Somehow, after decades of coaching basketball at the highest level in a pressure-packed job, Mike Krzyzewski still has the same pitch-black hair he had when he played for Army back in the late 1960s.

And while some coaches are known to dye their hair to avoid their age being called into question (hello, Nick Saban!), Coach K stands firm in saying he has never dyed his hair.

“No, I don’t color my hair,” Krzyzewski said on ESPN on Monday. “I’m 79. A lot of people accuse me of that. I don’t have much hair to color, either.”

It is quite amazing that, after all those years of long hours, stress, recruiting trips, and raising a family, Krzyzewski’s hair hasn’t gotten even a bit gray or white. Call it whatever you want, good genes or pure luck, but most men would die (pun intended) to have that hair color at Coach K’s age. 

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Coach K denies dyeing his hair to keep it pitch black

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Kevin Cash isn't worried that manager ejections will become a relic of baseball's past just because robot umpires have arrived to settle some debates.

“You only get two challenges, right? That can come up in the first inning,” the Tampa Bay Rays manager said.

Manager tantrums at umpires have long delighted fans: the Yankees’ Billy Martin kicking and throwing dirt on Dale Scott in 1988, Cincinnati’s Lou Piniella heaving first base into right field in anger at Dutch Rennert in 1990 and the Orioles' Earl Weaver going face to face with Bill Haller in 1980, each profanely calling the other a liar.

But Major League Baseball has given managers less to gripe about in the past two decades. Video reviews began for home run calls in August 2008 and were widely expanded to many decisions for the 2014 season. The Automated Ball-Strike System starts this year to allow challenges to human strike zone calls, dubbed robot umpires.

“Manager ejections have been down for a while now because of the replay system,” said Hall of Famer Jim Leyland, a three-time Manager of the Year tossed 73 times over 22 seasons. “I really like the ABS. I think it’s going to be great for the game.”

Last year, 61.5% of ejections among players, managers and coaches (99 of 161) were related to ball/strike calls, according to MLB, up slightly from 60.3% (114 of 189) in 2024. The figure included what MLB counted as inappropriate comments and conduct, and throwing equipment in protest.

“I’m in favor of anything that allows our technology to play in this game," Cash said. "We have so much of it. Why not use it?”

Each team gets two challenges per game, and a club keeps its challenge if successful. A team out of challenges gets an additional one in each extra inning.

“You’re going to take out the argument of balls and strikes initially,” Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “I think the challenge is going to be after the challenges go away, how managers are and what they do? But I do think that there is going to be probably less general complaining about balls and strikes in the early going.”

Aaron Boone of the Yankees has led or tied for the most ejections in four straight seasons, and his nine in 2022 were the most since Atlanta's Bobby Cox was tossed 10 times in 2007.

Cox was thrown out a record 162 times, followed by John McGraw (121), Leo Durocher (100), Weaver (96), Tony La Russa (93) and Bruce Bochy (89).

Cincinnati's Terry Francona, starting his 25th season in a big league dugout, leads active managers with 54. Boone, beginning his ninth season, is second with 46.

Boone is less concerned over whether his dugout dissents will dwindle and more focused on keeping his players locked in if a challenge goes against them. If an umpire calls strike three to strand the bases loaded and the pitcher pumps a fist and bounds off the mound, how will the pitcher quickly regain composure if ABS reverses the call and forces a 3-2 offering?

“It's a whole new thing that pitchers have never dealt with. That’s an emotional thing you’ve got to deal with,” Boone said. “That’s something we’ve already addressed, same with the hitters to a lesser degree: that reset. How do you clear the mechanism?"

Bobby Valentine, who managed three major league teams over 16 seasons, will be honored by the New York Mets this May with a giveaway promotion commemorating one of his 44 ejections. After he was tossed by Randy Marsh on June 9, 1999, Valentine returned to the dugout with a fake mustache fashioned from eye black and sunglasses.

Valentine thinks players have evolved past the point where a manager could spark his team with a histrionic argument.

“I found that by the end of my career that that was only entertainment,” he said. "It didn’t fire anyone up except for my wife, who was worried about the fine that I was going to get.”

___

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

Baseball is almost back — and Boston Red Sox fans can already taste the excitement.

Fenway Park is spicing up its culinary offerings for the 2026 season with a tantalizing array of new food items.

Along with the return of the Red Sox, fans will find a brand‑new roster of New England–inspired dishes at concession stands in the park.

From lobster-infused delights to spicy grilled cheese, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

Here’s a look at the new ballpark eats, courtesy of Aramark:

🍟 Lobstah poutine

Fenway puts a local spin on a classic comfort food with this hearty creation made from fresh lobster meat, rich clam chowder, and crispy bacon.

🥟 Mini empanadas

These bite‑sized empanadas come stuffed with your choice of beef or chicken, wrapped in a corn shell, and served with salsa rosada for dipping.

🌭 Surf & turf dog

A luxury take on the ballpark staple, this Kobe beef hot dog is topped with lobster meat, bacon, chives, and warm melted butter.

🧀 Spicy grilled cheese

A fiery twist on a classic, this sandwich blends Vermont sharp cheddar with mango‑habanero salsa, pressed between slices of toasted sourdough.

The Red Sox begin regular-season play on Thursday in Cincinnati against the Reds.

Fans will get their first chance to get a taste of these new eats during Boston’s home opener against the San Diego Padres on Friday, April 3.

For more information on available food offerings at the ballpark, click here.

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Cleveland Browns aren’t interested in trading for young quarterback with superstar tools originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Browns could’ve taken a chance on a few different quarterbacks, but they decided to turn their attention elsewhere despite all of the rumors.

While Anthony Richardson has been brought up, the people inside the building don’t seem to want him as much as some fans do. 

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns never seriously considered making a move for Richardson. Richardson has all the tools to be a great QB and would’ve been an OK option, but Cleveland seemingly didn’t even consider it.

“The Browns also weren’t really interested in former Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, and never contemplated trading for the Colts’ Anthony Richardson or anyone else. They may have acquired former Raiders QB Geno Smith if they could’ve gotten him for the veteran minus of $1.255 million,” she wrote.

Richardson, a former top draft pick with ridiculous tools, would be a gamble I’d be willing to take if I were the Browns. 

Perhaps the cost is higher than we think, but I’d give him a chance to at least come in and have a chance to win a job. The Browns could also be punting this year, hoping that Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are fine, but end up with Arch Manning.

More NFL news:

• Cleveland Browns reportedly didn’t have interest in trading for former No. 1 pick quarterback
• Ohio State star predicted to be paired with Chris Olave in NFL after impressing for Buckeyes
• Bears predicted to replace three-time All-Pro in what would be an A+ addition
• Cleveland Browns predicted to pair Myles Garrett with generational star despite other needs
• Shedeur Sanders backup at Colorado just absolutely blasted Deion and the coaching staff
• Tom Brady’s Super Bowl champion teammate calls out Kevin Stefanski over treatment of Shedeur Sanders

Christian Pulisic said he isn't worried about an AC Milan goal drought that has now stretched to three months.

Pulisic started the season on fire, scoring 10 goals in all competitions for the Rossoneri in the first half of the campaign.

But the U.S. men's national team forward is still searching for his first goal of 2026. The 27-year-old did manage to pick up his first assist of the year in a 3-2 win over Torino over the weekend.

Pulisic has dealt with some minor injuries over the past three months, but has been fit enough to start the past five league matches for title-chasing Milan.

After naming Pulisic to his roster for March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino said he was happy with how his team's star forward has been performing despite a lack of end product.

“Christian is playing and of course he's not scoring, but for me, it’s not only to score goals,” Pochettino said on a call with reporters last week.

"For me, I am happy with him in the way that he's performing, his commitment with the team, and the time that he's playing."

Pulisic took encouragement from his coach's words, saying that he feels he's been performing well despite not getting on the scoresheet.

"I appreciate the support always," Pulisic told Men's Journal on Pochettino's words.

"I’m not too concerned about it. I really do feel like I’m in a good spot and also playing well. So it’s been kind of an interesting time. I always get the feeling that you can be playing very poorly, and if you score a few goals, people will rave about you. And the opposite can be true. And you just have to go along.

"This is just how the career goes, ups and downs. I’m just trying to continue playing well, being in a good place physically and feeling good. And that’s the most important thing."

The USMNT will face Belgium at 3:30 p.m. ET, March 28, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and will then take on Portugal at 7 p.m., March 31, at the same venue.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT star Christian Pulisic talks AC Milan goal drought

Georgetown 14.9 PPG transfer could interest Alabama, UCLA, Arizona originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The transfer portal in college basketball still has plenty of time to get rolling.

But one intriguing name from Georgetown has hopped into the mix, and he had high school interest from the likes of Alabama, UCLA, Arizona, Houston, Baylor, Memphis and Arkansas.

On3 Sports' Joe Tipton reported the news Tuesday: KJ Lewis from the Hoyas plans to transfer.

Lewis just completed his junior season of college hoops, and he averaged 14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

He was a third-team All-Big East selection.

Lewis missed the final stages of the season after an ankle injury in February.

Still, he has gotten better each season in college. His first two years were at Arizona, where he put up 6.1 and then 10.8 points per game for the Wildcats.

MORE: Is Bill Self retiring as Kansas coach?

His time with Georgetown will end up being just a one-year stint, and Lewis will likely seek a spot he can contribute in a huge way in 2026-27.

It's not clear whether he'd return to Arizona, but that'd actually be a fascinating fit with the Wildcats expected to lose starting guards Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries after this season.

Schools like UCLA, Alabama, Houston, Baylor, Memphis and Arkansas could all use a player like Lewis, too, after he spurned them in high school.

Lewis is originally from Chapin High School in El Paso, Texas. He was a four-star recruit in his class and has proven his ability at multiple college basketball stops.

Now with just one move left, Lewis will try to pick the best destination.

More March Madness news:

• Bryce James has a quiet role in March Madness
• Caleb Wilson shares honest feelings about staying at UNC
• How to tell the Boozer twins apart
• Darryn Peterson deals with cramps, commitment concerns
• NBA Draft scouting report on Florida's 7-foot-9 center
• Syracuse, Gerry McNamara, a near upset and a head coaching gig

The 2026 NFL draft is roughly a month away. The NFL Combine has concluded, teams are bringing players in for visits, and Pro Days for prospective draftees began on Monday. All of this means we are inundated with mock drafts, but as we get closer to the actual draft, the selection process becomes clearer.

ESPN's Field Yates recently released a two-round mock draft. The New York Giants have the No. 5 overall pick, and in the second round, it's the fifth pick again, No. 37 overall.

In the first round, Yates predicts the Giants will address their secondary.

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Downs has been a dominant force longer than any other defender in this class. The former Alabama and Ohio State All-American is a shapeshifter, deploying down in the box against the run or patrolling the back end with excellent coverage range.

The Giants made strides in their safety room over free agency, adding Jason Pinnock and Ar'Darius Washington as help alongside Jevon Holland. But in a league where successful defenses deploy three safeties with greater frequency, what doesn't appear as a major need for the Giants should not be dismissed. This would make Downs the highest safety drafted since Eric Berry in 2010.

Downs is going to make any team that drafts him instantly better, and NFL teams already know this. He would be a welcome addition to any safety room in the league. He played for two powerhouse college football programs and was a standout performer on both teams, helping the Ohio State Buckeyes win a National Championship in 2024.

In the second round, Yates has the Giants addressing a need on the other side of the ball.

Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M

The Giants have a strong offensive tackle duo, but they must stockpile on interior offensive linemen to keep quarterback Jaxson Dart upright. Bisontis has excellent hands, is an athletic redirector in pass protection and brings position versatility. He would really boost the Giants' guard position, and he has prior starting experience at right tackle, too.

This would be solid back-to-back choices for the Giants, addressing multiple areas of need, potentially adding two Day 1 starters over their first two picks. And that will be necessary because, barring a trade, the Giants will not pick again until Round 4.

We'll see what they ultimately decide on April 23.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants add two Day 1 starters in Field Yates' latest mock draft

Curling to the basket, Jalen Williams attempted his signature tear-drop floater. Being out for 16 consecutive games materialized in a badly whiffed shot. Isaiah Hartenstein provided him a quick chance of redemption with another offensive rebound. The All-NBA talent backpedaled to the corner and swished in the outside jumper.

Shelved for most of the season, Williams hopes he can finally flip the page on an injury-riddled chapter filled with two wrist surgeries and two hamstring strains.

The Oklahoma City Thunder flexed their full health with a 123-103 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. It's the first time their championship lineup has played together since the New Year's.

Williams finished with 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting, six assists and four rebounds. He shot 1-of-3 from 3 and went 1-of-2 on free throws. After being out for nearly two months with a second hamstring strain, he showed no signs of compromised legs with Flash-esque speed to the rim.

"I wouldn't say 'frustrating' is the word. I think if I were on a different team, I'd be more frustrated. But I'm around good energy, as you guys can see. I think that's been one of the things that have kept me going. I've been trying to use it as a positive, too," Williams said. "My wrist has felt a lot better than it ever has. I think that was a big hurdle during the season. I've been able to kinda get over it. Back to what it was like."

Only three weeks remain in the 2025-26 regular season. Crazy to think about, right? Williams is on the clock to get back into the flow of things. Each possession matters. The Thunder may have survived his absence in the regular season, but the NBA playoffs are a different beast.

If the Thunder hope to go back-to-back, they'll need Williams to return to his All-NBA form. We've seen flashes of it. But nothing concrete. That could change soon — especially if he's truly over his wrist woes like he claimed to be after OKC's win in Philadelphia.

“I think the part I underestimated was more how many games I was missing,” Williams said. “I think when you look at it from the lens of, ‘I just won,’ you’re really excited about winning. And then when I got to the part where I had to have my second surgery, it was a little more real for me. I was only supposed to miss five games, and I ended up missing like 20, just to make sure it’s correct.”

Playing on an injured wrist, Williams sacrificed most of this regular season for a championship ring. While he didn't expect to miss as much as he's had, you easily take that tradeoff in a heartbeat. This year isn't a total wash yet, though. The 24-year-old can make up for things with another stellar playoff run.

If Williams returns to being the Scottie Pippen to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Michael Jordan in the postseason, being out for a good chunk of the regular season will be a distant memory. Look no further than Chet Holmgren. His 2024-25 campaign was headlined by a championship ring — not a hip fracture that cost him three months.

"That's how I've been using it as a twist to the season. It does suck. You work up all season and then get the same injury twice in a row when I was dealing with my hand at the time," Williams said. "That part was a little frustrating, but I've been around good energy and a good organization. It's made it pretty easy to get back."

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Jalen Williams proclaims wrist woes are finally behind him

Red Sox's Alex Cora Comments On Payton Tolle After He Failed To Make Team originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox are giving their final rotation spot to Connelly Early. Johan Oviedo will also be on the opening day roster, which means Payton Tolle will be starting the season in Triple-A.

Tolle is the Red Sox's top prospect, and the team has high expectations of him. However, Alex Cora noted that the Red Sox could not take both Tolle and Early on the opening day roster, as it would not make sense in terms of roster construction. He also noted that it could hurt them down the line if Tolle is not stretched out as a starter.

"Can’t have both in the big leagues. That’s the way we saw it,” said Cora, per The Boston Globe's Alex Speier. “We’re here to win a lot of games in April, but we’re here to win a lot of games over 162. It doesn’t make sense roster-wise to carry both of them. Just felt like Early kind of earned that spot."

Tolle had a 2.53 ERA this spring, which was better than Oviedo's. However, the Red Sox seem more comfortable having Oviedo be a piggyback option or long relief option. They likely want to keep Tolle a starter for depth. However, Cora commented on what Tolle needs to improve on to contribute in the big leagues.

"Tolle did everything that we asked him to do," Cora said on Tuesday. "There’s still some development, and he’ll do that. We added some pitches throughout camp and the offseason, and he’s going to keep improving down there, and at one point, without making promises, I believe he’s going to contribute at this level. But it’s not right now.”

Former NFL great Gerald McCoy views Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a benefactor of a favorable market following his record-setting contract extension this offseason.

As a guest on Monday’s episode of “The Arena: Gridiron,” McCoy lauded Smith-Njigba for the special season that he put forth in 2025, while assessing what paved the way for the four-year, $168.6 million deal.

”You can’t really base it off the money, but JSN had a phenomenal year at the perfect time, and the market is just the market,” McCoy said. “It’s just, it is what it is. If you’re All-Pro, or Pro Bowl, and you have a dominant year, you have a chance to be the highest paid in the league, on a contract year. It’s just how the league goes.”

Smith-Njigba did it all last season, winning AP Offensive Player of the Year, earning first-team All-Pro honors, as well as capturing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to top things off. The 2025 season was also the first time that JSN led the league in receiving yards, having went for 1,793, but 1,000-yard receiver was already one of his titles heading into the year.

The market is strong. Smith-Njigba was as accomplished as accomplished can be in 2025. He’s now the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history for good reason.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Gerald McCoy weighs in on JSN’s historic extension with Seahawks

NEED TO KNOW

• Tiger Woods is returning to action
• The golfer, who has not played competitive golf in more than a year, is recovering from multiple injuries
• Woods, 50, had back surgery in October and ruptured his Achilles last spring

Tiger Woods is teeing it up tonight!

The five-time Masters champ is set to return to competitive golf on Tuesday, March 24 when he plays in Match 2 of the best-of-three TGL finals — the indoor golf league Woods founded with Rory McIlroy — according to ESPN.

The decision to play, after sitting out a year due to multiple injuries, came following his Jupiter Links team’s loss in its opener on Monday night in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Woods, who had back surgery five months ago and ruptured his Achilles tendon a year ago, last played four full rounds of golf in April 2024 at The Masters.

Last week, the golf legend shared an update about his rehabilitation progress, as the iconic Masters tournament edges closer and fans anxiously await his decision on taking part.

"I said I've been working on it,” he told reporters. “Sometimes I have good days, sometimes I have bad days. Disc replacement is not a lot of fun."

The 50-year-old added, referencing 29-year-old golfer Will Zalatoris’ return after his own disc replacement last year: "Doesn't quite bounce back. I have good days when I can pretty much do anything, and other days where it's hard to just move around."

Woods opened up about his health — and deemed his game “rusty” — earlier this year in an interview with ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt.

“I’ve been cleared to hit, basically, hit short irons and mid irons,” Woods said on Tuesday, Jan. 13, before his Jupiter Links GC team lost to New York GC in a televised TGL match. “I haven’t gone any beyond that.”

The golfer has been on hand, though, to cheer on his son Charlie as the younger Woods embarks on his college career at Florida State in 2027.

Last month, Woods and his ex-wife Elin Nordegren played the role of proud parents when Charlie received his state championship title ring in a ceremony at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens.

Charlie, 17, the top seed on the golf team, led his team to a state 1A title in November. It was the school’s fifth overall and its first since 2023.

Read the original article on People

It’s hard to shake the memories of the Phils’ failures against the Dodgers in last year’s postseason.

A .212 batting average in four games. A .299 on-base percentage. They slugged .358, for an OPS of .657. If a player posted an OPS of .657, that would have put them 139th out of 145 qualified hitters in baseball last season. They hit just three home runs in the series, all of them in their lone victory, 8-2 in Game 3.

It’s hard to shake those memories. It’s difficult to shake the ghosts of the 2024 NLDS against the Mets, when the offense was even worse, posting a .186/.295/.302 slash line and a .598 OPS. The futility of Games 6 and 7 of the 2023 NLCS against the Diamondbacks left an indelible mark, too.

It’s understandable fans are down on the offense heading into 2026, a lineup that mirrors the ones we’ve watched come up short in October each of the last three seasons.

Everyone is another year older, and time is undefeated. There are worries the bats simply are not good enough to win a championship.

Let me posit a counter-argument. That the offense might actually be… good?

It’s understandable that we fixate on the October failures, but perhaps we should reflect on how they performed in the regular season last year. They scored the 8th-most runs in the Majors, 5th-most in the NL. Their 212 home runs were 9th-most, and their .759 OPS ranked 4th.

Yes, that’s right. The Phillies had the 4th-highest OPS in Major League Baseball in 2025. And for the first time in the last few seasons, everything was humming beautifully heading into October.

Their .797 OPS after the All-Star Game was 2nd-highest, behind only the Yankees’ .799. They slugged .471, which was the best mark in MLB in the second half. Their 110 homers were 2nd-most, their 340 runs scored were tied for 4th and they were tied for 3rd in wRC+. Every regular except for J.T. Realmuto and Nick Castellanos posted an above average wRC+, with Kyle Schwarber (152), Trea Turner (144), Brandon Marsh (140), Bryson Stott (135), Bryce Harper (133), Harrison Bader (129) and Edmundo Sosa (120) all at least 20% better than league average. All seven of those players had an OPS over .800.

Essentially, the vast majority of the lineup played like All Stars over the final two months of the season.

The Phillies enter 2026 without a major anchor around their necks, Castellanos, sucking up playing time. It’s no coincidence the offense performed better once his role was reduced. While I remain skeptical his replacement, Adolis Garcia, can improve upon Castellanos’ offense performance, there were encouraging signs late in spring training for the 33-year-old.

After a slow start, Garcia smoked the ball over the final two weeks, finishing with a .275 batting average, two home runs, and a .408 OBP in 40 spring at-bats. Most impressive was newfound plate discipline displayed by Garcia this spring, walking 8 times and striking out in only 5 plate appearances.

There is hope Harper will have a more impactful, “elite” season, in 2026. His late home run at the World Baseball Classic inspires hope. Bryson Stott’s mechanical adjustments that spurred on an .855 second half OPS last year appear to be taking hold. No one should expect a 1.072 OPS from him in the regular season, but it’s encouraging to see him picking up where he left off last season.

Yes, there will still be platoons in some spots. Despite Stott’s improvement, he’ll likely continue to share time with Sosa, and Otto Kemp will split duties in left field with Marsh. And center field remains a question mark. Bader was a breath of fresh air and an offensive injection for a lineup that had gone stale by last year’s trade deadline. Justin Crawford’s solid spring (.250/.291/.346, with 10 runs scored in 18 games) earned him the everyday nod in center, and as the No. 9 hitter, he is not expected to carry the lineup.

On Monday, the Phillies posted what will most likely be their starting lineup on Opening Day against the Texas Rangers.

Everyone knows Alec Bohm, who also had an outstanding spring down in Clearwater, is miscast as a traditional cleanup hitter. It is a spot in the batting order in which the Phillies received below league average production a season ago, with a .720 OPS that ranked 20th. But they were 9th out of the No. 5 spot, 1st in the No. 6, 13th at No. 7, and 3rd at No. 8.

The top and bottom of the Phillies lineup was one of the best in baseball. That cleanup spot, an admittedly important role, was the only one that was below league average. Maybe they can survive that. Maybe it’ll get better.

I’m not going to sit here and tell you this offense isn’t going to frustrate us this year. It absolutely will. Here’s the thing; if we zoom out, we’ll realize every other offense and every other fanbase goes through similar frustrations.

Yep, even the Dodgers.

Nationally, analysts are more bullish on the offense. MLB.com recently ranked every lineup and put the Phillies at No. 8. I think everyone would take that. The dream would be a repeat performance of 2025. It was the best year this group has ever had together. They just couldn’t carry it through into October.

I know you’re down on the Phillies’ lineup, but it’s probably going to be better than you think, and may actually be pretty darn good.

Check out my latest Hittin’ Season podcast, powered by WHYY, where we discussed the lineup, Cristopher Sanchez’ contract extension, and a disastrous start to the season for the Atlanta Braves!

Easter is round the corner and you can enjoy a variety of activities at Paradise over the coming weeks.

Whether you are looking to entertain the young Hoops in your life or more for all the family, there is something for everyone at Celtic Park.

Hoopy’s Easter Eggstravagansa

Hoopy the Huddle Hound is hosting his Easter Eggstravagansa for all the family this year on Friday April 3 from 12pm to 3pm in the Kerrydale suite.  

Come along and join in the fun with food, entertainment from our resident DJ, a magician, Easter games and more.

Buy Tickets

Sunday Easter Lunch

Enjoy Easter Sunday Lunch at Celtic Park in our Kerrydale Suite on Sunday April 5, with a delicious 3-course roast, an Easter treat for each child and entertainment for the children.

Bookings are available between 12pm-4pm.

Book now

Stadium Tours with Hoopy

Experience all the magic of Paradise with our award-winning Stadium tour. This Easter holidays, Hoopy the Huddle Hound will be joining the tour to make memories that will last a lifetime for young Bhoys and Ghirls.

Hoopy will be in attendance on the following dates:

• Friday, April 3
• Monday, April 6 to Friday, April 10
• Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17

Buy Tickets

Manchester United may have received a major boost in their pursuit of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils are keen to strengthen their midfield and have identified Anderson as a key target among several options.

Bayern Munich had also been linked with a move for the former Newcastle United midfielder, but a deal now appears unlikely.

Man Utd receive boost in Elliot Anderson chase?

Man Utd’s improved form under Michael Carrick has put them in a strong position to secure Champions League football next season.

The 20-time English champions are set for a midfield reshuffle, with Casemiro expected to leave, while the future of Manuel Ugarte remains uncertain.

Although Manchester United are strongly interested in Anderson, they could still face competition from rivals such as Manchester City.

Despite earlier reports, journalist Christian Falk has indicated that Bayern are not actively pursuing the 23-year-old.

Anderson is valued at around £69m or more, a figure considered too high for Bayern.

Bayern have enough depth in their ranks

Falk exclusively told CFBayern that Bayern have enough depth in their ranks, and spending big money on new midfielders is not their priority next summer.

With Bayern not even considering a move for Anderson, the news will come as a huge boost for Man Utd, who appear more serious to land him.

The Bild journalist said:

“It is NOT TRUE: Bayern Munich are interested in Elliot Anderson. He’s too expensive! It’s said that he’ll cost €80m [£68.9m], which is just too much money for Bayern Munich, and they don’t need a player in this position. It’s true that Leon Goretzka will leave the club this summer, but they’re not looking for a successor. They have Tom Bischoff, Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, and now they’re bringing back Noël Aséko. He’s a talent at the club who was on loan at Hannover. The 20-year-old had a release clause, and Hannover knew that Bayern wanted him back, so they triggered the release clause for €1m. But FC Bayern also have a clause that they can buy him back for €2.5m – so they bought him back!

There’s also another talent to think about in Santos Daiber, and he can play in this position. So, there are many options. Don’t forget that Bayern Munich want to sign Givairo Read. There are talks with Rotterdam. Perhaps they can sign him to play at right-back, which will allow Konrad Laimer to return to the midfield. Many options for Bayern, so they don’t need a new midfielder per se.”

Bayern are also looking to sell Joao Palinha, but Tottenham Hotspur may not be willing to sign him on a permanent deal in the summer.

Most of the college sports fandom was focused on the basketball court this past weekend, with the first two rounds of the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments taking place. In North Carolina circles, that attention was then even further taken by the still ongoing saga of Hubert Davis and what’s going on with the men’s coaching job.

However, there was college sports action happening elsewhere, including on the baseball diamond. There, UNC some dramatics to rally and take a series over Louisville.

Friday: UNC 11, Louisville 1 – 8 innings (box score)

The Tar Heels struck early and often in the series opener, as they run-ruled the Cardinals on Friday.

Owen Hull got the Tar Heels’ party started when he drove in a run with a first inning single. Louisville did strike back in the third when Kade Elam scored on a Cardinals’ groundout, but after that it was all Tar Heels.

Carolina immediately took the lead back in the bottom of the third, with Rom Kellis V and Tyler Howe each recording RBI hits in a three-run frame. Hull then struck again as UNC scored two more in the fourth, and Carolina never looked back from there. Cooper Nicholson’s two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth put Carolina over the 10-run threshold and wiped out the ninth inning.

With 11 runs on 13 hits, lots of players had a good day at the plate for UNC, but Hull led the way with three hits and three RBI. On the mound, Jason DeCaro only allowed one run, but was a little inefficient, walking six batters and lasted only 5.2 innings.

Saturday: Louisville 2, UNC 0 (box score)

However, the Cardinals responded the next day by completely shutting out the Heels to take game two.

Wyatt Danilowicz completely dominated for Louisville, allowing just two hits and a walk, while striking out 11 batters in seven innings. He got run support from Bayram Hot and Griffin Crain in the second and sixth innings, and that proved to be enough.

UNC starter Ryan Lynch wasn’t bad himself, allowing just two runs in six innings, but that proved to be too much considering what Danilowicz was doing on the other side.

Sunday: UNC 7, Louisville 6 (box score)

A five-run eighth inning gave a late lead, but they had to narrowly avoid a comeback from Louisville before escaping with the series victory.

The two teams traded runs over the first couple innings, with Louisville eventually taking a lead. They added a run in the seventh inning and took a 4-2 lead, which is when things began to get wild.

While Louisville pitching got two quick outs to start the eighth inning, Howe drew a walk to keep the inning alive. After Nicholson then singled, the Cardinals went to the bullpen and brought in Anthony Karbowski, but he only lasted one batter after hitting Perry Hargett. Aaron England came in, but he issued a bases loaded walk to score a UNC run. Gavin Gallaher and Erik Paulsen then both came up with big RBI hits, scoring four runs in the process to give the Tar Heels a 7-4 lead.

However, as evidenced by what happened in the eighth, college bullpens can be a bit of an adventure. Caden Glauber started the ninth, but hit a batter with a pitch, and then allowed a two-run homer to Tague Davis. With the lead down to a run, UNC brought in Matthew Matthijs. After allowing a single in his first at-bat, Matthijs eventually worked through the final couple outs to seal a wild win.

Morgan Rogers has long been linked with Chelsea, but the rumours are starting to ring hollow given the clubs’ respective positions.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CHELSEA NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON THE APP STORE

Aston Villa attacker Morgan Rogers has once again been linked with Chelsea, with rumour site Football Insider claiming the Blues will have to compete with Man U for his signature.

“His price tag will be pretty hefty, it’ll be well in excess of £100million probably if somebody wanted to sign him,” journalist Pete O’Rourke writes.

“Because he’s under a long-term contract until 2031. But even with that price tag, it won’t scare people off, some of the big clubs in the Premier League and across Europe will be ready to test Villa’s resolve in the summer.”

Chelsea’s Rogers hopes fade into the background

Sadly this may be the last time we hear this sort of rumour. Signing Rogers was probably a pipe dream anyway given his price tag and our current transfer model.

But one thing that certainly won’t be happening is Rogers trading Champions League football with Aston Villa (which looks fairly likely) for non-Champions League football with Chelsea (which looks very likely).

You can forget signing any players on his level if we don’t make a miracle comeback.

In other news…

Enzo Fernandez’s move away from Chelsea feels more and more like a case of “where to” than “if,” with more updates from Ben Jacobs today.

Josh Acheampong is not perfect, but at least he tries his best, which is more than you can say for the player taking his place right now.

If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

The Dallas Cowboys did not wind up with Maxx Crosby on their football team. For a little while though, it sort of seemed like they were going to. By all reports the Cowboys were seriously talking to the Las Vegas Raiders about pulling off a massive deal for the star pass rusher. Ultimately it was the Baltimore Ravens who put together the offer that Las Vegas liked the most, it was first-round picks in both 2026 and 2027, and the deal was done. Or so the world thought.

A few days after Crosby was sent to Baltimore everything was undone thanks to a failed physical. In the initial aftermath of that it seemed like the Cowboys may jump back in, but perhaps too many dominos across their own roster and the rest of the league had fallen. Dallas had already traded for Rashan Gary believing that they were out on Crosby.

Here is what Dallas reportedly offered for Crosby

While waters have calmed, up until Tuesday there was no specific report in detail of how the negotiations between the Cowboys and Las Vegas went. ESPN had a detailed report of the non-trade on Tuesday, this story covered more of the matter concerning Baltimore obviously, and in it they had details of what the Cowboys offered the Raiders.

According to ESPN the Cowboys offered:

• Initially: Their second first-round pick (20 overall) and Osa Odighizuwa
• And then: Their higher first-round pick (12 overall) and a third-round pick
• Ultimately: Number 12 overall and a second-round pick

It is important to note some things here.

First off, at the time of negotiations the Cowboys did not hold second- or third-round picks in this year’s draft as their original selections had previously been dealt away in prior trades (Quinnen Williams and George Pickens, respectively). It would stand to reason that these were future picks for this reason.

Another point is that the Cowboys did have Osa Odighizuwa on their roster at the time, although he was later dealt to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-round pick (92 overall). Just for context.

Honestly any of these deals would have been pretty fair for the Cowboys, assuming the physical stuff had not happened. Crosby would have significantly changed their roster in a way that no player at picks 12 or 20 would be able to initially, which was the argument for him all along.

Would you have wanted the Cowboys to pull this off? Which deal specifically? Let us know in the comments below.

Arsenal have consistently strengthened their squad before the start of a new season, and this approach has played a significant role in maintaining their competitiveness in recent years. Their ability to invest wisely has ensured that they remain among the strongest teams in the league.

After finishing second in three consecutive seasons, Arsenal are determined to go one step further this term. Their current form suggests that this ambition could be realised if they maintain their performance levels and continue to deliver consistent results.

Last summer, the Gunners made notable additions to their squad, significantly improving their overall quality. These reinforcements have had a positive impact, helping the team compete more effectively across multiple competitions.

Continued Investment Strategy

Arsenal are already planning further improvements. The club recognises the importance of constant evolution, particularly when competing against other elite sides. Maintaining a high standard requires ongoing investment in players who can enhance the squad.

A source has indicated that Arsenal intend to continue spending, with a focus on securing another top player in the upcoming transfer window. According to Football Insider, the Gunners are preparing to make another significant signing as they aim to strengthen their squad even further.

In 2025, the club invested heavily in Viktor Gyokeres, demonstrating their willingness to commit substantial resources to secure top talent. This strategy is expected to continue, with another major acquisition anticipated at the end of the current season.

Building for Long-Term Success

The most successful teams rarely stand still, and Arsenal appear committed to following that model. If they are serious about becoming champions of England and maintaining their position at the top, sustained investment will be essential. Strengthening the squad with high-quality players ensures continued progress and competitiveness.

Financially, Arsenal are well positioned to support this strategy. Their deep runs in multiple competitions have provided additional revenue, making it easier to fund significant transfers. This financial strength, combined with a clear vision, places them in a strong position to build an even more formidable squad in the coming seasons.

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Welcome back everyone, to the Hike’s Peak podcast, thank you for coming back to the mountain! What an insane week it has been for Utah State fans, as you can imagine, we have a lot of Aggie talk ahead of us. Starting with the good in Utah State’s run in the Big  Dance, we’ll break down the Aggies hard-fought Round of 64 win over Villanova, and then we’ll go over their admirable effort against one seed Arizona that did ultimately fall short. After talking about all the madness that March brought to Logan, we’ll switch gears to the other shoe that dropped, which was head coach Jerrod Calhoun officially taking the Cincinnati job. Lots to go over there as well, from candidates to watch, top players at risk of jumping into the portal, the Aggies coaching curse continuing, and my thoughts on the awkward timing of this whole situation. To end the show, we’ll recap how the Mountain West has been doing in the NIT, with two teams still standing as the quarterfinals get underway. Big time show this week, let’s dive in!

Episode link is here!

Show Notes:

1. Utah State outlasts Villanova in Round of 64, Jerrod Calhoun secures first NCAAT win
2. Aggies give one seed Arizona a scare, but ultimately fall short
3. Jerrod Calhoun officially leaving for Cincinnati
   1. Thoughts on the awkward timing
   2. Head Coach Curse Continues in Logan
   3. Top Replacement Candidates to look for
   4. Aggie’s most important players to retain
4. NIT Recap: Two Mountain West teams reach the quarterfinals

If you enjoy the episode, consider rating it 5 stars, leaving a review on Apple Podcast/Spotify, or sharing the podcast with one friend who you think would enjoy it! It would help us immensely if you took the time out of your day to help the show! Additionally, check out my first ever YouTube video, diving into Boise State’s 2026 transfer class! Thank you for coming back to the mountain, and we hope you’ll make the trek back up here for the entire offseason marathon!

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There are several proven PGA Tour winners down the Houston Open odds board ahead of the Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course, and I’ve got a trio of them rounding out my golf picks this week.

Irishman Shane Lowry headlines my top sleepers and longshots for the Houston Open.

Houston Open sleeper picks

• Shane Lowry to win (+4500 at BetMGM)
• Tony Finau to win (b id="docs-internal-guid-0e2c532c-7fff-ceae-6dd7-4228a64f891b"span+6000/span/b at BetMGM)
• Wyndham Clark to win (b id="docs-internal-guid-e25a31bf-7fff-e951-69fa-f768697730ba"span+6000/span/b at BetMGM)

Picks were made on March 24 at 10:10 a.m. ET.

Houston Open sleeper predictions

Sleeper pick to win: Shane Lowry
+4500 at BetMGM

Rewind three weeks, and Shane Lowry was two holes from winning the Cognizant Classic, which resulted in his seventh Top-25 finish across eight events, including three Top 5s.

Consecutive missed cuts have the Irishman well down the odds board, and he finished T11 here in 2021 while ranking fourth in true strokes gained tee-to-green and sixth on approach. 

Sleeper pick to win: Tony Finau
+6000 at BetMGM

The 2023 Houston Open winner finished T18 and sixth in true strokes gained tee-to-green last week in the Valspar, and there’s no questioning whether Tony Finau has the distance to take advantage of Memorial Park.

He also finished T2 in this event in 2024, and five of Finau’s six PGA Tour wins have come in weaker-field events.

Sleeper pick to win: Wyndham Clark
+6000 at BetMGM

Wyndham Clark gained true strokes across the board during his T5 in this event last season, and he’s gained true strokes putting in all five trips to Memorial Park.

He has the distance to bomb and gauge his way around this track, and he’s gained true strokes on approach in each of his past five events to rank sixth in this field in the metric, in addition to ranking sixth in true strokes gained tee-to-green.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

JuJu Watkins has landed a major milestone with Nike after becoming the first athlete to receive a signature shoe under LeBron James’ NXXT Gen line.

The release is bigger than a standard endorsement because it links one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars with one of the most recognisable active player brands in basketball.

It also arrives at a moment when Watkins’ influence is expanding well beyond USC, with her recovery, profile, and long-term ceiling all feeding into a much bigger commercial story.

JuJu Watkins reaches LeBron NXXT Gen signature shoe milestone

The Athletic revealed details of JuJu Watkins’ breakthrough release, confirming the significance of the deal within Nike’s wider basketball structure.

“USC G JuJu Watkins’ first signature shoe with Nike, the LeBron NXXT Gen by JuJu ‘Silver Lining,’ will be released to the public for purchase this summer, making her the first athlete with a signature shoe under the LeBron NXXT brand.”

That matters because this is not simply a player getting a colourway, it is a women’s star being placed inside a LeBron-backed line with genuine creative weight and commercial expectation.

The details around the shoe also strengthen the story, from the personal design touches to the “Silver Lining” theme, which turns the release into something more deliberate than a routine brand collaboration.

Fans react to JuJu Watkins Nike shoe news

Fans quickly treated the announcement as more than a product launch, with one saying, “This isn’t just a shoe deal, it’s LeBron essentially passing the torch to the next generation,” while another called it “a big milestone and shows how fast her impact is growing.”

Others focused on the buying power behind the release, writing “May get a pair. JuJu got some serious game” and “I don’t even play basketball, but I will buy it,” which says plenty about how far her reach already extends.

There was also the usual social media edge, with one fan joking, “Is A’ja gonna throw a tantrum over this or nah?” as the discussion widened beyond USC and into the broader women’s basketball landscape.

The reaction points to the same conclusion: Watkins is no longer being viewed only as a college star with potential, but as a market-moving athlete already shaping where the sport is heading next.

Read more:

Barcelona are in the midst of another thrilling season under Hansi Flick. The Spanish Super Cup is already in the bag, Barca are top of the table in La Liga and into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

There have been plenty of impressive performers once again for the Catalans. Pedri has produced his usual magic, Raphinha has been Barca’s heart and lungs and Joan Garcia has been a brilliant signing in defence.

There have also been some unlikely heroes. Eric Garcia has shrugged off his critics to become absolutely vital for Flick, while Gerard Martin has played a really key role in the backline for Barca.

Lamine Yamal continues to shine, and has already surpassed last season’s goal tally, while Marc Bernal is becoming increasingly influential after returning from injury.

So today’s Barca Blaugranes Question of the Day is:

Who is Barcelona’s most improved player so far this season?

Now it’s over to you! Feel free to share your thoughts, predictions, upsets, and opinions and answers in the comments section below!

• Manchester City vs Crystal Palace was postponed due to the Carabao Cup Final
• The meeting between Pep Guardiola and Oliver Glasner could wait until May
• City face the prospect of two further postponements due to the FA Cup

The Premier League are set to decide upon a date for Manchester City against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium following the game’s postponement in March.

The clash between Pep Guardiola and Oliver Glasner’s teams had been originally scheduled for Saturday, 21st March, but was postponed as a result of Manchester City’s participation in the Carabao Cup Final against Arsenal.

Manchester City would go on to claim the first piece of major silverware of the ongoing season with a 0-2 win over the Gunners, thanks to second-half brace from breakthrough Academy graduate Nico O’Reilly.

With the March international break now underway, supporters are beginning to eye up potential slots for Manchester City’s clash against Crystal Palace to be applied, particularly following the club’s exit from UEFA Champions League duties.

How the Conference League impacts the new Etihad date

One complication from a City perspective is the Eagles’ continued run in European competition themselves, as they take on Italian side Fiorentina across two legs in the quarter-final stage of the Europa Conference League.

Crystal Palace will first host Fiorentina in the first-leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League clash on 9 April with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 (UK).

The South London club will then make the trip over to Italy the following week, when they take on Fiorentina away from home in the second-leg on 16 April, with kick-off again scheduled for 20:00 (UK).

The most likely dates for City vs Crystal Palace

The next available slot for Manchester City and Crystal Palace to face one another would be in the midweek commencing Monday 11th May, whilst the following week commencing Monday 18th May would also open up availability.

If Crystal Palace are to be eliminated by Fiorentina in the quarter-finals of the Conference League, then the midweek of April 28/29 becomes a viable option for the Premier League to schedule the game.

However, English top-flight officials would have to liaise directly with UEFA as a result of semi-final fixtures in their European competitions amid the issue of clashes with global TV broadcasts.

Why Burnley and Bournemouth vs Man City could also move

Should Manchester City defeat Liverpool in the quarter-final stage of the FA Cup, they could face further disruption with an away trip against Burnley at Turf Moor in the Premier League currently scheduled for the weekend of the Wembley semi-finals.

Progression into the Final of the FA Cup, pencilled in for the weekend of Saturday 16th May, would then also lead to an away meeting with Bournemouth being rearranged, in what would be a significant scheduling headache at the business end of the season.

Details for the rearranged fixture between Manchester City against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium are due to be confirmed by the Premier League in due course.

Cleveland Browns reportedly didn’t have interest in trading for former No. 1 pick quarterback originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Browns have to do their due diligence when it comes to quarterbacks on the market, but according to the latest report, several of the rumored options were never actually players the Browns were going after.

Despite the questions about the position, Cleveland didn’t jump the gun on another trade or move.  Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns never explored a deal for ex-Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, despite his name surfacing in rumors.

“The Browns also weren’t really interested in former Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, and never contemplated trading for the Colts’ Anthony Richardson or anyone else. They may have acquired former Raiders QB Geno Smith if they could’ve gotten him for the veteran minus of $1.255 million,” she wrote.

Murray, a former No. 1 overall pick with some skills, has shown the ability to be a really good player at points in his career. However, he’s had other parts when he’s been very bad.

Cleveland decided not to pursue him, and Murray landed in a better spot for himself with the Minnesota Vikings.

Ultimately, this isn’t the worst idea for the Browns. I wouldn’t have been upset had they gone after Murray, but the Browns need more right now.

More NFL news:

• Ohio State star predicted to be paired with Chris Olave in NFL after impressing for Buckeyes
• Bears predicted to replace three-time All-Pro in what would be an A+ addition
• Cleveland Browns predicted to pair Myles Garrett with generational star despite other needs
• Shedeur Sanders backup at Colorado just absolutely blasted Deion and the coaching staff
• Tom Brady’s Super Bowl champion teammate calls out Kevin Stefanski over treatment of Shedeur Sanders
• Browns could be looking to change NFL rule for Arch Manning reason

Red Sox trade proposal finally sends Triston Casas packing despite not being ready for Opening Day originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas finds himself in a rather tough spot, and has for nearly two years now. Once viewed as a future piece, Casas has yet to fully figure it out at the big league level and is coming off a tough injury. The talent was still there a year ago, but perhaps this injury puts him in a weird spot with that, too.

The question for the Red Sox is whether they want to trade him. After making a move for Willson Contreras, Boston might not have much of a reason to keep Kasas on the roster.

FanSided’s Mark Powell suggested that a change of scenery could be best for both parties, proposing a deal with the Washington Nationals for Casas.

“To call Casas a star at this juncture is a bit of a stretch. However, if he can stay on the field and regain that same 20-plus power he showcased in 2023, then perhaps he could find himself again. For now, that'll likely have to happen on a losing team. So, why not the Washington Nationals? Washington's current first base options are Andrés Chaparro and Luis Garcia Jr. There's no harm in letting Casas compete,” he wrote.

Trading Casas now wouldn’t do a whole lot for the Red Sox, but it’s possible that they could get something decent in return. Sadly, the reality is that Boston wouldn’t get half of what it could’ve gotten for him a few years ago if it trades him now.

Regarding the Nationals, there’s not much of a reason not to take a chance on him.

More MLB news:

• Cubs trade idea brings in Mets young bust after injury to Seiya Suzuki
• Mets trade proposal finally cuts ties with Mark Vientos after a horrid Spring Training
• San Francisco Giants trade proposal would bring in young All-Star infielder to pair with Matt Chapman
• Yankees’ Cody Bellinger gets shocking prediction ahead of 2026 season that would impact Aaron Judge
• Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson predicted to do something very few have done in Major League Baseball history
• Atlanta Braves trade idea brings in Fernando Tatis Jr. in a deal that makes too much sense

A new report has offered up in-depth details on the Dallas Cowboys‘ failed attempts to make a trade for Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby this offseason.

Since the Cowboys made the bold decision to trade top star Micah Parsons before the start of last season, they have been in desperate need of a new lead pass rusher. And despite a defense that cost them several games, the front office was unable to fill the void before the NFL trade deadline.

However, they have long been linked to a trade for Crosby. The speculation only grew when a schism developed between the five-time Pro Bowler and the team late last season, when they wanted to sit him for their last two games as they tanked to get the top pick in April’s NFL Draft.

That divide was seemingly confirmed when Las Vegas ended up trading the defensive end to the Baltimore Ravens in a tentative deal earlier this month. Following the news of the trade, Cowboys fans wondered if their team had made any effort at all to swing a deal of their own.

Cowboys best offer for Maxx Crosby was a first and second rounder

Well, some new intel has emerged on their pursuit of Crosby. According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, Dallas actually made three different offers during negotiations. However, none of them came close to the planned deal with the Ravens that would have netted the Raiders two first-round picks.

“Initial offers centered on Dallas’ second first-round pick at No. 20, and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa,” McFadden wrote. “The Cowboys then offered their top first-rounder at No. 12 and a third-round pick. Ultimately, the Cowboys moved to No. 12 and their second-round pick, but the last two offers, sources said, did not include Odighizuwa, who was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-round selection.”

As NFL fans now know, the Ravens backed out of the agreement, and Crosby remains with the Raiders. Interestingly enough, the Cowboys’ top doctor was a part of the group that reviewed the pass rusher’s medical records and advised Baltimore to rethink the deal.

Related Headlines

• Minnesota Vikings Loosely Linked to 2x Pro Bowl QB for 2027
• Atlanta Falcons Sign 34-Year-Old Quarterback To Join Tagovailoa and Penix
• NFL Draft Rumors: BUF Bills, NO Saints Among Teams In On Denzel Boston

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It’s a light night on the hardcourt with just four games on the NBA schedule, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of betting value to be found in the player prop markets.

I’ve found my three favorite for today, which include Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray continuing his epic comeback in a matchup with the Knicks.

That and more NBA picks for Tuesday, March 24, below.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
Brandon Miller	Over 3.5 threes made	+122
Dejounte Murray	Over 16.5 points	-112
Collin Gillespie	Over 4.5 assists	+110

Prop #1: Brandon Miller Over 3.5 threes made

+122 at bet365

The Charlotte Hornets' Brandon Miller has been letting it fly from downtown, and there’s no reason to think he’s going to stop in tonight’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings.

Miller is a big reason there’s been so much buzz around the Hornets. He’s shooting nearly 50% from three-point range on 7.8 attempts per game over his last 15 games. He has drained four or more threes in three straight games, and eight times over this 15-game stretch.

Now, he gets a matchup against a Kings team that allows the second-highest three-point shooting percentage in the NBA.

• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NBCSCA, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Charlotte

Prop #2: Dejounte Murray Over 16.5 Points

-112 at bet365

With everyone healthy, the New Orleans Pelicans aren’t your typical projected lottery team. In fact, they’ve won six of their last nine, going 8-1 ATS.

The return of Dejounte Murray has been a big part of that. Murray is putting up 18.7 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.1 rebounds in the 10 games since he’s been back, and I’m betting he keeps getting buckets tonight against the New York Knicks.

The Knicks allow the most points per game to opposing guards and rank 22nd in opponent made threes per game.

Murray’s point total is a modest 16.5, a number he’s topped in four of his last five games.

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: GCSEN, MSG

Prop #3: Collin Gillespie Over 4.5 assists

+110 at bet365

It has been the March of dimes for Collin Gillespie. The Phoenix Suns’ guard has been racking up the assists this month, and he’s going to keep that going in tonight’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets.

Gillespie has handed out 5.3 assists per game over 12 games this month, topping 4.5 eight times during that period.

The Nuggets' ability to prevent buckets has been suspect all season and enters this game ranked 21st in defensive rating. One way to really burn them is by making the extra pass. Denver also ranks 21st in opponent assists per possession.

• Time: 11:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Peacock

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Mets' Juan Soto is only 104 walks away from ridiculous MLB record originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Mets spent a fortune to sign Juan Soto away from the New York Yankees last offseason. While it's only been one season, it's been a great addition for the Mets.

Soto is one of the best hitters in baseball, and after posting 38 stolen bases last season, he's continued to add to his game. But one phase of his game that's been present since the beginning is his uncanny ability to generate walks.

The 27-year-old Mets outfielder is heading into 2026 with a 1,000-walk goal. As Sarah Langs of MLB.com outlined, Soto, who is 104 walks away from 1,000 for his career, can make some ridiculous MLB history if he reaches 1,000 walks this season.

Juan Soto can set ridiculous MLB history with 104 walk season

"Soto's 896 career walks are most in MLB history before turning 27, which he turned in October, and 28, which he will turn this October," Langs writes. "Soto needs 104 walks for 1,000. His fewest in a season in which he played at least 120 games was 108, in 2019."

Coming into the 2026 MLB season, Soto needs 104 walks to reach 1,000 for his MLB career. That total is very reachable, as he's done so every season since 2021, reaching at least 127 walks every year since then.

What makes this walk total and subsequent 1,000-walk career so ridiculous is that he would hold some wild MLB records.

MORE: Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar

His current walk total of 896 is the most for a player before turning 28 years old. Soto accomplished that feat before turning 27 years old in October.

If he can reach 104 walks in 2026, which would put him at 1,000 walks in his career, he would break the record for the youngest player to reach that mark in MLB history.

The great Mickey Mantle holds the current record, as the Yankee great reached that total when he was 29 years old. Soto could reach that total before turning 28 years old.

Soto could not just reach 1,000 walks this season, an impressive feat on its own, but he could do so as the only player younger than 29 years old to reach that total, and he'd skip 28 entirely to set the record at 27 years old.

More MLB news:

• Blue Jays sign Joe Mantiply to minor league contract
• Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki will return to rotation, not bullpen according Dave Roberts
• Alex Cora announces Caleb Durbin is Red Sox starting third baseman
• Joey Wentz is out for the season with a torn ACL for the Braves
• Reds’ Hunter Greene to be out until July amid brutal injury news
• Jesus Luzardo’s $135 million extension is a steal for Phillies

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At long last, we've reached the final day of spring training.

With regular-season games set to start on Wednesday, I've got one last batch of spring training MLB picks for you, including the Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago Cubs on their respective moneylines on Tuesday, March 24.

Spring Training predictions for March 24

Pick	Odds
CLE moneyline	+105
Tigers moneyline	-160
Cubs moneyline	-115

Pick #1: Guardians moneyline

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick is a popular breakout candidate this year, and it's easy to see why. He boasted a 2.72 ERA across seven starts while limiting the walks and home runs in his first cup of coffee at the MLB level.

The uptick in long balls this spring isn't a concern, and I like him more than Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Mike Soroka in this matchup.

Obviously, spring bullpens can strike (as they did for two of my three picks yesterday), and even with Jose Ramirez and Chase DeLauter on the bench, I like these odds, which have shifted from -110 to +105 since the Cleveland lineup was announced.

Pick #2: Tigers moneyline

At -160, this is a lot of juice, but I expect the Detroit Tigers to deploy something very similar to their Opening Day lineup against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano.

Sugano has thrown just three innings this spring and is coming off his debut MLB season where he posted a 4.64 ERA, allowed 33 home runs, and recorded a paltry 15.7% strikeout rate over 157 innings.

He doesn't miss bats, and even though Justin Verlander hasn't looked his best this spring, the old goat still has something left in the tank, as evidenced by his 3.85 ERA in 152 innings with the Giants last season. The talent disparity on the whole is worth paying the elevated price.

Pick #3: Cubs moneyline

Gerrit Cole makes his second spring start for the New York Yankees in his road back from elbow surgery. He pitched just one inning in his last outing, and I don't see them pushing him much more than that today, as his regular-season debut isn't expected to come until May or June.

The Chicago Cubs haven't seen the best from Edward Cabrera yet, but most of his 6.35 ERA came from his last outing when he allowed seven earned runs over three awful innings.

So, small sample sizes aside, with the Yankees likely going to the pen early, the Cubs are in a better position to do damage against the relievers.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Luigi De Siervo has warned that Italian football is falling behind its European rivals due to outdated infrastructure, insisting modern stadiums are essential for the future of the game.

Speaking to Undici, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Lega Serie A CEO highlighted the scale of the issue.

“In our country we have the oldest stadiums in Europe, with an average age of over 70 years per venue,” De Siervo said. “Fortunately, the situation is starting to change, but the new economic model will not be fully operational for at least six or seven years. In the meantime, the gap with other leagues will continue to grow.”

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 22: CEO of Lega Serie A Luigi De Siervo and Andrea Butti meet with Suadi Arabian dignitaries prior to the medal ceremony after the Italian Supercup match between Juventus and SS Lazio at King Saud University Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images for Lega Serie A)

Serie A CEO De Siervo wants modernisation ahead of Euro 2032

Italy is set to co-host UEFA Euro 2032, a deadline De Siervo described as impossible to ignore. Especially with a new stadium for Milan and Inter entering construction soon and proposals from both Lazio and Roma to move on from the Stadio Olimpico.

“We have a deadline that cannot be postponed: in 2032 we will host the European Championships. There are outstanding projects, such as the new stadium in Milan with an investment of over €1 billion, as well as important plans involving Lazio and Roma. Discussions are ongoing in Genoa, while in Florence there is a moment of profound transformation.”

De Siervo stressed that infrastructure is closely tied to financial growth, particularly as clubs look to diversify revenue streams beyond broadcasting. In Milan, for example, an entirely new San Siro complex will offer more commercial opportunities and is expected to boost revenue massively. It is no surprise that the clubs chose to work with an architectural firm that has worked on other huge stadiums in Europe, such as London’s Wembley Stadium.

“Right now we are going through the most difficult phase. Our clubs are still heavily reliant on TV revenue, but commercial income is growing. Having modern, state-of-the-art stadiums would provide a major boost in that respect.”

He also pointed to a broader shift within the industry, with new executives bringing fresh ideas into Italian football.

“Fortunately, football is now attracting managers from more advanced industries, introducing new skills, different visions and ambitious projects.”

For Serie A, modernisation is no longer optional, it is a necessary step to remain competitive on and off the pitch.

Liverpool Eyeing Chelsea Star as Defensive Plans Take Shape

Liverpool’s recruitment strategy under Arne Slot continues to evolve, and the latest reports linking the club with Chelsea’s rising star Josh Acheampong offer a glimpse into the future direction at Anfield. Credit must go to CaughtOffside for bringing this story to light, highlighting a player who is quickly gaining admirers across Europe.

Rising Defender Attracts Elite Attention

CaughtOffside report that “multiple top clubs, including Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, and Newcastle United, are monitoring his progress closely”. That level of interest alone signals the calibre of talent Acheampong possesses. At just 19, he has already positioned himself as one of the most intriguing defensive prospects ahead of the summer 2026 transfer window.

Described as a “hybrid”, Acheampong’s ability to operate as both a right back and centre back aligns perfectly with modern tactical demands. Liverpool, in particular, have increasingly leaned towards defenders who can step into midfield spaces or contribute to build up play. Acheampong appears to fit that mould seamlessly.

Liverpool’s Long Term Defensive Vision

From a Liverpool perspective, this is a move that makes strategic sense. The club has been gradually refreshing its defensive options, and while immediate reinforcements may not be urgent, planning for the next cycle is essential.

Acheampong’s profile stands out. As noted in the original report, he is “equally comfortable as a right back or centre back”, offering flexibility that could prove invaluable in Slot’s system. His physical presence, standing at around 1.90 metres, combined with pace and composure, gives him a rare blend of attributes.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool’s interest appears to be part of a broader trend. Younger defenders who can adapt across roles are increasingly prized assets. Acheampong’s ability to “contribute to build up play, recover defensively, and overlap into attacking positions” makes him an ideal candidate for a high intensity, possession based approach.

Real Madrid Provide Serious Competition

Liverpool are not alone in their admiration. Real Madrid’s involvement adds a significant layer of competition. According to CaughtOffside, the Spanish giants “view him as a possible long term addition capable of strengthening their defensive depth”.

Madrid’s track record in developing young talent into world class performers cannot be overlooked. Their interest signals both the player’s ceiling and the challenge Liverpool would face in securing his signature.

Chelsea’s Stance and Transfer Reality

Despite the growing interest, Chelsea are reportedly reluctant to part ways with the defender. The club views Acheampong as “untouchable”, a strong statement that reflects his importance within their long term plans.

However, football economics often complicate such positions. The report suggests that “potential offers in the region of €25-30 million could test Chelsea’s resolve”. With Financial Fair Play considerations in play, even highly rated academy graduates can become viable sales.

Liverpool will be watching closely. Whether they choose to act decisively may depend on how the situation develops over the coming months.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this is exactly the type of move the club should be exploring. Acheampong ticks so many boxes, youth, versatility, physicality, and a high developmental ceiling. These are the signings that have historically defined Liverpool’s smartest transfer windows.

There is also a clear tactical fit. Under Arne Slot, there is an increasing emphasis on intelligent defenders who can operate in multiple phases of play. Acheampong’s ability to shift between roles could offer depth and unpredictability, particularly in a system that values fluidity.

Of course, competition from Real Madrid is a concern. When they enter the race, it often shifts the landscape entirely. Yet Liverpool have shown in recent years that a strong sporting project, regular football, and a clear pathway can be just as persuasive as prestige.

The reported valuation of €25-30 million feels like a calculated risk worth taking. If Acheampong fulfils his potential, that figure could look modest in a few years. If not, Liverpool’s recruitment structure tends to mitigate those risks effectively.

Ultimately, this feels like a situation to monitor closely. If an opportunity arises, Liverpool should be ready to act decisively. Players of this profile do not stay under the radar for long.

Cubs trade idea brings in Mets young bust after injury to Seiya Suzuki originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Mets have done all they’ve needed to do, and with Opening Day here, it’s time to put the best players in the organization on the roster and get to work.

Mark Vientos has sadly been someone who we can’t trust at this point, and as a result, could be traded. At a certain point, teams have to make decisions based on fit, and this may be one of those moments.

FanSided’s Mark Powell believes there’s a trade to be made if the Mets want to go down that route, suggesting that the Chicago Cubs could be the team that takes a chance on him.

“At this rate, a trade seems more likely than not. The Mets have better internal options, not to mention the numerous hitters available via free agency or trade. The Chicago Cubs, who could be without Seiya Suzuki on Opening Day, could use a short-term DH option in the meantime. Vientos wouldn't be a bad fit, but it doesn't offer him the same career prospects as staying in Queens,” he wrote.

On one hand, Vientos still has some upside as a power bat who could develop into a nice player for the Mets one day. On the other hand, the Mets don’t have the at-bats available to allow that to happen right now.

More MLB news:

• Mets trade proposal finally cuts ties with Mark Vientos after a horrid Spring Training
• San Francisco Giants trade proposal would bring in young All-Star infielder to pair with Matt Chapman
• Yankees’ Cody Bellinger gets shocking prediction ahead of 2026 season that would impact Aaron Judge
• Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson predicted to do something very few have done in Major League Baseball history
• Atlanta Braves trade idea brings in Fernando Tatis Jr. in a deal that makes too much sense
• Atlanta Braves legend admits that he’s getting closer to the end of his playing days

The Avalanche are getting healthy and the lineup is starting to take shape.

Just two days after captain Gabe Landeskog returned from a two-week absence, the Avs are set to get Logan O’Connor and Ross Colton back in the lineup against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. The two wingers returning means that Nazem Kadri will finally get the opportunity to move to center on the third line, giving head coach Jared Bednar his first look with the three-headed monster down the middle of the ice.

O’Connor’s availability is the biggest news of the day. The 30-year-old had missed each of the first 69 games of the regular season following offseason hip surgery and an undisclosed injury that followed. His return will more than likely spark a bottom six that has already played well. It also allows the veteran forward ample time to ramp up before the playoffs begin.

Colton’s return means the Avs are down to one forward missing from the lineup in Artturi Lehkonen. The 29-year-old scored in his last game two weeks ago when Colorado fell to the Edmonton Oilers at Ball Arena. At the time, he was playing the left wing on the second line, and that’s likely where he’ll slot in again.

The post Logan O’Connor Will Make Avalanche Season Debut In Pittsburgh appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

Frances Tiafoe saved two match points before defeating defending Miami Open champion Jakub Mensik.

The American, ranked 20th on the ATP Tour, needed seven match points of his own to defeat Mensik 7-6, 4-6, 7-6.

Tiafoe spoke to Mensik at the net after sealing the win before tearing off his shirt and celebrating with a lively Miami crowd.

Frances Tiafoe opens up about his respect for Jakub Mensik

After the match, Tiafoe shared what he said to Mensik, telling reporters: “I just said [to Mensik] I have a lot of love for you bro. I love what you have been doing. You are so young and you have done some insane things in the game.

“I said I have got a lot of love for you and he said likewise. We have always gotten along great.

“I remember when he qualified and made the third round of The Open. I was [like] bro who are you? How old are you?

“You are out here winning matches and he was like I won The Open last year! I thought ‘you’re pretty good and I didn’t know who you were!’

They played each other once before this Miami meeting, during last year’s Davis Cup qualifier between the USA and Czechia.

Tiafoe’s return to Miami this year has gone well so far, with three hard-fought wins carrying him into the semi-finals. He started with a comeback victory over Emil Ruusuvuori in three sets, followed by another tight three-set battle against Flavio Cobolli.

Frances Tiafoe’s road to the Miami Open quarter-finals

Tiafoe’s chances of reaching the Miami Open quarter-finals improved on Monday after unseeded Terence Atmane knocked out seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Still, Atmane shouldn’t be overlooked. The Frenchman reached the Cincinnati Open semi-finals last year and has shown he can compete with top players.

If Tiafoe gets past Atmane, a quarter-final meeting with second seed Jannik Sinner would likely await. He has lost four of their five previous encounters, with his only win coming at the 2021 Vienna Open.

Their most recent match came at the 2024 Cincinnati Open final, where Sinner won 7-6, 6-2.

Should Tiafoe pull off an upset against Sinner, a potential semi-final clash with third seed Alexander Zverev could follow. The path to the title wouldn’t get any easier from there.

If he reaches the final, he could face a range of opponents. The top half of the draw has opened up following Carlos Alcaraz’s loss to Sebastian Korda, leaving Taylor Fritz as the highest remaining seed in that section at number six.

Read more:

Jonny Bairstow has criticised the England set-up, suggesting they need to bring "the care back in the game".

The debate around England's dismal Ashes defeat continued on Monday when it was confirmed coach Brendon McCullum, director of cricket Rob Key and Test captain Ben Stokes were to remain in their posts.

Wicketkeeper Bairstow was a key player in the early success under Stokes and McCullum but was dropped in 2024 and has not returned to the side since.

"You need the care back in the game," Bairstow said.

"It is OK saying people care about things - no they don't.

"If you are in the system, you are in the system.

"As soon as you are out of the system. you are out of the system."

• McCullum & Key lucky to survive Ashes review - Vaughan
• Sacking McCullum would have been 'easy' - ECB chief

Bairstow, now 36, scored four hundreds across the first four matches under the current regime in 2022 before suffering a serious leg injury later that year.

He returned for the 2023 Ashes but was dropped the following summer, with his last Test - a match against India in March 2024 - his 100th.

The England and Wales Cricket Board's review came after this winter's 4-1 Ashes defeat, a tour blighted by poor planning, substandard performances and off-field issues.

Bowlers such as Mark Wood, who was picked despite missing the entire summer after knee surgery, only to manage just one Test, broke down with injuries while the batting line-up also struggled with only Joe Root and Jacob Bethell making centuries.

"If people get a finger injury, fine, but you have got to be on the park," Bairstow said.

"It is OK playing four or five games a summer and missing the rest, but you are not backing things up and that is why you get injured.

"I feel for people like Woody. I feel massively for him.

"He bowls at 95mph and is expected to just come in having not come off the back of any overs.

"There is no wonder he has got injured. He has not been done right in my opinion."

Speaking on Monday, Key admitted England "overvalued loyalty" throughout the Ashes series.

They stuck with under-performing batters such as Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope rather than looking to others who had performed well in county cricket.

Bairstow said: "As soon as you don't have people chasing you up your back side you become comfortable.

"When you become comfortable you become complacent, and when someone questions you directly you are not used to it because you are in an environment that is potentially not questioning you in a different way."

Lancashire all-rounder Liam Livingstone hit out at the England hierarchy last week, suggesting he did not want to be part of the recent T20 World Cup squad and was told by coaches he "cares too much".

Asked about his own chances of a recall, Bairstow added: "Judging by the last few years, I am not sure it is on their agenda.

"It will be an interesting question for you to pose to them if I do go out and score a couple of hundreds early season."

'Proof will be in pudding' over relationships with counties

In the absence of international duty, Bairstow captained Yorkshire in the County Championship last season, a role he will take on again this year. He will also be captain in the T20 Blast.

In response to their perceived indifference to county form, Key said on Monday the introduction of a new "county insight group" will offer input into selection and attempt to rebuild relations, including with county directors of cricket.

"The question you would ask is why have they disconnected in the first place?" Bairstow said.

"If you are trying to rebuild something, you are admitting you have done something wrong previously.

"It is good to know people are watching and nice to see there is some enthusiasm into the County Championship.

"We will see if the proof is in the pudding. I look forward to hearing a bit more about the review."

Gavin Hamilton, Yorkshire's general cricket manager, said: "They're making the right noises.

"Obviously, there could be one, two, even three positions available in the Test team, which is exciting. It's like what county cricket used to be at the start of the year.

"If they're a hugely successful Test team, you accept that you're not going to get in, but it's been frustrating, I can imagine, for players over the last two or three years and understandably.

"I don't want to say it was a closed shop, but it may have felt like that to some players. Certainly from our point of view, we've got a couple of lads that would be knocking on the door."

Mets trade proposal finally cuts ties with Mark Vientos after a horrid Spring Training originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It’s becoming clear that Mark Vientos may not have a long-term future in Queens, and if that’s the case, there’s not much of a reason to keep him on the roster.

The New York Mets have given Vientos a chance, but he hasn’t done enough with it to suggest that he can play at the highest level. With other options already in place, the Mets seem ready to go in a different direction. 

Another team could take a chance on him and hope the talent ends up being where it needs to be.

FanSided’s Mark Powell proposed a deal to get Vientos more at-bats, pitching a deal with the Chicago Cubs.

“At this rate, a trade seems more likely than not. The Mets have better internal options, not to mention the numerous hitters available via free agency or trade. The Chicago Cubs, who could be without Seiya Suzuki on Opening Day, could use a short-term DH option in the meantime. Vientos wouldn't be a bad fit, but it doesn't offer him the same career prospects as staying in Queens,” he wrote.

While Chicago may offer an opportunity, it could be short-lived, so Vientos would have to show the Cubs he can be a real option.

For the Cubs, though, it’s probably worth a risk. Considering Seiya Suzuki is out to start the season, adding a bat like Vientos would at least give them a right-handed look.

More MLB news:

• San Francisco Giants trade proposal would bring in young All-Star infielder to pair with Matt Chapman
• Yankees’ Cody Bellinger gets shocking prediction ahead of 2026 season that would impact Aaron Judge
• Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson predicted to do something very few have done in Major League Baseball history
• Atlanta Braves trade idea brings in Fernando Tatis Jr. in a deal that makes too much sense
• Atlanta Braves legend admits that he’s getting closer to the end of his playing days
• New York Mets veteran hints at retirement coming soon after dominating baseball for a decade-plus

The Anton Frondell era is here.

The Chicago Blackhawks officially recalled Frondell from Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He is expected to make his debut on Tuesday when the Blackhawks face the New York Islanders.

Frondell, 18, was the third-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and signed his entry-level contract in July, but was loaned to Djurgårdens for their season, which ended with a playoff loss on Saturday.

He put together an impressive season in the SHL, becoming just the fourth 18-year-old to score 20 goals in the league’s history, joining Thomas Sandstrom, Markus Naslund, and hockey hall-of-famer Daniel Sedin. He also helped Team Sweden win the gold medal in the World Junior Championships in January, scoring five goals and adding three assists in seven games, earning the tournament’s “Top Forward” honors.

Where will Frondell play?

There doesn’t seem to be any hesitation on head coach Jeff Blashill’s part to make Frondell a big part of the team right out of the gate.

“Based on the level of play he’s had all year, how well he’s played the last part of the year, the fact that there’s zero practice time at this time of year, I’m going to throw into the fire kind of coach,” Blashill said Sunday.

When asked if he’d play alongside Connor Bedard, Blashill said, “He’ll play with a good player, for sure.”

He wasn’t lying.

Here’s how the Blackhawks lined up at Tuesday’s morning skate:

Ryan Greene-Connor Bedard-Frondell
Tyler Bertuzzi-Frank Nazar-Nick Lardis
André Burakovsky-Ryan Donato-Ilya Mikheyev
Teuvo Teräväinen-Sam Lafferty-Landon Slaggert

Sacha Boisvert rotated in.

Frondell was also on the Blackhawks’ top power play unit with Bedard, Nazar, Bertuzzi, and Artyom Levshunov.

What to expect from Frondell

Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects via CHGO: “That guy’s shot, my goodness. He’s doing one-handed backhands from the top of the circle. He is so strong. He is so talented. I think it’s going to be a little bit before we see the finished product in him. I’ve always felt that way. He’s a very physically mature player, but I think his game is going to need some rounding out. When he’s 24 years old, he’s going to be an absolute horse for the Blackhawks. He’s going to be a very, very good player.”

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis: As confident as they come. When he doesn’t have the puck, he’s routinely scanning for ways to get himself into scoring position. He does an excellent job of getting himself into scoring lanes, especially on the right side. He’s fine as a playmaker, but you’d much rather have him firing shots on net. Still, the dual-threat nature of his game is explosive.

As a two-way force, few players can change the course of play better than Frondell. He’s so physically mature already, and that’s only going to improve as he gets older and more refined. Frondell plays a heavy power forward game, and while he’s not massive, he’s built like a tank. He’s fearless, always looking to do what it takes to win the puck.”

The Athletic’s Scott Wheelervia CHGO: “[The Blackhawks are] getting a super well-rounded, big-bodied, heavy-set kid. The scoring is legit. The ability to pound a one-timer and rip the wrister off the wall is legit. He’s got the ability to play in tight, around the net, on the cycle. He defends well. He’s a beloved teammate. Just an awesome, awesome kid. The big question is…how much offense is there? Is this the 50 to 60 point dominant two-way center? He’s not a natural playmaker. I don’t think he’s going to be a dynamic individual creator or an 80-90 point guy in the NHL. Can he be more than the 50-60 point guy? I think that’s within the realm of possibility. The playmaking needs to become more natural. He’s going to be a very, very good player.”

Be sure to join CHGO Blackhawks for the pregame show on Tuesday at 5:30, then again immediately following the game for the postgame.

Igor Tudor's position as Tottenham head coach is under major threat with the club's hierarchy facing another defining decision.

Tudor's failure to rescue a season spiralling into crisis was brought into even sharper focus by the damaging 3-0 home defeat by fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on Sunday, leaving Spurs one point and one place above the Premier League's relegation zone.

The pressure is now on CEO Vinai Venkatesham - previously at Arsenal - sporting director Johan Lange, and the Lewis family, who are over-seeing affairs, as the gamble of Tudor's appointment continues to backfire.

Venkatesham, who comes under special scrutiny from fans given his Arsenal links, must get this next move right after Tudor's chaotic reign has brought only one win in seven matches so far.

If those in charge at Spurs get it wrong, the price could be arguably the most-embarrassing relegation in Premier League history and a place in the Championship.

So what can Spurs do next to stop the slide?

Stick with Igor Tudor?

Tudor, after four successive defeats, actually inspired improvement from Spurs in a deserved draw at Liverpool before beating Atletico Madrid – albeit in a losing Champions League cause – but normal service was resumed with the humiliating loss to Forest.

The Croat deserves sympathy, not least as he comes to terms with the death of his father, but also because he walked into a toxic atmosphere which built up under sacked predecessor Thomas Frank. He has inherited a squad decimated by injuries and stripped of all confidence.

Spurs have problems not of Tudor's making, but he has failed to establish any connection with supporters – or seemingly his players – and there has been very little language of support, at least in the football context, from the club.

Tudor's brusque style has inspired no more out of the Spurs squad than Frank's more empathetic approach, while a series of tactical shifts have suggested he is not sure how to navigate the best route out of the current crisis.

The low point came in the Champions League last 16 first leg away to Atletico Madrid. Tudor gambled on Antonin Kinsky in goal ahead of first-choice Guglielmo Vicario, only to remove the Czech after just 17 minutes following his two catastrophic errors that left Spurs 3-0 down in an eventual 5-2 defeat.

Do those in charge of Spurs really believe Tudor has the ability to pull them out of the mire – or do they acknowledge they made a serious error and it is time for another change?

Send for former Spurs firefighter?

This is the biggest dilemma Venkatesham and his fellow power brokers face as they work on a strategy before their next Premier League game, away to Sunderland on 12 April.

It might be one thing to decide Tudor has to go, should they chose to make that change, but who can realistically step in for what is now a firefighting job?

Former manager Harry Redknapp has indicated his willingness to return, but is now 79 and has not worked in management since being sacked by Birmingham City in May 2017. He was sacked by Spurs 14 years ago and calling for him would surely smack of desperation.

Redknapp has said Spurs "know where I am." It would be a sign of their plight should they go to find him.

Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle has also suggested he would be interested, but once again this would be a dip into the distant past.

Hoddle, now a respected television pundit, is 68, but was sacked as Spurs manager in September 2003. The last post the former England manager occupied was with Wolverhampton Wanderers, leaving in July 2006.

Ryan Mason, sacked by West Bromwich Albion in January, is a well-respected and popular figure having twice served as Spurs' caretaker manager following the sackings of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, but his reputation took a hit during an unrewarding spell at The Hawthorns.

After that disappointment, would Spurs turn to him? Would he even want to walk into such an ominous situation?

Tim Sherwood, the former player who left Spurs in May 2014 after a six-month spell as permanent head coach, has made it clear he fancies the job, saying: "I would keep them in the Premier League. I believe that someone with common sense keeps them in the Premier League."

Robbie Keane, currently at Ferencvaros in Hungary, falls into the category of the younger up-and-coming manager, but would the former Spurs captain leave a full-time job for a new post that might only extend to seven games.

Should Spurs make big move now?

It does not take a leap of imagination to announce that Igor Tudor will not be the Spurs head coach at the start of next season.

Should they throw caution to the winds and try to bring in a full-time appointment now to save their season from the ignominy of relegation?

Mauricio Pochettino would top a fan poll as the permanent successor to Thomas Frank – the Argentine still a much-loved figure after taking Spurs to the 2019 Champions League Final.

There is every indication he would jump at a return to north London after he was sacked by former chairman Daniel Levy only five months after losing to Liverpool in Madrid.

Spurs fans pin the blame on Levy for failing to back the coach and many would welcome Pochettino back with open arms.

Any notion of a Pochettino return, however, must wait until after the World Cup, as he is entrusted with coaching the United States at a home showpiece.

If Spurs are to seek an immediate full-time appointment, this leaves Roberto de Zerbi as frontrunner. The talented but combustible Italian established a fine reputation at Brighton and is available having left Marseille by mutual consent in February.

De Zerbi is also believed to be amenable to the idea.

The question is whether he would want to take the job immediately, with that prospect of relegation hanging over Spurs, or would be prefer to wait until the end of the season to see what division they are in?

If Spurs are in the Premier League they would be hugely attractive proposition to De Zerbi, but he may well have other options in the summer having been heavily linked with Manchester United.

De Zerbi may prefer to bide his time and sit tight as opposed to taking on a salvage operation.

Any other takers?

Sean Dyche's name has inevitably been linked after a good body of work fighting against the odds at Burnley and Everton, where he kept both teams up when relegation beckoned.

Do Spurs see Dyche as the sort of personality to handle Spurs, especially as his last job ended when he was sacked by Nottingham Forest after only 114 days in charge?

Austrian coach Adi Hutter is a rank outsider, although he did win admirers in the Premier League with his work at clubs such as Eintracht Frankfurt.

Hutter is on the market after being sacked by Monaco in October, but he really would be a wild card.

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It is 30 years to the day since Aston Villa won the League Cup by defeating Leeds 3-0 at Wembley.

Goals from Savo Milosevic, Ian Taylor and Dwight Yorke were enough for Brian Little's Villa to emerge victorious, two years on from Villa's 3-1 win over Manchester United in the 1994 final.

That success in 1996 remains Villa's most recent major domestic trophy.

Reminiscing about the match in an interview from 2025, goalscorer Taylor told BBC Radio WM: "It was just an unbelievable day.

"Funny things happen. I had been at the same cup final two years previous where we played against Manchester United as a fan and then two years later I'm playing in it and scoring.

"It was just nuts. Just to be there playing at Wembley was a massive thing, but to be winning there as well that was just amazing."

Midfielder Taylor's volley put Villa 2-0 up 10 minutes into the second half.

"Left foot as well," he added. "It was with my swinger. It was just the confidence going into that final - we knew we were going to win. The way we won as well - there was such a swagger.

"It was a brilliant day."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Man Utd Injury Latest: Key Doubts Emerge Before Leeds Clash

Manchester United find themselves in a familiar position, buoyed by results yet shadowed by uncertainty. The latest Man Utd injury update arrives at a moment when momentum has been established, but not yet secured. Seven wins and two draws in ten matches under Michael Carrick have offered direction, though the underlying fragility remains evident.

Photo IMAGO

The 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, achieved with ten men, carried both encouragement and frustration. It preserved United’s place among the Premier League’s leading pack, sitting third, but also reinforced a sense that control remains elusive. Now, with a 24 day pause before facing Leeds, attention shifts toward recovery, management and preparation.

This Man Utd injury latest briefing will shape how that period is navigated.

Attacking Concerns Centre on Mbeumo and Sesko

Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko represent two of United’s most immediate concerns. Both have withdrawn from international duty, decisions framed as precautionary but carrying clear significance.

Mbeumo’s situation appears relatively straightforward. Having played 71 minutes against Bournemouth, he has been rested to protect against any aggravation. Reports suggest there is little concern regarding his availability for the Leeds fixture.

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His presence will be important. Mbeumo has provided energy and directness in forward areas, qualities that have helped sustain United’s attacking output during Carrick’s tenure.

Sesko’s case carries more nuance. The striker has been in strong form, scoring eight goals in his last 11 appearances, often from the bench. Yet his absence from Slovenia’s squad reflects an issue that has been managed carefully in recent weeks.

This is not a new injury, rather a continuation of an underlying concern. The decision to prioritise recovery during the international break suggests a calculated approach, one designed to preserve his effectiveness during the run in.

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Both players are expected to be available against Leeds, though their workloads will likely be monitored closely.

Defensive Stability Hinges on Martinez Return

Lisandro Martinez’s absence has been keenly felt. The defender has missed five matches since sustaining a minor injury ahead of the Everton fixture, leaving United reliant on alternative combinations in central defence.

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Carrick’s latest update offers encouragement.

“[Lisandro is] closer, a lot closer. He’s getting there, so after this one. I think he’ll be alright,”

This timeline aligns with United’s immediate needs. Harry Maguire’s suspension for the Leeds match creates a gap that Martinez is ideally suited to fill. His return would restore balance, not only in defensive structure but also in distribution from the back.

In contrast, Matthijs de Ligt’s situation remains unresolved. His absence has stretched toward four months, with a persistent back issue preventing a return to full training.

Carrick’s assessment reflects ongoing frustration.

“He’s obviously trying to work towards getting back, but it’s just the back issue really that’s proving difficult.

“We’ll keep working as hard as we can to get him back as quick as we can.”

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There is now a growing sense that De Ligt may not feature again this season. That possibility places additional emphasis on Martinez’s fitness and availability.

Mazraoui Fitness Boost and Dorgu Timeline

Noussair Mazraoui offers a more positive update. His recent absence, attributed to illness, proved temporary. Having rejoined the Morocco squad, he is expected to be fully available for the Leeds fixture.

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This return adds depth and flexibility, particularly in wide defensive areas where United have occasionally been stretched.

Patrick Dorgu’s situation sits somewhere between optimism and caution. His early impact under Carrick, including a goal in the 3-2 win over Arsenal, suggested a player finding form at an important moment.

His subsequent hamstring injury, sustained while chasing a ball at the Emirates Stadium, halted that progress.

Carrick outlined the uncertainty surrounding his recovery.

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“Pat, unfortunately, is going to be out for a period of time. We are still working through how long that is going to be.

“It’s disappointing because he has had such a big couple of weeks. We weren’t sure if it was a little bit of cramp or if it was something more serious.

“At the moment, it is looking a little bit more of a serious note. A few weeks out. How many weeks? We will have to wait and see.

“It is disappointing for all of us and Pat, he is in such a good place but unfortunately it is part of football and something you have got to work through and get him back as soon as we can.”

There remains a possibility that Dorgu could return in time for Leeds, though that timeline depends on the accuracy of the initial prognosis.

Man Utd Injury Latest Reflects Controlled Momentum

This Man Utd injury latest update captures a squad attempting to sustain progress while managing risk. The international break provides a valuable window, not only for physical recovery but also for recalibration.

United’s limited fixture schedule, shaped in part by their FA Cup exit, offers both challenge and opportunity. The gap between matches reduces immediate pressure, yet it also increases the significance of each upcoming fixture.

Facing Leeds at Old Trafford, United will be acutely aware that they are playing last in the round. Results elsewhere, from Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa, will frame the context of their performance.

Injuries, in this sense, extend beyond availability. They influence rhythm, selection and tactical identity. Carrick has navigated these variables effectively so far, but the next phase will demand continued precision.

There is a sense of controlled momentum. United are moving forward, but carefully, aware that progress can be disrupted as easily as it is built.

The return of key players, particularly Martinez, alongside the managed recovery of Mbeumo and Sesko, will be central to maintaining that trajectory.

For now, the focus remains on preparation. Leeds represent the next step, and perhaps a clearer indication of how sustainable this recent form truly is.

The English Football League (EFL) has confirmed the dates for the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two play-offs. 

All three divisions will conclude their regular seasons on Saturday 2 May, with play-off semi-finals scheduled between Friday 8 May and Friday 15 May.

The play-off finals will take place across the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, with the Championship final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 23 May, League One following on Sunday 24 May, and League Two concluding the weekend on Monday 25 May.

This will be the final season in which the Championship play-offs are contested solely by the teams finishing third to sixth in double-legged semi-finals, marking the end of an era for the competition’s traditional format.

CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF DATES

LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFF DATES

LEAGUE TWO PLAY-OFF DATES

HOUSTON (AP) — Scottie Scheffler withdrew from the Houston Open on Tuesday, a tournament that was always questionable for him to play because his wife is expecting their second child.

Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world, has been runner-up at the Houston Open three times, including the last two years when he made it his final stop before going to the Masters.

He was replaced in the field by Matt Kuchar.

Scheffler's wife gave birth to a son they named Bennett on May 8, 2024, one week before the PGA Championship.

Scheffler, who won the PGA Championship and the British Open last year, began 2026 with a victory in The American Express. His streak of 18 consecutive finishes in the top 10 — which started at the Houston Open last year — ended at the Genesis Invitational with a tie for 12th.

His last tournament was a tie for 22nd in The Players Championship.

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

The San Francisco 49ers improved their wide receiver this offseason, adding Mike Evans and Christian Kirk over the first two weeks of the new league year to help make up for the loss of Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne.

While those are two strong weapons for Brock Purdy to target this season, the 49ers are considering adding a rookie with their top pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

According to ESPN's Field Yates, the 49ers are hosting wide receiver prospect Denzel Boston on Tuesday for a pre-draft top-30 visit.

Boston 22, played high school ball at Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup, Washington, and was a three-star recruit when he committed to the University of Washington for the 2022 season.

Ove the last four years, the 6-foot-4, 212-pound Husky appeared in 43 games and caught 132 passes for 20 yards. He also ran for a touchdown in his freshman year.

Boston is likely going to be a first-round pick next month, and with the 49ers only holding one selection on Day 1, that would be a major commitment to a receiver room that needed to be revamped. A top four of Evans, Boston, Kirk and Ricky Pearsall would be devastating, especially if Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle are full-go as well.

More 49ers: Kyle Shanahan says WR Christian Kirk chose 49ers despite other options

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 2026 NFL draft: 49ers hosting top WR prospect for top-30 visit Tuesday

Dalton Smith will make his first defense of the WBC super lightweight title on Saturday, June 6, facing former titlist Alberto Puello.

Smith will have home field advantage for the fight, which will be hosted by Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England.

The 29-year-old Smith (19-0, 14 KO) claimed the belt on January 10 in Brooklyn, stopping Subriel Matias in the fifth round. Matias had beaten Puello (24-1, 10 KO) for the title by majority decision last July, and the 31-year-old Dominican southpaw was awaiting the winner of that fight for an ordered rematch.

Matias was a good win for Smith, obviously, and Puello is another stern test, and a much different one stylistically.

Matchroom have not yet announced any undercard bouts for the show, which isn’t unusual given that it’s two-and-a-half months away, but it’s a good main event and a good world title fight between a champion whose star is on the rise and the sort of veteran challenger who is plenty capable of ending his first reign quickly.

Who do you like in this matchup?

New NBA Mock Draft Has Celtics Taking College Stars From UConn, Iowa originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A brand new NBA mock draft from Bleacher Report dropped on Tuesday, with Jonathan Wasserman taking the reigns. Wasserman had the Boston Celtics taking Iowa point guard Bennett Stirtz in the first round and UConn big man Tarris Reed Jr. in the second round.

Stirtz is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard (22 years old) whom Wasserman compared to Malcolm Brogdon.

"Bennett Stirtz wasn't at his best through two NCAA tournament wins over Clemson or Florida," Wasserman wrote. "But his team is moving on, and his strengths and challenges at this point are already well documented. ... Scouts have to decide how much the advanced shotmaking and touch can offset some of the struggles he has creating easy separation against length."

"Stirtz was forced to take some difficult shots against Florida, but he's also converted 90 dribble jumpers on the year and 70.2 percent of his rim finishes," Wasserman continued. "And he's one of the class' most accurate catch-and-shoot guards at 50.8 percent."

Then there's UConn's Reed, who recently exploded for 31 points and 27 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament's first round. Wasserman compared the 6-foot-11, 265-pound 22-year-old prospect to Day'Ron Sharpe.

"Though more of an old-school big, Tarris Reed has put himself in the draft discussion with production generated from NBA tools for finishing and shot-blocking, low-post skill, offensive instincts and passing IQ," Wasserman wrote.

More NBA: Bleacher Report Points To Three Offseason Trade Targets For Celtics

LOS ANGELES — Spring training was a disaster for Roki Sasaki, but the Dodgers are showing incredible faith in the phenom to find some semblance of command once the games count for real.

In three of his four Cactus League starts, Sasaki was removed in the middle of an inning that got away from him, earlier than his originally planned length, then re-entered the game to open the next inning, which is allowed during spring training. Prior to Monday night’s start at Dodger Stadium against the Angels, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts talked about expectations for Sasaki, who will start the Dodgers’ fourth game of the season, next Monday against the Cleveland Guardians at home.

“Tonight we need to see him in compete mode. There’s a time to work on your mechanics, and a time to go out and compete,” Roberts said. “Once the game starts, it’s about getting hitters out, because this is his last tuneup for the fourth game of the regular season. And he’s got to be ready to go.

“You’re not always going to feel perfect, physically, mentally, emotionally, whatever it is. But certainly for a starting pitcher, when it’s your day, you still got to find a way to take down a good amount of outs.”

Sasaki had his worst command to date against the Angels, and was removed five batters into the first inning with no outs. In fairness, one of those was a groundball that should have been an out, but Miguel Rojas threw errantly to second base. And it didn’t get much better once Sasaki resumed pitching in the second inning.

The only target Sasaki consistently hit on Monday was Angels shortstop Zach Neto, clipped on the right elbow on a 3-0 pitch the first inning and plunked by an errant 0-2 splitter in the second. Sasaki walked six Angels and struck out two.

“The results weren’t good today,” Sasaki said through his interpreter. “My mechanics were a little off, but I’ll keep improving.”

His spring training stats are gruesome. Sasaki threw more balls (110) than strikes (108), and half of his batters faced reached base by hit (nine), walk (15), or hit by pitch (two). All that to complete 8 2/3 innings, during which he allowed 15 runs.

Sasaki this spring has been trying to add a new pitch to his repertoire, classified as a cutter at Baseball Savant. But he mostly scrapped the pitch on Monday, throwing the cutter only six times in his 66 pitches, and still had a devil of a time against the Angels with mostly his fastball and splitter.

Roberts after the game reiterated that Sasaki would start Monday against Cleveland, and will be in the rotation to open the season.

“He’s got to go out there and attack hitters. It’s just one of those things that it’s tough to pitch when you’re working behind in counts, running deep counts, and getting your pitch count up there,” Roberts said. “If it’s mechanical, if it’s mental, if it’s emotional, all that we’ve got to sift through and find some clarity when he takes the mound. Because at the end of the day, he’s got to get outs.

“We’re still trying to learn and get better, and acclimate. I believe in him, I really do. I told him that in the dugout. For me, I’m going to keep pouring into him like our staff is, and expect it to get better.”

The Dodgers made a long-term investment into Sasaki, the most coveted pitcher in baseball last offseason who is still only 24 years old. Ideally he’s going to be around for at least five more years, and they are calculating that it’s worth a little short-term rough patch now, dealing with these growing pains to potentially reap a considerable payoff in the long run.

Left unspoken is that the Dodgers’ competition in the National League West is not as robust in 2026 as it has been in recent seasons, and it would probably take a disaster for them to not win the division. They’re willing to see it through with Sasaki, even if the early cost is being behind in his starts.

We’ll see how long that rope lasts, however. It’s one thing to struggle in games that don’t count. Going forward, the stakes are real, and the Dodgers are hoping Sasaki will finally turn a corner.

“We’re going to run him out there. I don’t think that for me, to put my head in a space that there’s another alternative right now, that’s not helpful. I don’t think so,” Roberts said. “I think that we’re gonna support him as much as we can, and then give him some runway, and then, once the season starts, then you gotta it’s about production.”

Orlando City has made a major splash in the transfer market, announcing the arrival of legendary French forward Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid.

Griezmann will join as a Designated Player in July after the completion of the season in Spain. The longtime France international will sign a contract through the 2027-28 season, with an option for 2028-29.

"Bringing Antoine to Orlando is a landmark moment not only for our club, but for our city, our supporters and for Major League Soccer," said Orlando City owner Mark Wilf.

"He is one of the most gifted, accomplished and influential players of his generation, and his decision to choose Orlando City reflects the mission and culture of our club.

"Our focus is on consistently building a championship-caliber roster every year, and adding a world-class player like Antoine reinforces that commitment and our belief in what the club can achieve."

"Antoine is a complete footballer – creative, intelligent, clinical – and he is a proven winner on the biggest stages of the game," Orlando City GM and sporting director Ricardo Moreira added.

"Beyond his talent, he brings leadership, a relentless drive and a championship mentality that will elevate everyone around him. This is a statement signing for our club and ownership group, and we are thrilled to welcome Antoine and his family to Orlando."

Antoine Griezmann to Orlando City is official!

He'll join the MLS side in July 🍿 (📸 @MLS) pic.twitter.com/34ZeERlfYv

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 24, 2026

Griezmann moves to MLS after establishing himself as one of the best attacking players across Europe over the past decade-plus.

The 35-year-old has spent his entire pro career in Spain, tallying 298 goals and 132 assists across 792 professional appearances with Atlético Madrid, FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad.

Griezmann retired from the France national team in 2024 after a legendary international career, scoring 44 goals and 38 assists across 137 caps and helping Les Blues win the 2018 World Cup title and finish runner-up in the 2022 edition.

The forward is still making a major impact for one of Europe's top teams, scoring 13 total goals this season for an Atlético side that is still in contention for a Champions League title.

"I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my career with Orlando City," said Griezmann. "From my first conversations with the club, I could feel a strong ambition and a clear vision for the future, and that really spoke to me.

"I look forward to making Orlando my new home, meeting the supporters, feeling the energy at Inter&Co Stadium, and giving everything I have to help the team achieve great things."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Antoine Griezmann to join Orlando City from Atletico Madrid

With the 2026 season set to open Wednesday, some half-dozen sluggers are poised at the starting gate like baseball thoroughbreds.

All could produce 50-homer seasons – not only tilting the course of the pennant races but carving a niche in the game’s history books.

Never in baseball history have more than four players blasted 50 home runs in the same season.

With a myriad of pitchers throwing at maximum velocity and ballpark dimensions getting smaller, that fact seems about to change.

Influence of Lockout

An added factor this year is the likelihood of a lockout in December, the deadline for owners and players to hammer out a new Basic Agreement. Sluggers who want to monetize their skills prior to the probable work stoppage will also be swinging for the fences this season.

Baseball has enjoyed 50-homer quartets in only three previous seasons: 1998, 2001, and 2025.

In fact, no teammates hit 50 simultaneously since Roger Maris (61) and Mickey Mantle (54) combined for 115 with the 1961 New York Yankees.

None of the game’s most prolific slugging duos did it. Not Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Not Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews. And not Willie Mays and Willie McCovey.

Reaching the 50-homer plateau is just not that easy. Aaron, Mathews, Gehrig, McCovey, Frank Robinson, and Harmon Killebrew all came close without crossing the finish line.

And then came 1998, when Mark McGwire and Ken Griffey, Jr. topped 50 for the second year in a row and were joined by two first-timers, Sammy Sosa and Greg Vaughn.

Race for the Record

They didn’t just reach 50; McGwire sailed well past that mark with 70, then a major-league mark, and Sosa swatted 66 as part of a great two-man home run duo that helped erase bitter fan memories of the 232-day player strike that erased the 1994 World Series.

Three years later, Sosa became the only player to reach 60 three times.

Also in 2001, Alex Rodriguez, Luis Gonzalez, and Barry Bonds blew past 50, with the San Francisco slugger finishing with a world-record 73 – the only time in his career he hit 50 in a season. He claimed he was influenced by watching the McGwire-Sosa title chase of 1998 and figuring he was better than either player.

The seven-time National League MVP, who eventually finished with records for both a single season and career (762), was never suspended but always suspected of seeking secret help from performance-enhancing substances (PEDs). Like McGwire and Sosa, Bonds was denied a spot in Cooperstown during his 10-year stint on the ballot.

Suspicion of Steroids

Whether the players had artificial help remains subject to conjecture, however. Suspicious writers voting for the Baseball Hall of Fame failed to pick either Bonds, McGwire, or Sosa during their 10-year tenure on the ballot.

In 2025, a different quartet celebrated 50-homer seasons. Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge did it for the second straight year while Kyle Schwarber and Cal Raleigh were newcomers above that plateau. Raleigh even came within two of tying the American League single-season record Judge set in 2022.

Like The Six Million Dollar Man, weight-lifting ballplayers are bigger, faster, and stronger than their predecessors. Aiming at nine-figure contracts as well as outfield fences, there could be as many as a half-dozen strongmen above the 50-homer level in 2026.

Slugging Quintet

Judge, whose trophy shelf includes a Rookie of the Year award and three MVPs, has done it four times – more than any of his contemporaries. Thanks to Judge, the Yankees are only team that has had five different players at the 50-homer level (along with Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Alex Rodriguez).

Judge even has a teammate with a 50-homer season on his resume. DH Giancarlo Stanton hit 59 for the Miami Marlins in 2017 but has not hit 40 in any other season while enduring a myriad of injuries. At 36, he’s just a shadow of his former self.

Ohtani, on the other hand, has managed to keep playing even when elbow issues prevented him from pitching (he’s the only two-way star in the majors).

Three years younger than Judge at 31, the Japanese native has now done it twice, including a first-in-baseball 50/50 year (2024) that featured 50 stolen bases as well as 50 home runs.

Then there’s Schwarber, the left-handed lumberjack who sits atop the lineup of the Philadelphia Phillies. Like Judge, the 33-year-old power plant plays half his games in a ballpark that favors those who hit the ball in the air. He and Ohtani don’t play defense, serving instead as designated hitters whose only job is to bat whenever their turn in the lineup comes up.

Both bat first – normally an unlikely spot for a prodigious power producer – but so does Ronald Acuña, Jr., another home run hitter whose team sends him up first, thus ensuring extra at-bats over the course of the long season.

Although Acuña, 28, has never hit more than 41 homers in a season, he has already boasted of his desire to go 50/50. Since he’s the only man in baseball history to produce a 40/70 season (40 homers plus 70 stolen bases), Acuna has already conquered the speed portion of the parlay.

With Matt Olson, another former 50-homer man, batting behind him in the Atlanta lineup, Acuña will see plenty of pitches to hit.

Record Contract

Like Acuña, Juan Soto is seeking his first 50-homer campaign. The lefty-hitting left-fielder of the New York Mets has topped 40 homers in each of the last two years but is still trying to justify his 15-year, $765 million contract – baseball’s biggest in both dollars and years. At 27, he has plenty of time.

All of the players projected to approach or exceed 50 home runs are paid handsomely.

Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million pact is loaded with deferrals that runs through the year 2043. Judge has a nine-year, $360 million contract that extends through 2031. Raleigh is on a six-year. $105 million extension that carries through 2030 with a 2031 vesting option. And Acuña’s 8-year, $100 million extension, signed in 2019, has two $17 million club options that would keep him in Atlanta through the 2028 campaign.

Thanks to free agency, Schwarber and Pete Alonso carry the newest contracts in the elite group of 50-homer challengers. Their new deals are almost identical, with each getting five years – Schwarber signing to stay put in Philly for $150 million and Alonso landing $155 from Baltimore after leaving the New York Mets.

Should Acuña, Ohtani, and Schwarber all reach 50 home runs this season, it would be the first time in baseball history that three lead-off men finished at that level.

Raleigh is no leadoff man but he’s a workhorse catcher who caught 121 games last year but also “rested” as a DH in 38 more. Even if he hits 10 fewer home runs than he did last year, he’d still be in the 50-homer group again.

Nor is anyone betting against the left-handed Olson, whose 54 home runs in 2023 were a club record for the Braves franchise. Not even Aaron, who spent 33 years as baseball’s home run king, ever had that many in one season.

Rookie Record

Alonso, nicknamed The Polar Bear, almost did; he hit a rookie-record 53 for the Mets in 2019 even though CitiField is hardly a home run hitter’s paradise. Alonso, 31, is a right-handed blaster could reach that figure again in Oriole Park, where the left field fence is 26 feet closer to home than it was two years ago.

Fellow first baseman Nick Kurtz, a 6'5" left-handed hitter, has time on his side. He’s only 23, owns a Rookie of the Year trophy, and is coming off a 36-homer season produced in only 117 games (489 plate appearances). Playing in homer-friendly West Sacramento helps him almost as much as Camden Yards helps Alonso.

Ruth, born in Baltimore long before major-league baseball arrived, will always be synonymous with super sluggers of baseball history. He was the first man to hit 50 home runs in a season (54 in 1920) and the first to reach 50 four times, repeating his Roaring ‘20s heroics in 2021, 1927, and 1928.

McGwire and Sosa tied his record for most 50-homer seasons in 1999 and 2001, respectively, and Judge became the fourth man to reach 50 four times in 2025.

Staying strong and healthy are the main factors supporting 50-homer seasons, with age hardly an issue. Prince Fielder was just 23 when he became the youngest man to hit 50 in a single campaign while Bonds, at 37, was the oldest.

Some players wasted little time getting there, with Judge (52 in 2017) and Pete Alonso (53 in 2019) both producing 50 home runs in their first seasons.

Exclusive Club

Of the 34 players to produce 50-homer seasons, half batted right-handed, 14 hit left-handed, and two were switch-hitters. Eleven members of the elite group turned the trick more than once.

Proving that 50 homers is an elusive target, only seven players have reached the milestone in successive seasons: Ruth, Rodriguez, McGwire, Sosa, Judge, Ohtani, and Ken Griffey, Jr.

In fact, only 22 of the 30 current clubs have had anyone reaching that plateau. The eight teams without are the Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, and Washington Nationals.

As Hall of Fame pitchers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine agreed in a tongue-in-cheek commercial, “Chicks dig the long ball.”

If all conditions are conducive to allow more clouts this summer, they may just get more of it in 2026.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is moving to Orlando City in Major League Soccer this summer.

The 35-year-old World Cup winner from France signed with Orlando City on Tuesday. The deal lasts from July through the 2027-28 season with an option for an extra year.

Orlando City said Griezmann will join when the MLS secondary transfer window opens in July.

“From my first conversations with the club I could feel a strong ambition and a clear vision for the future, and that really spoke to me," Griezmann said in a statement provided by Orlando City.

He helped France win the 2018 World Cup and retired from internationals in 2024 with 44 goals in 137 caps. He is Atletico’s all-time leading scorer but his minutes have been managed by coach Diego Simeone this season. Even so, Griezmann has 13 goals this campaign in all competitions.

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

Red Sox Insider Details Why Connelly Early And Johan Oviedo Both Made Roster originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox have finalized their Opening Day roster and the team made an intriguing pitching decision.

Boston named Connelly Early to the rotation, while Johan Oviedo will go to the bullpen. It was an intriguing decision, as Oviedo appeared to have the inside track to winning the final rotation spot.

However, Red Sox insider Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reported on X on Tuesday that Boston wanted to carry six starters due to some concerns about Ranger Suarez and Brayan Bello.

“The framing of this is important and I wouldn't characterize it as "Early beating out Oviedo for the rotation spot" despite how he pitched better,” Cotillo wrote on X. “They wanted to carry 2 starters because of concerns about workloads for Suarez (and to a lesser extent) Bello. The real decision will come in 2 weeks and then, it'll be interesting to see if service time considerations are in play.”

Cotillo revealed that if Early is down in the minors for a total of 35 days this season, Boston would get another year of control on the left-hander. However, he made it clear that the Red Sox will be doing that, as Early has earned a spot on the roster due to his performance in spring training.

Early had a 1.59 ERA over 17 innings and is set to start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds. Oviedo, meanwhile, went 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA over five spring training starts and will begin the season as a bulk-inning reliever.

Boston is set to open its 2026 MLB season on Thursday on the road against the Reds.

More MLB: Marcelo Mayer and The Red Sox Infield: Is Boston Ready to Make Him an Everyday Starter?

The Toon teenagers finished in top spot of Group 1 after winning all three of their fixtures on Saturday, scoring 14 goals in the process whilst keeping three clean sheets.

In their opening game of the two-day tournament, United claimed a 2-0 win against Serbian outfit FK IMT Belgrade before sealing 9-0 and 3-0 victories against Swieqi United and Valletta FC respectively to advance into the Champions Group.

On Sunday, Newcastle defeated FK IMT Belgrade 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw before recording a 3-0 triumph over Kumanovo Eurosport.

In their final group game, Newcastle clinched the trophy after a 3-0 win against Ottawa South Eurosport and completed the tournament without conceding a single goal.

Connor Barker received the Player of the Tournament award while Harvey Fedynec finished as the tournament's top goalscorer.

Mike Slater, Newcastle United Under-13s Lead coach, said: "“This group was made up of our U13 and U14 players and many of these boys have been fortunate enough to go on some incredible trips and tours in their time at the academy.

"We were really pleased to see them put into practice their learning from previous experiences and have the success they did over the weekend.

"Not conceding a goal in 210 minutes of football is something they should be proud of - especially against new opposition and in challenging environments.

"The boys are always proud to represent Newcastle United and rightly so. Doing it abroad is an added challenge but they carried themselves impeccably both on and off the pitch. As an academy staff, this is something we should take great pride in."

Photography courtesy of KHS Cup

Former Cleveland Browns' wide receiver Jarvis Landry was an open book this past weekend on the latest episode of the "4th and South" podcast with Leonard Fournette.

Landry was recalling the Browns' heartbreaking Division Round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that was ripped from the grips of Cleveland thanks to none other than Chad Henne. The Browns were on the comeback trail and had every bit of momentum in that football game.

Patrick Mahomes had left the football game with an injury, and in came Chad Henne, who just couldn't get anything going. Trailing by just five points right after the 2:00 warning, Henne dropped back to pass on a 3rd and 14. If the Browns force an incompletion here, they get the ball back with plenty of time to take down the Chiefs.

Instead, Henne broke contain and scrambled 13.5 yards to set up a fourth and one that he converted on a quick pass to Tyreek Hill. Landry relived it all and also commented back on the most critical play of the game right before half.

The Browns were putting a drive together, and Baker Mayfield, who was struggling to that point, ripped a ball up the middle of the field to Rashard "Hollywood" Higgins. Higgins escaped to the sideline with his eyes set on the front pylon.

He leaped for the goal, and while leaping, he was speared in the helmet by Daniel Sorensen. On the hit, the ball was jarred loose and fumbled through the endzone. It took a sure seven points off the board and gave the ball back to the Chiefs.

What the Browns legend had to say on the play

A devastating play that Higgins recalled himself, on Monday.

"It’s crazy how much emphasis they put on helmet-to-helmet hits that year, and this is a textbook example of one. But let’s be real we’re never getting that call against the Chiefs… especially not in the playoffs."

It’s crazy how much emphasis they put on helmet-to-helmet hits that year, and this is a textbook example of one. But let’s be real we’re never getting that call against the Chiefs… especially not in the playoffs. https://t.co/HtrcHLzaC0

— Hollywood Higgins (@CALLME_WOOD) March 23, 2026

You're not wrong, Hollywood. Even if there was an emphasis on it, that call was never going against Kansas City in Arrowhead. It simply was not going to be made, and instead of Cleveland having a real chance at beating the defending Champions, they were left wondering what could have been.

The two images that are seared in the minds of Browns fans forever are Higgins' outstretched body, Sorenson's helmet on his head, and the ball juggling. The other is Henne breaking the pocket on 3rd and 14.

What could have been, and how those two plays could have changed the course of the Browns' history forever.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns fan favorite recalls devastating 2021 divisional round play

The World Snooker Championship will remain at the Crucible in Sheffield until 2045, with the venue set to be refurbished to add up to 500 additional seats.

The new long-term deal at the 980-capacity theatre also includes an option to extend it to 2050.

During the redevelopment period after the 2028 edition, the tournament will be hosted in 2029 at an alternative venue.

National and local government will supply £35m of the £45m revamp cost, with the other £10m coming from the private sector.

Snooker's premier event has been staged at the Crucible since 1977, with the current deal running until 2027.

Matchroom Sport president Barry Hearn said last April that the tournament would have to move from its long-time home after 2027 if the venue was not revamped or replaced.

Hearn said the venue was "no longer fit for purpose" but added the World Snooker Tour ideally "want to stay" at the Sheffield theatre.

China and Saudi Arabia were suggested as possible alternatives for hosting the tournament.

"It is really important, as we are talking about history, do you chase the big bucks somewhere else or stay where you are?" Hearn told BBC Sport.

"This deal works for everyone. This is the deal that everyone ends up with bread in their mouth.

"I couldn't be happier to secure the future here until 2045."

Last May, Zhao Xintong made history to became the first player from China to win the World Championship.

Some players, including Ronnie O'Sullivan and Iran's Hossein Vafaei, have criticised the venue for being too small but 2005 champion Shaun Murphy called it "holy ground" for competitors.

Up until the semi-finals, the World Snooker Championship is played with a two-table set-up, meaning space is tight and the fans are close to the players.

Other significant improvements such as enhanced spectator facilities will be included in the refurbishment.

The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited the Crucible last month to discuss the redevelopment, and said, "I'm delighted this £45 million of funding will support the venue to continue to develop world-class theatre and stay host to the famous World Snooker Championships for many years to come.

"We have a deep cultural and sporting heritage here in the UK - sport, art and culture are the very best of us. It's what makes us proud not only of the country, but the places that we're from."

Patrick Agyemang wasted no time showing U.S. Men’s National Team fans what he could do on the pitch when he scored in his first and second international appearances just over a year ago. Since then, the 25-year-old has continued to impress on the world and club level.

The striker began his professional career in 2023 with Major League Soccer’s Charlotte FC before transferring last summer to EFL Championship side Derby County. He made his club debut in September and currently leads the team with 10 goals in all competitions this season.

“When I got to England, it was obviously an adjustment factor, but as I've grown into the person and player that I am now, it's been amazing,” Agyemang said on Monday ahead of the USMNT matches in Atlanta. “I feel myself building in all types of areas, on and off the field, and I think it could obviously translate here as well.”

Agyemang scored five goals in his 12 appearances with the U.S. in 2025 and was one of six forwards named to head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s 27-player roster for the upcoming matches against Belgium and Portugal. The attacking group also features Folarin Balogun, who has scored 13 goals in all competitions for Ligue 1 club AS Monaco, and Ricardo Pepi, who has recorded 13 goals in all competitions for PSV Eindhoven. The roster didn’t include Coventry City leading goalscorer Haji Wright, who Pochettino mentioned last week was unavailable due to injury.

Agyemang recognizes the success of other forwards in the USMNT player pool and welcomes the friendly competition but tries to focus on himself as he aims to make the 26-player World Cup roster.

“It's good to see all the boys doing well,” he said. “With the national team, it’s always competitive. You're competing against a lot of top guys, and all those boys are really good players. It's just me focusing on myself. I like to dial into what I can control and keep working hard. It's a great feeling just to be in the mix. You just want to keep working hard, to push yourself in order to be hopefully selected.”

Agyemang’s former Charlotte FC teammate and current USMNT defender Tim Ream praised the striker and his development since moving overseas and said he sees a long career ahead for Agyemang.

“Everything is developed a little bit more, and he's still not finished,” Ream said. “That's the scary thing and the really good thing. I watch him, and he looks confident. It's impressive to see what he's done in a short amount of time, and hopefully that continues on.”

Same Opponent, Same Result

I didn’t lay on my back in guard for 3 rounds bro 😅. Let’s fight next?— Lerone Murphy (@LeroneMurphy) March 22, 2026

All four top seeds won both games in blowout fashion. The first and third days of the tournament produced zero upsets by seeding in any matchup. Virginia’s shocking upset over No. 2 seed Iowa to become the first women’s First Four team to make the Sweet 16 was the biggest highlight of an otherwise relatively drama-free opening weekend.

Overall, not much has changed in the women’s national championship winner market on sportsbooks since the bigger favorites mostly cruised to victory as expected.

Defending champion Connecticut is still the heavy favorite during its push for another undefeated season. But fellow No. 1 seeds UCLA, Texas and South Carolina also breezed by the opening two rounds — setting up a potential Final Four of all top seeds if the elite teams keep playing to this level.

Women’s National Champion betting odds

UConn remains the heavy favorite

The Connecticut Huskies (-255 on DraftKings) have held their lead over the field after sitting at around -275 odds after the initial bracket reveal. UConn destroyed No. 9 seed Syracuse in the second round, using a 31-0 first-half run to build a 53-8 lead that eventually turned into a 98-45 blowout victory.

Playing in her final game at Gampel Pavilion, senior sharpshooter Azzi Fudd poured in a career-high 34 points while knocking down eight 3-pointers. Completely dominant in early-round NCAA games, Connecticut improved its current winning streak to 52 games.

Up next, the Huskies take on No. 4 seed North Carolina during the Sweet 16 in Regional 1 in Fort Worth. Favored by over 25 points in that matchup, Connecticut is, once again, expected to totally dominate its opponent with minimal resistance. Should UConn advance to the Elite Eight, they’ll face the winner of No. 2 seed Vanderbilt and No. 6 seed Notre Dame. Back in January, the Huskies ran past Notre Dame 85-47 in a non-conference victory.

Other top seeds also take care of business

Other top seeds besides UConn also easily advanced in the women’s NCAA Tournament. The four No. 1 seeds combined to win their second-round matchups by an average of 38.5 points per game — with only the UCLA Bruins (+450) winning by less than 20 points.

UCLA moved up slightly from +500 national title odds behind another memorable effort from senior center Lauren Betts. Pouring in a career-high 35 points in her final home game at Pauley Pavilion, Betts finished 15-for-19 from the field against Oklahoma State.

In the Sweet 16, UCLA faces Big Ten conference adversary Minnesota in Regional 1 in Sacramento. The Bruins won on the road in January against the Gophers with a 76-58 victory.

Keeping with the other top seeds, the Texas Longhorns (+750) breezed past Oregon in the second round behind 40 points from Madison Booker. Making their third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, the Longhorns face No. 5 seed Kentucky next — a team Texas defeated 64-53 on Feb. 9.

The South Carolina Gamecocks (+750) made quick work of USC with a 40-point blowout win over the Trojans to advance to their 12th straight Sweet 16. South Carolina gets the most compelling Sweet 16 matchup amongst the top seeds when they play No. 4 seed Oklahoma — one of two teams to beat the Gamecocks during the season.

Although the competition level increases significantly for No. 1 seeds during the Sweet 16 by facing No. 4 and 5 seeds, all four top seeds are still favored by at least 15 points each in the next round. Barring a major upset, the four main title contenders are expected to reach the Elite Eight with double-digit wins.

SEC leads secondary title teams

Iowa’s loss to Virginia was definitely a stunner, as the Hawkeyes entered the game favored by 13.5 points. While not in the upper-tier of favorites, Iowa’s title odds were around +10000 at most sportsbooks entering that game. The Hawkeyes’ loss has opened the door for the second tier of contenders.

Enter the SEC, which is clearly the deepest women’s basketball conference in the country this season after six teams made the Sweet 16. The league’s strong season is further reflected in the fact that most of the league’s secondary national title contenders come from the SEC.

Only the LSU Tigers (+1700) are reasonably close to the top seeds in the current national title market. The No. 2 seed in Regional 2 in Sacramento, the Tigers crushed Texas Tech by 54 points in the second round to set up a battle with No. 3 seed Duke in the Sweet 16.

The Tigers already handled the Blue Devils during a December double-digit road win at Cameron Indoor Stadium and will be favored by close to double digits in the rematch. Should LSU advance to the Elite Eight, it could be on a collision course with UCLA for a spot in the Final Four.

Only one other national title contender sports odds better than 80-to-1. The Vanderbilt Commodores (+7500) are the only secondary market team making a significant move after the first weekend. Vanderbilt is peaking at the right time with five top-25 wins since the start of February — four of those wins coming against teams still playing in the NCAA Tournament. It also helped Vanderbilt that No. 3 seed Ohio State was upset by No. 6 seed Notre Dame in the second round — although the Commodores will still be tested by Hannah Hidalgo and a dangerous Fighting Irish squad.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

UCLA Bruins, South Carolina Gamecocks, Vanderbilt Commodores, Connecticut Huskies, LSU Lady Tigers, Texas Longhorns, Women's College Basketball, Sports Betting

2026 The Athletic Media Company

The quarterback situation in Minnesota is going to be rather unique. Both J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray have something to prove in 2026, but only one of them can have the chance. That is why CBS Sports' Garrett Podell discussed that the Vikings' move to get Kyler Murray was their subtle way of saying they are ready to make a change.

He wrote up his list of winners and losers from NFL free agency, and Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy made the list as a "loser"

Podell explains his choice of McCarthy, writing, "Minnesota traded up to select Michigan national championship-winning quarterback J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, and they let Sam Darnold walk in free agency to the Seattle Seahawks last offseason after a Pro Bowl campaign that yielded 14 wins. McCarthy will now be unfavorably compared to Darnold for the rest of his career. The former No. 10 overall pick finished last in the NFL in completion rate (57.6%), touchdown-to-interception ratio (11-12) and passer rating (72.6), while Darnold won Super Bowl LX as the Seahawks' starting quarterback."

The Sam Darnold talk is going to sting for a while; there is simply no avoiding it. However, it has to be a burn that sticks with the team as they look to re-tool this team and not look a gift horse in the mouth when it is presented to you. Murray could be that horse; he could also be another captain who has the age turned, but regardless, they have to not let the hope they once had in McCarthy ruin what comes next.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Free Agency: Vikings have one player labeled a 'loser'

Exactly one month from now, the first round of the NFL draft will be in the books, and unless the Cowboys make an awfully dramatic move between now and then, there will be two new prospects wearing the star.

No one on the planet believes those newest Cowboys will be anything other than defensive players. But with pressing needs at all three levels, which ones will Dallas target? One school of thought has the team going out and getting a veteran linebacker via trade prior to the draft. Such a move could signal an intent to address deficiencies at cornerback and edge rusher with their opening-night selections in Pittsburgh.

That's precisely the way ESPN's Field Yates sees it. In his latest mock draft, Yates predicts the first two rounds of picks. And while he joins a growing chorus of voices clamoring for the Cowboys to make a call to Rocky Top for the first, Yates's choice for the second could be seen as the kind of roll-the-dice wildcard the Cowboys have shown they aren't afraid to play.

Here's Yates's picks for the Cowboys with one month to go.

12. CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

McCoy going to Dallas with the No. 12 overall pick is an idea that's gaining steam with the draftniks; Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay, and Daniel Jeremiah have all sent the Tyler, Tex. native to the Cowboys in recent mock exercises. Yates has him pegged as the second cornerback to come off the board here, behind LSU's Mansoor Delane (No. 10, Cincinnati). But there is a sense that if the 20-year-old- who played just two years of college ball- impresses in Tennessee's pro day, he could catapult to the best corner in this year's class... and suddenly, him being available at No. 12 becomes a long shot.

"One of the true wild cards in this draft is McCoy, as he's a top-10 talent but has not played or worked out for scouts since an ACL tear in January 2025. He is expected to participate in Tennessee's pro day March 31, which will help solidify this ceiling if he's healthy.

"At his best, McCoy is the top coverage cornerback in this class, with exceptional length (77-inch wingspan), ball skills, patience and timing to disrupt wideouts. In a full 2024 season, he had four interceptions and seven passes defensed. The Cowboys need all the cornerback help they can get after finishing last in yards per dropback allowed (7.3) and total pass breakups (30)." -- Yates

20. EDGE R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

In a draft class loaded with big names at defensive end, Thomas has gotten a little lost among the Rueben Bains, Keldrick Faulks, and Cashius Howells. And at just 6-foot-2, 241 pounds, he doesn't always stand out in the huddle. But Thomas is a pass-rush machine. The question will be if the Cowboys believe in him enough to take him in the first round, a move that could be seen as a reach relative to his overall draft grade. He'll almost assuredly be there at No. 20, but he'll be gone by the time Dallas comes on the clock again at No. 92.

"Thomas is my type of football player as an explosive, powerful and relentless pass rusher. Plus, he has heavy hands and a nasty attitude when defending the run (21 run stops over the past two seasons). Thomas dealt with an injury for part of the 2025 season, but he still finished with 6.5 sacks and 23 pressures in nine games.

"The Cowboys must keep hammering away at their pass rush to find some semblance of what they had with Micah Parsons. Dallas traded for edge rusher Rashan Gary to boost this same initiative." -- Yates

Todd is on X at @ToddBrock24f7. Also, follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: ESPN mock draft sends CB Jermod McCoy, DE R Mason Thomas to Cowboys

The San Francisco 49ers need support on both sides of the ball, but their first two picks aren't until Nos. 27 and 58.

So, what they do in the first and second rounds will be dictated by how the draft board falls. The 49ers will likely target some combination of receiver, offensive lineman and defensive lineman with their first two picks, which leaves a lot of room for interpretation and speculation.

ESPN's Field Yates went through the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL draft and mocked an edge rusher and receiver to the 49ers. He went with Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk at No. 27 and Alabama receiver Germie Bernard at No. 58.

The Niners need to work on their edge group, though a big boost will come from the returns of Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams from injury. Faulk is an intriguing prospect whose tape was better in 2024 than 2025 (7.0 sacks compared with 2.0, respectively). But his skill set is too good to ignore: He's 6-foot-6, 276 pounds with positional versatility and stout run defense. A defensive line coach will see the potential to develop Faulk into a much more consistent rusher, as he won't turn 21 years old until September.

The 49ers onboarded a pair of veteran wideouts this offseason in Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, but the room definitely needs an infusion of youth. Bernard is a buttery smooth route runner with excellent instincts against all types of coverage. He's steady after the catch and would have a chance to thrive under coach Kyle Shanahan.

Faulk gives the 49ers a more stable floor at the edge rusher position with Bosa and Williams recovering from season-ending injuries. Even if he isn't elite immediately, Faulk should be good enough to keep the 49ers' pass rush afloat for the time being. But don't discount the 49ers bringing in another veteran as a stopgap or drafting another edge rusher later.

The additions of Evans and Kirk make drafting a receiver less crucial, hence the decision by Yates to wait until the second round to draft a receiver. Bernard has been solid for Alabama over the past two seasons after transferring from Washington, with 114 receptions for 1,656 yards and nine touchdowns in 27 games. He would give San Francisco a clear fourth option at the position behind Evans, Kirk and Ricky Pearsall.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL draft: 49ers take Keldric Faulk, Germie Bernard in ESPN mock draft

The Alabama Crimson Tide swept the Florida Gators at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa this past weekend.

The Tide had one of their best series' of the season on both sides of the diamond, as Alabama sent a message to the entire SEC with the sweep over Florida this weekend. Star pitcher Tyler Fay was electrifying on Friday night, as Fay recorded the ninth no-hitter in Alabama history against the Gators.

Here are three takeaways from Alabama’s series sweep over Florida in Tuscaloosa.

Tyler Fay has career outing, records no-hitter

Fay was flawless against the Gators to begin the series on Friday evening. The star pitcher recorded a complete game no-hitter with 13 strikeouts on 132 pitches, as Fay’s only blemishes of the night were two walks. 

Fay has had an up-and-down campaign to begin the 2026 season, but the talented flamethrower had the best performance of his career against the Gators in the series opener. 

Brady Neal continues to dominate at plate, records 11 RBI throughout series

Neal played a critical role in the Tide’s sweep over Florida this weekend. The talented right fielder recorded 11 total RBI throughout the series, including a towering grand slam in the third and final game of the set on Sunday. 

Neal is currently hitting a red hot .380 to begin the year, as the star outfielder continues to dominate for the Tide on a nightly basis. 

Justin Lebron continues to produce offensively, records 4 total RBI

Lebron has been widely regarded as a top shortstop in all of college baseball this season. The talented playmaker was excellent yet again against Florida this weekend, as Lebron recorded four total RBI throughout 11 plate appearances this weekend.

The star shortstop holds a .298 batting average this season, as Lebron continues to play a crucial role on the Crimson Tide night after night.

Alabama will face Austin Peay on Tuesday in Huntsville, as the Tide will look to improve to 19-7 on the year. 

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

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama baseball takeaways from series sweep vs. Florida Gators

Como haven’t exactly been a major surprise package this season. They finished inside the top ten last season, placing them well for the current campaign. If anything, the rise of striker Anastasious Douvikas is what should surprise many.

So far this season, the Greek has scored 11 times in Serie A, also racking up one assist. In all competitions, the 26-year-old has contributed to 16 goals, scoring three times in the Coppa Italia as well.

During a campaign where many are associating Serie A strikers with lower numbers than usual, the Como star has come leaps and bounds in only his first full season at the lakeside outfit. Douvikas arrived from Celta VIgo for only €14m in the winter of 2025, finding the net 18 times in all competitions for the Spanish side.

Before that, he had sparkled much more in the Eredivisie at Utrecht. In a stable attacking setup now at Como, he is replacing those numbers in Italy.

The striker’s dynamic running ability fits right into Cesc Fabregas’ system, which relies on constant interchanging of positions across the pitch. He doesn’t really take too much part in build-up but loves to rapidly get at the end of opportunities, coming across as very active in the final third.

This makes him a constant threat for opposition defenders, who have to keep an eye on his movement and make sure he doesn’t have enough space to run into and take shots away.

At Como, it is all about movement and finding space because of it. Under Fabregas and with the likes of Nico Paz, Martin Baturina and Assane Diao around him, Douvikas is well and truly enjoying himself.

Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN

• Pep Guardiola’s contract officially expires in June, 2027
• There is a belief Guardiola could leave before that date
• Man City have already considered Enzo Maresca as a replacement

A new line of reporting has once again insisted that Pep Guardiola will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the ongoing season.

Guardiola’s contractual status at City is currently defined by a two-year extension he signed back in November 2024, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until the end of the forthcoming 2026/27 campaign.

However, significant uncertainty has emerged in recent months, with reports suggesting that the March international break could be used by the Catalan coach as a period to reflect on whether he will step away this summer.

Speculation has been fuelled by the departure of long-term ally Txiki Begiristain last summer, the ongoing integration of a new-look younger squad, and Manchester City’s nine-point deficit to Arsenal in the Premier League.

While Guardiola has consistently pointed towards his contract when questioned on his future, the club’s hierarchy – led by sporting director Hugo Viana – is drafting contingency plans including names like former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

What is the latest on Pep Guardiola’s Man City future?

And now, according to a new report from talkSPORT, ‘well-placed sources’ in the north-west believe Pep Guardiola will decide to call time on his decade-long tenure at Manchester City at the end of the ongoing season.

It is pointed out that while City officials have played down recent speculation concerning the Catalan coach, they have already starting drawing up a list of potential successors to approach should they be required.

From Maresca to Michel: Who is on Hugo Viana’s contingency list?

Aside from the aforementioned Enzo Maresca, City could also consider Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique as a primary candidate, with the Spaniard obviously possessing the elite Champions League pedigree and philosophy that matches the Etihad Stadium’s identity.

Internally, Girona’s Míchel has publicly declared himself “ready” for a step up after successfully integrating City Football Group (CFG) methodology in La Liga, while Hugo Viana’s presence as sporting director has kept Ruben Amorim in the conversation, despite his recent difficult stint at Manchester United.

Among the club’s fans, a romantic return for club legend Vincent Kompany remains a persistent narrative, particularly given his work under Guardiola and success as Bayern Munich boss.

For now, however, Manchester City will remain entirely focussed on the silverware task at hand, with an FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool next on the agenda, followed by difficult Premier League clashes with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Burnley.

The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A massive alteration came to the franchise in the form of a new head coach for the first time in two decades, as Mike McCarthy was hired after Mike Tomlin stepped down. However, for the second straight year, the Steelers are waiting patiently for an answer from Aaron Rodgers.

The four-time NFL MVP signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh last offseason with the intention of 2025 being his final year. However, he left the door open for a return to the team in 2026 after the Steelers won the AFC North.

Speaking at the celebration of life for former Packers team president Bob Harlan, McCarthy told Harlan’s son, legendary broadcaster Kevin Harlan, that he does not know what Rodgers’ decision will be.

“It’d be a great story,” McCarthy said via Rob Demovsky of ESPN. “I don’t know [if Rodgers is returning to Pittsburgh]. And I would love to tell everybody breaking news.”

McCarthy added how cool it is to see how far Rodgers has come since he was a rookie in Green Bay.

“It’s really cool to see Aaron at 42,” McCarthy said. “To see a young man at 22 and all that he’s been able to accomplish and where he’s at in his personal life in trying to make this decision. He’s in a really good place.”

Rodgers and McCarthy were in Green Bay together from 2006-18, leading the Packers to a win over Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV. Should Rodgers decide not to return to the Steelers, it would leave the team with two quarterbacks – Mason Rudolph and Will Howard – while also increasing the odds of Pittsburgh taking a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!

• NFL mock draft has Steelers making controversial QB decision
• Steelers sign former Chicago Bears running back
• Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard appear at charity flag football event
• Steelers projected to take star Big Ten receiver in latest mock draft
• Pittsburgh Steelers sign former Cowboys offensive lineman

Rob Green has told a good story about winning the Europa League with Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri in 2019.

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Considering Rob Green was only at Chelsea for one season, he did pick up some good stories along the way.

So far the ones we’ve mainly heard about are those where he spoke “truth to power” about Maurizio Sarri’s boring training sessions, as the third choice goalkeeper who had nothing on the line.

He’s just told a funny story on Ben Foster’s Fozcast about winning the Europa League with Chelsea back in 2019 after a memorable domination of Arsenal in the final.

Blunt response to bonus questions after Europa League win

““I went in [to the office of the club secretary] and asked, ‘There’s no bonus schedule for the Europa League? You don’t get a bonus?’,” Green explained.

The impression he got from the blunt reply was that “it’s the second tier — we’re not interested in it.”

Considering that, we wonder what the players were told about the Conference League last summer? Although the tragedy is, our decline in standards since 2019 mean there probably was some kind of bonus in place for that competition…

In other news…

Chelsea have another wonderkid arriving this summer – young Dastan Satpaev is going straight into the first team squad, according to his current club’s owner.

Moises Caicedo has seen his form tail off recently, but it still having a good season overall, as the stats show.

If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

JJ Redick insisted the Los Angeles Lakers remain a strong team despite their nine-game winning streak coming to an end against the Detroit Pistons.

The Lakers fell 113-110 in a close contest, ending their run of victories while still holding a strong position in the Western Conference.

The result offered a setback, but not a shift in how the team views itself.

JJ Redick’s reaction to the LA Lakers loss vs Detroit Pistons

Redick assessed the loss after the Lakers saw their nine-game winning streak snapped by the Detroit Pistons.

“That we’re a good basketball team. I believe we are a good basketball team. I thought we could be a good basketball team the entire season,” Redick said.

He added: “We saw flashes of it and short stretches of it, and we are a good basketball team. I think we have to continue to play together and all that stuff.”

The response reflects confidence in the team’s identity despite the narrow defeat. It also points to consistency and cohesion as the key factors moving forward.

JJ Redick points to injuries after Lakers streak ends

JJ Redick also highlighted the impact of availability on the Lakers’ performance following the loss.

“It is remarkable to me, not an excuse, but our winning streak has also coincided with us being healthy. … Not having Smart tonight killed us. It’s important for us that we can get healthy,” Redick stated.

The comment underlines how closely the team’s form has been tied to having a full roster. It also suggests that maintaining health will be critical as the season progresses.

For now, the focus remains on regrouping quickly while preserving the level that defined their recent run.

Read more:

Former WWE star Chris Masters has discussed why he never won a title in WWE in his two runs with the company.

Masters was one many thought would be a success in WWE, but it wasn't to be, as he was initially released by the company for violating its drug policy. In an interview with "Insight," Masters opened up about why he didn't win any titles, despite coming close twice.

"Carlito and me were supposed to win them at that WrestleMania, but it literally got switched like the day before. We were penciled in to win it, but then Carlito, they wanted him to turn baby [babyface], and the Spirit Squad, they kind of wanted to get the belts on them somehow to give them some steam," he recalled.

The tag team titles went out of reach due to creative reasons, but Masters also lost the chance to win the Intercontinental titles, this time of his own doing.

"Then the Intercontinental title, I was actually supposed to win that, but it was the same point where they had given me intervention for, you know, my prescription painkiller abuse at the time. And they even told me, I remember having the meeting with Johnny [John Laurinaitis] and because there was a four-way match that night, it was in Vegas for the Intercontinental title that I was slated to win. But then they caught wind that I had the issues I had and I had a little intervention and you know, basically told me you're going to rehab and so, you know, I screwed that," he said.

Masters revealed that Vince McMahon considered making him the youngest champion, but it ultimately didn't come to fruition. He also believes that John Cena, who was WWE's #1 star, may not have been in favor of him winning the title. The former WWE star also disclosed that he and Cena — both OVW graduates — didn't get along.

Read more: WWE Botches That Left Wrestlers Seriously Injured

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Read the original article on Wrestling Inc.

Orlando City have confirmed the arrival of Antoine Griezmann (35) from Atletico Madrid. The Frenchman will make the move to the MLS club at the end of the season. 

Griezmann has never hidden his desire to play over in the MLS, as his former France teammates Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud have in recent years. It will become a reality this summer. The former France international had been permitted by his current club, Atletico Madrid, to travel to the United States in order to complete the move. 

Whilst this will be Griezmann’s final season at Atletico Madrid, he remains a key member of Diego Simeone’s side. This season, he has played 43 times for Los Colchoneros, scoring 13 goals and registering four assists. 

Orlando City have confirmed that he will join the club in July 2026. His deal with the club will run until the end of the 2027/28 season and will include an option for a further year.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Patriots Predicted To Draft Michigan Pass Rusher Who Needs Work In Second Round originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots need help in the pass rush department, and this draft class is deep with edge rushers.

The Patriots do not necessarily need to target an edge rusher in the first round. They signed Dre'Mont Jones, who essentially replaced K'Lavon Chaisson and they will hopefully have a healthy version of Harold Landry. They could wait for the second round to target pass rushers, and ESPN's Field Yates predicted they would do just that by selecting Jaishawn Barham with the 63rd pick in the draft.

"Barham spent two seasons at Maryland as an off-ball linebacker before finishing at Michigan in a role that was more edge rusher heavy," wrote Yates on Tuesday. "He's an extremely explosive player whose heavy hands knock offensive tackles back, but he could still develop more of a rush plan and pick up some of the nuances of the edge position. New England needs real juice off the edge after just 35 sacks in 2025 (tied for 22nd in the league)."

Barham is not a polished player yet, according to NFL analyst Lance Zierlein, but the aspects of his game that need work can be taught. He relies too much on athleticism right now, and the problem with that is that in the NFL, everyone is a great athlete, so it's tougher to have that as an advantage over others.

"He’s raw as a rusher, relying heavily on athleticism, but the missing elements are teachable," wrote Zierlein. "Whether outside or inside, he’s a professional block-beater with the tools to stack or slip blocks, though his edge-setting needs work. His bend and reactive agility create unlikely tackle chances that few can find. His intensity and motor are top-tier but he needs to play with better discipline to avoid negative snaps. With explosive traits and inside-outside versatility, he projects as an impactful future starter once his technique catches up."

Given that the Patriots signed Jones and have Landry, they can afford to draft a project rusher in round two of the NFL Draft. Zierlein noted that his NFL comparison is Chop Robinson, who has 10 sacks in the last two seasons, despite playing limited snaps.

Late March is one of the most fun times on the NFL calendar, in a rather underrated way. While the 2026 NFL Draft is only about a month away, the pro day scene is in full swing, and the biggest ones on the schedule are underway, which always makes for some exciting conversations surrounding prospects. A notable pro day of choice for New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore was the Miami Hurricanes, featuring two of this year's top prospects and several potential early-round picks.

Defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. and right tackle Francis Mauigoa are both touted as at least top-10 prospects in the upcoming draft, and Bain's fellow edge rusher Akheem Mesidor is also a likely first-rounder based on his skillset. Nickel corner Keionte Scott is also expected to go early. This led to a wide variety of NFL executives and coaches attending the event, who wanted a first-hand account of the test results.

#Saints HC Kellen Moore and #Jets OC Frank Reich talking to each other during Miami’s Pro Day. pic.twitter.com/e86if8XPad

— Jayden Gonzalez (@JaydenAGonzalez) March 23, 2026

100+ NFL personnel at Miami Pro Day. Some:

- Bears GM Ryan Poles
- Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer, VP Will McClay, DC Christian Parker
- Jets HC Aaron Glenn
- Dolphins HC Jeff Hafley, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan
- Saints HC Kellen Moore
- Patriots EVP Eliot Wolf
- Giants GM Joe Schoen pic.twitter.com/PjBGhQUb20

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 23, 2026

It was abundantly clear that this was one of the premier dates on the schedule for many teams, with just how many scouts and staff members were seen in attendance. Whenever executive suite-level members of franchises are seen, it is a very highly viewed pro day, and that was the case here with Miami.

While the Saints could certainly consider Bain at pick No. 8, it will be intriguing to see how much else comes out about potential meetings between the team and any of the Miami prospects. With plenty of talent to select from, they could have also been looking into a litany of other options to improve their roster.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Saints coach Kellen Moore scouting Miami pro day

The NFL world was turned on its head at the start of the new league year, when the Las Vegas Raiders agreed to trade superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks. A few days later, the Ravens backed out of the trade.

Baltimore reportedly had concerns about Crosby’s knee, which led to the two-time All-Pro returning to Vegas.

MORE: 2026 NFL draft guide: Biggest roster holes & best team fits remaining

This week, ESPN’s Ryan McFadden shared some insight on what led to the Crosby deal falling apart, with reports of “degenerative issues” in his knee.

“In addition to their own doctors, the Ravens had a handful of doctors outside the organization weigh in on Crosby’s knee, including Dan Cooper, a renowned knee specialist and the Cowboys’ team doctor,” McFadden wrote. “But Cooper was not the primary voice in determining whether Baltimore should back out of the deal.

“The consensus was that Crosby would be able to play in 2026. The Ravens’ concern centered on the uncertainty of Crosby’s durability after a couple of seasons in Baltimore because of a degenerative issue in his knee, a source told ESPN.”

Crosby and the Raiders appear to have sorted out their differences, and he now plans to remain with the Raiders, where he has always said he wants to be.

The Ravens, meanwhile, turned their attention to former division rival Trey Hendrickson, who inked a four-year deal with a base of $112 million and a max of $120 million with the team.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

MARCH MADNESS: 2026 Sweet 16 TV schedule, game times & dates for NCAA Tournament

NFL: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks make NFL history with blockbuster deal

NBA: Warriors’ Moses Moody suffers serious knee injury on dunk attempt

SPORTS MEDIA: Select CBS, TNT Sports record highest-rated opening day in NCAA Tournament history

ENTERTAINMENT: WWE’s Liv Morgan chugs beer to fire up Boston crowd ahead of ‘Monday Night RAW’

VIRAL: Aryna Sabalenka devours $100 Miami Open ‘Golden Glizzy’ after QF berth

The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is just one month away, and the Oklahoma Sooners are hoping to blow last year's number of two drafted players out of the water this year.

OU has 16 players that are eligible to be drafted next month. Running back Jaydn Ott, wide receivers Deion Burks, Keontez Lewis, and Major Melson, tight ends Jaren Kanak and Will Huggins, offensive linemen Febechi Nwaiwu and Derek Simmons, defensive linemen R Mason Thomas, Damonic Williams, Gracen Halton, and Marvin Jones Jr., linebackers Kendal Daniels and Owen Heinecke, defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings, and kicker Austin Welch have all exhausted their collegiate eligibility and are hoping to be the latest former Sooners to make it to the NFL.

Of course, not all of those players will be selected in April, but there are a number of Sooners that should be shoe-ins to hear their name called. The first player from Oklahoma off the board should be Thomas, and some draft analysts think that he could be chosen on the first night of thhe draft in the first round.

That list includes ESPN's Field Yates, who released his updated two-round mock draft on Tuesday. While many have Thomas as a fringe first-round player, Yates thinks that the pass-rusher from OU will be safely inside Round 1. Yates has mocked Thomas to the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 20 pick.

"Thomas is my type of football player as an explosive, powerful and relentless pass rusher. Plus, he has heavy hands and a nasty attitude when defending the run (21 run stops over the past two seasons). Thomas dealt with an injury for part of the 2025 season, but he still finished with 6.5 sacks and 23 pressures in nine games. The Cowboys must keep hammering away at their pass rush to find some semblance of what they had with Micah Parsons. Dallas traded for edge rusher Rashan Gary to boost this same initiative." - Field Yates, ESPN.

Thomas attended both the NFL Scouting Combine and OU's pro day, but he also tested at FIU's pro day on Monday. He posted a 34-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot broad jump, and a 7.1-7.15-second time in the three cone drill. Those drills come in addition to his 4.67-second time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.

During his time at Oklahoma, he developed into an excellent defensive end under head coach Brent Venables. Thomas' skills as an edge rusher burst onto the scene in his breakout 2024 campaign, and they were confirmed during his senior season in 2025. His 6.5 sacks in a little over eight and a half games were a strong follow-up to his nine-sack junior season in '24.

There's still a month to go before we see where Thomas continues his football career, but he may not have to wait long for his name to be called. After four years with the Sooners, he'll be wrecking havoc in NFL backfields soon.

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

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Where was OU's R Mason Thomas picked in newest ESPN mock draft?

This is what the golf world has been waiting for, Tiger Woods is back. Tiger Woods is set to return to competition Tuesday night at the TGL finale, representing Jupiter Links as he steps in for Kevin Kisner. Woods has not played a competitive round on the PGA Tour since the 2024 Open Championship, sidelined by another series of significant injuries.

“Disc replacement is not a lot of fun,” Woods said. “The body doesn't quite heal like it did when I was 24. It doesn’t bounce back the same way. I have good days when I can do just about anything, and other days where it’s hard just to move around.”

“I’ve been trying to come back, but it just hasn’t worked out that way,” he added. “It’s been about a year since I ruptured my Achilles, and I’ve had two back operations. It’s been a rough stretch.”

His return in TGL’s controlled environment offers an early indication of where his game—and more importantly, his body currently stands. While the format removes the physical grind of walking 72 holes, it still provides a meaningful test of his ability to swing and compete. That brings the conversation to the question looming over the sport: will Woods tee it up at The Masters in just a few weeks?

Tuesday night may provide important clues. How his body responds to repeated swings will be closely monitored, but Augusta National presents an entirely different challenge. Its undulating terrain and the demands of walking 18 holes a day over four rounds can take a significant toll.

Woods, a five-time Masters champion, is currently listed in the field but has yet to make an official commitment. He has not made the cut there since 2020, following his historic victory in 2019.

As for Tuesday night, Woods arrives at the last possible moment. Jupiter Links trails 1–0 in the best-of-three championship series against L.A. Golf Club, led by Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Sahith Theegala.

Woods, alongside teammates Tom Kim and Max Homa, is set to face L.A. Golf Club at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. If Jupiter Links captures the opening match, a winner-take-all finale will follow at 9 p.m.

For a league built on innovation and energy, there may be no bigger moment yet. And once again, it centers around Tiger Woods.

The Cleveland Browns' wide receiver room is one of the worst in the league, and they haven't done much to improve it in free agency. Luckily for them, the 2026 NFL draft is loaded with wide receiver talent. It would be a good year to draft more than one because of the depth of the class, and the Browns could use multiple.

Let's take a look at my Top 10 rankings for this year's wide receiver class.

10. Malachi Fields, Notre Dame

Malachi Fields is a big, physical wide receiver at 6-foot-4, 218 pounds who excels in contested-catch situations. His tape shows a guy with good body control and a guy who can elevate to high point the ball; he showed that with his 38" vertical at his size. Fields has a large catch radius and is a good run blocker. He is a more fluid athlete and mover than you expect with his size.

9. Elijah Sarratt, Indiana

I like to think of Elijah Sarratt as Mr. Reliable. He’s not the guy who’s going to blow you away with measurables or freakish athleticism, but he consistently finds ways to get open and secure the catch. Sarratt excels at the finer details of the position and runs routes with real precision. He’s the steady target who keeps drives alive — if it’s third-and-eight, you can count on him to get nine.

8. Germie Bernard, Alabama

Germie Bernard wins with good route running and a high football IQ to exploit holes in zone coverage. He's a strong, physical wide receiver who does a good job absorbing and bouncing off of contact to create extra yardage. Bernard has strong, reliable hands and has a knack for coming down with back shoulder catches. He has no issue catching the ball in traffic.

7. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

When Concepcion gets the ball in space, he becomes a real problem for defenses. He's explosive, quick to top speed, and able to simply run away from people. He’s a crafty route runner who consistently creates separation, gives his quarterbacks clean windows, and positions himself to do damage after the catch. If you’re looking to add more juice to your passing game, bringing Concepcion into the fold is exactly how you do it.

6. Denzel Boston, Washington

Denzel Boston brings a rare combination of size and speed. At 6‑foot‑4 and 210 pounds, his frame jumps off the screen, yet he still surprises defenders with his first‑step burst and overall top-end speed, creating natural mismatches. He tracks the ball well in the air and shows impressive body control, adjusting to throws and hauling in tough catches. As a route runner, he’s above average, changing direction far better than most players his size.

5. Makai Lemon, USC

Lemon is an explosive playmaker with reliable hands and becomes a major threat once he’s in the open field, consistently churning out yards after the catch. He’s an efficient route runner, and his sharp change‑of‑direction ability helps him create separation and set himself up for extra yardage. Though undersized, he certainly doesn’t play like it. He attacks the middle of the field without hesitation and absorbs contact with confidence.

4. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

Omar Cooper Jr. is a sharp route runner with the ability to change direction instantly, creating separation and pairing it with strong, dependable hands. What really jumps off the tape, though, is his work after the catch. He has legitimate speed, but he also runs through arm tackles and takes on the demeanor of a running back once the ball is in his hands. He’s a smart, instinctive player who excels in the screen game, patiently letting his blocks develop before finding the crease and turning it into extra yardage.

3. Chris Bell, Louisville

Chris Bell brings an impressive blend of size, physicality, and athleticism, making him a matchup problem at 6‑foot‑2 and 220 pounds. What jumps off the tape is how explosive and fast he is for a player with his build — he accelerates instantly and can flat-out run away from defenders who appear to have the angle. He’s dangerous after the catch, and his open‑field burst turns routine plays into big gains. Bell also shows strong awareness against zone coverage, consistently finding soft spots and giving his quarterback easy, high‑percentage throws. With his physical tools and natural talent, he has the upside to develop into a true WR1 and elevate an entire receiver room.

2. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Jordyn Tyson is a highly nuanced receiver who excels at the finer details of the position, allowing him to consistently create separation and become a dynamic threat with the ball in his hands. His short‑area quickness and burst let him change direction instantly, leaving defenders trailing. The most impressive part of his game, though, is how he performs when the ball is in the air. His body control and concentration are truly elite. Without the injury history, he's a top 10 talent in the class.

1. Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Tate is a dependable playmaker with trustworthy hands and the ability to threaten defenses at all three levels. He didn’t record a single drop for the Buckeyes this season. His refined route running and excellent body control allow him to adjust naturally to the ball while it's in the air. He’s also a strong perimeter blocker in the run game and converted 12 of his 14 contested‑catch opportunities this year.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL Draft: Top 10 WRs for Cleveland to target in April's event

Willing to Risk it All

Twins trade idea lands three Diamondbacks prospects for Cy Young candidate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Minnesota Twins are no strangers to making trades. 

The AL Central club blew up the roster last season, making 10 deals at the trade deadline. It left them with practically no experienced bullpen arms and youngsters in the lineup every day. 

There's speculation the Twins could deal All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton, but he has a no-trade clause in his contract. However, the front office made low-impact moves during the offseason, and hopes of a postseason berth are low.

Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller wrote Tuesday that the Twins should consider trading away their best starting pitcher. The right-hander's value could net them three top prospects, including a No. 1 prospect from an NL West club. 

Trade pitch sends RHP Joe Ryan to Diamondbacks 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The warning comes from about every coach, every player each March — heck, in any sport as the stakes are raised as the games carry more gravitas — don't look too far ahead.

Worry about the next practice, the next game, not what could happen down the road.

Then there's Dan Hurley.

The two-time national champion UConn coach seems to be reinforcing his classic brash ways by sharing his focus for Friday’s Sweet 16 game in the NCAA Tournament against Michigan State with the prospects of an Elite Eight matchup against St. John's.

Just like any East Coast fan or gambler who filled out a bracket this season, Hurley can't help but follow the lines in the East Regional and see what a Huskies' win against Tom Izzo's team could get them — a rematch in Washington with two-time reigning Big East season and tournament champions, St. John's.

Coach Rick Pitino has the tougher task between Hurley and his Big East rivals — at least on paper — in getting the Red Storm past top-seeded Duke.

Hurley, though, has a plea — the fanbases need to rally together for one night and root for their rivals so there is a chance for a fourth game this season between the schools, this time with a spot in the Final Four at stake.

“It will be a live building. It’s probably a little bit early, but obviously, I think we’ve got to support each other,” Hurley said. “It’s pretty brutal on Twitter, I think, and socials between our fan bases, but I think we have to try to come together Friday night against our opponent so we can have a bloodbath on Sunday.”

Hurley noted “it stinks a little bit” that two conference teams are set to potentially play in the regional final rather than in a Final Four.

St. John’s took two of three meetings this season against UConn, the second being a 20-point win in the Big East Tournament title game. The Feb. 25 blowout loss at UConn stands as St. John’s lone setback since standing at 9-5 as of Jan. 3, with the Red Storm beating Northern Iowa and Kansas in the tournament.

UConn started 22-1 but closed the regular season on a 7-4 stretch, a pedestrian record for a program that won consecutive national championships in 2023 and 2024. The Huskies rebounded with wins over Furman and UCLA in first- and second-round games last weekend in Philadelphia to reach their 17th Sweet 16.

(The Huskies beat Michigan State in an exhibition game in late October.)

Maybe it was playing in the East Coast that stirred up questions and comments about a St. John's-UConn showdown before it could even happen. Duke is a comfortable 6 1/2-point favorite to beat fifth-seeded St. John's while the Huskies are just 1 1/2-point favorites to beat Michigan State, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

If both Big East teams win, look out, the home of the Wizards and Capitals could look and sound a bit like Madison Square Garden in conference tourney time.

“I think it speaks to the quality of what us and St. John’s are this year,” Hurley said. “I think they’re a great team. I think we’re a great team. I think it was much needed.”

Winning two games in the NCAA Tournament were much needed for UConn a year after it was bounced by Florida in the second round.

The Gators would win the national championship — yet there's no repeat this season after they were bounced by Iowa.

The Huskies are back in their proper spot among college basketball's hierarchy.

They can thank Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban for getting the Huskies back to the Sweet 16.

Reed had 31 points and 27 rebounds, the kind of sensational stat line not seen in the NCAA Tournament in nearly 60 years, in the opener against Furman. Karaban scored a career-high 27 points in the second round against UCLA.

Karaban is a fourth-year senior in a career spent all at UConn — a rarity in today's instant transfer, greater riches game — and a third national title would rank him with the players of John Wooden's UCLA heyday in the rarified air of players with three rings.

“I think he can just take us wherever we need to go,” UConn guard Braylon Mullins said. “We all have the confidence with him and he’s our leader. We all look up to him. He holds the standard with this program.”

The Huskies hope they'll be closer to full strength in the Sweet 16.

Silas Demary Jr., a first team All-Big East selection, returned to the lineup against UCLA and played 22 minutes after he sustained an ankle injury in the Big East Tournament. Jaylin Stewart again sat out both tournament games with a knee injury that’s sidelined him since late February.

The deeper the Huskies, the better shot they have at going deep in the tournament — and maybe get that date with Pitino and St. John's.

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Ipswich Town FC is facing a backlash after Reform Party leader Nigel Farage staged a photo opportunity at its Portman Road stadium.

But the club is understood to have been unaware of the full extent of the event until social media posts emerged.

No official invitation was extended by Ipswich to Mr Farage for the Monday event, it is understood.

Portman Road Events, which manages private tours of the stadium, is understood to have taken a booking on behalf of Reform for Monday afternoon. However, the Championship club only became aware of what was involved later that day when posts appeared on the party’s official account.

Reform posted "Portman Road Awaits" on X on Monday evening, and Mr Farage followed up with a post on Tuesday morning.

He shared photos of him ‘signing’ for Ipswich and one of him holding up a number 10 Ipswich shirt.

I’ve never been too bad on the right wing. ✍️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/edW9hulPrO

— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) March 24, 2026

“I’ve never been too bad on the right wing,” he wrote on his official X account.

The party subsequently made a photo of Mr Farage holding the shirt the banner on their official X account.

It came after Reform held a party rally at nearby Trinity Park.

The club has declined to comment.

However, some supporters have criticised them on X, with one describing it as "PR suicide for a family club".

Sources close to the party insisted that Mr Farage had been invited by representatives of the club.

Reform posted a further video of Mr Farage at Portman Road on Tuesday afternoon, where he thanked the club for a “lovely welcome”.

He said: “It’s a big end of the season for Ipswich, they’re really in contention to go back into the Premier League.

“Let’s hope they do, but if they don’t, I think there’s a chance here – I’ve had a chat with a few people on the manager’s job coming up next season and I’m definitely on the shortlist.

“The trouble is, there’s only one job I’m really after.”

The video then cut to the door of 10, Downing Street – the prime minister’s residence.

Mauro Tonolini has hailed Andrea Colombo for his performance in Sunday’s Serie A clash between Fiorentina and Inter Milan.

During the latest episode of DAZN’s Open VAR via FCInterNews, Tonolini delivered his verdict on the Nerazzurri’s penalty claim in that match.

Fiorentina held the San Siro giants to a 1-1 draw at Stadio Artemio Franchi on the stroke of the international break.

Despite taking an early lead through Francesco Pio Esposito, the visitors failed to bounce back from a two-game winless league run.

Indeed, Cher Ndour scored a 77th-minute equalizer to condemn Inter to their first three-game winless Serie A streak since 2023.

However, there was a moment of controversy that left Beppe Marotta fuming.

Indeed, referee Andrea Colombo refused to penalize Marin Pongracic’s handball inside the box.

Colombo’s decision prompted an immediate response from the Nerazzurri president, but the Italian Refereeing Association doesn’t share the same opinion.

Maurio Tonolini Comments on Fiorentina 1-1 Inter Milan Controversy

“An absolutely correct decision,” Colombo said. “And a correct reading of the situation straight away by Colombo, who was in an excellent position and assessed the incident appropriately.

“The ball bounces in front of Pongracic, who tries to play it with his heel, and the contact with the arm is entirely consistent with the movement.

“It’s a non-punishable situation: Colombo’s decision was correct and then confirmed by VAR. The arm position is not punishable in terms of both positioning and dynamics.

“The fact that Thuram was behind the defender makes absolutely no difference – the evaluation is independent of the outcome of the subsequent action.”

Inter will be looking to recover from recent setbacks when they take on Roma in a high-stakes clash at San Siro after the international break.

Furthermore, Lautaro Martinez is reportedly likely to regain full fitness during the break and lead the line against the Giallorossi.

Yesterday, I stumped for the Falcons adding a third quarterback with experience, given that they have legitimate injury concerns for both quarterbacks vying for the starting job. Today, they signed that player, though it wasn’t one of the ones on my radar.

Per NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Trevor Siemian will be joining the falcons as their new third quarterback. If Michael Penix Jr. isn’t healthy to begin the season, he’ll back up Tua Tagovailoa directly; either way, this is about getting experience insurance for the quarterback room.

Siemian, 34, was Denver’s more-or-less full-time starter in 2016 and 2017 and stepped in to make spot starts for the Jets (in two different stints), Bears, and Saints after that. In total, he’s made 33 starts at the NFL level and posted 44 touchdowns against 32 interceptions with 7,751 yards and a 58.5% completion percentage. He can move fairly well in the pocket and is generally good at both getting rid of the ball and avoiding blundering into pressure and sacks, but is a poor downfield passer and one whose performance is noticeably worse under pressure. If you can protect him and have a smart gameplan that doesn’t force him to try to hit sideline shots and deep routes too often, Siemian can give you solid fill-in work for multiple starts. If things are a bit more chaotic and you’re not adapting to the limits of what he can offer, Siemian looks pretty lackluster, and anything that forces him out of a game manager-type role is probably going to end poorly.

You’re getting a player who you’re hoping can be a good teammate holding a clipboard and that you’d only have to install for a start or two in dire straits, instead of someone who will be counted on to start for half a season. In light of that, Siemian is a perfectly solid choice for QB3 who has the experience and track record to give the Falcons some confidence in an emergency. Given Tua’s concussion history and Penix’s injury history and recovery this year, there’s a non-zero chance we’ll see him in 2026; if we do we just have to hope it’s for a short stretch where he can hold down the fort decently.

Give Siemian a warm welcome, if you would.

All the weights for the 55 remaining entries for the Grand National at Aintree on 11 April - a maximum of the 34 top-rated horses will line up on the day.

Horse, breeding, age, weight, trainer

1 I Am Maximus (FR) 10 11-12 Willie Mullins IRE

2 Nick Rockett (IRE) 9 11-11 Willie Mullins IRE

3 Banbridge (IRE) 10 11-11 Joseph O'Brien IRE

4 Grangeclare West (IRE) 10 11-10 Willie Mullins IRE

5 Gerri Colombe (FR) 10 11-10 Gordon Elliott IRE

6 Haiti Couleurs (FR) 9 11-10 Rebecca Curtis

7 Spillane's Tower (IRE) 8 11-8 Willie Mullins IRE

8 L'Homme Presse (FR) 11 11-8 Venetia Williams

9 Firefox (IRE) 8 11-4 Gordon Elliott IRE

10 Monty's Star (IRE) 9 11-3 Henry de Bromhead IRE

11 Spanish Harlem (FR) 8 11-3 Willie Mullins IRE

12 Lecky Watson (IRE) 8 11-2 Willie Mullins IRE

13 Champ Kiely (IRE) 10 11-1 Willie Mullins IRE

14 Iroko (FR) 8 11-1 Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

15 Favori De Champdou (FR) 11 11-1 Gordon Elliott IRE

16 Three Card Brag (IRE) 9 11-0 Gordon Elliott IRE

17 Oscars Brother (IRE) 8 10-13 Connor King IRE

18 Mr Vango (IRE) 10 10-12 Sara Bradstock

19 High Class Hero (GB) 9 10-11 Willie Mullins IRE

20 Stellar Story (IRE) 9 10-11 Gordon Elliott IRE

21 Beauport (IRE) 10 10-11 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

22 French Dynamite (FR) 11 10-10 Emmet McNamara

23 Captain Cody (IRE) 8 10-10 Willie Mullins IRE

24 Jagwar (FR) 7 10-10 Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

25 Perceval Legallois (FR) 9 10-9 Gavin Cromwell IRE

26 Gorgeous Tom (IRE) 8 10-9 Henry de Bromhead IRE

27 The Real Whacker (IRE) 10 10-9 Patrick Neville

28 Quai De Bourbon (FR) 7 10-9 Willie Mullins IRE

29 Answer To Kayf (GB) 10 10-8 Terence O'Brien IRE

30 Jordans (FR) 7 10-8 Joseph O'Brien IRE

31 Now Is The Hour (IRE) 9 10-7 Gavin Cromwell IRE

32 Final Orders (GB) 10 10-5 Gavin Cromwell IRE

33 Marble Sands (FR) 10 10-5 David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

34 Panic Attack (IRE) 10 10-5 Dan Skelton

35 Top Of The Bill (IRE) 10 10-5 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

36 Johnnywho (IRE) 9 10-4 Jonjo & A J O'Neill

37 Twig (GB) 11 10-4 Ben Pauling

38 Blaze The Way (IRE) 8 10-4 Margaret Mullins IRE

39 Pied Piper (GB) 8 10-3 Gordon Elliott IRE

40 Imperial Saint (FR) 8 10-2 Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

41 Amirite (IRE) 10 10-2 Henry de Bromhead IRE

42 Ain't That A Shame (IRE) 12 10-2 Tom Ellis

43 Yeah Man (IRE) 9 10-1 Gavin Cromwell IRE

44 Soul Icon (GB) 9 10-1 Keiran Burke

45 Hyland (FR) 9 10-1 Nicky Henderson

46 Harry Des Ongrais (FR) 9 10-1 Henry de Bromhead IRE

47 Monbeg Genius (IRE) 10 9-13 Jonjo & A J O'Neill

48 Deep Cave (IRE) 8 9-13 Christian Williams

49 Buddy One (IRE) 9 9-12 Paul Gilligan IRE

50 Anyway (GER) 8 9-11 David Kenneth Budds IRE

51 The Short Go (IRE) 9 9-10 Henry de Bromhead IRE

52 Weveallbeencaught (IRE) 9 9-9 Emmet McNamara

53 Shanbally Kid (IRE) 9 9-9 Willie Mullins IRE

54 Will Do (IRE) 9 9-9 Gordon Elliott IRE

55 In d'Or (FR) 8 9-7 Fergal O'Brien

• Latest horse racing results

The Montreal Canadiens (38-21-10) will face the Carolina Hurricanes (45-19-6) on Tuesday night, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.

This will be the first of two meetings between the clubs in the final stretch of the season, with another match up set for March 29, in Carolina.

In the meantime, the Canadiens will want to do everything possible to secure two points on home ice, especially since most teams chasing them for the final spots in the Eastern Conference playoff race happen to be collecting points at an alarming rate.

Montreal’s playoff odds are hovering near 80%, however, they’re just two points up on the Detroit Red Wings, the team currently ranked ninth in the Eastern Conference. The Habs do have a game in hand, but the point stands, there’s very little room for error when it comes to their playoff aspirations.

As for the Hurricanes, they haven’t officially qualified for the playoffs, but it’s a formality given that they’ve already accumulated 96 points, good for first overall in the conference.

This doesn’t mean they’ll take the Canadiens lightly. Carolina loves putting their best foot forward any time they face the Habs, though it must be said it was Montreal who emerged with a 7-5 win the last time they met, back on January 1.

If the Habs are to beat the Hurricanes again, they’ll rely on their first line to do most of the damage, as per tradition. Cole Caufield is fresh off a hat-trick effort, Juraj Slafkovsky has emerged as a much-improved winger who can drive the offence, and Nick Suzuki continues to provide the type of hockey necessary to ensure his team is in good shape to take the next step in their long-term rebuild plans.

Jakub Dobes will serve as Montreal’s starter on Tuesday, featuring in his 35th game of the year in the process, not to mention just his 51st career game in the NHL. Experience aside, he’s done a great job giving Montreal a better chance of winning games this season, even if his save percentage (.893%) leaves a little something to be desired. The Habs allow their opponents to take a bevy of high-quality chances every night, which clearly makes life more difficult on their goaltenders.

In that vein, the Canadiens will need more than just excellent goaltending to beat a team such as the Hurricanes. Smart defensive work, including proper defensive positioning, is in order.

Head coach Martin St-Louis refused to reveal any lineup changes, suggesting his team is already in playoff mode, which is a fairly smart way of preparing for the final games of the regular season.

Martin St. Louis says we’ll see his lineup tonight. Won’t confirm or deny any changes.

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) March 24, 2026

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup

Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Juraj Slafkovsky

Alex Newhook – Oliver Kapanen – Ivan Demidov

Zach Bolduc – Jake Evans – Alex Texier

Joe Veleno – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher

Mike Matheson – Noah Dobson

Kaiden Guhle – Alex Carrier

Jayden Struble- Lane Hutson

Jakub Dobes

Carolina Hurricanes Projected Lineup

Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis

Taylor Hall – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake

Nikolaj Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook

William Carrier – Mark Jankowski – Eric Robinson

Jaccob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield

K’Andre Miller – Sean Walker

Mike Reilly – Alexander Nikishin

Frederik Andersen

How To Watch The Habs Vs. The Carolina Hurricanes

The Montreal Canadiens versus the Hurricanes, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, will be aired on RDS and TSN2. An instant recap complete with highlights will be available on Sportsnaut as soon as the final whistle is blown.

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• Habs Daily: Top Star Caufield, Suzuki Selke, Montembeault
• Habs Wrap: Playoff Race, Caufield Hits 40, Prospect Highlights

Nigel Wood has been appointed as the new chairman of the Rugby Football League [RFL] after being elected by council members.

Wood, the organisation's chief executive between 2011 and 2018, was voted in after the RFL's nominations committee put forward their proposed candidates for the role last month.

He returned to the RFL board as senior executive director last March and was appointed as commercial chairman in June.

"I am honoured and grateful that members have voted for me to chair the RFL board as we undertake important work in our bid to grow the sport," Wood told the RFL website.

"There is much to be enthused about as Super League celebrates its 30th birthday and we continue to implement the important findings of our strategic review."

Four independent non-executive directors - Dermot Power, Lord Jonathan Caine, Sara Symington and Emma Rosewarne - have also been voted in by the RFL Council.

The RFL added that the council had voted to admit entry to new phoenix club Salford RLFC - with the articles of association amended accordingly - following Salford Red Devils' liquidation in December.

At just 13, Alex Eala left the Philippines to train at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, a move that set her on a path to global tennis stardom.

Since then, she’s risen through the ranks, reaching a career-best world ranking of 29 and becoming one of the brightest talents in women’s tennis.

Speaking on the ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast, Eala opened up about what Nadal is like away from the cameras.

“I think it was around four years after I joined that he started going there pretty often,” she said. “So I got to spend some time with him – I was close with his cousins.”

Eala went on to explain how humble and down-to-earth he has remained despite his massive success.

“He doesn’t try hard,” she continued. “He has no arrogance; everything is just so easy-going with him. You can have a normal conversation about anything – and that means a lot for someone of his status.”

Alex Eala describes Rafael Nadal as ‘very down to earth’ but admits she is still scared to talk to him

Roddick asked Eala about her first encounter with Nadal.

“The first interaction with Rafa [Nadal] in the academy space, around that time, was not actually in the academy,” she said.

“So, before, we did like a trial, one week, see how it goes…

“My parents, my brother, and I flew over. And in the Madrid airport on the way to his academy we just happened to pass by Rafa.”

“We kind of chased him down! ‘Rafa! We’re going to your academy. Can we take a pic?’ and yeah he took a pic with us.

“That was the first interaction I remember in Spain.

“So a good way to start, I’d say!”

Eala also shared what it’s been like interacting with Nadal since then.

She added: “After that I don’t really remember. He was there a lot and he’s very down-to-earth when you talk to him.”

Nadal might be intimidating for Eala but it doesn’t seem like he sees her that way at all.

Alex Eala admits she’s ‘still scared’ of Rafael Nadal despite being friends

When Andy Roddick asked Eala about her first meeting with Nadal, she recalled it didn’t actually happen at the academy.

“The first interaction with Rafa [Nadal] in the academy space, around that time, was not actually in the academy,” she said. “So, before, we did like a trial, one week, see how it goes…

“My parents, my brother, and I, we flew over and in the Madrid airport we just happened to pass by Rafa on the way to his academy.

“We kind of chased him down! ‘Rafa! We’re going to your academy,’ can we take a pic? And yeah, he took a pic with us. That was the first interaction I remember in Spain.

“So a good way to start!”

Eala went on to talk about what her relationship with Nadal has been like since then.

“After that I don’t really remember. He was there a lot and he’s very down to earth when you talk to him. He asks questions and things like that,” she explained.

“But he’s Rafa so you’re always going to be scared. I’m always still scared. I don’t know what to say. I always get very tongue-tied. It doesn’t get easier!”

Eala may still feel nervous around him but it’s clear Nadal has a lot of respect for her game.

Read more:

There is no doubt that Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) have put the brakes on Newcastle.

It is why the Magpies support their replacement, Squad Cost Ratio (SCR), which comes in on 1 July. But will it reinforce the position of the elite?

The problem for the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has always been that it was too late to the party.

Whereas Chelsea and Manchester City were able to spend freely to build their empire, governing bodies now have the shackles on.

PSR was put in place in 2013, well before the Saudi takeover.

Though Manchester City do face 115 charges over alleged spending breaches between 2009 and 2018, which they deny.

PIF spent £404.7m in the first three years after buying the club in 2021.

But by bringing in only £50.4m from sales, the stark reality of PSR hit home in 2024.

Newcastle had to sell Elliot Anderson (£35m) to Nottingham Forest to help stave off a points deduction.

They lost a high-quality academy product, a lad from Whitley Bay who came through Wallsend Boys Club.

The 23-year-old is now an England regular and very likely to go to this summer's World Cup.

BBC Sport understands that Forest would want £80m should he be sold this year.

PSR focuses on limiting losses, but SCR is about income. In short, the more you generate, the more you can spend.

In the Premier League that will be 85%, though it is possible to spend as much as 115% in the first year and pay what is in effect a luxury tax.

On the surface, this sounds great. After all, Newcastle have recorded record revenues in each season under PIF.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says that for the Magpies it made total sense.

"The pluses outweigh the minuses," Maguire told BBC Sport. "With having a bigger stadium, hoping to either expand the stadium or move, they see the longer-term benefits of SCR."

But once you look under the hood, you see that SCR might reinforce the financial dominance of the Premier League's established order.

Read more here

We have really hammered home that the Vikings need to address the defensive line position.

The Minnesota Vikings found themselves in a tough spot as it relates to their salary cap and roster. The result of that was the team let general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah go, and in the interim, those became Rob Brzezinski 's problem. The first thing he had to do was clear some cap space, as most teams do, but some notable names were cut along the way, and they were all along the defensive line.

Now, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox is suggesting one for them to target as he named them a "best fit" for defensive lineman DJ Reader.

Reader played with the Detroit Lions in 2025, so he is familiar with the NFC North and the Vikings. Knox explains his reasoning, though, writing, "D.J. Reader will turn 32 this summer and isn't the sort of attacking interior pass-rusher that many teams want at defensive tackle. However, he remains a high-end starter, a legitimate force against the run, and a very durable defender. . .The Minnesota Vikings should also take a long look at their former division rival. Minnesota released defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in cap-saving moves earlier this offseason."

Reader is a dominant run stuffer, something the Vikings need in the middle. It would help the linebackers behind them, it would help the pass rush, making the offense not rely on the run game as much, and it all would lead to Brian Flores being able to scheme in an even more aggressive fashion than he already does.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Free Agency: Vikings named a fit for another NFC North defender

Texas Rangers right-hander Carter Baumler was on the mound for a spring training game against the Kansas City Royals when he got a quick mound visit.

Baumler did not expect to see Rangers manager Skip Schumaker considering he was throwing pretty well. But during the exchange, it seemed obvious that it wasn't just mid-game feedback on his pitching. Baumler seemed thrilled after the conversation.

The 24-year-old pitcher, who was acquired by the Rangers after the Rule 5 draft in December 2025, indeed received some good news.

Here is what Baumler said about the surprise visit:

"I wasn't expecting it. I was like, why is he coming out here? He got on the mound and told me I made the team. So, yeah. Pretty cool."

The 2020 MLB draft pick has had an unconventional journey to get where he is today. He missed his first professional season due to the COVID-19 pandemic then tore his UCL and missed the 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery.

After the long road to get where he is today, Schumaker wanted to go the extra mile for this interaction:

"There's only one time you get told you are making a major league roster for your first time. So you want to make it as memorable as you can. I'll never forget when I got called up: The exact moment, the exact game in Memphis Tennessee. I got to call my parents and my wife and it was the most amazing time. So I was trying to think of a special way to tell him his first time and luckily the bases weren't loaded and there were two outs, then I went out and did it. It worked out: Two quick outs, and I wanted him to enjoy it with his teammates on the mound. I thought that was special because that core group on the mound is who he is going to have to lean on the whole year to get to where he wants to get to and who he wants to be, along with some really good pitchers on the pitching staff. I just really wanted him to take in the moment on the mound knowing that he made the team."

Baumler recorded the third out of the inning on the next at-bat, so it clearly got him fired up.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Rangers manager uses mound visit for the coolest Opening Day reveal

March 24 (UPI) -- Years from now, Carter Baumler likely won't need to think for too long when recalling where he was when he found out he made his first big league roster.

Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker made the moment memorable by sharing the news during a mound visit Monday in Arlington, Texas. That occurred in the fifth inning of a 3-2 exhibition victory over the Kansas City Royals in front of more than 14,000 fans at Globe Life Field.

"I wasn't expecting it," Baumler said on the Rangers Sports Network broadcast. "I was like, why is he coming out here? He got on the mound and told me I made the team. So, yeah, pretty cool."

Skip Schumaker told Rule 5 pick Carter Baumler that he made the Rangers Opening Day roster during a mound visit pic.twitter.com/19J10vk39Q— MLB (@MLB) March 24, 2026

Baumler entered the game with the Rangers leading 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning and forced ground outs by Royals right fielder Starling Marte and second baseman Jonathan India. Baumler was preparing to face left fielder Isaac Collins when Schumaker signaled a visit to the mound.

Several Rangers players surrounded Baumler as Schumaker shared words with the 24-year-old prospect, who broke into a smile upon hearing that he made the big league roster. His Rangers teammates congratulated him.

"What a special way," Baumler said. "It caught me totally off-guard. That was pretty cool."

The right-handed pitcher struck out Collins on four pitches. He was replaced by fellow relief pitcher Tyler Alexander in the top of the sixth.

Baumler, the Rangers' No. 25 prospect, was 1-0 with four hits and one (unearned) run allowed over 9 1/3 innings in spring training. He also issued 10 strikeouts over his eight appearances.

The fifth-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2020 MLB Draft but did not play in the minor leagues that year because the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also missed the 2021 campaign due to an elbow injury.

A moment Carter Baumler will never forget ❤️ https://t.co/nHbWT8XFFdpic.twitter.com/klv5EePo9l— MLB (@MLB) March 24, 2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Baumler in the 2025 Rule 5 draft and traded him to the Rangers in December. Baumler was 7-1 with a 3.05 ERA over his first 49 minor league appearances. He was 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA over 28 appearances last year at the AA, A+ and Rookie classes.

"I went through a lot of hard times over the last few years," Baumler said. "It was pretty cool, pretty special. ... A few years ago, I never would have expected this.

"Looking back, I'm glad I kept my head down and kept hammering away."

The Rangers will host the Royals in another exhibition matchup at 2:05 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Arlington. They will battle the Philadelphia Phillies in their regular-season opener at 4:15 p.m. Thursday in Philadelphia.

Editor’s note: The Deseret News All-State teams are based on coaches’ votes from a list of nominated players.

Ms. Basketball

Milika Satuala, Bountiful, 5-10, G/F, Sr.

22.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2 apg, 2.7 spg, 1 bpg

5A Player of Year

Kylee Falatea, West, 5-9, PG, Sr.

26.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 8.1 apg, 6.3 spg

5A First Team

Tabitha Clark, Pleasant Grove, 6-2, SG, Sr. — 16.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.2 apg

Abby Christensen, Fremont, 6-2, SF, Jr. — 19.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.3 spg, 1.1 bpg

Kya Newton, Olympus, 5-4, PG, Sr. — 19.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.3 apg, 4.6 spg, 43 3s

Leah Bailey, Maple Mountain, 5-8, G, Jr. — 20.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.2 spg, 103 3s

Sutton Villa, Pleasant Grove, 6-6, C, So. — 14.6 ppg, 9 rpg, 6 bpg

Sophie Nielsen, Brighton, 5-8, F, Sr. — 25.7 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2.4 spg

5A Second Team

Olivia Stephens, Alta, 5-8, PG, Sr. — 16 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg, 2 spg

Mahala Speredon, Wasatch, 6-4, C, Jr. — 15.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.2 bpg

Tiana Fa, West, 5-11, F, Sr. — 14.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.1 spg

Izzy Wyaskett, Clearfield, 5-3, G, Sr. — 13.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.1 apg, 4.8 spg

Grace Gallagher, Hunter, 6-4, P, Jr. — 17.7 ppg, 14.8 rpg, 6.9 bpg

Sami DeLlamas, Springville, 5-10, F, Sr. — 15 ppg, 5 rpg

5A Third Team

Filifaiesea Liava’a, Wasatch, 5-7, PG, Sr. — 9.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.8 spg

Emmy Hales, Payson, 6-1, SG, Sr. — 16 ppg, 12 rpg, 4 spg, 2 bpg, 40 3s

Janiece Sikander, Pleasant Grove, 5-2, PG, Jr. — 9.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4 apg, 2.2 spg

Alexa Vance, Salem Hills, 5-7, G, Jr. — 18.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2 apg, 3.5 spg, 1.5 bpg

Hoku Pili, Granger, 6-3, F, Jr. — 15.5 ppg, 11 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.54 spg

Maleah Nelson, Bountiful, 5-5, G, Jr. — 10.2 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.9 spg, 46 3s

5A Honorable Mention

Quincy Kegel, Alta, 5-10, G, Sr.

Baya Jimenez, Bonneville, 5-6, G, Jr.

Zuri Nordstrom, Pleasant Grove, 5-5, SG, Jr.

Danielle Garner, Wasatch, 6-1, F, Sr.

Alia Baldassano, Alta, 5-6, G, Sr.

Ellie McArthur, Fremont, 5-10, SG, Fr.

Cammie Bontempo, Olympus, 5-7, F, Sr.

Hattie Templeman, Springville, 5-7, G, Jr.

Tia Pan, West, 5-8, G, Sr.

Laite Latu, West, 6-3, C, Sr.

Taizley Ball, Maple Mountain, 5-9, G, Jr.

Ava Blair, Olympus, 6-0, F/G, Sr.

Rihanna May, Northridge, 5-8, G, Jr.

Deseret News 5A All-Tournament Team

MVP — Janiece Sikander, Pleasant Grove

Zuri Nordstrom, Pleasant Grove

Sutton Villa, Pleasant Grove

Kylee Falatea, West

Milika Satuala, Bountiful

Abby Christensen, Fremont

Liverpool Track Rising Star Ayyoub Bouaddi as Midfield Plans Take Shape

Liverpool’s recruitment drive ahead of the summer window appears to be gathering pace, with Ayyoub Bouaddi emerging as one of the most compelling young midfield profiles under consideration. The 18-year-old Lille talent has been on the club’s radar for some time, but recent developments suggest interest is now moving into a more serious phase.

Reports from TeamTalk indicate Liverpool scouts were present to watch Bouaddi during Lille’s 2-1 victory over Marseille, a match in which the teenager once again underlined his growing reputation. Rival Premier League sides including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City were also represented, signalling just how competitive the race for his signature could become.

With uncertainty surrounding Liverpool’s current midfield options and a need to inject both energy and long-term stability, Bouaddi fits the strategic profile: young, technically secure, and already acclimatised to top-level football.

Photo: IMAGO

Performance against Marseille highlights elite potential

Bouaddi’s display at the Stade Vélodrome was not just solid; it was indicative of a player already operating with a maturity beyond his years. Operating primarily as a central or defensive midfielder, he showcased composure under pressure and an ability to receive the ball in tight spaces — a critical trait in high-tempo systems.

Observers were particularly struck by his spatial awareness and movement between the lines. As one assessment put it: “At the Vélodrome, the 18-year-old midfielder once again impressed with his composure under pressure and in tight spaces. His excellent movement allowed his teammates to find him between the Marseille lines.”

That ability to function as a press-resistant pivot aligns closely with what Liverpool have often demanded from their midfield structure — especially in matches where control and progression through central zones are paramount.

Profile and development path at Lille

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s rise has been rapid but structured. Having developed through the academy systems at AFC Creil and Lille, he broke into the first team with minimal fuss and has quickly established himself as a regular contributor.

Standing at approximately 1.85m, Bouaddi combines physical presence with technical refinement. His statistical output — including over 1,200 competitive minutes in the 2025/26 campaign and a passing accuracy hovering between 85–90% — reflects consistency rather than volatility, which is often rare in teenage midfielders.

More telling, however, are his underlying metrics: strong defensive duel success, proactive pressing, and an ability to break lines with forward passes rather than simply recycling possession. His style can be described as a hybrid between a ball-winning midfielder and a progressive deep-lying playmaker.

His contract situation further complicates any potential deal. After signing an extension until 2029, Lille are understood to value him at upwards of €50 million, effectively placing him in the category of high-investment, future-facing transfers.

Transfer landscape and Liverpool’s strategic positioning

Liverpool’s interest in Ayyoub Bouaddi must be viewed within the broader context of their midfield evolution. Questions remain over squad depth, contract timelines, and the effectiveness of current options, making recruitment in this area a priority rather than a luxury.

Bouaddi represents a calculated gamble — not a finished product, but a player with a ceiling that could justify a significant outlay. Crucially, he is already delivering at senior level in Ligue 1 and European competition, reducing the adaptation risk typically associated with teenage signings.

Competition, however, will be fierce. Arsenal are reportedly long-term admirers, while Manchester City and Chelsea continue to monitor his development closely. In such a crowded market, Liverpool’s ability to present a clear pathway to first-team football could prove decisive.

There is also an international dimension to his future. Bouaddi, eligible for both France and Morocco, has drawn praise at national level, with one observer noting: “The national team that manages to convince him to play will be very lucky!” That statement reflects not just his talent, but the expectation that he will soon become a key figure on the international stage.

For Liverpool, securing a player of this profile would align with a broader recruitment philosophy: identifying elite potential early and integrating it into a system designed to maximise development. Whether a deal materialises this summer or further down the line, Bouaddi’s trajectory suggests he will remain a name closely linked with Anfield ambitions.

The Baltimore Ravens have made their stance clear during previous conversations. General manager Eric DeCosta has already expressed that he wants Marlon Humphrey to remain a part of the team’s plans in 2026. That doesn't seem to matter much. Though he isn't actively being shopped, the conversation continues to gain traction.

Take a recent write-up by John Kosko of Pro Football Focus, for instance. His recent theory, every NFL team's most valuable trade asset mentions 'you know who.' Here's what he said in that regard.

"The Ravens have a roster capable of competing for a Super Bowl in 2026, and with recent investments in the secondary, Humphrey could emerge as a valuable trade asset. His experience and playmaking ability still carry weight despite a step back in 2025. Humphrey’s coverage versatility and physicality have produced 80.0-plus PFF grades in his peak seasons. With him entering the final year of his contract and set to turn 30 this summer, Baltimore could look to move on and recoup multiple assets to strengthen its overall depth."

Pro Football Focus ignores Eric DeCosta's previous Humphrey statement and again mentions the Ravens star for his trade value.

Despite the intentions of the front office, it’s a fair point. What better trade piece do the Ravens have than Marlon Humphrey? At his peak, Humphrey was among the league’s most complete defensive backs. He's physical and versatile, yet also capable of shadowing top receivers or contributing in the slot. Those traits don’t simply vanish, and they still carry significant value for teams seeking veteran leadership in the secondary. Still, this discussion isn’t just about performance. It’s also a conversation about finances.

This season, Humphrey carries a $26.2 million cap hit, along with a sizable $22.9 million dead cap figure. That kind of financial commitment forces tough decisions, especially for a team balancing championship aspirations with long-term roster flexibility.

A restructuring could ease the burden. Doing so in Humphrey's case would free up over $13 million in cap space, but even that would have future implications. That’s the balancing act that Baltimore must weigh. There's also the wildcard that doesn't involve a trade at all. Rather than moving on entirely, Baltimore could explore a shift in position.

Here’s a bold thought, one Ravens Wire has mentioned before. What if Humphrey transitions to safety? With his physicality, instincts, and experience, the move isn't far-fetched. It could extend his effectiveness while maximizing his football IQ in a slightly different role. For now, DeCosta's message remains steady, but in the NFL, conversations like these don’t disappear. They evolve, and as long as Humphrey's name is being discussed, the possibility, however unlikely, will linger.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: PFF floats Marlon Humphrey trade idea despite Ravens GM's comments

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers will welcome back a key piece to their success on Wednesday when Paul George returns from his 25-game suspension in a matchup with the Chicago Bulls.

The time is now for the Sixers to make a push into the top 6 in the Eastern Conference. A finish in the No. 5 seed is very attainable as they are only 1.5 games back of the sliding Toronto Raptors with 10 to play and they do have the tiebreaker over the Raptors. The Sixers fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 123-103 on Monday, but knowing that George is set to return is a big lift for everybody.

"It’s Paul George, man," beamed VJ Edgecombe. "He’s elite. He's elite. He's one of the smoothest players to ever touch a basketball. He's a two-way player at that. So for him to get back on the floor means a lot. Especially, after his time being out. It will be a lot for him to be back on the floor, and for me with my teammates, I just want to see them succeed, and see them happy in the right headspace."

George has played 27 games on the season and is averaging 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 38.2% from deep. The Sixers miss his ability to make plays for others and can help on the defensive end of the floor. He has been participating in practice on the scout team and such.

"It's going to be great," MarJon Beauchamp added on George. "The way he's moving and playing. I see him in the play groups, you know, and he looks ready. We need that leadership that he has, and we can't wait to get him back. He’s a special player and we’ll just try to get these wins and get back on track."

The return of George for the final 10 games will be a big help to the Sixers as they make that push into a guaranteed playoff spot. They are a game back of the Atlanta Hawks for the No. 6 seed--although the Hawks own the tiebreaker--and the 9-time All-Star will look to move forward with the team.

"P’s a big factor," said Justin Edwards. "A big part of our team so we’ll be happy to have him back."

The Sixers and the Bulls will tip off at 7 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Multiple Sixers react to the pending return of Paul George vs. Bulls

I don’t know how to make this post any longer, because for whatever reason, Charter/Spectrum decided to announce this news with a weird tweet-of-an-image with no details. Now, you have to gaze at it too.

There are no details, whatsoever. This was probably going to happen at some point this week given that Opening Day happens in just a few days, and I guess today was the day.

So, if you still have cable, and that cable is Spectrum, then I guess now you have access to most Braves games through your cable carrier. If you don’t, and are still at sea about this whole thing, I guess ask in the comments and we’ll try to get you sorted.

Despite this news, we haven’t received word on whether any other Braves have suffered a debilitating injury today.

Former Tottenham midfielder David Howells believes "there is enough character and talent" in the squad to avoid the club's first relegation in 49 years.

With Spurs sitting one point above the bottom three, Howells thinks the players would benefit from hearing from someone such as club legend Steve Perryman, who was assistant boss on one of the occasions Spurs staved off relegation during the 1990s.

"I do remember Steve Perryman being brilliant around that time," Howells said. "He said despite all the success he had as a player and the trophies that he won, one of the things that stayed with him was the shame and embarrassment of getting relegated with Tottenham Hotspur.

"If I could get Steve Perryman in that current dressing room today, I would put him there now and have that chat with the guys.

"I'm not saying there are any players not trying, but I think sometimes you hear a different voice and especially a voice like Steve Perryman, a legend of the club saying stuff like that... when we listened to Stevie talking like that, it resonated with us."

Howells added: "It can only come from the players. We will scream our heads off in the stadium, but it has to come from them.

"To not have Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison in the changing room all season has been a massive reason for where we are, but I do think Tottenham have the characters to stay up.

"I don't know if those two will play again this season, hopefully they do, but looking around the rest of the group, I think there is enough character, talent and hopefully belief to do it."

Tottenham, who have have failed to win any of their past 13 league fixtures, will face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in their first match after the international break on Sunday, 12 April.

Good morning, Chargers fans!

You know what to do!

And now for today’s links.

Chargers News:

A pair of former Chargers assistant coaches will be honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Chargers.com)

The Chargers are set to host a standout LSU linebacker (Chargers Wire)

Could the Chargers have their eyes set on this potential UDFA? (Bolt Beat)

The Chargers should keep a close eye on this former Pro Bowler who may be cut (Charger Report)

NFL News:

How does JSN’s new contract affect Puka Nacua’s next deal? (ESPN)

The Patriots released backup quarterback Josh Dobbs (ESPN)

Who have been the most intriguing offensive additions this NFL offseason? (CBS Sports)

Which team has had the best offseason thus far? (NFL.com)

Miami edge rusher Ruben Bain Jr. is set to visit the Dolphins on Tuesday (Pro Football Talk)

Here’s how the Broncos managed to strike a trade for Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (Sports Illustrated)

Germany will not be among the main favourites to win the World Cup later this year, according to captain Joshua Kimmich.

The 31-year-old believes that two consecutive disappointing group-stage exits at the World Cup (in 2018 and 2022) have influenced how Germany are viewed heading into this summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“We're not among the top favourites because we have not delivered in recent tournaments,” Kimmich said at a press conference on Tuesday.

With that said, he also made it clear that the German team shouldn't be discouraged by what happened at the last two World Cups.

“When it starts, nobody cares anymore what happened four or eight years ago,” Kimmich said, adding that he expects maximum commitment from his teammates.

“I expect everyone to fully commit to the bigger picture and give 100 percent.

“We depend on everyone being healthy, ready and getting into good form. The most important thing is that we have all players on board. We have the chance to grow even closer together.”

Germany will face Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador in the group stage.

For now, however, their focus is on the upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana.

Man Utd Target Bruno Guimarães as Midfield Rebuild Takes Shape

Manchester United’s summer strategy is beginning to take on a familiar rhythm, part ambition, part necessity, part quiet recalibration of identity. According to Sports Illustrated, conversations have taken place between United and representatives of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães, with an asking price that feels almost curiously attainable in modern football terms, around £60.7 million.

Photo IMAGO

This is not merely a transfer rumour drifting across the usual channels. It feels more like a signal of intent, a club attempting to redraw the contours of its midfield, and perhaps its authority.

Midfield Reset Defines United Strategy

Guimarães, widely admired across Europe, has been framed as a possible successor to Casemiro. The symbolism here is obvious. One Brazilian anchor gives way to another, but the stylistic shift is just as important. Where Casemiro has offered steel and experience, Guimarães represents mobility, control and a certain expressive confidence in possession.

Photo IMAGO

There is also a practical dimension. United are expected to pursue at least two midfield additions. Casemiro’s influence has waned, while Manuel Ugarte has yet to fully convince. Kobbie Mainoo’s emergence provides a foundation, but not yet a complete structure.

As one report puts it, Guimarães has been identified as United’s “main target” for the summer. The quoted figure of £60.7 million feels modest for a player of his profile, particularly given his contract runs until 2028.

Yet football rarely unfolds in straight lines. Interest does not guarantee acquisition, and admiration does not secure agreement.

Newcastle Resistance Shapes Negotiations

If United are quietly confident, Newcastle are anything but accommodating. Eddie Howe has already made his feelings clear.

“For me it’s a nonsense story,” he said. “Bruno’s our captain, he’s fully committed. He’s injured at the moment, his only focus is coming back to fitness.

“For me, it is not the time to think about it. In the summer, you can understand those stories a little bit more because the transfer window is open. To say our captain is in discussions with another club is totally disrespectful to Bruno more than anything else. He is totally committed here.”

There is a kind of theatre to these denials, part defence of club hierarchy, part assertion of control. Newcastle’s position is understandable. Guimarães is not simply a player, he is a symbol of their modern resurgence.

Photo IMAGO

And yet, as Fabrizio Romano has noted, there is still a “long way to go” before any deal materialises. That phrase lingers, suggesting both possibility and distance.

Alternative Targets Remain in Play

United’s recruitment team, aware of the complexities involved, have not limited their scope. Sandro Tonali remains a name of interest, though likely at a higher cost. Elliot Anderson has attracted attention, but Manchester City are reportedly leading that race.

Photo IMAGO

Elsewhere, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton present longer term options, though both come with complications, either financial or contractual. Then there is Leon Goretzka, a different kind of proposition entirely, a player whose contract situation could make him a more pragmatic solution.

Photo IMAGO

Each name reflects a slightly different vision of what United want to become. Dynamic controller, progressive passer, disciplined enforcer. The balance is still being negotiated.

What is clear is that United are operating within defined parameters. A reported £80 million budget for a marquee midfielder sets the tone. Decisions will need to be precise rather than extravagant.

Guimarães Move Reflects Broader Ambition

There is something telling about this pursuit. Guimarães represents not just quality, but direction. A player capable of dictating tempo, of imposing rhythm, of turning possession into purpose.

At 28, soon to be 29, this may well be his final major transfer opportunity. For Newcastle, it is a question of timing and leverage. For United, it is a question of conviction.

Photo: IMAGO

The dialogue between club and player, even at this early stage, hints at a broader recalibration. United are not merely collecting talent, they are attempting to assemble coherence.

Whether Guimarães becomes part of that remains uncertain. But the intent is unmistakable.

And in modern football, intent often tells its own story.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Guimarães is exactly the profile United have lacked, someone who can take control of games rather than react to them.

There is a sense that this could be a transformative signing. Fans have watched midfield battles slip away too easily in recent seasons. Guimarães offers composure under pressure, intelligence in tight spaces and a level of consistency that United have not had since their peak years.

However, there are understandable concerns. Newcastle will not sell easily, and United have been here before, heavily linked with top targets only to pivot late in the window. The “long way to go” warning feels particularly relevant.

Supporters will also question whether one signing is enough. If Casemiro departs and Ugarte remains uncertain, then two midfield additions are essential, not optional.

There is also the matter of identity. United fans want to see a midfield that dominates rather than survives. Guimarães could be the cornerstone of that shift, but only if the club build around him intelligently.

Ultimately, this feels like a defining summer. Get it right, and United could finally rediscover control in the centre of the pitch. Get it wrong, and the same structural issues will persist.

For now, Guimarães represents hope, but also a test of how serious this rebuild really is.

Editor’s note: The Deseret News All-State teams are based on coaches’ votes from a list of nominated players.

4A Player of Year

Talyssa Nelson, Green Canyon, 6-1, SG, Sr.

17.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 spg, 91 3s

4A First Team

Izzy Hollingshead, Dixie, 5-8, G, So. — 18.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.9 apg, 4.0 spg, 58 3s

Abby Munford, Ridgeline, 6-1, F, Jr. — 14.7 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 3.0 spg, 1.8 bpg

Addison Winters, Dixie, 5-9, G, So. — 14.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.0 spg

Kenadie Maughan, Uintah, 6-5, C, Sr. — 19.5 ppg, 14.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg

Kloey Tensmeyer, Green Canyon, 5-6, PG, Jr. — 12.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.0 spg

Kennedy Searle, Tooele, 6-0, F, Jr. — 16.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.7 spg, 1.3 bpg

4A Second Team

Gabby Gomez, Cedar, 5-7, G, Sr. — 18.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.0 spg, 67 3s

Ella Fiefia, Pine View, 5-10, F, Sr. — 11.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.6 spg

Mya Hinds, Green Canyon, 5-11, PG/SG, Sr. — 10.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.8 apg

Emersyn Brown, Mountain Crest, 5-10, G, So. — 15.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.8 apg

MaKayla Boyer, Timpanogos, 5-7, G, Jr. — 19.7 ppg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 spg, 56 3s

Reese Gustin, Pine View, 5-8, G, Sr. — 11.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.7 spg, 44 3s

4A Third Team

Mollee Allen, Sky View, 6-1, Post, So. — 15.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.4 spg, 1.7 bpg, 1.2 apg

Sage Yenchik, Provo, 5-7, G, So. — 11.9 ppg, 5.6 apg, 2.8 spg

Munah Doe, Judge Memorial, 5-9, SF, So. — 15.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 3.0 spg

Mylee Villanueva, Desert Hills, 5-10, F, Sr. — 12 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.1 spg

Carley Caton, Cottonwood, 5-10, C, Sr. — 14.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg

Jaycee Carlson, Mountain View, 6-0, G, Sr. — 15 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 4.0 spg

4A Honorable Mention

Braylee Chesley, Snow Canyon, 5-9, SG, Fr.

Falynn Randall, Snow Canyon, 5-7, PG, So.

Bergen Jettie, Jordan, 5-5, PG, Jr.

Ellie Adams, Timpanogos, 5-6, G, So.

Sam Brown, Ridgeline, 6-1, G, Fr.

Bella Carroll, Mountain Crest, 5-5, G, Jr.

Kalea Schlenker, Pine View, 5-7, G, Sr.

Brooke Smith, Ridgeline, 5-10, G, Sr.

Paige Smith, Jordan, 6-1, C, Jr.

Maylee Higley, Bear River, 5-9, SG/PG, Fr.

Tess Peterson, Desert Hills, 5-9, F, Sr.

Brooklyn Richter, Murray, 6-3, P, Jr.

Deseret News 4A All-Tournament Team

MVP — Talyssa Nelson, Green Canyon

Mya Hinds, Green Canyon

Kloey Tensmeyer, Green Canyon

Izzy Hollingshead, Dixie

Addison Winters, Dixie

Reese Gustin, Pine View

JuJu Watkins has not played this season, but for the USC Trojans, some star power has remained evident on this team. Freshman Jazzy Davidson has picked up the slack for USC, and she was as dominant as can be versus Clemson on Saturday.

Jazzy Davidson stuffed up the stat sheet with a 31-point, 6-rebound, 5-assists, and 3-steal performance. This level of quality came in her debut as a freshman in the NCAA Tournament. Her impact is felt in every aspect of the game, even when she cannot buy a bucket. Davidson is averaging 17.6 points per game on the season, providing the Trojans with not only superstar talent but also great leadership.

Next season the Trojans will have both JuJu Watkins and Jazzy Davidson on the floor together. USC could have its best chance at an NCAA women's title in modern times. The last time JuJu suited up for USC she was the best player in the country. She was averaging 23.3 points per game along with 2.1 steals.

The Trojans have had impressive guard play this year, but next season is shaping up to be a very special one for USC with both Watkins and Davidson. To add icing on the cake, the top basketball recruit of the 2026 class is coming to USC in Saniyah Hall. There will be a short list of teams that can match up with the Trojans' talent next season.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC women's basketball will have resources to win it all next season

Lewis Hamilton has revealed his pre-season training block was the “most intense he’s ever had” as he looks to re-find his form after a poor debut season with Ferrari.

Hamilton failed to secure a podium in his inaugural Scuderia campaign, marking the first time in 19 seasons he failed to register a top-three finish.

Yet the start of the 2026 season has seen Hamilton show signs of renewed vigour, impressing off the start-line and competing for front-running positions against the Mercedes pairing of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, as well as Charles Leclerc.

At the last round in China, Hamilton picked up his first podium in red with a third-place finish and ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, the seven-time F1 world champion divulged his pre-season preparations and a firm decision he made on Christmas Day.

"Training this winter has been the heaviest and the most intense that I've ever had, and that probably comes hand in hand with being older, said the 41-year-old. "It takes longer to recover.

"But I've managed to pull these new tools together. I've got a great trainer that I've been working with in the past, but we worked together since Christmas Day.

"Then the time at the factory, obviously new engineer, and that's obviously been a real good boost as well. Great morale within the team.

"And as I said, I just decided on Christmas Day how I was going to start this season. I decided what I was going to do mentally and I'm going to continue to tweak that."

Hamilton is working with Carlo Santi as his temporary race engineer, having dispensed with Riccardo Adami. Cedric Michel-Grosjean is expected to fill the role permanently in the coming weeks.

Hamilton added after China: "I definitely feel like I'm back to my best, both mentally and physically.

"I still think there's room to improve. "I think I can still eke out more performance from this car. I'm still learning about it as I go, particularly with [energy] deployment.

"I do think there's more to come."

Hamilton is a five-time winner of the Japanese Grand Prix and is still eyeing his first grand prix victory for Ferrari. The Scuderia have not claimed a win since October 2024 with former driver Carlos Sainz.

Marcelo Mayer and The Red Sox Infield: Is Boston Ready to Make Him an Everyday Starter? originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Marcelo Mayer has already won the headline part of this story. Alex Cora named him Boston’s primary second baseman, Kristian Campbell was optioned to the minors, and the Red Sox have made it clear they believe Mayer earned this shot.

But if you are looking for one last Opening Day storyline with real intrigue, this is it: the battle may be over on paper, yet the fight for everyday at-bats is only just beginning.

That is what makes Mayer such a fun player to watch going into Opening Day. Boston clearly believes in the talent, the glove and the upside. At the same time, Cora has already hinted that the Red Sox will be careful with him early, especially with left-handed pitching lined up at the start of the season. So this is no longer a question of whether Mayer belongs on the roster. It is a question of how quickly he turns primary second baseman into don’t even think about taking me out of the lineup.

Why Mayer has the inside track to stay in the lineup

The biggest case for Mayer starts with the fact that Boston trusts everything except the final offensive polish. Cora has been consistent about that. The Red Sox have “no questions” about Mayer’s defense, and Cora said he has looked comfortable at second base while building chemistry with Trevor Story up the middle. That matters because if the glove is already there, the bar for the bat becomes a little easier to manage early in the year.

There is also a good argument that Mayer’s 2025 offensive sample looked more promising under the hood than the surface stats suggest. In 136 plate appearances last season, he hit .228/.272/.402 with four home runs and an 80 wRC+, which is not exactly a slam-dunk case for everyday playing time. But Statcast painted a more encouraging picture: a 90 mph average exit velocity, a 51.7 percent hard-hit rate and a 9.2 percent barrel rate. For a 23-year-old breaking in while dealing with a season that was eventually shortened by wrist surgery, that kind of contact quality is the sort of thing teams bet on.

MORE:5 Red Sox Things to Watch: Final Roster Clues From Boston’s Last Spring Games

Spring training gave Boston another reason to stay optimistic, even if the final line was not loud. Mayer finished camp at .194 with one homer and a .619 OPS in 36 at-bats, but earlier in camp, he had posted a .250/.400/.375 slash line and Cora specifically praised his improved discipline on pitches down in the zone. That is a small detail, but an important one. If the Red Sox believe his approach is getting cleaner, they are going to live with some uneven spring numbers.

Why this still might not be an everyday job right away

This is where the story gets interesting for Red Sox fans. Boston named Mayer the primary second baseman, but Cora also admitted the team plans to protect him against lefties at the start of the year. With left-handed starters lined up for the first two games in Cincinnati, Mayer might not even get his first start immediately. That tells you the club loves the player while still recognizing the development curve.

And honestly, that caution makes sense. Mayer’s 2025 line came with a 30.1 percent strikeout rate and just a 5.9 percent walk rate, which is a profile that can get exposed if a young hitter is thrown into every matchup before he is ready. The long-term upside is obvious. The day-one floor is a little shakier. That is not panic territory. It is just normal rookie reality.

Who starts if Mayer gets a breather?

If Boston wants another look against a lefty or just wants to ease Mayer in, the two most obvious alternatives are Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andruw Monasterio.

MORE:Why Garrett Crochet is The Player Fans Need to Watch

Kiner-Falefa feels like the steady veteran answer. He is expected to be used as a super-utility player — hit .317 this spring, and batted .262 with 15 steals last season. He is not the high-upside play, but he is a clean, dependable one.

Monasterio is the more matchup-specific answer, and maybe the more intriguing one. Cora specifically praised his at-bats against lefties. Last season with Milwaukee, Monasterio hit .273 with an .837 OPS in 44 at-bats against southpaws, and over his first three MLB seasons, he has produced a 107 wRC+ against left-handed pitching.

So yes, the infield battle is almost over. Mayer won it. But the more compelling version of this story is just beginning. The Red Sox have told us what they think of his talent. Now the next question is whether Mayer forces their hand so quickly that all this early caution starts to disappear. If that happens, Boston’s infield will look a lot less unsettled and a lot more dangerous in a hurry.

Opening Day is upon us.

The march to the World Series begins tonight, when the New York Yankees take on the San Francisco Giants. More teams join the action on Thursday, and by this weekend all 30 MLB teams will have begun the long journey to October.

Unfortunately for some teams, that journey may end quicker than hoped.

Ahead of the start to the 2026 MLB season, let’s take a look at each team’s chances of winning a World Series, by stacking the teams in tiers and ranking their chances from the Colorado Rockies to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Humphrey Bogart tier

30. Colorado Rockies
29. Chicago White Sox
28. Washington Nationals
27. Los Angeles Angels
26. Miami Marlins
25. St. Louis Cardinals

Baseball’s rich history offers many memorable quotes.

We begin our look at all 30 teams with one from Humphrey Bogart, the legendary actor who had this to say about the game. Or, at least attending a game.

“A hotdog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.” 

It might be a long season for these six teams, but still, their fans will get to sit in the sun and enjoy those dogs, at least a few times this season.

The true longshots

24. Minnesota Twins
23. Tampa Bay Rays
22. Athletics
21. Arizona Diamondbacks

Each team in this tier could make a run at the playoffs if things break their way. For the Twins, if they can get a healthy Byron Buxton for 162 games, the lineup builds from there. The Rays get to move back home and could put up some impressive numbers in that park, particularly Junior Caminero. The young talent on the Athletics roster could surprise this season, particularly since they get to play their home games in Sutter Health Park again this year, which could lead to massive numbers for Nick Kurtz.

The Diamondbacks need pitching help, but Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and Geraldo Perdomo form a rather potent trio.

The Pittsburgh Pirates

20. Pittsburgh Pirates

That’s right, we are putting the Pittsburgh Pirates into a tier of their own.

The Pirates might be the most fascinating team in baseball. In Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh has a bonafide ace. While the Pirates had arguably — or inarguably — the worst offense in baseball a season ago, they added Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, and Ryan O’Hearn in the offseason which should bolster production. And waiting in the wings? Two rising stars in Jhostynxon Garcia and Konnor Griffin.

In fact, other analysts have the Pirates pegged for a massive step forward. MLB.com contributor Travis Sawchik believes Pittsburgh will score 150+ more runs this season than in 2025, while FanGraphs has Pittsburgh slated for 136 more runs.

That kind of improvement in production could see the Pirates finish with a winning record for the first time in a decade, and reach the playoffs as well. In fact, FanGraphs has Pittsburgh finishing at 82-80, making a playoff berth still a longshot, but a possibility.

Something Pirates fans have not seen in a long time.

Playoffs?

19. Cleveland Guardians
18. San Francisco Giants
17. Kansas City Royals
16. Cincinnati Reds
15. San Diego Padres
14. Texas Rangers
13. Houston Astros
12. Baltimore Orioles
11. Detroit Tigers
10. Milwaukee Brewers

These are all teams that should make a playoff push this season, and at least be in the list of “buyers” come MLB trade deadline time.

Leading the way are the Detroit Tigers, led by ace Tarik Skubal, who is seeking his third-straight Cy Young Award. Detroit also added workhorse Framber Valdez, and they sport a bullpen that should earn them some wins over the course of the season. The Orioles are another fun team to watch in this tier, as Baltimore loaded up in the offseason with names such as Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, Ryan Helsley, Shane Baz, and Andrew Kittredge. There is still a sense around the Inner Harbor that the Orioles need to add a true ace at the deadline, but a sense of urgency has finally settled in around this organization.

Then there are the Brewers, who finished with the best record in baseball a year ago.

National League Contenders

9. Atlanta Braves
8. Chicago Cubs
7. Philadelphia Phillies

Here are three teams that should not be satisfied with getting in, but should be thinking about winning the league.

The Atlanta Braves are poised for a full year with a healthy Ronald Acuña Jr., on a roster with talent beyond the star outfielder. The Chicago Cubs have a roster filled with young talent and added Alex Bregman in the offseason. Then there are the Philadelphia Phillies, who have won 90 games in each of the past four seasons, look to have a rotation built to win in the fall and into the playoffs, and could have their next big star in Justin Crawford, who made the Opening Day roster.

American League Contenders

6. Boston Red Sox
5. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Seattle Mariners

Red Sox fans frustrated by the organization missing out on both Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso — and seeing Alex Bregman leave town for Chicago — soothed their nerves by watching Roman Anthony belt bombs in the World Baseball Classic. But can this offense hit enough to make a deep run in the fall?

Toronto also saw a key departure, with homegrown star Bo Bichette leaving for the New York Mets. But the Blue Jays brought in Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers, adding those players to a team that was just a few feet away from perhaps winning a World Series. Of course, the news that. Trey Yesavage is starting the year on the IL (with no timetable on Shane Bieber as well) is not the best way to begin a season.

As for the Mariners, who pushed the Blue Jays to Game 7 in the ALCS, Cal Raleigh, Josh Naylor, and Julio Rodriguez are back. And it is just a matter of time until top prospect Colt Emerson joins them.

In a New York Minute

3. New York Mets
2. New York Yankees

Now we get to talk about the two teams in New York.

The Mets made the big splash ahead of 2025, inking Juan Soto to a record-breaking deal in December of 2024. While his slow start changed the narrative a bit, Soto still finished the year with 43 home runs and a slash line of .263/.396/.525.

But when the playoffs began, that expensive roster was watching from home.

That led to even more additions, as the Mets added Bichette, Freddy Peralta, Marcus Semien, and Devin Williams. While Pete Alonso is now in Baltimore, this is a potent lineup given the additions around Soto and Francisco Lindor. And with Kodai Senga looking strong so far this spring, expectations should be high in Queens.

As for the Yankees, this was a rather unconventional offseason for Brian Cashman and company. Rather than make big moves of his own, Cashman tinkered only marginally with a roster that won 93 games a year ago. Getting both. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon back should help as well, and given the talent already in the building, you can understand Cashman’s approach.

The Los Angeles Dodgers

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Two consecutive titles, a drive for a third, the best player on the planet, and the highest payroll in the game?

Yes, until we see reason to stop believing, the Los Angeles Dodgers are your favorites for another World Series.

With NFL free agency at a near standstill, we will be evaluating the current state of each Jacksonville Jaguars' position group, specifically, where things stand and whether or not more moves need to be made.

Compared to the rest of the league, it's been a very quiet free agency period for the Jaguars. GM James Gladstone recently explained the reason behind that, and it has to do with the 2027 compensatory draft picks the Jaguars are projected to land. I would also guess that the Jaguars' tight salary cap situation isn't helping things either in that regard.

So the best avenue for addressing their remaining needs likely comes in the NFL draft, where the Jaguars have 11 picks -- including four in the top 100 -- and flexibility, allowing the board to dictate which direction they go at each selection.

Up next in our review are the cornerbacks. If you missed our other positional reviews, you can find them below.

• Quarterbacks
• Running backs
• Wide receivers
• Tight ends
• Offensive line
• Defensive tackles
• Defensive ends
• Linebackers

Jaguars' cornerbacks under contract after free agency

• Travis Hunter
• Montaric Brown
• Jarrian Jones
• Jourdan Lewis
• Keith Taylor
• Christian Braswell
• Jabbar Muhammad
• Keni-H Lovely

Jaguars' free agency moves at cornerback

• Jaguars re-signed free agent Keith Taylor.
• Jaguars re-signed free agent Christian Braswell.
• Jaguars re-signed free agent Montaric Brown.

What is the need at cornerback for the Jaguars after free agency?

Adding Montaric Brown back into the mix greatly reduced the Jaguars' need to address the cornerback position. He and Hunter will start on the outside, Lewis will be at the nickel, while Jones provides experienced depth.

I would guess we still see Gladstone add to this position in the draft to boost depth and competition on the back end, but no longer does doing so right away feel like a must. The draft board can dictate when Gladstone adds to this position.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL free agency: What need do Jaguars have at cornerback?

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods has put himself into the lineup Tuesday night for his Jupiter Links team in the TGL final, waiting until the last day to make his first appearance in the tech-infused indoor league.

Woods has been at every match as a captain and a cheerleader while recovering from a seventh back surgery last October. He has gone more than a year since competing anywhere because of a ruptured Achilles tendon in March 2025.

Jupiter Links lost the opening match Monday night in the best-of-3 final against Los Angeles and now has to win two matches at the SoFi Center.

Wood said last week after Jupiter won to reach the finals he has been trying to play the matches.

“I’ve been trying to come back. But it just hasn’t worked out that way,” he said. “I’ve had a bad run of injuries last year. I think it’s been a year and a few days since I blew out my Achilles. And so then I’ve had two back operations. So it’s been a little rough go. But the guys here, this team, we have so much fun, I really don’t want to screw up the lineup, I just want these guys to keep playing.”

Woods will be replacing Kevin Kisner, who was on the losing end of the decisive hole in singles. Jupiter had a 5-4 lead when Los Angeles threw the hammer — meaning the hole was worth two points — for the par-5 closing hole.

Sahith Theegala had the length to easily reach the green in two and set up a two-putt birdie. Kisner, who has spent most of March in the booth for NBC's coverage of the PGA Tour, drove into the rough, laid up in the rough and hit wedge that didn't quite reach the green. His birdie chip from 20 feet to tie the hole — and win the match — narrowly missed to the left.

Woods joins Tom Kim and Max Homa for Jupiter Links. Akshay Bhatia had been filling in as an alternate, but he is in New Delhi this week on a sponsor invitation to play the Hero Indian Open.

___

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

TIONESTA — The Oil City baseball team opened its season on Monday, with a non-region a five inning 12-1 win over North Clarion.

Oil City opened the game with seven runs in the first. The Oilers led 10-0 before North Clarion scored its first run.

Four players, Casey Rybak, Bryce Stewart, Zachary Love and Alexander Craft all scored two runs. Carter Bialo, Ryan Jackson, Drew Hummel and Bartholomew Rosen added the other runs. Hummel had four RBIs to lead the team.

Craft pitched three innings for the Oilers, striking out seven and not allowing a run. Stewart and Konnor Beichner pitched the other two innings, striking out two and one respectively.

Oil City is at home on Wednesday to face Erie at 4 p.m.

Oil City (12)

Bialo 3-1-1-1, Jackson 1-1-0-0, Rybak 3-2-2-1, Steward 2-2-1-0, Love 1-2-1-1, Fulmer 1-0-1-1, Craft 3-2-1-2, Hummell 3-1-2-4, Lingo 2-0-1-0, Rosen 3-1-1-2.

North Clarion (1)

Pappas 3-0-0-0, Karg 2-0-0-0, Hartle 1-1-0-0, E. Walter 2-0-1-1, Sweeney 2-0-0-0, Irwin 2-0-0-0, Stitt 1-0-0-0, Caruii 1-0-0-0, Burkhardt 1-0-0-0, Beichner 1-0-0-0, Troup 2-0-0-0.

Oil City 7 1 0 2 2 — 12 11 2

North Clarion 0 0 0 1 0 — 1 1 2

BATTING

2B: Oil City — Craft, Rosen, Hummel; North Clairon — Walter.

3B: Oil City — Hummel 3, Craft 2, Rosen 2, Rybak 2, Fulmer, Stweard, Bialo, Lingo, Love; North Clairon — Walter 2.

PITCHING

Oil City — Craft WP 3-0-0-0-1-7, Stewart 1-1-1-0-0-2, Beichner 1-0-0-0-0-1; North Clairon — O. Walter LP 1.1-5-8-7-5-1, Irwin 3-5-4-4-3-1, E. Walter .2-1-0-0-0-0.

Maplewood drops opener

GUYS MILLS — The Maplewood baseball team fell in its opening game on Saturday. The Tigers fell 10-3 in a non-region game to Mercer.

The Potosky brothers, Mitchell and Mason, scored two runs and Daniel Hochstetler also added one.

On the mound Kyle Jordan and Gavin Reynolds split duty. Jordan struck out three, giving up two earned runs. Reynolds struck out five, while giving up three earned runs.

Maplewood is back at home against Sharon at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Mercer (10)

Winder 4-0-0-0, Ju. Amos 4-2-0-0, J. Amos 4-2-2-2, Saracco 4-0-1-1, Fisher 4-3-1-1, Puskar 2-1-0-0, Gills 1-0-0-0, Woods 3-1-1-1, Young 1-0-0-0, Dupuis 3-0-0-1.

Maplewood (3)

Hirosky 2-0-0-0, Koelle 3-0-1-1, E. Hochstetler 3-0-1-1, Jordan 4-0-0-0, Reynolds 3-0-0-0, Ma. Potosky 2-1-0-0, Mi. Potosky 2-1-0-0, Andromalos 1-0-0-0, D. Hochstetler 2-1-1-1, Brucker 1-0-0-0, Neely 2-0-0-0.

Mercer 2 1 3 0 1 2 1 — 10 5 1

Maplewood 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 — 3 3 5

BATTING

2B: Mercer — J. Amos 2, Woods.

3B: Mercer — Fisher 4, J. Amos 4, Woods 2, Saracco; Maplewood — Koelle, D. Hochtetler, E. Hochtetler.

HR: Mercer — Fisher, Puskar.

PITCHING

Mercer — Ju. Amos WP 3-2-0-0-0-6, Saracco 3-0-0-0-1-6, Redmond .2-1-3-3-0-1, Fisher .1-0-0-0-2-0; Maplewood — Jordan LP 3-2-6-2-3-3, Reynolds 3-4-3-2-5.

Cochranton falls in five

ERIE — The Cochranton volleyball team fell in its first non-tournament game on Monday. The Cardinals went the distance with McDowell, but fell in five sets (25-21, 24-26, 25-23, 25-27, 8-15).

Brady Rynd scored 13 kills and CJ Shorts added nine.

The Cardinals fell to 0-1 on the year. Cochranton hosts Cambridge Springs at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Katherine Legge is looking to return to the Indianapolis 500. In 2025, Legge wasn't able to compete in the Indy 500 and she focused most of her attention on racing in NASCAR. The last time she competed in the Indianapolis 500 was in 2024, finishing in 31st place for Dale Coyne Racing after an engine failure.

However, will Legge compete in the 2026 Indianapolis 500? The 45-year-old driver revealed that she is pushing to race in the Indy 500 through RACER.com's Marshall Pruett.

"The Indy 500 is the most iconic race in the world to so many people, and it's the world's largest sporting event, and it's one that's very close to my heart,” Legge told RACER. “I feel I have unfinished business there, and I've been working really hard, as have e.l.f., at getting the best possible situation to be competitive at Indy...We have been very fortunate to have gather a lot of support, not only from sponsors, but also Chevrolet, which have been awesome. And a number of IndyCar folks have been willing to put their name behind us, too. So we're just looking forward to putting all the final pieces together and want to go get a great result for everyone at the 500.”

Legge believes she has unfinished business in the Indianapolis 500. After not competing in the event last year, the 45-year-old driver hopes to secure a ride in 2026. If Legge is able to find a seat for the Indianapolis 500, it might put the field over 33 entries, giving the NTT IndyCar Series some drama during qualifying.

More: Daniel Dye indefinitely suspended by NASCAR for mocking David Malukas

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Katherine Legge pushing to race in the 2026 Indianapolis 500

Going into the new college football season, one of the many things to look at is both what the power balance will look like nationally and what it will look like in individual conferences. In today's day and age, the Big Ten Conference is arguably the strongest in the nation, with the last three national champions hailing from the league.

So, who do we expect to be the best in the conference this year? There's a good chance that the usual suspects are among the leaders, with the Indiana Hoosiers, Oregon Ducks, and Ohio State Buckeyes all projected to be championship contenders once again. But outside of those three, who do we expect to be standing when all is said and done?

To answer that question, we can look to returning production to try to get a better idea. On Monday, ESPN's Bill Connelly set out to answer with his annual column, delving into rosters across the nation now that spring ball has begun.

Here's a look at where the 18 Big Ten teams rank in the national returning production rankings:

18. Iowa Hawkeyes

National Rank: No. 104

Overall Returning Production: 44%

17. Michigan State Spartans

National Rank: No. 97

Overall Returning Production: 46%

16. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

National Rank: No. 92

Overall Returning Production: 47%

15. Illinois Fighting Illini

National Rank: No. 75

Overall Returning Production: 50%

14. Penn State Nittany Lions

National Rank: No. 67

Overall Returning Production: 52%

13. Indiana Hoosiers

National Rank: No. 52

Overall Returning Production: 56%

12. Northwestern Wildcats

National Rank: No. 44

Overall Returning Production: 57%

11. Purdue Boilermakers

National Rank: No. 40

Overall Returning Production: 58%

10. Wisconsin Badgers

National Rank: No. 35

Overall Returning Production: 59%

9. Ohio State Buckeyes

National Rank: No. 31

Overall Returning Production: 60%

8. Michigan Wolverines

National Rank: No. 20

Overall Returning Production: 63%

7. Washington Huskies

National Rank: No. 15

Overall Returning Production: 65%

6. USC Trojans

National Rank: No. 13

Overall Returning Production: 65%

5. Oregon Ducks

National Rank: No. 11

Overall Returning Production: 66%

4. UCLA Bruins

National Rank: No. 9

Overall Returning Production: 67%

3. Minnesota Golden Gophers

National Rank: No. 7

Overall Returning Production: 68%

2. Nebraska Cornhuskers

National Rank: No. 3

Overall Returning Production: 69%

1. Maryland Terrapins

National Rank: No. 2

Overall Returning Production: 71%

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

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks' returning production rank among Big Ten teams in 2026

Editor’s note: The Deseret News All-State teams are based on coaches’ votes from a list of nominated players.

3A Player of Year

Ava Smith, Layton Christian, 6-2, SF, Sr.

18.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg for state champs

3A First Team

Joslyn Christiansen, Delta, 5-8, G, Sr. — 14.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.1 spg

Madison Eliason, Delta, 5-7, G, So. — 12.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 5.4 apg, 2.5 spg, 1.2 bpg

Mariah Schlappi, North Sanpete, 5-7, G, So. — 15.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.6 spg

Emmy Butler, Grantsville, 5-9, F, Jr. — 14.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.0 spg

Makayla Williams, Morgan, 5-9, G, Jr. — 18.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.0 spg

Zoe Rockenfield, Morgan, 6-0, PG, So. — 14 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg, 3 spg

3A Second Team

Aleeyah Cowley, Emery, 6-2, C, Jr. — 11.7 ppg, 6 rpg

Fabiana Lopez, Layton Christian, 5-5, PG, Sr. — 7.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg

KaBree Gordon, Emery, 5-5, SG, Sr. — 11.5 ppg, 31% 3PT, 95% FT

Malia Schlappi, North Sanpete, 5-4, G, Jr. — 11.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.1 spg

Kambree Potter, Canyon View, 5-10, G, Sr. — 7.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.6 spg

Salote Tonga, Ogden, 6-1, Post, Sr. — 8.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 1.0 spg

3A Third Team

Kamry Allen, Grantsville, 5-4, PG, So. — 7.0 ppg, 5.0 apg, 4.0 spg, 1.0 bpg

Payzlei Parrish, Union, 5-8, G, Jr. — 9.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 35 3s

Lisa Richards, Union, 5-8, G/F, Jr. — 10.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg

Sofia Olaya, Layton Christian, 5-2, PG, Sr. — 6.0 ppg, 5.0 apg

Halle Oakey, Union, 5-11, F, So. — 7.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.1 bpg

Madelyn Bridges, Manti, 5-6, PG, So. — 13.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.5 spg

3A Honorable Mention

Lilly Crane, Richfield, 5-7, G, Sr.

Bailey Johnson, Carbon, 5-4, PG, Sr.

Megan Stilson, Emery, 5-6, PG, Sr.

SaDee Castagno, Grantsville, 5-6, G, Jr.

Erin Hallows, Canyon View, 5-5, G, Jr.

Addie Hurst, Emery, 5-5, G, Sr.

Cambry Hall, Juab, 5-4, G, Sr.

Megan Beus, Ogden, 5-7, G, Sr.

Juliet Knowles, Ogden, 5-8, G, Fr.

Payton King, Canyon View, 5-10, G, Sr.

Kamry Wardell, Morgan, 5-8, F, Sr.

Raynee Western, Delta, 5-8, F, Sr.

Deseret News 3A All-Tournament Team

MVP — Ava Smith, LCA

Zoe Rockenfield, Morgan

Makayla Williams, Morgan

Fabiana Lopez, LCA

Madison Eliason, Delta

Mariah Schlappi, North Sanpete

Minnesota Vikings draft strategy revealed: Should they trade down from pick 18 in the 2026 NFL Draft? Tyler Forness breaks down the Rich Hill trade chart, realistic options, and his personal top 5 first-round targets on The Real Forno Show. In this latest episode of the popular Minnesota Vikings podcast from Vikings 1st & SKOL, host Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano deliver unfiltered analysis on why trading back could be a game-changer for Brian Flores’ defense in a deep but not superstar-heavy class.

After opening with a heartfelt tribute to late NHL reporter Jessi Pierce, who tragically passed away in a house fire along with her three young children and family dog, Forness transitions into Vikings draft strategy. He strongly advocates for trading down from 18 to gain Day 2 and Day 3 capital, explaining, “I think it would be advantageous for the Vikings to trade down in this draft. Why? Because they need multiple pieces of depth. They need multiple cost control type players.” Using the Rich Hill trade chart (built on historical data), he outlines baseline packages with teams like the Chargers (to 22 + third-rounder), Steelers, Eagles, and Chiefs, noting surplus value opportunities without sacrificing quality. Forness stresses the class depth: “There are not a lot of players who are likely to be superstars. What there are is a lot of potential starters that 25 to 75 range is going to produce starters.”

Key points include:

Why trading down beats reaching at 18 for roster-building needs, his honest player evaluations, and these top 5 realistic first-round options:

• Tied for 5th: KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M) and Keldric Faulk (Edge, Auburn)

• 4th: Makai Lemon (WR, USC)

• 3rd: Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)

• 2nd: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)

• 1st: CJ Allen (LB, Georgia)

Listen:

Or on your favorite podcast aggregator.

Watch:

Forness raved about his top pick, noting Terrell “plays bigger than his size” with inside-out versatility perfect for Flores, while praising Allen’s elite football IQ as a long-term linebacker solution. Vikings fans craving sharp film study, analytics, and bold takes won’t want to miss this must-listen episode of The Real Forno Show. Subscribe to Vikings 1st & SKOL on YouTube for weekly Minnesota Vikings podcast content from Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano.

Fan With Us!!!

Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN.

What do you think:

Should the Vikings trade down from 18, or stand pat for a player like Avieon Terrell or CJ Allen? Drop your pick in the comments below!

This time of year is always a good time. Even when expectations for the White Sox are low, the weather is much better, baseball is returning, and we can have fun predicting how the season will pan out.

We will start with catcher Kyle Teel, 24, whose MLB career got off to a fast start in 2025 (.273/.375/.411, 125 wRC+, 1.9 fWAR in 78 games). Teel provided an unexpectedly large spark last season, as his bat was quite reliable even though he plays a premium position. Unfortunately, Teel suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain that will keep him out for the first few weeks of the regular season. However, Teel gives White Sox fans plenty to look forward to. Before the injury, Teel contributed to Team Italy’s surprising success during the World Baseball Classic. Teel was excellent in a small sample size, finishing 4-for-6 with a homer and a double. Both of his extra-base hits came against Team USA pitchers, as he took Nolan McLean deep before doubling against Ryan Yarbrough. Teel looks poised to build on the strong start to his career, and he will barely miss out on leading the White Sox in WAR. If not for his injury, I would have picked him to lead the team.

Speaking of the team leader in WAR, that will be shortstop Colson Montgomery, 24, who also kicked off his career with a bang in 2025 (.239/.311/.529, 129 wRC+, 2.7 fWAR in 71 games). Prior to Montgomery’s promotion, he was not exactly crushing it in Triple-A Charlotte, but he turned up the volume immediately at the highest level. Despite playing in less than half a season’s worth of games, Montgomery launched 21 homers, narrowly finishing behind Lenyn Sosa (22) for the team lead.

Munetaka Murakami, 26, will also provide a lot of pop with his bat. Murakami has made a joke of NPB pitching. By season, his wRC+ marks were as follows from 2021 through 2025: 166, 225, 154, 156, and 211. He played only 56 games in 2025 due to an oblique injury. The White Sox signed Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract over the offseason, which was a lower price than most expected him to command. The primary concerns about his game are that many are bearish on his ability to hit high velocity, avoid strikeouts, and provide decent defense. Murakami will also primarily play first base, a less premium position than third base, where he mainly played in NPB. However, he will launch plenty of homers and get on base enough to be a valuable part of the White Sox lineup.

On the pitching side, Shane Smith, 25, will lead the way in the starting rotation. Smith, a Rule 5 draft pick, posted a 3.81 ERA and a 4.10 FIP in 146 1/3 innings in 2025, resulting in 2.2 fWAR. That total was enough to lead the 2025 White Sox pitching staff, and he will repeat that feat in 2026.

As for the bullpen, Grant Taylor, 23, will take a large step forward. Taylor had an unusual line in 2025 (4.91 ERA, 1.42 FIP in 36 2/3 innings), resulting in 1.7 fWAR, which is based heavily on FIP. Taylor averaged 13.25 strikeouts per nine innings, a sky-high total. At the same time, he fell victim to some tough luck, as opposing hitters had a .420 BABIP. Although Taylor generated many whiffs, when he was not doing that, hitters often found ways to reach base. In 2026, Taylor will allow less sharp contact, have better luck on balls in play, and maintain a high strikeout rate to assert himself as one of MLB’s top relievers.

In terms of the overall team, the White Sox will improve by 10 games, which would normally be fantastic, but in this case, it only gets them to 70-92. The South Siders will get off to a decent start, taking advantage of a soft April schedule to finish the month 15-16. With nobody in the AL Central racing out of the starting blocks, some fans will fantasize about postseason possibilities. However, reality will set in, and May will open with a rough trip to San Diego, which will cause the White Sox to fall out of contention quickly.

In the second half of the season, although playoff hopes will be long gone, pitchers Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith will make positive impressions at the start of their MLB careers. In addition, Braden Montgomery will earn a September call-up and post a 110 wRC+ during his first month against MLB pitching.

Around the league, the Mariners broke their 23-season streak without winning the AL West when they won the division in 2025. This year, they will make it back-to-back division titles, and Julio Rodríguez will emerge as a dark-horse MVP contender.

In a highly competitive AL East race, the Yankees will emerge from the pack, holding off strong Red Sox and Blue Jays squads to earn the top seed.

Last year, the Tigers blew a 99.9% chance of winning the AL Central as their cold September coincided with a Cleveland hot streak. This time, the Tigers will avoid blowing a late lead and will win their first division title since 2014. The Royals will sneak in as the final Wild Card team, right behind Boston and Toronto.

In the NL, spearheaded by the offseason pickup of catcher Seby Zavala, the Dodgers will win the West again. Elsewhere in the division, the Giants will exceed expectations and make the postseason for the first time since their excellent 2021 season.

In the East, the Mets will slay some demons by winning their first division title since 2015. Meanwhile, after being baseball’s most disappointing team in 2025, the Braves will earn a Wild Card spot, and they will be joined by the rival Phillies.

Finally, the North Siders will take the Central’s only playoff spot by taking full advantage of an unremarkable division.

The Dodgers will handily defeat the Mets in the NLCS to advance to the World Series and earn an opportunity to pull off a three-peat. On the other side, the ALCS will be highly competitive, with the Mariners repeatedly trading blows with the Yankees. However, Bryan Woo will lead a pitching staff that proves to be too much for the Yankees’ lineup to overcome.

That will set up an epic battle between two teams with very different histories. On one hand, the Dodgers have won 12 of the last 13 NL West titles, with the one “loss” occurring during a 106-56 season in which San Francisco went 107-55. On top of that, the Dodgers will be looking to win their third consecutive World Series and their fourth in the last seven years. By contrast, the Mariners have won only four division titles ever, and they have never advanced to the World Series. Of course, the Dodgers will be favored, and nearly everyone will expect them to win. In a twist of fate, however, the Mariners will come out on top. Seattle’s pitching staff will continue its run of dominance, and with Rodríguez, Josh Naylor, and Cal Raleigh leading the way, the Mariners will outpace the powerhouse Dodgers to win their first World Series.

As the NFL offseason rolls on, the NFL Draft is less than a month away. With the Cleveland Browns replenishing their draft pick treasure chest, the team has two first-round picks (the second one being acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars from last year’s NFL Draft), and the team has many routes it can go.

Take a wide receiver at pick #6, then take an offensive lineman at #24 or vice versa. Another possibility is the team trading down and gaining more draft picks, which can really open potential possibilities. Don’t blow off the possibility of a defender, including either of two Ohio State Buckeyes, if they are still on the board.

The “everyone would be pleased” scenario: WR Carnell Tate, OT Caleb Lomu

Cleveland lands their WR1 and their potential franchise left tackle. Wide receiver has been a glaring need for the Browns since the offseason began. Due to the WR market exploding in terms of trade compensation, there hasn’t been much traction when it comes to Cleveland finding a top receiver. The team has done its due diligence, but teams are selling high, hoping to bait teams into overpaying.

Tate is either WR1 or WR2 on most draft experts’ big boards. Prototypical X, he has a strong catch radius, a big body frame, and is an efficient route runner. Tate isn’t near the same prospect as a Malik Nabers, but if you can get him at #6, it’s a win for the Browns.

As far as the tackle spot goes, it’s a bit tricky, but Cleveland lands Utah LT Caleb Lomu. Lomu has similar athletic traits to Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling. Lomu has more issues in terms of his pass-blocking ability.

If the Browns land Tate and Lomu, it would be a win for both the Browns and their fanbase.

The “would be a win but some would nitpick” scenario: Monroe Freeling, WR Jordyn Tyson

As mentioned in the intro, Cleveland could go wide receiver/offensive tackle, but considering how the tackle class could pan out, the odds of the team going offensive tackle/wide receiver might be even greater. Freeling has seen a rise in his draft stock after his showing at the NFL Combine back in February. Freeling is considered the best pure left tackle prospect in this class. The Georgia Bulldog has the athleticism and tools to be a potential franchise cornerstone at the left tackle spot, but some have concerns due to his lack of starts.

Despite the lack of starts and his inconsistent run blocking, Freeling is someone that many teams would consider to take around the top 10-15 range.

When it comes to receivers, the receiver class is deep. In this scenario, Tate is off the board early, but the Browns pivot to another receiver in Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Tyson’s biggest concern is his health, but when healthy, he is one of the top receivers in this class. Smooth route running and good after the catch, Tyson has the necessary skill set you would want in a receiver.

Landing Freeling and Tyson again would be a win, but some will find a way to nitpick Cleveland for passing on a WR at #6 and opting for a tackle.

The “chaos, trade down” scenario: #12- SAF Caleb Downs, #20 Omar Cooper Jr

The possibility of the Browns trading down is something that every fan should consider. In this scenario, Browns decided to trade down with the Dallas Cowboys with Freeling and Tate off the board. Given that both teams have two picks in the first round, the trade down could get creative with Cleveland getting picks 12, 20, 92, and a second round selection in 2027 in exchange for picks 6, 24, 206, and a fifth round pick in 2027.

For some reason, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was left on the board with the 12th pick, so the Browns chose BPA (best player available). Downs is the most versatile defensive back in this class. Whether it’s safety, in the box as a linebacker, or as a cornerback, you can play Downs anywhere on your defense. Downs has some concerns from some if he can play free safety, but he is one of the best prospects in this class.

With the Browns missing out on their tackles, the team chooses to address the receiver position, and Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr is on the board. Cooper has seen a steady rise in his stock, and the odds of him being taken in the late 1st is a possibility. Cooper Jr can be a potential slot/Z replacement in the future, and he has the versatility to move around the field.

Adding Downs, Cooper, another third-round pick, and a valuable second-rounder in 2027 could be compelling.

Which of these scenarios do you like the most for the Browns in the 2026 NFL draft?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below

Dozens of individuals have been detained by Czech police in connection with a widespread football match-fixing scandal.

David Trunda, head of the Czech Football Association (FA), revealed on Tuesday that the organisation had initiated the investigation years ago, alerting authorities to suspicions of bribery and rigged matches.

Local media reports suggest the scandal encompasses the top four club leagues and potentially youth competitions.

Trunda confirmed that 47 people are now facing a disciplinary investigation, vowing: "We will do everything to ensure that the betting mafia disappears from the Czech sports."

State prosecutors corroborated the detentions, adding that officers from the organised crime unit conducted raids across the country.

The scandal emerges just two days before the final stage of World Cup qualifying.

The Czech Republic are set to play Republic of Ireland on Thursday in Prague in their World Cup play-off semi-final.

The victor will then host Denmark or North Macedonia for a spot in this summer’s tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Czechs last qualified for the World Cup in 2006.

There is also an ongoing investigation into alleged match-fixing and illegal betting in Turkish football right now.

Last month, Turkish authorities detained 32 individuals, including several football club executives.

According to a statement from the prosecutor's office, those apprehended are suspected of placing bets on games involving their own clubs, with some even wagering on opposing teams during official fixtures.

Police operations spanned 10 provinces to apprehend the suspects.

Details regarding the identities of the suspects or their club affiliations have not been disclosed.

Back in November, over 1,000 players were suspended by the Turkish Football Federation amid the widening betting scandal.

This included national team defender Eren Elmali who had been a Champions League regular for Galatasaray in the early part of the season.

James Hudson’s one-year deal with the New England Patriots in free agency comes with its share of stipulations.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Hudson’s contract does not guarantee him a spot on the team in 2026.

“OT James Hudson's 1-year contract with the Patriots is a veteran salary benefit deal, which comes with a reduced salary-cap charge,” Reiss posted on X.

“Deal reflects that Hudson, who at this time adds depth behind starting OTs Will Campbell/Morgan Moses, isn't guaranteed roster spot.”

Hudson allowed one sack as well as seven total pressures in 2025 as a member of the New York Giants. The 26-year-old played 84 snaps at left tackle last season.

The Patriots added Hudson to their offensive line after they signed Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency to address the left guard position.

New England lost backup left tackle Vederian Lowe to the San Francisco 49ers in the open market, making Hudson’s arrival in Foxborough a timely one.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: One important detail in OT James Hudson's deal with Patriots explained

No team -- in basketball or any other sport -- begins a season believing it can't do something big. There is a realistic awareness of what is likely, but every team tries to shoot for the moon. You never know when a last-place team in one year might somehow catch fire the next season and surprise everyone. It has happened. USC women's basketball didn't want to limit itself entering a season without JuJu Watkins. Where could this team go? Early wins over NC State, Cal and Washington offered hope that maybe this team could surprise everyone.

It seemed for a period of time -- especially after the Washington win and then the Nebraska win a few weeks later -- that USC might transcend preseason expectations. However, we all knew -- and the coaching staff knew -- the margin for error was slim to none. Any small -- or big -- inconvenience could gum up the works. Sure enough, Kennedy Smith missed three games in the middle of the Big Ten season. USC lost those games. Against better Big Ten teams, the Trojans simply had no cushion. Any lapses got punished, their flaws consistently exposed.

When we consider just how difficult it was to handle a full season without JuJu Watkins, USC -- though falling short of the Sweet 16 (which I put forth in November as a realistic goal for this group) -- did not underachieve. The Round of 32, where USC lost to South Carolina on Monday night, represents a good result and a genuine achievement for this squad.

Were there aspects of this team which didn't emerge as Lindsay Gottlieb and staff had hoped? Of course. The frontcourt was just not up to par. USC games felt like 4-on-5 when the Trojans played offense, because defenses were able to sag off the post player and know they wouldn't pay a price for it.

Let's be honest about that frontcourt, though: As soon as it was known JuJu Watkins was not playing this season, top transfer portal prospects naturally didn't want to come to USC. They went to UConn or other top programs in position to compete for a national title. This wasn't Gottlieb's failure. It was the bad hand of cards this program was dealt.

If there's a true point of underachievement this season for USC women's basketball, it was less the frontcourt -- the Trojans had to throw together a committee everyone knew wasn't ready to be great -- and much more about Londynn Jones. The transfer from UCLA was a near-total bust. She had a few terrific games but was largely unable to produce consistently. She had hoped to become a more versatile offensive threat compared to how she was used at UCLA by Cori Close, but the experiment simply failed. USC lost a number of close games this season in which Jones just didn't play anywhere close to her best.

The bench was not dynamic, but it's noteworthy that role players such as Malia Samuels thrive when asked to play like role players. Without JuJu Watkins and given the limits of the frontcourt, Samuels was simply not in a position to compensate for those weaknesses. Samuels is supposed to be a small piece of a larger puzzle, not a large piece of a small puzzle.

The 2026 USC women's basketball team knew this would be an uphill battle. We knew it, too. All in all, winning an NCAA Tournament game is pretty darn good considering what this team had to face.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: 2026 USC women's basketball, without JuJu Watkins, competed admirably

Davide Tardozzi says Ducati have struggled to help Francesco Bagnaia gain the “confidence” he needs with the GP26 after the rider crashed out of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Bagnaia, who was running in 11th place behind Johann Zarco, lost control of his Ducati GP26 mid-corner and slid out, marking his seventh DNF in the past nine races.

Six of those seven retirements, dating back to his crash at the 2025 San Marino Grand Prix, have come from crashes. The only exception was a puncture during last October’s Malaysian Grand Prix that cost him a potential podium.

The struggles continued into qualifying, where Bagnaia crashed again and managed only P11. While Fabio Di Giannantonio took pole on a VR46 machine in that session, Bagnaia’s weekend never really recovered from that early setback.

Davide Tardozzi admits Ducati have not helped Francesco Bagnaia find his ‘confidence’ in 2026

Bagnaia also found it tough to get past Fermin Aldeguer during the race, even though the Gresini rider was just back from a long injury layoff. Aldeguer hadn’t raced since November after breaking his femur in January but still managed to finish eighth.

Tardozzi felt that starting 11th set the tone for Bagnaia’s struggles and noted that his retirement wasn’t down to bad luck. Instead, he pointed out that Ducati haven’t yet been able to give him the confidence he needs on the GP26 this season.

Tardozzi explained, as quoted by Motorsport.com: “It’s not bad luck. It’s a mistake stemming from the fact that we have not been able to give him the confidence he needs to race at his level.”

He added: “But he himself has admitted that the problem originates from his mistake in Saturday’s qualifying.”

What has Pecco Bagnaia said about his crash during the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix?

After the race, Bagnaia acknowledged that his qualifying crash had put him on the back foot for the weekend, though he didn’t believe it was directly responsible for his race-ending fall. Instead, as Tardozzi also noted, Bagnaia pointed to a lack of comfort with the GP26 as the main issue. He said he felt unable to push the bike and described himself as being “at the mercy” of it.

“Starting from the back isn’t ideal, but the way I crashed today has nothing to do with it,” he told Sky Sports Italy. “I was uncomfortable, I wasn’t able to push, and I didn’t have a good feeling. I just didn’t have any. I was at the mercy of the bike.

“Sooner or later, we’ll get back to where we need to be. We need to rebuild our speed, and it’s not an easy path. I made things difficult for myself in qualifying, but today in the race I would have struggled even starting from the front.”

Ducati will now look ahead hoping that they can turn their fortunes around at round 13 when MotoGP travels to Mexico.

Read more:

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

We’re back with another Brewers Reacts Survey, and in this week’s edition, we’re asking fans which young pitcher they’re most excited to see this season!

The Brewers have become known as a sort of pitching factory, developing young arms into solid rotation pieces. The latest wave of pitchers looking to join that group includes several top prospects, including Robert Gasser (team No. 17), Kyle Harrison (former top 100 prospect), Logan Henderson (team No. 7), and Brandon Sproat (team No. 5/MLB No. 100).

Gasser, 26, debuted for the Brewers back in 2024 with a great start, pitching to a 2.57 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 28 innings in five starts before going down with an arm injury that kept him out until late in 2025. He made a pair of starts late last year, with six runs allowed (only two earned) over 5 2/3 innings. He had a rough spring training up to his last outing on Saturday against the Padres, when he went six scoreless frames with seven strikeouts. Still, he finished with a 5.11 spring ERA over 12 1/3 innings.

Harrison, 24, debuted in 2023 with the Giants but hasn’t yet found much success in the majors, with a 4.39 ERA and 191 strikeouts over 194 2/3 innings. The former third-round pick came over to the Brewers in the Caleb Durbin trade this offseason and has flashed a new kick-change in the spring, albeit with limited box score success (7.45 ERA over 9 2/3 innings, but 15 strikeouts).

Henderson, 24, had a similar path to Gasser, debuting in 2025 with five great outings, sporting a 1.78 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 25 1/3 innings. He went back to the minors and pitched to a solid 3.59 ERA with 87 strikeouts over 77 2/3 innings before going down with an arm injury. He’s continued to deal with the injury into the spring (though he did allow just one run with four strikeouts over six innings).

Lastly, Sproat, 25, is the highest-ranked arm in this group. Acquired in the Freddy Peralta trade with the Mets, Sproat pitched to a 4.24 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 121 innings at Triple-A last year. He also had a quick cup of coffee with the big league squad, pitching to a 4.79 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 20 2/3 innings. He made three appearances this spring, allowing five runs over nine innings with 10 strikeouts.

Note: Harrison and Sproat are both in the rotation to begin the season, while Gasser and Henderson will both start the year at Triple-A Nashville.

So, who are you most looking forward to seeing this season? Weigh in below and check back for results later this week!

Despite having an overall positive experience fighting in the biggest MMA organization in the world, Julio Arce was left with a sour taste after it all ended.

Arce (21-6), a former UFC fighter who competed at bantamweight and featherweight, fought for the UFC from 2018 to 2024, going 6-4. His last bout in the octagon came at UFC on ESPN 54 in April 2024, when he defeated Herbert Burns by second-round TKO. Yet, despite the positive record and getting a win in the last fight of his contract, Arce was not renewed.

Arce, 36, thinks the decision to not give him a new deal was due to his two weight misses, with one being in his last fight. However, that didn't exactly bother him. What didn't sit right with him is how his exit was handled.

"I know that the weight issue probably caused it, but honestly, we've seen so many cases of fighters at the highest level missing weight, and they're still there," Arce told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "What happened after is that there were like seven or eight months when we knew nothing. I didn't know if they were going to continue with us or let us go. I just wanted to fight.

"We would ask if we would get a fight or what was happening, and we would hear nothing. They would say, 'We're going to speak soon, we're going to speak soon,' and then we got an email saying we weren't going to get renewed. It was eight months of us not knowing anything. I couldn't fight or make any moves. All I could do was train and help my friends prepare for fights, and that's what I did. Once I got the email that we would part ways, I began fighting. Meanwhile, my manager began negotiating with PFL, and here we are."

Arce felt the UFC could've let him know sooner that they didn't want to renew him, that way he would've carried on with his career and not spent months on the sideline.

"It was the last fight on my contract, and they chose not to renew me," Arce said. "I think it was the weight. Burns got another opportunity, and he fought in Australia, but what can you do? That's something I can't control. I'd like to have fought Jack Jenkins, but I never heard from them until they told me they weren't going to renew. You could've told me that the following day, and I would've been looking for fights. You know, the company was good to me. Everyone was friendly there, but that's how things went down."

Waiting on the UFC's verdict kept Arce out of action for the remainder of 2024. As soon as he knew he could fight elsewhere, Arce got two fights in 2025, beating former UFC and PFL fighter Sheymon Moraes and stopping former UFC title challenger Wilson Reis under the Victory Fighting League. He had also signed a contract to fight under GFL in that period, but the promotion never launched, leaving many fighters with empty promises.

Arce signed with PFL and is set to make his debut Saturday on the main card of PFL Pittsburgh (ESPN+) – which takes place at UPMC Events Center. He takes on top PFL prospect Alexei Pergande (7-0) in a featherweight bout.

The Colombian-American likes what he's seen from Pergande, who trains out of Kill Cliff FC, and doesn't mind the position the PFL has put him in for his first bout in the promotion.

"He's a good prospect of theirs, and I'm a UFC veteran, so I see two things at play here: Either I beat him, and I get a good opportunity to go for the title, or they use me as the 'stepping stone' to help him," Arce said. "I don't care, a fight is a fight. You can put whoever in front of me, and I'm going in there to win and come out with my hand raised."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Now in PFL, Julio Arce frustrated with how UFC exit unfolded

Even with all her accomplishments and accolades, Mikaela Shiffrin can still outdo herself.

Shiffrin set the single-season record for most World Cup wins in one discipline Tuesday, March 24, with her ninth victory in 10 slalom races. That's one more slalom win than she had in 2019, when she set the single-season record for World Cup victories with 17.

And the nine wins doesn't include her gold medal at the Milano Cortina Olympics.

"This season has been so exciting. Quite like a whirlwind with all the wonderful races that we had, the Olympics and everything," Shiffrin said. "It’s been really pushing at a high level for a long time. And I am grateful for it."

Even more impressive than her wins: Shiffrin's margin of victory in her nine wins has been more than 1.1 seconds. In a sport where races are often decided by tenths or hundredths of a point, that type of dominance is astounding.

More: Peace of mind was Mikaela Shiffrin's biggest victory in 2026 Winter Olympics

Shiffrin's time of 2:07.61 in the World Cup finals was 1.32 seconds ahead of Wendy Holdener of Switzerland. Emma Aicher of Germany was third, 0.04 seconds behind Holdener.

After Shiffrin bumped Holdener out of the top position on the first run, Holdener held up her hands as if to say, "What are you going to do?"

Indeed.

The win also gives Shiffrin a commanding lead over Aicher in the race for the overall title. Shiffrin leads the 22-year-old by 85 points with only the giant slalom race at the World Cup finals on Wednesday, March 25, to go.

"There’s a new era of the greatest overall skier and I’m so excited to watch what she does in the future," Shiffrin said of Aicher. "For now we have one more race. ... We're both going to try and get a nap probably and then give it one last push."

Shiffrin is the best slalom skier in history, with 73 of her record 110 World Cup wins coming in the discipline. But she's skiing on another level this season. She was on the podium for every World Cup slalom race, finishing second in the one she didn't win.

She also won the Olympic slalom title, giving her two golds in the discipline and three overall.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mikaela Shiffrin sets season record with ninth World Cup slalom win

While he plays in central midfield for Bayern Munich week in, week out, Joshua Kimmich has mostly been deployed at right-back for Germany under Julian Nagelsmann.

Heading into the upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, Germany will be without two central midfielders, as Aleksandar Pavlović and Felix Nmecha have both been forced to withdraw due to injury.

Despite this, the Germany captain underlined at a press conference on Tuesday that there are no plans for him to step into midfield.

“No, I am convinced that I can bring my qualities as a right-back just as well as in midfield,” Kimmich underlined.

The 31-year-old also said he expects “two positive and good performances” against Switzerland and Ghana, stressing the importance of not looking too far ahead with the World Cup approaching later this year.

“We need to focus on what is immediately ahead,” the Bayern star stressed. 

“We cannot focus on the World Cup yet – the squad might look a bit different by then anyway.”

Liverpool are set for a midfield summer transfer shakeup.

Arne Slot is getting diminishing returns from the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. It would make sense to add a new option - particularly given the contract uncertainty over two members of the midfield.

Curtis Jones is out of contract in summer 2027 and if no new deal is agreed soon it would be no surprise to see him sold.

In a similar boat is Wataru Endo. Although his focus right now is on recovering from injury he too is out of contract in 2027 and there is no guarantee of his continuity at Anfield.

Liverpool looking at Kees Smit

And one name linked as a possible midfield solution in recent days has been Kees Smit.

The AZ prodigy is celebrating a first call up to the senior Netherlands national team and is putting together another impressive season for his club.

Tipped to soon take the next step in his career Smit looks destined for the Premier League with both Arsenal and Liverpool interested in his services.

The Premier League champions boast one key advantage over Arsenal however. Smit told ESPN NL earlier this week that he was relishing the opportunity to train with Liverpool and Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk.

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia has taken a major step forward in his career after receiving his first-ever call-up to the Spanish national team. 

The inclusion comes at a crucial moment, with this international break marking the final window before the 2026 World Cup.

For the 24-year-old Barcelona, the call-up is an opportunity to push for a place in Spain’s World Cup squad. 

Recently, the Spanish national team’s official media did an interview with him where the young goalkeeper shared his immediate reaction after learning the news.

“I was really looking forward to the chance to be called up; now that it’s happened, I’m very happy and excited,” he began.

With the World Cup approaching, Garcia understands that being involved at this stage could bring him closer to a spot in the final squad, but he remains grounded in his approach.

“Being called up in a World Cup year, I suppose, brings you closer to going, but I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing—working day by day and improving. 

“If the opportunity to go arises this summer, it would be a dream come true for me and I’d be thrilled. 

“I’m approaching this with great enthusiasm to get to know my teammates; there are many I don’t know yet,” he said.

The big reveal

The moment he discovered the call-up was also a memorable one. 

Joan Garcia has been called up for national team duty. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Providing the details of how it happened, Garcia revealed that it came unexpectedly during a routine session.

“I was in the gym working out because we had a training session”, and “a physical therapist came up to me with his phone, showed me that I’d been called up, and gave me a hug.”

When discussing influences, the Barcelona star admitted he did not grow up with a single idol, but he still drew inspiration from some of Spain’s greatest goalkeepers.

“There wasn’t one specific goalkeeper, but I used to watch goalkeepers like Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes, and David de Gea. 

“I watched everyone and tried to learn a little from each one of them.”

Competition in the national team

Spain’s squad selection has also drawn attention due to the inclusion of four goalkeepers, even though only three will travel to the World Cup. 

Garcia acknowledged the competition and took the opportunity to praise his fellow keepers.

 “I really like Unai’s calm, and for a goalkeeper, it is very important to give security to the team. 

“I like how active Raya is in all facets of the game, he is brave, he helps in everything he can: with footwork, aerial balls and he is very fast. 

“I like Remiro’s footwork and his reflexes, he’s a cat in goal,” he concluded.

Editor’s note: The Deseret News All-State teams are based on coaches’ votes from a list of nominated players.

2A Player of Year

Rylee Little, Kanab, 6-4, C, Sr.

21 ppg, 13 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg, 3 bpg

2A First Team

Kira Grant, Duchesne, 5-7, G, Sr. — 21.5 ppg, 3 apg, 4 spg, 53 3s

Jaycee Barlow, Enterprise, 5-11, F, Sr. — 16.6 ppg, 12 rpg, 1.1 bpg

Kaycee Castagno, Kanab, 6-0, G, So. — 13 ppg, 7 rpg, 4 apg, 4 spg, 1 bpg

Blakelie Davies, Millard, 5-7, PG/SG, So. — 19.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.3 spg

Ellie Stephens, North Summit, 5-11, Post, Jr. — 18 ppg, 13 rpg, 3 bpg

Danzee Bradshaw, Beaver, 5-10, G, Sr. — 11 ppg, 9 rpg, 4 apg, 1.8 spg

2A Second Team

Ruby Lurth, Beaver, 5-9, F, So. — 14.75 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.3 spg

Kate Smith, North Summit, 5-6, G, Jr. — 14 ppg, 6 rpg, 67 3PM

Hadlee Holt, Enterprise, 6-1, C, Fr. — 12.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.7 bpg

Lexie Davenport, Duchesne, 5-7, F, Sr. — 12 ppg, 9 rpg, 2 apg, 2.5 spg

Brittni Crum, Beaver, 5-6, G, Sr. — 10.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.8 spg

Khimya Fullwood, San Juan, 5-11, F/C, Jr. — 15 ppg, 9 rpg

2A Third Team

Kate LeRoy, Draper APA, 5-4, G, Sr. — 12.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 5.8 apg

Eliza Balajadia, Enterprise, 5-7, G, Sr. — 7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.7 apg

Bentlee Rogers, Enterprise, 5-8, G/F, Sr. — 10 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.0 apg

Rylee Bartholomew, Gunnison Valley, 5-9, PF, Jr. — 14.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.6 spg

Jaydee Houston, Kanab, 5-6, G, So. — 7.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.0 spg

Lexi LeRoy, Draper APA, 5-4, G, Sr. — 11.7 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.0 rpg

2A Honorable Mention

Chayden Sargent, North Summit, 5-6, G, Jr.

Annie Pearson, American Heritage, 5-9, F, So.

Taylin Kelly, Kanab, 5-11, F, So.

Kenidee Glazier, Kanab, 5-5, G, Sr.

Lillian Nolan, Maeser Prep, 5-3, G, So.

Olivia Bassett, Millard, 5-11, SF/SG, Sr.

Jaylah Dullin, Draper APA, 5-5, G, Sr.

Preslee Orton, American Leadership, 5-4, G, Jr.

Manamanya Ocwor, APA West Valley, 5-9, G, So.

Britlee Bastian, Beaver, 5-8, Post, Sr.

Kendrick Lusk, Intermountain Christian, 5-6, PG, Sr.

Quinci Vernon, North Summit, 5-7, G/F, Jr.

Deseret News 2A All-Tournament Team

MVP — Rylee Little, Kanab

Kaycee Castagno, Kanab

Jaycee Barlow, Enterprise

Bentlee Rogers, Enterprise

Danzee Bradshaw, Beaver

Ellie Stephens, North Summit

Saturday’s glorious victory over Chelsea came with many highlights — on the pitch, in the stands, and even outside Hill Dickinson Stadium. But chief among them all was the stunning strike from Iliman Ndiaye, which well and truly settled the contest in Everton’s favour.

Ndiaye picked out the proverbial postage stamp, but Everton’s Number 10 is no stranger to a great goal.

He has scored 17 times in 64 appearances across all competitions — perhaps it could be argued he should be netting more, given the quality he has — with 5 of those being penalties.

But the 26-year-old’s tally includes some truly spectacular moments, including the final competitive goal(s) at Goodison Park, and the first at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

So, I’ve had a shot at ranking his top five. And, it’s tough.

5. Manchester City (A) — December 2024

Ndiaye had already demonstrated his brilliance for his first few Everton goals. There was a mazy run and fine finish against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup, a lovely, drilled effort to get off the mark in the Premier League against Leicester City, and a thunderous shot against Ipswich Town.

But his exquisite strike against Manchester City towards the end of 2024 is what gets the nod for this list.

Abdoulaye Doucoure’s cross found its way through to Ndiaye, who brilliantly took it under his spell with a deft first touch, but the agile, prodded finish that followed was sublime.

It came amid the backdrop of Sean Dyche’s final few games at the club, but earned the Toffees a highly respectable draw at the Etihad Stadium.

4. Southampton (H) — May 2025

There are two to pick from here, of course, but I’m plumping for the first one.

While Ndiaye’s second will go down in history as the final goal scored at Goodison, his opener is what put David Moyes’s men ahead and really gave lift off to the celebratory nature of such an emotional occasion, with Everton saying goodbye to the Grand Old Lady.

Ndiaye, having drifted into an attacking midfield position, latched onto a loose ball and charged forward, surging through a gap in Southampton’s defence and planting a low, curling effort into the bottom-left corner.

3. Chelsea (H) — March 2026

An instant highlight reel, and arguably a goal of the season contender purely because of just how accurate a finish it was.

“Top bins”, “the postage stamp”, whatever you want to call it, Ndiaye sent his effort curling beyond Robert Sanchez and into a space just to the side of the post and just under the crossbar, nestling into the side netting before the ball did a lap of honour around the right-hand side of the goal.

Unstoppable.

2. Sunderland (A) — November 2025

Jack Grealish’s arrival last summer saw Ndiaye switch out to the right flank, and it is where he spent much of the first half of the season.

He is now back on the left flank, due to Grealish’s absence through injury, and while he does seem more like a more natural goal threat there, there’s no doubting he can be impactful from both sides, as he has also shown for Senegal.

What does perhaps become more notable on the right, though, is that he needs quality service from the other wing to be consistently effective, whereas generally, when playing on the left, he is able to create for himself with a bit of magic, drifting onto his stronger side.

There’s exceptions to every rule, though, and look no further than Ndiaye’s stunner against Sunderland as an example.

A true solo goal, Ndiaye picked up possession on the right touchline, drove infield and somehow squeezed his way between two defenders.

He squared up another two red and white shirts before curling, with his supposedly weaker left foot, a sumptuous finish into the left-hand corner, leaving Robin Roefs helpless.

1. Tottenham (H) — January 2025

And it’s another solo run and finish that tops this list.

Moyes’s first win in his second stint in charge of Everton came against Tottenham, as Everton raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin put them 1-0 up, but their second goal was the highlight, delivered of course by Ndiaye.

Having combined slickly with compatriot Idrissa gana Gueye on the halfway line, Ndiaye powered forward at pace, forcing Spurs’ defence to retreat.

Radu Dragusin tried to engage him, but by then it was too late, as Ndiaye did a full-speed crossover, sidestepped and then arrowed a left-footed shot high into the back of the net, sending Goodison Park into raptures.

It was possibly the goal that put the rest of the Premier League on alert, but that doesn’t mean Ndiaye has become any easier to stop.

//

The Tennessee Titans have wide receiver Kaden Davis on their radar this offseason.

KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson reports that the Titans conducted a workout with Davis on Tuesday.

#Titans worked out former #Browns receiver and kick returner Kaden Davis today, per a league source @KPRC2pic.twitter.com/zOHotzsaOF

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 24, 2026

The Titans’ busy offseason continues as the franchise looks to evaluate more talent in the open market.

Davis played for the Cleveland Browns from 2024 to 2025 before hitting the open market in 2026. He played 23 of his 24 snaps in 2025 with the Browns’ special teams unit and recorded 28 kick-return yards on the season.

The year prior, Davis logged 15 snaps on offense and 11 on special teams, giving him a more balanced distribution of playing time in Cleveland. He amassed 107 kick-return yards in 2024.

The Titans have first-team All-Pro honoree Chimere Dike as their primary kick returner. Tennessee has the option to add more depth to their wide receiver room, as well as to their kick-return game behind the standout returner Dike, this offseason.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans worked out ex-Cleveland Browns WR Kaden Davis

In the two minutes between 21:48 and 21:50 GMT on Tuesday, 18 November last year, the Glasgow Geothermal Observatory, stationed in Dalmarnock in the east of the city, picked up some seismic activity just over a mile away at Hampden Park.

The noise, they noted, was akin to an extremely small earthquake - because between 21:48 and 21:50 on that Tuesday, Kenny McLean launched a shot 50 yards through the night sky and into the back of Kasper Schmeichel's net to seal Scotland's place at the men's World Cup this summer, their first since France 1998.

After a wait of nearly 30 years, McLean's dig for the ages took 3.38 seconds from boot to net. It was the final kick of the most extraordinary evening.

Goals that will go down in legend. Drama that will surely never be surpassed. Emotion that didn't just reverberate around Scotland, but the world.

In the aftermath, head coach Steve Clarke said he could "smell magic" at Hampden and he was right.

There was something celestial about what went on, something pre-ordained, perhaps. A higher football power, higher even than Scott McTominay's boot when scoring the opener in the most gobsmacking way.

"So much optimism after a loss. It was like nothing made sense anymore."

Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson

This wasn't just a story that began and ended on that Tuesday night. It had been unfolding for months and had the most brilliant endgame.

In the last days of Scotland's epic bid for automatic World Cup qualification things seemed to take a potentially fatal twist in Piraeus, the main seaport of Athens.

With Denmark hosting group whipping boys Belarus in Copenhagen, Scotland had to avoid defeat that Saturday night in order to set up a winner-takes-all game at Hampden a few days later. That's what we thought.

Ryan Christie remembers it like the weirdest dream of his life.

"It was such a bizarre feeling," says the Scotland midfielder. "You go into it thinking it's win or draw or bust, basically. Then you find yourself 3-0 down. You're thinking 'we've really messed up the chance, haven't we?'"

At 3-0, in the dugout, Clarke's assistant Steven Naismith was having certain thoughts. "My mind started flipping to, 'Right, we're going to be in the play-offs. The automatic thing is done'.

"I started thinking about the bookings situation. It might be better if somebody gets booked to miss the Denmark game. Then the word comes from Copenhagen. Belarus are winning, then drawing, then winning, then drawing.

"Those plans about the bookings are out the window because we're still in this. You're like, 'This is mental.' It could have been the end - and it wasn't."

The game had ended in Greece - a 3-2 home win - but there were still anxious moments left in Copenhagen.

"When I came off, the kitman nudged me and said it's 2-2 in the other game," said Christie. "I thought, 'Oh my God'."

Denmark needed one goal to guarantee automatic qualification and send Scotland to the purgatory of the play-offs - and they were pummelling Belarus in pursuit of it.

The Danes had 35 attempts on goal in the 90 minutes. They beat Belarus 6-0 the previous month, but couldn't find a winner.

Midfielder Lewis Ferguson says it was the strangest feeling. "So much optimism after a loss. It was like nothing made sense anymore. We got out of jail."

"You feel like you've done your job even though you haven't," adds Christie.

"We got away with it," says defender Grant Hanley. "It's hard to put into words how we were feeling, but we were still alive. We were happy. We were going back to Hampden to play Denmark in front of our fans for a place at the World Cup."

"I spent about three hours that Tuesday afternoon just rolling around my bed, just staring at the ceiling. I didn't get much sleep."

Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie

Andy Robertson has spoken powerfully about what he was thinking in the early afternoon of the Denmark game in Glasgow.

Thoughts of his Liverpool team-mate and friend, Diogo Jota, filled his head, the striker having died in a car crash in July at the age of 28.

The players had a few hours of their own - to sleep, to dream, to shut down all thoughts of what was to come or to think of how they got to this point.

Christie was one of those. He hoped to get some rest but it never came.

"When I was first capped in 2017, you'd arrive on night one of a camp and think 'Oh my God, there's nine more nights of this'. But now it's how quickly can I get up the road to see all the boys," he says.

"On match day, nerves definitely hit me a lot earlier than usual. I spent about three hours just rolling around my bed, staring at the ceiling. I didn't get much sleep. But a few of the other boys said the same, which made me feel better."

As the clock started to tick towards departure time for Hampden, Clarke did his run-throughs at the team meeting. Having dealt with the minutiae of the tactical approach he switched and started to deal with the emotion of the day.

"It was just a clear timeline of where we were, how we've got here and the bad feelings you've had, but also the elation you've had," recalls Christie.

"He turned off the screen, took out a flip chart and talked us through the journey this set of players had been on from the night in Serbia when we qualified for the Euros, to Hampden when we lost to Ukraine in the World Cup play-offs.

"Basically, this was the last piece of the puzzle. When he was finished, a lot of boys jumped off their seats and were ready to go to war."

The team had been named the night before. Lawrence Shankland wasn't in it, but he was ready. "Everybody left the room with a real feeling that we could do it. I just had a feeling I'd get a goal. I had a sense I'd have a part to play.

"After the loss against Greece it was as if we'd got a wee bit of a second chance. I felt a wee bit of freedom amongst the boys. And it was a good feeling."

"The self-doubt and the knocks to your confidence, those were the hardest things I've had to go through in my career."

Scotland defender Grant Hanley

In the warm-up at Hampden, John Souttar succumbed to injury. Having started against Greece but been named as a substitute for Denmark, Hanley was back in.

Hanley has had a tempestuous international career, parts of it playing out against a negative backdrop from the Tartan Army. The Hibs centre-back is a Clarke favourite, though. The manager admires his resilience and his simple love of defending.

Things had been tough for Hanley. Only when he opens up do you realise how tough.

"I had an injury that, at certain stages, I wasn't sure I was going to get back from," he says. "Then coming back and being nowhere near the level I wanted to be, you're asking yourself questions about the future.

"Getting up first thing in the morning and going running on your own, you're thinking to yourself 'Is this all going to be worth it?' The self-doubt and the knocks to your confidence, those were the hardest things I've had to go through.

"Going through rehab, then trying to get back in the Norwich team, and then going to Birmingham and not really playing much. All that time, the manager kept giving me opportunities and I'll be forever grateful."

Emotion is a tricky thing. On the night, the players needed some, but not too much. "I'm so bad for getting emotional," says Christie. "If I was to catch eyes with my mum in the stand I'd be a mess, so I just stared into space.

"A funny thing. I played with Phil Billing at Bournemouth and he was on the bench for Denmark. I didn't get a chance to speak to him before but I wanted to say to him, 'Listen, get ready for this anthem [Flower of Scotland] because it'll be like nothing you've ever heard before.

"I managed to look at him while the anthem was going and his jaw was on the floor. That's a funny memory that sticks with me."

"It's Gannon-Doak picking it up on the right-hand side of the box. Little step-over. In it comes. McTominay! Scott McTominay with the most outrageous overhead kick you will ever see!"

Alasdair Lamont, commentating on BBC Radio Scotland, third minute.

When he kick-started the bedlam with a goal of balletic brilliance, Scott McTominay entered the history books.

At peak height, the golden boot of Italy's player of the year was 2.53m off the ground - a new record, beating Paul Onuachu of Genk (2.41m) against Antwerp in 2020 and Cristiano Ronaldo (2.38m) for Real Madrid against Juventus in 2018.

Hang it in the Louvre, they said. Not quite.

But the image of McTominay, mid-air and glorious, did hang in the Great Hall of the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh until early January and has since been painted on the gable end of a building next to Hampden.

"As soon as I saw Scotty starting to jump, I was thinking 'don't be so ridiculous'," says Christie.

"It was outrageous," says Ferguson. "I don't think people realise how difficult it is for such a big guy to get up that high and still manage to have the technique and the quality to guide it. It's just sensational."

Nine days earlier, Ferguson's Bologna had hosted McTominay's Napoli in Serie A, Bologna winning 2-0. They travelled together to Milan that evening, then caught a connecting flight to Antalya in Turkey where Scotland were having a training camp.

Like giddy schoolboys, they couldn't wait to get there, says Ferguson. And when they did, McTominay was his usual brilliant self in camp.

"The way he can cover the ground is elite. He can just glide across the pitch with elegance," says Naismith. "It's like in Super Mario where you get a mushroom and you're bigger, if that makes sense. And he's become a brilliant leader.

"The last part is that you just hope he's not an arsehole. And he's not.

"He's a brilliant guy. He'll hang about with the youngest players in the squad at dinner and chat away to them. I don't actually think he knows the value that gives to the younger players because he treats them all just the exact same.

"Then the next day he could be sitting with McGinn and Robbo and Kenny McLean and Grant and being part of that. And then he might just be by himself for a bit. He's a social butterfly. He's different. He's just different."

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• 'Scotland cash in almost 30 years of glorious failure as dreams come true'

"They're now checking if it's inside or outside the box… Denmark penalty! Hojlund against Gordon. Denmark level!"

Liam McLeod, commentating on BBC television, 57th minute

"When Andy made the tackle I thought, 'I don't think he got much of the ball there' but I hoped we'd just get away with it," says Christie. "I thought it was maybe outside the box, then it goes to VAR.

"When you're on the pitch you can look over to your bench, who've got an iPad to replay it, but nobody was giving us anything positive, so I thought that's a bad sign."

Christie's view is that Denmark deserved a goal at that stage and Ferguson agrees. "We knew there were going to be periods where they would dominate. But they weren't cutting through us. We weren't massively concerned."

Not everyone was as chilled. Hanley, for one.

"Maybe it's a defender's mentality, but you're sort of always fearing the worst at all times," says Hanley. "I was up against Hojlund and I couldn't believe the size of him. Honestly, he's a monster. We had to stay really focused to deal with him."

"Can Ferguson be on point here? Comes all the way…Shankland! And that could be the moment of history for this group of players. Lawrence Shankland off the bench!"

Liam McLeod, commentating on BBC television, 78th minute.

Not only were Scotland ahead again, they were now playing against 10 men, Rasmus Kristensen having been shown a second yellow - somewhat harshly - 16 minutes before Shankland's goal.

"Shanks actually said to me that it was going in from the corner," says Ferguson of his delivery. "We worked on it the day before - that low cross to the front post. I was aiming to hit the goalkeeper. Shanks probably had the easiest goal of his life."

And so the striker's hunch proved correct - he did a have a role to play.

"My position for the corner was to be around the goalkeeper but I was quite surprised at how unmarked I was. I did say to Fergie that it was probably going in, but it's not my job to take risks. I need to make sure. It was pretty surreal."

Jubilation was quickly followed by concern. Naismith wasn't liking what he was seeing in the immediate aftermath of Scotland going 2-1 ahead.

"We've got one foot in the World Cup, but we were terrible in possession," he recalls. "We didn't play with that freedom of having an extra man.

"Everything is happening so fast that nobody could get that corrected. And for a good couple of minutes, Denmark just kept the ball. We were not getting near them. You can just see that they're turning the dial a wee bit. We were killing ourselves."

"Still not clear…Dorgu! Goal! Oh my goodness me. Denmark are level again!"

Alasdair Lamont, commentating on BBC Radio Scotland, 81st minute

When Shankland scored, that defender's mindset took hold of Hanley again.

He was thrilled, of course, but he also had a nagging worry that Scotland had scored too soon. Twelve minutes of normal time left - too soon?

"Aye, you can ask the boys," he says. "But I also remember standing ready to take kick-off at 2-2 and honestly believing that we'd score again."

When Patrick Dorgu levelled it there was a scene of devastation in the Scotland box. Ferguson said he felt the energy being sucked out of him. Shankland felt sick.

"You just feel like, 'Oh my god, this is not going to be our day'," says Ferguson. "You feel like that for maybe five, 10 seconds, and then you switch on again.

"A lot of teams, a lot of players, when they get hit with that sort of sucker punch, might crumble. But there's something special about this team, so after those few seconds you're like, 'There's time left, we've got good players, we'll create chances'."

Shankland got over his sickness in double-quick time. "I just felt we were going to get another one. Denmark played really well but being down to 10, I thought they were going to try and protect the draw and that would suit us."

"McLean - in it comes. Ferguson's header, given away, but it breaks to… Tierney! History! History for Scotland and Kieran Tierney is the hero with an absolute piledriver. Surely that's it done now!"

Liam McLeod, commentating on BBC television, 93rd minute

A few moments before the Celtic left-back - playing on the right since his introduction in the 72nd minute - scored the second wonder goal of the night, Hanley was feeling sheepish.

"People might not remember it, but just before KT's goal, I'm in their box and John McGinn hits one sweet and I'm trying to get out of the way but it hits me on the arse. It's one of my clearest memories - that ball was flying in the top corner."

Ferguson says there was an unspoken feeling among the Scotland players that something was going to happen.

"I was trying to get in the box for anything dropping," he recalls. "Then the ball just bounces out and comes off my head, the Danish player tries to clear it, and it just fell to KT.

"I felt like time stopped when the ball was rolling towards him. It felt like the whole place went silent. He just struck it magnificently. As soon as it hit the back of the net - the noise!"

For it to be Tierney to make it 3-2 just added another chapter to the fairytale. He was in the foothills of another recovery from yet another injury, the story of his life in recent years.

"He's had it tough," says Naismith. "He's suffered. You're feeling terrible at times and then that brings an insecurity. He's had to work through that whole thing.

"Watching him in training at the start of qualification, I'm thinking, 'He's not the normal KT'. And I actually had a couple of conversations where I'm saying 'there's no quick fix here, you just need to grind it out'.

"The biggest memory I have of Kieran at the start of his international career is of him running on to the training pitch and blasting balls into the net, pure smashing it - and that's exactly what he did against Denmark."

Shankland says he had the perfect view. "I could tell right away that Schmeichel wasn't getting there. What a feeling. It felt better than my goal, to be honest. I was more excited for KT than I was for myself."

Now it's all about the full-time whistle. "The ref blows and we're there, but he doesn't blow the whistle," says Naismith. "He doesn't blow the whistle! Why is he not blowing the whistle?!

"I'm concentrating on the ref and the fourth official and not really caring what Kenny's doing with the ball."

It's McLean, looking to go for goal! From the halfway line! Goooallll! Glorious! Glorious! Kenny McLean from the halfway line!

Alasdair Lamont, commentating on BBC Radio Scotland, 98th minute

The last act of possibly the most exhilarating night in the history of the national team fell to McLean. When the ball came to him in his own half he took it for a little spin, unsure of what to do with it.

"I didn't initially think about the shot," he says. "I take a few touches and see support arriving either side and I'm aware the game's going to finish, whether I pass it or not.

"I was looking around to see if I had any pressure on me, to see if I had time. And I heard some noise from the crowd that sounded like 'shoot!'. It was the crowd that first put the idea in my head. And, obviously, I took them up on the offer.

"I hit it and it felt like slow motion after that. It felt like everybody went quiet. The ball started half a yard outside the post, but then it started turning. The goalie was in a bit of trouble. It cleared him and it was inside the post. It bounced and went in and that's when I started running.

"It was bedlam after that. Absolute chaos. I still get goosebumps thinking about it."

Ferguson recalls the moment the ball found the target. "The relief and euphoria that goes through you - the place erupted, I've never seen anything like it in my life. I had nothing left in the tank but then we all just sprinted about 100 yards into the corner chasing after Kenny. Pure adrenaline. It was like a dream."

The party carried on and on, everybody with a story to tell, everybody euphoric that the older members of the squad would now have their crowning glory of playing in a World Cup.

All going well, Craig Gordon, at 43, will become the second oldest player in history to appear on the biggest stage.

He's been on the road as a Scotland player for a staggering 22 years. Hanley won his first cap 15 years ago. Robertson made his debut a dozen years ago. For McGinn and McLean, it's been a decade.

For Clarke, it's been a whole lot longer. He's never made any secret of his dream of leading Scotland to a World Cup and with this group of players he's now done it.

As the celebrations roared on, Naismith had cause to remember how it was in his day as a Scotland player - 51 caps over 12 years. He speaks about the bond between the current squad and how times have changed.

"The boys now can't wait to meet up," he says. "We lacked that in my career, that togetherness. There was a bit of self-interest, I think. If a player didn't start the first game in a campaign and you were going away to, say, Macedonia in the midweek - 'oh, I'm injured, I'm not going'. There was too much of that. Not now."

The final words to McLean, mayor of Norwich and now King of Scotland.

"Every player says it - and a lot of the time it's said for the sake of it - but we really are like a club side, we're like a family. Honestly, the connection between these boys is like nothing I've ever been involved in. No cliques. Everybody as one.

"If you can be a good team-mate then it goes a long way. That's what I'd always want people to say about me and I'd say it about all of those boys. They have fantastic ability but above all they're brilliant team-mates and brilliant people."

The Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card is set.

On Tuesday, Most Valuable Promotions announced eight additional fights have been added to the lineup for its May 16 event, headlined by the Rousey vs. Carano comeback fight, which takes place at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and airs live in Netflix. The main card also features former UFC heavyweight champion and PFL star Francis Ngannou fighting Philipe Lins, and Nate Diaz facing Mike Perry in their return to MMA.

Some of the notable names now official for MVP MMA include former UFC champion Junior dos Santos, undefeated flyweight Muhammad Mokaev, former ONE champion Adriano Moraes, former Bellator champion Jason Jackson, and Karate Combat champions Aline Pereira—the sister of UFC star Alex Pereira—and Robelis Despaigne, and KSW champion Salahdine Parnasse.

See the added fights below (bout order still to be finalized):

Junior dos Santos vs. Robelis Despaigne

Muhammad Mokaev vs. Adriano Moraes

Salahdine Parnasse vs. Kenneth Cross

Lorenz Larkin vs. Jason Jackson

Aline Pereira vs. Jade Masson-Wong

David Mgoyan vs. Albert Morales

Namo Fazil vs. Jake Babian

Chris Avila vs. TBD

MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano is the first MMA event promoted by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s Most Valuable Promotions. The two have previously collaborated with Netflix on high-profile boxing matches for Paul, including his fights with Mike Tyson and Anthony Joshua.

“This card delivers on MVP’s ethos of building the biggest and most global events in combat sports that are mainstream must-sees while giving hardcore fans fights to feast on,” Paul and Bidarian said in a press release. “‘Cigano’ [dos Santos] is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and a Brazilian icon, Salahdine Parnasse is France’s brightest MMA star, Mokaev is one of the best in the sport and Larkin vs. Jackson is everything you want in a matchup.

“Alongside other exciting fighters from around the world, these fights make the card even bigger and reflect the true global scale of the sport. We are continuing to prove that MVP and Netflix can create blockbuster live experiences that bring together fans and fighters from everywhere to create the biggest nights in sport. This is what we do.”

The NASCAR schedule this week takes us to Martinsville Speedway for the Cook Out 400 on Sunday afternoon in Virginia. We’re getting a field of 37 drivers for Sunday’s Cup Series race, with one part-time driver and a medical replacement.

Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss his fourth consecutive race due to vertigo and there’s currently no timeline for his return. It will be Justin Allgaier filling in behind the wheel of the No. 48 car, the third time he’s done that this year.

Read More: NASCAR Power Rankings Before Martinsville

Let’s dive into the NASCAR entry list for Martinsville, which includes Austin Hill behind the wheel for Richard Childress Racing.

NASCAR Entry List Martinsville: Cook Out 400 Field

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Tiger Woods is officially back to competitive golf with the Masters Tournament still more than two weeks away.

Woods, 50, informed ESPN he will play for Jupiter Links in Match 2 of the TGL Finals on March 24. Jupiter Links is facing elimination after dropping Match 1 of the best-of-three series to Los Angeles Golf Club on March 23.

Though he hasn’t played a competitive round since the 2024 Open Championship, Woods is ready to return.

Woods has not yet made a decision on whether he will play the Masters, which begins April 9. He underwent back surgery in October.

MORE: John Daly mocks himself after legendary PGA Tour golfer bellyflops down hill

“I said I’ve been working on it. Sometimes I have good days, sometimes I have bad days. Disk replacement is not a lot of fun,” Woods said, per ESPN.

The PGA Tour X account celebrated Woods’ return with a post in the early-morning hours of March 24.

Woods, a 15-time major champion, ruptured his Achilles in March 2025 and had lumbar disk replacement surgery last fall. His most recent major championship came at the 2019 Masters, and he has five green jackets.

Meanwhile, Woods is the captain and co-owner of the Jupiter Links squad. He hasn’t played in a match this season as he recovers from surgery. Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner also are on the team.

TGL stands for Tomorrow’s Golf League. Woods and Rory McIlroy started 3-on-3, technology-infused game that allows fans to watch the world’s top players compete at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Los Angeles earned the 6-5 victory in Match 1 behind Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Sahith Theegala.

Match 2 of the TGL Finals begins at 7 p.m. March 24 on ESPN and the ESPN app. If Jupiter wins the match, the deciding Match 3 will follow at 9 p.m., also on ESPN and the ESPN app.

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