Camp Nou.

Flick said the second half showed how he wants his team to play.

He also highlighted the importance of taking the three point scoring three goals and keeping clean sheet calling it good day overall.

Despite the win, Flick expressed clear frustration with referee Alejandro Quintero.

He questioned possible penalty incident involving Lamine Yamal and also complained about the position of Mallorca’s defensive wall during free kick.

Flick said he did not understand why he received yellow card and felt it was unfair.

He explained that he only pointed out that the wall was too close to the ball and believed Yamal deserved penalty.

La Masia in the spotlight

The match also had strong youth angle. Flick praised La Masia, Barcelona’s academy after Marc Bernal scored his first goal for the club and Tommy Marqués made his first-team debut.

Flick said trusting young players is good for the club and part of Barcelona’s identity.

He added that Marqués shows confidence on the ball and can play in several positions.

The coach also stressed that with many matches ahead, every player will be important.

The Boston Celtics have two more games before embarking on the All-Star break. Jaylen Brown is the team’s lone All-Star selection this year, but he won’t be the only player from the organization representing the team during the festivities.

Two-way guard Ron Harper Jr. is also poised to play a big role during the All-Star break. Harper was selected to be a part of the G League team for the 2026 Rising Stars Game, thanks in large part to his stellar production for the Maine Celtics (26.9 PPG, 5 RPG, 4 APG, 49.7 FG%).

That isn’t the only part of the festivities that Harper will be partaking in, though. On Saturday afternoon, the C’s revealed on social media that Harper will be participating in the Shooting Stars contest alongside his brother, San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper, and his father, 15-year NBA veteran Ron Harper Sr.

“Let’s go Team Harper 💫 Ron will join his father and brother in the Shooting Stars contest at the All-Star Skills Challenge,” the Celtics announced in a post on X.

It will be awesome to see the Harper family team up for this contest, but this is really a testament to the work Ron Jr. has been putting in for the Celtics as of late. In the team’s 114-93 win over the Houston Rockets, Harper logged 33 minutes for Boston, racking up 11 points and nine rebounds for the team.

With Boston moving Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls, there could be room for Harper to earn more minutes down the stretch for the team. The Celtics will be back in action when they take on the New York Knicks at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Kierra Wheeler scored 17 points and Sydney Shaw added 16 for No. 20 West Virginia in a 87-68 win over Arizona on Saturday.

Wheeler added six rebounds and shot 8 of 11 from the field. Shaw shot 6 of 10 overall and was 4 of 7 beyond the arc. Jordan Harris added 14 points. Gia Cooke 13 and Celia Riviere scored 10 off the bench for West Virginia (20-5, 10-3 Big 12).

Tanyuel Welch led Arizona (11-12, 2-10) with 17 points. Daniah Trammell added 15.

The Mountaineers jumped ahead with a 13-0 run that spanned the first and second quarters and went into halftime up 50-26. A 9-0 run in the third quarter gave West Virginia its largest lead at 74-40.

Arizona finished the game with a 11-0 run, keeping West Virginia scoreless for the final 3:15.

Up next

Arizona: Visits Cincinnati on Tuesday.

West Virginia: Hosts UCF on Wednesday.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Palmeiras Delegation for the 2026 Women's SupercupCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

Palmeiras won the 2026 Women's Supercup on Saturday afternoon (7), at Arena Barueri, in Barueri (SP), after defeating Corinthians on penalties by 5 to 4. In regular time, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, with goals from Bia Zaneratto for the Alviverde and Jaqueline for Timão.

In the penalty shootout, Kathe Tapia shone, saving three penalties, and was decisive in the Palmeiras celebration.

This is Palmeiras' first title in the competition, having qualified to participate as the champion of the Women's Copa do Brasil. With the title, they will receive R$ 1 million, and Corinthians will receive R$ 600 thousand. This total of R$ 1.6 million is the highest amount ever awarded by the CBF to the finalists of the Women's Supercup.

Osmar Stabile, Samir Xaud and Leila Pereira at the 2026 Women's SupercupCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

The Match

In a final marked by rivalry, Corinthians scored early. Jaqueline received a good pass from Duda Sampaio, dribbled to create space in the Palmeiras defense, and shot high. Goalkeeper Kathe Tapia even got a touch on the ball, but couldn't prevent the Corinthians goal at five minutes into the first half.

Despite conceding the goal, the Palmeiras fans increased their support for their players. Shortly after, goalkeeper Lelê took a knee to the head and was replaced by Nicole. Facing the Alviverde offensive, Corinthians remained calm, unfazed, and hit the post with a header from Gabi Zanotti.

Bia Zaneratto celebrates Palmeiras' goal in the 2026 Women's SupercupCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

Near the 35-minute mark, Palmeiras had a good chance to equalize. Brena took advantage of a Corinthians defensive error and found herself one-on-one with Nicole. However, her shot was off target. The equalizer only came at the 39th minute, when Bia Zaneratto took advantage of a cross and headed the ball into the back of the net.

At the end of the first half, Kathe Tapia made a great save from Jaqueline's shot.

Right after the break, Corinthians and Palmeiras traded chances. Palmeiras' Brena had two opportunities, and for Corinthians, Duda Sampaio, Belén Aquino, and Jaqueline threatened. Andressa Alves shot from the edge of the box. The shot was deflected and hit the crossbar.

At the 30-minute mark, Gisela Robledo found herself one-on-one with the Palmeiras goalkeeper, but shot wide. Brena had another clear chance in the 39th minute, but her shot was weak and off target. Near the end of the match, Tainá Maranhão's cross was deflected and almost went in. Érika cleared the ball off the line, preventing a Palmeiras goal.

Corinthians and Palmeiras decided the 2026 Women's SupercupCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

Near the end of the match, Tainá Maranhão's cross was deflected and almost went in. Érika cleared the ball off the line, preventing a Palmeiras goal. The score remained tied at 1-1, sending the title decision to penalties.

Bia Zaneratto, Poliana, Duda Santos, Pati Maldaner, and Tainá Maranhão scored for Palmeiras, who also counted on Kathe Tapia's performance - Glaucia and Brena missed. When Corinthians were one kick away from the title, the goalkeeper denied the goal that would have secured the Corinthians victory. For Timão, Vic Albuquerque, Thaís Ferreira, Letícia Monteiro, and Gisela Robledo found the net. Gabi Zanotti, Tamires, and Jhonson missed their attempts.

Palmeiras' title and Alviverde celebration at Arena Barueri!

Match Sheet

Lineups

Palmeiras – Kathe Tapia; Andressinha (Diany), Pati Maldaner, Poliana and Fê Palermo (Raíssa Bahia); Ingryd (Duda Santos), Brena and Rhay Coutinho (Ana Guzmán); Tainá Maranhão, Bia Zaneratto and Glaucia. Coach – Rosana Augusto

Corinthians – Lelê (Nicole); Gi Fernandes (Érika), Thais Ferreira, Letícia Teles and Tamires; Ana Vitória (Letícia Monteiro), Duda Sampaio and Andressa Alves; Jaque Ribeiro (Jhonson), Belén Aquino (Gisela Robledo) and Gabi Zanotti. Coach – Lucas Piccinato.

Goals – Jaqueline, five minutes into the first half (Corinthians). Bia Zaneratto, 39 minutes into the first half (Palmeiras).

Yellow Cards – Ingryd (Palmeiras) and Gisela Robledo (Corinthians)

Refereeing – Edina Alves (Head Referee), Neuza Back and Fabrini Bevilaqua (Assistants), Daiane Muniz (Fourth Official), Maíra Mastella (Fifth Official), Simone Xavier (Field Analyst), Eveliny Pereira (Inspector), Ana Karina Valentin (Advisor), Charly Wendy (VAR), Helen Aparecida (AVAR), Cleidy Mary (VAR Observer) and Larissa Ramos (Quality Manager).

Total Attendance – 2,576 people

Jaqueline celebrates Corinthians' goal in the 2026 Women's SupercupCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Indianapolis Colts using the franchise tag on pending free agent wide receiver Alec Piece remains an outside possibility—although presumably not their preferred option, if actually given the choice:

“Speaking of the Colts, my sense is their priority will be Daniel Jones, followed by receiver Alec Pierce as a 1B option,” writes Fowler.

“The Colts should turn up the heat on Jones closer to the combine. Though the franchise and transition tags for wide receivers are steep — $25 million to $28 million based on projections — the Colts tagged Michael Pittman Jr. two years ago as a way to facilitate a long-term deal. I’m not taking it totally off the table for Pierce for that reason.”

Right now, the Colts’ top two free agent priorities appear to be re-signing Pierce, as well as starting quarterback Jones—who’s currently recovering from a suffered Week 14 season-ending Achilles injury.

Other key Colts free agents include Nick Cross, Braden Smith, Germaine Pratt, Samson Ebukam, and Kwity Paye among others.

The Colts lack a clear upgrade to Jones internally or realistically through this year’s NFL Draft (without a 2026 first round pick or next year for that matter) or external free agency. Additionally, the former New York Giants castoff had so much initial success when paired with Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen before injuries.

Simply put, Jones was in the midst of a career year before injuries reared their ugly head and eventually prematurely ended his season, simultaneously sinking the Colts playoff hopes.

Therefore, it appears that a new deal will be struck between both sides sooner rather than later this early offseason. It’s possible though that the Minnesota Vikings, Jones’ former team and the Colts top competition for him last year in free agency, could potentially emerge as a dark horse to have him challenge J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings are reportedly seeking out a veteran quarterback to push and as insurance for incumbent starting quarterback JJ McCarthy, who struggled during 2025, this offseason.

On the other hand, the 25-year-old Pierce is expected to have many free agency suitors, as arguably the league’s premier receiving deep threat—having led the league in highest yards per reception average two years in a row.

For what it’s worth, Spotrac currently projects him to earn a 4-year, ~$81M deal.

Pierce emerged as the Colts’ lead wideout this past year, breaking out to the tune of 47 receptions for 1,003 total receiving yards (21.3 avg. yards per reception) and 6 touchdown receptions during 15 games (14 starts). Since being selected by the Colts in the 2nd round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Pierce has only gotten better each year.

Last month, at his end-of-season press conference, Colts longtime general manager Chris Ballard reiterated that retaining Pierce remains an offseason priority for the team:

“I think he’s been a good player every year,” said Ballard. “. . . I thought Reggie (Wayne) did a tremendous job helping him expand his game to all three levels. Alec’s a priority.”

San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones made it clear on Wednesday that he’s ready to be a starter again.

The Niners aren’t keen on the idea of moving the 27-year-old former New England Patriots signal-caller though, according to senior NFL insider Dianna Russini.

“For teams looking to swing a deal for 49ers backup QB Mac Jones, I’m told San Francisco is not looking to part with the 2021 first-rounder,” Russini wrote for The Athletic in a report published Saturday morning. “Things and offers can change, but the 49ers’ preference is to keep their Brock Purdy-Jones tandem intact for 2026. Jones’ 5-3 record as a starter amid the team’s major injury struggles helped keep San Francisco afloat, and Kyle Shanahan loves what he has in the 27-year-old.”

Jones appeared in 11 games and made eight starts for San Francisco during the 2025 season, posting a career-high 69.6% completion percentage with 2,151 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The former 15th overall pick lost his starting job with the Patriots during the 2023 campaign and was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2024.

Jones finished the 2024 season with 1,672 passing yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions across 10 games, seven of which he started in place of an injured Trevor Lawrence.

The Alabama product signed a two-year, $8.4 million contract with the Niners in March.

The Syracuse Orange’s second game of the season was a Saturday stroll for the nation’s No. 3 ranked team, as they offered a rude welcome to the St. Joseph’s Hawks in the first ever meeting between the programs.

On a day of freezing temperatures outside, the Orange were burning up inside the Dome as they torched the nets for a 20 spot in a 20-2 thrashing of the Hawks.

It was an extraordinarily well-balanced day for SU, as they scored at least four goals in every quarter and won each half by a 10-1 score. 11 different players scored a goal and 13 different players recorded a point as Gary Gait was able to go deep into his bench at every position and give virtually everyone a taste of the day’s action.

Joey Spallina (4G, 4A) led the way with eight points on an excellent day for the senior in which he scored a handful of goals dodging up from X and threw multiple BTB passes that ended in goals. As part of his day, he passed a pair of Orange legends in his head coach and Tom Marechek on his way up the all-time scoring list to seventh with 259 career points.

Gross.

Joey and Finn go BTB to BTB on the EMO for a #SCop10 effort.

📺 ACC Network Extra
💻 https://t.co/HxyHfeHy3B
📻 @ESPNSyracuse
📊 https://t.co/iSM5v3Nf3L#HHH x #LikeNoOtherpic.twitter.com/mofe5HWqYK

— Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse (@CuseMLAX) February 7, 2026

Finn Thomson (4G, 1A) bounced back from a point-less first game with four goals and five points, including a phenomenal BTB-to-BTB hook up with Spallina that Finn finished off beautifully. Michael Leo (2G, 2A) had a strong day with four points as he started at attack for Payton Anderson, who was out with an illness. Wyatt Hottle (2G) and freshman Ted Rawson (2G) each found the net twice, and six other players scored once.

The game was so good for the offense that four players scored their first career goals on the day, including Ted Rawson, Drew Angelo, Charlie Kraftson and Matt McIntee.

The offense was completely dominant and consistent throughout, scoring 20 goals on an amazing 43.5 shot percentage (20-of-46), dishing out nine assists, going a perfect 4-for-4 on the man-up while only turning it over 10 times.

Speaking of holding onto the ball, the Orange did a significantly improved job in round two against St. Joe’s 10-man ride after struggling so mightily and looking devoid of ideas against BU last week. Today, SU did much better positioning and moving their midfielders to be better outlets for the defense to help move the ball up the field, and the defenders themselves were much more aggressive approaching the 10-man when necessary. It was a much more confident day on the clear for ‘Cuse.

The defense was obviously in shutdown mode all afternoon, holding the Hawks to two tallies and separate scoreless streaks of 18-plus minutes to start the game, nearly 18-minutes in the middle and 23 minutes to close the game.

They once again largely did a nice job of winning their individual matchups and timing their slides to help when need be. They caused six turnovers and held SJU to a putrid 5.6 percent shooting (2-of-36).

And when his defense needed help with a stop, Jimmy McCool (10SV) was there to turn them away. The net minder had a fantastic day with 10 saves and an .833 save percentage, making a number of difficult stops to completely steal any positive vibes the Hawks were hoping to get on offense.

The face-off battle was the only area of the game where anything was remotely closely contested, as St. Joe’s did a good job of mucking it up in the trenches to make life difficult for Johnny Mullen (3GB).

They did a nice job of it as the majority of restarts in this game turned into 50-50 battles with the ball bouncing all around the middle of the field. Mullen only picked up three ground balls himself, although ultimately he did well in leading the Orange to a 16-of-26 day at the dot (61.5 percent).

Mullen went 10-of-16, while backup Drew Angelo (3GB, 1G) had his best day in a ‘Cuse uniform, going 5-of-8 (62.5 percent) with three ground balls and his first career goal. Freshman John Olenik got the first chances of his career, going 1-for-2.

Too Slick.

📺 ACC Network Extra
💻 https://t.co/HxyHfeHy3B
📻 @ESPNSyracuse
📊 https://t.co/iSM5v3Nf3L#HHH x #LikeNoOtherpic.twitter.com/ner5HP8MYu

— Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse (@CuseMLAX) February 7, 2026

The game was over early as the Orange scored the first six goals of the game in just over 15 minutes, including a pair each by Spallina and Hottle in the early going.

The Hawks finally got on the board just over three minutes into the second quarter, but SU answered with four straight to take a 10-1 lead into the break. Finn and Joey combined to score back-to-back goals in the final minute to really put an exclamation point on an excellent half.

The avalanche continued in the second half, as Billy Dwan scored his first goal of the season after clearing the 10-man himself and shooting just past midfield near the substitution box from a difficult angle to start the third quarter with an exciting flourish.

‘Cuse kept their foot on the gas, with Finn and Spallina tallying two more before St. Joe’s ended their nearly 18-minute scoreless drought with their lone second half goal that made it 13-2. The Orange answered a few minutes later with some exceptional team ball movement that ended with Spallina finding Rawson for a slick finish.

The fourth quarter was all SU, winning the frame 6-0 as they emptied the bench and got goals from the likes of Angelo, Greg Elijah-Brown, Kraftson and McIntee.

‘Cuse will now turn their attention to their ultimate test when the No. 1 Maryland Terrapins come to the Dome next Friday, February 13 at 6 PM on ACC Network.

Figure skating superstar Ilia Malinin was second in the men's section of Olympic team event qualification, helping the United States to the top of the standings ahead of the free dance later on Saturday.

Two-time world champion Malinin was 10.67 points behind Japan's Yuma Kagiyama in the short program. Alongside the US, Japan are the top favourites to win gold in the team event.

The US - 2022 winners - lead the overall standings one placement point ahead of Japan. Hosts Italy are third, a further six points back.

The team event combines the four Olympic figure skating disciplines (men's singles, women's singles, pairs and ice dance) into a single event.

Skaters earn points based on their placement in each discipline, and the gold medals are awarded to the team that earns the most placement points.

Competition started on Friday, with medals being handed out on Sunday.

Indiana men’s basketball retook the lead over Wisconsin in the closing seconds of overtime to seal a 78-77 win over the Badgers after two late foul calls went against the latter.

The first of the two calls was a charge called on Badgers guard Nick Boyd. The Hoosiers were looking to trap Boyd, who evaded and made contact with a trailing Enright with just 15 seconds left in the game, resulting in the charge. From there, Indiana got the ball to Lamar Wilkerson down by just one point. Wilkerson drove on another Badgers guard, John Blackwell, and earned a whistle after taking a fall with Blackwell’s foot stepping on his pivoting ankle.

Wilkerson made both free throws and a last-second prayer from Badgers guard Braeden Carrington soared well over the rim as Indiana closed out the win.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard commented on the sequence after the game, saying Enright was fouling Boyd prior to the charge.

“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Gard said. “They’re trying to foul, they actually fouled us three times coming up the floor.”

Here’s Gard’s full remarks on the last two fouls, courtesy of John Steppe of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Greg Gard on the last two foul calls in the #Badgers' loss to Indiana: pic.twitter.com/629EdGuUGt

— John Steppe (@JSteppe1) February 7, 2026

Elvis Smylie narrowly held off Jon Rahm in the closing stages of LIV Golf Riyadh, the league's 2026 season opener and first-ever 72-hole event. Smylie fired a 8-under 64 at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia on Saturday to finish the week at 24 under and claim the victory by one shot over Rahm, who shot 63 in the final round.

"It's a dream come true," Smylie said. "I really didn't know what to expect this week. Playing at night is obviously a whole different ballgame out here. I wanted to come out here and make a statement. I wanted to prove that I'm one of the best out here, and I feel like I've done that, and it's only up from here.”

Smylie, a 23-year-old from Australia, became the first player to win in his LIV Golf debut since Henrik Stenson won in Bedminster in 2022. It's Smylie's third victory as a pro, having won twice before on the PGA Tour of Australasia, including the 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship.

Rahm made four straight birdies coming down the stretch to put some serious pressure on Smylie, who needed a par on the last to secure the win. Both players were bogey-free in the final round. Smylie's team, Ripper GC, also left Riyadh with a victory, shooting 69 under over the four days to finish three shots clear of Torque GC. Ripper GC captain Cam Smith finished tied for 13th.

Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson ended the week tied for 17th at 14 under while Joaquin Niemann — who won five times on LIV last year — was one shot behind them. The circuit now heads to The Grange Golf Club in Australia for LIV Golf Adelaide, which will begin Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: LIV Golf season opener: Elvis Smylie holds off Jon Rahm in Riyadh

Once again, the Wisconsin Badgers mounted a big comeback in an attempt to win a conference game. Only this time, they were unable to get the job done against the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, losing a key road game as they looked to boost their resume.

The Badgers fell short to the Hoosiers 78-77 in overtime after a controversial last few minutes, marking their seventh loss of the season and fourth in conference play. The defeat dropped them to 1-6 in Quad 1 games, leaving Wisconsin still on the bubble with one month to go in the regular season.

It was a similar story that we’ve seen play out a bit too many times for Wisconsin this year: a slow start matched with a strong comeback effort. But, unlike in past games, the Badgers couldn’t get the job done on Saturday.

Just last weekend, the Badgers put together a double-digit comeback to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes after a slow start where they trailed 15-4 after the opening minutes. It marked their fourth time in the last seven games that Wisconsin had a double-digit comeback and won the game. Dating back to early January, the Badgers trailed by as many as 14 points before coming back to win by three.

Wisconsin had double-digit comebacks in both Minnesota games, trailing by 11 in the second half before winning 78-75 during the first contest before trailing by 20 and winning 67-63 in the second contest.

Experience helps with these second-half comebacks, and it’s a testament to Wisconsin’s resilience, but it’s also been the team’s kryptonite this year. Whether it’s a strong first half followed by an inconsistent second half or vice versa, the Badgers just haven’t been able to play consistent basketball for 40 minutes.

And more often than not, a slow start is involved when these types of games happen. Wisconsin fell behind 7-0 in the early stages on Saturday and never held a lead until the final minutes of regulation after mounting its comeback.

In the first half, it was a similar story to their previous first-half struggles: a heavy reliance on three-pointers and a lack of efficiency there. 19 of Wisconsin’s first 30 shots came from deep. The Badgers sank just five of those looks. That’s a problem in general, and an even bigger one when Wisconsin had the size advantage and didn’t control the paint well enough to create looks.

It was an ugly first half from lead guards Nick Boyd and John Blackwell on both ends of the court, which is never a good sign for a Badgers team that relies heavily on both players for production. Now, even with the sluggish start offensively and some issues defensively, Wisconsin remained in the game. After trailing by as many as 14 in the first half, the Badgers cut the lead to six by halftime.

Then, after falling behind by double-digits again in the second half, Wisconsin found ways to continue chipping at the lead before eventually taking it in the final minutes. Yes, there were a lot of questionable calls down the stretch that clearly irritated Wisconsin’s players, but the Badgers had opportunities to win this game and are starting to create a pattern with the comeback efforts.

The Badgers are going to have to figure things out with a tough stretch coming up. They play Illinois on the road on Tuesday before hosting Michigan State at home on Friday. Then come tough matchups against Iowa (home) and Ohio State (road), which could all be Quad 1 opportunities. Let’s see if they can bounce back well.

AUSTIN, Texas — After taking an 18-point lead in the first half that evaporated after a bad close to the first half and a bad start to the second half, the Texas Longhorns used a 14-0 run over the final 2:43 to secure a 79-68 win over the Ole Miss Rebels and former head coach Chris Beard on Saturday the Moody Center.

Ole Miss missed its last seven shots as Texas finished on 7-of-9 shooting streak. The Rebels have now lost five straight games.

Texas sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis finished one point short of his career high in leading Texas with 27 points and seven rebounds on 9-of-11 shooting from the field and 9-of-12 shooting from the free-throw line. Graduate guard Tramon Mark added 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists while senior guard Jordan Pope scored eight of his 13 points over the final 5:27.

Keyed by Vokietaitis, the Longhorns notched a 32-16 edge in points in the paint and a 20-9 advantage in second-chance points and overcame a quiet performance by junior wing Dailyn Swain, who had seven points and four turnovers in failing to reach double figures in scoring for only the third time this season. The Xavier transfer did provide a boost on the glass with nine rebounds and dished out four assists, tying Mark for the team high.

After Ole Miss forward Augusto Cassia hit an early three, his third of the season on 12 attempts, Vokietaitis went to work in the low post, hitting a jump hook over multiple defenders before drawing two shooting fouls on Cassia and hitting all four attempts at the line.

Besides the three from Cassia, the mediocre Ole Miss offense missed six of its first seven shots as Vokietaitis had a put back on a missed layup by Swain, who also had two early turnovers in a poor start. The early lead extended to 11-4 at the first media timeout after Pope was fouled on a three-point attempt and hit his three free throws.

Out of the timeout, Texas struggled to take care of the basketball, as Pope turned it over trying to initiate the offense, then committed his second foul on what turned into a three-point play, and Swain committed his third turnover dribbling in traffic as Ole Miss loaded its defense against him.

The poor shooting for the Rebels continued, however, hitting just 3-of-16 attempts at the under-12 timeout, after which the Horns extended their lead to 22-11 behind two more free throws from Vokietaitis, two jumpers by Mark, and a deep three from junior wing Cam Heide.

Effort from senior guard Chendall Weaver keyed a dunk by Vokietaitis and forced a jump ball that turned into a possession. When a defensive rebound by Swain turned into a fast-break opportunity, Mark hit a three from the corner to make it 27-11 at the 8:16 timeout and force a timeout by Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard thanks to a 14-0 run over four minutes with the help of five straight missed shots by the Rebels.

The scoring drought ultimately lasted 7:16 for Beard’s team with 10 straight misses, although Vokietaitis missed the front end of two one-and-ones as the Ole Miss struggled to defend without fouling, a consistent theme for the Rebels this season. Pope ended a short scoreless drought for the Longhorns by getting to the line himself and Swain scored on an offensive rebound to end a 9-0 run by the Rebels.

Ole Miss cut the deficit to 10 points at the 1:53 mark, setting up a critical end to the half. Texas responded as Mark used the bounce to draw defenders and hit Vokietaitis working from the dunker’s spot and a spinning floater from junior guard Simeon Wilcher found the bottom of the net, but a miscommunication on pick-and-roll coverage led to an open jumper for Ole Miss and Mark wasn’t aware enough of the shot clock on a violation that sent the game into halftime with Texas up 37-25.

A three to open the second half cut the deficit to single digits and a turnover by the Horns produced a fast break and a shooting foul on Wilcher. Mark hit two jumpers after the Rebels split the trip to the free-throw line, but head coach Sean Miller’s team was struggling to come up with stops defensively. By the time that penetration produced an assisted layup by Cassia, the Texas lead was down to six points and Miller had to call at timeout at the 17:08 mark after the poor start to the half.

It didn’t help offensively as Pope and Heide both missed threes before the under-16 timeout as Ole Miss made another jumper to make it 41-37. Vokietaitis did convert his trip to the line after the media break, but Cassia made another three and Patton Pinkins got into the lane for a jumper to cut the margin to a single point and then took the lead on another three, forcing a second second-half timeout by Miller.

Into a zone defense, Ole Miss produced a turnover on a bad pass by Vokietaitis, then made its third three of the second half before a bad foul by Texas sent the game into the under-12 timeout with the Rebels 9-of-9 shooting in the second half.

The Longhorns made their own attempt at playing zone and got the Rebels to miss a decent look at a three, then Mark found Vokietaitis for a lob layup. A second-chance opportunity for Ole Miss paid off with a made three, countered on the other end by a three from Heide. Vokietaitis responded to committing a shooting foul that resulted in two made free throws by the Rebels with a three-point play on offense and another three-point play opportunity on the next possession that he couldn’t convert as Texas regained the lead, 55-52.

A lack of hustle by Mark after a miss allowed an easy basket by Ole Miss and a turnover produced a second-chance basket by the Rebels to go back in front. Mark did save a bad offensive possession with a late-clock jumper in the lane and drew an offensive foul on a switch to send the game into the under-eight timeout with Ole Miss up 58-57.

A driving layup by Pope brought the crowd to its feet for the first time before Vokietaitis used his big body to create some space in the lane for Mark to hit a short jumper, but Heide committed a foul on a jump shooter that wasn’t converted, but Ole Miss came up with the offensive rebound and Swain committed a foul that sent the Rebels to the line for two made free throws.

Pope got into the middle for a made jumper to tie the game at 65-65, broken by a defensive breakdown that gave up an open three to the Rebels. Then the Oregon State transfer hit a triple and drew a shooting foul to send the game into the under-four timeout tied at 68-68 with 2:43 left.

Pope converted the four-point play, Texas got a stop defensively, and an offensive rebound by Swain resulted in a three-point play and a timeout by Beard with the Longhorns up four points. Ole Miss settled for a bad three that missed, but Mark stepped out of bounds trying to secure the loose ball and Beard called another timeout at the 1:21 mark. When Vokietaitis effectively challenged a shot near the rim, Weaver came up with a big offensive rebound and Wilcher rattled home a three off the bounce to beat the shot clock and give the Horns the decisive advantage that forced the Rebels to start fouling.

HUGE 3️⃣ FOR THE HORNS 🤘@TexasMBB x #SECMBBpic.twitter.com/lFEZG2hUlR

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) February 7, 2026

Mark converted both and Wilcher secured a defensive rebound and the Longhorns closed the game out with the team’s third consecutive SEC win.

Texas heads back on the road to Missouri next Saturday after a midweek break. Tip is at 7:30 p.m. Central on ESPN or ESPN2.

Liverpool focus turns to Van de Ven amid defensive uncertainty

Liverpool’s summer planning continues to reveal a clear defensive theme, and the latest reporting from TeamTalk places Micky van de Ven firmly in the frame should events accelerate around Ibrahima Konate. For a Liverpool focused audience, the key takeaway is simple, Anfield decision makers are actively tracking a Premier League proven centre back who fits both the physical and tactical demands of Arne Slot’s system.

TeamTalk state that “Liverpool would be prepared to move for an experienced centre back this summer should Ibrahima Konate leave the club”, a line that sets the tone for what follows. While Jeremy Jacquet has already arrived with the expectation of first team involvement next season, Liverpool’s recruitment team are realistic about the gap Konate would leave if his situation moves closer towards Real Madrid.

Van de Ven profile matches Liverpool needs

Liverpool’s interest in Van de Ven is not a new development, but this report reinforces how highly rated he remains behind the scenes. TeamTalk are explicit, noting “We understand Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven remains very much on Liverpool’s radar in that scenario”. That wording suggests genuine consideration rather than a name added for speculation.

Van de Ven’s appeal is obvious. He offers pace recovery that suits a high line, composure in possession, and Premier League experience at a level Liverpool demand immediately. Importantly, Liverpool would be seeking “a proven option” rather than relying solely on Jacquet to bridge the experience gap left by Konate.

Photo: IMAGO

Tottenham uncertainty could open door

The wider Tottenham picture is crucial context. TeamTalk reveal that Spurs are “bracing themselves for a summer showdown” as they attempt to retain Cristian Romero. The Argentine’s situation appears increasingly volatile after he “appeared to criticise the Spurs hierarchy on social media once again”.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are all credited with interest in Romero, a factor that could force Tottenham into difficult decisions. Should Spurs lose one centre back, resistance to selling another may weaken if a substantial offer arrives. For Liverpool, that scenario would sharpen Van de Ven’s availability, even if negotiations would remain complex.

Strategic planning under Slot continues

Liverpool’s stance reflects controlled preparation rather than reactive transfer behaviour. Jacquet’s arrival adds depth and upside, but the club do not view him as a direct replacement for Konate’s elite level experience just yet. That is why Van de Ven’s name carries such weight in this discussion.

TeamTalk also remind readers that “with his current deal running down, Konate would be eligible to leave on a free transfer, something Liverpool are keen to avoid but have been cautious of”. That caution explains why Liverpool are mapping out clear alternatives early.

For a Liverpool audience, the reassurance comes from clarity. If Konate stays, Liverpool strengthen depth. If he leaves, Liverpool move decisively for a defender already capable of starting immediately.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s standpoint, Van de Ven feels like a smart and realistic target rather than a panic option. His performances at Tottenham show a defender comfortable defending large spaces, something that will remain essential under Arne Slot’s aggressive positioning.

There is also comfort in seeing Liverpool think two steps ahead. Jacquet’s signing covers the future, while Van de Ven would cover the present. That balance has defined Liverpool’s best recruitment periods, and this approach echoes those principles.

Ultimately, this report reads like a club in control. Liverpool are not waiting to be forced into action, they are shaping outcomes. For supporters, that breeds confidence that whatever happens with Konate, Liverpool will not allow standards at the back to drop.

As another weekend in the EFL season throws up more eye-catching results and storylines, former Swindon, Ipswich and Luton striker and BBC Final Score pundit Sam Parkin delivers his verdict on the big talking points across the Championship, League One and League Two.

Millwall's win at Wrexham prompts automatic promotion questions

Millwall posted an impressive 2-0 win away at fellow promotion contenders Wrexham on Saturday to create a gap between themselves and the chasing pack. Five points behind the top two, can we consider them automatic promotion challengers?

Parkin: "I would say that's probably a stretch, as we sit here today. They've got an incredible opportunity to be a Premier League team next season, but I think it'll be probably a case of doing it via the play-offs.

"This is the most complete Millwall squad I can think of in recent memory. You've got the experience of [Jake] Cooper and Billy Mitchell, who have been there a long time, but there is now so much more control and quality across a variety of positions.

"[Caleb] Taylor and Barry Bannan have come in. Femi Azeez is one of the best forwards in the division at the moment, and the signings they made at the end of the window – I know [Anthony] Patterson didn't play today, but him and Tommy Watson from Brighton would arguably get into most teams in the Championship.

"It tells you how far Millwall have come. There is a lot of joined up thinking, a real plan behind the scenes for Millwall to become, realistically, a Premier League team. They had to add a bit more quality, a bit more control and guile in midfield - they've done that.

"The way they've had success is by being really tough to play against at the Den, being physical at set-pieces, and they can still do all that, but there are many more facets to their game.

"It was the stand-out result of the day, because it gives them a six-point buffer over Wrexham and Preston. They're sitting pretty, and they've got a real opportunity to achieve something special."

Defeat at Birmingham compounds Leicester's nightmare week

At the end of a week in which they were deducted six Championship points for breaking Profitability and Sustainability Rules, Leicester suffered a 2-1 defeat at Birmingham on Saturday. They now hover precariously above the relegation zone and face a fight to survive in the final third of the season.

Parkin: "It's one of those scenarios developing which you couldn't believe was going to unfold. I know they had the points penalty hanging over them, which makes things difficult, and though they have that transparency now it's going to be a hell of a fight.

"You look at the squad – some of the results and performances in the earlier parts of the season left you thinking they'll have enough, but we're now in February and they haven't found any consistency whatsoever.

"They still rely on [Abdul] Fatawu to produce the odd moment of magic. The one glimmer is that they've been able to add players at the end of the window. It may take a little while to get them up to speed, but [Jamal] Lascelles and [Joe] Aribo are both experienced players who could be assets.

"It's not to say that Andy King can't be a good manager or isn't a good coach, but he's very inexperienced in having a job of this magnitude. The hierarchy may have to act to bring in someone as a final roll of the dice, to get a little bit of spirit and momentum.

"That's a tough game today, though. Their season won't be defined by those games, because going to Birmingham – who have lost once at home this season – is a really tough game. But it's just another body-blow for the Leicester supporters who have endured a terrible week."

Norwich win again to pull further away from relegation danger

If the Championship season had reset on the day of Philippe Clement's appointment back in September, Norwich City would be sitting in the play-off places. The Canaries won again on Saturday, against beleaguered Blackburn Rovers, to put further distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Parkin: "There shouldn't have been any doubt over Philippe Clement when you look at his CV, It's just that Norwich were in such hellish form, especially at Carrow Road. They looked as though they were on a downward trajectory, but he's been incredible.

"I covered the Coventry victory the other day, and I said after that this isn't a relegation-threatened side – they'll be nowhere near it, they'll finish mid-table. I stick by that.

"They are compact, they are well organised, they've got goals. They've got a freshness from players returning from injury, and new signings. [Anis Ben] Slimane has been a revelation, playing as a ten in recent weeks. [Jovon] Makama up top is a proper player.

"Not that we were in any doubt, but Clement is a top manager, and I would be flabbergasted if Norwich were relegated this season. I'm not exactly sure where they'll finish, but they're a good Championship side now, and I think the results will continue to come."

'Under the radar' Luton can gatecrash League One play-offs

Luton posted what could prove to be a significant win in their season when they edged out fellow promotion hopefuls Bradford City at Kenilworth Road on Saturday. The Hatters have suffered back-to-back relegations in the past two years but are eyeing an immediate return to the Championship under Jack Wilshere.

Parkin: "I think they've gone a little under the radar. Maybe they've been so high profile the past couple of seasons and it's suited them, while Jack Wilshere is just getting his ducks in a row.

"Anyone who saw him play, you'd have to respect him because he was an unbelievable technician. He has a clear idea of how he wants his team to play, he communicates it very well, and I've enjoyed watching his team. It hasn't happened immediately.

"The biggest thing is that, successfully for a number of years and then unsuccessfully more recently, they've played a very robust, physical, back-to-front, energetic style of football, and he's trying to change that.

"It got them to the Premier League but subsequently it hasn't worked during the two relegations. It takes a little bit of time, so to see the improvement – in performances as well as results – when I've seen them live is really encouraging.

"There's a lot going on, a lot of change, and they've clearly been working very hard on the training ground. They've gone a little under the radar, but now as we get to the important end of the season, that was a fine result today – albeit against a Bradford side who have dropped off but who have quality."

Harrogate's confidence levels will be boosted no end by long-awaited win

They've had to wait for it, but Harrogate finally ended their long run without a win when they overcame promotion chasing Cambridge United in League Two on Saturday. Simon Weaver's men, propping up the table, last secured three points in September but this victory renews their efforts to escape relegation from the EFL.

Parkin: "As a neutral you don't want teams to be adrift. That was the stand-out result today – you could only see Cambridge winning there, but Harrogate's performances have been improving.

"At Crawley, they played reasonably well between the two boxes. At Swindon, they pushed goalkeeper Connor Ripley – he was far and away the busier of the two keepers, but Swindon won courtesy of a penalty.

"They got the elusive victory today. Enormous credit has to go to the players and Simon Weaver, because it's been since September when they last won, which is a long time coming.

"They've made wholesale changes, and it's paid off today with a massive win. It'll improve the confidence levels no end. There'll be some belief growing. They're now level on points with Newport and just two behind Shrewsbury, but there are so many points still to play for.

"They won't be panicking. The thing at Harrogate is that in every game you're pretty much the underdog and if you're going in there to play you have to buy into that and fight for every point. They'll do that - they're battlers, it's a part of their DNA."

Another three points are in the bag as Borussia Dortmund continue their strong (league) start to 2026 and unbeaten run (in the league) since October. Dortmund have collected 16 of a possible 18 points made available to them in the new year, and had they seen off what is a rather poor Frankfurt side, they would be trailing Bayern Munich by only a point right now. Coulda, shoulda, woulda.

A less-than-certain 2-1 victory over Wolfsburg gives BVB the boost they needed to put Bayern Munich under significant pressure for their match against high flying Hoffenheim tomorrow. Hoffenheim by comparison to BVB have absolutely smashed 2026, winning all their matches with a goal differential of +10. As long as the Sinsheim side do not roll over in Munich and play the way they always do against BVB (like its a Champions League Final), the Bavarians could have a challenge on their hands.

BVB for their part got the job done in Wolfsburg albeit not without some weirdness. Here are some of my takeaways from the game.

Schlotterbeck Brain Fog

Today’s match was one to forget for BVB’s de-facto skipper. It wasn’t that Schlotterbeck had an outright bad game, but by his lofty standards, this is one he will be eager to leave in the Volkswagen Arena. What is usually a reliable switch-ball connection between Schlotterbeck and Ryerson was completely off the mark today, as Ryerson watched most long balls from Schlotterbeck sail over his head. Schlotterbeck also had a few brainless carries with the ball where he was completely over-extended and put his teammates under pressure to recover for his mistake. It was also Schlotterbeck’s clumsy handball that lead to Wolfsburg’s goal. When a team has a threat like Maximilian Arnold on dead balls, you simple can’t be handing out opportunities like that. Maybe Schlotterbeck had an eye on the Bayern game with his yellow card accumulation, but if so, that plan backfired.

I expect Schlotterbeck will shake off this performance and be back to his best next week. He continues to have the support of the BVB faithful despite his ongoing contract uncertainty. One has to wonder how much that distracts him.

A Svensson Game

Every once in a while, it seems like BVB just flow everything through their Duracell-battery wing-back, Daniel Svensson. Svensson has been collecting a little less attention recently, and even has received some (sparse) fan criticism. Today, Svensson along with Nmecha was in the engine room for BVB, regularly bringing the ball out from defense and advancing into attacking areas. He wasn’t the most effective in the attacking third, but I was impressed with how well he rode pressure (and some fouls) from the Wolfsburg midfield.

Guirassy Makes An Impact Again

Three goals in two games from Serhou Guirassy, which will be music to Niko Kovac’s ears. Kovac has shown extreme faith in his star striker during his rough spell and allowed Guirassy to work through his challenges. It wasn’t a vintage performance for the Guinean, who was ineffective for most of the match (although he did win a lot of 50/50s), but when it mattered, he was clinical.

My main observation of Guirassy’s game was in the chances he was presented. Dortmund have build a system that loves to swing crosses into the box. That said, Guirassy really isn’t scoring many of those. Bundesliga teams know the game plan and have Guirassy well boxed out by the time a cross arrives. The goals that have gotten Guirassy back on the goal sheet have been from drives into the box where he could pick a corner with his feet. Maybe BVB need to find a way to rumble into the box more effectively (see Carney Chukwuemeka).

---

All eyes on Bayern then, to see them completely dismantle Hoffenheim and make a mockery of this whole bit. Or maybe not?

Michael Scotto: Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga, who sustained a left knee bone bruise while playing for the Warriors against the Mavericks on January 22, will be re-evaluated following the All-Star break.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jonathan Kuminga out at least until after the All-Star break

Keith Smith: Jayson Tatum is OUT for the Celtics game vs the Knicks tomorrow. Everyone who thought Tatum was coming back on Super Bowl Sunday can return from Fantasyland now. Sam Hauser is questionable for the game, as well.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jayson Tatum is OUT for the Celtics game vs the Knicks …

Jorge Sierra: This would be the lowest-scoring dunk contest field in NBA history with 4.53 ppg on average this season. Beats the previous worst mark from 2021: 5.27 ppg. Maybe they put on a show, but the contest has zero star power.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: 2026 All-Star dunk contest enters with the lowest-scoring field in NBA history

Seahawks get favorable winning percentage from ESPN for Super Bowl 60 vs. Patriots originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots are meeting in a Super Bowl 49 rematch for Super Bowl 60 on Sunday.

It's a great matchup, with the two defenses having some incredible upside, and the offenses being high-flying but susceptible to turnovers. It should be an entertaining game if nothing else.

But, for the Seahawks, according to ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI), their chance to win the Super Bowl looks good. Not only do the experts favor the Seahawks, but ESPN's prediction model is in favor of Seattle beating New England.

Seahawks get favorable prediction from ESPN model for Super Bowl 60

"ESPN's FPI has the Seahawks winning 59.6% of the simulations - and they are favored to win by an average of 3.6 points," ESPN shared.

This prediction model uses Expected Points Added Per Play (EPA) to help predict how good teams actually are. Seattle and New England are both top-10 in FPI from ESPN.

The Seahawks are first, with an FPI of 7.0, while the Patriots are 10th with an FPI of 2.6. "The Patriots are ninth on offense, and the Seahawks rank 11th," ESPN shared. "On defense, Seattle ranks first, and New England is 11th."

Seattle's defense is the best in the league by a lot of metrics, FPI included. Nick Emmanwori, Devon Witherspoon, a dominant defensive line, and expert play calling from Mike Macdonald have this unit the best in the league.

More: ESPN's Super Bowl predictions are in, and it's not close between Seahawks and Patriots

Offensively, while Seattle might not be as strong as the Patriots, thanks in large part to Sam Darnold's turnovers, their offense can still go toe-to-toe with any team in the league.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker III, Cooper Kupp, AJ Barner, and Rashid Shaheed will be tough to stop. While Zach Charbonnet is out, the Seahawks offense has what it needs to beat the Patriots' defense on Sunday.

Coming into this matchup, the Seahawks are favored by ESPN's metric, and they currently have a 59.6% chance to win. With how good their defense is, and as long as Darnold plays safe, the Seahawks should be able to beat the Patriots in Super Bowl 60.

More Seahawks news:

• Seahawks get $43 million contract projection on Coby Bryant ahead of Super Bowl
• We now know if Josh Allen is rooting for Patriots or Seahawks in Super Bowl
• DeMarcus Lawrence's long arms might be key for Seahawks in Super Bowl 60 vs. Patriots
• Seahawks standout safety Nick Emmanwori injured ahead of Super Bowl 60
• Why Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Christian Gonzalez is Super Bowl's biggest matchup per ESPN
• Seahawks fans should be very concerned about this one matchup vs. Patriots defense
• How Seahawks built Super Bowl 60 roster, from Sam Darnold signing to 'Dark Side' defense

The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are slated to face off Sunday in the final game of the 2025 NFL season, with bragging rights as world champions for the next year on the line.

Both teams come into the game statistically among the best in the league in both putting points on the board and preventing opponents from scoring.

While Seattle enters the game as the third highest scoring team in the NFL, the play who led the Seahawks in touchdowns scored during the 2025 season, Zach Charbonnet, will be unavailable after tearing suffering a torn ACL against the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Thus, with Ken Walker and George Holani the only healthy running backs on the roster, the Seahawks announced Saturday afternoon that they had elevated a pair of backs from the practice squad ahead of the game Sunday.

Today’s @Seahawks roster elevations:https://t.co/BfgszR3bpt

— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) February 7, 2026

Cam Akers started for the Los Angeles Rams when they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI, while Velus Jones has only played in a single playoff game in his career, the 41-6 drubbing of the 49ers last month.

And now it’s on to the inactives Sunday afternoon.

The Kansas City Chiefs, as well as the rest of the NFL, are anxiously awaiting an answer on whether or not legendary NFL tight end Travis Kelce plans to retire this offseason.

There was rampant speculation for most of the season about Kelce's future, and the rumors only intensified as the veteran saw his 13th NFL season come to a close with the Chiefs missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

So far, Kelce has been pretty quiet during the first month of the offseason regarding his plans, and reports indicate he has yet to make a decision on what to do. But sources close to the player have finally shed some light on how things might play out – and it's news that will be music to his fans' ears.

“Kelce was seen bouncing around San Francisco parties and events, even as the soon-to-be-married man’s next move remains uncertain,” NFL insider Dianna Russini wrote on Saturday. “While retirement has been discussed, many close to him believe he could return for at least one more season. A final decision has yet to be made, but a 14th season is looking more real than ever.”

I’m told that while retirement has been discussed, many close to Travis Kelce believe he could return for a 14th season. The future Hall of Famer has yet to make a final decision about his future.

What I’m hearing, from San Francisco: https://t.co/P4kwbuMPJfpic.twitter.com/FPHJf0E2z9

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) February 7, 2026

Kelce has had an incredible career so far, becoming an 11-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro while helping lead his franchise to three Super Bowl wins. He holds 10 NFL records, including the most single-season receiving yards by a tight end and career receiving yards per game by a tight end.

But his production has dwindled in recent seasons – after recording seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2016-2022 (also an NFL record), Kelce has fallen short of that mark for the past three seasons. With his contract up and a recent engagement to global pop superstar Taylor Swift, retirement would be an easy choice.

But with a return looking more likely to those close to the player, it appears his desire to avenge the disappointing ending to the Chiefs' season this past year may win out.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Will Travis Kelce retire from NFL? Latest update bodes well for Chiefs

Whether it was a deliberate, pointed pick, we'll never know.

But as Wales' replacements jogged out ahead of their team for the start of the second half, the Allianz Stadium DJ launched into the Kaiser Chiefs' noughties shout-a-along 'I Predict a Riot'.

At 29-0 up, it wasn't the boldest forecast.

And in the end, Wales showed enough fight and quality to prevent England vandalising their national pride as they did in Cardiff last March.

But, by any measure, England's 48-7 win was a walloping.

Ball in hand, they made nearly twice the metres of the visitors.

Wales were spinning like tops in defence, chasing back after 16 line-breaks. The visitors made only six in the opposite direction

England had almost 60% of territory. By 25 minutes in, Wales had a decimal point of hope. At best.

Afterwards head coach Steve Borthwick thought the scoreline stat should have been even more lopsided in England's favour.

"I thought we defended exceptionally well, we kicked really well and we scored some nice tries, but I think we left a lot out there on the grass.," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We'll review this game and say there's a load of things we could do a lot better. Those are the things we need to step up next week.

"Second half we were in the 22 a lot but didn't come away with points on as many occasions as we'd have liked."

Ultimately, England made enough stick to the scoreboard to sit atop of the Six Nations table after round one.

More interesting than the early-stage standings to Borthwick will be the lessons, albeit it limited and caveated by the quality of the opposition, that he can take.

Henry Arundell, all low-slung power and top-end speed, inevitably took the headlines after helping himself to a first-half hat-trick.

The 23-year-old, who, as a teenager, scored a try with his first touch of the ball in the Test game, has a sky-high international strike-rate.

In 12 Tests, he has 11 tries.

That stat is inflated by five against Chile in the last Rugby World Cup, as well as Saturday's work, but his ability to turn a half-break into a full five points is precious.

When Fraser Dingwall scooped up and shovelled the ball to him for England's fourth try of the afternoon, the cover was instantly blow-torched.

Arundell's improvement under the high ball this season - most notably in Bath's win over Saracens opposite Noah Caluori - and defence, are qualities that have been coached into him. His fast-twitch physicality, though, is an ability beyond anyone's gift.

With the amount of slapped-back kick-chase and subsequent broken-field chaos in the modern game, it is a more of a lethal weapon than ever.

• 'A brilliant start for England' - relive how 'ruthless' England thrashed Wales
• Arundell scores hat-trick as England heap misery on Wales
• Rugby Union Weekly

Ollie Chessum is unlikely to see his name up in the same lights, but, with Maro Itoje starting the game on the bench, the second row filled any void with a performance containing more lungs and heart than a matchday burger.

Ben Earl has made excellence his everyday. For someone who is not a natural number eight, he is also up there as the world's best in the position.

The 28-year-old, who has played more of his rugby at open-side flanker, made 17 carries and 78 metres, while also finishing joint top of the tackle stats with Guy Pepper and nicking a turnover.

Henry Pollock's energy makes him an ideal and wildly popular second-half introduction. Would his pace and breakdown poaching ability be as effective from the start? After six appearances off the bench, might Borthwick be tempted to find out?

The most intriguing issue, though, as England roll on towards Edinburgh is Tommy Freeman.

He had a fine game in many ways, a physical, pacy presence at outside centre, who dovetailed predictably well with Northampton team-mate Dingwall. He was England's leading metre-maker by a distance.

But, converted from wing, there is, perhaps inevitably, a clunkiness sometimes in the wide channels. Tom Roebuck was one team-mate left waiting for a pass that never came.

Freeman's superb aerial ability is less useful in midfield, while his head-down finishing ability came to the fore best when he was shifted back to the wing late on, pinballing through tackles as he dunked down England's seventh and final try.

His midfield move, started a year ago, was prompted by a lack of other options.

Now, with Ollie Lawrence back from an Achilles tendon tear, Dingwall impressing again at 12, Max Ojomoh and Seb Atkinson in the equation and Joe Marchant and Benhard Janse van Rensburg approaching eligibility, the centre cupboard looks less bare.

Sometimes courage is needed to see a plan though. Conversely, sometimes wisdom is needed to know when to change one.

Freeman's centre role feels like one to preserve with for now, but not blindly.

Borthwick knows that with France, who found a level unreached by their rivals in beating Ireland, awaiting in the final round, that sort of tinkering, tuning and fine-margin call will need to be right if England are to reach the glorious destination they want.

• Listen: Sport's Strangest Crimes - Bloodgate
• Listen to the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast

Sierra Canyon High's boys' basketball team and Ontario Christian's girls' team received the No. 1 seeds for the Southern Section Open Division playoffs when pairings were released on Saturday. It's no surprise since those two teams have been No. 1 since the season began in November.

As they say in horse-racing terms, they're trying to go wire-to-wire, but each faces challenges to reach the Toyota Arena in Ontario for the championship games Feb. 28. Pool play begins Wednesday for boys and Thursday for girls.

Open Division. The big question is how well will newcomer Corona del Mar do. pic.twitter.com/PkX6N6Lk9U

— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) February 7, 2026

There are two veteran teams in the Open Division that should provide competition to Sierra Canyon (22-1). No. 2-seeded Santa Margarita (26-3) and No. 3 Redondo Union (25-3) have both proven to be capable of winning big games against top opponents. Redondo Union owns wins over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and Phoenix Sunnyslope, the No. 1 team in Arizona. Santa Margarita won the Trinity League tournament.

There were 12 teams selected for the Open Division, using a computer algorithm to rank teams, with three pools of three teams. Teams are guaranteed three games with boys' quarterfinals Feb. 20, semifinals Feb. 24 and finals Feb. 28. Two teams won't advance to state playoffs.

Crean Lutheran is seeded No. 1 in Division 1 boys. Gold Coast League co-champions Brentwood and Crossroads have already met twice and could meet a third time in the second round of the Division 1 playoffs if Brentwood defeats Fairmont Prep and Crossroads defeats Long Beach Poly. Longtime power Mater Dei made the Division 2 playoffs. Servite received its first playoff berth in Division 2 since 2022.

Girls basketball Open Division. Etiwanda vs. Sierra Canyon semifinal looming. pic.twitter.com/LKwZD3IeR4

— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) February 7, 2026

In girls' brackets, defending state champion Etiwanda (27-2) is seeded No. 2 and always seems to play its best come playoff time. Last season, the Eagles knocked off Ontario Christian in the regionals. No. 3 Sierra Canyon (26-2) has South Carolina-bound Jerzy Robinson and will certainly be in contention for section, regional and state titles.

An Etiwanda-Sierra Canyon semifinal is looming for the right to play Ontario Christian. These three teams have dominated girls' basketball this season.

City Section pairing will be released later Saturday afternoon.

Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Wales captain Dewi Lake says his side let themselves and the Welsh public down following Saturday's 48-7 Six Nations defeat by England.

Lake was one of four visiting players to be shown a yellow card as they were overpowered by Steve Borthwick's side, conceding seven tries.

Former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar criticised the first-half performance, describing it as "nowhere near good enough for international rugby" as Wales were trailing 29-0.

"We said at the end of the game that we let ourselves down and people at home down," said Lake.

"We spoke all week about what we were going to produce and we didn't do it.

"There's no other way to say it, there's no point just talking about things.

"We're massively disappointed with what we put on the field."

Continuing indiscipline issues

Wales conceded 16 penalties and were twice forced to play with just 13 men.

Ten of those penalties came in the first half with prop Nicky Smith and hooker Lake shown yellow cards within a minute of each other.

Centre Ben Thomas and replacement flanker Taine Plumtree were then sent to the sin-bin in the second half.

It was Plumtree's sixth yellow card of the season and his third sin-binning in three games for Wales.

"Our discipline in the first 20 minutes was poor," said Lake.

"We were down to 13 men for nearly 20 minutes and against a team like England, that's going to be hard. It's hard to come back from 29-0 down."

Wales have conceded 65 penalties in Steve Tandy's first five games in charge, with 10 yellow cards and one red card, as the head coach admitted it was becoming a trend.

"We're hard on ourselves and we've got refereeing teams of three coming in to training," said Tandy.

"It's something you can't run away or hide from.

"We'll go back, look at it and the reasons why, learn as a group why we feel we're under that type of pressure and giving away those sorts of penalties."

• Arundell scores hat-trick as England heap misery on Wales
• 'A brilliant start for ruthless England' - reaction after seven-try England thrash Wales

France factor with no home comforts

Since the 2023 World Cup, Wales have a wretched international record of 22 defeats in 24 Tests, with the only two victories coming against Japan in 2025.

It has been 1,064 days since Wales' previous Six Nations victory, against Italy in Rome in March 2023, with this latest hammering a 12th successive loss in the tournament.

Wales host favourites France in eight days in Cardiff having not won a home match in the tournament since defeating Scotland in February 2022.

Ticket sales are slow for the three home games with thousands still available for the visit of Les Bleus.

"Every voice matters to us at the minute, every fan that can get behind us," said Lake.

"We know we're going to be better next week. We've spoken a lot about wanting to excite a nation.

"We didn't do it today but we've got another four games in this tournament."

Lake says the effort of the squad can not be questioned but admits the quality was not there against England.

"This group will fight for each other all day," said Lake.

"There's no question of effort. It's not hard to get that out of this group or keep these players going.

"They love wearing this jersey and want to work hard.

"That's why this group is special. For us, it's about turning it into accuracy and flipping that into our favour."

No off-field excuses

Welsh players are facing a lot of off-the field issues with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) threatening to cut a professional men's side and Ospreys under threat of disappearing as a professional side.

Lake was one of four Ospreys' players in the 23-strong match-day line-up with four more in the extended 39-man squad.

"It's not good enough to use that as an excuse," said Lake.

"There is a space which is open for the boys if they want to discuss it.

"We have spoken about it as a group but the boys have their heads down wanting to do their best for Wales."

Gloucester-Hartpury continued their 100% start to the Premiership Women's Rugby season with a 22-7 win at Sale Sharks.

The defending champions made it nine wins from nine and went 10 points clear of second-placed Saracens with their bonus-point victory.

They hit the front inside two minutes as Mia Venner went over after a purposeful dash to the line, before Kelsey Jones and Sale's Amelia Hyndman traded tries. Emma Sing then dotted down in the corner to give the Cherry and Whites a 17-7 half-time lead.

Dan Murphy's side added another score after the break from centre Rachel Lund, sliding over in the muddy conditions to complete a successful trip.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Bristol Bears and Trailfinders played out a thrilling 26-26 draw at Shaftesbury Park.

Bristol Bears burst into a 21-0 lead in the first half and held a 26-19 advantage with three minutes to go.

But Trailfinders' Emma Uren sprinted in late on and Niamh Gallagher held her nerve to add the extras.

• Premiership Women's Rugby Table

The 25th Winter Olympics will feature almost 3,000 athletes from 90 countries competing for 116 medals at Milan-Cortina.

Team GB have sent 53 athletes to the Games with plenty of medal potential.

The action actually starts a couple of days before the opening ceremony. Here is your guide to what is happening each day and who to look out for.

All times GMT.

• All you need to know about the 2026 Winter Olympics
• How does curling work?

Day two: Sunday, 8 February

Medals: Eight

Medal events: Women's downhill (10:30-12:50); Men's cross-country 10km skiathlon (11:30-13:00); Men's and women's snowboard parallel giant slalom (12:00-13:40); Biathlon – mixed relay (13:05-14:40); Men's speed skating 5000m (15:00-17:20); Men's luge (16:00-19:40); Team figure skating (18:30-22:05).

Daily highlights

Snowboard: Parallel giant slalom (08:00-14:00)

Czech superstar Ester Ledecka takes aim at an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic gold in the women's parallel giant slalom.

Ledecka made history in 2018 by becoming the first woman to win gold medals in two different sports by also winning the alpine skiing Super-G, and she could repeat the feat at these Games.

Meanwhile, Austria's Claudia Riegler is set to become the oldest woman to compete at the Winter Olympics at the age of 52.

Hosts Italy have several big hopes in the men's event, including reigning world champion Roland Fischnaller, who will be competing in his seventh Winter Olympics at the age of 45.

Alpine skiing: Women's downhill (10:30-12:50)

This race marks the return of legendary American skier Lindsey Vonn, six years after her retirement from the sport.

Downhill is the 41-year-old's speciality and she's won a record 45 World Cup races in this event, plus her only Olympic gold medal in 2010.

We will have to see how much of an affect crashing in the final World Cup downhill before the Winter Olympics hinders Vonn's bid.

Keep an eye out for her superbly-named compatriot Breezy Johnson, who is the 2025 world champion.

The host nation will be hopeful of at least one podium place, although World Cup champion Federica Brignone only returned to action in January, nine months after breaking multiple bones in her left leg and tearing her ACL during a giant slalom crash at the Italian Championships.

Bergamo native Sofia Goggia took downhill silver four years ago despite suffering a knee injury just 23 days before the event.

Cross country skiing: Men's skiathlon (11:30-12:50)

It's a fifth Winter Olympics for Britain's Andrew Musgrave, whose best Olympic result is seventh in the skiathlon in 2018.

In this event, competitors complete 10km using the classical technique before changing skis and doing 10km using the freestyle technique.

Johannes Hosflot Klaebo is the world champion and this could be the first of a bobble-hatful of golds for the Norwegian at these Games.

Snowboard: Women's big air qualification (18:30-20:45)

Britain's Mia Brookes has every chance of becoming Britain's youngest Winter Olympic medallist for 78 years.

The rider from Cheshire has just turned 19 but has already won back-to-back big air World Cup titles and comes to Italy fresh from winning medals in the X Games.

But she will face a stacked field, including Japan's Kokomo Murase, Reira Iwabuchi and Mari Fukada, who formed a clean sweep of the medals at last year's World Championships.

Austria's Anna Gasser is aiming to win the event for the third Games in a row at the age of 34.

Maisie Hill, whose career was almost ended by a horrific training accident three years ago, will be Britain's other representative.

Figure skating: Team (20:55)

The team figure skating competition concludes with the men's free skate.

The USA won gold after the Russian team was demoted in Beijing in a protracted saga that delayed the medal ceremony by over two years.

The USA are the reigning World Team Trophy champions and won three of the four individual events at last year's World Championships but Japan and Georgia will be pushing them hard.

Good to know

Mixed doubles curling continues with another double-header for Britain's Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds in their final matches of the round robin stage.

First up at 13:35 is Switzerland's husband-and-wife duo of Yannick Schwaller and Briar Schwaller-Hurlimann.

Then at 18:05 there will be a big clash with home favourites and reigning Olympic champions Amos Mosaner and Stefania Constantini. It's a repeat of last year's World Championships final, which the Italians won.

• Get to know the Team GB Winter Olympics squad
• How Team GB Winter Olympians beat The Fear
• Vonn, Gu and Malinin - global stars to follow at Milan-Cortina 2026

Day three: Monday, 9 February

Medals: Five

Medal events: Women's freestyle ski slopestyle (11:30-13:20); Men's alpine skiing team combined (09:30-14:20); Women's speed skating 1000m (16:30-18:20); Women's snowboard big air (18:30-20:05); Men's ski jumping - normal hill (18:00-20:15).

Daily highlights

Freestyle skiing: Women's slopestyle final (11:30-13:10)

Newly-crowned X Games champion Kirsty Muir, Team GB's youngest competitor at the last Winter Olympics, will be hoping to have reached the final for a second consecutive Games.

The 21-year-old Scot returned from a torn ACL to win her first World Cup gold last year but would face high-class competition with the likes of reigning Olympic and world champion Mathilde Gremaud, China's superstar Eileen Gu and Italy's emerging 18-year-old talent Flora Tabanelli.

Figure skating: Ice dance – rhythm dance (18:20-2200)

Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson begin their campaign to win Britain's first figure skating medal since Dame Jayne Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean earned bronze in Lillehammer in 1994.

The omens are good for the British pair – last year, they won GB's first figure skating World Championship medal in more than 40 years with bronze in Boston.

Favourites are likely to be the USA's Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who have won the last three world titles. However, they will face a big challenge from new French pairing Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry.

Britain will also be represented by Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez.

Snowboard: Women's big air final (18:30-19:50)

British teenager Mia Brookes will be hoping to land a big trick – and an Olympic medal – in this event, which involves breathtaking acrobatics and mind-boggling bravery as competitors launch themselves into the air from a huge ramp.

Anna Gasser has won both previous Olympic big air titles and the 34-year-old Austrian is back for a crack at a hat-trick. Japan's quartet of talented riders will also be in the mix.

Good to know

The curling mixed doubles semi-finals take place at 17:05 – Britain's former world champions Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds lost to Sweden at this stage four years ago, and will be hoping to be in a position to make amends today.

Alpine skiing slides into new territory with the debut of the men's team combined event (downhill at 09:30 and slalom at 13:00) and a Swiss clean sweep is not out of the question – their first, second and fourth-choice pairings took gold, silver and bronze at the 2025 World Championships in Austria.

Day four: Tuesday, 10 February

Medals: Nine

Medal events: Mixed team short track relay (09:30-12:30); Men's and women's cross-country skiing sprint classic (08:15-12:50); Men's ski slopestyle (11:30-13:20); Women's alpine skiing team combined (09:30-14:20), Men's biathlon 20km (12:30-14:30); Women's luge (16:00-18:50) Mixed doubles curling (17:05-19:25) Mixed team ski jumping (17:45-20:10).

Daily highlights

Freestyle skiing: Men's slopestyle final (11:30-13:10)

The USA's Alex Hall bids to retain his Olympic title. He will have extra motivation to do so in Italy as his mother comes from Bologna and he will have plenty of family in Livigno to cheer him on.

Hall had to settle for bronze at last year's World Championships, won by Norway's Birk Ruud – who won Olympic big air gold at Beijing 2022.

Alpine skiing: Women's team combined (13:00)

The women's team combined event (downhill at 09:30 and slalom at 13:00) makes its Olympic debut.

Returning slalom legend Mikaela Shiffrin and USA downhill star Breezy Johnson won the maiden World Championship title in this event in early 2025 and will be the pair to beat here.

Curling: Mixed doubles final (17:05-19:20)

The mixed doubles is the only curling event in which Britain have never won a medal – Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds will be hoping to be in a position to change that today.

The pair were world champions in 2021 and runners-up last year but it's a tough field that includes reigning world and Olympic champions Amos Mosaner and Stefania Constantini, who are competing in front of their home crowd in Italy.

Ice hockey: Women's preliminary round (19:10)

The group A game between Canada and the USA is widely expected to be a dress rehearsal for next week's gold medal match given their dominance over the rest of the world.

Six of the seven Olympic finals have been contested by the sides. Canada took gold in 2022 but the USA triumphed at last year's World Championship and have won the last six meetings.

Good to know

Most athletes don't get the chance to compete in one home Olympics but short track skater Arianna Fontana is about to appear in two.

She will compete at Milan-Cortina 20 years after making her debut as a 15-year-old in Turin.

We should get our first glimpse of her in the women's 500m (09:30), where she is the two-time defending champion. She may also feature in the mixed team relay final (11:56) – another Olympic medal would be her 12th.

Ilia Malinin starts his quest for Olympic gold in men's figure skating (17:30). The American has only just turned 21 but comes to these Games as a two-time world champion.

The women's singles luge medals will be decided (17:34) – and the chances are that gold will go to Germany, who have won the last seven Olympic titles.

Natalie Geisenberger, the winner of the last three and one of the most successful female Winter Olympians in history, has retired, paving the way for one of her compatriots, headed by reigning world champion Julia Taubitz.

Day five: Wednesday, 11 February

Medals: Seven

Medal events: Men's Super-G (10:30-12:50); Men's Nordic combined (09:00-13:35); Women's moguls (10:00-14:15); Women's biathlon 15km (13:15-15:10); Men's speed skating 1000m (17:30-19:00); Luge doubles (16:30-19:40); Figure skating ice dance (18:30-22:15).

Daily highlights

Alpine skiing: Men's super-G (10:30-12:50)

Swiss speedster Marco Odermatt will be the man to beat if the 2025 season is anything to go by – the 28-year-old finished almost 300 points clear of his nearest rival Vincent Kriechmayr of Austria in the World Cup rankings and also claimed the World Championship title in February.

Shocks do occur in this sport, however, like Ryan Cochran-Siegle's silver in Beijing four years ago. The American won't be a medal favourite in Milan but every time he's reached a World Cup podium it has been on Italian snow.

Ice hockey: Men's preliminary round (15:40)

The opening game of the men's ice hockey is a high-profile clash between Finland and Slovakia, the 2022 gold and bronze medallists respectively.

The return of NHL players to the Olympics for the first time since 2014 means team rosters will be stacked with world-class talent.

Both sides will be vying to win Group B as that would mean they advance directly to the quarter-finals without having to contest an extra match in the play-off round.

Luge: Men's & women's doubles (16:00)

Officially, women's doubles is the only new luge event at these Olympics but technically men's doubles is one too, as it was previously open to both sexes, albeit it was always men who took part.

The women's event might offer an opportunity for a rare non-German winner, with Austria's Selina Egle and Lara Kipp winning the last two world titles.

In the men's doubles, Germany's Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt are aiming to win gold for a remarkable fourth consecutive Games. There are two runs in each event, with the women's second run at 17:53 and the men's second run at 18:44.

Curling: Men's round robin (18:05-21:05)

Britain's men, skipped by Bruce Mouat, had a phenomenal 2024-25 campaign, winning the world title and becoming the first rink ever to win four Grand Slam events in one season. Now they are targeting the Olympic title that has so far eluded them, although they came mightily close in 2022, losing to Sweden in the gold medal match. GB begin their campaign against China, who had to come through the last-chance qualifying competition in December.

Figure skating: Ice dance – free dance (18:30-22:05)

Britain's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson have their eyes on the podium as the ice dance reaches its conclusion.

Duos from the USA and France are likely to battle it out for gold and silver but Fear and Gibson, who won World Championship bronze last year, are hoping to become the first British figure skaters since Torvill and Dean in 1994 to earn an Olympic medal.

Britain's Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez will also be competing.

Good to know

USA's Chloe Kim has overcome a recent injury to begin her quest for a third straight Olympic gold in the women's snowboard halfpipe, with qualification at 09:30.

This will be the first Olympic men's snowboard halfpipe competition (18:30) since 2002 that hasn't featured USA superstar Shaun White. The top 12 qualifiers in the men's and women's events advance to the final.

Can anyone stop the Dutch in the men's 1000m speed skating (17:30)? They have won gold in this event at each of the past three Games, with the now-retired Thomas Krol taking the title in 2022.

Defending champion Jakara Anthony bids to become the first Australian to win two Winter Olympic gold medals in the women's moguls final (13:15).

Day six: Thursday, 12 February

Medals: Nine

Medal events: Men's moguls (09:00-12:35); Women's Super-G (10:30-12:50); Women's cross-country 10km interval (12:00-14:00); Men's snowboard cross (09:00-14:25); Women's speed skating 5000m (17:30-19:10); Mixed Luge team relay (17:30-18:55); Women's snowboard halfpipe (18:30-20:20); Women's 500m and men's 1000m short track (19:15-21:20).

Daily highlights

Skeleton: Men's heats one and two (08:30-11:00)

Beijing 2022 marked the first Winter Olympics in which Great Britain failed to win a medal in skeleton but there is every hope of putting that right in Milan-Cortina.

Matt Weston dabbled with rugby and taekwondo before finding skeleton but could now become Britain's first male Olympic champion in the sport.

Two-time reigning world champion Weston dominated at the World Cup this season, while team-mate Marcus Wyatt is also among the medal contenders at these Games.

The first two of four runs take place today (08:30 and 10:08) on the new track in Cortina, with the final the next day.

Alpine skiing: Women's Super-G (10:30)

This event promises to be one of the most entertaining – and open – of the entire Games.

Home hopes lie with all-rounder Sofia Goggia, while 34-year-old Swiss star Lara Gut-Behrami is seeking to retain her Olympic title before retiring from the sport.

2018 Olympic champion Ester Ledecka and returning legend Lindsey Vonn will be in the mix, as will newcomer Emma Aicher of Germany.

Mexico's Sarah Schleper, soon to be 47, will be making all kinds of history as she competes in her seventh Winter Olympics.

She'll be the oldest female alpine skier ever to compete at the Games, and the first woman to compete at three or more Winter Olympics for two different nations, having represented the USA from 1998 to 2010.

Furthermore, her teenage son Lasse Federico Gaxiola has also been selected in alpine skiing, making them the first mother and son to compete at the same edition of an Olympic Winter Games.

Snowboard: Women's halfpipe final (18:30-20:05)

American Chloe Kim is aiming to become the first woman to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the halfpipe.

The 25-year-old American took two years off after winning gold in Beijing but picked up right where she left off on her return.

She comes to Milan-Cortina as the reigning world champion and the favourite for gold, and says she's "good to go" despite dislocating her shoulder in early January.

Short track: Women's 500m & men's 1000m (19:15-20:50)

It could be a good day for hosts Italy. Veteran skater Arianna Fontana, competing in her sixth Olympics, is bidding for a third consecutive gold in the shortest of the short track distances.

Anything can happen in the unpredictable sport of short track, which provided one of the all-time famous Winter Olympic moments when Australian Steven Bradbury took gold in the men's 1000m in 2002 after the other competitors wiped out.

That final will also be held tonight and Italy have a live-wire contender in Pietro Sighel. Britain's Niall Treacy will be hoping to make an impression over his favoured distance.

Good to know

Women's curling gets under way, with Rebecca Morrison leading Great Britain's team, who start their campaign against China at 18:05.

In men's curling, Britain face a rematch of the 2022 Olympic final – which they lost – against Niklas Edin's Sweden rink (13:05).

Buoyed by the availability of NHL players for the first time since 2014, Canada and the USA play their opening group games in the men's ice hockey.

Nine-time gold medallists Canada take on the Czech Republic at 15:40 while the USA – who haven't lifted the title since 1980 – face Latvia at 20:10.

The luge team relay (17:30) is always an entertaining watch and has been extended to four legs at these Games, with the addition of women's doubles.

Germany have won gold all three previous times it has been held and will be favourites once again.

The fast-paced and exciting snowboard cross begins with the men's competition today (09:00). Huw Nightingale goes for Britain.

Day seven: Friday, 13 February

Medals: Seven

Medal events: Men's cross-country 10km (11:00-12:55); Women's snowboard cross (09:00-14:10) Men's biathlon 10km sprint (13:00-14:40); Men's speed skating 10,000m (15:30-17:10); Men's snowboard halfpipe (18:30-20:20) Men's skeleton (18:30-21:20); Men's figure skating (18:00-22:15).

Daily highlights

Snowboard: Women's snowboard cross (09:00-14:05)

Britain's former world champion Charlotte Bankes has enjoyed plenty of success in snowboard cross but the Winter Olympics have so far produced only frustration.

Bankes, who was born in Hemel Hempstead but grew up in the French Alps, has competed at three previous Games (twice for France) but is yet to make the final.

She has overcome recent injury to get back to the top of the World Cup podium so she should have every chance in Livigno.

Figure skating: Men – free skate (18:00-22:10)

We are likely to see the Olympic coronation of two-time world champion Ilia Malinin, who remains the only skater to have landed the incredibly difficult quad Axel in competition and is probably one of the hottest favourites of these Games.

If the American's free skate is anything like the routine that clinched the Grand Prix Trophy in December, it should be spectacular. That routine featured an astonishing seven quadruple jumps.

Skeleton: Men's heats three and four (18:30-21.20)

Will Friday the 13th be a lucky one for either Matt Weston or Marcus Wyatt, who are both vying to become Britain's first male Olympic skeleton champion?

The final two runs of the competition (18:30 and 20:05) will decide the medals with reigning world champion Weston already having a win on the Cortina track under his belt this season.

The women's competition also begins today (15:00), with Tabby Stoecker, Amelia Coltman and Freya Tarbit all competing for Team GB.

Snowboard: Men's halfpipe final (18:30-20:05)

American legend Shaun White may have retired but there will still be plenty of gasp-inducing acrobatics as riders drop into the pipe to show off their bag of tricks.

Reigning world and X Games champion Scotty James won bronze in 2018 and silver in 2022 – is it finally the Australian's time to grab gold?

Good to know

Women's ice hockey enters the knockout phase, with two quarter-finals taking place.

The second round of group games in the men's tournament also gets under way, with four fixtures, including Finland against Sweden at 11:10.

The Finns are the reigning champions, while Sweden finished fourth in Beijing. Both have named squads packed full of NHL talent.

Britain's men's curling team face hosts Italy at 09:05, while in women's curling, GB take on South Korea at 13:05.

Day eight: Saturday, 14 February

Medals: Eight

Medal events: Women's dual moguls (09:30-11:05), Women's cross-country relay (11:00-13:00); Men's giant slalom (09:00-14:20); Women's biathlon 7.5k sprint (13:00-14:35); Women's speed skating team pursuit (15:00-17:05); Women's skeleton (17:00-19:50), Men's ski jumping large hill (17:45-20:05); Women's short track 3000m relay (19:15-22:10).

Daily highlights

Alpine skiing: Men's giant slalom (run one 09:00; run two 12:30)

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt has claimed four successive World Cups in this event and is attempting to do something that not even greats like Marcel Hirscher and Hermann Maier could manage – back-to-back Olympic gold medals in giant slalom.

The only man to achieve this feat was an Italian – Alberto Tomba in Calgary 1988 and Albertville 1992 – so could the slopes of Bormio in the extreme north of the country prove a lucky omen for the Swiss superstar?

Freestyle skiing: Women's dual moguls (09:30-11:00)

Today we'll see the first-ever Olympic champion in dual moguls, in which skiers compete head-to-head on adjacent courses.

The USA's Jaelin Kauf, who was the silver medallist in the moguls in Beijing, is the reigning world champion. However, she could face tough competition from teammate Tess Johnson.

Skeleton: Women's heat three and four (17:00-19:50)

It's the conclusion of the women's skeleton. This is an event that has traditionally been a very fruitful one for Great Britain, which has won medals on all but one of the six occasions the event has been held.

Can Tabby Stoecker, Amelia Coltman or Freya Tarbit emulate the likes of Lizzy Yarnold, Amy Williams and Shelley Rudman?

Freestyle skiing: Women's big air qualification (18:30-20:45)

Britain's Kirsty Muir begins her campaign to better the fifth-place finish she achieved on her Olympic debut four years ago when aged just 17.

Also likely to be in the field are China's California-born defending champion Eileen Gu, Beijing 2022 silver medallist Tess Ledeux of France and the sport's latest sensation, 18-year-old Flora Tabanelli.

The Italian teenager, who won the Youth Olympic title in 2024, is the reigning world champion and has made a swift recovery from an ACL injury.

Good to know

The two remaining women's ice hockey quarter-finals take place, while in the men's preliminary round there's a rematch of the 2022 bronze medal game, won by Slovakia against Sweden (11.10am GMT).

Round robin matches of the men's and women's curling continue, with Great Britain's women up against current world champions Canada at 09:05. Bruce Mouat's rink face the Czechs at 13:05.

Britain's Niall Treacy will be among the competitors in the men's short track speed skating 1500m, with the quarter-finals getting under way at 7.15pm.

Day nine: Sunday, 15 February

Medals: Nine

Medal events: Men's biathlon 12.5km pursuit (10:15-11:00); Men's dual moguls (09:30-11:05); Men's cross-country relay (11:00-13:00); Mixed team snowboard (10:00-14:05); Women's giant slalom (09:00-14:20); Women's biathlon 10km pursuit (13:45-15:00); Men's speed skating team pursuit (15:00-17:05); Mixed team skeleton (17:00-19:00); Women's ski jumping - large hill (17:45-20:05).

Daily highlights

Alpine skiing: Women's giant slalom (run one 09:00; run two 12:30)

After a 10th-place finish in Pyeongchang, Sweden's Sara Hector shocked many by taking giant slalom gold in Beijing.

She became the first Swedish woman to win the Olympic title in this event since Pernilla Wiberg at Albertville 1992 and was helped by Mikaela Shiffrin's inability to complete a run.

Freestyle skiing: Men's dual moguls (09:30-11:00)

Can moguls king Mikael Kingsbury become the first-ever men's Olympic dual moguls champion?

The Canadian is a five-time world champion in the discipline, and has won the last four, a run stretching back to 2019.

His biggest rival is likely to be the only other man to have won the dual moguls world title in the past decade: Japan's Ikuma Horishima.

Snowboard: Snowboard cross mixed team (12:45-14:00)

This event made its debut in 2022, with American Lindsey Jacobellis capping a memorable Games by clinching her second gold alongside fellow veteran Nick Baumgartner.

Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale finished sixth but went on to win the world title in 2023 and will be competing again today.

Skeleton: Mixed team (17:00-19:00)

The mixed team is a new event at these Winter Olympics. This is good news for Great Britain, presented with another medal chance in a sport that they have traditionally excelled in.

The make-up of their two pairs is yet to be confirmed but Tabby Stoecker and Matt Weston have won silver at the past two World Championships and Britain will be hoping at least two of their squad are standing on the podium today.

Ski jumping: Women's large hill (17:45)

A landmark evening for ski jumping, with women competing for the first time in the large hill event.

Slovenia's Nika Prevc, 20, may prove the woman to beat, having won gold on both the normal and large hill at last year's World Championships.

Good to know

The first day of competition in bobsleigh features the opening two women's monobob heats (09:00), in which British shot put champion Adele Nicoll will make her Olympic debut.

The preliminary round of the men's ice hockey concludes with four games, including the USA against Germany (20:10).

Only the three group winners plus the runner-up with the best record advance directly to the quarter-finals, with the other eight teams instead going into a play-off round.

It's a busy day for Britain in men's curling – they play Germany at 09:05 and then return to the Cortina Curling Stadium to meet Switzerland at 18:05.

At 13:05, the British women's team have a tricky fixture against Anna Hasselborg's Sweden.

The long-established Swedish rink were 2018 Olympic champions before losing out to Team GB's Eve Muirhead and co in the 2022 semi-finals.

Female figure skaters often hit their peak while teenagers but (sporting) life really did begin at 40 for Canadian pairs skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek, who along with Maxime Deschamps won her first world title at that age in 2024.

Now 42, she and 34-year-old Deschamps will be among the medal contenders in the figure skating pairs, which starts today with the short programme (18:45).

Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby are Britain's first competitors in the Olympics pairs since 2014.

Day 10: Monday, 16 February

Medals: Six

Medal events: Women's short track 1000m (10:00-12:30); Men's slalom (09:00-14:20); Men's ski jumping super team (18:00-20:05); Women's freeski big air (18:30-20:05); Women's bobsleigh monobob (18:00-21:15); Pairs figure skating (19:00-22:10).

Daily highlights

Alpine skiing: Men's slalom (run one 09:00; run two 12:30)

Dave 'the Rocket' Ryding will compete in this event at his fifth and final Games. The 38-year-old slalom specialist became the first British alpine skier to win World Cup gold in 2022 and earlier this year he sealed the nation's best World Championship result by a male since 1934 by finishing sixth. However, he is not expected to reach the podium.

Clement Noel of France is the defending Olympic champion, Switzerland's Loic Meillard the 2025 world champion and Henrik Kristoffersen is the most successful slalom skier ever produced by Norway, although Olympic gold has so far eluded him.

Snowboard: Women's slopestyle qualifying (09:30-11:35)

Britain's Mia Brookes was too young to qualify for the last Winter Olympics but won the world title the following year, aged 16.

Now just turned 19, she finally has her chance to grab Olympic glory and the rider from Sandbach, Cheshire, will be aiming to book her spot in tomorrow's final.

Maisie Hill, who is back to her best after suffering a horrific training crash three years ago, will also represent Britain. Later today (13:00), the men's qualification takes place, with Txema Mazet-Brown Britain's only competitor.

Bobsleigh: Women's monobob heats three and four (18:00)

The first bobsleigh medal is up for grabs at the Cortina Sliding Centre.

Kaillie Humphries won the inaugural monobob title at the 2022 Games, claiming her third Olympic gold – and first since switching allegiance from Canada to the USA.

A fourth gold medal here would equal the record in Olympic bobsleigh.

Freestyle skiing: Women's big air final (18:30-19:50)

Kirsty Muir was the youngest member of Team GB in 2022, coming a brilliant fifth in the final, and the 21-year-old Scot will be hoping to be in the mix again.

But it looks like being a high-class field that will include defending champion Eileen Gu and Beijing 2022 silver medallist Tess Ledeux of France.

And all Italian eyes will be on Flora Tabanelli, who won the 2025 world title aged just 17 – the skier from Bologna is the reigning Youth Olympic champion in big air, and now has her eyes on the senior title.

Good to know

Women's ice hockey reaches the semi-final stage (15:40 and 20:10). Barring any surprises, Canada and the USA will be kept apart and will be red-hot favourites to advance to the final.

Six of the seven previous women's gold medal games have been contested by those two countries.

It's a busy Monday for Team GB in women's curling – Rebecca Morrison's rink play Denmark at 09:05 and Switzerland at 18:05.

In men's curling, Britain's quest for gold continues with Team Mouat meeting Norway at 13:05.

The figure skating pairs event reaches its conclusion (19:00), with reigning world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara aiming to win Japan's first Olympic title in the discipline.

The pair finished seventh at the last Games but have since finished either first or second at the last four World Championships.

Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby are competing for Great Britain.

Day 11: Tuesday, 17 February

Medals: Seven

Medal events: Men's Nordic combined (09:00-13:35); Women's snowboard slopestyle (12:00-13:50); Men's biathlon 4 x 7.5km relay (13:30-15:10); Men's and women's speed skating team pursuit (13:30-16:25); Men's two-man bobsleigh (18:00-21:10); Men's freeski big air (18:30-22:05).

Daily highlights

Snowboard: Women's slopestyle final (12:00-13:35)

British teenager Mia Brookes has already won the world title and is now aiming to become an Olympic champion on snow, something no Briton had achieved prior to these Games.

The 19-year-old will be putting her tricks up against some talented rivals, set to include the Japanese contingent and reigning Olympic and world champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott of New Zealand.

The riders have three runs to impress the judges, with their best score counting.

Bobsleigh: Two-man heats three and four (18:00)

Can anyone stop the Germans and in particular pilot Francesco Friedrich, who is vying for a record fifth bobsleigh gold?

The 35-year-old led a German 1-2-3 in this event in 2022 but this season Friedrich's long-time rival Johannes Lochner has had a decisive edge on the World Cup circuit.

The British sled, featuring Brad Hall and Taylor Lawrence, will be among those seeking to end Germany's stranglehold.

Freestyle skiing: Men's big air final (18:30-19:50)

New Zealand's Luca Harrington will be aiming to add the Olympic title to the world title and World Cup title he won last season.

But defending champion Birk Ruud of Norway is unlikely to give up his crown without a fight, while the home crowd will be behind Miro Tabanelli, a 21-year-old Italian who claimed X Games gold in 2025.

Good to know

Women's figure skating begins with the short programme (17:45).

It should be an intriguing competition with the likes of three-time former world champion Kaori Sakamoto up against the returning Alysa Liu, who dethroned the Japanese skater at last year's World Championships, and her American team-mate, the rejuvenated Amber Glenn.

Britain's Kristen Spours, who has overcome a serious back injury to make it to Milan, will also be competing.

Curling round robin matches continue. Britain's women have a rest day, with the men up against Canada (18:05), the only country to have won the men's Olympic title more than once. However, the last time they earned gold was 2014.

Day 12: Wednesday, 18 February

Medals: Eight

Medal events: Men's and women's cross-country team sprint (08:45-12:15); Women's aerials (10:30-12:05); Men's snowboard slopestyle (12:00-13:50); Women's slalom (09:00-14:20); Women's biathlon 4 x 6km relay (13:45-15:20); Men's 500m and women's 3000m short track (19:15-21:00).

Daily highlights

Alpine skiing: Women's slalom (run one 09:00; run two 12:30)

"I don't want Beijing to be the reason that I'm scared of the Olympics," said former double Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin. "For the past few years, it has been a little bit."

The 30-year-old endured a nightmare 2022, failing to finish the slalom, giant slalom and the slalom portion of the combined.

"It's not so much about unfinished business," continued the American. "It's more about making peace."

Her main rivals are likely to be Croatian 21-year-old and slalom World Cup winner Zrinka Ljutic and Camille Rast, who last year became the first Swiss racer since 1991 to win the slalom world title.

Snowboard: Men's slopestyle (11:30-13:10)

The last of the snowboard events at these Games should be a fascinating contest. Canadian veteran Mark McMorris, who has won slopestyle bronze at the last three Olympics, returns for a crack at an elusive gold, along with 2018 Olympic champion Red Gerard. Japan have a crop of exciting young stars.

Good to know

It's the quarter-finals in men's ice hockey, with the four winners from the previous day's play-off games taking on the four teams with the best record in the group stage.

In curling, Great Britain's women return after a rest day to face the USA at 09:05 and Japan at 18:05. Britain's men meet the USA at 13:05 in the last of their round-robin matches.

There'll be plenty of breathtaking acrobatics on display as the women's aerials final takes place (10:30). Can 35-year-old five-time Olympian Xu Mengtao of China retain her title?

Day 13: Thursday, 19 February

Medals: Seven

Medal events: Men's aerials (10:30-12:05); Men's and women's ski mountaineering sprints (08:50-13:45); Men's Nordic combined team sprint (09:00-14:00); Men's 1500m speed skating (15:30-17:10); Women's ice hockey (18:10-21:10); Women's figure skating (1800-2215).

Daily highlights

Ski mountaineering: Women's and men's sprint finals (12:55 and 13:15)

Bormio is synonymous with downhill skiing but some athletes will also be attempting to go uphill in the only new sport at these Winter Olympics – ski mountaineering, or skimo for short.

Skiers race up and down a steep course on skis, 'skins' (strips of fabric attached to the bottom of skis) and on foot, putting on or taking off their equipment in transition areas between sections.

Two of the three golds on offer will be decided today in the sprint races, which consist of several knockout contests.

France's Emily Harrop, whose parents are British but who was born and bred in the French Alps, is the women's favourite (heats start at 08:50), with the men's heats at 09:30.

Figure skating: Women's free skate (18:00-22:10)

The women's figure skating is always one of the highlights of any Winter Olympics, but in 2022 it was one of the most upsetting events. It concluded with 15-year-old Kamila Valieva leaving the ice distressed after an error-strewn performance that followed her positive drugs test.

The contest for gold in Milan-Cortina promises to be an intriguing battle – reigning world champion Alysa Liu and revitalised team-mate Amber Glenn are aiming to become the first USA winner of this title for 24 years, while Japan's three-time former world champion Kaori Sakamoto is hoping for a first Olympic gold in her farewell season.

But could the latest young Russian talent Adeliia Petrosian – who will be competing as a neutral athlete – emerge as a contender?

Ice hockey: Women's gold medal game (18:10)

Thursday's final will almost certainly be the latest chapter in the increasingly bitter rivalry between the two dominant teams in women's hockey, Canada and the USA.

The pair have contested six of the seven gold medal matches at the Olympic and met in 23 of 24 finals at World Championship level.

The Canadians usually have the edge when it matters most and claimed their fifth Olympic crown in 2022.

Freestyle skiing: Women's halfpipe run one and two (18:30-20:25)

Zoe Atkin, one of Britain's biggest medal hopes at these Games, begins her quest to emulate big sister Izzy and win an Olympic medal.

The 23-year-old Stanford University student is the reigning world champion and also the joint-winner of the overall World Cup title last season.

However, she will face a strong field, including China's defending champion Eileen Gu and Li Fanghui, who was the other major force in the 2024-25 campaign.

Good to know

It's the final day of the curling round robin stage, with the semi-final line-ups to be determined and – in the case of the men's competition – played on the same day.

Britain's women, led by Rebecca Morrison, face hosts Italy in their final round at 13:05 while Bruce Mouat and his GB men's team will be hoping to be involved in the men's semi-finals (18:05).

Prepare for some gravity-defying tricks and jumps in the men's aerials final (10:30).

Switzerland's Noe Roth has won the past two world titles but has not managed to land on the podium at either of the past two Olympics.

A medal in Milano-Cortina would emulate his mother Colette Brand, who won aerials bronze in Nagano in 1998. Qi Guangpu is the defending champion.

The men's speed skating 1500m (15:30) is regarded as one of speed skating's blue riband contests and is known by afficionados as the 'king's race'.

US star Jordan Stolz, 21, came into these Games targeting gold in the 500m, 1000m and 1500m, with this competition potentially giving him the chance of a famous hat-trick. He has won all five of this season's World Cup races over 1500m.

Day 14: Friday, 20 February

Medals: Six

Medal events: Women's ski cross (09:00-12:40); Men's biathlon 15km (13:15-14:20); Women's speed skating 1500m (15:30-17:10); Men's ski halfpipe (18:30-20:20); Women's short track 1500m and men's short track 5000m relay (19:15-21:40).

Daily highlights

Freestyle skiing: Women's ski cross (09:00-12:35)

The exciting sport of ski cross involves plenty of drama and the last Olympics was no exception, as Switzerland's Fanny Smith well knows.

She was demoted from bronze in the aftermath of her race, only for the decision to eventually be overturned – she received her medal more than a year later.

Now the reigning world champion, Smith again faces Sweden's Sandra Naeslund and Canada's Marielle Thompson, the gold and silver medallists from Beijing.

Ice hockey: Men's semi-finals (15:40 & 20:10)

The Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena is host to a semi-final double header, with the two winners advancing to Sunday's final and the losers playing off for bronze.

Canada are nine-time Olympic champions, while the USA last took the title in 1980.

Freestyle skiing: Men's halfpipe final (18:30-20:05)

Expect a thrilling contest for gold. With New Zealand's 2022 gold medallist Nico Porteous announcing last summer that he was stepping away from the sport, there is a gap to be filled – and the title could stay in Kiwi hands as 19-year-old Finley Melville Ives is the current world champion.

Alex Ferreira won silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022, and fellow American Nick Goepper has his sights set on winning a medal at a fourth consecutive Games, having made the slopestyle podium in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Good to know

It's semi-finals day in the women's curling (13:05) and, as the defending champions, Team GB will be hoping to be involved.

However, Jen Dodds is the only returning member of the successful GB quintet in 2022, and Rebecca Morrison's 2026 rink will probably be hopeful rather than expectant of reaching this stage.

It's also the bronze-medal match in the men's curling (18:05).

Day 15: Saturday, 21 February

Medals: 10

Medal events: Men's team aerials (09:45-11:35); Men's ski cross (09:00-12:40); Men's cross-country 50km mass start (10:00-13:05); Mixed ski mountaineering relay (12:30-13:50); Women's biathlon 12.5km mass start (13:15-14:15); Men's and women's speed skating mass start (14:00-17:00); Women's ski halfpipe (18:30-20:20); Women's two-woman bobsleigh (18:00-21:10); Men's curling (1805-2135).

Daily highlights

Freestyle skiing: Men's ski cross final (09:00-12:35)

Beijing champion Ryan Regez suffered a torn ACL followed by a loss of form but his world title win last year shows he is now back to his best.

His biggest threat could be Canada's Reece Howden, who has won the World Cup title in both of the past two years.

Bobsleigh: Two-woman heats three and four (18:00 & 20:03)

Germany's Laura Nolte won this event in 2022 aged 23, becoming the youngest female pilot to take gold.

Since then, she and brakewoman Deborah Levi have been a model of consistency on the World Cup circuit.

The USA's Kaillie Humphries won this event in 2010 and 2014 and could run Nolte close.

Curling: Men's gold-medal game (18:05-21:20)

Britain's Team Mouat will be hoping to be involved as the men's curling reaches its conclusion.

The quartet who competed in the 2022 final are all back in Milan-Cortina and determined to upgrade the silver they took home last time to gold, which would be Britain's first in Olympic men's curling since 1924.

The bronze medal game in the women's curling starts at 13:05 GMT.

Freestyle skiing: Women's halfpipe final (18:30-20:05)

Can Britain's Zoe Atkin dethrone China's Eileen Gu as the Olympic champion?

The US-born 21-year-old is the reigning world champion but will be up against a stacked field, likely to also include Li Fanghui, her biggest rival last season and the skier with whom she shared the overall 2024-25 World Cup title.

Good to know

As well as the conclusion of the two-woman event, the opening two heats of the four-man bobsleigh take place (09:00 and 10:57).

Germany – particularly pilot Francesco Friedrich – have monopolised major titles in recent years but the British crew driven by Brad Hall also have podium aspirations.

The most gruelling event in the Winter Olympics is cross country skiing's 50km mass start (10:00).

The men's medals will be decided on Saturday and current world champion Johannes Hosflot Klaebo is the red hot favourite. Team GB's Andrew Musgrave is competing in his fifth Winter Olympics.

Day 16: Sunday, 22 February

Medals: Four

Medal events: Men's four-man bobsleigh (09:00-12:20); Women's cross-country 50km mass start (09:00-12:35); Women's curling (12:05-13:35); Men's ice hockey (12:40-15:40)

Daily highlights

Bobsleigh: Four-man heats three and four (09:00 & 11:12)

History beckons for German great Francesco Friedrich on the final day of the Games.

The 35-year-old arrived in Italy with four Olympic titles so, depending on how he fared in the earlier two-man event, he will be vying to become the first athlete to win five or even six bobsleigh golds.

His biggest rival may be Germany's second crew, headed by Johannes Lochner, but Team GB could also be in podium contention, with the sled piloted by Brad Hall having recorded encouraging results occasionally at the top level.

Curling: Women's gold medal game (10:05-13:20)

This event proved the highlight – and saving grace – of Britain's Winter Olympics four years ago, when Eve Muirhead and her team clinched GB's only gold of the Games on the final day in Beijing.

With only one member of that gold-winning quintet competing in Milan-Cortina, a repeat might be unlikely.

Ice hockey: Men's gold medal game (13:10)

Each of the last three men's ice hockey finals has produced a different winner – so could a new name be added to the roll of honour at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena?

Canada have claimed a record nine Olympic golds and the return of NHL players is a boost to their chances.

That also applies to the USA, who haven't won the title since 1980's 'Miracle on Ice', while Finland are the reigning champions.

Good to know

With all events completed, at 19:00 it's time for the Closing Ceremony of the XXV Winter Olympic Games, which will take place in the iconic Arena, a Roman amphitheatre in the historic city of Verona.

Milan Cortina will say arrivederci and perform the traditional handover to the team from the French Alps, where the 2030 Games will be held.

Manchester United are closely monitoring Liam Delap’s situation at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea’s latest decision has thrown his future into doubt, according to a new report.

A Red-Hot Race

The Red Devils came close to signing Delap, 22, over the summer after holding talks with the Ipswich Town talisman, with his contract at Portman Road containing a £30 million release clause.

This bargain price for a young English striker with 12 goals in a side destined for relegation put half of the Premier League on alert. United were joined by Chelsea, Everton, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur in expressing interest in the England U-21 international – but it was the Blues who emerged victorious from the red-hot race.

Champions League football – on offer at Stamford Bridge, but not Old Trafford – is understood to have swayed Delap towards west London. Another factor was a reunion with Enzo Maresca, the Italian manager who first coached him at Manchester City’s academy.

However, Maresca has since been sacked by Chelsea after eyeing an explosive return to the Etihad to replace Pep Guardiola, and Delap has struggled acutely for his new side this season.

While two goals in 21 appearances tells its own story, it has been his all-round play, or lack thereof, which has caused more concern. The Winchester native has often appeared more concerned with a physical battle with opposition defenders, rather than outwitting them with skill or guile.

After being rejected by Delap, United pivoted towards RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko, eventually beating out Newcastle United to agree a £74 million deal. The 6’5″ Slovenian also endured a slow start this season, but has since exploded to life with four goals in his last five games, while showcasing a more well-rounded skillset than his English rival in London.

United’s hierarchy believe Sesko will develop into one of Europe’s finest centre-forwards – but they remain convinced Delap “would have been right for them” had he accepted their offer, according to a report relayed by The Peoples Person.

In fact, were Chelsea to decide to sell Delap this summer, the Red Devils would again be at the front of the queue for Delap as they consider options to further bolster their frontline.

United plot shock raid

TEAMtalk reveals United are “keeping a very close eye on developments” at Stamford Bridge as sources indicate the 22-year-old forward is “effectively playing” for his future before the summer transfer window opens. 

There is private acknowledgement amongst Chelsea’s hierarchy that Delap has struggled and the team needs a more reliable source of goals up front. His performances until the end of the season will be “crucial” in determining whether he is a part of the “long‑term project.”

United are “monitoring” this situation and are prepared to strike if Chelsea decide to move Delap on, with Porto powerhouse Samu Aghehowa understood to have emerged as a key target for the Blues amid concern over new head coach Liam Rosenior’s attack.

“Man Utd, Newcastle and Everton all pushed hard for his signature before his move to Stamford Bridge, and all three clubs are understood to be monitoring the situation closely should Chelsea decide to listen to offers. Brighton and Sunderland are also watching.

“Of those listed, it’s unquestionably Man Utd who are the ones to watch given the Red Devils fully intended to sign Delap prior to landing Benjamin Sesko instead.”

Final Thoughts

It would be a backwards step to revisit a move for a player who, firstly, already rejected the project on offer at Old Trafford in favour of a rival, and, secondly, has turned this into a masterstroke for United given his abject form this season.

While Delap’s level is undoubtedly better than what he has produced for Chelsea so far, he remains a player whose profile – a homegrown 6’1 English striker with pace and power – is more alluring than his reality as a footballer.

United should avoid the chance of repeating a mistake they were fortunate enough to have missed out on last summer.

Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

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NEED TO KNOW

• Terrance Gore, a former MLB player known as one of the fastest in baseball, has died at age 34
• "We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Terrance Gore," the MLB said in a statement
  
• The late athlete is survived by his wife, Britney Helms, and the couple's three children: Zane, Skylyn and Camden
  

Terrance Gore, a former MLB player known as one of the fastest in baseball, has died. He was 34.

“We are heartbroken from the loss of Terrance Gore, and send our love to his family and loved ones,” the Kansas City Royals said in a social media statement. (Gore played two different stints with the team throughout his eight-year career.)

The late athlete’s wife, Britney Helms, said in a social media post that Gore died from complications following a routine surgical procedure, USA Today and Sports Illustrated reported.

In addition to his wife, Terrance is survived by the couple's three children: Zane, Skylyn and Camden.

We are heartbroken from the loss of Terrance Gore, and send our love to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/qgZFkHRFSx

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) February 7, 2026

Gore made his MLB debut with the Royals in 2014.

He played a major role in helping the team reach two consecutive World Series — including what became their first championship win in 30 years.

Gore spent five seasons with the Royals across two stints, and he also played for the Chicago Cubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets.

The MLB remembered Gore with a statement shared on X, writing, "We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Terrance Gore."

The Omaha Chasers, a Triple-A affiliate of the Royals, added in its own statement, “We join the Gore family and the world of baseball in mourning the passing of Terrance Gore."

"Known for his great speed but even more so for his kindness and joyful smile, Terrance will be remembered as a tremendous teammate and a dedicated family man," the group continued.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Gore made his final major league appearance with the Mets during the 2022 season. He played in 10 games, including the National League Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres. 

The late athlete recorded 16 hits and one RBI throughout his career, and he stole 48 bases in 58 tries and scored 36 runs.

Read the original article on People

With the World Cup just four months away, Cole Palmer provided a timely reminder of his talent on Saturday.

The Chelsea forward scored a first-half hat-trick as the Blues beat bottom-of-the-table Wolves 3-1 to remain firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Two of those goals were penalties, with Palmer displaying his typically ice-cool demeanour to send the goalkeeper the wrong way both times.

Palmer has been dogged by a groin injury this season, and the three goals almost doubled his tally for the campaign - going from four Premier League goals to seven.

The performance also puts him firmly in the England squad conversation.

"If he's impacting games, like we know he can, from now to the end of the season, he's a sure thing to be in the squad," former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport.

"He can play wide, he can play as a 10. He's just so good on the ball and classy and simply doesn't fear anybody.

"Even if you bring him off the bench, you know he can do unbelievable things. He can win you a game in a heartbeat."

Can Palmer build momentum?

Palmer celebrated his opening goal against Wolves by covering his ears - a response, perhaps, to recent reports suggesting he is unsettled in London.

The former Manchester City player has had a difficult campaign in which injury has seen him in and out of the side, while under new head coach Liam Rosenior he has had his playing minutes carefully managed.

Since Rosenior became Chelsea boss at the start of this year he has often faced questions about Palmer's form, fitness and state of mind.

This performance provided something of a direct response to those questions, but key for Palmer will be keeping it up.

"We know what a world-class player he is. He's played a lot of football over the last year with not much rest," said Rosenior.

"When he's at his best, he's unstoppable. I'm delighted to be working with him."

This is, after all, a player who scored twice in the Club World Cup final less than six months ago, and across the two seasons prior to this one totted up 37 Premier League goals.

'Battle on his hands' - will Palmer make World Cup squad?

If Palmer can now build momentum, he will be hitting form at just the right time.

He was a key player for England at Euro 2024 but has made just one appearance under current boss Thomas Tuchel - in a 1-0 win against Andorra last June.

Injuries have been a factor, but there is also competition for places - with the likes of Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham rivalling him for the number 10 role.

"At the moment it looks like Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham will be the two who are ahead of him," said former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha on BBC Final Score.

"I'd be looking to find a way to get him in the side."

When asked if he would select Palmer for England, former Blackburn and Chelsea striker Chris Sutton was a little more blunt: "Not at the minute, no. I'd play Rogers."

England have two more friendlies lined up before the World Cup - against Uruguay on 27 March and Japan four days later - so that international camp will offer a big chance for players such as Palmer to impress Tuchel.

"I don't think Cole [Palmer] is at his best yet," said Murphy.

"Like a lot of players, when you have had a bad injury and you've had quite a lot of time out, it does take game time to get your rhythm and your sharpness back.

"He really needs to start playing regularly to force his way into the England squad and team, because at the moment with Morgan Rogers doing what he's doing, and other players playing well, he's got a battle on his hands."

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The Wisconsin Badgers fell just short in an overtime thriller against the Indiana Hoosiers, losing 78-77 thanks to free throws from Lamar Wilkerson with just two seconds remaining. The loss drops them to 1-6 in Quad 1 games as the Badgers fall to 16-7 on the season and 8-4 in Big Ten play.

It was an ugly game early on, as Wisconsin just couldn’t manufacture any offense, relying too heavily on threes. But they found a way to keep things close and made a fervent comeback in the second half to send the game to overtime.

Chaos ensued over the last five minutes with a couple of questionable calls, but Wisconsin, holding the lead for much of overtime, fell short in its pursuit of an upset.

Here are three quick takeaways from Wisconsin’s overtime loss to Indiana on Saturday.

Top three stars

As games have been for the Badgers, it was Nick Boyd, John Blackwell, and Nolan Winter in charge on Saturday.

In the first half, Boyd and Blackwell had quite disappointing performances. Offensively, neither player could really get going. Boyd had 11 points on 4 of 11 from the field, including 3 of 4 from deep. But he really struggled in the paint in the first half and didn’t get to the free-throw line at all.

One key with Boyd has been trying to get him to play off two feet. Head coach Greg Gard has talked about this in regard to keeping Boyd under control with his elite speed. He didn’t play off two feet much on Saturday, which ended with him forcing tough looks over big men at the rim, playing out of control. If he goes off two feet more and changes speeds, he’s been able to make better decisions, be it a kickout or a better look at the rim. That wasn’t the case early in the first half.

Blackwell really couldn’t get going offensively either. He was a bit looser with his handle and was just 1 of 8 from the field, including 0 of 3 from three-point range. The shot selection from both inside the arc was also an issue. But it was things away from the offensive end that alarmed me more.

Boyd really struggled defensively to keep up with ball-handlers, getting beaten off the dribble a number of times by Conor Enright. His defense was a big issue for the Badgers early, as Indiana was eating off the rim and getting dribble penetration to set up great looks offensively. But his attentiveness felt off as well, as he struggled off the ball with the ball-screen actions, which gave Indiana great lanes off the catch and disrupted Wisconsin’s defense.

As for Blackwell, it felt like his energy level wasn’t as high early on. There were a couple of rebounds and loose balls that he didn’t go for, and it added to the physicality advantage for Indiana.

Winter was the key in the first half. He was the one playing hard on both ends, scoring 14 points on 6 of 7 shooting, while grabbing seven rebounds and contesting well at the rim.

In the second half, some of the issues defensively for the guards persisted early on, but we did see Wisconsin get better at running shooters off the three-point line. And Boyd and Blackwell finally got in a groove offensively.

Boyd was more careful with the ball, scoring eight points (albeit on seven shots), while dishing out two assists. Blackwell was the one who really brought Wisconsin back into the game, scoring 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting. He had a couple of bad turnovers still, but he was the catalyst offensively while the defense picked up the slack.

Winter maintained his activity on both ends, scoring eight points while really playing some good defense on the block, making it tougher for Indiana with contests. He was also the go-to guy in overtime with four of Wisconsin’s five points.

Wisconsin is heavily reliant on this trio, and the guards really struggled in the first half in a lot of ways. But they also brought the Badgers back in a very eventful game in the second half. Wisconsin just needs more consistency from that group in these big games.

Physicality

The biggest issue for the Badgers on Saturday was physicality. Wisconsin had been playing more physically in recent games, and it felt like this one would be another game to build off that, given that the Badgers had the size advantage.

Yes, Wisconsin got 14 offensive rebounds, but Indiana dominated the physicality in this matchup for most of the game. As mentioned above, there were issues defensively with the guards. There was too much dribble penetration, with Indiana getting to the rim at ease. Boyd’s struggles to defend on-ball and with the off-ball screens were a big issue early on.

Down low, I thought Aleksas Bieliauskas really struggled with his physicality after a good game against Ohio State last weekend. So it wasn’t much of a surprise that he played only three minutes in the second half and overtime.

Offensively, the Badgers needed to find a way to get more paint touches earlier in the game, either via dribble drives or actions to set up post touches with Nolan Winter. Shooting 19 threes in your first 30 shots when you have the size advantage is an issue, considering the quality of looks and the lack of makes.

Indiana completely dominated the paint early on. 32 of their first 46 points were in the paint before Wisconsin started to shut that down. You saw some bully ball from center Sam Alexis and Tucker DeVries, and the Badgers’ switches didn’t help there either.

Wisconsin has to find a way, though, to be more physical without sacrificing much on the offensive end. They’ve lacked another consistent big in their frontcourt rotation to help Nolan Winter, and the guard play defensively has also been an issue this year.

Questionable calls

I’m not one to usually point at referee calls. When teams lose games, there’s a reason why and they need to play better. That’s the case with Wisconsin on Saturday as well.

But there were a number of questionable calls over the final minutes of the game where it felt consistency wasn’t there. First off, there was a lack of calls in the first half from officials, who elected to let the teams play things out. In the second half, that changed, with a lot more ticky-tack fouls being called, as there were 18 total fouls in the half.

Then, in overtime, Wisconsin fell victim to a couple of questionable calls. With the Badgers up 74-72 and under three minutes left, Nick Boyd appeared to get hit on his left arm by Sam Alexis on a drive, but there wasn’t a call on the play. Indiana came down the court, and Lamar Wilkerson missed a pair of contested layups, with Alexis getting the rebound after. However, he fell down after securing the board, which looked like a travel. There was a no call there, and Wilkerson was fouled by John Blackwell after getting the ball and attempting a shot.

Later, with Wisconsin up three points with 39 seconds left, Wilkerson drove for a layup, but was blocked by Nolan Winter. It seemed like Wilkerson went up and down with the ball, suggesting a jump ball should’ve been called, but there wasn’t a call there. Indiana called timeout, and Wilkerson got a layup coming out of the timeout to cut the lead to one.

Wisconsin had the ball up one, and Indiana needed to foul. The Badgers looked to dribble the clock out and take off as many seconds as possible, with Nick Boyd weaving through the defense after Wisconsin broke the press to get back out to the perimeter. There, he had contact with Indiana’s Conor Enright and was called for the offensive foul. Did Boyd extend his arm there? Yes. Was it worthy of an offensive foul with the contact? We’ve seen that action get played out as a no-call quite often. Enright did a good job selling the call, but that one was questionable as well.

It all boiled down to the final seconds, however, with Indiana having the ball with 15 seconds left down one point. Of course, the Hoosiers put the ball in Lamar Wilkerson’s hands, with John Blackwell picking him up on-ball after a few screens that led to switches. Blackwell played great defense, keeping up with Wilkerson as he tried to shift from side to side. There was contact as Wilkerson drove, but it didn’t seem like enough to warrant a foul. Blackwell started to fall back, and Wilkerson seemed out of control and losing his balance, but Blackwell was called for a fifth foul and was irate.

Of all the calls, that one was likely the most questionable and evidently the one with the biggest implications. Wilkerson sank both free throws, and the Badgers went home with a one-point loss.

Did Wisconsin lose because of the referees? No. There were several things they could’ve done better to get in the win column. But in such a close game, those questionable calls in the final minutes definitely weighed in at the end of the game.

Remarks made by American freestyle skier Hunter Hess regarding "mixed emotions" about representing the United States in the 2026 Winter Olympics have drawn criticism from some fans and observers. 

Perhaps the most famous and outspoken among them is legendary 1980 U.S. ice hockey gold medalist Mike Eruzione, who posted a response to Hess on social media.

During a press conference with the U.S. freeski team in Milan on Friday, Hess, 27, said he felt conflicted because "a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t." 

“It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now, I think,” Hess said, via Portland, Oregon's KGW8. “It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.”

"For me, it's more I'm representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S.," he added. "I think if it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

Those comments raised the ire of Eruzione, a captain on the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" gold medal team who scored the game-winning goal versus the Soviet Union in the medal round. He has previously shown support for Donald Trump, but in responding to Hess, he didn't mention the president. He stated that the skier shouldn't wear a uniform representing the U.S. if he'd prefer to represent friends and family instead. 

"Hunter Hess, US snowboarder, saying he doesn’t represent his country but his family and friends," Eruzione posted. "Then don’t put on the USA uniform; maybe just put for family and friend. Some athletes just don’t get it." 

Eruzione was criticized for appearing at a Trump rally in 2020 with his U.S. hockey teammates and wearing a hat that said "Keep America Great." 

In response to the backlash received for his appearance, Eruzione expressed regret for wearing the hat.

“If we knew we were going to piss off this many people, we probably would not have put the hats on,” Eruzione, 65, told the Washington Post. “That’s the big question here. A lot of the stuff I got was, ‘You guys said it’s not political, but when you put the hats on, you made it political.’ ”

Presumably, Hess' remarks "made it political" in Eruzione's view. Yet he's not the only U.S. athlete who has voiced ambivalent sentiments toward what's currently happening. Freestyle aerialist Chris Lillis said he wouldn't want to represent any other country, but is "heartbroken" over current events.

“I feel heartbroken about what’s happened in the United States,” Lillis said, via the Washington Post. “I think that, as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody with love and respect. I hope that when people look at athletes competing in the Olympics, they realize that’s the America that we’re trying to represent.”

Diomande endorses Liverpool move

The 19-year-old has been in sensational form during his debut campaign in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig. Signed for only £18m from Leganes last summer the Ivory Coast international has taken European football by storm.

The winger has already expressed a preference for Liverpool if and when the time comes to make his next move. And with his Leipzig contract extending to 2030 it’s not going to be easy for interested clubs to strike a deal.

But Liverpool will be right there for Diomande’s signature if and when the time comes for Leipzig to cash in.

According to a report in Football Insider it was Tottenham who made the first attempt to sign Diomande back in January - but were put off by the asking price.

The time has come to sign new winger

Estimated at around £80m Diomande is on the list for several more clubs - including Manchester United. Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

“Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea are each keeping tabs on Yan Diomande’s progress at RB Leipzig after Tottenham were priced out of a move to sign him in January,” the report reads.

“You’ve got the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich all interested as well.

“So he’s going to have a lot of options, Diomande, and he is going to be one to watch for sure in the summer.”

Liverpool spent big on new forwards last summer - including British record deals for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Those two - along with Hugo Ekitike - were brought in to improve the central spine of the attack.

Features

Liverpool v City: Are you ready for Anfield?

The Blues visit Anfield on Sunday, February 8 with kick-off on Merseyside slated for 16.30 (UK).

It has become one of the English game’s most eagerly anticipated match-ups over the past decade and this latest affair promises to be no different.

Second placed City will be seeking to maintain momentum and to keep the pressure up on leaders Arsenal.

BUY TICKETS | TO WATCH CITY v FULHAM

Reigning champions Liverpool meanwhile are out for further points to boost their push for a top-four finish.

Against slate grey Mancunian skies, the players went about their work ahead of what should be a classic match-up.

View the best of Saturday’s training session in our gallery …

Roughly a month ago, Cincinnati Bengals fans started the campaign to bring back defensive lineman DJ Reader in free agency.

Reader played a key role in deep playoff runs for the Bengals and was one of the best free-agent signings in franchise history. 

So, what does the market look like for Reader right now?

Let Pro Football Focus tell it, Reader is the 20th-best player headed to free agency on a list of 250 before the market opens:

“Reader is now 31 years old and has not quite matched his peak form fro`m his time in Cincinnati since arriving in Detroit, but he remains an above-average starter at the NFL level. His 68.4 PFF grade ranked 36th among interior defensive linemen this season, and he has never recorded a PFF pass-rush or run-defense grade below 60.0 in any season of his career.”

RELATED: Bengals sound ready to leave comfort zone, do contract extension early

Even better? Reader’s contract projection at this stage of his career is an affordable one-year deal worth $4.5 million. 

It’s an obvious thing the Bengals should do, provided Reader is interested. 

The interior of the defensive line is one of the biggest areas of need for the Bengals this offseason. B.J. Hill figures to return, while TJ Slaton is a cut candidate. The development of Kris Jenkins Jr. has been steady, but not fast enough. 

Reader would be a great stopgap solution for the Bengals. He’s familiar with the organization, was a very respected locker room leader and could join the rotation with something to offer. 

The Bengals reuniting with Reader wouldn’t prevent them from attacking the area of need as early as 10th overall in the first round, either. In fact, a budget-based move like this might just give them enough wiggle room to make a much bigger splash at another problem area like safety. 

So no, it’s not hard to see why Bengals fans have Reader on the mind with free agency on approach. 

RELATED: Bengals cap space outlook changes with NFL salary cap update

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Former Bengals leader gets notable free-agency contract projection

Long before the roar of the Panthers, or the buzz of the Hornets, there was a spark in Charlotte. It was an idea that attracted players and fans alike, and it was a dream season that created moments to last forever.

Channel 9 is sharing the story of the Carolina Lightnin’, how they brought professional soccer to Charlotte, and the “magical” 1981 season that caught “lightning in a bottle.”

The full special is on Channel 9 starting at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.

Photos: The Carolina Lightnin’ early years

WEB EXTRAS

The sounds of ‘Celebration’

Some people correlate the Lightnin’ with their extreme giveaways or winning their inaugural season, but our former sports reporter always thinks of the team when he hears this song.

The tale of the team hearse

The team all lived next door to each other in an apartment complex provided by the team and they all drove to practices together in this unusual car.

How the Chinese national team helped Charlotte’s champion goal-scorer

The winning score in the championship game almost didn’t happen! Hear how the goal scorer got some help from the Chinese National Soccer team while recovering from an injury.

(VIDEO: Former Panthers star Luke Kuechly heading to Pro Football Hall of Fame)

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Kira Kimura and Ryoma Kimata led a Japanese gold and silver medal grab in men’s big air on Saturday, underlining the growing dominance of their country in snowboarding at the Winter Olympics.

The 21-year-old Kimura edged his fellow countryman with a blistering last run, scoring a final’s best 90.50 to surge to the top of the table. He finished with 179.50 points from his best two jumps.

The 23-year-old Kimata, who won the big air world championship last year, touched down on his final run when he had a chance to snatch victory from Kimura. He finished with 171.50 points.

Defending champion Su Yiming of China took bronze, pushing 17-year-old American Oliver Martin off the podium.

Japan has emerged over the past decade-plus as a force in halfpipe, winning five medals, with four by men, in the last three Olympics.

But it had only parlayed that into one bronze in women’s big air in 2022, with no medals in slopestyle.

Now Kimura and Kimata have given Japan its first Olympic gold and silver in big air, and more could be to come. The pair will also compete in slopestyle, while Ayumu Hirano will seek to defend his halfpipe gold.

___

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Chris Hine: Chris Finch on Rudy Gobert's comments (1/2): "Anybody who knows how we do things knows there's a high degree of accountability. Secondly, I handle all my conversations with ourselves in house. Disappointing he felt the need to go outside. Nonetheless, that's been addressed ...

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Chris Finch on Rudy Gobert comments on accountability: I handle all convos in house...disappointing he felt the need to go outside

Chris Hine: Finch (2/2): "... already today. There's never been a team that's won anything meaningful that has substituted their way there."

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: There's never been a team that's won anything …

Will Gottlieb: Dillingham on this opportunity: “Really just confidence, confidence from my teammates, confidence from my coaches, and really confidence in myself. I really just feel like I haven't got to get an opportunity where I feel confident. I'm just waiting for the spark to come back.”

x.com

Dillingham on this opportunity: “Really just confidence, confidence from my teammates, confidence from my coaches, and really confidence in myself. I really just feel like I haven't got to get an opportunity where I feel confident.

I'm just waiting for the spark to come back.” pic.twitter.com/OiK2enrZm3

— Will Gottlieb (@Will_Gottlieb) February 7, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “Really just confidence, confidence from my teammates, …

Kevin Chouinard: Buddy Hield is listed as 'available' on the 2:45 injury report. Jonathan Kuminga remains out (Injury/Illness-Left Knee; Bone Bruise).

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Buddy Hield is listed as 'available' on the 2:45 …

Nick DePaula: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just debuted the Converse SHAI 001 Lux — in a new molded look. This “Truffle” edition will drop 2.14 in LA during All-Star Weekend at “The Shai Lounge” and again on 2.26 on SNKRS.

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just debuted the Converse SHAI …

Steelers rumors give Will Howard a boost, pinpoint possible Aaron Rodgers replacement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Despite his not seeing the field at all in the preseason or regular season in 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers are apparently high on quarterback Will Howard.

That nugget comes from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, who reports that the Steelers "really like" how Howard has developed and the team "believes it might have something" in the sixth-round pick.

"On the flip side, the Steelers really like how Will Howard has developed," Fowler said. "A preseason hand injury stunted his progress, but Pittsburgh believes it might have something; his command of the huddle, sharpness at the line of scrimmage and ability to ingratiate with teammates have stood out."

Howard is one of the most intriguing players on the Steelers' roster this offseason because of the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh's desperate need for a long-term answer at the most important position in the NFL.

The 2025 draft pick amounts to the only semblance of hope for the future the Steelers have at quarterback, and Howard could be thrust into a starting competition if Rodgers doesn't return in 2026.

Another boost to Howard's stock was comments made by new head coach Mike McCarthy, who said he is "really excited" about the Ohio State product.

“I’m really excited about Will Howard,” McCarthy said at his introductory presser. “He’s someone that, I thought, he really came on there at Ohio State.”

While this is all good news for Howard, we still believe the deck is stacked against him being the starter at the outset of the 2026 season.

Even if Rodgers leaves, Howard will have to compete with Mason Rudolph for the starting job, and we highly doubt that'll be the extent of his competition. Pittsburgh would almost certainly add another veteran to the mix.

Who could that be?

Well, Fowler notes that the Steelers had some interest in Joe Flacco last offseason and thinks he could be an option for Pittsburgh if Rodgers departs.

"And the Steelers will have an opening if Aaron Rodgers doesn't re-sign there. Pittsburgh liked his free agency profile last offseason, too," Fowler said.

In what has been an uninspiring offseason thus far for the Steelers, a quarterbacks room of Flacco, Rudolph and Howard won't help change that.

However, at least there appears to be some hope for Howard to finally solve an issue at quarterback that has been prevalent for far too long.

More NFL news

• 49ers trade rumor is crushing blow to possible deal with Vikings, Falcons
• Maxx Crosby isn't ruling out interesting career change down the line
• Travis Kelce rumor offers update on Chiefs superstar's future plans
• Maxx Crosby trade rumor is good news for Pats, Eagles, Cowboys
• Steelers, Dolphins, Jets get bad news with latest 49ers trade rumor
• Travis Kelce rumor offers update on Chiefs superstar's future plans

Is Joel Embiid playing vs. Suns tonight? Game status for 76ers star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After dropping their previous game to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Philadelphia 76ers will look to bounce back when they travel to Phoenix to play the Suns on Saturday night.

It will be the second and final meeting on the season between the two teams, as the Suns bested the Sixers, 116-110, a few weeks back.

Joel Embiid 'questionable' to play vs. Suns on Saturday night 

Sixers star center Joel Embiid didn’t play in that first game against the Suns, and we’ll have to wait and see if he’ll be available this time around. Embiid is currently listed as "questionable" on the official injury report for the game. His final status will be determined prior to tipoff. 

This story will be updated. 

More Philadelphia 76ers news: 

• Tyrese Maxey reacts to 76ers' decision to trade Jared McCain
• Philadelphia 76ers ignored Joel Embiid's request at NBA trade deadline
• Philadelphia 76ers star hit with massive suspension by the NBA

Longevity is an interesting aspect of football because rarely does a player continue to play past the age of 35 due to physical toll and advancement of the game’s technical aspect. Only a handful of players are able to play competitively at such an advanced age in football terms, and one of them is Bayern Munich’s old boy Roque Santa Cruz.

An article on Tz states that the Paraguayan striker, possibly a teammate of Ronaldinho and as old as Zlatan, signed with local team Club Nacional in January at the age of 44! He played with Bayern for eight years, having arrived there in 1999 (I wasn’t even born then). So, if anyone should be called a boomer by INNN, it’s him.

More impressively, as I recently found out, Zé Roberto—another ex-Bayern player—only retired from the sport in 2017, at age 43. At this rate, Roque is out to match Gianluigi Buffon’s retirement age of 45 but will take some effort to keep up with Japanese legend Kazuyoshi Miura (born 1967), still active at age 58. David Ginola was born on the same year and he’s been retired for 24 years.

Some other interesting facts about older football players (from an article on si.com, there’s a lot of interesting stuff in there):

• Oldest player to play in a game: Ezzeldin Bahader, Egypt. He was aged 74 in 2020 when he turned out for 6th of October SC and his feat is Guinness World Records verified.
• Oldest active football player: Robert Carmona, Uruguay. He currently captains Hacele Un Gol a la Vida; also holds record for longest professional career ever at 45 years and counting.

Right: who else is part of the “unction”?

Rennes centre-back Jérémy Jacquet (20) has sustained a left shoulder injury as Les Bretons suffered a fourth straight loss in all competitions as pressure continues to mount on Habib Beye. Rennes opened the scoring through Esteban Lepaul early in the first half, but the visitors shipped three unanswered goals from Odsonne Edouard, Ruben Aguilar and Allan Saint-Maximin.

As if the evening possibly could not get worse for Beye’s Rennes, two of their starting centre-backs suffered quite serious injuries, including Jérémy Jacquet. The France U21 international defender’s future has been addressed this week as his €72m transfer to Liverpool has been confirmed by both clubs. Unfortunately, Jacquet is set for a spell on the sidelines after hurting his left injury.

“For Jérémy, that’s his shoulder, and for Abdelhamid (Aït Boudlal), it’s muscular“, Habib Beye said in the aftermath of the loss. “We’ll have time to check, but there are quite serious injuries for both of them.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

As Sam Darnold leads the Seattle Seahawks into the Super Bowl, quarterback-needy teams around the National Football League are eyeing Kyle Shanahan’s latest reclamation project as a trade target. Of course, that will require a willingness from the San Francisco 49ers to move him.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on Saturday that San Francisco isn’t looking to trade quarteback Mac Jones. After signing him to a two-year contract last offseason, the club wants to keep him as an insurance option behind Brock Purdy next season.

Speaking to the media in the lead-up to the Super Bowl, Jones expressed strong interest in an opportunity to become a starting quarterback again. Seeing the success that Darnold has had with the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings, the former first-round pick is confident he can follow in the footsteps of a peer whose career seemed to turnaround after a stint in San Francisco.

If Jones were made available, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated believes San Francisco could get a Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft back in exchange for him. That’s in part due to the contract he’s signed to, which carries just a $3.98 million cap hit next season before he becomes a free agent in 2027.

While that is a compelling return to at least consider a trade, there is an even stronger incentive for the 49ers to keep Jones. He posted a 5–3 record as the 49ers’ starting quarterback this past season, completing 69.6 percent of his passes with a 13–6 TD–INT line and a 97.4 passer rating. Jones knows Shanahan’s system, and given Brock Purdy’s injury history, San Francisco does not want to risk having an unknown forced to start if Purdy gets hurt.

The 49ers’ stance on trading Jones means there will be even more suitors for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and potentially even Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. However, both of their contracts will prevent either club from getting any quality draft picks back in a trade.

Related Headlines

• Could Stephen A. Bring Shannon Sharpe Back to ESPN After Sexual Assault Allegations?
• NFL Rumors: Latest Intel On if Travis Kelce Will Play for KC Chiefs in 2026
• Update on Cowboy’s Re-Signing Pickens: Expected Price, Star Open to Contract Restructure for Return

This will be the last weekend without baseball, potentially until November, with Game 7 of the 2026 World Series scheduled for October 31. The Super Bowl is tomorrow (though we’re going to the RenFair), and football will then be done – mercifully, if you’re a Cardinals fan. The off-season is, effectively, over. So, before players start to show up at Salt River Fields next week, this is your change to say whatever you want. Be that about the Diamondbacks, baseball in general, or even random off-topicness. Though not too off-topic: the usual SnakePit prohibitions still remain in effect!

Open vent thread: Get it all out before pitchers and catchers report!

Have the Diamondbacks done enough? How thin ice are Torey Lovullo and Mike Hazen skating on this season? What is your go-to ballpark food and drink? Is the NL West a pointless procession to another Dodgers title? Why is Zac Gallen still unsigned? Has the way you watch baseball changed over the years? What’s your favorite baseball movie? Feel free answer absolutely none of these questions, and go your own way instead.

Manchester City’s visit to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool carries significant historical edge and strategic weight in terms of their title credentials.

This meeting arrives at a delicate moment for Pep Guardiola’s side, with City navigating injuries, form fluctuation, and selection uncertainty while attempting to be in touching distance of Arsenal at the top of the table.

Manchester City arrive on Merseyside fresh from knocking Newcastle United out of the Carabao Cup, a result that restored some authority after an inconsistent run in the league. However, that midweek tie also raised new questions, none more significant than the absence of club captain Bernardo Silva.

Guardiola confirmed post-match that Silva is dealing with a back issue, describing him as an “incredible doubt” for Sunday. The manager’s tone suggested caution rather than optimism.

In his press conference ahead of the Liverpool fixture, Guardiola suggested that Silva’s availability will be assessed in Saturday’s training session.

In defence, City’s options remain constrained. Josko Gvardiol is unavailable, while John Stones has only just returned to full training. Ruben Dias is back in contention, but this game may arrive too soon after his injury lay-off, especially given the intensity of Liverpool’s front line.

In the wide positions, injuries have narrowed Guardiola’s options. Jeremy Doku and Savinho are both sidelined, removing two natural touchline threats.

Here is how we think Manchester City will line up for this colossal fixture against Liverpool at Anfield!

Predicted XI

Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to return between the posts after James Trafford deputised in midweek. Guardiola’s preference in league fixtures remains clear and Donnarumma’s experience in hostile environments will be vital at Anfield, particularly with his elite shot-stopping skills.

At right full-back, Matheus Nunes is expected to continue. Nunes’ athleticism and recovery speed are particularly valuable against Liverpool’s left-sided threat.

Marc Guehi is expected to come in alongside Abdukodir Khusanov at centre-back. Calm in possession, assertive in duels, and positionally intelligent, the centre backs will be tasked with managing the space behind City’s full-backs, especially dealing with Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike during transitions.

Liverpool’s long-standing interest in Guehi adds a subplot but from City’s perspective, this is about stability rather than symbolism.

Nico O’Reilly is expected to play in the left full-back position. O’Reilly’s positional discipline will help City maintain their preferred rest-defence structure while adding an additional option in the midfield when they have the ball.

Rodri is expected to return to the starting XI after being rested in midweek. His availability is a major boost. In matches of this magnitude, City’s ability to control central zones often hinges on Rodri’s positional awareness and resistance under pressure.

His role will be to anchor transitions, disrupt Liverpool’s counterattacks early, and provide the platform for City’s advanced midfielders to operate.

With Bernardo Silva’s participation in doubt, Guardiola is expected to trust the pairing of Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden in the advanced midfield roles.

Reijnders was highly effective against Newcastle, offering a blend of vertical running, ball progression, and intelligent positioning between the lines. Reijnders’ capacity to arrive late into attacking zones without compromising defensive shape has become increasingly valuable.

Foden’s movement and decision-making in tight spaces might dictate City’s attacking rhythm at Anfield. The injuries to Savinho and Doku have increased the focus on Antoine Semenyo, who is likely to start. Semenyo’s form since arriving from Bournemouth has been encouraging.

His directness, physicality and willingness to attack defenders one-on-one offer City a more vertical threat, particularly important against a Liverpool side that defends aggressively in advanced areas.

Meanwhile, Rayan Cherki picked up a minor niggle against Tottenham but returned from the bench against Newcastle, suggesting fitness is not a major concern. His creativity between the lines and ability to operate in half-spaces could be decisive in breaking Liverpool’s midfield press, especially when City look to play through rather than around.

Erling Haaland will return to lead the line after being rested midweek, with Omar Marmoush preferred against Newcastle. This is the kind of fixture built for Haaland’s profile.

His physical battle with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté is one of the Premier League’s defining matchups, and City’s attacking structure will be designed to isolate him against Liverpool’s centre-backs as often as possible.

Haaland’s presence also shapes Liverpool’s defensive line, often forcing them to defend deeper than they would prefer. That, in turn, creates space for Foden, Reijnders and Cherki to operate between the lines.

City’s approach at Anfield is likely to be pragmatic. Guardiola will prioritise compactness without the ball, controlled build-up under pressure and patience in attacking phases. With Liverpool thriving on chaos and transition, City’s spacing and decision-making in midfield will be critical.

Starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rodri; Reijnders, Foden, Semenyo, Cherki; Haaland.

Substitutes: Trafford, Ake, Lewis, Dias, Alleyne, Ait Nouri, Nico, Silva, Marmoush.

Chelsea blew Wolves away with a 3-0 victory to continue their winning run in the league under Liam Rosenior.

After a slow start, some pretty horrific defending from the home team made life so easy for Chelsea.

The Blues were handed their first goal when Matt Doherty nibbled at the feet of Joao Pedro, even as the striker moved away from goal. It was a crazy moment to foul, and the Brazilian eagerly took the chance to down. The ref had no choice but to give it. Cole Palmer dispatched it with his customary ease.

It was the same situation soon after, when JP was shunted in the back as he burst into the box. Again, there was little direct threat of a goal, but it was a foul, and once again Palmer stepped up to score.

The third goal was from open play, with Chelsea now really confident and strutting their stuff. Enzo Fernandez played in Marc Cucurella’s overlapping run, and the full back played a nice cut back to Palmer, who was on hand to slam the ball in to the roof of the net. Liam Rosenior’s team walked off at half time delighted, as boos rang out for the ref and the Wolves performance.

The second half saw the home team come into it more – they scored from a scrappy set piece early in the second period to get the crowd up again, and battled to keep in the game. Chelsea weren’t up to much after the break, and had several big chances to put the ball away which they missed, but the important thing was 3 points won.

MOTM – Cole Palmer

Analysis

Cole Palmer celebrates his hat trick. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

We suspected Liam Rosenior would push Palmer to the right wing to get both Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo into the team as a double pivot, as well as Enzo Fernandez as a number ten where he can shine.

We can probably expect this pattern to continue in game where all those players are fit. Santos went off with what looked like a knock, so perhaps we will see Enzo back deeper and Palmer as a ten as soon as Tuesday night. That also creates space for Estevao to come into the team. But long term, this is the setup we think Rosenior will prefer.

Teams

WolvesJose SaMatt DohertyYerson MosqueraSantiago BuenoHugo Buenoda Silva Joao GomesAngel GomesHee-Chan HwangAdam ArmstrongMateus ManeToluwalase Arokodare

SubstitutesSam JohnstoneDavid WolfeCardoso Pedro Lima (s 90′)Rodrigo Gomes (s 46′)Jean Ricner Bellegarde (s 80′)Ladislav Krejci (s 43′)Jackson TchatchouaLuke RawlingsTom Edozie

ChelseaRobert SanchezMalo GustoWesley FofanaTrevoh ChalobahMarc CucurellaAndrey SantosMoises CaicedoPedro NetoCole PalmerEnzo FernandezJoao Pedro

SubstitutesTeddy Sharman-LoweBenoit BadiashileLiam Delap (s 75′)Mamadou SarrJorrel Hato (s 84′)Josh Acheampong (s 75′)Marc GuiuEstevaoAlejandro Garnacho (s 61′)

Stats

Quote of the game

“Everyone loves to chat rubbish, don’t they? I don’t pay too much attention to it.” – Cole Palmer on his celebration.

Barcelona will remain on top of the La Liga table for another weekend thanks to a hard-fought win against Mallorca at Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon, and two players caught the eye: Marcus Rashford and Jan Virgili. The Englishman was Barça’s best player on the afternoon and had a big impact on the result, while Virgili had a very impressive performance and created all kinds of havoc for the visitors.

Both players play the same position, and both have been linked with a permanent move to Camp Nou this summer. Barça sold Virgili to Mallorca but have a right of first refusal for any potential transfer, allowing them to bring the winger back on a cheaper deal, and the Catalans also have the chance to activate a €30 million buy option to sign Rashford permanently from Manchester United.

Virgili is nine years younger and has shown tremendous potential this season, while Rashford is an established star still in his prime who has had a pretty strong loan spell so far.

So today’s Barca Blaugranes Question of the Day is this:

You can only choose one. Should Barcelona bring back Jan Virgili or sign Marcus Rashford permanently? Why?

Now it’s over to you! Feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and answers in the comments section below!

With a 30-year stint in WWE, Mark "The Undertaker" Calaway has inspired many of today's wrestlers to follow in his footsteps, and is renowned as a legend of his generation. Just like those he himself inspired, Calaway grew up watching wrestlers who made him fall i love with the industry.

"You wouldn't believe it. From where I ended up to, as a fan – so, I grew up in Houston. So, I had Paul Bosch's Houston Wrestling, right? NWA Houston Wrestling. So I loved Mil Máscaras," Calaway revealed during an interview on "What Do You Wanna Talk About? With Cody Rhodes" noting that people rarely believe him when he says this. "I don't know if it was the mask and how fluid and how cool it was; I actually ended up getting to work – not against him, but on the same card – when I was in WCW."

Calaway further pointed out that Mil Máscaras "lived the gimmick" of pro wrestling, and as one of the most iconic Mexican Luchadores, it's not hard to see why Calaway was enamored by him. The "Deadman" then began to tell a story of bumping into Máscaras backstage, who showered with his mask on. "I just stopped, like: should I be here right now? And I was like: oh man, he even protects it back here too!" Calaway recalled. "Not that I was watching him in the shower."

Read more: Details About Andre The Giant That Came Out After He Died

Mark Calaway took inspiration from Mil Máscaras for 'The Undertaker'

Mark Calaway continued his story about Mil Máscaras, noting that the Luchador only briefly took his mask off to wash his face before putting it back on, adding that the weird experience may have changed the way he looked at gimmicks forever. "Perhaps later on, like, when I started really having a gimmick, I always thought back to Mil, like: this guy's even got the hood on in the shower," he said.

Calaway then pivoted back to his childhood watching NWA Houston, describing the show as having a much different feel than other wrestling promotions back in his day. "Back then, you got the guys that are traveling – Andre [the Giant] that was travelling, that's the first time obviously I'd ever seen Andre. I remember, I was 12 – maybe 13 – when I ... got to shake Andre's hand," he explained, claiming that he got to see other major names at the time like The Sheik and Abdullah the Butcher at NWA Houston.

The veteran then recalled seeing The Sheik at one of the shows in town, and how the tickets he and his friend were bought by his mom were right in the aisle. "We're talking all week long, 'yeah, when The Sheik comes down, yeah we're gonna say this to him and we're gonna do this, and we're gonna – I might throw something at him!' We got ourselves hyped up all week long," Calaway relayed, adding that both The Sheik and Abdullah were fearsome to him as a kid. "Like, you believed everything they did was legit, and we were right there!"

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "What Do You Wanna Talk About? With Cody Rhodes," and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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After a week off, Vanderbilt is back in action today at 2:30 PM as Oklahoma comes to town. The SEC office incorrectly considers this an SEC conference game when it is obviously part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced their minor league coaching staffs for the 2026 season Thursday.

The Dodgers’ system consists of seven teams, and six of the seven teams have retained their manager from the season prior. The exception is in the Arizona Complex League, where Fumi Ishibashi has taken over as manager.

Who is Coaching the Oklahoma City Comets in Triple-A?

Scott Hennesy will take the helm for the his second season with the Comets in 2026. On his staff are bench coach Joe Thon, hitting coach Dylan Nasiatka, outfield coach David Dahl, pitching coaches David Anderson and Ryan Dennick, bullpen coach KJ Hallgren, development associate Tyler Hollow, performance coaches Paul Fournier and Ethan Quarles, head athletic trainer Griffin Boyte and athletic trainer Josh DiLoreto.

Manager: Scott Hennessey
Bench coach: Joe Thon
Hitting coach/assistant hitting coordinator: Dylan Nasiatka
Outfield/assistant hitting coach: David Dahl
Pitching coach: David Anderson
Pitching coach: Ryan Dennick
Coach/bullpen catcher: KJ Hallgren
Development associate: Tyler Hollow
Performance coach: Paul Fournier
Performance coach: Ethan Quarles
Head athletic trainer: Griffin Boyte
Athletic trainer: Josh DiLoreto

Who is Coaching the Tulsa Drillers in Double-A?

Manager Eric Wedge is also entering his second year coaching in the Dodgers organization with Double-A Tulsa. His staff consists of bench coach Johan Garcia, hitting coach Blake Gailen, outfield and baserunning coach Braelin Hence, pitching coaches Durin O’Linger and Ramon Troncoso, bullpen coach Juan Zabala, development associate Tyler DeJonh, performance coach Jake Taylor, head athletic trainer Ikou Kato and athletic trainer Dylan Correa.

Manager: Eric Wedge
Bench coach: Johan Garcia
Hitting coach: Blake Gailen
Outfield/baserunning coach: Braelin Hence
Pitching coach: Durin O’Linger
Pitching coach: Ramon Troncoso
Coach/bullpen catcher: Juan Zabala
Development associate: Tyler DeJong
Performance coach: Jake Taylor
Head athletic trainer: Ikuo Kato
Athletic trainer: Dylan Co

Who is Coaching the Great Lakes Loons in High-A?

Jair Fernandez is leading the Loons for the third consecutive season in High-A, with returning staff in head athletic trainer Akinori Maeda and hitting coach Kevin LaChance. Otherwise, though, the Loons have replaced plenty of staff.

Marco Hernandez takes over as their bench coach, Michael Hermosillo is their outfield and base running coach, Brandon Bailey and Richard De Los Santos fill in as pitching coaches, Jose Capellan is their new bullpen coach, Kupono Decker is their new development associate, Walter Lindo takes over as performance coach and Alfredo Casillas is their new athletic trainer.

Manager: Jair Fernandez
Bench coach: Marco Hernandez
Hitting coach: Kevin LaChance
Outfield/baserunning coach: Michael Hermosillo
Pitching coach: Brandon Bailey
Pitching coach: Richard De Los Santos
Coach/bullpen catcher: Jose Capellan
Development associate: Kupono Decker
Performance coach: Walter Lindo
Head athletic trainer: Akinori Maeda
Athletic trainer: Alfredo Casillas

Who is Coaching the Ontario Tower Buzzers in Class-A?

The Tower Buzzers are a new team taking Class-A away from the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, but their skipper stays the same. John Shoemaker had long been with the Dodgers’ organization, and has managed Class-A since 2021.

Also on the staff in Class-A is bench coach Dunior Zerpa, hitting coach Johermyn Chavez, outfield and baserunning coach Jeremy Gaines, pitching coaches Sean Coyne and Luis Vasquez, bullpen coach Ezra Lacina, development associate Michael Charters, performance coach Jose Gutierrez, head athletic trainer Zoe Tammen and athletic trainer Nate Gilmore.

Manager: John Shoemaker
Bench coach: Dunior Zerpa
Hitting coach: Johermyn Chavez
Outfield/baserunning coach: Jeremy Gaines
Pitching coach: Sean Coyne
Pitching coach: Luis Vasquez
Coach/bullpen catcher: Ezra Lacina
Development associate: Michael Charters
Performance coach: Jose Gutierrez
Head athletic trainer: Zoe Tammen
Athletic trainer: Nate Gilmore

Who is Coaching the Arizona Complex League Dodgers?

Ishibashi is the lone new manager on the list, but he has long been with the Dodgers. He began playing in L.A.’s minor league system in 2008, but transitioned to a different role in 2011 as an interpreter. He began coaching for the AZL Dodgers in 2014, and served as a coach in the ACL from 2021-24.

Manager: Fumi Ishibashi
Bench coach: Cordell Hipolito
Hitting coach: Zach Reks
Hitting coach: Juan Diaz
Infield coach: Audy Ciriaco
Outfield/baserunning coach: Danny Dorn
Pitching coach: Andres Urbina
Pitching coach: Eduardo Dominguez
Coach/bullpen catcher: Umar Male
Coach/bullpen catcher: Anthony Mulrine
Development associate: Max DeLorme
Development associate: Ben Kim
Performance coordinator: Goldy Simmons
Performance coach: Gage Crosgrove
Athletic trainer: Quinn McDonald

Who is Coaching the Dominican Summer League Dodgers?

The Dodgers have two teams in the Dominican Summer League, meaning there are two managers for their teams.

Sergio Mendez is also entering his second season as a manager in the DSL, and Leury Bonilla is entering his third.

Manager: Leury Bonilla
Manager: Sergio Mendez
Hitting coach: Victor Sosa
Hitting coach: Andre Ruche
Hitting coach: Audy Ciriaco
Assistant coach: Jaffe Garcia
Bench coach: Jeremy Gaines
Bench coach: Wladimir Chalo
Infield coach: Ryan Whithorn
Assistant infield coach: Yerdel Vargas
Campo Las Palmas advisor: Antonio Bautista
Pitching coach: Raidel Chacon
Pitching coach: Roberto Giron
Pitching coach: Jesus Canizales
Pitching coach: Hector Rodriguez
Assistant pitching coach: Jose Rodulfo
Latin America medical coordinator: Jorge Gonzalez
Athletic trainer: Nathanael Gilmore
Physiotherapist: Walter LaChapel
Performance coach: Rafa Sepulveda
Performance coach: Rafael Figuera
Performance coach: George Drullard
Assistant performance coach: Andy Espinosa
Nutrition coordinator: Julissa Gomez
Development associate: Jose Ledesma
Development associate: Jackson Roah

CAF Champions League / JSK - Al Ahly: the post saves the Egyptians!

CAF Champions League: JSK make Al Ahly tremble

JS Kabylie and Al Ahly were deadlocked at halftime (0-0) this Saturday evening at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium, in a clash where the Canaries displayed an assertive, attacking spirit. Driven by their home crowd, JSK set a relentless pace, putting the Egyptian giants under intense pressure from the opening minutes.

The best chance of the first half came in the 20th minute, when Mahious nearly broke the deadlock, but his effort struck the post, leaving the entire stadium holding its breath. Despite JSK’s clear dominance, Al Ahly managed to withstand the siege thanks to disciplined defensive organization and calm game management during their weaker spells.

Another key moment: Trezeguet, the top scorer of this 2025-2026 CAF Champions League campaign, collapsed on the pitch and had to be substituted due to injury. A potential blow for the Egyptians, while JSK remain very much alive in the contest.

We all know it takes more than a single season to accurately assess the success of any draft class. Our own Josh Sunderbruch does a phenomenal job of explaining why this is and looking back at a more reasonable benchmark. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take a moment to look back and see how the early returns are looking, and if any selection would have been better spent elsewhere. What better class to assess than one of the more impactful ones we have seen in Chicago for some time? In this series, I will go through each pick in each round and assign what I believe to be the best pick, worst pick and players that could have been selected instead.

Round 2 – Pick 39

Luther Burden III

With DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus already on the roster, nobody expected the Bears to select a WR in the first two days of the draft. But then the former Missouri Tiger fell into their laps at pick 39 and Bears’ GM Ryan Poles pounced. Like the Loveland pick, Burden III may have felt like a luxury pick, but before the end of the season, both appeared to be a cornerstone of the Bears’ offense. Displaying sticky hands and electric playmaking ability after the catch, not only did Burden III post the highest catch percentage on the entire team (78.3) but he also had the longest yards per target (10.9), long catch (65 yards pictured here against Dallas) and led the team in receiving yards in four games including three of the final five of the season.

I was a huge fan of the pick and even more of a fan in retrospect. Seeing him play with the explosiveness he displayed while also having an edge to him endeared him to Bears fans all over. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and loves his teammates. I predict he will lead the team in receiving yards sooner than later and go down in the record books as an all time Bear great. Much like his rookie counterpart, Colston Loveland.

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Other Potential Options:

Alfred Collins, DT – San Francisco 49ers pick 43

• 1 start, 1 sack, 17 tackles, 1 TFL and 4 QBH

JT Tuimoloau, EDGE – Indianapolis Colts pick 45

• 0 starts, 0 sacks, 17 tackles, 1 TFL and 6 QBH

Aireontae Ersery, LT – Houston Texans pick 48

• 16 starts, 8 sacks allowed with 11 penalties in 1,082 snaps (664 passing)

Nic Scourton, EDGE – Carolina Panthers pick 51

• 8 starts, 5 sacks, 47 tackles, 7 TFL and 9 QBH

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What about you? Was Burden III the best pick at 39 in your opinion as well? Sound off in the comments!

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Revisiting the #Bears 2025 draft class now with pick 39 overall. Which player would you have preferred for #DaBears ?

— Bears Over Bry (@BryanOrenchuk) February 6, 2026

Earlier this week, we asked for you thoughts on who would win the upcoming Super Bowl. Would it be the Seattle Seahawks or the New England Patriots? The results weren’t even close. It was one of the more lopsided polls we’ve ever had here at Blogging The Boys.

The emphatic choice was the Seahawks by an 88% to 12% margin. That lines up with what the betting experts say. At this moment FanDuel has the Seahawks as 4.5 point favorites over the Patriots.

Was this some NFC-homer bias? Maybe some love for DeMarcus Lawrence? Or just plain ol’ football analysis where the Seahawks seem like the superior team heading into the big game?

Hit the comments and tell why the Seahawks will win. Also, what’s your prediction on DeMarcus Lawrence’s game? Gives us his tackles, sacks, splash play (strip sack, fumble recovery etc.) line.

Visit FanDuel for any last minute Super Bowl bets you want to place.

This Sunday, Real Betis returns to the capital to face Atlético de Madrid in Matchday 23 of LaLiga EA Sports. The Verdiblancos arrive with "pent-up anger" after the recent thrashing they suffered against Los Colchoneros in the Copa del Rey, seeking revenge that would allow them to consolidate their fifth place in the table and close the gap with the Champions League spots.

Rotations and absences in Pellegrini's lineup

Manuel Pellegrini is forced to "shake things up" due to fatigue and an overcrowded infirmary. Betis will be without key players such as Isco, Lo Celso, and Chimy Ávila. The main novelty will be the starting debut of the recently signed Álvaro Fidalgo, who will take on the playmaker role after the Rosario midfielder was dropped from the European squad list. In goal, Valles is expected to return, while the young academy player Rodrigo Marina emerges as an alternative up front given the offensive absences.

Atlético, between LaLiga and the Cup

For their part, Diego Simeone's team, currently third with 45 points, is looking to recapture the brilliance shown in the cup tournament. However, "Cholo" is also managing physical loads with an eye on the semifinals against Barça. With the confirmed absence of Pablo Barrios, the Argentine coach will freshen up the starting eleven with the return of Giménez in defense and Julián Álvarez leading the attack in place of Griezmann. It will be a real test for both sides before European competitions resume in March.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Olympic mixed doubles curling standings: Updated results, schedule for 2026 Winter Games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony is set for Friday, February 6, but the action isn't waiting until then to begin. 

The mixed doubles curling event begins early, with the first draw set for Wednesday, February 4 at 1:05 p.m. ET. This year's Olympic competition will see teams from ten countries play in a round robin tournament leading up to the semifinals, the bronze medal game, and the all-important gold medal game for this event. 

Team Italy's Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner are the reigning mixed doubles Olympic champions, but they are not the only team to keep an eye on in the field. Four of the last five mixed doubles champions will be competing in this tournament, and nine of the 20 participants have won Olympic medals of some form in the past. This is helping this event to shape up as one of the more competitive curling competitions on this grand of a stage in recent memory. 

Here is an updated look at the Olympic mixed doubles curling standings at the 2026 Winter Games.

MORE: Full 2026 Winter Olympics schedule

Olympic mixed doubles curling standings 2026

Here are the mixed doubles curling standings at the 2026 Winter Games. 

Team	Games Played	Wins	Losses
Great Britain	7	7	0
Italy	6	4	2
United States	6	4	2
Sweden	7	4	3
Canada	6	3	3
Switzerland	6	3	3
Estonia	6	2	4
Norway	6	2	4
Czechia	6	1	5
South Korea	6	1	5

MORE: Latest on Lindsey Vonn after Olympic tune-up crash

Olympic mixed doubles curling schedule and results

Here is a look at the mixed doubles curling schedule for the 2026 Winter Games. This section will be updated as results come in.

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Time (ET)	Event	TV/Live stream
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Canada 10, Czechia 5	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Switzerland 9, Estonia 7	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Great Britain 8, Norway 6	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Sweden 10, South Korea 3	Peacock

Thursday, Feb. 5

Time (ET)	Event	TV/Live stream
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Great Britain 10, Estonia 5	Peacock
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: USA 8, Norway 6	Peacock
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Italy 8, South Korea 4	Peacock
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Sweden 7, Czechia 4	Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: USA 7, Switzerland 4	USA, Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Canada 6, Norway 3	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Canada 7, Italy 2	USA, Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Switzerland 8, South Korea 5	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Estonia 7, Sweden 5	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Great Britain 8, Czechia 7	Peacock

Friday, Feb. 6

Time (ET)	Event	TV/Live stream
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: USA 7 vs. Canada 5	Peacock
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Great Britain 7 vs. Sweden 4	Peacock
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Italy 12 vs. Switzerland 4	Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: USA 8 vs. Czechia 1	Peacock, USA (8:55 a.m.)
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Italy 7, Estonia 4	Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Great Britain 8, South Korea 2	Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Norway 9, Sweden 0	Peacock

Saturday, Feb. 7

Time (ET)	Event	TV/Live stream
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Great Britain 7, Canada 5	USA, Peacock
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Sweden 13, Switzerland 7	Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Great Britain 6, USA 4	Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Czechia 9, South Korea 4	Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Norway 6, Estonia 5	Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Sweden 9, Italy 4	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: South Korea 6, United States 5	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Estonia 8, Canada 6	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Switzerland 10, Czechia 3	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Italy 6, Norway 5	Peacock

Sunday, Feb. 8

Time (ET)	Event	TV/Live stream
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Norway vs. Czechia	Peacock
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: South Korea vs. Estonia	Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: USA vs. Estonia	USA, Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Canada vs. Sweden	Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Great Britain vs. Switzerland	Peacock
8:35 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Italy vs. Czechia	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: USA vs. Sweden	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Canada vs. South Korea	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Italy vs. Great Britain	Peacock
1:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Switzerland vs. Norway	Peacock

Monday, Feb. 9

Time (ET)	Event	TV/Live stream
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: USA vs. Italy	Peacock
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Czechia vs. Estonia	Peacock
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Norway vs. South Korea	Peacock
4:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Switzerland vs. Canada	Peacock
12:05 p.m.	Mixed Doubles Semifinals	Peacock

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Time (ET)	Event	TV/Live stream
8:05 a.m.	Mixed Doubles: Bronze medal game	Peacock, USA (9 a.m.)
12 p.m.	Mixed Doubles: Gold medal game	USA, Peacock

How does Olympic curling work?

Every team will play each other in a round-robin tournament that runs from February 4 to the final draw on February 9. The top four teams after the round-robin tournament will advance to the semifinals. If there are any tiebreakers, they are determined first by head-to-head results among the tied teams.

This should resolve issues, but if not, the tiebreaker will go to a Draw Shot Challenge. The team with the lowest total DSC distance (best average distance of their pre-gram draw shots) wins the tiebreaker. 

How to watch 2026 Olympics curling

• Dates: February 4 to February 10
• TV channel: USA Network, CNBC 
• Live stream: Peacock, NBC Olympics

The 2026 Winter Games mixed doubles curling event will get underway on Wednesday, February 4. The event will run until Tuesday, February 10, with the bronze and gold medal games. 

The mixed doubles draws will be available either on TV or streaming. The schedule varies by day, and you can find the schedule with how to watch each specific day on NBCOlympics.com. Mainly, the mixed doubles matches, if televised, will air on USA Network or CNBC. All of the matches are scheduled to be live-streamed on Peacock. 

Dango Ouattara’s late goal earned Brentford a dramatic 3-2 victory at Newcastle United in the Premier League.

The Bees responded superbly after falling behind to a Magpies corner midway through the first half. Vitaly Janelt’s towering header levelled the contest before Igor Thiago kept his nerve from the penalty spot, calmly rolling home to give the west Londoners’ the lead at the interval.

The second half delivered another twist as Newcastle were awarded a spot-kick of their own, which was converted by Bruno Guimarães.

But just as the hosts sensed a winner, Brentford struck decisively. A pinpoint pass from Mathias Jensen found Ouattara, who drove low through Nick Pope’s legs to settle a breathless encounter on Tyneside.

Head coach Keith Andrews made one enforced change to Brentford’s starting XI.

Kevin Schade missed out through suspension after being shown a straight red card in the 1-0 win at Aston Villa the previous weekend. Keane Lewis-Potter replaced the German, starting on the left of a front three alongside Igor Thiago and Dango Ouattara.

Reiss Nelson and January signing Kaye Furo returned to the bench.

The match began with a moment of controversy. With 95 seconds on the clock, Botman’s poor defensive header was seized upon by Lewis-Potter.

The former Hull City man was pulled down in the box by Kieran Trippier as he looked to advance towards goal, but referee Andrew Madley allowed play to continue. VAR upheld the on-field decision of no penalty.

Newcastle broke straight up the other end, Harvey Barnes curling a long-range effort narrowly wide of Caoimhín Kelleher’s left post.

On 14 minutes, Kelleher punched Guimarães’s corner only as far as Jacob Murphy. The forward sent the ball back into a crowded six-yard box and Barnes went close with an instinctive flick.

Newcastle again surrendered possession in their own third, allowing Jensen to line up a shot, but his strike was tame and comfortably held by Pope.

The Magpies took the lead midway through the half. Guimarães whipped in a corner and Sven Botman headed down into the turf and up into the roof of the net.

Ouattara’s deflected cross was pushed to safety by Pope as the Bees went in search of an immediate equaliser.

Barnes’ cut-back ricocheted off Rico Henry and Yoane Wissa’s poked effort was cleared off the line by Janelt. Sandro Tonali then scuffed a shot over the crossbar following another Guimarães corner.

Brentford turned the game around before the break. On his 100th Premier League appearance, Ouattara drove up the left flank and swung a glorious cross into the box. Janelt rose highest, beating Botman in the air and heading back across goal and into the far corner.

The Bees’ second goal came from the penalty spot. After some superb work from Ouattara, Jensen’s strike from the middle of the box was handled by Murphy and Madley awarded a spot-kick.

Undeterred by a lengthy VAR check, Thiago rolled the ball into the bottom corner after a slow, stuttering run-up, sending Pope the wrong way in the process.

Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga were introduced by Eddie Howe at the start of the second half, the former partnering Wissa up front. Murphy and Joe Willock were the pair to make way.

On 54 minutes, Trippier combined with Elanga down the right and the full-back’s deep cross was headed wide by Barnes.

Kristoffer Ajer then stole possession from Wissa on the edge of Brentford’s box. Janelt charged forward and slid a pass to Lewis-Potter on his right, but his shot was blocked by Lewis Hall.

Centre-back Malick Thiaw strode forward and let fly from the edge of the area, forcing Kelleher into an impressive save to his right. The resulting corner, taken by Guimarães, was nodded off target Botman.

William Osula, brought on to replace Wissa, led a Newcastle counter-attack and released Elanga on the left. The forward’s low cross narrowly evaded Guimarães in the middle, who went down under pressure from Michael Kayode.

VAR recommended a review, and after watching the incident back on the monitor, Madley gave the Magpies a penalty. Guimarães scored from the spot to set up a dramatic end to the game.

With the momentum having swung Newcastle’s way, there was a sense inside St James’ Park that the hosts would snatch a late winner - but Andrews’ side had other ideas.

Jensen lifted a superb ball to Ouattara inside the penalty area, and the forward drove hard and low through Pope’s legs and into the back of the net.

Thiaw had the hosts’ only attempt during nine minutes of stoppage-time, the defender diverting Elanga’s low cross wide, as Brentford stood firm to secure a first win at St James’ Park since 1934.

Newcastle United (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier (Burn 87), Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Guimarães, Tonali (Ramsey 87), Willock (Elanga HT); J Murphy (Woltemade HT), Wissa (Osula 65), Barnes

Subs: Ramsdale, A Murphy, Shahar, Neave

Brentford (4-3-3): Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, van den Berg, Henry; Henderson (Yarmoliuk 56), Janelt, Jensen (Damsgaard 87); Ouattara, Thiago, Lewis-Potter (Donovan 80)

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Pinnock, Nelson, Collins, Furo

Attendance: 52,032